Chapter 24: Glaedr Verses Shadow
Tails saw Shadow and gasped. The black dragon growled menacingly, showing his fangs while walking slowly towards them. Knuckles and Sonic looked at him and growled back. The three dragons glared at each other, not moving. Shadow let out a mighty roar but stood his ground. He saw the Chaos Emeralds and the Master Emerald behind Knuckles and grinned.
What are you doing here, Shadow? Sonic asked.
The black dragon snarled at him. I have come to take the damn Chaos Emeralds and the Master Emerald from you, Sonic. Galbatorix wants them, and I will not leave until I have them! Give the emeralds to me now!
Knuckles walked up to him. That's not going to happen, Shadow. The emeralds stay here; we need them to take down Galbatorix. He is controlling you.
Shadow let out a growl. If you do not give them to me, then I will take them by force!
He opened his mouth and exhaled a jet of flame. Knuckles did the same, and the two streams of fire met, colliding with each other. Shadow closed his mouth and the fire disappeared.
So, it's a fight you want, is it? Knuckles asked. Bring it on!
He was about to charge at Shadow when he heard Glaedr's voice in his head.
Stop, Glaedr said as he walked up beside Knuckles, Oromis sitting on his back. Oromis and I shall fight him. he has already bested you and Sonic once; it is our turn to fight now.
Are you crazy? Knuckles asked. He'll kill you! When Sonic and I first fought him, even we couldn't beat him! He's too powerful, even for you!
Glaedr looked at him. Even so, we must fight. Galbatorix must be stopped, and we need to help also.
But...
Knuckles, let them fight, Sonic told the him. It is their choice and we must respect them. Even if they do die, we still have a chance at defeating the king.
The red dragon glanced at Glaedr and snorted. Fine, he said. Sonic and I will stay out of your way.
Glaedr nodded and faced Shadow. The two dragons stared at each other for a moment before speaking.
So you have decided to face me? Shadow asked. You are a damn fool, Glaedr. After I kill you, I shall take the emeralds back to my master and we will be close to having all seven.
The golden dragon said nothing and roared. Glaedr and Shadow both flapped their wings, flying into the air. They flew toward each other, breathing fire. Shadow dodged the fire and retaliated with one of his own. A stream of fire flew toward Glaedr, engulfing him in flame. He screeched in pain but recovered from the blow. Glaedr flapped his wings and flew at the Shadow, slashing the evil dragon's face with his claws. Shadow roared in pain and flew upward then dove at the Glaedr. The evil dragon took a deep breath and let out a stream of fire that surrounded Glaedr.
Oromis looked around and summoned magic, blasting the fire away. We must be careful, Glaedr. Who knows what Shadow has planned? he told his dragon.
I agree, Glaedr said. He flew out of the fire, looking around for Shadow. Suddenly something slammed into his side and Glaedr saw Shadow burying his fangs into the Glaedr's scaly hide. The golden dragon roared in pain and tried to throw the foe off but couldn't. Suddenly, pain erupted in the Glaedr's throat. Shadow had clamped down on Glaedr's neck, holding on tight. He then closed his jaws around the golden dragon's neck and released as blood from the dragon flowed out of his neck. Glaedr roared and flew towards Shadow but the evil dragon suddenly disappeared. Glaedr stopped and looked around wildly for Shadow but couldn't find him.
Where is he? the golden dragon asked his rider.
He must have teleported! Oromis exclaimed.
Suddenly, Glaedr saw a spear fly towards him and dodged it. He turned his head and saw Shadow hovering above him, summoning a Chaos Spear. Shadow threw the spear at Glaedr, who tried dodging it. Unfortunately, the spear went through Oromis's chest. The Dragon Rider gasped in pain as blood dripped from the wound. He struggled to speak and swayed, then toppled from Glaedr's back and fell to the ground. Glaedr roared loudly and saw Shadow opening his mouth, showing his blood-stained fangs, and took a deep breath, then exhaled a massive ball of flame, which hit the golden dragon upon impact. Glaedr cried out in agony, then fell to the ground and landed with a crash, smoke flowing from his body.
NO! Sonic screamed, and ran towards Oromis and Glaedr. The Rider and dragon were weak, and were on death's door. Glaedr looked at Sonic with a sorry look in his eyes.
I...I am sorry I...couldn't defeat him, Sonic, Glaedr said. Promise me you, Eragon, Saphira, Knuckles and Tails will defeat Galbatorix once and for all.
Sonic nodded and glanced at Oromis. The Dragon Rider was breathing hard and saw Sonic. He smiled and struggled to speak but couldn't. Then his breathing stopped and he passed away. Glaedr had died also. Sonic started growling and looked to the sky, letting out a loud angry roar.