After an eternity, I present to you the next chapter. Enjoy~

How does she always know what I'm thinking or what I'm planning on doing? She just has to glance at me and everything is revealed. It's not fair!

"Stealth," she muttered as she floated over to my bed. "Stealth, come on. This can't keep going on. We've given you space, now it's time for the moping to stop. Soon your grades will be affected. We want to help you but you have to let us. Rider's pretty much in a state of panic over the way you're acting. He wants to save you from whatever darkness is clouding your mind but he knows he can't. I've been cornered by Cali every afternoon asking if you're alright. She's really worried. Hell, I've even been cornered by Flameslinger. He's really pissed off over the whole thing."

At this point, I could tell she was smirking. Damnit Hex! Now's not the time.

"I'm pretty sure he told Cynder off. Heh, you're lucky. Two brave 'knights', both wanting to come to your rescue."

"Stop," I blushed as I sat up. "Just stop. They're not knights coming to my rescue."

"Sure they are," she grinned. "Only one looks at you like a little sister. It's the other one I'm going to have to keen an eye on."

"Shut up," I chuckled. It felt nice to be able to smile again...even if it was just for a moment.

"That's better," Hex cooed, carassing my cheek and smiling. "It's nice to see that smile again. You should leave your mask off more often. The others might stop the rumors if they could see there is nothing but a normal mouth and nose under it."

I laughed at the thought of the rumors. So far I had no teeth, some form of flesh deformity, scars, two mouths, a horrible wart, demon fangs, no mouth at all, a forked tongue, a mouth the size of a pea, an uncontrollable facial hair problem, a tattoo and bad breath.

"I'm surprised they haven't noticed all the piercings I have." I mused, grinning like a fool at my best friend.

"Ooh, I'll start that one up tomorrow and add it to the list." Hex sniggered to herself. "That's a good one really. I wonder why it hasn't occurred to the masses yet?"

"Does it matter?"

"Not really. So, you going to tell me what's bothering you or do I have to torture it out of you?"

I stared at her. Did she really just threaten me with torture?

"Don't look at me like that little miss moody elf. I'm of the undead element remember?"

"That's not an excuse!" I roared, trying not to laugh. She was messing with me, I knew she was, but it was so hard not to play along with it. "Hex?"

"Yeah?"

"Let's go for a walk. I need some fresh air."

"You realise if we get caught breaking curfew, it'll be a month's worth of detentions for us and I've still got Cali's to complete don't forget."

"You're either in or you're out."

"Just put your damn mask on and let's be gone."

-Flameslinger-

To say I was furious was an understatement. Maybe it was the fire buring within my very soul that made me so hotheaded, or maybe it was that I cared about her alittle too much. Whatever. The point is that Cynder knows how I feel about Stealth and she still insists on tormenting her.

Cynder and I have been on rocky ground for quite a while now. I'm sick of her constantly sticking her nose where it doesn't belong. Spyro needs to keep her on a tighter leash before someone puts her in her place for good. Undead element or not, Cynder needs a serious attitude adjustment.

Ever since she had found out about my little crush, she's made a point of teasing me for it and picking on Stealth just to get a reaction from me. I honestly don't get it. Does she derive some sort of sick pleasure from making others suffer or does she feel so threatened by everyone else around her that to survive she has to belittle others? I wouldn't be surprised by the first, but the second is more likely with her shadowed past. It's something that everyone in our groups knows about but it's never discussed. Even she deserves some privacy..right?

The air was crisp as we crept around the shadowed boundaries of the main courtyard, keeping out of sight as the night patrol made their rounds.

To briefly explain, the night patrol is made up of the older academy students. Every shift they do counts towards their final grades and consideration for advanced training in other institutions once they graduate. No everyone that attends the academy graduates and still wants to become a Skylander so there are many other options available to them once they leave. Training at this academy is one of the greatest stepping stones anyone could ever hope for.

The sound of a twig snapping catches me by surprise and I realise that I haven't been watching where I was going. I look over to Hex and smile sheepishly while she glares, trying not to laugh.

In the dark it's hard to make out what she's mouthing to me, but I understand at once when she vanishes into the vegetation. I make a move to follow her but a strong grip on my shoulder stops me.

Well crap. I'm so busted now.

How could I be so careless?

"Stealth! How could you be so careless?" Rider whispers to me harshly. "You're lucky I got assigned the courtyard tonight and not someone else. Hex, I know you're there, it's no use hiding. What were you both thinking? Breaking curfew?"

"Rider," I utter, staring up into his hollow, ghostly eyes, trying my best to look innocent. "I needed some fresh air..."

He sighs and pulls me close, almost crushing me in his tight embrace. "Welcome back, Kiddo."

And there you have it, my sleep deprived waffle. It's been in my head for weeks now and tonight I found the motivation to type it out. The majority of the next chapter is typed out as well, and just a heads up, it's a Hex chapter so yeah.

I can't help but feel that the Typo Fairy hates me. It took me so long to correct all the mistakes my sleepy eyes missed, so please excuse any you may see. I hope you all enjoy and once again, I'd like to thank everyone who is still reading this and those who have started. I love you guys, every single one of you. c:

-Xandy