Nightriders: Battle of the Bands

***Nightriders: Battle of the Bands*** is a 27-chapter story in the Nightriders series published on May 7, 2015, written by series creator AxlReigns. It is the first in the main trilogy story series, and the very first story overall in the Anthro Gang universe that started it all.

The story has originally first started off as a script when it was released, it eventually got changed into a graphic novel story and has set the standard for the series to come with other stories to follow along, with illustrations done by British artist Bluepieces97. The next story would be followed by Nightriders: The Battle Continues. The second story of the trilogy series.

As this is supposed to be the very first story in the series, this was however the *second* story to be officially illustrated by BluePisces97 as its' first chapter for that one was published on March 26, 2015.

## Plot

The story starts with Axl Reigns on the van of the Nightriders, lazing about before Rolf Steiner yells at Axl to help load their van. After hours of Lonnie Leo's driving and snide comments from Rolf, the trio reach Beach City. The “capital of music and art." However, the group realize their concert was canceled for the Warlocks of Apostasy, a metal goth band. After a mild scuffle between Rolf and the manager. The Nightriders leave, taking shelter in a nearby bar as they lament on their misfortune.

The group soon meet up with the Flame Hearts, another heavy metal band which was famous. Upon hearing the bad news Flame Heart's lead vocalist and guitarist , Lucinda Heart suggested the Nightriders perform the opening act at theri concert the next day as payback to the Warklocks, Rolf unexpectedly turns down the offer , and upon further questioning form Axl stroms out of the bar. a brawl ensues between the two band members as Axl and Lonnie Confront Rolf's Ego.

Axl, Rolf and Lonnie soon settle into the Happy Hotel, recuperating from the injuries inflicted onto one another, Axl was just about to relax when all of a sudden they hear Mr. Whaley, the owner of the Happy Hotel scream. Coming to his rescue, the trio discover a zombified resident of beach city attacking Mr Whaley. As they escape the hotel, the group find themselves surrounded by more zombified citizens. Arming themselves with their Instruments, they prepare for the fight of their lives.

After figthing through a hoard of zombies , the nightriders escape the croud in their van. Axl was starting to doubt his position in the nightriders when Lonnie suddenly crashes the van in an attempt to avoid a hoard of zombies. The group find shelter in a nearby building before being held at gunpoint by Dr. Laurence Gimbles and her partner Lillian. The two explain that the music being played by the Warlocks songs are similar to the ancient tribal music from the ancient Booga Empire, a notorious evil tribe in the aincient world whose music when played turns anyone who listens to it into bloodthirsty monsters. The nightriders are tasked with the mission of playing a specific series of notes , loud enough to reverse the effects of the warlocks music. The group head to Capital Tower, with the help of Flame Heart, the group make it to their destination only for Heathen to great the three. With a blast of red fog, Axl ,Rolf and Lonnie fall unconsious to the masked enemy.

Upon waking up, Axl is greeted to Heathen and his warlocks as they prepare to perform on stage, Axl , Rolf and Lonnie tied up are horrified to learn that Heathens real identity is Mac Manson, the Nightriders former lead gitaurist and vocalist, upon quitting due to harassment and abuse form rolf, Axl enrolled and took over Macs postion , while the man was victimised by a smear capaign done by rolf. Turning to the Booga tribe, Mac had inherited the title of Heathen. Left alone, Axl Rolf and Lonnie manage to escape and aquire new instruments, arriving to the rooftop, The Nightriders performed a music duel with the Warlocks, ending victorious. However, the resulting exposion caused Mac to nearly fall off the skyscraper, Rolf in an attempt to save his friends live and out of genuine remorse apoligises to Mac, granting him closure and therefore saving his life.

The first stroy ends off with the Nightriders performing with Flame Heart. Mac having reformed now tries to make amends with his former Band by helping load their van for the long trip home, unbenownst to them, two figures observe the group in the background.

## Names in other languages

Below are translations towards the title of this story.

## Trivia

* This is the first story in the series, but its' sequel *The Battle Continues* was actually published first as it was the first to be given illustrations before this one would also be given such later on afterwards.