I stood in the shadows of Master Cyclonis's machine as she summoned the Dark Ace, Ravess, Snipe, and the Raptors. She stood in front of her machine moving crystals and adding them together, making new ones.

The Cyclonians and Raptors entered. The Dark Ace at the head, Ravess and Snipe flanking him and the Raptors standing off to the side in a similar formation.

"Master Cyclonis," the Dark Ace bowed as he had before. "You wished to see us?"

"Yes," she said, in her quiet voice. "I heard there was an incident in the Mess Hall."

"An incident, Highness?"

She turned to them. "Yes, with Skylar."

The Dark Ace glanced at the Raptors. "Yes, I'm afraid the Raptors tried to make an impression."

Master Cyclonis held her palm up and slowly closed her hand. I stepped out from the shadows, it felt ominous to me, and I hoped it was.

All of them looked over to me and Master Cyclonis spoke. "I went to Skylar's room to see how she was settling in and learned about what had occurred. I was very surprised to learn that my top Cyclonians and the Raptors were acting like bullies on the playground."

"Master Cyclonis," the Dark Ace said quickly, "there has been a misunderstanding about all of this."

"Really, Dark Ace," I was creeped out by her demonic double voice, "and what would that be?"

"Skylar left before anything could be done about what had occurred. Right after she left the Raptors were disciplined and they very much regret what had accord. Right, Repton?" he turned and glared at the head Raptor.

"Of course, we had no idea. We thought she was a… nobody that wanted to feel important. We humbly apologize to you Skylar," he and the three lizards behind him bowed to me, "for acting like children and any embarrassment we caused you."

"Are you satisfied with their apology, Skylar," master Cyclonis asked, looking sideways at me.

I looked over at her and glanced at the crystal in her hands. "Is that what you were working on?"

"Yes, it is."

"Levitation with a thunder, right?"

"Yes. It gives…"

I nodded, "and that would…"

She nodded, "and thus…"

I grinned, "Genius! May I?"

"Of course."

I took the crystal from her and held it in the flat of my hand. I studied it for a few moments. "This is incredible." I held it out and aimed it at the head Raptor. A red bolt shot out, hitting him square in the chest, and he flew backwards. His back hit the wall with a jarring force. "Oppsies, didn't see the wall there."

Repton fell face down on the ground, breathing hard. His squad surrounded him, and as they asked if he was ok, I gathered that they were all idiots.

I handed the crystal back to Master Cyclonis. "Very impressive, I've never come across crystals like this back on my terra."

"Nor would you," she said smiling. "Making crystals is a very difficult task."

"I don't doubt it."

"Why don't I show you some crystals I've created, and maybe we can find ways to better use them."

I nodded and we walked past the Cyclonians and the Raptors. Side by side we left the room, talking about crystals and ways of using them. Neither of us ever finished a sentence because the other already knew what was going through the mind.

I realized as we walked that the Dark Ace was right and that Master Cyclonis and I were more alike than I had believed. Yep, life is weird but I'll keep going and it can't get that much weirder.