:: http://www.geocities.com/dragynmistress :: :: By Jennifer Vromant and Kym Carhart :: :: jen_vromant@yahoo.com :: ---------------------------------------------- Spoof - Chapter 01 Once upon a time there was a happy dragon family. The father, Pyros, was a noble copper dragon who was very proud of his son, Spoof. The mother, Flamecatcher, was a magnificent red dragon who loved her family very much. Spoof was only allowed to venture out a few feet from the lair, but somehow he became distracted and went out of the safety of his home. As he plodded through the deep mountain snow, he heard shouts, but ignored them and followed what he thought was a mountain goat. Spoof began to pace faster through the deep frosty snow to catch up to the goat and perhaps to give it a pounce for hunting practice. Meanwhile, Flamecatcher noticed his disappearance and let out a blood-chilling cry of alarm. Pyros heard her cry and, in fear of her safety, swiftly flew towards home. Spoof heard his mother's cry as well. He turned to look at her and saw them. They were knights and wizards and mages and witches, all set out to destroy the dragon kin. The mages whispered several words and Spoof couldn't move. He saw his mother rise behind the enemy as an angel rising from the grave. She let out a bellow and flames burst from her mouth, burning half of the group instantly. They scrambled and regrouped again. Spoof watched helplessly as the wizards formed a circle and the witches began chanting. He watched as his mother shook her head and let forth more fire into the darkening sky. He watched as sparks flew from the wizards' hands onto her crimson red scales and engulfed her. He watched her shake in pain and he watched her fall silently to the ground. He watched them turn to him and he saw the gleam of greed in their eyes. Suddenly Pyros flew down upon them and threw flames. Then he saw Flamecatcher and let out a terrible cry. She was dead, and he had come too late to save her. He attacked the magic users in a blind rage, not noticing the knights forming a small group behind a strange catapult. He didn't notice the giant lance flying at him, and he barely noticed Spoof starting to move again. Spoof did notice, however, and he threw flames at the knights, burning the catapult to a blackened crisp. The lance hit Pyros under his left wing and went in deep. The dragon cried out as the wizards cast their deadly spell on him and then he fell to the ground, forever silent. Spoof saw his father fall next to his mother. He wanted desperately to go and see if they were all right, but instinct told him to get away from the magic users first. He turned, and fled.