"Hey morning." He muttered yawning as I climbed to my feet and stretched, my head turned slightly.
"Morning." I answered faking a yawn and when I turned around my face had finally gone back to normal. "Should we keep moving or stay here a while longer?" I asked as Moordryd stood only to gasp when his leg almost buckled beneath him. Instantly I was at his side and wrapping an arm around his shoulders keeping him upright. "Maybe we should rest for a while. Your leg needs time to heal." I said and I heard him chuckle.
"The same goes for you. But Armeggddon's probably in Dragon City right now and besides my father's probably sent out a search party. Maybe." Moordryd replied and I nodded as I helped him towards Decepshun. As he leant against her I retrieved our almost dry jackets and as Moordryd slipped his back on I did the same before I walked over to Quiksilva who stared at me for a moment before nudging me.
"Huh what's wrong boy?" I asked and he snorted as he moved his head towards Moordryd who was now sitting comfortably on Decepshun's back and I raised an eyebrow, confused. Then it all made sense and I grinned as he magged me. "Don't be jealous. Anyway we're just friends. I think so anyway." I told him and he rolled his eyes when he caught me staring at Moordryd, who was looking towards the other end of the cave. With another snort he followed Decepshun and as we headed for what I hoped was the exit I couldn't help wondering if Artha was looking for us.
As it turns out he didn't even know that I and Moordryd were missing until Artha almost ran into Cain who looked frantic and calling out to him, Cain rushed over.
"Cain, where's Moordryd?" Artha asked and to his shock Cain actually answered.
"He went after Armeggddon on his own and now he's missing. And when we got back to the compound...well Rayne and Quiksilva are missing too. Word'll kill me if he finds out I left him behind. But he told me to." Cain actually whimpered and Coershun looked just as scared about facing Moordryd father.
"I'll look for him. Where did you last see him?" Artha asked and Cain quickly told him the wastelands. "Okay. Go back to the compound and stay there. Whatever you do don't let Word know he's missing. If he calls just make up an excuse. Come on, Beau." As they raced away Cain just stared at his best friend's rival for a few seconds before something occured to him.
"Hang on why do I have to make up an excuse?" He muttered and Coershun snorted not looking forward to getting into trouble. In the end they headed for the compound and as Cain wondered what he was going to do, Moordryd and I were heading for what we hoped was the exit to this cave or at least somewhere safe. And as we headed even deeper I thought I heard a noise and as I listened Quiksilva kept walking and soon I couldn't hear it so I just shrugged. Pretty soon I could feel a breeze and that made me grin as I realized that just maybe this was the way out.
"Do you feel that?" I asked Moordryd as Decepshun slowed and as he looked at me then straight ahead he narrowed his eyes trying to work out what I meant. "The breeze." I added and he finally nodded breaking into a slight grin as Decepshun started to speed up and as we moved closer I found a deadend and I sighed, thinking I had made a mistake before I jumped dow from my dragon's back feeling pretty stupid. "Sorry I really thought..." Before I could finished Moordryd shook his head and as I watched Quiksilva moved over to the wall and as we both stared he charged up a mag blast. As we raced for cover he let loose and with an almighty crash the wall came down. Coughing from the dust Moordryd and I wandered over as Quiksilva flicked his tail and made a happy growl, clearly pleased with himself.
"It wasn't a dead end. Come on, let's go." Moordryd said as Decepshun started to run and I grinned as I rushed to Quiksilva's side and he magged me. And as we raced outside I let out a laugh and Moordryd joined in, both of us happy to finally be rid of that cave but as our dragons raced along I heard a noise and something slammed into the ground missing us by inches. As I turned slightly my heart sank when I saw Armeggddon grinning at us and to my left Moordryd groan. As I turned to him I stared as he started to fall from Decepshun's back and I leapt off Quiksilva, ignoring the pain from my leg and dived to catch him before he hit the ground. Thankfully I caught him and as his eyes fluttered open I stared down at his face.
"Not...very drac." He muttered and as I touched his forehead I discovered that he was running a fever. "Why are you...staring at me?" He asked grinning and when he tried to stand I had to grab his arm, stopping him from collasping again.
"You're sick. Why didn't you...look just forget it. Where's the Dragon Booster when you need him?" I whispered and Moordryd frowned at me trying to push me away and stand on his own. "Stay still will you?" I asked and he shook his head before he gripped his medallion and to my disbelief he grinned
"Unleash the shadow!" Moordryd yelled and as his armor appeared Decepshun changed form and as she let out a roar Moordryd chuckled. Seconds later he collapsed and I only just caught him before I gently lowered him to the ground.
"Just great. I guess I have to protect you. This isn't going to end well." I muttered and just as I held up my gauntlet I heard a very welcome voice.
"Leave my friends alone!" Dragon Booster yelled as he charged towards Armeggddon on Beau who let out a challenging roar. Impressed I watched as Artha fired a blast of mag energy at Armeggddon who easily dodged and sent one right back. Before it could hit anyone though I heard a weird buzzing noise and as I stared Beau threw up a shield blocking the mag blast and that's when Artha turned to me. "Quick get Moordryd and head back to the Penn Stables." He whispered and I nodded kneeling and carefully helping Moordyd to his feet. Barely concious he rested his head against mine and I sighed making sure I wouldn't drop him.
"But what about you? You can't beat him on your own." I whispered as Armeggddon fired shot after shot towards us and gritting his teeth Artha quickly whispered something and I gave him a quick nod. Suddenly the shield vanished and Armeggddon laughed as he ready an attack but that's when Artha fired a shot of mag energy at him followed by about half a dozen gear pieces I couldn't identify and as a huge cloud of smoke appeared it blocked us from the villan's view. Giving us a little time to escape I carried Moordryd over to Quiksilva who magged him and me. Holding him around the waist with one hand I used the other to wrap around Quiksilva's back and as we rushed away at top speed I heard the villan's angry shout as it echoed throughout the wasteland. We didn't slow down until we reached inner Dragon City and that was only because I almost slipped from the saddle, the shock of everything getting to me and as I did I almost dropped Moordryd.
"Let me hang onto him. You need to hold onto Quiksilva." Artha offered after he changed back to himself and I nodded silently glad as I didn't think I had the strength to hold on myself let alone Moordryd. As we resumed our run I fought back tears of frustration at being completely helpless before such a powerful and ruthless warrior and by the time we reached the Penn Stables I started sniffing.
Jumping down from Quiksilva I leant against him as I wiped at my eyes and he nuzzled me knowing why I was upset, letting out a growl. Heading for the stables with an arm drapped around Moordryd's shoulders, Artha didn't notice as Quiksilva and Decepshun walked alongside me. Though the dragons could and as I reached the doorway I let out a breath as Moordryd finally opened his eyes and glazed around, looking a little lost.
"Where am I?" Moordryd asked and once he saw Artha his eyes narrowed and he tried to push Penn away, only to stumble and almost fall. "Whoa..." He muttered as I rushed over and before my eyes he passed out. Concerned I watched as Artha lowered him to the ground and that's right when I heard someone outside. My eyes narrowing I braced myself for a fight only to see Connor and Lance appear and I sighed relieved it was only them.
"What's going on? And why's he here?" Lance asked as he hurried over and I leant against the wall of the stable not sure what to tell them.
"I'll get him a blanket then you two can explain the whole story." Connor offered and as he left I sighed rubbing the bridge of my nose, fighting a growing headache and the fear that we weren't safe even here. By the time Artha's dad returned I was sitting on the ground a few feet away from everyone hunched over and looking at my feet.
"And that's everything so far." Artha finished before he looked towards me and I just sniffed which made everyone wonder just what had happened to me. "Anything you want to add?" He asked and I shook my head not even looking up. "So how is he?" Artha asked changing the subject and after examining Moordryd's leg his father stood.
"It's infected." Connor replied and I buried my face in my hands hearing that news. As my tears flowed I sobbed into my hands ignoring my friends attempts to calm me down and eventually I cried myself to sleep.