Story #2

The Faceoff

He jumped off the playground, his sword slicing through the air. The air was cool, the grass was soft and damp beneath his newly polished shoes. His armor was flawless, not a smudge was left unpolished. Max could see through the grates in his armored helmet, for miles around; his vision was impeccable. He observed, through the walls of his house, that his mother was stirring up a meal fit only for a victorious knight. Looking around to see who else would witness this historical battle, but the neighbors were ignoring him. Some were simply sitting on their couch watching their television set, others cleaning up the house, and some doing their homework; all were utterly unaware that the epic battle was to take place within minutes. It was no matter; they will applaud and thank him afterwards.

The porch light flickered on. The sky was growing darker and the mist was getting thicker; it was coming for him, but Max was ready. There was no turning back now. He danced around the swing set slashing at the air again, perfecting on his swordsmanship. The time was right. The Dragon was coming. Max could see beyond the fog, fifteen, no, now ten miles away. It was coming in fast, heading straight for him. Backing up along the side of the playground and turning his head, he hid against the plastic structure breathing softly waiting for the right moment to take the Dragon by surprise.

Flapping wings sound the arrival of his foe, Max watched with narrowed eyes through the wall as it touched down. Its gigantic body was covered in plate sized blue scales, its red eyes glowing. Showing off, it blew fire into the air as if asking for someone to challenge its magnificent self. Max bounded out from his hiding spot and with a hand on his hip he thrust his sword in the air, daring the Dragon to fight him, “Leave now, you beast!”

It laughed again and asked, “Who are you to challenge me, little boy?”

Max narrowed his eyes and glared up, “I am Sir Max. I am not little. I am big for my age,” he said deliberately. “I’m here to send you away! We don’t want you here!”

The Dragon threw back its head and cackled, lighting up the night sky. “Give it up, little man.”

“Make me,” Max whispered and danced about the Dragon. He dodged the heavy steps as it tried to crush him. Max jabbed at him but to no avail. The Dragon’s scales were impenetrable. Max would have to find another way to take this beast down. The Dragon exhaled a fiery breath, he could feel intense heat blow by his ear. Close one, Max thought. The lawn was ablaze and the flames were closing in on him. He didn’t have much room to maneuver. Max needed a new strategy. He hesitated. This could end badly, Max sprinted to the Dragon’s underbelly resting inches from the ground. Max grabbed hold of one of the Dragon’s scale, just as the Dragon lifted its front foot. This revealed an opening to the Dragon’s soft and fleshy underside. Seizing this opportunity, Max stabbed his sword deep inside and the Dragon moaned and thrashed for a brief moment and then fell.

“Max!” his mother called from the kitchen, “Dinner’s ready.”
Dusting his hands off, Max stood up and walked back to the house. He waved good-bye to his imaginary dragon foe. They’d have another adventure tomorrow.