Chapter 3: Survivor

She was fourteen. They were on the ground, relaxing in the sun. Twilight was sleeping in the grassy clearing, Javelin on his back on the beach. He had his helmet off and was working on his earpiece. His first test with it had been with Bjorn and his group. It was the translation unit from his helmet. Now, he could hear what everyone was saying without needing the protection.

He could now speak almost perfect Norse with reading to boot. A few months after the traders left, some foolhardy trappers and hunters came to the island. They were still on the island... well, in. But Javelin was grateful for their donations; clothing that let him fit in and their ship.

He used that vessel when he traveled. Usually, the only spot he went to was Durndoc's village. It was close and he didn't want to go to far from home without Twilight. He'd frequent the tavern and market, trading the dead intruders' valuables for books and weapons. Both were used well.

A Monstrous Nightmare arrived on the island during his third trip. Match and Spark told the newcomer about Javelin and their family. Both man and dragon were surprised when they met, but were friends soon enough. Sometime after that, the Nightmare, who was named Splatter, challenged Match and Spark to an art contest. Much to the Zippleback's dismay, Splatter won.

The two heads went on a troublemaking spree for a few days, then went back to normal. They experimented several things, their latest attempt being the effects of Match's gas underwater. The result was both coughing up seawater.

Javelin collected his thoughts and sat up. After putting his earpiece and helmet back on, he got up and walked to Twilight. She awoke from her nap with a yawn and stretched. "Morning, little one."

"You know I'm bigger than you, right?" She gave a sarcastic glare.

"Yes, but you are still a little sister to me."

They laughed before Splatter came flying out of the forest. He landed with a fearful look on his face. "Javelin!"

Javelin ran up to him, checking for injuries. "Splatter, what's wrong?"

"Human... ships... coming this way," The Nightmare said between breaths.

"How many?" the crimson-clad man asked. Twilight let out a gathering call.

"Five, maybe six." Splatter moved his head, trying to remember. "I think there was a Skrill on their sails."

"Berserkers." Trena, Greln, Match, and Spark landed. "We're being attacked," he explained.

"What do we do?" Spark asked.

"We defend our home," Greln said. "With our lives, if need be."

Javelin put his helmet on. "Splatter, Twilight. How about we give them a warning?" They nodded and the trio took to the skies.

"We'll stay here!" Match yelled out.
_

Two minutes was how long it took to reach the invaders. Six ships, like Splatter said. "You found them, you have the honor," he said.

The Monstrous Nightmare grinned and divebombed the outermost vessel. It was bathed in flames and he managed to get out unscathed. Bolas were thrown, but missed. The ships still moved towards the island.

Now it was Twilight's turn. She fired a plasma blast at the limping ship, sinking it. The Berserkers' weapons missed again. Javelin looked back. "They just won't take the hint." She returned to her original altitude and Splatter dived again.

Another swoop. Another river of fire. More bolas launched. This time, one managed to hit. Splatter roared as he landed on the rearmost ship. He set himself aflame to burn the ropes off, but the damage was done. His right wing was torn.

Twilight and Javelin helplessly watched from above as their friend was swarmed by Vikings. Already, the ships were close enough to their home to start landing. He saw three more dragons fly into the air.

The intruders stormed onto the shores. Match covered the area with gas before Spark lit it up. That took care of some of them. Axes and hammers joined the bolas, searching for targets. One hammer smacked Spark and they faltered. A bola caught them and they fell. The Vikings ended the downed dragon and its screams.

Greln lead Trena and Twilight into the air before they dived. Hearing three Night Furies made all but one cower in fear. The trio unleashed their fireballs on the Berserkers, killing and wounding a good number. They flew close to the ground before soaring upwards.

That was when the man struck. He threw an axe with such accuracy that it tore Trena's wing in half. She screeched in pain as she met the ground.

"Trena!" Greln roared as he broke off to protect his mate. He landed between her and the humans. He screamed in rage as his blasts ended several lives before a hammer knocked into his face.

As with Splatter, Javelin and Twilight watched in horror as Greln was taken down. The Night Fury roared and cried as she saw her parents butchered by the Berserkers. Javelin did his best to comfort her as they flew off towards safety.
_

It was noon when they landed on a sea stack. Twilight wept as she laid down. Javelin also teared up. They lost their whole family. For Javelin, it was the second time. With no one else around for miles, they cried together in each other's embrace.

Twilight slept. Javelin rubbed her side, trying to keep himself calm. "I'm sorry, little sister."

Memories swept through both of them. Trena and Greln's joy at Twilight's hatching. Match and Spark with their smiles and experiments. Splatter and his comforting. Now they were gone forever.

"Keep them alive in your mind. Remember them. Never forget," he said, mostly to himself. He brought his head to his clasped hands. "Lord, tell me where to go. I know everything happens for a reason. Help us with our loss, please. Amen."
_

She woke up with a heavy heart. The evening sun was setting down. Javelin was close by, reading and shivering. "They're all gone," she said, voice trembling.

"No, they're not," Javelin spoke solemnly. He looked at her, reaching out to stroke her head. "Keep your memories of them alive. Don't forget them."

"Okay." She took several slow, deep breaths. "Where do we go now?"

"Something tells me we should head North."

"Why?"

Javelin collected his things. "Call it a gut instinct. We can leave when you're ready."

She took off and dived to the sea, catching a load of fish. The Night Fury offered one to her older brother, who accepted. They ate as night came, their fire burning bright. "Do you think I'm the last of my kind?"

He sighed. "I don't know. I hope not, you are too beautiful to live alone."

Any signs of today's aftermath disappeared when she blushed under her dark scales. "Don't flatter me."

Javelin laughed. "I'm your brother. It's my job."

They finished their meal and left the spire. The stars filled the black sky. There was peace for hours. Having absorbed enough of the serenity, he put his helmet back on. "I promise to protect you with my life." He placed a warm hand on her head.

She closed her eyes and smiled. "And I promise the same for you."

The moment was broken as they saw flames far off in the distance. Fire and smoke. His visor zoomed in to reveal dragons flying all over the flames.

It was a dragon raid.
_

(AN)- Hello, guys. Thank you for reading this. And with this prologue of sorts closing, we now get to HTTYD. For those of you who pay attenton to mistakes and such, you may be asking "Why didn't they go to Durndoc's village?" Javelin assumed that due to their proximity and their ties to him, that village was raided by the Berserkers.

And the Crimson Rider's now most hated enemy has got to be pretty obvious. Especially after last chapter. Anyways, stay strong out there and I'll update if I can...

Ah, great (Puts on LOTR soundtrack).