I want to thank SpikedTankedmaster300 for sharing his ideas on the story. I was also inspired by this song from Tarzan called Strangers Like Me by Phil Collins.


Chapter 34: Understanding

Sapphire was lying on the platform of Gothi's house. Her siblings were sleeping beside her with Lavender, Mira's siblings, and the little ones. The other dragons were out patrolling, in hopes to find Mira and the Skrill. Rose the Speed Stinger was there accompanying her along with Solarium the Fireworm and Copycat the Mimic Dragon. They were helping Sapphire out with the little ones and Lavender. Sapphire is so worried about Mira. She was out there all alone. Who knows what would happen to her? What if she lost her necklace and is stuck in her mermaid form? What if she was captured by thieves or hunters?! Oh, why she can't she heal faster! She has to go out there and find her!

Sapphire was so lost in thought that she accidentally woke up her siblings and young ones. They looked at Sapphire, wondering what's wrong before noticing her worried look on her eyes. Joe and Jon gently patted her neck, causing her to snap out from her thoughts. She looks at the young boys with curious yet worried eyes.

"Everything's going to be fine, Sapphire." Joe assured.

"Yeah! They'll find Mira." Jon added.

Sapphire made a croon as she gave the two boys gentle licks, making them laugh happily. Then they heard Toothless roar. This cause Sapphire to bring up her head and her eyes widen. She looks up to the sky and saw five figures in the sky. Standing up quickly, while ignoring the pain, Sapphire knew that Mira is there. She picked up the little ones and placed them on her back before running down Gothi's hut, followed by Lavender, Rose, Solarium, and Copycat. The figures were heading towards the Academy and where the other riders and their dragons are. Karma, Warfire, and Scourge came back from their patrol with the other dragons when they heard Toothless's roar as they went to the Academy.

As they reached the Academy, they watched as Toothless, Barf and Belch, Kishi in Mors's form, and the Skrill came inside. They were shocked to see the Skrill, minus Karma and Warfire. The two grown up dragons knew that they can tamed him.

"Hiccup, thank Thor that you guys are okay!" Astrid said in relief.

"And you tamed the Skrill!" Fishlegs added in awe as he looks at the Skrill.

Hiccup gets off Toothless and pats his dragon's side. "Well, we couldn't have done it without our new friend." He said.

"What new friend?" Fishlegs asked.

Then they heard another Skrill roar from the sky. They look up and saw a new figure flying towards the Academy. And once it enters, they were shock on what they saw. They saw the Human Skrill Hybrid aka X stood tall with Mira in his arms. Their mouth drops in full shock while Ruffnut flirts at X as she looks at his muscular chest with an x scar.

"Who is that?" Astird asked in shock.

Hiccup gestured X, who was putting Mira down, and made the introduction. "Everyone, this is X. X, these are the other Dragon Riders."

X just stared them with blank look on his eyes. He then notices Sapphire coming over to Mira with the little ones on her back. The little ones got off Mira's back, minus Betty and Aqua before running over to Mira and gave her a big hug.

"We were so worried!" Joe and Jon exclaimed with happiness, feeling happy that their big sister was okay. Soon, Liz, Lily, and Seasons are clinging on their mother's legs, they too are happy to see her well.

Mira smiles at them as she patted their heads gently, assuring them that she was alright. Sapphire walked over to her and gently nuzzles her rider, happy that she is not injured or captured. Mira gently pats Sapphire's head.

"I'm fine, Sapphire. X saved me." Mira said.

They all turn to X, who was looking at them with a raise brow, and were grateful for him. Well, Ruffnut was looking at him dreamily while Tuff and Snotlout were somewhat jealous since he was more attractive and somewhat handsome. Fishlegs was excited since X looks like a new species of dragon.

"This is…unbelievable!" Fishlegs awed in amazement.

"He looks strange." Snotlout mutters.

"Strange? More like a hunk!" Ruffnut said dreamily as she stared at X happily.

Astrid turns to Kishi, who was shifting back to a human. "Do you know what he is?" She asked.

"I do, but I only thought it was stories." He answered.

"Stories of what?" Fishlegs asked curiously.

"That dragons can turn humans into half-breeds." Kishi answered in a mysterious tone.

"Wait! Dragons can do that?!" Hiccup exclaims in shock.

"It's only stories, but I guess it's true since X is here." Kishi said, gesturing X.

They all turn to X. The Skrill Human Hybrid was looking at the little ones, standing beside him as they gave the dragon human hybrid big grins on their faces, except for Lily as she hides behind Liz. They have never seen someone like X before. They think he's cool.

"You said that there's a story about this, right?" Hiccup asked Kishi.

Kishi nodded. "Yes, the story is known by few. And it's quite interesting." He said.

This caught everyone's interest as they came in front of Kishi, except for Karma and Warfire. The two wise dragons heard this story before. Kishi looked at the group, he knows that they wanted to hear the story. So, clearing his throat, Kishi begins to tell the story.

"The story tells about a dragon, no one knows what dragon it was, but they say that this particular dragon found an abandon baby on the forest."

"Who would abandon a baby in the forest?" Tuffnut asked stupidly, but soon shushed by the others as they listen to Kishi's tale.

"The baby was a girl, no one knows why she was abandoned. But the dragon decided to take her in. The dragon did out of instinct and raise the child as its own. However, the dragon knew that this child was dying. And in order to save her life, the dragon gave some of its blood to her."

"Say what?!" They, minus the kids, exclaimed in shock.

The dragon gave some of its blood to a baby! That's just gross, but the twins find it awesome. The little ones weren't paying attention on the story. Instead, they were focusing on X. The male half-breed was staring the little ones with a brow raise, wondering why they are looking at him so strangely. When he turns away, he felt a weight on his tail. Turning his head, he lifted his tail and saw Liz daggling on it with her mouth. She was smiling at him with her mouth holding his tail. Her teeth were retracted, that way it won't hurt him. X just stared at her with a confused look as he glanced at the little ones, who were looking at him with wide eyes. He tilts his head them in confusion, wondering what they want. They didn't listen to Kishi's story as the little ones went towards X.

"When the dragon gave some of its blood, it then uses it's fire to complete the transformation. Thus, creating the first ever human dragon hybrid." Kishi said.

"Wow!" They all awed.

"What happen to the first dragon human hybrid?" Dagur asked, wanting to know what happens next.

Kishi shrugs. "No one knows, they say that she traveled the entire archipelago. Her whereabouts remains a mystery." He answered.

"Okay, this one major discovery of a life time." Fishlegs said with a grin.

"How come you guys didn't turn us to half dragons!" Tuffnut said to Barf & Belch angrily.

The Zippleback stared at him in confusion, not sure what to do. Kishi shook his head at the male Thorston, finding him so childish like his sister and Snotlout.

"It doesn't work that way, Tuff. You have to be a baby who's in the verge of death to be half human and half dragon. And most importantly, it would be very bad that you and your sister will be half dragons." Kishi explains.

"That would be a handful." Astrid agreed with Kishi.

"Yeah, and I'm curious on what it's like to be half dragon." Fishlegs said, wondering what it's like to be half dragon.

"Maybe we should ask X, he's the one who is part dragon." Hiccup suggested.

"I don't know, Hiccup." Mira steps in. "X can barely speak our language and he can understand a little to us."

"She's right. I believe that X lived among dragons and barely knows that he's human. Maybe it's best that we teach him how to be human, so he can understand us better." Kishi said.

"That's a great idea. Teaching him our culture can certainly help us understand him." Hiccup said.

"How do you know he'll cooperate?" Snotlout asked almost challengingly.

"Well, for starters, let's just hope he doesn't act like you or the twins." Astrind said, ignoring Snotlout angry 'HEY!' from the background.

"At least we should try." Hiccup said. "Who knows, maybe he can understand us quicker."

"And I believe that there won't be any difficulties." Kishi said as he looks up ahead.

"Why is that?" Fishlegs asked.

Kishi points at X. "It appears that he's very docile." He said.

They followed his gaze and saw X being played by the little ones. X has one of his arms up and Joe and Jon were hanging on it as they laughed happily. Liz was holding his lifted tail with her jaw happily. Seasons were clinging on his right leg, moving it back and forth, causing the little Snaptrapper to make a dragon like laugh. Lily was still shy around him, but she was sitting on his left shoulder, looking at his hair. Lightning and Thunder were on his wings, Lightning on the left and Thunder on the right, as they cling on them happily. Aqua and Betty were on Lavender's back, looking at X curiously as the little ones used X as a jungle gym.

"Huh, would you look at that." Hiccup said with a small smile.

"Well, teaching will be a cinch." Astrid agrees.

Tuffnut grins at the sight. "That looks fun! I wanna try!" He exclaims as he charges at X with a battle cry.

X's pupils turn into slits as he heard Tuff's battle cry. He swiftly turns to him and saw him charging at him. Seeing a threat, X quickly tosses the little ones in the air, causing them to squeal or shriek in delights while Lily shrieks in fear. The others watched in shock to see that and soon saw X doing something amazing. X flips through the air, avoiding Tuff's charge, and spins in the air for a short while before slamming his right leg on Tuff's head. That strike made Tuff fell on the ground with a loud 'OW' and X landed on the ground with ease as he placed his left dragon foot on top of Tuff's head. And as fast as the wind, X caught the little ones with his arms while Lily was caught with his head. The little ones, minus Lily, were laughing with pure joy at the sudden rush.

The others stared at him shock and amazement. Dagur claps his hands at X's action while Ruff stared at X dreamily. Astrid wonders if X could teach her that move when he learns to understands them. Hiccup and Fishlegs were shocked to see X's action while Kishi was impressed. Snotlout, on the other hand, was kind of terrified on X's action. Taking note that he shouldn't mess with him.

"Okay, we have our work cut out for us." Hiccup said as he walked over to X, who put the little ones down and removed himself from Tuffnut.

The male Thorston slowly got up on his feet and looks around dizzily. "What happened?" He asked.

No one answered his question as Hiccup continues talking about X. "We should start teaching him the basics."

"Great idea, it will be easier for him to learn." Fishlegs agreeing to Hiccup's idea.

"We should inform Stoick. He needs to know about him." Kishi informs.

"Good point." Hiccup agrees.

Mira looks over to her brothers. "Joe, Jon, stay here with X and his brother. We're going to get Stoick, keep them company, alright? Karma and Sapphire are in charge." She said.

The J Twins saluted. "Aye! Aye!" They said unison.

She smiles as she gets on Warfire. Sapphire was exhausted from running all the way here and she needs to help Karma in watching the little ones. Dagur gets on Kishi, who turns into Mors, and the rest of the dragon riders get on their dragons. They took off to the sky, leaving the little ones, and Mira's dragons with X and his brother. The J twins looked at X, who was watching as the others leave, and gave him their big grins. X notices this and looks at them, wondering what they are up too.

Later, the riders, Dagur, and Kishi brought Stoick, who was riding Thornado with Gobber, flies towards the academy. They filled in Stoick and Gobber about X and the Skrill. At first, the two male Vikings didn't believe them, finding it too crazy for them to believe such nonsense. But they have to see it believe it first. When they reach to the Academy, they saw Mira's dragons were outside with little ones, but not the J Twins, X, or Skrill were there. When they got off their dragons, they walked towards them. Mira's dragons were looking up to the sky for some reason.

"Um…where's Joe and Jon?" Mira asked worriedly.

"And where's X?" Ruffnut asked dreamily.

Astrid gave her a blank look. "And the Skrill."

"Yeah, that too."

Sapphire turns to them with a croon before turning back to the sky with the other dragons that stayed behind to watch over X and the Skrill, who weren't here with Joe and Jon.

"What are they looking at?" Gobber asked.

To answer his question, they heard cheers from the sky that belong to Joe and Jon. Turning towards the sky, they saw two figures flying through the clouds. The figures are X and the Skrill. And X has the J Twins hanging on his back, cheering and screaming in delight. X and the Skrill made tight turns through the air. Everyone watched in shock to see that, mostly Stoick and Gobber. They were shocked to see X was real!

"By Thor! There is a half human and dragon!" Gobber said in shock.

"Told you." Hiccup said with a smile.

They watched as X then grabbed the two boys and put them on the Skrill's back before taking off with the Skrill following him. The Joe holds on to the Skrill's horns while Jon holds tight on Joe. The Skrill follows X through the sea stacks, making tight turns and flips as they dodged all obstacles. The J Twins laughed with pure joy as they headed back to the academy. They landed behind Mira's dragons, who turned to them, and X helps the J Twins get off the Skrill's back.

"That was amazing!" Dagur said to a grin. "Did you see them did those turns and flips! Ooohhh! Gave me goosies!" Dagur said, rubbing himself with a grin.

"He is part Skrill and of course he can fly like that." Fishlegs said.

Stoick and Gobber stared in shock when they saw X. The teens were right, he is half Skrill and Human! But the most shocking part is that he's friends with Skrill. Hiccup went to his dad and Gobber and made the introduction.

"Gobber, Dad, this is X. X, this is my dad, Chief Stoick. And Gobber."

X looks at Stoick and Gobber, his face shows no expression. However, instead of greeting, he just bowed his head with respect. Gobber and Stoick were still shocked to see X up close and personal. As X brings his head up, the J Twins went to his side excitingly.

"X is really fast!" Joe praised with a grin.

"Yeah! And he can control lighting!" Jon added.

"Controls lightning?" Gobber repeated in a whisper.

The J Twins nodded. "Yeah! But unlike the Skrill, he can summon it on his own. He can even make weapons out of them too!" Jon explains.

"Wait, how can you possibly know that?" Hiccup asked.

The J Twins' eyes widen a bit as they glanced at each other with nervous expressions on their face. "Uh…"


Inside the academy, everyone's eyes widen in full shock to see what the J Twins did. There were many targets, however, they were in pieces or smoking. Every target has many scorch marks on them and were broken into pieces. Some practice dummies were on fire and some have many claw marks or no heads. The J Twins were filled with guilt and nervousness. X, on the other hand, stood there casually with his arms crossed as he stood beside the J Twins. Mira turns to her brothers with a scolding look on her face.

"Boys, I said keep them company, not use X to attack the targets." Mira said sternly.

Then Tuffnut came to their faces. Tuff's face was shown hurt and sadness along with his sister as he looks at the boys. "How could you two do this us?! Why didn't you wait for us to come here and see X's destruction!" He cried as he falls on his knees sobbing dramatically. "We could've seen his destruction at first haaand!"

Hiccup gave him an annoyed look before turning to boys. "What Tuff is trying to say is that you two should've wait for us when got back. Who knows what X would do if we weren't here?"

The boys felt guilty on this, they should've waited for them to see what X could do.

"But Karma and the others were here." Jon said.

"Yeah! They made sure that were safe and X was controlling himself fine." Joe added.

"Yeah, but still, wait for us when you two are doing training, okay?" Mira said to her brothers.

The boys looked down on the floor sadly. "Yes Mira." They said.

X watched the whole ordeal. He watched as the J Twins were being somewhat scolded by Mira and Hiccup. He guessed that the young ones weren't supposed to let him attack the targets. But it wasn't their fault, they were curious on his skills and wanted to know how he does it. X went over to the J Twins and placed both his claw hands on their heads gently, making sure that they didn't get hurt. The J Twins looked at him as X looks at the teens and adults.

"Not…their…fault." He said slowly using his words.

Everyone was surprised to hear X's words. They guess that X is taking the blame for the J Twins since it was him who cause the mess, not them.

"Huh, it appears that X is taking the blame for his actions." Kishi informs.

"At least he's better then these three." Gibber gestured the Thorston twins and Snotlout with his hook.

"Hey, I didn't do that." Snotlout points at the destroyed targets. "And he missed one." He added, pointing at the last dummy that was still there.

X's glanced at the target dummy before he swiftly turns to it and summons a lightning spear with hand before making a mighty throw as the lightning spear hits the target and exploded, causing everyone to shield their eyes, except for Karma, X, Warfire, and the Skrill. Once the smoke clears, they all looked at the spot where the target dummy was, but only find was a big scorch mark. They stared at the sport for a while before Tuffnut grins and brought his arms up.

"AWESOME!" He cheered.

"By Bear Thor, it couldn't be." Stoick said in shock.

Hiccup looks at his dad in confusion. "Can't be what dad?" He asked.

Gobber, who knows what Stoick meant, and stared at X in full shock. "It is! He's the one."

"One what?" Astrid asked.

"Lightning Demon." Stoick and Gobber said unison.

"Lightning Demon? That sounds cool." Tuffnut said as he got up.

Hiccup and the other stared at them in confusion. "Lightning Demon?" Hiccup asked.

"You kids have never heard of the Lightning Demon? Where are you living, in a rock?" Gobber said as he gestured X with his hook. "Everyone knows and fears him although I'd say more respect than fear. He's a hero."

"What do you mean hero?" Snotlout asked almost jealously.

Gobber then begins to tell a tale. "A winged demon would swoop down from sudden storms. Appearing out of thin air and punish those who did terrible things. I heard he took on an entire fleet of invader all by himself."

Snotlout scoffed. "So, what? We took down a fleet of Outcasts and Insanities before."

"With no survivors." Gobber added seriously, causing everyone to be tense by that. "And X is the Lightning Demon."

Mira became somewhat worried and scared as she turns to X, who looked at her. "Did you really do that?" She asked almost a whisper.

X stared at her for a moment, he could see worried and fear in her eyes. She wants to know if he did destroy a fleet of invaders. X couldn't lie to her and for some reason, he wanted to be honest to Mira.

"…Yes." Was all X answered.

Mira gasps by that when X said that while the Thorston Twins awed at him. Gobber went over to Mira and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't be afraid of him, Mira. Those invaders were going to take some Vikings as slaves to their lands. And I heard rumors of X being a half god." He said.

Mira turns to him in confusion. "Half god?" She asked.

"He's not wrong there, Mira. There were many rumors of X being a Lightning Demon. Everyone thought he has connection with Thor himself." Stoick said.

"Ha! More like he's the Son of Thor. He calls down lightning for Odin sakes!" Gobber stated with a grin.

Stoick shook his head and then turn to the teens. "Try and teach him to be human, so he can tell us his tale." He said, gesturing X.

They turn to X and saw that he was swarmed by the little ones again. He didn't move as they pull his tail and wings or played with his horns. They found it very amusing to see him being so calm.

"Okay, gang, it looks like we're gonna teach X how to understand us." Hiccup said.

Fishlegs squealed in delight. "This is so exciting! I'll get my books to teach him how to read!"

"And I'll get my bludgeon to protect myself from him." Snotlout points at X.

"Alright, let's get to work, but let's introduce X to the villagers first, that way, he can socialize with them." Hiccup said.

The J Twins became excited as they hold X's claws. "Come on, X! Let's go!" They said unison.

X follows them outside as they pulled his claws, leading him outside the Academy. They all got on their dragons and took off to the village. When they got there, Stoick announced and introduces X to everyone. At first, the villagers were wary at him, but soon warms up when the little ones were surrounding him. And as promised, the riders and Kishi taught X to be human.

First, they teach X how things work around here. X was skeptical at first, but slowly and surely, he understood. Fishlegs and Hiccup shows him the items that the Vikings used and Gobber soon joins in as he shows X his weapons. X studies the weapons, as if he was going to used them someday. Then they went to the Academy and shows X drawings of dragons and people. X observes them carefully before noticing a drawing of two people dancing. Astrid was the one who explain to X about dancing. And X, being the curious one, decided to try it out as he gently grabs Mira's hands and spins her around like a dance. Mira was blushing by this while Ruff and Tuff became jealous.

X soon stops when Hiccup shows him the drawing of stars and constellations. And later that night, they were in the forest as they show X, mostly Hiccup, Mira, Astrid, Kishi, and Fishlegs, the stars while Snotlout and the Thorston Twins were sleeping with their dragons. X was fascinated by this as he saw a comet above.

And on the Great Hall, Mira was teaching X how to read. X slowly reads the words and saying them too. Tuffnut was sitting at the corner with his arms crossed, jealous that Mira is spending time with X and not him. Ruffnut was lying on top of the table as she flirts at X being taught how to read by Mira.

Later on, Hiccup and Astrid shows X how to dragon sledding. X was curious about this as he watched as Hiccup and Astrid get on their dragons and sled down the snowy mountain. X, who wanted to try, finds a wooden board and uses it to sled down the mountain with ease, doing impressive moves. He sleds past the Thorston twins, blowing their hair a bit. Ruffnut faints by that while Tuffnut galres at him.

On the next day, X was at the academy, sparing with Dagur, Kishi, and Snotlout. The three males were having difficulties taking down X as he uses unknown moves. X side kicks Dagur out of the way and flips Kishi from striking him. X stops for a while when he saw Mira sitting near the chains of the arena. She was drawing something on her notebook. She saw X looking at her as she quickly looks away when she made eye contact to him. She was secretly drawing him on her notebook. X tilts his head at her curiously. When Snotlout charges at him with bludgeon as he lets out a war cry. But without looking, X grabs the bludgeon with one of his claws before giving a small electrical shock to Snotlout, who was jittered as he was being electrocuted by X before he was sent flying to the barrels.

On that night, X was lying on the forest of the Berk, looking at the stars with Skrill brother sleeping beside him. X has many thoughts in his head as he begins to think about Berk and the people, especially Mira. For some reason, he couldn't stop thinking about her. Every day and every night, he's thinks of Mira. He would feel something in his chest pound when he sees her. He wanted to know why, and he will get his answers if he sees her again. So, when morning came, X gets up started walking back to Berk while his brother slowly wakes up from his sleep before he follows his brother.

When they got to Berk X appeared behind Snotlout was trying to act all cool. When Snotlout saw X behind him, he screamed and fell off on his back. X just stared at him before noticing Mira was sitting on a bench, sketching a Terrible Terror. When he came be her side, Mira smiles at him and shows X her drawing of the Terror, it was pretty good drawing. However, the Terror flew away before Mira could finish. Mira was disappointed by that. X saw this as he watched the Terror fly away. And decided to show Mira something.

So, on the forest of an unknown location, X took Mira there without the others knowing, except for his brother. He knows where X was. So, X was climbing on a vine with Mira holding on his back. When they reach to the top, Mira awed at the sight before her. There were many Terrors hidden in the trees as they chatted about. X roared through the trees, causing the Terrors to fly away while some perched themselves on Mira and X.

And when night falls, X was holding a nervous Mira's hand as he teaches her how to swing. Mira was nervous about this, but X was there, so she wouldn't fall. Then the two leaped out from the tree. Mira closed her eyes as she blindly swings across. Luckily, X was there to guide her. Mira opens her eyes slowly and saw she was doing it right. Mira swings happily with a smile as she and X's vines intertwined together, making them to come closer. Mira smiles at him and X slowly twitches a smile.

On the next day, the gang were at the Academy, X was reading a book as he sits on the floor casually with the little ones climbing on him. Mira was talking with the riders about X's improvement. Tuffnut was somewhat jealous to X since Mira spends a lot of time with him.

"I think he's ready to understand us." Mira said.

"I agree, he did improve a lot lately." Hiccup said.

Astrid leans over to Mira with a small grin. "Maybe it has to do with a private tutor." She said as she nudges a blushing Mira.

Snotlout scoffs. "Please, he doesn't look like he's ready. I mean, I bet he doesn't know how many shot limits does a Zippleback has."

"It's six." X answered straight and casually from the sidelines without looking up from his book.

They're eyes widen by that as they turn towards X, who was still reading the book. They were shock that improve so quickly. Mira smiles at him as the little ones continued playing around X. And later that night, everyone was sleeping at the academy as they taught X everything they know, except for Snotlout and the Thorston Twins. X, with lanterns giving him light, was reading a book that Hiccup got from Trader Johann. He looks at the words and drawings of wonders, memorizing the words and culture. But he stopped in a particular page where he saw a drawing of a prince, giving a bouquet of flowers to a princess. X looks up from the book and looks at Mira. She was sleeping besides Sapphire, smiling in her sleep. X stared at her for a few seconds before looking at the drawing of the prince and princess, and wonders.

Was Mira supposed to be his?

He finally understood what was wrong with him. He has feeling towards Mira. Those strange feelings in his chest was his heart beating. Meaning that he has fallen in love with her. If so, maybe, just maybe, that Mira will one day be his. And he will do anything to protect her.

That was his wish.


Okay, I'm done with this chapter, I hope you guys liked it. It took me a whole day. And with some distractions. I hope you guys liked it.