The Heather Report (part 1)

Hiccup and Toothless raced through the island of Berk at top speed. Hiccup urged the dragon onward. They raced over the ocean and sea stacks.
Down in the arena Fishlegs was timing them.
"It's a new record," said Fishlegs, as Hiccup and Toothless sped passed. They landed in the arena.
"How'd we do?" Hiccup asked dismounting.
"You're still the fastest," said Fishlegs. "But someone is gaining ground." All the riders looked at Astrid and Stormfly.
"How is that possible?" Hiccup asked. "How can Toothless be getting slower?"
"He isn't," said Fishlegs. "Stormfly is getting faster."
"Anything you'd like to say Astrid?" said Hiccup.
"Let's just say I'm experimenting with what she eats," Astrid bragged. "And apparently it's working." Just then Snotlout rode in on Hookfang.
"You will not believe what I just found," Snotlout announced. "Come see."

The riders mounted their dragons and followed Snotlout to the beach. They landed and dismounted. The saw a boat in pieces resting on the sand. The riders went to take a closer look. Snotlout looked under the boat's upturned prow. The others followed his gaze. A dark hired girl laid unconscious, she looked about Hiccup's age. Hiccup knelt beside her and roused her. She looked up and gasped.
"It's okay," said Hiccup quietly. "We're friends." The girl coughed.
"Do you have any water?" she asked hoarsely. Snotlout handed her a bottle of water. She drank it.
"Where am I?" she asked.
"This is Berk," said Hiccup. Suddenly Toothless stuck his head in. The girl gasped. Hiccup pushed him back.
"He won't hurt you," he told the girl. "Come on out." The girl crawled out and got to her feet. The rider introduced themselves.
"I'm Hiccup," said Hiccup.
"Heather," said the girl.
"So Heather, what happened to you?" Astrid asked.
"My village was attacked by pirates," said Heather. "I manages to escape, but my parents weren't so lucky."
"I'm sorry," said Hiccup. "Until you find somewhere to go, consider Berk your home." Heather smiled.
"Thank you," she said.
"My dad's the chief," said Hiccup. "We'll figure something out." They all mounted their dragons, Heather rode behind Hiccup on Toothless. Astrid mounted Stormfly.
"Don't forget we're meeting tomorrow to work on our times," Astrid told Hiccup.
"I'll be there," said Hiccup. They took off.

The sun was setting. Toothless landed next to Hiccup's house and Hiccup and Heather dismounted. After Hiccup unsaddled his dragon they all went inside.

Up the hill behind the house was Serenity's Hospital. She was sitting in her chair eating applesauce, when her dragon Draco landed next to her golden apple tree. He held a huge wooden box in his jaws.
"Hi Draco," said Serenity. "What's that?" Draco put the box down.
"It's a present for you from the king," he said. Serenity set her bowl down and got up. She opened the box, inside was a large white telescope with tripod.
"Wow, I love it," said Serenity. She picked up the telescope and tripod.
"We can use it tonight," said Draco. He helped her set it up behind the apple tree. She put it into focus and looked through it. She looked at the moon, which was almost full.
"Where's the Dragon Heaven?" she asked.
"It's not out tonight," said Draco. "It'll be out next week."
"Oh," said Serenity. She looked through the telescope again. She looked at planets, stars, nebulas, and could have sworn she saw a foreign space ship.
"This is great," she cried.
"Re said you'd like it," said Draco. "But I hope this doesn't mean no more night flights."
"Don't worry," said Serenity. "This can't replace flying."
"Good," said Draco.
"However, I do want to play with it tonight," said Serenity.
"Of course," said Draco.
Serenity looked through the telescope until she got sleepy. Then she put it back in its box and put the box on the picnic table. Then she crawled next to Draco and fell asleep.

The next day Serenity picked grapes and apples. She took the box off the table and put it next to the fire pit. She put the grapes and apples into barrels and crates.
"Hey let's go flying," said Draco. "Since there are no patients."
"Okay," said Serenity. She picked up her saddle as Hiccup came up the hill, he was followed by Toothless and a dark haired girl.
"Hi Serenity," said Hiccup.
"Hello," said Serenity.
"This is Heather," said Hiccup, he pointed to the girl.
"Hi Serenity," said Heather.
"Nice to meet you Heather," said Serenity. She shifted the saddle onto one arm she she could shake Heather's hand.
"She runs the dragon hospital," Hiccup told Heather.
"Wow, you have a great view," said Heather, looking out at the ocean.
"The only spot closest to the wild dragons," said Serenity, as she saddled Draco. "It makes them more comfortable."
"Can you give Toothless a check up later?" Hiccup asked Serenity.
"Sure," said Serenity, as she mounted Draco
"Thanks," said Hiccup. They left and Serenity took off on Draco. Hiccup and Heather mounted Toothless and followed her.

At the arena the other riders waited. Astrid was watching Hiccup and Heather flying on Toothless, Serenity and Draco were flying miles above them.
"Where's Hiccup?" Fishlegs asked.
"Giving a privet lesson," said Astrid pointing at Toothless.
"I didn't know he gave privet lessons," Fishlegs exclaimed. "Can anyone get in on that?"
"Just her," said Astrid she wasn't happy. Toothless flew into the arena and landed. Hiccup and Heather dismounted.
"So this is your dragon training academy," said Heather looking around.
"Yeah," said Hiccup. "We've been training the dragons to become part of our lives."
"And it all goes in here," said Fishlegs holding up the Dragons Book.
"Can I see it?" Heather asked. Just then Astrid snatched it.
"I'll take that," she said. "Excuse us." She grabbed Hiccup by the arm and dragged him to the back of the arena.
"Hiccup I don't think we should be telling her all our dragon secrets," Astrid whispered.
"It's fine Astrid," said Hiccup.
"I just don't trust her," said Astrid. "You shouldn't either."
"Well I do," said Hiccup. He rejoined the others.

After the lesson Heather went to all the riders' houses asking them about their dragons. Hiccup was in the forge working on Toothless's saddle. He wanted to make the saddle lighter to make the dragon go faster, he also fixed the dragon's metal tail fin.
Heather walked up the hill to the hospital, where Serenity was giving Toothless his check up.
"Hi Serenity," Heather said.
"Hey there," said Serenity. She checked Toothless's eyes.
"Is it hard taking care of so many dragons by yourself?" Heather asked.
"It's long but not hard," said Serenity. "I live for this."
"Can I help?" Heather asked.
"Sure," said Serenity. "Can you hand me that thermometer?" Heather handed her the thermometer.
"Is that your dragon?" Heather asked pointing at Draco, who was dozing under the apple tree.
"Yeah, his name is Draco," said Serenity. "I've been all over the world on him."
"Wow," said Heather. Serenity handed her a bucket.
"Will you get me some water please?" she said. "It's in that cave." Heather went inside. Then Astrid came up the hill.
"Sorry to bother you Serenity," she said. "But I just didn't know who else to talk to."
"What's wrong?" Serenity asked. She stroked Toothless's neck.
"It's Heather," said Astrid. "There's something about her I don't trust."
"I see," said Serenity. "Well you better have a seat and tell me all about it." Astrid sat in Serenity's chair.
"Heather's been asking a lot of questions about the dragons," said Astrid. "And she's been sneaking around the village."
"Exploring isn't sneaking," said Serenity.
"In the middle of the night," Astrid went on.
"Oh," said Serenity.
"I saw her last night running around the plaza," said Astrid.
"Really?" Serenity asked. "What were you doing up so late?"
"Feeding Stormlfy," said Astrid.
"In the middle of the night?" Serenity asked.
"Well I didn't want Hiccup to find out how Stormfly was getting faster," said Astrid.
"What are you talking about?" Serenity asked.
"I found out that chicken boots her energy," said Astrid. Serenity puckered her lips in thought.
"I'd be very careful," she said. "Too much energy might lead to unwanted aggression."
"Right," said Astrid. "I'll be careful."
"And about Heather," said Serenity. "Maybe you should get to know her before you get suspicious."
"Fine," said Astrid. She got up and left. The Heather came back with water.
"You were listening weren't you?" Serenity said.
"How did you know?" said Heather.
"You took forever getting that water," said Serenity.
"Sorry," said Heather. "The bucket is really heavy when full." She handed the bucket to Serenity.
"Are you nearly done?" Toothless asked.
"Yes," said Serenity.
"Do you think I'm faster then Stormfly?" Toothless asked.
"I would expect nothing less from a racing dragon," said Serenity, she giggled.
"Ooh, I like the sound of that," said Toothless.
"You can understand him?" Heather asked.
"Yes," said Serenity. "It's a skill I learned over a lifetime."
"Cool," said Heather. Serenity opened a fish crate and took out a mackerel and a tuna. She gave Toothless the mackerel and Draco the tuna. Heather spotted the apple tree.
"Wow, nice tree," she said.
"I brought it from home," said Serenity. "I live in Draconia, it's a country owned by dragons."
"Cool, where is it?" Heather asked.
"Only the dragons know," said Serenity. "There are humans but they have to be brought in by a dragon." She reached into her apple barrel and handed Heather a golden apple.
"Wow," said Heather, taking it. "It's pretty."
"These apples can only in Draconia," said Serenity. "There are whole forests of golden apple trees. And now I have my very own."
"Excuse me, I need to go find Hiccup," said Toothless.
"Go ahead, sorry this took so long," said Serenity. Toothless left.
"I should be going too," said Heather. She handed the apple back to Serenity.
"Keep it," said Serenity. "I have hundreds."
"Thank you," said Heather. She went back down the hill. Serenity saddled up Draco. She mounted him and took off.

Back at Hiccup's house Heather was in Hiccup's room, which Hiccup had lent her until further noticed. She looked for the Dragon Book and found it under the bed. She took it out and flipped through it.
"What are you doing?" said an angry voice. Heather turned to see Astrid glaring at her.
Astrid ran to tell Hiccup, he followed her back to the room. They found Heather sitting on the bed with the book beside her. She stood up when they came up the stairs.
"I'm sorry Hiccup," she said. "I was cleaning up your room and found the book, I couldn't help myself."
"It's okay Heather," said Hiccup.
"It's okay?" said Astrid. "She's reading the Book of Dragons, and what about last night near my house."
"That was me," said Heather. "I couldn't sleep so I went for a walk, I was having terrible nightmares."
"I can imagine," said Hiccup softly.
"Is this really happening?" Astrid asked.
"Okay Astrid that's enough," said Hiccup.
"You're right Hiccup it is," said Astrid as she left.
"I'm sorry I was wrong to look at your book," said Heather.
"No problem, I trust you," said Hiccup, as he put the book back under his bed.

Back at the hospital Serenity and Draco landed. Serenity dismounted and unloaded a bunch of mackerel, haddock, salmon, cod, and a halibut. She put the fish in to fish crates which had ice on the bottom.
"Is there any trout?" Draco asked.
"There's a few left," said Serenity.
"Can I have a rainbow one?" Draco asked. Serenity opened another crate and threw him a rainbow trout. Then she picked up a basket.
"I'm going to pick grapes," she said.
"Okay," said Draco. He sat in his usual spot under the tree. Serenity hiked up the hill above the hospital. Then Heather came up to Draco. He looked down at her.
"Hi Draco," she said. "Where's Serenity?" Draco gestured with his head towards the top of the hill.
"I need your help," said Heather. Draco growled softly and lowered his head to he level. She stroked his nose.
"What do you think you're doing?" said the angry voice. Heather turned to see Astrid standing behind her glaring again.
"You really like to sneak up on people," said Heather.
"What are doing with Serenity's dragon?" Astrid hissed. "And don't give me your innocent act."
"I wouldn't think of it," Heather hissed back. "You're way to smart for that Astrid." She turned to go, when Serenity returned with her grapes.
"What's going on?" she asked. She put her basket on the table.
"Sorry Serenity," said Astrid. "I saw Heather talking to Draco."
"I was going to ask you for another apple," said Heather.
"Those aren't ripe yet," said Serenity.
"When will they be?" Heather asked.
"Another month," said Serenity. She dumped the grapes into a barrel.
"I should be getting back," said Heather. She went back down the hill. Astrid left too.
"I think there is something off about that girl," said Draco. "She asked me for help."
"That's not off," said Serenity.
"But why me?" Draco asked.
"You never ignore a cry for help," said Serenity. Draco nodded and laid back down, Serenity laid next to him.

Back in Hiccup's room, Heather was again looking for the Dragon Book. She looked under the bed but it wasn't there. She spotted Hiccup sitting at the table downstairs, he was drawing in the book. She snuck out the open window and ran into the forest.

Astrid spotted her and followed her all the way to a small beach far from the village. Astrid hid behind a rock, Heather seemed to be waiting for something. Then a boat pulled up to the beach.
"That's an Outcast boat," said Astrid, she recognized the symbol on the sail. A large Outcast jumped off the boat.
"Savage," Astrid gasped. Savage walked up to Heather.
"What have you learned about the dragons?" he asked.
"I've learned a lot," said Heather. "They have a book, a Book of Dragons, it has everything in it that Alvin could ever hope to learn about controlling dragons."
"Where is this book?" Savage asked.
"I don't have it," Heather confessed. "But I can get it."
"Alvin isn't known for his patience," said Savage.
"I'll get it," said Heather. "And when I do the wait will be worth it." Astrid accidentally pushed some pebbles onto the ground. She ran before anyone saw her.

She ran all the way to Hiccup's house. She opened the front door. Hiccup was fast asleep, on a bedroll made out of a shark. Toothless was asleep beside him. Astrid walked in and kicked Hiccup awake. Hiccup shouted in surprise.
"What are you doing?" he cried.
"I just saw Heather talking to Savage," said Astrid. "She's working with the Outcasts." Hiccup got to his feet. Toothless woke up, startled.
"It's okay bud," said Hiccup. "Go back to sleep." The dragon did as he was told. Hiccup and Astrid walked outside.
"Don't you think you might've seen something else?" Hiccup asked. "It's pretty dark out."
"I'm telling you," said Astrid. "The girl is not who you think she is."
"Who is she then?" Hiccup asked, angrily.
"I don't know," said Astrid. "Nobody knows, she just mysteriously washed up on our beach. You don't find that strange?"
"No, she was attacked by pirates," Hiccup pointed out. Astrid stalked off home. Hiccup went back inside and went back to sleep.

Really early the next morning Heather got up before anyone else, stole the Dragon Book, and snuck up to the hospital. Draco was asleep under the apple tree, curled around Serenity. Heather approached the dragon's head.
"Draco," she whispered. Draco opened one sleepy eye and looked at her. "I need your help to get to Outcast Island." Draco growled in suspicion.
"Please Draco," said Heather. "Alvin has my parent captive, he says if I don't help him defeat the dragons he'll kill them." Draco growled again.
"You can help me free them," said Heather. "Without giving Alvin what he wants, please Draco." Draco raised his head and looked at Serenity, under his wing.
"I'll get her a blanket," said Heather guessing what the dragon was concerned about. She ran under the pavilion and found the box marked BLANKETS. She grabbed one and gave it to Draco. He draped it over his rider, then got to his feet. He looked at his saddle and reins. Again Heather guessed what he was saying. She put the saddle and reins on him. Draco knelt down allowing Heather to climb on his back. She mounted him and picked up the reins. Draco got to his feet. Heather put the Dragon Book into the saddlebag. She clicked the reins and Draco took off.

When Serenity woke up she found her dragon gone, she wasn't worried though, he was always taking off without her for hunting, fishing, or just some alone time. She got up and made breakfast. Then Astrid and Hiccup came up the hill.
"Have you seen Heather?" Hiccup asked.
"No I haven't," said Serenity. She sat down in her chair.
"Where's Draco?" Astrid asked.
"Out," said Serenity. "He goes flying without me once in a while."
"Dose he usually take your saddle?" Astrid asked. Serenity looked at the saddle rack, her saddle wasn't there.
"What on Earth?" Serenity gasped. "Where's my saddle?"
"Heather must've taken Draco," said Astrid.
"She must've taken the Book of Dragons too," said Hiccup. They ran back down the hill to get the others. Serenity went back to her breakfast.

The riders saddled their dragons and took off. Hiccup was recovering from the shock of betrayal. They flew over the ocean heading towards Outcast Island.
"There's noway we can catch up to them," said Astrid. "Draco's too fast." However they soon spotted a dragon ahead.
"Look," said Snotlout.
"It's Heather," said Hiccup. He and Astrid sped their dragons up. They flew on either side of Draco, the big dragon had a blank look on his face. Astrid flew Stormfly right above Heather. Then she jumped from her saddle and onto Draco's.
"Going somewhere?" Astrid drawled. The two girls began fighting. The other riders flew nearby. Suddenly Fishlegs spotted a tall rock in the distance.
"Hiccup, we just crossed into Outcast waters," he called. Hiccup looked at the rock.
"Hey Astrid you might want to move this along," Hiccup called.
"Give me a minuet she's stronger than she looks," Astrid groaned. Suddenly fire balls came shooting at them. Draco rolled to avoid one. Astrid held on, but Heather fell out of the saddle. The Dragon Book slipped out of the saddlebag. Both the book and Heather fell towards the sea.
"I'm going after the girl," Snotlout called, Hookfang dived.
"I'm going after the book," Hiccup called, and Toothless dived. Astrid steered Draco away. Snotlout and Hookfang got Heather and flew off. Hiccup and Toothless dove after the book. Hiccup was just about to grab it when Toothless dodged a fire ball. It missed them but Hiccup's sleeve caught fire.
"I'm getting you out of here," Toothless screamed, though Hiccup didn't understand. They flew back to the others anyway.
"Please tell me you got it," said Fishlegs.
"I was too late," said Hiccup. "Alvin has the Book of Dragons." They flew back to Berk with Astrid riding Draco and Stormlfy following.