Flying. Riding dragons. Far above the ground. What was previously unthinkable for mankind has become an everyday activity in an isolated society, even a necessity to some individuals. What better place is there to get your heart pumping again, rid you from all worries and make you feel free than a place where time doesn't matter, problems on the ground shrink with every step upwards and joyous shouts are accompanied by your beloved and loving companion? No rules, no limits. No distractions, just reactions.
But we are far, far away from that society, its rocky island way below the horizon, surrounded by miles and miles of ocean water. Groups of dark-blue sea dragons the size of giant wales drift through the water below, the sun high up hides behind a few stray clouds.
On that very peaceful day it's quite unusual to see a black dot between the water and sky approaching fast. Dragon and rider, flying with unknown speeds from left to right, away from their responsibilities and into new lands filled with new adventures. As if they were one they spin upwards through the dark-grey clouds and towards the hidden sunlight above before plummeting straight down towards the vast ocean. Another spin, they quickly regain altitude whilst turning left and right, again jumping through the moist fog and sailing just high enough for the sleek black dragon to touch the white top layer from the clouds with his paws.
Though freezing temperatures prevail at this height neither rider nor dragon could care less. They only need their freedom and each other's company to warm themselves and to shut out every tiny discomfort. Both are flying now at ease, seemingly content with their acrobatics and ready to settle down at the nearest island.
The rider however had planned for more.
If spectators haven't already felt sick the slightest after watching the dance of skilfully executed stunts, their stomachs will turn over by the time they see the seemingly inseparable duo split apart. The small human figure plunges into the air, rapidly gaining speed and widening the gap between himself and his companion, who in turn folds his wings and angles himself to keep up with his daring friend.
As the dragon caught up with the masked man they both looked at each other in mad happiness, their gleeful shouts almost lost in the wind. Whatever they had run away from was long forgotten. What better place is there.
The sea was slowly closing in. But instead of hopping back onto his dragon to escape certain death mere seconds away, the rider puts his arms into leather straps attached to his armor and pulled them outwards revealing a pair of wings that were hidden until now - and he started flying through the air as if he were a dragon, too.
True, manoeuvrability was considerably limited, and true, without some hidden force one would only be able to glide along not able to gain altitude whatsoever, but those were two small drawbacks everyone would put up with just to experience the excitement of flight first-hand.
The black as night dragon watches his companion glide in front, who occasionally yells out in pure joy.
But no matter how much soaring through the sky exhilarates a person, one must be aware of the always present dangers that come with it. The rider doesn't appear to be fearful at first when a thick fog clouding his vision limits his ability to see, but that soon changes as he does notice a huge boulder in the distance approach at an alarming speed.
He screams towards his dragon, wobbling with his arms and tilting a little in a futile attempt to swerve around the sea stack. Immediately his dragon starts flapping his wings violently, only coming closer bit by bit, closing the distance before it would be too late. However in almost no time they would smash into those rocks, so in a last act of desperation the dragon shoots a fireball towards the rock formation just in time as he manages to catch his rider's foot, pulling him in to cover his friend with his wings.
There is an ear-piercing explosion, blinding light everywhere, a massive shockwave that would tear whole worlds apart. Even the rocks-on-rocks smashing and crumbling is barely audible through all that noise, and with that glare it is virtually impossible to see anything.
Then, just moments later, silence. Merely a deep thunder rolling silently in the far distance. The sea stack could not be seen anymore - neither the dragon with his rider. No tracks, no traces, no bit left. Both gone.
A/N: Well this is a first. Never thought I'll do a crossover. Let me know what you think!