Disclaimer: I do not own the Inheritance Cycle characters.

A/N: Thank you my loyal reviewers for reviewing!!! I appreciate it!! And now chapter 20 is finally here...It wasn't a long wait was it? You guys get to find out WHAT REALLY STARTED THE WAR the dragon demons waged against dragons, elves, and the newly formed DragonRiders. Anyways on with the chapter!!!!!!!!!

Chapter 20

Murtagh looked up as Eragon walked towards him holding a small bundle, with a huge smile on his face.

"You look very happy. What is it? Boy or girl?"

"A girl.....and she looks so much like her mother too." Eragon sat down and showed Murtagh his niece.

"You're right. She does look like Arya...but I bet she has your personality." Sighing, Eragon looked around.

"Where is everybody? I wanted to show them Akiko..."

"Akiko? Is that her name?"

"Yeah. It sounded pretty and Arya likes it."

"Where is Arya anyways?"

"Resting." Nodding, Murtagh gave Eragon a look that basically meant he knew exactly what Eragon just went through a few hours ago.

"I should've known that. Katharina, all she wanted to do after she had Jayden was sleep." Laughing, Eragon held Akiko out to Murtagh, who gave a small smile and held the tiny newborn. Sighing, Murtagh looked at Eragon. Sorrow was filled entirely in his eyes though.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh...I'm just missing the joys of being a father all over again." He was looking down at Akiko now.

"But you still are a father."

"True....but Jayden doesn't really need me anymore. As far as he's concerned, he's sixteen now....he's a man."

"You don't want him to leave yet, do you?" Smiling sadly, Murtagh looked at Eragon again.

"Will you want to let your baby girl go when she reaches that age where they ask for permission to marry a guy?" Eragon flushed a deep red color.

"I...ah....I see your point." Jayden then came walking towards them calmly.

"Father, mother would like to see you."

"Tell her I'll be there in a few minutes. Here's your daughter." He handed Akiko back to Eragon before following Jayden.

~Before the Riders were formed~

Rain drizzled slowly from the gray clouds high above the creatures scrambling around to get out of the rain. A dragon demon raised its head and seemed to sigh as the rain began to pour.

"Enjoying the rain, Fraener?" Turning around to look at his mate, Isadore who had shiny black hair and hazel eyes, and smiled at her.

"Always my love. All dragon demons enjoy the rain, since not only does it amplify our power, but it heals all wounds inflicted upon us."

"So during a battle if it began raining, then the opposing side wouldn't stand a chance?"

"Exactly."

"Why won't you let me fight in battles?"

"Isadore...We've been through this. I can't risk losing you in a ridiculous battle against animals such as the wolf demons, bear demons, and all the demons who thrive in this world."

"Then why don't we find another world where we won't have to risk our necks the entire time over a little thing that always starts the disputes with the wolves?"

"Because, my love, finding a new world isn't as simple as it sounds in the books you read."

"Fraener, do you really believe that we, as in demons, are the only creatures in the universe?"

"I don't know what to believe anymore. But I do believe that one day our race will join with other races and achieve something great." Isadore reached out and touched Fraener's cheek. His short silvery hair was still slightly curly, even dampened by the rain. But his dark blue and green eyes shone with such brilliance Isadore couldn't help but smile at him.

"You don't realize how much I love you, do you?"

"Oh...I can easily guess." Leaning down, Fraener captured Isadore's lips with his own.

~Time skip~

Fraener narrowed his eyes ever so slightly as he watched Isadore lean suductively into the male dragon and growl lovingly. His so-called-mate was getting ready to mate with a dragon right before his own eyes too! He couldn't stand seeing this. Raising his wings, he flew out of the trees and knocked down the dragon, snarling angrily.

"Fraener!! What're you doing here?!"

"Isn't it obvious? I was searching for you to let you know I was going to allign us with the elves and DragonRiders....but after seeing you with this...this..this piece of scum, I've decided not to!" The dragon growled dangerously.

'Do not call me a scum!' Fraener looked at him and glared.

"And what is your name?"

'Aki.'

"Do you love Isadore?"

'....Yes...I do.' Fraener seemed to smirk for a moment, before his tail whipped out and sliced open Isadore's neck. Roaring in agony, Isadore collapsed to the ground. Aki gasped in surprise and tried to rush forward to her aid, but Fraener rammed into him, knocking him to the ground with a THUD!

"Now it's just between us. You'll fight...and you will die!" Lunging forward, Fraener scratched and bit Aki, not once letting the dragon get close enough to wound him.

'What is the purpose of killing her?! You should've killed me!'

"I would rather see you both dead before I am satisfied!"

'Then how many more will die for you to be satisfied?'

"All of the DragonRiders and elves." Aki's mouth dropped open.

'I won't let you!!' Lunging forward, Aki meant to bite Fraener's throat open, but he never made it close enough. As soon as he jumped, Fraener inhaled and then blew a giant fireball at him, which in turn made him blow up.

"Oh yes...Aki...you'll find that we dragon demons are more capable of doing far greater things than you pathetic dragons could ever achieve. Isadore...as for you, you left me no choice. It is against our laws, customs and way of life to betray your mate. I now know that I should've listened to my mother when she told me you were not good enough for me. So I shall say one last thing to you, before you completely fade away. Afscheid en in vrede, mijn liefde." Farewell and be at peace, my love seemed to echo through his now hollow mind as he flew back to the place where they were staying. Thanks to Isadore, he now had a reason to stay here in Alagaesia and go to war against these new DragonRiders, to test their strengths. He stopped about three miles from the cave and decided to put a prophecy on his later decedants.

"Wanneer u bereiken de juiste leeftijd, dan zult u vallen in liefde en dat vrouwelijke zal dragen u twee bedrijen. Als dit gebeurt, u zal worden sterker dan u gebruikt te worden...een echte koning." When you reach the correct age, you will fall in love and that female will bear you two offsprings. If this happens, you will be stronger than you used to be...a true king, is what he said in the dragon demon language, and then continued flying.

~Back to the present time~

Sapphire kept seeing the same image passing in her mind repeatedly. It was showing Mordecai, or at least she thought it was Mordecai, flying around rocks in the middle of battle....chasing something. Whatever he was chasing, wasn't going very fast cause before the image would replay itself, it showed Mordecai reaching out and grasping it. A long, and very loud roar then echoed through the forest, making everyone look up. She recognized the shapes of Thorn, Saphira, Saphira 1 and Achilles landing on the ground from the scouting they had just returned from. Saphira looked around until she spotted Eragon and walked over to him, followed by the other three dragons. Sapphire couldn't help but notice how much the four dragons resembled each other, except of course for a few differences. Saphira had a fierocity set into her eyes, and Saphira 1 looked more calm and laid back. Thorn looked like, if he was human, he would have red hair and the attitude to match it. Achilles though, based on the way he walks, would be a snobby person.

"They're telling Eragon that Mardonio intercepted them only to tell them that he's surrendering for now, but in two years he'll go against us again, so be ready by then." Sapphire jumped when Murtagh's voice sounded from behind her.

"Don't do that!" Murtagh smiled innocently.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to frighten you."

"So what is Eragon going to do?"

"The only thing he can do...besides fight Mardonio."

"And that is?"

"To wait. There's nothing he can do without sacrificing his people. It's tough being king. I'm glad I'm not in his position. Choosing the fate of all the elves and DragonRiders combined." Saphira at that moment tossed back her head and gave a bugle. Sapphire couldn't help but think that a dragon demon's bugle is much, much louder than a dragons.

"What's going on now?"

"Saphira is calling to the other dragons. See how they are flying away now? The dragons are going to hold a secret council, while we, as DragonRiders, decide what should happen next."

"I think we should ask Mordecai. He might know what to do."

"Is he even awake yet?"

"I think so. It has been three and a half hours since he passed out." A hand then landed on Sapphire's and Murtagh's shoulders.

"You know...It's not polite to talk about someone when they aren't around." Turning around Sapphire saw Mordecai smiling at them both.

"Mordecai!!!"

"So what do you want to ask me?" Murtagh cleared his throat.

"Sapphire believes that you'll know what to do. Do you?" Sighing, Mordecai ran a hand through his hair.

"I'll see if I can gain complete control over my people. But I need a favor from Eragon."

"And what's that?" Eragon asked walking over to them.

"I need you to release the curse set upon the dragon demons, so they can stay in Alagaesia to fight with you guys. It's the only way for us to not die in this world." Nodding, Eragon looked at Mordecai seriously.

"You are positive that they won't start attacking the elves, dragons, and the DragonRiders?"

"At the moment? No. But if I have enough time I can possibly become positive that they won't attack anything besides Mardonio's men. And of course the food we need to survive."

"All right. I won't release the curse until I know how and when you're positive that you have complete control over them. Deal?"

"Deal." Turning away Mordecai started to walk to the edge of Ellesmera. Sapphire was right behind him.

"When will you be back?"

"I don't know. I hope before your due." He put his head against hers and gazed down at her.

"You will be. I believe that you will be."

"I hope your belief won't be wasted." Mordecai placed his hand on the small bump.

"I won't. I know you too much. You'll be there and back here again in a matter of days. That's how quick you are."

"I'm glad you have so much faith in me."

"Well...one of us has to." Mordecai laughed and kissed her lightly on the lips.

"I'll be back as soon as I can. I promise."

"I know." Turning away from her, Mordecai transformed. Hitting just right on his scales, Sapphire saw how beautiful a dragon demon was in the sunlight. It was like watching dragons fly in the sunlight in big groups, like watching horses run through water, or like listening to wolves sing to the moon. With a roar, Mordecai flew up into the sky, gave one last sad bugle to her before disappearing. Holding her hands to her chest, Sapphire resisted the urge to start crying. 'I am supposed to be a strong, independent woman....yet here I am, close to tears with watching a man I've only known for a short time technically leave this world, and not knowing when he'll come back. At least...I am helping him ensure that his race will continue on if they all die.' Sapphire placed a hand on her abdomen and sighed. During the time Mordecai would be gone, she knew it would feel like eternity.

All right review!! I know its not all that long but I couldn't think of anything else for this chapter!! I am sorry if I led you guys on thinking that the dragon demons were going to go to war against Alagaesia in this chapter...It was only a flashback from when the riders were barely forming. Okay review please!!! And no, no sneak peeks at the next chapter this time.