Once again this chapter was originally going to be one, but I've decided to split it since it got rather long. Enjoy my longest chapter yet. Please R&R!
Disclaimer: I bet you already knew this, but I do not own Dragon Booster.
The Downfall of Dragon City: Part IV
The Prophets flexed their claws and roared. "Forget the free dragon. The wraiths are those who need freedom most!" One roared, and the others followed. The wraiths, noticing these other dragons, quickly forgot about Decepshun. They roared challenges at the oncoming possessed dragons. The wraiths lost sight of Decepshun and fixed their eyes on the Prophets. New prey.
As the Prophets and wraiths charged at each other, yet another horrific battle began in Dragon City. Just one of the numerous others that took place that day. As the wraiths used their claws and teeth to pin down the orange dragons and mag control gear onto them, the Prophets deviously and strategically fought back, aiming for the control gear each of the wraiths had. Moordryd used this convenient opportunity to escape.
He looked back over his shoulder as Decepshun quickly carried them away from harm. From the corner of his eye, he saw some huddled shapes cowering behind a dumpster. He turned his gaze back to the road ahead. He assumed they were several idiot people, too dumb to sneak away while they still could. But at least they still lived.
He hung his head as Decepshun raced on. So many wraiths, so many dead, and so many wounded. He had helped his father bring this war about. Now he was paying the price. At least his crew was free and safe. He should go back to the compound and see if Swayy got there alright.
But as Decepshun galloped along at an easy pace, something in the back of Moordryd's mind kept tickling him. He expected it was his conscience. He usually paid no heed to that, but on this day, he gave it some thought, then nearly gasped out loud. The entire city was in utter chaos, so much so, it was highly possible it wouldn't return to normal anytime soon, if it were at all possible. No more races! He wouldn't get into the academy, and he was so close! Life as he once knew it was gone. He couldn't do those little everyday things he took for granted. No more stealing dragons, pestering the other racers or simply living in Dragon City. His father had tricked him and took that all away.
He snarled. "The bastard!" he spat, and Decepshun listened, knowing Moodryd was onto something interesting. "Decepshun, no more races. We can't live in Dragon City anymore. My crew…my plans…we have to stop this!" He growled in determination. Decepshun raised her head and snarled, sharing his thoughts and feelings. Moordryd turned Decepshun onto a street that would eventually lead them to his father's citadel. It ended now.
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"Why Moodryd, I hadn't assumed you would be so much of a bother. Where are we headed now, I wonder?" Word nearly muttered into this hands as he had them folded together in front of his face, resting his forehead against them. "Perhaps it's time we had a talk." He grabbed a nearby wraith controller, and started maneuvering several wraiths. "I shall herd you near to me, my son. It ends now."
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Kitt, Marianis, Spynn and Reepyr were huddled close together behind a conveniently placed dumpster. They were waiting for the coast to be clear before they ran the rest of the way to Penn Stables. Kitt glanced warily around the corner. Tryaust had done a good job of covering them as they made their way carefully from the safety of the tent. And as soon as they reached the stables, Tryaust would accompany them down to the wastelands for protection and to help deal with wraith Parm. Without any hinder, they snuck past the stands, past the few stores surrounding the track, and now they were within sight of the still scarred stables. Unfortunately, they had also encountered an obstacle.
"This place still stinks." Spynn whispered.
"Oh, shut up!" Reepyr said, his patience wasted. Marianis sighed, as she was between the two.
"Both of you be quiet, before we're caught." She breathed, hoping to instill some peace.
"Is it my fault we're stuck hiding behind a disgusting dumpster?" Spynn said, glaring across Marianis at Reepyr. "But I suppose it was only natural for him to come here…." Reepyr bumped Kitt slightly as he turned to better look, or rather, glare at Spynn. Kitt rolled her eyes. Marianis hunched down as the two seemed to begin a staring contest over her head.
Kitt continued her surveillance of the front of Penn Stables. So close. The group of Prophets that stopped their headway were still talking with Tryaust. The orange dragons shifted on their feet, both anxious and excited, waiting to help other needy dragons.
"…would be making their way down further…."
"Nonsense. These top levels are still full of fights, they wouldn't abandon them and go down there. None are down there, not enough to hold their attention, at any rate. We Prophets are making the Controller's plans more than a little difficult for him." The current orange dragon leader of the small group, Sycundys, said through her rider. The Controller was the title the Prophets gave to whosoever was controlling the wraiths. Each and every one of the orange dragons have given an oath to stop this terrible monster, they would fight to the death.
Tryaust listened and slowly nodded his head while Jyme swayed with the motion. Few of either species had escaped to the lower levels. They had been picked up by the Prophets, and if not them, then the wraiths. Mid City and Sun City had become a war zone, disheveled by the violence. "I've not seen a wraith for some time, around these tracks and so called stables."
The orange dragon hissed. "Prisons for the dragons those stables are. And the tracks, pah! Running around in circles, every single scale scraping day! Don't those humans have any sense? What's the use in wasting a dragons energy on meaningless labor?"
"I've heard it was for amusement."
"For the weakling humans." Sycundys said as her rider snarled and stretched out the last word. "Some amusement, scampering on the same track time after time. You'd think they were bored of it by now." Her eyes prowled along the stable, watching and memorizing every corner.
Tryaust, had he been interested in a fiercely loyal dragon committed to ending the race of humans, would call her attractive. Though the color of her markings were much more subtle and paler than the male Prophets, they did cause anyone and everyone to stare. Uncommonly elaborate and sharp designs paid complement to her personality. She was complicated and as quick as anything. Nothing escaped her roving eye. Until this day. She still had not bothered to inspect the nearby dumpster.
"Those humans are most surely hiding within the buildings, where we dragons cannot easily get to." Sycundys said.
"They are hiding from the wraiths, and aren't they more important? Do they not need our help most?" Tryaust asked, trying to be as civil as the situation allowed for.
Sycundys let her eyes fall upon him. "Of course. But those meddlesome humans must be plotting something." She turned back to the other Prophets. "Watch the buildings while we search. These humans are foolhardy and…."
She was cut of as one foolhardy human on a black dragon almost sped into them. At the last minute, he jerked the handles and they took off down another street. The Prophets jumped back in surprise. Sycundys narrowed her eyes, furious at being caught off guard. Her rider opened his mouth to say something, then stopped as she noticed the gang of wraiths behind.
The Prophets flexed their claws and roared. "Forget the free dragon. The wraiths are those who need freedom most!" She roared, and the others followed. The wraiths, noticing these other dragons, quickly forgot about Moordryd and Decepshun, as they made good their escape and fled.
Kitt gasped. Moordryd! He was alive and kicking. And apparently running away. But where to? What had he done with the draconium?
"Moordryd? Where?" Reepyr asked, leaving Spynn to glare at his back. Kitt hadn't realized she'd spoken out loud.
"Gone now." She said.
Reepyr leaned over to peer with her. "Sycundys." He whispered partly surprised as he saw the Prophets.
"Sycundys?" Kitt asked as she watched the Prophets battle the wraiths. Was that Brutarus?
"Hmmm, perhaps you should've looked at the Prophets before, hmm?" Spynn crawled past Marianis and cooed in Reepyr's ears. He gritted his teeth as she leaned close. "Sycundys…sounds so…is she dangerous? Did we need to know that before? Might it have proved useful to know our surroundi…."
"Sycundys," Reepyr said, trying to ignore Spynn, "is the second in command of the Prophets. She is as dedicated to their cause as Propheci himself is."
"Oh, okay. Useless information, at least you didn't break your eyes checking them out before."
"I'll break your eyes…and then your neck…." Reepyr muttered, so low only Kitt could hear. Marianis scuttled close to look as well.
"Perhaps this can be our chance to go, when the battle's done. They might leave, chasing the wraiths…." She offered hopefully.
"Or win and look around for more threats. Maybe they'll find some behind Reepyr's house. Oh look, here it is." Spynn said, blinking absurdly at the dumpster.
"Will you just close your mouth? We don't need your…your sarcasm right now." Kitt silently agreed with Reepyr. Spynn was beginning to get on her nerves. Spynn tossed her head back and folded her arms, for the moment cooperating. As one, they all watched the battle.
The Prophets jumped on the wraiths, tearing at the gear with their claws. The wraiths then jumped at the Prophets, attacking with their claws. Several wraiths stood outside the mini battle, waiting for a good opportunity to mag gear on the Prophets. Sycundys noticed their plan, and broke away from the fighting and charged at them. Tryaust aided her, breaking the gear off one and helping her defeat another.
Soon the wraiths realized, with their artificial intelligence, that they were now outnumbered. They turned tail and fled, heading to find another group of wraiths so they could fight back with more even odds. The Prophets gave chase.
"Do not let them escape." Sycundys hissed, following closely. As the last of the orange dragons gave chase and disappeared into the distance, Tryaust glanced momentarily back. Leaving now to come back to them would land him in trouble with the Prophets, which was something they could not afford. Quickly, he too disappeared.
"He has done well. It isn't far now. Come, follow." Reepyr said, taking leadership, and crouched as he ran along a building, staying in what shadows he could find. The others followed.
Thankfully, they made it into the stables without trouble. Reepyr walked along a wall and sprang behind a huge, charred, fallen beam, not yet cleared away from the original fire. Once again, the others followed suit.
"There may be more wraiths in the stables, hiding." Reepyr whispered. "Which one is it?" He asked Kitt.
"That one," Kitt motioned with her head. "Second on the right."
Reepyr smiled with relief. "Not far."
"Looks far to me. We have to go out into the open." Spynn said, leaning her hands on the beam.
"Why don't we just run? The wraiths can't follow once we're in the stable, can they?" Marianis questioned.
"I…not if we make it into the stable…I don't think so. Let's do it." Kitt said, determination filling her eyes. Her friends were in trouble.
"Precious time is slipping away." Spynn nodded her agreement.
"On the count of three." Kitt said, catching the others in a serious look. "One…two…three!"
They jumped and raced across the dangerous expanse. With no cover, their hearts thudded in their ears, each of them expecting a wraith to suddenly leap out at them with jaws gaping open. They heard not a sound as they made it safely into the stable. They stopped at he far side, breathing heavily, more from the fear than from the run.
"Okay, so we're supposedly near this elevator, but how in the Magna Draconis are we going to rescue the Dragon Booster and free Parmon?" Marianis said, still trying to control her racing heart. "We have no dragons or weapons and Tryaust isn't able to come. We can't do it alone."
Kitt realized this was true. She had been so eager to just get down there, she had forgotten that Tryaust wasn't coming. She looked to the others, and their drooping smiles told her they had experienced the same thoughts. She felt as if her hopes had just fallen to the ground and had been trodden on by Word Paynn himself.
"Wait." Reepyr said, bringing her hanging head up. "Is there anything in here we can use?"
"Sure, like Penn Stables will have a decent weapon." Spynn rolled her eyes.
"We don't need weapons. Any gear can do." Marianis shot out at her.
Kitt spoke before Spynn was able to open her mouth again. "The gear room is a few stables down. We keep everything in there."
"Does that include anything useful?" Spynn said.
"Well, then we'll have to look and see, now won't we? We shouldn't all go, that could attract too much attention. Spynn and Marianis can go." Reepyr said and waited for an objection. There was none. Spynn was happy because she was doing something, so she said nothing. And Marianis just wanted to get going, so she obliged and followed Spynn as they carefully snuck out.
"You wanted them to leave on purpose." Kitt said, watching their shadows fade as they scuttled beside the wall and out of sight. Reepyr spoke in the sudden silence.
"Kitt, they don't know Artha is the one trapped, do they?"
"No."
"How much do you trust them? Spynn and Marianis?"
"I trust Marianis. She's helped before and has sided with the Dragon Booster. Spynn…."
"Has sided against the Dragon Booster?"
"Yes." Kitt sighed. "I'm worried of what she'll find out, and if she'll tell this to anyone. Of the cave…people may be able to draw conclusions. And what if Artha isn't the Draogn Booster when we free him? What if he magged down, and Spynn sees him walk out. That's…that's big trouble."
"Then I'll be sure to keep her busy when he comes out." Reepyr said and smiled faintly. "I wouldn't mind holding her down." He joked, then noticed Kitt's face where a faint smile of bemusement was growing. "With force. Er, by pushing her down…to annoy her…you know what I mean." He said, becoming flustered. "Not that I would like to hold her…." Kitt laughed at his stumbles.
"I know. She'll hate you forever if you deny her the chance of seeing the Dragon Booster without armor." Kitt said for his sake. "And you'll be glad to annoy her."
"Yes. I didn't mean it in any other way." Reepyr said, hoping to convince her.
"Of course not."
Their conversation ended there when they heard Spynn and Marianis return. "Way to be quiet." Reepyr smirked to Spynn. Spynn glared at him. She and Marianis came to back and stood beside the two.
"Find anything useful?" Kitt asked quickly.
Spynn nodded to Marianis, and Marianis held up….
"What is that?"
Spynn glared at Reepyr. "This just happens to be a, well, I'm not sure of the exact name. We found it on the desk underneath a bunch of useless junk."
"How useful." Reepyr eyed the strange device. "It looks like…binocs?"
Kitt took the binocs from Marianis. "These are Parm's!"
"How lovely." Spynn said, not really caring who owned them.
"Well…isn't there anything more useful? I mean, the stable should be full of…."
"No. It's empty."
"What?" Kitt said surprised.
"E-M-P-T-Y." Spynn spelt out. "There's nothing there. This is it."
"But, where did everything go?" Kitt said as she gripped the binocs tightly.
"I assume some people, after everything happened, looted it. We've seen several idiots looting that gear shop on the way down." Kitt listened, almost disbelievingly, to Spynn. She did remember, as they snuck their way to the stables from the tent, several idiots looting the store after breaking the window. Of course, they didn't want to call attention to themselves, so they let them be. But looting Penn Stables as well?
"So, these binocs are the only thing in there?" Reepyr asked.
"Unless you want to try giving the hydrags and wraiths paper cuts with the paper, otherwise, zilch." Spynn said and folded her arms. "Though I bet we could dent a dragons head if we throw that hard thing enough."
"We don't need to throw it." Kitt said as she turned it over in her hands, finally recognizing its potential. "Parm made these. He's interfered with gear signals before. And he has configured it to do it again, if need be."
"So we can use it to interfere with the wraith's signals, the ones coming from the gear. That can free Parmon!" Marianis exclaimed. "Then he can use Cyrano to help us free the Dragon Booster!"
Reepyr smiled at the plan, Kitt's heart leaped at the realization, Marianis came one step closer to saving her friends, and Spynn felt useful. After all, she was the one who found it. With a half way formed plan, there was nothing left to do except free the hero. They were wasting time.
Kitt immediately walked over to one side, and soon the boards opened. Marianis looked into the new, small room with wonder. They walked carefully inside.
"So, is this the elevatoooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrr…." Spynn shouted as the floor suddenly dropped from beneath. Before they knew it, they stopped and the doors opened into the cave. Kitt walked off, glad that they were finally down here. The ride down seemed to have taken longer than usual.
She realized she was alone, and glanced around for the others. "Aren't you coming?" She snapped them from their gazes around the cave.
"Where in the Magna Draconis are we?" Marianis whispered. "What is this place?" Gingerly, they walked up to Kitt.
"This is where Dragon Priests once lived. Only one remains here now." Kitt explained.
"There's a Dragon Priest?" Reepyr queried, excited. "Where is he?"
"Mortis. I don't know." Kitt said, disappointed. She would've liked to talk to him. She was faintly angered when she noticed Marianis and Spynn inspecting the statues. "We didn't come here to look at hunks of rock. The Dragon Booster needs our help." She snarled. She was getting impatient. Marianis snapped up quickly, but still obviously interested in the ancient statues. Spynn took her time before she looked at Kitt.
"Let's go then." She said.
Kitt led them through the cave, trying to hurry them along as they slowed to look at the walls and surroundings. They had to hurry.
After a while of marching through the caves, they finally stepped out into the wastelands and Kitt groaned out loud. They had no dragons. It would take them a long time to get to the Shadow Track. She kicked up dirt as she marched sullenly out into the stale air.
"We have to walk the whole way?" Spynn said, stumbling after Kitt.
"Yes, Spynn, just keep moving your feet." Marianis replied, walking briskly up to Kitt from the shelter of the cave mouth. "How far?"
"It could take us a while, I'm not sure exactly how long without dragons." Kitt said as she tried to remember the distance. The wastelands yawned out before her, flat and barren, or would be if not for the mounds of broken rubble from the Old City.
Kitt, Spynn and Marianis started to walk at a pace described at best as a slow amble. Spynn scampered onto a once proud statue. Only the head of a once noble warrior perhaps, remained, weathered by the coarse wind and merciless passage of time. Spynn stood on the huge nose and looked around. "I say," she said, standing tall as the wind whipped her blue hair about her face, "wherever could our faithful old friend, Reepyr be? Reepyr!" She called out almost melodious. "Where are you? Still in the cave?"
Reepyr cautiously moved over to them and hunched near the statue. Spynn grinned smugly down at him, amused by his tentative attitude. "Walking here is dangerous, even with a dragon. Have you not thought of the Hydrags?" Reepyr said. "Without Tryaust for some protection…."
"Perhaps he will make it down, when he can safely leave the other Prophets. I think I told him where the cave was. Perhaps he could find his way out down here." Kitt said hopefully. "By himself. He doesn't strike me as stupid."
Reepyr thought her words over. "Perhaps."
Marianis cut in. "We can't wait for him, we have to go now."
They all nodded, and set off. Spynn grimaced once she jumped off the statue. "Now I've got sand and dirt in my shoes." She said as she shook her feet.
"Just keep walking." Reepyr said, staring straight ahead, slightly smiling at Spynn's misfortune. Spynn hopped along, shaking her feet. When most of the sand had been shaken out, she kicked sand at Reepyr's back. Marianis looked sideways at Kitt. This was going to be a long walk.
But thankfully for them, it was an uneventful walk. That is, if they discounted the hydrag that nearly scared them all silly before they realized it was barely bigger than their waist. It simply snarled and ran off, it's courage not yet ready to let him take on four enemies.
It was also a quiet walk. The only sounds besides their own voices were few. The wind racing past them from the other end of the forgotten city and the distant echoes of barks, growls and howls from mysterious animals were the only other sounds heard. Once, Kitt heard a high pitched yipping noise, the like of which had never been heard before by humans in nearly a thousand years. The others hadn't heard it, and Kitt didn't hear it again.
The land lay before them, and went on endlessly. They began to drag their feet. They weren't used to walking such distances. Spynn and Reepyr didn't help any, with their constant bickering. Tempers started to run short.
Marianis sighed and walked beside Kitt ahead of the other two. For the past while, they had let Spynn and Reepyr argue behind them. They had long since given up trying to reconcile the two. "Soooo…it shouldn't be that much farther? Considering the distance we've already covered…."
Kitt glanced at the rubble around them as she fingered Parm's binocs. "You're right. We should be very close." She said worriedly.
"Recognize anything?" Marianis asked, stifling a sigh. Her interest in the ancient ruins was at an all time low. At first, she was amazed by the structures, but now she wanted them demolished so she could see what was behind them. The Shadow Track, hopefully.
Kitt peered intently at her surroundings. "Erm, I don't remember that particular boulder, or that broken…rock thing…." She said, perplexed. The rock was cut obviously by human hands, but what it was supposed to be, she had no idea. "But I do know we're going the right way." She said to suppress any doubts Marianis might have thought up.
Marianis gave a heavy sigh as Spynn and Reepyr's voices floated up to them. "…I do not look like a hydrag's butt!"
"You haven't really bothered to look in a mirror lately, have you?" Spynn yawned. "I didn't know you were so sensitive about your looks…."
Kitt could almost hear Reepyr grind his teeth. "I'm not. Though it can get rather irritating when you say that for over three hours!"
"We haven't been walking for three hours, silly." Spynn said, and pranced up to Kitt and Marianis. Reepyr fumed. "We there yet?" She asked, now walking between them.
"Soon." Kitt replied without turning her gaze from the path before her, her voice filled with impatience and undaunted determination. Spynn wisely said nothing more. Kitt's tone now shut the other's mouths as well, like an invisible vice. Kitt had no room left for tolerating their immature arguing. She had to save her crew.
The wind whistled past her ears, intensifying the silence that had just begun. But aside from the mournful moan of the wastelands, it also brought the steady beat of dragon feet. Kitt stopped and listened harder. It sounded as though a…small dragon was…running… very fast. Her heart leaped with hope. Fracshun? Lance? But, what was that other sound? It was the sound of another dragon running. A big dragon, running quickly. Who was it? Artha? Parm? A hydrag? Kitt was about to find out. The others with her tensed as they too heard the sounds approach….
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Connor surveyed the city from behind his Dragon Priest mask. He was, at the moment, as safe as he could be. He was in the very back of a deep alley, surrounded by tall buildings on either side, advertisements flickering with the musings of a dying city. He held his staff tightly and forced himself to stop thinking about his children as Captain Faier spoke again.
"It just doesn't feel right, Mortis." Faier said sullenly. "My duty is to the people, to the city. Abandoning it feels…."
"I know. But it must be done. You can only kill yourself if you stay." Mortis said gravely. Faier narrowed his eyes and stared at the ground. He sighed heavily, gripping his right arm tightly. Blood ran over his hand and continued to stain his tattered uniform. The huge gash on his upper right arm had not stopped bleeding since the wraith had attacked. Had Connor, disguised as Mortis, not been there at that precise moment, Faier would have felt more than the wraith's sharp claws on his arm. Faier needed to have it tended to, and soon.
Mortis silently approved of his sense of duty and his honor. But there was nothing more which could be done here. Dragon City was a lost cause. The humans were either attempting to sneak to the lower levels where they had heard the wraiths were fewer, or they were cowering in their homes. Either way, few could be rescued. The wraiths had multiplied since Word's new control gear had preformed so well, and the Prophets had been able to convince many dragons to join them. The streets were a bloodbath, a never ending battle between the two groups.
Frair held his right arm stiffly with his left hand. "I don't like it. There are still people out there." Faier responded stubbornly. Connor sympathized.
"But what would you do?" He asked. "You know you will be captured by either group, or killed if you're caught between their battles. They're beginning to kill instead of capture, as it takes less time." Mortis watched as Faier seemed to listen and see from his point of view. Time was running short, and Mortis wasted none in issuing Faier orders. "While you head to Down City, bring those you find along the way."
Faier sighed and clenched his teeth from the jagged pain radiating from his arm. "You…." He started, then faltered, trying to get his sentence in order, "I'll help those I can while I…run away." Connor very nearly sighed, and would have if Faier had not continued. "But I will…I will counter attack, when the time is right. I may be leaving these people now, but I won't leave them for too long."
"We shall see what happens. We can talk later when we're in a safer place." Mortis said, turning. Captian Faier turned to his blue dragon. Back straight, he mounted his dragon and turned back to the Dragon Priest who had saved his life.
Tyrannis Pax flexed his claws on his four arms. His massive head watched his rider as he approached. Mortis turned back to Faier just as he reached Tyrannis Pax. "I'll need you later. I'm counting on you to meet me in either Down City or the Old City." He said with authority, and Faier nodded grimly.
"Will the Dragon Booster meet us there as well? I hope to hear from him. He…."
"The Dragon Booster will meet us when he is able." Mortis said suddenly, cutting Faier off. "Go now." Tyrannis Pax then magged him into the air and dropped him gently onto his head. Mortis glared at Faier before he scampered off quickly on his dragon. Connor settled into the saddle, and let Tyrannis fill him with mag energy. The gentle coursing of the energy relaxed, him, as it always did. "Tyrannis. We have someone to meet." Tyrannis snorted, knowing that an encounter with Paynn was about to happen.
Tyrannis Pax moved as stealthy as an eighty foot dragon could in the narrow alleys. They turned a corner and entered into another section, where Tyrannis was forced to duck his head. Metal walkways spanned through the air, connecting the closely packed buildings. They were heading into the more populous sections of the alley. Darkened screens started to emerge. The stations had long since gone out of order, due to the rising chaos.
But still nearly half the advertisements were lit, a stark contrast to the others that were dark. In this way, the alley way was bathed in half darkness, forcing Connor to peer through the gloom, trying to penetrate the darkness.
As soon as he could get out of the confining alleys, he would find Word Paynn. Perhaps all he needed was to see some sense. Connor only hoped the situation wouldn't get worse. How long till order was restored and the evil beaten? How much longer until Kitt rescued Artha? The longer he was trapped, the more dangerous the city became and the hope of returning things quickly to normal vanished.
Suddenly, the silent screens lining the alley burst to life, full of color. The shocking light caused Connor to cry with surprise and shield his eyes. Tyrannis halted immediately and blinked rapidly, the light filling his entire vision. What Connor heard next was the unmistakable laughter of Word Paynn. Was he here?
No. Connor realized as his eyes grew accustomed to the bright environment and his heartbeat slowed, somewhat. Word had somehow managed to tap into the signals and broadcast his image over all the screens in Dragon City. Word smiled from within the screen, his eyes full of malevolence.
Connor braced himself. What was Word doing?
"Greeting, citizens of Dragon City." Word said as he leaned forward. Connor was slightly surprised. Word was not in his citadel, but rather, somewhere in Mid City. Connor could see the looming buildings and distinct signs. Word was also wearing his helmet, probably because he was riding his dragon. But why would Word leave the safety of his citadel? Unless he assumed his takeover of Dragon City was going smoothly. Connor's hopes began to wilt. Word continued. "I also greet the Prophets, who have made an unexpected appearance in Dragon City. Quite surprising, but not at all a nuisance. I give you a warning. Leave now. Staying will only bring you an undesirable demise."
Word's voice echoed across the great city, his message available to all. Every single screen proclaimed his important musings. From the rich, sitting smug and worried in their secure mansions in Sun City, to the few homeless and poverty stricken citizens who remained, who were forced to huddle in the streets in groups, they heard it all. "The wraiths have taken over the city. Sun City, Mid City and Work Town are currently completely under their control…under my control." Word smiled to the masses.
Collective gasps were at the moment common. Everyone stared in surprise. Word Paynn? The wealthiest man in the city? Owner of the largest gear manufacturing company on the entire planet? The man who practically owned Down City? He controlled the wraiths? The wealthy felt deceived that Word, someone whom most had dealt and met with at one point or another, would destroy the city and their lives. The poor felt more hopeless than ever before, and knew now that the rich were truly monsters. To make the feelings worse, Word laughed. A long, boastful laugh. Shivers ran down spines and the fear intensified.
Word stopped and looked once more into the heart of the city. "Precinct and Shadow Town are overrun, and will fall shortly. Down City is next. You will be driven into the Old City, into the wastelands. How many of you can survive? If any stay, human and dragon alike, who aren't committed to me, will suffer disastrous consequences." Word sneered.
Connor felt like sneering back. Word's cold, heartless grey eyes bored into his. "Do not blame me for your misfortune. You humans have brought it upon yourselves. You have enslaved dragons. Dragons are your equals, and you have mistreated them. They have been abused by you for too long! For thousands of years they have acted like your slaves. Now, it is their turn to rule. Under my guidance, they shall control you. Dragons are the source of power. Realize this. And realize, too, that you are suffering the consequences. A new world is forming, know your place in it." Word spat and terminated the connection, leaving the screen to darken. And suddenly, the alley was once more shrouded in darkness. Connor groaned as he tried to once again, see through the shadows. As he waited for his night vision to return, he contemplated Word's words.
It felt like a giant fist had hold of his heart, as the fear sank into him. Connor hadn't expected this. Word had revealed himself to the whole city. This wasn't another one of his plans where he would retreat once the going was too rough and start work on his next one. This was it. If this plan failed, his whole life was ruined. His company would most likely shatter, he would be hunted down by the DCS and anyone else who felt brave enough and held enough anger in their hearts. Word couldn't simply fade into the darkness and work on his next idea, this was it. He would either win, or be utterly defeated. This especially worried Connor, for Word would now do whatever it took to make sure he did win.
Those three little words repeated themselves in Connor's head. This was it. The war had finally arrived. And Word had done a good job of ensuring his victory. He had gotten rid of the Dragon Booster.
"Go Tyrannis. Quickly." Connor said, pushing the handles forward. Tyrannis obliged and rushed as best he could. Connor knew where Word was. In the lower levels of Mid City, just above Work Town. Connor had noticed a sign in the distance when Word was on the screen. The Drag-Café had its headquarters in one building and one building only, which happened to be right behind Word Paynn.
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"The filth!" Sycundys roared. The group of Prophets had lost the wraiths after another short battle. The wraiths had disappeared, and Sycundys had let them be, for following them would only bring them to more wraiths. They were wounded from their encounter and needed to heal and regroup.
The orange dragons all growled. The Controller. Tryaust growled with them. The Controller would pay.
"Hush." Sycundys' rider spoke sharply. Sycundys looked at the other Prophets while she weighed the options in her head, her scales glinting in the light. "I do not believe he lies. He tells the truth, and I can see the wickedness in his eyes. Gather the rest of the crew, we meet with Propheci."
"Do we return to the Old City?" Tryaust asked.
"We do what Propheci requires we do." Sycundys said bluntly. The group of Prophets raced off, and Tryaust knew he could not simply leave them to find Reepyr and the others. For the time being, he must stay with the orange dragons to avoid suspicion.
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Word grinned from beneath his helmet, observing the wreckage of Mid City. Abanddonn trudged along, guided by Word's firm hand. The streets were devoid of activity. Word and his escort of wraiths were a fearsome sight. The few who saw them cowered in fear, for they now knew who he was. Who he truly was, and what his plans were.
The wraiths, visible only to Word by the use of his helmet, circled around him, on the lookout for any danger. Not that anyone would be foolish enough to attack.
Abaddonn stalked the streets, heading towards the desired meeting place Word had chosen to meet with his son. Meanwhile, Word had sent ahead seven wraiths to make sure his son would meet him there. Word couldn't have Moordryd running around Dragon City. He had to get a few things straight with him.
Word rode atop his dragon, a glum expression on his face. He knew his son was drifting away. Ever since Armaggeddon had started meddling with him…. But, Word decided, when he met with Moordryd, he would have things set straight. He wanted to know right now, whether Moordryd had actually turned against him. It ended now, for better or worse.
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Moordryd sat almost placidly on Decepshun. The screen that had once been lit up before him in a dazzling amount of light was now dark and dead. The streets were clear of any danger and Moordryd felt safe to pause for a moment.
His father had let the hatchling out of the bag. Moordryd had felt his guts twist in a knot when he heard his father's message. The war had started and he was right in the middle of it all. And the idiot Dragon Blunder had gotten himself trapped….why was he so stupid? Couldn't he tell he was being set up by Moordryd?
Moordryd rolled his head back and cracked his neck. How was he to stop his father from ruining his life? All his plans were dashed to pieces with the way the war was starting. How was he to single handedly stop it?
Busy with plotting his father's downfall, Moordryd wasn't paying attention to his surroundings. Luckily for him, Decepshun was. Her lips curled into a growl as she heard something approach from behind. Moordryd was instantly snapped from his thoughts. He swung his head quickly around, but saw nothing. Scales. He hated being stalked by unseen things.
Decepshun lowered her body to the ground, her weight resting on her forelegs, ready to either run or fight. Moordryd tensed his body, as ready as she. She growled again, as if something were coming closer. Still, Moordryd saw nothing. But in this day and age, that didn't mean there was nothing there.
Decepshun suddenly swung her head to the left, leaving Moordryd to cope with the sudden and unexpected movement. As they both looked, they saw the footprints. Footprints appearing right out of thin air. Decepshun growled to them, and then swung her head back to it's original position and growled again.
Moordryd knew there were at least two wraiths, one straight ahead and another to his left. Time to head right. Decepshun sprinted away, and unseen, the wraiths grinned and followed in hot pursuit.
Moordryd followed the street, for the buildings on either side gave him only one way to go until another street appeared. He looked behind, and was relieved to know that the wraiths were now visible. One was bipedal and the other ran on four legs. By their appearances, the one was a red dragon, and the other, blue. Moordryd had been hoping for no red dragons, they were pretty fast.
Coming up quickly ahead, was an intersection. Moordryd turned Decepshun's handles left, and gasped. The wraith waiting directly in the middle of the street snapped it's jaws. Decepshun tried to avert her intended course and run straight through the intersection instead, but was faced with another wraith. Roaring with surprise, she then skidded to a near stop and pushed off with her hind legs. Moordryd and Decepshun darted down the right street. The two wraiths that had been following turned with eased and continued their pursuit. The other two wraiths fell in behind. Now Moordryd had four wraiths on his tail.
Decepshun soon left the huge buildings behind and ran onto a drag way. This way soon turned into a bridge, which spanned over a part of Work Town. Promising a nearly mile long fall to the huge equipment, Moordryd was subtly relieved when the bridge ended and became a poorly lit tunnel. This soon sloped downward, as it curved, taking Moordryd to Work Town. The wraiths followed relentlessly.
Decepshun carried him out of the tunnel when it ended, and Moordryd has a split second to decide his next direction because of Decepshun's speed. The tunnel opened into a street, which forked before him. The right branch of the fork had a wraith waiting in the middle. Moordryd was forced to go left, and soon he had five wraiths behind him.
Now Moordryd was just above the huge machines and work sections of Work Town. The deserted street gave him only one option: he was forced to keep going forward. Surprisingly enough, any streets or walkways that split from the street he was on was blocked with rubble and fallen sections of buildings. Moordryd found this odd, and wondered vaguely if that had been done on purpose, for it seemed as though the wraiths were steering him somewhere.
Moordryd had no more time to ponder on this, as the street finally gave way to another intersection, of which there was no wreckage to block the streets. Instead, both the left and right streets branching off held a wraith. Moordryd was once again forced to go a certain direction. This time forward. The two wraiths soon ran behind, and now Moordryd had seven wraiths following.
Something was definitely wrong. Those wraiths had waited until he was safely past, then simply ran along with the others. They were waiting as though they knew he was coming. If so, why hadn't they attacked? Why wait until he was past?
His unease grew when the street he was on started to narrow. Looking ahead, he saw that it stopped. The open air beyond it caused Decepshun to halt a few feet from the edge. Moordryd whipped his head around to look at the wraiths. They had also stopped, and were waiting. Something was wrong.
Moordryd looked forward once again, and saw that the street, though it ended, continued on as a very narrow walkway. It crossed over an unusually active section of Work Town. Huge gears, machines and buildings were running below. Although it was nearly a half mile down, Moordryd could hear the steady hum and clank of the gear. Sadly, the walkway was designed for human purposes only. Decepshun could never fit onto that. They were trapped.
The wraiths actually yawned, apparently bored. Why had they stopped, just when their prey was cornered?
"Moordryd." The voice came from the walkway, and there in the middle of the great expanse, stood Word Paynn. "Come here." He called loudly.
Moordryd stayed on Decepshun, uncertain. So the wraiths had been herding him. They were herding him to his father. Which was what they both wanted. Moordryd did want to overthrow his father's new reign of terror.
Word called again, in a tone filled both with authority and a calming demeanor. "The wraiths will not harm Decepshun, Moordryd. Leave her and come here." Still, Moordryd hesitated. Moordryd swallowed, fingered Decepshun handles for what may prove to be the last time and tried to find his courage. This was it.
Under the watchful glare of his father, Moordryd dismounted slowly.