Disclaimer: I do not own any Dragon Booster characters, but I do own Michelle and Leapdra.

Sparklie-the-Tiger (4-4-2016): This chapter is from the episode: Opposing Force. Had to edit this one out. And I've skipped the episode Into the Fire 'cause Michelle doesn't appear in that

Jousting For the Truth

((Michelle's POV))

During at night in Dragon City, me and Leapdra were walking through the city for some quiet evening... until it started to rain! Agh! Of all the day, why now? ...Anyway, it's been four days since I first encounter the new Dragon Booster and I haven't see him since. Though, word gets around about him quickly. Now, most criminals are very alert in the city to hide from him, but that doesn't stop them form causing more troubles...

Leapdra suddenly stops walking right near a turning point. I look down at her, quietly asking, "What is it, girl? What's wrong?"

{I just sense someone at that turning point...} Leapdra quietly growled then she and I take a peek then see a Bull-Class dragon and a guy near the duct and pipes.

This person seem to told the bull dragon to get away from here as he jumps into the bottom duct. The dragon runs off in another direction.

Leapdra and I went over to the ducts.

{What was that about?} Leapdra wondered, looking off at direction of where the bull class dragon went off to.

"Leapdra, I'm going after him." I spoke.

Then Leapdra stares up at me, {Are you crazy for once? That guy seem bad news and you have no idea where that leads to...} she grunted and groaned with concerns.

I sigh at her, "Just follow the sound of my voice..." Then I jump off of her, went into the duct and slide into the duct to follow this person.

I've slide all on the way down until I got closer the bottom, landing on the floor of... something. I look around the inside of the duct. I didn't see that guy that was on the bull dragon, but I did see something on the ground.

"Huh?" I walk over to the unknown object on the ground, "What's this?" as I got closer to it, it was uniform jacket of a crew, the Grip of the Dragon crew. "This guy is from the crew of Phistus?"

Phistus is the leader of the Grip of the Dragon Crew and also leads the Down City Crew Council of Twelve. He always gets irritated with the constant chaos between Down City crews, and longs to resolve this. Phistus strongly believes that the Down City crews need to insure peace between each other.

"Hmm... Why would anyone throw away a good looking jacket?" I wondered as look at the jacket closely. There was something about this jacket that's making me feel unease.

Then I suddenly heard a strange sound from one of the ducts above, then suddenly a blue figure falls out from the duct above and crash onto it's back right in front of me, "What the?" I gasped, startling me a bit.

The figure groan with pain and dizziness, siting up with it's back facing me as I recognize it's none other than... "...Dragon Booster?"

Dragon Booster heard me, looks back at me with surprise look on his face... I think, "Michelle?" he stands up, "What are you doing down here?"

"I could ask you the same thing." I responded, folded my arms. Then I realize something, Dragon Booster just said my name. No one, but my family and friends knows it and the strangers always call me Mickey. I haven't even told him my name... "Hey... How did you know my name?"

Dragon Booster starts to stutters, "Huh? Uh... W-Well, I-I..." then he see the jacket in my hand, "Hey! That's the same jacket that the guy I was after."

"Huh? You mean this jacket? I found it here when I was following the same guy that rode a Bull-Class dragon." I explained to him. "I think it's a Grip of the Dragon crew jacket..."

Then Dragon Booster starts to wonder, "Why would a Grip of the Dragon crew member throw a perfectly good jacket?"

Before we could figure out this jacket, we heard a lot of voices ahead at the end on the duct we're in. We looked at each other, nodded and headed towards the sounds, walking out of the duct onto the wooded board, well Dragon Booster did, I just stay at the opening of the duct, looking down and saw different people from each different crews gathering around a big table, discussing about something.

/Whoa! It's the Down City Crews Council of Twelve; The Round Table!/ I thought as me and Dragon Booster listen to see what's going on.

Each crew member, even the Dragon Eye, talk, shouts and complains about what's going on today and having a lot of disagreeing. Suddenly, a big fist slams on the table, getting everyone's attention...

"Silence!" It was Phistus, the leader of the Grip Crew. "I had enough of your chatting! It is our duty to insure peace between our dragon crew. There would be city wide chaos! That is what this Down City Council does for centuries! Have you all forgotten?"

Then Moordryd spoke, "The problem isn't each other! It's this so called hero, Dragon Booster!" with a bit anger in his voice.

I guess he's still sore about what happened to him with his first encounter with Dragon Booster. Sure, he's the one to talk! He and his crew always seem to cause the trouble here in Dragon City.

"I hear that no one has nothing to fear from him..." said Phistus. "...Unless, of course, you're a thief."

Moordryd glared at Phistus, then another crew member of Dragon Flares; Jason, spoke out, "We all must do something to get out of this life to have a chance race in the Elite Class with this amazing racer."

And that racer is me, but I still have a long way to go.

Phistus sighs, "I do admit, we all have dreams for greater things... It's just some of our member are honorable..." then he stares at Moordryd "...and some are questionable."

Suddenly, a male street crew member walks in. I didn't know why, but I've got this feeling that I saw him a short while ago... Maybe he's the same rider that I saw near the opening of the ducts before.

Anyway, the guy, named Rancid, walk up to Moordryd, whispering something his ear.

Moordryd smirks with slyness at Phistus, "It seem we have a little problem... My friend here just spent the last 20 minutes, hiding in a ditch from an army of Dragon City Security and the Dragon Booster."

"And your point is?" Phistus asked with no worries.

Moordryd gets to the point, "Security follow YOUR crew down from a little bank heist."

Most of the other crews gasps with shock.

Phistus also looked shock with disbelief, "My crew? That's a lie!"

Moordryd then pulls out a small radio so everyone could hear. It said that a crew member from Phistus has just stolen some money from a bank at the same night. Then every street crews stares Phistus with suspicions and whispers about him.

"LIES!" Phistus shouted, not wanting to believe his crew would ever do such a thing.

Moordryd just smug at him, "Look who mis-mouthing now..."

Suddenly, Phistus whips out his huge green hammer then smashes the table with great force of anger then Moordryd pulls out his Drain Whip.

"You have disgrace the Council!" Moordryd exclaimed. "And by the right of ancient, I challenge your leadership by joust!"

...Oh no! If Moordryd wins that joust, this city will really turn into chaos! And how could Phistus' crew be band of thieves? Then I heard some bending sound from what Dragon Booster is standing on. The pipe and wooden board suddenly breaks from under him, causing him to falls straight down to ground to the other crews are.

Dragon Booster crashes on the floor, surprising everyone. He groans with pain, siting up as spoke to them all, "Nice place you got here. Sorry about the mess."

/Yep! he really reminded me of someone.../ I thought as I lightly smacked my forehead.

Then Moordryd shouts at the crews, "It's the Dragon Booster! Get him!" as the others shouts with anger at the Dragon Booster.

I couldn't understand why the other crews are upset with the Dragon Booster, but I can't let them lay a finger on him, so I jump down to the floor and landed right next to the Dragon Booster.

I sneer at the crews, "Anyone who lays a finger on him is dead meat!"

"Hey! It's Mickey!" one of member shouted.

I snarl with anger, "It's Michelle, you dolt!" then I glare at Moordryd, "And you!" Moordryd winced "I'm gonna give you such a horrible pain for almost killing me and my friends!"

"Oh, really, 'Mickey'? How are you gonna do that with every crew member here?" Moordryd smug at me as the crews steps closer to me and Dragon Booster.

I smirk at him then blew out a whistle for Leapdra to hear. Everyone heard very loud roars from the other side of the wall. Out of the blue, burst out from the wall, it was the gold dragon of legend with Leapdra next to him.

The two dragons roars at every crews, {STAY AWAY FROM OUR RIDERS!} then they mags us onto to them. Dragon Booster lands on his dragon and I landed on mine.

A crew from Moordryd's, Edwin, was about to use a Flash Stick on our dragon until Dragon Booster spoke, "You might wanna back off quickly. He doesn't like crowds."

His dragon got closer to Edwin, snorts some hot air at his face ,making Edwin flees away from the dragon.

"Later, Moory!" I teased at Moordryd, making he growling at me with annoyances.

Our dragons let's out another roars to the crews then leaps out of the Down City Crew Council of Twelve, running off to get away.

Moments later, after me, Dragon Booster and our dragons are few blocks away from the Down City Crew Council of Twelve, we all stop near the streets.

I look back from where we left and sigh with relief, "...That was a close one..." I look at Dragon Booster "Y'know... for someone I just met for the first time, you kinda reminded me of someone I know. A friend of mine, I think."

"Really? Who do I reminded you of?" Dragon Booster asked.

I stare at him really hard, then name appear in my mind, /...Artha... No way! It couldn't be him!/ I shook my head, "...J-Just someone I know..." I stare deeply at Dragon Booster, "Someone I care about for long time since I first met him... He's can be a hot-head sometimes and impatient, but he's sweet and caring to his little brother... And well, heh... he's seem really important to me..."

/Uh... Why am I telling Dragon Booster about this? ...I just met him and... Wait... Is he blushing?/ I suddenly notice Dragon Booster is kinda...blushing a bit. "Um... Are you okay?" I asked.

Dragon Booster snaps out of his thoughts, stutters, "Huh? Wh-What? Were you saying something?"

I shook my head with annoy, "Never mind... Let's just focus on what just happened back there. The news said that the Grip of the Dragon crew had stolen some money from a bank a while ago."

"But how? Phistus' crew would never do that... And that guy I saw at the council..." Dragon Booster wondered. "Could that guy be...?"

"Maybe, but what about this jacket?" I'd mention as show him the jacket that the guy 'drop', "It has the symbol of the Grip of the Dragon crew, but there's something about it... It might be a clue!"

"You could be right about that!" Dragon Booster nodded.

Then Leapdra softly groan, {Maybe Phistus is being framed by someone from a different crew.}

{Hey, yeah! Probably the Dragon Eyes crew.} The black and gold dragon growled.

"Smart thinking, you two." I replied, patting on Leapdra's head.

Then Dragon Booster looks confuse, "Huh? What do you mean you two?"

Aw, scales! I forgot about him! He might freak out about it and leave me like the kids did when I was little. "Uh... I-I meant... the dragons." I look away.

"Wha? How could you understand them?" Dragon Booster asked.

I gulp down with fear and sadness, "...Because, I can understand dragons! I don't know how, but... Please, don't hate me!" I look down with grief. Parmon and my mom knows about this and so far Kitt is the only one who hasn't left me 'cause of this 'talent' yet...

The Dragon Booster said something I never thought anyone would say, "Th-That's amazing!"

I look back up with shock, "R-Really? Are you serious?"

"Yeah! Does anyone knows about this?" He asked.

"No... Just my two family, my brother and my mom, and my friend, Kitt." I sighed. "...However, my two friends don't know about it. And before you ask why I haven't tell them before... It's because I once told my once good 'friends' at school when I was 4, but they suddenly became afraid of me and stop being my friend. Kitt was shock too, but amaze by it. She's the only one from the outside of my family who accept for who I am."

I look down with grief, "Parmon was excited about it and our mom doesn't seem to be bother by it at all... But Artha doesn't know about it... Neither does Lance. I wanted to tell them, but what if happens again like it did before? I don't want to lose them too..."

Then Dragon Booster spoke, "...Michelle, I'm sure Artha and Lance Penn would never leave you for what you have. They'll accept you as a friend no matter who you are."

I glance at him, "How do you know?"

"Well, if I can accept you, so will the Penn brothers." Dragon Booster answered.

I thought for awhile and smile a little at Dragon Booster, "...Thanks and for returning the favor... let me figure out of what's really going at the bank heist."

"Are you sure about that?" Dragon Booster asked.

"Yes, I'm sure." I told him.

Dragon Booster nodded. Then he and his dragon ran off throughout the city, leaving only me and Leapdra on the streets.

Leapdra look up at me, {Now, what, Michelle?}

"Now..." I look at the jacket that I found in ducts. "...we need to figure out about this 'clue' of ours and prove Phistus is innocent."

At home that Parmon and I live at, I'd put Leapdra in the stables, but I didn't see Cyrano in there.

{I wonder where's that big lug is at? I really want to tell him about our day} Leapdra groaned with concerns.

Leapdra and Cyrano are sort of like siblings to each other. They always hang out together, watch each other backs and talk sometimes. But now, lately, Cyrano haven't been here at the stables for a while.

I pat on Leapdra's nose with comfort, "Don't worry, Leapdra. I'm sure Cyrano will be here later on tonight." then I walk inside of house.

I saw two notes on the table and read the first note...

'To my children, Parmon and Michelle, I won't be home tonight. I'm at work study ancient temple to solve a riddle with my co-workers. I'll be home tomorrow night, Your Mom'

I sigh. Mom always like study anything that tells about the Dragon City's histories. I guess that's where me and Parmon got it from. Well, mostly Parmon than I am. I'm kinda like my dad as my mom said... But I never knew him. I'll get to him later on...

I pick up the second note...

'To mom and Michelle, I'll be at the Penn Stables with Artha and Lance for a while. I'll be spending the night at their place tonight. I'll be back in the morning, Parmon.'

Well, at least I know where Parmon and Cyrano had been at lately, of course... But, come to think of it... he haven't been here lately day or night much... I wonder why? I know he's part of Artha's crew, but he's been there a lot lately. I decided to drop it and focus on the jacket. Then I suddenly notice about symbol.

The symbol of Grip of the Dragon crew seem... strange for some reasons. I touch the symbol then notice it feels different from any part of the jacket.

I see a loose of piece of it, pull it off a bit then found out it's some kind of sticker. Once I've pull it down some more, I was the real symbol and growl, "...Why that dirty, sneaking..." This jacket is not just a clue, it's a proof!

But, I have to wait until the joust starts.

Tomorrow at night...

I was riding and steering Leapdra towards where the joust is being held at.

"I just had to slept late! They probably already finish the joust!" I shouted as Leapdra made another turn.

{Don't worry, Michelle! We'll make it!} Leapdra panted as she run through street.

"I hope so, Leapdra!" I replied.

Then we stop near a building, outside of the jousting. We could hear the crowds shouting about something and didn't sound good.

We quickly went inside through the back way and see the joust has already started a few minutes ago. It's already the second round and it seem... Moordryd has won first two rounds which means, Moordryd has beaten Phistus.

{Oh no! We're too late! Moordryd has already won!} Leapdra whimpered.

"But how? Phistus is the best jouster!" I exclaimed then I stare at Moordryd with suspicion. It look like he smirking with mischief. /He must done something to win this joust. But what? And how?.../

"Phistus has been defeated!" Race Marshall Budge shouted. "I give you the Jousting Champion of Dragon City, and according to the ancient laws... the new leader of the Down City Council, Moordryd Payn!"

"Yes!" Moordryd exclaimed as the crowd jeered.

"No..." I whispered. Then I and everyone else heard a familiar voice...

"Wait a second!"

Everyone look at the middle of the joust field and see the Dragon Booster and his gold dragon of legend.

"...Dragon Booster..." I whispered with awed.

"According to the laws, there can be one more challenge! I challenge YOU..." Dragon Booster points at Moordrdyd "...Moordryd Payn!"

Most of the crowd started to jeered and shouted.

Suddenly, Phistus shouts, "SILENCE! This Dragon Booster has the legal right to challenge!"

Race Marshall Budge spoke to Moordryd, "The crowd grows restless, Moordryd!"

Moordryd responds, "Not so fast! I, not only accept your challenge, Dragon Booster... but I will openhanded while the winner shall take... the LOSER'S dragon!"

"What?" I whispered with shock a bit.

The gold dragon looked shock at first, but then growls at Moordryd then looks up at his rider...

"Accepted!" Dragon Booster answered.

{Is this guy crazy? Moordryd has already won and Dragon Booster might lose the challenge, even his dragon!} Leapdra grunted and snorted.

I look down at my dragon, "Don't count on it, Leapdra! I have feeling there's in the field that's making Moordryd win the rounds."

The first round begins... Decepshun and the gold dragon charges at each other with their riders on them on each of the side of the fence. Then something strange happen, Dragon Booster and his dragon looked like they've been hit or bump by something. Dragon Booster look back to see what hit him and his dragon, but nothing was there then Moordryd knocks Dragon Booster off of his dragon.

"Did you see that?" I spoke to Leapdra.

Leapdra nod, {Yeah, I did!} then she growled at field, {Something's out there and it's making the hero guys lose!}

"...And we can't see it at all!" I sighed with frustrated.

The second round begins... Just like last time before, both dragons and riders charges at each other, but this time nothing slam into Dragon Booster and his dragon and this time Moordryd gets knock off of Decepshun.

Leapdra snicker at Moordryd, {That's one point for Dragon Booster!}

I nod at Leapdra, "Yes... If he wins the next round, Moordryd won't be the new leader of Down City Council."

The third round begins... The dragons charges towards each other once more, but then something slams against to Dragon Booster and his dragon again! Moordryd knocks Dragon Booster to get off his dragon, but Dragon Booster was barely on his dragon, having upper part of the body hanging upside-down.

"Oh no! He's hurt!" I whispered with worry as Leapdra whined.

Dragon Booster was barely hanging on to the steering and was about to fall off of his dragon. Most of people in crowd chanted 'Fall! Fall! Fall!'

/Dragon Booster must not give up now! He has to get up and try again. I know he can do it, I know he can!/ I prayed. Then something in my shirt, of where my chest is, was glowing. I pull it out, it was the necklace with a charm that my mom gave me. The necklace had a charm shape-hourglass, light green with purple as sand charm. It belong to my dad once...

Then the charm starts to glows brightly then the glow change into the color green. At the same time, Dragon Booster begins to glow green too then tries to move back onto his dragon. He grab the steering then his dragon too. His dragon also begins glow green as well.

His dragon then lets out a powerful roar as Dragon Booster is fully back on his dragon. It's like they're fully heal from the attack. Then the glowing dies down, as well as my necklace.

/What just happened? And why did it just healed Dragon Booster and his dragon?/ I thought.

"Amazing!" Marshall exclaimed. "Again until one falls!"

The final round begins... The dragons and riders charges once more. If Dragon Booster doesn't do something soon, he won't be able to survive the next hit.

Me and Leapdra hold our breaths and pray something would happen to let Dragon Booster win. Then suddenly a black two-legged dragon with strange gear on it's head appears then slams against Dragon Booster and his dragon, making Dragon Booster knock off when Moordryd hit him.

The gold dragon growls then snarls at the black two-legged dragon. It runs away in fear when it figure it's been spotted.

"What is that thing?" Marshall questioned. "Who is responsible for this?" he look at Moordryd for some answers.

Moordryd stutters, "W-Well, don't look at me! I never see that dragon in my life!"

Marshall can tell he's lying, "Cheating at joust!"

"Cheating?" said Phistus with shock.

Leapdra snickers at Moordryd, {Busted!}

"It is my duty award tonight jousting victory... to Dragon Booster" Marshall announced as Dragon Booster stood up. The crowd begins to cheer out loud.

Phistus was about to walk away, but Dragon Booster spoke out to everyone, "The same cheat happened to Phistus! So, it is my first and only action to return the Council leadership... back to him!"

Phistus quickly looks at the Dragon Booster, smiling.

However Moordryd wasn't going to let that happen, "What? I object! Phistus is not fit to lead! Have we all forgotten about his crew little bank heist?"

"Lies! There's no proof of this!" Phistus glared at Moordryd.

That's my time to step out, "Actually... there is!" everyone look towards where me and Leapdra steps out from and onto the field, looking surprise and shock to see us.

I jump off of Leapdra, "You see, this jacket I found belongs to the bank robber last night!" I show the jacket to everyone. "Right where the robber's escape routine."

"There, you see? Guilty as charge!" said Moordryd as smirk.

"Not so fast, Moordryd! Phistus' crew isn't really responsible for bank heist... Somebody has been trying to frame Phistus for that robber..." I grabbed the sticker with Grip of the Dragon crew symbol on the jacket then pull it off to reveal a real symbol...of the Dragon Eyes crew symbol. "...Somebody from YOUR crew, Moordryd Payn!" I glared at him with anger.

Moordyrd look like he's been busted, "Uh... I'll look into that." he look at Phistus. "I guess you're still in charge..." then grumble to himself as walk away. I think he said 'for now'.

I continue on, "He is innocent and still the rightful leader of the Down City Council!" after that, the crowd cheers.

"Thanks, Mickey." Phistus thanked.

I snarl at him, "It's Michelle, you big ox!" I calm down, "And your welcome, but you should thank Dragon Booster instead. He did all the work."

Dragon Booster nod at me, "True, but if you haven't came with that proof, Phistus wouldn't got his leadership back so easily."

I blush a bit, "Aw, shut up!" Leapdra mags me onto her. "Well, I gotta go... I have a friend to talk to." I told my dragon to get going then Leapdra walks away from them.

Then she stops. "What is it, girl?" I asked as Leapdra bend down her head and see a little jousting toy.

Leapdra sniffs at the toy, {It got Lance's scent on it.}

/Lance? What is he doing at this time of night? Maybe he and Artha came here to watch the joust and Lance left his toy here.../ I though then I saw Moordryd with Cain over at the entrances.

"Hmm..." I slowly smirk with sly, grabbing the controls then drove the toy towards Moordryd without him noticing just yet.

"This isn't over Dragon Booster!" Moordryd growled then the toy run over his foot and went back to me.

Moordryd cries in pain as he quickly grab his left foot and hops on one foot, growling in pain, "Who did that? WHO DID THAT?"

I quietly snicker as Leapdra mags the toy to me then rode off out of the building before Moordryd or Cain saw me.

After that, I spot where Artha, Lance, Parmon and their dragons. Me and Leapdra over them, "Artha!" I called out to him.

They saw and head towards me and Leapdra. Artha told me that he and the others were watching the whole thing and said I did great job by proving Phistus' innocent. I thank them and give Lance's toy back. Lance was so glad to see it again. Later, I told Artha and Lance about my ability to understand dragons and like Dragon Booster said before, they still accept me as their friend and glad that I told them. They understand why I didn't before and said my gift is drac.

I'm so glad to have friends like them, but I still can shake feeling that Artha and Dragon Booster are kinda the same, but yet different. And unknown to me since I think Artha has secrets as well, but I won't find out until next time...