"What is it, Cain?" Moordryd growled at Cain.
"Sorry to interrupt your alone time with Rayne but your father wants to see you." Cain answered as Moordryd started for the stables and he heard his best friend growl again, apparently not all too happy to face Word again.
"Can't this wait?" Moordryd muttered only for his VIDDCom to beep and he gave a frustrated sigh. "Hello...father." He said as Word Paynn appeared onscreen. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Watch your tongue boy unless you'd like to lose it." Word growled and to his left Cain winced. "I have news that there is a...disturbance in Mid city. I want you and your crew to find out what's causing it and report back to me. That is all." The moment the call ended Moordryd had the sudden urge to rip the VIDDCom off his arm and hurl it as far away as possible.
"How dare he order me around, like I'm his servant." Moordryd muttered and Cain saw the sudden anger in his pale grey eyes. He wanted to acknowledge that while Word was wrong to order him around it was also a very bad idea to cross him. After almost a minute of complete silence Moordryd finally gave in and decided that he should probably check it out, more for his own sake than his father's. Though before he could leave he heard a quiet voice and it seemed to be originating from his room. As he and Cain looked at each other the door to his room it slowly opened and Moordryd actually gave me a smile as I popped my head through the doorway, rubbing at my eyes with one hand.
"What's...all the noise?" I yawned and he chuckled as I wandered over, still half asleep and Cain gave me a grin. "Did you say Mid city?"
"Yeah but we'll take care of it. You stay here and rest, okay?" Moordryd said and Cain stared at his best friend, surprised that he was being so...nice.
"Uh uh, no way. Besides its just a scratch and I can fight." I replied and when Cain laughed I glared at him at the same time as Moordryd. "Okay not well. But still I want to help and you're not talking me out of it." I added, making my eyes as wide as possible and Moordryd gritted his teeth trying not to fall for my cute act. When that didn't work I started to sniff and Moordryd caved, not wanting to see me cry.
"Fine you can tag along. Just don't get in my way." Moordryd grumbled as he walked towards the stables and before I followed behind him, Cain gave me a surprised look.
"How do you do that?" Cain asked and I gave him a grin before I fell into step with him and Moordryd.
"I guess it works because I'm his girlfriend. Or maybe his weakness is me." I answered, giggling when I heard Moordryd snort at that. "Called it." I added as I walked beside Cain and once we reached the stables outside, Quiksilva rushed through the doorway. Knocking me on my butt I tried to be annoyed until he licked my face and nuzzled me, earning a laugh instead. "Yeah I'm happy to see you too, boy. Ready to head out?" I asked and he gave a snort, instantly magging me onto the saddle behind his head and I grinned. Letting Moordryd lead the way, Cain and I followed close behind on Coershun and Quiksilva.
Taking off at a quick pace we arrived in Mid city in no time at all and after slowing down I looked around, confused why it was so silent.
"I know boy. If there's really a disturbance like Word Paynn said, why is it so quiet?" I whispered just as something stepped into our path and Quiksilva leapt back. Thankfully I had a firm grip on the handles of the saddle and I stayed put, watching with shock as the Dragon Booster and Beau landed close to us. "Dragon Booster, what's going on?" I asked finding my voice but he seemed to ignore me, which made me glare at him.
"You six shouldn't be here." Dragon Booster told us, looking over his shoulder and before I could repeat the question, Moordryd interrupted.
"I don't take orders from the Dragon Blunder. So move it." Moordryd replied as Decepshun moved forward and that's right when I heard a roar. Instantly Decepshun froze before she lowered her head and started to growl, Quiksilva joining her.
"What is it, 'silva?" I asked, squinting a little as I tried to make out a shape getting closer and closer to us. Once I saw what it was I blinked as Armeggaddon almost strolled towards us. Even Beau looked uneasy and when the dragon of legend looks worried you know its time to run. "Not you again."
"How disrespectful." Armeggaddon spoke as he stared at me. "From one who doesn't even measure up to the original Light Booster."
"How dare you!" I yelled, reaching for my gauntlet only for both the Dragon Booster and Moordryd, even Cain really, to shake their heads at me. Silently fuming I crossed my arms instead and gave the ancient warrior a glare, which caused him to laugh.
"For once I didn't come here to fight. Instead I offer you a trade; your gauntlet...for your life." He growled at me and for the next few seconds I stared at him. Both my boyfriend and his best friend glanced at each other then at me, both as curious as the Dragon Booster about my answer. When I could speak what emerged was not what they were expecting.
"Are you out of your freaking mind?!" I yelled just loud enough for most, if not all, of Mid City to hear. Cringing a little, Quiksilva stared up at me his amber eyes slightly wide with a look that seemed to say 'that was stupid'. And I had to agree when Armeggaddon raised his hand and my dragon shot forward, narrowly missing the mag-blast which caused me to yelp and duck my head. Scattering, Cain and Moordryd both rushed past Armeggaddon who kept his gaze on me and I hate to admit that I was actually shaking in fear.
"For dragon's sake what were you thinking?!" Moordryd yelled as he dodged a mag-blast aimed at his head and once Decesphun pulled up alongside Quiksilva she gave my dragon a glare.
Is your rider crazy? She asked and he snorted, just as annoyed with me.
Yes but right now we need to get away from here as fast as possible, Quiksilva agreed as they raced along.
"Just stay out of his way. Besides did you really think I'd give up my gauntlet for him?" I shot back and Moordryd growled, fighting the urge to snap back at me. Thankfully Cain rushed alongside, interrupting his brilliant comeback and he sighed, instead trying to work out what to do next. Then he had an idea and turned to Cain, quickly whispering something to him.
"But what about you?" Cain asked and Moordryd narrowed his eyes. "Fine then I'll see you back at the compound." He muttered before Coershun rushed past, knowing exactly where to go next. As soon as they disappeared into the distance, taking the long way back to avoid Armeggaddon, I slowed Quiksilva and raised my arm. Quickly I removed my amulet from inside my jacket pocket and gave my dragon a grin.
"Unlock the light!" I yelled and once I was covered in my armor I grinned, Quiksilva raering up before he turned around and shot after the ancient warrior. Which left Moordryd to stare after me before he rolled his eyes, reaching into his jacket for his own amulet.
"Unleash the shadow!" He shouted, letting out a laugh as his own armor covered him from head to toe. Transforming into her pure black draconium self, Decepshun let out a triumphant roar before she rushed to help us.
"Beau we need to help them." Dragon Booster said and Beau roared, leaping into the air and lunging at Armeggaddon. But the ancient warrior dodged his attack and fired a mag-blast that narrowly missed the dragon of legend.
I attacked next, using the mag-blast I'd learnt and I grinned as the energy shot toward Armeggaddon's face, only for our enemy to chuckle and raise his hands. Quiksilva skidded to a halt and spun around, rushing back the way we'd come and as he did I saw a set of eight black dragons leap onto the pavement.
Before I could blink the dragons channelled their mag energy into Armeggaddon who used the mag stream to rise high into the air. As the Dragon Booster and Shadow Booster watched on, Armeggaddon rapidly spun and fired multiple bursts of mag energy our way. Realizing that he was just too powerful Quiksilva started to run, closely followed by the Shadow Booster and Dragon Booster. But a stray bolt smacked into Decepshun and she went down hard, throwing Moordryd from her back as she crashed to the pavement.
"Moordryd!" I shouted pulling hard on the handles of the saddle and Quiksilva skidded to a halt. "We have to help them." I told him and he gave me a brief nod before he rushed back, dodging a blast of energy that would have sent him flying had it connected. Getting closer I saw a blast of mag energy heading straight for Moordryd and without thinking I reacted insitead, channelling a stream of mag energy from Quiksilva into me.
Letting out a yell I sent it at the bolt, both energy blasts connecting less than a metre from Moordryd's head and exploding. The resulting blast almost knocked me off my feet but I stayed strong and urged Quiksilva forward, who magged Moordryd onto his back. Decepshun stumbled to her feet, shaking her head to clear it and gave Armeggaddon a roar angry that he'd dare attack her and her rider.
"Decepshun, get clear!" I yelled and she growled, angry that I was giving her an order before she magged Moordryd. "Please girl." I added as quickly as I could, worried that another bolt of mag energy would connect. With a snort she took off, leading Moordryd away and as Quiksilva went to follow something struck me in the back throwing me clear as he tumbled to the sidewalk.
Not knowing I was now in grave danger, Moordryd and Decepshun slowed down and as she stood panting he glanced back. Only to see a riderless dragon climbing to his feet. His eyes going wide, Moordryd went to rush back only to see the Dragon Booster hold up a flash stick and Armeggaddon's dragons let out almost simtanious roars of surprise. With his mag stream vnishing, Armeggaddon fell only to right himself and glare as both boosters watched from a safe distance.
"I have to go after her." Moordryd said and Decepshun tried to walk back, only for her right front leg to crumble and she almost fell.
"No Moordryd. We'll come back for her. Besides Quiksilva will find her and bring her back." Dragon Booster told him and Moordryd glared at him, desperate to find me. But I had managed to get clear of Armeggaddon, in the chaos limping away towards an alley not too far away. I wasn't sure how I'd ended up escaping but I was just glad that I hadn't been spotted. Kneeling down I watched, shaking a little as Armeggaddon searched for me and as I shivered he walked right past me. Silently thanking dumb luck I sat a little heavily on the cold ground, leaning against a nearby building as I fought to calm my rapidly beating heart. Slowly calming down I sighed before I tried to contact Quiksilva, using our mental link.
Quiksilva, its Rayne. Can you hear me? I thought and receiving no response I tried again and again. Still nothing and I whimpered, suddenly feeling so alone. Sitting there I brought my knees close to my stomach and fighting the fear that coursed through me I attempted one more mental outreach. When nothing happened I started to give up hope before I felt a voice in my head.
Rayne, where are you? Are you okay? Quiksilva asked and his familar warm voice brought tears springing to my eyes.
I'm okay. Right now I'm in an alleyway somewhere in Mid City. I responded and I heard him chuckle into my head.
Rayne do you know how many alleys there are in Mid City? He replied and I sighed before I tried to describe it. Then I began to feel really sleepy and when I didn't answer right away he frowned. Rayne? Are you sure you're okay?
Yeah...sleepy though. I mumbled and he growled, understanding that I was exhausted.
Rayne stay awake. We need to know where you are right now. Quiksilva growled and I yawned then, torn between wanting to shut my eyes for a few minutes and answering my dragon. Unfortunately my exhasution won out and I fell into an dreamless sleep before Quiksilva could get a more detailed description of my surroundings. Rayne?
"Did you find her?" Moordryd asked as he stood beside Decepshun and when Quiksilva lowered his head and gave a mournful cry he frowned. "We have to find her before night sets in. She won't survive out in the cold, especially if she's hurt."
"I know Moordryd but we have no idea where Rayne is. There a dozens of alley in Mid City alone and..." Dragon Booster replied and Moordryd whirled on him, anger and maybe even a little fear showing in his eyes.
"I'll search each and every one if it means finding her. I dodn't care how hard it is." Moordryd growled and to his shock Artha clapped him on the back, getting a very confused stare in return.
"I thought you'd say that. Come on, let's find your girlfriend." Artha told him and Moordryd was thankful that no one could see the smile that crept onto his lips at that moment. While they searched high and low for me, I woke when something landed in the alley and I shook, trying to make myself one with the shadows just as something leapt into the light. And that's when I managed a tired laugh, finding the scarest creature in Dragon City now watching me before it stuck out its tongue at me.
"Fancy me being scared of a yellow-bellied newt. Can't figure out why Cain finds them so scary." I muttered as it eyed me for a long moment then tilted its head at me before scurrying away. As it did I remembered the one time the newt found its way into the compound and the shriek that emerged from Cain's mouth, before he hide behind Moordryd. That brought a smile to my lips as he begged someone, anyone to get rid of it so I casually picked it up into my arms and gently let it go a short distance from the compound. Which pretty much made me Cain's second best friend, after Moordryd off course.
"At least my friends are looking for me...I hope they find me soon." I muttered as I wrapped my arms around my knees, hugging them close to my body in an effort to keep warm. Resting against the wall I shivered, getting colder by the second and after sitting there for a while and hearing nothing but silence I sighed. Finding an inner strength I didn't even know I had I climbed to my feet and started to head for the closest possible safe haven, in this case Penn Stables, I wondered if anyone would come and find me.
As I wandered in the general direction of the stables, at least I think I was heading in the right direction, I didn't know that Moordryd had just found the alley I had recently vacated. When he found no trace of me he growled low in his throat and was just turning around when Quiksilva moved past him, lowering his head and sniffing the ground.
"What is it? Is it Rayne?" Moordryd whispered not wanting to get his hopes up too high as my dragon sniffed around the pavement and after letting out a snort, Quiksilva gave an excited bellow. "Can you track her?"Moordryd asked and getting a firm nod he grinned. Not far from their location, Artha and Beau were watching over Decepshun who gave a frustrated growl at being left behind.
"I know girl but you're hurt and you need to rest. Besides Quiksilva'll keep him out of trouble." Artha replied as he reached over and Decepshun snorted, letting him rub her snout. Less than a minute later both Moordryd and Quiksilva rushed past them going at a tremendous speed. Staring at both dragon and rider, the two dragons and one rider blinked before Moordryd called out.
"Rayne's this way!" Moordryd shouted and forgetting about her leg, Decepshun hurried after them followed closely by Beau and Artha. When they finally caught up they saw the stables a few feet away and as Quiksilva slowed, letting out a roar that woke me. While they had been searching frantically for me I had made my way to the stables and the moment I cleared the doorway I found myself needing to rest. Almost dropping to the ground I leant against the wall and ended up falling into a deep sleep. Which wasn't as deep as I thought when I heard a roar that seemed to echo through the Penn Stables and as I slowly opened one eye, I heard the sound of claws on the ground before Quiksilva rushed through the doorway.