"So what do I need to do?" I asked the very next day, sitting on Quiksilva's saddle. As he pawed the ground I looked directly at Moordryd. Sitting on Decepshun's back he gave me a quick grin.
"All you have to do is race me around the track and win." Moordryd replied and I sighed, adjusted the helmet Cain passed to me. "Try not to fall off." He added before Decepshun leapt forward, taking off before I could react.
"Hey no fair!" I yelled as Quiksilva growled, just as annoyed. "Come on, boy. We can't let Paynn in the rear beat us." I said and he snorted, leaping after the female Psi-class dragon. In seconds we caught up and I grinned, leaning towards Quiksilva's ears. I quickly whispered something and he grinned. Taking a deep breath I focused and with a low growl, Quiksilva sped up. His paws a blur he easily outran Decepshun and as both rider and dragon watched, both shocked, I let out a yell. "Yeah! Beat that!" I called out, Quiksilva laughing as we left both our friends in the dust.
They can't touch us, Quiksilva snorted as he reached the turn in the track. Oh no, hold on!
Once I noticed I gripped the handles of his saddle, ignoring the shooting pains in my wrist as I activated the Blue turning gear magged to Quiksilva. Taking the corner with only seconds to spare I grinned just as Quiksilva slowed. "Wait, what happened?"
I have no idea but that was drac, Quiksilva growled and I giggled as Decepshun finally caught up. With a snort, she moved past us and Moordryd grinned.
"We can't let them win!" I called out and Quiksilva snarled, rushing after Decepshun. Even if Moordryd was the much better, more experienced rider I didn't want to lose to him and Quiksilva sped up again. Now neck and neck, both dragons panting as I leant forward the finishing line coming closer to us. "Go, go!" I yelled, urging him on. But a foot maybe less from the finish line his claws caught on the track and he tripped, slamming into Decepshun who couldn't stop in time. With a roar both dragons went down in a heap.
With a wide-eyed stare, Cain rushed over to us thinking we were hurt. When he heard laughter he slowed finding both Moordryd and I still seated, cracking up as our dragons snorted. Climbing to his feet, Quiksilva looked at me before his tail smacked me in the back of the head. "Very funny, boy." I complained, rubbing my head and he chuckled.
"That was drac...except for the dismount." Cain said as Moordryd climbed from his dragon, rolling his eyes at me once he was standing on the track.
"Now that was fun." I laughed as Quiksilva shook himself, thankfully unhurt even after his fall. "So now what do you want to teach me?" I asked and Moordryd shook his head, looking towards Cain who just grinned.
Half an hour later I was once again sitting on Quiksilva's saddle as we followed Decepshun and Moordryd through Down City. I wasn't sure exactly why but Cain and Coershun were along for the ride, walking beside Decepshun as we made our way further in. Pretty soon we came to a doorway and that's when Moordryd dismounted, motioning me to do the same. Confused, I did so and Quiksilva looked directly into my eyes before he let out a low growl.
"It's okay, boy. I promise I'll be back soon." I told him and he nuzzled me. Giving his neck a quick squeeze I followed Moordryd as Decepshun waited with my dragon and Coershun. Cain followed, leaving the trio of dragons to wait outside as we made our way through a doorway. Pretty soon we came towards an open doorway and I paused, unsure as Moordryd headed inside. With a shrug, Cain followed and I quickly stepped forward not wanting to be left behind.
"Well, so you finally decided to show up." A voice commented and I blinked as Moordryd snorted, arms crossed against his chest.
"Very funny, Phistus. Why did you call this meeting anyway?" Moordryd asked, faking a yawn as I stepped beside him. I covered my mouth, fighting off a giggle.
"I called this meeting of the council of thirteen to discuss the recent attacks made by a warrior and his dragon." Phistus replied and I let out a breath, somewhat relieved he wasn't talking about Armeggaddon. That's when he finally noticed me and I flinched as he narrowed his eyes. "And who is this?"
I moved towards Moordryd, attempting to hide until he nudged me forward. "I'm...Rayne. Of the Dragon Eyes crew." I answered, clearing my throat as all eyes in the room looked directly at me. "Does the warrior wear purple and red colored armor and have a stable sized dragon?" Getting a nod from Phistus, I sighed. "That would be Drakkus."
"How do you know all this?" Phistus asked as he picked up a large battleaxe. Clearing my throat so no one would notice me looking nervous, I scratched my chin.
"I've had a few run-ins with him. You do not want to get on his bad side." I answered and he gave me a tiny smile. "My advice is to keep your distance."
"Nice words but that doesn't help with our current problem." Moordryd said and I narrowed my eyes at him, annoyed. "I think we should take the battle to him."
"He's a powerful warrior, more powerful than anyone on this council. If you want to face him then by all means go ahead." Phistus shot back and Moordryd growled, his Black energy drain whip suddenly near his hip.
"Going after him ourselves is a really bad idea. Maybe with the help of the Dragon and Shadow Booster we can have a fighting chance." I pointed out, giving Moordryd a quick grin. Even though he frowned at me I didn't back down, seeing Cain give me a quick nod. "And with the help of the Council of twelve I think we can." I added and Moordryd rolled his eyes.
"Maybe. Right now we need to focus on the constant Wraith attacks." Phistus said and as he started to speak I noticed Moordryd shaking his head at me. I didn't get a chance to ask why when my Com Link beeped. Moving back towards the doorway I quickly answered it.
"Hello?" I said, seeing Artha's face. "What, right now? Alright I'm on my way." I told him, the call cutting out just as I finished speaking.
"What is it?" Moordryd asked and I nearly hit the ceiling. "Well?"
"One; thanks for scaring me again. Two; Artha aka the Dragon Booster needs our help with a wraith problem. We need to go now." I answered as Cain quickly joined us.
"We have bigger problems, like Drakkus in case you forgot." Moordryd answered and I turned to Cain, hoping he would back me up. When he shrugged I sighed, moving past them as I headed for our dragons.
"If you're not going to help, I will." I told him, making my way back to where Quiksilva was. I didn't even answer when Moordryd called out, telling me to come back. A few minutes later I found Quiksilva who gave me a grin only to frown when he saw I was alone. "Don't worry about it. Artha and Beau need our help and I'm not waiting around until Moordryd gains a conscience." I told him and he shrugged, kneeling so I could reach his saddle. "Unlock the light!" I called out, a brilliant light causing both Decepshun and Coershun to look away. Transformed, Quiksilva lifted his head a roar echoing before he took off running at a high speed.
I was pretty angry that my so called friends thought that helping the Dragon Booster fight wraiths wasn't a priority but I pushed my anger aside, focusing instead of stopping the mind controlled dragons. "Artha, where are you?" I called out as Quiksilva sprinted along the pavement only to see something speed past and he skidded, nearly plowing into Beau as he shot past. I opened my mouth only to see him being chased by half a dozen wraiths so I kept quiet, Quiksilva rushing after our friends.
"Oh great." Dragon Booster muttered as Beau came to a dead end. Whirling around he growled as the wraiths advanced, screeching. Just as they stepped towards him, green trapping gear at the ready, we attacked.
"Gangway!" I yelled and they both stared as Quiksilva slammed into the wraiths, sending three into the pavement. Another, Quiksilva sent flying towards Beau who smacked it with his tail, the dragon hitting the pavement with a painful crunch. I winced not seeing the remaining two dragons appear.
"Light Booster, look out!" Dragon Booster yelled, pointing to something behind me and I turned around just as a set of green trapping gear sped towards me. I grimaced, my eyes shut tight as I waited for it to hit. What I didn't count on was something blocking the gear, the sound of metal hitting metal making me crack open an eye to find Shadow Booster standing in front of me.
"I thought you could use some help." Shadow Booster said and I nodded, forgetting I was angry at him. "Now you ready?" He added and I grinned, my hand glowing. Launching a Mag Blast made the wraiths think twice about attacking us and with my friends at my side, we sent the wraiths packing.
"Yeah, how do you like that?" I called out a big smile on my face until Shadow Booster glared at me, arms crossed and I frowned at him. "Okay what's with that look?"
"You're such a...scales. Just forget it." Shadow Booster said, Decesphun turning around only for me to block her path. She stared at me, head slightly tilted as I glared up at her rider.
"Hey don't you walk away from me. I chose to help my friends unlike you." I told him as he looked down at me, eyes glowing under his helmet.
"They're your friends, not mine." Shadow Booster answered and I let out a frustrated growl, tapping my boots against the ground. "Don't give me that look, you always do this."
"Hmph. Like I care what you think." I said, climbing onto Quiksilva's saddle. "Thanks for the help, guys." I said to Artha and Beau who grinned at me. "Now I'm going back to Penn Stables and I'm getting my...sorry, Quiksilva's armor back. So are you coming or not?" I asked Shadow Booster who nodded. "Come on, boy. Back to Penn Stables!" I called and he grinned, taking off so fast his paws were a blur.
"How does she do that?" Shadow Booster muttered before he took off after us, leaving the Dragon Booster and Beau behind.
"And once again they forget about us. Up for a race, Beau?" Dragon Booster said and Beau grinned, racing after the other two boosters.
But we didn't get far when I heard a noise and something slammed into Quiksilva, throwing me to the ground as my dragon roared in pain. Shaking my head I went to sit up, only for a Mag energy stream to pick me up. I struggled, a growl emerging from my mouth just as Armeggaddon appeared. With a glare aimed at me he threw me into the pavement and Quiksilva roared, leaping to my aid. Completely silent, Armeggaddon threw Quiksilva into a wall using Mag Claw and my dragon growled.
"Leave him alone!" I yelled, one hand against my side and Armeggaddon focused on me. I backed up, eyes downcast before I could stop myself. "What do you want?" I muttered as he grabbed my chin.
"The dragon armor." Armeggaddon growled and I stared at him, trying to think of an answer. "Where is it? Tell me now or you'll regret it." He demanded and I growled, hand raised towards his chest. To his shock I borrowed Quiksilva's energy, concentrating on a Mag Claw. I lashed out and Armeggaddon leapt back before it connected, freeing me from his grip.
"Quiksilva, let's get out of here!" I yelled as he rushed over to me, magging me. Together we fled, both hearing Armeggaddon's cry of rage. Why he didn't follow us, I have no clue though right now I just wanted to get somewhere safe. By the time we arrived, my bandage undone and both panting, I saw Connor just outside the stables with Lance.
They took one look at us and rushed over, just as I fell from Quiksilva's back. I whimpered, cradling my still healing hand against my chest as they hurried to my side. "He knows..." I mumbled as Quiksilva nudged me, my other arm drapped loosely around his neck for balance. "The gear...he wants it."
"Who wants it?" Connor asked and I glared at him from under my helmet. Pushing past him, I headed towards the lift with Quiksilva following just behind me. "Rayne, wait!" He called out but I didn't even look up, too intent on retrieving the gear Connor had taken from me.
"Rayne, maybe we should...never mind." Quiksilva sighed when I lifted my head to stare at him. As the lift headed towards the Dragon Temple, I pulled out the amulet returning us to our normal selves.
"I know what you're thinking but this isn't stealing if I own it...sorry we own it. Anyway, Connor stole it from us in the first place so I'm just righting a wrong." I said as the lift landed in the Dragon Temple. As I approached the spot where Connor had left the Dragon Armor I looked for a switch. "Hmm now how do I release it from..."
"Just what do you think you're doing, Rayne?" Connor asked as he appeared from the shadows and I yelped, taking a step back.
Busted, Quiksilva growled as I narrowed my eyes. Moving forward I watched as Connor frowned and I realized that Quiksilva was right; I was in big trouble.
"Before you get mad you took the gear from me and Quiksilva so you're to blame for this." I told Connor not liking the way he continued to stare at me, not speaking.
Finally he shook his head, reaching towards the wall. When I heard a click I looked around only to see the gear appear in front of us, glowing a little and I grinned. Thinking he had changed his mind, I reached for the gear only to have Connor block me from reaching it.
"What's the deal?" I asked, annoyed until he shook his head. "Why not?"
"This gear doesn't belong in the hands of a child, especially one as reckless as you." Connor replied and I growled, Quiksilva rolling his eyes behind my back.
"How dare you! I was chosen to be the next Light Booster. I found the gauntlet and the amulet plus Hurricaynn's bonemark..." I paused to take a breath and Quiksilva snorted, nudging my arm. "You can't treat me like this!"
"I once told you that while you live under my roof, you will obey my rules." Connor answered, keeping his anger in check and I shook my head at him. "Have you already forgotten that?"
"Good luck with Armeggaddon and the remaining boosters. If it wasn't for me and my friends we wouldn't even have the amulets and gauntlets that match but who cares about that?" I replied, throwing my hand up in a very sarcastic wave. "I guess I'll stay with Moordryd and the Dragon Eyes then."
Quiksilva hesitated for a moment before he snorted, heading towards me as Connor watched on shaking his head. Knowing he wouldn't just hand it over, I decided to make good my threat and with Quiksilva in tow I left the Dragon Temple. We had just stepped outside when Lance looked up, his Vid Game in hand.
"You're leaving, aren't you?" Lance asked and I sighed, wondering just what to tell my youngest friend. Then Artha beat me to it and I turned as he and Beau walked over.
"Rayne's mad because dad won't let her have the dragon armour." Artha said and I narrowed my eyes. "It's true, isn't it?"
"I don't get it. We found the armour, brought it back and now we can't keep it." I complained and he shrugged, annoying me. "Hey I'm not whining." I added when everyone laughed. Even Quiksilva cracked a grin and I snorted, turning around so no one could see my red cheeks.