Black Minor Scales

Black Minor Scales sat up from his bed and screamed a hoarse shout of pure fear. His bloodcurdling yelp shocked even himself and he felt like his blood was frozen. A thin sheen of sweat shone on his black skin. He flipped onto his scaly red stomach and groaned into the cushions. Golden paws flexed, extending crimson red claws, gripping at flimsy fabric, his heart and breath racing, pulsing, two times faster than usual. His blue smoky aura floated around him warily. Red eyes widened and finally focused as he eased out of his daze.

"Just a nightmare…" he panted, unsuccessfully trying to soothe his nerves. Finally he relaxed enough to glance at the clock, "Dang!"

Cursing, he leapt up in one fluid motion and opened his window, pouncing out onto a tree. With a deafening shriek the branch cracked, but Black Minor Scales thudded with perfect balance and help from his thick tail, harmlessly onto the lush grass.

"Oof! Crap!" he hissed pulling his claws out of the mud into a blurry sprint. He was fast in his Taur form, but Dragon form would've been better. His stomach growled in reply. I know! Not enough energy… Sighing he ran harder. "I'm late! Late! I bet they are ready to rip my tail off by now!"

Scales had arranged to hang out with his friends earlier and a wicked vivid nightmare tore his whole routine to shreds. He snarled, snapping his jaws, only slowing his racing stride slightly when he saw the arcade in sight. They had reserved for some small hang out and he was ruining it with his timing!

Rushing, he slammed through the delicate doors. The hinges creaked, but that was the only sound in the whole room. Empty. Silent. The room was empty of the friends he expected.

Was he early? Or was everyone else late?

Shrugging he sat down on a chair and impatiently began to wait.
Suddenly a swooping red Taur tackled him onto the floor. He was pinned, writhing
claws restrained on freezing  tiles and roars silenced, eyes tightly shut but he could smell the familiar scent.  

"Scales!" his friend chuckled with a playfully teasing tone added, "Work out more, man! You're such a weakling!!"

Scales would have jumped up to scratch a gash across his smug face, but he was in shock.

"Whoa!" he gasped, gaping startled as other friends strolled out of their hiding spots.

"Happy SURPRISE birthday party!" they all shouted simultaneously with bubbly excitement.

Was it his birthday? He had completely forgotten about it! He lost the initial shock and a sudden delight coursed through him in shivers. Laughing he pushed the red Taur off himself and hugged his friends warmly.

He squeezed them in joyous embraces, gratitude rolling off him like waves. Blurs of blue, yellow, green, and black Taurs wove through the small crowd to tussle with Scales individually.  

After the greeting he cheered and started the party with a loud…

"PAR-TAY!"

Cake was brought in and the sounds of guns from video games where heard. Music blasted from a stereo with Taurs laughing singing along, off tune, but having fun.

Then Scales remembered his nightmare…

The nightmare of his friends rushed vividly back to him, they were circling in on him, laughing and mocking him, being rude and vicious. They left him, alone, breaking in shattered sobs under a hot spotlight while they sauntered off into darkness.

Now he looked at the reality. He saw with a sigh that nothing could be farther from the truth. His friends were around him, urging, tugging him to play games, eat cake and have a great time. They enjoyed being with him and they didn't seem to have any inclination of leaving.

He smiled and snickered as the Taur who pinned him on the ground lost another round on a video game. Another Taur yanked Scales's arm, shoving cake into his claws.

Scales hugged the Taur, and planned on thanking him, but before he could finish the Taur shoved his head into the fluffy white whipped cream with a mischievous smirk.

Scales chuckled and picking up another slice got his revenge, the cake flew and smashed straight into his friend's face. That's when everyone roared with laughter, each picking up their own pieces to fling.

Scales sighed again, and with a mirthful bellow shouted into the chaotic mess of wild play fights, "LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!"