A/N: Here we go.
I truly hope you enjoy this chapter. It took a lot out of me. Seriously. Was up all night polishing this. This chapter just kept growing...and growing...
Still, I wanted this to feel like an actual episode from the show.
Hopefully I succeeded. Suppose time will tell.
*waits eagerly for feedback*
Can anyone see this? Yes? No? Maybe so? As of Monday, new stories and new chapters are randomly disappearing. Stranger still, profiles are randomly rolling back to the first week of June, only to mysteriously fix themselves, then snap back to the wrong format again.
I myself didn't notice it until my latest story "At the Edge" started acting strange. Case in point, this is the message most receive.
Story Not Found
Story is unavailable for reading. (A) Story Not Found
Hopefully the devs can get this fixed. Let them know through the usual support email and the fictionpress twitter.
I'm afraid no one will see this, much less review it, but here's part two as requested. Should this reach 500 by some miracle I'll update early again. Review threshold doesn't seem possible sometimes; but I'm willing to try. Lack of feedback is a painful thing indeed.
On another note, this WILL be bumped up to M in the future. After all, its Game of Thrones. You've been warned~!
With my fifteen year anniversary on this site finally here, I find myself reflecting on the little things in life. What was once a lazy pastime meant for me and a few friends really grew and evolved over time. There are days when I look back on the last fifteen years here and I wonder if anyone will remember me; if I made an impact, despite never making a single cent on any of these stories. Some days were happier than others, and some stories I enjoyed writing WAY too much; to the point where I'd stay up all night working on them.
And of course, there are times when I look to the future and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.
Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch; I'm still alive and still writing. In an ideal world, I'd like to keep doing so for as long as I can. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. Feels like everyone's lost their minds, the world over. Even before that, so many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing.
Not Q&A for a bit, as someone complained. Ah, well.
Alight, I've kept you long enough. As ever, I own no quotes, references, quotes, themes or memes!
They're simply tributes to legends far greater than I; an old man who writes as a pastime.
Now, then...Shall We Continue?
Verbatim for season seven here...and its visceral.
"I'm tired of it all, Dany. Tired of being good. Tired of letting them off the hook, of letting them scheme.
Tired of always taking the high ground. Tired of doing the right thing.
So lemme tell here's what I'm gonna do...
~?
Fire and Blood
"The Tarlys have betrayed us."
Daenerys nearly despaired when she heard the words.
Nearly being the operative word. They'd prepared for just such an eventuality.
Really, treachery was to be expected in war. Still, for it to happen now of all times...how very vexing! Randyll Tarly was something of a known quantity to Olenna; not so much an opportunity as a pragmatist. He certainly hadn't hesitated to turn his coat after being called to King's Landing.
"Never much liked the man myself." The Queen of Throns muttered as she fussed over the map. "Too hidebound. I had high hopes for that son of his, but it seems he's content to follow his father into an early grave. Hmm, lets see now...there." a wrinkled finger traced the line from Dragonstone to the Reach." They've already stolen a march on us; you'll have a hard ride ahead of you if mean to intercept them. And you'd best do it quickly. If they mean to sack my home for its wealth and resources, they are sorely mistaken!"
"Why would they do such a thing?" Oberyn frowned and took a hearty bite of his apple.
"To pay of their debt to the Iron Bank, I suspect." This from Varys. "One way or another, they always get their due."
So it would seem. "Perhaps we should have met with them first.
"Too late for that now, I'm afraid." came the rejoinder. "Our friends will undoubtedly reach Highgarden before us.
"Not on dragonback they won't." Aegon tutted, peering over her shoulder. "Ancalagon and I can reach Highgarden in time to warn them...and stall said friends.
Daenerys shot her nephew a quelling look, not liking the smile he wore. "You will do no such thing. I forbid it."
"Why?" he turned a quizzical look upon her. "We can fly faster than you and Drogon. That's a fact."
"Surely that's foolish." Tyrion put in. "Without an army, you'll be be putting yourself in harms way."
For some reason, that made the Forgotten Son laugh. "I've been in "harms way" from the moment I was born. What's a little risk now? Let me buy you some time."
Daenerys waved her Dothraki advisor closer. "How soon can your men ride?"
"Within the hour, Khaleesi."
...make it so."
She took a deep breath to calm herself and counted her blessings. Calm. She must be calm. This was still salvageable. At prince Oberyn's behest they had stopped and Sunspear to collect the Dornish army before landing on Dragonstone, which saved them the trouble of sailing back round the coast. Now it was the Tyrells who were in danger. Easily remedied. Yara had already raced down to the docks to rally her ships. A journey by sea would take less time than land, but it would still be hard sailing.
If only they could catch the Lannisters in a pincer.
If only they had more time.
If only...!
Ah, but they were all looking to her for answers and she'd best give them.
"It is as my nephew says. Our armies won't arrive in time to stop their march, but we can prevent them from making off with their spoils." she noticed Aegon's pleased look and pointedly refused to look at him. "I shall lead the Dothraki against the Lannisters. The Unsullied and Dornish armies will remain here to defend Dragonstone." When neither Oberyn nor Greyworm protested, she turned her gaze to Missandei. "Should the King in the North arrive during our absence, please grant him our hospitality.
Her dearest friend bowed, all smiles. "Of course, your grace."
Aegon nudged her with an elbow and coughed pointedly.
"And guest right, of course. In the meantime...
They wanted her to be a dragon?
She would be a dragon.
Just this once.
(.0.0.0.)
He was really doing this.
Words were one thing, but here Aegon was, actively committing himself to their cause.
Were he anyone else, Daenerys would have given her nephew a good hard shake and shouted him down for good measure.
Instead she could only watch helplessly as he readied himself and Ancalagon on the shoreline. Waves lapped at their feet as he made his preparations; adjusting the saddle, making certain he'd packed enough provisions on his personage, adjusting his armor and the like. It all felt like an eternity when in truth it only took a few minutes. Every second counted.
It was easy to appear brave before her council. She could hide her fear there. Not here.
Not here, while she watched her nephew prepare to throw himself into the fray once more. He would be risking life and limb out there, alone, for some time. How she wished she could fly out with him! She wanted to, she truly did but that was reckless, even for her. She had no armor to speak of -a matter which she swore to see rectified!- and even Drogon couldn't conquer an army alone.
No, she would be flying after Aegon and Ancalagon with her army, though it galled her to no end.
Simply put, the duo could cover more ground alone, without her slowing them down.
This was the first and last time she would be a burden to them.
So she swore.
"You needn't buy much time, only enough." she cautioned him." Be careful. And don't attack them outright!"
Aegon grunted and made to sling himself into the saddle.
Dany growled and caught at his arm. "...!"
In return, he pivoted on one heel and sketched a smarmy bow, one arm out to his side. "As my queen commands."
A blond brow rose. "You're not going to be careful at all, are you?"
"I'll be careful enough."
Daenerys felt her temper flare. Aegon -Naruto!- was a year older than her, perhaps more. She knew this. Yet why did she feel as if she were the only adult between them sometimes?! It must be that irascible confidence of his; despite his quick temper he moved with a surety of purpose, never once doubting himself. Even now, with the gamble he was about to undertake, he showed no fear.
Well, good for him! She, on the other hand, was feeling an awful lot of fear and terribly cross for it!
"Don't look at me like that." his words drew her forth from maudlin thoughts and she pivoted to find him wearing a wry smile. "I won't die."
"How can you be so certain?" she hated the tremor in her voice.
"Because I promised to marry you." he granted her a wry smile. "And I keep my promises. A Targaryen alone in the world is a terrible thing, ya know. So I'll come back." A hand settled on her shoulder, followed by another to hold her steady. "Every time. Here and now, I'll make you another promise." Belatedly she realized how close they were standing to one another; Aegon closed that gap and leaned forward, forehead touching hers, voice dropping to a low whisper. "No matter where I go, no matter how many battles I may fight," his hands shifted, reaching down now to clasp her palms in his. "I promise to never die and leave you alone in this world."
It was such a simple oath. Impossible even.
And yet it sparked something in her.
"...come closer, please."
Aegon complied. The very moment he did, Daenerys grabbed him by the face, yanked him in, and kissed him soundly on the lips. Her intended stiffened in surprise-but only for a moment. Then he reciprocated, grabbing her in return, pulling her even closer, lips seeking hers with a startling hunger. She angled her head to deepen the kiss and a low growl rumbled in his throat. It surprised her, both that Aegon would be so passionate and that she'd enjoy it so.
And she did. Very much so. Very, very much indeed.
His kisses warmed her blood and set her heart ablaze. In his arms, the rest of the world ceased to be. She stopped thinking about the battle, about the Iron Throne, about anything but the young man lavishing attention on her lips, and now her cheek, followed by her neck and...oh. Oh dear. She really was growing rather warm. Now wasn't the time for such things. There was a battle to be fought. They should stop. They really ought to. This was reckless. This was foolish. This might well get them both killed, but she couldn't remember the last time someone had evoked these sort of feelings in her.
Her kissed her lips again and she arched against him with a pleased noise, throwing both arms around his neck...
Ancalagon made an impatient noise above them. It roused Daenerys from her pleasant haze.
Mastering herself, she took a deep breath and drew away to catch her breath.
Aegon's arm was an iron bar around her waist, holding her close, preventing her from going too far. Daenerys found herself grateful for it; if only because it gave her an excuse to hold onto him in return. He looked just as flustered as she felt. Even now she could hear her heart bounding in her ears. Her blood was up, her dragon temper roused. Tyrells? What about the Tyrells? She wanted to tear that armor off him, drive him to the ground take him now, and ride him into oblivion...
.
..
...but she couldn't do such things.
Not here, not with so many eyes upon them.
How infuriating it was sometimes, being a Targaryen.
"Alright," she gasped the word out, beat back her desire, and stubbornly pressed her head to Aegon's chest. "Alright...we'd best stop for now...
She could feel her Council watching from the bluffs; Olenna's approval, Oberyn's sardonic amusement and Tyrion's gentle reproach.
It would be hours before she saw her intended again. Perhaps even a day. Suddenly, it felt like an eternity.
"Do not die!" she glared up at him, face flushed. "I forbid it!"
He kissed her forehead. "Not a chance."
She kissed him right back.
(.0.0.0.)
Tyrion palmed his face. "This is going to end poorly."
"And you are so certain of this?" Oberyn granted him a questing look. "They have a chance. It is not for us to say what will come of it. Have some faith."
Together, they watched the prince climb atop his dragon. Ancalagon righted himself with a ponderous groan and lumbered forward on all fours, raising his wings as he went. In a matter of moments both boy and beast were aloft, streaking away into the clouds. Another moment and they were lost from sight entirely.
Tyrion sighed.
Faith, Oberyn said.
Well...one could hope.
(.0.0.0.)
Ancalagon flew like the wind.
Naruto luxuriated in it.
He loved this.
The wind in his hair, the sun on his face, clouds whipping past like so much mist. Complete and utter freedom of movement as his heart hammered in his chest. They were making good time-no! Excellent time. Ancalagon had surprised even him with his speed. An army could only move so fast-limited as they were by terrain, supply lines and human endurance.
Dragons knew no such limits.
They had raced through the sky at breakneck speed for the better part of an hour now; the horizon hurtling by in a mottled blue-on-white blur. He reveled in it all. Faster they flew, everything barreling by, until quite suddenly...
.
..
...there it was.
Or rather, there they were.
Burn them all, a familiar voice hissed in his ear. Its what they deserve.
He shoved it away with the patience of a man who'd long since lost his mind.
Such a little thought, such a tempting one. Naruto wanted to, oh yes, he did, more than anything. Simply burn the army below and be done with it...but he'd promised not to. Even in this warped second life of his, he held to that creed. Clung to it really, because it was one of the few things keeping him from truly going off the deep end. Some things were still sacred to him.
Besides, butchering the Lannister army and the Reach traitors in one swoop wouldn't be fun.
They couldn't see him through the thick cloud cover, couldn't hear Ancalagon coming, gliding as he was now on silent wings. But he could hear them. Sense them, see them even, marching toward Higharden in their neat little rows. He might not have Kurama in this life, but he still had most of his gifts. Enhanced vision was only one of them. They were but mice to him, blissfully unaware of the hawk wheeling overhead. Ignorant of the danger...until its sharp talons closed around them.
And this?
It would be the perfect ambush.
He wondered what their screams would sound like. The enemy didn't know about Ancalagon...or him, for that matter.
Another gaze below now, as he considered his plan of attack. The Reach was beautiful to be sure with its rolling grassy plains, but it lacked something. Something terribly important. Cover. They were utterly out in the open down there. It was so tempting to just swoop down on them and burn them to ash...so very tempting. They would be dead before they truly knew what hit the. But that wouldn't satisfy him. Let the Lannister army have their scorpions. If they thought those piddly peashooters would stop Ancalagon, they were in for a nasty surprise.
A low rumble rattled his body, distracting him from such pleasant thoughts.
"I know, I know." He looked down and gave Ancalagon a brisk pat. In many ways, he reminded him of Kurama. "We promised not to attack before Dany got here, remember?"
And wasn't she someone to think about? He'd never had a kiss quite like that before; she'd ignited a fire in him, one he'd thought long since dead. If that was what their marriage was going to be like then he very much looked forward to it.
His dear friend -one of the few he trusted- made a sullen noise and he commiserated with him.
"Although...!" A wry smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "No one one said anything about scaring them, or defending ourselves if they attacked us."
Ancalagon realized his intention a second before he acted and angled his massive body downward.
Naruto pressed himself flat against the saddle and held on for dear life.
No one heard his war cry save Ancalagon. "BANZAI!"
Together, they divebombed them.
(.0.0.0.)
Death burst through the clouds.
It was the only name Jamie Lannister could think to give the absolute behemoth that swooped down upon them like a falling star. This, then, must be one of her dragons. It had to be. That great black beast was absolutely massive, larger than anything he'd ever seen in all his life and the sight of it left even the most hardened soldier quivering in his boots. The storm summoned by its wings blew many a man down. Its shadow darkened the land, giant claws nearly snatching up scores of men before it wheeled away.
Swooping was bad.
Swooping was very bad.
Swooping was very, very bad.
"Take cover!" He wasn't even the one to shout the command; that was Bronn; the man had recovered his wits first, for all the good it did them.
A sing
There was no cover to be had; everyone went mad. The Golden Road was wide and long, while the dark waters of the Blackwater Rush promised an awful demise to any man in armor. Shouts went up from the army as some turned to flee, while others cowered behind their shields; a few plucky souls dared to draw bow and shoot at the dragon, for what little good it did them. No arrows could pierce through those scales. It only angered the beast. A roared shattered their formation; breaking apart like so many leaves before a storm.
Jamie's mind began to race.
They'd left Qyburn's scorpion behind with the baggage train. Too late to fetch it now.
He could only watch, horrified, as it circled them lazily, then swung back to land some distance away.
"Seven hells...
"Not hells." Bronn muttered beside him. "Hell. There's a special place for a beast like that and it ain't with any of the bloody seven."
As though to echo those very words, the dragon landed squarely between them and their destination, spread its wings wide, and roared.
The world fell silent.
Jamie glimpsed something moving on its back. Someone. Might that be the so-called Mother of Dragons he'd heard so much about? No, that was a man. He could tell that much even from here. Said man dropped from the beast's back. There was something about him; something different. Something worse. If Daenerys was the mother of dragons then this was the father of death and despair. His black armor seemed to drink in the sunlight itself. He stalked their way, devouring the distance between them with long strides. The closer he came, the more fearsome he became.
He looked just like Rhaegar, sans that wicked black eyepatch.
And in a moment, Jamie knew.
The Forgotten Son.
(.0.0.0.)
Naruto strode forward at a languid pace; trying to quite the hammering of his heart.
Not from fear, oh no. Quite the contrary!
He wasn't afraid at all.
Most men would have been terrified facing an army alone. Most men didn't have a dragon at their back. Most men were sane. Besides, he found himself curious; when faced with a monster like Ancalagon, would the army back down? If not, would this new body body hold up in a protracted fight against an army? He was no Madara by any means, yet he found himself wondering all the same.
Perhaps it would've been more entertaining to carve a line of fire between them and him, but
One way to find out.
He paused some yard away from the Lannister and Tarly forces, drew his blade and thumped it down in the dirt, tip first From there he stood his ground and folded both arms before is broad chest. The intent was clear enough. But just to hammer it home, and because he very much wanted to see them squirm...
'Time for a show~!'
"I am prince Aegon Targaryen!" his voice boomed out over the open field, enhanced with chakra to reach the ears of all. "I speak for Daenerys Targaryen, rightful queen of Seven Kingdoms!" He spared them the titles, he had no need for them here. "I wish to speak with Jamie Lannister and Randyll Tarly!" the scout he'd tortured and subsequently beheaded had confirmed their presence here in the armies. "Deny me and I will burn you all where you stand! You have until sunset!"
Ancalagon let loose a mighty roar behind him.
Good. Let them think him a lunatic. He already was. Mostly.
Fear wasn't a weapon he liked using, but he couldn't deny its effectiveness.
Moreover, it would take the army time to chase down those who had first fled at his approach. At least a hundred ran in a different directions. Even they would argue amongst themselves. Their confusion would buy Daenerys even more time.
His sixth sense sparked angrily.
It was a rather good arrow. Quick. Silent. Effective...and utterly pointless. Naruto swayed to the right, reached out, and caught the heavy barbed quarrel in his right hand less than an inch from his face. From there, he crushed it. His good eye swiveled toward the impudent archer in question, a lone man even now lowering his quivering bow, eyes bulging. By accident or fate, this plucky soul must've fled closer to them than the rest. Very close indeed. Bold of him to shoot at a dragonrider in plain view of his dragon. He considered sparing this one on boldness alone. Truly, it seemed a shame to lose such a promising marksman...
.
..
...ah, well. Needs must and an example must be made.
Ancalagon agreed evidently; because his old friend reared up on all fours behind him and lunged forward with frightful speed for a creature so large. The archer didn't even have time to flee. Giant jaws closed on the man, leather armor and all, and snapped him up, devouring him whole. From there, the dragon turned his head aside, spat out the broken remains of the archer's bow, and hissed at the army before them.
Naruto quirked a brow toward the Lannister and Tarly forces, granting them a limpid smile. "Any questions?"
He heard a few whimpers carried away on the breeze. No one dared shoot his way again.
His point gained, he placed both hands on the hilt of his sword and settled into wait.
In the end, it took the commanders the better part of five hours to respond.
Perhaps, had they responded quickly, things might've changed.
Hindsight truly was an awful thing...for them.
(.0.0.0.)
Bloody Targaryens.
Jaime had almost forgotten just how arrogant they could be. One might think he would remember after enduring the horror of Aerys. And he did...though he wished he hadn't. He'd endeavored to scrub all memory of that madman in his mind these last few years; his dark deeds, that incessant paranoia, the wicked laughter, right up to the moment he'd stabbed him in the back. He'd tried to let the past sleep; allowing those foul recollections to fade away with the passing of time.
Well the past was awake now, and it was staring him right in the eye.
There it was; the look he'd seen all his life, that smug smile spoke volumes. He didn't think he was in danger, even now. The arrogance of it all. He thought himself safe; even now. Perhaps he was, with that beast at his stranger had the mark of Rhaegar on him through and through; a flair for the dramatic, charisma, and the will to walk right into the teeth of an army.
Oh, and also a dragon. Mustn't forget that. Where had that blighted beast come from?!
Naturally, his first rational thought was to deny the boy's identity. And he wanted to. More than anything. He had seen Rhaegar's infant son a time or two back when he was Kingsguard for Aerys. He'd also seen the babe's body after the sack of Kings Landing. The ruined, bloody skull and missing eye besides.
This boy had a scar in the same exact place. He was the spitting image of his father. He couldn't be anyone else.
How was he alive? How had he survived? How had he remained hidden for so long?
It also brought another, far more sinister question to Jaime's mind.
If he was here, then were was Daenerys Targaryen?
They didn't dare advance their forces now; any attempt to do so would meet with disaster. That dragon didn't even need to take flight; with a beast that big, he could just crash right through the army and they wouldn't be able to do a bloody thing about it. With that horrifying scenario in mind, he'd already sent a rider to King's Landing for reinforcements...and Bronn to bring Qyburn's scorpion out the wagon train. For now, it was in their best interest to wait. Every minute spent gave them precious time.
And so after much argument, he marched forward to meet him. Him and Randyll Tarly both. Alone.
The latter looked downright mutinous at the prospect of facing this boy, but out they came.
Aegon's beast lounged patiently in the background, utterly uncaring of their approach.
The prince himself considered them, tilting his head like a wary fox.
"Ser Jaime Lannister." he grinned after a long moment. ".I thought you'd be bigger. But you're definitely the one. Long way from home, aren't you, Kingslayer?"
Jaime lifted his chin. "...Aegon. You look good for a dead man."
"I do, don't I?" For some indefatigable reason, that actually made the younger man laugh. "I lost an eye, and you lost a hand. Seems fair."
"Borrowed one of her dragons, have you?"
"Hmm." The forgotten prince merely hummed. Something in his smile said there was more to it than that. Then his expression hardened and said smile was slaughtered. "Let me be frank. Turn around, march your forces back home, and we'll pretend this never happened. And as for you," he fixed Randyll Tarly with a gimlet stare, "I'd ask you to bend the knee, but I don't think you will."
"I will not." The elder Tarly bridled. "I already have a queen."
"Yes, his sister." the prince tittered with a sidelong look Jaime's way. "But she wasn't your queen until recently, was she?" his lips curled in a sardonic sneer. "When did that happen? Oh, yes!" A finger rose. "When she killed Margaery Tyrell in a blaze of wildfire and destroyed her house for all time. So it appears your allegiances are somewhat...flexible."
Randyll at least had the good grace to look ashamed at that, for he turned his gaze away. "There are no easy choices in war. Say what you will about the Kingslayer's sister, but she was born in Westeros-
"As was I!" A manic look flashed through the prince's face before he managed to master himself. "Right up until the Mountain smashed my skull against a wall. Do you have any idea how much that hurt? No easy choices in war indeed! Make another excuse." he crooked a finger toward his ear, making a come hither motion. "Tell me another lie. Go on. I'm listening...
Jaime knew he shouldn't smile. He really shouldn't...
No one liked Randyl Tarly. He was a rigid, dogmatic man, but he had an army, and thus, his uses.
.
..
...it was still amusing, watching someone dress him down.
Credit where it was due, the Tarly patriarch tried to rally. "Your so-called queen wasn't even born in this country-
"Wrong again!" even Jaime smirked a little at the peal of laughter that followed. "Dany's mother gave birth to her at Dragonstone, if you recall, shortly before they were forced to flee from Stannis. Last I checked, that tiny isle was still considered part of Westeros."
"She didn't even grow up here!
"And how could she have, hmm?" Aegon stepped to him, heedless of the growl the older man gave. "If she'd set food in this country without an army, her head would've been on a spike by the end of the day. You of all people should know this, given you were a Targaryen loyalist during the war." his good eye softened upon him. "I had hoped to talk some sense into you, make you see reason...but, no. You're clearly going to be stupid about this; because you've never liked the Tyrells to begin with and now you see a chance to snatch Highgarden for yourself."
Jaime saw his chance and pounced. "And where is the Mother of Dragons, hmm? Not with you, certainly." he sent a challenging smile his way. "Too afraid to stick her neck out?"
Aegon's smile grew another inch. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
The words formed an iron weight in Jaime's gut.
She had two other dragons.
Where were they?
Ironically, Tarly saved him from saying something foolish. "You're as mad as your grandfather if you think you're getting out of this alive, boy."
"Mad, am I?" Aegon rounded on him with a genial smile. It didn't reach his eye. "Humor me for a moment. If Aerys were here, if he were still alive, if he had a dragon, he would have come down on your army with fire and blood. He would've burned you all alive without a second thought and laughed as you cooked in your armor." he looked left, then right now, relishing the words. "Yet here I am, offering you peace despite your...crimes." he added the last bit with a significant look Jamie's way.
Oh. It was his turn now, was it?
Randyll puffed up. "Why you impudent little-
"Be quiet." a hand rose, cutting him short. "The adults are talking. I have no more words for you."
Jaime knew he shouldn't -he really shouldn't!- yet he couldn't help but rise to the bait. "And what crimes are those?"
The prince looked him dead in the eye and tutted softly. "Treason, for one."
And so they circled back to his namesake once again. "For killing your precious grandfather, I take it?
"No." the word both rattled and surprised him in the same moment. "Aerys was a horrid man, and Rhaegar -my father- became so obsessed with prophecy that he tore the realm apart. They made their beds and now they lie in their graves. No, I'm talking about more immediate treason, of the fiery variety...
He winced despite himself. "I'd hardly call it that. Lady Olenna betrayed the realm-
"Ha!" Another sharp peal of laughter burst through the air, rusty and bitter. "Of course she did, you blind bloody fool! Your sister," he spat the last word, "Murdered her son and her grandchildren in cold blood, because she couldn't bear the idea of facing trial. Tell me, how would you react if someone massacred the entirety of your house?"
Lannisters pay their debts. He would've slaughtered the ones responsible.
Aegon saw the answer in his eyes. "The silence is your answer."
Jaime forced himself to swallow his initial response. In the darkest corner of his mind, he'd never truly understood why Cersei had done what she did. By her own accounts she'd falsified Tommen's signature while Father was abed recovering from Tyrion's attack. She'd all but resurrected the Faith Militant to get at Margaery Tyrell. And it had worked...until it didn't; until it backfired spectacularly on her. By that logic, the incident at the sept was too well-timed for his liking. All her enemies in one place, all gone in a blaze of wildfire, using one of the very caches placed by Aerys himself.
Burn them all.
She'd been so smug afterwards, even after Tommen's death...
Burn them all.
'...no,' he reproved himself. 'Don't think that. No, she isn't anything like the Mad King.'
Burn them all.
"Cersei's crimes were never proven." he shook his head and forced the words out over a heavy tongue. "What happened was a tragic accident triggered by a misplaced cache of wildfire."
"Hmhmmhmmm." the mad prince winked his way. "Now who's the liar, kingslayer?"
Randyll scoffed. "Enough of this. You clearly have no interesting in negotiating with either of us-
An open palm cracked across his face and snapped his head to one side.
"You dare...?"
"Didn't I tell you to be quiet? This is me negotiating." the prince put in plainly, lowering his arm. "I've just told you to turn around and go home. Do that and we can avoid bloodshed...today. Speaking of which!"
In a single swift movement he leaned past them, eyeing the army at their backs.
Jaime realized his intention a second too late.
"Men of Westeros!" Aegon called out to them. "This is your one and only warning! Face me here and you won't live to see the dragon queens mercy; because I'll kill you where you stand!"
An uneasy ripple passed through the army.
Randyll whirled. "Stand firm!"
"Think of your families." Aegon implored them in return. "Your mothers, your fathers, your wives and children. Do you truly want to leave them alone in this world?" a pale brow rose as he considered each of them in turn, gaze raking over the lot of them. "Because that's exactly what you'll be doing if you "stand firm" here, today. Don't die for nothing."
Ancalagon reared back above him, regarding the lot of them like so many ants. A threatening rumble rattled his throat. Even at this distance, Jaime could still see the blood on his jaws.
He could just imagine Robert Baratheon laughing at them from beyond the grave:
"Bow, ya shits!"
Much to his shame, several did. Not a large amount, but easily several dozen; a mixed unit of Tarly and Lannister broke ranks and scuttled away from their fellows. No one dared raise a hand to them, not with a dragon looming over the lot of them. Jaime watched the number rise, climbing higher still, until it crested a hundred.
Randyll snarled at the lot of them. "Cravens! The lot of you! I'll have you flogged for this!"
"Smart lads." Aegon preened as they crossed to the dragon's side. "Welcome to the army. Stand over there, would you? Yes, yes. Right there. After all," He turned a grin on the remainder, those who hadn't take his offer. "We wouldn't want to be caught in the crossfire now, would we?"
Jaime bridled despite himself. "Do you think this is a game?"
"A game? Is that what you think?" The scarred face tilted, good eye creasing in dark amusement. "I could slaughter you all by myself. I wouldn't even need Ancalagon to do it. But no," he shook his head. "This isn't a game. This is vengeance. Blame your father and his mad dog for smashing my head in. After all, what doesn't kill you, makes you...stranger. I've already killed one of them. The other will follow soon enough, one way or another."
"...!"
"I won't ask you to bring me Tywin's head." Aegon prattled on, heedless of his horror. "Seeing as I intend to take it myself. Now, what will it be? Peace?" he held out one hand, followed by the other. "Or war? Choose carefully now...
Jaime exchanged a rueful glance with Randyll Tarly. The man's face had turned a rather alarming shade of puce.
"We will never-
Another slap rocked his face, sending him staggering to the right.
"Wasn't asking you, pawn." the prince looked back to Jaime, lone eye full of purpose. "Walk away
"I can't."
...that's what I thought." Aegon patted his shoulder, turned his back on them, and began the long tretk to his dragon. "I wish you good fortune in the war to come. You'll need it." A hand waved over his back. "My offer remains open, if you ever change your mind. Tyrion would be said if you died...
Abruptly, he spun back.
"On second thought! Lets make this interesting, shall we?" he held up a finger, grinning ear to ear. "It would be boring if Ancalagon burned the lot of you alive."
Jaime eyed him warily. "Excuse me?"
"Send your army at me. Right here. Right now." The prince spread his arms wide for them, black armor gleaming in the fading light. "Try and kill me. If you manage that, Ancalagon will leave. Highgarden will be yours for however long you can hold. "I'll give you ten seconds. But if you fail...
His finger rose, pointing ponderously toward Randyll Tarly with aggravating slowness.
...you'll die. That is my promise to you."
His hand swung back to Jaime.
"You, I'll let live, if only to send your family our regards."
"Our?"
"Well, I can't claim all the credit for this now, can I?" he clasped both hands behind his head. "My intended wouldn't be very happy if I killed most of her enemies in one fell swoop, ya know? I have to leave someone alive to tell what happened here."
Intended? Something clicked in the back of Jaime's mind.
He dearly wished it hadn't; because now he understood. It all made sense now. Of course it would be this way. Of course last two Targaryens would wed one another. He hadn't actually met the Mother of Dragons himself, but Rhaegar's son was clearly insane. If they won and took the Iron Throne...Cersei would die. Casterly Rock would be burned, to say nothing of house Lannister itself. He couldn't allow it. His vision narrowed, tunneling to the young man before him. He couldn't let someone like this exist.
The solution was blatantly obvious.
He had to die.
Simple as.
Randyll agreed and drew with a snarl. "Men!" he boomed! "Kill this oaf!"
Their army needed no further provocation; thousands of armed men surged forward in a mindless rush, desperate to survive.
Jaime jerked aside, mentally rebuking himself -and them!- for this foolishness.
Prince Aegon truly was a madman if he thought he was getting out of this alive; he couldn't possibly best an army alone, not without his dragon.
So why was he so infernally confident?
He wanted to ask him, but never had the chance. The army swarmed the Forgotten Son a moment later, burying him him bodies and blades. Jaime saw blood fly through the air, heard the sounds of weapons piercing flesh. Soon enough he lost sight of him in the press of bodies. He looked away after a moment, unable to bear the sight. Well, that was the end of him.
"Bloody fool," Randyll muttered under his breath. "What was he thinking...?"
He turned, and froze, choking on the word
Jaime saw why.
Ancalagon had somehow crept closer when they weren't looking; indeed, he'd been watching them for some time now, not moving an inch. The dragon did not mourn the death of its master; not a jot, it didn't react at all to what must've been a grisly death. It was every bit at its ease, like a cat considering a band of starving, desperate mice.
Quite suddenly, it raised its head and looked over their heads. It trilled softly.
A muffled shout was their only warning.
Soldiers flew through the air.
Bodies hit the floor.
Jamie rounded on the sound, eyes bulging. Aegon stood before them; covered in blood, grinning like a lunatic, uncaring of the weapons embedded in his body.
What was he? What manner of mad magic was this?!
"...aaand that's ten. Are you not entertained?" The prince pulled a sword from his collarbone, tugged a spear out his arm, and ripped an axe out his thigh, uncaring of the grisly wounds left behind; they closed before their very eyes. "Really, I expected more." he dug an arrow out of his boot and tutted softly. "If smashing my skull couldn't kill me, why would this?" a low rasp warped his words as his good eye began to gleam an unnatural shade of gold. "Now, then...
He pointed a finger at Randyll Tarly.
"You." he declared gleefully. "You're next."
He stomped a boot down and surged forwards.
(.0.0.0.)
Naruto surged forward.
A grin tore across his face as he caught the first Lannister solider by the skull and squeezed. Metal yielded as easily as flesh as he crushed their head, helmet and all. How said. He'd though it would be a bit stronger. With a quick flick of the wrist tossed the dying man over his shoulder; the corpse struck his fellows like a cannonball and bowled dozens down.
More.
Someone struck at him with a sword; he caught the blade, ripped it free, and sliced them in half at the waist.
Not enough.
Blood flew through the air as he mowed them down one after the other; perhaps, had he glimpsed his reflection in that moment, he might've felt a touch of concern. He could feel the smile on his face now, a shit-eating grin stretching whiskered cheeks ear to ear. It wasn't an expression he'd ever worn in his last life. This wasn't a true blood rage, but rather one born from visceral glee. Joy at understanding that he hadn't missed a step, exhilaration to realize he remained every bit as lethal as he remembered and finally...laughter when he knew they couldn't stop him.
He needed more.
Ten seconds. He'd given them ten seconds to satisfy his curiosity on a whim; to see what they could do.
As expected, he really couldn't die that easily.
And so he leaped at them again.
Ducking, whirling, ripping and tearing, he cut a path through their bodies. Swords bounced off sage-hardened skin, arrows caromed wildly off his breastplate. Someone threw an axe at him; only for him to catch it and hew out the legs of another soldier, leap off their tumbling body and crash down atop still more soldiers. Everything dissolved into a mad, merry melee after that, a slurry of screams and sweat. He wasn't sure how much time passed. Seconds, minutes, hours, it was anyone's guess.
He grabbed at any weapon within reach, using them to batter down anyone and everyone in his path.
The next man to come within arms reach found himself caught by the throat. He kicked him back into his fellows, sending dozens them sprawling. A spear lanced at his side, only to be trapped by his arm and used to reel its owner in. He blasted the man's head clear off his shoulders with a single punch, then kicked back to disembowel another. That was the beauty of one man fighting thousands. Yes, you would be vastly outnumbered, but those numbers prevented them for attacking all at once. And when they did, they only got in one another's way.
Case in point, someone tried to bash him with mace, only to trip over a swordsman who'd had the same idea. Down they went, tangled up in one another. He lobbed a lazy Rasenshuriken their way and closed his heart to the tortured screams that followed. More shrank back at that, alarmed, but the sheer press of bodies kept them from retreating. He lunged into the thick of them, snatched up a battered shield from the muck, and flung it at them like a frisbee. Momentum did the rest. Heads rolled. Arms flopped to the floor. He raced after it, breaking bones and bodies as he went.
The old him would've cringed at the blood and gore.
Indeed, he might've despaired at such violence...when he was sane.
Now? He just laughed.
He'd given them their chance. They'd ignored him. This bloodshed was on their hands. Not his. Hmm. Now there was an idea. He should be using his hands. He brought his palms together with a powerful clap and conjured a windstorm between them. Invisible blades scythed out in a shockwave, slaughtering dozens in singular column of destruction. For the briefest moment, there was a pause. He pivoted and found the soldiers beginning to break, now. He could see it in their eyes. There it was. The fear. That awful mind-numbing, bowel-voiding terror, the realization that they were going to die.
"Archers!" He heard someone bark a command in the chaos. "Nock!"
Oho? He knew that voice. He'd lost him in the melee.
"Draw!"
For a moment the ranks parted and he saw.
Randyll Tarly gazed down at him, sat astride a glorious white warhorse. He thrust an arm forward at him. "Loose!"
The sky darkened with a hundred arrows.
"Nice try, traitor~!"
Roaring the last word, Naruto knelt and punched a fist to the ground, cratering it. Chakra flowed forth. He took it and bent the earth to his will; folded and flowed it around his body, creating a protective dome, effectively cocooning him. The arrows never reached their destination. They skittered harmlessly off the shell he'd created, leaving him untouched. Cries of dismay were music to his ears.
He grinned within, steam parting from his lips in the gloom. "My turn."
A single breath was all he needed. Just the one. No more, no less. Fire chakra built in his lungs, hot and heady, straining them to the brink. Still he persisted. Waiting. The army thundered closer. His visible eye glimmered golden once more. With but a thought, the walls of earth fell away, revealing him to the battered army once more. Spurred on by their commander, they rushed in, having no choice but to engage him in melee. He waited until he could see the whites of their eyes...
Jamie must've realized something was amiss; because he shouted for the retreat. "Fall back!"
Naruto hummed to himself. 'Too late, lion of Lannister.'
Then he exhaled.
Fire flowed forth from his mouth in a great cleansing wave, scorching everything before him. Men. Armor. Horses. None were spared. The lucky ones-those closest to him-went up in smoke immediately and crumbled away in so much ash. Others tumbled to the ground, screaming, clutching at themselves as they wailed. Still more veered off, horrified by the sudden destruction, cowering behind their shields.
"Owww!" Naruto moved to pursue them, only to double over, coughing up smoke. "Forgot how much that hurt my lungs...
Kurama was no longer with him, he couldn't just spam massive area of effect jutsu like he used to.
Thankfully, he didn't have to. He'd made his point.
A burning man rushed him with a greatsword. Brave, but stupid. He casually diverted the bloy with his wrist, reached up with his free hand and stove in the mans face with a small rasengan. The massive weapon fell from bloody fingers. He caught, it cut a circle around him and spun. Hefted it to his shoulder. Found his target. Calculated the distance between them in the brief second of breathing room, gripped the hilt, arched back now-
"You really should've taken my offer!"
Then he let it fly.
Randyll Tarly never truly saw what killed him. The arrogant, hidebound commander had half an instant to wonder what in blazed that mad prince was doing; then he was gone-simultaneously ripped from his saddle and skewered by a blur of steel. It drilled him into the burning field and nailed him there like some perverse idle. His back struck the ground, his chest skewered through by the bloody dirt, heart pierced through and through, sure as a sunbeatm. A rattled breath left his lips, blood bubbling up as he tried to speak...and failed.
Someone cried out for him. Naruto never knew who.
Shunting aside another Lannister, he disemboweled a Tarly archer in passing, pressed two fingers to his lips, and whistled sharply.
Ancalagon heard it and perked up. He rose on all fours, wingspan unfurling behind him. Black wings beat back the smoke for a heartbeat, allowing the soldiers to see their doom as he drew a long breath; a deep inhalation that threatened to suck the very air from everyone's lungs, until...!
Burn them all.
Once more those ugly, fateful words words sprang to the forefront Naruto's mind, this time for good reason. Because a great column of fire burst forth from Ancalagon's jaws. No, not a column, more a pillar. The dragon's wrath made his jutsu look small by comparison. Hundreds died in an instant and dozens more more fell clawing at themselves, frantically trying to tear off their burning armor. Some threw themselves into the shallows of the Blackwater for relief. They'd find none.
His blood was up now, and Ancalagon's with it; because over the screams of dying men, he heard it.
The thunder of hooves...and thousands of bloodriders hollering for war. He saw them crest the rise of the hills, barreling down on the battered remnants of the Lannister and Tarly forces.
His grin grew euphoric. Right on time.
Jaime's army -what was left of them- must've seen them too; for all the good it did. Suddenly, he wasn't quite so important to them anymore. Someone shouted for spears and shields. Most listened.
A few angry archers didn't.
More arrows whistled Naruto's way. He rolled his eye and didn't even bother to protect himself this time. There was no need. Ancalagon swept a massive wing down, simultaneously shielding him from the barrage and sending yet more soldiers flying. He latched onto the dark scares and used them as leverage to quickly clamor onto the dragons back. Even from this height his keen senses still prevailed. He could hear the Kingslayer arguing -shouting more like- with someone through the haze of war:
-damn Scorpion won't work on that something that big! Get back to King's Landing!"
"I'm not abandoning my army!"
"You're the commander, not a damned infantryman! Those fuckers are about to swamp us!"
"We can hold them off-
His senses lit up. No. They couldn't.
An almighty roar shattered the sky.
Ancalagon looked up to answer in kind. Naruto's heart soared and he knew Jamie's must've sank even as he heard it. Not a heartbeat later he saw Drogon burst from the clouds at speed, flying right behind the Dothraki, no, ahead of them now, head forward, wings arched back to glide. He glimpsed a pale head of hair atop the dragon's back, a small body crouched low, clutching at the spines of his neck. Closer now...
Daenerys didn't disappoint him; didn't even hesitate; not even when she saw the chaos below her, the army nearly routed.
He was sure she'd have words for him later. Loud words. He was looking forward to that.
For now, she spurred Drogon forward, face grim.
Naruto knew what came next. Rather than take flight, he urged Ancalagon forward, sweeping the Lannister and Tarly forces before him with fire and claw. One dragon at their backs and another at their front, supported by a Dothraki horde. The outcome was never in question.
Jamie had an instant to realize his mistake. That little bastard. He'd stalled them. Daenerys Targaryen didn't have three dragons. She had four.
There was no way out. Not for him, not for Bronn, not for anyone. No way out but through.
For a moment, he could've sworn he heard a single word shouted on the wind.
He heard it a second too late. "Dracarys!"
The world erupted.
Fire and Blood.
A/N: Shall we continue here next chapter?
I suppose that depends on you, the reader. Looking forward to hearing from you~!
As ever, the Embers rule remains. If people don't like this story? If they don't enjoy it? Well...I'll not continue it. That's no joke, folks. I'm so busy these days with two jobs; basically, I don't have time off. Not anymore. My free time is limited and as such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like. Reviews keep me writing in these times, and keep the daily updates flowing. Silence...silence only hurts. I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact.
By all means, speak up! Make yourselves heard!
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly?
And enjoy the Previews!
Well, potential ones.
As ever:
SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!
PLOT DETAILS AHOY!
YE BE WARNED!
Read at your own risk!
As ever, these are from the far flung future...or are they~?!
(Previews!) AKA Season Seven...
It was a slaughter.
The scorpion barked.
Drogon fell from the sky.
Naruto saw it from far. His world went red.
...that tore it. Only one thing for it, then. Burn them all.
Bronn did not have time to savor his victory.
He was only just heaving a sign of relief when the shadow fell over him.
He looked up and swore softly. "Bugger."
In his haste to deal with one dragon he'd forgotten about the other one.
But the princ hadn't forgotten about him.
He looked proper pissed, and that beastie of his was rearing back to flame.
Oh, bugger indeed. He dove for safety.
Flame kissed the back of his neck. He closed his eyes and prayed it wouldn't find the rest of him...
His good eye swiveled down, regarding the blade in his belt. "I won't take your life. I expect you want that. No, you're going to watch what comes next."
"Will you kneel?"
Dickon Tarly gulped once.
Reluctantly, he made his decision.
...welcome home, Ser Jorah."
There were days when Tywin Lannister wished he had died on the privy.
To simply succumb to his foul wounds and slip away in his sleep.
Today was such a day.
It was a tempting notion in his darker moments;
His chest ached and he had to walk with a cane.
Had that crossbow quarrel struck just a little closer to his heart, he would be moldering in a grave right now.
Had Tyrion show him mercy? No that was unlikely. His son had meant to kill him.
Death would've been preferable to living wit this madness.
Pycelle had kept him alive, but Pycelle was gone now and Kevan with him.
All because of Cersei. The Mad Queen they were calling her. His daughter had tainted the legacy of the Lannisters beyond any hope of repair. No house would trust them after that ghastly wildfire incident. Fear them, yes, but fear as he'd begun to learn, was brittle. It could be broken.
Aerys had been feared and everyone knew what fate befell him.
But this time there would be no Jamie Lannister to save the day. He was away, sent far afield to deal with the treacherous Tyrells. Even where he here, Tywin very much doubted his son would be willing to repeat his prior crime of regicide. No, the realm was stuck with Cersei...for now. That could change. In the end it all came down to family. Legacy. It was the family name that lived on. And what a foul family they'd become.
And then came the messenger.
"Well? What news? What happened?"
We will not take Casterly Rock with the unsulied.
A pall fell over the room. Tyrion waited for the other boot to drop. Eventually, it did.
Surely you do not mean to burn it?!
No, it will fall.
It has no value. The matter is not up for discussion. I have heard your counsel and-
The doors bust open.
Jon winced. "You're insane."
"I am." Aegon-Naruto!-granted him a small a little. "But I'm sane enough to admit it."
"That doesn't make any sense.
"Trying having your skull smashed in as a babe, dying, and coming back. See if things make sense then."
"I have!"
"Someone smashed in your skull as a baby?"
No...but I suffered something similar not long ago."
...you're telling the truth, aren't you?"
You want a wight, send a dragon over the bloody wall and grab one. None of this stupid horse piss.
Someone knocked softly on the door.
Naruto swept it open. It was her.
...may I come in?"
EDIT: Hope this chapter put a smile on your face! Have a great day~!
As ever, the Embers rule remains. If people don't like this story? If they don't enjoy it? Well...I'll not continue it. That's no joke, folks. I'm quite busy these days with two jobs, I seldom have time off. My free time is limited and as such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like. Reviews keep me writing in these times, and keep the daily updates flowing. Silence...well, silence only hurts. I hate having to beg for feedback, but without that...it feels like I'm not making an impact.
So by all means, speak up! Make yourselves heard!
Every word counts!
Sincerely,
~Nz.