Chapter 43: Sonic's Choice
Everyone was very happy that Galbatorix was dead, along with Saphira being brought back to life. Suddenly a groan was heard, and Sonic looked over to see Shadow. He was waking up. The black dragon stood up and looked around in confusion. When he saw Sonic, Saphira, Eragon and Tails, he gasped and ran over to them.
Sonic, Saphira, are you okay? He asked.
They looked at him and nodded.
Shadow looked down in shame. I am sorry for all the trouble I caused.
It's fine, Sonic said. You were under Galbatorix's control. But now he is dead, and you are free.
The black dragon nodded and then looked up sharply, remembering something. Angela! She is still locked in the dungeon. We have to free her!
Saphira nodded. Lead the way.
Shadow turned around and led the way to the dungeon. A few minutes later, they reached a room filled with jail cells. Shadow walked up to one and growled. The woman in the cell looked up and gasped, backing away.
I'm not going to hurt you, Shadow said. Galbatorix is dead, and I have been freed from his control.
Angela nodded, and saw Sonic. She smiled and nodded. The dragon picked the lock with his claw and the door swung open. Angela stepped out and grabbed her staff at the other end of the room. She followed Eragon and the other dragons out of the castle and looked at them.
"Thank you for saving me and for killing Galbatorix," she said. "Now the land of Alagaesia is free once again."
Sonic grinned and nodded. It was our pleasure. Thank you for bringing me here.
Angela nodded. "Before I leave, Sonic, I wanted to offer you something; a choice."
What kind of choice? Sonic asked, looking at her in confusion.
"Would you like to stay here in Alagaesia, or go back to Earth?"
The blue dragon's eyes widened and he snorted in confusion. I...I don't know, Angela. I thought you told me that my dragon transformation was permanent.
"It is...as long as you stay in Alagaesia," she said.
Sonic hesitated. He did miss his friends on Earth but on the other hand...here, he had Tails, Shadow, and was mates with Saphira. The dragon wasn't sure if he wanted to go back to Earth anymore; he felt like he belonged here now, as if this was now his home. Sonic looked back to Angela and sighed.
Thank you for the offer but I will stay here. Saphira needs me.
I will stay here too, Tails said.
So will I, Shadow told her.
Knuckles' Eldunari floated out of Eragon's knapsack and hovered in the air, glowing. Me too.
Angela nodded. "Very well, then. I will use my magic to create clones of you, in your normal forms, and send them back to Earth. They will also have the same memories of you and will think they have been on Earth the entire time. As an added bonus, I shall give them the ability to transform into dragons at will."
Thank you, Tails said.
The witch closed her eyes and said a spell. A few seconds later, clones of Sonic, Shadow, Knuckles and Tails had appeared in their original forms. She said another spell and the clones vanished in a flash of light.
Angela looked at the three dragons and the Eldunari. She smiled and teleported away.
Saphira looked at Sonic. I'm glad you and your friends are staying. If you...
Suddenly she fell to the ground in pain and roared. Sonic ran up to her in concern.
What's wrong? He asked.
Saphira grunted and felt something start to come out from her abdomen. The egg is coming out...I'm giving birth!