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Chapter 2: Dragons for Heroes

Having a dragon go to school with him had proved to be more difficult than Aaron had initially thought. In just one day after Talon appeared, people at school almost bumped into the drake on a dozen different occasions. The main problem was the hallway between third and fourth hours. That hallway was always so congested, it was a miracle that no one ever got trampled to death. By the second day, Aaron had a remedy for the problem. Because Talon was small enough, and therefore light enough, Aaron could carry Talon on his shoulders above his back pack through the crowded halls and other packed areas.

After two weeks, Talon had nearly Tripled in size. Talon was now 9 feet long from the tip of his muzzle to the end of his tail, 3 feet at the shoulders, and weighed a good 225 pounds. His voice had deepened during that time, sounding like a adolescent of 15 years. However he was still considered a hatchling. Within those two weeks, Talon had also learned how to fly. He could only fly for about eight miles, but that problem would decrease with age. Aaron was able to solve the size problem at school with ease. he would have Talon fly on top of the school and lay up there, sunning himself while he attended his classes. Talon wasn't happy about the solution, but he loved the fact that he could sun himself while keeping a constant mental link with Aaron and though that link, Talon could see everything that Aaron saw.

Home life with Talon proved to be no less problematic. Talon was having a hard time fitting into the house, let alone Aaron's bedroom. The bigger problem was where Talon could sleep. With his new size, he could no longer curl up on Aaron's bed. Despite what some would think, this was actually quite simple to overcome. Talon could sleep in the garage until he out grew his allotted space. after that, he would have to sleep in the clearing located in the middle of the woods behind the house.

It was nearing the end of June and that meant that Aaron's graduation was imminent. Aaron was going to get recognized for so many things and Talon wasn't going to miss it for the world. Talon and Rakk hadn't told Aaron or Michael, but they planned on revealing themselves to everyone at the graduation ceremony. After that, they would tell the two young men what they knew concerning their appearances. Also of consideration was why Talon was growing slightly faster than Rakk. It wasn't due to gender as Talon and Rakk were both males. The ceremony would begin in two days time and after they revealed themselves to the world, Talon and Rakk would begin to fulfil one of their duties: training Aaron and Michael to be riders.

•••

"Aaron Cromwell." said the master of ceremonies. As Aaron ascended to the podium, the M.C. began to recount Aaron's school career, "One of our finest examples of student achievement, Aaron is class president and was head of the 2010 homecoming court. He has done countless community service projects and..." Talon could hardly believe it! Tears of pride welled up in his eyes. Aaron had done so much for the community already and soon,he would be a rider as well. "As Superintendent, it is my honor to present you, Aaron Cromwell, with a four year scholarship to Harvard University." As Aaron was handed the scholarship, the Superintendent motioned for him to take the microphone and continue the the ceremony by giving his speech and introducing the other members of the 2010 Student Council so that they could also receive recognition for their works as well

Over time, The accolades were forgotten along with those who received them. The speech given by Aaron was not written. The whole thing was given quite literally off the top of his head and no records of the event ever survived the ravages of time. It is said that it was one of the greatest speeches of its time. It was not long but powerful.

As soon as Michael received his awards, there were two deafening roars pierced the air. Talon and Rakk uncloaked themselves and crouched behind Aaron and Michael. Talon! Aaron exclaimed, What are you doing? Aaron was practically on the verge of a heart attack. The stands were full of people and all of the sudden, Talon decided to blow his cover!

We are introducing ourselves to the world, Aaron. Talon said.

Why?

Because they have a right to know about us and because we're not just going to sit in the backgrounds for the rest of eternity while you get all the glory for what we accomplish. We're in this together and you'd be wise to remember that. Then, Talon turned his attention to the crowd of people and directed his thoughts to everyone. Hello, students of Ronald High School. I am Talon, dragon of Aaron Cromwell. Talon used his tail to point to Rakk, And this is Rakk, dragon of Michael Li.

The crowd made a move to advance towards the four but Talon let loose a ferocious roar followed by a threatening growl. Everyone in the group of people stopped in their tracks and backed away. This is not what you humans call a "publicity stunt." Rakk said. We appeared to these two young men because it is their destiny to do great things. We will not pledge our alliance to any one country. We will only do what's best for the world as it is broken and needs to be repaired.

Aaron looked at Michael only to get a scowl from his friend in return. In defense, Aaron mouthed the words, "I had no idea." Talon made a motion for Aaron to approach him.

I know what you are going to say and all I can do to defend my actions is say that it had to be done. Talon said with a look that Aaron took for a grin. Look at the the world we live in. It is broken and it needs to be fixed. In order for that to happen, the people need someone that they can count on. Now, get on my back and we will go home. You will need to rest as we will be getting up early so you can begin your training. Aaron was surprised to find that, despite the rough-looking texture, Talon's scales overlapped smoothly and yet they were impervious to most types of harm that could befall any form of life.

The trip home was silent as Aaron was still immensely angry with Talon's actions that night. He wouldn't even allow the dragon access to his thoughts. By the time that the two reached the airspace above their home, Talon couldn't take it any longer and used all of his mental strength to force his way into Aaron's mind. We are here. Aaron made no move to acknowledge him.

With a huff, Talon landed in the long driveway and trotted to dissipate some of his inertia before finally coming to a halt. Aaron slid off of the drake. And silently walked into the house, Slamming the door behind him.

"hey, honey!" Ruth said as her son passed into the kitchen on his way to his room. "Aw, what's wrong, Aaron? I rarely ever see you so upset."

"Talon and Rakk Revealed themselves to everyone at the graduation ceremony." Aaron replied with a hint of frustration. "He said 'it had to be done.'"

"Do you trust him?" Ruth asked.

"I trust him, but I just don't know what I'm going to do about all this." Aaron replied. "I was given a four-year, all expenses paid scholarship to Harvard University. I can't pass up that kind of opportunity and yet Talon says I need to start 'training' for something."

With a sigh, Ruth began to impart some of her wisdom, "Well, if I were you, I'd trust Talon with my life to know what he's doing. Why shouldn't you give him the benefit of the doubt? After all, he is your dragon."

"Yeah, I suppose you're right. Well, it's late and I have to get up early on my first day of summer vacation for this 'training.'"

Bidding his mother good night, Aaron entered his room and flopped onto his bed. His heart was heavy with guilt for yelling at Talon. Sure, he'd done something that Aaron didn't agree with, but that didn't meant that scolding the drake for it was right. He opened the link between their minds and a barrage of images assaulted his mind. Talon was fast asleep and dream of flying high above the clouds with Aaron on his back. It took a moment for Aaron to realize what the dream meant: he was a dragon rider.

•••

Wake up, isthasy. Talon said. Aaron was already awake, he just refused to remove himself from his bed. It puzzled that Talon had used "isthasy" (a draconic word meaning "brother") to identify him. C'mon! I know you're awake, now get up! We have much to do and little time to do it.

Why are you calling me that? Aaron inquired as he got cloths to take a shower.

Calling you what? Talon asked in response.

You called me "brother" in Draconic, why?

I will explain it on the way to meet Michael and Rakk.

Aaron stepped into the shower and let the hot water flow effortlessly over his skin. The steam helped Aaron to relax and wake up from his sleepy stupor. He watched as the water carried the off of his skin and with it, all of the impurities were washed down the drain. Like dust in the wind. He thought to himself.

By the time Aaron was was outside, Talon was already in the driveway with his rump firmly planted on the cement. Are you ready, isthasy? Talon asked with a hint of anticipation.

I guess. Aaron said. But you still need to tell me why you insist on calling me "brother."

I will. Talon reassured. However, you need to get on the base of my neck so we can go. We don't have time to dawdle.

Aaron climbed onto the dragon's neck base. Positioning himself between two of the menacing spikes that followed the length of the drake's spine, he patted talon on the side to indicate that he was ready to go. With a huff of great exertion, Talon launched into the air at a rate of about 1,000 feet per second and quickly reached a comfortable cruising altitude. He flew in a northwesterly direction towards Michael's house. There was an advantage of flying that Talon loved to exploit: in the air, he wasn't confined to the paths that the roads chose to follow. He could pick any direction and go there without any impedance from land-based obstacles. With beats of his great, crimson wings; Talon began to get into a rhythm and stabilized his flight. Now I will tell you why I call you "isthasy." Talon said between flaps. As you know, "isthasy" means "brother." Before I appeared, you and I were one and the same, correct?

Yes, I used you as my main character in my stories. Aaron replied.

Okay, and knowing that, what is a solar flare?

A solar flare is a temporary, massive increase in energy output from the Sun.

Correct, and what usually accompanies solar energy?

Radiation from the Sun's nuclear fusion reactions.

Okay, with this information, it is my understanding that I was born of the Sun's radiation and your thoughts.

How do you mean?

Somehow, the radiation caused me to become a reality in every sense of the word. I am a physical embodiment of your draconic side.

So, why do you call me "isthasy?"

Because we are, in a sense, two of the same entity. It is something that you and I both share: A blood and complete mental relation.

Slowly, Aaron began to understand it all. Talon called him "isthasy" because they were the same person. They were twins in mind, heart, and soul. I think I understand. But why didn't dragons appear to everyone after the flash? Doesn't everyone have some sort of draconic side to them?

Talon paused for a second before answering, Yes, everyone does, but only those who were destined to be heroes had their draconian sides take physical form. Talon banked to the left before continuing, Today, you are going to begin training to be urthalre, a rider.

Aaron's heart skipped a beat. Me, a rider? Aaron thought, Is that really what I'm destined to be?

Talon had begun to descend to the earth below. We have arrived, isthasy. Talon said. Aaron looked to see where Talon's heading would take them and noticed that it was a large field. Several dummies made of stone, wood, or ballistics jelly lined the edges. It was only a five minute flight from both Aaron's and Michael's houses, dead center of the most direct route possible. When they were only fifty feet above the ground, Talon flared his wings, opening them up to their maximum length to catch as much wind as possible. Even though it only took less than a second, those last fifty feet seemed to take ages as the wind caught in Talon's wing membranes and slowed their descent from the sky.

Once again taking advantage of the long distance to the edge of the field, Talon trotted to a stop. He lowered his body all the way to the ground so that Aaron could dismount safely. Where are Michael and Rakk? Aaron asked. Aren't they supposed to be here as well?

With a snort, Talon stood back up and looked around. They heard a loud roar and looked in the northwestern sky. There, was the great ice dragon. Not as big as Talon, but Rakk just seemed to have a look of royalty. Talon, at this point was 18 feet long from chest to tail tip, had a neck length of 6 feet (giving him an over all length of 24 feet), and a height of 15 feet at the shoulders (giving him an over all height of 21 feet when holding his neck straight up). Rakk, on the other hand, was only 15'1" from chest to tail tip, had a 5'9" long neck (giving him and over all length of 20'10"), and a height of 8'11" at the shoulders (giving him an over all height of 14'8" when he was holding his neck straight up). As Talon had done, Rakk opened his wings as far as they would go to slow down his rapidly decreasing altitude. he trotted to a stop next to Talon and Aaron. Sorry we are late, Pliso Talon. Rakk said as he folded his wings. But this little one, Rakk hinted with his snout, didn't want to get out of his bed. I ended up having to put a little chill in his bones.

"He did! Michael said, "And it got me up."

Talon laughed at that and said, So now that we are all here, shall we get started?