Once There Were Dragons (HTTYD X Eragon X Temeraire)

by Dinogirl2028

Summary:

After saving the Dragon Temeraire, and Captain Willam Laurence from near death on an old Dragon Hunter ship, Hiccup and Toothless bring the two back to Berk where they meet Eragon Shadeslayer, and his dragon, Saphira, along with their apprentices, Lee & Pallor, who have come to warn any remaining Dragon Riders, that ALL of their worlds, are in danger. A danger that is far more frightening than they could ever imagine.

Notes:

In which Hiccup and Toothless meet Laurence, Temeraire, Eragon, and Saphira, and Lee sur Pallor.
It’s kind of an Aureragon Cycle sequel, but also not, ‘cause Temeraire and no Ranger’s Apprentice stuff. ANYWAY, MOVING ON TO THE ACTUAL STORY!)

Chapter 1: Part 1: Hiccup

Once There Were Dragons
HTTYD X ERAGON X TEMERAIRE

 

Part 1: Hiccup

Chapter 2: Chapter 1

Part 1

Hiccup

 

The deck of the Viking ship was soaked with blood. A violent battle had happened here. Hiccup was sure of that much. The good news was that it was no Berkian ship. This belonged to Viggo’s old fleet. Hiccup wondered what the dragon hunters were even doing out here. He and Toothless circled the abandoned ship twice more, until Hiccup’s curiosity got the better of him, and the Night Fury landed on the deck. Hiccup climbed off Toothless, and pulled out Inferno, his Dragon Blade. “H- hello? Anybody out there?” Hiccup asked, and was answered with a low menacing growl from the ship’s hold. “Yep, I feel you, Bud. Sounds like a Dragon.” Hiccup said, and carefully walked towards the hold, with Toothless behind him. He ignited Inferno, the flames giving light to the darkness of the hold. A large black dragon was curled up protectively around something like it was hoarding treasure. “You’re a big boy, aren’t you?” Hiccup said calmly, if not a little nervously. The dragon growled, baring its teeth, and Toothless jumped in front of Hiccup, prepared for a fight. “Toothless, halt. I need to check him out. I’ll be careful.” Hiccup said, and moved closer to the dragon, whose blue eyes were locked onto Hiccup’s dangerously. Hiccup walked further towards the dragon, and noticed that its side was badly hurt. A nasty red wound burned into the dragon’s scales. He began to reach his hand out to the burns, to try and treat them, when much to his surprise, the dragon spoke. “Don’t touch me.” He said. Hiccup knew it was a he, for the voice was undoubtedly male. Hiccup raised his hand and disengaged Inferno. “It’s okay. I’m a friend. Can I treat your wounds?” Hiccup asked. “His first.” The dragon said, and uncurled himself from that protective circle, now showing a blonde man in his 30s or early 40s lying unconscious clutching a bloody leg with one hand, wincing. “… Temeraire?” He asked weakly, and the dragon bowed his long neck down to the man. “I’m right here, Laurence.” The dragon, or Temeraire as Hiccup guessed, said. “I’ll see if I have anything to help him.” Hiccup said, and turned away from the two, as he went to Toothless’s saddlebags. Temeraire growled at Hiccup, baring his teeth. “Hurry!” He snarled. Hiccup nodded, and quickly began searching for medical supplies. He really should’ve brought more supplies. Eventually, he found some cloth that could suffice as bandages until Laurence would be back on his feet. Hiccup walked back to Laurence, but was prompted to enforce his pace at a sharp growl from Temeraire. Hiccup looked at the dragon. “Stay with him while I do this.” He said, looking at Temeraire, as he held up the cloth, and began to wrap it around Laurence’s leg, the man tried to swat Hiccup’s hands out of the way, but Hiccup pushed through, and eventually successfully finished the bandages. Temeraire breathed out a sigh of relief. “Thank you.” He said. “Of course. Do you think you’re strong enough to fly? I think I know where we can get more help for you both.” Hiccup said, thinking of Gothi, and how she could probably do a better job in tending to both their wounds. Temeraire dipped his head. “Yes. Although, he may need help getting into my harness.” Temeraire said, craning his neck to the left, so Hiccup could see a huge long saddle atop the dragon’s back. “Toothless?” Hiccup asked, and, with the Night Fury’s help, Hiccup managed to lay Laurence down in the saddle as Temeraire lied down to give them a better shot at it. Hiccup secured the final straps around Laurence in the saddle to make sure he wouldn’t fall off mid flight. The main was still weak, and in pain, but the bandages seemed to be doing the job for now. “Ready when you are.” Temeraire told Hiccup, who nodded, and ran to Toothless’s side, to get in his own saddle. Temeraire stood up, bowing his head as he walked with his wings tucked to his sides, seeing as he was too huge for the ship’s hold, but once they were on the deck, the great dragon unfurled his wings and raised his head high. The sight of Temeraire’s full wingspan was breathtaking. They were unlike anything Hiccup had ever seen, vast and powerful, a deep inky black that seemed to swallow the light. Toothless gave a growl at Temeraire. “I think someone’s jealous.” Temeraire said, laughing a guttural laugh. Hiccup patted Toothless’s head. “Don’t worry,Bud. You’re still my favorite.” Hiccup assured the Night Fury, as Toothless rose his own wings up, and prepared to take off into the air. Hiccup moved his peg leg to the left stirrup in the saddle that controlled Toothless’ tail fin. He clicked it, and the red tail fin went out wide. Once they had launched themselves into the air, Temeraire and Laurence flying alongside them, Hiccup asked the dragon, “So, how did you two get there?” Hiccup asked, gesturing to the long Hunter ship in the distance. Temeraire growled. “Someone got too cocky with battle tactics in an air battle against the French. Needless to say, we lost. They fired arrows at Laurence and shot him, I was too worried about him to notice the bullets from that cannon, until the last second when it hurled at my back leg, causing me to fall backwards for what seemed like hours, until we crashed into that ship. I had my wings around Laurence to keep him safe, but I wasn’t that lucky like he was.” Temeraire explained. “That must have been awful! How long had you been there?” Hiccup asked. “Weeks? Days? I don’t know. Eventually, I thought we were saved when this group of men came up to us, then, I saw their spears pointing at me, and through me, Laurence. I fought them off the best I could, and then, I hid with him in the hold. I think you know the rest. Since you saved my rider, I am in your debt, Young Viking.” Temeraire said. “Well, you’re safe now. We’re heading to Berk, my Island. I’ll have Gothi, our healer, treat your wounds. She’s the best we got. For both humans and dragons.” Hiccup added. Temeraire nodded. “It is much appreciated. Forgive my manners, but I never caught your name, Young Viking.” Temeraire said. “I’m Hiccup. This is Toothless.” He said, looking down at the Night Fury. “We’re almost there.” Hiccup assured Temeraire, as they came upon the island from the sky. They passed through the two great stone Viking statues, and arrived in front of the Isle of Berk, where he saw Astrid atop her Deadly Nadder, Stormfly flying towards them. “Hiccup! You’re back from your scouting trip! And… What Dragon is THAT?!” She asked, pointing at Temeraire. “This is Temeraire. I don’t know what breed he is, but his Rider, Laurence, needs Gothi’s help as soon as possible.” Hiccup said, and Astrid nodded, as the three dragons flew to a hut on top of the island. “I’ll take him from here.” Hiccup said, and Laurence was placed on Toothless’s saddle, as Hiccup and Astrid landed their dragons on the hut’s platform. Temeraire stayed aloft in the air where he was. They were met by not Gothi, but Gobber much to Hiccup’s surprise. “GOBBER? Where’s Gothi?” Hiccup asked him urgently. “She’s in town, Hiccup. Why do you… OH MY THOR! That is a BIG dragon! Is he going to kill us all?” Gobber asked Hiccup. “No, Gobber. This is Temeraire. And he needs our help. Toothless walked over to Gobber, and showed him the half-conscious Laurence. “Oh, my. Yep, he’s gonna need a healer.” Gobber said. We eventually found Gothi, well, Astrid and Gobber did. She wasn’t too happy about being disturbed from her errands but once she saw the wounds on Laurence and Temeraire she agreed to help us. Astrid had to move Temeraire away from Gothi’s hut, because he kept worryingly flying in repetitive circles, which could bring the hut down to the ground. Gobber and Hiccup stayed with Laurence while Gothi treated his leg. Once she was done, Hiccup thanked her, and asked if Temeraire could come back to talk to Laurence. Gothi said ‘no’. Well, actually, a lot more words than no, but Hiccup didn’t want to go into the details of that. After Gothi left, Gobber just said that Laurence needed his rest, and we were needed elsewhere in the village. With that, Gobber left, and Hiccup climbed onto Toothless’s saddle, and the Night Fury flew away, down to the village.

Chapter 3: Part 2: Laurence

Summary:

We finally see what happens to Laurence in his POV.

Part 2: Laurence

Chapter 4: Chapter 2

 

Part 2

Laurence

 

 

Laurence awoke to the sharp pain that coursed through his leg. His eyes had a hard time adjusting to the light of the room. He didn’t know where he was. Temeraire! Laurence remembered, and opened his eyes to check if the black dragon was still resting beside him. To his horror, he wasn’t. Had he been captured by the enemy? No. They wouldn’t have been kind enough to bandage his leg. Nor would they have given him a bed to lie in while the pain died out. They’d have most likely chained him to the floor of a hard cell, and taken him back to France, while Temeraire would’ve likely been executed on the spot then and there. He shivered at the thought. He opened his eyes warily. It was only now that he noticed them. He didn’t know why he didn’t before. A brown-haired boy, no older than 20, a blonde girl with blue eyes roughly the same age, a man that looked like he was a blacksmith, and an old woman, who was beginning to freak him out. He saw all of them. But no Temeraire. He gasped a few times, taking it in, and then he finally asked. “Where’s my dragon? Where’s Temeraire?!” He tried to get up, but the pain came right back to him. He groaned. “What have you done with him?” Laurence snapped. “Easy, easy. He’s safe.” The boy said. “Gothi, can we have Temeraire come up here?” He asked the woman. She shook her head, and scribbled in the dirt with a stick. “She says if he’s well enough to walk, which she doubts by the way, he can see the dragon at Hiccup’s place.” The older man said. “Do you think you can walk?” The boy asked. Laurence nodded. For Temeraire, he probably could. He knew his dragon was probably sick with worry, and he wanted to see if Temeraire was alive. “I can manage.” Laurence said, but as he stepped out of bed, onto the wooden floor, he nearly slipped, but the boy caught him. “You ok?” He asked. “I’m fine.” Laurence said. “Look, it’s faster if we fly. Toothless. Come.” A black dragon, relatively around 10 times smaller than Temeraire, walked up to them. “Well? Shall we?” The boy asked. Without hesitating, Laurence climbed onto the saddle, and Hiccup went on after him, placing his feet into the stirrups, and the dragon took off with a jolt. Laurence nearly fell off in the air. He wasn’t used to going so fast. Well, at least not on other dragons. “Toothless, slow down!” The boy commanded, and the dragon-Toothless- did as he was told. Eventually they landed near a hut that was bigger than most of the others, and the boy looked around. “He was here an hour ago.” He said, Laurence guessed he meant Temeraire. “TEMERAIRE!” He called out, and was greeted by the large dragon snatching him up in one talon, and looking down at him with an expression that looked to bystanders as if he was going to eat his rider. “LAURENCE!?” Temeraire roared. “Hello… Temeraire!” Laurence said in a strained voice. “Are you ok? You’re sounding kind of weird!” Temeraire said. Laurence grinned. “I’m fine. Put me… down, please.” He managed to say, and Temeraire did so. “Well, I’m glad to see you’re doing well, that’s all. We are very lucky that young Hiccup saved us and got us off that ship.” Temeraire said. “What?” Laurence asked. “Uhm, well… you were unconscious for that whole thing.” The boy, who Laurence assumed was Hiccup, said. “Thank you, Hiccup. I…” He turned to Temeraire. “I shouldn’t have been such a show-off.” Laurence admitted. Temeraire laughed. “Right you are! Imagine if HE had seen you flying around like a maniac up there!” Temeraire said, chuckling and Laurence sighed. “TEMERAIRE!” The dragon calmed himself. “Uh, sorry to butt in. Who’s he?” Hiccup asked. “Laurence’s ‘true looove’!” Temeraire said teasingly. “NOT HELPING!” Hiccup, to Laurence’s annoyance, LAUGHED.
“Oh, shut up, both of you!” Laurence said. He was tired, he was in unfamiliar territory, his leg was throbbing with pain. He couldn’t believe Temeraire would dare to bring up Tharkay to a complete stranger! He grimaced. This was hardly the introduction he’d imagined having to… whatever this was.
Hiccup thankfully contained his laughter, and Laurence gave a sharp look towards Temeraire to make him shut up. Hiccup was the first to speak after an uncomfortably long silence. “So, I’ve been wondering. What breed of dragon is Temeraire?” He asked. Temeraire raised his head in acknowledgment. “I am a Celestial Dragon. And, if you know anything, our breed is also called a Tien-Lung. Well, in China, at least. The idiots aboard the HMS Reliant mistook me for an Imperial Dragon.” Temeraire said. “A what?” Hiccup asked. “You really are an idiot, aren’t you?” Laurence asked Hiccup, who stepped back towards Toothless. “No! I just don’t know the types of Dragons where you come from.” Hiccup said, as he pulled out a large, thick book with a dragon symbol on it out of Toothless’s saddle bag. Temeraire eyed the book curiously. “What book is that? Is it a good read? What’s the plot of it? Is there violence?” Temeraire asked. Hiccup looked taken aback. “He can read?” Hiccup asked Laurence. “Yes. And I read to him.” Laurence replied, much to Hiccup’s amusement. “Are you serious?” Hiccup asked, though not in a jerky tone. He generally seemed surprised. “Yes.” Laurence said, and Temeraire nodded in confirmation. “What’s his favorite?” Hiccup asked, to which, Temeraire replied with, “The English translation of Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematicai. It really is an interesting book.” Temeraire said. Laurence sighed. “He probably doesn’t understand what you’re talking about.” He said, waving his arm in Hiccup’s direction. “I don’t. But I COULD figure out what that is if you want. I’d probably find some way to read it. Anyway, I was hoping that I could possibly add Temeraire’s species in the Book of Dragons, Laurence?” Hiccup asked. Laurence looked at Temeraire. “I’ve always wanted a book about me. Certainly, Hiccup.” Temeraire replied.
As Temeraire posed himself, Hiccup took out a pencil, and began to draw the mighty creature. While he did so, Temeraire filled him in with more information about Celestials. Once Hiccup was done, he showed the drawing to Temeraire. “It’s… astounding. Wonderful. A work of art!” Temeraire said, causing Laurence to sigh in annoyance. “Can we focus? What about getting Temeraire and I back home?” Laurence asked Hiccup. “Right. I think you’ll have to stay on Berk.” Hiccup said, and Laurence’s eyes narrowed at him, as he adjusted his green coat around his shoulders. Hiccup added, “Well, at least until your injuries heal.”
Temeraire dipped his head. “That seems more than reasonable. Now, I think I would like to show my rider around this island, if you’d please give us a moment or two alone.” Temeraire said to Hiccup. “Certainly. Toothless, let’s go.” Hiccup said, and got onto Toothless’s saddle, as the Night Fury flew away. “I don’t WANT to stay here any longer than I have to, Temeraire!” Laurence snapped. “That may be, but we must wait to leave. You can’t fly me with your leg wounded, and as it stands, I’m still recovering from my own godforsaken injuries.” Temeraire said. “Then why? Why did we even attack that blasted ship anyway?!” Laurence asked. “We were given a direct order to attack. And if I remember correctly, as you very well do, too, good soldiers follow orders.” Temeraire told him. “Well, maybe it’s time to stop playing the role of a ‘good soldier’. That assault nearly got us killed!” Laurence said. “AND WHOSE FAULT WAS THAT, EXACTLY?!” Temeraire roared, making Laurence take two steps back. “IF YOU HADN’T BEEN SO COCKY WITH FLIGHT MANEUVERS, IT WOULD HAVE SAVED US A LOT OF TROUBLE!” Temeraire began to hover in the air, casting his enormous shadow over Laurence. “I WILL NOT BE FELLED DUE TO YOUR ARROGANCE AGAIN! DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND THAT MY SOLE PURPOSE IS TO PROTECT YOUR MISERABLE LIFE?!” Temeraire yelled at Laurence, as the man shrank back, suddenly feeling helpless. “I DO NOT WANT TO HURT YOU, WILLAM LAURENCE! BUT IN WAR, WE MUST MAKE HARD CHOICES, THAT DETERMINE OTHERS’ FATES, EVEN AT THE COST OF THOSE WE LOVE!” Temeraire roared. “I’m sorry! I just wanted to…” but Temeraire wouldn’t listen to him. “YOU WEREN’T THINKING STRAIGHT! YOU WERE LIKE A DRAGONET WHO DIDN’T THINK TWICE BEFORE ACTING AND POKING THEIR NOSE INTO SOMETHING! AND WHAT IF, LAURENCE… WHAT IF THAT SOMETHING BITES BACK AND I’M NOT THERE TO PROTECT YOU?! WHEN YOU PUT YOUR LIFE ON THE LINE, YOU’RE ENDANGERING MINE AS WELL!” Temeraire said. “When all I want… is to help you.” The dragon landed on all fours in front of Laurence, and bowed his head towards his Captain. Laurence hugged Temeraire’s neck. “I’m sorry for what I said. Do you forgive me?” Laurence asked cautiously. “I do.” Temeraire said, and Laurence closed his eyes as his head leaned into Temeraire’s dark scales. “Sometimes, taking a leap forward means… leaving a few things behind.” Temeraire said, though Laurence was too consumed in thought to hear. Temeraire pulled his head away from Laurence, backing up as he did this. “We should find Hiccup. He said he wanted us to meet people.” The dragon said, and Laurence sighed as he straightened himself, while he put his injured leg into Temeraire’s large harness. Then, with a surge of Temeraire’s powerful wings, the two soared into the air, and flew towards the direction in which they had seen Hiccup & Toothless take their leave.

Notes:

I absolutely loved writing Laurence’s chapter. It was SO FUN! I know I need to read the rest of His Majesty’s Dragon, but like I said in the tags, I know stuff from spoilers! So, I got you covered. Also, the scene where Temeraire is talking with Laurence after Hiccup leaves and he says ‘sometimes taking a leap forward means leaving a few things behind’ was ABSOLUTELY an Arcane reference! Thank you to Ekko for having that amazing quote, BTW.
I really enjoyed writing that ending scene where Temeraire yells at Laurence. It was so good to see the Dragon-Rider interactions, which I love writing, and hope I get to do more in PT.3, with Eragon and Saphira! If you like the fanfic, don’t hesitate to leave kudos and give a comment. PS: Sorry for the procrastination on this chapter, school & midterms got in the way. But I finally finished it, so I hope this was worth it!

Chapter 5: Part 3: Eragon

Part 3: Eragon

Chapter 6: Chapter 3

Part 3
Eragon

Through these past few hours, every flap of Saphira’s wings had been strained, as she was in unfamiliar airspace and the storm they had previously encountered had been of no help. Eragon’s cloak flew back and forth against his body in the wind. He glanced over at Pallor next to him. Lee kept the dragon at a steady pace, though they had been flying for a week straight after they’d been warned by the Eldunarí on Vroengard of the gathering darkness. Valdr had told them to find the Dragonriders of Berk, and aid them in the coming fight. So, with a map in hand, they had set off for the island, instead of returning home to Alagaësia. The Isle of Berk was as far north as they could go. The cold slashed at them like a whip. What is upsetting you? Saphira asked him. “Nothing, Saphira.” Eragon replied to his dragon. I can tell when you’re lying. Saphira said, and he sighed. “I’m fine.” He told her. And now I can tell you’re faking. Saphira said, a tone of sarcasm in her voice. “I just hope it’s worth it.” Eragon admitted. “New Dragon Riders?” He asked her, a hint of a smile on his face. It is an exciting thought, isn’t it? Saphira replied, a low hum radiating from her. “Yes. I wonder what they’re like.” Eragon said, looking at Saphira. Well, not one Rider is the same as another. You must know that. Said Saphira. Eragon nodded. “I know.” He said. “Master Eragon?” Lee asked, as Pallor flew up next to us. “Yes?” Eragon asked. He still wasn’t used to being called ‘Master’ by Lee, but he knew the younger Rider was doing his best. “I think we’ve arrived.” Lee said, pointing at the large island ahead of us. We flew faster as we approached the looming Isle of Berk. “We made it.” Eragon breathed a sigh of relief as he said this. Saphira climbed higher as they soared in between the two giant Viking statues that seemed to be ‘guarding’ the island. So this is Berk. Saphira hummed, as we gained nearer towards the island, but as we came close to land, we were confronted by a big red dragon, whose scales were lit up with flames, a Rider sat on his back. “Who goes there? State your business! Or whatever. Hiccup made me do this, u have no idea what I’m doing. It should’ve been Astrid on guard duty, but NOOOO! They wanted to talk with the new dragon! Big whoop. The dragon and his rider are muttonheads.” Lee shot Eragon a confused look.
Saphira growled at the rider. “Saphira, no!” Eragon said, pulling on the saddle’s pommel to keep Saphira from attacking. “We’ve come to warn your chief. The Dragon Master! That his island and the dragons… are in serious danger!” Lee explained. “Hush, Lee.” Eragon told his apprentice. “Sorry, Ebrithel,” Lee replied. Eragon sighed, and looked at Lee. “It’s fine. Next time, wait your turn, Lee.” Eragon said. “Yes, Ebrithel.” Lee said, and his gaze dropped to Pallor’s silver scales under the saddle. “I am sorry for the intrusion. My name is Eragon Shadeslayer and this is my dragon, Saphira Bjartskular. These are my apprentices, Leon Stormscourge and Pallor Argetblaka.” Eragon said. Lee nodded next to me. “Jorgensen, Snotlout Gary.” The rider replied. “So, your name is Jorgensen Gary?” Lee asked. “LEE!” Eragon hissed at his apprentice. “I apologize for his foolishness. “My name is Snotlout Jorgensen of House Jorgensen.” The rider said. “Did he just say… Snotlout?” Lee asked Eragon, who nodded silently, although he was just as confused as his apprentice. Saphira was staring at the red dragon untrustingly, and Eragon put a hand on her scales, stopping her from attacking. “Saphira, hold.” Eragon said. “May we speak to your chief…. Snotlout?” Eragon asked the rider, who sighed. “Yeah, whatever. Come on. He’s in the Academy right now, he said something about trading battle tactics with the new rider.” Snotlout said, as his dragon turned around and they flew down towards the island.

Notes:

The reason this chapter was shorter than the others was because of 2 reasons. Reason A, I had writer’s block on Eragon. Reason B, I wanted to speed through the next chapters before part 6, where it REALLY gets to the good stuff!

Chapter 7: Part 4: Hiccup

Part 4: Hiccup

Chapter 8: Chapter 4

Notes:

Stranger things are happening to Hiccup and Laurence after Eragon’s arrival.
Now that I actually have books 1, 2, and 3 of Temeraire, I can finally learn more about the characters! I already love both Laurence and Temeraire so, I felt the need to write more of this.

Part 4 Hiccup

 

 

When Snotlout crashed Hookfang into the dragon academy, the last thing Hiccup expected was for him to arrive with two new dragons, and new riders. But not before Hookfang took off into the air again, leaving me, Laurence, Toothless, and Temeraire with two complete strangers. I looked at Laurence. “Friends of yours?” I asked. “No. I’ve never seen them before.” Laurence replied. The rider on the blue dragon got off, sliding his foot out of one stirrup as he touched the ground. “I’m looking for Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, chief of the Isle of Berk. Which one of you is he?” The rider asked. “My apprentice and I have traveled far in order to warn him.” Hiccup stepped forward. “I’m Hiccup. This is my dragon, Toothless.” Hiccup said, patting Toothless’s head. “My name is Eragon Shadeslayer, son of Brom. My dragon is Saphira Brightscales. And this is my apprentice, Lee Stormscourge and his dragon, Pallor Argetskular.” Eragon said. Hiccup nodded. Laurence stepped forward this time, approaching Eragon. “I am Captain Willam Laurence, former commander of the HMS Reliant, and now the Captain, or Rider if you prefer, of Lung Tien Xiang, more so known as Temeraire.” Laurence said. “What do I need to be warned of?” Hiccup asked, once Laurence was done. “There is a threat. A threat stronger than all of us that could tear our waking reality as we know it apart. All of us, are doomed to suffer a fate worse than death if we do not band together as allies, not enemies in the coming war.” Eragon said. “That’s… certainly ominous. What do we do?” Hiccup asked. “We gather the Riders. I’ve already scryed Arya to bring our forces to Berk. Laurence, if there are more riders from where you come from.. we need all the help we can get.” Eragon told Laurence. “I may know a few.” Laurence said, nodding. “Good.” Eragon replied. “How do I get a message to them?” Laurence asked Hiccup. “I have just the thing.” Hiccup said, as he laid a piece of paper against a stone table in front of them, and a Terrible Terror flew onto his shoulder. “Air mail. It’ll get to them quickly.” Hiccup said. “I beg your pardon, Young Haddock, but perhaps if I carried the message, the riders in the Aerial Corps would be more trusting opposed to a strange little dragon.” Temeraire said. “IT TALKS?!” Lee asked. “I am a ‘HE’, youngling! Not an ‘it’!” Temeraire snapped. “Sorry, sir. My apologies. I’m just not used to dragons talking. Aside from doing it telepathically. I’ve been trying to understand Pallor, but it’s a struggle I haven’t fully gotten used to as of yet.” Lee said. Temeraire shook his head. “Ah. And he doesn’t talk naturally?” The dragon asked. Lee looked down at Pallor from where he sat on the saddle. “No.” Lee said. “I see your predicament, Lee. But, perhaps it’s for the best that Pallor keeps his mind closed from you.” Temeraire said. “Keeps his mind closed?” Lee asked. “Pallor is not communicating to you because he doesn’t fully trust you, you must understand that sometimes it takes years for a rider to earn their dragon’s trust. And sometimes it happens automatically, but, Lee, considering your lineage to the Dragonborn, Pallor will not open his mind to yours unless you discard it completely.” Temeraire said. “You mean forget who I come from? Just so I can understand my own dragon?” Lee asked. “Yes.” Temeraire replied. “I can’t.” Lee said. “Then, you’ll never succeed in your efforts.” Temeraire said, and turned his neck away from Lee, and focused 9n Laurence, who was now writing down the message. “Temeraire…” Laurence said, his gaze not meeting the dragon’s as he spoke. “I think it is for the best if the Terror delivers the message. That way, it can go unnoticed.” Laurence said. “And who, perchance, is the message to?” Temeraire asked. “None of your importance!” Laurence snapped, but Temeraire bent his head down to Laurence’s face level, as his rider showed him the message. “Ah. So you’re writing to him.” Temeraire said. “Is there a problem with that?” Laurence asked. “No. We’ll need all the help we can get.” Temeraire replied. Hiccup watched the two discuss. “Anytime now, Laurence.” Hiccup said, and the Terrible Terror flew towards Laurence, landing on his shoulder. Hiccup handed Laurence a string, and the latter tied it around the Terror’s leg, and slid the rolled up message inside. Laurence took a deep breath as he did so. “Hopefully it gets to him.” Laurence said. Temeraire nodded in agreement. “So, Eragon. Do you have any idea what this danger is?” Hiccup asked. “I don’t remember much of the vision that Umaroth showed me, it was more like this… shadow or fog. But it… had a face. A draconic face, and it was attacking us. All of us. I saw you and your dragon. And I saw them.” Eragon gestured first to Hiccup, and then to Laurence & Temeraire. “We were fighting alongside each other, with equally matched forces. Dragon riders were battling the monster as well, protecting us like we were the commanders of this army.” Eragon said. Hiccup and Laurence looked at each other. This was not a good sign. “And you’re saying this monster was a dragon?” Hiccup asked. “Yes.” Eragon replied. “But not quite. It was hidden in a storm that was fueled by this purple lightning. It was weird, like nothing I’ve seen before. The creature was ginormous. And would not let us pass it, it was like a shark.” Eragon said. “Hmm.” Hiccup said, thinking. “I think we should investigate. If this creature is real, then we have no choice but to look for it ourselves. Which means, we go solo, with no backup, as fast as we can go.” Hiccup said. “But what if it devours us?” Lee asked. “Eragon said it’s a living, breathing creature.” Laurence said. “And it’s more of a storm than you’ve ever seen! It’ll swallow you whole like a snake swallows its prey.” Lee said, concerned. “Yes. But if it lives, it dies. You said it’s a shark. You said it’s a snake. So, if my theory is correct, we have to put an end to it before this escalates too quickly into madness. So I’m gonna kill the shark. Right through the eye of the storm.” Hiccup said. “This is insane, Hiccup!” Laurence said. “There’s no way we’ll survive it ourselves!” Lee said, worry laced his words. “But we also might just survive it.” Hiccup said, and he went to the side of the Arena, where he found Toothless’s Dragon scale armor, made from the scales of a Screaming Death. “Courtesy of Snotlout, much to my surprise.” Hiccup explained to the others. As Hiccup put the armor on Toothless, he looked at the three Riders. “Do any of you have armor? For your dragons or yourselves? Because this could get really ugly if we aren’t careful.” Hiccup said. Eragon shook his head. “I didn’t bring Saphira’s armor or my own.” He said. Lee reached into Pallor’s saddlebags and pulled out a coat of armor, a helmet, and a silver sword. “I brought mine.” Lee said. At the sight of the sword, Eragon gasped as if realizing something and turned to his own saddlebags, where he unsheathed a brilliant blue blade from them. “BRISINGR!” He yelled, and his sword fell ablaze with blue fire streaming out from the blade. “WOW! It’s so cool!” Hiccup said, reaching for Inferno at his left side. Eragon chuckled. “Brisingr was forged by the elven smith, Rhünon, as well as myself. It means ‘Fire’ in the Ancient Language.” Eragon explained. Hiccup gaped in awe of the sword. “Check this out!” He said, and held up Inferno for Eragon to see. “Okay. But what does it DO?” The older rider asked. “You’ll see.” Hiccup said, and clicked a button on the hilt of the sword, making the blade shoot up like a geyser. “WHOAH!” Eragon said enthusiastically. “How did you make THIS?!” Eragon asked Hiccup, swiping Inferno’s now disengaged hilt from Hiccup’s hands. “Science I guess?” Hiccup replied, shrugging. “If you two are quite finished comparing swords… are we going to do this or not?” Laurence asked, as he climbed on Temeraire. “Yes.” Hiccup said, and lifted himself up onto Toothless’s saddle, clicking his peg leg into the stirrup, and unleashing the red tail fin. “Let’s go, Bud.” Hiccup said, and gripped the handles of the Night Fury’s saddle. Eragon nodded, and jumped back on Saphira, and Lee did the same on Pallor. Astrid was coming into the arena, and saw Toothless in battle armor, as well as Temeraire, who had been put into armor whilst Hiccup and Eragon talked. “Hiccup, what are you doing?” Astrid asked. “Saving the world! I’ll be back. Probably.” Hiccup said, looking at the other three. “I’m coming with you.” Astrid said, and summoned Stormfly, using a dragon call. The Deadly Nadder flew into the arena, and Astrid mounted the saddle. “Astrid…” Hiccup began. “Don’t try talking me out of it, Haddock. I’m going. Whether you like it or not.” Astrid said, glaring at Hiccup, as if to make her point known. “Okay.” Hiccup said. “Come on, Toothless.” He patted his dragon’s scales, and the five dragons surged upwards, into the air.