The group trotted slowly back to the stables as they took in their victory. Artha was talking with Kitt and Parm about his strategy while the others nitpicked it. Alex followed behind at the rear of the pack, critiquing his own dragon. Each time they passed another dragon, especially if they were close by, Cadmus would almost flinch and sidestep away from them. Alex would then try and sooth his anxiety by stroking the side of his neck. Connor saw this and slowed down to be beside him. Once more the dragon went to flinch, but Alex held the reigns of the saddle firm and steered him forward. "See boy, not everyone is out to harm you. Trust me you have nothing to fear anymore" he whispered into the dragons ear after leaning over. The two kept this up all the way back to the stables.
Alex was the first to dismount as soon as they had gotten back. Once he was off he began to walk off before turning around and looking back. Cadmus was looking around, slightly unsure of his new surroundings. Alex saw the look in his eye and decided to come over. Standing in front of the dragon he took his muzzle and looked him in the eye. "Look at me, Cadmus. You're alright. Nothing here will harm you, not on my watch. Everyone here is friendly so you don't need to worry. You have your own stable and everything, so you won't be cold anymore" he said without breaking eye contact. After a couple seconds he could feel the tension leave the beast and he let go, turning around to walk towards the stable box assigned to him. This time Cadmus followed closely behind. Once he had entered and was comfortable Alex shut the gate a bit to give him some privacy. Letting a content sigh fall he then walked over to where the others had gathered around a small TV.
Glancing over their shoulders he saw the news was on. It was first time seeing a television. 'The technology now is so advanced. Gauntlets you can talk through, mirrors that speak, and horns that broadcast all over the city. How the war would have been different if we only had this stuff' he thought to himself. The news was showing a few highlights from the race before they turned it off. "Not a bad race today guys. A few more points ahead of Mordryd is better than any prize money or gear" Artha said with a smile before exchanging a few quick high-fives with the others in his crew. Parm then spoke up, directing his attention towards the others. "We should go into town later on, use some of the money we got to buy newer gear. I hate to say it but I'm reaching the limits of what we can squeeze out of your fathers old gear and our current stock. Plus there should be a few new models hitting the shelves soon that are closer to academy gear. It wouldn't hurt to get a few and test them out, see how you guys do with the real deal". Artha and Kitt nodded in unison at the professors suggestion. Alex couldn't help but cock his head to the side in confusion. "Academy? Pardon me for asking but what is that?" Artha had to think for a moment before giving his answer. "So, essentially it's the highest tier of racing there is. But it's not just racing its also learning how to control your dragon further and release your inner dragon. At least that's what dad says. They only accept the top racer of the all city circuit when the enrollment period opens. That's why everyone is battling for points". Alex nodded his head in understanding. It was then that Connor came up behind them after coming from his office.
"Looks like you guys have a few days of down time. Tomorrows race is postponed due to some repairs being done to the track surface and obstacles. I also got word that a few of our customers have pulled back on their agreement so we won't have anyone showing up this week. Use this time as you see fit but don't go too crazy. For now, however, the place is yours. I have to head into town to grab some supplies, so I'll be back later. You kids behave." The group chuckled as they watched him walk off, a couple seconds of silence following in his wake.
"So…..What do you guys do for fun around here? Back home we didn't really have any down time so I'm not sure what to do" Alex said, crossing his arms and leaning against the door frame to the storage room. Artha went to speak but Lance beat him first. "Wait so you never played video games?!" he asked a bit shocked. "Nope. Not even the kids." Alex answered, not having a clue what a video game was. "Then you gotta play battle ground dragon with me. Artha has a spare controller you can use. Right?" Artha nodded before digging around in a nearby box. After a moment of searching he pulled out the blue and white controller. "Don't beat him too bad alright? Give him a chance." Artha said with a chuckle as he knew his little brother always smashed anyone new he played against. Taking the controller Alex powered it up after being shown the controls. "Best 3 out 5?" Lance asked, looking over to Alex as he sat down in a nearby chair. "Your on". The two began to play and it became apparent that Alex was a quick learner. He began to outrun Lance and won three races in a row. Looking down he saw the shocked look on the kids face. "I thought you said you never played before but that was drac! You're just as good as Artha. Maybe you can race on your down time"! Alex went to shake his head in disagreement but the thought staid there for a second. He had liked what he had seen earlier on the track and it would give him a chance to have an up close look at the dragon eye he had seen earlier. "I'll think on that but for now I just want to help your father out".
The group continued to chat for a few hours before the tv let out a warning sound. Turning it on it jumped to the local news who was on the scene of an active crime. On screen could be seen a pack of roughly 6 to 7 wraith dragons of various sizes attacking roadside stands and shoppers. Dragon City Security was there but they were quickly repelled by the dragons. "What in the world are those things?" Alex asked before turning around. However Artha and the others were already well on their way. Seeing a chance to help to gathered his stuff and saddled up Cadmus before hightailing it to the shopping district. When he arrived he found a few had already been corralled with green trapping gear but another sight caught his eye. It was something big, black, and gold. A familiar roar soon hit his ears. Following the sound almost on auto pilot he turned the corner to find 4 wraith dragons being engaged by dragon he had seen earlier. It was the dragon booster. Dumbstruck he couldn't help but stare as the new hero swiftly took down the wraiths and handed the scene to the security forces who had arrived. Captain Fare walked up and extended a hand to the dragon booster. "Thank you once again. These wraith attacks are becoming numerous that I can only fear if they grow in intensity". The two talked some more but Alex couldn't hear them anymore since he had ran off. 'I know I'm not going crazy but was that real? Last I checked all my gear was with the sages and they said it wouldn't go to just anyone. They had to be chosen by the dragon of legend. But Beau was gone. He couldn't have survived 3000 years of hibernation. But I did so it doesn't make sense. Nothing makes sense anymore'! Alex didn't realize he had begun to shake when Cadmus gave a low growl. Looking down he saw the dragon eyeing him with concern. "I…I'm sorry boy. I don't know what happened. Lets just go home alright"? He said before racing back, making it before the others. Placing Cadmus back in the stable he then shut and locked and the door before heading to his own room. Laying back in his bed he didn't go to sleep but began to think. 'How did the amulet and gauntlet get out of the hands of the dragon sages? I know the gauntlet of the shadow booster is being used but that can be answered later. I told them not to let it out of their sight no matter what. So what the hell happened'? He asked that question again and again but couldn't find an answer before he finally drifted to sleep.