"Why does he have to been so mean?" I muttered as Quiksilva raced along the pavement, heading back towards Penn Stables. "To think I actually care about him too."
"He just worries about you." Quiksilva answered as his pace slowed. I grunted, clearly not as convinced.
"He has a funny way of showing it." I muttered, blinking when Quiksilva laughed. "It's not funny." I grumbled, reaching for my amulet. Changing back to myself again, mainly so Quiksilva couldn't comment I stared ahead as we headed back towards the city. Deciding to give me some space and not comment, not that he could except in dragon speech, Quiksilva took his time getting back to the stables.
I get why he's upset but he didn't have to talk down to me like that, I thought as I wiped at my eyes. I thought he'd been happy that we worked together and found the second last amulet.
"There you two are. How did it go?" Parmon asked and I jumped as he appeared beside Quiksilva, sitting on Cyrano's back.
"First of all thank you for scaring the scales off of me. Secondly...we found it." I answered as Kitt and Wyldfir drew up beside us. "It's in the saddle."
"Nice work. But where's Artha and Beau?" Kitt replied only to hear someone heading our way. I grinned, giving Artha and Beau a wave as they joined our group.
"Hey guys." He said and I gave him a nod, almost immediately looking ahead. "What's up with Rayne?" He asked and I turned my head slightly, shaking it before I focused back on our return trip.
"Did you see where Moordryd went?" I asked just as we reached Penn Stables. "Not that I care or anything." I added, much too quickly.
"Uh huh." Moordryd answered, only to stare when I fell off Quiksilva's back. "Nice dismount." He chuckled as I climbed to my feet, dusting off my legs.
"Oh go stick your head in a Hydrag's nest." I growled, storming towards the stable. "Come on, Quiksilva. Let's get you something to eat." I said to my dragon who glanced at Moordryd, giving him a growl before he followed me. As we disappeared into the nearest dragon stall, Cain grinned only to blink as Moordryd climbed from Decepshun's back.
"Silence, Cain." Moordryd muttered as he walked towards the stall only for Artha to block his path. "What do you want stable brat?" He asked, arms folded against his chest.
"How many times to I have to tell you...look just forget it. Rayne doesn't want to see you right now. Maybe you should leave." Artha told him and Moordryd glared, eyes narrowed.
"Before you two start fighting maybe we should get the Fire Amulet from Rayne." Parmon suggested only to get glared at by both riders. "It was...just a suggestion." He muttered when Kitt rolled her eyes.
Once we were inside the stable I moved to remove Quiksilva's saddle and after resting it against the wall, just within reach, he shook himself.
"He's a jerk isn't he?" I asked Quiksilva, gently rubbing my dragon's snout and he snorted. Sitting behind me I rested my head against his side. "I mean I know I was being a little reckless..." I started and Quiksilva snorted. "Alright so I was being really reckless but we needed that amulet. Now we only have one to go then Armeggaddon won't know what hit him." I grinned and Quiksilva chuckled. Pretty soon I let out a yawn, stretching.
Maybe you should get some rest, Quiksilva snorted just as my eyes drifted closed. Hmm at least you took my advice this time, he thought resting his head on my lap.
"Rayne, could we see the Fire Amulet?" Parmon called out as he headed after Kitt. Seeing Kitt shaking her head he frowned. "Huh why not?"
"Because they're both asleep so keep it down." Kitt whispered and Parmon quickly nodded, carefully looking inside the stable. "The amulet can wait. Anyway we still don't have the Power amulet."
"We need to find it before Armeggaddon finds us." Artha pointed out only to have three sets of eyes staring at him. "What?"
"You just had to open your big mouth and remind us didn't you, stable brat?" Moordryd muttered, standing against the stable wall. "Well since Rayne won't wake up until she's good and ready I might as well go home." He added, heading for Decepshun until Artha moved into his path. "What do you want now?"
"Rayne's not well enough to be looking for the last one, not after all the trouble she went through for the Fire Amulet. So come on, we're searching for it." Artha answered and Moordryd's jaw actually dropped before he coud stop himself. "No arguments."
"Hmph. What makes you think I'll help you?" Moordryd growled, not liking where this conversation was heading.
"Because you don't want Rayne to get hurt again. Not after last time." Kitt replied, now standing beside Artha and Parmon nodded. "So is it a deal?"
"Fine I'll help. But not until I go back to the compound." Moordryd finally answered, Decepshun magging him. "I'll meet you back here in an hour." He added before the Psi-class dragon raced away.
"I don't know what Rayne sees in him. He's a pain." Kitt said, turning back to the stable only to see Rayne standing inside the doorway.
"Where's Moordryd?" I asked, rubbing at my eyes. "Yeah...I heard every word. I know he's a pain...but he's my pain." I mumbled, yawning and Quiksilva rolled his eyes.
Rayne, you need to rest right now Quiksilva snorted. Taking hold of the hem of my shirt he gently tugged me towards the stables.
"Alright, alright. I'm going." I sighed, resting my hand on his head. My friends grinned as I let Quiksilva guide me back to the stable, not letting on just how exhausted I was feeling. Once he lay beside me, I rested my head on his. Seconds later I was fast asleep, not even stirring when Beau and Artha poked their heads inside the stable.
"Is it safe to leave them here? Armeggaddon could show up." Artha said, letting out a yelp when Beau whacked him in the head with the tip of his tail. "What?"
He doesn't know where Rayne is so quit worrying, Beau snorted and Artha shrugged not understanding.
Just over an hour later Moordryd returned with Cain and Coershun in tow. "Took you long enough. Are we heading out or not?" Artha asked, climbing onto Beau's saddle. "My dad said that the last amulet's in the wastelands of Loan."
"The wastelands? Where the Muhorta and Hydrags live?" Cain asked, eyes wide and Coershun snorted not liking that idea. "We're not going there are we?"
"Unless you want to fight Armeggaddon on our own." Artha pointed out and he muttered something under his breath, not liking both ideas. Eventually they set out towards the wastelands not knowing that they were being watched by a pair of amber eyes.
Trust them to leave without us, Quiksilva grumbled before he turned around. Heading back to Rayne he gave her head a nudge and she sighed, rolling over. Rolling his eyes he nudged her again and she finally opened an eye, yawning. Sorry to wake you but they're gone again.
"What's the matter, 'silva?" I whispered, sitting up and he snorted looking towards the doorway. "They left without us didn't they?" I asked and he nodded, giving a grin. "I guess we have no choice but to go and look for them, don't we?" I added grinning back. As soon as he magged me Quiksilva stepped through the doorway only to almost bump into Fracshun and Lance.
"Where are you going? Can we come?" Lance asked and I let out a giggle as they gave us both puppy dog eyes.
"Only if it's okay with Connor." I finally answered and after racing towards the house, leaving us with Fracshun, he came back with a grin. "Dad said yes if we're careful."
"That's fine. Okay then let's go." I answered and Fracshun magged him, giving my dragon a grin before he raced towards the bridge. "Hey wait up!" I called out, laughing as Quiksilva shot after the pair. What I didn't know was that Connor had told his younger son that it wasn't safe with Armeggaddon around so he was confined to the stables. But I guess even I wouldn't have stayed behind and listened to reason.
"So where are we going? You never told us." Lance asked once we were a short distance from the stables and I shrugged. "Wait so you don't know?"
"All I know is that your brother and Paynn in the rear left without us. But it shouldn't be too hard to track them down." I replied, trying to ignore Quiksilva's laughter. "Besides I'm the Light Booster so if anything happens I can protect us."
I had only just finished speaking when a earsplitting roar shook the pavement and I paled as Lance stared at me, eyes wide.
"On second thought running might be a better strategy." I whispered, swallowing and Lance quickly nodded, Francshun rushing back the way we came. But we didn't get far when a huge green and red dragon landed behind us, cutting off our escape. "Drakkus." I growled, ignoring my heart racing.
"We meet again, Rayne. The one who turned Moordryd against his father." He growled as Abanddon let out another roar and Quiksilva moved to shield Fracshun.
"I didn't turn him against Word. Word Paynn did that all by himself, treating his son like a servant." I shot back which only made Drakkus growl. "He doesn't deserve Moordryd."
"You speak of matters you don't understand. Perhaps you need to be taught not to talk back to your betters." Drakkus answered, his hands glowing and my eyes narrowed.
"And I suppose you're any better? Attacking a child and a girl?" I shouted and his eyes glowed beneath his helmet. Without warning a blast of Mag energy struck the pavement inches from Quiksilva's claws. "You think that scares me?" Hearing Frachun whimpering behind us I turned slightly. "When I give the signal run home." I quickly whispered to both him and Lance. Despite his wide-eyed stare Lance nodded.
"So do you surrender?" Drakkus asked and I turned back, glaring directly at him. "Otherwise I'll destroy you. Which is it?"
"Oh go play with a Muhorta!" I yelled at Drakkus, turning my head towards Lance. "Run!" I yelled at him and in a quick sprint Fracshun spun around, running directly for the Penn Stables. Instead of running after him, which would just cause Drakkus to chase us back there, I shot past the villain. "Catch me if you can!" I taunted as Quiksilva sped up, dodging a Mag Blast aimed at our heads. It slammed into the pavement and I laughed, secretly wondering what to do now.
I hope you have a plan because I certainly don't, Quiksilva panted as he dodged every attack aimed at us. Please tell me you know what to do, he added and I shook my head.
"Sorry boy but keeping him away from Lance and Fracshun was the plan. Not getting blasted is the second part." I told him, somehow knowing that's what he was asking me. Judging from the growl and the glare he gave me he wasn't thrilled to hear that. "Hey I didn't hear you coming up with...whoa!" I yelled, ducking my head just as a Mag Blast almost took it clean off.
You're the one who wanted to leave the stables so you're responsible for this mess, he snorted as he leapt a construction sign.
Instead of dodging, Abanddon just plowed on through it sending the sign into the nearest wall as he chased us.
"You realize I have no clue what you're saying." I answered as he headed for a corner only just slowing down enough to make the turn. "Hey where are we going?" I asked, mentally kicking myself for asking him that question. With a growl he sped up again, leaping up and digging his claws into a wall he leapt into the air.
Right then I heard a Mag Blast coming our way and I instinctly grabbed the handles of the saddle, hoping Quiksilva could outrun Abannddon. He just made it, clearing the wall as the wave of energy missed us by inches and he let out a roar when he heard Abaddonn skid to a halt. Too bad, I though while Quiksilva slowed down.
I think we made it, Quiksilva panted but it was then the ground lit up, blasting us into the pavement. Or not, he groaned as Drakkus and his dragon appeared.
"Foolish girl." Drakkus growled, hands glowing before he launched another attack. This time it hit me, flinging me from Quiksilva's back and when I struck the pavement I must have lost consciousness because I woke to find Drakkus towering over me. "I've had enough of your interferance. You and that Light Booster." He growled, lunging towards me. With a firm grip on my neck he chuckled as I struggled to free myself, lashing out at his hands. Which only made his grip tighten and I gagged, suddenly unable to breathe.
Leave my rider alone! Quiksilva roared as he struggled to his feet. Launching himself at Drakkus he roared again, this time in pain as Drakkus took a hand from my neck to blast him backwards. Rayne...he groaned.
"Leave her alone!" Someone shouted and startled, Drakkus' grip loosened enough for me to break free. Landing heavily on my rear I coughed as the Shadow Booster appeared, Decepshun snarling at the villain.
"You!" Drakkus growled, his dragon magging him. I immediatley glared though at Shadow Booster who stared at me through his armor. Surprised to see him I didn't even notice when Cain and Coershun appeared beside him, both exchanging a look.
"Don't give me that look. I came to help you." He muttered only loud enough for me to hear and I shook my head, arms crossed.
"I could have beaten him. I didn't even ask for your help or Cain's. No offense guys." I shot back as Quiksilva climbed to his feet, shaking himself before he magged me. "I'll leave you to beat him up to your heart's content but if I were you, Cain I'd leave before something bad happens." I added and Quiksilva gave me a stare not understanding. "Come on, let's go check on Lance and Fracshun." I muttered and he nodded only to pause when Abanddon stepped towards us.
"I'll cover you." Shadow Booster told me, not even looking in my direction. When he launched a Mag Blast of his own, Quiksilva leapt forward just missing the much bigger dragon's front paws. As he took off into a sprint I narrowed my eyes, angry that Moordryd had stepped in before I could fight back.
"I'm not letting Shadow Booster have all the fun." I said once we were a short distance away and Quiksilva screeched to a halt, amber eyes wide when I climbed from his back. "Unlock the light!" I called out, a tiny smile appearing on lips before my helmet covered my face.
"Rayne, you're not seriously thinking about taking on Drakkus?" Quiksilva asked and I nodded, climbing onto his back. "No offense but that's crazy."
"How can I not be offended?" I grumbled turning towards the sounds of a battle. "Now are we fighting or not?" I asked and he snorted, taking off before I was ready. I grabbed his saddle, glaring at my dragon as he sprinted back towards Shadow Booster and Drakkus. Only to slow down when we found the immediate area deserted. "Huh we'd they go?" I whispered, letting out a yell when something touched my shoulder.
"Geeze jumpy today?" Shadow Booster asked when I made a perfect imitation of a dragon's snarl. "He took off towards the wastelands and I was about to follow him when you showed up. That made me lose him so thanks for that." He added and I snorted, crossing my arms.
"I'm not responsible so stop picking on me." I growled, looking at the ground. "Anyway I'm not stopping you from chasing him so why are you just standing here? And where's Cain?"
"Obviously they're both Elite racers and even with Cain's help we couldn't defeat him so I sent them back to the compound. I wasn't stupid enough to follow someone that powerful." Shadow Booster shot back, giving me a stare.
"What so you're saying I'm stupid? Oh thanks a lot. Sorry I'm not as powerful as you but I had to learn this on my own after..." I trailed off when I had a sudden flashback to my training with Armeggaddon. Rubbing my hands over my arms I shuddered and Quiksilva lifted his head to glare at Shadow Booster. "And I wasn't treated as good as you were." I whispered, feeling tears welling.
"I never said that. Oh scales now you're gonna cry." Shadow Booster grumbled when I turned my head away. "Look I was on my way to find that last amulet. Do you want to come with us?" He offered and I nodded, wiping the tears slipping down my cheeks.
Following Decepshun, Quiksilva looked up as I sniffed. "Are you going to be okay?" He asked me and I sighed, leaning over and giving his snout a stroke. "If there's anything bothering you..well you know you can tell me." He added and I nodded, shifting on the saddle. A few minutes passed before we caught sight of Artha and Beau, who stared when they saw us both in armor.
"Where did you come from?" Artha asked and Shadow Booster ignored him, Decepshun pushing past Beau. "Did something happen?"
"Yeah Drakkus happened. But we're fine and he's gone. At least for now so we should be looking for the last amulet." I answered and he blinked at me. "Before you ask we're going with you four and that's that." I told him, giving him a tiny grin when Quiksilva raced ahead. "Try and keep up!" I laughed.
"How do you keep up with her?" Artha asked Shadow Booster who just shrugged before Decepshun raced after us, leaving Beau and Artha in the dust.
It wasn't until both Quiksilva and I were a fair distance away that I realized we didn't know where to find the remaining Power amulet. Though I didn't worry too much seeing as we did find the Fire amulet without even knowing where to look. After a while Quiksilva slowed down and I leant over, about to ask why until I saw something glowing on the pavement.
"Maybe it's the amulet." I commented and Quiksilva lifted him head, snorting at me. "Okay that would be too easy but let's check it out anyway." I answered, feeling my cheeks heat up. Just as we reached whatever the object was I heard Shadow Booster yelling at me. Annoyed, I chose to ignore him which proved to be a big mistake. We were almost on top of the object when my eyes went wide, catching a glimpse of a disruptor mine.
Seconds after a cloud of dust made me cough and unable to see, Quiksilva stumbled away from it. Right off the edge of the pavement, roaring with surprise as we both plummeted to the ground far below.
No, not again I growled as I focused my own Mag energy through myself and Quiksilva. With a growl his wings slowly emerged from both sides of his ribs, unfurling. With a grin he leveled out and as he headed back towards our friends I echoed his grin.
"Not bad huh?" I told them once Quiksilva landed beside Decepshun and Beau. Artha grinned back only to frown when Moordryd transformed back.
"Not good either. You could have been killed." He snapped at me and I stared, eyebrows raised as he pointed towards the path leading back to Penn Stables. "Come on, let's go."
"I'm not going with you." I muttered not giving him a chance to change my mind. Even Quiksilva seemed to share my anger when he snarled at Moordryd, leaving our friends speechless. "We're going after the Power amulet and you guys better not follow." I added, my voice low before Quiksilva took off running too fast to catch.
"I didn't want to say this in front of Beau and Decepshun but this is foolish. We're making a huge mistake chasing the last amulet on our own." Quiksilva growled slowing once he couldn't see our friends.
"I know but Moordryd just makes me so mad sometimes. He knows I'm not a weak booster but he just keeps being a jerk." I answered, looking directly ahead. "I really don't want to go back to them, not without finding that Power amulet."
"Then that's what we'll do. We're a team remember?" He grinned, taking off at full speed again and I laughed looking forward to the looks on my friends' faces when we came back with the amulet.
Unfortunately we had no idea where the last amulet was so I decided to get help from the friends I wasn't mad at, which consisted of Connor, Parmon and Kitt. I would have asked Lance but that wouldn't have gotten us anywhere.
"Is the amulet in the wastelands of Loan?" I asked as soon as Connor answered.
"Yes but the question is why aren't you with Artha and Moordryd?" He asked me and I sighed, not wanting to admit I had been a little hasty at going alone. "Never mind. The last amulet was hidden deep within the wastelands, very close to the Muhorta's cave so be very careful. The last thing you need is to be caught." He told me and I nodded. Before I cut the link I asked about Lance who immediately moved into view.
"I'm fine but dad says I can't come along this time." Lance told me, waving and I waved back. "Bring back the amulet okay?"
"Of course. I'll be back before you know it." I answered though after I logged off I couldn't help letting out a sigh. Sensing how worried I was, Quiksilva nuzzled my legs and I grinned giving his snout a stroke. "Thanks boy. You always know how I feel."
"That's why I'm you're friend." Quiksilva snorted and I giggled when he licked my face. "Now let's get that amulet before someone else finds it first." We raced away only seconds before Artha and Moordryd showed up to find us gone.
"Oh that's just perfect. Rayne, where are you?" Artha called out and Moordryd rolled his eyes, getting a glare in return. "Hey she's your girlfriend."
"Like that makes a difference. Rayne doesn't listen to me or anyone else except herself." Moordryd grumbled and Decepshun snorted, clearly agreeing with her rider.
"She might listen to you if you'd stop being a jerk towards her." Artha answered and Moordryd frowned. "Maybe if you would apologize..." He paused once he realized that wasn't going to happen anytime soon. "Never mind. We'd better go after her before something bad happens." He sighed, Beau snorting before he started off in a sprint. Decepshun looked up at her rider only to stare when he stared straight ahead.
"For once I agree. I just hope Rayne doesn't get herself into anymore trouble." Moordryd told his dragon and she rolled her head. "Come on, before the stable brat catches her first."
Of course by the time they started their search, both Quiksilva and I were miles away walking deeper into the wastelands.
"I hope we don't run into Drakkus or anymore of those wraith dragons." I said, keeping my voice low in case someone overheard us. After listening very closely I relaxed as Quiksilva moved further and further into the ruins. "I wonder where that Green draconium amulet is? Hopefully somewhere safe."
"I don't think it will be that easy to find it. Something tells me its hidden deep within a temple or one of those ruins." Quiksilva answered, looking towards an ancient (and dangerous) looking temple. "Wonder if that's it?"
"Something's a little...off about it. Maybe we should be careful." I replied as he made his way towards the temple. Just as we reached it we both heard a loud shriek and Quiksilva turned his head, responding with a roar. "Just announced where we are why don't you?" I grumbled and he snorted, looking back just as a dust cloud moved towards us.
"Wraiths! The temple it is." Quiksilva growled just as the wraiths appeared. I saw four in total before Quiksilva shot into the ruins of a temple, the door slamming shut behind us.
