As we took the lift down to the Dragon Temple I couldn't help feeling that training when I was still injured was a very stupid idea. But as we reached the temple and I stepped out closely followed by Lance and Artha I held my tongue, realizing it would be rude to point that out.
"There you are." Parmon said as I walked closer and I gave him a glare, making the rest of my friends laugh and the professor take a step back.
"Look what do you need me for? In case its escaped anyone I'm burnt and feeling pretty awful right now." I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose and Connor stepped out of the shadows.
"We know that but you need training and right now this is the best time to do just that." Connor told me as he walked over and I opened my mouth, trying to argue when he held up his hand. "No buts, if you're really the Light Booster you'll do this."
Knowing there was no arguing with the elder Penn, I nodded instead and he gave me a slight smile. "Okay what do I need to do?" I asked, giving up and as I followed him I couldn't help my body from shaking. A few minutes later I was standing next to Artha and as I watched he inserted his medallion into his own gauntlet. As he changed to the Dragon Booster I nodded, knowing what was coming and I tried to grin as I mirrored his move. Once my armor covered me from head to toe, Connor handed me a Jakk Stick and I watched as Artha picked up his own from the ground near his feet. "Alright then." I sighed and braced myself waiting for Artha to make the first move.
Which he did, rushing me so suddenly I almost didn't raise my Jakk Stick in time my arms shaking from the impact. Letting out a growl I returned the move, trying to knock Artha back and maybe even off his feet. Of course that was wishful thinking and he grinned before he pushed me backwards, sweeping my legs out from under me seconds later. I hit the ground hard and the impact winded me for a few seconds before I stumbled to my feet, annoyed that he'd attack an injured girl.
"Rayne, you're supposed to be fighting back." Artha grinned and I growled, charging towards him and he laughed as he easily dodged my attack. When I felt his Jakk Stick strike my backside, almost sending me to my knees I heard my friends laugh and that made me really mad.
Before their shocked eyes I focused and as my hand began to glow I threw my Jakk stick at Artha. He dodged only to realize too late that it was a distraction, nothing more and my mag blast sent him flying. This time he hit the ground hard and I grinned, panting just a little from the attack and once he was back to his feet he grinned. "Impressive." He said and I gave him a slight grin before he ran at me and as our Jakk Sticks collided I grinned, looking for a way to beat him though it wasn't easy. I tried to kick his legs out from under him but that failed when Artha jumped back and used his own Jakk Stick to block my leg sweep so I took a swing at his face and he leaned back, effortlessly dodging. Then his head snapped forward and when his forehead slammed into mine, slightly cushioned by my helmet I let out a pained yelp making me drop my Jakk Stick. Not giving me time to recover, Artha kicked me hard in the stomach and I gasped clutching my stomach and he laughed as I fought to take a breath.
"Maybe you should give up." Artha said, twirling his Jakk Stick in front of his chest like a baton and I glared at him. That's when I raised both my hands and as they watched I charged up a mag-blast.
"Rayne, stop!" Connor shouted but I ignored him, my hands glowing with my black draconium energy and before anyone could stop me I unleashed the energy at Artha. But he dodged and the energy hit the wall behind him, leaving a burn mark and once he saw me charging the energy up again despite how weak it made me his eyes narrowed. In the time it took to charge up another mag-blast he ran at me, swinging the Jakk Stick at my hands and I let out a yelp the energy vanishing and he followed up by hitting my chest with the stick. Out of breath I fell backwards and hit the ground for the second time, watching on as Artha shook his head.
"Rayne, calm down. It was just a sparring session." Artha said as I glared up at him for the next few seconds. Finally I sighed and took the hand he offered me, letting him help me to my feet.
"Sorry everyone. Guess I'm still not thinking enough." I sighed, my head drooping and Artha gave my shoulder a pat in an effort to cheer me up. "Can I try again, without the mag-blast?" I asked and he gave me a quick nod handing me back my Jakk Stick. Taking a deep breath to calm myself I watched Artha as he circled around and this time I only used my body and the Jakk Stick to knock him over. I did a little better but just as I was about to slam my Jack Stick into Artha's chest a sudden and burning pain ripped through me, momentarily distracting me. For the third time I ended up on my back and giving me an eyeroll, Artha helped me to my feet.
"Okay what just happened?" Connor asked as he walked over to see me press a hand against my stomach, grimacing slightly.
"Do you want to take a break?" Artha suggested and I hurriedly shook my head, standing straighter and giving him a frown. "Okay then let's fight." He sighed as Connor rejoined his friends. We spent the next few minutes sparring and this time I knocked Artha on his rear, swinging my Jack Stick at his head only to stop inches from hitting him. Giving him a grin, and letting out a breath, I helped him up.
"Okay that was pretty drac." He admitted and I grinned at him, pleased that for once I actually managed to kick his butt. Of course I was pretty worn out and I almost fell when I finally decided to take a break. Seeing me panting, Artha wrapped an arm around my shoulders and led me towards the far wall. I gave him a slight grin before I leant against the wall and slowly slid down, breathing fast.
"Think...I should have taken...that rest...sooner." I panted as Connor knelt beside me, worry in his eyes. "I'm fine...just need to take a breather." I coughed, trying to ignore the pain flowing through me and the way my body kept shaking. With my head against the wall I closed my eyes, intending to rest for a few minutes at most. But the next thing I knew I was rudely woken by someone shaking my shoulder. I ignored it at first right until I heard a chuckle and my eyes slowly opened to find a familar face staring down at me.
"I thought you and the stable brat were training." Moordryd chuckled, arms crossed against his chest and as I struggled to sit up he knelt beside me.
"I only just closed my eyes." I complained and he grinned before he pointed out that my 'nap' had lasted for over two hours and I blushed furiously. "Oops?"
"Heh don't sweat it. At least you knocked Artha on his butt." Moordryd replied as he offered his hand and once I was back on my feet I stretched, letting out a yawn.
"Where did everyone go?" I asked as I followed him towards the lift and he shrugged as we stepped aboard. On the way up I felt Moordryd take my hand and tug me against his side, not letting go even when we reached the stables.
"I want to ask you something so don't get offended." Moordryd suddenly said as we walked, hand in hand, towards the stables and I raised an eyebrow at him. Noticing the worried look on my face he chuckled. "Nothing bad but...are you sure you want to train?"
"And what exactly is that supposed to mean? What, you think I can't take care of myself?" I grumbled and Moordryd shook his head, wishing he'd never said anything.
"That's not what I meant and you know it. I know you can fight when you want to and I'm not criticiting you." Moordryd explained as he stood beside me and when I kept glaring at him, he sighed. "Why is it so wrong to want you to be safe? After what my father did to you..." He trailed off when my expression softened.
"Now I understand why you're worried about me," I tried not to giggle when he snorted, "but I'm trying to prevent a war from ever happening again. Besides I want to protect you too." I added, standing on my toes to give him a kiss on the cheek.
"Alright fine, we can fight together. Of course I'm a better booster." Moordryd said a few seconds later and I frowned, only to discover it was all a distraction when he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me forward. The moment our lips met I let out a purr before I drapped my arms around his waist, unable to reach his neck due to our height difference, and kissed him back.
"If you give me another kiss I might forgive you." I grinned, tilting my head back slightly and Moordryd grinned before he leant closer, his lips brushing mine before he actually kissed me. "I forgive you." I muttered, a silly grin on my face as Moordryd held me tight.
"I thought you might." Moordryd said just as we heard footsteps and turning we both noticed Artha and Parmon walk over, the latter holding a piece of black draconium gear. One I instantly reconized and before their eyes I growled at them. "Whoa take it easy." He said as I tensed up.
"Keep that thing away from me." I growled and Parmon actually took a step back as I growled again. As if he could sense my fear, Quiksilva appeared in the doorway of the stables his amber eyes almost glowing. Once he saw that I wasn't in danger he stepped towards me and lowering his head, gently nuzzled me. "I...sorry its just that gear..." I shivered as they moved closer, my eyes focused more on that horrible mind control gear than those around me. It was only when Artha finally spoke that I blinked.
"Are you still with us?" Artha asked as he stared at me and when I lifted my head, everyone noticed just how badly I was shaking. I tried gritting my teeth but that didn't help one bit, my body refusing to hide my fear. "Maybe we should take you inside, before you shake yourself to pieces." He added and I couldn't even glare, my eyes clearly showing the fear I felt.
"I just can't stop shaking." I muttered as I stroked Quiksilva's snout and he nudged me, wondering why I looked so frightened. "Thanks 'silva."
Moordryd, having seen just how badly that gear was affecting me, walked me towards the house giving Artha an angry stare as he walked past. Confused both Artha and Parmon soon followed and once they walked inside the house I was sitting on the bed in the vacant room, knees against my chest despite the constant pain of my burns and as I stared at the blanket Moordryd squeezed my shoulder.
"What's going on with you?" He asked and I looked up for a moment, face pale. "First you're kissing me then you're freaking out."
"Excuse me?! You'd panic too if that piece of gear had been attached to your head." I growled, resting my head on my knees. "Stop picking on me when I'm in pain and scared." I muttered and to my side, Moordryd rolled his eyes towards the ceiling.
"Okay if you're going to sulk." Moordryd sighed and I let out a growl, which seemed to be my new method of communicating. "If we smash it will that help?" He offered and I managed a tired laugh.
"It would help." I answered lifting my head just as Parmon and Artha walked through the door and I gave Parmon a frown, eyes narrowed as he brought that accursed gear into the room. "Are you trying to make me mad?" I asked, voice low and Parmon rolled his eyes at me.
"Look I know you don't want this gear but its actually pretty ingenious. It allowed you to think for yourself while still under Word's control. Its more powerful than even the wraith gear." Parmon explained, not even noticing the teeth gritting I was doing and the eye narrowing. "I can't believe that Word Paynn actually managed...to..." He trailed off, a guilty look showing on his face as I looked down towards the bed.
"Next time think before you start praising my father, egghead." Moordryd said as Parmon hid the gear behind his back, whistling innocently.
"Anyway its deactivated now so it poses no threat." Parmon said and I muttered something that only Moordryd caught. "Pardon?"
"Rayne said doesn't matter that gear better not come anywhere near me." Moordryd told them and I gave him the smallest of smiles. "Anything else you want to add?"
"Okay we'll keep it away from you if you promise to give your training another try." Artha said and I glanced at him, chewing my bottom lip before I nodded. "And you can't quit halfway through, like last time." He added, grinning at me and I rolled my eyes.
"Falling asleep doesn't count as 'quitting'." I replied as I climbed off the bed, hoping that I wasn't going to shake myself to pieces. As I followed Artha outside Parmon gave me a somewhat sheepish smile and I sighed, giving him a nod before he followed me outside. Since Moordryd was just behind me I didn't see him cross his arms, looking at me with a slight frown. Eventually he followed knowing that something was bothering me besides the black gear though he decided to wait until we were alone to get me to come clean.
Less than half an hour later I was standing inside the dragon temple, in my armor as I waited to spar. Giving me a slight grin, Artha reached for his medallion only for Moordryd to push past him in his Shadow Booster armor and I blinked at him.
"Thought you'd like to fight someone who's actually a challenge." Moordryd chuckled and I gave him a grin, fighting back a fit of the giggles as Artha glared at him. "So are you ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be." I sighed as Artha handed me a Jakk Stick and I took a deep breath, letting it out as I held the stick out in front of me. Giving me a slight smile, Moordryd rushed forward and as he did I watched his Jakk Stick trying to work out where the first blow would come from. But as I watched the stick I forgot to focus on Moordryd as well and his attack came from nowhere as he aimed a mag-blast at my chest. I let out a yell, the Jakk stick slipping from my fingers as I was flung hard into the wall. The force of the blow left me gasping and as Moordryd hurried over I managed to glare before I sent him flying this time, a mag-blast knocking him on his rear. Once I could breathe again I climbed to my feet, watching as Moordryd stared at me then he gave me a sudden grin.
"Okay if that's how you want to fight..." Moordryd chuckled, retrieving his Jakk Stick before he attacked. As I had already realised I was no match for Moordryd since he did have training from Armeggaddon who, I have to admit, is an amazing warrior. Time and time again I ended up either thrown into the wall, which caused a few of my friends to cringe, or on my backside. I was feeling the effects not only from my painful burns but also the blows from Moordryd's Jakk Stick and soon I could barely stay on my feet.
Moordyd wanted to stop, seeing just how exhausted I was but I just stumbled towards him, ignoring my blurred vision and the sweat dripping down my face. Even when Moordryd struck my stomach, trying to avoid hurting me further I kicked the Jakk Stick from his hands and threw a punch towards his face. Even when he dodged I kept attacking, raining one blow after another at any part of his upper or lower body that I could reach. When my blows lessened, Moordryd looked at my face only to see the Jakk Stick slip from my fingers, my remaining strength needed just to stay upright and he lunged at me. I thought he was going to attack now that I couldn't but instead he grabbed my arm, wrapping his other arm around my shoulders to keep my steady.
"I'm...fine. I want to keep fighting." I gasped as he held me upright and getting a head shake in response made me frown. "Moordryd...please I have to get stronger." I whimpered and he sighed, knowing why I was being so stubborn. Well more stubborn than usual anyway.
"You're scared about fighting Armeggaddon, aren't you?" Moordryd asked as he adjusted his grip on me and I stared at his face, unable to read his expression due to his helmet before I reached for my medallion. Once I changed back everyone present could see the tears flowing down my face and just how badly my body shook. Soon I stopped speaking, not sure how to tell my friends that it wasn't the fear of facing Armeggaddon again that had me so rattled; it was the fear that I would fail and everyone close to me would pay the price.