As Quiksilva raced along, following Decepshun I started to think about this friend Moordryd wanted me to meet. It can't be a member of the Dragon Eyes because we're heading to Word's citadel not the compound, I thought.
I have no idea either, Rayne. Hearing Quiksilva growl I sighed, watching as he sped up. I guess we'll find out when we get there.
"Yeah I have to be patient. Thanks, boy." I said to my dragon who chuckled. As we walked back through the temple I stared at the walls, a little shocked when the walls lit up. Quiksilva slowed, eyes wide as he stared at the walls. "Huh. never seen that before." I muttered as something appeared on the left wall.
"Man you're slow." Moordryd said as Decepshun stopped and I frowned as he pointed to one of the glowing images. "That's Beau and the Dragon Booster."
"Hey don't call me slow. Anyway I don't know everyone like someone pretends they do." I shot back and he rolled his eyes, pointing to Beau and the Dragon Booster again.
"My father drilled it into me for years but 3000 years ago a war between dragons and humans started. The last Star Class dragon left, Beau, chose a human who became his rider which was the original Dragon Booster. They used their powers to change all dragons back to gold and that's how the war ended. As far as I've been taught anyway." Moordryd explained as I stared at the image again.
"That's pretty drac. Thanks for the info, Moordryd." I replied and he grinned, Decepshun heading towards the entrance again. "We'd better get to the citadel before your father gets angry again."
"My father's a Paynn. We don't do happy." Moordryd muttered and I stiffled a giggle as Quiksilva followed the Psi class dragon. We soon reached the other end of the temple and after finding everyone else, we headed towards the lift.
"Back to the citadel now, huh?" I asked, standing beside Quiksilva and Moordryd nodded. "Yeah I know. I've already asked that."
"Yes you have. He's not that bad." Moordryd answered and I raised an eyebrow. "Okay even I don't believe what I said. Let's just go and you can lie about what you found out."
"Alright. I'm looking forward to meeting your friend anyway." I replied as the lift brought us back to the surface. Stepping out, Quiksilva magged me and together we followed Decepshun and Moordryd out of the stables and towards Word's citadel.
Two hours later I took a deep breath, climbing from Quiksilva's saddle. Staring up at Word's citadel in Sun City always sent a shiver down my spine no matter how many times I found myself there. Seeing me looking nervous, Moordryd grinned. Stepping close he gave my right shoulder a quick squeeze, not expecting me to jump.
"Stop doing that!" I growled, stomping towards the entrance as Quiksilva stared at me. "Come on." I muttered, hearing footsteps behind me as Moordryd followed. It didn't take too long before we were standing before Word, who narrowed his eyes at me.
"You are late reporting. What have you learnt from the stablebrats?" Word asked, not even glancing at Moordryd who stood beside me with his arms crossed.
Thinking fast I told him as much as I knew...which wasn't all that much really.
"They managed to capture a wraith dragon with the help of the Light Booster." I replied, knowing it wasn't exactly a lie and he frowned, turning back to his computers for a few seconds. Which gave Moordryd time to stare at me, eyebrow raised.
What's that look for, I thought giving him a glare. Shaking his head, Moordryd went back to crossing his arms as his father turned around.
"How is that possible?" Word asked and I shrugged, trying very hard not to smile. "Hmph. I'll just have to take care of the Light Booster myself."
Oh well that sounds wonderful, I thought as Moordryd gave me a grin. Just what I need with the academy in less than a week too.
"What are you still doing here? Go and keep watch on the stablebrats." Word told me and I nodded, quickly leaving the room with Moordryd following. Once we were outside I let out a breath, Moordryd rolling his eyes at me.
"Don't give me that. I didn't see you helping." I grumbled and he shrugged as I started to head back towards our dragons. When he stopped me, gripping my shoulder I paused.
"Have you tried arguing with my father? At least he hasn't figured out who the Light Booster is yet so be grateful." Moordryd answered and it was my turn to roll my eyes. "Now are you coming or what?" He asked, a tiny smile on his face as he headed deeper into the citadel and I giggled as I followed him.
If I hadn't kept close I would have gotten lost very fast, I thought as I stared at the unfamilar area of Word's citadel. Well lit I looked around and soon I grinned as we came across what I soon realized was a stable area. Amazed I stopped in my tracks, taking in its impressive size.
"Do you want to meet her?" Moordryd asked standing in front of one stable, bigger than the rest. I nodded, watching as he tapped a button. "Mare, are you awake?" He called out and as I watched a large black dragon lifted its head, its scales looking more silver in the light. Blinking, it stared at Moordryd letting out a low growl. "Yeah I know. I should have come by sooner." Moordryd chuckled as he walked over until he noticed me standing there. With a grin he waved me over and I moved closer.
"Who is she?" I asked as Mare climbed to her feet, snorting as I moved towards Moordryd. Unsure, I looked at him and he nodded. Letting her sniff me, I waited until she nudged me and I giggled.
"She's my nannydrag. Mare's raised me since I was a kid." Moordryd told me as I reached up, giving her snout a pat. "Ever since...well, for a long time."
"I'm sorry. But what about your dad, Word? Didn't he spend any time with you?" I asked as Mare lay back on the ground, eyes looking directly into mine. At the mention of Moordryd's dad, Mare let out a low growl.
"Not really. The only time he did was either to drill facts and names about the Dragon-Human war or to get me to ride Decepshun. But that was only because he wanted me to run the Dragon Eyes or steal him dragons. And to race." Moordryd explained as he moved to Mare's side. Sitting beside her, I noticed how gentle Moordryd was with Mare.
"So...Mare's like your mom?" I asked, regretting it when Moordryd frowned. "Oh scales. I didn't mean that." I quickly added as Mare rolled her eyes at me.
He hasn't had it easy, Mare growled as I sat beside her. Word isn't the nicest human I've known and I've been around for a long time.
"It's fine. I wish I knew my mother but she passed away when I was only a few months old. Since then, Mare's taken care of me." Moordryd answered as Mare rested her head on his lap. "I guess my father was right when he said dragons should rule."
"Maybe but I still think we're equals." I replied and he gave me a grin. "I don't want a war, I just want everyone to be friends."
"Heh sounds easy but it's not. You still need to work on your Mag attacks and then there's the academy." Moordryd answered as I moved closer, resting my head on his shoulder. "Are you sure you're up for the challenge?"
"Oh you can count on it. Besides someone has to be there to keep you out of trouble." I shot back, sighing when he kissed me full on the mouth.
"But who's going to keep you out of trouble?" Moordryd said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. Leaning against him and with Mare watching I closed my eyes, not expecting someone to nudge me.
"Huh?" I mumbled, opening my eyes to find Mare looking directly at me. "What's up, girl?"
Lady, you mean.
"Did I say something wrong?" I asked Moordryd who stiffled a laugh as Mare frowned at me, clearly not happy about something. I struggled to understand until I saw Moordryd's lips curl up and it dawned on me. "Oh I didn't mean to insult you, Mare. I mean...um..."
"Dragoness. That's what Mare is." Moordryd supplied, finding my confusion funny. "She's a little too mature to be called a 'girl'."
"I'm really sorry, Mare." I said, giving her snout a rub and she nodded before settling her head back on Moordryd's lap. "It won't happen again." I muttered, leaning against Moordryd. I must have fallen asleep because I felt someone shaking my shoulder and I cracked open my eyes to see Moordryd grinning at me.
"Come on, lazy. It's time to go hopefully before my father realizes we're still here." Moordryd said as Mare rose, shaking herself. "Sorry, Mare but we better go. I promise to come back." He said to Mare and she purred, a sound I'd never heard a dragon make. Quiksilva certainly never did, I thought as Moordryd gently closed the stable door behind us.
"She's a wonderful dragon." I told Moordryd and just for a moment I could swear I heard a laugh coming from the stables. "Where should we go now?"
"To my father's computer room. I have something I want to ask and I'm going to get an answer now." Moordryd answered as I fell into step behind me, leaving me to wonder just what he meant. I soon got my answer when Word turned around, an eyebrow raised to see his son and girlfriend standing in the room.
"I thought I told you to spy on Penn Stables, not take a tour of my citadel. Why aren't you out there?" Word growled until Moordryd stepped forward and I cringed, moving back towards Word's computer. As father and son glared at each other I sighed, setting my palms on the keyboard. "Don't touch that!" Word roared, spinning around as I accidently brushed a small glowing red button. I backed away as he stormed towards me but it was too late and as I stared at the screen something started to play.
"Zulay, are you sure you want to do this? I have dozens of Dragon Eyes who would be more than happy to..." A much younger Word trailed off when a young woman with long, pure white hair and pale grey eyes shook her head.
"For the last time, Word I can test a simple Black Overload pod." Zulay sighed, rubbing her nose when he frowned at her. "You know I didn't mean to insult your invention but you worry about me too much. I can do this you know."
"Fine, Zulay. You can test it but be very careful. It should only take a moment." Word answered and she smiled at him, reaching for the Overload pod in his outstretched hands. Before she could escape, Word pulled her into a tight hug and with an almost girly squeal she nearly dropped it.
"Behave yourself. Just for that it's your turn to change Moordryd." Zulay replied, letting out a giggle as Word's face paled. Holding the Overload pod in one hand, Zulay headed to the centre of the room as Word walked back to his computer. "Now where do I set it?" She asked and he pointed to where she was standing. "Okay now I'll just set it down here then..." It was then a brilliant flash lit up the screen, a scream ripped from a throat before the video cut out.
"What have you done?!" Word shouted and I cringed as his eyes fell on me. "Get out of my sight!"
I took a step back, looking towards Moordryd for help only to see him staring back at me. "Moordryd, I'm sorry." I whispered and he just sighed, turning his head to one side.
"Just...go, Rayne. I...can't believe that you..." Moordryd muttered and I turned away, heading back towards the exit to Word's computer room. Though not before I narrowed my eyes at Word who echoed my glare with one of his own.
It took me a while to find Quiksilva, whose eyes lit up when he saw me. "Sorry, Decepshun but Moordryd's going to be late picking you up." I told his dragon who tilted her head slightly with a snort. "It's all my fault." I whispered, chewing my lip as Quiksilva lifted me onto his back with a mag stream.
Is something the matter, Rayne?
Instead of answering I gently tapped his side with foot and he snorted, taking off into a gallop.
As the dust cleared from his paws I glared at the ground, anything that would stop me from crying.
It didn't work because as soon as we reached the outskirts of Dragon City, I could feel tears sliding down my cheeks. Sensing something was wrong, Quiksilva looked up to see me wiping my eyes with one hand while I held onto his saddle with the other.
Rayne, what happened back in Word's citadel?
Trying extremely hard not to cry, I told Quiksilva what had happened. As soon as I finished he sighed, slowing as he gazed up at me.
"I know I messed up bad and now Moordryd'll never forgive me!" I cried and Quiksilva snorted, slowing to a casual walk. "I didn't mean to..."
You made a mistake and Moordryd needs to understand that. Besides, Word kept the truth from him for most of his life so he's to blame and not you.
"Maybe...I should go back and tell him I made a mistake. No, Moordryd can find me if he still cares about me after what I did." I told Quiksilva who snorted, clearly not happy. But I noticed he just kept on walking and that made me just a little happier...which didn't last too long as we wandered into the wastelands of Loan. Half an hour later, Quiksilva came to a halt and I leapt from his saddle.
Don't wander too far, Quiksilva growled and I sighed. Reaching up I gave his snout a rub before I took a look around, shielding my eyes against the sunlight. Rayne, can you hear something?
"What is it, silva? Do you hear something?" I asked, a roar answering me seconds later. "Never mind." I quickly added, moving to his side as a orange bipedel dragon appeared. "Propheci? Did someone leave your cage open?"
Glaring at me, he roared and I took a step back as he chuckled. Foolish human wandering all the way out here and with no Dragon Booster in sight.
"I don't need him to protect me. What do you want?" I asked as Quiksilva magged me and he lowered his head to stare directly at me. "Answer me!" I shouted only to see his body light up. "Mag Blast!"
Let's get out of here, Quiksilva shouted as he raced away narrowly missing the Mag Blast. It struck the ground as we raced away and Propheci snarled, chasing us deeper into the wastleands. We need to lose him...and that ruin gives me an idea.
"Whatever plan you have it better be good. He's gaining on us!" I told Quiksilva who rolled his eyes, rushing towards a small cave in the distance. "Good idea." I whispered, hoping Propheci didn't hear me. Quiksilva raced inside with only seconds to spare and our pursuer shot past.
That worked perfectly, Quiksilva growled as he magged me off his back. Now we should stay put until he's gone.
"I'll try and keep quiet." I whispered, taking a few steps towards the cave entrance. "Heh what a dumb dragon." I giggled only to rear back with a scream when the orange dragon stuck his head into the cave.
You're the fool, human! I have you exactly where I want you!
Growling, he moved away and I stepped forward wondering where he'd gone until the cave lit up. "Oh...scales!" I yelled as Quiksilva leapt towards me, the cave shaking. As the roof began to crumble I let out a cry as something struck my helmet, knocking me to the ground as Quiksilva let out a roar. A piece of the ceiling struck my leg, pinning me and I screamed as the rest of the cave crumbled in on us.
Pathetic human. Now no one will know I'm free once again.
Laughing, Propheci raced away leaving both Rayne and Quiksilva buried in the remains of a cave.