hey everybody, me again. Miss me? some of these scenes are getting harder to write, simply because they are place fillers. hopefully in the chapter after this, we will be seriously getting into Shadow's secret plans for the archipelago. Im still working out what will exactly happen but I have a few ideas. Im going to ask what you guys want to see happen so send a review with ideas. I wont spoil anything for you now, but ill add another authors note at the end of the chapter to ask specific questions on what to include in the coming scenes.

Let me know what you think, or feel free to ask questions.

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It was absolutely remarkable how calm Shadow was about the whole situation. A hatchling had died, yet he seemed so unaffected by it. All of his efforts went into planning out the new trading post and fortress on the island at the edge of their territory. The appropriately named Dragons Edge would begin construction after the next new moon, when teams of Black Moons were freshly transformed into their dragon forms. Supplies and construction pieces were already been built, and merely had to be transported to the location.

But despite all this progress and prosperity, Hiccup was worried. So to was Astrid, who was spending the majority of her time with the eldest female of the Void-Wing family. Everyone had been affected by the death of Phantom, none more so than the Princes, Astrid, and the hatchlings mother, but everything was in such a calm state, that it had Hiccup fearing for the storm that was sure to come.

Hiccup had tried to talk to Shadow about it, but the prince pushed the conversation away, which made the young boy worried at secret plans being brewed. Shadow wouldn't let something like this go, let alone completely dismiss it, so there had to be something else going on. But whatever it was, the eldest prince was hiding it well.

Once the new moon came around, Hiccup became nervous. The construction of this outpost would begin, and whatever plan Shadow was concocting behind his back would be brought into play. He just hoped that it would not end in more bloodshed, even though the death of Phantom deserved restitution in equal share.

That night, as Hiccup held Shadow's dragon form in his arms, watching his body change before his eyes, he wondered… was Shadow planning to destroy Berk? Was this outpost meant to be the start of a war? And if so, which side of Shadow will he see come from impending battle?

Or was Shadow still determined to find peace despite all the blood that has been spilled already? He has already met with Stoick many times before, and faced him on level ground, one human to another, even though underneath monsters lurked.

The question was… who was the real monster, and what form did they take?

The morning after, Hiccup felt Shadow rub soothing hands over his back, comforting claws through his hair, and nuzzle kisses to his neck. He lay there and smiled as the humanoid drake cuddled him, before laying a kiss to his forehead and moving away. Hiccup stayed lying in the pile of furs as Shadow left the room, but he clearly heard Shadow say, "I might be a monster, but I am not one at heart." Right before he left.

…

The construction teams moved out immediately, burdened with supplies and prebuilt structures strapped between them. And every few days, more supplies went out to them. Despite the massive distance between Dead Mountain and Dragons Edge, they made excellent time, and made sure that the growing outpost had both human and dragon workers, always working, constructing, growing. A month in to the construction, Hiccup and Shadow went to see how it was all coming along.

There were multiple buildings already constructed, with many more standing bare, with nothing but their framework visible. There was a massive structure near the top of the cliffs, partially cut into the rock itself, with a room open to the elements big enough to hold the entire Black Moon high court. Individual rooms were cut into the rock face for those in dragon forms, and the buildings made from wood and stone were for those in human forms. There was a marketplace down by the docks, storage spaces on the hills and many more things still under construction.

Shadow was very happy with their progress, and they left some days later.

When another two months passes, they received word that the outpost was completed. Dragons Edge was ready to receive the garrison of Black Moon soldiers. And it was then that Shadow revealed his hidden plan.

"I want teams of messengers sent to every clan in the archipelago. Every Chief and their Heir must come to Dragons Edge immediately. I want to host a meeting at Dragons Edge, where they will see our accomplishment and understand what we have in stall for them. I want them to understand just how powerful we are, and now that we have a base close to their borders, I want them to know just how fast we can attack them if we see fit."

Dusk and Dawn were sent to select the messengers, and Ghost wrote the letters. Once the preparations were finished, the messenger teams were briefed in the map room, then sent off to their destinations within the hour.

…

All across the Archipelago, villages erupted into chaos at the sight of the pitch black dragons when they flew over buildings, screaming their battle cries. The Berserkers prepared for an attack, and fired upon the beast when it came in range, but their arrows missed every time. When Dagur screamed at the dragon to fight him, it hovered in front of him, revealing its rider…

The Bog-Burglars attempted to barricade their villagers in their great hall, and wait for the beast to leave on its own. But the new species of dragon didn't leave, and kept trying to bait the chief out into the open. That was when Big Boobie Bertha saw the rider on its back, calling out for their attention…

Megadon the Meathead tried to shoot it out of the sky with catapults in a vain attempt to down the beast. It merely resulted in all his war machines being blasted to pieces, before the rider on the dragons back roared…

The Outcasts attempted to set other dragons on the new black beast, hoping that their caged, feral dragons could use their numbers to bring down the newcomer. But each one backed away once they heard its roar, and bowed before it. That was when Alvin the Treacherous saw the rider, and heard its voice…

And finally, the chief of the Hairy Hooligans brandished his sword towards the great black beast hovering in the sky above him, challenging it while his clan cowered in fear. The chief stood alone against his foe, screaming and bating the beast, while families kissed their loved ones goodbye, believing the dragon was the beginning of their end. Then the rider appeared on the dragons back and spoke out above the raging chief…

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"Chieftains of the Barbaric Archipelago, hear my voice! The ruler of the Black Moon Hordes, Prince Shadow Void-Wing, demands your presence at Dragons Edge! There you will speak to our lord about the future of the archipelago and all who live under your rule. The gathering is scheduled in two weeks' time at dusk, on the eve of the half moon. Attendance is mandatory for both the chieftains, and their heirs. Those who do not attend will be condemning their villages to death. Make haste to the edge of the Dragons Lair, or burn on the outer regions of hell."

Each of the messengers then hauled a mighty spear above their heads, brandishing it in all its glory, before throwing it at the feet of the village leader, mere inches from their feet. Illuminated by the light torches, the chief's could see the written message tied securely around the shaft, no doubt containing details of the meeting, and a map to find the location. The spear, tipped with a razor sharp obsidian head, adorned with strips of leather and decorated with black dragon scales shaped like arrowheads. It was a bold and brazen move, yet highly effective. The chief's didn't dare attack now.

Not when the black beast and rider promised death.

Each black beast roared, then sped off in a flurry of black and silver speckled wings to the North, back to Dragons edge, leading the way to their lord for the human chiefs to follow.

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Ok, so heres my potential scene ideas. Shadow is going to host a meeting at Dragons edge for all the chiefs to attend, but some of the finer details are yet to be decided. ideas are: a dance/formal function before negotiations, so dresses, suits, music and dancing. run ins between Hiccup and Stoick outside of negotiations. Shadow demonstrating his power to the chiefs as well as playing with Hiccup lewdly in front of everyone. and a possible death of one of the chiefs, as a power demonstration after they disrespect Shadow. Possible cannibalism in the death scene (Ive been watching too much Hannibal)

if you have other ideas of what to include, let me hear them, or if you want to see a particular thing happen from my list, let me know so I can write something you will all enjoy.