Chapter Twenty Five

The next few days only tested Aniu's patience with Zena.

She'd spent most of her time with the Riders, either learning about their dragons or finding out more about their pasts.

What surprised Aniu the most was that Astrid didn't seem to trust Zena. If anything, they ended up spending more time together when Zena was trying to figure out which dragon she liked the most. Aniu had no doubt that Zena would convince Hiccup to find a dragon that she could ride. Something in the back of her mind told her that would only end in disaster, especially as she tried picturing Zena proving herself to not only the people of Berk, but the island of Burgus as well.

Astrid wasn't the first to admit that she didn't openly trust Zena. Aniu hadn't missed the way the dragons seemed uneasy around the newcomer. Cybele would always give Zena a wide birth whenever she was around, and Toothless did whatever he could to avoid her. The other dragons were forced to endure whatever their Riders did. They were capable of flying away whenever they wanted, but they were loyal. Most of them, anyways. They reluctantly tagged along with their Riders as they endured whatever the day held before their Riders.

The day found everyone gathered around the arena as Aniu tested her skills against Zena. Both were well-prepared for the trial, though Aniu had already surpassed all expectations as her arrows hit the bull's-eye with ease. Not only was she able to hit the bull's-eye, but her arrows managed to go through the ring itself and pressed against the wood that held it up. Zena herself resorted to using throwing daggers to meet her stamina and skill with ease.

"Whoa… can Tuffnut be the next target?" Ruffnut volunteered her brother for target practice after seeing what the two girls were capable of.

"That sounds like fun," Tuffnut chimed in, grinning from ear-to-ear at the thought, "I've love to be the next target!"

"Well, it's safe to say you know how to defend yourself," Astrid remarked, ignoring the twins' comments. By now, Aniu had gotten used to their antics and everything they seemed to get themselves in. Dealing with the twins was easier than dealing with the people of Burgus, as far as she was concerned. "What do you think?"

Toothless gave Zena a curious sniff before snorting in annoyance, while Hookfang and Meatlug backed away uneasily. Stormfly was the only one who didn't seem to mind her presence, though, even she looked a bit uneasy as Zena pulled her throwing dagger out of the target.

"I don't like her scent," Hookfang growled.

"All my life, I've been trained to kill dragons." She paused, and threw Aniu a knowing look. She of all people knew what she was talking about. On Burgus, they were forced to train at a young age because dragon raids occurred so frequently. Aniu had quickly learned that one didn't get away from the arena without scars, and it was frowned upon if they did make it out without scars. "I was at the top of my class. On Burgus, it was kill or be killed. After meeting your friends, I know now that killing them is a mistake."

"A petty speech for someone who clearly didn't care at the time of their killing!" Hookfang snapped. "No dragon should ever forgive you for what you have done!"

"He does have a good point," Meatlug put in. Her ears twitched nervously as she remained huddled behind Fishlegs. Despite the fact that she got along with just about everyone else, she still preferred spending what time she had with Fishlegs the most. It was obvious that the pair had been made for each other from the very beginning. Meatlug was more like a motherly dragon who showered her Rider with affection, and the feelings were mutual. "There's just something about her that I don't trust."

"Hey, everyone deserves a chance at forgiveness," Hiccup reminded them.

Aniu chewed the bottom of her lip. She knew Hiccup was right to mention forgiveness, but she couldn't just ignore the fact that Zena had randomly chosen to go with them to Berk. Nothing about her random choice made sense to her, and she couldn't shake off the unease that threatened to overwhelm her.

Considering she had been training to kill dragons for most of her life, Aniu had a feeling that those natural instincts weren't going to fade anytime soon. She had a feeling that letting Zena stay on Berk would only end in disaster for everyone involved, especially since Hiccup seemed so focused on helping her find a dragon of her own. The worst part was seeing how easily everyone else seemed to accept Zena. Astrid was the only one who remained suspicious of her sudden arrival. The shield maiden relentlessly kept reminding the group that Zena shouldn't have been trusted so quickly with a new dragon of her own.

At least one of us has the sense to see that something about this seems odd, she thought while glancing between Astrid and Hiccup hopefully.

She had been hoping that Hiccup would pick up on the fact that even the dragons were uneasy around Zena. Unfortunately, like the others, he was oblivious. Astrid let out a sigh of frustration as she leaned into Stormfly, who had been preening her wings most of the time while they talked.

"Were you thinking of choosing your own dragon?" Fishlegs asked curiously. "There's plenty to choose from here on Berk."

He clasped his hands together as if to prove his point, grinning at the prospect of befriending yet another new dragon.

Though, Aniu doubted anything good would come out of Zena choosing her own dragon.

"I was thinking something that fit my personality… something a little faster than the Night Fury, and stronger," she replied without missing a beat.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Toothless growled under his breath.

There weren't many dragons who could out speed a Night Fury. Aniu could think of a couple off the top of her head, like the Speed Stinger, or even the Skrill. But, both dragons were difficult to deal with, even if she could understand their language. Speed Stingers were dragons with no wings, who walked on the land and hunted in packs. To top it off, they seemed to have their own way of communicating with each other that made it impossible to figure out their next move.

"The Skrill," Zena finally voiced their worries.

Zena's choice wasn't all that surprising to Aniu. Her heart nearly skipped a beat as she realized the huge risk Zena was taking by going after a Skrill, of all dragons. Because they conducted electricity, they were drawn to naturally producing storms that they would feed off of.

"A-Are you sure about that?" Hiccup asked hesitantly.

Aniu tilted her head to one side, not missing the fact that even he seemed to understand that Zena was taking a risk. A few years ago, a Skrill had attacked the Nest and threatened to kill every dragon living on their island. While Nina was able to fight the Skrill off, it left her with a nasty reminder of why they shouldn't be taken so lightly.

"Well, it's got the ability to control and create lightning," Zena replied with a shrug, "And, the Skrill pretty much matches my personality."

This isn't going to end well, Aniu thought. Hiccup and his friends would more than likely go out of their way to help Zena. She knew they would get hurt trying to find the Skrill. The problem was, Aniu doubted they would listen to reason. Astrid might be willing to, but once Hiccup put his mind on the task ahead, he was rarely swayed.

That was how Hiccup and Zena worked together figuring out how to keep the Skrill from electrocuting her. Skrills were known to use their abilities to manipulate electricity against those they saw as their enemies. Because of that, they needed to design a saddle that would somehow keep the Skrill from doing just that. Though, Aniu had no idea how Zena would convince the Skrill from firing at anyone else.

She watched as the two of them brainstormed. For the first time since meeting Hiccup, Aniu was beginning to realize that he had a lot in common with Zena. The two of them loved formulating ideas, and they were completely, and hopelessly, oblivious to the world around them.

A few days passed before Hiccup finally designed a saddle for the Skrill that would help channel the electricity. That was what led them to searching for the Skrill. Once word got out that Hiccup and the gang were looking for said dragon, the village became eager to see whether it could be done or not.

"They're on a suicide mission," Cybele muttered as she joined Aniu.

The rest of the Riders had gone off. Aniu refused to join them. After seeing what the Skrill was capable of, she couldn't bring herself to join them. She had no doubt the Skrill would cause chaos once it was reigned in, if Hiccup and the gang were able to find one.

"I should have known this would happen," she sighed after leaving the plaza. "She never once thinks of what her choices will do to anyone else. She's always been this way, even around my adopted parents."

Cybele threw her an anxious look after realizing what was on her mind. Even she knew Aniu well enough to know that look. She couldn't help but feel a swell of anger towards both Zena, and even Aniu. Her sister had never changed, and she would likely never do so.

Worst of all was seeing how the other Riders seemed to get along so well with Zena. While they hadn't treated Aniu like an outcast, it was becoming painfully obvious that they preferred Zena over her.

"Aniu, I know that look… you're thinking of leaving, aren't you?" she asked.

"What point is there in staying, when everyone will forget I exist?" she muttered after heading for their makeshift nest.

She'd already reached her decision days ago. Though Zena was just her adopted sister, she had always proven that she was the more favorable of the pair. She knew it was a selfish and petty idea to think anyone would ever see her as anything other than Zena's shadow.

Maybe it's better I leave before things go from bad to worse, she told herself after squeezing her eyes shut for a moment. It wasn't until feeling Cybele's snout against the palm of her hand that they opened to see the female Night Fury looking at her in alarm.

"I bet we could make this work, somehow," she tried pleading with her.

"Cybele, you and I both know that 'this' would never work out," she sighed, gesturing between herself and the island of Berk.

Try as she might, Aniu knew that she would never fit in with the people of Berk. She was too different from the rest of them. Too much of an outsider. It had always been that way, with both the dragons and humans.

Years of living among the dragons taught her that she would never find a place to fit in. She understood now where her place in the world lay.

Who would want accept someone like me? she wondered.

"Aniu, I don't want to leave this island… meeting Toothless and the others made me realize that we need to band together, and form a bond with the humans," Cybele tried once more to encourage her to stay.

Aniu held back a sigh of frustration and looked away. She'd already gathered everything she needed for a long journey and was headed off to Raven's Point to meet with someone. After having reached her decision, she knew there was no turning back.

"I wasn't planning on asking you to go with me," she replied. Cybele's heart nearly skipped a beat at her emotionless response. Aniu suddenly turned to face her, and she shrank after seeing the cold look in her eyes, "Look, I know your place is here on Berk. Mine… I don't know where my place is. I just know that it isn't here."

Cybele just stared at Aniu as if she'd sprouted a pair of wings. Her mouth opened for a moment as she tried coming up with a valid argument. Anything was better than being forced to watch her best friend and sister leave.

"Please, Aniu, I don't want you to leave," she warbled, moving to press her snout against her hand.

She only pulled away, suddenly wishing that a hole would open up and swallow her. Anything was better than having to face the bitter truth. Aniu had quickly learned that Cybele was more than capable of living on without her. As long as she had Toothless by her side, she would be fine.

"No. You need to stay here, where you belong," she snapped.

"But I—"

"You're staying here, Cybele!" she finally shouted, this time letting anger get the better of her.

For once, Cybele didn't know how to respond as she stared at Aniu in disbelief. Her face showed a mixture of betrayal and hurt as Aniu spun around and left her sitting there before she could charge after her. She wasn't planning on letting Cybele follow her anytime soon, especially after that confrontation.

A knot formed in the pit of her stomach as she reached Raven's point.

She knew that leaving Cybele behind was the right thing to do. As hard as it was to push her away, Aniu couldn't bring herself to let Cybele travel with her. She did have a place on Berk with Toothless. No matter what her mind kept telling her, she realized that taking Cybele away from all of this was wrong.

Yet, that didn't stop her from wishing things could have been different. As she thought of Hiccup and his friends, she found herself wishing that she could have found a place among them. The chances of that happening were wrenched away the minute Zena decided to tag along with them.

She swallowed hard, pushing the thoughts away. Whatever place she had in Berk was torn away the moment she decided to leave. She wasn't planning on going back. Not when she knew they would likely turn against her.

"Where's your sister?"

The familiar sound of a Deadly Nadder's voice cut through her thoughts. Aniu looked up, feeling her shoulders drop in relief when she spotted Nina perched on the edge of the cliff. She had been careful not to let anyone spot her. Because of the deal that was made months ago, Nina's presence would only lead to further conflict between herself and the Riders.

"She chose to stay behind," Aniu replied.

She hoped Nina wouldn't catch onto the grief and anger in her tone. The last thing she wanted was to explain what had happened just seconds ago. Knowing that she was leaving her sister behind made it that much more difficult. But Aniu knew that she was better off staying on Berk. At least she had a home on the island, and she had Toothless looking out for her.

Nina merely blinked in understanding as she pressed her snout against her forehead. She of all dragons understood what it was like to be treated like an outcast.

"It is never easy, leaving the ones you care about behind," she crooned softly.

That, Aniu could agree with.

Once she was sure she had gathered everything she would need for a long journey ahead of them, Nina took off before anyone else could figure out she was gone. She hadn't been planning on saying goodbye to Hiccup or the others. If she knew them, they were too distracted to notice that she'd disappeared. Whatever the case, it was better if she left without too much of a fuss. Besides, it wasn't as if anyone would miss her once she was gone.

AN: I know it's pretty unlikely that Cybele would have just stood there the whole time while Aniu ran off, but given what Aniu said to her, she was too shocked to go after her. And as for Aniu's inability to share her feelings with Hiccup, that stems from the way she was treated on Burgus. Being able tell someone how she felt made her look weak in front of her peers, and so she's learned not to do so. Hopefully that clears any confusion that might have come from reading this chapter. Thanks to Peter Hong Kong, Mariah and Sgt Sniper Man101 for reviewing! Your reviews are greatly appreciated :)

Peter Hong Kong - Surprisingly, I don't actually have an account on Wattpad /: You'd think someone who writes FF would, but I've never had the time to. I'll try and check it out when I have some time available though, thanks for letting me know about it.

Mariah - Thanks! We'll have to wait and see. If I ever get around to the idea (I already knew what I wanted as far as ideas were concerned; writing them down into a story format was easier said than done), I'll post it in the sequel as a rewrite.

Sgt Sniper Man101 - Yeah, unfortunately that doesn't happen the way you'd expect. Hopefully my AN does a better job of explaining why than I do here XD Thanks again for reviewing!