How to Train Your Dragon The Mystery of A Boy And a Dragon

by thetechman

This story takes place 6 months after HTTYD2. While flying with Toothless, Hiccup discovers a new dragon species prowling the outskirts of Berk. Later that same day, a mysterious boy comes to the island seeking help. Who is this boy? And why does he have such a strong connection with dragons? Disclaimer: I do not own How to Train Your Dragon or the characters, except my OC.

29. Chapter 23 The Decision

I wanted to give a huge thank you to Fantasia Komix for handling this huge chapter and enhancing the scenes and emotions within this part of the story. I don't this chapter would have anywhere near as good if it wasn't for your help.

Also there are conversation between Ronde and his partner Thunder.

Humans speak, "Like this."

Dragon's speak, ("Like this")

Only Ronde can understand what the dragons are saying.

I want to say thank you for your patience. I have just been busy for the past 2 weeks trying to get everything organized in my life and trying to find a job in graphic design. It's been a little difficult but I found a few gigs and side jobs but they won't help my portfolio but I'm getting paid so I guess that's what matters. This is no guarantee but I will try to post two chapters next month or at the very least one because chapter 24 is complete and being worked on right now I'm still in the beginning stages of chapter 25 which I hope is short less or around 9000 words.

This chapter is over 19,000 words long not including this part or the author note at the bottom. But just for future reference this is your decision as the reader if you want me to if the chapter goes above 20,000 words I can split it up into two parts but that is up to you.

Please enjoy the chapter.

---

Ronde

After showing Thunder around Berk, I wondered where the other Dragon Riders were. I did see the twins earlier, but...rage didn't even begin to describe how I felt when I saw them. I still can't believe they tricked me into eating dragon nip. But I'll find a way to get them back, just not today. As Thunder and I went by the village, we were able to see people and dragons walking around. I still can't believe that this tiny village can hold this many dragons and people in the same place.

Suddenly Thunder nudged me to get my attention. I almost fell down as a result, but she growls, ("I've seen enough, I'm not comfortable being around all these Two-Legs.")

These dragons are always calling humans either Scaleless or Two-Legs for some reason. I never ask why, they call it as they see it. But she's not used to being around others. From what I've learned throughout my journey Skrills don't travel in packs. She had probably been alone for years, but I needed to know something. "Yeah, I agree, let's get something to eat. Follow me."

She followed me. I placed my hand on her snout. "Hey, do you mind if I ask you a question?"

She looked over at me with a very weird expression as if she didn't want to. ("You may.")

"I've never seen your kind of Kin before, but I've seen images and pictures of your Kin and all of them have spikes on their back and tails. You don't. Were you in a battle? Or were you like this before?"

She looked almost sad. ("When I hatched, my spikes never formed. My Sire and Dam were worried for me at first, but I proved that I was just as fully capable of doing what my kind has done for many cycles. It was difficult to fly, but I quickly adapted. My light was fine, but I have not seen my kind other than my siblings and my Sire and Dam in over twenty cycles.")

So I was right. It was a mutation, or maybe she is the first in her generation to evolve or adapt. Maybe there's some advantage from having smoother scales and not forming spikes for a Skrill. But she still looked sad, so I rubbed her cheek and said, "I'm sorry to hear that, but why do you want a mate that is not one of your kind?"

She showed a faint smile and growled, ("Once during my life flight, I discovered that different types of kin mated and had hatchlings that were both neither of the two and the same as the two. I thought that maybe if I can find the right kin, I could have hatchlings.")

Does she mean that two types of dragons can make a hybrid? Is that even possible? But maybe it's a rare phenomenon. Dragons usually would try to be with their own species, but maybe if they can't find one of their kind, they could find another species of dragons. It might be possible.

Then she looked at me weirdly and asked, ("Are you one of those that are mixed? Were your Sire and Dam a Two-Leg and a Kin?")

"No!" I yelled

She sighed in relief. ("Good. This wouldn't be very warm, but how can you talk to me with words but not with them too?")

"I can connect our minds when I make contact with you. That's why you can understand the words that are coming out of my mouth."

("How is that impossible for a Two-Leg?") She asked.

"Well I'm not only a 'Two Leg.' I am a Kin, or I can change into one."

("Show me.") She demanded.

I looked around the area and my eyes immediately locked on the people and Dragons walking around us. "I can't, not right now with all these people around. Maybe later, but let's just focus on the food, I should have enough currency for both of us."

Suddenly Thunder pounced on me. I stumbled back and fell towards the ground as she began sniffing me. I tried to push her off of me. "Hey, what are you doing?"

She continued sniffing me then got off of me. ("You do smell more like a kin then you do a Two-Leg. That's hard to believe but you are a kin. A funny looking one that hides in a nest full of Two-Legs and Otherkin, but you are one of us.")

'She said I smell more like a dragon then I do human? I wonder if what I predicted would happen to me a lot sooner. Will I live like a dragon for the rest of my life?...No. Before that I need to see Kindle and tell her how I feel, then I need to see my home. I'm still not ready for that just yet. I still need more time before I can see my mother again.'

I got up and said to Thunder, "Come. Let's get some food in the Great Hall."

She tilted her head. ("Great Hall? Why is it great?")

I shrugged. "I don't know and I didn't want to ask everyone that question. Compared to my village, this place is tiny so what they consider to be great is small to me."

("Are there Kin in there as well?")

"Yes, I believe so."

("Kin and Two-Legs in the same nest. This is very wrong and twisted, but it's good to see no fighting amongst them.")

'This place is very peaceful compared to other places I've been to. Almost like the island with my adopted parents.' "It is very good and ("warm.")

Thunder looked back at me confusedly. I noticed her staring at me out of the corner of my eye as we got close to the Great Hall. "What?"

("You said warm like a Kin.")

I didn't even realize. I was just thinking about my adopted mother at that moment so it slipped out as a growl. "Sorry."

("Why are you sorry? Don't be sad because you sound like a Kin. You are one of us again, even though you're still funny looking.")

We were halfway up the stairs. "Please. By human standards, I'm handsome and adorable."

She tilted her head. ("Hue-man? That what they call themselves? Well, to a female Kin, we wouldn't want to mate with something so small and funny looking,") She teased.

"Well, it's a good thing I'm not trying to impress a female dragon now, isn't it?" I bantered.

She looked almost excited. ("You have a mate? Let me see her so I can make a comparison between a Kin's relationship and a Two-Leg's.")

"Sorry to disappoint you, but the person I like is not on this island." I looked at the ground and said, "Actually I haven't...no I couldn't tell her how I feel when I'm next to her. She makes me feel very happy when I'm around her or when I'm just thinking about what we did together."

("It sounds like you have a good idea of your potential mate, but if you don't claim her as your own, then the other males will get to her.")

"I can't claim her. It doesn't work like that...usually. I was a Kin and she was human and she knew I was very nice to her, but the males on her island make females into slaves and workers. They didn't have any choice in the matter, but when I met her I gave her something that not even the other boys and men can give her: I gave her happiness and a feeling of freedom. I know she wouldn't give her life to any of those men. She just has too much pride for that and would give them a hard time on purpose."

("My partner, I can say this: If what you said is true, then the males on her island can force her into becoming their mate. Certain Kin do force themselves onto others without any...preparation. I don't know how Two-Legs become a pair, but it might be too late for you and her to become mates.")

I stopped walking, shocked by what Thunder just said. But Kindle would never marry them, she told me that.

Then I remembered what she said.

["These men are brutes, all they care about is persevering our clan. They force us women to marry them and have kids with them. They say it's for the good of our clan so we could be on top of the world again, but that was a very long time ago. Our ancestors let our clan come close to extinction because of war, conflicts, and diseases."

She looked into my eyes and said, "Even if I am forced to marry someone, I will never have children with them. They don't care about me, so why should I do the same? They call this preservation for our clan, but it is just a way for women to be oppressed."

I leaned close to her and nudged her. I could just sense it, she was about to start crying. I purred and poked her with my snout. She laughed because I guess I tickled her and she pushed my head back. We just looked at each other, then I noticed she had a weird expression on her face, but she also looked somewhat tired.

Then she looked at me and said, "You know, I'm glad we didn't kill each other. I'm happy to be around you. But now that I think about it because I said it out loud, it's a good thing that I didn't kill you because even if I brought your head to my clan, nothing would have changed for the other women. The men would probably have made me marry someone faster. I wish that I could meet someone that I can be with for the rest of my life, but that's impossible unless I sneak off this island. I have nowhere else to go."

I don't know if it was instinct or something else, but before I knew it, I licked her across her cheek. I believe I was more surprised than her, but I didn't fight this feeling and I wasn't embarrassed. 'We grew to be friends over the past week and you make me happy to be around someone again. I know that you can't understand my words, but I want you to understand my actions. I don't know if I can become human again, but even if I can't, one day I'll take you off this island to a place where you can be happy. You deserve it.'

She held her cheek. She wasn't mad or happy; it was just something like a spark. She stared into my eyes and I did the same. She and I didn't say anything, but she lay down on me and I wrapped my body around her. She looked tired, so I covered her with my wing. She smiled and reached out her hand to rub my face.

She smiled as she closed her eyes and told me, "You are the nicest thing I've ever met...if only...you were a..."

She fell asleep on me. She looked so beautiful and peaceful. I promise I'll find a way to make you happy, Kindle, that I swear.]

'I believe she is still okay. I probably have another year before she's forced to marry, but I know she will reject them. So maybe I'll see her before I go back home.' I told Thunder, "I believe I still have a chance, but my time is limited. You know what, how about next week we go to her island and rescue her. She's very stubborn and very true to her beliefs."

("If it gives me a chance to find my mate, then yes, I shall accompany you.")

I smiled. "Thank you. Just for that, I'll buy you some extra food. What kind of food would you like?"

She stopped walking as she thought of something. ("If the Two-Legs have the long snake fish, I would like that.")

'Long snake fish? What is she...oh wait, an eel? I thought that the Typhoomerang was the only dragon that could eat eels...but I guess it would make sense. The electric properties within eels probably do something for them, or maybe it's the taste that they enjoy.' I rubbed her snout and said, "I believe I know what you're talking about, but they may not have one that is alive. Is that okay with you?"

("Yes, it is fine.")

We reached the Great Hall and I held the door open for her. She looked around at the other people there. There were only a few dragons around when I noticed Toothless standing next to Hiccup. It seemed he was talking to someone, but I couldn't see them because Toothless was blocking the view from where I was. 'I guess once I feed Thunder, I'll go see him and tell him what I'm going to do next week.'

I went to the counter and bought me and Thunder some food with the remaining money that I had. She was lucky, for they did have live eels in a barrel. Some Vikings still ate smoked eel, which I found disgusting. But the man gave me half a barrel with fish and eels for Thunder and some smoked fish and meat for me. I looked around for a table and found one near the entrance with enough room for both of us. I carried the barrel with my food on the top of the lid to the table and placed it on the floor before transfering my food onto the table. I didn't want to knock over the barrel and make her eat on the ground. I wanted her to have a choice how she wanted to eat.

She went towards the barrel and sniffed it and looked inside. To my surprise, she used the talons on her wings to clutch the interior of the container and pour the contents into her mouth.

"Huh, clever girl," I said while preparing to eat my food.

But before I took a bite, I saw Astrid and Stormfly walk from the entrance to where Hiccup was sitting. She was whispering to Hiccup. I took a bite out of my food and watched the two talk quietly. What was going on? After the conversation ceased, she left Hiccup's side and walked back towards the entrance. Before she stepped through the door, Stormfly noticed me and walked toward our table.

I was both relieved and angry at myself. I was relieved that she didn't tackle me and pin me to the ground. But I knew the reason why was because of what I said to her while I was on Dragon Nip. I would be uncomfortable too.

Astrid noticed that her dragon had left her side and turned to see me, her eyes wide. "Ro-" she placed her hand over her mouth before she finished my name.

She removed her hand and walked towards me. She took a second to look across the table and stepped back after noticing Thunder. "Is that a Skrill? How-no, why do you have a Skrill?"

"Her name is Thunder," I said with my mouth full. "Hiccup and I were searching for a dragon this morning and I followed her scent."

"How did you even have time to train it?" She shook her head and waved her hands. "You know what, don't answer that right now, I was looking for you."

"Why? Do you need me to do something?" I asked.

She had a weird expression on her face as she told me, "No. I need you not to get upset, but I think you're ready. There is someone in our village that wants to see you."

I was a little bit confused about why she said that and the fact that she was acting weird. "I don't know why I would be upset if someone from the village wanted to see me." I said while getting up from the table. "Let me guess, it's the people that Hiccup was talking to, right? I'll see what they want. Come on, Thunder."

She finished the last of her eels and joined my side, but Astrid tried to stop me. "Wait, I need to tell you who they are before you-"

"It's fine, Astrid. It must be important if they're seeking my presence."

I walked over to Hiccup's table and saw him holding a conversation with two other people. I wasn't focusing on them at the moment because I was trying to get Hiccup's attention. "Hey, Hiccup."

He turned around so fast and looked at me with an almost scared expression. I hesitated as I looked up towards the other at the table. "Are these the people who are...looking...for..."

My sentence died on my tongue as I looked at the other people at the table. I just couldn't believe it, they were here. Of all the places in the world that they could have been, they were here talking to Hiccup. I didn't know what to do. I just stood there, frozen as though I were an antelope fixed with the hungry gaze of a dragon.

The room fell silent.

Both of them looked at me. The one on the right, my mentor, stared at me confusedly as if he didn't recognize me but knew that I didn't belong here.

The other had her hand over her mouth, gasping because of how I looked, but she recognized me. She stood up and slowly walked towards me until she was in front of me.

I couldn't move as she placed her hand around my chin, slowly turning it as if she was seeing if I was real. She placed her other hand on the shirt around the neck of my collar and slowly pulled it down to see all my scars on my neck and chest that she and her mother had healed. My hands were limp against my sides. I couldn't even flicker my fingers.

My mother broke the silence with a whimper, crying as her hand clutched at my collar. "It really is you. You're not a dragon anymore...Ronde, my son!" She yelled and hugged me tightly. Tears soaked the fabric when she stopped hugging me and held onto my shoulder.

My mentor muttered, "It can't be...this is impossible. That can't be him."

My mother stared at me with tears in her eyes, her eyes examining me. "You grew up without me, but you turned out so fine and you're taller than me! But what happened to your hair? Why is it so short, and why are you wearing this ridiculous outfit! And why are you here in this tiny village halfway across the world!" She yelled at me with fierce tears dripping down her cheek, but then her eyes softened and she hugged me again. "No, it doesn't matter, you're alive and well. That's all that matters to me."

As she hugged me, my arms tried to rise to hug her back, but I still wasn't ready for any of this. I instead gently pushed her off of me and backed away from her.

She looked surprised and hurt. She took one step forward. "Ro-Ronde?" She said my name with so much pain in her voice I almost shed a tear.

I didn't even look at her. I couldn't help but remember what I did before I left my home, why I fled. I asked in a low tone, "What are you doing here?"

I heard her slightly gasp. She said, "I knew that the purple dragon had something to do with you, so...Skild and I sailed for a week and a half to see if there was a chance to see you, my son."

I backed away from her, the flashbacks getting more and more vivid. I saw myself when I lost control of myself and cut my father's leg, her watching me do so with horror in her eyes. And when I bit that kid and slashed his throat, blood spraying out of his neck while he held the wound and gaped at the blood on my claws. "No, no, I'm not your son...I'm n-not the little boy you raised anymore."

She looked confused. "What are you talking about? You are my son and I came to take you home."

That thought scared me. "H-Home? No-I can't-no, that is not my home, I'm not ready to go back."

My mother took a few more steps towards me. "Ronde, are you okay? You are not making any sense. Why don't you want to come home with me? To see your family?"

I took a few more steps back until I bumped into something. I spun around and wildly stared at Thunder, whose eyes were pained as she fixed herself between me and the door.

("You need to calm down. We all can feel your pain and emotions. Just calm down and talk.")

I tried to move around her but she blocked my path. ("Look, I don't know you that well because we just met, but I can tell that you need to stay here. Your emotions are making all of us worried.")

I looked around to see that the other dragons were looking in our general direction. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed my mentor talking to my mother out of the corner of my eye. I heard him whisper to her, "He does look like Ronde, so just in case it is him, go slowly. We don't know what he's been through while he was gone. It could be a sign of trauma."

My mother then looked at me, muttering the word 'trauma' over and over again. Until her eyes widened and she looked at me with the same pity she gave me when I was a dragon. "It's your father, isn't it? When you were that purple dragon, you were scared when he threatened you."

The last words in that sentence angered me. "Threatened me!? He tried to kill me! And before he could, my body just reacted! I didn't want to hurt him, but I couldn't recognize him while I was in that state! I could have killed him! Just like..."

I couldn't say it, not in front of everyone.

My mother then said, "Ronde...he wasn't trying to kill you, he was trying to control and tame you."

I turned to look at her. "What!? He raised his sword to strike me down!? You were there...I... called for you to help me."

Her moist eyes told me that she was saddened by what I just said. I didn't mean to make her feel bad, but I couldn't hold back my emotions. I thought that these feelings were gone when I told everyone my story, but they were still there.

She wiped away a tear and said, "I know. I'm sorry that I didn't do more at that moment. I just didn't know that it was you. But that-not an excuse. I'm sorry, Ronde." She moved forward again but stopped herself. "Ronde, I did tell you the method that your father used to control a dragon, but you never saw it for yourself. He was going to use your fear to control you and make you loyal to him."

He wasn't trying to kill me. Did that mean my reaction was unnecessary? All this time, I thought he was going to kill me, but he was just trying to use me. But didn't that mean I ran away for nothing? All those days suffering and the pain I experienced, all the death I've seen...was for nothing?! He was the main reason why I didn't want to go back home and it was for nothing?!

"Ronde?" My mother asked, her voice soft with concern.

"So it's my fault that I went through all this pain and saw death in my travels across the world? All because I misread a situation?!" I yelled.

"What? No, you were confused, you didn't know what he was going to do. I understand why you reacted, you didn't know what was going on. You just wanted to live."

I glared at her so fiercely she backed away from me out of fear. "I hurt him. I cut his leg and tackled him to the floor. I had the urge to kill him, but by some miracle, I didn't...but I hurt those kids."

'No, don't say it, they'll think of you as a monster.'

I continued, "As I was running away, some kids caught me. They were pulling my wings and tail, punching me and kicking me. Before I even knew it, I pounced on one of them. He tried to get me off of him, but all I was focusing on was his neck."

'No, please...someone, please stop me, I don't want to say this out loud.'

"I bit down and felt bone, I slashed the side of his neck. I let go when I felt his grip get weaker, but he was trying to keep his hands on the wound. He fell and the other kids tried to help him. I killed that kid...because...I was scared and angry."

I heard the others around me gasped. But my mother had a very small smile.

She walked closer towards me and rubbed my face. "I remember the days after you left as clear as yesterday. My mother told me you were probably responsible for that incident." I looked down in shame, but she got on her knees to look up at my crying face. "But Ronde, you didn't kill anyone. Those kids were injured, but they are alive."

I looked at her. "What? They're alive? How?"

"The one that you describe did lose a lot of blood. You missed an artery on his neck, but a few more centimeters and, well...but he's fine, he works with Skild now."

Years of anxiety left me with those few words. I wanted to cry from happiness, but I just looked up at the ceiling and sighed. "Thank god..."

My mother placed her hands firmly on my shoulders and gave me a serious look. "Ronde, I'm taking you home."

I looked away from her and brushed off her hand. "I'm not going back."

"Ronde, what are you talking about? You are coming home. You need to."

"I'm not going," I said more seriously.

My mother stood up, betrayal fighting with anger for dominance in her voice as she demanded, "Why? Why don't you want to come back? Did I do something wrong?" Then she looked down at the ground. "Actually, I know it was me. I failed as a parent and couldn't protect you. But please, just let me make it up to you. I'll give you anything you need, just please come home."

I couldn't take it, she was beating herself up about this, and...she believed it was her fault. I turned around to look at the exit and told her, "It's not...You're not the reason why I don't want to go back home. You are the reason why I miss Afri, but it wasn't you who failed as a parent."

She was confused for a moment until she got the message. "Woede, your father, is that the reason?"

I didn't respond.

"Ronde, your father does miss you."

The comment enraged me. "He missed me? Yeah, right, he misses his disappointment of a son? Beating me down, cutting me with weapons and talking down to me, lowering my confidence? Yeah, I'm pretty sure he misses all the fun times we spend together. If he misses me, it's because he thought that the time he spent torturing me was a waste because he thinks I'm dead. Unless you and grandma told him about my condition." I didn't turn around, didn't want to see her face.

She was silent.

"Yeah, your silence says a lot about him," I said. I looked back at her over my shoulder despite myself.

She fingered the ring on her hand as she said to me, "During me and your father's wedding, I made a vow to not hold secrets. I heard that they can destroy relationships. But I didn't tell him about you, even your grandmother hasn't. Ronde, I know you don't believe me, but he does miss you."

I got even angrier, steam now quietly billowing up towards the high ceiling. "Okay, then tell me this: the day you thought I died, what did he do? No, actually, I know you held a funeral or memorial for me; did he even cry or have a few words to say about me?"

She was silent again. I grit my teeth at how she was nervous about answering me, but she hesitated as she said, "Ronde...you know your father. All the crying, all those emotions he feels, he doesn't show it. But it all happens on the insi-"

"CUT THE CRAP!" I roared. Everyone around me took a few steps back, even the dragons. My mother backed away from me until she was once again standing next to my mentor.

"Stop making excuses for him! He doesn't care about me! He never did! All he did was abuse me! He never let up or gave me a break, he was using me to further his own goals! Compared to my sister, they were let off easy: the worst they got from him was a broken nail! I had my bones cracked, my muscles torn, these scars scattered all over my body! You don't have any right to tell me to go back home just to experience that all over again!"

I breathed heavily, trying to calm down. I didn't know why I was yelling at her of all people. She didn't deserve that, all she wanted was her son back. She didn't understand that that boy she raised was not me, not anymore. I had grown up, seen things that most people wouldn't understand. I'd grown up away from those experiences, but it still stood that the foundation of it all began at home, and I didn't want to experience what I'd gone through again.

My mother and everyone else looked horrified. The room was filled with steam, my skin tinged red from my anger at the conversation. I didn't want to go home now, I just needed time to mentally prepare myself. I wasn't ready for this today. To see them ask me to return home.

Before anyone could react, I jumped over Thunder and ran back through the entrance. I ran down the hill away from the great hall and continued to run until I was in the forest. I took off my clothes and changed, then balled up my clothes and carried them in my taloned fists as I flew to somewhere on this island where no one could find me.

Astrid

I didn't think it would go this badly. I thought he was ready to see them. I didn't expect him to yell at his own mother like that, but at the same time, it seemed like he wasn't yelling at her, he was just trying to get something out.

The Skrill quickly ran after him once he bolted.

His mother broke down crying beside her guard. "It's my fault. I should have done more then, but I didn't know it was him."

"I must ask, if you don't mind, why didn't you stop his father from training him even though you knew it was affecting him?" I asked, knowing that this was probably a bad time to ask, but I needed to know.

She looked at me. "Because in the beginning, he wanted to train with his father, to spend time with him. When he realized how his father handled training, he quickly wanted to leave, but my husband saw the potential within him, so he didn't let him go. I saw my son as a prodigy in everything he did and attributed it to the training he received. But my husband did go too far with him. Why I didn't stop him, you wonder. It was because his father demanded he train with him. I couldn't stop him, all I could do was persuade him to give him a break so that either my mother and I would heal him or Skild would train and give him physical therapy."

I turned to the man next to her and remembered that Ronde said his mentor would give him physical therapy, that would mean... "Wait, you're his mentor? He told us about you."

His eyes widened and he looked at the queen. "He told you about me? That means that this is really Ronde. You were right to come here, Neurie, but him being a dragon is still ridiculous." He looked at me appraisingly. "Yes, I was his mentor, I taught him the basics of combat and fighting. But right now, we should find him."

Hiccup finally interjected. "I think his new dragon will handle that for us, but I think it's best to leave him alone for now."

The queen looked surprised. "That Skrill is his dragon?" Then I heard her whisper something. "Did he try to replace his dragon Dapper? There so much he's missed and doesn't know."

Ronde's mentor then announced, "Look, I appreciate you all for taking care of my student, my queen's son, but we must take him back. The rest of the family needs to know that he's alive, no, the entire nation needs to know."

I almost said something, but then the queen hit him with her elbow on his stomach and said, "I told you that when you're around me, you can call me by my name. I know it's a habit to show respect, but we're still friends, Skild."

He shielded his stomach painfully and mumbled, "Yes, my que- I mean Neurie."

She apologetically smiled at us. "As he said, I thank you all for taking care of my son. If I'm still correct, he could be a handful sometimes, but he's very kind and tries to put others first. I know you heard stories about his father through his perspective, but believe it or not, those two do act alike. So I know this: he won't come with us unless it's his decision, so we could either attempt to persuade him to come with us or wait. We cannot force him to come, for it will be his choice by the end of the day. If I know my son, he shouldn't be angry in the morning."

Hiccup then spoke up. "Do you think he will talk to you tomorrow?"

She nodded. "Yes, although he probably doesn't want to discuss coming home."

Hiccup smiled wryly. "Okay, I think I know a way for you two to talk. Tomorrow is our dragon racing competition, if you can talk to him then."

Her brow rose with intrigue. "This village has a competition with dragons? That actually sounds very interesting. Okay, but how will we get him there?"

I spoke up. "I could try to talk to him."

Suddenly Ronde's mentor interjected. "No, I believe I can handle that. You all saw how quickly he got angry, those emotions are from something else. So I know how to deal with his mood. I just need to know where he stays at and an open place so I can have a proper way to shed light on why he's so angry."

"Are you sure?" I asked.

He nodded. "There are a few ways to relieve a person of their stress and bottled up emotions other than just talking about their problems. Some people need to vent, others just need something to hit."

Hiccup nodded at him and said, "I can show you where he lives. It's a little walk, not that far from here, but why do you want to know where he's staying? I doubt he's even there."

"He'd be there sometime tomorrow if I know him, so I'll just wake him up in the morning. Meanwhile, you and your other colleagues shall prepare yourselves for this competition and save Ronde and his mother a good seat."

"I think I know what you're doing now, but for it to work, you have to convince him to come," Hiccup said.

"Yes, I know this, Chief of Berk. It will not be easy, it all depends on if he opens up. But I'll explain more of this plan once we see where he lives. After that, Neurrie and I will sleep in our ship and I'll get Ronde in the morning."

"Ok, I'll show you where he lives. Follow me."

...Several hours later…

Ronde

I was on top of the mountain on Berk. Even from this height, I could see everything around the village and the ocean. My claws worried a little at my clothes as I thought about my situation. I just wanted to be alone right now. This is the last place they could find me. This feeling, these deep feelings, why did they surface when I saw them? It's not their fault, so why did I yell at them? Why did I yell at my mother the way I did? I was never mad at her, I understood why she didn't know it was me as that dragon, but I guess I still had some resentment towards her. I called out to her to help me, but she didn't do anything to stop my father.

And now that I knew that everything I'd ever been through was because I misread a situation, I felt like it was all for nothing. I blamed my dad for setting everything to motion, yet it was all because I lost myself. I was a disappointment, just like my father said.

Suddenly, something landed behind me. I slightly turned around to see who it was. I thought it was Hiccup or Astrid, but instead it was Thunder.

She glared at me, snarling at me while electricity prickled all over her body. ("You! Where is my Kin partner? I smell him all over you! What have you done to him!?") She growls viciously.

She didn't recognize me, just like my mother. I turned to look at the view again and growled softly to her, ("You would think that the smell would be enough to tell you where he's at.")

She snarled again, this time walking closer to me. ("Stop playing games! Where is my Two-Leg Kin partner!? Did you harm him!? That's the only way that his scent could be on you!")

This time I spoke with both my human voice and mind. "Or I could be him."

She slightly backs away, confused. I continued, sadly saying, "As I told you before, I can change into a Kin, Thunder."

("You even sound like him-it really is you, but what kind of Kin are you?") She walked closer until she was at my side. ("Actually, that doesn't matter right now, I'm here because you need me and I want to know why you are upset.")

("I feel like everything I've been through was worthless because I misread my father's intentions.")

She tilted her head and asked, ("'Fah-thur'? What is that?)

("I mean my Sire.") I then told her my story, just like I did with the Dragon Riders. I told her how I felt about everything I did and had been through. I didn't feel better after explaining it to her.

("I see. You have been through a lot. For a Two-Leg hatchling to be turned into a Kin must have been frightening, especially if your own Sire tried to kill you. I wouldn't know what to do if I was to be turned into a Two-Leg. But it seems that you're not angry at your Dam but still have anger towards your Sire. I think you have more anger towards something else.")

I was completely confused. ("What are you talking about? Yes, I'm angry about what my father did to me and what I've been through, but more anger?")

("I don't know what it was, but I felt something when you were yelling at your Dam. You still have stored emotions that you kept over the years, yet you never express yourself or truly tried to let it out...at least, that's what I think.")

("But I just told you and the others about my past. I thought that it would help me get over everything,") I growled.

("It probably helped in some regards, but while you were telling me your story, you never told me how you felt about those situations. Yes, you were scared, but I think you didn't truly explain how it affected you.")

I was at a loss for words. Was it true? That was why I was still worried, scared, and angry when I saw them? I thought that I would be ready to see them if I left Berk within two months, but I probably would have reacted the same way.

Thunder warbled again. ("My partner, you need to find another way to express yourself to relieve your feelings towards your family. Do you want to know how I deal with stress?")

I gave her a blank stare. ("No, but I think you're going to tell me anyway.")

She grinned as she growled, ("I'd either roar at the top of a mountain on an island as loud as I could, or maybe torture a small Two-Leg nest. Nothing major, maybe I'd use my light just to scare them. I like to see their two little legs running away in fear; it's funny and makes me happy.")

I was shocked in every sense of the word that she used to do that. ("You, my partner, are one twisted Kin, but thank you for telling me that. Why are you so knowledgeable about this topic?")

("Being alone for a long time helps you understand yourself better. You learn how to deal with things by testing out how your emotions react when you do things. But I believe that if you want to feel better, then you should go back to your Dam and back home. I have noticed that Two-Legs always stay together within their nest.")

I rolled my eyes. ("Great, I just had to find the most observant Dragon in this archipelago, my luck is great today.")

Then she got closer and started rubbing me with her head very affectionately. ("Yes, you did, I hope that I helped you feel better, even if it was just a little.")

The way she was rubbing against me gave me a few chills. It almost reminded me of the Sand Wrath I saved and the other female dragon in the Bewilderbeast nest, so I nervously asked, ("Thunder, I don't want to be rude or anything, but I hope you're not thinking of mating with me, are you?")

She suddenly backed away, spinned around, and slapped me with her tail hard across my face. ("No, I would never mate with a Two-Leg, even if you are a Kin. That is very twisted. I was trying to comfort you. Do all males think that if a female is trying to comfort them that the female is trying to mate with them?")

I was holding my cheek to the ground while saying, ("I know the right answer is no, some males don't think like that, but there are certain situations where...instincts and urges can take over. Look, I'm sorry for assuming, but I had my share of females trying to do the deed with me.")

("Well I don't. I like you as if you were one of my nestmates. But we don't know each other, plus you already told me you have a potential mate, and I want to find my own.")

I smiled as I got up. ("I see. Thanks for the talk, Thunder. I'll try to work up the nerve to talk to the others, but no promises.") I looked at the horizon. It was almost dark, the sun receding to let the moon shine in the twilight. ("Well, I need to go back to my house and sleep...") Right then I realized something and apologetically glanced at Thunder. ("I'm so sorry I forgot to show you where to sleep.")

("It's fine. While I was looking for you, I found some places and caves where I can sleep. I usually wake up early, so I'll find you again.")

I was still worried about her. ("Are you sure? You could sleep near my house.")

This time she gave me a blank expression. ("If you are talking about that wooden cave that smells like death and that poofy white fur Four-Legs, no. That was one of the first places I found your scent. I'll see you during the early Sun-Cycle.")

She flew off in the distance to somewhere else on Berk. I, however, turned invisible and flew back towards my village, to my home. When I landed, I sniffed the air and discovered that everyone, including my mother and mentor, was here recently. They were looking for me, but I saw no note or anything there. 'I guess that means that they're not leaving without me.' I slowly opened my door and there was no one inside so I quickly looked around and changed back, it was painful but I endured it. But once it was finished I put my pants back on and I went back inside my house.

I lay down on my mattress but before I went to sleep I felt an odd sensation around my body like some sort of heat. I didn't feel like waking up all sweaty so I took off my pants and just wrapped my cover around my body and tried to fall asleep.

It was in the morning, I just finished eating. I wondered where everyone else was. I didn't see anyone, not even the dragon.

I wandered around the village, searching for anyone. I looked through the Great Hall, Hiccup's home, and the middle of the village, yet there was no one here. "Is the village deserted? That can't be right."

Suddenly, I saw two figures walking away in the distance. I called out to get their attention, but they either ignored me or they didn't hear me because they continued to walk ahead. "Hey, wait!" I yelled while running after them.

When I finally caught up to them, I realized it was my mother, my mentor next to her. I stopped running and peeked around the closet house I was next to. They weren't having a conversation, they just kept walking.

And that when I realized that they were heading towards the docks. They were about to leave without even saying goodbye to me? Did I hurt them that much that they didn't even want to talk to me before they left?

I ran after them. "Wait!"

They both turned around to face me. I said, "Look, I understand I shouldn't have gone that far, but you could at least say goodbye or something. I'm still your son."

What happened next shocked me. My mother quivered with fear and hid behind my mentor. He pulled out his sword and held it between us.

I took a few steps back from him and said, ("Mentor? Mother? Why are you...") I looked down at myself. I was covered in purple scales, I was the Chimera Dragon.

"Stand back, beast!" he ordered.

I tried to speak, but all that came out were grunts and growls. ("Wait to please it me Ronde.") I looked up and saw my mother giving me a pitying look. But I tried to speak normally so that she could understand me, "Mootherrr...issssss...mheeee...Roondeeee." I was trying to speak but it was difficult again, like when I was first practicing to talk.

My mother gave me a strange look but my mentor got closer to me until he was in front of me with his sword close to my neck. "BEAST, I SHALL KILL YOU IF YOU SPIT ANOTHER LIE!" he screamed at me.

I kept backing away from him, but I went back into a house with nowhere to go. 'Why are they acting like this? Why does he want to kill me? What did I do wrong?'

Then my mother spoke, "You are not my son, you are just some beast, no you're a monster. Look at the blood on your hands. My son would never spill anyone's blood, beast."

What she said broke something in me, I looked down at my claws and saw the blood of all those I have hurt during the past 7 years. My father, those kids, my adopted father, the dragons I've met and the Bog Burglars when I went on a rampage.

She spoke again, "My son is dead, you are not him. YOU'RE A DRAGON WHO TOOK MY SON AWAY! I COULD NEVER LOVE A DEMON!"

I then roared, "I AM YOUR SON I DIDN'T WANT TO DIE BY THE HANDS OF MY FATHER!"

then she looked saddened, "Then why didn't you come back? For 7 years I wanted to see my son but you decided not to come back to see us, to see them, to see me. That was your choice!"

"I need time, I just didn't know what you would have done to me if I had returned. I hurt father and you saw me do it. I'm sorry mom."

She took a few steps away from me and looked down towards my feet, "I'm not your mother demon, my son would have come back and not hurt others around him. Just like you did to Skild you monster!"

I looked down and saw my mentor between my claws as a bloody mess, he was barely breathing. His eyes carried so much hatred in them. I couldn't believe what was happening. Did I lose myself again!? And my mentor was dying because of me!?

He tried to reach out towards me and with his final breath, he said, "Die...you...demon..your nothing...but...a...monster..." his arm fell to the ground, his eyes became blurry and less focused. My mentor just died in my claws.

"No."

Please.

No

This can't be real.

...Ronde?...

No please I didn't mean for this to happen.

My mother spoke, "All you do is hurt the people around you. You say your father didn't care about you but that doesn't give you the excuse to abandon us!"

...Ronde...get...up...

Something happened and I could feel something slowly slipping. I was getting sad and then angry.

And then something hit me.

...Bam!...

I was just woken up from a nightmare. I heard and felt my heart pumping fast in my chest. But something was off, no, something hit me on top of my head while I was sleeping.

I looked over to see a wooden plank beside my head. it was broken. 'What the? Why is it broken? And why can't I move much?' I looked around the house and saw big holes and claw markings on the floor and the walls. Then I felt my toes touching the grass outside. My wings went through the ceiling and broke some parts of it. I transformed while I was sleeping again and destroyed some parts of the house in the process.

"Crap, I don't think I can fix this today, darn my nightmares."

Knock...Knock...

Someone was knocking on my door. That someone said, "Is it possible for you to come out? Please."

I recognized that voice, it was my mentor. I was both relieved and scared because of my dream, but I didn't need him to see me like this! "Please wait a moment," I tried to say as calmly as possible. But I think I heard him slightly gasped.

I unwedged my foot from the hole and changed back. Once I finished, I tried to find my clothes. They were underneath some of the rubble. I quickly put them on, ran towards the door, and opened it.

My mentor looked surprised and just stared at me.

After a few moments, I couldn't take it anymore because he was staring at me, so I said, "Why are you staring at me like that?"

He then said, "At first I didn't believe it was you, but now that I'm this close I can see it now, you look just like your father when he was your age."

I avoided his gaze. "If one more person compares me with someone I'm not, I am going to lose what little sense of reason I have left."

My mentor smiled sadly. "I'm sorry, Ronde," he said while looking around my house. "Your mother wasn't so pleased to find out you lived here in a place like this, and I thought the same. You know your room is bigger than this house back home."

"If that's your way to persuade me to go back home, you're sadly mistaken, master."

He put his hands on his hips and chuckled to himself. "Master, I haven't been called that in a while, but that wasn't my way to persuade you." he looked around again. "Yeah, even my house is bigger than this and without pieces of wood on the ground."

I scratched the back of my neck in embarrassment. "Yeah, that was my fault. I was trying something new and this happened."

My mentor looked at me. "You really are my student, but even to this day you still can't lie properly." He gave me a serious face this time and said, "Ronde, I saw you change into that purple dragon while you were sleeping."

I was shocked and at a loss for words.

He spoke as he sat down on my broken bed. "It's hard to believe, but I owe your mother an apology. I assume that this is the reason why you left. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you, but why didn't you come to my place? If you told me that it was you, I would have tried to help."

I sat down on the floor next to him. "I'm sure you heard what I did to my father. I just didn't want to put you at risk and didn't know how to talk or change back and forth. After what my father did, I just didn't know what to do."

"I believe your father was looking for a dragon during those days, but it was quickly turned off when your grandmother announced that you died. But you still should have come to me, Ronde, I would have protected you and shown you to your parents."

I got slightly irritated. "Well, there's nothing we can do about it now, is there?! There were so many thoughts going through my head. I just wanted to live, is that too much to ask?"

He just looked at me and stood up. "Follow me."

That caught me off guard. "What?"

"I have a better way to discuss this so please follow me." He said while walking off.

I decided to follow him to see where he wanted to go. We walked down the hill from my house into the village. I was getting impatient and I asked him where we were going but he answered, "You'll see."

Suddenly we went around Berk into their training area. My mentor unlocks the front door and pulls the lever for the door to open. 'Why are we here of all places?' I thought to myself. This didn't make any sense, why did he want to have a conversation here?

He walked into and stood near the middle, "Ronde," he called my name to get my attention. I looked over to him and saw him pointing at a place in this place then he told me, "Stand over there."

I was confused but I didn't question him at that moment. I walked towards the place where he told me to stand, we were at least ten feet away from each other.

I don't know why but I was getting a weirdly excited but scared feeling. 'Why I'm I getting excited as if I knew what was happening?' I decided to say something, "Master, why are we here?"

Suddenly he took a stance that looked familiar but different. His hands were up, his feet were apart from each in a way, and he had a fierce look on his face. That when I realized what we were doing here and why he was in that stance, but before I had a chance to respond he said, "Ronde you are going to spar with me right now. If you don't want to get hurt put your hands up and show me what I've taught you and what you've learned."

No, I can't fight him like this. I won't be able to hold back, I put my hand out in front of me telling him to stop, "Wait I don't want to fight you, I don't know how to fight anymore."

Suddenly he lunged at me, and at that moment I had a flashback when my father did the same thing. My mentor looked like my father at that moment. Before I could think, my body moved on its own and dodged the punch. But I did a little more. I grab his wrist in an arm turn around, with his momentum and my strength I throw him over my shoulder.

But somehow he twisted himself mid-throw and landed on his feet in front of me before I reacted. Once he landed he jumped up and kicked me in my chest.

It didn't hurt, but it forced me to stumble back to gather my bearings as the past three seconds flashed across my mind. I didn't know if I was more surprised over my reaction or over how he didn't break his arm when he twisted his body like that. I glared at my mentor.

"As I told you before Ronde you are a terrible liar. If you think that this is a game then you will get hurt I'm not pulling my punches."

'Why is he doing this? Is this some sort of test or something? But he knows if I am lying or not so what's the point in making something up?' "Fine you caught me lying but how could I forget how to fight after everything you taught me and what my father put me through. But what is true is I don't want to fight or spar with you. Why are we doing this anyway?"

"It's called muscle memory, first off, second we're doing this because you need this. Now get ready."

Just like home there no way for this to end until the person who started it says so. I have no other choice but to spar with him, but unlike him, I have to pull my punches. I could seriously hurt him just like...in my dreams. I stood in my offensive stance ready for him to attack me.

He smiled and said, "That stance is something like what you did when you were a kid but now I see plenty of openings for me to exploit. Here I come, Ronde."

He lunged at me again and kicked me but I quickly dodged it as well. One he landed he quickly turned around and tried to hit me with his elbow but I quickly blocked it with my hand. He was using most of his strength to push his elbow but I kept it at bay.

"Why did you run away from home?"

That question distracted me for a moment, but during it, my mentor punched me in my face. I took a few steps back but he didn't give me time to think as he spun around and kicked me.

"Well? If you were that dragon you found out you can change back why didn't you return Ronde!?"

I was starting to get irritated but I didn't respond. I just stood in my stance again.

This time my mentor was getting a little frustrated, he dashed towards me and punched me repeatedly but I would either dodge the blow or block it. But he continues asking me questions, "Your father isn't an excuse, why haven't you returned home? Do you not love your family enough? Was it those kids that made fun of you or were it the responsibility of the crowd?"

For the first time, I swung at him out of impulse but he anticipated it, he ducks and gets behind me putting me in a chokehold. I tried to remove his arm around my neck but then he kicked the back of my leg and I fell on the ground on my knees. His arm was getting tighter to the point I was having a difficult time breathing. I thought he said this was sparing? Why is he doing this?

"Why have you been so selfish? Don't you care about your mother's feelings? How could you abandon them? If you really cared you would have come back so why didn't you!?"

Steam was forming around my body and with all my strength I removed his arm around my neck. He was surprised by my strength but I needed to retaliate. He backed away from me but I wasn't done, I knew from the distance I couldn't punch or kick him so I turned around and with all my strength I launched myself at him and headbutted him in his stomach.

He stumbled over and almost fell but he stood up but as he was I got angry and yelled, "What the hell do you know about me!? You don't know how I felt about leaving! You think I wanted to leave my mother, my sister and my grandmother behind!? I DIDN'T, I JUST WANTED TO LIVE! YOU CAN CALL ME SELFISH FOR LEAVING THE CROWD BUT I DON'T WANT YOU, MY FAMILY TO THINK I WAS A MONSTER!"

He looked surprised for a moment and then he smiled, "Tell me how did that make you feel? You say that but you're still not being honest!"

I lunched at him again but I didn't care. I just punched aimlessly at him, "You can't possibly understand what I've been through. Being turned into something unrecognizable to your family, my father tried to use me just in a different way, my mother looking at me in fear. I can't handle my own family. The only people I know who love me reject me because of what I was!"

I jumped and kicked him on the side, he blocked it with both his arms. But the force of my kick might have been a little much for him because he stumbled back. "My father was a terrible parent! You were more of a father then he was! Hell, my adopted father was a dragon and he treated me more like a son than he ever did!"

He was quicker than I expected when it came to his recovery and kicked me in my stomach, "Now we're getting somewhere! Ronde just keep fighting!"

I got up from the ground and ran towards him ready to punch him, caught my right hand. I swung with my left but he grabbed my wrist, we were at a standoff but he wasn't expecting how strong I was. I was pushing him back. But I was just so angry I was throwing my rage at him, "I can't return home! I don't want to go! You people can never understand!"

He suddenly let go and push me away from him and yelled, "Then tell me! Let it all out Ronde!"

My mouth moved before I had a chance to think. "I CAN'T BE AROUND PEOPLE THAT I LOVE WHO REJECT ME! I CAN'T HANDLE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CROWD! I JUST WANTED TO BE FREE OF ALL OF IT!"

To my frustration, he didn't look very surprised; he just stood there and watched me vent.

"All my life, I just wanted to have a choice to do things, and I got that when I was a dragon. I had a family who loved me. I had siblings I wanted to grow up with. I had friends and teachers that I had time to be with. If I return home, I will lose all of that." I looked at him. "I really did miss you guys, but I didn't want you to reject me, for if you did, what would be my motivation to live? I was afraid of being called a monster or a demon. I would rather you guys think that I was dead than have your last memory be of me as a monster."

He suddenly lunged at me. I was scared because I wasn't prepared, but he had his arms around me. Was he...hugging me?

"Ronde, I understand why now. Most of the kids believed that you had more freedom because you were the king's son, but they were wrong. You didn't have freedom or much of a choice of anything. You did everything you could to prove to your father and anyone who doubted you that you were the strongest of them all. What you went through, you're right: I can't understand, but I do know how it feels to be out of place and trying to prove your worth."

I couldn't breathe around the lump in my throat. I couldn't speak, but the indecipherable noises that escaped my throat said enough. I grabbed my mentor's shirt, my vision misty from the tears that I no longer cared about as I gasped for air.

He hugged me tighter. "Ronde, it's okay to cry, let it all out and start anew."

I wept next to him, my eyes burning as the tears refused to stop.

"My father told me this once: it is not a weakness for a man to cry. If a man cries, it's not because he's weak, but because he's been strong too long. And so far, Ronde, you've been strong by yourself for seven years, so let it all out and, when you're ready, we can talk, okay?"

I just kept crying on his shoulder, holding onto him, hoping he wouldn't leave me like I had left them.

...Several Minutes Later...

I had finally calmed down and was sitting next to my mentor. "Master, I do want to go home, but...I have been away so long that I just feel guilty to return. My sister, my mother and grandmother, and you were the true family that I'd known for those ten years I stayed. But I didn't have any friends. People only saw me as the king's son instead of my own person. It didn't help when my father was training me. Nobody seemed to want to stop him except for you and my mother."

I started to chuckle. "You know what's funny about him training me? Every time he would push or kick me to the ground, I would always look up towards the sky and wished I could escape or fly away from there. I guess my wish came true."

"Ronde." I glanced sideways at him. "I have to admit that you had a life that most kids wouldn't want to experience with the training, the pressure of the whole country on your shoulders, and the expectations that were difficult to reach. You were a very observant child. You were reading, drawing, and saying words that I couldn't even understand by the time you were five; you learned how to speak a different language by six; you were fighting and winning against kids and teens even before you were seven. But I'm assuming that everything you did was just so you could impress your father, correct?"

I nodded. "Yes. I just wanted to hear him say 'I'm proud of you, son' one time in my life. But somehow a dragon beat him before he could even say it. I gave up on that dream when I was eight."

I looked at him again, and, going by his facial expressions, he wanted to say something, but he held it back. He instead told me, "Ronde, you said that you ran away because you didn't want to be seen as a monster and because you thought that your father tried to kill you...but I believe it was more than that."

"What?"

"Maybe it was an unconscious decision, but it sounds like another reason for why you fled was the responsibility of the crowd. Maybe you tried to seek help, but in the back of your mind, I think that was one of the reasons. But what happened with those kids pushed the idea that you were a monster even further in your mind."

Was that true? I didn't want to be king, but was it that reason why it was so easy to run away? Or was I just not thinking at all and focusing on leaving?

But I remember I was thinking about creating my own path. I remember thinking when grandma was talking back into the castle, ('my life up till now has been training, combat, learning new strategies and learning how to be the next k-, no I never wanted that, out of all the responsibilities I never wanted to become that. I never wanted to replace my father, but thank god I wasn't the firstborn in this family, that title goes to my sister's but if they fail the test it will be up to me. But I'm a dragon now so that's not going to happen either. But again what do I want in my life? My life has been on a course that was built by my father but now I have a choice to continue on his path that he created or to make my own.')

I was thinking about it, not to run away but to create my own path. But it was the idea that I was a monster that helped push that thought into fruition. It was an unconscious decision.

Then I noticed that his arms were shaking and realized why. I didn't hold back that kick he blocked and now his arms are either broken, or-the best case scenario-they were just bruised. I almost apologized, but he shifted his weight onto his feet.

He stood up and began walking. "Ronde, I believe you should return home, but it's your decision. You don't have to reveal who you are, but I think that if you want to move on and not hold on to your feelings anymore, then you should come back home. But right now, just follow me and think about what I said."

I followed him out of the ring. He closed the door, but the moment I walked out of the shade, I was tackled by something.

I fell on my back and heard my mentor calling my name, but I heard another voice, or rather, in this case, a growl,("Partner that was amazing! Do two legs fight like that all the time?")

I looked up and saw Thunder's snout in my face, but what she said implied that she was here for a while. "Thunder to answer your question. As far as I know no, only people from my land can fight as we did, 2nd please get off me."

She got off me and my mentor helped me up while looking at my partner saying, "So, this Skrill is your dragon? I thought that they couldn't be trained and were very aggressive."

I laughed, "Trust me she's aggressive in her own way. But I owe her something so for now she's my partner."

Then he looks over at the Skrill, "And were you just talking to the dragon? You can understand them?"

I nodded, "Yeah, I don't feel like going through the details but you saw me as a dragon."

"I just didn't think that they had their own language," he said surprised. "Anyway we have to go so we can get good seats."

"Good seats?" I asked.

We managed to get to the village where I saw slingshots scattered across the village and a crowd of people was gathering and lining up to go to some sort of post. Thunder seems not to be interested so she flew off. When we got to the crowd of people I saw Gobber in the area where people were entering and he stopped us and said, "Hold on, Hiccup told me that you and the boy would be here. Your queen is already set up at the top so if the others try to stop you, come to see me."

My mentor only nodded but I was scared when Gobber mentioned that my mother was here. My mentor grabbed my arm as if I were a child and rushed through the crowd of people. Some were yelling, "No cutting!" While others were just getting upset because I kept bumping into them. But we managed to get through without an incident and we climbed the stairs. This place seems to be reserved for the leaders of this village. I saw Golthi and I believe it was Snotlout's father right next to her but in the middle of this area was my mother sitting on what looks to be a throne. But she was wearing something different she had put her hair into a ponytail and was wearing beads across her neck and arms. She wasn't wearing a dress but a long-sleeved skirt with pants. She looked very casual today.

My mentor let go of me, went to my mother, and said, "I have brought him, Neurie, but please go slow and do not rush him."

She saw me and looked very happy. She got up and walked towards me but when she was close to me she stopped. She looked conflicted, but she smiled softly and said, "Hello Ronde, please come. I saved you a seat."

I looked over next to the throne, instead of seeing a chair, I saw a footrest where people put their feet while they were sitting. I looked at my mother who was very nervous and waiting for me to respond. I was irritated but it beat sitting on the floor so I said, "Thank you, mother, I appreciate it."

We walked over towards the throne. I sat down on the footrest and my mother sat down on the throne and my mentor stood beside my mother on her left side.

After a while, no one said anything to each other as if we were waiting for someone to start the conversation. I saw my mother twiddling her hand from nervousness and my mentor was just looking back and forth between my mother, myself and what was going on in the village.

I could take all this silence and awkwardness between us all so I blurted out, "Fine I'll start, what are we doing he-"

(Horn bellowing)

I was cut off by the horn noise and saw Gobber walking towards the middle of the other side of the stand then announced, "Ladies and gentlemen may the competition of Dragon Racing begin!"

Suddenly I saw all of the dragon Riders on their dragons with paintings all over them.

They flew past the crowd while the people were cheering and chanting, "What the hell is this?" I asked no one in particular.

My mentor answered, "They call it Dragon Racing. They said it was somewhat difficult to do the sport while they had ice because they told us that the sheep would be hiding in places where it would be impossible to grab them. So they had to put the competition on hold for 5 months. Plus they told me that someone in their group kept cheating."

The first few people who came to mind were the twins and Snotlout. But this was a competition? How does it work and what are the rules?

Suddenly a catapult launched a sheep in the air. I was shocked but then Fishlegs and his dragon caught the sheep mid-air. But then Snotlout on top of Hookfang tackled him but Meatlug never let go of the sheep. They came in our direction until Meatlug dropped the sheep into a net.

Gobber then announced, "Fishlegs takes the first point!"

The crowd cheered and I think I understood how this game works. But what surprised me was to see my mother cheering as well.

"Wooooooow! Get those sheep! I can't believe we haven't thought of something like this for our people. Imagine if we could do something like this to invite everyone in each of our tribes to come together. I hope that the chief doesn't mind if we use the sport."

She looked down at me and was slightly embarrassed because of her outburst, "Oh, sorry. So uh how is your day Ronde?"

I looked over towards the competition and told her, "Other than me destroying my house and fighting to relieve some stress that I had built up over the years it's going pretty well. How about you?"

She was a little bit cheerful, "Oh, uh nothing I just wanted to prepare myself for this competition so I dressed appropriately. And the chief gave us these seats so we could all watch this sport together."

I nodded, "I see."

There was an awkward moment of silence, I believe she was expecting me to say more. She just sat down and looked between me and the Dragon Riders, and it looked like Astrid had scored 2 points while everyone was cheering.

I decided to end the silence between us with a question, "So, how's home? Is there anything new?"

She had a small smile, "We build new homes for us and the dragons, we have similar feeding stations just like this small village and our garden has blossomed even more now but we had to build a wall so people wouldn't try to sneak in. But our tribes are fine."

"And what about my sister's?" I asked with a little bit of concern in my voice.

"They're fine, the oldest has a knack for design and hair. The other one has a mouth on her but she wants to help people so she's been helping my mother with people and dragons but she still doesn't know what she wants to do with her life. Oh, and she is engaging with someone."

"She's engaged? Good for her."

She had her arms crossed, "Yes but she still has an attitude, I don't know where she gets that from."

I laughed, "Truth be told, mother she got it from you. You are very scary when you're mad."

My mentor tried to hold in a laugh and my mother noticed it and gave him an evil glare but she closed her eyes and said, "Whatever Ronde I'm not that bad."

I said out loud, "Mother, I'll let you believe that but remember you did slap a guard because you thought he was whistling at you but he was just whistling a song that was stuck in his head."

My mentor finally blurted out a laugh, "If it wasn't for your mother that guy would have gotten a permanent lisp. You scratch him deeply on his face with your nails."

My mother was embarrassed, "Not my proudest moment but I gave the guy a raise!"

As both me and my mentor were laughing at my mother Snotlout managed to get one of his own sheep but he had it above his head carrying it with one arm. But Toothless and Hiccup did a barrel roll and snatched it out of Snotlout grasp. Hiccup threw the sheep into his net while Snotlout was yelling a string of curses while flailing his arms in the air.

"Ronde."

I looked over towards my mother and she gave me a serious expression then looked over towards the competition, "I and Skild are leaving tomorrow morning. As much as I want to stay here in this very tiny village I am needed in my...our country. It will take us about a month for us just to return home, we didn't bring our dragons to accompany us because of that meeting. But it's up to you to come with us, I'm not going to force you to come home, it is your choice."

I was shocked and saddened by that.

Mother noticed my sadness and placed her hand over my shoulder to get my attention, "If you do want to talk to us just come by our ship in their harbor. If you want to have one last conversation or you decide to come with us just come and we will talk, ok?"

I didn't know how to respond, I knew in my heart that they couldn't stay here. I didn't think that they would leave so soon after just recently seeing them. I just responded with my voice cracking and said, "O-Ok."

The dragon Riders continued to gather sheep but it's looked like Astrid was in the lead with Hiccup barely close by.

Suddenly another horn sounded off and then I heard the people in the crowd muttering 'The black sheep' over and over.

The other dragon Riders were looking around the village. Then suddenly a black object was launched very high in the air and I could tell that it was the black sheep that everyone was talking about. They began to cheer when all of the dragon Riders were flying towards it Astrid seemed to be the closest to it while Hiccup was second.

Then suddenly Thunder came out of nowhere and grabbed the sheep before Astrid even touched it. And flying by the crowd of very confused people, I shared their confusion as she dumped the sheep into one of the nets that weren't being used and flew towards us while roaring, ("That right I win! Nobody wins while I'm around!")

She flew towards us, landed in front of me and said, ("Partner, I won the competition for having the weirdest looking 4 legs. Does that mean I win? And now the other males will have me as a mate because I beat the other two females.")

I was embarrassed because everyone was looking in our direction, some were confused with others very angry. I touched her snout and said, "No it doesn't work like that. It was a competition but it wasn't a way for the otherkin to find a mate, it was just a way for them to test their skills and you might have ruined that by coming in at the last second."

She was confused, ("A competition where they only test out their skills? That very rock headed thinking.")

Gobber then announced, "Well that dragon put the sheep in the guest net so it gains 10 points but it puts it in 3rd place behind Hiccup. That means Astrid wins the game!"

The people cheered again while others were looking at us angrily.

Thunder then she snorted, ("I can never understand Two-legs.")

After a while, the crowd of people left and It was me, my mother and my mentor. The other dragon Riders went home. My mentor stayed while my mother waved me goodbye.

He leaned down to hold my shoulder and said to me, "Ronde, rather you decide to come with us or not is up to you. But you owe it to your mother to see her with your answer. So please be considerate of her feelings, I'll see you later."

He walked off and went to my mother's side. I saw them walking together towards the village, they looked very peaceful.

Meanwhile, it was just me and Thunder, I need to do something before I see my mother again. I faced Thunder and asked, "Hey could you take me to my house please."

She lowered her head and allowed me to climb on her neck but I had to hold on to her head horns so I wouldn't slide off and then we flew off towards my home.

As soon as she landed I got off and looked at the wreckage that was my home. The roof was caved in, there were holes on the side and my door was just hanging by a thread.

Thunder went closer towards my house looking very confused, ("What happened here? I was here the last sun and those holes weren't there.")

I walked towards my broken home and Thunder was next to me as I told her, "I turned into a kin last night while I was sleeping. It happens sometimes when I'm dreaming or what you call having a sleep vision something very stressful or if I'm too relaxed."

I walked in front of my door and saw inside, I couldn't sleep here tonight if I wanted to there are wood chipping everywhere. I sat down on the entrance and Thunder sat down next to me, "I was dreaming about my mother calling me a monster and I accidentally killed my mentor. And something tells me if I hadn't woken up sooner I probably would have gone on a rampage."

I was embarrassed explaining this to her.

She also looked saddened by what I said then she got closer to me and nuzzled me, ("So, one of your fears is being rejected by your Dam? Perhaps maybe you should talk to her.")

"I'm leaning toward that Thunder but I need to decide what I need to do. But right now I need to talk to Hiccup and then Fishlegs."

("I don't know who those Two-Legs are but I will accompany you, my partner.")

I smiled and rubbed her snout, "Thank you, let go to Hiccups house first."

I got on her back again and I guided her towards Hiccup's house. And when we landed I got off of her and knocked on Hiccups door. He opened it and then I noticed he had black scales all over his clothes which I can assume it was from Toothless. He walked out to greet me, "Oh hey Ronde, do you need something?"

I shook my head, "No, I came to apologize for what Thunder had done during the competition. She thought that it was a way for other male dragons to notice her."

He then smiled, "To tell you the truth Ronde, we thought that you might have joined us during the 2nd half of the game. So we made you and your dragon a net so it's fine."

I was a little surprised they tried to think ahead but they probably didn't know about me and my mother sitting next to my mother and talking to her for as long as I did. "I didn't know that sorry for wasting your time building that for me."

He waved it off, "It's fine, your dragon is very fast, I didn't even see her coming. But it was fun that all that matters. Anyway, is anything else? I'm not trying to rush you but I need to finish this project and go to sleep early."

"I uh, destroyed my house while I was sleeping," I said embarrassed.

Then Hiccup said, "So I guess you have nowhere to sleep?"

"Not exactly, I guess I can sleep on my mother ship but if that doesn't work out do you mine if I sleep near your fireplace again?"

He pointed at me and said in a joking manner, "As long as you don't break my door again."

"No promises, I'm somewhat unpredictable," I said in a serious tone.

He smiled and looked over inside his house and said, "If you have nowhere else to go then it's fine Ronde."

"Thank you Hiccup, I might see you tomorrow."

He was about to close his door but before he completely closed it he said, "You will."

Once he closed his door I got on Thunder and we flew to Fishlegs home and I knocked on his door. He answered but immediately ignored me; it went straight for Thunder.

He was bouncing up and down excitedly and started to examine Thunder body. "Oh my Gods! This is a Skrill!? I have never been this close to one without it trying to kill me! But this is an odd coloration for a Skrill. And what happened to its dorsal spikes? And why are its scales so smooth?

Thunder had enough of Fishlegs touching and examining her. She snarled at him very viciously ss electricity was cracking all over her body, ("Do not touch me!")

I tried to calm her down while Fishlegs was on the ground trying to pick himself up and while he was he asked, "So that Skrill that snagged the black sheep was yours? I was impressed by the fact that this dragon was able to snatch it before Astrid and Stormfly could."

I turned around towards Thunder who looked confused because she was left out of the conversation so I told her, "He's giving you a compliment Thunder."

("Oh, well tell him I said thank you and not to touch me.")

I repeated her messages to him and he understood. Then he asked, "So what are you doing here Ronde?"

I gave him a serious look and place my hand out, "I need my book back."

He looked slightly scared but he walked inside his house and came back a few moments later in my book. He handed it to me and when I did I asked, "Did you manage to copy all the information I gathered about the dragon's I encountered throughout my life?"

He nodded, "Yes I did, thank you for letting me borrow it."

"You technically stole it when we first met but you're welcome. I would also appreciate it if you don't tell the others about my life any further than what I had explained during that meeting."

He smiled while twiddling his thumbs, "Yeah I wouldn't do that. But your life has been interesting for what I've read even though you were being very vague. I was able to connect the dots and know what was happening during those portions of what I read."

I turned away, "Yeah, my life during these years had its ups and downs and I was very lucky to have help from others dragons otherwise I would have most likely gone insane. But I'm here now, alive and well with people I can call my friends."

Then I laughed nervously, "To tell you the truth you guys were the first human friends I ever had. And I think I'm around the age of 17 so that says a lot right there. But I'm glad I met you guys."

He smiled and then said, "Well we're glad to have met you to. But Ronde I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow."

I turned around and before I had a chance to respond he had already closed his door. I wanted to say 'I might not be here tomorrow' If I decided to go home. But I guess I'll have to wake up early and say my goodbyes if it comes to that.

I turned over towards Thunder and said, "We have one more place to go and it will be up to you if you want to say and sleep there."

She made a sound similar to sighing and growls, ("If it's comfortable I'll stay.")

I nodded then hopped on her back, "Were going to see my Dam ok? I just need to show her something to make my final decision if I'm going with her back to my home."

("Whatever you say. But if you want to feel better I recommend for you to return home.") She said while I was climbing on her back.

We flew towards the docks and when I saw the ship that my mother brought it was closer to the size of a warship but this one was meant for carrying over large numbers of passengers to a new area comfortably and it looks like it's a new model so maybe they made it for dragons as well.

We landed at the front of the ship while my mother was looking over at the sunset at the back. Once she heard us land she looked over and walked towards us smiling. I got off of Thunder and took a few steps forward but not too far from my dragon.

She got closer but then stopped abruptly in front of me. I think she wanted to hug me but she was trying to take things slowly. Then she greets us with a wave, "Hello Ronde, and Ronde's dragon. I thank you for coming. Skild is asleep right now so I'm just out here looking at the sunset."

I couldn't take it anymore that the fact she's trying to contain herself to not rush me but it seems to be hurting her. So I dropped my book on the floor and hugged her.

She was surprised, "Rond-"

I cut her off by hugging her a little tighter, "Mother I know I've been away for a long time but I know you too well. I appreciate you trying to take your time with me, to not rush me into doing something. But I hate when you do it and it's clearly hurting you. I don't want to be the source of your misery or unhappiness."

After a few moments she hugged me back tightly and started to cry, "Ronde it's not like that It is the opposite you are the source to my happiness. When you were gone I was very sad for a long time until your grandmother told me that you were still alive. I felt happy when I knew there was a chance that you were alive. And when I saw that purple dragon I knew I had to see it so there was a chance to see you again. Ronde I'm very happy right now being right here with you. But right now have you made your decision?"

I slowly let go of her and she did the same. I needed to know something, I just needed to hear it from her. I gave my mother a serious look and asked her, "Before I answered that I need to know something. That purple dragon...what did you think of it?"

My mother was confused, "What do you mean what do you think of it? It was you, wasn't it?"

I had a hard time looking in her eyes, "That purple dragon was...is me but..."

My mother put her hand over my shoulder, "Ronde it's ok whatever my mother gave you finally wore off."

I brushed off her hand, that comment made me so sad, she believed that so I guess I'll have to tell her. "No, it didn't, whatever she did to me will always be a part of me. I'm still that dragon that you saw that day."

She looked surprised, "Oh, I'm sorry for saying that."

I shook my head, "No, don't be, I know you just want that little boy that you raised but I'm not that kid anymore. I'm sorry for running away and not returning home. But the idea scared me that you would call me a monster or a demon because you saw what I did to my father. I didn't want your last memories of me thinking I was a monster. But that was very selfish of me for not considering your feelings. I'm so sorry."

My mother gave me a small smile and said my name so gently, "Ronde."

I looked over and saw her standing up, "Change in front of me."

My eyes widened and I took a few steps back away from her, "Wh-What!?"

She had her hand on her hips and gave me a small smile, "If you can change into a dragon do it in front of me. If you believe I'll call you a monster because you look different then I'll have to show you that I'll still love you regardless of what you look like."

That shocked me that she said that but I just couldn't do it here, "I don't know if I can do it in front of you."

She smiled, "Ronde if we both want to grow and move on then this a start."

I was embarrassed, "No, I mean that I can't do it with my...clothes on."

She was confused until she got what I was trying to imply, "Oh, Ronde, I gave birth to you. I've seen you naked before and your father as well. Now that I think about it everyone in our castle has seen you naked. Remember the time that I tried to bath you but you didn't like the way I was scrubbing you so you ran around the castle butt naked while trying to hide from me while I was chasing you? But if you want I could turn around."

Did she have to bring that up? "I know for a fact that you'll just say you'll turn around but take a peek anyway."

"Ronde just do it, I'm not going to judge you for being my son." She said.

I growled in annoyance, "Fine!" I quickly took off my shirt and threw it at her to cover her face. One time it did and I couldn't see her eyes I took off my boots and pants and quickly changed. I was in the middle of the process before she saw me. I couldn't register but what's going on but I saw my mother with a horrific look on her face.

Once the change was completed I just laid there on the ship trying to compose myself.

My mother walked closer to me and placed her hand on my cheek, "Ronde you there?" She asked concerned.

I wasn't ready to talk yet but I smiled at her and she looked relieved, "Good, I would say 'see was that so bad' but it looked and sounded painful are you ok?"

I slowly got up and nodded.

She got closer to me, "Can you not speak while you are like this?"

I leaned a little closer to her and was trying to adjust my vocal muscles, "Yes I can."

She seems surprised as if she wasn't trying to get her hopes up, "Wow, my son is a talking dragon. But see, I'm still here aren't I?"

I slightly chuckled and looked away from her slightly, "Yes you are."

She went around to examine my body, "Your voice is a little deeper but I can still recognize your voice. You look very strong for a dragon and what with the purple scales? I'm not saying it doesn't look good on you but it's a weird color choice."

I looked over to her, "I can change my scales color but this was the color that I had when I first changed. I didn't have a choice."

She got in front of me and asked, "What kind of dragon are you?"

"I don't know, I've never seen any that looked like me so I just called this body the Chimera. I called it that because certain body parts looked like those from other dragons like my horns are the same material that is in Nadder spikes. My spikes on my back are smaller but similar to a nightmare and my scales are hard like Razorwhips But the hair and thumbs are from my human side."

She looked impressed, "I see, well you can change back and I can show you to a room that you can sleep in."

"Mother I can't change back and forth like that. It's too much for my body." I told her

She looked disappointed, "So you have to stay like that? Crap well there might be a cage for our dragons at the bottom if you can fit."

"I think I'll sleep outside."

She was angry, "No son of mine is sleeping outside! Come with me and bring your dragon as well," she said while walking towards a giant latch in the middle of the ship.

She tried to lift it but it seems to be too heavy for her so I helped her. We flipped it together and then she climbed down to the bottom, "Yeah, there's enough room for you to move around but it might be a little tight for you but you should fit. Come on and I'll show you where you can sleep."

I look inside the hallway just to see how wide it was. It looks somewhat big enough for me to move around in but still, "Mother I don't think I want to sleep in a cage. I'll prefer to sleep outside."

She turned around to give a look that even scared me to the point I whimpered out of fear. She pointed towards the ground and demanded: "Ronde get over here now."

Thunder then laughed at me, ("Wow she is your Dam to make you whimper like that.")

I tried to ignore her and slowly climb down to the second floor with Thunder behind me. The hallway was a bit cramped but I could walk through it but I had to be very low to the ground as if I was stalking a prey.

She was right next to a cage. When I got close to it I saw a pile of hay and some sort of grass. She led me inside and I couldn't believe that there was enough space for me to move around, it wasn't much but enough to not feel cramped.

She smiled, "We had to build this cage for the Red death baby we found just in case we had to move it to another place within our tribe. But he found his place within my mother's back yard. But we had found out that dragons like to rest on these haystacks and they can build their own little nest for them to sleep on. Why don't you give it a try?"

I walk inside to see how this could work. I grabbed a pile and spread it in an area where I could lay down. Once I believed I had enough I tried to get comfortable by laying down on it, once I did the hay adjusted to my weight almost like a mattress but not only that it adjusted with my other body parts like my arms, legs, and tail. I felt like I was just floating and was very comfortable to the point I purred out loud that my mother heard it.

She laughed, "I didn't think you could purr like a cat. But I assume that means you're comfortable, I bet this beats sleeping outside doesn't it?"

"Fine, I admit that this is very relaxing."

Just then I saw Thunder going inside of the other cage in front of us and went nuts putting all the hay in one massive pile with her wings and jumped on top of it.

My mother and I shared a laugh watching her make a nest for herself. She looked over towards us, ("Yeah I'm sleeping in here for now.") She growls and then curls up.

My mother then looked at me, "Well Ronde, Goodnight I'll see you in the morning."

I felt something in my chest as I watched her left. I couldn't watch her go, "Wait, mother."

She turns around looking a bit confused and concerned, "Yes Ronde what's wrong?"

"Could you stay here...until I fall asleep?"

She had a small smile and walked inside my cage next to me and sat down next to my head on my left side. She gently rubbed my face, "Yeah sure just don't be up all night I have to prepare myself for the long journey."

I had completely forgotten she is leaving tomorrow. And the fact that it's going to take a month if not more to travel back to Afri by boat. They could be attacked by pirates or a thunderstorm could be on their path. I just couldn't live with myself if something were to happen to them.

I do want to return home but...I just can't do it knowing my father will just ruin everything. But I owe it to them to return, my mother, my sisters, Grandma and my mentor. I need to return to show them that I'm alive and for my sake as well, but I need to make some accommodations.

I looked over at my mother and I inhaled to calm my nerves then exhaled before I was about to tell her my decision, "Mother."

She was still rubbing my cheek, "Yes, my son."

"You wanted to know my decision before you left to go back home?" I asked.

Her eyes widened and I felt her get a little tense when I mentioned that, "Yes, have you made your decision?"

"I have and I think it's best if I come with you."

She got up and cheered jumping up and down like she was a little girl getting excited to get her first doll, "Thank you Ronde! I promise I won't let you down."

I had to stop her before she became too excited and had her hopes up, "Mother I have some accommodations that need to be met before we leave ok."

She stopped cheering and looked at me with a worried look, "Oh, o-ok what are they?"

I think I should start easy then go into the hard ones, "First you are leaving your ship behind, I will not have you and my mentor travel across the sea for a month. Me and my dragon will take you back by flying there and it should take no more than a week."

She looked surprised, "Oh, but I have to leave my ship here? I guess if it's possible I'll just have someone come get it and bring it back. Ok, are there any more?"

I nodded, "Second I'll be staying there for a few weeks, maybe longer depending on how I feel. And it's up to you to find me a home to live in or make some excuse for me to live in the castle with you."

She looked somewhat disappointed, "I see, I'll find a way."

"The last thing is when we get there do not tell anyone who I am especially my dear father. If you do tell him or anyone who I am I will leave immediately."

She was shocked, "But Ronde I-"

I cut her off, "If they recognize me then it's fine I just don't want you to tell them. I'm only doing this to prove to you that my father didn't care about me, if he does then he can easily recognize his own son when I'm in front of him. But those are my accommodations. If you can accept them then we'll leave tomorrow morning if not I'm sorry but I can't go with you."

She sighs, "It will be difficult but fine I will accept them. But if you can manage to get to our home let it be by next week there's something I need to do."

"Well I'm pretty fast and I haven't seen Thunder at her max speed but she is also fast as well so yeah we can get you there by that time," I responded.

She looked over towards Thunder, "Wait that dragon is a female? Does that mean that you two are...you know," she put her hands together during that pause.

It took me a few seconds to get what she was implying and my scales changed color, "No! We're nothing like that! She's just my associate but we're slowly becoming friends but that is as far as it's going to go."

"Ronde I'm not going to judge you. I'm mean you are a dragon to so I know that things can happen when-"

"Mother!" I yelled

She laughs, "I'm sorry Ronde, I just wanted to tease you. But if it's uncomfortable to talk about then it's fine. By the way, when your scales changed color is that your body's way of showing emotion like a mood ring? So when you turn pink you're embarrassed?"

I covered my face with my claws, "Can we just talk about something please?"

She had giggled and said, "When I can I have grandchildren? At this point, I don't care if they're human or dragon as long as they came from you."

I could feel my scales changing colors when she said, "Mom please stop, I don't want to think about that right now."

"Is there anyone in this tiny village that you have interest in? Like that blonde haired girl in the red with that Nadder. Or that other girl with the Zippleback? Nah they don't seem like your type."

"Mother!" I roared.

She places her hands up, "Ok I'm sorry geez, you don't need to go all feral on me. Look, is there anything you want to talk about?"

I shook my head, "No, just please stay until I fall asleep. But if you have questions about my life I left my book at the top of the ship. When I fall asleep you can read it to know what I've been through, but be warned I was being very vague about me being a dragon just in case someone found it."

"Oh ok I read it before I go to bed," she responded.

At that moment we just stared at each other, we didn't say anything she just stared at me. I don't know if it was instinct or just because I miss her I rubbed my face against her.

"Ronde?"

I slightly back away, "I'm sorry, it's just missed you so much."

She moved closer then hugged my face, "So have I, my son," she then laughed, "To think you were that tiny purple dragon. You were barely tall enough to reach my middle thigh and now look at you, you're the 3rd biggest dragon I've seen. But rather you are a person or a dragon Ronde I will always still love you, and don't you forget it."

I smile because I had an idea, "Hey mother."

She gave me her attention, "Yes?"

"Just like the old times, could you hum that melody again?"

She smiled and closed her eyes, "Yes, I believe I can my son."

I laid down on the comfortable hay as she was humming the song she used to sing back when I was a child. The swaying of the ship helps to give me a calm atmosphere and right next to my mother I slowly fell asleep.

The next morning.

After waking up and trying to get myself out of the second floor I was just waiting for my mother and my mentor to finish packing their stuff. My mentor didn't have much with him, just something he used to shave his hair and some clothes. But my mother was taking her sweet time trying to figure out what clothes and dresses she should bring. Both I and my mentor were getting impatient and Thunder was just curious about what was going on.

Finally, after some time she came out with a bag full of clothes and said, "Alright I've decided to bring these clothes."

What irritated me was the bag wasn't even that full! But it's over now, we can finally go. I then told them, "Ok, I'm ready you both can get on my back."

My mother then said, "Actually Ronde, we're still waiting for someone."

I was confused, "Who are we waiting for? We're all here."

She only looked up and pointed towards the village. I looked to where she was pointing and saw several figures coming towards us.

All of the Dragon Riders on top of their dragons landed in front of the ship.

Hiccup got off of Toothless and walked towards my mother. They both greeted each other with a handshake. Hiccup smiled and said, "Thank you for the suggestion yesterday, they agreed my friends and I are allowed to go."

What are they talking about? I looked over towards the other and what I saw shocked me. The Riders and their dragons had packed for something.

"...no..."

My mother then looked at me, "Ronde good news your friends from this tiny village are coming along with us."

I lost it, "No no oh hell no! Naw they can't...you just...What the hell is even happening!?"

"Ronde language," My mother said.

Astrid then spoke up, "Yeah what's wrong? You don't even say goodbye to us and now you're getting made because we're going with you? What with that?"

I just told her the truth, "I trust 3 out of 6 of you guys and I'm sorry for not saying goodbye, I was planning on it but...look why are you coming in the first place?"

Hiccup then spoke up, "After dragon racing your mother had come to my house and told me that she would be glad if I were to come to your country and discuss more ways for our village to become connected and allies. So before you came to my house I spoke to Gobber and the others and they agreed. So now we're all going to your village."

I was shocked because I knew the true intentions of why my mother did that. I looked over to her and said, "You had a contingency plan just in case I said no, didn't you? In order to make me come back home, you wanted my friend to come to force me to go with them?"

She shrugged, "I mean it was one of the benefits to my plan."

I couldn't believe she planned this from the start, I don't know if I should be mad, impressed or both! "You really are my mother, at least I know when I get the habit of planning ahead from."

She and everyone else laughed but Hiccup went towards Toothless and pulled something out of one of his bags, "Also Ronde I wanted to give you and your dragon a gift."

He pulled out a very nice saddle for Thunder. I couldn't believe it, but he had to make that yesterday. It looked very new."

He walked towards Thunder and asked me, "Could you tell her not to attack me while I'm putting this on her?"

I nodded and looked towards Thunder to tell her what he was about to do. She was nervous but accepted it.

Hiccup then tried to put it on Thunder, she tried her best not to move but was eyeing him very closely. He announced that he was finished so I asked her, ("So how does it feel?")

She was examining it all across her body and then she warbled,("It looks weird but I don't feel it that much when I move.")

I looked over to Hiccup, "She Approves but she needs to get used to it."

He smiled "Good I made it just for the both of you. We don't need you to slip off again."

I did want to talk a bit more but if their coming that means we all have to travel the same pace and take breaks.

"Alright I know that we want to continue to chat but if we're going back to my home we need to move right now. So I know that Hiccup has a plan to get there faster so let's hear it."

He scratched the back of his head, "Actually Ronde I was planning on taking the same route as we did while heading to the day of peace. But once we got to the final island I was hoping that you or your mother could show us the rest of the way."

I could only go the right way during the night and follow the stars that would lead me back home during this season. But I think I know the way by the landscape or island that are in my path. Plus my mother has my book that has my map so it should be fine. "As long as we're following my map we should be fine. Plus if we're quick enough with this group we should be there by next week, maybe even quicker if we rest once per day, we wake up in the morning, fly until night and rest we should be there within 5 days."

"Ok but just in case who is handling navigation?" Astrid asked.

My mother spoke up, I and Ronde will, we will be in the front guiding you guys to Afri."

I nodded and looked over at my mentor, "Master, you have to ride on Thunder, my dragon until we get there."

He looked surprised and then they stared at each other, but Thunder only huffed at him.

I looked over my mother, "That means that you will have to fly with me. You'll have to hold on to my back spikes very tightly, ok?"

She nodded and I walked on all fours to get closer to her and lowered my body, she climbed on with my map in hand and her bag on her waist.

I looked over towards them, "Is everyone ready?"

They all climb on their dragons including my mentor. Thunder looked irritated but she was ready to fly.

I took off towards the sky with the others following close behind me. We were all ready to go towards my home.

Home.

---

-Author's notes-

I honestly forgot to mention it in a previous chapter because I was in a rush to get it out but the reason why I'm using elements from HTTYD 2 is that they didn't have any impact to the story beyond their initial reveal or unexplained answers.

The first thing I forgot to mention during the previous chapter is why I brought back Drago Bludvist? Which is somewhat funny because when I was working on these two chapters I recently saw the 2nd movie again. And I remember an interview with the writer/ creator of the HTTYD franchise (the movies not the books) he said they were going to use Drago for the third film to reveal more of his backstory. That lets me know within the story that he is still alive but they replace him with Grimmal for the 3rd movie.

The second thing is I just wanted to use Dragon Racing as a way for everyone to come together but again it wasn't used beyond the second movie except for the special but…you know.

Anyway I am going to try my hardest to complete this story without completely rushing it but I don't think I'll be able to get this book done before the end of summer. But I'm still planning on working on the prequel and then my next major project.

Also because of my wonderful Beta Readers chapters 15,16 and 17 have been improved and worked on.

Take care.