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.

31. Chapter 24 Reunited

Special Thanks to Ferith12 for helping with grammar and fixing some of the words in this chapter, and Lala2003 for fixing the first half of this chapter.

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Ronde

Travelling with part of my family and the Dragon Riders had been alright so far. It'd been around five days since we left Berk and we were long past the island we had rested at for a day of peace, and —if I had to make an estimate— I would say we were a day away, maybe two, from my home, Afri. I was almost nervous to return, but I was also excited to see how much it had changed. I had been in dragon form for the past six days, ever since we'd left, and I believed my mother and my mentor were getting used to the idea of me being one, but I didn't know if I should tell them about me slowly becoming a dragon permanently as I got older.

It was very early in the morning, everyone was packing up in preparation for our flight over to the next island. Fishlegs was taking notes about the area we were currently in, I assume that this was new territory for them; they might need to add some areas to their map so they wouldn't get lost if they ever went this far out again.

As we were gathering the last of our supplies, we checked my map and my mother's guide to see where we should stop next. But as we were looking, my mother realized something.

My mother then exclaimed, "Oh no, there is only one island left that isn't inhabited by our enemy's and colonizers. But I don't know if this island has been claimed by anyone. If we're not careful we could be in trouble."

Hiccup looked at the map that my mother was carrying and it seemed like he was measuring the distance between where we were, the island that my mother was talking about, and my home. After he finished concentrating, he said out loud, "If it's too much he could just fly straight to your home from here."

My mother shook her head. "No, that is too long of a distance, we'll be flying until tomorrow afternoon just to reach my home. And I don't want to put your dragons in those conditions. Plus I have to make sure that none of you are attacked while your in our tribes."

Everyone except for me and my mentor was surprised to hear that statement, but then Hiccup asked, "Why would we be attacked?"

My mother looked away from him nervously. "My tribe isn't used to people from the outside coming into our homes, especially ones with your… background. Even Unitatis had a hard time the first time he came, he was almost decapitated just because someone thought that he was a colonizer."

Unitatis is that guy who held the day of peace meeting? When did he come to my home? I thought.

My mother saw how the other Dragon Riders were shocked and tried to assure them, "Don't worry, I just have to make a public announcement that you're just visitors and maybe get you all new clothes while I'm at it…"

That was my mother for you; always worried about other people's appearance if it affected her image. Since she knew that they were going to represent her, she also knew that they needed to change their clothing because to her they look like rags.

But I'm getting off track. I need to focus on the area we are in right now. I should know a few islands around this area where we could stay on.

I walked in front of them and sat upright, "Hey, may I see the map? I do know a few places around this area."

My mother nodded and opened the map even farther and placed it on the ground for me to see. She pointed at the area that we were and the island between here and my home. I looked around and I did see some of the islands that she was talking about that could have been claimed by people outside of our nation. But there was one island that was close to my home that caught my attention.

My mother noticed my facial expression and asked, "Ronde? Are you ok? Why do you look like that, do you have an idea for which island we can rest on?"

I was just focusing on the island on the map, that island had to be one. It was the closest to my home and there might've been a chance that they were there. I looked over to my mother and used my claw to point towards the map. "Here… we will go here."

My mother looked at where I was pointing at and was confused. "I don't think so, that's the island where we used to hunt for food, but we stopped going back there because of the dragons and it wasn't worth the trouble, but I'm sure that our enemies have claimed that island for their own by now."

I shook my head. "No, I made sure that people knew that place was our island. It's still safe so we can go there."

She was confused. "You made sure? What are you talking about?"

I was beginning to get impatient, "Please let's just go, I promise you that it's safe. I'll explain more when I get there but this is the only island that I know that is safe in this area."

They all stared at me as if I was going crazy, but I needed to go to this island and the best part was it wasn't going out of our way. If we got there, it would only take a day at the most to get to my home and I have the perfect place for all of us to sleep. But more than that, it would allow me to see them again, I just hoped that they were still there.

My mother walked close to me and placed her hand on my knee. She looked up to me and said, "If you believe it is safe then please lead the way, my son."

I smiled, then lowered my body so she could climb on my back. Once she did I looked back towards the others. "If we're quick enough, we can make it before the afternoon so please let's get moving."

They all finished gathering their stuff and climbed on their dragons and then we all flew off the island.

My heart was aching, I didn't know if it was guilt or because I was excited to see them again. But I just hoped that everyone was still there.

Several hours passed and I saw the island in the distance. After all this time, it still looked beautiful. The lush green forest, the hills and mountains with the waterfall cascading from the peak, and the beach with the water washing across the sand; this was my home after I'd run away. I needed to guide the others towards the waterfall and tried to be careful when approaching this island, if we were caught, they might be endangered.

I looked over towards the group and said, "Follow me and don't make too much noise."

We slowly approached the island towards the mountains where the waterfall was. The smell of freshwater had entered my nose, but then there was another scent that made me a little bit worried. There was a dragon here not too long ago, no perhaps there was another one with it. But it was still early. I should've had time to get it out of the waterfall.

We landed near the waterfall, next to a stream of rushing water. I lowered myself to the ground so that my mother could get off of me. The others landed next to us, once they did, I saw them already unpacking their tents and other items.

I tried to whisper, "No, there is no need for those. I know the perfect place for us to all stay and sleep."

Snotlout said loudly, "Oh yeah? Where is that dragon boy?"

I shushed him and tried to tell the others to keep their voices down. "Please just wait here and don't do anything."

I turned around towards the waterfall and walked away from the others to give myself some space. Once I did, I flew straight inside of the waterfall. Behind it was a massive cave, just as I remembered. There was barely any light, the only source of it was from the ricochet of sunlight across the water, but with my vision, I could make out the lines of my environment. But lo and behold, there it was, just as I left it. I couldn't wait to see the looks on their faces.

Neurie

My son just flew inside of that waterfall without any hesitation, is he crazy? Why would he do that? I wondered.

But suddenly, I heard a noise coming from the area he just flew into, almost like an echo of some sort. The ground began to vibrate just a little before I saw my son slowly coming out from the waterfall. But something isn't right, he's flying but not going anywhere. After a few seconds, I noticed that he was pulling on something but was slightly struggling to get it out from behind the waterfall.

When he finally got most of his body out, I noticed the object that he was pulling on was coming out more and more, I believe it was because of the stream that made it easier to pull it out.

That was when I saw part of what he was pushing out and I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I even heard Skild said, "What the...? Why is that here I thought it was lost!?"

My son was pulling out one of our old warships and it looks to be in a good condition just with moss and algae at the bottom. But why was that ship even here? I was told that one of our ships was washed away to sea when one of the ropes holding it snapped, but it seemed unlikely that the current would bring it here..

Once the ship had completely come out from the waterfall, Ronde quickly flew towards the back of the ship and did something to release the anchor. It landed in the water with a loud splash and began to slow down the ship. Once the ship had completely stopped in front of us, Ronde flew down and landed. He looked back at the ship and then towards us and said, "This is where we're staying tonight. It has plenty of room for all of us and our dragons."

I walked closer to him completely confused, "How did you acquire the ship? I was told that a strong current snapped the rope that was holding it and the ship sailed away."

I noticed that he was slightly scared and refused to look at me while twiddling his hands together. "Oh, uh...well...I...kind of...stole it."

I didn't even know why I was surprised, he had had a habit of going off on his own and taking the boat to sail towards another one of our tribes within my kingdom. Still, this was going too far. I tried to hide my anger, "You stole one of our warships? Why would you steal one of our own warships!? "

He looked scared, not because of me but of something else. He looked around the forest and then down to me. "Mother, please lower your voice. I thought you said you've read my book. If I haven't, I stole it because I didn't know how to fly and this ship was the only one that wasn't completely guarded and then snapped the rope with my claws and sailed all the way here."

I was Bewildered because I thought he could, "I saw you fly out your window."

He sighed and looked slightly away from me, "I have the instincts of a dragon when I'm facing extreme pressure or danger it takes over and I don't recognize things the same way I normally would. My body just has a mind of its own and I'll act more like a feral dragon until I come back to my senses but sometimes I barely remember the events. So after that incident happened I didn't know how to fly."

I felt bad for him, that never even occurred to me. "I'm sorry I didn't think about that."

He had a small smile and waved it off, "It's fine."

The young chief walked on my side facing my son. "Ronde, is this island..."

My son nodded and then responded, "Yes this is the island I ran away towards, where I met my adopted parents."

I was shocked, he was adopted? But there were no people on this island, and this was where he went after he ran away? He was so close to Afri yet it had never crossed my mind to search here. I thought our enemy had claimed this island but I was wrong. It just infuriated me to know he was this close yet I couldn't reach him.

Then I noticed he was looking at me. "Mother if it wasn't for this ship this island and its civilians would have been taken over by our enemies."

"What do you mean?" I asked curiously.

He looked towards the ship, "One day our enemy did try to take over this island while I was here so I had an idea to use this ship. The moment I pulled this out from this waterfall and pointed its weapons towards the invaders they quickly fled and haven't shown up since I was here. They assume that this island was claimed by us."

"And what about the people that you said...took care of you?" I asked.

He leaned closer towards me, he must have notice my discomfort with the idea of someone else taking care of him, "Mother it's ok they were nice to me and-"

Suddenly Ronde stopped talking and looked ahead of us towards the forest. I noticed that his eyes were slits and his hair was standing upright. The look on his face worried me so I called out to him, "Ronde are you ok?"

He didn't respond, or he just chose to ignore me, but he continued looking towards the forest.

Suddenly he flew into the air and landed in the back of our group then he used his left wing to cover himself. That was when I noticed that something fell from the ground next to him, it almost looked like a spike of some sort.

Ronde then roared toward the forest very loudly. Is this what he was talking about? Did he just lose himself again? Seeing him like this is starting to scare me. But it was clear that something just tried to attack us and he was protecting us.

Ronde roared again but this time the sound was different.

Suddenly something came out of the forest. At that moment the dragons from Berk went to Ronde's side and growled at whatever came out of the forest. When I got a clear view I saw two Deadly Nadder's, they both had blue and orange scales but the two were inverted of each other.

Both of the Nadders got closer and growled viciously towards him and the dragons as well but Ronde just stared at the two Nadders.

Suddenly Ronde looks towards the two Nadders very strangely as if something was bothering him. He then warbles something towards the dragons from Berk and they stop growling. Then Ronde looked back towards the two again and warbled something to each of them.

The Nadders stop growling and then look at each other then towards Ronde and one of them takes a few steps forward and warbles at him.

Suddenly Ronde dashed towards the two dragons, one of them flew in the air and the other tackled Ronde and he fell and then the one in the air dive bombed towards him and landed on his chest.

I was horrified, they were overwhelming him and I looked towards the dragon's and they were only watching him getting attacked. I began yelling at them, "What are you doing!? Can't you see he's getting attacked? Go help him!"

Suddenly the chief of Berk grabbed my shoulder. I turned around to face him and he had a smile, "It's ok they're not fighting. What they're doing is more similar with dragons playing with each other."

I looked over and saw that one of the Nadders was nuzzling him and the other was licking his face. Ronde however looked happy with his eyes closed and a grin so big I could see his teeth.

Ronde

I couldn't believe they were still here. I thought that they would have left the island to find another dragon to be closer to but they're still here trying to protect this island.

My adopted brother spoke to me while nuzzling me, ("It's been so long, sibling what are you doing here? I thought that you wanted to explore outside of this island.")

My adopted sister stopped licking me and growled at her twin brother, ("Shut up, just be glad that he's here alive and well.") Then she got off of me, ("Wow little one you're not so little anymore. I mean you were slightly bigger than us when you left but wow you're so big. I wonder what should we call you now? The one? Big one? Or do you want me to call you by that name that you said the Scaleless call you? What was it again? Orden?")

I laughed, ("It's Ronde but I don't mind being called Little One either Chatterbox.")

She rolled her eyes and warbled, ("You're still calling me made-up names? What is a Chatterbox?")

("It means you talk too much,") I teased.

But I saw my brother looking back towards the group, ("Speaking of scaleless why are they here? And what are you doing protecting them?") He nearly growled.

I stood up and walked in front of the dragon Riders, mother and mentor. I stretched my left wing and arm to cover them protectively. I stared at my brother afraid of how he would react, and then my very confused sister. ("They are not here to harm any of us. We just needed a place to stay before we could go to the mainlands. I promise they are not a threat, in fact just like the mainland's these...scaleless have become one nest with Kin all around their land.")

My brother and sister looked at each other confusedly then back to me, ("Is that possible? Are they really one nest?")

Before I had a chance respond Toothless and the other dragons returned to my side and growled at them, ("Yes they are one of us!") ("They protect us and we do the same for them.") Both Stormfly and Meatlug growled.

Suddenly they looked over towards Toothless, they almost looked frightened at his presence. Suddenly they walked closer to him and then to my surprise they bowed.

My brother spoke, ("I'm sorry for not recognizing it sooner, you are the new king I can sense it. If these scaleless are with you then they are allowed to stay.")

Then my sister warbled, ("Yes, is there anything that we can do? Like bring you an offering?")

I was surprised to see them like this; they were so submissive towards Toothless. I didn't think they would act like this even if they knew that Toothless was the Alpha.

But Toothless warbled at them to just leave Hiccup and the others alone. My siblings bowed and then walked towards my side. As they were walking to my side my brother whipped his tail on my right side hard and my sister nipped me on my left side. I growled from the pain, ("What the heck was that for?")

My brother was the first one to respond, ("You could have told me that kin is the new king he could have killed us for trying to harm his scaleless nestmates!")

("Yeah what's with that little one?") My sister teased.

Baffled at the thought that Toothless would do something like that I laughed at them to their confusion, ("He would never do something like that to you. He's a very nice Kin so you can calm down.")

My brother rolled his eyes, ("Yeah I'll make sure to tell everyone on this island they're here.")

When he said that I remembered the real reason why I came to this island. My sibling noticed my facial expression. My sister then asked, ("What's wrong? Why do you look like you've seen a dead dragon?")

I tried to ignore that analogy, ("Brother, sister is Sire and Dam here?")

My brother had a small smile but my sister looked sad for some odd reason. She walked closer to me and looked at me with such big eyes, ("I'm sorry brother but we lost them.")

I couldn't believe it. Did they die? When? How? Could I have prevented it?

Before I asked how,my brother tackled my sister much to my confusion. Then he yelled at her, ("Why are you joking with him when it comes to our Sire and Dam? He obviously cares about them!") He looked up at me and said, ("What she means is they are lost to her because she still doesn't have a sense of direction even with our sense of smell. But do not worry they are still alive and taking care of our little siblings.")

I felt my anxiety leave me and I gave my sister a death stare. However, she wasn't fazed and only laughed at me, ("Oh don't you look at me like that. It was funny to see your face like that for old times sake.")

My brother then asked me, ("Tell me brother would you like to see them?")

I smiled but I had to show them something and to do that I needed to bring my mother. ("Yes, I would like nothing more to see them, but could we wait for just a moment before we see them?")

He tilted his head in a confused manner, ("Ok, just don't take too long.")

I quickly walked over towards the group and they all were looking at me weirdly but I tried to switch into my normal voice, "I don't have time to explain but know that those two are my adopted siblings and they're about to take me to see my adopted parents. I'll be back in a few hours, maybe sooner maybe later depending on how they react."

Hiccup tried to get my attention by waving his hands and said, "That's fine but what about us? What should we do in the meantime?"

I looked over towards my mentor and pointed at my ship, "Master you've been in one of these before right?"

He nodded, "Yes, I even was the captain of one of these types of warships back in the day."

"There is enough room for an entire village in there even if it is cramped, please if you could show the others around in that ship. This is where we're going to sleep tonight."

"I see, ok that a good idea." He said looking at me. Then he faced the others, "Come you all I need to see if this ship has the same layout as the ones we built back home then I can show you your rooms."

I said this both physically and with my mind to say, "However I need my mother and Thunder to come with me."

In unison my mother and Thunder yelled, "Why!?"

"I just need you to come with me please. And mother please bring your bag with the blanket inside."

My mother just sighed and came to my side. I lowered myself so she could climb on my back. But Thunder was irritated, ("I flew for a quarter of a sun cycle just for this? Agh! After this partner you own me more food and scratches on my neck! I REALLY LIKE THOSE SCRATCHES!")

I slightly backed away from her, she scares me when she gets like this. The electricity cracking over her body lets me know that she is deadly serious, ("Ok, just calm down ok. We're almost home and I'm sure that we can find you the most delicious food and possibly a mate.")

The electricity dialed down and it looked like she had calmed down. She began walking towards us and said, ("You had better my partner or I'll shock you.") She teased.

Wait a second was she faking that so I would give her more stuff? And why is she teasing me?

She walked on ahead towards my sibling and looked at my brother but then quickly looked away. Is she shy or does she not see my brother worthy enough as a potential mate?

My thoughts were interrupted when my brother roared, ("Hey we don't have all of the sun cycle little one, we must protect this island from outside forces but we are taking a break to make sure you see our Sire and Dam so please let's get moving!")

I was slightly embarrassed and fumbled over my words. ("R-right sorry.")

I went towards their side and we all walked together towards the forest. They went ahead guiding me and Thunder on a path that would lead us to my adopted parent's cave. I was very excited, it's been close to 5 years but I'm going to see them again after all this time. But at the same time I'm terrified because what I'm about to do in front of them and I'm bringing my actual mother to see them. My adopted father hates humans, so the idea of one of his own turning into one, It just scares me how he's going to react.

Suddenly my mother patted my back to get my attention. I turned around to see if she needed anything and she whispered, "Ronde why did you want me to come with you?"

I quickly looked over to see if my siblings were listening to our conversation but they were chatting with each other. So I turned around to face her and whispered, "I want you to see who raised me, you have a right to see them."

She looked quite sad, "Oh right you're were adopted here and...you consider those two dragons as your siblings..."

I nodded, "Yes, I hold them very close to my heart. They were the ones who cared about me, played with me, and helped build my confidence when my adopted parents weren't around. I do love them as if we were related by blood."

There was a moment of silence between us, she looked even more saddened than before. Then she looked on ahead to see my siblings, still chatting then she looked me straight in my eyes and asked, "Ronde, I'm not trying to upset you or anything but...did you replace us? Were we not good enough of a family to you? So you replace us with this dragon family? Do you not consider me your mother anymore?"

When she said that I felt my heart broke in two, she's taking this the wrong way, "Mother I still call you mom, I still consider you as my mother, the person who gave birth to me just like I consider my sisters as my siblings," I sighed trying to get this out, "I still see my father as the man who created me. But when I ran away...I knew you saw what I did to my father and I thought that if you were to see me as a dragon you would be afraid of me. There was a hole in my heart that was longing for something to fill it. My family, you my sisters, grandma, and yes even my father filled that hole. But when I ran away and the thought of my family rejecting me caused that hole to be empty."

I smiled and looked on ahead to see my siblings arguing just like old times, "But mother, when I arrived at this island and met this family of Nadders the hole was slowly began to fill over time. This family loves me and has shown me things that I couldn't see for myself. They even helped me mentally when I was struggling to control my impulses and other scars that were left from what my father did to me. But no mother, I didn't replace you or anyone in my family. They just replaced the hole in my heart when I left you all. I consider this family another in our group that loves to protect me."

She had a small smile, "I think I understand. I'm sorry for saying that Ronde. I couldn't...no I would probably never understand what you've been through unless I was in the same shoes as you. Please forgive me."

I looked back at her, "There's nothing to forgive. Mother as I told you I didn't come back home because I didn't want you to reject me, but look at us now. So please the one that needs to apologize is me."

Suddenly before my mother could respond to my brother called me, ("Hey little one come here I need to talk to you.")

I looked at my mother and as we stared at each other I believe she got the message that I needed to talk to my sibling. She nodded and I quickly got to my brother's side, ("Yes, what do you need?")

He looked up at me and asked, ("It's not what I need, I just have a question. Why are you carrying that two-legged creature on your back?")

Knowing that he was talking about my mother I viciously growled at him. Once I did he took a few steps away from me looking very confused. ("What? Why are you angry at me? I just wanted to ask you that, it's weird seeing one of those things on our backs.")

I went towards his face baring my teeth at him, ("She is not a thing. If you dare call her that again I will personally rip out your tongue brother.")

He was surprised by my reaction and backed away from me, ("I'm sorry but why is...she on your back? No why are you so angry? Just because I asked you that? What is that female two-leg to you if you're threatening me?")

I looked away from him, ("You will soon find out when we see Sire and Dam.")

("But brother you know our Sire doesn't like two legs. If you care about this one you wouldn't have brought her.") My sister warbled.

I looked on ahead, ("I will protect her if it comes to that but I know that he'll be happy to see his whelping all grown up. But if that's, not possible...,Thunder could you take her back towards the others?")

("Yes, I will protect the one you call mother.") She responded.

As I was thanking her my brother asked, ("Moth-er? Why does that sound familiar?")

I laughed nervously, ("Trust me you two will understand everything I'm doing now in time. It may not make sense now but you will see.")

("I hope so because the way I'm looking at it you're looking a little crazy right now,") My sister warbled with a little concern in her voice.

My brother stopped walking and looked around at us, ("We're here, Little one stay here we should surprise them with your presence.")

I looked on ahead and I saw the cave that I lived and was raised in. It was much smaller than I remembered but I could still fit in. That let me know that I've grown a lot.

My brother and sister went on ahead into the cave, it was just me, my mother, and Thunder but I looked over towards Thunder who was very curious about the area we were in. But I needed to remind Thunder once again, ("Thunder please protect my Dam if something goes wrong ok?")

She looked at me and rolled her eyes, ("Yes, yes I know. I just don't understand why you brought her?")

I looked over towards the cave, ("To prove to them that I wasn't lying when I first came to this island. They have a right to know what I really am.")

("A Two-leg that can change into a kin? Yeah I'm sure that they'll love that partner.") She said sarcastically.

I gave her a blank expression and said sarcastically, ("Thank you Thunder for telling me that most spectacularly. I think you help my confidence reach to new levels.")

("Anytime my friend.")

Despite the fact she made me feel worse I looked over towards my mother who felt left out, "Mother once we go inside please stay close to Thunder until I know it's safe."

She looked scared but nodded and held on to one of my back spikes tighter.

Then I saw my brother at the entrance of the cave who was trying to signal us to come inside. Once he did I felt my heart racing just like the time when I was about to tell the others about my past. As I took my first few towards the cave Thunder followed behind looking quite curious about the area, ("Wow this would be the perfect place to live. It's very peaceful with a nice open area.")

I responded to her as I was next to the entrance of the cave, ("You should see the inside, it's quite beautiful in there as well.")

I was next to the cave preparing myself to walk inside but before I did I lowered myself towards the ground and let my mother off my back, "Please stay close to Thunder mother."

She nodded and went to Thunder's side.

I looked inside the cave and took a deep breath before entering and then I exhaled, "It is time to see them.'

I walked inside and the moment I did flashbacks were going through my mind. Every moment I'd spent in this cave I was seeing in a vision. The first time I walked inside of here with Dam, the first night I slept next to her family, the first time I considered calling Dam my mother and when my sibling would play a game similar to hide and seek those days were fun. I looked around the corner within the cave and I saw them right next to my brother looking over in this direction.

My adopted father looked the same, only his orange color on his scales faded slightly. He looked confused and concerned when I peeked around the corner.

My Dam was the same but she kept her blue color but she was looking over in my direction as well with two midsize Nadders near her playing with each other. I believe that it was the two babies I saw when I left. She was confused as well.

My Sire then looked at me and roared to my surprise, ("What are you doing in my cave!? I mark this place as my Home yet you dare come inside!? Do you want me to-")

He stopped roaring when I completely revealed myself from the corner. Both my adopted parents stopped whatever they were doing and walked closer to me. I was somewhat nervous because they were silent as if they were stalking towards me.

They were right in front of me sniffing me then they both took a few steps back and looked at each other. My Dam was the first to look at me. When she did I smiled at her and she looked even more surprised. In a voice I hadn't heard in years she spoke, ("Little one? Is that you?")

I nodded, ("Well I'm not so little anymore as you can see but it's me Dam and Sire.")

My Sire tried to knock me down so he could nuzzle me but was having a hard time because of my size. So I had to pretend that he was knocking me over. I landed on my side as he looked proud of him, ("Your Sire still got it little one just because you're bigger than me doesn't mean that you can overpower me.")

I laughed, ("I wasn't trying to! I just wanted to see you all again and show you guys something.")

("I thought something was wrong when my whelping told me that there was a Kin coming to our cave. But I thought that meant that the kin was going to take our cave.")

As he was nuzzling me he sniffed me and back away and looked past me and saw Thunder, ("Another Kin? And a female at that with a...")

I saw the horns on his head slightly extend in a threatening matter. That was when I noticed he saw my mother next to Thunder, ("A SCALELESS!")

Before he could charge at her I quickly got up and got in his way to his confusion, ("Move Little one! There is a scaleless behind that Kin!")

I continued to block his path and tried to speak, ("Both the Kin and Scaleless are with me please don't harm her.")

He backed away from me, he had a very shocked expression on his face, ("Why would you bring a scaleless here! You know that they're dangerous! They kill our kind all the time!")

("She wouldn't, she has protected our kind for years!") I yelled.

He was confused, ("She? I thought you were talking about the gender of the kin behind you! How is that you know about what this creature is!?")

I tried to repress my urge to growl as he called my mother a creature but it slipped out much to his surprise, ("Did you just growl at me?")

My Dam intervened between us. She knew how upset both of us were. But unlike my Sire just felt indifferent about Humans, she believed that if Dragons left humans alone then they would do the same. But she spoke, ("After 5 season cycles my mate please let him explain himself there must be a reason why he would bring one to our island.")

My Sire was looking back and forth between me and my mother, ("Fine tell me Little one why did you bring...her here? You know how I feel about Scaleless.")

I looked back at my mother who was scared because I believe she thought that I and Sire were fighting. I smiled at her and looked back at my other family, ("The reason I came back to this island was to see you all again. I have missed you all greatly but the reason why this...scaleless is here is that I wanted to introduce my real Dam to you all.")

The room was silent as everyone was staring at my mother. She looked at me with a concerned look but I tried to reassure her that everything was fine with a smile.

But suddenly my brother in the back was laughing and both my sister and Dam looked at me with pity. But what was worse was my Sire looking disappointed and growled at me, ("Not this nonsense again. I thought you grew out of it and accepted that we were you a new family.")

("I have accepted that you all were my new family. I never told you how I felt about my previous family, but I'm telling you the truth now. This is my real Dam, the person who gave birth to me.")

My Sire was still irritated, ("You are a Kin she is a Scaleless she is not related to you. If she is the Dam that you told us of then she is the one who stole your egg and raised you when you were hatched to believe that you were one of them but you are not.")

Before I could respond my Dam walked past me towards my mother. Both my mother and I were scared and Thunder was protecting her but she said out loud, ("I'm not going to harm her I just wanted to get a closer look. If this is the one who you said that raised you then I just want to see something.")

She went closer towards my mother and inspected her top to bottom. My mother did slightly back away from her. After a few moments my Dam went to my Sire's side, ("Little one...she may have been nice to you before you met us, but no matter what you say or what you believe she is not your Dam. You don't even smell anything like her. The only thing you two have in common is your eye color but that is it.")

My brother was still laughing in the background, ("He still believes that he was a Two-leg before he met us!")

My sister slapped him with her tail.

I couldn't take it anymore. I know that they didn't believe me before, they would always put it off to the side or ignore it. But today they would listen, ("I can prove to you after all these years I wasn't lying about my past. And I can prove that this scaleless is my birth Dam.")

That got everyone's attention, my brother stopped laughing and looked over at me curiously as did my sister and Dam. But Sire just sighed and said sarcastically, ("Really now? How are you going to prove that female scaleless is your Dam? Did you bring your Sire? Is he a Kin that mated with this scaleless?")

("No, my Sire is also a scaleless...a ruthless one at that. But I can prove it as long as you promise not to hurt her or me Sire.")

He was somewhat confused when I said that, ("You're starting to irritate me so I will hold no guarantee for your safety but as long as that scaleless doesn't do anything threatening I and the other's will not harm her.")

I smile nervously, ("She's just going to give me something then I'll prove to you all that I'm not crazy.")

Thunder then interjected, ("You are crazy but your not a liar.")

("Not now please just let me do this ok?") I whispered to her.

("Tell me little how are you going to make her give you something?") Sire asked.

I face him and said, ("I'm not going to make her I'm going to ask her if she could.")

("How? Scaleless cannot understand us.")

("I can speak scaleless or what we call the human language.") I said.

My Sire only sighed again, ("That not possible we kin cannot communicate with scaleless.")

I looked at him for just a moment then turned around to see my mother, "Hey mother."

She peeks out from behind Thunder, "Yes Ronde? Is it safe for me to come out?"

I nodded, "They promise that they would not harm you. But could you do me a favor and hand me a cover in your bag?"

"Yeah sure."

My Sire and Dam were confused that I and my mother were communicating. They were even more surprised when she handed me the cover but my Sire spoke out, ("Ok I was wrong about not being able to talk to them I thought that was impossible but that doesn't prove that she is your Dam. It just proves that you spend a lot of time trying to learn how to talk to one of them.")

I nodded my head, ("That wasn't to prove that she was my Dam. You've known for a long time that I could understand scaleless when those trespassers came to our island. But it was to show that she truly trusts and loves me to come near her son next to a family of Kin's that will rip her apart if she makes a wrong move. But Sire, Dam, brother and sister, and little ones this will prove that I was telling the truth all those years ago.")

I slowly changed back to my human self yet just like the other times it was painful. I couldn't hold in a yelp or grunting. My eyes were closed but I could hear everyone gasped at me.

Once the change was complete I fell on the ground naked but my mother went next to me and covered me with the blanket she handed over to me. But I only used it to cover the lower half of my body. I tried to get up but Thunder and my mother went to my side and helped me. Thunder was a little worried about me, ("Are you ok? That the second time I've seen you do that yet you look like your in a lot of pain.")

I looked over at my mother and Thunder, "The pain will die down in a few moments but thank you both for helping me."

Before either could have responded Sire and Dam were closed to us confused and shocked. Neither of them said a word then just got closer to me and sniffed me. Once they had my scent they took a few steps back and looked at each. Unable to comprehend what they just witnessed they continued to look at me and each other until my Dam broke the silence, ("You-you...Little one is that really you?")

I looked at both my mother and Thunder. They knew what to do and let go of me so I could walk towards them. I was struggling to walk but I managed to get in front of her and smile.

She was surprised when I put my hand out in front of her. She looked at me and then my hand, she hesitated at first but allowed me to touch her. In the moment of contact I managed to connect our minds, "Yes it is me Dam."

She was surprised to hear both my voice in her head and out of my mouth, ("Little one...")

I tried to talk again, "This is the only way I can talk to you while I'm like this. And this was the only way to prove to you all that I wasn't crazy or lying about my past when I first arrived here. Now you know why I was so frustrated and angry when you all didn't believe me in the beginning."

Dam actually lowered herself on the ground to wrap herself around me but this was her way to hug me, ("Little one...I'm so sorry, I won't blame you if you hated me for not believing you. It must have been hard for you when you were living with us. Knowing that you were telling the truth when no one believed you yet you thought of me as your Dam yet I was making it so hard for you. Please forgive me.")

I wrap my arms around her neck, "it's ok, Dam tell Sire to come here so I can talk to you both at the same time.

She called over Sire but then he wouldn't move from his spot he was standing at, he was just staring at me. But when Dam yelled at him he slowly approached us but when he got close he didn't even look in my direction. I place my hand around his chin, "So you're mad at me for showing you the truth, Sire?"

I felt him stiffen when he heard my voice in his head but he still didn't do anything, he still refused to look at me. I was starting to be frustrated, "Are you not going to look at me because I'm like this? After all those weeks of telling you that I was a scaleless you didn't believe me and now that I'm showing you that I was telling the truth you refuse to look at me?"

I could feel him getting angry but I couldn't hear his thoughts for some odd reason. "Do you not consider me one of your own anymore? Do I disappoint you? Do you see me as the little kin you raised?"

("I DON'T KNOW!")

Both me and Dam backed away from him, ("I don't know what to think right now! I'm upset with myself because you were telling me the truth yet I made it harder for you. But knowing that you are a scaleless I don't know how to feel!")

"Sire."

("They killed my siblings my Sire and Dam and I had to watch it happen without being able to do anything. When I found a mate and started my own family I promised that I would make sure that they wouldn't go through the same thing as me. But when the scaleless destroyed our nest and killed our queen all of our kin were free but most of them foolishly decided to go back to the scaleless lands yet those that were smart came to this island. We were at peace for 5 season cycles then you came along. A hatchling claiming to be a scaleless.")

I looked down at the ground unable to say anything. Even if I could he couldn't understand me because I needed to touch him.

("You were strange, yet I thought that was because you lived your entire life with scaleless. But you were very intelligent for a Kin you're age. And after a while of being together I did consider you as one of my offspring even though you did not come from me. But now I just don't know how to feel. I don't hate you but...I don't know how to feel about you.")

I still couldn't change back. I wanted to talk to him as a dragon to make him more comfortable but my body still needed time to recover. I decided to walk closer to him and place my hand on his chin, "If that's how you feel then I can't stop you. if you no longer see me as one of your own...then that's the way it has to be. But know this I still consider you my Sire, you helped me grow into a better person. You helped me get over my issues over my home. Even if you didn't I still feel warm when I'm around you, Dam and your offspring and it makes me happy to see you all."

I put my arm down from his chin and when I did we stared at each other for just a moment. But when it passed he looked away from me. I just turned around towards my mother and walked next to her. She didn't say anything but placed her hand over my shoulder. I looked back at my other family. Dam was next to Sire talking to him while looking back and forth between him and me. My sibling looked like they wanted to say something but stood their ground.

But my mother, Thunder, and I just walked outside of the cave. I felt like I was just disowned by Sire for telling the truth. I wanted to cry but I was looking at the positive. I still had my mother and the others to support me.

My mother must had noticed my facial expression because she leaned down to held my sholder, "You ok son?"

I nodded, "Yeah I think so. Let's get back to the others and figure out what we should do next."

As I was about to tell Thunder to take us to the ship something tackled me on my side and I fell on the ground. When I looked up to see what had hit me to my surprise it was my Sire who was nuzzling me.

I tried to get up because he held me down to the ground, that was when I felt his sadness, ("Little one please forgive me. My hatred for scaleless has made me blind to see you for what you are. You are my Kin no matter what you look like or what you are, you make me feel warm. You are my offspring.")

He was beginning to smother me so I tried to push him off. He was confused until I wasn't breathing as much so he released me. "My skin is not as hard as scales so you could have crushed me! But thank you Sire I thought that you didn't want to see me anymore."

He got closer to me, ("It wasn't that, you will always be close to me but all of this was just too much for me. And I felt guilty for making things harder for you. You told me all those stories about you being scaleless just made me angry and sad. But now I knew it was all true it just made me angry and I place that anger on this situation can I see now thanks to your Dam that I was wrong.")

I smiled, "I can understand the reason Sire, if scaleless told me that he was a kin I would be skeptical too. That's why when I was younger I decided just to not talk about it anymore I just accepted what was and what can be. But it makes me very happy to know that you can accept me like this."

He nuzzled me again. But after that, my mother was behind me. I felt Sire stiffen just a little bit but didn't do anything. She spoke, "I can assume that you made up?"

I nodded.

She looked at Sire and back behind him at the entrance with Dam and her children. She looked back at me, "Ronde if these are the dragons that raised you could you do me a favor and tell them something for me?"

"Yes I could try, would you like for everyone to hear or just the parents?"

"The parents then you can tell the others." She said.

I then wave my arms to get Dam's attention much to her confusion. She walked over towards me and I placed both my hands on each one of my dragon parents, "My Dam wants to tell you two something but I'll have to translate ok?"

They were both confused but they gave me their attention, I looked back at my mother and nodded. She spoke while I was translating for her, "Tell them that I said thank you for taking care of my son and I apologize if I have caused them any trouble. Please also tell them that our people have accepted dragons into our society and homes if they want to visit you while you are in Afri. The last thing is that our people have done many terrible things to dragons but we are making it up to them. But I apologize for everything that has happened between our groups," when I was done translating to my and everyone else's surprised she bowed to them.

I didn't think she would do that to a dragon.

All of a sudden my Sire walked in front of her. I was scared but my Dam had something of a smile on her face. My mother was slightly scared but then Sire lower himself towards her and nuzzled her. (Well more like rub his face against hers once but it still shocks me that he did that.)

When he finished he walked away from her, ("You're lucky your my Little one's Dam and have respect for us otherwise I wouldn't have done that.")

I walked towards her and she was a little happier than she was a moment ago, "That Dragon did scare me but he seems nice if you're on his good side."

I laughed, "More than you know but he's a good father."

When I said that her smile somewhat got smaller, "Ronde...maybe you should stay here for another few hours."

I was completely shocked that she told me, "Why don't you want us to go back together?"

"Yes I do, but this could be your last time seeing this family for a while. You and I can spend plenty of time together when we get home, maybe even more time if you decide to stay. But you won't see this family unless you're free, plus you told me it has been a while since you've seen them. I can wait until you come back ok, so just spend some time with them then come back when you're ready. But don't be too late."

I hugged her, "Thank you mom, I'll be back soon. I'll tell Thunder to drop you off."

She hugged me back and kissed me on my forehead. I told Thunder to drop off my mom on my ship and she told me that she would be back after she was done. They flew off towards the forest.

Sire and Dam looked confused until I told them what was going on. I also told them that I would change back into a dragon in a few minutes then tell them what had happened to me ever since I left this island.

Thunder

I don't know why I'm getting stressed over watching my partner explaining himself to his false Sire and Dam. I guess I feel bad for him but this is new for me, caring for someone else, especially a Two-leg. But he's very special, he can understand otherkin and he's helping me find a mate. Throughout these travels I found more potential mates then the last few season cycles but none of them are worth my time. I was thinking about that male spike tail but when he laughed at my partner I wanted to rip his tail off.

I just hope that my partner's home is full of good potential mates and kin for me.

I saw the wooden water walker or what my partner calls a SH-ip and landed on it. Once I did my partner's Dam got off my back and looked around for the others. I believe that they were inside of this thing. But once she finished she said something to me but I couldn't understand everything she said but a few words, "take-care-of-son."

After all those times my partner was talking to me I was listening to what he was saying in my head and what he was speaking. I can understand a few Two-Legs words but I quickly nodded at her and flew off towards the cave where my partner was.

Ronde

It had only been a few minutes since my mother and Thunder left. I was a dragon again talking to my Sire and Dam about the 5 years after I left. They were shocked and glad that I was ok.

("Wow little one it is incredible that you're alive and experience so much. And you met a king that taught you how to change back and forth.") My mother said.

("Yes but I recently discovered that he died in a battle and the one who defeated him was also defeated by a kin on this island.")

Both my adopted parent's eyes were wide, ("There's a new king on this island? Why hasn't he made his presence known?") My Sire asked.

("Because we're leaving this island tomorrow plus I believe he will protect those that need it or those within his nest.") I explain.

Before they had a chance to respond Thunder flew within the cave. Once she landed she walked over to my side, ("Your Dam is with the others on your SH-ip.")

I nuzzled her, ("Thank you Thunder I really appreciate it.")

("It is fine.") She responded back.

My Sire made a noise to get our attention, ("So, you...Thunder is what my offspring calls you. What are you to him? Are you his mate?")

I could feel my scales turned into a crimson red when he said that. Why do people think we're together!? I tried to respond, ("She, not my...! We're not-")

I couldn't finish before Thunder cut me off, ("I know that he's a male and I'm a female but we are not mates. I wouldn't dream of mating with him. He's a Two-leg and that wouldn't be very warm. He's my nestmate. I see him as close kin but never as far as that. I do want a mate but your offspring is not the one for me.")

My Sire smiled, ("I like the way you think.")

At that moment I didn't know if I should be happy because she didn't want to become anything more than friends, hurt because she is the first female dragon to reject me or angry at the fact that my Sire was happy about her rejecting me!

("Sire she just said she doesn't want me as a mate yet you're glad about that? Don't you want me to have one?") I asked.

He looks shocked, ("No that is not what I mean. I want you to find one but she knows that you're a Two-leg, our kind should not be together as mates.")

("You're not helping your case Sire. I'm am both kin and Two-leg, yet it still sounds like you don't want me to have a female kin as a mate.")

("That's not what I mean little one!")

I began laughing because I knew what he meant but I was joking the whole time, ("It's fine Sire I know what you mean and I understand. Right now I'm not trying to impress any female kin I, however, I do have...someone...in...mind.")

'I couldn't believe I just noticed now.'

Sire noticed my facial expression, ("Oh no I know that look you are either going to do something crazy or you just got an idea what is it?")

'How the hell could I have forgotten!? Her island is not far from here. I could see her, I could see Kindle again! At my top speed I could be there within 30 minutes.'

("Little one!")

I snapped out of my thoughts and looked over at Sire, ("I'm sorry I was just thinking about something. No need to worry Sire.")

He looks at me very closely to see if I was lying, ("Are you sure everything is ok?")

I nodded once more

("Ok then, please tell us more about your adventures.")

After several minutes of explaining my story to my adopted family we all decided to eat within the cave. Sire had brought plenty of food for everyone however I didn't eat much, I needed to figure out how I can sneak off the island without letting the others know. My best bet was to sleep on the top floor when everyone is asleep.

Once we were done eating I hugged and nuzzled my family. I told them if they wanted to see me I would be at my home at the biggest house there. My Sire looked like he didn't like the idea of coming to a human village but my Dam had considered the idea. After we all said our goodbyes I flew towards my ship. Once I landed I noticed there was food and fish everywhere on my deck. When I went inside to see what happened Fishlegs told me that the other dragons of the island dropped off this food for Toothless. But it looked like everyone was ready to go to bed. If I remember correctly there are about 5 to 6 floors on this ship, there are plenty of rooms for everyone even our dragons and then some. But this is a warship the dragons will have to sleep within cages at the bottom and the others will have to sleep in small rooms.

Fishlegs also told me that there will be a discussion tomorrow about what we're going to do next but he was too tired to explain and walk in his room. There was enough room in the hallway for me to move around if I slightly crawled. But right now I am pretending to be asleep in waiting for everyone else to go inside their rooms.

When I heard snoring from multiple directions within the ship I got up and began walking towards the latch on the ceiling. I tried my best to be as quiet as possible, the latch did make a squeaking noise but it wasn't that loud. I quickly went up towards the deck and stretched my whole body and looked towards the sky.

My best guess is that it's late at night but people still should be up. There should be enough time before her village people go to sleep, it was way darker than this before she had to go home.

I was preparing to take flight until I heard someone behind me.

"Ronde? What are you doing this late?"

I almost screamed because it surprised me that someone was behind me. I turned around to see who it was and to my surprise it was Astrid of all people.

She stared at me, "I saw you move out of the hallway, I thought you were planning on sleeping on top of the ship so I was going to tell you that we had more rooms for you to stay in. But now it looks like you're trying to sneak out. What are you doing?"

I tried to think of an excuse but I soon realized that she could tell if I was lying or not.

"So you are trying to sneak out but for what? I believe we're going back to your home tomorrow. Are you nervous or something?"

I couldn't take it anymore, "Her island is not that far from here."

Astrid was confused, "Who's island?"

"Kindle's island. I just wanted to see her and maybe speak to her as well."

Astrid looked surprised, "Oh, that's why."

I nodded and looked towards the sky, "I'll be back soon maybe sometime in the morning."

"Ronde," I looked at Astrid, "Remember what I told you? You two may know each other, bonded with one another but I just wanted you to know...please don't get your hopes up. A lot of things could have happened since the last time you've seen each other."

I was putting that idea in the back of my mind but hearing it out loud like that made me worried even more. But I need to confirm it myself since I'm this close. I looked down towards Astrid, "I know but since I'm this close it will bother me the rest of my life if I just don't try. I really do like her so this may be my only opportunity to see her before I go back home."

Astrid just nodded, "I understand but please be careful out there."

I smiled, "Trust me I'm always careful."

I waved her goodbye and flew towards the sky. Once I was at a distance from the island I changed my scales' color to match the sky. I should remember Kindle's scent, there was something unique about it like a flower almost. I increased my speed and headed towards Kindle's island

Half an hour later.

I believe I found it! And from this distance I can still see light from torches and candles across the village. This island was almost similar to Berk, the village was small and maybe took up to 15 percent of the island. The rest was just forest and fields of grass and flowers.

I slowly descended towards the island in a very familiar place. This spot was the field of flowers where I met her the second time. This was her favorite spot, maybe I could find her scent here.

I landed on the ground then adjusted my scales' color again to match the environment. If I remember correctly some scouts patrol around this time, I need to be careful. I got on all fours and sniffed around the area. For several moments I didn't get scents that smelled familiar. At this point I was beginning to worry that finding her was going to be more difficult than I thought.

I was about to go towards the forest but near the entrance, I saw footprints and they looked very recent. But I noticed that there were more than one each of different sizes so they couldn't have come from the same source. I leaned down toward them and sniffed them. By what I'm picking up there are at least 5 people, but there was another smell and it rang an alarm in my head it was Kindle's! But something was off as I was looking down towards the prints they were slightly deep as if she was running.

'She might be endangered!'

I quickly ran through the forest while following the footprints. If she endangers me I will protect her but if it is nothing too major I have to stay back and wait.

Just then I stopped running because I heard something in the distance. They were voices.

"Stop! Please! I don't want to go back to the village!"

That was Kindle's voice! I would recognize it anywhere!

I quickly ran towards the direction of the voices. When I got close enough I hid behind some trees when I saw the situation. There was a girl I believed was Kindle in front of a boy and behind him were 3 other boys smirking and slightly laughing at her.

"Please just let me train. It's the only thing I have left to do that isn't controlled by you! Let me have a choice please!" She yelled.

The boy in front of her snickered, "Now why would I let you do that? You can't become a warrior so why bother? All you need to do is to look pretty and satisfy me Kindle, is that so hard? All those calluses over your hands won't help you become a better wife, if anything they make you unattractive."

'What did he just say!? How dare he!"

"Please just let me have this Valea! It's the only thing that I have left!" She pleaded

I wanted to do something, she looked so distraught I've never seen her like this. What has this village's culture done to you?

The boy walked closer until he was in her face and placed his hand on her chin.

The moment he touched her my anger started to boil over.

The boy named Valea laughs in her face, "Kindle, Kindle, Kindle you will be mine in a few weeks and I will not allow you to do anything like this. There is no point in your training when you're not going to do anything. You are a servant to our village, and you will be mine."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. How dare he talk to her like she is some sort of object for him to have!

The next thing that happened didn't shock me as much but it was much faster than I was expecting. Kindle slapped the boy hard across his face and he stumbled back.

Valea looked surprised and held his nose and when he looked down towards his hand he noticed that there was blood. I felt my anger washed away when she stood up for herself.

The other 3 boys were about to go attack her and I prepared myself to intervene whenever they got too close, but then Valea held them back and looked over to Kindle and smiled, "Well now I do like this side of yourself. That fire in your spirit, I like it when it shows."

He walked up towards her and grinned, "Do you know why? It's because I love it when I put the fire out to show you your place!"

I couldn't believe it he slapped her across the face so hard that she fell over.

"You need to know your place Kindle. You are mine whether you like it or not and when it's time I will make sure you won't have any time to train and only spend time with me."

I felt my anger getting a hold of me and I wanted him to pay! I grabbed the tree I was next to and scraped my claws against it and growled very loudly.

The other Boys had heard me, "Hey you heard that? I think there is a wolf or something out there."

"Yeah come on Valea we need to go anyway it's getting late. Leave her, she'll come around eventually realizing there's nothing she can do to change her fate."

The other 3 boys ran but Valea stayed to look at Kindle, "You know I don't like hitting you but someone needs to tell you that you can't change your fate by yourself. This dream of you becoming a warrior is blasphemous. It will never happen for you or any other female on this island. Our clan needs balance and you females are the key to that. But do not stay here I don't want that pretty face of yours to be mauled by wolves, you know where to find me."

He ran off towards the forest. I had an urge to chase him but the sound of crying brought me back into my senses. I looked over to see Kindle crying on the ground. Once I knew that it was just me and her in the area I quickly ran towards her.

When I noticed her clothes, she had on a green skirt with a shield on her back and her pants were a purplish pink made of some sort of fabric that was very noticeable. I couldn't see her face but she had brown hair with long dreads in the front of her hair while the back was completely straight.

But when I went next to her she didn't even look up at me. She was still crying and said, "Go away please..."

She must think that I'm one of those boys, I need to get her attention.

I exhaled through my nose and because of that a slight growled escape. But she slowly looked up at me. I saw her beautiful brown eyes staring at my own. She has grown from the last time I've seen her but I can still recognize that face...her beautiful face.

But the moment was gone she screamed and cautiously backed away from me, "What the hell a dragon!?"

I was surprised that she was scared, I just stared at her while she was back up towards a tree. Maybe it was my size? I did grow a lot since the last time I've seen her.

She just stared at me, waiting for me to do something but I never moved. I was also staring at her. Then her eyes widened, "Wait a minute...it can't be."

She got up from the tree and slowly walked towards me, "Y-You can't be that dragon, you're way too big."

I stood up on my two legs and stared at my stomach. Was she calling me fat? No, duh she is talking about my size.

"No way you are that dragon aren't you? That one I met in the woods?"

I looked at her and I nodded, I didn't want to speak right away, it was just too early.

She wiped away your tears and ran towards me, she was looking for a place to hug but because of my size, it was difficult without it being awkward so I leaned forward and she hugs me around my head. When she did I felt my heart racing of excitement.

Once she was done hugging me she backed away to get a better look, "Wow it's been almost 5 years hasn't it? And you've grown so much. What was your name again? I remember you had a name, you gave me that piece of wood with it on it but my grandfather had to read it for me...oh! It's Ronde isn't it?"

I felt even more excited, she remembered my name even after all these years! I bobbed my head up and down like an excited child.

She began rubbing my face, "It's really good to see you again. I'm surprised you remember me but we did spend those weeks together. Those days were fun," But then she looked up at me with saddened eyes, "You saw those men messing with me didn't you?"

I tried holding back a growl but it slipped and she saw how frustrated I was, "It's ok I'm glad you didn't interfere, they would have told the other villagers of your presence and we wouldn't be having this conversation right now. Or probably you would have just killed them but if I remember correctly you don't like to kill you big softy."

I was a bit embarrassed but I was wondering what I should do now should I talk to her now? No it's still too soon I need to find a way to slowly ease into talking to her; but how?

I had an idea! I slowly leaned down towards the ground, she was confused until I gestured to her to get on my back, "Wait you want me to get on your back? Are we going flying just like old times?"

I nodded and she quickly got on my back and held on to one of my spikes on my back, "Ok, I think I'm good. I'm really whenever you are."

I looked towards the sky and slowly flapped my wings to ascent, 'Ok take this nice and slowly, tried to impress her then say how you truly feel about her."

I adjusted my color to match the sky so just in case someone from her village saw us. We flew away from the village towards the clouds up above. Based on what she's wearing she shouldn't get too cold, I flew even higher to the point where she could touch the clouds, I decided to change my scales color back to normal. When I turned around to see what she was doing she had her right hand out touching the vapor and had a smile on her face, "This is amazing," she said out loud.

Seeing her smile I wonder if I can make it even more amazing, I got it!

I flew even higher above the clouds much to her surprise, "Wait what are you doing?" She asked very concerned.

Out of the mist of clouds was a sight that I haven't seen in a very long time. The dark blue sky is illuminated by thousands of stars. They were not as bright as the ones near Berk in my opinion but that lets me know that I travel far across this world. And to top it all off the moon was fully sharing its light to this sight, this atmosphere is very calming and beautiful.

"Wow this is beautiful Ronde thank you for showing me this," she said amazed while patting my neck..

I looked back at her. She looked so beautiful in the moonlight and happy. Maybe I won't talk to her now. I'll let her enjoy this for a little while longer and when we get back to her island I'll try to find the right moment to speak.

We flew around for the next few minutes. I didn't want to do fancy twirls or any tricks we're just enjoying this calm sight. After a while she patted my back to get my attention, "I think I'm ready to get down now. It's getting a little cold up here."

I nodded and went back towards her island. When we got there I landed near the field of flowers and lowered myself to the ground so she could climb off. Once she did she looked very happy and twirled around the field, "I will never get used to that feeling of flying, it's almost like the feeling of weightlessness and freedom," she turned around to look at me, "Sometimes I do envy you. You have the ability to go wherever you want and experience life outside the place you were born."

I looked away from her out of guilt. If only she knew that I felt the same way when I looked at dragons when I was younger. But when I became one and learned how to use this body, that was when I learned about freedom.

I looked down towards her, I started to wonder was this the perfect moment to speak to her? Perhaps, she may freak out for a moment and fell off my back and I'll have to catch her but she knows I won't harm her.

I took a deep breath

But before I had a chance to speak, Kindle said, "Anyway I did enjoy the flight but I have to go now. I have to work the early shift tomorrow and if I'm late for my next payment for my home I'll have to live with that scumbag and I don't want that. I'm not sure if you're staying here but if you're not this is goodbye. I hope to see you again but I doubt it the way my life is going."

She walked closer to me and hugged me around my arm. She looked deep into my eyes and back away. I saw a tiny tear coming out from her eyes, "Farewell my dragon friend,"

She was walking away, away from me towards her village just to be unhappy again. No I can't let her go just yet! I need to express myself and tell her how I feel.

"Please don't go..."

She stopped walking and turned around facing me, "D-did you just...no I'm hearing things."

I was too nervous to look her in the eyes so I just stared down at her feet, "No you are not..."

Once again she surprised me by her reaction, instead of backing away she came closer to me, "D-Dragon? Are you...?"

I found the courage to finally look her in the eye, "Hi Kindle."

I have never seen another human being back away so fast in my life, she back away from me at least 10 feet away from me. The only thing that stopped her was a tree, "Oh by the ancestors! A talking dragon!? How is this possible!? How are you talking!? Why are you talking!? Why are you talking to me!? If you could have talked before why didn't you!?"

I tried to speak, "Please calm down I will answer all of your questions but could you give me a moment to explain...please."

She was slowly walking towards me but she still looks frightened so I said, "I'm still the same dragon that you met 5 years ago. I promise I am no threat to you, I just want to talk."

"It's the fact that you can talk about freaking me out. I knew that you could understand everything I said before but this...this is just strange."

I slightly smiled and moved towards the edge of the cliff, "I know but this way we can talk to each other right?"

She walked through the field and was slowly calming down, "I guess that's true but I just need a second to get used to this."

"I understand, please sit next to me whenever you're ready," I said while patting at the ground next to me.

I guess she was a little more comfortable with me speaking after a few moments so she walked up on my side and sat down next to me. She stared up to look me in my eyes but then she looked over towards the ocean.

I decided to be the first to speak, "Do you remember this spot when we first met?"

She didn't respond; she just continued staring out at the open ocean. I was a little nervous and wondered why she wasn't responding.

But then she spoke, "How could I ever forget that day. The day I befriended a dragon that could understand me and wanted to listen to me."

Before I could respond she asked, "Now that you can talk I want to know why did you spare me?"

"Because I saw the fear in your eyes, a young girl trying to prove herself yet had not experienced life to its fullest. Plus I'm not a killer. I just wanted to scare you but you pulled out those Bolas to tie my feet together. You were one brave girl and even now you're a very brave woman. I'm sorry I couldn't stop those guys from harming you. But once I saw that guy slap you I was afraid I was going to do something I might regret but I knew you needed to be next to someone that could cheer you up."

I noticed she looked at her left hand and grabbed her wrist with her right but she looked up at me, "How are you able to talk to me?"

I quickly answered, "I could technically always talk though you couldn't understand me but the reason for that was I couldn't adjust my vocal muscles so everything I said back then was indecipherable to you. But I learned how to adjust it so now you could understand me. I wanted to learn to speak so I could talk to you.

She was a little shocked, "You learn to speak just so you could just talk to me?"

This is it, just tell her Ronde. Tell her how she makes you feel.

I looked down at her, "I wanted to tell you that...you make me feel happy whenever I'm around you. Before I met you I felt like I needed something in my life but I couldn't find out what it was. But when we met something in my heart it began to fill the more we spent time together. The more you laughed and smiled the happier I got. I love seeing that beautiful smile of yours and hearing your voice. But it makes me sad that you live in these conditions with people who look down on you," I looked away from her and looked towards the sky.

"Unlike these men I don't see you as a trophy, I see you as someone who fights for her dreams to be something beyond the standard of her tribe. Those weeks we spent together playing, training, flying, and talking to one another were the most exciting times in my life. Just seeing you smile and happy made me want to do more to help you achieve your dreams. I want to help you and give you the happiness you deserve. I really do like you so I was wondering if you..."

I looked down to see her covering her face away from me with her hand and she was making some sort of noise. For just a moment I thought she was laughing but I looked closer and saw a tiny tear going down on the side of her face.

After a while, she calmed down and looked towards the ocean, "It all makes sense, back then the last time I saw you before you left the island you kissed me across my cheek. I thought it was you were trying to copy me when I kissed you on your snout but in the back of my head I knew it was something more. Yet you are the second male that has said something nice to me like that, the other was my father."

She stood up and looked at me but the way she was concerning me, "Y-You...I..."

She looked conflicted, "I'm sorry but it cannot happen between us Dragon. It is impossible not because I don't want to but it wasn't meant to be. Maybe in another life, it could have happened but this is reality I can't."

I felt my soul being crushed as those words exited her mouth. At that moment I didn't know what to do.

She noticed my facial expression and called out to me, "Dragon look."

I looked over and saw her place her hand out in front of me, that when I noticed something that scared me.

Kindle spoke, "You are very intelligent but do you know what this is?"

I looked closer just to make sure I wasn't imagining what I was looking at on her finger but the more I look at it the more upset I became, "It's...an engagement ring..."

She looked down towards the ground, "Yes it is, I have to marry the man you saw slap me in 2 weeks."

That infuriated me to the point I almost roared out loud, "Why him!? Out of all the people of your village why...?"

It came to me at that moment, the one reason why she would and it sickened me, "It's an arranged marriage isn't it?"

She looked surprised, "You are very knowledgeable I'm surprised you know what that is but yes, I didn't have a choice. It was either that or banishment."

I wanted to cry right then and there and she didn't deserve this no one does.

She looked up at me, "I wish we could be together. You seem like a very nice creature but this is impossible. You are a dragon I am a human it would never last or work out. One day if we were to grow attached to one either I would like to have children of my own but can a dragon and a human bare a child together? I don't want to be the first to find out. And where would we go? To a dragon den? I need to live around people, I need structure and order in my life. but I wish we could be together, my dragon friend but this was not meant to be we are just too different and come from different worlds. I wish you luck and I hope you find the right one and I'm sorry that you learn to talk for nothing."

She placed a hand on me but let go and walked away from me.

Wait but I could...

"Kindle wait!" I yelled.

She turned around but didn't say anything.

'I understand why she would say that, a dragon that she knew a long time ago that is suddenly speaking to her telling her that it wants to be in a relationship is a little weird. But maybe if I show her my human self maybe things could change.'

"What if it could?" I asked.

She looked confused, "What are you talking about?"

"What if I...we can be together? I know away but if that doesn't work out I could at least take you to a place that would give you the structure you were talking about."

I don't know how she pulled it off but she looked curious and frustrated at the same time, "Oh and how are you going to do that? What are you going to do? Turn me into a dragon?"

I laughed, "No I can..."

Wait a second I wonder if that's even possible? Since I'm going back home I wonder if grandma could do what she did to me and do it to her? No, I wouldn't want to put her through that.

Kindle was getting annoyed, "You can what dragon? I'm not trying to be rude but I don't have time for you trying to impress me with some sweet talk."

"I'm sorry, I know of a place where people and dragons are together in one nation where you can live there. But you don't have to give me a chance but if I could change into a human...would you come with me?"

"Dragon, it was hard to believe that you can talk but you expect me to believe that you can turn human?"

I slightly laugh, "But would you? Like I said before you don't need to be with me but the least I can do is to get you off this island so you can experience true independence and freedom. I believe I owe you at least that."

She rolled her eyes. I miss this sassy side of herself, "It's very tempting but I don't know but I wanted to see this 'Human' you say that you can turn into. Make my day dragon."

I shrugged, "Ok," I slowly changed back, based on the pain I might be able to change back one or two more times after that I might pull or tear something.

After I finished changing I tried to shake off the pain and stand up, I saw Kindle with a very confused expression, "I'm sorry this takes a lot out of me. You're probably wondering how this is possible for a dragon to turn into a human. Well the truth is I wasn't always a dragon, I was human before..."

I noticed how the Kindle was just staring at me weirdly and I was confused why. But when I looked closer towards her I noticed she was blushing.

"Kindle why are you...?" I soon realized why she was blushing when a cold breeze hit me, I was completely naked. I quickly hid within some of the bushes to cover myself.

"I'm so sorry you didn't need to see that! I got distracted when I saw you and I completely forgot I needed clothes!"

She was still staring at me while blushing. But then she looked away while twirling her hair nervously, "It's uh fine...I didn't expect you to...looked like that..and your uh...well area down there."

I was completely embarrassed this was her first time seeing me like this and I blew it, "I think I'm going to leave in a few minutes. I understand if you want to stay here. I'm sorry for wasting your time."

After I found a leaf big enough to cover myself I walked out the bush. But suddenly Kindle grabbed my shoulder. I turned around surprised and we locked eyes towards one another. After a while, I began to blush. She was too but she said, "Is it really possible for you to take me with you?"

I was excited but confused, "You want to go with me? I know that you don't like your... fiance but what about your family and friends?"

"They died in a coup, some of our people didn't like the way our leader was handling our tribes so we staged a coup. My parents died in the middle and my fiance father took the mantle of our chief and forced me to marry his son after he asked him about me. That's why I'm paying my house off so I don't need to live with him for as long as I can. But now you're offering me freedom away from this place. I will gladly go with you. And maybe I...we can talk ok?"

I was shocked to hear about her parents, "Ok, but you'll have to give me a few minutes I can't change back and forth constantly."

She nodded, "That fine, it gives me plenty of time to gather my stuff and fake my death."

She was going to do what now?

She let go of my shoulder, "I'll be back in a few minutes this shouldn't take too long ok. Not trying to rush you but what I'm about to do I need to get off this island immediately. I can meet you back here."

I nodded and she ran back towards her village.

In a way I'm excited that she's coming with me. But I know in a way she is just using me to get off this island. But it's fine she probably doesn't like me the same way I like her but no one deserves what she's going through. Plus I promised myself I would get her off this island and that is what I'm going to do. I just hope she has a happy life wherever her choice takes her.

A few minutes later.

It was painful but I've changed back into my Chimera dragon body but I don't think I will be able to change again for a while. I just waited for Kindle to return from her village, I just hope she packs light.

Suddenly I heard a noise coming from the forest and I cautiously hid and waited to see who it was. But it was just Kindle carrying a small bag and next to her shield that was on her back was an ax. She was wondering where I was with a very concerned look, "Dragon, I mean Ronde are you there?"

I revealed myself out of my cover, "Yes, but are you really leaving?"

"Yes, everything I loved about this place is gone now I wish to start fresh."

I nodded and lowered myself to the ground, she quickly climbed on once I knew she had a grip. I flew off the island and headed back to my ship.

"Hey Ronde, do you know if the place you said that has dragons and people have a trading place or a pawnshop?" Kindle asked.

I tried to think, "I believe so, both in fact. Why do you ask?"

"Because I believe the best way to start a new life and disrespect my ex-fiance is to sell the ring he gave me. This is pure gold my friend so with the money I can get with this I can buy a new home where both of us can live."

I felt my heart racing when she said to both of us but I needed to tell her my lineage, "Kindle you can sell the ring so you can have a start but I believe I have the house thing covered."

She looked surprised, "Oh, do you own a house?"

Oh boy this is going to be a little hard to explain and believe, "Well let's just say it's a big house. I have a story to tell you while we're flying. Is that ok with you?"

She patted my back, "Sure, I'm all ears."

So let's start slowly, "Well I'm sort of a prince."

"I'm sorry you're what now?"

As we were flying I told her parts of my origins, my family, my adventures, and the Dragon Riders. I also told her about the journey we were about to take, going back to my home.

---

I apologize for the long wait, this chapter was supposed to come out during the summertime but I've just been distracted dealing with life and now preparing to go back to school. The good news is as I said before chapter 25 is done but chapter 26 is...not quite done yet. As I said before my previous chapters I don't know why I do this to myself but this is my longest chapter I wrote this far and right now it is over 26000 words and they're still a portion I need to get done which might be another 5000 words. I have a beta reader looking at chapter 25. We're working on it together but chapter 26 it's probably going to be a little while before I post that long chapter. Oh and I should have said this in the between chapters the upcoming chapters are going to be focused on Ronde and Kindle more than the other characters not saying they're not going to be there it's just the focus will shift.

Also some good news this is the first week school for me and the good news is I only have to do one online meeting for 3 hours on a particular day so what that means is now that I have a schedule once I get my assignment I'm going to finish them today I received them and then work on the chapters after I finished for the remainder of the week before I get my next assignment. So what I'm trying to say is my progress is going to increase more than what it was last year before this pandemic. But anyway be safe wash your hands and wear a mask. I'll see you guys either next chapter or another update chapter.

The last thing is that there's an image that was created for this particular chapter on my DeviantART account if you want to check it out the link is in my profile. (No this image is not the reason why the chapter took so long to come out.) I started working on the image after the chapter was finished. But that's the update once I and a beta reader are done with chapter 25 I will try my best to post it immediately if everything sounds fluid enough. But once again I apologize for this chapter taking so long to come out. I'm still trying to finish this story so I can work on the prequel which I have big plans for then after that I have to work on my comic which I am very excited and terrified to work on but that's the update.