3rd person POV...

All is peaceful and quiet in the cove, birds chirping and the water still and clear. This silence is suddenly interrupted by a single fish being tossed out from between two rocks. It hits the ground and slides a little bit, coming to a stop. A moment later, Hiccup peeks his head through the gap, looking around cautiously. When nothing happens, he moves forwards between the gap with his shield, before jerking to a halt. Surprised, he realizes that the shield was stuck in between the rocks, and tries to push it through, to no avail. Slipping underneath it, he comes out on the other side and attempts to pull it, but nothing happens, the shield being stuck tight.

Sighing in resigned exasperation, he cautiously moves forwards, picking the fish up by its gills and stalking around carefully, looking for any sign of the dragon. Moving a few feet, he is unaware of the eyes narrowed at him from behind, until he hears a snort. Hiccup turns around slowly, then gasps fearfully to see the Night Fury, crouched on a rock like a stealthy panther. It descends, approaching him suspiciously and ready to pounce.

Hiccup swallows his fear and slowly offers the fish. Curious, the Night Fury moves forwards, opening his mouth before noticing the dagger on his waist. Seeing this, the Night Fury springs back with a snarl, teeth bared and ready to strike. Hiccup gasps again and backs up nervously, before noticing his dagger as well. He reaches for it, eliciting another growl. Pausing for a moment, he then carefully lifts it by the handle, and drops it on the ground. The dragon motions with its head towards the lake, and Hiccup manages to pick it up with his foot and toss it into the water. Seeing the threat gone, the Night Fury immediately calms down, sitting and looking at Hiccup with a curious look, like an overgrown puppy.

Seeing this, Hiccup is bewildered, but goes with it, holding out the fish. The Night Fury's eyes light up at the sight of the fish, and it stalks forwards, mouth open, which allows Hiccup to notice that it's missing teeth.

"Huh, toothless. I could've sworn you had..." he says slowly in confusion.

Within a heartbeat, a set of razor sharp teeth suddenly emerge from its gums, and the dragon snatches the fish from his hands. Hiccup yelps in surprise, pulling his hand back quickly as the Night Fury chomps down on the fish, swallowing and licking his mouth happily, looking back down at him.

Hiccup is frozen for a minute, staring at the dragon with wide eyes. "...teeth," he finishes in shock.

The Night Fury then narrows his eyes, stalking forward and sniffing at Hiccup, expecting more fish while warbling curiously. Wary, Hiccup backs up nervously as the dragon continues to approach.

"Uh, uh, no no. No." he stammers.

The Night Fury backs Hiccup against a rock, placing himself in the same position as before, during their first meeting. The dragon closes in over him, staring blankly.

"I don't have any more," he whispers, praying that the dragon understands.

A tense moment passes as the dragon considers him. Then the dragon takes a step back, a few sounds coming from its throat as it regurgitates a chunk of fish onto Hiccup's lap. Hiccup groans quietly in disgust, and the Fury leans back, sitting on its hind legs, copying Hiccup's position with wide eyes, full of curiosity and intelligence. The sight would actually be adorable if Hiccup wasn't so fearful.

The two exchange awkward, nervous stares, mostly in Hiccup's case while the Night Fury continues to stare at him with an expectant look. After a few long seconds pass, the dragon looks down at the fish tail before back up at Hiccup's face. Surprised, Hiccup follows the dragons line of sight before his eyes go wide in shock and disbelief as he realizes what the Night Fury wants him to do.

Sighing in resignation, he slowly and squeamishly picks up the fish tail, shivering at the slime covering it. The dragon waits expectantly. Seeing no other option, he hesitantly raises it to his mouth and gnaws off a bite of the slimy fish. The dragon's ear flaps perk up, and he forces a pleased look, holding the fish out towards him, hoping he would take it. However the Night Fury still notices the fish remaining in Hiccup's mouth and swallows.

Abashed, Hiccup drops his hands in disbelief with a groan. Hesitantly, he attempts to swallow but gags, holding a hand to his mouth to keep from spitting out the fish. Holding it in, he manages to swallow the slimy, scaly fish and shudders in disgust. The dragon eyes him with a pleased look, so he returns it with a crooked smile.

Seeing this, the dragon narrows its eyes at him, and to his amazement, begins to mimic his smiling face. Hiccup watches tranfixed as a toothless smile forms on the Night Furies face, unlike anything that he had ever heard of or seen. The thought runs through his head that maybe... just maybe, Mara's family was right about dragons, and they weren't as bloodthirsty as they believed! He sits up and stretches out his hand slowly to touch the Night Fury with a genuine grin of excitement on his face, a rare look for him, even around Mara. However the dragon snarls at him upon approach, and quickly flaps off towards the other side of the cove with a crash. He shakes his head and blasts the mossy ground around him to a red-hot temperature, and curls up on it like a giant dog.

Up above, a bird chirps from its nest before flying away while he watches with a look of sadness and envy. Hearing a shuffle behind him, he turns his head to find Hiccup seated beside him. Groaning with lidded eyes, the Night Fury lays his head on the ground with an irritated expression, and brings his tail to cover his face. Seeing an opportunity, Hiccup scoots closer to the dragon and reaches out to touch the tail. His hand is only a few inches away before the tail snaps away to reveal the dragon staring at him with wide eyes. Hiccup immediately stands up nervously, and awkwardly shuffles away from him. Annoyed, the dragon gets up from his position on the ground and slumps away.


Mara POV...

I had tracked Hiccup through the forest after leaving the house, using my senses in the Force and observation skills I picked up from Mom to follow his trail. I was about a half hour behind Hiccup, but his trail eventually led me to a secluded, but beautiful cove in the middle of the woods. That's when I found the most peculiar sight, but not to far from what I was expecting; the Night Fury. It was lying from a tree, using its tail to stay up and actually dozing off, completely ignoring Hiccup who was in the same cove, dragging a stick through the dirt. I smiled at the sight, keeping myself hidden in order to see what would happen next.

After about a minute, the dragon opens his eyes, spotting Hiccup sitting on the other side of the cove, sketching in the sand. Hiccup could draw very well, even in the dirt, and although they were a bit to far, I could make out the image of the Night Furies head being drawn in the dirt. I giggle quietly to myself when he stills as the dragon quietly shuffles behind him, watching carefully. Aware of his presence, Hiccup continues, trying not to scare him off. I can't help but awe at how the dragon follows the motions of Hiccup's drawing in the sand, warbling curiously. He then walks off, and Hiccup glances over in confusion to see what he's doing.

I hold a hand to my mouth to contain my laughter as the dragon grabs an entire sapling with his mouth, drawing lines in the sand. Hiccup watches in bewilderment, I in awe as he rushes here and there, making haphazard lines in every direction. He even manages to whack Hiccup on the head with the end of the sapling, much to my amusement, before finally dropping the tree and inspecting his work. He nods his head, obviously pleased with himself. Hiccup then stands up and takes in the sprawling scribble, amazed by it. I smile warmly at the look of genuine wonder and amazement on Hiccup's face, a very rare emotion for him to have.

I notice how the drawing seems to resemble Hiccup's face, the dragon mimicking Hiccup's drawing of himself! It's hard to see, but upon looking closely I can definitely make out a face, and stare in wonder, amazed by the dragon's intelligence and ability to learn. Hiccup then walks forwards, accidentally stepping onto one of the lines, eliciting an instant growl from the dragon. He flinches, before noticing what the dragon was uptight about and raises his foot. I giggle once he stops growling, and Hiccup puts his foot down again, testing. The dragon growls again, and this continues on for a couple more times. This Night Fury has got to be one of the most adorable things I have ever seen, which would definitely make R5 jealous if he knew I thought that. That droid always tries to put on the innocent act with me.

Realizing how sensitive he is, Hiccup steps carefully between each line, turning round and round like a dance, unknowingly drifting closer to the dragon. The entire time I have a soft smile on my face at Hiccup's genuine wonder, glad he finally has a place to express himself without being judged. His smile goes away to be replaced with a nervous look when he unwittingly bumps into the Night Fury. He snorts, ruffling Hiccup's hair. Turning around, Hiccup gazes up at him warily, while the dragon has a curious look, wondering what he'll do next. Hiccup then slowly extends his hand, trying to touch the dragon's face. The hesitant and warning growl has him pull it back. Finally, considering what to do next, Hiccup turns his head away and closes his eyes. From what I can sense, he is putting his full trust in the Night Fury to react in whatever it will to him, completely exposed and helpless.

This act alone proves to me that Hiccup has more in him than any other Viking on this island, maybe even all of Ahch-To.

The dragons eyes his hand, and I can also sense the amazement from him at what Hiccup is doing, and bridges the gap between them. He presses his muzzle against Hiccup's hand, and said boy flinches heavily, stunned by the action, slowly looking back up at the dragon. I watch the scene with transfixed eyes, sensing this to be a turning point in the relationship between humans and dragons. The Night Fury then opens its eyes, and upon noticing Hiccup was staring at him, snorts once, before swiftly moving away. Hiccup pulls his hand back slowly, amazed by what occurred, more so than I am for sure.

Getting up from my spot, I decide to head back, knowing Hiccup would be safe in the forest now. Besides, there is also a campfire with Gobber's class later tonight, so I know Hiccup will be leaving any minute now. I'll confront him about this later, when the moment has calmed and settled in.

However there was something befuddling to me, something I am amazed and confused at. When I sensed the Night Furies emotions, his amazement with Hiccup wasn't the only thing I sensed, and there was something else I have to tell my parents.

This dragon shares a deep connection to the Force.


Classified location - 3rd person POV...

The Ghost drifts through space alongside another Corellian vessel, which the crew isn't able to fully identify. This ship is actually the Knight Hawk, but the true nature of it and its crew is unknown to them, designed to be untraceable. The only thing they know about it is that it's related to Fulcrum. Hera presses a few buttons on the terminal as their ships dock, and a transmission passes through the comlink.

"Fulcrum to Ghost. Docking complete. Heading to the airlock now," the distorted voice of Fulcrum says.

"Acknowledged, Fulcrum. We're ready and waiting." Hera replies.

"I don't suppose Zeb and I could get to meet Fulcrum this time?" Sabine asks hopefully, in a persuading manner.

Hera does not hesitate in her reply. "Nope. This time you stay in the cockpit," she says, tapping her on the shoulder.

"That's what we did last time." Zeb complains with a frown.

Hera exits the cockpit to the common room, slightly surprised to see Tseebo standing up and about. "You seem better," she comments.

"Tseebo's mind is clearer now. But it is difficult," he admits, holding his head with a grimace. "There's so much information inside Tseebo."

Hera places a reassuring hand on his shoulder as she leads him towards the airlock. "Fulcrum's people will help you with that and keep you safe."

"But will Tseebo see Ezra Bridger again?" he asks hopefully.

"I hope so. Someday. Is there anything you'd like me to tell him?" she asks carefully.

Tseebo sighed shamefully. "Oh, Tseebo failed Bridgers. Did not watch over their son. But Tseebo tried to make it right by accessing imperial files," he replies sadly.

"And that intel will be invaluable." Hera tells him.

"Oh, intel unimportant, an accident!" Tseebo says, agitated. "Tseebo access file on Ezra Bridger's parents. Tseebo knows Bridgers' fate," he says quietly.

"Then tell me, Tseebo. Tell me, and I'll tell Ezra!" Hera stresses, listening carefully.


Jarik POV...

While Ahsoka was handling the transition with Hera about Tseebo, I sat in the cockpit, deep in thought from these waves I was getting through the Force. Next to me, R5 was doing his own thing with the ship, which I paid no mind to. For some reason, despite my Force abilities never being as attuned as Ahsoka's were, I had an unnatural affinity for foresight, allowing me to see things through the Force at random times. Closing my eyes, I delved into the Force, sensing along these waves, being revealed a quick series of images:

A forest in the evening, where a deep cove in the ground lay. I watch Hiccup lay a careful hand on the snout of a black dragon, a deep connection being shared from this act, as well as something else.

Scene shifts.

I see another world, unfamiliar to me, where a young boy is sitting in some sort of meditation circle on an island, rocks floating nearby. I assume this to be a Force user in hiding, although something tells me I'll meet him in the future. What seems odd though is the man standing next to him, wearing orange and red robes, a blue arrow on his bald head. Some kind of monk? Maybe a Guardian of the Whills, or believer in the Force like Chirrut?

Scene shifts.

This image is much darker, and an unnatural whitish green fog whips around me. Then in front of me, three pale lights in some sort of triangle shine forth, however the way they seem to pierce through my soul suggests these aren't normal lights. Then surrounding those lights is some sort of massive alien figure just visible through the fog, and a dark laugh echoes around me.

"Hello?" Ahsoka asks in my ear.

I open my eyes, blinking slightly in surprise before looking up at her. "Hmm?" I ask.

"This is Tseebo, the Rodian we were picking up," she says, gesturing to said person standing in the doorway of the cockpit, a hesitant look on his face as he hunches in on himself.

"Oh, hey there! How are you doing Tseebo?" I ask kindly.

"Tseebo will be alright," he replies. "Tseebo hopes to make it up to Ezra Bridger."

I share a glance with Ahsoka at the mention of ezra, the new kid the crew picked up a few months back before smiling back at Tseebo. "I'm sure you will Tseebo. But until then, I know just the place to stay safe from the Empire," I inform him, getting a grateful nod in response.


Mara POV...

Far after the sun ad set, I was sitting at the top of an abandoned catapult tower with Hiccup, Gobber and the rest of the recruits, toasting campfire food with a roaring bonfire. Gobber was droning on and on about another one of his war stories, and I was bored the same as Hiccup. We had heard these things so many times already even I could almost recite it word for word. Hiccup was roasting a measly little fish due to the rest of the sticks and chicken already being taken. I didn't have anything, having eaten earlier, but it was sad to see him in a glum mood so soon after his interaction with the Night Fury, who I am shocked to realize he's starting to think of as 'Toothless.'

"...and with one twist he took my hand and swallowed it whole. And I saw the look on his face. I was delicious. He must have passed the word, because it wasn't a month before another one of them took my leg!" Gobber proclaimed proudly, showing off his peg leg. Everyone who hadn't heard it yet listened in awe of the tale, although Astrid was more casual, no doubt thinking about how to improve in her training.

"Isn't it weird to think that your hand was inside a dragon, like if your mind was still in control of it? You could have killed the dragon from the inside by crushing his heart or something." Fishlegs says with a look of wonder on his face. he others give him various looks, weirded out by the statement. That doesn't even come close to what I've heard.

"Dude, what the heck?" Tuffnut says with a disgusted look on his face.

"You think that sounds weird? You'd be screaming from what my parents have actually encountered," I said offhandedly with a snort. Unfortunately I forgot that mentions of my family's past experiences would draw attention like wildfire.

"Wait, really?!" Tuffnut asks eagerly.

"WHat kind of weirdness?!" ruffnut asks with just as much enthusiasm. I notice that everyone, even hardcore Astrid and glum Hiccup were looking at me in interest.

"Oh why did I have to say anything," I muttered.

"Come on, tell us the weirdest thing you've heard of!" Snotlout demands.

Not seeing a way out of it, I let out a sigh before developing a smirk on my face, eager to see their reactions to this. "Well if you'd like to ask, sure. My parents have told me their own war stories about the Clone Wars; which by the way happened before you were born. You wanna know some of the people they fought?"

"Let me guess, no spoilers! Barbarians?" Tuffnut asks.

"Men driven to insanity!?" Ruffnut offers.

"Demons!" Tuffnut exclaims.

We stare blankly at him for a few seconds, and he shrugs in response. With a roll of my eyes I continue. "Anyways, you know because of my mom that there are numerous humanoid species in the universe correct?"

They nod their heads, and I continue with a smirk. "They've actually fought armies consisting of human-sized bugs with hands and feet."

It take s moment for it to register in their minds what I said before they all cringe in repulsiveness.

"EW!" Snotlout says in disgust, and Fishlegs shivers. even Astrid looks uncomfortable at the idea.

"Well that sounds... lovely?" Gobber says, unsure.

"More like disgusting," Hiccup mutters, and I nudge him playfully with small smile, which he returns.

"OH oh oh!" Ruffnut hollers. "How about when your dad lost his arm? What's with that?"

"Why do you wanna know that?" I ask with a raised eyebrow.

"We were on the subject of Gobber's limbs," Fishlegs pointed out expectantly, and Gobber eyes me in interest.

"He lost it in an explosion," I state bluntly.

Tuffnut frowns. "What kind of explosion?" he asks.

Recalling what I've heard, I think about how to put it in comparison. "Think Night Fury blast, but ten times bigger," I tell them.

Everyone's jaw drops in shock and disbelief, stunned quietly for several seconds until Gobber breaks the silence. "Well... guess that's more impressive than my stories, hehe," he chuckles nervously.

Before the teens can ask anymore questions I immediately shut them down. "Alright, that's enough space story telling!"

There were a few groans all around before Snotlout jabs at his chicken, holding it up with an intense glare on his face. "I swear I'm so angry right now! I'll avenge your beautiful hand and your beautiful foot. I'll chop off the legs of every dragon I fight, with my face!"

He postures to Astrid, who rolls her eyes. I do the same at his boastful, but idiotic words. Gobber chews on his chicken, shaking his head. "Un-unh. It's the wings and the tails you really want! If it can't fly, it can't get away. A downed dragon is a dead dragon."

I sense a feeling of horror right next to me and glance over to see Hiccup staring at the ground, eyes wide. I get the feeling that he feels guilty for shooting down Toothless. I wonder what he plans to do about that... Obviously something judging by the ideas running through his head, which I could notice from his calculating gaze. He then realizes I'm watching him, and looks away at my raised eyebrow.

Gobber then stands up and stretches. "Alright. I'm off to bed. You should be too. Tomorrow we get into the big boys. Slowly but surely making our way up to the Monstrous Nightmare. But who'll win the honor of killing it?"

I sigh at his playful taunting, reminded once again of how Hiccup is the only Viking who realizes the true nature of dragons. During this distraction, I then realize that Hiccup had scampered off. Astrid does too, which is surprising.

"It's gonna be me. It's my destiny. See?" Tuffnut boasts, rolling up his sleeve to reveal a red dragon on his arm.

Fishlegs gasps in awe. "Your mom let you get a tattoo?"

"Well, see you all later!" I exclaim, back flipping off of the tower with a smirk, much to their bewilderment.

I land at the foot of the tower and lean against the side, listening as Hiccup's footsteps echo closer before turning around the pole. He glances up and yelps in surprise to see me standing there casually.

"Ah! Oh... what? Why would you do that Mara?" he complains.

"Because its fun," I retort with a grin. "So where you off to?" I ask casually.

"Oh, uh... I'm off to the... forge! I left some things there accidentally," he lies, not at all believable.

"Yeah I know," I reply with a knowing smile, pulling his notebook out of my pocket and holding it out to him. He widens his eyes in shock and fear, slowly taking it from my hands and looking at me.

"Well, see you tomorrow Hiccup. Good luck in the... dragon, training!" I say cheerfully, emphasizing the word "dragon" before sauntering off back to the house. I feel a little bit bad for terrifying him so much, but it is so worth it.