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Here's chapter three!

Moordryd had called Cain as quick as he could. They both had raced through Down City, Shadow Town, Work Town and the better part of Mid City as well. Though when they had approached Precinct, they slowed to a gallop, one that seemed casual enough to Moordryd. They couldn't have Dragon City Security sending Gargoyle Pursuit Dragons after them. They just didn't have the time for that.

In Mid City, Cain had whined at first about going so fast in the streets. They were busier than normal, as well they should be. People were flocking to see the most intense and exciting races of the season. They always came at the end, and now that there was a rivalry between two racers, with only one position available in the academy, the streets were at a standstill. Which created a problem for the two anxious Dragon Eyes. Moordryd knew he had little time to spare, as he had yet to go all the way to the Shadow Track, go into it, blow up the side of the cliff, and then came all the way back. And still make it in time for his race, which he then had to race with what energy Decepshun had left. He didn't know how long it would take to get the Dragon Booster trapped. He supposed it depended on how soon he could find active draconium in the track. And the sooner the better. They took the little known back streets and alley-ways, avoiding the heavy traffic, and when need be, jumping over slow-moving dragons or forcing them to move. Which was done with little or no problem. Being leader of the feared Dragon Eyes could give a person a certain reputation in the city.

Later, after being chased by Dragon City Security only once, which was surprising considering their antics in the streets, they sat on their dragons not too far from Penn Stables. Cain sat idly, fiddling with his mag-staff which he had lain across his saddle. They were waiting.

"Do you see them Moordryd? Because I sure don't." Cain said sardonically. Moordryd kept his face calm, suppressing an instinctive sneer. Cain got really irritating when he was bored.

"They'll come." Moordryd said through gritted teeth. He was more frustrated and impatient than bored, and Cain's overstated sigh agitated him further. Moordryd glared at Cain to let him know it was not appreciated. "Rancydd said only a few more minutes, Cain. Keep watching!"

Since Moordryd had Dragon Eyes all over the city, it wasn't too long before he had located some of the stable brats. Kitt and Artha were racing on one of the tracks with Chute, who had apparently decided to spare time from her own busy academy schedule to help Artha tone his skills. Since they were racing, Moordryd couldn't very well use them in his plan. Mini-brat and the egg-head, however, were ready to be duped. Rancydd was following them as they returned to Penn Stables from who knows where. The plan was simple: he and Cain would talk about getting more black shadow draconium from the Shadow Track, acting like it was a big secret no one should know. Lance and Parm would overhear, and, not knowing they were doing exactly as Moordryd wanted, call the Dragon Booster to stop them before they entered the Shadow Track. Then Moordryd would trap him in there. He was sure it would work…if they would get here! Already they had paused to watch the ending of a race, stop to buy candy, browse around a gear shop and talk to Race Marshall Budge about the day's race. Moordryd was getting too impatient.

Suddenly, his VIDD-screen came to life. "Magna Draconis, they're finally moving." Rancydd said. He was not one to sit still. "They should be passing by you in a few seconds."

Moordryd sighed with relief. "Okay, get ready Cain." Cain nodded, excited as well. Rancydd disappeared along with Moordryd's VIDD-screen to continue with what job he had been on before following the stable brats. Moordryd and Cain backed into the shadows beside a huge building. The stable brats would walk right past, stop once they heard Cain and him talking in the alley, and race off to tell the Dragon Blunder. Already he could hear them.

"Lance," Parm was saying as they approached, "I can't believe you did that. Who knows what it'll do to you."

"Chill, Parm," Moordryd heard Lance speak, "Dragonola bars don't make people sick if they eat them."

"Yes, but ten? Lance you really shouldn't have…"

"I feel drac. I'm fine, really." Lance protested and Parm huffed as he gave in.

"Ready?" Moordryd whispered to Cain, who nodded. Now Moordryd could see their faint shadows as the brats came as far as he wanted them to.

"You can't go back there, Moordryd. The Shadow Track is still dangerous." Cain started in a voice loud enough to be overheard. Parm and Lance's conversation immediately halted, as did their shadows. Moordryd grinned and looked back at Cain.

"But I have to," he responded, "my father needs some samples of black shadow draconium to experiment on."

"But what ever for, Moordryd? What ever could he use it for?" Cain asked in reply and then gasped and put his hands to his face. "You don't mean? Oh, dear, you do, don't you?" Moordryd could only stare at Cain. "Will he use it for something…dangerous? O what has befallen us?" Moordryd was ready to punch him. Instead, he had to make do with glowering at him.

"Of course you idiot! My father will use it to get rid of the Dragon Booster once and for all!"

"But I thought you were going to…" Cain started before Moordryd whacked him over the head with Cain's own mag-staff. Cain rubbed his head and glared back, point taken as he grabbed for his staff. "So once he experiments with them, he'll be able to destroy the Dragon Booster? Drac. But how will you get in? Isn't the track destroyed?"

"The track isn't dangerous any longer." Moordryd smiled when he heard Parm's sharp gasp. Those brats really needed to learn how to be quiet. "And as for getting in…you have the gear, don't you?"

"Oh, yes." Cain said as if he had forgotten.

"With that gear we'll be able to trick the track into opening and get the draconium. Cain, when we get there, I want you to scout the eastern side."

"No where else?"

"Why? The eastern side is the place where the Hydrags are most likely to get at us. I want you to make sure they stay away. No one else knows what we're doing."

"Is that why no one else from our crew is coming?"

"Exactly. They have jobs to do and would be just useless if they came. Come on, we have to finish this before the race this afternoon." Moordryd pushed forward on the handles and headed down the alley, with Cain following close behind, chuckling. Their dragons lumbered beside each other as Moordryd stared straight ahead. This wouldn't work if he looked behind and had one of the brats notice he knew they overheard. He tried telling Cain this with his eyes, and Cain seemed to understand. At least he didn't turn around. One of the brats was sure to peek around the corner at them.

Parm dared a peek around the corner at the two dragon riders. "Magna Draconis," he whispered. Lance tugged at his arm.

"We have to tell Artha! Now! Moordryd's going there. Now!" Lance looked up at his tall friend with worried eyes. Parm nodded and checked his pockets.

"Oh no. Where's my wrist-comm? Oh dear. I don't think we can afford to spare the time going to the track if Moordryd is heading there now. This is awful, just awful…"

"Parm!" Lance wailed.

"What?"

"It's on your wrist!" Parm glanced at his wrist.

"Of course." He said sheepishly. He hated it when he got nervous, he just couldn't think properly. Lance wasn't amused.

"Call him!" He insisted. Parm obeyed by contacting Artha. He groaned in frustration.

"He's probably racing right now, Lance! He won't pick up if he's racing." Parm tried again as Lance stamped his foot in frustration. Black shadow draconium was very dangerous. Parm had no idea what Word would do with it, but he knew it was going to be bad. But the Shadow Track? Magna Draconis, that place was an even bigger mystery. They had little or no time. Moordryd and Cain were headed there right now, and Parm knew they would finish what they wanted as quick as they could so they could make it back in time for the race. Why Moordryd wanted this done before the race confused Parm. His only answer was that Word really wanted that gear. Word struck Parm as a usually patient man. But Word was probably too excited to get the draconium samples, which meant he knew what to do with them, which meant as soon as he received them he would start construction on his diabolical plan. And if he was this impatient, it must mean that he had an extremely diabolical plan, one that would be hard to counter, if at all possible. Now he was rambling, which he always seemed to do when he was nervous and he just couldn't think with all these thoughts and possibilities ringing in his head. Too many problems with not enough solutions. He tried calling Artha again after his second attempt failed and willed Artha to pick up. All of a sudden the screen popped up green, showing a very annoyed Artha.

What?" Was his immediate question.

"Uh," Parm stuttered, wondering where to begin. Artha examined his face.

"You okay? You looked like you've just seen the Murhota!"

"It's not that! It's Moordryd!"

"What's he doing now?" For a moment Artha looked beside him, probably at Kitt or Chute. Parm took a deep breath. He should start at the beginning, and the sooner the better.