Chapter 20: Knuckles' Vision
Sonic watched Knuckles land and grinned at the new dragon. The red dragon walked towards him and bowed his head in respect. Sonic nodded and let Knuckles speak.
I just wanted to say thanks for letting me have this opportunity to help you, Eragon and Saphira on this quest, Knuckles said. It's just like old time when me, Tails, Shadow and the others helped you take down Eggman. But now, we're trying to stop Galbatorix instead. Is anyone else from Earth going to appear in Alagaesia also?
The blue dragon sighed. I'm not sure, Sonic told him. The Chaos Emeralds might summon someone else like they did with you. We'll have to wait and see.
Knuckles nodded. I'll see if I can find anymore Chaos Emeralds, Sonic. The Master Emerald will tell me where they are. We need to find them before Galbatorix does; he already has two and we only have one. If we have to win this war, we need all seven. So tell me, what have you done since you've got here?
Sonic grinned. I have spoken with the Varden; they're a group of rebels who want Galbatorix gone. Arya, a member of the Varden, told me that she would send me a message when they get to Surda and prepare for war. She also wants us to attack Uru'baen, Galbatorix's castle. If we do that, we will have an advantage and cause a distraction for him. We must tell the Varden about the Chaos Emeralds also.
The red dragon smirked and nodded. He walked past Sonic and looked in the Master Emerald. Suddenly a vision came to him, and he closed his eyes, sensing more Chaos Emeralds. When the vision was gone, he opened his eyes and looked at Sonic, Saphira and Eragon.
I know where the other emeralds are, he said. We will find them as soon as we can, but it won't be easy because they are scattered across Alagaesia. Shadow and Galbatorix will be looking for them also. The nearest one is somewhere in the Beor Mountains. One of the isn't even in Alagaesia.
What do you mean? Eragon asked him.
Knuckles sighed. I saw one of the emeralds on a large island far away from here. It was filled with ancient ruins.
Eragon was silent for a moment, thinking about what Knuckles had just said. Finally, he spoke. I do not know of any such island. We'll have to talk to Oromis about what you saw; he might know.
Knuckles nodded. He, Eragon and Sonic walked over to Oromis, who was telling Glaedr something. Once he saw them, he broke his mental conversation with his dragon and turned his attention to the Rider and the two dragons waiting for them to speak.
We have located the rest of the Chaos Emeralds, Sonic told him. The Master Emerald gave Knuckles a vision and showed him where the emeralds are.
"Where are they?" Oromis asked.
"One of them is in the Beor Mountains, and there is another one on an island that is not in Alagaesia," Eragon told him. "Knuckles said that it has many ruins and looks very ancient. Do you know where that is?"
Oromis's eyes widened and he gasped, then nodded. "Yes...it is the island Vroengard, home of the Dragon Riders. The city of Doru Araeba was their capital but now the city lies in ruins."
Eragon frowned. "What happened?"
"Before the fall of the Riders, the island was the battle site between Galbatorix and the Dragon Riders. Unfortunately, Galbatorix and his army won and wiped out the Dragon Riders. It is also where the famous Rock of Kuthian is located, where it is rumored hides the Vault of Souls, a hidden cache that is rumored to hide something very valuable the Dragon Riders left behind."
Sonic and Knuckles exchanged looks.
We must go there, Sonic told him. There is a Chaos Emerald there anyway, and I am curious to see what is hidden in the Vault of Souls.
Knuckles nodded and looked at Oromis. When should we leave?
Oromis shrugged. I am not sure; you said you know where all the other emeralds are?
Yes, I do. We should find the ones in Alagaesia first and then go to Vroengard last.
"Sounds like a plan," Eragon said to Oromis. "Galbatorix may not know that the emerald is on the island, so that gives us an advantage."
"Then we'll head there soon," Oromis replied.
Sonic nodded and walked away, while Knuckles started talking to Glaedr. The blue dragon saw Saphira in the forest and lay down next to her, nuzzling her snout gently.
Knuckles has located the rest of the Chaos Emeralds, he said.
That's great, Saphira responded. She yawned and closed her eyes to rest.
Sonic looked at her fondly with a grin on his snout and closed his eyes also. A few minutes later, however, he was woke by the sound of roaring. He got up and ran out of the forest, eyes wide in shock when he saw the Master Emerald giving off a giant beam of light that shot into the sky. Knuckles stood by it, growling, wondering what was going on. Suddenly a portal opened and a person fell out of it and landed on the ground. Sonic grinned as he recognized who it was: his best friend, Miles "Tails" Prower.