The Dragon Games

Chapter One: Birthday Surprises

Thank you to @MasterofCupcakes for allowing me to adopt and continue this book. I hope you all enjoy it. 

The mailman sighed in relief as the illuminated sign of Ed & Edna's Scrap N Junk finally appeared in the distance.

Seriously, who would run a junkyard in the middle of the desert? He thought, lifting his hand to wipe the sweat off his forehead. Personally, he thought a junkyard would get better business closer to the city, but that was just his opinion. He knew the real reason they set up shop out here.

The Walkers were a very friendly, albeit a bit eccentric, family. Whenever he made a delivery to their remote place, the friendly couple and their only son would always invite him to their family home – an old, rusty, but cosy trailer – for some refreshments, delicious homemade treats, and a 'little' chat, which with them could take up to a couple of hours, hence why he always did their deliveries last so he could enjoy their conversations without the stress and pressure of getting everything delivered in time.

Usually, their mail would usually only consist of letters or colourful postcards from their extended family living overseas, but today was different.

A large wooden crate labelled 'FRAGILE. HANDLE WITH CARE.' was sitting on the trailer attached to his bike. And while the box was not very heavy at all, it still made his journey through the Sea of Sands even more of a challenge than it already was at other times.

When the purple-clad man reached the brightly illuminated entrance to the scrapyard, the door to the trailer flew open and a young boy with messy auburn hair shot out like a blue flash of light.

"The mail is here! Finally!" Jay shouted running over to the postman. "Whoohoo!"

The agitated child was immediately followed by his mother Edna, who exited the family's home still clutching onto a hairbrush with one hand. "Careful, honey. You don't want to trip over any junk lying around!" She called to her son.

Ignoring the woman's warnings, the boy sped across the yard and came to a stop right next to the mailman's bike.

"Finally you're here! What took you so long?" He asked, his bright bright blue eyes glistening with excitement. "I've been waiting for you all morning. It's my birthday you know? I am twelve. Twelve. Years. Old. Today. Twelve. That's one more than eleven, you know?" He looked at his hand. "And... two more than my fingers. Yesterday, I was only eleven, but today I am already twelve. My mum says I am a biiiig boy now. How old are you?" 

Without waiting for an answer, he then pointed at the crate on the trailer. "Is that for me? I bet it's my special surprise Birthday Present. It's from my Aunt Libber. She sent it aaaall the way from Scotland. Do you know where Scotland is? Can we open it now?" The postman just chuckled at the boy and just ruffled his hair before getting off the bike.

The female co-owner of Ed & Edna's Scrap N Junk had came over to where the two were standing. "Manners, Jay. Is this the way we welcome our guests?" She tried (and failed) to sound strict, while smiling fondly at her son. "The dear man has just cycled all the way from Ninjago City just to bring you your present, I think we should give him a little break. Why don't you get your father to help with the crate?"

The boy turned on the spot and ran back to the trailer. "Daaad. My present has arrived and we neeeed your help. Nooow." His voice could be heard all over the junkyard – and probably all over the desert as well.

Edna then eyed the mailman who had almost fell from exhaustion. "Please forgive my son's behaviour. It is his birthday today, so he is a bit excited and tired because he hasn't slept all night. Plus, he might have had too much Birthday cake..." She said apologetically. "Why don't you come inside while my husband takes care of the box? And can I offer you some homemade lemonade and chocolate cake?" She asked. "As you can see, it gives a lot of energy..."