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The cab sat still in traffic.  The sounds of horns all around made it perfectly clear that it was New York City.

"So, was it business or pleasure that brought you here?"  The cabbie asks the man in the back.

"Business, I gave a lecture and did a book signing."

"Oh, you a writer then.  Anything I might have read?"

"Only if you have kids."  the man says with a smile, and reaching into his bag he hands the cabbie a copy of his latest book.  Pip and the Emerald Princess.

The cab driver immediately brightens, "You write these?  My kids love these."  He hands the book back and Donald takes it, opening it to the first page he takes out his pen.

"What are your kids names?"

"Britt, he's six and Casey, she's four.  they're never going to believe that I met you."

Donald hands the book back, "They will now."  Inside the book he's written his autograph and 'For Britt and Casey, seek adventure and friendship always.  D. Douglas.'

The driver's eyes light up, "This is...wow.  This is great, thanks."  He shrugs, "I wish I knew what the hold up was.  Must be an accident on the bridge."  He leans out to try and get a better look. 

"I'm in no real hurry.  My flight isn't until later."

"So, lecture.  You giving a lecture to writers or something like that?"

"No.  Use of arcane magic in modern forensic science."

The driver just nods, he heard the words.  They were English.  But he didn't understand them.  "Maybe there's something on the radio."  he tunes the radio to a new channel.

'If you're just joining us, the villain Catastrophe has stopped traffic on the George Washington Bridge.  He overturned an armored car causing a massive pile up.  Police have closed the bridge but several motorists are trapped and the villain is threatening to throw them and their cars into the river if the police don't provide him with safe passage to the airport and a plane out of the country.  Catastrophe, an alias for Burton Dixon is a former Chicago area native and is wanted in three states....'  The driver turned the radio off.

Donnie leans forward.  "What did they say his name was?"

"Ah, Dixon, Burton Dixon.  You know him?"

Donald opens the door and steps out.  "Yeah, we went to the same high school, senior year.  Leave the meter running, I'll be right back."  Donald doesn't wait for an answer, he just starts to walk.  There is a ripple in the world and a large Bronze Dragon emerges into the world.  It's in a full run when it ducks it's head and scoops Donald up.  With a single bound it vaults a dozen cars, then crashes down on the roofs and hoods of other.  The traffic is jammed up, and most people have left their cars.

"Excuse me, pardon me, sorry."  The dragon says as it runs along the cars towards the middle of the bridge.

**********

The morning sun hadn't quite burned off the fog that usually got stuck on the bridge.  Catastrophe had pushed a number of cars together effectively trapping their occupants.  He waited for the police to arrange his transport and he'd be gone.

"Excuse me.  You have the time?"  The voice was coming from the rail, just a few yards away.  Catastrophe turned, seeing the man sitting there.  He hadn't been there a minute ago. 

"Who the fuck are you?"

The young man smiled.  He wore jeans and motorcycle boots.  His navy blue overcoat looked well worn but in good shape.  "I'm just here to watch."  He says as he draws a cigarette from a pack, slipping it into his mouth.  "You don't mind if I smoke, do you?"

"Your funeral.  But probably sooner than you think."  Catastrophe says, taking a step forward.  He stops as he hears a sound, the sound of smashing metal.  His attention turns towards the man on the bridge, "I'll deal with you in a second."

The young man takes his lighter from a pocket, and lights his cigarette.  "Take your time.  I'm in no rush."

Catastrophe chuckles, his chuckle would have become a laugh, had what it was making the noise not emerged from the fog.  an enormous Bronze colored dragon.  The monster steps from car to car, buckling them with it's weight before it's long strides carry it to the next one.  It clears the police barrier and skids to a halt a few yards away.  There was a man on it's back.  Who slides to the ground.  And begins to walk towards Catastrophe.  "What the fuck is this?"  he bellows.

Donald let his hand drop to his side, and their was a crackle of lightning as a sword materialized in his hand.  Smoke began to leak off the blade, swirling up the man's arm and everywhere it touched it left armor behind.  A suit of magically charged armor shimmered about him as he strode forward, the helmet bore an intricate dragon motif.  "It's someday."