I'm not owner of the personages of Dragon Booster, this fics was written in order to offer awhile of diversion. Some words (Like which they appear in the vocabulary section) are invented by me or some one else whose allowed me use them. Every similitude with a real word is a coincidence.
OPPOSITE FACTIONS
By
Airshadow
CHAPTER III
ENTERS JHANUS
"Why do you look at me that way?"
"I once met a boy that always liked to play pranks and make me angry," responded the girl. "And I don't know if you're going to do the same."
"No, I won't do that," replied the boy with a sincere smile that erased the distrust that was in her . "He must be a very bad boy."
"He really is," answered the girl softly.
"What's your name?" asked the boy. "My name is Artha Tannis Penn, of Penn Stables. What's yours?"
------- o0o -------
"Ready for the race, Stable Boy?"
Artha smiled, as always he did when Kitt called him like that; for him, it was music to his ears.
"What happened to you, Stable Boy? The Muhorta ate your tongue?" said Kitt smiling.
"Yes… I mean, no..." said Artha doubtfully. Kitt definitively had a charm that was difficult too describe in words. The girl burst out laughing.
"Nervous?"
"Not really," Artha answered. "It's only a race".
"JUST A RACE? JUST A RACE?" screamed a loud a screeching voice. Apparently someone considered the event more than a simple competition.
Surprised, Artha and Kitt looked towards where the yell came from and saw a new team in a nearby stable block and close to that, a dragon-trailer near. The stable block and the dragon-trailer had the color and the well know emblem of the Diamath Corporation.
"MARVIN! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH HAVE WE INVESTED IN GHEMINS JUST TO HAVE YOUR TOYS FAIL AT THE LAST SECOND?"
Marvin watched Elsie without knowing if he should feel amused or intimidated. Certainly Miss Drakhe could be fearsome when the occasion arose, and unfortunately, he wasn't a match for her, physically speaking. Unconsciously he made a mental picture of himself: A seventeen year old boy with an angular face, blue eyes, skinny body, and shining orange hair and bound to a wheelchair thanks to an accident.
However, in spite of that, Marvin never felt bitter about his fate. Yes! His body was limited, but his mind had grown; his life had changed, but he was alive! The only boundaries to fear were the ones created by his own mind. Even with a limited body he felt that he could still do great things. His mind offered all the freedom he needed to create things and his hands collaborated in that task. Often he had thought of what could have been if he hadn't suffered the accident. Perhaps he wouldn't have become oriented towards invention and experimentation. As always on these occasions, Marvin rejected those ideas. "What would happen if…?" was a situation that didn't exist, and thinking about it was a waste of time and energy.
Eclypse's impatient bellow brought Marvin back to reality. He had to fit the new alloy pieces of draconium for the race. The armor covered only the parts of the dragon that were more exposed to the aggressions of the other competitors. It included a small helmet that only covered part of the dragon's skull, giving her a more imposing appearance than she already had.
"HOW RUDE MARVIN!" yelled Elsie. "AT LEAST YOU COULD ANSWER ME!"
"Could you let me work, Elsie," said the impatient boy while he checked the dragon closely. "I need to concentrate."
Elsie made an impatient gesture and she shouted orders to four assistants, who seemed to already be accustomed to the perfectionist woman. Seated in a corner of the stable block was the well-known figure of the mysterious Jhanus, who watched the scene with an air of boredom as indicated by the gestures of racer's hands and body. Through the visor that completely hid the face, the racer looked about as if searching for something to capture the racer's interest.
"Ghemins!"
The racer looked at Elsie Drakhe and made a gesture of the hand that seemed to say Are you speaking to me?
"Yes, Ghemins! I am speaking to you!" Elsie exclaimed with her more authoritarian tone. "I think that it's my duty to remind you of a rule that you must follow: you are strictly prohibited from performing dangerous acrobatics while your labor contract is in effect. Understood?"
A gesture from Jhanus indicated that the racer deliberately hadn't paid attention.
"WHY DOES NOBODY LISTEN ME!" shouted Elsie.
"With that loud voice, it's difficult for anybody not to hear her," said Kitt in low voice so that only Artha could hear it.
------ o0o ------
"RACERS, TAKE YOUR POSITIONS!"
All the dragons and their riders moved towards the starting gate. Artha Penn and Kitt did the same. In gate number one was Kitt, followed by Artha, Jhanus, Moordryd, a member dragon flames crew, Dorsull and other riders who were members of the Dragon Eye Crew.
"Artha, remember to mind Beau's draconium energy."
"Parm," answered the impatient teen viewing his best friend and his little brother through the vidscreen, "don't worry. You're speaking to a professional."
"This time you'll be a professional looser, Stable-Brat," Moordryd taunted as he watched Artha from his position. Turning his attention to Jhanus, "So, are you the idiot Silvanna contracted? Very interesting." Jhanus watched him but the racer didn't say anything. In mocking tone Moordryd added, "What happened to you? Dragon ate your tongue?"
The only answer that Moordryd got was a threatening expression from Eclypse along with a snap in the air that said it all.
"You know something, Paynn? You're pitiful racer," Artha responded.
"We will see who the pitiful racer will be when the race finishes, Stable-Brat!" snarled Moordryd.
"WELCOME TO THE MID CITY ANNUAL RACE!" said Race Marshall Budge as the crowd shouted impatiently for the race to begin.
From the platform where the coaches watched the race, Parm continued giving instructions to Artha while Lance played Battle Dragon Online on his vidgame.
The door to the platform opened. Parm and Lance turned around to see who had entered and saw an older teenage boy in a wheelchair followed by a girl of a similar age.
The girl looking at boy said, "Marvin, could you get a com-link with Ghemins, please?"
The young man pressed some buttons and a virtual screen appeared in front of them.
"Ghemins!" said the girl. Jhanus, who was listening to Race Marshall Budge's boring speech, shook with surprise by the sudden appearance of Elsie in the vidscreen installed on the control panel of the racer's saddle. Elsie, who was watching Jhanus in an authoritarian way, continued speaking, "I hope, Ghenims, that you follow the plan and I'm warning you about that... "
Elsie's Speech was cut off as Jhanus had turned off the sound, but it could be seen in the screen that the girl was still moving her lips.
"Are they putting you on a leash, Ghenims?" said Moordryd with a mocking tone.
Jhanus gave a deep sigh, and looking at the young Paynn, the racer gave an affirmative nod. A few moments later, Jhanus pushed a button and everyone could hear the voice of Miss Drakhe.
"... And I expect you haven't set your com link to mute as you usually do when I am giving you instructions. Or have you done it already?"
Jhanus made a thoughtful gesture for few seconds then gave an affirmative nod.
"Don't you feel ashamed?" exclaimed an annoyed Elsie, and she was more irritated when Jhanus made a negative gesture. Eclypse expressed her opinion with a mocking giggle.
Irritated, Elsie added, "You and your dragon!"
"LADIES AND GLENTEMEN! LET THE RACE BEGIN!" shouted Race Marshall Budge as the crowd screamed with joy. The countdown began.
The dragons pawed the ground impatiently as the racers prepared for the start.
The gates opened and the dragons took off at full speed down the illuminated track. The dragon-traps began to work and the racers began to evade them, to attack each other and to try to advance at the same time.
Dorsull, Kitt, Moordryd, Artha and Jhanus competed for first place. Kitt was ahead but Dorsull, using his light-blue tentacle gear, started to extract Kitt's draconium energy while she fought to free herself.
Artha saw that and moved Beau in that direction; with his staff, he cut the tentacle. At the last moment, Kitt and Artha moved to the side as Dorsull, with a terrified look on his face, watched as an enormous sign that said "WARNING, remodeling"approach him at full speed. He had just enough time to eject himself, and seconds later, a light-blue parachute with Dragon Fish Crew's logo was seen in the sky.
"Thanks, Stable-boy!" said Kitt with a wide smile. "Meet you at the finish line."
Artha smiled back with his mind on catching up to Moordryd and Jhanus. Moordryd, seeing his rival approaching, pressed some buttons and more dragon-traps flew towards Artha and Beau.
Moordryd laughed in a sinister way and looked ahead as Jhanus was taking the advantage. Moordryd smiled with sarcasm; it was time to finish that clown.
"Ghemins!" said Elsie to Jhanus by vidscreen. "WATCH OUT! You-know-who is behind you! And you know that he is able to do you-know-what!" Elsie looked to Marvin and said, "Are you sure that your toy will work?"
"If it doesn't work I will put it between two pieces of bread and eat it," responded the boy to her, and pressing some buttons, Jhanus appeared in the virtual screen. "Jhanus," said Marvin to the racer. "You should prepare yourself, we may implement the operation counterattack."
Jhanus made an affirmative hand gesture and concentrated on reaching the finish line. Moordryd waited until Jhanus was ahead a little more and then used his whip and began to steal Eclypse's draconium energy.
"It seems that Moordryd is scraping their scales," said Lance to Marvin and Elsie after watching the progress of the race on the vidscreen.
"It's not over yet," replied Marvin and using the comlink once again he shouted, "NOW, JHANUS! NOW!"
Jhanus pressed some buttons and Marvin's block-gear started to work. Marvin was pleased and he smiled. He had studied all of Moordryd's tricks and this was the final test of his gear. In theory, the armor that protected Eclypse not only blocked the whip from draining draconium energy, but in a few seconds, it would begin to steal the energy from Moordryd's dragon. After a few minutes, there would be SUCCESS!
Moordryd watched but didn't understand what was happening. His draconium energy level was decreasing quickly and thanks to that, he wasn't able to communicate with Cain to tell him to use blinding gear or a flash-stick.
Jhanus decided that it was time to accelerate and pressing other buttons; four powerful rockets appeared on the armor that Eclypse had in both back legs, causing her to run more quickly and also forcefully threw the debilitated Decepshun.
Jhanus looked to Eclypse who winked at her rider as if she knew what her rider wished her to do. Eclypse then began to jump from side to side swinging Decepshun so as to block the other racers.
"I didn't know that Moordryd was such an excellent dragon-trap," said Kitt to Artha while both teens tried to avoid Moordryd and pass at same time.
"Me neither," replied Artha.
"Jhanus, what you are doing? Can't you see that Moordryd is stepping on your tail?" said Elsie through the vidscreen.
The crowd yelled excitedly. Many in Dragon City had heard about Jhanus's bold racing style and the rider's reckless tricks on Draconia City's race circuit and now they were watching it themselves. The mysterious rider quickly approached the finish and it seemed that nobody could stop Jhanus Ghemins.
Descepshun tenaciously tried to resist, whereas Moordryd stubbornly didn't want to release the whip. However, everything was useless. As Jhanus crossed the finish line, the rider turned abruptly and at the last second, Jhanus extended a staff and with a quick strike, hit Moordryd's whip. Jhanus's staff released a powerful electrical charge that burned the circuits of the whip, causing it to release Eclypse. And thanks to the sudden shock, Moordryd and Descepshun crashed into a group of trash cans.
"AND THE WINNER OF MID CITY ANNUAL RACE IS: JHANUS GHEMINS OF DRACONIA CITY!"
The crowd cheered Jhanus as the mysterious rider greeted them. Everybody hoped that Jhanus would take off the helmet so they could meet the face of their new hero.
"SOME WORDS FOR YOUR FANS?" said Race Marshall Budge as Jhanus approached the platform riding Eclypse to receive the trophy.
The crowd fell silent along with Race Marshall Budge and Jhanus. Everyone who hoped to hear their idol speak was surprised by the mystery of the hermit-like rider.
"It seems, friends, that the dragon ate his tongue," said Race Marshall Budge, a little surprised by the strange reserve of the rider. "BUT IT DOES NOT MATTER. WE WILL GIVE THE NEW CHAMPION A WARM ROUND OF APPLAUSE!"
The multitude cheered for joy and applause filled the air as Jhanus raised the cup and Eclypse trotted near the grand stand, proudly showing her rider.
On the coach's platform, Marvin and Elsie watched the scene with very different attitudes: Marvin deeply pleased and Elsie with cold professionalism.
"Congratulations, Marvin. Your toy has been a complete success. It is time to inform Miss Diamath," said Elsie with a more kind tone while she watched Marvin turn the comlink to Silvanna's frequency.
"What's going on, Elsie?" said Silvanna shortly after her image appeared in the screen of the comlink.
"The final test has be a success," replied Elsie in a professional tone.
"Excellent. I think, Elsie, that we should give everyone a bonus," said the young woman. "Don't move, I'm coming there."
After Silvanna spoke, she turned off her com link. Elsie and Marvin left as Parm and Lance watched them walk away.
------ o0o ------
"What a Race, Artha!"
"Are you saying that for me, Parm, or for Jhanus?" Artha replied.
"Well... in fact... Jhanus..."
"He was scale scraping you and Moordryd," said Lance. Artha looked at his little brother in a way that made Lance smile nervously.
"You don't have to be upset," added Parm. "Jhanus is one of the few of Draconia City's racers that always plays fair, and using an opponent as a shield or dragon-trap doesn't break any rule."
"And you're on Jhanus's side," replied Artha sarcastically while he walked in the opposite direction of his friend. Artha stopped himself; walking by in that direction was Moordryd, accompanied by Cain and Rancydd.
"Whoa! If it isn't the Penn Brat," exclaimed Moordryd, who felt somehow happy that he could discharge his rage on another person he equally detested.
"What happened to you, Paynn? Are you hurt to be humiliated in that way?"
"Listen, Stable-Brat..." A childish giggle caused Moordryd to stop; the expression on his face looked as though an unexpected calamity had fallen over him. At last, speaking to the other members of his Crew without looking, "Don't tell me. She's 5 and a half feet tall, grey eyes, sarcastic smile and she's a particularly annoying woman. Am I right?"
"Didn't you say that you don't want us to tell you?" replied Cain.
Moordryd turn around and he saw Silvanna. On this occasion, she was wearing a casual suit with the colors of white, blue, lilac and purple that emphasized her well-formed figure. Her helmet, that covered all her head, had Diamaths's symbol made of purple and white draconium.
Her saddle looked like those used by the Army of the Dragon, but it had the white, purple and deep blue colors.
The saddle was built with care and it harmonized with the exotic dragon that Silvanna rode. The dragon belonged to a very rare species that could only be found in Drakholiax Valley, which was located several miles southeast of Draconia City. They were associated with the most powerful families of that city.
Its color, totally white, reflected light in a way that gave it a look that could only be described as ghostly; which caused this species to be called "White Dragons" or "Phantom Dragons", among other names.
Its expressive blue eyes shined like blue jewels framed in the finest white draconium. Others details about this species were its short neck and its ears, which seemed like bat wings, and the four powerful legs which gave it excellent balance and speed.
Silvanna wasn't alone. Close to her was Jhanus, and few feet behind, a twenty-year-old-looking young man. Much of his face couldn't be much appraised due to the visor of his old and mistreated helmet, but his face was square and suntanned.
His strong shoulders and thin body, spoke of a physically active life, and he was little taller than Moordryd; which made him noticeable in a crowd. The boy rode a short neck dragon with four legs. Its color was of a mixture of red and dark red; as a decoration, the dragon displayed an earring made of brown and red draconium on one of its ears and he had a strange tattoo on one of his back legs.
The young man's clothes and saddle announced that he was from neither Draconia City nor Dragon City. Over his dark red and orange clothes, he wore an old poncho and a red draconium armband on his left arm.
His saddle was, like his helmet, old and mistreated and unlike the usual saddles used in Dragon city and other places as this one was placed on the dragon's back and was enough wide so that two riders could sit together comfortably.
The rider used reins to direct the dragon that were joined by a fine but resistant chain of draconium to plates of the same metal which the dragon magnetized to his jaws. Although the noble creature could have broken them easily, he obeyed the small pull by his rider.
The others were a little surprised as they watched the strange group, but the surprise did not last long.
"Can I know, Silvanna, why have I the honor of your visit?" said Moordryd sarcastically.
"Supervising my sponsored racer," replied Silvanna with badly disguised disdain.
"Can't you do that in your stable block? Or doesn't your ego leave enough space for you to come in?" replied Moordryd.
"As it happens, you're in front of my sponsored rider's stable block," replied the annoyed young woman.
It's always a pleasure to bother you," answered back Moordryd.
"Listen, Paynn! Haven't you caused enough annoyances for one day?" yelled Artha irritated.
"LISTEN STABLE BRAT!"
"Hey, Zhulan!" said the calm Silvanna to the young man who had the poncho, but with an exaggerated high tone so that all could hear her. "Isn't that man near the Dragon Flares' stable block with Security? Could you be so kind as to call him?"
"Let's go!" said the annoyed Moordryd to Ranccyd and Cain. The boys began to move away. When they walked in front of Silvanna, her dragon, with all bad intentions, struck a trash can and its content fell straight on Moordryd.
Moordryd felt that he hated that girl more than the Dragon Booster himself. He murmured a series of words of which among them only just could be understood "... spoiled brat girl."
Then he left the place quickly together with Cain and Ranccyd.
"I have to say," said Ranccyd, "she's a pretty, spoiled, brat girl."
"SHUT UP, RANCCYD!" roared Moordryd.
Silvanna had a mocking smile, whereas Zhulan shook his head with worry.
"You should be more prudent, Silvanna," said Zhulan disapprovingly. "You know it isn't good to play with fire."
"Don't be a party-pooper, Zhulan," said Silvanna without looking worried. "He can roar all he wants, but he knows very well that he cannot bite."
"Even so, you must be prudent," replied the young man. "Someday he might do it."
"I think your friend is right," said Artha while he approached Silvanna. "Moordryd Paynn is somebody that you don't take lightly."
"I know that better than you, Tannis," replied Silvanna with a familiarity that later bothered Kitt. Artha and his companions were surprised. How could a perfect stranger have known that Artha's middle name was Tannis? Only Silvanna laughed aloud.
"If you tried to remember, you wouldn't be so surprised," said Silvanna to Artha before turning her dragon away and leaving with her companions.
Eight years Ago...
Connor Penn saw that two visitors were arriving at his stables as they had announced. He generally didn't judge before meeting the people who came in search of advice, to take dragon riding classes or who were simply looking for a coach for the street races; but they definitively weren't of his complete affability.
He knew perfectly well the infamy that preceded to the Diamath family lately and here were two members of that frightful family who came, presumably, to ask for his services. But at the same time, he recognized that Mrs. Diamath's family had several respectable members in Draconia City's community.
It was a big surprise to all that she had gotten married to somebody with such a dubious reputation as Adaberth Diamath. Truly, Connor Penn didn't know what to think.
An elegant carriage pull by two white dragons approached full speed towards the entrance of Penn Stables. They had arrived. When the vehicle stopped, Connor Penn could admire the magnificent dragons that pulled the carriage, they were known by people as "Silver Dragons" or "Phantomt Dragons".
Phoebe Diamath left the vehicle and she walked towards Mr. Penn. She was tall and she had long black hair, her almond-shaped eyes had a grayish tone; her rosy and delicate features had a melancholy expression that ironically made her rounded face more beautiful.
She was tall and thin, and was wearing a purple suit with turquoise edges along with a large purple armband that covered a little more than half of her arm. The thing that caught the most attention on her was the old gold draconium medal that was around her neck with the image of a long three-headed dragon's profile on it.
The second lady who left the vehicle, possibly an assistant, was slightly taller than Phoebe Diamath, and her suntanned skin combined with her dark-red and orange clothes. Her angular face was surrounded by short black and red hair; she had a thin nose and reddish-brown eyes.
A third passenger left the vehicle and moved close to Phoebe Diamath, her little hands grasped her mother's hand. The glance of Mr. Penn settled on the girl, who was around eight or nine years old and she was dressed in a white, lilac and pink suit. She had an oval face and blue-gray eyes which showed fear.
Connor Penn knew that something was wrong; that wasn't a normal child's expression. She had the same look as dragons that were mistreated by their riders who considered them beasts without intelligence or feelings.
Suddenly, Connor Penn remembered a lesson the dragon priests had taught to him in his childhood: "Practice mercy whenever you can and never leave the weak ones when they implore your protection... Make compassion and mercy your best friends, they are seeds of great kindness that in the hour of pain blooms and bears fruit. He who sews those seeds of virtue, never was alone on the path of life... With the waters of pain and the soil of cruelty, it's more probable to grow the root of all evils... "
Why in name of Magna Draconis, was he thinking that?
"Greet Mr. Penn, little one," animated Phoebe to the little girl while she touched her shoulders kindly. The girl made a gesture of greeting without saying a word and immediately she hide behind her mother.
Definitively something was wrong. Mr. Penn decided that it was better to talk in his office that was located on the second floor of a nearby building, a proposal that Mrs. Diamath approved.
"Syrhan, could you take care of the little one for a second?" said Mrs. Diamath kindly to her companion, and watching her daughter, added with a smile, "And you sweetheart, behave and obey Syrhan."
Syrhan made an affirmative gesture and she waited next to the dragons while the girl grasped her hands to Syrhan's in a pathetic way. Mrs. Diamath followed Mr. Penn to his office, where inside was a little boy with black hair and beautiful blue eyes.
"Daddy, daddy!" gladly said the kid while he ran towards the strong and affectionate arms of Mr. Penn, whom he embraced. "I finished everything you asked me to do. Can I go play a while? Can I? Please?"
"OK," said Mr. Penn with a warm smile. "Don't leave the property and I want you to take care of your little brother when he wakes up from his nap."
"YEAAAAAA!" said the boy while he ran towards the door and closed it in a noisy way. Just before the little one went away, he could hear through the door words that he didn't completely understand.
"Darkness and pain always have accompanied the Diamath family... " said a feminine voice. "I don't want her to grow up thinking that all the human beings are Monsters. I don't want her to see the world as Adaberth does. As I see it... I want her to be a happy girl with self-confidence... She loves dragons, and I think that it's the only way available to avoid that... "
How strange were adults, thought the boy. But it was a beautiful day and he ran down stairs to the garden. Once on the ground floor, the white dragons captured his attention. When he approached a little closer to see them better, he noticed that a little girl watched him with distrust.
"Hello," the boy said.
"Hello," answered the girl softly .
"Why do you look at me that way?"
"I once met a boy that always liked to play pranks and make me angry," responded the girl. "And I don't know if you're going to do the same."
"No, I won't do that," replied the boy with a sincere smile that erased the distrust that was in her . "He must be a very bad boy."
"He really is," answered the girl softly.
"What's your name?" asked the boy. "My name is Artha Tannis Penn, of Penn Stables. What's yours?"
"Silvanna Diamath," said the girl with a smile. "Your dad is the owner these stables, Tannis?"
"That's ob-ob-obnious," said Artha, trying but failing to pronounce obvious. "But call me Artha if you like. Are you the girl who came with her mom to arrange a schedule to take riding classes with my dad?"
"If your dad wants to teach me," said the girl sadly. "I believe that he wasn't pleased when he saw us. Nobody is pleased... Everyone hates us. Everyone thinks we're bad."
"I don't believe that you're a bad person. You don't seem like it."
"Do you think so? Do you want to be my friend?" said Silvanna with a wide smile. The boy smiled and made an affirmative gesture with his head.
"Do you want to play with me?" asked Artha.
Silvanna nodded her head and looking at Syrhan, spoke submissively,
"Can I play a while with Artha, Syrhan? I will be careful, I won't get dirty, and I promise to behave. Can I? Tell me that I can. My mom won't mind, she's good and she doesn't mind."
Syrhan looked at the little one. Certainly, she couldn't see anything bad to allow that innocent request and granted her permission to the little girl.
"Remain where I can watch you," said the lady to the girl. "Remember that I have instructions from your mother to take care of you while she discusses important things with Mr. Penn."
Silvanna and Artha gave a shout of joy and both children ran towards the garden that was a short distance from the vehicle.
It was the way that he had met her. Artha Penn now remembered where he had heard Diamath's last name before.