Hey guys!

Am back again with a new chapter.

I'm so grateful for all my friends and followers here giving all the support they have. It really does mean a lot. Do keep asking me things as they will help me flesh out my ideas as I go and hopefully make the story better.

Many thanks to all the folks who sent me messages PMs and reviews regarding what types of dragons the new generations of riders should have. There were so many different ideas, I've tried my best to use at least one or two elements from each suggestion. So hopefully you will all recognize your contribution. You guys rock and these chapters are especially for you guys!

Last time Stoick ordered the dragon riders to leave their dragons on berk for this quest. This does mean that a part of the story will happen without our favourite dragon characters. However fear not my friends. This isn't called how to train your dragon fanfiction for nothing! There will be dragon action when the Berkians reach the island of Tolemac. And it will be some amazing dragon action!

Starting with this chapter as we see how the riders react to leaving their dragons behind and introducing the new generation of riders. There will be some back-story on the new riders just to flesh them out!

Once again thank-you for all the support and your feedback regarding the dragons of the new riders.

Enjoy!

Scars:

Chapter 11

Babysitters Part 1

"This bites!" Snotlout moaned as he trudged into the arena, followed by Astrid, Gustav, Fishlegs, Tuffnutt (who had no problem in abandoning Trader Johan) and the younger riders. The arena was already a hive of activity as Vikings bustled about, leaving the day's ration of fish for the beasts and taking large baskets away with them in return. Around the viewing area Bucket and Mulch checked off various items and called out to their compatriots as to what should be taken and what should be left.

The riders spread out to retrieve their gear that lined the walls as Snotlout continued to gripe, kicking up dust from the arena floor with his heavy scuffing footsteps." I don't see why we can't just fly our dragons to this place, Grab Hiccup off the ground and fly right back here, quick and easy! No hassle no fuss!"

"Only problem with that genius is that it might start a war!" Astrid replied.

"Are you crazy? Who would want to start a war over Hiccup?" Snotlout retorted incredulously, "From the sounds of things, this Navan guy can't wait to get rid of the scrawny twerp! He'd probably throw a party for us taking Hiccup off his hands!"

"A party?! Really?!" Tuffnutt piped up in excitement, "Do you think we'd get invited? Oh! I could make some of my famous yak butter parfait and Astrid could play the bagpipes while Fishlegs dances!"

"I can't play the bagpipes!" Astrid grimaced.

"Yeah and dancing?...Isn't really my thing Tuffnutt" Fishlegs replied nervously.

"Wait! you don't?" Tuffnutt asked looking surprisingly thoughtful at both riders before being struck by a new inspiration, "Ok then! Fishlegs you play the bagpipes and Astrid you dance! Everybody's happy! Tuffnutt for the win!"

"Are you sure the chief wants these guys to go with him to find Hiccup?" Gustav spoke suggestively as he walked close beside Astrid, "You know, you could use your position to leave the veterans at home and bring the new riders instead!"

Astrid chuckled at the young lad's suggestion, "as tempting as that sounds…and it is tempting….. I'd rather have them where I can keep an eye on them. Can you imagine what Berk would be like if I wasn't here to keep them in line?"

"Oh I imagine it all the time!...…in my worst nightmares!" Gustav retorted, giving a cheeky smirk to the blonde who laughed even harder.

"You know I can hear what you're saying Gustav!" Snotlout shouted from his place by Hookfang's pen, "So if you don't want a black eye as a going away present, I suggest you shut up!" the Jorgensen rider threatened stomping up to them cracking his knuckles.

"Bring it on Snotface!" Gustav retorted taking his own strides to counter his threatening teammate.

Things almost came to blows, however Astrid and Paloma stepped between the two alpha male riders ensuring nothing actually happened.

"Gustav that's enough! You're the leader now so you have to act better than that!" Paloma urged.

"Temporary leader! Don't forget that!" Snotlout shouted over Astrid's shoulder.

"And you pipe down as well Snotlout!" Astrid ordered firmly, "You're lucky the chief is bringing you! Especially after that prank you and the twins pulled at Snoggletogg!"

"Hey!" Snotlout eased, "We all thought that big brown squid looked a lot like Hiccup, it was scrawny enough!"

"And it was pretty convincing once we dressed it up in some of Hiccup's old clothes!" Tuffnutt chimed in cheerfully.

"Yeah! It's not our fault the chief doesn't have a sense of humour!" Snotlout said nonchalantly.

"Well you should have known better!" the shield-maiden urged bitterly. She hadn't been impressed with that stunt either for her own reasons.

"Indeed Snotlout. Stoick has proved to be very volatile where Hiccup is concerned" Fishlegs interjected fastidiously remembering the 'Phoenician incident', "and making fun of that really didn't help matters, especially at Snoggletogg which is all about family."

"Yeah, it was the quietest Viking celebration feast I've ever seen," Gustav added, "The great hall felt colder than the snow storm outside! And the worst part was no-one could escape the awkwardness because the dragons had left!"

"I still haven't figured why they do that. It's really sad not having Meatlug around for the holidays!" Fishlegs complained, the frustration clear in his voice.

"And that's why we won't do it ever again" Astrid lectured "and that's why we don't complain about the chief's orders to leave our dragons here! Now everyone get out your dragons and let's get things organized!"

As one all the riders went to the many pens that were cut into the arena walls and opened their heavy gates. They had spent their time earlier on gathering their dragons in the arena before going to see Stoick in the hope that they would be flying to Tolemac. Now would be the difficult task to explain to the veteran's dragons that their riders could be gone for months and they would have to be looked after by someone else.

As the doors opened, the space in the arena quickly diminished as it was now host to 10 large dragons lined up along one side of the circular building, stretching their wings and standing proudly beside their partners. Astrid never ceased being impressed by their combined majesty and strength when they all stood together in a group. The shield-maiden quickly singled out her own dragon and skipped playfully toward her, trying her hide increasing unease.

"Hey girl!" Astrid crooned to Stormfly as her blue Nadder nuzzled her affectionately.

Astrid was genuinely upset about leaving her partner behind. The dragon had saved her life on more than one occasion and she felt she was leaving part of her soul in the care of another. straight away Stormfly sensed the shield-maiden's distress and sniffed franticly all around the girl as if the reason for her sadness was physically attached to her in some way and she would rip it off with her talons or teeth.

"I have to go away for a while girl, it could be a long time and I can't take you with me" Astrid said sadly, holding tightly to the Nadder's head.

Stormfly eyes widened, their yellow orbs filled with what could only be a questioning fear as if asking 'Why?'

Seeing the dragon's unease, Astrid spoke as soothingly as she could " Where I'm going...it's really far away and it's going to be dangerous girl!"

Stormfly squawked defiantly and shifted on her weight, the spikes on her long tail clicking and extending in aggression.

"I know you can protect me Stormfly, but not this time girl, I'm sorry!" Astrid reassured, aggressively stroking the Nadder's chin, desperately hoping to calm the dragon down.

Stormfly pressed firmly into Astrid, trying to create as much body contact as possible, nearly pushing the rider back a step.

"Listen Stormfly the chief said so! He doesn't want you guys getting hurt!" the shield-maiden explained.

The Nadder gave a dismissive scoff at the mention of Stoick with a harsh squawk and moved to wrap her tail around Astrid to continue her draconic protest.

"No Stormfly, I mean it! You are staying here!" Astrid urged angrily, slapping the dragons tail away with her hand.

Stormfly hopped back a step, cocked her head and cooed, obviously hurt by her rider's aggressive gesture.

"I'll explain!" Astrid intoned. Desperate to stop the Deadly Nadder from getting more upset, Astrid quickly stepped back and raised her arms to get everyone's attention.

"Okay dragons! Listen up!"

At once all the reptiles stilled from their owners greetings and gave her their full attention. The shield-maiden had become recognized as the 'queen' of their little nest when the dragons realised all the other riders followed her orders and so they did the same. Astrid always spoke with respect to the dragons and so they in turn respected her. The only one who didn't completely stay still was Stormfly herself who seemed to get more anxious as the moments passed by.

"I have announcement dragons! Stormfly, Hookfang, Barf & Belch, Meatlug!"

At once the dragons she named stood straighter and prouder at being singled out.

"Myself and your riders have to go on a long voyage and we will be gone a long time. We cannot take you with us and so you must stay here!"

Immediately the veteran dragons began to growl and whine in distress at the impact of her words and it took a good few minutes for their riders to calm them down. The new rider's dragons didn't react as much as they drew comfort in the knowledge they would not be parted from their riders.

"Okay okay! Calm down everyone! I need you all to understand that we are not leaving forever and we will come back!" Astrid pleaded, "The Island we are going to doesn't like dragons and we don't want you to get hurt!"

Still the dragons shifted restlessly and Astrid could hear through the cacophony of grunts and growls, Stormfly's squawks and the look on her face repeating the same question, 'Why?!'

"We are going to find Hiccup and Toothless!" The shield maiden loudly declared, "You remember Hiccup? The one who set you free!? The one who killed the Red Death!?"

As soon as the name of 'lost son of Berk' and his Nightfury was mentioned, the dragons immediately stilled again. They did indeed remember the one who liberated them from their years of bondage. His face and his scent had been etched into their minds in gratitude and they had shared stories of the young dragon boy with any member of their dragon kin that was willing to listen. After five years, in reptilian circles all across the archipelago there was hardly any dragon alive that did not know of the human hatchling and the Nightfury that killed the Red Death!

"Hiccup and Toothless are out there!" Astrid pressed on, "only the humans are allowed to go! The place is very far away and they might want to kill dragons so we are going by ourselves so they don't hurt you! You are all to stay here! Do not follow us or you could get us and yourselves into trouble. Do you understand?!"

The veteran dragons all shared looks and growls between each other and gazed fondly at their riders. Hookfang snorted out some steam over Snotlout while Meatlug gave Fishlegs a quick lick to his face. Barf and Belch brought their heads to either side of Tuffnutt and Stormfly continued to stare wide eyed at Astrid, her dragon senses noticing the conflicted aura of emotions that invisibly swirled around the leader of the Dragon Academy.

Eventually the veteran dragons resumed their proud stances and as one nodded in unison accepting this hard but hopeful news.

"Thank you!" Astrid gratefully smiled, appreciating their gesture, relieved they were taking things as easily as they were, before resuming the commanding, authoritative air that befitted her station. "Ok everyone! Now, while we veteran riders are gone, Gustav will be in charge! You will all follow him and do what he says. Both the chief and I trust him and so should all of you!"

"Thanks Astrid!" Gustav replied respectfully as Fanghook nudged him in congratulations.

"So here's how it's gonna go!" Astrid declared to everyone. "Some of you will have to pair up and look after your own dragons as well as ours. The other Vikings in the village either don't have the time and our dragons don't know them very well. I have a list here of who is going to do what. Those who don't get paired up with a second dragon will have to take extra patrols to cover the riders who have another dragon to look after!"

The young riders shared looks of hope and moans of depression as they saw both the benefits of not having to deal with jealous dragons but then having to take the more boring patrol shifts to ensure the islands defence. Astrid's plans usually involved 'honey and hatchet' tactics like that.

"OK! Once I tell who you've got, pair off and go the other side of the arena!" Astrid yelled looking down the list she had hastily scribbled on the way to the academy, "Gustav! Seeing you've already dealt with him, I am pairing you and Fanghook with Hookfang!"

Gustav fist bumped himself in the chest. He had already proven to be very adept with dealing with the stoker-class dragons and he relished the opportunity to show himself a better nightmare trainer than Snotlout. The acting leader marched proudly over to Hookfang and looked the dragon in the eye as it lowered its large spiked head to draw level with him. "We are gonna so much fun Hookfang! Are you gonna be ready to fire it up!?"

At this the older nightmare reared up and ignited its skin, roaring happily. This display did nothing but infuriate Snotlout who faced off to Gustav knowing neither Astrid nor Paloma could stop him.

"Hey! This doesn't mean you own him now kid!" Snotlout hissed, "It's only temporary just like your leadership! When I get back, I expect Hookfang to be returned! All scales intact!"

"Don't worry about it Snotlout!" Gustav crooned "Fanghook, Hookfang and I? We're gonna be just fine without you!"

And with that, the smirking young man turned on his heel and marched to the other side of the arena, flanked on either side by his Monstrous Nightmare bodyguards.

"Paloma!" Astrid continued, "You and Nightspin won't be paired with anyone seeing he's big enough to handle by himself. Plus I think you're going to have your hands full keeping an eye on the 'firestarter' over there!" Astrid gestured to Gustav who was casually leaning against Fanghook grinning at a fuming Snotlout.

Paloma nodded knowingly in approval and led her jet black Timberjack across the arena to stand beside her betrothed and his Nightmare entourage. She would be having words and possibly more with him later about getting too over-confident in his new position. Her black scaled dragon coiled itself up and folded its wings over her like a vast open tent.

Paloma loved Nightspin. She found The Timberjack in Berk's forest one night, roaring in anger, trying and failing to chop down trees. Desperate to make up time for not being allowed to train from a young age like Gustav, Paloma spent hours trying to tame Nightspin until she realised the dragon's razor tipped wings had become blunted. So instead of stroking its chin, she calmed the distraught Timberjack by rubbing his wingtips with a whetstone to return their keenness, the male Timberjack bonding with her soon after. Although it took a while longer for him to accept Gustav who he saw as a rival for Paloma's affections, the young dragon master soon won the dragon's trust and the two came to an 'understanding' over how to share their feisty Viking female.

"Boyard!" The lanky brown haired teen snapped to attention at his name being called. He was a very by-the-book kind of guy and never questioned an order.

He'd been known as 'Boyard the unlucky' since his parent's death during a viscous thunderstorm at sea which he narrowly escaped. he had been drifting for days, clinging to the remnants of their ship, wailing to the skies in despair, begging for death to take him, before being found by the dragons riders' sea patrol. Since that day the grieving child was strangely chased by lightning which had the unnatural pattern of striking whatever building he dared to take shelter in. At first it was thought the orphan boy was cursed by Thor for not dying when he should have and was going to be cast out of tribe. But during the 'casting-out' ritual, the reason for disconsolate boy's constant attraction to lighting was finally uncovered.

That reason was the lurid purple Skrill that sat hunched closely beside him now.

"We all know how possessive Adele is of you so I think everyone will be safer if you two just stick together." Astrid remarked sarcastically.

At the time it was suspected the Skrill had unintentionally been responsible for the storm that killed Boyard's parents in the first place and its maternal instincts made it want to make amends by caring for the abandoned, despairing hatchling. Eventually Boyard accepted the Skrill into his house and named her Adele, meaning "Noble" in Norse, due to the way she carried herself and her attempt to atone for her actions. As well as being fiercely protective of Boyard she was also insanely competitive with her razor sharp eyes constantly shifting and analysing her fellow dragon kin. Despite the mournful circumstances of Adele's arrival on Berk, Boyard took to Dragon Training easily as the structure it provided helped him deal with the grief of losing his parents while Adele gave a golden opportunity to the riders to study a Skrill up close for a second time.

"As you say commander!" the boy clipped.

"Ugh! For the billionth time Boyard! It's just Astrid!" the dragon leader groaned.

"Sorry mam!...I mean Astrid!"

"Just get over there!"

Boyard and Adele took up their place beside Paloma and Nightspin, the Skrill letting little flickers and spams of electricity spit from her body as she wrapped her tail protectively around her rider.

"Genna!" Astrid barked.

Immediately Genna walked forward making a beeline for Fishlegs. Everyone knew this paring was coming. For not only was Genna, Fishlegs Ingerman's younger sister, the teal Gronkle that fluttered by her side was Meatlug's daughter. Whether by fate or by design, the entire Ingerman clan only flew Gronkles and although Meatlug bossed the other boulder-class dragons around like a mother hen, it was only Genna that she showed as much affection to as her husky master.

That affection went to the extent that a month after Snoggletogg when the dragons returned from doing Thor knows what, Meatlug presented Genna with a young Gronkle that took to the girl immediately. The dragon had incredibly pronounced bone-like plating on its face, back and tail so she was named Rond (Norse for armour). Though the dragon was young and on the small side, she was still impressive as Genna took great care not to spoil her as badly as her older brother spoiled Meatlug. This made Rond faster and more manoeuvrable than typical Gronkles. Rond herself was highly caring for Genna and always had a look of optimism on her wide face. By the time the two entered Dragon training, they already possessed an unbreakable bond complemented by Fishlegs' private training.

Genna didn't even have to say anything to Meatlug and just gestured with her head for the large female to follow which the bulbous Gronkle did, her tongue hanging lazily out of the side of her jaws.

"Now remember Genna!" Fishlegs fussed as he followed after his dragon, "she likes quartz on Tuesdays and every morning she needs to be brushed down her flanks and if you don't give her to Dredge on time for her shift making Gronkle Iron then he's going to get really cranky…."

"…..Fishlegs I know, I know!" the embarrassed girl snapped, "we live in the same house and I see what you do with Meatlug every day! Trust me, she'll be looking after me more than I'll be looking after her!"

"Ok!", the startled Ingerman replied, "I just worry for her is all, Oh! come here girl!"

Everyone cringed as Fishlegs gave his dragon a huge hug which lasted for way too long and was only broken by Astrid aggressively clearing her throat.

"So embarrassing!" Genna muttered as Fishlegs retreated back to his place and she guided the two lumbering Gronkles to the other side of the arena.

After recovering from an epic face-palm at the sickly display she had just witnessed Astrid pulled herself together and read out the next name on her list.

"Helga Draven!" At first there was no answer so Astrid called again only louder and more forcefully "HELGA DRAVEN!"

Still getting no answer Astrid looked up to the last place she saw the girl and her dragon only to see an empty space.

"I'm not looking after anyone else's dragon!" a shrill female voice rang out from nowhere.

"Ugh! Helga we've been over this!" Astrid declared darting her eyes over the entire arena, "You have to be prepared to deal with other dragons that aren't your own!

"Don't care!" the stubborn disembodied voice retorted, "I am not sharing my precious Skyiule time with any other dragon!"

"If you're going to argue with me, can you at least show yourself?!" Astrid simmered trying hard not to throw her axe.

"Fine Skyiule! Appear!" and at that, the air began to shimmer and distort beside Genna and her Gronkles. In seconds the flat grey stonework gave way to the bright red three dimensional scales and large lithe body of the master of camouflage that was a Changewing dragon. And standing proudly in her saddle arms folded over her impressive chest, her head upturned in defiance was Helga Draven, daughter of Haggar Draven the famous Berkian 'master of blades'.

The girl herself was strongly built thanks to her father's training and had a very attractive face with bright blue eyes framed in jet black hair. She was a rare sight amongst the usually blonde, brunette and red-headed Vikings that frequented Berk, as the large Draven family had been well known travellers and explorers for generations, bringing back husbands and wives from far off lands that served to diversify the Berkian gene pool. Even past generations of the Larson and Jorgenson clans included members of the Draven family.

Helga strangely had no interest in becoming a dragon rider. The older girl had no problems with the beasts but despite constant invitations she always refused to get one, citing she already had everything she needed in life. Funnily enough it was that stubbornness that made her the perfect match for her dragon Skyiule, (meaning hidden).

She caught the Changewing trying to steal a sheep from her family's farm and showed no hesitation in fighting it bare-handed. Despite having a few close calls and even ignoring some mild acid burns Helga's defiant, stubborn nature led her to into a staring match with the reptile that lasted for over 2 hours. Amazed at the girl's fortitude the Changewing kept coming back and eventually bonded with the girl. Helga was always highly opinionated at her own self-worth and to make matters worse, all of her claims were true. If she said she could swim for miles in the ocean then she swam for miles in the ocean and if she said she would be the first Berkian to train a Changewing she would. And she was.

But since she was forced to become a member of the academy, so that Skyiule could be properly trained and the fact she was currently 23 making her the oldest official rider, this made her tough to deal with and even now she kept her teammates at arms-length. She usually operated alone and in the shadows away from the group acting as a scout or saboteur. But despite her stand-offish attitude, Helga like her father was fiercely loyal and when occasion called for it, she fought blade, tooth and nail to protect her tribe.

"Look Helga, I know you don't want to do it but someone has to take care of Barf and Belch and there's no-one else left!" Astrid argued.

"Actually…."

Astrid turned, surprised to see Tuffnutt stepping forward, a very serious look on his face.

"…..there is someone else who could look after him!"

There you are guys

Another chapter done!

I put the chapter break here to try and keep to my 3,000 word limit.

Next chapter will be more of the same, meeting the rest of the new riders. I hope you like the characters we have here. Any suggestions that didn't or haven't made it in I will try and integrate later on in the story.

Any questions, reviews, PMs, feedback, ideas, requests are all greatly appreciated.

See you in the next chapter.

Until then take care of yourselves and each other!