Answers to reviews:
RedReaper121: Thanks.
Kurama The Platinum Zoroark: Things will change whether Michael/Ancalagon likes it or not. But to be fair, I think it would be the second thought upon learning you are in a show. movie, or book. The first would be freaking out about it, then the second would be "Okay, better not try and screw up the timeline."
Jazper757: I won't.
lrbrenneke: No. The OC doesn't have a human form, he's stuck as a dragon now.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the OC.
As both of them flew back to Garrow, Eragon couldn't help but ask his dragon an important question. Saphira, did you know there was another dragon out here?
No, Eragon. I was just as surprised and stunned as you were. Saphira said, her mind firmly on the subject of the silver dragon they just left. But I take comfort and relief in the fact that I am not the only one anymore.
Eragon remained silent before he shook his head and focused on finding his uncle. Clouds obscured his vision to the south; Carvahall was to the north. Saphira glided down while Eragon searched for the farm. When he spotted it, fear jolted him. A black plume with orange flames dancing at its base rose from the farm.
Saphira! He pointed. Get me down there. Now!
She locked her wings and tilted into a steep dive, hurtling groundward at a frightening rate. Then she altered her dive slightly so they sped toward the forest. He yelled over the screaming air, "Land in the fields!" He held on tighter as they plummeted. Saphira waited until they were only a hundred feet off the ground before driving her wings downward in several powerful strokes. She landed heavily, breaking his grip. He crashed to the ground, then staggered upright, gasping for breath.
The house had been blasted apart. Timbers and boards that had been walls and roof were strewn across a wide area. The wood was pulverized, as if a giant hammer had smashed it. Sooty shingles lay everywhere. A few twisted metal plates were all that remained of the stove. The snow was perforated with smashed white crockery and chunks of bricks from the chimney. Thick, oily smoke billowed from the barn, which burned fiercely. The farm animals were gone, either killed or frightened away.
"Uncle!" Eragon ran to the wreckage, hunting through the destroyed rooms for Garrow. Saphira, meanwhile, was thinking back to the silver dragon she had met just recently.
Ancalagon? A rather strange name, but it sounds a powerful one for a dragon. Did his human give it to him? Or did he choose it by himself? And why did he look like a ninth month old dragon and couldn't even stand on his legs? She thought to herself. So many questions, and only Ancalgon can answer them... she hoped.
Eragon soon returned with his uncle on his shoulders, and Saphira looked the man over. His skin was gray, lifeless, and dry, as if a fever had burned off any sweat. His lip was split, and there was a long scrape on his cheekbone, but that was not the worst. Deep, ragged burns covered most of his body. They were chalky white and oozed clear liquid. A cloying, sickening smell hung over him—the odor of rotting fruit. His breath came in short jerks, each one sounding like a death rattle.
Murderers, She hissed.
Don't say that. He can still be saved! We have to get him to Gertrude. I can't carry him to Carvahall, though. Eragon said.
Saphira presented an image of Garrow hanging under her while she flew.
Can you lift both of us?
I must.
Eragon dug through the rubble until he found a board and leather thongs. He had Saphira pierce a hole with a claw at each of the board's corners, then he looped a piece of leather through each hole and tied them to her forelegs. After checking to make sure the knots were secure, he rolled Garrow onto the board and lashed him down. As he did, a scrap of black cloth fell from his uncle's hand. It matched the strangers' clothing. He angrily stuffed it in a pocket, mounted Saphira, and closed his eyes as his body settled into a steady throb of pain. Now!
She leapt up, hind legs digging into the ground. Her wings clawed at the air as she slowly climbed. Tendons strained and popped as she battled gravity. For a long, painful second, nothing happened, but then she lunged forward powerfully and they rose higher. Once they were over the forest, Eragon told her, Follow the road. It'll give you enough room if you have to land.
I might be seen.
It doesn't matter anymore! She argued no further as she veered to the road and headed for Carvahall. Garrow swung wildly underneath them; only the slender leather cords kept him from falling.
The extra weight slowed Saphira. Before long her head sagged, and there was froth at her mouth. She struggled to continue, yet they were almost a league from Carvahall when she locked her wings and sank toward the road.
Her hind feet touched with a shower of snow. Eragon tumbled off her, landing heavily on his side to avoid hurting his legs. He struggled to his feet and worked to untie the leather from Saphira's legs. Her thick panting filled the air. Find a safe place to rest, he said. I don't know how long I'll be gone, so you're going to have to take care of yourself for a while.
Saphira puffed her chest with a snort. I will wait… she looked behind her… besides, I have someone to meet.
Just stay safe… with that Eragon sprinted from her and Saphira leapt in the air.
At least this situation is very refreshing, that dragon is a male… Saphira slightly grinned as she continued her route…
Okay, this was just getting annoying now.
I took one step forward... and face planted again. I let out a huff before hearing a a beat of wings, causing me to look up and see Saphira flying in, landing a few feet away from me. She took in the view before her, me on my back with my paws in the air like a scrambling turtle or a dog lying on it's back. It caused Saphira to let out some kind of laughing sound physically, though I heard her laughing in my head.
Very funny, let's all laugh at the male. I remarked dryly before rolling onto all fours and pushed myself up. Okay, let's try this again.
Eventually I got the hang of walking on all fours, with Saphira watching with great amusement in her eyes, causing me to give her a dirty look. Oh sure, it's funny to you but it's not for me since I was acting like a baby trying to learn how to walk for the first time.
Now, I've mastered how to walk in dragon form, now I just need to get used to the feeling of my wings and tail.
I must say, this is the most amusing thing I have ever seen.
Oh shut it, you. I growled at the dragoness who looked even more amused. I then sat down on my haunches and levelled the dragoness with a look, speaking with much sarcasm. I hope you enjoyed the entertainment.
All I needed was a deer and it would have been dinner and a show. Saphira retorted playfully, causing me to snort. It was at this moment, my stomach chose to speak up and make a grumble noise. Saphira eyed me with amusement. Do you know how to fly?
I just stared at her. This is not going to be good.
For this task, we climbed a rather high mountain-hill. I looked down and shuddered from the height.
Saphira, I don't think I can do this! I said, edging away from the cliff that dropped away to the valley far below.
Coward, Saphira chortled, halting my retreat from the edge with her graceful form. It's easy, just jump off, instincts will do the rest. If all else fails, at least what's left will make a nice set of dragon scale boots. Such a pretty color.
She nipped at my tail, causing me to jump forward away from the persistent dragoness. I wheeled around to face her. Saphira, stop it!
Saphira reached forward with one claw and tapped my nose with a scaly knuckle. I started to slide backwards. My hind legs scrabbled for a rock, a crack, anything that would stop my fall! The dragoness is crazy! When I had leapt away from Saphira, I had hopped backwards onto the edge of the cliff. Saphira's soft nudge had tipped my balance, causing me to slip off.
THIS DRAGONESS IS CRAZY!
Eventually, only my front legs were left scrabbling for something to grip. My right claw found a ledge, grabbed it, and stopped my descent.
Oh no you don't, came Saphira's mirthful voice. Her tail came whipping down and rapped across my claws. My arms instinctively recoiled from the sharp sting of her tail's blow, and it was a second before I realized something.
Saphira, what's gotten into y- Oh CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAP! I bellowed mentally, giving a frightened roar as my body tumbled off the edge of the cliff. Wind whistled past my head as I fell towards the tree-dotted valley. I heard roaring laughter from Saphira, who had gone into a dive next to me, watching my progress.
Oh, I'm glad you find this so funny!
It might help if you extended your wings, you know, Saphira said sagely, attempting to sound calm and helpful, but just barely managing it. Laughter was hidden behind every syllable that issued from her mind.
I fought to try to make his wings extend, but didn't know which muscles to move. Saphira, I DON'T KNOW HOW!
Oh, right, Saphira murmured, We probably should've gone over that first.
Saphiraaaaaaaaaaa! I howled as the ground came ever closer, closer, and closer. I closed my eyes and cringed, waiting for the inevitable impact. Suddenly, the wind roaring past my head changed direction, I heard a loud CRACK that resounded off the cliff wall. I felt a tug on my back, then the wind eased, brushing past my scaled head at a much lower pace. I eased my eyes open to see the sky instead of the ground. Clouds flew past my vision.
I looked around to see the forested plain far below him, and Saphira soaring next to me. Silver wings shifted with the breeze, catching the wind under their silver membrane, propelling me forward through the bright blue sky.
I'm flying? I'M FLYING! SAPHIRA! I'm not dead! I roared with sheer relief.
Yes, I can see that, Saphira chuckled, Didn't I tell you that instinct would handle the rest?
I swooped over and bumped into her, making her flight path wobble, then stabilize. You could have killed me! You couldn't have known that was going to work.
True, but there was no other way to find out, either! she laughed, bumping back into me in retaliation. I wobbled, dropped a few feet, then rose again.
Hey!
Baby, Saphira snorted, sending a small plume of smoke from her nostrils, which almost immediately dissipated in the swirls of the wind. You are a quick learner…
I flashed her a serpentine grin and even did some rolls in the air. Impressed?
If you were a hatchling, yes.
I gave a playful growl. At least I'm not as small as you… I quickly drove forward as Saphira roared in anger and chased me. I really tried to avoid her, but she was much more experienced. Saphira hit me on my side and used her jaws to trap my neck, not enough to draw blood but just to enchase it.
Using all of her strength she managed to stabilize our fall so we didn't crash that much.
Let go!
Not until you give in… I sighed and growled in defeat. She released my neck and helped me up with her snout. Not bad, perhaps one day you'll be able to even best me… but not today! Now for the next lesson: hunting, while she leapt in the air she brushed her tail against my chin. I realized what she did…
She was teasing me…
I rolled my eyes and followed her, flying beside her. For this case I want to test you, I will only give you knowledge and you'll do the practice… she pointed her snout down… I saw a pack of dears running away in fear. …fly down and take them with your lower claws, if you can't then try with your teeth. Usually it comes easier with our mouths but all the meat would be already wasted before we could consume it.
When she finished explaining, I nodded and swooped down. Since it was my first time, I decided to use my mouth. I flew trough trees as I tried to avoid 'em, I briefly looked at one deer in particular and, when I was in range, snapped my jaws around its body. Blood entered my mouth as the deer wiggled around, I tightened my grip just enough to snap a few of its bones. It eventually went still…
I returned to Saphira as she waited me back at the river. I actually managed to land down without crashing and the dragoness stared at me with a proud look. I decided to return the favor she did to me, I released the deer from my jaws and pushed it to closer to her. She tilted her head. You can take it first, I'm going to find it another one.
I was ready to take flight again but Saphira stopped me, and did something strange…
She nuzzled my neck with her own and then separated. Thank you… She then indulged in her meal, snapping bones and tissues and eating them. I blinked a few times before taking flight...
The next few days passed rather quickly in my opinion. Most of the time, Saphira was teaching me more things, which helped me in adjusting to this dragon body. I learned how to fly better, I was quick when hunting, now I really wish I could breath fire but apparently I'm not old enough for that yet. It's weird, there's different lore on how old a dragon needs to be to breath fire, some say a dragon matures at six months and they can breath fire, some say it's much longer than that.
I guess it'll come when it comes.
My mind focused on the night before. It had been pretty cold and Saphira was shivering as she tried to sleep, and I don't know what compelled me or maybe it was just me being a good friend, but I cuddled up to Saphira and draped my wing over her like a blanket, warming her up and she cuddled against me instinctively. It felt... weird yet great.
Nah, I was just being a good friend and paying her back for what she has taught me.
Now it was morning and I had moved without waking her up so I can go and take a drink from the nearby river. I was there for maybe... ten minutes? Doing nothing but just staring at my reflection, seeing what I have become.
Eventually I returned to Saphira who had a blank look on her face as she stared ahead before she snapped out of it and looked at me. We must go. She declared as she stood.
Why? I asked her.
Eragon needs us.
Oh yeah, Garrow will have died by now and Eragon will want to go after the Raz'ac, to which Brom will then find him... oh great, meeting the old man is going to be quite the meeting.
Note the sarcasm everyone.
Spreading our wings, we took off into the air and arrived near Eragon's farm. We waited until Saphira eventually flew down to meet with her Rider and Brom, I opted for staying in the air. Part of me wants to make a grand, dramatic entrance. Maybe it was something to do with the fact dragons love to be dramatic or like making entrances. However, I was close enough to hear Brom.
"So... it starts again. But how and where will it end? My sight is veiled; I cannot tell if this be tragedy or farce, for the elements of both are here... However it may be, my station is unchanged, and I..."
Okay, time to make my entrance.
Gracefully, I landed, wings spread and holding my head up high before I brought my wings to my sides. Brom's mouth fell open, Eragon was a bit annoyed with my interruption of the old man's babbling while Saphira greeted me with a hum.
Good evening, everyone... I greeted, feeling amused at the old man's expression...
You know, how old does a dragon need to be to breath fire? I mean, Michael's the size of a nine-month old dragon, but is it too early for him to start breathing fire?