Chapter Five; A Defeated Victory
Kett sat on the mag pad behind Moordryd's saddle, and he checked the gear he had. In the Libris pike, gear usage is sparse, as it can slow you down. Moordryd had settled for a Psi Assist, and some of Kett's Lv. 4 thruster gear, sure that he would need no more. Each contestant was also allowed a personal item, like Moordryd's whip, or Kett's mag-bow. Lance had brought a flash stick, and Parm, Artha, and Kitt had brought mag-staffs.
"GO!" boomed the announcer, and the race began. It was like a dangerous version of the Horn of Libris, as there were a few cliffs, the track spiraled higher, and there was the chance that another racer would attack.
Kitt gained an easy lead; she had Wyldfyr blast Parm into the target, opening a gateway. Lance was actually good at mag jumping, so he and Artha were in good standings, as were Kett and Moordryd.
"And it's an easy lead for Kitt Wonn and Parmen Sean, followed by Vysa Payyn and Mecra Gerona, third is Artha and Lance Penn, then Reepyr and Grym, next Khata and Blanca, after which is Moordryd Payyn and Kett Wonn, with Myschyf and Cain on their tails, and Wulph and Trakkur in the back!" yelled the announcer.
Kett and Moordryd were purposely in the back, keeping an eye out for cheaters. Moordryd occasionally cast a glance towards Cain, who once waved when Myschyf wasn't looking. Hey, Cain was his bud after all.
Kett easily hit another target as Decepshun shot her up with a well placed mag. As she settled back on the dragon, she said, "Look at Myschyf."
Moordryd risked a backward glance, while still steering. It was clear that Cain's partner had no clue what he was doing. He pressed a button on his saddle, and Cain was rammed into a wall. Moordryd watched in horror as his friend went careening off a cliff edge.
"Oh, my, it looks as though there's a bit of a rock slide!" said the announcer.
Myschyf started towards where Cain had fallen, but Vysa screeched, "Leave him! Take the opening that Kett opened up!" and Myschyf did as he was told. The crowd booed Vysa, such unconcern! It was almost murder, as rocks had obviously fallen on Cain.
Moordryd slowed Decepshun, and a Com-screen appeared. It was Artha, and he yelled, "Moordryd, its okay, go back! Kitt and Parm are far enough ahead to win! We all know that Cain needs help. So go!"
"Well folks, just as we think there is no hope for the abandoned racer, a Penn Racing dragon is racing down the cliff! Has anyone ever seen such good sportsmanship?" (Anyone else think he is way too optimistic?)
Kett leaped of at the bottom, and ran towards the penning area, where the other dragons were. She called over shoulder, "I'm getting Belladona; this is too much for one dragon!"
Moordryd and Decepshun started moving rocks aside. Both were sort of frantic in their efforts. Kett came back on Bella, with Coershun right behind them. Coershun stated digging, looking for his rider. There was a cheer from the stands as Kitt and Parm crossed the finish line, but Moordryd, Kett, and the three dragons didn't hear it. Wulph and Trakkur skidded up beside them, as they had been close to the rear, and Wulph asked, "What can we do?" Moordryd flashed a grateful smile, and indicated that digging was the only thing. Hyve and Trakkur's dragon helped, and soon the rocks were gone.
The rest of Penn racing, the Inner Order, Prophets, and Dragon Flares, who had been at the top of the track, had raced down, with two medics Kett had called. Kitt elbowed Reepyr, and handed him the prize box, which obviously held the bonemark, as it was glowing orange. Artha tapped Kitt on the shoulder.
'Come on," he said, "We're going to Dragon City Medical Center, to see if Cain's okay." Kitt nodded, and the six and their dragons left, Moordryd throwing a lead around Coershun's neck.
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Vysa sighed; she was getting chewed out by Word.
"That little stunt cost us the chance to convince the Army of the Dragon to rejoin us! Wulph said 'If that's how you treat your pack, then my crew will be no part of it.' Do you know how close I was to totally controlling them? DO YOU?"
"Father, true, we broke an alliance, but I think we also broke the traitor. And I handle the crew just fine."
"My dear Vysa, you may be far better at handling thefts and such, but your success is not in the areas I need it in. The leader I'm looking for also has charisma, which you have, but also knows when to change their plans, which you don't. As for Moordryd, have you ever heard the saying 'Whatever doesn't break you makes you stronger'? So my daughter, you took a gamble with that move, leaving Cain under the rocks. And, as I have said, it put us in slightly worse opinion. Here my lists of the crews, all thirteen of them, look at who supports what."
War
Dragon Eyes
Dragon Fish
Dragon Winds
Voice of the Dragon
The Mechanists
Peace
Penn Racing
Dragon Flares
Grip of the Dragon
The Inner Order
The Keepers
Will of the Dragon
Army of the Dragon
The Prophets
"Well! Do you see that! Two more crew opposing the war!"
"But, Father, if you'll look at members of the crews..."
War
Dragon Eyes 20
Dragon Fish 13
Dragon Winds 10
Voice of the Dragon 12
The Mechanists 14
Peace
Penn Racing 6
Dragon Flares 10
Grip of the Dragon 8
The Inner Order 8
The Keepers 5
Will of the Dragon 8
Army of the Dragon 10
The Prophets 7
"See! We still have them out numbered. Even though the Prophets really have about a hundred, only seven race, or even go to Dragon City."
Word smirked, and chucked in a scary way, then said, "Ah, Vysa; that is ingenious. No wonder you're my favorite. Six extra members could be all we need."
"Six? Father, we have seven more on our side."
"Do you think Cain will come back, after what you did? Yet, I still have pulled a plan out of this, a plan you will learn of in time, Vysa."
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next chappie-Chapter Six; Two Paths of the Dragon. Please reveiw!