While I was pretty much stuck at the Dragon Eyes' compound for the time being Artha and his friends were wondering where I had disappeared to after finding out that two of my friends had lied to me. Still feeling pretty awful Artha was just about to go looking for me, afraid that I would get kidnapped (again) or something when Kitt intervened.
"Stable boy I know you're worried about Rayne but she's a big girl and she can handle herself. Besides she has Quiksilva to keep her safe and she needs some time alone to think." She said as she laid a hand on Artha's shoulder and he sighed, knowing she was right.
"But she has a busted ankle and she can't defend herself." Artha pointed out and Kitt looked towards Parmon for help.
"Kitt's right, Artha. You should be concentrating on your race and besides she's the Light Booster. She's more than a match for anyone in Dragon City." Parmon said and Artha finally nodded as he climbed onto Beau's back. "Now let's go through the race again." He added and Lance standing next to Fracshun rolled his eyes and his dragon snorted mirroring his rider's eye roll. Which made Artha feel a little better as he let out a laugh as Parmon glared at the youngest member of the Penn crew. As the ground headed for the racetrack they didn't know that the Dragon Eyes were already there and Artha instantly frowned as Moordryd grinned at him, whispering something to Cain who grinned back.
"Okay what's so funny, Paynn?" Artha growled as Beau wandered over, his head held high and he gave a snort as Decepshun stood next to her rider almost grinning at the dragon.
"I just pointing out to Cain how mad Rayne must be after you hurt her feelings. I guess you're not much of a friend after all, huh?" He grinned and Artha growled wanting so badly to whack Moordryd over the head with his own Jack Stick. But he took a deep breath instead and forced a grin on his face.
"You know that's funny coming from you, Paynn. From what I remeber Rayne was more mad at you." He shot back and Moordryd's lip curled as he glared at his rival. Before a fight could break out though Kitt stepped in and standing between them.
"Give it a rest, guys. You both have a race to lose against me." Kitt told them and a few feet away Lance rolled his eyes. As she wandered away heading back to Wyldfir, Artha couldn't help staring at her and when Lance saw the way his brother had a dumb grin on his face he walked over.
"Artha?" He said and when his brother didn't answer he rolled his eyes as Beau joined them. "Beau do you think you could..." Lance said nodding towards his brother and with a dragon-sized grin Beau let out a roar right near Artha's ear. Artha's reaction was immediate and very unmanly; he screamed like a girl and promptly fell on hs rear to the amusement of everyone within eyeshot.
"Okay that was seriously not funny guys." He grumbled as he picked himself up and stormed away heading away from his friends and towards Kitt which just made everyone laugh harder. While everyone got ready for the race I woke to find myself alone and as I sulked a little I made up my mind to find Quiksilva and maybe get some fresh air. But standing and staying that way proved a little harder then I thought and as I sat heavily on the edge of the bed I found that Moordryd had left my Jack Stick behind, whether on purpose or accidently I didn't know but that gave me an idea. Using it like a crutch I slipped it under my arm and slowly stood taking the weight off my broken ankle and as I stumbled towards the bedroom door I heard voices so I hid behind the door just as Swayy and Blarre walked past. When I realized that they were having a conversation about me I listened in and what I heard shocked me.
"I can't believe that Moordryd's making us make sure Rayne doesn't leave. Hmph we're not babysitters." Swayy grumbled and Blairre nodded apparently just as annoyed.
"Yeah and what good is she anyway? She doesn't even race and still we're stuck with her." Blarre replied and behind the door I gritted my teeth as they kept walking.
"How dare they?" I growled now more determined then ever to leave my room but before I did I went back to the drawer and slipped on my gauntlet. As I pocketed my medallion I grinned to myself wondering what they're reaction would be if they knew just how powerful I was. Then I shook my head and quietly moving outside I went in search of Quiksilva. Thankfully I found him just outside the building and as soon as he saw me he growled and rushed over, almost knocking me over as he nuzzled me. "Yeah I'm glad to see you too. Come on, let's go to that race." I told him and he eyed me curious before he gently nugged my leg, silently pointing out my injury and I sighed as I stroked his snout. "I meant to watch, not to race." I added and he nodded before he magged me onto his back. "Let's...whoa!" I yelped as he took off towards the gate and as we rushed past I saw Blarre and Swayy walk out of the sleeping quarters. As they stared at us I blew them a kiss laughing as both their jaws dropped in surprise.
As we rushed towards the racetrack the race was only seconds away from starting and as I held onto Quiksilva's neck I sighed happy to be outside and not cooped up and as we rounded the corner I heard more than a dozen footsteps and as I looked towrads the racetrack a few feet away I saw the race start and instantly Wyldfir took the lead over everyone else. Quick as a flash Quiksilva rushed towrads them and I held on extra tight as he made a flying leap and to my shock he landed almost side on with Beau who gave him a shocked stare, as did his rider.
"Rayne what are you doing?" Artha asked as Beau kept pace with Quiksilva, who gave an excited roar as he rushed along.
"Apparently we're racing. Quiksilva's idea and not mine." I replied as I kept my arms wrapped around my dragon's neck, afraid that if I didn't I would fall. "Besides he does whatever he wants, whether I like it or not. Not that I'm not enjoying myself." I added as Quiksilva grinned at me and I let out a yell as he sprinted ahead. Aswe raced along I heard a commotion ahead on the track and as I watched on I saw Moordryd and Wulph mag towards each other and as they collided a piece of gear broke off and headed straight for us. Unable to move fast enough to dodge it I closed my eyes waiting for the inevibale but as I did Quiksilva thought fast on his feet and I let out a yell of surprise as I found myself flung into the air on a mag stream. As I screamed the gear just missed me and as I began to fall Quiksilva leapt into the air and caught me on his back. Having the wind knocked out of me I still managed to grip his neck and as he raced along, soon catching up with Wyldfir, he gave an excited growl. "Yeah that was pretty drac." I admitted once I could speak and he grinned as he raced alongside Kitt and her dragon.
"Rayne? What are you doing here?" She asked as we drew up alongside her and I shook my head.
"Racing I guess. Quiksilva's idea." I answered as I held on tight and before their eyes we all heard a roar. "Oh no." I muttered just as something landed on the tracks and as Quiksilva came to a halt, his claws tearing up the track, I gulped as I realized that it was the same shadowy figure from my dreams. "Worse timing ever. Who are you and what do you want?" I asked finding my voice and he landed right in front of me.
"My name is Armeggaddon and as to what I want...to destroy anyone who stands in my way." He answered his voice a deep rumble and before my eyes he sent a blast of mag energy towards me. It missed me, hitting the track beneath me and as I let out a breath grateful neither me nor Quiksilva had been injured I heard a rumble and as I looked down the ground opened up beneath us. As I let out a frightened cry Quiksilva tried to leap to safety but Armeggaddon fired another blast that sent Quiksilva tumbling into the crevice just as Artha, Moordryd and the rest of the racers watched on in horror. As we fell I let out a scream and as we vanished Armeggaddon turned his attention to the other racers who ran for their lives.