Chapter Seven: Bounty Hunters and Thieves

"Thanks again, Atali. We really enjoyed your hospitality." Hiccup announced, smiling as Atali and a couple of other Wingmaidens loaded some of their bags with supplies to travel home.

"It was an honor to house such guests as yourselves. It's not often we get visitors. Let alone visitors that live with and ride dragons." She replied, smiling back at him.

"Well, we could do without one of your friends." Minden piped in, walking up next to Atali.

Confused and concerned, Hiccup waited for them to explain what they meant.

"Ah, right. Your friend, Snotlout…" Atali began to say.

"Don't tell me. He accidently stepped on one of the Razorwhips' tails?" Matt interrupted.

"No, fortunately that isn't the case. However, I did learn very quickly how persistent and blunt he is."

The subject instantly dawned on all the Riders, with Matt and Hiccup face palming themselves.

"He wouldn't leave me alone. He even said some…things that were frankly quite rude."

"I'mma gonna kill him." Matt replied with a tone that sounded unsurprised and resolved, even bored. "If the Wingmaidens don't, I will."

"Atali, I'm so sorry. He does have a habit of speaking before thinking." Hiccup began to say, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

"Who would have ever though that?" Astrid huffed, rolling her eyes at the topic.

Atali smiled, almost laughing at the apologies. "It's quite alright, Hiccup Haddock. I assumed that was just his personality, and not a reflection of you Riders. But, to teach him a little bit about civility, we locked him in one of our cells."

"At least he didn't annoy us…" Matt grumbled, still shaking his head.

"I must say, I'm still quite pleased to have been able to meet you. All of you." Atali continued to say. "Please, come back to visit. Or if you need any kind of assistance."

"Thank you, Atali." Hiccup replied with a relieved smile that she wasn't holding grudges for Snotlout's behavior. With that, the group turned to their dragons who were all patiently waiting. Well, minus Hookfang who was sleeping in the sun.

"I still would like to know more about you two." She called out, walking towards Matt and Hiccup as they approached their dragons.

"And we'll be happy to tell you. Sorry we're leaving right now, but here's a quick rundown of what happened." Matt answered as he climbed onto Wasatch. Stepping into his bindings and testing them to ensure he was strapped in, he looked at her with his usual smirk of a smile. "I wasn't part of Berk for a long while. I lived in an entirely different part of the world. I basically lived another life before meeting Hiccup. In a sense, I was a lost brother."

"By a miracle, he found us." Hiccup followed up with, smiling at Matt. "Been with us ever since. And we really are related, just not quite brothers. It's just the easiest way to explain our relationship with each other."

Atali smiled at the quick tale, grateful to have some clarity on the subject.

"There's a lot more details regarding me and how I came to be the Dragon Boarder." Matt continued to say. "But until we can really sit down and discuss it, we better hold out. At least, I'd like to tell you at a more suiting time."

Atali bowed her head in understanding. "I understand-"

"Atali!"

Everyone turned to see Minden fly down to them, shocked at the frantic tone in her voice. She was moving so fast that she looked like a blur until she pulled up just feet above the platform.

"Two ships were just spotted at our shores! All loaded with men! I counted two dozen that landed on our shores!"

"They're here for me." She growled, curling her fists in anger. "Nadia, ensure the newborns are protected while helping guard the Northside of the island with the Razorwhip mothers. We can't let them be harmed on my account! Minden, gather two score of Wingmaidens to patrol and protect the east and west sides of the island. We can't let them flank us and over run us from behind. I'll maintain the front line defenses facing south with the remaining Wingmaidens we have."

"Yes, Atali!" Minden obeyed, taking off and flying to gather her soldiers. Nadia did the same, only having a few other Wingmaidens with her though.

Hiccup instantly began to issue orders as well. "Ruff, Tuff! I need you to do what you two do best."

"Uh…why would you want us to boar wrestle right now?" Ruffnut asked, raising an eyebrow at him in complete confusion.

Tuffnut nodded in agreement, looking at Hiccup with disappointment. "Agreed. There's a time and a place for everything, Hiccup."

"No! Not tha-ugh for Thor's sake!" He cried out. "The other thing you're good at! Blowing up things! I need you two to sink the ships! We can't let them have a way to get off this island if they do get what they came for. Matt and I will cover you two and try to stop the attacking men from advancing any further! Astrid, Fishlegs, and Heather will stay and help hold the line with Atali."

"Why are you keeping me back?" Heather growled, glaring at him in confusion and anger.

Hiccup was quick to respond as he climbed on Toothless. "We can't risk you being captured either! Whoever these guys are, they know Atali can fly! They'll have something to knock her down, which means they can use it on you or any of us!"

"Besides, if any of these invaders do slip past us and come for Atali, she'll need all the help she can to fight back." Matt added, looking at her in concern. "Besides, I'd feel better if you stayed. For my sake, will you please stay with Atali and her Wingmaidens? As well as Astrid and Fishlegs?"

Realizing what he was asking, and remembering their conversation from last night, Heather shallowly nodded. She wanted to be fair to him. And this was one way for her to do that. "Fine. I'll stay. But don't think I'm happy about it!"

"I'd be more worried if you were." Matt laughed, pulling his goggles over his eyes. "Hiccup! Let's go! Wasatch is itching to let loose some lightning!"

Wasatch roared loudly, working himself up into a frenzy. His eyes even started to have a white glow in them.

"Right, stay with me, Matt! Twins, go straight for the ships! If it's too hot, pull out and wait for me to grab their attention away from you!" Hiccup shouted as he turned Toothless around to take off. "Matt! I want you to focus on single targets as the men keep moving further. Wasatch can hit them pretty far without putting you or himself in danger, and it'll force them to take cover!"

"Thank you for your assistance, Hiccup Haddock." Atali called out, stopping him from taking off. "All of you and your dragons. I hope we can repay you after this is over."

Hiccup smiled at her and shook his head. "You don't need to pay us back, Atali. The fact you care about dragons and help them is enough for us. Besides, we know you'd do the same for us if we were in your situation."

"That, and we haven't actually done anything yet." Matt huffed sarcastically with a wry smile. "Wait until we're done before you start thanking us!"

Atali flashed a smile as she stepped back. "Thank you, Matthew Haddock."

Shaking his head with his usual smile, he corrected her. "Again, it's Matt. And you're welcome."

"Alright, on me!" Hiccup shouted, launching Toothless into the air. The twins and Matt followed him shortly, flying on both sides of Toothless. The three soon disappeared from the party's view, leaving them gazing at nothing but a blue sky.

"Atali, where do you hold off invaders?" Astrid asked as she readied her axe.

"Down this way. There's a natural path with thick foliage on both sides." She replied, grabbing a spear being held by another Wingmaiden. "If anyone gets past your friends, we'll be where they won't suspect us."

"We're with you." Astrid replied with a resolved tone.

Fishlegs simply hovered Meatlug above, giving them a thumbs up and a nervous smile.

With a thankful expression, Atali then ran off the platform and flew towards their destination, leading the remaining Wingmaidens in a tight formation.

"Come on, Windshear." Heather shouted, climbing on her saddle. "Let's protect your family and home."

Windshear roared happily and powerfully, knowing that her home was endanger and she wasn't going to let anything happen to it.

Matt felt the wind blow past him as Wasatch surged forwards, creating a deafening sound and a feeling of adrenaline. He forgot about how fast his heart pumped when entering a fight or battle. And in a way, missed it. Not the fighting so much, but the thrill and excitement of maneuvering a dragon around and dodging possible life ending obstacles. It was his extreme sport.

"Matt! Two ships! Just as Minden said!" Hiccup shouted, finally stopping to a hover.

Wasatch barrel rolled around Hiccup, stopping just in front of him. Scanning below him, he asked. "Do you see the men?"

"Who cares?! Let's go have some fun!" Tuffnut shouted as Barf and Belch blew past Hiccup and Matt and headed straight to the two ships.

"Ugh, I better make sure they don't get themselves killed." Hiccup growled. "I don't see them, but I see their boats they used to land! They can't be too far!"

"Go help the twins, I'll be fine!" He replied loudly, scanning below him. Wasatch too was searching for enemies. Almost in a nervous twitch, he frantically shifted his head to different possible hiding places.

"There!" Matt shouted, pointing down below him. Running through the trees, only a few flashes of clothes could be seen through the thick tree branches. But it was clear enough to reveal that the men were charging up the pathway to the Wingmaiden village! They were under too much cover to shoot at from his position.

Thinking frantically of what to do, a thought finally came into his head. He was glad to be alone so no one could stop him because even he agreed that it was stupid. "Come on, bud! Let's do something that will shock 'em!" He laughed, wishing someone would have been there to hear the terrible pun.

Wasatch roared angrily, feeling Matt guide him into a dive.

"You're not afraid of some branches, are you bud?"

Hearing what he was meaning, Wasatch narrowed his white eyes. Spying one particular opening in the branches, he simply folded his wings, and fell to where he was aiming.

Kneeling down and bracing himself as Wasatch surged towards the trees, Matt was grateful to have his goggles on. Otherwise this would probably hurt more than he liked. Tensing up, he felt himself get whipped by the branches and leaves, which he knew probably cut him a little bit. Flinching due to the speed they were traveling at, he opened his eyes to see Wasatch flying just feet above the ground and right towards the invading bounty hunters.

"Surprise!" He shouted as loud as he could.

The men in the rear gaped as they whirled around to see a lightning covered dragon surge up the pathway towards them. The faster reflexed ones instantly dove to the ground on both sides of the path. The slower ones were hit with the lighting radiating off Wasatch as he flew past them.

"Look out!"

"Oi! What's that thing?!"

"Arrgghh!"

"It's Thor himself! I swear it!"

Matt kept kneeling on Wasatch, letting him handle maneuvering past the men. As he finally blew past the leading men, who dove into the trees, he finally stopped Wasatch and let him land. Unstrapping himself and jumping off, he slightly stumbled due to his leg before drawing his newly acquired hatchet. "Any of them start running at us, light 'em up!" He ordered, standing nearby his dragon.

Wasatch snarled as he bared his teeth and let lightning radiate even more so around him. His eyes weren't just glowing white now, they were radiant and soulless. The pupils were completely absorbed in the intensity. It was something Matt only saw in Teton before. He was becoming a Titan wing! At least, growing into it.

"Urgh, what? Who are you?!" A voice shouted.

Matt watched as a group of men emerged from the foliage, some limping, others holding their arms which were burned by a lightning bolt; others were timidly holding up their shields and bolas.

"Ah, so that's how you were going to try and get Atali…" Matt called out, gesturing to the weapons wielded by the invaders. Getting an idea, he then casually lowered his hatchet and flashed a smile at them.

"Wha- How di- you know Atali?" The man asked, obviously the acting leader.

"I do. I'm guessing you're here for the bounty. Not a social visit, right?" He lauded, shaking his head at the man with a smirk.

"Ergh…I guess it's not that big of a secret…" The man growled, dropping the bolas in hand. Drawing a sword strapped to his hip, he then pointed it at Matt. "Step aside, and I won't run you through!"

Matt closed his eyes and shook his head with a comical snigger. "Wasatch? Hit the sword."

Wasatch instantly fired a beam of lightning, striking the sword and completely shattering it.

"Gah!" The man roared, dropping to his knees and gripping his hand in agony.

"He purposely missed you. I promise, the next one won't. In fact, it'll chain to all your men. And if it doesn't kill you, you'll be wishing it had. Trust me. I've been shocked a few times by him and it makes life miserable. He wasn't even trying to hurt me when he shocked me!"

The man simply glared at Matt, massaging his hand. Other men were now walking up next to him, unsure of what to do with the unexpected road block.

"Listen, it's clear you don't know who I am, or what's happened." Matt continued to say, kicking the dirt path as if he was bored. "Let me just say that if you value your health and life, you'll stop trying to get this bounty on Atali, and answer any questions I have. Simple yeah?"

Shocked at the reply, the man shook his head and started to laugh silently to himself. Slowly standing up, he looked at the remaining men that stood with him, being close to sixteen of the two dozen. "I don't know lads. Did you fear death before coming on this trip? Did you want to live before coming on this trip?"

Matt's smirk slowly disappeared, not liking what he was hearing.

"You think I got professional bounty hunters to join up with me?" The leader continued to say, finally turning to Matt with a smirk. "These men are desperate. Each has their own reason to get a portion of the gold. Either to pay off a debt, or to restart their life. I got these men who aren't afraid to die! This is their make or break deal. They don't…"

Matt simply stared at the man with a scowl as his voiced drowned out in his thoughts. They were going to fight regardless of their chances of success! He needed a plan, and he didn't want to kill anyone if he didn't have to. Mainly for Hiccup's sake and these men hadn't personally attacked him like Darien had.

Suddenly, a blur went by the corner of his eye. Glancing over, he was shocked to see Astrid and Heather with their dragons sneaking through the thick trees next to him. Pretending to be disappointed with what the leader was droning on about, he shook his head and looked left. Atali and some of her Wingmaidens were on the other side! They were getting ready to jump them!

"…and that's why I want the bounty! I'll be the most feared bounty hunter in the archipelago! So, now you know where we stand. Are you going to continue to be in our way?"

Looking at the man, pretending that he had heard everything in the long monologue, he simply scowled at him. He needed a way to get answers, and stop a fight from breaking out that would possibly end with casualties among the Wingmaidens. And his friends. With a gut wrenching idea, he flashed the fakest smile he ever made. "Oh? I wasn't standing in your way. I was telling you that you're wasting your time. My associates already captured Atali."

The man's smirk instantly disappeared. As did the others near him.

Atali, and the Wingmaidens that were hidden, stared at him in confusion. Astrid and Heather had the same reaction.

"You think I'm alone? My friends also ride dragons. They took Atali away. I'm only cleaning up."

"Liar!" The man barked.

"Oh yeah? I guess I could be…but think about it. What better way to hunt someone that flies, than to ride a dragon?" Gesturing to the bolas laid at the man's feet, he teased. "I guess that would do the trick. But you gotta admit that my method is a lot more efficient, yeah?"

The man simply stared at him with bulging eyes. "You're still lying! You were only here to protect Atali!"

"I was?"

The men all gaped in horror as Matt drew a crumpled looking paper, flashed it to them, and then pocketed it again. It was obvious it was a bounty. Though in truth, it was Heather's, but at the distance he was at, and the shortness of time it was shown, it was enough to try and fool the Hunters.

Matt flashed a wry smile. "Apologies. Of all the fake sincerity I can muster, I am sorry that I beat you to the bounty. My friends are taking her away as we speak. The Wingmaidens are pursuing after a decoy party, and I'm here looting the place. You know, for extra spoils."

"I'll…I'll kill you!" The man growled with an icy tone.

"Wasatch?"

Wasatch let lightning snap off of him, creating a crackling in the air that made the men back off slightly.

"It's nothing personal. Just business." Matt teased. "However, I have to ask you one question, if you're willing at least."

"You think I'm going to answer a question? For you?!" The man screamed.

Sighing, Matt shook his head. "Look, I could have killed you minutes ago and I wouldn't have lost a second of sleep over it. I just wanted to talk to you. Admittedly, I was gloating a little bit, but I stopped you for a reason."

"Oh? And why should I even bother with you?"

"Because you don't really have a choice? I don't know. I guess if you want to die so bad, I'll help you out with that."

The man simply growled with a darkening expression. Turning to one man, he whispered something to him.

"I just want to know if you knew who placed the bounty. My friends and I are a little hesitant with the secrecy."

Then, with an odd turn of events, the man smiled at Matt. "Fair enough. I guess I could tell you. For a price."

Going with the charade, Matt rolled his eyes. Though his goggles covered it up. "Fine. What is it?"

"Your life?"

Freezing, Matt saw a man step from behind the leader, with a bow fully drawn. In the split second he saw it, he felt a force crash into him, throwing him to the side and onto the ground.

"Matt!"

"Wingmaidens! Attack them now!"

Matt tried to look up, but his body was weak. Whatever hit him, it completely zapped his strength and energy. He could hear fighting taking place, with several roars from dragons, but he still couldn't get his body to react to his wishes.

"Reeeeggghhh!" Wasatch screeched.

The noise, the confusion, the fact he was struggling to move, it all made him feel helpless. Finally rolling over to his knees, he looked up to see Heather standing next to him.

"Have to showboat everything, don't you?"

Felling himself picked up, he looked up to see several Wingmaidens, Astrid and Stormfly, Windshear, and even Fishlegs atop of Meatlug fighting against the shocked and over whelmed bounty hunters.

"W-what happened? I feel drained…" He whispered, trying to focus on what was happening.

"Wasatch shocked you to get you out of the way."

Shaking himself awake, he started to get more coherent. "Urgh, great. Come on! Let's help them out!"

"Not you! You sit down!"

Before he could protest, Heather kicked him behind the knees and let him drop. "Gah! What? Why'd you do that?"

"Stay!" She shouted, drawing her axe and charging into the fray.

Trying to sit back up, he was able to see her leap on a fallen tree and jump off it, positioning herself behind two men that were teaming up on a Wingmaiden. Bringing her axe down the back of one of them, she then slashed her axe in an upwards, diagonal direction, sinking her one of her axe's blades into the leg of the second and dropping them both.

"Urgh, come on!" He growled to himself, rolling back onto his knees. Being a lot more awake and aware, he felt something burn a little on his arm. He swore he could smell some smoke as well. Ignoring it, he stumbled to his feet and picked up his hatchet that he dropped. "Alright, playtime's over." He grunted to himself.

Heather at this point, was fighting alongside Windshear, who was biting at a few bounty hunters armed with spears and thwarting the angry Razorwhip away from them.

"Gah! Look out Windshear!" Heather shouted, feeling an arrow whiff by her. Seeing one of the men try to flank her dragon, she ran up on Windshear's back and intercepted him. She stopped his movement by slashing her axe at him and forcing him to jump back. Twirling her axe, she simply stood at the ready to receive him.

"Gah! Flea!" The man barked, upset that she halted him. Wielding a hammer and a shield, he simply charged her with the shield raised, in an attempt to ram her.

Gritting her teeth, she leaped to the side and somersaulted away from him. Rolling to her feet, she saw him already turned on her and advancing quickly. Seeing the hammer come down at her, she swung her axe as hard as she could, redirecting the strike and parrying the attack. She then quickly raised the other blade of her double axe to stop the shield that was flying down towards her, sinking the blade into the center of it.

"Ergh, I'll make you scream!" The man roared as he raised his hammer for another strike.

Narrowing her eyes as she prepared to somersault away again, she was shocked to see wings spread out from behind him, and then suddenly be sent flying into a nearby tree.

"Are you alright?"

Heather smiled as Atali landed in front of her. "I'm fine. Thank you!"

Smiling, Atali raised her spear and returned her attention to the battle. Heather continued to fight alongside Windshear, who was still trying to fight the spear wielding bounty hunters.

Astrid was busy with one herself, when Stormfly simply plowed into the man and removed him from the fight.

"Ah, thanks, girl." She huffed, smiling as her dragon turned to make sure she was alright.

Suddenly, the battle instantly stopped for a moment when a frenzied and angry shriek ripped through the air. If Heather and Astrid hadn't recognized it, their blood probably would have frozen due to the pitch and intensity of it. Wasatch was hovering in the middle of the battle, with two arrows sticking out of his chest. Unstopped by them, he was letting lightning radiate off of him, and was kicking up a dust storm with his powerful strokes of his wings. In his claws, was the leader of the hunters and was about to rip into him for trying to kill his Rider.

"Wasatch! Drop 'im!"

Everyone turned to see Matt limping towards the battle, with a scowl and anger that rivaled his own dragon's. With hatchet in hand, he pointed it at the hunters. "Lay down your weapons, or we will finish you! I don't care what happens, I'll make sure of it!"

"Don't listen to him!" The leader shouted, struggling to break from Wasatch's talons. "Fight! Kill! Get Atali! Agh!"

Wasatch dropped the man, and then planted himself over him to keep him pinned. Growling, he bared his teeth at anyone that thought they could help their leader.

"Don't you get it? You're not going anywhere!" Matt roared, feeling a hate and anger from the bounty hunter's resistance. Gesturing to the sky, he shouted. "We sank your ships already! And we have a Night Fury!"

The men gasped, hearing the signature scream and sound of an approaching Night Fury. Whirling around, ignoring the Wingmaidens and the Dragon Riders, they watched as the legendary, midnight black dragon burst through the tree foliage, landing on the side of them. A Zippleback also landed next to it, grinning mischievously at the remaining men.

"So, you're the bounty hunters?" The rider of the Night Fury spoke up, stepping off of his dragon. The Night Fury growled at the men, baring his teeth and narrowing his eyes. Inside his mouth, was a purple glow that was getting brighter and brighter.

Matt simply stepped on Wasatch and pulled down his goggles. His eyes had a look that that pierced the men's hearts. "You decide what happens to you. In Three. Two. On-"

"We give! We give up!"

All in unison, the men threw down their weapons and raised their hands high, as if to show the world they had given up.

Matt visibly relaxed, knowing the fight was over. Wincing due to the newly acquired burn on his arm, thanks to Wasatch pushing him out of the way, he stepped down and glared at the leader.

"Brynal, take six others and escort these men to the prisons. We'll deal with them later." Atali ordered, seeing them finally surrender.

"Yes, Atali." The Wingmaiden replied. "You three! Circle the men and watch them from behind. The rest of you, help me escort them!"

As the Wingmaidens corralled the men, Matt stopped them from grabbing the leader who was still pinned by Wasatch. "I need to talk to him. I'll bring him to your prisons after."

Nodding, the Wingmaiden left to help the others.

"I'm not talking…" The man growled.

"Then you're dying. I'm not letting you go for trying to kill me." He growled, wincing as he went to take his hooded tunic off.

Heather ran to him to help, only to groan as she saw why he was taking it off in the first place. A solid black mark was planted on his left bicep. All around it was bruised and purple.

Gasping, Atali walked up to him. "You're injured."

"Again." He huffed, rotating his arm to try and get used to the stiffness and burning sensation. Then with a forced smile, joked. "Can't say it's the first time I've been shocked by a Skrill. Tends to happen if you live with two of 'em."

"What happened? How did you get burned?" Hiccup asked, walking up to Matt.

"Wasatch knocked me over to save me. This punk tried to shoot me with an arrow while we were talking." He snapped, glaring at the man.

"And I'd do it again, if I was able- Agh!"

Astrid instantly batted the man in the bed with the handle of her axe. "I'd stay quiet. At least until you're told to talk." She growled at him.

"What are you wanting to know from him?" Heather asked, grabbing Matt's arm and inspecting the burn.

"How he knew where Wingmaiden Island was, how he knew how to counter her and their Razorwhips, and who the hell placed the bounty on her." Matt growled, flinching as she gently touched the burn. "Grr! Easy!"

The man scoffed at the questions. "Fair. I'll answer them. First one, it was instinct. Second, it's in the name. Wingmaiden. Third, you don't know the person."

"But you know someone?" Atali quickly pressed, seeing that he did know the source of her bounty.

The man simply smirked at her, knowing they weren't going to get anything out of them.

"You better start talking!" Astrid roared, batting him again with the handle of her axe.

Hiccup quickly stopped her. "I have a better idea. Twins?"

"Uh, yeah, Hiccup?"

Ignoring the quizzical stares from everyone, Hiccup smiled at them as they were still sitting on their dragon and looking bored. "Would you two like to take this man for a ride? Show him a few tricks. Like your Twin Tornado?"

The man's face instantly went somber. He had no idea what to expect flying a dragon.

"Do we want to?! Of course! Let's include the Dynamic Duo Whirly Grind! Created entirely to rip the skin off your face! It's majestic!"

"Oh ho! Yes! Now you're talking, bro!"

"Wait. N-now hold on- Agh!"

"Come on, pal! Let's show you how to have fun!" Ruffnut shouted as Barf and Belch grabbed the man by the arm launched into the air. "Wooooh! Yeah!"

Everyone watched as they disappeared, with the man screaming in panic and shock.

"If he hadn't tried to kill me, I'd feel bad. Almost." Matt grunted, observing his arm.

"Heh, I'm surprised you hadn't tried to kill him already." Astrid teased. "Nice to see you reign your anger in a little."

Letting a shallow smile grow, he looked at her. "I've calmed down a little bit."

"Come on. Let's get this wrapped up. I don't know why you're arm bruised so badly. It was lightning that hit you." Heather replied, guiding Matt to walk up the path.

"It felt like a sledge hammer hit me. So that's probably why." He grunted. Turning to Wasatch, who was sniffing his arm, he smiled as he placed his hand on the Skrill's head. "Better than what Teton did to me. I couldn't move my arm forever! I had to have it in a sling!"

"Friends, thank you." Atali interrupted. "You helping us and trying to find who put the bounty on me is appreciated. I wish we could do more to repay you."

"Not to worry, Atali. We're glad we were here when they showed up!" Hiccup replied, walking alongside Astrid.

"Come, we'll take care of that injury, Matthew- Matt Haddock." She stuttered, still trying to remember to call him by his preferred name.

"Thank you." He replied with a smile. "And honestly, it's not that bad. It'll heal in no time."

"Come on, we better get ready to hear whatever that man tells us." Hiccup observed, looking up and seeing the twins spiral into what looked like to be an out of control spin, while the man was screaming in a panic. "Don't think he'll want to go through that again."

Laughing, everyone continued up the path, glad that everything was back to normal for the moment.

Ukiah slowly saw Dragon's Edge come into view. Letting a small smile grow, he quickly went through the few memories he had of the place. Technically, his first home since his banishment from Berk. Thanks to Heather and Matt defending him and wanting to help him.

Shaking his head, he looked to his right to see Arrow gliding alongside of him and Lasher. He had never been here before, and was looking around earnestly at the new sights.

"Feel's different, doesn't it?" He whispered to Lasher. "It's been a home, but…it doesn't feel like home. Not any more at least."

Lasher let out a quiet growl, understanding what he was saying.

"Never thought Thariin would be the place I'd consider home. Guess it's a good thing though."

As they slowly approached the Edge, he frowned as he noticed all the buildings were closed and shut. Even the clubhouse.

"Great…this isn't what I was wanting to find." He huffed quietly to himself.

Landing Lasher at the Hanger, he slowly dismounted and made his way to the doors to open them up. As he did so, he shook his head in frustration. Empty. No one was here. Even their saddles were gone, which meant they were on a trip to who knew where.

"Hiccup…you gotta slow down a little…" He muttered to himself. There was nothing he could do except wait for them to return. He only hoped that nothing bad would happen before he could warn and help Hiccup.

Feeling something press against his leg, he turned to see Arrow squeezing past him to see what he was looking at. "Come on, friend. Let's see if they left anything to eat at the clubhouse."

Arrow roared happily, spinning in a circle at the sound of eating something. Even Lasher sounded relieved at the thought. That and finally being able to rest from their hard journey from Thariin.

As the three made their way to the clubhouse, he continued to gaze around the series of huts and walkways. He did miss it. He missed his friends. But he was happy with where he was. Which was something he forgot about. If anything, visiting the Edge was reinforcing his decision to stay as the chief.

Opening the door, he saw that it was quite abandoned, as he expected. Seeing logs already stacked in the fire place, he walked to the back to where the storage pantry was. "Arrow, light that fire. Lasher, take a rest. You deserve it."

The two dragons complied, with Arrow standing up on his hind legs and leaning himself on the counter top of the central fire place. Smiling, he blew glowing embers of sand on the logs and simply watched them until an orange flame started to grow.

"Thank you, Arrow." Ukiah called out, passing by a map that was hung up. "What's this?" Observing it, he noticed one island circled in charcoal. Wingmaiden Island. "Heh, so that's where you're at." He whispered. Honestly, they were probably on their way back. Or close to being back at least. The best chance he had to finally find Hiccup, was to wait for him.

Hearing his stomach growl, he then returned to his destination of the pantry, hoping there was something left. "Hmm…" He whispered, observing his selection of meals. Honestly, he was thinking he'd enjoy going hunting or fishing for his meal, if he wasn't already hungry. It's been awhile since he's been able to do so, and it was his way to relax and vent out the pressures of being a chief. And being a Crevite. Deciding that's what he'd rather do, he then called out to Arrow. "What do ya' say, friend? Wanna go get some fish down by the bay? Let Lasher sleep for a moment?"

Arrow almost yipped like a dog and ran out the door, being excited to go swimming. It was a regular exercise for him, to learn how to get his own food and to help Ukiah when he was too busy or chasing after something else.

"Stay here, friend. We'll be back." Ukiah huffed, seeing Lasher finally lay down and close his eyes. Grabbing his crossbow off his saddle, he rested it on his shoulder as he lazily walked out. Expecting to see Arrow flying towards the bay, he was surprised to see him frozen and glaring at Hiccup's hut. He looked on edge, and frankly, dangerous. His narrowed eyes reminded him of the Arrow before he was killed by Zekir.

"What's wrong? What do you see?" He whispered, crouching down low next to Arrow to try and see what he was seeing. He was no fool. He learned to depend on a dragon's instincts. If something was bugging him, then there was definitely something wrong.

Glancing at Ukiah, Arrow then began to briskly walk towards Hiccup's hut, still acting on edge and growling threateningly.

Readying his crossbow, Ukiah followed. His thought of food and fishing was well out of his mind. Something was wrong, and Arrow knew what it was.

The closer they got to his hut, Ukiah finally heard what put Arrow on edge. Something was shifting inside!

"Easy, Arrow, wait here." He whispered. His heart instantly started to slow, and his senses and feelings sharpened. He could feel himself grow cold, a feeling he experienced too often right before he was about to get into a fight. That itself was a sign that something was going to go down. Whoever or whatever was inside, they shouldn't be there. As he silently approached the door like a ghost, he then very clearly heard something shuffling around and going through drawers and containers.

Using his crossbow, he pushed the door open and saw a person whirling around and staring at him. Hiccup's room a mess, and was torn apart! Ignoring the damage done to the room, he continued to aim his crossbow at the stranger. He didn't even say anything. He simply kept his weapon trained on the person's heart as he studied the individual. Wearing a cloth mask and hood to conceal his identity, the man's eyes were dark. And threatening. He was even reaching for his axe strapped to his back.

"…don't…" Ukiah whispered hoarsely with a voice that would have sent chills up anyone's spine. "You're not supposed to be in here…you're not supposed be here entirely...behave, or I will kill you."

The stranger simply chuckled. "…I don't think that's going to happen…" His voice was soft and almost…soothing. But it was clearly full of venom. "Let me pass, and I won't put you in a world of hurt. Cripple." With Speed Stinger reflexes, he drew his axe in a way that even Ukiah hadn't seen. It was ready to be used!

Ukiah didn't even flinch, even with the insult. Holding the crossbow steady with his single arm, he gently shook his head. His voice grew colder than a northern, winter wind. "…put it down, or lose your life for it…"

The stranger simply shook his head. With his other hand, he latched shut a simple pouch, making Ukiah know exactly what to shoot. Whatever was in there, he couldn't let the man have it.

"Well? What are you going to do?" The man teased.

Ukiah didn't say anything. He simply prepared himself mentally. When the world finally went still for him, he shifted his crossbow just a hair and fired!

The man leaped to the right, but played right into Ukiah's plan. The bolt sliced right through the pouch's strap, cutting it free!

"No!" He shouted, turning around to pick it up.

Ukiah was already in the air, having dropped his crossbow. Drawing his sword, he brought it down in the same motion before even landing.

The man barely reacted as he stopped Ukiah's blade, letting out a loud ringing sound as metal crashed into metal.

"…you're going to die…" Ukiah whispered, his voice and temper was unchanging, even with the fight breaking out.

The stranger's eyes simply narrowed. Pushing against Ukiah, he then shifted to the side to let Ukiah fall over. Ukiah was already prepared for that, and didn't even falter with the attempt. He was pushing with his single arm, not his body. Stepping back, he simply readied his blade like a snake ready to strike.

The stranger stared at him with a mixture of hate and wonder. It was clear it was the first time he fought someone like Ukiah.

Arrow then leaped into the fight! Baring his teeth, he spewed a layer of burning sand at the man threatening his friend.

The man leaped back, unable to stand where the sand lay and had scattered.

Ukiah then thrust his sword forwards, trying to catch the man in the side. A skilled swipe with the axe parried the blade away from him, but Ukiah couldn't be exposed as he simply stepped back. Placing himself next to his dragon, Ukiah simply stared the man down with an icy stare.

"You're not one of the Riders…" The man growled, frustrated that Ukiah wasn't opening himself up like a usual swordsman. His fighting style was simple and efficient. "Who are you?"

For the first time since he found the stranger, Ukiah let the faintest smirk grow. "…Death's Herald…" And with that, Ukiah let himself loose. Rushing the stranger, he swung his sword while feinting to the other side! The man struck at the sword, pushing it a way and launching himself to the door. Ukiah was already on him, and was swinging his sword in an upward direction. The stranger simply blocked it with the handle of his axe, all while swinging his leg and kicking Arrow in the head, who was trying to go for his legs.

Yelping, Arrow backed off, trying to shake off the stunning blow to the head.

"Arrow!" Ukiah cried.

Arrow simply roared in pain, angry that he was stunned.

His face drew back as Ukiah faced the stranger. That was the last straw. "…that was your final mistake…" He whispered with a tone that sounded like it came from the grave.

The man gasped, seeing what looked like a demon grow in front of him. Ukiah's strained eyes then turned black as midnight. The strength pushing against his axe handle almost doubled!

Ukiah roared a battle cry that echoed in Hiccup's hut as he pushed his entire weight against the man, forcing him to run backwards! Running with him, he jumped up and head-butted the stranger in the nose.

"Gah!" He cried out in pain as he stumbled backwards onto the balcony.

Ukiah didn't stop! His cold anger was fueling him to the point he was past feeling. Slashing his sword, he feinted, juked, and leaped this way and that, all while swinging his sword at the man.

The stranger was barely keeping up, only able to block one strike before being forced to block the next hit! And then the inevitable happened. The sword dug into the stranger's leg and slashed him clear across!

"Agggh!" He cried out, dropping to his knee. One the edge of the platform, the only thing below him was the bay.

"…now you die…" Ukiah whispered with an unremorseful tone while lifting his sword up.

"Rrggh…" The stranger growled, holding his cut leg with his free hand. "Who are you? Are you a dragon in that body?"

Ukiah didn't say anything. Instead, he glanced to his right.

The stranger also looked, just in time to see a Triple Stryke barreling towards him!

"Reaaggghh!"

Lasher did a front flip mid-flight, lashing all three tails at the stranger.

Instead of taking them, he simply rolled over the edge of the platform, falling down below.

Ukiah watched as Lasher landed right were the man was, to which he ran to the edge to look down and find where he crashed into the water below.

Nothing. Not even a splash.

Shocked, angry, and slowly calming down, Ukiah closed his eyes and shook his head. Whoever the man was, he was gone. And at the very least, injured and hurting. Sheathing his sword, he stroked Lasher's head. "Thanks, friend. Let's check on Arrow…"

He didn't have to move to far before seeing Arrow walk out of Hiccup's room. Growling, it was clear the Sand Wraith wasn't happy with what happened to him.

"You alright, Arrow?" He asked quietly, kneeling down to check where he was hit.

Growling, Arrow simply blew some hot sand to vent his anger.

"Good. Change in plans. We're leaving now. We're going to Wingmaiden Island." Ukiah whispered, walking into the Hiccup's hut. Going straight for the pouch he shot off, he picked it up and fumbled with his one hand to open it. As he finally did so, he wondered what he was holding. A black tube, almost like a spy glass sat in his hand. It was decorated to look like a Night Fury, and honestly wasn't that big of an object.

Holding it up, he simply stared at it. "And what are you supposed to be?" He whispered, terrified that this was the reason why Hiccup was endanger.

There you go! Sorry again for the random uploads and infrequent updates. I'm trying to be better.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! And in case people missed it, I updated chapter 6 to include a scene with Matt and Heather. Something that I was going to open up this chapter with but it ended up being too long and belonged more in the previous chapter. So go ahead and check that out! Until later, have a good one!

-Dustnblood