By Dragon and Flame

(??? POV, Multiversal Viewing Theater)

"Bet you didn't expect us to be back so soon!" S.E put on a smug look that made me want to punch him in the face. Who the hell was he even talking to?

Wanting to return back to the screen, "So… What now?" I asked.

"Now, we're going to flip a popular trope on its head."

"Really?" Looking skeptical at the living universe, my eyes narrowed at him. Usually something like that is done pretty badly. Tropes are tropes for a reason, flipping it can either be a success or an absolute bomb.

"Just watch."

In the blink of an eye I found myself seated on the plush chairs and with a tub of popcorn in my arms.

------

The scene opened to show the vacant eyes of a fresh corpse. 

Zooming out, one could see thousands upon thousands of bodies either piled up on each other or scattered around the area. The battlefield, for what else could it be had blood wash over it, blades shattered, men injured, crippled or in the process of welcoming death's embrace.

At the center of it all was a single individual surrounded by a dozen figures. Many appeared to be missing limbs, some barely standing, while others had eyes as vacant as the corpses that filled the battlefield. Only the central individual remained standing straight, looking uscathed.

With keen eyes he looked at those surrounding him with disappointment.

Not hatred, not anger, but disappointment. Perhaps that more than anything else hit those around him the hardest.

"We had no choice." The leading figure stated, her voice hoarse, shaken by their failure and the indescribable power they faced.

"Everyone has a choice, you simply chose the easy way out." His tone lacked the usual gentleness and levity he was known for.

These weren't his friends and closest allies, just enemies that needed to be put down. For better or worse.

"The world needed peace, you would have put all that into jeopardy. Matt, you have to understand." She pleaded, trying to justify her companions' actions.

Unmoved by her words, Matthias stared at her, and with no hesitation he struck. Faster than anyone could react, his blade pierced right through her heart. Resignation and acceptance filled her gaze before the light went out.

Though it did not stop there, the blade seemingly having a mind of its own, moved with lightning speed. No matter what those surrounding him did, the blade struck them down. Shields, spells, barriers… All were meaningless in front of the vengeful blade, their lives worth less than the vultures that encircled the battlefield.

Only after every single figure dropped dead, did the sword return to his side. The now holy blade, holy no more. It's previously bright color, now sporting a demonic shade.

Did Matthias regret his actions, not really. It was either him or them, life was a cruel mistress and only the strong survived. Taking one last look at the corpses of his former friends, Matthias took a deep breath, before his eyes focused on the dots that seemed to have escaped into the horizon.

"Now… to the ones that started this all."

------

"This…" I had no words for what I witnessed.

"You'd be even more surprised to know that just before that your counterpart killed the Demon King of that world. Even exhausted he was able to face an army and his former comrades without blinking." S.E explained.

A look of understanding passed my eyes, it appeared to be that cliche.

"Heroes come in many forms, ironically your counterpart represents the best type. Too bad, some influential people did not take kindly to that, at all."

"Then they deserve to die." I didn't know if it was the former film, but I now looked at death in a different light. A thought struck me, "You changed me somehow…"

"Not necessarily, I just decided it would be fair if you gain something from your counterparts after every viewing." S.E looked at me as if that made any sort of sense.

"Really? But what if I get magic, won't that put my world at risk once I go back." I looked at him, questioning his decision.

S.E chuckled at my reaction, "Poor lad, did you really think your world was normal, you might be the most average among your counterparts, but you're still special for a reason."

I paled at the implications of his words, don't tell me my world was more dangerous than I originally assumed.

"Now then, shall we get back into the film."

Leaving me to tremble at what exactly I was supposed to deal with on my return.

------

The scene opened, this time they were inside an ornate throne room.

Gold and precious gems wherever the eye could see, the sheer wealth depicted would make even the richest of men salivate. Such opulence contrasted heavily with the bloody scene.

Sitting on the grand throne, the familiar figure of Matthias looked stoney as he kicked the grasping hand of the bloodied figure trying to reach him.

"You made a mistake coming after me." Matthias' voice was harsh, making him look like an angel of death.

Blood covered his formerly pristane armor, the bloodied figures around looked at him with pure hatred and stark terror. Clearly they had not expected his return and thus were powerless to stop him.

Their most powerful warriors were nothing to him, how could they compare?

These courtiers that were so used to scheming and plotting in the dark, now faced an enemy who refused to play along with their little games. The board had been overturned and in such a way that it would never be able to recover.

"It had to be done." An old voice rasped out, his gaze filled with resentment.

Matthias looked at him bemused, "Oh? After all I have done for you all. This is how you repay my efforts?"

"You were too powerful to be controlled, if any single kingdom got your support, then we would be doomed." The old man insisted on retaining the high ground.

"So you turned my friends and allies against me… YOU LET THOUSANDS OF INNOCENTS PERISH BECAUSE OF YOUR FEAR AND GREED!" Matthias bellowed furiously, his amicable tone shifting in an instant.

"I… We… It had to be done! You yourself slaughtered them, you have no right to claim innocence."

"Since you continue to insist on my threat level, then it's only fair I let it become the truth." Purple light covered the old man, restraining him and bringing him closer to the enraged hero.

Looking at the old King and his so-called godfather with derision, Matthias reached out, his hands on the old man's neck.

"When you see my father, I hope you can look him in the eye as you repeat these very words." With a sudden crack, the former King's neck snapped.

The barely moving figures of the courtiers froze in shock, the Hero's actions cementing itself into their minds. Matthias looked at them in contempt, the purple energy beginning to divide onto itself, turning into marble-sized wisps of light that immediately rushed towards them.

Screams of agony filled the throne room, as the wisps touched their skins and burned them alive. Walking out of the room, Matthias left behind nothing but ruin, as the purple light slowly but assuredly began to tear apart the opulent palace.

"That's one Kingdom done, time to do away with the others." Matthias stared at the setting sun, he knew it would not be as easy as before.

The irony did not escape, he who intended to save this world would become its ruin, finishing the job his late rival started. He didn't mind though, for he never intended to come out of this whole, not after everything he went through.

------

"He's very vengeful..."

S.E. shrugged his shoulders, coincidently at the same time a few galaxies collided with each other, creating an impressive display of colors and explosions. "His closest friends and allies were instigated to betray him by someone he thought he could trust, forcing him to kill them or be killed."

"I don't know how I would react if I was in his situation." I spoke honestly, my life was average as could be, the only conflict I'd ever faced was whether to try and cheat on the exam or study for it seriously.

"He's literally you but raised in a different environment, you would very much react the same way, should that have happened to you."

I didn't know what to say to that, and frankly it was something I never wanted to go through, because deep down I know this ROB was correct.

Letting me stew in my thoughts, the starry being motioned for the screen to start.

------

This time they were introduced to a pale white room, almost colorless in nature, at the middle of it all was a rather simple desk and two figures on either side.

One of those figures happened to be none other than Matthias himself, while the other was the all too familiar form of the galaxy given form. With tens of hundreds of stars flying in random patterns around his constantly shifting body.

Breaking the silence, S.E addressed the visibly fatigued figure of the former hero, "You know, I've witnessed many a fall of great heroes, but yours might be the most complete just yet. Most in your position perish early or choose to pave the road for a younger and more naive hero."

The response he received was less than stellar, as Matthias looked at him blankly, unimpressed by his praise, or more precisely, uncaring of it all.

Carrying on to stave off the awkwardness of this whole situation, S.E continued, "Alright, tough crowd. So let's be frank kid, you're getting reincarnated and there's absolutely nothing you can say that will change my mind."

This seemed to jolt the former hero as he glared fiercely at that powerful being in front of him, "I refuse to rob an innocent child of its future."

Quirking his lips, S.E smirked at the edgy brat, at least he retained a bit of his morality. "Don't worry kid, this is a true reincarnation, none of that body-snatching nonsense that you're familiar with. You will be reborn in every true sense of the world, hell it might even push the world to a better direction now that you're involved."

Despite being more than a bit skeptical of the entity's words, Matthias didn't seem to be pleased about influencing the fate of another world. He'd practically sent his own back to stone age after all, it would take centuries if not millennia before it could recover.

The hero wanted to retire, be it to the underworld or heaven, he wasn't all that picky.

"None of that depressing shit kid, your patron was insistent that you get another shot at life, this time unfettered, every decision you make in this next life will be your own."

"Really?" Matthias was pleasantly surprised at the entity's words, while he wasn't fully believing in him, it wasn't like he could do anything against the starry being.

When you go through as many life threatening experiences as he had and at such a young age, one tends to recognize their true situation and this was no better. This entity, whatever it was, could fold both him and the demon king in half, without breaking a sweat.

"Yes really, and thanks for the compliment. Most idiots in your place would immediately think of benefits they can extract from me, it's refreshing finding someone who's cardinal sin isn't stupidity."

The hero had a wry look on his face, not sure how he was supposed to take such a backhanded compliment. "You said something about a patron…" Matthias started.

"Yup, you're one lucky kid, she's quite the looker and thoroughly mat-sexual, boy you better thank her profusely. Then again best you wait till you're older, you're still thirteen after all."

"What?"

"Poor lad, that's a millenia old virgin thirsty for you, you better pray your hips survive when you're finally legal."

"I beg your pardon."

S.E continued to mess with the fallen hero, before winking at those watching, as the befuddled hero tried to come to terms with his statements.

------

"HE'S ONLY THIRTEEN!!!" I yelled out in shock.

"Yeah, pretty impressive. You can't forget he managed to destroy the world order, without a system too. The kid has great potential." S.E added much to my growing horror.

"But… But… He looks like a grown man." I protested, for S.E's sake he looked old enough to be my dad.

"His 'allies' kept shoving growth elixirs down his throat to stimulate as much as power from him. Coincidentally, it reduced his lifespan… so that's another reason for his eventual fall."

What the fuck? I didn't know if I should pity my counterpart or be horrified by the implications of S.E's words.

"He was always meant to die."

"Pretty much, he was the nuke they needed to end the problem they created. How ironic is that?" S.E lips twitched as he reminisced the events that culminated to Matthias world shattering fall.

Sighing at the ridiculousness of my counterparts fat, "This is way too cliched." I let out under my breath.

My line didn't escape the omnipotent being, who just laughed. "You wouldn't believe just how true your words are. Now shush, time to peek at the new world."

------

The screen started back up again, presenting them to pale red stone. Zooming out, once could make out seven massive drum-towers crowned with iron ramparts, creating an intimidating sight.

Shortly after, the scene changed, this time they were met with a richly decorated room. Panning closer, three figures stood out clearly.

The first was a delicate pale child, with silver white hair and deep purple eyes that was filled with heartbreaking melancholy, betraying his age. His hands gently held onto the second occupant of the room, who lay feebly on the bed, an old man, who shared the child's deep purple eyes.

Despite his aged appearance, the older man carried an aura about him that spoke of great strength and wisdom. Watching over them was an armored figure, wearing an all white cloak.

Looking warmly at the child, "Runciter has sung nothing but praises for you, little dragonet." Jaehaerys said proudly.

Paying no heed to his grandfather's praises, "Alicent told me you attempted to leave your bed again old man." The child responded angrily at his grandfather.

Embarrassed at being discovered so easily, Jaehaerys couldn't help but avert his eyes, unable to withstand his favorite grandchild's righteous fury.

Ser Ryam, the armored figure was gratified by what he was witnessing, few could speak so honestly to the King and be as trusted. In fact, among his family Prince Maekar was perhaps the only one who had no agenda when speaking to the King.

A terrible thing he had witnessed throughout his tenure as a member of the Kingsguard, even the well-meaning Viserys treated King Jaehaerys with caution and tended to keep his distance.

Showing the wisdom he had accumulated throughout his reign, "Speaking of Alicent, Otto has once again attempted to set up a betrothal between you two, Mae." Jaehaerys shifted the topic to one he knew would be able to distract the little dragonling.

"Bah… I should have Silverwing burn his beard off." The young prince was annoyed by the hand's ambitions.

While the prince wasn't surprised by Hightower's ambitions, it was still far too early for him to think about marriage. Learning from his past mistakes, Jaehaerys had avoided setting up a betrothal for his grandson without his input.

Knowing full well that such an action would incite the young dragon to do something foolish, and he had no desire to part with perhaps the only member of his house that loved him unconditionally.

"How is Silverwing doing? Last I heard she was hunting the water of King's Landing." Jaehaerys asked curiously.

The pride in Maekar's face was obvious to see, "Of course, she's been growing exponentially since we bonded. I dare say she could soon be compared to Vhagar." He boasted to the two.

Jaehaerys indulged the young child's clear affection for his scaled companion as he talked about his experience with the lively dragon. The pair had been close as could be, their bond was already stronger than the one silverwing shared with his late sister-wife.

He was well aware of what they called his grandson. Maekar the 'Spirited', born to take on everything the world had to offer, many said. Whispers followed of how suited the young Prince was for the throne, just like his father before him.

In a sense Jaehaerys couldn't blame the people, his grandson was a perceptive child, capable of matching many thrice his age in a battle of wits as Runciter was so fond of saying. It didn't help that the child's father proved to be the Master of Laws the realm had seen.

It didn't help how suspiciously docile his own dragon Vermithor was when in the presence of Maekar. Jaehaerys had his suspicions, but he chose to not look into it, if it was true then no person could threaten his little dragonling and that was all that mattered.

A shame his grandson had perished so early, the aged King knew deep in his bones that his grandchild Aegon, Maekar's father, would have made a better King than either of his siblings.

Anguish filled his face as he remembered the loss of his daughter and grandson, regret filling him. Perhaps sensing the older man's emotion, Maekar said nothing. Instead choosing to hug his grandfather, bringing warmth to an old man haunted by his failures.

The embrace was eventually broken when a servant politely entered the chambers, handing Ser Ryam an intricately designed parchment.

With a raised eyebrow, the old Knight glanced at the parchment, before his expression went grim. "Your grace, I regret to say that the verdict has been revealed. Prince Viserys has been declared the heir to the Realm." Just saying these words seemed to age the legendary Knight.

A complicated look entered the eyes of both the King and Prince at this revelation.

"Aunt Rhaenys deserved the throne…" Maekar did not care for anyone's reaction to his words, for he knew it was the simple truth.

Avoiding his grandson's gaze, "What's done is done Maekar, this was the only way to avoid war." Jaehaerys says, yet even he had a hard time believing his own words.

"Maybe, but at what cost." 

Neither Jaehaerys nor his loyal Kingsguard were aware of it, but these words would foretell an event that would shake the House of Dragon to its core, for better or worse.

------

"That's kind of jarring."

"Fair, he went from an edgy avenger and turned into a loving grandson. Not exactly something anyone would expect." S.E admitted, it wasn't all that normal.

"The scene mentioned something about Vermithor, isn't Silverwing his dragon? I thought Valyrians can only have one dragon in a lifetime."

"He may have been reborn, but his soul shines bright. Is it a wonder that he would be just as special in this life as he had in his former life?" For the first time I saw S.E look serious, I wondered just how special this particular counterpart was.

"No matter how hard you try, some flames simply cannot be extinguished. Always keep that in mind boy." The starry entity warned.

Before I could respond, the screen started back up.

------

Two individuals faced each other, sharing similar traits of Silver hair and purple eyes. They both held otherworldly visages, though the one that lacked a crown appeared to be the better of the two, appearance-wise at least.

"Surely you can't be blind to how special he is, brother." Daemon's voice echoed throughout the solar.

Viserys paid no heed, while he understood his brother's opinion regarding their nephew, he refused to act against the only piece they retained from Aegon and Gael. Even now he regretted keeping his distance from his late sibling.

How foolish both of them had been to blame him for their mother's death. He knew Daemon felt the same way, unfortunately the fool could never express his apologies without coming off as menacing.

Perhaps it was true what many said, Aegon presented the perfect mix of the two of them. Unyielding but just, kind yet ruthless when necessary. Was it a wonder he made such a good Master of Laws, the Watch had never been as trustworthy as they had been under his guidance.

"A better king indeed." His murmurs didn't escape Daemon who looked like he sucked a particularly sour lemon.

"Make the boy my ward, I can bring out the greatness in him that others would not hesitate to stifle." Daemon insisted. 

Viserys understood that this was his brother's way to atone for his mistake with Aegon.

"You know I can't do that. Grandfather had made it clear that no one was to dictate our nephew's future, only he can choose his path going forward. We made a promise, we shall keep to it."

"And let Redwyne fill his head with tales of Knights and glory, that surely will turn out well." Daemon scoffed at the thought of it. "You can't forget he is also quite close to that Velaryon girl, Corlys' machinations no doubt."

Sending a sharp look towards his brother and silencing him. "I have faith in our cousin, Rhaenys will not stand for either Maeker or Laena being pawns to the grasping Seahorse." Viserys spoke, he was serious about that.

Rhaenys was many things, but she would never turn against her family, especially not against Aegon's only child.

"It would not be a terrible idea to have Rhaenyra get close to him, no doubt there's much she can learn from him."

His brother looked at him, amused by his words. "Oh, the battle for the heart of the 'Spirited' dragon. That toady of yours, Otto will surely panic seeing his scheme come undone."

Sending a bland stare at Daemon, Viserys refused to give his brother any satisfaction. While he was aware of Otto's attempt to tie Maekar to his daughter, that did not mean he would just stand aside and let it happen.

Especially not when one of their largest dragons was at stake. No matter how much he respected his Hand and his efforts for the realm, there were some rewards not even he dared give.

"I won't ward the boy to you, but it would not be out of the question if you were to instruct and guide him." Viserys relented, it would not hurt to give his brother a chance.

…

As the flames burned bright, the Great King's body was finally laid to rest.

Standing vigil over his grandfather's body, Maekar shouted the command that would stay in his mind for a long time. "Dracarys!"

Both the legendary beasts next to him heeded his words, letting out massive breaths of fire that lit the late King's pyre. Engulfing it in flames and in due time, cremating his body.

Tears of anguish escaped the boy's eyes, the loss remaining fresh on his mind. Uncaring of the eyes that gazed upon him. There was no weakness to mourn the dead, and those that thought otherwise could never be counted on.

Feeling a nudge on his left, Maekar found himself staring straight into the Bronze Fury's eyes, urging him to get on top of it. Pausing, he looked at his trusted silver companion, refusing to ride another dragon without her permission.

Gently, the silver dragon nodded her head, assenting to her mate's request.

Wiping his tears as he climbed on top of his grandfather's former mount, Maekar Could make out several gasps of shock, yet he cared little for their thoughts as he sought freedom in the skies and an escape from this city.

When Vermithor took off at its newest rider's urging, his mate Silverwing swiftly followed behind, declaring for all to see, their shared sovereignty over the young Prince.

…

Rhaenys watched with complicated eyes as her cousin's child achieved something no other Dragonrider had ever done. Looking back at her husband and his rival, she knew things would never be so peaceful for Maekar.

Yet, one hope remained. Her daughter, her sweet beloved little dragoness looked on with pure joy as her closest and truest friend made his startling achievement.

Perhaps not all is lost.

------

"Well can't say I didn't see that coming."

"A bit on the nose, but it would've felt wrong if those two were separated." S.E wasn't all that surprised, having observed Maekar's journey already.

"So… What now?" I asked tentatively, the scene did wrap up the introduction quite well.

"You sleep."

That was all I could make, before everything went dark.

…

The starry entity faced no particular direction as he spoke,"As for you lot, here are some sneak peeks I reckon you'll enjoy."

------

"Mae.."

Refusing to awaken from his slumber, the young Prince stubbornly kept his eyes closed.

"Mae.."

Goddammit it, let him sleep!

"Mae…"

When frustration got the better of him, he opened his eyes to find himself staring at a pair of intense violet orbs. Whatever he wanted to shout never came to be, as her mane of silver-gold ringlets fell on his side.

Her eyes visibly watering, her mouth moved to form a familiar pitiful pout, "You promised." Her voice was laden with vulnerability and trust.

Turning his head, the Prince could only unwillingly nod his head in aquisence, "I'll be ready in a few minutes." Choosing to give up while he was ahead.

Unseen by the boy, was the victorious smirk on the girl's face, as she got off her closest friend and rushed outside.

------

With a steely expression on his face, Otto Hightower's presence frightened the young lady. Even as his daughter she could never understand his goals and ambitions, her mother, Seven Bless her, had been the only one able to do so.

"There is a saying I once overheard the late King say. Do you wish to hear it, Alicent?" She knew enough to realize that it was no request.

"Of course, father." She responded as expected of her.

"King Jaehaerys once told me that madness and greatness were two sides of the same coin. Every time a new Targaryen is born, he said, the gods toss the coin in the air and the world holds its breath to see how it will land."

Alicent dared not utter a word, her breathing barely audible as her father stares intensely into the flames.

"I believe that the gods have seen fit to bless Prince Maekar with both." Just as he was about to continue, the Hightower was cut off by an ear shattering roar, announcing the Prince's return.

------

Returning from its latest hunt, a monstrous black dragon flew triumphantly around the island, the blood of its latest prey covering its skin. Its ominous roars sparking fear in all who could hear.

Just as it was about to descend into its lair, two large silhouettes emerged from its side. Faster than it could react, the Black Dragon found both its wings ripped by the teeth of its assailants.

Feeling cornered, the wild beast did its best to push back the sudden onslaught. Only for its attackers to unleash a sea of flames that wounded it grievously and send it into the ground as it attempted to shield itself.

Despite this all, the furious beast roared in defiance of its assailant. Egging them on and refusing to give in, willing to fight on to death. What followed could only be described as a haunting scene, where only the strong survived.

------

"How exhilarating, can't wait for the official release." Sending a wink, the entity vanished from the theater.

"…"

======

Note: This idea has been stuck in my head for a while and I chose to throw it out there I guess. To be clear, I took inspiration from all the Johnny boy wank fics that have people falling over themselves just cuz his old man was Rhaeger. Aegon is by no means perfect, but when you compare him to the rest of his living relatives, well… you can see why so many are optimistic about him, comparison being the ruin of fortune and all that. As for Vermithor, well buy one get one free! We are jumping right back into LoN on saturday, though I might actually expand on a fic for this snippet after LoN is done, who knows...