"YYYYEEEEEAAAAAHHHHHH!" John, Julie and Ben whooped as the home team scored a touchdown. "That's the best one they've done all season!" John yelled, grabbing his sister by the shoulders. "And it was just near halftime!" Julie shouted back. "Hey Ben, think you could've topped that?" The former high school quarterback shrugged. "Not a chance." John stood up and headed towards the kitchen. "Sit tight, y'all. I'm gonna go get some refreshments." "You do that. Think I'll go check the news really quick." But just as Ben reached the news channel, he and Julie were frozen stiff. "Uhh… John? You might wanna come look at this." "Just a minute! I'm almost done!" Seconds later, he came back in the living room with a bowl of popcorn. "Alright, who's ready for some…" As he saw what was on, his jaw dropped (along with the bowl of popcorn he was holding).
Val groggily opened one eye when she heard her phone buzzing. She moaned as she fumbled around for it. She had to squint in the brightness. It was Sarah, her best friend. Why would she call her now? Val pressed "Answer" and held it up to her ear. "Sarah, it's three in the morning. What do you want?" "First off," Sarah's voice came from the other end. She sounded scared. "Do NOT panic." "Hmm? Why would I do that?" "Something's happening downtown. You need to see this!" "See what? What's going on?" Val was fully awake now, interested. "Just go!" Silence. "Sarah? Sarah, are you there?" She had hung up. What was she so spooked about? Val got out of bed, took the remote and turned on the TV. Then, her eyes widened in shock and she gasped in horror.
If Dan heard at least ONE MORE explosion, he would storm down to the neighbors' place and yell at them because he wanted to sleep and they were playing video games too loud. The constant bullet fire, the roaring, the explosions and even the sound of chopper blades were driving him crazy. Finally, he stormed to the window and threw it open. "HEY!" he yelled angrily. Nothing. They just kept on coming. Wait, their lights were off. Curious, he went outside and looked around his neighbors' building. They were asleep. But if they were asleep, then what was that… A distant explosion made him jump. Dan whirled around to see a fire cloud rise from where the gas station was. Then he realized… this was no game. Something was horribly, HORRIBLY wrong.
Spike was frozen with horror. There was a Rumblehorn in the middle of the downtown area, and humans were attacking it! They fired something from weapons, shouting to each other. The projectiles bounced off the dragon's armored hide, dealing no damage at all. It roared and blasted a stream of fire at the humans, burning them alive. Only some from a safe distance, some with see-through shields and some within armored four-wheeled objects were spared. An armored creature with treads instead of wheels rolled forward, aiming a large cannon barrel at him. The Rumblehorn, ignoring the tiny pieces of metal pinging off him, turned his attention to the new arrival. "Fire!" a human yelled. The treaded creature blasted something at him, but the dragon dodged out of the way and the explosive hit a building with pumps and a highly flammable liquid. Spike was horrified. The Dragon King had united both races! How did humans turn on dragonkin? "NO!" he yelled, diving down to the street. "Stop! Stop!" The humans instead continued their attack. Spike roared with fear and sorrow, unable to take in this horrible scene before him. A human turned, noticed Spike, and yelled something to his comrades. They noticed him, too, and opened fire. Pain shot through the Nadder as 5 small, circular wounds appeared on his leg faster than he could blink. Rapid bangs filled his ears. He spread his wings and took off, along with the Rumblehorn.
One hour later, Spike and the Rumblehorn were on top of a tall building. A "skyscraper" as the Rumblehorn told him. "That was a close one, kid. The Rumblehorn congratulated. I owe you one." Spike did not respond, deeply saddened. "You alright?" Spike lifted his head up. "Why? Why did they attack you? Don't they know that the Dragon King united both of our races?" The Rumblehorn looked puzzled. "I… I don't think they know who the Dragon King was, or if he ever existed. And from what I've heard from them, they think WE don't exist, either. They probably think we're threats." Spike's heart cracked. These humans have never heard of the Dragon King? Had he been forgotten? "Hey kid. What's your name?" Spike turned to him. "Spike. Who are you?" The Rumblehorn snorted. "I'm Bonestomper. Nice to meet you."