The Dragon War, also know as the Kagami Rebellion was a dragon revolt which occurred on the west coast of the United States lasting from October 30, 1888 with the Declaration of Independence of Azumaushio to the Battle of Mercer River on December 26, 1891.
The revolt was first lead by the then patriarch of the Kagami clan Kagami Arisuke until his mysterious death during the 2nd Battle of Azumaushio where his eldest son Kagami Motonari took over until his capture two years later.

Founding of Azumaushio

Kagami Arisuke emigrated with his clan to the United States sometime in early 1880 following a supposed plot to destroy his clan. When Arisuke arrived he was reportedly disgusted by lack of unity of dragons in the United States so he decided to take matters into his own hands. He began a campaign advocating for the establishment of a city where dragons could live together in harmony, it didn’t take long until dragons began arriving in mass to the settlement.

The city of Azumaushio was officially founded on September 20, 1880 with Arisuke being named it’s first Mayor. The early days of the city saw it flourish slowly with it's finances.

Despite it’s intentions Azumaushio was criticized for only allowing dragons to live in the city. “The Hypocrisy of Azumaushio” by Edward Frye was a popular article written by a griffin who was forcibly kicked out of the city despite having lived there for years before the arrival of the Kagami clan.

Prelude to Independence

On the eve of March 9, 1888 in a city miles away from Azumaushio a dragon by the name of James Cox was wrongly arrested on the charges of murdering a young canine. Due to the gruesome nature of the murder the detective in charge of the case believed that there were more suspects involved and forced James to falsely accuse his friends, who also happened to be dragons. The case became widespread throughout the city, leading to the creation of angry mods who went on to attack any dragons they came across, over 100 dragons were reportedly killed by mobs.

After learning of the case Arisuke called for the government to seek out those responsible for the injustice, a demand which would go unnoticed. Following the event there were several more riots against dragons, leading more to flee to the safety of Azumaushio. The city soon became filled as dragons began settling around the city creating several small towns.

On April 12 a group belonging to the anti-dragon organization Red Paw arrived at Azumaushio and launched several attacks throughout the city leading to the deaths of 349 dragons. Following the attacks Arisuke banned all non-dragons from entering the city and began amassing armaments. Arisuke began training and recruiting dragons to defend the city from further threats, by August Azumaushio reportedly had 100,000 soldiers though the total number was never confirmed.

Fearing for the safety of dragons and wanting a dragon only nation led Arisuke to announce the Declaration of Independence for Azumaushio and it’s surrounding towns, establishing the Dragon Empire and proclaiming himself it’s Shogun.

America’s Response

After learning of Azumaushio’s declaration the local governor, Robert Burch, sent an emergency message to congress on the situation. Congress didn’t believe that Azumaushio posed a threat and ordered a battalion of soldiers under the command of Major Louis Pugh to march to the city and regain control. Major Pugh’s forces arrived at the outskirts of the city on December 2 where they were ambushed by the dragon army waiting for them. The US Army was slaughtered to the last man, Major Pugh being among them. The massacre shook the United States to the core, reserves were called upon as active units were reorganized to mount an effective offensive.

Failed Push West

Embolden by their successful ambush Arisuke orders his army to begin marching westward to gain more ground for the Dragon Empire. The army generally went unopposed save for local militia forces, several cities were ransacked, and mass executions were committed daily.

The dragon army were eventually stopped at The Battle of Raven Field where the US army under General Gerald Shaw defeated Arisuke’s forces and forced Arisuke to retreat. Arisuke retreated back to the ruins of Bull City and engaged the US army in a defensive battle, which he lost and was forced to retreat once more.

With the losses on the front lines Arisuke sought to open a new front to draw attention away from his main force. To do so he ordered his eldest son, Kagami Motonari to take the garrison from Azumaushio and march south. On January 18. 1889 Motonari engaged the smaller US garrison occupying Fort Hay ultimately losing the battle with major losses and forced to retreat to Azumaushio.

2nd Battle of Azumaushio

On February 3 the US army under General Shaw arrived at the outskirts of Azumaushio and engaged the defenders in The 2nd Battle of Azumaushio.

During the battle Arisuke died under mysterious circumstances away from the frontline. His son Motonari took over as Shogun and continued to defend the city for as long as possible, eventually fleeing with the remainder of the dragon army, leaving Azumaushio to be occupied by the US army.

The Dragon Army on the Run

Following the loss of Azumaushio Motonari shifted tactics from fighting a conventional war to hit and run tactics. Attacking small towns, massacring the population, and pillaging the supplies. On December 2, 1889 the dragon army launched an attack of the military Port Gains, the attack revigorated the US army to launch a major campaign to track down and defeat Motonari.

The dragon army was eventually cornered while traveling through Redmoon Canyon. The US army fired at them from on top the cliffs while attacking them from both sides. Motonari took the charge in attempting a breakthrough while his younger brother, Kagami Yorisane, defended the back of the formation. Motonari eventually broke through the US defenses and escape but his brother Yorisane was fatally injured and captured, dying three days later.

Battle of Mercer River

Following The Battle of Redmoon Canyon Motonari’s remaining forces were constantly and consistently attacked by the US army under General Shay. Ultimately they were once more cornered along the Mercer River where Motonari would be captured.

With his capture the remainder of the scattered dragon army surrendered to the US army, effectively ending the Dragon War. Motonari would later be tried for treason and executed on January 10, 1892.

Legacy

The aftermath led to a large drop in the dragon population in the United States as many emigrated to other countries or had died during the war. Discrimination also played a factor as many dragons were pushed out of communities across the nation.

In the modern era the Dragon War has been seen by some as a well intentioned but flawed movement. With some dragons using hailing Arisuke as a folk hero who died for his species.

In the early 1910 Kagami Ryoko, only daughter of Kagami Arisuke, wrote a book on her experience during the Dragon War from the arrival to the United States to the 2nd Battle of Azumaushio where she and her mother fled and surrendered to the US army. It was initially banned but later allowed for public sale.