General Harold grinned as the mortar shell tore into the side of Buckingham Palace. “That old bitch is going to give up today.” he smirked to himself. “Continue the volley until she comes out and surrenders or that building lies in ruins.” He barked to Lieutenant Smithers. Lt. Smithers nodded in agreement and began shouting at the troops. The coup had begun. The entire British army had been plotting for months to take the Queen down.

                There wasn’t anything wrong exactly, England hadn’t been in a war for over 20 years. Petrol prices were consistent. Everything seemed, well…great. But a great uneasiness had swept across the nation. It had been growing for years. It was the 97th anniversary of her coronation and enough was enough. The top commanders of the Royal Army, Air Force, and Navy had strategically planned this.

                While Gen. Harold was shouting orders, a familiar solitary figure came walking slowly out of the rubble. He would recognize that silhouette and wide brimmed hat anywhere. Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II. She had her purse in her hand and delicately walked to where the General was standing. He marched towards her, the anxious TV crew that had been filming the assault was close behind. He could hear her muttering. “Oh dear.”

‘Senile old bat’ Gen. Harold thought to himself.

“I’m not senile Harry.” The Queen said as she got closer. Gen. Harold stopped dead in his tracks. ‘Did she just read my mind?’ No sooner did he have the thought that she spoke. “Yes, I read your mind. I’ve been doing it for a while. How do you think I’ve been so good at peace treaties?”

Gen. Harold was taken aback. The Queen gently sat her purse down on the ground, slipped her feet out of her loafers, and took off her purple wide brimmed hat. She brushed some rubble from the top of it and sat it down on her purse.

Gen. Harold started to speak, “Ma’am...”

“Shut up Harry” the Queen interrupted. “You’ve forced me to do something I never wanted to do. But, you can’t keep a secret forever can you?”

The Queen bellowed “Astra Dracona Terriblis”

In an instant where the Queen once stood a dragon larger than two double decker busses stood. With one quick swoop the Dragon Queen scooped up Gen. Harold in her mouth and ate him whole. Then just as quick as she had transformed she changed back to the same Queen everyone knew and approached the TV crew.

“I’m terribly sorry you had to see that my dear subjects. I really didn’t want you to know. But, the cat’s out of the bag. My dear friends, I have given you peace and economic security. Can’t you find it in your heart to overlook my being a dragon?” With that the Queen turned around and started ordering the soldier to start cleaning up the rubble. “Chip chop, let’s get going. Don’t want to end up dessert do you?