Chapter 4

They made it to Dragon Island, where Re, Aurora, the Berkian riders, and the dragonets were waiting. Everyone was shocked when the small band of dragons and riders landed in front of them on the beach. Windwalker stumbled as landing jolted her sore ribs.

"What happened to you guys?" Re asked. "Where's Tenor?" No one spoke for a moment as they all dismounted. Serenity looked like she was about to cry. Chris told them all that had happened; from the storm to getting attacked by wild dragons.

"You found new dragons!?" Exclaimed Fishlegs.

"We did," said Hiccup. "But these were such strange looking dragons." Aurora saw the images of the strange dragons in all their minds, and she described to the others what she saw.

"I'm thinking, that these dragons were hybrids," she said. "Like Tenor." She used her magic to unparalyze Astrid.

"Thanks Aurora," Astrid said, getting off Stormfly.

"So these hybrids must have Tenor on that island somewhere," Re said. "They must be curious about each other."

"But why didn't he come out when we were calling for him?" Serenity asked. She looked at her queen. "Can you see if there's something wrong?" They all looked at Aurora. She straightened herself and looked ahead. Her eyes were very still, and unblinking.

"I can see that he's alive," she said. "But he seems to be wounded, and can't fly. I've never been to this island so I wouldn't know where their keeping him." She came back to reality. "I don't sense any danger for him." They all seemed to relax a bit, except for Serenity, Windwalker, and Black Widow.

"Maybe we can go back there and see these hybrids," Fishlegs suggested. "We could study them and see what dragon species they each come from."

"We should wait a bit before going back," Re said. "We don't know anything about these dragons. I have heard that hybrids can be unpredictable. They won't all be like Tenor."

"Let's worry about the hybrids later," said Aurora. "I'm sure these guys would want to rest after that attack." She turned and lead everyone back into the cave.

Once inside Serenity attended to Windwalker's ribs. Edelweiss and the dragonets had flown to the tide pools. Fishlegs was chattering about the hybrids, making mental notes to check his books later. Serenity was able to ignore him as she worked. Windwalker watched her.

"Can you breath okay?" Serenity asked, her voice was weak from stress.

"Yeah," Windwalker said. "I hope Tenor wasn't too badly hurt." She laid her head down on her front paws.

"He's strong," Serenity said. "I'm sure he'll be okay." She finished cleaning the cuts and bruises on Windwalker's side. The Night Fury seemed lost in thought.

"I remember when Tenor brought me to you after I was wounded in the battle with the Song," she said.

"Was that when you started liking him?" Serenity asked.

"No, it was earlier," Windwalker said. "When he first came to check on me after the sparing matches. He was so funny. He was the first one to make me laugh again." She sighed.

"I'm guessing you were as lonely as he was," Serenity said.

"Yeah, I watched other dragons in the mountain finding their soulmates and hatching eggs," Windwalker said. "It never bothered me really. But after all that had happened in my life, I was starting to think I was made to be alone and suffer."

"But you don't suffer any more," Serenity pointed out.

"Yes," Windwalker said. "I still bare the scars though." Serenity gently ran a finger along the four scars on the dragon's flank.

"Did you have any hybrid dragons in your mountain?" She asked.

"No, I didn't even know they existed," Windwalker said. Then a thought struck her. "You don't think Tenor will want to live the rest of his life with these hybrids do you?"

"I'm sure he'll come back," Serenity said. "When he's flying again." She finished her work and put her things back into her bag. Chris came over to them.

"How are you feeling?" He asked his dragon.

"Better," Windwalker said. She got to her feet, wincing. Serenity followed suit. Windwalker nudged her comfortingly.

"We'll get Tenor back," Chris said. "We plan to head back to that island in a few days, if he hasn't returned by then." Serenity seemed relieved, but not happy. Re, Aurora, and Toothless came over to them.

"What do you remember about these hybrid dragons?" Re asked. "Did any of them look or act like they were in charge?"

"No," Chris said. "They seem to come from underground."

"They're will be someone in charge," said Aurora. "There always is." They headed up to the large ledge at the back of the cave.

Back at Hybrid Hideout; Chimera watched all her followers fly back into the big cave. She was still on her throne, and Tenor was still next to her. She kept him under the power of the alpha crystals. He was sitting on his haunches, his eyes wide and blank.

"Were you able to take down those intruders?" Chimera asked the hybrids.

"No," said Fossil in a flat voice. "They got away." Chimera growled.

"They will be back no doubt," she said. "But when they do, I'll be even more ready for them." She sneered down at Tenor. "You're going to everything I say, to help me protect my home. I can tell your a great fighter and a great flyer. We're your new family, and we need you to help protect us." Tenor said nothing, he had no control over his mind. All he could do was what the Chimeragon said. She had no intentions of releasing him. She knew he was a strong, and deadly fighter. He would heal in just a few days.

On Dragon Island a few days later; the Draconians lounged about on the ledge in the big cave. They were all worried about Tenor. Serenity, Windwalker, and Black Widow were especially missing him. Black Widow slept beside her mother every night, so neither of them were lonely. Serenity wasn't riding anymore, except when she was needed for medical emergencies. The rest of the time she stayed in the big cave.

Outside came the sounds of dragons landing. The Draconians all got down from the ledge as Hiccup, Astrid, Fishlegs, and their dragons came inside. Fishlegs was clutching several notebooks and scrolls. Aurora used her magic to create a table out of the rocks, and Fishlegs set his things down.

"I've looked everywhere," he said. "Book of Dragons, Borks Papers, and my Dragon Eye notes. There's only brief mention of hybrid dragons, but not enough."

"Draco must have made them," Hiccup said, looking at Aurora.

"Yes, he doesn't create hybrids that often," said Aurora. "They're rarer than any dragon species. I don't think humans would run across them too much, and thus wouldn't have reason to document them."

"Are you going to get my dad back?" Black Widow asked, hopeful.

"We can't yet," said Astrid. "We don't know anything about these hybrids. They might see us and think they're under attack. There could be more of them then we saw on that island." Black Widow burst into tears and clutched her head in her front talons. The other young Draconians looked close to tears themselves.

"We will get him back though," Hiccup promised.

"When, next year?" Avalon snapped. Re nudged her with his wing, and gave her a stern look. The princess relaxed slightly.

"We best think of something soon," said Aurora. "Or these young ones will try to do it themselves."

"We'll set out tomorrow," Hiccup said. "I should be able to come up with a plan by then."

"Let's talk it over back on Berk," Re suggested. He took a deep breath, puffing smoke out of his nostrils.

"Can we come?" Avalon asked. Re looked at her again.

"You may," said Aurora. They all headed for the door. Chris then noticed that Serenity wasn't following them. She'd been very quiet the pass few days, obviously worried about her dragon.

"Are you coming?" Chris asked her.

"I'm no good at this kind of thing," Serenity said softly. "Back on that island I was nothing but dead weight." She wrapped her arms around herself.

"Well, you shouldn't be left here alone," Chris said. Serenity didn't move at first. Then she followed them outside. The others got on their dragons. Serenity hesitated for a moment, then got on Aurora. The queen sensed her mood.

"Don't worry," she said soothingly. "I know we'll get Tenor back. We're all hurting from his absence." All the dragons took off and headed for Berk.

Once they got there and landed in the plaza, the riders all dismounted. Chris assisted Serenity off of Aurora. Once she was down, she unexpectedly threw her arms around him.

"You going to be okay?" Chris asked, hugging her back.

"I think so," Serenity said. She let go and let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "I'll meet you guys back at my apple tree." She kissed Chris on the cheek. Then she turned and head for the path that lead to the tree. The rest of them headed into the Great Hall.

Serenity hiked up to her tree. It was very quiet. Serenity got herself some water from her well, and sat in her chair. She was prepared to wait in absolute silence, but then she heard wings heading her way. She looked up hopeful, but saw that it was only Windwalker. She sat back in her chair.

"Hi Windwalker," she said. "Is the meeting over already?"

"No," said the Night Fury. "You were looking as lonely as I felt." She laid down next to Serenity's chair. They sat in silence for quite a while. Serenity passed the time by mixing her remedies.

Some time later the rest of the Draconians came up to the tree. Serenity was just finishing up dinner.

"Well how'd it go?" Windwalker asked.

"We've decided to head out first thing in the morning," said Aurora. "They're may be a fight, I have a feeling about that. So Eret's ship will be tagging along."

"You can sail that Serenity," Re said. "So you'll be on hand if someone gets hurt." Serenity looked taken aback.

"But I don't know how to sail," she said.

"That's okay," said Aurora. "I'll use magic to give you knowledge you need." Serenity took a deep breath.

"All right," she said. Then Aurora thought about something.

"Actually, I have a better idea," she said. "But it will take until the morning to prepare it. So I should start on it now. Serenity I will need your help though."

"Oh, okay," Serenity said. She put down her remedy and got on the queen's saddle. Aurora took off as fast as she could go. The others readied themselves for the mission the next day.

All the riders and dragons woke up as the sun rose the next day. They gathered in the plaza. Fishlegs had his state card supplies so he could document the new hybrid dragons. Aurora and Serenity hadn't returned yet.

"Where's Aurora and Serenity?" Hiccup asked.

"Aurora said she had an alternative to bringing Eret's trapping ship," Re explained. "She and Serenity set out last night. They should be back soon." Suddenly there came a loud roar from above. They looked up to see Aurora coming towards them. Behind her was a large flying ship.

It was made out of an old dragon hunter ship. In place of sails was a huge red balloon. A golden dragon figure head was on the front, large dragon wings on either side of the hull, and a spinning propeller on the back. A large metal box was in the middle of the deck, with flames coming out the top and into the large balloon. It glided down towards the plaza and circled overhead as Aurora landed beside the others.

"That's my old air ship," Re said. "I haven't seen that thing since it crashed many years ago and we dumped it in the ship grave yard."

"Yes," said Aurora. "I managed to find it and put it back together."

"When did you make that?" Chris asked, amazed.

"A long time ago," Re said. "I'll tell you the story on they way." The riders all mounted their dragons and they all took off. As they headed out to sea, the air ship turned and followed them. It pulled alongside the formation. Serenity was at the helm; which was a large joystick.

While they were headed to the island; Re told about how he'd built the airship while the dragons were fighting dragon hunters. He explained how it worked, using Zippleback gas. He told how it helped in the battles against the dragon hunters. Then he told about how it had crashed after a large battle, and it had been scrapped and left in the ship graveyard.

"I've made some changes though," said Aurora. "I replaced the tail it had with a steam powered prop, and taken out all the weapons. So now it's a hospital ship instead of a battleship." The younger Draconians were really fascinated by the airship. They landed on the deck and explored it while they headed for Tenor's rescue.

A while later they spotted the island. At first their didn't seem to be any dragons around the island. But as the group got closer they saw a few strange looking dragons circling the island's shore. Fishlegs was beside himself with amazement at the hybrids. He spotted one that looked like a mix of Snow Wraith and Zippleback. The airship made very wide circles over the island, and way up high, out of harm's way.

Down in her cave; Chimera heard the sound of approaching dragons. At that moment a Boneknapper, Stormcutter hybrid flew in through the sky hole. He stopped and hovered in front of the throne.

"We have dragons approaching," he said. "And they have humans with them." Chimera turned to Tenor who was lounging nearby. He was still under the power of the alpha crystals.

"Probably coming to take him away," Chimera said. "Tenor, tell me anything I should know about any of those dragons." Tenor faced her, his face blank.

"Queen Aurora has magic," he said robotically. "She, King Re, and the two Night Furies are immune to mind control. Re and his human son, Chris, are bonded through the heart." Chimera's eyes went wide.

"Hmm, bonded?" She repeated. "And the queen has magic." She hissed. Then she banged her alpha crystals together, the sound carried to every dragon on the island. "Defend our home from these intruders. Do whatever is necessary. Tenor, I want you to take down their queen, before she can use any of her magic." Tenor obediently took off and followed the Boneknapper and Stormcutter hybrid out of the cave.

The hybrids charged at the riders and their dragons. Some of them were in their titan form. All the Berkian and Draconian dragons that could, unlocked their titan wings. The two sides fired at each other. Though, like before the Berkians and Draconians couldn't anticipate what powers the hybrids had. But they fought to the best of their abilities. While the adults distracted the hybrids, the dragonets secretly searched the island for Tenor. They called for him, and looked in every dark place they could find. But he was no where to be found. Black Widow was close to tears again. Avalon and Apollo sensed a source of power coming from somewhere. They were about to go investigate when there came a loud commotion from above.

Aurora was using her magic to see in the minds of the hybrids, but all she saw was that their minds were thinking in unison and didn't have any individual thoughts. She couldn't see any information about Tenor. She was getting more worried now. Suddenly she heard a roar from above her. She was just able to turn her head and see Tenor flying at her, his eyes wild, with claws and teeth bared, before he rammed into her at full speed. They became a tangle of claws, and teeth, and fire. The commotion caught the attention of the others. Tenor suddenly blasted Aurora in the head, stunning her. Before anyone could fly to her aid, Tenor slashed Aurora's neck.

"NOOOOOO!" Re howled. He watched helplessly as he soulmate fell from the sky unconscious. Re flew as fast as he could towards her, but wasn't fast enough. Aurora landed hard on the shoreline with a nasty crunch. Tenor meanwhile, was flying at the other intruders, blood dripping from his claws and teeth.