I don't own Dragon Booster, only Shade.

"No!"

"But Artha-"

"NO!" Artha screamed at the end of his patience. I recoiled at the sound of his voice. It was cold and hateful, though I could only hope the small bit of concern was real.

I had only asked if I could be on his racing crew since I now had a dragon, and gear. Then this one sided screaming match started. "But I-"

"Shade, just go away." Artha said turning his back to me.

I look down as I walk out of Beau's stable. I saw him glare at Artha before sending me an apologetic look. I sighed as I went into Stratowind's stable. I had recently just got him, and gave him the nickname Breezer. I saw his dull bronze eyes brighten when he saw me, but dim when he saw how down I looked.

Breezer got up and nudged me. What's got you so down, dear? he asked.

I sighed. While being able to hear dragon's speech was good, I couldn't help but be a little annoyed at how well he could read me. "It's just, Artha won't let me on his crew."

I heard a tentative knock on the wall. "Shade? It was Lance.

I turned around and he was at the entrance. "Yes Lance?"

Lance shifted on his heels. "Um, just because Artha says you can't race on our crew, doesn't mean you can't race."

I smiled kindly. At least Lance still liked me. "Thanks Lance." I then get a saddle on Breezer. "Well, if Breezer and I are gonna race, then we better get some gear." I turn to my-adoptive- brother. "You wanna come too?"

"Sure!" Lance said happily.

So after Lance got Fracshun we headed into Mid-city for some things I may need. Who am I kidding? I 'will' need this stuff. We stop at a retail shop and I hear Lance groan, "Clothes? Oh no" I siled as we went in and our dragons waited outside.

I choose a helmet which was blue and the visor tinted light blue. I tried on a red jacket with purple markings on it and black fingerless racing gloves. "What do you think Lance?"

"I think you look even more like a girl, can we go now?" Lance asked impatiently.

I rolled my eyes and nodded. We left after I payed for my stuff of course. "Next stop: gear."

The two of us rode to a shop that sold well matenanced gear. I couldn't help but notice that people kept looking oddly at Breezer, then again maybe I should've found a way to cover his gold scales. We enter the shop, which was like an outdoor market. "Drac" I breathed looking around.

"You need Red Thruster gear obviously." Lance nodded his head proudly.

I turned my head so he couldn't see my eye role. "Obviously."

"And don't forget Green Ramming gear." A new voice piped up.

I looked over and saw Kitt with her dragon, Wyldfyr I think it's name was. "Thanks. We're looking for gear I might need in the races."

"How can you afford this anyway?" Lance asked after seeing the price for the green gear.

I grinned. "It's called a job. It's also what keeps you and Artha fed." I winked. "Since we both know the Artha can't cook."

"So, you're really gonna race?" Kitt asked.

I nodded. "Yup. I'm gonna prove to Artha that I'm not some weak kid who he thinks is a waste of space."

"Artha doesn't think that." Lance said. He then saw my skeptical look. "Okay, maybe he does just a little."

So after getting my gear, Kitt suggested that I test the gear out in a friendly race. And after I obliged, we headed to a track. Kitt and I were on the starting line with our dragons. Lance and Fracshun were on the side.

"Once around the track, no weapons, just a friendly race, got it?" Kitt asked.

I nodded. "Got it." I looked over at Lance. "Start the count down!"

Lance nodded. "Ready! Set!...Go!"

At that, both Breezer and Wyldfyr take off. I gasped in both surprise and excitement at the sheer exhilaration of the speed. This is awesome! "Does the thrill ever go away?"

"Only if you lose your edge. Now watch the master!" Kitt said and activated her red thruster gear. Wyldfyr sped up, leaving both Breezer and I in the dust.

"Aw man, now how are we gonna catch up?" I asked Breezer.

You want real speed, dear? Then unleash the sun. he said.

"Sun?" I clutched my sun amulet. He's right. If Artha can release the dragon, then what's stopping me from unleashing the sun? "Worth a shot." I closed my eyes. Unleash the sun, Unleash the sun...I opened my eyes to find that Breezer ha sped up drastically. This is so drac! In a matter of seconds were behind Kitt! She still won, but it was pretty close.

"You almost beat Kitt!" Lance cheered.

"That was pretty close. This your first try?" Kitt asked.

"Yeah." I said softly.

"Wow. Then you better watch out then." Kitt said.

"Why?" I asked.

"Cause if any crew saw you they would definitely want you on their team." Kitt said.

I smiled slightly. "Thanks for the warning."

"There's a race later today, how about you sign up?" Kitt asked.

"But I don't know where-"

"Come with me, I'll show you." Kitt said.

I nodded. "Lance, head home, but no telling Artha, okay?"

"Okay." Lance said leaving.

I followed Kitt to a race sign up table, I assumed.

"We're here to sign her up." Kitt gestured to me.

"Name?" he asked.

Kitt nodded at me. "Shade Penn."

"Individual or group?"

I looked at Kitt confused. "Are you in a crew or a lone race?"

"Oh. Individual." I said.

"Name of dragon."

"Breezer." I said.

"You're official."

"Come on Shade. The race crews are starting to arrive, I'll show you around."

After getting ready we got to the starting line.

"What are you doing here?" Artha asked with no hint of concern.

"I-I'm -" I stuttered surprised. Luckily though, Kitt came to my rescue.

"She's racing, what does it look like?"

Artha didn't say anything, but the look he was giving me said it all. I shrank away. "Thanks." I whispered to Kitt.

"Don't mention it." Kitt whispered back.

The gong sounded, and the race was on.