As I sat there munching on a candy bar the Shadow Booster grabbed a second one from his bag and after he sat beside me he started to eat one. Then to my amusement his dragon nudged him and I giggle as I realized it wanted a bite too.
"Here you can have some of mine." I offered and with a growl his dragon walked over to me and I held out the candy bar so it could take a bite. Grinning at me the Shadow Booster watched as his dragon ate the rest and I gave it a pat on the snout.
"She likes it when you rub her snout." He told me and apparently he was right as she, as it turns out, gave a happy growl. "So how's the ankle?" He asked me as his dragon nuzzled me and I grinned.
"Still hurts but I can take it. I'm tougher than I look." I replied though it was really throbbing and when I went to shift positions I almost cried out and he was instanty at my side, wrapping an arm around my shoulders to keep me steady as I gasped. "Okay...it really, really hurts." I whimpered as my eyes teared up and I turned my head slightly to hide my tears.
"Just take a deep breath and stay still. Like I told you before it won't heal right if you keep moving." The Shadow Booster explained and I gave him a nod as I gasped from the pain. "It's going to take a while for your leg to heal." He added and that's when the dam burst and he found himself stuck with a sobbing Light Booster/Rayne as I bawled my eyes out. Not sure how to fix this the Shadow Booster just sat there until I lunged forward and buried my face in his chest. "Hey you're getting my armor all wet." He complained and I just sobbed harder feeling pretty miserable. Rolling her eyes at him his dragon nuzzled me and that helped a little as I sniffed, tears streaking my face and eventually the Shadow Booster wrapped an arm a little awkwardly around my back. "Um...its okay?" He muttered not sure what he was doing and I finally sniffed rubbing at my watery eyes with my hand. Then I yawned suddenly and before he could react I lay down and rested my head on his legs, my eyes closing. "Hang on you can't just...hey wake up." He stammered but I just made myself comfortable and pretty soon I mumbled something, oblivious to his discomfort at being used as a pillow.
"Not now...tired." I mumbled as I lay there and pretty soon I was fast asleep. Completely shocked the Shadow Booster looked towards his dragon for help but she just laughed at the sight and he narrowed his eyes at her.
"Oh scales." He muttered as he wondered how he was going to move out from under me. Of course he wasn't completely heartless and soon he reached down running a hand through my hair as I slept peacefully even with an ankle injury. Watching on his dragon gave an amused growl and he rolled his eyes at her. "Fine I'll leave her in peace for an hour then we're heading back." He agreed but an hour turned out to be more like three after the Shadow Booster changed back and as he gazed down at my sleeping face he grinned. "She's pretty cute when she's not being annoying." He whispered as he gently stroked my cheek and that's when he heard me mumble something in my sleep. "Huh wonder what she's dreaming about?"
As it turns out I was reliving what I assumed was a moment in Bianca's life and as I watched she walked past still in her armor before I saw someone rush into the room and as I went to warn her I realized that it was stupid as it was a dream. So instead I watched as someone clamped a hand over her mouth, silencing her before they dragged her into the shadows. Of course seconds later I realized that her mysterious assailant was none other than the Shadow Booster and as I began to wonder why he'd hurt her I heard her gasp and as I rushed over I soon discovered that he wasn't hurting her. The opposite in fact as he kissed her neck and as he removed his hand from her mouth she smiled at him before his lips met hers and they kissed passionately. Suddenly I felt a little uncomfortable standing there as they made out but then the Light Booster removed her medallion from her gauntlet and as she smiled the Shadow Booster did the same, revealing a young guy about Moordryd's age with jet black eyes and long silver hair. Wordlessly they gazed at each other for a few seconds before Bianca cupped her boyfriend's chin and kissed him deeply. Now I felt really uncomfortable and wished the dream, or vision, would end as the Shadow Booster ran his hands up and down Bianca's chest and as she groaned, head tilting back she had a silly grin on her face. Then the Shadow Booster slid one hand up her shirt and she groaned head lolling back as he began to caress her and I blushed furiously feeling really strange about watching these two making out.
Thankfully I heard a voice and that's when the dream or whatever it was ended and as my eyes opened I saw the Shadow Booster from this time staring down at me.
"Rayne?" He said as I blinked and as I slowly sat up, my hand pressed to my forehead he gave me a grin. "Who's Bianca?" He asked as I got my bearings and after a pause I mentioned the original Light Booster was a woman a few years older than me.
"I think so anyway." I answered as I rubbed at my eyes and as he watched me I raised an eyebrow, not sure why he was staring at me. "Um what's with that look?"
"Well your face is red so what exactly were you dreaming about?" He asked and I blinked confused until it finally clicked and I tried to hide my face as the image of Bianca and the yet unnamed Shadow Booster making out popped into my head. Seeing this the Shadow Booster was suddenly really interested and he gently cupped my chin not letting this go until I told him what I knew. "No way. Was it that kind of dream?" He asked and I growled at him getting more and more angry with him by the second. I wanted to move away but seeing as I could barely stand on my own two feet I gave up after giving him my best death stare fell flat.
"Okay, okay. Scales. The truth is I saw a vision of the Light Booster and the Shadow Booster and they were...making out." I replied feeling my face growing hot and after a long moment of digesting this piece of information the Shadow Booster burst out laughing. "Its really not funny." I grumbled crossing my arms against my chest and staring off into the distance. When he managed to stop laughing at my expense he chuckled at the pout on my face and as he brushed a few strands of hair out of my face I turned my head slightly still pretty angry though when he kissed me, his teeth nibbling my lips I almost instantniously forgave him.
"Want to continue what the two boosters started?" He asked after we came up for air and I stared at him face still flushed but suddenly I couldn't get the image of Bianca and her boyfriend out of my head and I found myself nodding. With a quiet chuckle the Shadow Booster nibbled my throat and I sighed as he began to kiss me, his teeth nibbling and as I sighed from the pleasure I soon forgot all about being injured. Of course I heard a growl and when I looked over at his dragon, almost forgetting about his rider who stopped and stared at me. "Okay what just happened?"
"Sorry but your dragon started growling at something." I replied even though I was a little annoyed myself at being interrupted. "What's wrong girl?" I asked and she walked over standing beside us as she continued to growl. And that's when a blast of mag energy slammed into me, throwing me several feet before I hit the ground instantly crying out as my injured ankle flared. As the Shadow Booster grabbed his Jack Stick his dragon rushed to my side and gently nuzzled me as I fought back tears of pain. Whimpering I dragged myself behind her and tried to focus on staying concious. As I did I saw the Shadow Booster standing still as someone laughed and I gritted my teeth straining my eyes to see who it was. Then my head spun and just as I inched myself forward I began to feel really dizzy before I slumped to the ground.
"Rayne wake up. Can you hear me?" Someone asked and I groaned as I shifted my head, feeling something soft underneath me. When I didn't open my eyes the voice sighed and someone else spoke.
"She's probably concussed. Plus her ankle's broken so she probably passed out from the pain. Give her some time, Shadow Booster." The next voice spoke, calm as he addressed one of the most powerful boosters that existed in this time and even barely concious I was grateful that he hadn't abandoned me. As I lay there fighting to stay awake I felt someone nuzzle my neck and as I managed a weak smile I knew it was Quiksilva. But keeping myself awake was putting a strain on my body and in seconds I fainted just as I felt a hand on my forehead. As the Shadow Booster tried to wake me, shaking my shoulder, Artha grabbed his shoulder and he whirled growling.
"Do not touch me." The Shadow Booster almost spat at him and if Connor hadn't stepped between them a fight would have broken out.
"Not here. Rayne needs to rest and you two need to calm down." Connor told them and they glared at each other before the Shadow Booster stormed outside the stable leaving Artha to roll his eyes. "He's just worried about his friend. Don't let him get to you." Connor said as his son glanced at me and he softened, surprised that the powerful booster actually cared about someone other than himself. "But still we should go after him before he does something foolish."
"Like go after the Dragon Booster. I didn't mean to hit Rayne." Artha sighed and his father gave him a pat on the shoulder. "I was just trying to protect my friend and..." He trailed off with a sigh and his father nodded. "I hope she'll going to okay." He added before he followed his father outside. Once there they found the Shadow Booster already standing beside his dragon and as they stared at him his dragon magged him. "What so you're leaving her behind? What kind of friend are you?" Artha almost yelled and the Shadow Booster narrowed his eyes at the stable boy.
"Its too dangerous if I stay here. If the Dragon Booster comes looking for me and we battle Rayne could get hurt again." He replied and just for a split second Artha winced. "But I'll find her when she's better." He said before he dragon walked past Connor and Artha. Then he gritted his teeth, fighting the urge to stay with me, and just for a moment he glanced down at Artha and his father. "Look after her...please." He muttered before he urged his dragon to leave and seconds later they were gone as Artha's jaw dropped.
"He actually asked for help. Hmm Rayne must have done something amazing to change his personality so drastically. Impressive." Parmon said as he walked over still trying to get his Comlink to function properly.
"That's what worries me." Artha said and Parmon stared at him not understanding and he sighed. "While Rayne's injured will he keep being a bad guy or will he...I dunno act more like a human being? I mean he seems to really care about her and maybe even..." He trailed off as Parmon's eyes went wide and he almost dropped the Comlink. "Never mind." He added as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. At the same time the Shadow Booster headed towards the Dragon Eyes compund and after a few minutes of thinking he whispered something to his dragon who slowed down and after ducking into an alley he took the amulet from his gauntlet and as he changed back to being Moordryd he sighed. Hearing that Decepshun moved to his side and nuzzled him earning a pat on her snout as her rider wondered if it was a good idea to leave Rayne in the care of his rival.
"I still think I should have stayed behind. But if the Dragon Booster launched an attack...scales. Why did he attack her anyway? She was injured and helpless against him." He growled and Decepshun growled as she wondered why her rider had left Rayne alone. "Look I better get back before Cain or father sends out a search party looking for me." He added and after Decesphun magged him they took off towards the Dragon Eyes compound. When he reached the compound Cain and Coershun almost crashed into their leader as they raced out and Decepshun just managed to dodge, letting out a growl at Coershun who cringed. "Cain, for dragon's sake what are you doing?!" Moordryd shouted actually glad to have something to take his mind off of me.
"There you are! Rancydd and Swayy have been looking all over for you!" Cain shouted glad that Moordryd had finally returned though judging from the grimace on his face he wasn't happy about something. "Okay what's with that face?" He asked and Moordryd rolled his eyes before Decepshun walked past, completely ignoring his friend and Cain rolled his eyes before Coershun followed them inside.
"Where's Rayne?" Cain asked as soon he jumped down and Moordryd stopped in midstep before he sighed and that threw his friend through a loop. "Did she dump you?" He asked having a little fun at his friend's expense and Moordryd muttered something he didn't catch at first. "Huh its your fault? What are you talking about?" He asked but his friend just shook his head and wandered away. "Wonder what happened?" He muttered.
Back at the Penn Stables Connor had just walked into the doorway to check on me when I groaned and he hurried over to find me still very much asleep. As he checked my broken ankle he was amazed at the care that someone had taken to keep it in place and as he examined the wound on my leg he noticed that someone had cleaned and bound it. "Never knew that the Shadow Booster could care about anyone. Maybe there's hope for him yet." He said as I shifted my head and groaned. "I wish he'd stayed here. Rayne may recover sooner if he was looking after her." He whsipered as I groaned again and after checking my pulse he left me as Quiksilva watched over me, lying next to the blanket my friends had spread on the floor of the stable for me. As I groaned Quiksilva climbed to his feet and gently nuzzled me, hoping that I would wake up soon. Maybe an hour later I woke to find someone standing over me and when I blinked, barely able to focus, they knelt and held a bowl out for me. I somehow managed to eat whatever it was and once I was finished I fell asleep again and they covered me with a blanket. The rest of the day and night passed and by the time I woke again I found Quiksilva standing in front of me and seeing me awake he gave a happy snort before he licked me.
"Heh heh stop it 'silva!" I giggled as he almost knocked me on my rear. "Huh...where are we?" I asked as I yawned, stretching and as I went to stand Quiksilva set a paw gently on my uninjured leg preventing me from standing. "Aww why are you...oh yeah." I muttered as I looked down at my leg wrapped in a bandage and when I sighed my dragon gently nuzzled me, trying his best to cheer me up. "Yeah I'm okay.." I told him and he snorted clearly not convinced. Trying to keep my mind off my injuries I wondered where the Shadow Booster had vanished to and as I did I heard footsteps approaching.
"Good morning how's the ankle?" Artha asked and getting a blank stare from me he chuckled as he walked over and knelt beside me and my dragon. "That bad huh?"
"Well its still broken if that's what you're asking." I grumbled and he rolled his eyes at me as I moved over slightly only to gasp as my leg flared and as I took several deep breaths he sat beside me.
"Here take this." Artha said as he handed me a cup filled with a light green liquid and I looked at it then him, hesitant about drinking it and he chuckled. "Don't worry its just something to help with the pain." He explained before I gave it a tentative sip. As it turns out it tasted better than it looked and as I drank it slowly I began to feel a little better. But as I handed it back I heard something outside and I tried to stand only for Artha to set his hand down on my shoulder and shake his head at me. Glraing at him I crossed my arms against my chest and he chuckled as he stood and walked towards the stable doorway only to see the Shadow Booster walk inside. Just for a moment Artha and the booster exchanged a glare then I managed a grin as well as a weak wave and Artha let him pass. With a nod of thanks, which shocked Artha into silence, the Shadow Booster strolled over and knelt beside me.
"Hey." Was all he said and I rolled my eyes at him. When he didn't speak I sighed and moved over trying ignore my wounds and he silently sat beside me. Leaving us alone for now Artha wandered away and once he was gone the Shadow Booster grinned. "He annoys me. Anyway how are you really?" He asked as I rested my head on his shoulder and I smiled grateful he came back.
"Better now that you're here." I replied and he chuckled as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders and with no one watching he kissed the top of my head. "Sorry I keep getting in your way." I said suddenly and that surprised him as he stared at me, not sure what I was talking about. "I mean that if I wasn't here you would be able to do...whatever it was you do. Mainly fight the Dragon Booster." I explained and he didn't speak as I rested my head against him and just as I was nodding off he spoke and that woke me.
"I was wondering something. You told me that the Light Booster and the Shadow Booster were a couple. Is that true?" He asked and I sighed as I remembered my dream. "Rayne?"
"Yeah I think its true. But I don't know a lot about the boosters so your guess is as good as mine." I finally answered feeling a little drowsy as the effects of the green medicine began to work on me and I found myself unable on concentrate. "Would...be interesting...though to...know." I mumbled and the Shadow Booster stared at my face for a moment and I giggled. "What...? Something...on my face?" I mumbled and he rolled his eyes at me. "Whatever." I added as I rested my head against his shoulder kind of annoyed by his questions about the previous Light Booster and not me.
"You look a little pale. Maybe you should rest for a while." The Shadow Booster suggested but I just shrugged and ignored him not wanting to admit that I was exhausted even after sleeping for so long. And that's when I realized that the medicine I'd drunk earlier must have had a side effect and I blinked as my eyes almost closed. "Are you okay?" He asked me as I snuggled closer and in seconds I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. Which meant that, once again, the Shadow Booster couldn't move without waking me. Though when I did eventually shift in my sleep he managed to slip away without waking me and as Quiksilva watched over me the Shadow Booster gave me a final grin before he had vanished into the shadows of the stables. By the time I woke up feeling much better I noticed he had left me and I sighed slowly sitting up and as Artha and Parmon walked in, the latter carrying several books in a language I'd never come across before, I managed a grin though I was pretty mad at my friend.
"Yeah he left earlier but don't let it get to you. You're actually the first person he's been kind to." Artha told me as he walked over and tried not to laugh as one of the pile of books Parmon was struggling under slipped and landed at my feet. As I reached over to pick it up I realized that there were three boosters on the cover and as I stared at it Parmon grinned as he set the remaining books on a nearby table before he turned to me.
"That's the orginal Dragon Booster and Shadow Booster from over 3000 years ago. I've been thinking..." Parmon said only to hear a snort and as he turned Kitt walked in and he raised an eyebrow. "Okay what's so funny?" He asked hands now on his hips and I giggled.
"That's all you do. Anyway how's the patient?" Kitt asked and I grinned as Parmon pouted in the background though I knew he was more annoyed about being interrupted mid-sentence then what Kitt said.
"Pretty good actually. I think ankle's healing but I don't think I can walk just yet. Not without help anyway. So what were you saying about this book, Parmon?" I asked and he brightened as he began to lecture me and to my left Kitt rolled her eyes at me.
"Well before I was so rudely interrupted," Parmon answered giving Kitt a slight frown "I wanted to tell you a little more about the boosters. From what we now know there were six boosters in total but only four have their gauntlets and then only three have their matching medallions." He explained and I grinned as I looked down at my gauntlet. "Besides you and Artha the Shadow Booster has his as well, which wouldn't be a problem if he was on our side."
"So who has only their gauntlet?" I asked and Parmon held up his arm and displayed his gauntlet for everyone to see, a slight smile on his lips. "Wow very nice. Too bad you don't have the matching medallion. Hey I could help you find it...after I heal I suppose."
"That would be drac. Anyway feel free to read those books I leant you. I thought they might contain some clues about the original Light Booster and her role in the Dragon-Human war." Parmon finished and I grinned looking forward to reading and maybe finding out a little more about Bianca. And maybe what ultimately happened to her.