They say time is like a river. Ever-flowing, ever-changing, and making its travelers uncertain of what is yet to come. It cannot be truer for the tale.

Most know the story: centuries of war between two species brought to a halt by the actions of one Viking boy and the most feared of winged beasts. How they sought to create a world where both could exist in peace and harmony… but the darkened, selfish hearts of man proved that to be impossible. Thus, the winged creatures were exiled, vanishing into legend and myth.

As they vanished, so did the boy. His people and his family guarded the secret of the ancient realm the creatures resided in until the end of the Viking Age. And as the creatures hid and slept beneath the surface of the earth… humanity evolved.

Empires were built and destroyed. New lands were discovered and conquered. Wars scarred the planet. Leaders ascended to power. All the while, the secret was contained in the boy's blood.

Hundreds of years progressed, the secret locked up like a valued treasure. The family swore to protect it from all who would seek it… but some believed there was no point. For most of humanity believed them to be nonexistent.

Most of them...

...

New York City

2019 A.D.

Sunlight bathed the metropolis that was Manhattan. The city was bustling with traffic, pedestrians, and all sorts of daily activities.

Or… that's what it was like a moment ago.

An airborne streak with a purple glow flew above the city, a prototype black jet with a red trail behind it in pursuit. Flying through the sky at great velocity, it weaved past buildings as cover while the sleek aircraft pursued. The purple streak flew up the side of a skyscraper with the jet in pursuit. Red lasers spat out from the vehicle's underside, smacking the building and making glass shards rain down onto the roads below.

Upon reaching the top of the skyscraper, the violet streak dove down to street level, the jet quickly closing in. The pilot's gloved hand squeezed the trigger, the weapon's plasma energy building up before firing at the target.

An explosion went off around a corner, startling citizens… before a black dragon burst into view, digging its claws into the road while its spine glowed a bright violet. It burst off across the road as another laser struck the building behind it, sending small debris crumbling as the jet roared past the corner.

Flying as fast as it could across the streets, the Night Fury weaved past beeping cars and trucks, occasionally looking back in hopes of losing its chaser… only for the plane to keep the dragon locked in its sights.

Gritting its teeth in determination, the Night Fury banked around another corner, its rider gripping the saddle's handlebars tightly. The jet screamed as it turned, barrel-rolling as it continued its pursuit.

"How is this even possible?!" the Night Fury shouted as it raced through traffic. "Nothing's ever kept pace with me before! Nothing!"

"Yeah?" its rider replied, face hidden beneath a helmet. "Well, that's human ingenuity for you! Come on!"

The Night Fury flew at breakneck speeds, flinching as a laser sent a car toppling onto its side. The brakes of other vehicles screeched as they came to a stop. The Night Fury ascended to the roof of a smaller building and broke into a run. Another laser smashed against the building, kicking up debris and smoke. The Night Fury jumped off, spreading its wings and regaining speed.

"It's no good! We can't lose him!" The Night Fury roared. "If you've got any ideas, feel free to-AAH!"

The pilot's next shot didn't miss, the red laser smacking against the black dragon's torso. The rider, bucked from the saddle, screamed as both he and his dragon fell to the ground.

The dragon smashed against the road, sliding to a stop near a cafe with a smoking injury where the laser had hit. The rider hit the ground, his helmet tumbling off in the process, and rolled to a stop.

Groaning, the young man pushed himself to his feet with coughs wracking his throat. "B...bud?" he moaned, clutching his blonde hair with one black-gloved arm as his green eyes turned to his dragon.

"Oh, no…" he muttered, stumbling to his partner and dropping to his knees. "No, no, no, stay with me, buddy. Stay with me."

"YOU'VE CAUSED ME A GREAT DEAL OF TROUBLE, HADDOCK." A booming voice echoed from a speaker behind him. The young man slowly turned with wide eyes… to see the hovering jet a few feet above him with targeting systems locked. "BUT NOW, OUR LITTLE GAME MUST END. YOUR DRAGON IS INJURED, AND YOU HAVE NO CHANCE OF ESCAPE. FEEL HONOURED TO BE THE TEST SUBJECT FOR THIS ASTONISHING WEAPON, POWERED BY THE SAME ENERGY YOUR 'FRIEND' HAS WITHIN HIM. NOW… TIME FOR YOU TO SEE YOUR ANCESTOR WITH YOUR OWN EYES."

The energy cannon on the jet's underside aimed right for the rider, red plasma charging up. As he stared at the jet and the person behind the controls, his mind began to wander back. Back before all of this. Back before he was being chased through the streets of Manhattan by someone tasked with terminating him. Back before he fully realized who he was.