Chapter 11: The Lost Track of Doom

(Intro)

Inside the Dragon Temple, the team all sat around a campfire as Mortis stood before them. "Do any of you know the legend of the Lost Track of Doom?" Mortis asked. "Um, excuse me, but did you just use the word…doom?" Parmon asked in fear. "We've all heard stories. Legend has it that the Dragon City Marathon Track we're racing tomorrow was built over another ancient track." Artha explained. "The Lost Track of Doom." Beau said. "I remember that there was a strange group of Orange Dragons, known as the Prophets, who snatch away riders during the marathon…and were never seen again." Moordryd explained. "I heard rumors that those racers were now controlled by their Dragon masters." Kitt said. "But it's only a legend, right? There's no such thing as Dragons who can control humans. Is there?" Parmon asked as he fed Cyrano his marshmallows. "I did say it was legend. And like most legends, they are born from truth." Mortis said.

"Let's not worry about the legend right now, team. We need to be focused on the Dragon City Marathon tomorrow." Artha said. "Yes, of course. And you all know the key to the marathon race. It is like the key to you and your Dragon. If you cannot balance with each other and your teammates, you will fail." Mortis explained. "500 miles of major obstacles, dangerous speed traps, frightening vertical agility tests, and ruling gear challenges." Parmon listed. "We'll have to be sharp on this track." Charlie said. "And our Dragons each have their own powers and abilities that can help us too." Holly added. "Remember, you must work together tomorrow, just like you always do. A team's strength does not come from the individual, but when each becomes part of the one." Mortis said before leaving. "Well, I'm not scared." Kitt said. "Neither am I." Moordryd said. "Well, we all are. Just a little bit." Benny said. "A lot." Parmon said. But Artha and Beau were still thinking about what Mortis said, thinking that it could lead them to a new power.

The next day, the whole team was prepared at the starting line for the marathon. Those of the Penn siblings without Dragons were allowed to ride along their siblings and teammates. Once the track glowed green, the race began. The other racers started pulling ahead of Parmon. "Don't fall too far behind, Parmon! We'll need you and Cyrano later!" Kitt called. "Right! There are obstacles ahead that we can smash through!" Parmon called. "Alright, team, remember, we might actually be able to win this race if we work together." Artha said. "When each becomes part of the one." Beau said.

Later, as the team progressed further into the Under City section of the race, Parmon picked up something within the perimeter. "According to my calculations, team, there is a more directly triangulated vector to the Under City leg of this track." He said. The others were confused by the big talk. Again. "He means shortcut." Artha said. "Oh." The team all said simultaneously. "Lead on, Parmesan." Artha said, jokingly. "This way. And it's not Parmesan! That's the name of the cheese." Parmon said. He led the team into a tunnel. But they suddenly stopped when they saw that the tunnel was blocked and under maintenance. "Nice call, Parm. Road to nowhere." Kitt said sarcastically. "How are we gonna get around this?" Gwen asked. Parmon activated Green Ramming Gear on Cyrano and charged the wall, knocking it down. "After you." He said.

As the team headed down the tunnel, they started feeling uneasy about how dark and foggy it was. "I don't think I've ever been down this tunnel before." Cain said. "I don't think anybody has for…who knows how long." Jessica said. "Wait a minute." Artha said as he saw an exit. "What is it, Artha?" Lance asked. "I think this is the part of the track we were talking about with Mortis. Built over the old track. The Lost Track of Doom." Artha said. The team all looked around at the foggy location. "Looks like it, alright." Kurt said. Suddenly, there was a roar in the air. "What was that?" Derek asked, surprised to hear that roar. Just then, Swayy rode up on her Dragon, pale as a ghost. Moordryd and Cain quickly hid their faces with their disguises so she wouldn't recognize them. "Swayy? You look like you've just seen a ghost." Artha said. "Go back! Ambushed! Hundreds of them! Orange Dragons! Silent riders! RUN!" Swayy panicked as she took off. "Orange Dragons and silent riders?" Gwen asked in confusion. "The Prophets!" Parmon realized. "We should get out of here too." Lance said with worry. "Guys, the Dragon Eyes are faking! They want us to run away scared so they can win the race." Artha said. "Yeah, that sounds like them." Cain said. "But it's not gonna work on us." Moordryd said. "Yes. But it was very convincing." Parmon said.

"Help! Someone, help!" Rancydd's voice cried. "Was that…?" Holly asked. "Come on!" Artha exclaimed. The team raced over to the end of the track, which was broken. "Down here! Help!" Rancydd's voice cried. Artha looked over the edge and saw him dangling from a wire. "Rancydd?" He asked in surprise. "Just hurry up, Penn! Some crazy Orange Dragons smashed the track! I can't hold on for long!" Rancydd exclaimed. "Wait here, team." Artha said, getting off Beau's back. "Be careful, Artha." Parmon said. Artha leaned over the edge of the broken track and reached his left hand out. "Grab my hand!" He exclaimed. Rancydd reached his right hand out and hooked onto Artha's fingers. Artha pulled him back up with all his strength. Rancydd just walked away without even saying thank you. "Whatever. Thank yous are free, you know." Artha grumbled. The team just glared as he walked away. "Can we leave now?" Lance asked in fear. "Oh, man up, Lance!" Gwen said, shaking her head. Suddenly, the track started creaking. "In a word…" Artha tried to say. But the track broke even more, sending the team falling and screaming into the foggy abyss below. "How unfortunate. How terribly unfortunate." Rancydd said, chuckling evilly.

Later, the team ended up falling onto an ancient track. They groaned as they recovered. "Where are we?" Holly asked. "This is incredible. It predates any track I've ever seen. Look at the Draconium architecture, the use of temple-like support structures." Parmon explained. "Artha, could this be…?" Kitt asked. "It is. The Track of Doom." Artha said. "Too bad you won't get out to tell about it." A voice said, coming from the shadows as multiple Dragons marched towards the team. "The legend! It's true! Those are the Orange Dragons! The Prophets!" Parmon cried with worry. "Prepare to meet your doom." The voice said. "Artha, we have no choice." Beau said. "Right. We need Booster power right now." Artha said. "I was hoping you'd say that, Artha." Kitt said. "You guys ready?" Derek asked. "Let's do it." Kurt said. "Oh yeah." Charlie said. "Alright, let's Booster up! RELEASE THE DRAGON!" Artha exclaimed. "RELEASE THE FIRE DRAGON!" Kitt called. "RELEASE THE VOLCANO DRAGON!" Derek called. "RELEASE THE SMOKE DRAGON!" Kurt called. "RELEASE THE EARTH DRAGON!" Charlie called. Artha, Kitt and Derek activated their gauntlets while Kurt blows his horn and Charlie activates his necklace. The 5 transformed into their Booster suits as Beau returned to his classic gold look. The Orange Dragons started to attack, but Artha and Beau swept them off their legs. Kitt fired a powerful stream of fire from her hands, blasting more of the Orange Dragons. Derek and Charlie combined their powers, creating an earthquake with Charlie's earth powers and spewing lava jets at the Orange Dragons with Derek's magma powers. As several more Orange Dragons charged towards Kurt, he created a veil of smoke and disappeared in it, causing the Orange Dragons to crash into each other.

But the Orange Dragons recovered and proceeded to continue their attack. "Prophets! Stand down!" The leading Dragon of the Prophets ordered as he emerged from the shadows with a rider. The Orange Dragons bowed in respect to their leader. "I know this Dragon." Beau snarled. "The Gold Dragon of Legend." The leader said in shock. "And the Dragon Booster Team." Artha said as he added. "Silence! I am not speaking to you, filthy human!" The leader exclaimed. "Excuse me?" Kitt asked venomously. "Careful, guys. It's not the rider who's speaking to us." Artha said. "That's right, Dragon Booster. It is I, the Dragon, Propheci. I speak through this human, and it is this human who serves me, as shall you." The leader, Propheci, explained through his rider puppet. Parmon and Artha's siblings grew worried. "The Great Beau, returned. Humans have again abused and controlled your kind. Racing, battling. Humans should not control you. You can still choose." Propheci said. "I have chosen, Propheci. I've chosen Artha, my Dragon Booster, chosen to be the host for the Great Dragon Phoenix." Beau said. "And I don't control him. We work together." Artha said. "I said SILENCE!" Propheci exclaimed. "Don't you talk to my brother like that!" Beau snarled in anger. "Brother?!" Propheci asked in shock. "That's right! Beau and I are like brothers! We're a team! We protect each other! All of us!" Artha exclaimed as the team all stood together. "Yes, of course, you do. Just until it really matters. That's when humans always fail. Fail their Dragons and each other." Propheci said. "Not all humans! Not us! Especially, not me!" Artha exclaimed. "We, the Prophets, will be the judge of that! And the Track of Doom will be your test." Propheci declared. "Test? What's he talking about?" Charlie asked. "3,000 years ago, the Prophets helped the original Booster team to stop the Human-Dragon War. It seems that humans never learned the lessons we taught and have abused Dragons again. This time, we shall not be so…helpful." Propheci explained. "Take these fools to the Track of Doom."

The team was set up in front of the entrance to the Lost Track of Doom as the Prophets walked up behind them. "Orange Dragons, fellow Prophets, this indeed is a very special day, for the humans we test include none less than the new Dragon Booster, chosen by the Great Dragon Phoenix." Propheci announced. The Prophets roared. "If this Dragon Booster proves unworthy, then indeed all humans are unworthy." Propheci announced. "This Dragon is really misinformed." Artha muttered. "You have no idea, partner." Beau growled. "Doom…doom…doom…doom." The Prophets chanted. Parmon grew more scared every time they said that word. "Let the test begin!" Propheci declared. "You have no idea who you're dealing with. The Great Dragon Phoenix will be very angry at your little test, Propheci." Artha said. Propheci roared loudly, causing the entire place to shake up like an earthquake. Just then, the columns started collapsing. "This way, guys!" Artha exclaimed. The team raced through the entrance before it caved in.

But there was no time to rest. Just as they made it in, a giant boulder started rolling towards them. "RUN!" Parmon cried. The team started running with their Dragons, but Parmon and Cyrano were falling behind. "Parm!" Artha exclaimed. "Cyrano's not fast enough!" Moordryd exclaimed. "I'll help them! Get the others out of here!" Kitt exclaimed, pulling Wyldfyr back to help Parm and Cyrano. "Legs too short! Overdeveloped and muscle mass! Green Draconium bones and energy load! No stride!" Parmon exclaimed with worry. "No speed! Here, take these!" Kitt exclaimed as she rode back beside Parmon. Wyldfyr magged his Red Thruster Gear and gave them to Cyrano. "Your Number 5 Thruster Gear?! But that's 55 gigajets of torque! Even for Cyrano's mass and speed, and Draconium reserve, that gear is-" Parmon tried to say. But Kitt activated the gear, jetting Parmon and Cyrano away from the boulder. "TOO FAST!" Parmon screamed as he and Cyrano jetted past the team. "Whoa! Was that Parmon and Cyrano?" Cain asked in shock. "It couldn't be. Could it?" Kurt asked in confusion. Parmon continued screaming as he and the others made it to the exit as the boulder hit the exit, sealing it.

The team felt relieved as they made it to the end. "Well, I don't think I've ever seen a Bull-Class Dragon move that fast." Kitt said. "Yeah. And neither has Cyrano." Parmon said as Cyrano roared in relief. "Someone's relieved that it's over with." Beau chuckled. Artha laughed at that. "What kind of joke is this? This is a dead end." Moordryd said, seeing no way out. Just then, Lance spotted a small hole on the wall. "There." He said, pointing to it. "I can see light. We can climb out." Parmon said. "No. It's way too small for our Dragons. And I'm not leaving Beau. Ever." Artha said. "I know you won't, Artha." Beau said. "Neither will I." Kurt said, patting Libris' head. "Me neither." Kitt said. "Yeah!" The others cheered. Unknown to them, Propheci was secretly watching them. "They have refused to abandon their Dragons. They have passed the second test." He said, seemingly impressed and disgusted by the sight.

Later, as the team looked for a way out, Cyrano found another small hole and picked up a familiar smell. "What is it?" Lance asked. "I don't know, but I think Cyrano is onto something." Parmon guessed. "Does anyone else feel a slight draft coming in?" Charlie asked. "I feel it too." Moordryd said. "Then that means there's a way out." Artha said. Just then, Cyrano broke down the wall, revealing a way back out to the old track. "A secret escape route!" Charlie exclaimed in surprise. "Cyrano found us a way out!" Holly cheered. "Way to go, Cyrano!" Jessica cheered. "Yeah. Not bad, Professor." Cain said with impression. The team all headed towards the exit. "Those Orange Dragons thought they could out-smart us. But no." Lance said. "Yeah. Can't wait to tell Dad and Mortis about this." Derek said. "Like Mortis said. When each becomes part of the one." Fallon said. "Part of the one!" Everyone cheered. "This feels too easy. And I don't like it." Beau said. "I know. I don't like it either. There must be another test." Artha said. Suddenly, something shiny caught Lance's eyes. "Drac." He said as he saw 3 Bonemarks floating in a shrine. The team walked towards the shrine. "Bonemarks. 3 of them." Moordryd said. "This is not good. This must be part of Propheci's test." Beau said. "Look at that." Parmon said, hypnotized by the Bonemarks. "They're beautiful." Holly said. "And very dangerous! They're Bonemarks!" Artha exclaimed. "Can I touch one?" Lance asked. "NO! No one touches anything! We all know what those things can do!" Artha exclaimed. "Artha's right. Bonemarks contain the spirits of ancient warrior Dragons and can affect your minds." Moordryd said. "No kidding. I still remember when Furox was calling to me." Kitt said. "Me too. I still have my headache from that." Derek said, rubbing his forehead.

Just then, Parmon dismounted Cyrano and walked towards the Bonemarks, drawn to their power. "Parm, no!" Artha exclaimed. But Parmon didn't listen. "Go get him, partner!" Beau exclaimed as he magged Artha over to Parmon. "Can't you see they're pulling you in?! They're taking you over!" Artha exclaimed. "But I want it!" Parmon exclaimed. "Stop it, Parm!" Artha exclaimed, shoving Parm back. "You want all the power for yourself! Out of my way!" Parmon exclaimed. He tried to shove Artha back, but Artha grabbed his head and started to glow brightly, healing his hypnotism. As the glow died down, Parmon shook his head out of his daze. "What…What happened?" He asked. "The Bonemarks were pulling you in." Artha said. Just then, Lance walked past them and towards the shrine. "Lance, stop!" Artha exclaimed. But Lance didn't listen as he was about to grab one of the Bonemarks. "LANCE, NO!" Artha exclaimed. Just then, Lance stepped on a pressure plate and arrows fired from a trap on the wall. Artha quickly grabbed Lance and pulled him away before the arrows could hit him. He glowed brightly again, healing Lance's hypnotism. "Lance, are you okay?" He asked as his glow died down. "What happened?" Lance asked. "You were nearly killed while being drawn in by those Bonemarks." Derek said. "But it's okay now. You're back, little bro." Artha said.

Beau and Fracshun magged their riders and brought them back onto their backs. "Let's get out of here. There may be more traps." Artha said. Suddenly, the door to the outside closed. "Too late." Beau said. But then, another door opened. The team raced through the door, but saw that they have returned to where they started. "We're back here!" Kitt exclaimed. "And here is where you shall remain, for you have failed the Track of Doom!" Propheci exclaimed as he reappeared before the team. The Prophets reappeared from the shadows and surrounded them once again. "How sad. You almost made it out. But you have failed where humans always do. In selfish greed for power." Propheci said. "No! The Bonemarks tried to overpower us! But it is they who have failed! We were set to leave without them!" Artha exclaimed. "LIES! 2 of you humans were set on stealing them! One of you almost did!" Propheci exclaimed. "He's just a kid! You rigged that test knowing that he would be drawn to their power!" Artha accused angrily. "You would dare?!" Propheci exclaimed. "Yes! And so would I! You distrust humans for so long, you created illusions of the Bonemarks to draw them to their deaths!" Beau snarled angrily. "That's right! That's everything the Great Dragon Phoenix ever stood against!" Artha exclaimed. "Last chance, Beau. Join us or perish." Propheci warned, ignoring their words. "I will never join you, Propheci. Not now, not ever." Beau growled. "Yes. He's with me and I'm with him. We are a team." Artha said. "Then so be it. Take them to the pit." Propheci ordered.

Later, the Prophets trapped the team inside a pit. "Humans and unworthy Dragons, prepare to meet your doom." Propheci declared. Just then, a door on the left side opened and let out a giant Orange Dragon. It roared at the team, ready to fight and kill.

The team prepared to fight. "We can do this, guys. Teamwork." Artha said. The others nodded and got ready to fight. "Destroy the Boosters!" Propheci ordered. The giant Dragon charged for the team, but the split up to dodge it. "Now, Charlie!" Artha called. Charlie formed a large boulder in the air and geokinetically tossed it at the giant Dragon's legs, tripping it and knocking it down. "Nice shot, Charlie." Kitt said. "Yeah, that should slow him down a bit." Kurt said. But the giant Dragon quickly recovered, got back up and roared at the team. "Or make him angrier." Parmon said with worry. "That's pretty bad." Holly said. Just then, the giant Dragon started glowing. "It's gonna mag-blast!" Derek exclaimed. "Get ready to dodge, team." Artha said as the team got ready to dodge the blast. The giant Dragon charged up its blast. "NOW!" Artha ordered. Everyone quickly jumped out of the way before the giant Dragon fired its blast at the other door, blowing a hole in it. "Good thinking, Artha. We found us an exit." Erika said. But then, there was a rumbling sound inside. "Or maybe not." Cain said with worry. Just then, a second giant Dragon burst out of the door, roaring.

The team backed up to the edge of the pit as the giant Dragons trapped them. Artha saw that they were right over a lava pool at the bottom. "Destroy the Boosters! Relieve our Great Dragon Phoenix of this unworthy host!" Propheci ordered. "Okay, that's enough!" Artha exclaimed as he and Beau charged towards the giant Dragons. "Artha!" Jessica cried. Artha and Beau stopped in between the giant Dragons as they prepared to maul on them. The team gasped in horror. "NO!" Kitt cried. "You don't have a chance! The odds are overwhelming!" Propheci exclaimed. But then, the giant Dragons were mag-blasted into the air. "Actually, I'd say it's more of a toss-up, Propheci." The Great Dragon Phoenix said through Artha. "That voice." Moordryd said. "The Great Dragon Phoenix." Propheci said in surprise. "My name is Qoidhur now. And this has to stop, Propheci. Your desires for humanity's destruction, it is not worth it. I chose Artha Tannis Penn as my host because I know that together, he, I and Beau can restore the peace that is being torn apart by Word Paynn." The Great Dragon Phoenix, now named Qoidhur, explained. "I wish I could believe you as I once did, Great One. But alas, humans are a plague upon our kind. They force us to compete, race and fight! They only desire our power!" Propheci exclaimed. "If that is what you believe…then you are no better than those we fight to protect both humans and Dragons from." Qoidhur said.

"All Dragons, ATTACK!" Propheci ordered. The Prophets all started firing their mag-blasts at the team. "Boosters! You must go! Get to the exit! We will draw their fire!" Qoidhur exclaimed. "No! We're a team!" Kitt exclaimed. "We're not leaving you or Artha!" Derek exclaimed. "We fight together!" Kurt exclaimed. "No matter what!" Charlie exclaimed. Suddenly, there was another roar from above. One of the Orange Dragons without a rider leapt down into the pit and started firing mag-blasts at its own kind, knocking them away from the pit. "That Orange Dragon. It's helping us?" Parmon asked in surprise. Just then, Erika saw something in the Dragon's mouth. "Hey, there's something in its mouth." She said. The Dragon turned to face her and walked towards her. The team got ready in case the Dragon was hostile. "Stand down, my friends. She means no harm." Qoidhur said. Erika held out her hand and the Dragon dropped a tiara in it. Erika stared at the tiara, realizing what it meant. She looked back at the Dragon as she got on her knees. She climbed onto the Dragon's back. "TRAITOR!" Propheci roared. Erika and the Dragon looked at each other and nodded. Erika allowed the Dragon to take over her mind. "The only traitor here, Propheci…is you. You betrayed the Great Dragon Phoenix, our own creator." The rebel Dragon said through Erika. "Prophets, exterminate the traitor!" Propheci ordered. The Prophets recovered and prepared to blast Erika and her new Dragon. Just then, Erika, knowing what to do, held up her tiara and put it on her head. She became outfitted in an orange wind-patterned Booster suit. The team was in awe as they saw this. The Prophets started firing their mag-blasts. But Erika and her Dragon leapt up with great strength. "All of you…be gone! Erika exclaimed, firing a powerful gust of wind her hands and blowing the Prophets away. As they landed back in the pit, Erika was in awe at what she did. "Air powers? Oh, that is so cool!" She exclaimed happily.

Propheci roared and started firing his own mag-blast at the team. But then, the blast was blocked by an energy shield. Erika turned to Beau and Artha. "YOU!" He roared. "Come and get us, Propheci!" Artha exclaimed in his own voice. As Propheci continued blasting at them, Artha and Beau started running along the wall of the pit. "We need to stop Propheci. We know what we must do." Beau said. 'Yes. Remember what Mortis said, my friends.' Qoidhur said telepathically. "When each becomes part of the one. Release the Dragon. Release the Dragon." Artha said. Just then, the star mark on Beau's head started to glow, and then Qoidhur fused with Artha's armor and Beau's body, giving his host and the Gold Dragon an extra power boost. "Not possible! The human, Dragon, and our creator…as ONE!" Propheci exclaimed in shock. "Together, we make it possible." Qoidhur said through Artha. Together, they fired a powerful blast at the platform Propheci was standing on. "No! NO!" Propheci roared as he fell into the pit. But he managed to grab onto the edge of the arena, saving himself from falling into the lave pool. The Prophets recovered and ran out of the place.

"Beau, we have to help Propheci." Artha said. "I know. Nobody deserves to die like that." Beau said. Qoidhur defused them and they leapt back down to help Propheci. "Propheci, hold on! We can save you!" Artha called. "NO! Stay away! My own kind can save me." Propheci said. "Your own has fled." Beau said. Propheci struggled to hold on, slowly losing his grip. Beau fired a mag-beam to pull Propheci back up, but it wasn't enough. "My energy! It's almost drained!" He exclaimed as he struggled. "Our fusion used too much!" Artha exclaimed. "Don't worry, Artha. We got your back." Derek said as he and the others rushed over to help. Together, the Dragons fired their mag-beams and combined them with each other. As Propheci lost his grip and started to fall, the combined mag-beams released a powerful boost and saved him from falling. "Alright, guys, together now!" Artha called. Together, the Dragons pulled Propheci back onto the platform. "It appears we have misjudged you. Today, you have shown us that perhaps humans and Dragons can work together after all." Propheci said. Just then, he released his control on his rider, shocking the team. The rider removed his helmet, revealing his face. "My name is Reepyr. We gave ourselves to Dragon-kind long ago, feeling that they were the only ones fit to rule. You have passed the test and you may go. But remember." The rider, Reepyr, said. "The Dragon is always watching." Propheci said.

Later, the team finally made it out of the Lost Track of Doom. "Finally. I thought we'd never get out of there." Jessica said with relief. "Look! We're back on the track and the race is still on." Parmon said, seeing the track and the other racers up ahead. "Maybe we can still catch up." Moordryd said. "And maybe we can still win it." Lance said. "As a team." Artha said. "Parm, you take the head start." Kitt said, getting ready to activate her Red Thruster Gear, still attached to Cyrano. "Send me flying, Kitt." Parmon said. Kitt activated the gear. "WOO-HOO!" Parmon whooped as he and Cyrano charged at Mach-speed back into the race. As the rest of the team followed, Propheci watched from on top of a nearby platform. "This isn't over, Boosters." He said before turning back towards the Lost Track of Doom.

Later, as the team managed to catch up with the other racers, they managed to successfully win the Dragon City Marathon. As they headed back to Penn Stables with their new trophy, Artha and Beau still kept thinking about Propheci. "You still thinking about Propheci too, Artha?" Beau asked. "Yeah. He lost for now. But I know that he'll be back." Artha said. "You're right. But we'll be ready for him." Beau said. Artha nodded.

Wow. That got intense. As the team entered the Dragon City Marathon, they ended up falling into the Lost Track of Doom and encountering the ancient Orange Dragons known as the Prophets. Their evil leader, Propheci, put the team through dangerous tests in the Lost Track, still holding a grudge against all humans. But with help from the Great Dragon Phoenix, now named Qoidhur, and an Orange Dragon who rebels against Propheci, Erika joins the ranks of the Boosters as the new Air Booster and the team managed to escape the Lost Track of Doom and get back to winning the Marathon. But will it be the last the team ever sees of Propheci? Will there be other Dragons out there like Propheci? What other dangers will the Boosters face with Erika part of the group now? Leave a review if you'd like.