Sparklie-the-Tiger: Yes, it is back, but it will take time until I can get the mood back again. Luckily, the clips of dragons booster are still around. Anyway, enjoy the chapter.
Once a day each year, when the moons are aligned, an ancient track known as the Shadow Track will appear that day. It only opens for a moment and it will show its exit... That is if you can conquer your fears.
Faster than Fear
The next day, in the evening, Moordryd and his dragon, Decepshun was standing in front of a cave of the vampire dragon; Muhorta. Unknown as first how they got there, but it never crosses their minds when they caught sight of the vampire dragon.
"A Muhorta!" Moordryd shouted with fright.
{Oh my god! NO!} Decepshun screeched with terror as she buck up in the air, knocking Moordryd off of her. She took off running, leaving her rider behind.
Before Moordryd could his dragon back to help him, the Muhorta suddenly shoot out one of it's tentacle, wraps around his right arm and sucks in his energy.
Moordryd screams with terror when it grab him, draining his energy...
...In a split seconds, Moordryd was found back in his father's lab. Word was clutches his son's right wrist, making Moordryd drop something. It looked like a dark crystal. As soon as Moordryd let's go of the crystal, he realize he hasn't even left the lab, but felt confusion of what just happen.
Word release his son's wrist, "...A nightmare, my son... Only illusion." He'd told his son, grabbing the tongs.
"Illusion?" Moordryd muttered as he holds his head.
Word picks up the dark crystal with his tongs, being very carefully not to touch it, "Cause by this single piece of black draconium... The piece from the Shadow Track."
"The Ancient Shadow Track...has reappeared?" Moordryd muttered with shock.
Words explains about the Shadow Track, "It has only appear one day each year when the moons are in alignment. That day is today... its door should open only for a few moment and it should show it exit... if you completely conquer your fears."
Moordryd then hesitant at first before asking, "...Is it true that the last one to escape that track...was my mother?" he spoke with grief.
Word turns away from his son before speaking something that is unlike him, "...It is true. Zulay was fearless... I miss her." Word look down a bit with grief and guilt.
It seems Moordryd's mother, Zulay, was one of the most fearless dragon racers ever. She even managed to escape the Shadow Track. But what happened to her was unknown, however she died from an unknown accident. Moordryd was only a child by then and Word was a bit different back then, but after the loss of Zulay, Word has become hardened even more towards his son. No one knew how Zulay was killed, no one but Word Paynn.
Word quickly went back to his hardened self and turn around to face Moordryd, "Fears are weakness! But they can also be a powerful weapon... Control someone's fear, and you'd control them. I will send my Wraith Dragons to capture the Artha and his friends and send them to the Shadow Track."
"To lure in the Dragon Booster?" Moordryd asked, even though he knows it's Artha Penn, he never told his father for the sake of Michelle's safety.
Word slowly forms a wicked smirk, "Yes... Penn's father bred the Black and Gold Dragon of Legend... I'm sure the Dragon Booster is watching over them. Perhaps we could trap Dragon Booster and his dragon in the Shadow Track...forever... Alone with their fears." He then chuckles with evil. "Now then... leave and train for the race that will begin in a few weeks. I have a few racers to eliminate..."
As Moordryd walks away, he begins feel very worrying for Michelle's safety. He had to warn her before Word sent those Wraith Dragons to the Penn Racing crew. But why is he doing this? Why does he even care about Michelle? She part of the Stable Brats crew and he should feel no emotions towards her. All those words float in Moordryd's head. He never felt like this since he first met Michelle and it grew even more when she gotten hurt from the Psyrox event. Could he have feelings for Michelle Sean?
/I'll admit she is kinda feisty and kinda... cute, but doesn't change a thing! She's the enemy! ...But so far, she's the only one who accept me and treats me like I'm her friend./ Moordryd thought to himself. Besides, Decepshun and Cain, Michelle is the only one who care about Moordryd and now he cares about her. /...Why do I feel this way?/
Once Moordryd made it at his compound, he told Cain about what his father is planning to with the Penn Racing crew while Decepshun and Coershun listening in. The rest of the crew were out somewhere else.
After Cain listening every word Moordryd said, "...Well, at least we'll have less things to worry about later on."
Moordryd growls a bit, "You're missing the point! If any of those Stable brats get trap in that Shadow Track, Michelle will probably do something stupid and get herself kill!"
With Decepshun and Coershun, the two black dragons look at each other.
{Uh... What is the Shadow Track anyway?} Coershun asked. He wasn't into history much.
Decepshun groan with annoyance and explained to him, {The Shadow Track is an ancient track long ago. It only appears when two moons are aligned and it will close once you enter. Once it does, you'll have to face your fears in order to get out...}
Coershun gulps with fright, {...S-Sounds kinda...scary.}
Back with Moordryd and Cain...
"Come on, Moordryd! You've been trying to get rid of those Stables brats for the longest, but ever since we found out about the true identity of the Dragon Booster, you won't even tell Word about it!" Cain complained.
Moordryd turn his back towards Cain, "I told you before... We have no solid proof of proving to my father that Artha Penn is the Dragon Booster."
Cain then starts to a feeling that Moordryd is hiding something, "...You're hiding something, Moordryd. I think that's not the real reason at all."
Moordryd turns around to face Cain, glaring at him, "What are you saying?"
Cain folds his arms, "I'm saying you're hiding the real reason why you're acting this. I mean, you're don't care about those Stable brats, but yet, you want to warn Michelle about what Word is planning to do with them."
"That doesn't prove anything, Cain!" Moordryd grumbled.
"Maybe not, but then again..." Cain went into thoughts for a second, "...You have been acting very strange since Michelle arrive in Dragon City, you even told me one time that you'd listen to her and when she hugged you, your face was red."
Moordryd blushes a bit from remembering when Michelle hug him for the first time then tries to look angry, "I-I was angry, alright! I don't like when people hug me!"
"That's not what you're face said..." Cain rolled his eyes a bit then something finally clicks into his head, "...Wait a second... I know what's going on here." He had a mischievous smile on his face.
Moordryd tries to act normal, "What do you mean?"
"I mean, you're kinda fond of Michelle!" Cain exclaimed.
"I do not like her!" Moordryd shouted while blushing at the same time.
"I never said you like her." Cain smirked. He manages to trick Moordryd into saying he likes Michelle.
Moordryd then realize what he just said. "...Aw, scales..." Moordryd groaned, feeling embarrass then glares at Cain, "I am so gonna make you pay for that..."
Feeling worry for his safety, Cain backs away a bit, "N-Now, now! I'm just trying to see why you even like her. I mean, she's one of the Stable brats..."
Moordryd suddenly yells, "She isn't one of them!" which causes Cain to wince from Moordryd's yell. Moordryd calm down a bit, running his hand through his hair, "I don't know why I'm acting like this, Cain... She seem different from anyone else I know. She's so far the only one who can stand up to me and the way she look at me, as if she could see..."
"...the real you." Cain finished.
That causes Moordryd to look at Cain with shock and confuse. What did Cain mean 'the real you' thing? This is real Moordryd or at least part of him. Moordryd turns away from Cain, "...Let's just find Michelle and warn her..." with that, he walks away to go to the stables.
Cain sighs as he shook his head. Cain met Moordryd when they were little kids, Moordryd was very different back then before Zulay was dead. Now, Moordryd is fill with anger and distance towards anyone who tries to get close to him. Only Cain and Decepshun saw the change in him. However, ever since Michelle came into Dragon City, it was almost like the 'real' him was coming out. /Who would've thought someone like her would make Moordryd so...soft?/ Cain thought then follows after Moordryd.
With Decepshun and Coershun, the black dragons quickly left to return the stables before their riders.
Coershun took a moment to speak, {...I wonder what Cain meant when he said 'the real you' to Moordryd? I mean, I never saw a change in him.}
Decepshun snorts at him, {That's because you weren't there with him in his childhood years through today. You hadn't arrived until Moordryd was 13...}
{Oh yeah... Anyway, how could someone like Moordryd have actually have feelings?} said Coershun.
As the black dragons stop at the stables, Decepshun sighs with bit of depression, {He has feeling, Coershun... He just doesn't show it to anyone he can't trust...}
Coershun tilted with confusion, {Huh? What does that me-?}
"Come on, Cain!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming..."
The black dragons stop talking to each other when they heard their riders coming over. Moordryd and Cain got on their dragons when the black dragon mags them on. They then drove off towards Mid City to find Michelle, to warn her before it's too late...
((Michelle's POV))
Once again, me and Leapdra were out for a night walk. Ever since yesterday, it was too much for Artha and he almost given up being the Dragon Booster. I felt so helpless and sorry for him since he's the only hero in Dragon City.
Then I've remember something important. /Wait a moment... Tritox mentioned to me when there were six heroes that stop the first dragon human war. What did he mean by that?/ Michelle thought. Suddenly, a split second, I saw an image of the Original Dragon Booster and the Dragon of Legend, but I also saw five riders and their dragons, standing side by side of Dragon Booster and his dragon.
I've gasp out loud with surprise, "Wh-What was that?"
{What was what?} Leapdra spoke to me.
I took moment before I spoke to her, "I-I think saw something..."
Leapdra stops walking, glancing up at me, {What did you see?}
"...I saw the Original Dragon Booster and his dragon, but they weren't alone." I told her, slowly.
{Weren't alone? What are you talking about?} Leapdra chattered.
I took a deep breath, "I'm not sure, but I think it has to do with the six heroes."
Leapdra looked like she was thinking, {...Six Heroes? Oh! You mean the heroes that Tritox mention, right?}
I nod a bit, "Yeah... That's the one. I never gotten back to think about it."
Before Leapdra could respond to me, we heard familiar cries from nearby.
"AAAAH!"
{WAAAH!}
{What was that?} Leapdra frantically scans around her after the cries startle her.
I then soon later on heard familiar laughter as I also heard...
"That's not funny!"
{Yeah! You guys could've scare us to death!}
"That sounded like Lance and Fracshun." I told Leapdra.
Then I heard a few chuckles, "I don't know! It'd funny over here! You two were really scared."
{Very scared.} A snicker followed.
Leapdra went over to voices towards an opening of an alley. We both took a peek around the corner and see the Penn brothers and their dragons; Beau and Fracshun.
"Don't take off like that! It's not drac! You know I don't like to be left alone..." Lance told his brother with annoyances and upset in his voice. I guess Artha left Lance for a moment to scare him. I told him before not to do that, since Lance hates being left alone.
"I'll say." I spoke out as Leapdra steps in the alley, making the guys look at our direction.
Artha seem shock to see him, "Michelle! I was just..."
"Scaring you brother? Didn't I told you not to do that?" I firmly said strict in my voice. "And yet you did."
"Come on, Michelle. I was just joking." Artha sighed.
"It's not funny to scare someone with their fears, Artha!" I scolded him.
{Same goes for you, Beau!} Leapdra growled at Beau.
{Wha? B-But...} Beau stuttered then looks down a bit, {...Sorry.}
Artha looked kinda sorry for scaring his brother, "Michelle, come on... He's my little brother. Lance knows I'll never leave him."
Unknown to Artha, I notice Lance was looking at the clothes line with underwear on it then he slowly grins with mischief.
"Yeah... I know!" Lance pulled the rope of the line to shake off one of the underwear and it landed on Artha's face when he look up.
Lance and I snickers at Artha. I gleefully exclaims, "In your face, Artha! Literately!" I prepare Leapdra to get ready to run, "Come on, Lance!" and Leapdra quickly runs off with Fracshun in pursuit.
Soon I heard Artha yelling at with playful in his voice, "Why you sneaking little scavenger dragons!" the drove Beau faster to catch up to us. It made me remember when we're younger back then. I feel really glad to the Penn brother as my friends.
Our three dragons run side by side through the alley then we all see the Eye of the Needle. "The Eye of the Needle!" Artha exclaimed. "See you guys on the other side!" and drove Beau ahead.
"As if, Artha!" I exclaimed, making Leapdra to catch up. We all jump in the pipe and slide all the way down to the other side very fast and crashes on the ground. Luckily, our dragons landed on the feet, sort of.
{Ow! That hurt...} Fracshun whined in pain.
{I'll say...} Beau groaned with agony.
Leapdra shakes off the pain a bit, {At least it was fun.}
{And painful.} Beau added.
We all smile at each other but then we heard snarling and growling nearby. Soon a two-legged Wraith Dragon appears, creeping towards us.
"A Wraith Dragon!" Lance cried.
"Word must be up to something..." Artha glared at the Wraith Dragon while our dragons snarls at it, protecting us as it steps closer and closer. Artha then whispers to me and Lance, "When I give the signal, run..." he pulled his Blocking Stick.
The Wraith Dragon suddenly screeches as it charges at us. "NOW!" Artha yelled as he and Beau holds back the Wraith Dragon.
"Come on, Lance!" I shouted as Leapdra and Fracshun runs off while Artha and Beau distract the Wraith Dragon.
However, we didn't far enough when four more Wraith Dragons appears in front of us, blocking the way. "Aw, scales!" I exclaimed as our dragons quickly skid to a stop.
Leapdra snarls at the Wraith Dragons as they steps closer to us while Fracshun whimpers.
"Artha!" Lance cried.
Artha hears his brother's cry and see us being surround by more Wraith Dragons. "Lance! Michelle!" Artha shouted then smacks away the Wraith Dragon away from him and Beau so he save us.
They were almost there to help us until another Wraith Dragon suddenly rams into Beau, knocking Artha off of Beau as the dragon crashes down on the ground. Artha tumbles on the ground and went into unconscious.
"Artha!" I cried. I shout at Lance, "Run, Lance! I'll hold them off!" Leapdra and I prepare to fight the Wraith Dragons.
One of the Wraith Dragons leaps towards us, but Leapdra uses her Mag Blast to swat it away to the wall. Lance and Fracshun quickly run off again, but they skid to a stop another Wraith Dragon lands in front of them.
{There's too many of them!} Leapdra grunted as she smacks another Wraith Dragon with her tail.
Out of the blue, something rams into us. I crash on to the ground very hard as my visions slowly was surrounds in darkness. Last thing I heard was Lance's cry...
...I didn't knew how long, but I felt something nudging me.
{Michelle? Wake up!}
I open my eyes and see Leapdra, closely looking at me with concerns. I groan with pain, "Ugh! ...What just happened?"
{A Wraith Dragon somehow catch us by surprise... And took Lance and Fracshun away from us.} Leapdra explained, whimpering the last part.
"Wh-What?" I shouted. I've quickly sit up and slowly stood up.
Then I heard groaning from behind me. I quickly turn around and see Artha on the ground as Beau nudges him. {Artha, wake up... Come on!}
"Artha!" I rush to him. "Come on, Artha! Get up!" I shook his shoulder.
Artha soon respond to me, "Wh-What happened?"
"The Wraith Dragons! They took Lance and Fracshun!" I quickly told him.
"What? No!" Artha stood up after hearing what I just said. He scans around the area, hoping to find Lance, but none. Artha suddenly look determine as he took out the amulet. "Release the Dragon...!" He forms into Dragon Booster as beau forms into the Dragon of Legend.
Beau mags Dragon Booster. "Michelle, listen to me! You have go back and tell the others what happened!"
"What? Are you serious? I'm going with you!" I shouted. I couldn't understand why he's telling to do something instead of going with him.
"Michelle, please! Something bad is about happen and I don't want you to get hurt!" Dragon Booster told me.
I stare at Dragon Booster, not saying anything to him. And with that Dragon Booster and Beau took off to find Lance and Fracshun.
I took moment to shouts, "...What is with him! I always go with him when things get dangerous! Now, he wants me to do something else!"
{Michelle, he's just worry about you...} Leapdra told me.
I sighed a bit. Then we heard heavy footsteps from behind us. We both turn around to see who's there in our defense mode, but then stops as we surprisingly see it's only Moordryd, Cain and their dragons.
"Moordryd? Cain? What are you guys doing here?" I asked.
"We're here to warn you about my father's Wraith Dragon, but it seem they beat us to ya." Moordryd answered.
I felt worry about Artha's identity, "What did you guys see?"
"Only the part when Dragon Booster told to you get help." Cain told me, but somehow I have feeling they're saying something, but I shrug it off.
"Moordryd, do you know what Word is up to?" I asked.
Moordryd nodded, "Yes... he's planning to use one of crew members of your crew to lure Dragon Booster to an ancient track, the Shadow Track."
Shadow Track? That sound familiar to me. Suddenly, I saw an image of riders being trap in dark crystals along with their dragons in a dark cave. I gasp very loud as I clench my eyes shut and hold my head. For some reasons... It kinda frightens me.
{What's wrong with her?} I heard Decepshun's voice.
{I think she saw something in her mind...} Leapdra answered.
{Saw something in her mind?} I heard Coershun's voice.
Cain spoke to me with concerns, "Hey... Are you alright?"
I took a deep breath a few time, "I-I saw just the image of the Shadow Tracks... It frightens me." I open my eyes and look up Moordryd, showing fear in my eyes. "...I have to go and help Dragon Booster."
Leapdra mags me on to her. She about to run...
"Wait! You can't go there!" Moordryd exclaimed. "Once you go in that track... you won't be able come out until you completely conquer your fears."
I glances at Moordryd a bit, "I'm going..."
Cain stutters with disbelieves, "D-Didn't you hear what Moordryd? That track is too dangerous!"
I completely turn my head to look at Cain, "I have to go! I can't risk losing any of my friends!"
"But you're too scare to go into that track..." Moordryd softly spoke to me.
I stare at Moordryd for the moment, "...I know. But I have to do it! I can't let my fears get the better of me!"
Moordryd gaze at me with shock. I guess he never thought I would still go even if I saw the image, I have to go and help my friends.
((Normal POV))
Unknown to Michelle, Moordryd could had sworn he saw an image of his mother in a split second from where Michelle is. As if Michelle reminded him of his mother's bravery.
/Mother.../ Moordryd thought with sadness. He fears something will happen to Michelle if she enter in the Shadow Track. And he can't stop her from going to saving her friends. Which only leaves one option...
((Michelle's POV))
Leapdra was about run off until I heard Moordryd spoke to me...
"Then we'll go with you."
"WHAT?" Cain shouted.
I quickly I look back at him with shock, "What? Why?"
Moordryd look away for the moment then look back at me, "...Because, you're my friend and friends should help each other, right?"
I slowly form a smile at Moordryd, "Thanks, Moory..."
Moordryd looks away from me. I think I saw him blushing. "S-Sure... Whatever." He muttered. I chuckle a bit. I kinda find it cute for him to act like that.
Cain then exclaims, "Hold up! I thought we were here to warn Michelle and nothing more!"
"Scared, baldy?" I smirked.
"N-No!" Cain stuttered, trying to sound brave. He then shouts, "And I'm not bald!"
"Whatever... Let's go!" I shouted. Leapdra runs off ahead with Decepshun and Coershun in pursuit, heading towards the Shadow Track.
It only took about 20 mins to get the Shadow Track. Our dragons skid to stop at the corner and we just saw Dragon Booster and Beau enter in the shape dragon head-like cave opening.
"That must be the Shadow Track, right?" I asked Moordryd.
Moordryd responds to me, "Yes... This is it."
"Well, we've help you found the track. Bye!" Cain was about to leave, but was stop by Moordryd.
"We're in this together, Cain!" Moordryd growled a bit. Cain just drop his head with disappointment and whines a bit.
{Some rider you have...} Leapdra muttered to Coershun.
{Oh, be quiet...} Coershun humphed. {He can't help it if he's a coward.}
Decepshun then blurts out with humor in her voice, {Like you?} This cause Leapdra snickers a bit while Coershun looks down a bit as he blush with embarrassment.
I guess dragons do have some personalities from their riders... I spoke to the guys, "Let's go, you guys."
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Moordryd asked me.
"To be honest... No, but I have to go in there to help Dragon Booster. You guys can stay out here, if you want." I told him.
Cain nods with anxious, "I'll be gladly to stay out here!"
"Cain!" Moordryd glared at his friend. Cain just whimpered a bit. I swear he's like my brother, but sometime he's like Kitt as well.
Moordryd looks back at me, "We'll go with you, but we'll stay hidden from the Dragon Booster. Once you've meet up with him, we're leaving." He then made Decepshun walk ahead as Leapdra follows with Coershun behind. "And don't tell that so call hero we went with you!"
I sighs, "Fine, fine! I won't tell! I just don't get why you won't want show yourself that you're not so bad?"
As our dragon stops at the opening, Moordryd looks back at me, looking kinda furious, "Excuse me?"
"I didn't say anything." I quickly responded. I guess Moordryd still doesn't trust Dragon Booster like Dragon Booster or Artha doesn't trust him. I swear, they seem so alike. "I'll go in first, that way you guys can stay hidden and leave while I help Dragon Booster get Lance." Leapdra walks inside the Shadow Track first. Soon, so did Decepshun and Coershun.
I look around the new location. I saw many dark crystals, big ones with different riders and dragons in them. I felt scare of this place for some reasons. I didn't felt... comfortable.
{Michelle, are you doing alright up there?} Leapdra asked with concerns.
"...So far, I don't like here at all." I muttered.
Leapdra then stops walking, {I see them!} pointing her head straight ahead.
I look ahead and spot Dragon Booster and Beau, helping Lance and Fracshun to down from two bolo launchers. "Dragon Booster!" I called out.
Dragon Booster quickly look back and saw me, "Michelle? What are you doing here? I told you to go back and get help!" He shouted.
"If I did, the help and I wouldn't get here on time!" I shouted. I secretly glances back to see if Moordryd, Cain and their dragons were hidden and they were. "Anyway, we should leave before our exit close."
"What do you mean by that?" Lance asked as he landed on the ground when Dragon Booster finally took off the bolo launcher.
"I can't explain it now, but we have to go now!" I exclaimed.
Suddenly, I heard a shout from Moordryd, "No! The door's closing!"
Me, Dragon Booster and Lance look ahead and see opening getting smaller by the minute. We soon saw Moordryd, Cain and their dragons trying to get to the door before it closes.
"Come on, you guys!" Dragon Booster ordered. Fracshun quickly mags Lance on to him and our dragons quickly runs towards the doorway as well. However, the more we got closer, the smaller the doorway gets.
"NOOO!" Moordryd cried as the doorway disappears.
Our dragons quickly stop. {This is so not good!} Coershun whined.
{You think?} Decepshun exclaimed, looking around to find another way out, none at all.
"We're trap!" Moordryd exclaimed.
"What are we gonna do?" Lance whimpered.
I suddenly felt even more scare. I sense something scary is about to happen to us all. Soon, we felt the whole place shaking up a bit as dark crystals quickly moves towards us.
"M-Moordryd, what's happening?" Cain whimpered with fright.
Before Moordryd could say something to Cain, the dark crystals covers them and their dragons in the crystals, frozen in fear.
"Oh no..." Dragon Booster whispered with worries.
{What's happening?} Beau spoke with confusion and worries as the dark crystals quickly surrounds us too.
"I-It's starting... Our fears!" I stuttered with terror. I never felt like this, I was so afraid what will happen to us.
The last thing I remember was hearing our screams as the crystals completely frozen us. Then everything went black...
...I slowly open my eyes. I notices I was laying on the ground, in Dragon City. How did I get here? What happened? Those words float in my mind as I slowly sit up, holding my head.
I soon heard groaning near me. I look around then spot Leapdra laying on the ground. "Leapdra!" I quickly got up and went to her. "Are you alright?" I lay my hands on Leapdra's head.
Leapdra groans again as she opens her eyes, {...Huh? Michelle?} She glances at me. {Where are we?} She then slowly stands up.
"I think we're in Dragon City..." I answered, feeling unsure how to react.
{Dragon City? But wasn't we at somewhere else?} Leapdra asked as she looks around the city.
"Yeah, we were..." I mumbled.
Then I heard a voice from behind me, "Michelle! There you are!" Me and Leapdra look back and see Artha walking towards us.
"Who are you talking to?" Artha asked. Wait... What's going here? How he could ask that?
"I'm talking to Leapdra?" I told him, feeling confuse.
"Talking to your dragon?" Artha raised his eye brow, looking confuse himself. "How do you even know what she said?"
I felt even more confuse. So did Leapdra. "Don't you know? I told you."
"Told me what? What's going on, Michelle?" Artha asked again, no getting what I'm try tell him. This is strange. I know told him about my ability to understand dragons.
"Artha..." I started slowly, I was feeling kinda scare for some reasons. "...I understand dragons. I can hear them talking in a normal way."
Artha's face slowly changes into shock soon into disgust, "What? Y-You can understand dragons?" He was stepping away from me as if I got germs!
I didn't notice that everything around me was getting darker, I was too busy feeling confuse and scare from Artha's reactions. "A-Artha? What's wrong?" I stuttered as I step closer to him.
Artha took another step back, "Get back!"
I stop moving towards him, "I-I don't understand... Why are you acting like this?"
"'Cause you're not the Michelle I know anymore!" He yelled at me with disappointment in his voice. "You're a freak!"
As Leapdra snorted with shock, my eyes went wide open with shock as tears were building up in them, "...I-I'm not a freak, Artha! I'm still the same Michelle!" I try to get closer to him.
"I said get back! You're a freak! A part dragon human freak! Just stay away from me!" Artha shouted with repulse, causing me to stop walking towards him yet again.
"I thought you said you would never leave me! You said friends don't abandon each other!" I cried. I can feel my voice breaking up.
"I'm not gonna be friends with someone like you! You're no longer part of my crew anymore!" Artha yelled at me and walks away from me.
I felt tears running my face as I feel fear going my body. "Artha! Don't leave me!" I yelled out to him, feeling dishearten as he keep walking from me. I tried to move, but my legs wouldn't move at all, I was too scared to move at all when he, Artha Penn, one of my best friends, calling me a...a...freak.
"Please! Artha! Don't leave me!" I depressingly yelled to Artha to come back.
But as soon as I yelled, Artha disappears. I collapse to the ground onto my knees, feeling so helpless and alone. It was just like before with those kids, they left me for understanding dragon, call me a freak and left me, just like that.
{Michelle! Something isn't right here! This isn't the Artha we know!} Leapdra exclaimed, but I wasn't listening at all. {Michelle? Michelle, are you listening to me? Say something! Please!}
I couldn't say anything. I was too into shock when Artha left me. I felt so alone, scare... My nightmares were coming true. I shouldn't told Artha about my ability! I shouldn't say anything about! I don't want this stupid gift anymore! All those words were floating in head as I tightly shut my eyes and cried with great grief and loneliness.
"...Michelle..."
I slowly open my eyes when I heard my name by someone whispering. It sounded kinda far away. {What was that?} Leapdra scans around to find the one who whispered my name.
"...Michelle...Snap...Out..."
The whisper was getting kinda louder and it sounded familiar too.
"...Isn't...Real... Michelle, it's...all...an..."
The whisper was getting closer and louder then ever. I look around slowly for the voice. It sounded like...
"Michelle, please! Don't...let..it... Michelle, don't let it...beat you! It's an illusion!"
"...A-Artha?" I slowly and softly spoke. I then saw images in my head. I saw the day I first met Artha when we were little, racing with him on our dragons, him saving me as Dragon Booster and telling me that he'll never leave me 'cause the ability I have.
Soon another voice came in, "...Listen to him... It's fake! ...Michelle! ...It's not...real!"
"Lance? ...What's going on?" I looked around with confusions. I didn't see Artha or Lance, it's like they're there, but not as the same time. "I can hear them, but I don't see them!" I soon then see more images of Lance looking at me, smiling at me and making fun of me and Artha being together.
{I think I heard them saying it's fake and it an illusion.} Leapdra spoke.
Then I heard another voice, "...Michelle... Don't let this fear beat you! ...You're...stronger then that! It's the Shadow...Track!"
Now, I saw images of Moordryd, when I first hugged him, seeing him looking kinda happy and him helping the Dragon Booster fighting against Psyrox. "Moordryd? Wait did he just say... Shadow Track?" I muttered to myself then remember I was in the cave of the Shadow Track and it's crystal trap me and my friends in it. It's not real!
"It's the Shadow Track's doing!" I exclaimed as I slowly stood up. "It's all fake!"
{This track is showing your fear...} Leapdra stare at me. {You have to face it in order to get free of this so call nightmare!}
After she said that, I heard a voice behind me, "You're still here, freak?" I turn around and see 'Artha'. "Leave Dragon City! You don't belong here!"
I felt scared, but then remember this is all fake and this 'Artha' is not my Artha. "You're not real! ...You're not the Artha Penn I know!" I slowly glare at him. "You're a fake! The Artha I know will never leave me! I should be proud of my gift and prove to everyone this gift is the greatest thing ever and my friends, my real, true friends will always be there for me!"
The fake Artha looked shock and frighten as the scene around us was cracking up with lights. "You're the one who should get lost! You're the one doesn't belong here! And I'll never, ever be alone!"
With that, the light engulfs me and Leapdra. I quickly closes my eyes as the light got brighter... When I open my eyes, I back in the Shadow Track, still on Leapdra.
"...I-I did it..." I muttered awed to myself.
"You did." I look to my right and saw it was Dragon Booster, the real Artha I know on Beau. I also saw Lance, Fracshun, Moordryd and Decepshun. "Welcome back, Michelle." Dragon Booster gave me a warm smile.
"Dragon Booster!" I cried with joy as I lean over to hug him with great relief. "...I actually thought you left me..." I cried a little.
Dragon Booster wrap one arm around me, hugging me back, "You know I'll never leave you..."
Beau and Leapdra smile at me and Dragon Booster. I let go of him then notice Cain and Coershun was still frozen in Cain's fear. Suddenly, the whole place was shaking very hard, so hard that that crystal from the ceiling were falling off. Soon the dark crystals disappears on each riders and dragons, freeing them.
"Wh-What's happening?" Moordryd shouted.
"Us escaping the track had made it unstable!" Dragon Booster explained as we all dodge the falling crystal.
Cain and Coershun soon was free as well. "Huh? Wh-What just happened?" Cain cried as he check to make sure he has his body parts. Whatever fear he had must've scared very much.
"Come on! Let's get out of here!" Dragon Booster shouted.
Our dragons quickly towards the wall that the doorway was. Once we leap at it, we all went through like there was a doorway. Soon the rest of the riders and their dragons leaps out from the Shadow Track as well, running off to Dragon City as we all watch them go.
"...Wow! Look at them go..." Lance gasped with amazement.
Dragon Booster then looked kinda trouble and worry about something, "Yeah... I wonder who we've just set free?"
As soon as he said that I felt a cold, bad chill down my back. /What the heck was that?/ I thought.
"Maybe we set Thorox free..." Lance blurt it out.
"Lance, hush!" I quietly hissed, hoping Moordryd didn't hear that.
Moordryd seem like he didn't and spoke to Dragon Booster, "I guess I owe you thanks, Dragon Booster..."
Moordryd thanking Dragon Booster? What just happened before I was release from my fears?
"...but, I'll have to get back to you on that." Moordryd finished, causing me to exhale with irritations. I was so hoping they would form alliances, but I guess that's not happening yet.
Moordryd then looks at me, "...I'm glad you've conquer fears... I guess you are fearless... like my mother." Before could I ask, he drove Decepshun away from us, along with Cain and Coesrhun behind.
Dragon Booster, Lance and I look at each other, having a feeling that Moordryd is probably getting closer to the good side, but it was hunch, yet hope for the Dragon Eye to join our side to stop the second dragon human war from coming.
((Normal POV))
With Moordryd and Cain...
Moordryd and Decepshun were slowing walking back to their compound though the alley. Moordryd was too busying wondering about what happened in his fears and wonder if his mother is proud of him. He also then thought about what Lance said mention the name; Thorox. Could it be another Warrior Dragon, but which one is it he wonders. Suddenly, he heard Cain and Coershun yelping in horror and crashing into trash cans along the way towards him and Decepshun.
Cain and Coershun crash into the wall, but quickly got back up with fright. As if they were running from something. They zip passing by Moordryd and Decepshun very fast.
{What's with them?} Decepshun muttered to her rider.
Out of the blue, Cain and Coershun appear in front of their leaders, scaring the scales off of them.
"It's coming!" Cain look behind Moordryd and see a big shadow of huge lizard on the walls. "It was in the Shadow Track and now it's out!" Cain cried with fright.
{R-Run for your lives!} Coershun screeched with horror and quickly runs away before the thing got closer.
Moordryd and Decepshun looks back and see the huge shadow of the big lizard. They gasp with fright as first, but as the big lizard steps out from the corner... It was just small, two-legged, yellow newt.
Decepshun groans with annoyances, {...You've gonna be kidding us...} She shook her head.
Moordryd groans at his friend's behavior, "It's only a yellow-bellied newt, Cain!"
This is Cain's biggest fear, a yellow-bellied newt... Who knew?
Sparklie-the-Tiger/Me: Whew! Good this file was saved, thanks to D.J Scales. The next chapter will take time since it has been years, so hopefully it'll be posted up soon in April. And it might be in parts.