I know. It's early. But hear me out, I have a reasonable excuse!

…

I got impatient.

…

So anyway… let's get on with the show.

Welcome to Chapter Five of Twisted Realities: Part One. There will be no update to Silver Hearts next Friday as I have not written the next chapter. Was too busy focusing on this one. As it is a fifth chapter, I shall answer the comments and reviews that have accumulated up to this point. This chapter is also over 1,800 words in length so enjoy it. These responses will go in order of appearance as well.

Answers to comments/reviews:

Chad (Prologue): Thank you so much!

Bladewolf101 (Prologue): It's going to be more than interesting. Lol

Bladewolf101 (Chp 1): He will not be overpowered right out the gate. His powers will be emotionally driven/activated until he can begin controlling his new body. There will be many shocking moments for Eragon and Saphira as their companion learns how to harness what is his and what he is capable of.

Bladewolf101 (Chp 2): Hmmm thanks.

Bladewolf101 (Chp 3): Yes… there will be much moar of this inner turmoil.

JadedSundragon (Prologue): Thank you Jade. Much appreciated.

JadedSundragon (Chp 4): Rest in piss, you won't be missed. Kidding on that. :P

Walkmanapprenticewordsmith (Chp 3): It is what it is. Lemme cook! Lol

With that out of the way, I shall remove myself from the room as you all delve into Chapter Five of the first part of Twisted Realities.

Chapter Five

It took a few days for Eragon to fully recover, and in those days, Brom had told him what Riders were, their responsibilities and so much more. The boy was heartbroken to learn that his uncle wasn't able to pull through, and he childishly held a personal grudge against Stargazer for that.

Your Rider doesn't like me.

Saphira started at this blunt proclamation, her head jerking up to look at the much larger dragon. She narrowed her eyes before responding. And what makes you say this?

The male rolled his indigo eyes, showing his exasperation. Simply put: I backed you and thus left Garrow to die. At least, that's how he thinks. I don't have the evidence required to correct him. At least not yet. And if he makes this boyish grudge against me a problem, I will have to scold him like the hatchling he is. The dragon paused for a moment before correcting himself. Actually, I think it would be wiser if I were to just have you handle Eragon. Knowing me, I'd probably just end up killing him in frustration and that would cause a whole mess I would not want to clean up.

Saphira had nothing to respond to that with, so she instead opted to look out over the ocean of trees that sprawled beneath the cliff where Stargazer had made his home. When he had invited her to stay with him after Eragon's outburst, she was admittedly uneasy. Several thoughts had run through her mind.

Was he going to have his way with her?

Was he going to kill her?

Was he going to capture her?

Was he going to betray her and Eragon to the Black King?

It relieved her then, when Stargazer had simply led her to his cave, went in and laid down without saying a word to her.

Actually…

That's how the past three days had gone: with her trying to get to know him and the male just flat out refusing to converse or giving short yes and no answers. It was frustrating for the female, not knowing exactly who he was, but knowing just enough that she could trust him slightly.

The familiar presence of her Rider pressing against her mind alerted her and Saphira embraced him warmly across their bond. Hello again, little one.

Hello, Saphira. The boy replied happily, relishing in the closeness of their bond already. Where might you be?

With Stargazer. She hummed, before catching herself and shaking her head.

Oh? Eragon's tone turned teasing then. Already? Dragons must move fast.

Another presence enveloped the duo as the crystal dragon's amusement washed over them.

Oh please. It is you who must realize that I have been keeping this youngster in check the past three days while you were both recovering and blocking her out. He gave her a toothy smirk. She can almost be as bad as you for finding trouble, Eragon. Ask the pack of wolves she startled yesterday while we were hunting. They'll agree since she tried stealing their kill. I had to literally drag her out of there before they got too upset.

Saphira gave an indignant squawk. Hey! I resent that!

The male simply chuckled deep in his throat, the growling noise echoing in the cave. No less wrong, though. What do you need Eragon?

Eragon went quiet before responding. Brom wishes to meet with you, Saphira.

The female dragon eyed her male companion, who in turn raised an eye ridge in question. You didn't tell him of Stargazer, did you?

Err… No? The boy's reply was formed more as a question, but still adequate enough. Just please go to what's left of my farm. We'll discuss more there.

Very well. Be seeing you, little one. Saphira hummed before closing her mind to him and studying Stargazer. He was already making his way toward the entrance of the cave when he paused in front of her. He swung his large head around to look her in the eyes. A single blink from him was all she was able to get before he sprinted out of the cave and literally threw himself off the ledge.

Saphira yelped and scrambled to the ledge, only to recoil back in surprise as the male dragon rocketed back upward into the blue sky. His thunderous laugh in her mind was intoxicating and the dragoness couldn't help but return it, taking flight and following him as they made their way to Carvahall.

As it turned out, Eragon hadn't told Brom anything of Stargazer, so the old man was nothing short of stunned speechless for the first few minutes after the dragons' arrival.

Broms's eyes raked over Saphira since she had landed first, greeting her Rider warmly by bumping his chest with her snout and humming loudly. The old man's jaw actually fell open when Stargazer came in for a graceful landing, choosing to settle on his haunches much farther away and immediately lock his eyes onto the storyteller.

The former Rider slowly walked toward the larger male dragon, his hands at his sides and slightly away from his body with the palms facing the dragon. This was to show he was not going to defend himself or attack the dragon sitting before him.

The crystal dragon merely looked amused before lowering his head to look down at Brom. As his mind enveloped the old storyteller, a tear escaped his eye before becoming lost in his beard.

I know who you are, Brom, Rider of Saphira and Bane of the Forsworn. The male dragon whispered in his mind, and the former Rider bowed his head. His head was tilted back upward by the tip of the dragon's tail to look into Stargazer's brilliant orbs, bathing the human in a soft blue glow as the dragon continued speaking. Chin up and shoulders squared, warrior. Once a Rider, always a Rider. Be proud of who you are and what you have accomplished without your partner. Besides… He trailed off, his eyes straying over Brom's shoulder to spy on the dragoness and young Rider who was digging through the rubble while she watched. I know who his father is, and he stands here before me.

Brom's eyes widened before he set his jaw and wiped his face of emotion.

"I humbly ask that you do not tell him who or what I am to him." The old man muttered, locking eyes with the dragon who rolled his brilliant indigo orbs and straightened once more. He looked past the human to the dragoness and Rider walking up to them from the ruins.

'Twas not my intention to do so. It is not my place. Nor will it be yours.

He received a curt nod before the storyteller voiced another question, albeit much louder so the pair approaching could hear. "And just who are you, then?"

The male dragon only snorted and refused to answer, withdrawing his mind from the human's entirely.

Eragon glanced between the crystal dragon and Brom before a hum came from Saphira on his right. He looked over to see her looking down at him with twinkling sapphire eyes and a slight smirk on her face.

"What's so funny?"

You.

The boy crossed his arms. "And what about me brings you so much amusement?"

This time it was Stargazer who voiced the reply. Not so much amusement, just simple entertainment. The two dragons then echoed rumbling chuckles as he continued. I do not think there will be one boring moment with you around, Eragon.

"And just what is that supposed to mean?!" He cried indignantly, uncrossing his arms.

"It means," Came the voice of the old storyteller as he approached. "That you are simply not a boring person to be around. Being in your presence is enough to bring either amusement or some other feeling that is far from boredom."

One snort and a rumbling laugh punctuated his statement, bringing a brief upward tilt to his lips before disappearing into a blank look. Appraising the youth in front of him briefly, Brom shook his head and sighed. "I have a lot of work to do if you are to be able to survive in the wild."

Eragon raised his bow proudly. "I can use this to hunt down the Ra'zac!"

A loud smacking noise followed by an even louder groan made the two humans snap their attention onto the male dragon, who had smacked himself in the face with his tail. His head was lowered, facing the ground as he sighed and shook his head in disappointment. Stargazer then turned to the sapphire female beside him, his voice taking on a pleading edge. Please tell me that this human you chose as your partner is actually somewhat intelligent. If not, we're all doomed.

Saphira studied Eragon closely, both physically and mentally as she swept through his memories before responding. He has his moments, but it is his heart and overall devotion to a cause that convinced me to choose him as my Rider… Those among other reasons.

Another deep, groaning sigh of defeat came from the male as Brom cackled in delight.

We are dead. So very, very dead.

And there's the end. I hope you enjoyed the Kung Fu Panda reference at the end there, figured it suited that situation quite nicely. If I didn't get around to responding to your review, that either means you were too late or too uncivilized.

Until next time.