Originally posted on March 9, 2021.

Over a year ago I was presented with this unexpected and totally welcome surprise of an art piece. My close friend who is a real rock-and-roll dude AxlReigns (https://www.deviantart.com/axlreigns & https://www.weasyl.com/~axlreigns) had commissioned from the up and coming artist and writer FangMcFlare (https://www.deviantart.com/fangmcflare) a very well done composition involving three of his main characters (his rocker crew known as the Knight-Riders) encountering my fox knight character Sir Vulpes and Fail-Seeker's wolf samurai character Okami-Dono under odd and unusual circumstance in which the two were suddenly yanked out of their respective times in the past and respective countries (Ireland and Japan) and brought to America in the present where the Knight-Riders are the first to encounter and greet them to this basically new world, so to speak.

The strangeness of two out of their own time to ones in their own modern one would be quite apparent.

Additionally, AxlReigns even provided a fitting short vignette setting up the meeting for description:

“Great show, boys!” Said Rolf as three members of the Nightriders strolled down an alley wanting to head to their favorite club after an energetic night on stage.

“We really brought the rock to the Ostrich Opera House,” grinned Axl, raising a victorious fist to the air.

“I’ve gotta' say, it’s been loads of fun being back in the band again,” spoke Mac. “Not sure why I ever left in the first place...”

“We’ve all done dumb things in life, before, bud,” consoled Rolf.

“Slade’s mean on that guitar, too,” added Axl.

“The kid can play,” acknowledged Rolf. “It’s nice havin’ a full time rhythm guitarist for once.” Rolf’s ears lowered, indicating to Axl that he was about to speak critically. “Just don’t go bringin’ anymore musicians home, kay'? We’re running outta' room in the van.”

Axl laughed as he shrugged. “Whatever you say, Rolf!”

Suddenly, a strobe-light flashed in the alleyway; taking all three band members off guard.

“Hey, what’s that?!” Gasped Mac, pointing a furry finger toward the flash.

After several more flashes and a powerful gust of wind, a misty cloud began to dissipate gradually revealing two men around their age of an unusual appearance. One of them being a vulpine who had the appearance of a knight crusader from medieval times. The other was a lupine who donned the armor of a Japanese samurai from the country's feudal era.

The Nightriders stood stunned, mouths agape at the oddly dressed duo.

Axl was the first to break the silence and address the warriors with a chuckle. “Cool costumes, guys! Didn’t realize the renaissance fair was in town...”

The knight unsheathed his sword at lightning speed, causing Axl to nearly leap out of his scales. He raised his arms as he found his bare chest inches away from the sharp object. “Whoa! Take it easy, man! I was just teasing!”

The samurai spoke something unintelligible, clearly an Asian language, also drawing his weapon.

Keeping his sword cautiously aimed at Axl's chest, the vulpine spoke his first words. “Are you a knight?” He spoke in a thick Irish accent.

Axl exchanged a confused glanced with those of his fellow rockers, who were just as frozen in fear at the prospect of seeing their scaly friend slain by the strangers. “Ehh...no, but I am a ‘Knight rider’. Does that count?”

Thankfully, the encounter with the two canine warriors from the past proved to be neither fatal nor violent for the Nightriders. Instead, the rockers befriended them and promised to help them navigate their world in all of it’s modern peculiarities; until they could find a way to help them return to their time period.

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Axl rocks it with his writing talent as per usual. His stories are among the best I have ever read on DeviantArt and I truly recommend that you all check them out if you have not already. The dude has even considered in continuing this and I would love to see it if possible as I feel it has great potential to see where one can take the idea.

Also, Fang aced the art for this and highly recommend checking out and supporting out his gallery to see more of his works, art and otherwise.

The both of them deserve more attention and traction for their efforts.

I would like to take the opportunity now to once again profusely thank both Axl and Fang for their collaborative work which resulted in this superb gift gesture. You both kick ass. Keep rockin' and rollin'. :)

If you are on DA I also recommend checking out and commenting on the original uploads as well:
1.) https://www.deviantart.com/axlreigns/art/The-Knight-The-Samurai-and-The-Nightriders-872607101
2.) https://www.deviantart.com/fangmcflare/art/When-Opposites-Meet-Commission-for-Axl-Reigns-872741298

Hope you enjoy and rock on, friends and viewers!