Chapter 5: Fanning the Flames
(Intro)
The Down City Crew Council were bickering again. Phistus, Pyrrah and Moordryd were trying to keep things peaceful. "This is not a child's game! I do not give others turns running the Down City Crew Council!" Phistus exclaimed. "Then why trust Pyrrah and Moordryd to do so? We all want the power too!" One crew member exclaimed. "Pyrrah and Moordryd are an exception because I trust them. But I still run the council. I keep a tight grip on things, and I won the right to do so by force! Or does someone wish to challenge me again?" Phistus asked daringly, cracking his knuckles. "I believe I have a better use for your collective energies than this childish bickering." Word said as he entered the council chamber. Moordryd backed into the crowd to avoid being seen by his father. "Mr. Paynn, sir. We are…honored." Phistus said, acting pleased. "Yes, I'm sure that you are." Word said. As he approached the table, he placed a holo-projector on it. As it activated, it showed a hologram of an ancient citadel. "My research has located an ancient artifact known as the Furox. It is in an ancient and secret fortress known as the Scale Citadel. You and your crews will obtain it for me." Word instructed. Moordryd watched closely from his hiding spot as the hologram switched to a metal containment cube. "It is sealed in this metal cube. Do not open it or you risk damaging the Furox, and I do not appreciate damaged goods." Phistus and Pyrrah looked at each other with interest. "The job is open to all. Whomever retrieves the Furox will have my gratitude. And that is worth far more than mere money." Word said.
Almost at once, the Down City Council rushed off. The Dragon Eye crew still remained with their master. "The Furox is a Bonemark, my crew. Does anyone know what that means?" Word asked. "The concentrated power of an ancient Warrior Dragon that once fought the original Dragon Booster." Swayy said. "Yes. It contains enough Trap Draconium Energy to mutate any Dragon into a machine of pure destruction. A Dragon that can help start another Dragon-Human war." Word said. "Then let us retrieve it for you, Master Paynn." Rancydd said. "No. It is far too dangerous. The Furox is protected by a series of deadly traps. No one has ever gotten out of Scale Citadel in one piece." Word said as he retrieved his holo-projector before leaving. Rancydd and Swayy looked at each other before following.
Unknown to them, Moordryd, Pyrrah and Phistus were hiding behind the wall and had heard everything. "This isn't good. If my father gets ahold of this Bonemark, he'll be able to make a Wraith Dragon powerful enough to restart the Human-Dragon War." Moordryd said. "We have to warn Artha and his team of this." Phistus said. "He's right. Let's just hope they can handle the dangers of the Furox." Pyrrah said. "I agree. But first, we need to examine the traps at the citadel. We need to know what we're dealing with." Moordryd said. Pyrrah and Phistus nodded in agreement.
Later, they arrived at Scale Citadel, riding their Dragons towards the hallway that was supposed to be loaded with traps. "Be on your guard! The citadel's loaded with traps!" Moordryd called. "Look out!" Phistus exclaimed. They stopped in their tracks as the hallway set off its traps. "That's a lot of traps." Phistus said. "I don't think even me and Phorrj could make it through that." Pyrrah said. "Now we really gotta tell Artha about this." Moordryd said.
Meanwhile, Artha and Beau were entered in another street race. The racers ahead of them were bashing each other, trying to force each other off the track. Kitt and Wyldfyr rode up beside them. "Artha, hot racing tip for today. Draft in behind, push to the outside and use the wind boost from the others to pull yourself past. Like THIS!" Kitt explained. Wyldfyr pulled back, pushed left and used the wind boost to pull ahead of the other racers. "Wow. She's really something, isn't she?" Artha asked in awe of his crush. "I should say so. She's really been a big help since we started street racing." Beau said. "I know. That's one of the many things I love about her." Artha said. "I understand, Artha. I think I can see your wedding already." Beau joked. "Very funny, Beau." Artha chuckled.
Meanwhile, Parmon, Cain, Connor and Artha's siblings were watching the race. "Looks like Kitt's going for another win." Lance said. "Not in the slightest." Parmon said. "What do you mean, Parm?" Derek asked as he sat on Volcanya. "Look at the final section of the track. Calculating the lead Dragons' speed and their relative positions…" Parmon started to say. "They're gonna collide!" Jessica exclaimed in panic. "Exactly." Parmon said. "Artha, Kitt, heads up! There's a major Dragon pile coming your way!" Cain exclaimed over the com-link. The 2 lead racers saw the tight pass ahead. "EJECT!" They panicked, popping their chutes and abandoning their Dragons as they got stuck in the tight pass.
Kitt gasped as she saw the crash. She tried to stop Wyldfyr as Artha and Beau raced up beside her. "Artha, we have to try Kitt's trick." Beau said. "Right. Draft to the outside, and use the other racers to…" Artha said, using Kitt's move to zip past her and the trapped Dragons. "Alright, Artha!" Kitt cheered as Wyldfyr finally stopped. Artha and Beau crossed the finish line and won the race.
Later, Artha and Beau met back up with the others. "Drac move, Artha!" Lance cheered. "Yeah, that was one heck of a move, bro." Charlie said. "You and Beau really smoked them." Isla said. "Thanks, guys. This really means a lot to us." Artha said. "And that move. What a move! How did you do that?" Parmon asked as Kitt and Wyldfyr walked up. "Well, I guess I have someone to thank. Someone whose talent and perseverance have been an example to all. And that someone…is none other than Kitt Raada Wong." Artha said. Kitt started to tear up as Artha turned to face her. "Kitt, you've really been a big help to me ever since Beau and I started street racing. You've taught me everything there is to know, every trick and turn we needed to win the races. We never could've done it without you. So, I dedicate today's victory to you, Kitt." Artha said. Kitt sniffled before throwing herself at Artha and hugging him tightly. Artha hugged her back as they spun around. The others watched the heartwarming scene happily. But just then, the moment was interrupted by someone clearing his throat. Artha and Kitt broke their hug as everyone turned to see Moordryd, Pyrrah and Phistus ride up on their Dragons. "We got a situation." Moordryd said with a serious tone.
Later, Moordryd, Pyrrah and Phistus explained their situation to Artha's team. "A Bonemark? I thought they were just legends." Parmon said, skeptical. "No, they're all too real, I'm afraid. In this case, this Red Bonemark contains the ancient Dragon Spirit of Furox." Moordryd said. Beau growled at that name. "Sounds like you know this Furox, Beau." Artha said. "I do. Or at least, I did in the past. Furox fought against the original Dragon Booster back during the original war. He was a really powerful Dragon before he was reverted back to being peaceful by the Great Dragon Phoenix." Beau explained. "Whoa. That's some heavy knowledge there, Beau." Artha said. "He tell you about Furox?" Moordryd asked. "Yeah. He told me that Furox was a really powerful Dragon." Artha said. "And the Bonemark his spirit resides in is just as powerful. My father wants to use this Bonemark to create a Wraith Dragon so powerful to start his new Dragon-Human War." Moordryd explained. "We checked out the traps in the ancient Scale Citadel, and it seems impossible to make it through." Phistus said. "Even I don't think I could make it." Pyrrah said. "What do you think, Artha?" Parmon asked. Everyone looked at him as he started to think. "I think we need to run this over to Mortis. Hopefully, she'll know what we should do." Artha said.
Later, they returned to the ancient city and waited for Mortis' arrival. "You really think Mortis might have the answer?" Kitt asked. "I'm not sure. If the Furox is as dangerous as the legends say, we may not have the power to stop Word this time." Artha said. "Don't be so sure, Artha." Mortis' voice said. Everyone turned around and saw Mortis approach them. "First off, let me offer my belated congratulations on winning the race. You were really honorable, dedicating your win to Kitt." She said. Artha and Kitt blushed as they smiled shyly at each other. "And I am aware that Word Payne sent the Down City crews on his dangerous quest." Mortis said. "Yes. He's after a Bonemark known as the Furox. He intends to use it to create a Wraith Dragon powerful enough to start his Dragon-Human war." Artha explained. "Then you must beat them to the Furox and claim it before Word does. But be weary. Not only does the Furox corrupt Dragons, but people too." Mortis said. "We better get to Scale City now. No telling how far the Down City crews are gonna get with all those traps." Artha said.
Later, the team met back up with Moordryd, Pyrrah and Phistus, and arrived at Scale Citadel. As they headed towards the booby-trapped hallway, they noticed that there weren't any other Down City crews anywhere in sight. "I don't see any of the other crews in here." Jessica said. "They're probably long gone by now." Phistus said. "Probably couldn't even get close to the Furox due to the traps." Pyrrah said. As they got to the hallway, they watched as the traps activated. "I can see why." Lance said, paling up from the sight. Just then, Kitt started hearing a voice. "Come… Come…" It wailed. "Hey, you guys hear that?" She asked. "Hear what?" Benny asked. "I heard a voice down there." Kitt said. "Come… Come…" The voice wailed. "I hear it too." Derek said. "Wait. I think I can hear it too." Artha said. "Why can't we hear anything?" Holly asked. "It must be the Furox. I heard tales of how the Dragon's voice can guide those of worth." Connor said. "But why can only Artha, Derek and Kitt hear it?" Parmon asked. "Artha hears it because he's the Dragon Booster. But Derek and Kitt, I have no clue." Connor said.
"Beau, do you know why the Furox is calling Kitt and Derek?" Artha asked. "Maybe. My past is slowly returning. But I believe that Furox may have been the partner of another Booster." Beau said. "Another Booster?" Artha asked in surprise. "I can't say for sure, but I do believe that there were others besides the Dragon Booster. Friends and partners of the original Dragon Booster back during the original Human-Dragon War. Together, they managed to bring peace between our kind and end the war." Beau explained. "What'd Beau say, Artha?" Fallon asked. "He says that there were others. Other Boosters besides the Dragon Booster." Artha said. Everyone was surprised to hear this. Except for Connor. He knew there were legends of other Boosters. But he never heard tales of them. Kitt looked down the hallway as the traps continued. "Then Derek and I are going in there." She said. Everyone was shocked when she said that. "If this Furox is calling to us, then we have to claim it before Word comes looking for it himself." Kitt said. "Even if I wanted to, how can I with my leg injury?" Derek asked, concerned. "Don't worry. We're gonna go in on our Dragons and disable the traps. You guys follow us through once we disabled them." Kitt explained. "But Kitt, will you and Derek be able to make it through?" Pyrrah asked with worry. "I've sped past some of the fastest racers in all of Dragon City. I think me and Wyldfyr can handle it." Kitt said. "I may have been riding on Volcanya for just a few weeks now, but Kitt's been training me. So, I'm just as fast too." Derek said. Just then, Artha took Kitt's hand. She saw the concerned look on his face. "Just be careful in there." Artha said. "I'll be fine, Artha. I promise." Kitt said before hugging Artha.
After breaking the hug, Kitt got on Wyldfyr and got ready with Derek and Volcanya. They waited patiently as the traps opened and closed. "Now!" Kitt exclaimed as she and Derek rode their Dragons into the hallway. They ran through each of the traps. "Hold on, Derek! We're almost through!" Kitt called. They passed by the last trap and came up to the next hallway. "No sweat. We're making this look easy." Derek said. But he quickly regretted saying that when he saw that the next hallway was armed with another trap. Stone beams shaped like Dragon heads. "Come… Come…" The voice wailed again. "The Furox. It still calls for us." Derek said. "Tread carefully, Derek. We don't know what trap waits for us here." Kitt said. Derek nodded as their Dragons slowly started walking into the hallway. Suddenly, one set of beams started moving. "Go, go, go!" Kitt exclaimed as they rode as fast as they could, getting through the beams before they interlocked together. The other beams started moving too. Kitt and Derek rode Wyldfyr and Volcanya past each beam set before they interlocked. "That's it, girl. That's it." Derek said. Suddenly, a beam set in front of them closed up. "Get ready, Derek! We're going over!" Kitt exclaimed, activating her Red Thrusters. Derek activated his Thrusters too. Wyldfyr and Volcanya gave a mighty leap, and with the help of their Thrusters, made it over the beams. "Alright! We made it through! Good job, Wyldfyr!" Kitt cheered. "You too, Volcanya. Good job." Derek said. The 2 Dragons growled softly as they landed.
As they got to the next hallway, they could see a red object glowing in the next room. "Come… Come…" The voice wailed again. "The Furox!" Kitt called. "We're almost there." Derek said. But as they walked towards the chamber, Volcanya stepped on a fire symbol on the path and it lit up. "What was that?" Derek asked, noticing the symbol. Just then, the entrance to the chamber started to close. "The doorway's closing! We gotta hurry!" Kitt exclaimed. They rode as fast as they could. But then, stone Dragon heads on the cave walls started firing sharp projectiles at them. They quickly drew their Battle Staffs and deflected the projectiles. But as they closed in on it, the doorway was closing too fast. "We're not gonna make it back out!" Derek exclaimed with worry. "Yes, we will!" Kitt exclaimed, getting an idea as she eyed the gears. As they passed through the doorway, she picked up a rock and tossed it at the gears, jamming them and causing the traps and the doorway to cease up. "Nice toss." Derek said. "Thanks. It kinda rocked." Kitt joked.
They waited for the others to show up afterwards. They arrived after a few minutes. "You guys alright?" Artha asked with worry. "We're fine, Artha." Derek assured. "It was quite the challenge though." Kitt said. "Great. Now let's get the Furox and get out of here." Parmon said. "I like the sound of that." Erika said. Suddenly, as the group started to walk towards the Furox, a giant lava monster dropped down from the ceiling and landed in front of them, roaring at them. "What is that thing?!" Kurt exclaimed in a panic. "It's some kind of Guardian. I've heard that there were several Guardians created to protect the long-lost powerful artifacts in our world. My guess is that this one's guarding the Furox." Connor said. "Looks like this Guardian is yet another trap we have to deal with." Pyrrah said. "Alright. Me and Beau can handle this." Artha said, getting ready to outfit himself in his Dragon Booster Armor. "No, Artha. Me and Derek will handle this. Alone." Kitt said. "Kitt…are you sure?" Artha asked with worry. "I am. This is our challenge. So, we have to do it." Kitt said. "We can do it, Artha. We need you to believe in us." Derek said. Artha looked to the others, who nodded in agreement. He then looked at Beau, who nodded too. "Then go get him, guys." He said.
Kitt and Derek got ready and rode Wyldfyr and Volcanya towards the Lava Guardian. As they got closer, the Guardian spewed lava from its mouth. The Dragons quickly dodged the incoming lava and ran in closer. The Guardian began swatting at them with its molten hand. But the Dragons continued dodging the incoming attacks. "Looks like we're too fast for you, big boy!" Derek exclaimed. But then, the Guardian swatted Volcanya, knocking Derek off her. Derek landed hard on the ground, further injuring his bad leg and making him scream in pain. "DEREK!" Kitt cried. Artha and his siblings gasped at the sight of their brother in pain. The Guardian marched over to Derek as he held his leg in pain. Kitt and Wyldfyr ran towards them, but they weren't fast enough. The Guardian prepared to stomp Derek. Just then, Artha and Beau, in their Dragon Booster mode, stopped its foot with an energy shield and pushed it back. "Artha!" Derek exclaimed in relief. "We got this! You guys have to get the Furox! Go now!" Artha exclaimed as Kitt helped Derek. The others joined in as Artha and Beau started attacking the Guardian, distracting it. "Now's our chance. We have to get the Furox." Kitt said. "Right." Derek said. "Come… Come…" The voice wailed again as they looked over to the Furox's box, hovering above the ground. They quickly walked over to the metal box and grabbed it. As the others continued fighting, the Guardian's body suddenly hardened into rock and disintegrated into dust.
The others walked over to Kitt and Derek as they held the metal box. "Great job, you 2." Connor said. "Thanks. We wouldn't have got it if it wasn't for you guys." Derek said. Kitt continued staring at the box. "We have to open the box." She said. "Be careful. You might not be able to handle its power." Moordryd warned. Kitt nodded before opening the box and exposing the Furox. It was as big as Artha's medallion and shaped like a fire. As Kitt and Derek stared at it, their eyes started to glow red and their minds went blank. "Something's happening to them." Parmon said with worry. "They're being influenced by the Furox's power." Moordryd said. Wyldfyr and Volcanya got worried for their riders. Just then, Artha and Beau sensed something. "We're not alone." Artha said as he and Beau turned around. Everyone followed and saw the other Down City crews gathered. "What are you all doing here?!" Phistus demanded. "Why else, Phistus? We come for the Furox. Hand it over and we'll spare you." One of the crewmembers demanded. "No way. Word Payne is not getting that Bonemark." Artha said with a serious tone. "Very well then, Dragon Booster. If he can't have it, no one can." The crewmember said as the other crews advanced on them. "Trust us on this. You don't want to do this." Phistus said as he and the others joined Artha. The crews looked at each other with wicked grins. "Yeah, we do." The crewmember said. The Down City crews all started to fight with Artha's team.
Meanwhile, Kitt and Derek felt their minds getting corrupted by Furox's spirit. "Take my power. Use it to destroy this world." Furox's voice demanded. Kitt and Derek slowly started to resist."Take it! TAKE IT!" Furox's voice exclaimed. Kitt and Derek grunted as they continued resisting. Suddenly, their bodies began to glow bright orange. As the team continued to fight the Down City crews, both sides noticed the bright light. As it died down, to everyone's shock and surprise, Kitt and Derek were now in Dragon armors like Artha's. Kitt's was fire red and yellow with a fire theme. And Derek's was crimson with a magma theme. "Dragon Booster, and the rest of you, stand clear." Kitt said. Artha and the others stepped off to the side as the Down City crews slowly backed up in fear. Kitt held up her hands, armed with new hand cannons shaped like Dragon heads. Derek held up his hands and summoned a little magma ball in between them. The Down City crews ran off as Kitt and Derek fired their attacks, forcing them to retreat.
Artha and the others walked up to Kitt and Derek as they removed their helmets. "Nice armors." Lance said. "And cool themes too." Holly added. "I am so jealous right now." Charlie muttered with a slight jealousy. Artha walked up to them, admiring their new armors. "I am so happy for you guys." He said. "Thanks, Artha. This armor actually feels good." Kitt said with a smile. Suddenly, the pain in Derek's leg struck back on him, causing him to fall down. "Derek! Are you alright?" Connor asked in concern. "No! My leg feels worse than before!" Derek exclaimed as he held his leg. "Wait! I think I can heal your leg." Artha said. "Like when you cured that Wraith Dragon?" Parmon asked. "I'm sure it'll work." Artha said. He knelt down next to Derek and placed his hand on his brother's bad leg. He closed his eyes and concentrated, glowing gold. Derek glowed gold as his leg was being healed. As the glow died down, Derek moved his leg and felt no pain. "My…My leg! It's all better! I don't feel any pain at all!" He exclaimed happily as he stood up and started tapping his foot. "You like it, Derek?" Artha asked. "I LOVE IT!" Derek exclaimed happily as he continued tapping his foot. Suddenly, as he tapped it hard enough, a tiny geyser of magma erupted from the ground. Everyone was shocked by this. "I guess I have a lot to learn about my new powers." Derek said sheepishly.
Meanwhile, Word Paynn was really furious. He received a call from his Dragon Eye Crew and was informed that the Dragon Booster and his friends had not only gotten hold of the Furox, but had mastered its power to create 2 more Boosters. "Incompetence! It matters not how many Boosters there are. I will have my Human-Dragon War. And they won't be able to stop me." He said.
Meanwhile, when everyone returned to Penn Stables, Connor started playing the flute and his 12 children started dancing together. They used to dance together a lot when they were younger. Derek was happy to be dancing again with his leg all better. Kitt, Parmon, Moordryd, Cain, Pyrrah, Phistus and the Dragons watched from the side as the 12 Penn children danced. Kitt's eyes were mostly focused on Artha. She hoped that he and her would dance together someday.
Well, how was that? Word has his sights on claiming an ancient Bonemark known as the Furox. But Artha and his team go to the ancient Scale Citadel and claim it first. And as a special surprise, Kitt and Derek just obtained their own Booster armors. What powers will they unlock as Boosters? What plans will Word come up with now? Leave a review if you'd like.