Chapter 19: Rules of Power

(Intro)


Khatah and Shock-Ra were doing their nightly race training. But suddenly, Shock-Ra stopped in his tracks, growling as he was sensing something. "Easy, Shock-Ra. Easy. What is it?" Khatah asked. Suddenly, Rancydd, Swayy and Prankk appeared in front of them with their Dragons, smiling sinisterly. "Dragon Eyes." Khatah said venomously. Rancydd readied his draining whip while Khatah magged himself off Shock-Ra. "Oh, I don't think so." Swayy said as she held up a flash stick and zapped Khatah with a flash, blinding him and knocking him down. Rancydd chuckled sinisterly before lashing his whip at Khatah, causing him to black out.

Later, Khatah recover as he found himself in Word Paynn's lair. "Khatah. So pleased you could drop by." Word said. "Paynn! What do you want?!" Khatah asked venomously. "I want you to have this." Word said as he presented a blue box to Khatah. The box opened and presented a blue stone with a handprint on it and Khatah's crew mark on the palm. Khatah could feel the stone influencing him as he tried to resist it. "It is a map that will show you the way to the thing you most desire. It will bring you total control and power to rule. Remember, Khatah, those with real power live by their own rules." Word explained. Khatah continued trying to resist the stone as his eyes started glowing blue. "Take it!" Word exclaimed. Khatah felt his self-control slipping away as he raised his left hand and reached for the stone. "Yes." Word said. As Khatah placed his hand in the print, he felt the blue energy surge into him, letting out a yell that made Rancydd, Swayy and Prankk flinch. Fueled by the stone's influence, Khatah took it and walked away. "Whoa. What is that thing?" Rancydd asked. "It's Blue Draconium that acts like a homing device to those susceptible to its energy. It is Draconium taken from an ancient Bonemark. And the voice of the Samurox, the Fighter Dragon, speaks through it…and calls to him." Word explained. "Calls him to what, Master?" Prankk asked. "To battle, my dear Dragon Eyes. To battle." Word said with a sinister smile.


Meanwhile, Team Boosters was training in the obstacle course. Kitt had just activated her Red Thrusters, leaping over the incoming obstacles. Fracshun magged Lance and hovered him around the obstacles. But then, he tripped on one and fell on top of Kitt, causing her and Wyldfyr to lose their balance and crash. The others walked up as the dust from the crash cleared. "Nice moves, little guy. You really showed the Fire Booster a thing or 2." Moordryd said. "I did? Like what?" Lance asked. "That you're like a one man Drag Box." Kitt said, making everyone laugh. "I told you this would be fun." Parmon said. "You were right, Parm. But the fun's over for tonight. Let's get this stuff back where it came from. Mortis will flip her helmet if she sees that you got us using her gear." Moordryd said. "Not to mention Dad and Artha will wig out if they see Lance training with us." Holly said. "Yeah. They sure do get cranky about these things, don't they?" Cain asked. Suddenly, everyone received shocked expressions on their faces. "They're right behind me, aren't they?" Cain asked as Artha, Beau, Connor and Mortis were glaring at him from behind. Erika nodded nervously.

"What do you all think you're doing?" Mortis asked with a hint of anger. "Practicing?" Parmon said nervously. "Looks more like you were breaking one of my most important rules." Mortis said strictly. "Mortis is right. Practicing with Lance and with real battle gear is dangerous and irresponsible!" Connor scolded. "Yeah, Parm! Lance is not a racer or even a Booster yet! He's nowhere near ready to train in the things we do!" Artha exclaimed. "I have certain rules in place for a reason. I am especially surprised at you, Parmesan. You are the one person we suspect to always understand the importance of the rules." Mortis said, disappointed to the shamed Parmon.

Later, Parmon and Cyrano wandered the streets. "Hmph! They think they're so much better. Everyone else was doing it! I didn't care anyway. Who do they think they are? Just because Artha's the host for the Great Dragon Phoenix, that gives him the right to be so…bossy?!" Parmon grumbled. Suddenly, Khatah and Shock-Ra ran into them, knocking Parmon off Cyrano. "Hey! Watch where you're going!" Parmon exclaimed. But as Khatah glared at him, he caught a glimpse at his glowing eyes before taking off, riding on Shock-Ra. "Khatah? What's with Khatah's eyes?" He asked with worry. As Khatah continued following the map, Parmon and Cyrano managed to get in front of him and cut him off. "Khatah, stop! Are you alright?" Parmon asked. Khatah didn't respond. "What is that thing?" Parmon asked, noticing the map. Thinking Parmon was trying to steal the map, Khatah drew his battle stick, magged off Shock-Ra and prepared to attack. But Parmon managed to grab his blocker staff and blocked the attack. "Stay away!" Khatah exclaimed before magging back on Shock-Ra and taking off. As he came to a corner, he activated his Blue Turning Gear and snagged a post to make a sharp right turn. "Escaping at a high rate of speed…Blue Turning Gear…we'll never keep up. Unless." Parmon said, turning to his Red Thrusters. "No other choice. Time to go fast." He activated the Red Thrusters and sped up Cyrano, catching up to Khatah and Shock-Ra. "Khatah, stop!" Parmon exclaimed. "No! Stay back!" Khatah exclaimed, preparing to attack again. "Oh, dear." Parmon said as he grabbed his blocker staff and magged off Cyrano. But before Khatah could strike, Cyrano slammed into Shock-Ra, severing the mag connection. As Khatah fell, Parmon hit the map with his staff, knocking it off Khatah's hand. Both Khatah and the map landed in the street as Parmon was gently magged down. "What's going on? Are you alright?" Parmon asked. Just then, Khatah's eyes returned to normal. "Parmon Sean. That map. Back away from it! It calls to you! It's like the voice of a Dragon!" He said with worry. "I think I know someone who can deal with this." Parmon said. "Be very careful, Parmon Sean." Khatah said. Parmon looked at the map, knowing he had to take it back to the temple.

Later, as Parmon brought the map to the temple, Mortis had it placed in a display tube. "The Samurox?" Kitt asked. "The most powerful Fighter Dragon from the ancient war. This map is made from his Bonemark. Those near to it can be pulled to the mark by its dark forces. But especially Khatah. For both he and this Bonemark are drawn to Blue Draconium." Mortis explained. "I've heard stories about the Samurox. He led a countless army of Blue Fighter Dragons against humanity." Artha said. "Makes sense. If my father was the one who gave Khatah the map, odds are he's come up with another plan to start up his Human-Dragon War by using the Samurox to seize control of every Blue Fighter Dragon in Dragon City." Moordryd said. "Then we better take care of it before it falls into the wrong hands." Derek said. But as he tried walking towards the map, Mortis stopped him. "STOP! Do not go near it! Anyone drawn to Blue Draconium Energy can be influenced!" She exclaimed. "But we're specialized in Gold, Red, Grey, Orange, Brown, Teal and Pink Draconium. What could Blue do to us?" Erika asked. "Only those trained in the ancient ways can resist the pull of the Samurox. Neither of you are ready." Mortis said. "What about Artha? He's Qoidhur's host. Shouldn't he be, like, immune to the Samurox's pull?" Jessica asked. "Of course, I'm not! Mortis has been training me in the ancient ways, but I'm still only a beginner! That map could influence me just by looking at it!" Artha said. The team looked at each other. "That settles it then. No one is to go near this map. I forbid it." Mortis said, slamming her staff. "Understood?" "More rules?" Lance groaned. "Yes, Lance! Rules are in place for a reason. Right, Parmon?" Mortis asked. Parmon didn't answer. But as Mortis walked away, Parmon's gaze fell upon the map, feeling its energy influence his mind.

Later, as everyone slept outside with their Dragons, Mortis marched outside and woke them up. "Alright! Which one of you defied my direct orders?! Who took the map?!" She demanded. Everyone saw that Parmon's sleeping spot was completely empty. "Parmon!" Lance cried. "Ugh! I'm really beginning to question his ability to follow the rules." Artha groaned in annoyance.

Meanwhile, with the map in hand, Parmon and Cyrano were following its power to the Samurox's resting place.


A while later, Parmon and Cyrano arrived at the resting place of the Samurox. After they entered, as Cyrano stepped onto a platform, the Blue Draconium's hold on Parmon ceased its influence and released him from its control. As he was released, Parmon looked around in shock and confusion. "Where are we?" He asked in confusion. But then, he spotted the Bonemark on the other side of a large bottomless pit. "The Samurox Bonemark! Oh no! What have I done?!" He said in horror. Cyrano shared his rider's horror of their actions. "We have to go back!" Parmon exclaimed. But then, the path connecting to the platform suddenly broke off from the platform and was reinserted underneath the entrance. "We're trapped!" Parmon cried with worry. But then, the platform started moving, causing Parmon to drop the map into the pit. Parmon started to panic even more as the other platforms around started moving too, and then disappearing into slots in the walls. "That's like trying to fit a square Parmon and Cyrano into a round hole! It won't work!" He cried. "Go, Cyrano! Go!" Cyrano leapt off the platform with all his strength and landed right on the next one, but nearly fell off in the process. "Not much of a landing pad, eh, Cyrano?" Parmon asked. "We've got to make it to that far ramp!" Cyrano made another mighty jump and landed on the next platform. And he continued to jump across each platform until he finally reached the other side. "We made it." Parmon said in amazement and relief. But then, the Samurox Bonemark started floating towards him and Cyrano. They tried to resist its power, but its influence caused their eyes to glow blue. "Beautiful, isn't it?" Khatah's voice asked. Parmon turned and glared as he and Shock-Ra showed up. "Beautiful and dangerous. I owe you a great debt for saving me from that map, Parmon Sean. I came to return the favor." Khatah said. "NO! You came to steal the Bonemark from me!" Parmon exclaimed. "Your eyes!" Khatah said with worry as he saw Parmon's eyes. Cyrano magged Parmon off his saddle and moved him towards the Bonemark. "Parmon, no! It will destroy you!" Khatah exclaimed. But Parmon ignored Khatah's words and took the Bonemark. Khatah looked on in shock as Parmon's body became completely covered in blue before Cyrano magged it onto his forehead and turned into a Blue Dragon himself. "Well, so much for your rules! From now on, Dragon City will live by my rules!" Parmon declared, cackling madly.

During this, Word watched everything from his lair. "Parmon Sean. Not who I expected. But you've got the Samurox. Bring him to me. I have what you need." He said, chuckling sinisterly.

Later, Team Boosters searched the streets for any trace of Parmon or Cyrano. But then, they skidded to a stop as they found them standing right in front of them. "Parmon, is that you?" Kyden asked. "Do you realize how powerful Blue Draconium can be? Why I can unleash the calefacient variant energy and balance the mag velocity much more precisely than Khatah ever could!" Parmon explained. "Just what we need. A superpowered professor." Kitt said. "As if he wasn't hard enough to understand before." Charlie said. "Come with us, Parm. Mortis can help you." Artha said. "It is you that will need help!" Parmon exclaimed, pushing a button on his saddle. Cyrano fired a powerful mag blast, knocking all the team off their Dragons at once. "My eyes!" Beau exclaimed as he and the other Dragons were blinded by the blue light from the blast. Just then, Cyrano magged off all their Blue Gear. "Precise. Balance. Yes! Blue Draconium! More Blue Draconium!" Parmon exclaimed as Cyrano absorbed the gear into his own body. "Parmon Sean RULES!" "Did you see that? He absorbed our Blue Draconium Gear." Kitt said in shock. "But how? And why?" Holly asked. "Because a Green Dragon like Cyrano needs to absorb more Blue Draconium in order to unleash the Samurox." Artha explained. "And when that happens, we'll be up to our armpits and Blue Dragons." Beau said. Cyrano roared before he and Parmon took off. "But there's still time for us to help him." Artha said. "Right!" Beau snarled. "RELEASE THE DRAGON!" "RELEASE THE FIRE DRAGON!" "RELEASE THE VOLCANO DRAGON!" "RELEASE THE SMOKE DRAGON!" "RELEASE THE EARTH DRAGON!" "RELEASE THE WIND DRAGON!" "RELEASE THE WATER DRAGON!" "RELEASE THE MANA DRAGON!" The Boosters activated their powers and transformed.

Parmon and Cyrano started rampaging through the city streets, leaping across buildings and causing people to run and scream. Finally, they had arrived to the place they were going; Paynn Company. Inside, as Word was working, he heard Cyrano's footsteps and turned around to see the corrupted Dragon and his rider. "Feeling a little…blue?" He asked jokingly. Parmon just chuckled menacingly. Word pressed a button and brought out his newest Blue Draconium Gear. "Oh, what's this? Level 8 Blue Dragon Star Gear." He said. Parmon chuckled sinisterly with impression. "Why don't you mag it on for size?" Word asked. "Oh yes. Stylized Draconium parts, rapid firing precision shooter star projectiles, an impressive rate of 20 rounds per second, designed to shred gear and cut tethering and traffic lines previously untouchable." Parmon said, going full-geek. "Precisely. Do mag them on already, won't you?" Word demanded out of annoyance. "Oh, of course. That was before the ingenious development of Draconium alloys…" Parmon continued, making Word enraged. "Would you…please stop talking?" Word asked, trying to keep his cool. Parmon and Cyrano looked at him stunned. "Just mag the gear. Thank you." Word said. As Cyrano magged the gear onto his body, he started to transform, growing bigger as he became fully possessed by Samurox. "Welcome back, Samurox, King of the Fighter Dragons." Word said, cackling as Samurox roared.


Later, Samurox stood on the roof of a tall building, letting out a loud roar. He was calling out to all the Blue Dragons in the city 2 Security Dragons looked up as they heard his call. Suddenly, the Dragons magged off their Security riders. Samurox let out another roar as a squad of Blue Dragons surrounded Captain Faier. "Why are those Blue Dragons attacking?" He asked as he tried his best to fend off the Dragons. He heard Samurox let out another roar. He and Parmon leapt off the building before the Boosters showed up. "Sounds like he just called in the reinforcements." Benny said. "And it looks they're heading for Squire's End." Kitt said. "Why? What do they want there?" Kyden asked. "The Samurox is after the Blue Dragons from Khatah's Inner Order Crew. They're the best trained and the most dangerous Blue Dragons in all of the world." Artha said. "He's gonna use them to start his Blue Dragon army." Erika realized. "Which is why we're gonna stop them here." Artha said. "I couldn't agree more, bro." Beau said.

Later, as Parmon and Samurox rode into the city, they stopped as the Boosters got in their way. "Parmon, can you hear us?" Kitt asked. "I'm not deaf!" Parmon exclaimed. "Maybe not, but you're out of control!" Artha exclaimed. "Incorrect! I am in total control! I rule! And to prove it, you will all bow down before me!" Parmon exclaimed. He booted up his new Blue Gear and prepared to fire the stars. But as the stars were launched, Holly motioned her hands and conjured a mana shield, blocking the stars. But a shocked yet determined Parmon fired more stars, shattering through the shield. "Everyone down!" Artha exclaimed. The Boosters and their Dragons ducked down as the stars flew over their heads. As they stopped firing, Parmon and Samurox marched past the Boosters. "How pathetic. Bow before the King of the Fighter Dragons!" Parmon exclaimed as they continued. "How exactly are we gonna stop them?" Holly asked. "We need to combine our Dragons' Mag Bursts with maximum power." Artha said. "I'm down for that." Beau said. "But that would totally drain our Dragons." Kitt protested. "I know. But it maybe our only chance to help Parm and Cyrano." Artha said. "But we'll need to turn them around in order for it to work." Derek said. "Hey, what about using this?" Kyden asked, getting out his flash stick. "Good call, Kyden. Okay, Boosters, on my mark." Artha said. "Now!" Kyden tossed his flash stick in front of Parmon and Samurox, zapping them with a flash attack. "Alright, team, Maximum Burst! Now!" Artha ordered. Samurox shook off the flash and turned around as the Dragons fired their Mag Bursts, which made him throw Parmon off his back. As he recovered, Parmon looked on in shock as he watched his Dragon getting blasted by the Boosters' Dragons. "Parmon's gonna get caught in the blast! Go help him, brother!" Beau exclaimed. "I'm coming, Parm!" Artha exclaimed as he magged off Beau and tackled Parmon out of the blast zone.

As Artha tackled him away from Samurox, the influence was released from Parmon's mind. "Why did you just tackle me? Where am I?" Parmon asked, not remembering what happened. Just then, he saw Samurox struggling to push against the Maximum Burst. "Cyrano?!" He asked in shock. "That was Cyrano. But he's Samurox now. You fused the Blue Bonemark into him." Artha revealed. "I did?! What was I thinking?!" Parmon exclaimed. "Believe me. You weren't…for once." Artha said. "That blue map was linked by energy to the very dangerous and destructive Bonemark where its very pull existed a magnetic influence over the cerebral cortex right behind the visual nodes and-" Parmon started to say, going all usual know-it-all again. "Welcome back, Professor." Artha said. But then, the Dragons lost their last bit of energy as their Mag Bursts died out. "My…energy…gone…" Beau groaned. "It's no good, Artha! The Mag Blasts have completely depleted our Dragons' energy!" Kitt cried with worry. "And our Booster powers won't be enough to stop Samurox!" Derek exclaimed. Samurox roared at the Boosters as he prepared to attack them. "CYRANO!" Parmon shouted, getting Samurox's attention. "If you don't behave, there will be no more Draco Yummies for you! Bad Dragon!" He exclaimed, slapping Samurox's leg. The Boosters winced before Samurox glared at Parmon, roaring at him. "Nice Dragon…" Parmon said nervously as he slowly backed away. "Hold on, Parm! I'm coming!" Artha exclaimed. He used his block staff and pole vaulted over Samurox, activating the Red Gear from his saddle. The Red Gear sent Samurox flying over the edge of the street.

As Samurox recovered from the drop, 4 Blue Dragons appeared before him as the Boosters saw what was happening. "We're too late. Those are Khatah's Blue Dragons." Kyden said. "Looks like Samurox has called his army." Benny said. "Then we have to stop those Dragons from getting together." Erika said. "No!" Khatah's voice called, getting the Boosters' attention as he and Shock-Ra approached them from behind. "Let them join." He said. "Are you serious?! This is how the Dragon-Human war can start! With a Blue Dragon revolt!" Kitt exclaimed. "My Dragons are not like the others. They are highly trained to respect order, to respect rules. That Bonemark was meant for me and Shock-Ra." Khatah explained. "Khatah's right. The Bonemark's more unstable on a Green Dragon like Cyrano. There's still hope if his Dragons can hold their own against the Samurox's call." Artha said. Resisting Samurox's call, Khatah's Dragons fired their mag blasts, forcing Samurox to intercept with his own. "How long can Samurox stand against all that power?" Kitt asked. "Longer than those Blue Dragons can keep it up, I fear." Parmon said with worry as Samurox started pushing the Blue Dragons back. "Your Dragons need help, Khatah." Artha said.

Suddenly, 3 of the Dragons lost their energy and became exhausted, leaving only one. As Samurox began pushing through the remaining Dragon's mag blast, Beau and Shock-Ra, much to Samurox's shock, leapt down and aided the Blue Dragons by firing their own mag blasts. Samurox was shocked by this. The other 3 Dragons recovered and re-fired their mag blasts, pushing Samurox's back. "Alright! All together now!" Beau exclaimed. They pushed their mag blasts together and blasted the Bonemark right off of Samurox, causing him to change back into Cyrano. As Cyrano shook off the Bonemark's effects, he magged off Word's Blue Star Gear. "Cyrano! You're back!" Parmon cried in relief as he ran up to his beloved Dragon. "Oh, I never thought I'd be this glad to see his ugly Green mug." Kitt said. "Yeah. I always preferred Cyrano to be Green over Blue." Erika said. "Uh, Artha, what're you doing?" Kyden asked as he noticed Artha and Beau walking up to the Samurox. Artha picked it up and stared at it. "Artha, be careful. That Bonemark is incredibly dangerous." Khatah said. "I know." Artha said as he placed the Bonemark on Beau's head. "What're you doing, Artha?!" Parmon exclaimed in a panic. "Wait a minute…" Kitt said, realizing what her crush was doing. Suddenly, Beau started glowing and absorbed the Samurox into himself. "No way." Erika said in awe. "He…He did the same thing…as with the Somber…" Parmon said, stunned. "Yep. He absorbed another Bonemark." Kitt said. "And with each Bonemark we absorb, Beau and I will become even stronger." Artha said, patting Beau's snout.

Later, the team returned to Penn Stables. "And as we just observed today, some rules are more important than others." Artha said. "Yes, like the ones that protect our lives and the world, for example." Mortis said. "And if we continue to follow those rules, then we can be the heroes we're meant to be. Right, Parm?" Artha asked. "Look, I messed up, I broke the rules, and I'm sorry! There! You happy now?" Parmon asked, annoyed. "Pardon? I couldn't hear you. Could you say all that again?" Kitt asked, pretending she wasn't listening. "No! Not a chance! I got a new rule." Parmon said. "And what is that?" Connor asked. "It's my rule against public humiliation." Parmon said. But as he bent over, his pants ripped. "Well, that's one way to make up for breaking the rules." Beau said. The Penns, Mortis, Moordryd and Cain chuckled at Parmon's humiliation as he skidded away.

Oh, man! Wasn't that dramatic?! Khatah was mesmerized by a piece of Blue Draconium that would lead him to the Samurox Bonemark. But Parmon, after getting lectured about breaking Mortis' feelings, intercepted and became mesmerized by it instead. After Cyrano absorbed the Samurox, they went to Word Paynn, who gave them Blue Star Gear, further transforming Cyrano into Samurox. But as Samurox started gathering Blue Dragons to build his army, the Inner Order Crew's Blue Dragons resisted and fought back. With help from Team Boosters and Khatah, they successfully freed Cyrano from the Samurox's control. But what new powers will Beau unlock after absorbing the Samurox Bonemark? Are there other dangerous Bonemarks still out there? Leave a review if you want.