Bad Moon Rising
Gobber paid Dragon's Edge a visit so Fishlegs could give him the formula for Gronkle Iron. They made a target out of it so they could test it against the different dragon attacks. Each dragon shot fire at the target, including Tenor. Nothing made a dent. Re and Aurora were keeping Serenity company. Stormfly was about to take her shot when Tuffnut came hobbling into the arena covered in leaves and twigs. He seemed exhausted.
"Tuff, what's wrong with you?" asked Hiccup. Tuffnut was about to answer when Stormfly shot the target behind him with her spines, knocking it over onto Tuffnut. He passed out when he hit the ground. Hiccup turned to Tenor.
"Do you think Serenity can examine him?" he asked.
"She only does dragons," said Tenor. "And it's pretty obvious he was just wandering around the woods all night, for Draco knows what reason."
"Good point," said Hiccup. They hauled Tuffnut up to the clubhouse on Tenor's back. When they got him up there he'd woken up enough to babble about something attacking him.
"Can you remember anything about what attacked you?" asked Fishlegs.
"It was too fas, and ferocious," Tuffnut drawled. "I need another adjective."
"How about, imaginary," Snotlout snickered. They all laughed.
"Laugh all you want," said Tuffnut. "But would an imaginary beast give you one of these?" He held up his arm, showing them a fresh bite mark. Everyone stopped laughing.
Fishlegs checked his dragon notes. He looked through the Book of Dragons, Bork's papers, and the Dragon Eye. He found nothing and grew quite frustrated.
"I can't find anything," he said. "Not in the Book of Dragons, Bork's papers, not even the Dragon Eye." Tenor narrowed his eyes.
"Whoa wait, your looking for a dragon?" he asked, confused. "You know there are other animals in the world with sharp teeth."
"But there are mostly dragons on this island," said Fishlegs.
"Oh, it was a dragon alright," Gobber said suddenly. "But it won't be in any of those notes. It's clear we're all thinking the same thing."
"Umm, we're clearly not," Hiccup pointed out. "But why don't you enlighten us." Gobber sneered.
"Likenwing," he said.
"Likenwing?" said Hiccup.
"It's a rare dragon," said Gobber. "But vicious. Those who survive its bite, are not actually survivors at all. They are doomed to live life as half man, half Likenwing. At the hight of every full moon the condemned viking transforms into a huge dragon. Wings as big as houses, teeth stronger that Gronkle Iron, and a thirst for blood." They all gasped at this, everyone except Hiccup and the dragons.
"Come on the Likenwing is a myth," said Hiccup.
"Isn't that what you said about the Boneknapper?" Tenor asked.
"The Boneknapper is documented in the Book of Dragons, and this Likenwing isn't," Hiccup said.
"Still you shouldn't underestimate our world," said Tenor. "There's several dragons out there that you've never heard of."
"Have you ever seen or heard of this Likenwing?" Hiccup asked. Tenor opened his mouth as though to argue, but realized he had no argument to give. He closed his mouth and got to his feet.
"Fair enough," he said. "Well, speaking of the moon. I'm late for my hunt. I'll see you later." He left the clubhouse. Gobber stood in his way.
"You sure it's safe to go out there with that Likenwing on the loose?" he asked. Tenor snorted.
"Well, I don't think I have to worry about turning into a dragon, now do I?" he said. He shoved passed Gobber, spread his wings, and took off.
He flew over the forest. The moon was a waxing gibbous. Moonlight shone on his black scales. He had taken off his armor so he could stay stealthy. He scanned the forest for prey. As he did so, he occasionally glanced up at the moon. He silently hoped they found the Likenwing. He figured he would get along well with it. He'd never really had a best friend in dragon society. Re and Aurora were good to him. But he had never had someone to really identify with. The closest he had was his beloved rider. He figured if he couldn't have a mate, then maybe he could have a best friend that was a dragon. That thought was stropped when he suddenly spotted prey down below.
The next day Tuffnut had been convinced by Snotlout that he was turning into a Likenwing. He had shut himself into on of the dragon stalls. Gobber and the riders tried to talk sense into him, but to no result. Just then they were joined by Fishlegs and Meatlug.
"Hiccup, look what Meatlug found," he exclaimed. He pulled out a Dragon Eye lens. "It's the one you found with Gustave." Hiccup beamed.
"Fishlegs, we've got to see what's on it," he said excitedly. "We should ask Tenor to help us too." Fishlegs nodded in agreement. They both mounted their dragons and went off to find Tenor.
They found him on a cliff near the yurt. They landed in front of him. He had just dug into a freshly killed boar, that he had skinned. It was quite gory.
"Oh, that is disgusting," moaned Fishlegs.
"Well, what'd you expect?" said Tenor, gnawing on the boar's flesh. "I'm a predator."
"Hey Tenor," Hiccup said.
"Yes what?" Tenor asked, without looking up. He ripped off a huge chunk of meat and swallowed hit whole.
"Fishlegs found the Dragon Eye lens," said Hiccup. "We think it may give us some answers about the Likenwing." Tenor ripped off another chunk of meat and looked up.
"I thought you said the Likenwing was a myth," he said.
"Yeah, well you made an excellent point yesterday," said Hiccup. "We don't know how many dragons are out there. And I'm determine to find as many new dragons as I can." Tenor considered.
"Am I allowed to finish this boar?" he asked.
"Oh, yeah," said Hiccup. "Just be at my hut this evening." Tenor nodded, then turned back to his kill. Hiccup and Fishlegs turned and left.
Later that evening Tenor flew to Hiccup's hut. He was greeted by Hiccup, Fishlegs and their dragons. The Dragon Eye was on the table.
"Hey, thanks for coming Tenor," said Hiccup.
"Sure," said Tenor. "But, why do you need me? You have other friends."
"The other dragons and riders are somewhat occupied," said Fishlegs. "With Tuffnut thinking he's turning into a dragon."
"Oh," said Tenor. "I see." They got to work. Hiccup put the new lens into the Dragon Eye. They turned the dials, pressed the buttons, and used the fire of all three dragons. But the Dragon Eye showed them nothing. By the time they got to the last combination, the sun had set and the full moon was out. Fishlegs slammed it down on the table in frustration.
"I've tried every combination in the Dragon Eye," he said. "There's nothing." But then Hiccup noticed the Dragon Eye was pointed in the direction of the full moon. Moonlight shone through the Dragon Eye, and out the other end. Hiccup picked it up.
"Let's try this," he said. He held the Dragon Eye in front of Toothless, who lit up his mouth. Images projected onto the wall. Tenor perked his ears up. The images depicted a stick figure with dragon wings.
"That's peculiar," said Tenor.
"I'm I crazy, or is that a man with dragon wings instead of arms?" said Hiccup.
"Dragon wings are arms," Tenor pointed out.
"No, your not crazy," said Fishlegs, all his focus on the images. He turned the dials on the Dragon Eye, another images appeared. It showed the stick figure with a dragon head and tail, in addition to the wings.
"Fishlegs, can you make any of this out?" asked Hiccup, looking at the writing above the images. Fishlegs read the writing.
"No man shall tread upon these shores, lest he become what he is most feared," he read. "That must be Likenwing Island." Hiccup turned to Tenor.
"Does this mean anything to you Tenor?" he asked.
"Yeah, that these Dragon Eye manufactures suck at riddles," Tenor said smartly. "But other than that, no."
"Hiccup this Likenwing could be well, not a myth," said Fishlegs. Hiccup considered.
"That island's not far from here," he said, smirking.
"Oh, why do I get the feeling we're going on a Hiccup, Fishlegs recon mission," groaned Fishlegs. Tenor looked at him.
"You confuse me Fishlegs," he said. "You get all excited about meeting new dragons, but then when you meet it you're not so excited. And this time you're not even excited."
"If this dragon bites us we turn into dragons," said Fishlegs.
"So?" said Tenor.
"Not that that's a bad thing," said Fishlegs quickly, spotting his raised eyebrow. "We just prefer to stay human is all."
"Suit yourself," said Tenor.
"Say, do you think Serenity would like to come with us to Likenwing Island?" asked Hiccup. "She's been cooped up for a really long time." Tenor perked his ears up.
"I'm sure she would," he said. "I'll go ask her and meet you at the stables." He spread his wings and flew off.
He went back to the yurt. Re and Aurora were asleep outside. Tenor went inside. Serenity was laying in bed asleep. Tenor carefully nudged her. She fluttered her eyes open.
"Tenor," she said in sleepy surprise.
"Sorry to wake you lovely," Tenor whispered. "But I was wondering if you wanted to come meet a new dragon with us." Serenity sat up.
"Who's us?" she asked.
"Hiccup, Fishlegs, Toothless, Meatlug, and myself," said Tenor. Serenity sat up and pulled on her boots.
"Alright," she said. "I miss flying at night anyway." She put on her hat and jacket. She followed him outside. She mounted him and they took off.
They landed outside the stables where Hiccup, Fishlegs and Toothless were waiting.
"Thanks for jointing us Serenity," said Hiccup.
"I've been hoping for a field trip for some time," said Serenity. "Now what dragon are we going after?"
"It's called a Likenwing," said Fishlegs. "We thing Tuffnut got bitten by one and is now turning into a dragon." Tenor rolled his eyes.
"I still don't think it was a dragon," he said. But he followed them into the stables towards Meatlug's stall.
"If we fine this Likenwing, we're going to need a plan," said Hiccup.
"How about don't get bitten," said Fishlegs as he let Meatlug out.
"Serenity do you think you can prevent him from attacking us?" asked Hiccup.
"That's what I'm good at," said Serenity. Hiccup and Fishlegs mounted their dragons and they took off.
They followed a map Fishlegs had copied off the Dragon Eye. They flew in silence. They were soon approaching the island. They landed in front of a dark cave. The riders dismounted.
"What color do you thing this dragon is?" Serenity asked.
"Well he's a nightly dragon like me," said Tenor. "So I'm thinking black, or dark blue. With some silver on him. Kind of like a Skrill."
"Toothless, give us some light," said Hiccup. Toothless shot a plasma blast into the cave. Silence followed. Then suddenly they were swarmed by bats. Once they were out of the way. They entered the cave. Fishlegs spotted writing on the cave wall.
"Beware the beast," he read. "Turn back now before you become him, your fate is sealed. You hear that Hiccup? Our fate is sealed."
"Calm down Fishlegs, it's just an old cave drawing," said Hiccup.
"Besides, no one can turn humans into dragons except for Lord Draco," said Tenor. "Unless this Likenwing is Draco in disguise." Suddenly Toothless growled at the cave wall. They all followed his gaze. There was a shadow of what seemed to be a bat-like dragon, with one silver eye. They all stared at it. Serenity looked around for what was casting the shadow. She saw a stone cut in the shape of a dragon, with two Dragon Eye lenses for it's eyes.
"Um, Hiccup, I found you Likenwing," she said. They turned to see the stone. They were no doubt surprised by this. They went over and Hiccup and Fishlegs pried the lenses free.
"Well, Hiccup. It seems you were right about it being a myth for once," said Tenor.
"Lets get back and tell the others," said Hiccup. They mounted their dragons and headed back to Dragon's Edge.
They landed at the stables. Tenor flew Serenity back to the yurt and let her go back to bed. She sat in her chair, no longer tired. Tenor flew to the stables and joined the others, just as Gobber came out.
"How's Tuff?" asked Hiccup.
"Gone," said Gobber. "He and that chicken flew the coop."
"Why didn't you stop him?" asked Hiccup, concerned.
"I was a bit busy extracting sea snake venom out of Snotlout," said Gobber.
"Well, we should tell Ruffnut," said Hiccup.
"She's gone too," said Gobber. "She went to look for her brother, took Snotlout with her." Hiccup and Fishlegs got back on their dragons, rounded up Astrid and Stormfly, and went after the Twins and Snotlout. Tenor was right behind them.
They found the Twins high on a cliff near Serenity's yrut. Tuffnut was right on the edge. He was still convinced he was turning into a dragon.
"Tuff, stop," Hiccup called as the rider landed and dismounted. "There is no metamorphosis, you are not turning into a dragon." Tuffnut did not look convinced.
"It's true," said Fishlegs. "We found the Likenwing cave. It was just a myth to keep people away from these." He held up the Dragon Eye lenses.
"Then how do you explain this?" asked Tuffnut, holding up his bitten arm. No one spoke. But then Snotlout joined them, dragging a wiggling back.
"I can explain it," he announce, out of breath.
"What's in that bag?" asked Hiccup, uneasily.
"The thing that did this," said Snotlout. He held up his arm, where they saw a bite mark similar to Tuffnut's.
"The Likenwing got you too," said Tuffnut, shocked.
"It's not a Likenwing," said Snotlout. "It's not even a dragon. It's a wolf and I caught him. You are not turning into a dragon." Tuffnut breathed a sigh of relief.
"I didn't know you had wolves out here," said Tenor. Suddenly the edge of cliff where Tuffnut was standing and he fell. Toothless was quick to act and grabbed Tuff by his foot and pulled him back up. Tuff got to his feet and brushed himself off, before Ruffnut hugged him. But then Hiccup noticed the bag was empty.
"Um, Snotlout where's the wolf?" he asked. They all looked around for it. Then suddenly there came a high pitched scream. Tenor tensed up.
"Oh, no," he growled through his teeth. "Serenity." He took off and headed for the yurt.
When he got there. Serenity was no where inside. Re and Aurora were on their feet. Tenor landed next to them.
"Where'd she go?" Tenor asked.
"When the wolf came our way she took off running," said Re. "And the wolf went after her." He pointed in the direction she had gone. Tenor took off.
Serenity ran through the dark woods, stumbling with every step. She could hear the wolf behind her, it was catching up. A huge wave of deja vu came over her. She had almost been killed by a pack of wolves when she was nine. She never though her worst nightmare would come back to get her. The only thing she feared just as much as humans were wolves. Suddenly she tripped and stumbled down a steep slope. When she landed on the bottom face down, the wolf pounced on top of her. She screamed as is dug its claws and teeth into her skin.
"Help!" she cried desperately. She tried to escape but the wolf held her down with his claws. Then it grabbed her by the ankle and dragged he backwards. She kept calling for help. But then the wolf paused and she was able to free her foot. She got up and started running again. By now she was very lost, and had no idea where the outpost was. But she ran as fast as she could, the wolf still behind her. She was getting tired, half from running and half from pure terror. Suddenly the wolf, somehow had gotten a head of her, and jumped out at her. It hit her full in the face, claws and teeth out. It knocked her over and scratched and bit at her again. She had several bleeding cuts on her face and torso she curled into a ball. Suddenly a plasma blast hit the ground near by. The wolf was shoved off. Serenity heard a dragon fly off with it.
Tenor landed in the clearing where Serenity was curled in a ball, shaking. Having killed and disposed off the wolf he was now able to turn his attention to her. The other riders and dragons landed as well. Re and Aurora were among them. Tenor nudged his rider, she didn't move. She was still shaking.
"Serenity, it's okay now," he said. Serenity slowly sat up. When she saw the dragons and no wolf she relaxed, still breathing hard.
"Boy, am I glad to see you guys," she panted.
"Are you okay?" Tenor asked. Serenity took a minuet to catch her breath.
"He got me," she said. Tenor examined her wounds. They weren't deep but they were bleeding.
"Why did it have to be a wolf and not a Likenwing?" Serenity asked.
"I don't know love," Tenor said.
"Why'd it go after her?" asked Hiccup.
"Because she ran," said Re. "Animals can always sense fear, and will chase you if you run. Dragons are no exception."
"Come on, lets get back," said Aurora. "The moon is already setting." Tenor turned to Serenity.
"You think you can ride?" he asked. Serenity nodded, still trying to catch her breath. Then she hugged his head.
"Thank you," she said gratefully. Tenor purred and nuzzled her. He helped her to her feet. She held her right foot off the ground, her ankle still hurt where the wolf had bitten her. Tenor helped her onto his back. The dragons headed back towards the outpost. Serenity leaned back on the saddle, resting her head on her medical bag. She was so exhausted she fell asleep at once.
"Why did she run?" asked Astrid.
"Because she's terrified of wolves," said Re. "When she was nine years old she was attacked by a whole pack of wolves. They almost killed her. She was so badly hurt, that if we had waited 'til morning to take her home, she wouldn't have made it. This time it wasn't as bad."
"She never told us that," said Hiccup.
"It's not a memory she likes to revisit," said Tenor. He turned Re and spoke in Dragontongue. "Should I tell them about the dragon's blood in her veins."
"No," said Re. "We'll let her tell that secret. I her own good time." At that moment they arrived back at the outpost. They landed next to the yurt. Tenor roused Serenity. She sat up, groaning slightly. Aurora helped her down. She winced when her injured leg hit the ground.
"Thanks for your help," Tenor said to the riders.
"Likewise," said Hiccup. "Pity there was no new dragon to meet."
"Oh well," Tenor said. "But like I said, there's loads of new dragons out there to meet."
"You guys heading for Berk tomorrow?" asked Hiccup.
"Yup," said Re. "Got to take Gobber back."
"Even after Serenity got attacked by a wolf?" asked Astrid.
"That's what Tenor's for," said Re proudly. "She'll be perfectly safe with him." Serenity yawned, she was leaning heavily on Aurora.
"Well we should get her patched up," said the queen.
"Right," said Hiccup. "We'll be turning in too." They disbursed. Tenor went off hunting, while the moon was still high. Aurora helped Serenity inside, she limped the whole way. Re followed them inside. And the riders went to their respective huts.