Chapter 2 – Arrival of the Nightriders

Blaze led the group to the town square where they could see a crowd of anthros gathering all around. They could tell that they must be waiting for the Nightriders to come. Everyone was very excited, especially Torden, which gave the dragons the impression that they must be famous celebrities.

While the group waited with everyone else, Torden was talking endlessly about the Nightriders, their music, and all their merchandise that he has at his home.

"…and they have made what is, in my opinion, the best album they have ever released," he said. "Furrous Metal, a collection of heavy metal songs they covered, which includes songs from some of my favourite bands! I would listen to that album all day and night back at my place and jam along to the music! The Nightriders are kings!"

"Boy howdy, you sure do have a lot of fun listenin' to their music, don't ya?" asked Jakkin.

"The Nightriders are life, Jakkin," said Torden. "Someday, I'm gonna be a heavy metal musician, and they will be among my greatest inspirations."

"With all that guitar playing you do, you might be able to accomplish that," said Lily.

"I can see it now," said Torden as he started imagining his future. "Me with a few other anthros, we'll form our very own metal band where we do our own songs and also make covers of popular songs, especially those by the Nightriders! We shall call ourselves the Alloy Zoo!"

"That sounds like a pretty good name," said Percival. "What kind of anthros would you like to have as band members, Torden?"

"Well, I'll be the leading guitarist and maybe a vocal backup, preferably doing the death growls," said Torden. "I shall have a lion or crocodile be the leading vocalist with the other being the secondary guitar player, for a drummer, I think a horse would be a good bet, and lastly, a fox, cat, bear, or otter to play additional instruments."

"That is really some dream band you have thought up," said Tails. "If you can form it, and if you become a success, maybe Blaze here might be interested in checking out whatever hits, you'll pump out."

"You can bet on that, Tails!" said Blaze. "I love listening to all kinds of metal music, like Goth, symphonic, and such. They really keep me pumped and fired up whenever I'm practicing my pyrokinesis."

Tails nodded, knowing that Blaze would listen to her collection of metal albums at their home, especially those that implemented elements of classical music.

"Count me in as well," said Bowser. "I sure love my metal."

Just then, the crowd started to go wild with excitement when a bus made its way towards the town square. Then it stopped, and when the door opened, a group of anthros alighted from within. Coming out first was a tall green lizard with spines going down his back. He wore a black leather jacket and blue jeans supported by a belt with a skull buckle. The bottom of the jeans appeared torn, and he wore a spiky collar, giving him a punk-like appearance. Next up was a lion who wore a white muscle shirt and blue jeans without a belt, followed by a grey wolf in a black polo shirt. The crowd applauded louder, among of which were some female anthros that screamed exuberantly as more anthros came out of the bus, including an iguana, crocodile, and another green lizard that looked similar to the first one, not to mention a skulk of five vixens of different coat colours.

"It's them!" cheered Torden as he jumped up and down laughing. "The Nightriders have come!"

"So these guys are the Nightriders," said Cynder. "They are quite a huge band, I must say."

"It looks as if the leader is going to make a speech," said Draco. "Let's quiet down and listen to what they have to say."

The lizard that came first stepped in front and raised his hand to settle down the crowd. He smiled as he tapped the microphone a couple of times.

"Thank you, thank you all for coming to show us your support," he began. "As many of you all know, my name is Alexander Reigns, better known by my stage name Axl, and I'm the co-leader of the Nightriders with Lucinda Heart, the red fox right here who also has a band of her own with her vixen friends called the Flame Hearts. We are very honoured to perform here in Hawaii as we come to the conclusion of our tour in America before we make our next one in Canada."

The applause rose again, and Axl had to raise his hand once more to make the crowd quiet.

"Me and my bandmates Lonnie, Rolf, Iggy, Brutus, and Slade have been enjoying our touring across the states, including Lucinda and her bandmates Sabrina, Selena, Melissa, and Jan," he continued. "Speaking of which, I will like to allow one of the band members to have a chance to speak, so, Lucinda, can you come here please?"

"With pleasure, Axl, and thanks," said Lucinda as Axl gave her the microphone. The vixen cleared her throat. "We are very happy that you have come to see us and know about the concert we'll be having later at night. This will most likely be a once in a lifetime experience for many of you intending to come."

"They seem like a nice bunch of guys," whispered Draco as the Nightriders continued talking about their tour.

"Oh yes, they are," said Jimmy quietly. "I once got acquainted with them some time ago, and they're one of the coolest anthros I've ever met. I happen to be friends with the Lonnie, the lion standing next to Axl."

"No wonder since the both of you are of the same species," giggled Torden.

"What is he like?" asked Draco.

"He's very sweet, I can tell you that," replied Jimmy. "Lonnie happens to be drummer of the band, and he's a fan of Nirvana as he would sometimes wear a t-shirt with their logo on it."

"Hush now, guys," said Blaze. "The Nightriders are about to tell us where and what time they will be doing their concert."

"So, if you are interested in watching us perform, come to Hofgaard Park, Waimea, at eight o'clock, where the concert will last up until midnight," said Axl. "Admissions are of course free, so there's no need to worry about paying for tickets. Thank you for your kind and undivided attention."

As the crowd went their separate ways from the town square, including the Nightriders, the dragons thought over their trial and the concert.

"I think you have plenty of time to complete your trial before having some fun watching the Nightriders perform tonight," said Blaze. "Just remember that the time starts at eight in the evening."

"We won't forget that, Blaze," said the dragons. "But now, I think it's time that we have our pizza lunch."

Soon, the group arrived at the pizzeria. True to what Blaze told them earlier, it was an exquisite restaurant with a very friendly atmosphere and the setting looked virtually authentic. After they placed and got their orders, the group chatted away about the Nightriders while enjoying their pizzas.

"I'm looking forward to hearing the kind of music they'll play," said Draco as he ate a slice of pizza that was topped only with cheese and sauce. "I bet they must have some neoclassical songs in their repertoire."

"They most certainly do, Draco," said Torden. "Each Nightrider has their own style of composing, but they manage to make the differences intertwine well with each other. I believe it's Lonnie who specialises in the neoclassical genre."

"Sounds pretty awesome," said Tails. "I love classical music."

Lily was taking a look around the restaurant, seeing all the customers enjoying their lunches, when all of a sudden, she saw the Nightriders sitting at a certain table having their pizzas. This made her so eager to get Torden's attention so he could notice them as well.

"Torden!" she exclaimed. "You won't believe this, but look whose over at the big round table to the near centre!"

Torden took a quick look, and to his amazement, he saw the Nightriders. In an instant, he started to feel a burst of excitement, but tried to control himself.

"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!" he gasped. "It really is them!"

"Well, isn't that an amazing coincidence?" laughed Blaze when she and the rest of the group saw them as well. "I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to try to get acquainted with them."

"Do you really think they'll give me a chance?" asked Torden. "They seem too big to notice their fans."

"I wouldn't say that," smiled Darky. "Some celebrities are very open to have fans wanting to get to know them, and I'm sure the Nightriders are no exception."

"I wish to get to know that Lonnie lion guy," said Draco. "He seems pretty cool."

"Then what are you waiting for?" urged Bowser. "You guys go over there and say hello!"

Torden and Draco slowly made their towards the Nightriders' table, though Torden himself seemed much more confident. In a moment, they noticed the two dragons approaching them.

"Um, hi there…" they greeted the Nightriders meekly.

"Who are you?" the grey wolf asked gruffly.

"Now, Rolf, no need to be rude," said Axl. "I'm sure these two are fans of ours that wanted to know us."

"You sure had us pegged there," said Torden. "My name is Torden, and I'm a huge fan of your music. This is my Charizard friend Draco."

"I-It's r-r-really an honour to g-get to know you," stuttered the nervous Draco. "I was f-feeling c-curious to know what you're all a-about."

"Well, don't be shy, young Charizard," said Lonnie. "We'd love to know who you guys are. Isn't that right, everyone!"

"Yes, of course!" agreed the other Nightriders.

Torden and Draco never felt so overwhelmed. For the first time in their lives, they were getting to know famous anthros, and they had a feeling that today was going to be a memorable one for them.