Chapter 29

"Changewings are a reclusive species and react hostilely against anyone, dragon or human, that trespasses their territory. Behind that, though, they are rather friendly and fun. Just stay away from their eggs." - Hiccup Haddock III on the Changewing


The sun shone brightly on the Traveler and the Last City around it. The various flags that graced the Tower's courtyard had changed from their multitude of colors to a universal deep green, whatever emblem they sported replaced by the iconic silver tree and twin wolves of the Iron Banner.

Fireteams of Guardians, permanent or temporary, filled the space as they arrived, left, and conversed with one another. Every now and then, two teams would start yelling at each other only to leave the premises and duke out their feud in Redjack territory. Everyone who had a mind to participate in the Iron Banner was clad in white, silver, and gold ornate armor reminiscent of a long-forgotten age.

Despite the looming threats beyond Earth, the Guardians were in good spirits as they fought in remembrance of the original Guardians, the Iron Lords.

A sextet of well-known ships arrived and patiently awaited a clear spot in the hangar to land, depositing their pilots as they flew by. Nearby Guardians smiled, saluted, and waved at Fireteam Dragon and 44, who nodded and waved in return. Some expressed concern at their somewhat battered state, but chose not to say anything in knowledge that the Fireteam would right as rain in no time. Others noticed the strange creature resting on the black dragon's back, only to decide that patrol was more important than curiosity.

"Well, I guess I'll see you guys at the Iron Banner," Thor-4 said as he made his way to the front of the group.

Dmitri stopped the Exo and gave him a firm handshake. "Thanks for the help."

"No problem. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some bounties to pick up."

After the "black ops" Titan left, Dragon made their way to the Vanguard. Dmitri supported Hurricane down the stairs when the Hunter felt lightheaded. They passed by Lord Shaxx and Arcite 99-40 before entering the Vanguard's hall, the head trio around the long table as always.

Zavala noticed the group. "Ah, Fireteam Dragon. Welcome back."

Dmitri saluted, then went at ease. "Thank you, sir. But I'm afraid our return isn't with good news."

Cayde-6 groaned and held his head in his hand. "Why do we always get approached with bad news and good news? Why not normal news for a change?"

"Cayde," Ikora threatened. She turned to Dragon. "Continue."

"The Taken threat has expanded, and there's a new leader with the ranks."

"A Taken Night Fury," 'Cane specified. "Strong, fast, and invisible. And unlike the Taken Minotaurs, it never showed up on our trackers."

Zavala and Ikora looked at each other while Cayde muttered something nobody could hear.

"I'm afraid it's forming its own army, or maybe 'nest' I should say," Hiccup commented. He walked up to the table and let Fireball project a number of images. "Toothless and I saw it Take a Skrill before we engaged it. It left and we had to fight off the Skrill. It was Taking other dragons as well, with assistance from the Influenced."

"'Other dragons'?" Ikora repeated. "What kind of dragons?"

"Species that I have met and known before I was resurrected: Nightmares, Nadders, Skrill, Zipplebacks... If there's a dragon out there, I probably know about it."

"Then you and I can talk later."

Hiccup nodded and stepped back, allowing Dmitri to speak again. "I'm afraid this whole crisis could've been averted if we were fast enough. Hiccup and Toothless witnessed the other Night Fury as it was Taken by the Influenced while the rest of us and Twilight were fighting off his forces."

"That's enough of that talk, Guardian," Zavala ordered. "We cannot undo what has been done. Is there anything else you can tell us about this Taken Fury?"

"It also tried to Take my Light, sirs," the Awoken Hunter added, "or at least consume it. Only reason I'm still here is because of Toothless."

"And that brings us to the second thing we have." The black dragon gently nudged his way through the teammates standing in front of him, revealing the wounded form laying on his back.

The effects were immediate—Ikora whipped out her pulse rifle in shock and aimed it at the small Ahamkara, Zavala following with a large machine gun. Cayde noticed his fellow Vanguards' actions, but instead glanced between them and Fireteam Dragon. The team's two Hunters had their hands near their weapons in case things got ugly, and the Warlock's spine and nostrils began to glue a cool blue as he growled.

"Huh," the Exo deadpanned at the two revelations.

"Fireteam Dragon," Ikora enunciated sharply, "why do you have an Ahamkara with you?"

Said dragon woke from his stupor and noticed the Warlock currently aiming at him. He backed away in fear, hissing both in defense and from the lingering pain in his wing.

Hiccup chuckled nervously as he rubbed the back of his head. "Well... Everyone, meet Uni. Uni, everyone." When neither of the armed Vanguards reacted, he felt a rush of deja vu flood his body. "Come on, can we just continue this in a civil manner, please? Like, no weapons or anything of the sort?"

Cayde nodded. "Gotta agree with the kid; why don't we all take it down a notch?" His nonchalant demeanor earned him a glare from his Warlock rival.

"Short story is Hiccup and I returned to our home after the strike on the Moon to find a newly formed dragon populace. We tracked a mystery dragon to Dragon Island, where we found this kid," Toothless gestured his head to the wary youngling, "alone in the forests."

"More like you scared him into there, you jealous salamander," Hiccup interrupted.

"Shut up."

"Please, so that we may speak, oh listeners ours," a deep voice said, causing all the Guardians to jump, Toothless in particular. The unknown voice sounded from behind his ears, and the Night Fury turned his head to see Uni getting up, the youngling wincing as it put weight on its healing wing. The rest of Fireteam Dragon and the Vanguard followed Toothless' gaze, and Ikora tensed her trigger finger.

"Uni?" Hiccup asked nervously.

"No. But the young one is being guided back here, so fret not, Master ours," the seemingly possessed Ahamkara soothed, bowing upon saying Hiccup's title. "I was chosen to speak on his behalf."

"Where is he?"

"The one you have named Uni is with my mate, Ydi. I am Ajr. Some may say Uni is our offspring."

"Impossible," Ikora interrupted. "The Ahamkara are extinct, gone far too long for this... 'Uni' to as young as it is."

Ajr chuckled as he turned to face the Warlock, his tone calming and foreboding. "There is so much you limit yourself to, Void-Toucher, that you ignore everything else. And if we are extinct, then why is young Uni here, oh slayer ours?" When Ikora produced no answer, Ajr continued, "Uni was born from the fabric of reality at the cost of a shackled soul—my mate and I merely provided his essence."

"How did you do... this?" Hiccup asked, gesturing with his arms towards Ajr.

Ajr smirked. "All life has its secrets, Master ours. When young Uni was beset by the Taken Night Fury, it initially attempted to Take his will, no doubt doing the bidding of its master. We had to intervene, lest he be lost and our species future destroyed."

"It can still be destroyed right here, right now."

"Ikora!" Zavala bellowed. "There will be no such action in this hall. Cayde, do not speak if you do not have something important to add." The Exo started to protest, but ultimately stayed silent, not wanting to incur the Titan's wrath.

"You have had many chances to do so, Void-Toucher, yet you have not fired your weapon. I will not ask you, for you know why you stay your hand. You wish to cultivate young Uni so that he may aid you, without the prices we placed on those who approached us." Ajr paused for a long moment, his eyes closed before opening them again. "We will allow this, but Uni stays in our Alpha's care."

Toothless' eyes widened. "You want me- to- what?"

"Toothless," Hiccup urged.

The Night Fury exhaled. "Fine. I'll look after Uni—with Hiccup's help!" he added, glaring at his brother.

"Ydi will tell the young one these news." Ajr turned to Ikora once more. "Why do you still present your weapon, Void-Toucher, when the bargain has already concluded?"

Hesitantly and slowly, the Warlock Vanguard lowered her rifle and her Ghost removed it. She stayed silent for several seconds, then said, "Very well. The Ahamkara will remain with Toothless and Hiccup. If there is nothing else, then you may leave, Dragon. Hiccup and Toothless will stay and update us on the Taken."

The youngling said nothing, smiling instead until his head drooped and pain traveled onto his face, making Hiccup and Toothless concerned. When he raised his head, his purple eyes had hints of confusion. "Where... am I? What?" he asked, this time with a voice that of a young child.

Hiccup knelt down so his eyes were level with Uni's. "Uni, you okay?"

The Ahamkara nodded. "I'm okay. Where am I?"

"You're in the Tower. Don't worry, you're safe here."

"Guardian, when you're done," Ikora said.

"Alright," Hiccup placated. "Uni, you'll have to stay with the others while Toothless and I talk with the Vanguard, okay?"

"That's fine," Uni answered, wincing again at his healing wing. He jumped off of Toothless' back and hissed in pain, but then made his way alongside Hurricane.

The Vanguard and the two Dragon recruits watched the others as they left. When they were gone, Hiccup walked up to the table.

"So, where would you like me to start?"


A trio of Guardians dropped into the Courtyard, their laughs and the tune of an old song contributing to the already lively atmosphere. Firewing and Lucks were wearing their normal armor, but their colors were like those of everyone around them. Vura on the other hand was still clad in her silver and green.

"Oh man, I wish I could have seen that Titan's face!" the male Hunter cajoled. "A load of good that armor did her."

"Protection means nothing when you know where to cut," Vura sagely replied as she sauntered towards the Traveler's Walk.

Lucks turned his blue optics to his brother-in-arms. "She's not wrong." Firewing's response was a silent glare. "What?"

"I'm still not forgiving you for what you did to that Hunter," the cyborg answered, then walked off to catch up with Vura.

"Wrong place, wrong time. That's all I have to say."

The two members of Fireteam Death caught up to the Bladedancer, who was handed a package that Lord Saladin's Ghost materialized. The Eliksni saluted, then walked back to her comrades. With a flourishing spin, her own Ghost replaced her original chest armor with a new design.

Instead of smooth, forged plates covered with pieces of technology, there was a pelt of scales, gray as a thunderstorm. The scales were linked in overlapping rows and wrapped around Vura's body, hiding any actual armor from sight. Around each of her four arms, the scales smoothed out, eliminating any discomfort for all ranges of motion. A few seconds later, the gray color switched to match the shades of the Eliksni's armor.

"Wow," Vura purred in awe. "Lord Saladin has certainly outdid himself."

The other Hunter laughed, having recognized the scales. "Actually, Vura, Lord Saladin did not create that. No, you need to look at one Hiccup Haddock of Fireteam Dragon. Speaking of which." Firewing turned around to see the four veterans of said Fireteam approach. "Hello, everyone."

"Good to see you, Fire," Dmitri returned. "Vura, Lucks." He appraised the trio's armor. "So you three just returned from the Iron Banner?"

Firewing pointed a finger at the Eliksni Huntress. "Vura's first actual one. She was away on missions during previous Banners."

Vura hooked an arm around her mentor's cybernetic one and smiled. "What can I say? I'm a busy lady." Krayt coughed nervously after that comment, then shuffled back a foot from her gaze.

"Anyways, I still have a couple challenges to finish, but I guess since I'm here, might as well get my rep package," Fire started back up. "Excuse me, Vura." He removed her arm and walked towards Saladin, followed by Lucks.

"So how does the new armor feel, Vura?" 20 asked.

"Wonderful," she purred again. "Although I will have to see how it works in combat."

"We'll pass your compliments to Hiccup and Toothless," Krayt bowed.

"Is that just for her, or does that extend to us as well?"

Firewing was wearing boots coated in flaming shades of red scales. His kneepads now boasted the engraved symbol of the Stoker-class dragons instead of the Ironwood Tree, and the background had changed from silver to orange. As with Vura, the dragon scales wrapped around Firewing's shin and traveled further up his legs, where their number dropped to still provide maximum flexibility.

Lucks had gotten a pair of gauntlets, the sunlight glinting off the dark scales. His forearms were wrapped with a single layer of Night Fury scales, which spread past his wrists and onto the backs of his fingers. The single layer continued towards the Titan's shoulders, which lacked the distinctive pauldrons/upper arm armor of the Pandion and Murvaux sets. In their place were several layers of plating, each layer sandwiched between two levels of scales. Through the use of Light welding, the armor couldn't slip off of the smooth scales, staying wrapped around the limb.

"Amazing," the Titan commented as he flexed his muscles, getting used to the new equipment. He looked at Dragon with an Exo smile and urged, "Please do pass our compliments."

Dmitri chuckled, "Don't worry, we will. And good luck out there."

Firewing smiled. "Thanks. Come on, you two." With that, the Hunter led his compatriots back to the Courtyard.

"You do know you just screwed him over, right?" Krayt asked as he crossed his arms. When Dmitri responded with only a sly curl of his lip, the Defender became unnerved. "Boss?"

"All in good spirit, Krayt. All in good spirit," the white-and-red Titan repeated. "Go on and get your challenges, boys."


You are a Changewing. The true master of stealth and mimicry. A predator waiting for any trespassers.

You are Taken.

Calm yourself. Do not hide beneath your scales. You are safe.

What do you fear?

You fear unfamiliarity. The unknown can hold the power to strike you down, so you stay within your own world. You are supreme there. You watch your territory like a hawk. But eventually, your territory will be too small. It must grow or die.

You must take the unknown and make it known.

There is a flame for you. It festers like [corruption].

Consume the flame; make it your own. Bathe in it. Let loose your new power.


AN - There you have it. We delve a bit more into the Ahamkara, the Vanguard learn of the Taken Dragons, and we get a glimpse of the armor Hiccup has made being rewarded to Iron Banner participants. Speaking of which, I hope all you Destiny players had a good time this event, even if it was Control.

Link234521 - Toothless has always had the tail-end of the stick.

Spartan-100 - For the Dragon Gang being Taken, all I have to say is to wait and see.

Until next time everyone.