I stared up at the cloud-covered full moon, waiting for the change to begin. It started as a ripple underneath the skin; a bristling sensation that created a pit of dread inside of me. I hated changing into the monstrosity I knew I was…I hated succumbing to the beast that always lurked inside of me.1
My skin started to give way to the slimy emergence of scales until I looked like a human-reptilian hybrid—which wasn't too far away from the truth. Being a dragon was a damning prospect. To be one was to be isolated and alone for the rest of your life. In my six hundred years of living, I had never encountered another one of my race. When I'd first been born, I'd been utterly alone, with no mother to care for me. As I stared up at the sky, heaviness weighed down my heart. Thankfully the ability to think slipped away from me as the clouds dissipated and unveiled the moon in all of its pallid glory. 2
As the moonlight hit me, it triggered the change. I bellowed when it ripped through me in a torrent of frenzied pain. Jet black horns spiraled from my skull as my bones altered, crunched and quadrupled in size. My spine grew twenty times in length. More scales appeared to cover my shifting skeleton. My fingers became two foot daggers, and my teeth elongated to form a pretty line of stilettos. Shining gold wings erupted from my back and spread out in full splendor.3
A guttural roar of triumph rushed out of my chest and echoed throughout the clearing of the secluded forest. I readied myself to jump into the air and become airborne, but a polite cough stopped me.4
Startled, I turned my massive head to see a man standing there in a very expensive-looking business suit. His hair was neatly combed to one side, and he stank of greed and dirty money. 5
"Mr. Ellsworth, I must say that was a show the likes of which I have never seen before," the man said, his voice oozing innocence.6
I felt a brief moment of astonishment. "How do you know who I am?" The words were rasping and choppy, alien to my dragon mouth. Yet they were understandable.7
A gleam entered his eyes that caused a chill to crawl up my spine. "Well, Mr. Ellsworth, I've been watching you for quite some time now. There have been many rumors about the mysterious man who lives up on the mountain. And the Beast of Byshri Mountain is also a very popular myth. As a guest to Scotland, I simply could not resist the lure of local folklore. Who would have guessed that man and beast were actually one and the same?"8
"Who are you?" I cautiously asked.9
"Oh, dear, excuse my poor manners! My name is Miles Arcapettigo III, at your service."10
"What do you want with me?" I demanded. 11
He took a step closer, his cockiness laughable. I was ten times his size. Why he should be so sure I wouldn't just sit on him was a mystery to me. I bared my fangs at him. 12
"Mr. Ellsworth," he chastised. "I expected you to be a smarter dragon than that. The real question is, who wouldn't want something to do with you?" With a slick smile, the man snapped his fingers. With horror, I watched as twenty or so men stepped out of the shadows, all wielding guns and one huge net. How had I missed their approach? How had I not sensed them watching me? 13
In unison, all of the man's henchmen aimed their guns at me, and in a single, astonishing moment, I was hit with twenty horse tranquilizers. I was unconscious before I hit the ground. 14
***15
"And now ladies and gentlemen, I give you…the creature of Byrshri Mountain!"16
I awoke with a jolt, the blinding shine of lights piercing my eyes and the thunderous roar of the crowd butchering my ears. The words had been Miles'. As I gathered my surroundings, I realized that I was in a cage, and restricting shackles gripped my neck, wrists, and ankles. Even my tail was chained down. 17
Rage clouded my vision, turning it a sickly red. I erupted from my previous sleeping position and tried to let out a roar of fury, but a muzzle stopped me from doing even that. I struggled against the chains, using all of my dragon-induced strength, but it was to no avail. I was well and truly trapped. 18
The beast overrode my human side. It couldn't stand to be locked up, helpless, vulnerable. I was exposed to the gazes of thousands of people. I had to do something—I had to escape the hideous torture of confinement.19
An idea struck, and I forced myself to change back into a human. There was temporary silence from the audience as they watched my transformation with awe. The shackles that had once been too tight were now falling off of my warping body. I nearly passed out from the pain, but once I felt the solidness of my human form, I was able to breathe deeply again.20
I mustered the strength to stand up and walk to the edge of the cage when a whip whistled through the air and sliced into the vulnerable flesh of my back. I was too shocked to make a sound as the pain burned like a lick of pure flame. 21
I felt my face distort from the abundance of my wrath. I whirled around to face my attacker, who was none other than Miles himself. His beady, malicious eyes watched as I launched myself towards him. Before I could get within striking distance, Miles brought down the whip across my face. The leather cut deeply into my cheek, spraying blood and causing me to fall to my knees. Air sawed in and out of my chest as the agony blinded me. 22
The crowd roared their approval at the bloodshed. I felt savaged hatred eat me from the inside out. But there was nothing I could do. Even if I did escape the cage, I was too weak from drugs and pain to prevent being captured again. But I wanted, more than anything, to wipe the look of triumph off of Miles’ face. As he raised the whip again, I closed my eyes and accepted the fact that I was doomed.
Author notes
This is the first part of a story that will be switching point of views, so please stay tuned!
In a list
A contest entry
- I want dragon stories! by Violette.
170 points, ended April 24, 10 entries
Honorable mention
• next story in this contest, remove from contest - Myth, Legend and......... Puppies? by Silver Dancer.
100 points, ended August 17, 8 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next story in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 24 of 24
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Wow!!!! that's really good i like it since you have a really good plot!
I want to read more!
Keep Writing and Good Luck
Silver Dancer
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You never fail to disappoint me! I was too entrapped with the story to really check for errors so sorry
I didn't find anything constructive I could offer. I loved the start of this and the amazing descriptions and I look forward to reading much much more into this. The idea seems very original and wonderful job as always! 
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Thank you so much!
Nice to see you back on!
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Awesome!!!!!!!!
Nicely written. Keep on writing
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Wow!
Just...wow.
It had the same kind of vibe as my dracosapiens story should you ever get the chance to read it. Other than that, you're in my finalists.
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Yay! Thank you!
And if I have time, I'll definitely read it!
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Ohmygosh cool! A dragon shape shifter.
Finally, something different than vampires and werewolfs and all those things, not that I have anything against them of course. I was just starting to get a little bored.
I like it. Very original and nicely done descriptions.
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Thank you very much!
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Dragon shape-shifter! Yay!
I've read all three of the chapters you have up..I just couldn't stop reading!!
You'll have another one up soon, right?
Grammatically, I didn't see anything wrong.
I see that you, well, he, said that he was born that way, but did something mystical happen to make him as he is? I must know!
Great job!
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First of all, thank you for reading and commenting!
In answer to your question: you'll find out in later chapters...
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I love all of your stories.
Period.
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At the beginning I just fell right into this!!!
It was really really really good!!!
I loved it all!!!
Great job!!! -
Fantastic
Really a great piece of writing. I loved the characters, and the transformation scene was very vividly portrayed. Definetly a story I would be interested in reading. Best of luck!
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Really great
A very well written piece I will be very interested in reading the rest of the story and from a different point of view. I saw nothing wrong with your writing.
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lol, idk why, but my first impression of the dude in the buisness suit was of Mr. Smith from the matrix.
In all the fantasy fiction that im aware of, dragons scales are notoriously impenitrable, so how is it that this dragon was pierced? Did a lucky shot hit the under-bell.
I like the idea of a weredragons sort of creature. It had never occured to me.
this is a very interesting storyline and i hope to read more. -
The story you written is absolutely well written and original. I never heard of a human that can shift to dragon form! I love the descriptive words you've used, it paints a picture. That's what words are supposed to do and it did. Your characters came to life and when I read about Mike, I absolutely loathed him. Your story convinced me to hate him. I'm absolutely amazed with your work and I can't wait to hear more!
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 3, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
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Interesting So the MC is a were-dragon, huh? This gives so many ideas for other were-creatures and makes me want ti pick up my unfinished manuscript "Curse of the Were-Beaver" and finish it
beginning: 4.
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lmao! im sorry but... curse of the were-beaver?
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Yup
I was trying to write a B Horror that was intrinsically Canadian. Whats more Canadian than Beavers?? We have them stamped on our coins and I am pretty sure they are the national animal
I also was writing another B super hero story with a jewish friend of mine - The Hasidic (sp?) Avenger. Basically a jewish superhero who fights racism.
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I love this story!! I've never read a story about a dragon shapeshifter! I really do love this!!!
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Thank you!
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That was the most amasing discriptive writing I ever read! You truely have a tallent. I loved the ending how through everything, he had nowhere to escape. Is there going to be more? I can't wait to read the next part!
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
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Ooo
This was indeed chilling. I absolutely loved the intro, where you describe the change. Your language is very good, and I felt like I was the dragon in the story. It was a very interesting read, and I'd like to see how you continue it. -
Scary
i got chills when i read this. it was very scary and kept me interested as i read. i absolutely love vampires and werewolfs.
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