To start off my ramblings, I've actually wanted to post this chapter earlier today in honor of the premiere of the third season of Star Wars Rebels. But I had to help clean up my house, do homework for my college classes, and keep an eye on my Grandma. But to be completely honest with you guys, I had this chapter done for a while now but I wanted to post this chapter with the next chapter for "Rise of the Padawans." But that has been taking a lot longer to write than I thought, not to mention the fact that I've also been writing the next chapter for "Once a Hero, Always a Hero."

And did anyone else get goosebumps while watching the first episode of Star Wars Rebels at the appearance of Grand Admiral Thrawn. Ohhhhhh, I just can't wait until the Ghost Crew officially meets him. EEEEeeeeeeeeee!

One last thing, I have a lot of drawings posted on my Deviantart page under the same name so go and check them out.

Now I'm done with my fangirling and information giving for now, so on with the story.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters except for my OCs.

Chapter 4

It was some time later when everyone split to either explore the ice caverns or talk to the leaders of the Battalion. Zeb decided to stay in the Arena to test his might against some of the heavier set rebels. Sabine and Ezra went with Ana, Reneè, and Waric to the stables to see more of the Varactyls. Kanan, Hera, and Ahsoka were walking around in the main village with Hiccup, Jack, and Astrid. Three Varactyls were following them; Toothless, a pure white Varactyl with bright blue eyes, and a light blue Varactyl with cream colored feathers and underbelly.

In the years following the Clone Wars, all they've seen from the public was defeated resignation to the oppressive rule of the Empire. However, here the civilians were relaxed and happy. The Jedi in the group could sense how content everyone was. There was no sign of any Stormtroopers or Imperial officers harassing the masses. The citizens went about their business and children were seen playing with each other in the streets. The buildings were built into the cliff face and served as housing for the villagers as well as the large meeting hall and infirmary. The few buildings that were hand built were the armory, blacksmith forge, storage house, a large barn, and for some reason racing stands.

The group was just walking past a large human man who had a small brown Varactyl waddling next to him. On its back were five kids, a Duros boy, a Togruta girl, a Pantoran girl, and two human boys. The man was apparently in the middle of a history lesson and was lecturing the kids. He nodded to Hiccup and Jack while the kids beamed and waved at the duo.

"I never thought I would see people so happy," Hera said as the man led the Varactyl and kids away. "I never thought with the Empire in power that they would be so-"

"Free," Hiccup finished for her.

"Which is why I believe that the rest of the galaxy can benefit from what you have accomplished here," Ahsoka commented.

A heavy scowl set on Hiccup's features. "I will not put the lives of my people at risk."

"They already put their lives at risk by just ambushing Imperial convoys," Hera countered. "All that you're doing is being an annoyance to the Empire, they'll just send more troops to this planet and create a bigger problem for you."

"You all seem to be under the assumption that this is a military base," Hiccup retorted. "This is a civilian base, nothing more nothing less. We may be better off than other camps scattered across the galaxy, but the majority of the people here are not fighters. Some of them are farmers or traders a lot of them with families, and they're only here because they have nowhere else to go. If we full on fight the Empire, we run the risk of them discovering these caves and endangering everyone."

"So you are just going to sit back and do nothing," Kanan said disbelieving what his friend was saying. "The Hiccup I know would do what is right not what seems to be easy."

Hiccup scowled and sent an icy glare at Kanan. The Jedi didn't flinch and met the glare with his own. The two men held each other's stare for a moment before Hiccup turned away from the group. "The way I see it, the only way to win against the Empire and Drago's rule is by surviving and we all did that pretty well for the past fifteen years. And I intend to make sure everyone in these caverns survive." He hopped onto Toothless's back and took a hold of the reins. "I'll let you and your crew stay here for one day to resupply then I want you all gone." He looked to Ahsoka and his face softened. "I'm sorry but my word is final." He snapped the reins and Toothless took off into the air.

Kanan let out a frustrated growl and glared in the direction his friend went off. Hera placed a calming hand on his shoulder and he smiled stiffly at her. He let out a sigh before looking towards Astrid and Jack. "That is not the Hiccup I remember."

Astrid shrugged in apology. "Like I said, so much has happened that it changed everyone. However, I do agree with you that we need to take a more active role in the rebellion."

"Is there anyway that we could convince him otherwise," Hera asked.

"You have to understand how bullheaded Belsavians are, it'll take a lot to change his mind." Jack ignored the deadpan stare Astrid sent in his direction before she rolled her eyes. "Unfortunately, I don't know what can change his mind."

Everyone fell silent at the implications that could be involved. Jack let out a sigh as he ran a hand through his unruly hair. He looked over to the three rebels and shrugged his shoulders. "I wish we could do more, really I do, but his word is law around here. As you two know very well." Kanan and Ahsoka nodded their heads, but Hera looked at the group in confusion. "Come on, let's go to the hanger bay."

As they started walking through the village, Hera slowed her pace so she was walking next to Kanan. The Jedi raised an inquiring eyebrow at the Twi'lek. "Kanan, what makes Hiccup so special?"

The man's eyebrows sprung up into his hairline before he let out an exhausted sigh. "Hiccup was the son of Stoick the Vast."

Hera jerked back as he recognized the name. "The former King of Belsavis? Then that makes the him-"

"The rightful heir to the throne."

Meanwhile, over at the stables, Ana, Renée, and Waric were showing Ezra and Sabine all the Varactyls that were living there. Many of them were currently resting in their individual pens either resting or, in the case of most of the females, taking care of their young. At the moment, the Belsavians were showing the offworlders how to groom them. Ana and Sabine were standing next to a lean brown female Varactyl with white circle markings, a red underbelly, and black feathers. It was letting out a purr like sound as the two girls scrubbed its flank.

"She's well trained," Sabine commented as she rubbed a sponge against the Varactyl's left flank. The Varactyl turned her head to look at the Mandalorian with intelligent bright amber eyes and nuzzled the girl's hand. Sabine let out a laugh and ran a hand down the Varactyl's beak.

"I raised Latias since she was an egg, it was all part of a new tradition Hiccup started," Ana responded. "When a Belsavian child becomes twelve standard years old, they are either given an egg or allowed to choose a pup and raise them. A good majority of everyone in these caves has a Varactyl."

Across the aisle, Waric was leaning against the wall as Reneè and Ezra tended to a young male Varactyl. The dragon mount was a pale blue almost light grey color with red and blacks markings, dark orange feathers, and hypnotizing red eyes. This Varactyl appeared to be smaller than the one in the next pen and was only taller than Ezra and Reneè by a head.

The Varactyl let out a huff before purring as Ezra rubbed the top of its head with a sponge. Ezra let out a laugh as the Varactyl shook the water out of its crown feathers. Reneè also laughed as she ran a hand down the side of the Varactyl's head. "Be nice, Kodlak." The Varactyl let out a mischievous bark before lying down on the ground.

"Don't get me wrong," Ezra started as he tossed his sponge into a water bucket next to them. "This place is great and all, but doesn't it get a little-"

"Quiet," Reneè finished for him. The redhead shrugged as she tossed her sponge into the bucket as well. "You're not the only one who thinks that way. A majority of the warriors here wish to test their might in battle, but the Chief won't have it."

"Why is that," Sabine asked from the other stall. "No offense, but from what we've been told so far, your chief is acting like a coward."

"A little harsh don't you think," Waric commented, "but I don't know what to tell you. He's always been this way, even when my family and I were relocated to these caves."

"But he wasn't always like this," Ana countered as she and Sabine leaned against Kodlak's stable door. "I remember Jack telling me stories of how he was the first person to tame and befriend a Varactyl. How Hiccup led him and the first Dragon Riders to battle against Dagur the Deranged when the mad man staged a coup against King Stoick. And many other adventures."

Ezra looked at each of the teens and crossed his arms before he walked out of the stall with Waric and Reneè. "What happened?"

Ana sighed as her eyes became downcast. "For five years, King Stoick has done everything in his power to keep the Empire off of Belsavis. As a result, the planet fell into an economic depression. When the Empire sent an emissary to negotiate allowing an Imperial presence here, he refused. Stoick wouldn't allow his people to be oppressed and deprived of their traditions. The next day, Stoick was found murdered in his bedchambers. As a result his advisor, Drago Bludvist, took over and allowed the Empire to have a presence here."

"But what does this have to do with Hiccup," Sabine asked.

The three Belsavians glanced at each other before Waric answered. "Stoick was Hiccup's father, making him the rightful heir to the throne of Belsavis." This made Ezra jerk back a little in shock and Sabine sighed in realization. "Hiccup got to know Stoick for a while during the Clone Wars. When the Jedi and Republic fell, Stoick gave Hiccup and Jack sanctuary. The two became close after that and when the King died, Hiccup was devastated."

Sabine and Ezra glanced at each other and were silent for a moment. They were thinking about all that they lost to the Empire and could relate to the Chief. "Why doesn't he do more," Sabine inquired.

"A couple reasons actually," Reneè responded. "The chief is afraid that if we full on fight the Empire then our way of life and everything we achieved would be destroyed."

"And the other reason," Ezra inquired before he felt something in the force. He turned his head slightly to the left and saw to two little heads duck behind one of the stalls. He glanced over to Ana and her eyes were also trained on the same area. Was that giggling he heard?

"Well-" Waric started before he was interrupted.

"ATTACK!" Two voices shouted before a bunch of paint bags were thrown at the teens. Ezra had enough time to grab Reneè and duck into Kodlak's stall while Ana tackled Sabine to the ground. Soon the onslaught of paint bags ended and the two force-sensitives peeked out from their hiding places. Sabine and Reneè also looked up and laughed. Waric wasn't very fortunate in the so called 'attack' and was now covered head-to-toe in an assortment of colors.

Waric had an unamused look on his face as excess paint dripped off his frame. That was when two disappointed moans rang out. The teens looked over to the end of the hallway and saw two kids. The two appeared to eight years old and siblings. One was a boy with short messy blonde hair and sharp green eyes. He was wearing a red tunic, leather belt, brown trousers, and brown fur-rimmed boots. The other was a girl with long brown pulled back into a braid and bright blue eyes. She was wearing a tight fitting blue shirt, brown leather knee-length skirt, black leggings, brown leather wrappings on her arms, and red boots. Both had small pouts on their faces making them look adorable.

"I thought we got you that time, Ana," the boy stated.

"Next time kiddo," Ana said with a smirk on her face. "Look on the bright side, at least you got Waric." The Zabrak said nothing as he sent a side eye glare at his friend.

"We always get Waric," the girl stated as she rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "It's not as fun anymore."

"Lucky me," Waric muttered sarcastically before he walked over to a water well.

"Anyways," the girl said as her eyes landed on Ezra and Sabine. "Who are these people? Are they refugees as well?"

"Or?" The boy interrupted his sister with a sinister look on his young face. "Are they new victims to face our mischievous fury?!" He let out a laugh afterwards.

Sabine and Ezra looked at each other with raised eyebrows before looking at the Belsavian teens. Waric and Reneè had deadpan looks on their faces while Ana shook her head in exasperation. She pinned them with a look and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Okay first, this is Sabine and Ezra, they're rebels from another star system," Ana explained to the duo before becoming exasperated. "And how many times do I have to tell you two, to stop hanging out with the Thorston twins?"

"You'll probably have to continually remind us for the rest of our pre-teen and teen years," the boy answered smartly.

"Also," the girl continued with an excited gleam in her eyes as she turned to the offworlders, "you're rebels too, that is so wizard."

"Do you have your own starship?"

"Do you get to travel to other planets?"

"How many systems have you been too?"

"How often do you fight the Empire?"

"What is it like out there?"

Ezra and Sabine were overwhelmed by the onslaught of questions the two were giving them and looked at each other. Ana was quick to interject and stood in front of the two. "Easy there kiddos, try not to scare them too much."

Both kids grinned maniacally at the teens. Ana sighed and ran a hand over her eyes. "You two are Devils, you know that?" She ignored their indignant squawks of protest and turned to Ezra and Sabine. "The boy is Halvar Haddock and the other is his twin sister Turid. They are the second reason why Hiccup won't take a more active role in the rebellion, to keep them safe."

Ezra raised an eyebrow at the twins and stared at them incredulously. "I get that Haddock wants to keep them safe, but how could they prevent him from taking on a more active role?"

Ana raised an eyebrow as well. "Do you really not sense it?"

Ezra stared at the girl for a moment before turning to the twins and closed his eyes. As he did so, he reached out with his senses through the Force. He recognized Sabine's colorful presence, and knew that she was currently at ease. Next was Waric's blue presence and knew he was calm yet annoyed at the moment. Reneè's presence was a bright yellow and he could sense the energy that was bubbling up. Ana's presence shone a bright orange and was currently at ease though somewhat tense. Ezra turned his attention to the twins and was surprised at what he sensed. The Force was blaring out from the two white presences in front of him.

Ezra scoffed lightly as he stared at the two kids and smiled. "I shouldn't be surprised."

"Not really," Ana agreed. "Since they are Hiccup's kids, it came as no surprise when everyone found out they were force sensitive." She turned to the two kids with a raised eyebrow. "Speaking of which, what are you two doing here? Shouldn't you be with Hiccup for Force training right now?"

The smirks on their faces vanished as their expressions became downcast. "We were on our way to the training arena, but dad had to cancel," Halvar muttered.

"He said that he had to help Snotlout recalibrate the security systems in some of the caves since they we're acting up," Turid explained angrily. "Personally, I think he just doesn't want to spend time with us."

Reneè stepped forward and made a placating gesture. "Hey, don't think like that. He does want to spend time with you two, but you also have to remember that he is charge of a lot of people. He has to keep everyone in line."

"Yeah." "Sure." Were their depressed answers.

Ezra and Sabine glanced at each other and a silent message passed between them. These kids were lucky that Hiccup was able to give them a childhood free from the Empire's influence. However, to keep them free, Hiccup has to dedicate his time to his people and the rebellion. But they were still kids and for now they still need attention.

"So, what do you guys do for fun around here," Sabine asked to keep the kids occupied.

Ana smiled gratefully at the younger teen. "There's not much to do, but there is a Dragon Race in a couple of months. But that's it."

Reneè popped up next to her sister and had a creepy smile on her face. "You're wrong Annie, that's not the only fun thing around here."

Ana looked at her sister with a raised eyebrow before they shot up in surprise. "You're right my dear sister."

Waric looked at the sisters after washing off the last of the paint. He rolled his eyes and sighed at what the sisters had planned. "Here we go again." Ana and Reneè smirked mischievously that made Ezra and Sabine have of sense of foreboding.

Kanan let out a growl of frustration as he sat on the ramp of the Ghost. He placed a hand on the bridge of his nose as he thought over his hardheaded friend. He remembered the older, short, scrawny brunette from his days at the temple. He remembered all the games they played together, supported each other when their peers teased them for either asking so many questions or having a preference for inventing over combat, he was always interested in what his friend invented and laughed each time it exploded in his face, they practiced with each other and refined their Force abilities. Heck he was even present at Hiccup's Initiate trials with the rest of the observing Knights and Masters, and congratulated him when he passed. Though he hardly saw his friend when a Master selected him and he shipped out to fight at the beginning of the Clone War.

He smirked when he recalled Hiccup teasing him for bumping his head during training the day before his Initiate trials. Kanan was lucky that Hiccup didn't have a mission for a while and was able to attend his trials. It was a few days afterwards that his friend and his Master had to return to battle. From then on, they only holocommed each other to stay in touch. However, after Order 66, he thought that the older teen had died.

He looked across the hanger bay to see his friend standing next to a ledge with his Varactyl lying down next to him. He then looked around to see Zeb helping Hera push some crates onto the Ghost. Chopper was over by the droid station socializing with the other astromechs surprisingly. Ahsoka had taken Jack aside, and, by the way things look, was having a serious discussion with him.

Hera caught his eye and raised an eyebrow at him. She slightly tilted her head in Hiccup's direction. 'Go talk to him.'

Kanan sighed as he nodded his head before getting up. 'Okay, okay.' Hera had a self-satisfied smirk as the Jedi walked across the hanger bay.

Toothless perked up as Kanan approached and let out a happy bark like sound. Hiccup didn't turn to acknowledge him and continued to stare out to the valley. Kanan petted Toothless briefly before standing next to his friend.

The two stood there for a moment looking out to the valley as Toothless let out soft huff like sounds. Kanan glanced briefly at Hiccup before crossing his arms. "Remember when you first brought Toothless to the temple after coming back from here. He trampled over so many Jedi and knocked over so many statues before somehow ending up in the Archives."

Hiccup smirked as he recalled the event. "Madame Jocasta was so furious not to mention the council. I was stuck with maintenance duty for three months." The two laughed lightly before the Belsavian frowned. "I thought you died that day."

Kanan looked up at his friend, knowing what he was thinking, before sighing. "I thought so too, it was agony when I felt all that death it was hard to figure out who was dead and who wasn't."

Hiccup scoffed as he looked up at his friend. Seriously, after all these years his younger friend was still taller than him. "Try being at the epicenter of it all."

Kanan snorted softly. "Sarcastic Fishbone," he muttered. "But we're still here and with a purpose again."

Hiccup frowned as he stared out at the valley again. "My purpose is to my people."

Kanan turned to the older man with an incredulous look. "Then shouldn't you be doing more for them? To make a true stand against the Empire."

Hiccup suddenly rounded on the younger man with a furious expression. "Now you're being a hypocrite. Don't deny it Caleb; I can sense your feelings. You don't enjoy being part of a larger rebellion, you rather have your cell remain a small group and help those in need. You'd actually prefer it if your entire team wasn't part of a military faction like you are now. So tell me how this is different?"

Kanan was silent for a moment since he knew the Belsavian was right. All his team did in the past was make hit and runs against the Empire and give to those in need. It was how he originally met Ezra in the first place and joined his crew. And in that first moment of meeting the kid, he and the others taught him how to help others in need.

"It may be not what I wanted, but the others are committed to the rebellion," Kanan answered. "It's what they want, and I promised them that I would support them with whatever they decide."

"And how is that going so far?"

Kanan pinned his friend with a glare. "You know that everything is not easy in the beginning and I don't expect it to anytime soon. You knew that we would be facing losses and continue to do so. But as long as we make a difference and we stand up to the Empire, then it's all worth it."

Hiccup sighed as he stared at his friend. It was in that moment that he realized how much the young boy once known as Caleb has changed. How the young boy eager to leave the temple to fight in the Clone War and was now wise due to the years afterward. He opened his mouth to answer but an insistent beeping caught his attention. The man groaned as he brought his wrist comm up.

"Yes?"

"Chief something set off the motion sensors by the Northern entrance." A male voice reported that caused a frown to appear on Hiccup's face. Kanan sighed, as he knew that this'd take a while. "The sensors say that three objects ran by them."

"Have all the Varactyls been accounted for?"

"Give me a moment to check." It was then that his comm clicked off.

It was also right at that moment that a large tan Varactyl with red and light blue feathers, but the interesting thing about it was that it was missing its front legs. The Varactyl used its lower wings to walk and keep its balance. The person standing on its back was a tall woman about Kanan's height with long auburn and grey hair parted into three braids and bright green eyes. She was dressed in reinforced leather armor with a large fur collar, round shoulder pads, large armbands with talons over her hands, and her waist wrapped in red and fabric. The woman had a worried look on her face as she jumped onto the ground.

"Mom, what's wrong," Hiccup asked as he noticed the furrowed brows on her face. Kanan was thrown threw a loop a second. Mom?

"I can't find Halvar or Turid anywhere," the woman said as she hopped down from the Varactyl. "They're not at home, the training arena, the lookout, the great hall, the farmhouse, or in the valley."

"How about the stables, they're probably just helping with the Varactyls," Hiccup said as he reached for his comm.

"I just came from there," the woman said with a shake of her head. "Lad, where could they have gone?"

Hiccup's comm beeped again and the man from before spoke. "Chief, three Varactyls are not in their stables. It's Latias, Kodlak, and Flamestreak."

A frown appeared on Hiccup's face as he tapped away on his wrist comm. That was when Hera, Zeb, Ahsoka, and Jack came over. "I have a pretty good idea where they are."

A blue hologram of Ana appeared but there was something off about the image. It wasn't the fact that she was on the back of her Varactyl, but with her were Ezra and a small girl with brown hair. Add to the fact that they were all wearing their winter gear, didn't bode well for the adults. Ana looked down at her wrist comm and a panicked look appeared on her face.

"Chief! Hhheeeyyy, is something wrong?" Ana put on a wide, forced smile on her face that was obviously fake.

"Ana, where are you?"

"We're by the hot springs, why do you ask." She looked up quickly and had to use the reins to direct her Varactyl around a large tree. The girl was laughing with glee while Ezra held onto Ana tighter.

Anyone who wasn't force-sensitive could tell how angry Hiccup was by the way he was clenching his fists and the scowl that appeared on his face. "Get back to the caves right now," he forced out through clenched teeth.

That was when Ana started messing with her wrist comm. "Sure Chief, just ~pzzt~ losing connection ~pzzt~ can you..." That was when the connection was interrupted and the comm turned off.

Hiccup closed his eyes for a moment to get his anger under control before letting out his frustration through the Force. "Jack, get to the monitoring center and find them. NOW." He then walked away from the group. Everyone looked at each other out of the corner before Jack walked over to his Varactyl and hopped onto its back.

"She is in so much trouble."

"I am in so much trouble," Ana muttered under her breath. At that moment, a laugh escaped from her as Latias avoided another tree. In front of her, Turid had her hands up the air as she whopped with glee. Behind her, Ezra was also whopping with excitement after he got over the initial shock.

Not far from her, Reneè was on the back of her own Varactyl with Sabine holding onto her. And by the look of things, the Mandalorian was having fun. Also, a bit away from Reneè, Waric was riding on his Varactyl, Flamestreak, with Halvar seated in front of him. Everyone was yelling and cheering as the Varactyls raced each other through the one of the few forests on the planet.

However, the two offworlders let out gasps as they neared what appeared to be a cliff. The Belsavians grinned excitedly and urged the Varactyls to go faster. Ezra and Sabine yelped as each of the Dragonmounts leaped into the air and started to skid down a steep slope. Those yelps turned into cheers as the wind blew against their faces.

Each of the Varactyls let out loud cries as they leaned forward to increase their speed. Kodlak was the faster of the three and easily got ahead of the others. This caused Reneè and Sabine to cheer triumphantly. That was until Latias cut ahead.

Turid laughed mockingly at the two before gripping onto the saddle tightly. Kodlak tried maneuvering around Latias but the older Varactyl didn't allow him. Suddenly, Flamestreak put on a burst of speed and sped ahead of the two, causing the others to go into a spin.

Latias and Kodlak were able to regain control but Flamestreak was in the lead. The Varactyl looked behind him and seemed to smirk at them. Halvar was laughing excitedly while Waric smiled innocently at them. The others shared a look and smirked.

Waric noticed this and patted Flamestreak's side. When the other Varactyls tried to overtake them, Flamestreak suddenly flared out his wings. "Hey," everyone shouted in shock as their line of sight was blocked. Latias and Kodlak tried to maneuver around the wings but Flamestreak didn't allow them.

Suddenly, Flamestreak dropped his wings and everyone got a good look of the trees heading their way. They all screamed and got their faces full of snow.

"So that's how it's going to be, huh?" Ana shouted at her friend with a half smile, half scowl.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Waric stated calmly.

Ana scowled and snapped the reins. Latias sped forward and smacked her tail in a pile of snow. Flamestreak cried out as snow got in his face and lost control. The Varactyl spun around with Waric and Halvar gripping the reins tightly. They were able to regain control after Kodlak sped past them.

"Hey!" Waric and Halvar shouted at them.

"It was all her idea, but I approve," Ana said laughing. Ezra laughed along with her and Turid stuck her tongue out at her brother.

Just as Waric was about to snap his reins; a loud noise caught his attention. The oldest teen turned around and his eyes widened in shock. Ana and Ezra even sensed something was wrong, turned, and gasped. It seems that their activities have caused an avalanche.

"Reneè, Sabine!" Ana shouted at the two and pointed behind them. The girls turned to see the Avalanche bearing down on them. The teens gasped before Reneè gripped the reins tightly.

On the next ramp, all the Varactyls went airborne and were safely in the air. All the teens watched as the Avalanche continued rolling down the mountainside and thanked their lucky stars that there weren't any villages on the mountain or at its base.

Everyone breathed out sighs of relief before Reneè started to giggle. Everyone looked over at the youngest teen as her chuckling turned into laughter. Apparently, her giggles were contagious and it wasn't long until Ana's shoulders were bouncing up and down as giggles escaped her lips. As she let out a snort, Waric thought she looked adorable and snorted as well. Soon the twins, Ezra, and Sabine joined in the laughter and were doing all they can to not fall off the Varactyls. Large smiles were seen on everyone's faces and some were silently surprised at how spectacular it felt.

The Varactyls let out loud calls as they climbed higher into the air. All of the teen's laughter began to subside as they enjoyed the wind beating against their faces. The Varactyls continued to climb higher until it appeared they were swimming in the clouds. Sabine leaned over to run her hand through the cloud and smiled at the moisture that ran down her hand. Latias, Kodlak, and Flamestreak slowly spun in the air before diving through the clouds to reveal the twin setting suns. The Offworlders looked down onto the surface and smiled at the view.

Ezra smirked and patted Ana's shoulder. "I admit, this is really cool. This is a lot different than riding in a starship."

Kodlak flew up next to Latias and let out a loud hoot like cry. Reneè was grinning from ear to ear as she spread her arms out. Sabine laughed as she held onto Reneè tighter. "This is what it is to really fly!" Ana smirked at her sister and rolled her eyes fondly.

That was when all of the Varactyls went rigid, their feather crowns perking up, and began to growl. The Belsavians looked at their Varactyls in worry as their eyes narrowed and subtlety moved them from side to side.

"Guys, V formation." Ana ordered her sister and friend. The two nodded and pulled back the reins on their Varactyls. Kodlak and Flamestreak pulled back and flew slightly behind Latias. No sound was heard except for the occasional huff from the Varactyl. All the teens were tense as they waited for something to happen.

Then Ana and Ezra heard a whistling sound in their heads as the Force flared in warning. "Everyone hard left NOW!" All the teens tightened their grip on the Varactyls as they turned sharply. In the spot that they were, an electric net enclosed over empty air.

Three large Belsavian hunter ships appeared from the cloud cover and descended onto the three Varactyls. Ana gasped as two prongs extended from each of the ships and became electrified. The Force began to blare loudly in Ana and Ezra's heads. "Evasive maneuvers, now!" Latias, Kodlak, and Flamestreak let out roars as they performed spins and hard banks to avoid the stun blasts. Each of the ships locked onto a Varactyl and continued to shot stun blasts at them.

Ana growled as the ships followed each of them. "We have to lose them. Waric guide Flamestreak through Gallows Gorge. Once you lose them get back to Dragon's Edge." Waric nodded as Flamestreak flew towards a deep gorge with one of the hunter ships following them. Halvar took a moment to glance at his sister worriedly before they disappeared. "Reneè guide Kodlak through Odin's pass then get home." Reneè nodded her head worriedly as Sabine gave them a thumb up before Kodlak dived towards an icy canyon.

"Okay, now, what do we do," Ezra shouted at her. Ana smirked deviously as she tightened their harnesses. She handed Turid the reins before leaning over the younger girl and grabbed the handles on the saddle. "Hang on tight. Now UP!" Latias roared as she flew up vertically into the sky and forcing the ship to follow.

Ezra looked over his shoulder to see that the ship was struggling to follow. Ana also looked back and gasped when the ship's boosters kicked into overdrive and began to catch up. Latias folded her wings and spun quickly in the air. "DROP!" Ana felt Ezra tighten his grip on her as Latias free fell with her back towards the ground.

They fell right past the ship and continued to fall until they reached a dense cloud formation. Latias spun until she was flying right side up and used the cloud cover. The ship tried to follow them but lost them briefly. They listened as the ship backed off and sighed in relief.

Another ship appeared out of nowhere and hovered in front of them. Latias cried out as she quickly pulled herself to a stop. The ship used that moment to shot its stun blasts at her. Latias cried out again as the blasts hit her and began to fall.

Ana, Ezra, and Turid yelled as they began to fall uncontrollably to the ground. A large electric net was shot out and wrapped over the downed Varactyl. The teens cried out in pain as the electric current hit them. The last thing any of them saw before everything turned dark was being reeled towards the ship.

And that's it for now, so leave reviews and tell me what you think. See ya next time.

Maximus Potter