No one could believe it, there was a Razorwhip on school grounds and it was...Heather's bonded dragon who she named Windshear. Heather had just said in training that she hadn't bonded to a dragon yet. That didn't make sense. "Lads, lasses. I forgot to mention that...Is that a Razorwhip?" Gobber's voice broke everyone from their shock, he saw the metal coated dragon standing with Heather.
"Yes sir...This is Windshear, my Razorwhip...I bonded to her two years ago, right after my mom died." Heather said softly as the dragon cooed softly nuzzling her face.
"But I thought you said you hadn't bonded yet?" Rylee questioned.
"Well I wasn't ready for people to know I bonded with her yet...But she is my bonded dragon...She's been staying at home in the Haddock stables thus far." Heather looked down sadly.
"Well if she's your bonded dragon then she needs to be here for training lass..." Gobber said patting Heather's shoulder.
"No she doesn't, Gobber. Heather is allowed to house Windshear at home. The two have never been apart since they bonded." Came Samuel Haddock's voice.
"Then how is the dragon goin to get back and forth for trainin...?" Gobber asked.
"Hunter will fly her in the morning and she can stay in the stables until tranin. He has my permission, and being he'll be 18 in 5 months, and has completed his fly training. Well junior flier, he can go from the house to school." Samuel stated. Now all eyes were on Hunter.
"Okay so...I might of left a little bit out of the story such as me...being allowed to fly Windshear as long as its from school to home..." Hunter rubbed the back of his head slightly.
"Anything else you want to fill us in on, Hunter?" Shaun and Travis said together.
"Hold the phone...You're allowed to fly a dragon! We haven't even learned that here yet!" Astrid mumbled.
"I told you...We took our training elsewhere and in that course...We learned to fly. I'm not allowed because I'm not 18 yet and won't be until after the school year is over...But Hunter turns 18 in 5 months so he's allowed..." Heather mumbled.
"That is so not how it went, Heather..." Hunter mumbled.
"Okay fine. The dragon that Hunter worked with didn't like to listen and was hard to tame. It sort off flew off with him and he managed to get on its back mid-flight and fly it safely back down to the ground, after that the trainers put him in the fliers class. He can fly any dragon as long as he doesn't go over a certain altitude or fly past outside of Berk. And he can fly Windshear to and from school..." Heather crossed her arms over her chest.
"So you know how to fly too?" Gobber asked.
"Hunter taught me but I still can't legally fly until I'm 6 months or closer to my 18th birthday. Since Hunter turns 18 in 5 months...He's allowed." Heather sighed.
"So all this right now is..." Rylee asked.
"Just review for me." Hunter said.
"But he doesn't have a bonded dragon, you're only supposed to fly your bonded dragon." Astrid stated.
"Hunter hasn't bonded with a dragon yet but he's trained with every type of class which qualifies him to fly." Samuel said.
"Lucky." The males of the group huffed.
"Anyway, Gobber...Have you told them about the upcoming trip?" Samuel asked looking to Gobber now.
"Oh right! Was trying too until I saw Windshear...In 2 months, you kids will be taking a trip to the races. You'll get to meet the racers, and their dragons." Gobber said.
"So we get to meet Shadow, Deranged Spark, and all the racers!?" The groups asked.
"Yes. Permission slips are going out next week." Samuel said with a nod.
"Sweet!" They cheered.
"Alright best be getting to your buses then. Hunter, take your sister and Windshear home. I will see you there." Samuel stated.
"Sure thing dad." Hunter said as he got on Windshear, then pulled Heather up behind him. She held on to Hunter then Windshear took off with them. The others were walking to the parking lot where the buses were, still in shock that Hunter knew how to fly, and was allowed too none the less.
(2 Months Later)
"I can't believe we're going to a dragon race!" Rylee and Astrid exclaimed happily while on the bus that was driving them to the race track Gobber was up front and all of them were there. Except Hunter. Heather said he got food poisoning and had to miss it. Odd but no one really questioned it seeing that they got to go to the race. The last two months had been interesting since the day Hunter and Heather returned. Heather explained the next day at lunch her bonding with Windshear, how it happened at least. Hunter still hadn't bonded with a dragon but he and the Nightmare, Torch worked well together. Hiccup was permitted to stay in the course as Gobber's assistant since he already know everything they were learning. He helped with feedings, grooming, saddles, training techniques and more, it was honestly pretty cool that he knew so much.
Heather's story about bonding with Windshear was cool too. Windshear was found wounded while Heather was wondering the woods near the Haddock house, she'd been upset thinking about her mother and the two met. Heather helped Windshear heal, then they bonded. Every day began the same since then. Hiccup would fly himself and Heather to school, she'd put Windshear in the stables then they'd come to class. They all had the same classes, which was convenient but worked so they could hang out. Yep, all seemed well again. As if nothing ever changed. Gobber stood now to get their attention. "Alright settle down you lot." Everyone got quieter, "We'll be arriving in 10 minutes. Rules of this trip are simple...Don't stray from the group and do whatever the riders tell you too regarding their dragons. If you break a rule, you'll be getting stable work for a week. Principal's orders." Gobber announced.
"We understand sir." They replied to him.
"It sucks that Hunter is missing this..." Eric said.
"No kidding right." Rylee answered softly laying against her boyfriend's arm. Hunter hadn't been cool with this at first, Eric had always been a rival of sorts but since Rylee was dating him, Hunter noticed Eric changed since joining the group so Hunter backed off and accepted it as long as he didn't hurt anyone he was okay with them being friends. It didn't take long for Hunter to reclaim group leader since no one really argued with him about it, he was a natural leader and they all chose to follow him. But it did suck that he wasn't there to enjoy the race with them.
"He'll be watching on T.V if he's awake." Heather smiled. 10 minutes later we pulled up where the buses did and they all filed off towards the bleachers.
"How was he feeling when you left this morning?" Astrid questioned softly.
"Terrible. Pale, groaning, trying to keep down breakfast. Had a fever..." Heather said to her. "You worried about him?" She smiled. Astrid blushed a bit looking down, "Astrid...You can't hide it from me. You like my brother, don't you?" Heather questioned.
Astrid sighed, "Was it that obvious?"
Heather nodded, "Yeah...I had a feeling about it the summer of freshman year and when you saw him back 2 months ago, crying on him just confirmed my suspicions."
"Great...Does he know?" Astrid asked. Heather shook her head.
"Are you gonna tell him?" Heather asked.
"Eventually...I just don't know...the right time too." Astrid looked down sadly. "Do you...think he'd want to be with me?"
"I can't say...Hunter changed a lot in two years. You know?...More mature, responsible, hard working, focused. But like I said, I don't know." Heather shrugged as Gobber got them their passes to meet the riders and dragons before the race began in an hour. They were taken to the race track entrance where the riders stood where their dragon beside them. Rylee began fangirling when she saw them all but Shadow and his Night Fury, Toothless. Where were they? Astrid smiling, this was exciting but Heather's words were making her think about her feelings for Hunter. She wanted to tell him how she felt but she didn't want to get rejected either. "All you can do is tell him and hope for the best, Astrid. I don't know how he feels about you, or anyone."
"I'll keep that in mind, Heather...Thanks." Astrid replied nodding.
"Welcome students to race track, here are just 5 of the racers and their dragons. We're waiting on one more." Said a man wearing a blue suit. "I'm Coldan Holt, the race master here. I set up all the races near and far." Coldan stated, a loud roar was heard overhead as they looked to see a black dragon flying in, a rider dressed in black and gray to match his dragon sitting atop him. "There you two are. Not like you to be late, Shadow." Coldan remarked.
"Lost track of time, easy to do when you ride a Night Fury." Shadow chuckled after the Night Fury landed in line with the other racers and their dragons then he climbed off his back. The Skrill, Shocker belonging to Deranged Spark or Damien began growling and sparking at Toothless who growled back baring his teeth. "Settle down ya big sparky lizard...You want to beat us, save it for the track." Shadow said crossing his arms over his chest.
"Oh we will." Damien grinned.
"Now that all the racers are here. You're free to move about them within the safe zone. They know their dragons so you abide by their rules. We don't need any accidents." Coldan smiled clapping his hands.
"Thank you, Mr. Holt." The group said.
"One hour til race time folks!" Coldan said as he left the center of the track.
"Alright then kids, you heard the man. You can talk to any of the racers as long as you stay where they tell you too and no picture or autographs unless they allow it. Other than that, take this time to learn about the different classes." Gobber announced.
"Aye sir." Then they began to move to the different types of dragons. There were 6 racers and dragons in total, and most of the group wanted to get close to the Skrill and Night Fury being they were rare strike class dragons that so far were one of a kind. Eric went towards one of the riders who had a tracker class dragon, and Fredrick went to a boulder class rider. The rest were pretty centered on Shadow and Toothless or Damien and Shocker.
"Alright then, big group." Damien said.
"So you all came here to learn about strike class then?" Shadow asked. They nodded, "Are you working towards racing or training?"
"I want to race." Shaun said grinning.
"Us too." Rylee and Travis nodded.
"How about you two?" Damien motioned to Astrid and Heather.
"Training." Heather said.
"Undecided still..." Astrid shrugged. "Hoping I could figure it out here." She added.
"I like that answer. Someone who wants to see both sides of it before deciding. You know, I do both. I train and race." Shadow stated with a chuckle.
"Is it hard to do both?" Astrid asked.
"It was in the beginning, but you get used to it. Its all time management, Toothless here loves to fly so we train and his reward is flying or racing." Shadow said.
"And he's the only Night Fury around?" Shaun asked.
"So far. We've looked for others but turned up nothing within the Archipelago, same with Deranged's Skrill, Shocker. Both of them are one of a kind." Shadow told them.
"Wow..." They all said together.
"Can we...get closer?" Travis asked curiously.
"You can to Toothless, I can't speak for Shocker over here...He has a temper, like his rider." Shadow rolled his eyes.
"He'll behave. He just doesn't like you." Damien scoffed. "Always stealin the spotlight."
"Hey, I just race. Not my fault Toothless is faster than Spark." Shadow shrugged.
"We could beat you any day, Shadow!" Damien grumbled out angrily.
"Then why haven't you?" Shadow asked. Damien put a finger up to answer then shut his mouth.
"Shocker and I just wanted to give you a little hope that you're good since you're new and all. This season, we're gonna wipe the sky with you." Damien huffed.
"I'd like to see you prove that." Shadow said.
"Is that a challenge?" Damien asked.
"Are you making it one?" Shadow retorted. The group beamed at the rivalry between the two.
"COLDAN!" Damien yelled, he rushed out.
"I have a race to set up...What is it?" Coldan asked.
"Shadow and I. One on one...Right now. Time to put this noob in his place, which is not on this track with the real riders." Damien said. Coldan mumbled something about Damien acting childish but nodded.
"Alright. Students, behind the safety fence please...You two...at your marks." Coldan said. The group backed up behind the fence and sat down as the others cleared off the track leaving just Shadow and Damien on their dragons.
"This is gonna be so good. Shadow is gonna whip him..." Shaun and Travis high-five one another watching closely.
"Alright you two. 10 times around the track, no obstacles. First one over the line here wins. Are you ready?" Coldan asked.
"Always." Damien grinned mounting his dragon, Shadow got on Toothless and leaned forward patting his friend's head.
"We got this, Toothless..." Shadow told him, Toothless growled in response to him. Colden raised the flare gun and fired it, both dragons were gone in a flash almost.
"WOO! Go, Shadow!" Heather cheered from her seat jumping up and down. 6 laps in and Spark passed Toothless on the track but he didn't freak out about it. Shadow kept his normal speed, when Shocker was at 9 laps and Hunter still at 7, things changed real fast.
"Alright bud...Lets show him why you're the alpha..." Shadow told Toothless who almost grinned. Shadow took his feet out of the stirrups and laid flat against Toothless's back holding the saddle handles. Toothless adjusted his tail and they were gone with a loud whistling sound, they passed Damien once, and then again landing at the finish like 20 seconds before Shocker landed. Shadow was already off Toothless leaning against him with his arms crossed.
"What the! How the...You cheated!" Damien yelled.
"Pfft, I didn't cheat. Toothless is faster than Shocker. You decided to gun his speed to beat me but we held out until the end and finished with a burst of pent up speed. As the saying goes, slow and steady wins the race. Not to mention you're racing a dragon whose speed can break the sound barrier...I'll admit that Shocker is fast but you burn up all his energy in one go instead of evening it out." Shadow explained.
"I'll get you one of these times, Shadow...If that's even you're real name." Damien began walking away with Spark as Shadow rubbed Toothless's head.
"Its the only name you need to know." Shadow replied, Damien scoffed and left their view. "You can let them back in now, Coldan." Shadow told the race master, he nodded as the group returned to the center of the track to keep asking questions. Astrid however couldn't help but watch his eyes, which happened to be emerald green and looked just a little too familiar to her. The rest of that hour was them getting to know more about Night Furies, whatever Shadow could tell them and they spent time talking with the other riders about their dragons. When it came time for the big race to begin, shockingly enough...Damien and Shocker didn't return and Shadow won the race easy against the other riders. The only dragon that could come close to beating a Night Fury was a Skrill, Shadow had said that the speed of both dragons was just about even but Damien didn't know how to time his speed right so he wore Shocker out before the end of the race which is why Toothless beat Shocker all the time.
The race had been another 10 laps, thrown in some obstacles to get past and tricks to do. Astrid, Heather, and Rylee loved it, the guys admired it all but didn't act like the girls did. Shadow in this case was definitely the favorite right now, there was no competition with Damien and Shocker gone. With the race over, Shadow the victor as expected he would be. The group was allowed one picture with him and Toothless, a group photo taken by Coldan and said it would be mailed to the school when it was developed in a week or so. The group got on the bus, Heather was last as she looked at Shadow. She gave the slightest nod to him, and he returned it before flying off on Toothless. Heather got on the bus and sat down.
"That was awesome, I can't believe Hunter missed it!" Shaun groaned.
"I'm sure he'll love hearing all about it when he's better guys. Aunt Violet got sick too since they had the same thing." Heather giggled then looked at Astrid. "You should tell him."
"I know. I just...have to figure out what I'm going to say first. I had wanted to tell him back before sophomore year but...then you guys disappeared and I never got the chance too." Astrid looked down.
"Well we're back now, the chance is back. Not many second chances are given anymore, so take the one you have and tell Hunter how you feel." Heather smiled. Astrid nodded now, she would tell him. First chance she got with him alone, and she could only pray he'd like her back. Astrid put her head back on the seat closing her eyes and the only thing she could think about were how familiar Shadow's eyes were. It was the only part of his face you could see through that metal mask, but they stood out. And why were they familiar to her? Because they looked just like Hunter's.
