Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Wings of Fire or the story of Dinosaur, only how the story goes. The characters from Wings of Fire belongs to Tui T. Sutherland and the story of Dinosaur belongs to Disney. The only thing that I do own are the OC's of the story. I apologize for any errors in grammar and/or if I was not accurate in reference to something.

A/N: The group finds an abandoned Dune as they continue onward after the herd. Plus, with a storm looming coming their way, they'll need to find shelter.

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Chapter Nine: Making Friends and Finding Shelter

The group had greatly fallen behind the herd and could only see their tracks to know which way they went. Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled overhead. They were now walking through a canyon with jagged rock walls. As they were walking, Baylene began to feel sore from walking, not too mention she felt uncomfortable as she took a step, "Oh, joy. Blisters on my feet."

"I've got blisters on my blisters." Meatlug groaned as she continued walking. Yar shook his head as he started, "Well, you all don't wanna know where I got blisters."

The three Scavengers looked to him with weirded out looks. But before anymore could be said, a loud roar echoed through the canyon. Everyone looked around as they didn't know what it could be. Feeling really afraid, Meatlug questioned, "What in the world was that?"

"It sounded like it came from up ahead." Baylene said as she looked to where the roar came from. Zini then asked, "Okay, easy you guys. What's the worst thing it could be?"

"A wyvern." Suri fearfully guessed as she clung to her uncle. She then hugged Zini tightly and he then asked, "Okay, what's the second-worst thing that it could possibly be?"

"Two wyverns!" Baylene shouted in fright. She shook her head at the thought, "Oh!"

"That's it!" Meatlug shouted as she turned around. Wanting to get as far away from the noise she said, "I'm outta here! Goodbye!"

"Oh, my goodness!" Baylene said before turning to follow her friend. But Clay tried to calm them by saying, "Everybody, stop!" Looking in the direction of the roar he said, "We don't know for sure what it could be yet." Then he suggested with a shrug, "It could be the herd.

"Come on, let's check it out." Clay said as they all carefully crept forward. Baylene stayed as low as she could, but couldn't help but mutter, "Oh, my goodness. Goodness gracious."

They crept around the rocks and Clay was able to peak around. What he saw didn't scare him, but it did surprise him. An injured Dune was slowly walking up the path, trying to regain some strength through rest. The injured Sandwing let out a huff as he shakily pulled himself along. When the others looked, they all gasped and Meatlug said, "Oh, it's Dune." She shook her head and said, "Man, he looks like he's seen better days."

"And it appears that we weren't the only ones left behind." Baylene said as she looked at the Sandwing with sympathy. Dune let out a groan of pain before laying down. Clay decided to go and see if he needed help. Baylene, Meatlug and Toothless were hesitant to follow. Dune took in deep breathes as he could only feel pain through his body, his foreleg especially.

"What happened to him?" Clay said as they came up next to the Sandwing. Meatlug recognized the markings and a little scent, "Wyverns did most of the work." But looking down at his forelimb she said, "But more than likely, he did that to himself." Then she fearfully suggested, "We should keep moving."

"We can't just leave him here." Plio argued, not wanting to leave anyone behind. But Meatlug didn't share the same thoughts as she walked and said, "We can if we can move off fast enough."

"Hey, you don't look so good, Dune." Clay said to Dune, wanting to help him, "Let me help you up."

He moved to help Dune to his feet, but the Sandwing just growled, "Save your pity, Mudwing. I just need to get some rest." Then he snarled at Clay, "Now, go and get away from me."

"Suit yourself." Clay said as he and Baylene continued walking. A clap of thunder boomed overhead. Clay looked up and could see that it was about to start raining soon. Lightning flashed overhead and more thunder boomed. A thudding object brings Clay's attention back down to Earth as he looked down with a, "Hmm?"

He saw that Toothless dropped a piece of rock with a point in front of him. The Nightfury panted with excitement as he looked in a certain direction. But when he looked back to Clay, he could see that the Mudwing and his family was still confused by what the Nightfury was wanting. Toothless then moved the piece of he rock to where the pointy end was facing in a certain direction. Then with a snort and a deadpanned look, the Nightfury turned and walked off. When Clay looked down to the rock and then to where Toothless was going, his eyes widened to see that Toothless was guiding them to a cave. Another boom of thunder and a flash of lightning went over them. Clay then looked to Dune and then said, "If you change your mind, Dune, then we'll be in that cave over there."

Clay, Baylene and Meatlug followed after Toothless to the cave, leaving Dune all by his lonesome again. The Sandwing watched them leave before he sighed in shame. The storm was starting as the group made their way inside the cave. They all looked around and saw how dark, peaceful and quiet it was in there. Clay shrugged, "It's dark, but at least it'll keep us dry tonight."

"I like dry." Meatlug said with a nod. The four Scavengers hopped off of Clay's back and took a look around while getting comfortable for the night. Then she shivered a little as she said, "It's mostly the dark part that I'm having trouble with."

Toothless grunted his agreement as they kept walking. Meatlug then accidentally stepped on the Nightfury's tail, making Toothless yelp in pain. Meatlug then quickly said, "Oh, sorry, Toothless." She glanced back and said, "Such a sturdy little thing, ain't he?"

Everyone started laughing a little as she chuckled. Baylene then said, "Ahem. I hate to interrupt such fun times, but it appears that we have a visitor."

Clay looked to the entrance of cave and was a little surprised to see Dune. The injured Sandwing was taking a few shaky steps as he walked. Another clap of thunder boomed overhead and was followed by another flash and another boom of them. Dune was breathing heavy as he was being pelted by the pouring water and it stung his wounds a little. But when he took his next step, Dune groaned in pain and fell to the ground with a plop. Clay quickly made his way back outside to help the ailing dragon. As he exited the cave, Plio watched from her spot as a smile soon adorned her face.

Dune continued to breath heavy as his wounds didn't help but bring pain to him. When Clay stopped in front of him, Dune looked up to the Mudwing. Clay then asked, "So, you going to come in and get dry?"

"What is it with you, Mudwing?" Dune questioned with a hiss. Clay had a smirk as he said, "At least I know enough to get myself out of the rain." Then he said like Dune would, "Now, come on, Dune. Get on your feet."

Though he didn't show it, Dune was somewhat impressed with how Clay could take charge when he needed to. Clay then moved to Dune's side and lent a shoulder to help Dune in case. Dune rose to his feet and started to walk but stumbled a bit. Clay came closer to help him, but Dune just growled at him to keep back and shoved him back. The two dragons then made their way inside the cave. Plio still smiled as she was proud of Clay. The three dragons and the four Scavengers watched as Clay and Dune came inside the dry cave. Clay then suggested to Dune, "Uh, you can lie down with us if you want to, Dune. It's a lot warmer."

Dune just grunted before turning to walk to his own spot. Clay rejoined his friends at their spot and started to lay down. Dune walked over to his spot while Plio sadly watched him go. She looked about and saw something familiar to her and walked over to it. Baylene then said to Clay, "Clay, may I remind you that he's one of them?"

"Well, it's starting to like that he's one of us now." Clay said as he felt sorry for the Sandwing. Dune climbed up a ledge of rocks before laying back down. Dune grunted in pain as he dropped down. Plio came across a plant that was growing along the floor and walls of the cave. Picking one up, she carried it to Dune's ledge. Clay laid down next to Toothless who had flipped himself onto his back. As they laid down, Meatlug then said, "Ahh. Who went and booked this trip, anyway?"

"Ah, you'll be at the nesting grounds soon enough, you guys." Clay said to keep their spirits up. Meatlug then laughed as she said, "Well, when we get there, I plan on giving Sky a piece of my mind."

"You tell him, Meatlug." Clay said with a grin. The sound of Suri's giggling made him look to see her laughing at how silly Toothless. The Nightfury made a funny face as he yawned while trying to sleep. Yar then said, "If I could sleep that deep like that, then I'd be in paradise."

"Honey, if you could sleep that deep like that…" Meatlug commented with a smirk, "Then you'd be dead."

Everyone started laughing from it while Yar gave her a playful glare. Plio walked up to Dune and the Sandwing growled at her to try and scare her away. But it didn't work as Plio was still there. She came closer and said, "This plant grew around many places on our island."

Dune only glared at her, but didn't do anything as she crushed it in her hands. Then with the plant nice and crushed up into a paste, she gently started to apply it while saying, "And it will make you feel a lot better."

Dune grunted in pain when her hand touched one of the wounds on his side. But the effects of the plant eased his pain a little. She finished applying it before wiping off her hands. But before she could rejoin the others, Dune asked, "Why is the Mudwing doing this?" She looked to him and he added, "Pushing them onward with false hope?"

"It's hope that gotten us this far, Dune." Plio said with a nod of her head. Dune still didn't understand Clay as he then asked, "But why doesn't he just let them accept their fate?" He sounded defeated and said, "I've come to accept mine."

"And what is your fate, Dune?" Plio asked, having a feeling it's not as simple as the Sandwing thought. But Dune sounded somewhat sure as he said, "To die here. As is the fate of us all. It's the way that things are."

"Only if you give up on yourself, Dune." Plio argued, knowing that everything has a purpose. Then she told him, "If you choose to die, then that's your choice, not your fate."

Dune just took in a deep breath as he thought her words over and looked down at the group. Seeing as her help was no longer required, Plio then said, "Just rest, Dune. The plant will help you in your rest."

Dune watched her walk down the rocks to get back with her family and friends. Dune then looked down to his side where Plio had applied the paste and could feel that it really did make him feel better. He glanced back at the Scavenger as she soon rejoined her family and friends and laid down next to her adopted son. With another sigh, Dune then thought that being in the company of others would be better than being alone. Silently getting up on his three remaining legs, Dune traveled back down the rocks. Clay slowly opened an eye to see Dune approaching, but was a little surprised when the Sandwing just laid down next to the group. Clay only smiled as he closed his eyes to sleep.

A few hours had passed by and the rain was still pouring heavy on the outside. But the storm wasn't the only thing that the group would be dealing with. Two shadows loomed outside the cave as the wyverns too started seeking shelter from the rain. They both growled as they made their way to the entrance.

The loud footsteps that they made caused a few rocks to jostle a little. It was enough to wake Clay and Dune up. They both looked to see what it was at the entrance and Clay's eyes widened when he saw wyverns for the first time. But before he could make a sound, Dune quietly shushed him, "Shh. Those are definitely the same wyverns that I encountered earlier."

The wyverns were growling and sniffing around to see if there were any scents of prey or enemies in the cave. Clay then quietly asked Dune, "What do we do, Dune?"

"Help me wake up the others." Dune quietly told him. Then he said, "We'll make our way out of the cave."

The two quietly split up to get everyone to safety. Dune walked up to Baylene and Meatlug before carefully nudging them with his tail. When their eyes fluttered open, Dune quickly shushed them and they got the message. Clay had already woken his family and now nudged Toothless awake. But when he saw the wyverns, he let out a startled cry which Clay tried to stop by pressing his talons against the Nightfury's mouth. Everyone winced from the noise and glanced back to entrance. The wyverns had heard it as well, for they growled and started sniffing the entrance once again. Clay took deep slow breaths and watched to see what they would do. The smaller of the wyverns lowered his head and started to sniff the ground. With a smirk he said, "It's faint, dear brother. But they had definitely passed by here."

Clay was a little surprised to hear them speak, but didn't say anything as he nudged Toothless along. The group started to make their way through the back of the cave and made sure to stay as quietly as they could. But when Baylene raised her neck, she gasped when she caused a few rocks to move. A small round rock dropped from the ceiling and crashed down next to a startled Meatlug and bounced by. Clay gasped and chased after the rock to stop it from rolling to the entrance. But he was too late when it rolled into the rain and one of the wyverns lowered its head to sniff the rock. It snarled when it found the stone a little odd and then raised its head. The smaller wyvern then slowly pushed its head through the cave entrance and the falling water. Clay stayed as absolutely still as best as he could while looking up with fear. It only grew when the wyvern was able to smell scents in the unaffected cave. When it caught a whiff of something, the wyvern glanced around while saying to his companion, "Now there is a scent that I have not smelled in quite a while; Mudwing."

Clay and the group whimpered in fear as the wyverns started growling. The smaller wyvern glanced around the dark cave, and Clay was revealed when a flash of lightning illuminated the cave. Clay gasped while the wyvern hissed and charged. Clay quickly turned and ran to catch up to the others with the wyvern on his tail. Looking to the others he shouted, "Go! Go! Go! Get moving!"

The wyvern tried to chomp down on Clay's tail as they ran through the cave, but it was always a little too late. Clay was able to gain a little distance as he ran and kept going when he heard the wyvern roar behind him. Meatlug started falling behind and Clay rushed up to push her further and shouted, "Get moving, Meatlug!"

The wyvern smiled as it knew that Clay's friend would cost him and opened its jaws wide. Clay was still trying to push her forward when he felt pain in his tail and gasped when he was dragged back. Clay was able to kick it in the face and it made the wyvern let go for a moment. But the wyvern then lunged again and took his tail with its teeth again and continued dragging him. Suri screamed in fear as Meatlug ran off with them. Plio cried out, "No! Clay!" Plio tried to get off of Meatlug's back, but her family held her while she cried, "Clay! Oh, no!"

Her words had reached Dune who had run ahead. He stopped and looked back in horror. Dune's mind wandered back to the last young dragon who had died under his care; Applewood. With a hiss at himself for being so cowardly, Dune then looked down to his severed limb and decided that he was going to do something about it. When it had dragged him down enough, Clay turned on his back just as the wyvern was about to attack him. But before the smaller wyvern could even get close to Clay's head, the bigger wyvern came and knocked his brother away while stepping on Clay's tail to prevent him from getting away. He snarled as he said, "Oh, no you don't. You got to kill the last one. This one is mine to kill."

"I caught him! So it's mine! Now get back!" The smaller wyvern growled while pushing his bigger brother back with his head. The two started fighting over who would make the kill and were so occupied with each other that they barely noticed a Sandwing's stinger coming at them. They moved back and watched as Dune stood protectively over Clay. The Mudwing was breathing heavily from the ordeal as he glanced up to his rescuer. Glancing down he said, "Get up! And go help the others while I hold them back!"

Clay rose to his feet and stood behind Dune. Then he said, "I can't just leave you to fight them on your own!"

"I've got a score to settle with these two." Dune said as he glared at the two wyverns. He looked back before saying, "Just keep them safe, Clay."

Clay was really surprised that this was the first and only time that Dune had used his real name. But complying with Dune's ordered and ran to the back of the cave to help them. When they had disappeared around a bend, Clay looked back to see if he would be able to help his friend. The wyverns started stalking forward with a hiss at Dune while he roared in anger at them. They were the cause of his current grief; the loss of his herd, the loss of a charge and the loss of his limb. Dune was determined to at least avenge one to two of those things, even if it did kill him. Both of the wyverns roared back as the fight commenced. Dune struck out with his tail and the smaller wyvern was able to jump back from it. The bigger wyvern lunged forward, but Dune was ready as he moved to the side and raked his talons across the wyvern's cheek. The bigger wyvern cringed from the blow and it gave Dune an opening. He lunged forward and was able to bite the snout of the bigger wyvern before pushing it back with his three limbs. But when he jumped off, the smaller wyvern used his head to knock him down. Dune looked up to see the smaller wyvern charging at him, but he quickly used the bulk side of his stinger to knock the smaller wyvern away. The smaller wyvern screeched as it rolled along the ground and smacked into a pillar that held up the roof. Dune glanced up at the ceiling and saw the loose rocks barely hanging in there. An idea formed in his head, and Dune knew that if he did this, then he might not walk away. But a smirk formed on his face and he muttered, "I've already decided that I would die. Might as well go out knowing that I did worth something."

The two wyverns started charging for Dune again when the Sandwing lunged at them from his spot. The two enemy dragons were caught off guard as he tackled into them and they all crashed through the support pillar. It did the trick as rocks started falling from the ceiling. Clay ran back into the cave just as the rock starting to fall. He called out, "Dune, come on!"

He started to walk into the avalanche of falling rocks as Dune started walking to him. Both of them cried out in pain from the falling rocks and Dune was trying his best to move quickly but it was difficult with only three legs. The two inched closer to each other, but one rock hit Dune really hard and he roared in pain as he fell to the ground. More and more rocks covered the fallen Sandwing as he looked to Clay. Clay shook his head and shouted to him, "Dune! No, Dune!"

He grunted in pain from the falling rocks and backed up from getting crushed by falling rocks. Clay looked on in horror at the thought of Dune being trapped and crushed by the falling rocks, but knew it wasn't safe yet. When the falling rocks did stop falling, a coughing Clay rushed to where he thought he last saw Dune. He looked about and shouted, "Dune!" Glancing about he shouted, "Dune, can you hear me!"

Clay reached the spot and started digging through the rocks. He dug through a few rocks and used his talons pushed a large one out of the way. Clay smiled when he saw Dune open his eyes and said, "Dune, thank goodness."

"Hey, kid." Dune said as he weakly looked up to the Mudwing. Clay then asked him, "Are you alright?"

"No. No I'm not." Dune said with a shake of his head. Clay's smile dropped and he felt his heart getting heavy. But Dune had a smile on his face and he said, "But don't feel too sorry for me. And I want to take this moment, fading or not, to thank you."

"For what?" Clay asked, not knowing what Dune was talking about. The Sandwing then said, "For teaching this old, stubborn Sandwing what it means to be a herd."

Clay's eyes widened to this and Dune then told him, "The way that you're able to keep everyone going, not giving up on them and being there for them…" He laughed as he said, "That's the sign of a true leader."

"But, I'm not-" Clay started to say. But Dune cut him off by saying, "Kid, you were able to inspire me to care for others. Inspiration does come from a leader." His eyes started to close as he said again, "And for that, I thank you.

"Thank you." He said one more time before his eyes fully closed and he released his last breath. Clay just looked to Dune to see if he would wake up, but when he didn't, Clay's eyes watered from losing a friend. Tears rolled down his cheeks and fell to the rocky ground at his feet and he hung his head. Plio walked over to him and she too was sad for the loss of Dune and hung her head in sadness. She then looked up to Clay who just looked back down at her. Plio then placed a comforting hand on his leg and said with pride, "You did what you could, Clay."

"I just wish I could have done more." Clay said as he thought that he could have done more for Dune. The sound of hissing drew their attention and it filled Clay with anger. He looked to the source of the hiss and could see a spot in the fallen rocks moving up and down from one of the wyvern's breathing. Clay just looked at the spot with gritted teeth as anger was all he could feel at the moment.

Near the cave entrance, the smaller wyvern burst from the rubble. The wyvern was completely covered in bruises and cuts from the whole ordeal. He looked around for his larger sibling and his eyes widened when he saw the bigger wyvern's head lying dead next to the dead Sandwing, the Mudwing and a Scavenger. The smaller wyvern snorted that his sibling had been done in by the cave in, it didn't mean that he didn't feel anger by the death of his sibling. The smaller wyvern turned to the entrance and then said, "Know that I will avenge you, my brother. I will hunt down and kill all that the Mudwing loves. So says Smaug."

He shakily walked to the cave entrance before stopping at falling water. Glancing back once more to his fallen sibling. Taking a deep breath, Smaug then roared, "I SWEAR IT!"

His roar echoed through the cave, but the Mudwing didn't seem to notice it as he stared at the spot. With another snort, Smaug then walked out into the rain to start on his mission.

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Author's Note: I told you guys who I modeled these two after. I don't know if I'll be able to come up with a name for the older brother, if they were brothers or not, I might fix it later. And I decided to make Dune's last moments better than it was in the movie. I plan to do a lot of different things then how it went in the movie. I look forward to reading your reviews. Be sure to leave a comment either about if I've done something wrong or if you want something specifically to happen. See you next time.