Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my OC Nafisa and the alterations to the storyline plot her presence in the show provides to the readers vast amusement.

Romeo And Juliet Of Dragon City Chapter 9

The Dragon Eye Crew is momentarily off their backs. Nafisa knows for a fact that there's no way Cain would ever allow Moordryd to even consider trying to make a jump like that. Cain might not be the smartest guy on the block, but even he has enough common sense to make that call. Especially since none of the Dragon's have ever been that capable in making their Dragon's make a jump like this without the proper gear present. There's no other choice available to them. They have to withdraw, but now the Penn family has an even bigger crisis on their hands. The patriarch of their family Connor Penn remains unaccounted for in this devastating clash between the two rival groups.

Artha, Nafisa, Lance, Beau, and Moonbeam have to regroup. In doing so the Penn siblings have no alternative. It's far too soon and dangerous to return to Penn Stables. The Dragon Eye Crew might still be there waiting for them to make that fatal mistake. Artha and Nafisa can't gamble on the chance they might or might not still be there. They must venture into parts of Dragon City that Connor Penn had never once sanctioned for them to go before.

Squires End.

Down City Crew Territory.

Run by the Down City Council of Twelve.

Nothing goes on in these sections of Dragon City without the Down City Council of Twelve hearing about it.

If Nafisa, Artha, and Lance are caught here they'd stand no chance. Unfortunately they have to take that risk. An advantage in their favor is that there's a high probability the Dragon Eye Crew won't be looking for them around here. A bit of reverse psychology rearranged to help them out.

Earlier Artha had sent out a message for Parmon to meet them here. With their father missing and such a close friend to the family he's the only one the twins can really count on to get them out of this mess.

It took a while for him to get here, but Parmon eventually locates them huddled together in a hidden yet roomy alcove. He's riding his own Dragon. A Green Draconium Dragon named Cyrano who comes charging in, skidding to stop in front of them. To their surprise Parmon isn't alone. With him is Lance's Dragon Fracshun.

Delighted to see his own Dragon safe and sound Lance bounds over to hug his best friend around the neck. Fracshun responds in kind, nuzzling his partner in the neck.

Beau growls at these newcomers, body going rigid as if prepared to spring into action at a moments notice. Understandable given what they've all just been put through. Right now doubtless Beau believes anyone could be an enemy at this point in time. Moonbeam doesn't react. She easily keeps her cool recognizing these three for what they are.

Patting Beau on the forehead to reassure him, Artha said "It's okay, Beau. Easy. It's just Parmon and Cyrano."

Artha and Nafisa walk forward to meet their friend the same time Cyrano mags him off.

"I got your call. What are you doing in Squire's End? This is Down City Crew Territory. Dragon City Security doesn't even come down here," whispered Parmon, fidgeting like crazy as his eyes dart in all directions waiting for someone to pounce on them at any given second.

Parmon isn't the only one. All the Dragon's are getting restless in this stiff and tense atmosphere.

That's true enough about Dragon City Security. Those guys don't travel down onto the lower levels unless they have two. It's the very reason why there is a makeshift yet unofficial separate government down here to begin with. To keep some kind of order where Dragon City Security cannot.

"We didn't have a choice, Parmon," said Nafisa.

"Somebody tried to steal Beau and this is where he stopped running," added Artha, making sure Parmon realizes this place isn't his first choice either. "Hey did you see our father? He's not answering any of our calls."

Both Artha and Nafisa have tried multiple times yet still no answer.

Awkwardly, Parmon said "I checked the stables. All I found was this."

Parmon lifts up their father's old racing jacket now covered in dirt and soot from the fire.

Heart hammering in her chest as hope leaves her, taking the jacket and hugging it to her chest, Nafisa breathed "Dad."

Equally as distraught, Artha said "I saw the symbol of the crew that attacked the stable. A black dragon eye. They're responsible for what happened."

Nafisa clenches her fists around the jackets fabric.

"I'm just as upset as you are about this, Artha, but let's not jump to conclusions," said Nafisa, trying to keep him from pointing figures in the right direction.

Shaking his head, Artha insisted "No. I saw their mark clear as day. It's the Dragon Eye Crew for sure."

"Down City Crews have spies all over the city. If they want your Dragon they can track you down. They can pay people to talk. They-," said Parmon, starting to get hysterical as the level of danger towards them is rising.

"I'm hungry," voiced Lance.

Another concern noted.

"And what about food? Do you realize just how much a Dragon like Beau alone needs to eat," exclaimed Parmon.

Grinning as an idea exploded into his mind, Artha said "Parmon, I'm gonna street race!"

Nafisa's head snaps up whirling around in surprise. Every time their father brought the subject up in passing Artha always dismissed the notion instead leaving it to his sister.

Nafisa will have to tell them that Artha is the one that needs to compete not her. She needs to think of something quick to mislead them. The wheels are turning in her head as Artha and Parmon continue to talk.

Spluttering, Parmon said "What?"

"The best defense is a good offense," said Artha, determinedly. We need money. We need to eat. And Down City Crews race in the All City Races. I'm going after them."

"You cannot," said Parmon, now seriously worried for his friend's sanity. "They'll identify Beau and certainly make another attempt to steal him."

"Well then Beau will have to stay here. I'll race another Dragon," reasoned Artha, now speaking apologetically to Beau. "Sorry, Boy."

Yeah that's not going to be the case if Beau has anything to say about it.

Beau then utilizes his energy to transform his coloring from black and gold to red and blue.

Now none of the Down City Crews will ever know the difference.

All of them gawk at him awestruck.

"Do you see that? He changed color," stated Lance, bouncing on the balls of his feet excitedly.

Squinting his eyes at Beau in disbelief, Parmon said "I see it. I just don't believe it."

Arms crossed over her chest, smug, Nafisa said "Looks like you're wrong about the Down City Crews going to be able to figure out who he is, Parmon. This is a perfect disguise."

"Artha, what does this mean," asked Parmon.

"It means you can race Beau," said Lance, grinning like a madman.

Holding the medallion at eye level, Artha said "It means I can do a lot more than that."

He can be the foretold Dragon Booster.

Generally Nafisa would volunteer to be the one because she's far more skilled and experienced. Now however Nafisa has not only herself to be concerned with anymore. She's guarding a precious secret within her womb which leaves her out of the running. Nafisa needs to visit a doctor to check if it'll be safe for her to race. If not then things are going to become a hell of a lot more inconvenient and strenuous in the long run.

As if they're already not combined with the prospect that a little less than nine months from now another mouth to feed and support will be included in the mix. There's, also, her forbidden liaison with Moordryd to contend with. This will become even more dangerous after what Moordryd has failed to control on his end.

This is going to be a long year.

Authors Note:

Hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D

Next time around will be a very heated conversation between Moordryd and Nafisa. Here is the moment of truth on whether Nafisa will keep her pregnancy a secret for a couple more episodes or tell him right then and there.

Also, the same question as last time and I really need this answered before I can go further. Do you think Nafisa should keep racing for a while to keep up appearances or not?

I'm glad to have finally gotten back to this after such a long absence compared to some others on my profile. I've been meaning to for a while and only now I've managed to find time and inspiration for it again. Still in the beginning stages, but I'm very satisfied and happy about it.

I recently put up a new story called Fish Out Of Water. It's a crossover between the movie Shape of Water and the show Siren. So far I have everything figured out except one little thing. A name for my OC. Basically, since my OC character is in fact a mermaid I want the name to be in reference to the oceans or any other body of water similar to lakes or rivers. I'm more than open to suggestions so like I usually do in situations like this I'm turning it into a contest. The reader who gives me the winning name gets a question answered about the plot of the changed storyline in question. So think long and hard guys on the name and the type of question you'd like me to answer. Because you only get the one until the next opportunity arises for the taking. ;D