Dragon Shifters

Dragon Shifters

Chapter two:

Surprise

Slowly, painfully, Ea opened her eyes. Blue sky and green trees filled her vision. Near her head-or was it in it?-someone groaned. Ea closed her eyes again. Her head hurt too much.

What the! I'm deformed! The shout definitely came from Shade. Ea opened her eyes to look around. The first thing she saw was a black dragon with Shade's eyes.

Ea then looked at herself and yelped. She was a dark vivid blue with claws and wings. Looking around she saw a purple dragon and a, she had to blink many times at this due to the intensity of the color, bright yellow that seem to make highlighter yellow look dim.

Holy hell! I'm beyond yellow! It was Bader's voice, but it came from the yellow dragon to her right. You're telling me! Geez. Now, why do I hear your voices in my head? Arreo questioned. I don't know, but you're definitely purple. Ea offered.

Shade roared and everyone turned to look at her. She was flat on her face and her wings were stretched out as if she had tried to fly. Don't you dare laugh at me! Flying is harder then it looks! Shade growled into their heads as she got up and shook her head.

Um...why do I suddenly feel completely humiliated? Arreo asked. Shade turned towards her. I don't know, you're just there. Arreo blinked shook her head. As long as we're trying to fly, why are we here, and what the hell happened?

I was hoping that you could answer that since you were the one that spoke those goddamn words in the first place the caused us to black out! Shade said as she snarled at Arreo. Well excuse me! Arreo flared, her wings unfolding. I didn't know that whoever was responsible HAD to have the answers! She screamed in their minds. Had I been aware of this I would have let you get up and go say them!

Ea and Bader stepped in between the two. Enough of this! We need to work together if we even want to survive! I honestly don't care who's fault this because how can we figure out a way back home if we kill each other! Ea snarled out as Shade growled lowly. For all we know, we need all four of us together to get back home. Besides, at least we don't have to worry about Thomas and our parents as well as those child service people, right? Bader asked.

A silence greeted this, and both of them looked away. I suppose. Shade said shortly. Arreo glared at Shade a moment longer. We have wings. We should be able to use them. Arreo said finally. I don't think we want to take any dives off of cliffs yet. Should be practice here? Ea thought at them. It seemed easier to just think them. Don't see why not. Bader said. With a nod they all formed a line.

Ready! Ea said, unfurling her wings. Steady Shade also opened her wings. On your mark Arreo said. Let's go! With that they pushed off from the ground. Bader was the first to actually grasp flying, it was like she had wings even when they were in their human forms. Ea, Shade, and Arreo had fallen back to the ground with a thud and a few curses.

Hang on, let me try something real quick. Arreo said, and stood on her hind legs. Here goes nothing! With a soft wish she shot upwards, pulling her wings down towards the ground and then back up. She rose into the air and started to plummet before she flapped the wings again. I think I've got it. You just have to keep adjusting your wings to keep you in the air, and tuck your legs together. She told the other two. Ea and Shade tried this and both fell flat on their faces-again. I really don't like you at the moment. Shade said. Bader flew up. I'm doing it differently than her, so I think you have to find your own way to do it.

Shade and Ea tucked their wings in and both knelt, then shot up. At the peak of their jump, they both snapped their wings opened and started to flap. Shade fell to the ground, but Ea stayed in the air. I hate you all! Shade screamed into their minds as she landed with a thud.

Shade, we can't help it if you're having trouble flying. Who knows, maybe you'll be better at landing than the rest of us. Bader said softly. Just try again. Ea said. Arreo kept silent, knowing that if this failed Shade would lash out.

Breathing and out rapidly, it was clear that Shade was mad. Opening her wings she launched up, but instead of going in a straight line, she went in a circle while going up. Flapping her wings once, stopped her from spinning even more, another flap followed by another and she stayed in the air.

Roaring, Shade started to fly towards her friends. It was clear now that she felt triumphant about being able to fly at last. If her roar didn't say that, then the way she was flying and twirling and doing all sorts of tricks in the air was another.

Talk about your major successes! Now one question. Ea said. How are we supposed to land? Everyone looked at each other. Umm...Bader, do have any idea how? Arreo asked tentatively. No, Shade? Any ideas? Shade thought this over. Stop flapping and hope you don't break anything.

Well then, you show us! Arreo said as Shade shrugged. Closing her wings, she started to free fall her friends flapped in the air and watched. Once close enough, she spread her wings out which slowed her descent until she started to flap very slowly until her back legs touched the ground, to which she stopped flapping her wings.

They all landed and looked around. The flying is great, but...I don't suppose we've got food here, do we? Bader looked around. Well, since we're dragons we're all going to have to go hunt. So let's get into the air and let's see where food is. Shade said as she launched and twirled into the air.

Whatever Arreo flew off to the southeast, and Ea flew towards the southwest. Bader looked around, and then flew off to the North. Someone else seemed to be talking in that direction. Bader flew over a lake, glancing down briefly. I wonder if there are any other dragons. She thought. At that instant a savage roar echoed as a sapphire blue dragon erupted up from the water. Oh crap! I didn't want to answer that question now!

In an instant, Shade was by her side and roaring a challenge towards the blue dragon. Two outnumbers one and it will not dare to fight us. I'm trying to pull a bluff right now so play along! Shade hissed into Bader mind as she nodded.

Right. But somehow I don't think it really cares at the moment! The blue dragon dove for Shade. Holy shit! She's strong! I'm going to hit the lake! Sure enough Shade and the other dragon fell as something small leapt off the blue dragon onto Bader. "Die!" Came the scream. Think again hot-shot. Ea said as she and Arreo came up. Ea sent the small human male flying off of Bader. Thanks. Bader called.

The human was back. Don't these people give up? Arreo said, and snapped her jaws around his shirt. Don't try this at home kids! Flinging people is for professionals only! Arreo mocked, and tossed the human in the air to send it flying with a bat of her tail. Well that did us so much good. The blue dragon wrenched around, and they all heard a female voice. Eragon!

Shade and Ea quickly flew back towards Arreo and Bader. Era who? Shade asked as she watched as the blue dragon caught the male human. Don't know and I really don't care. I just want to get out of here and look for food like we were planning to. Arreo said as Bader and Ea snorted smoke.

Well then, let's get a move on girls! There are FOUR of us and one very strong dragon. Even if she's the strongest dragon there is, we still outnumber her. Ea commented. Right Everyone agreed, and dove at the dragon.

Shade opened her jaws and breathe out...shadows? Everyone stopped and stared as the flames missed, hit a tree and lit on black fire. Cool! Hey guys, try your fire breathes out! Shade said as she took in a deep breath, aimed, and blew at the blue dragon.

Ea blue and water spiraled out. Bader had lightning, and Arreo had nothing. Well that's a load of crap! Arreo complained. I guess it's time for the direct approach! She dove for the blue dragon. Fear me! Arreo cried. The other dragon fled with a squawk of terror. Hmm...I wonder what that was all about.

Who knows! That was awesome though. all you said was 'fear me' Shade called as they landed on the ground. I wonder if your breath is an invisible command spell? Shade's eyes sparked. Cause that would just be awesome!

To you, it would be. I'd didn't have a cool fire breath, so I did the only other thing that made sense to me. I dove at her and yelled. Arreo seemed confused. Well, it did seem totally Arreo-ish. Bader said. Now, about that food, did anybody find any?

Saphira flew as fast as she could away from the four younger dragons. "Saphira, what's wrong?"

Little one, that purple dragon, she did something when she didn't appear to blow anything.

What did it do to you?

I do not know. I heard her shouting, but I could not think, save for the fear crowding in my head. There is something very wrong with that group-their gender for one

What about it?

Females Eragon, they were all females. Once the king hears about this, he will forget about us and go after them. The black one, she didn't have much muscle on her, it was as if they were newly hatched and just learning.

We shall talk about this with Nasuada, she'll know what to do

No. The more who know, the faster it will get back to the king. We'll have to keep an eye on them.

They lay in the clearing. Arreo stood on her hind legs, puzzling over something. Would you go to sleep? Ea demanded of her friend. No. Something is not adding up, and I don't know what. Shade looked up at her friend. You're not going to give this up until you get an answer, are you? Shade asked. Have I ever? Arreo countered. I didn't even breathe a normal fire or anything...just air. I dove at her and yelled to 'fear me,' and she fled in...fear. Arreo lifted her head to the sky. What wouldn't I give to have our normal problems back.?

You and I both, but please, can we go to sleep? I'm tired, my stomach is empty and that stupid blue dragon gave me wounds which are hurting right now. So please, if you're going to talk can you go elsewhere? Shade asked as she turned her head and looked at some of her wounds. They had already healed up and only the blood remained. Resting her head down she closed her eyes.

Arreo glanced at the others, already half asleep, and launched herself skyward towards the lake where they had fought that day. a few startled birds flew away when she landed, and she absently caught one in her teeth. She let it go when she caught sight of her reflection. Her eyes were the same color as ever, midnight blue with a faintly shiny rim. She closed them, and swept one claw across the image, whishing it would rearrange into the face she had once hated. She sighed and lay down. If she got her face back she swore she would kiss someone, even if it was Thomas Parks. She'd kick his ass from there to the next year after that, but she'd still kiss someone.