Chapter 2: First Contact

Five years. Five years in paradise made it all the more splendid. He had a new family to protect; Greln, Trena, and Twilight. He was fully accepted only a few days after their offspring's birth.

Twilight had grown quite a bit in those five years. When she hatched, she went from the tip of his fingers to halfway up his lower arm. Now, the beauty was as long from snout to tailtip as he was tall. He loved her as a sister, and frequently called her "Little One."

Nothing major happened over the better part of that time. The only noteworthy events were Javelin's trip to the southern landmass and a friendly Zippleback. Javelin returned reinvigorated and constantly studied his new resource. To remind him his mission, his calling, when he needed it most, he circled and highlighted a simple phrase: "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Twilight was three-years-old when the Zippleback arrived. Javelin told the Night Furies he would take care of the situation. And he did. The double-headed dragon was initially hostile, already having been attacked by several humans in the past, but they were given the same respect as the Furies.

Javelin named them Match and Spark. Despite their mischievous antics, they made a point that they could be trusted. Match considered himself to be an artist, while Spark was his 'assistant.' Or was it the other way around? Either way, the two heads kept trying to put beauty in destructions. According to them, it was easier to tell between the two; Match was bright red as Spark had lava orange.

The crimson-clad man did his best to learn about dragons whenever possible. He managed to get a book together and wrote down every fact. But information was limited for a majority of species. The only subject that was actually complete was the Night Fury.
_

Another five years went by. Twilight was now only three-quarters the size of her parents. She was already independent, already exploring farther and farther from the island. Javelin asked Greln and Trena if he could ride Twilight, claiming that his promise heavily included her.

"I happily approve," Greln said. "After all, you share a special bond with Twilight."

Javelin cared for the young Night Fury and was always there when she needed him. He hadn't the faintest idea why, but the man forged a special connection. In an incident where Twilight hurt her wing, Javelin transferred the pain to him. Until her injury healed, he was stuck with what felt like a broken arm.

It was some months after Twilight turned twelve. She and Javelin were doing a daily flight when they saw them. Humans. Four of them, three men and a young woman.

They immediately landed, frightening most of them. The sight of a Night Fury was enough for all but the bravest to tremble. Seeing what appeared to be a man with the beast was insane.

Javelin was the first to talk, "Who are you and what are you doing here?"

One man collected his breath and stepped forward. "We're traders from up north. Our ship was sunk by the waves last night and we drifted here."

"Makes sense. Last night was pretty rough," Twilight said, the traders hearing only growls and mumbling.

"What are your names?"

The man pointed to himself. "I'm Bjorn. This is Raln," the large man to his right nodded, "Johnathan," a black-haired man waved, "and my daughter, Amber." The woman came up, her hair flowing in a braid.

Javelin relaxed a bit. He looked at Amber and briefly bowed his head. "Ma'am. Pleasure to make your acquaintances."

Amber smiled, "Thank you. But it's fair to tell us your name now."

"Crimson." He decided to remove his helmet so they can get a good look at his face. Despite living on the island for over a decade now, his jet-black hair was combed and short, with a small amount of stubble resting on his chin.

"You can't have been here that long if you're that clean," Johnathan remarked.

"Actually, I've lived here for over ten years now."

"With that beast?" Raln spat out.

Twilight growled, "I am not a mindless animal!" Raln retreated at the outburst.

Javelin rubbed the Fury's head to calm her down. "I suggest you watch your words."

Bjorn stepped between the two. "Enough." He looked at Javelin and asked, "Can you please help us get home?"

"Yes," the man replied after a minute of thought, "on one condition. You four warn everyone not to come here. Make up a story, do what you have to do."

Raln had a look of disgust on his face. "You mean you're with these... these dragons?"

"Yes." Javelin put his helmet back on and whistled. A red-and-orange Zipple back flew into the clearing and moved to the group, hissing.

"Match, Spark, I need you to watch these guys until I come back."

"What?" Match reared back in shock.

"You sure this is a good idea?" Spark looked at the traders before turning to Javelin.

"Yes. I don't want them going anywhere." He climbed onto Twilight and righted himself. "Don't attack them, no matter how much they," he pointed a thumb at Raln, "provoke you. Remember, keep yourselves safe."

Twilight flanked the group to get a good launching position. Johnathan quickly asked, "Were... were you just talking to them?" Javelin nodded a 'yes' before the Night Fury took off. Everyone watched as they headed to the nearest friendly village.

The Zippleback heads were the first to move. "You want first watch, or should I?" Match asked.

"You should. I got an idea for another art piece," Spark answered as he began to dig a large ring in the sand.
_

"What do you think about those guys?" Twilight asked.

Javelin shrugged. "Bjorn and Amber seem honest enough. Johnathan is... quiet. Raln... we need to keep an eye on him.

"Hmm."

They flew for 30 minutes before coming across the village. Fortunately for them, this place was impartial to dragons, as the raids were much farther north. Twilight landed in the plaza before the town hall. Javelin dismounted when the leader appeared.

"I am Durndoc, Chief of Riak. Who are you and what is your purpose here?" He spoke in a booming voice.

Javelin brought his right hand over his chest. "Crimson. I came here to ask for help."

"Explain."

"Yes sir. A group of traders were shipwrecked last night and washed up onto my island. I ask for a ship to be sent there to retrieve them.

"Who are these traders?"

"The leader said his name was Bjorn. He has..."

Durndoc interrupted, "Say no more. I know Bjorn quite well. He has a very good reputation in these seas."

Javelin did the salute again. "Thank you, sir. The island is south of here and is dominated by a single mountain with a cliff on the west side. I will meet your men there." He turned, got onto Twilight, and left.
_

"Is it done yet?" Spark asked, his other head having taken over the digging.

"Almost. There you go." Match replied. The heads alternated between watching the traders and looking at their creation. It was a large ring dug into the sand with a hole in the center. Match breathed into the indentations, the gas fortunately staying in the mold. "You have the honors."

"Here we go." Spark ignited the gas just as Raln cautiously approached.

Sand went everywhere, mainly into the Zippleback and the Viking. The only thing left of the ring was a large hole.

"I think we should stick to aerial artwork." Match broke the silence.

Spark looked at him and said, "For once, you're right."

Raln only growled before walking to water, washing off the sand. He got back on land when he heard the signature scccrrrreeeeeeecchh of a hated dragon. "Night Fury!" he screamed before diving for whatever cover was available (which was none).

No blast came. He looked around before seeing not one, but two Night Furies land next to the Zippleback. Raln swore they were laughing at his expense. A look of fear crept back into face when he didn't see any rider.

A mixture of growls, moans, and soft roars reached his ears. The three dragons were talking to each other. Thinking he now has seen everything, he turned and was about to run when he nearly smacked into a third Fury. Luckily, this one had Crimson.

Bjorn came up with the others. "Did you get...?"

Crimson dismounted, already answering the man's question, "Yes. A boat will be here in a few hours." Twilight ran over to her parents, nuzzling them.

"How can we repay you?" Johnathan asked with relief.

Crimson held his hand out, palm forward. "Just that you hold up your end of the bargain. Spread rumors and make sure people know to stay away."

Oh, I'll warn them alright, Raln thought.
_

Sure enough, the boat came several hours later and picked up the traders. They spread stories about a dragon rider, clad in crimson armor, who had control over not one, but three Night Furies. He would happily kill anyone who intended to hurt a dragon when he was near. He was lord over a large nest where he lived and was merciful only to his subjects.

These rumors and tales eventually reached Berk, where they were met with laughter and disbelief. "No one can ride those beasts," Stoick the Vast boasted. "They kill without mercy."

Only one person saw gain in the stories. Just the slaughter of one Night Fury will set a Viking for life. Imagine what killing two will do, the young man thought. Already having a majority of the armada under his command, the prizes would finally allow him to overthrow his father. "Get some ships ready to sail." he said to an officer.

I will be the first to kill those dragons.

(AN) That guy has got to be obvious. Anyways, prepare yourselves for next chapter. I wrote it while listening to All Gone: No Escape, so...