The sun broke over the tops of the trees on dragon Island, creating a beautiful morning glow. The dragons and their riders stirred in the makeshift camp as the light penetrated their dreams. After many yawns and stretches, the camp's inhabitants got up to start the day.
As soon as Hiccup had fully woken, he grabbed his prosthetic and strapped it on. His mind was foggy with dreams as he went through the task. The thoughts and memories from the night before made him fumble around with the strap.
Hiccup's dreams had been filled with dragons, and new possibilities. They were filled with plans for the future, and thoughts of the past. He still fully couldn't believe what the mysterious girl, Shadow had said about his dragon. A hybrid. Toothless, and the entire species of Night Furies were hybrids. The combination of the Black Moon and Skrill genes. It was extremely difficult to comprehend.
The aforementioned girl, was currently sleeping in a tree. Her bed hadn't been to her liking, and she longed for the comfort of the great black beast. The branch she was currently resting on was more comfortable than others would think.
Hiccup stared up at her, wondering many things. Like how could she sleep so soundly high off the ground and on something so uncomfortable? And what else did she know? What else hadn't she told him?
Astrid's call for breakfast dragged his attention away from the wild girl. She had reignited the fire and was setting about cooking food for the group. He quickly went over to help her. The smells of the food brought hunger to everyone's eyes, and quite a few stomachs grumbled. Once the meal was ready, he handed everyone their portion, leaving Shadow's food by the fire since she hadn't woken up yet.
"So what's the plan for today?" asked Snotlout. The group hummed in thought.
"I think we should head back home just after lunch. I got some stuff back at the forge I still need to complete." Said Hiccup. "As for what to do while we are still here, I'm not exactly sure."
The others thought for a moment. Then Ruffnut came up with an idea. "We could go swimming in the river. Its not too cold. Plus some of you boys reek."
Snotlout looked offended, but smelt his arm just to be sure. He almost lost his breakfast. He nodded in agreement.
"Hiccup, if I may ask, what exactly did you and Shadow talk about last night?" asked Fishlegs who was curious as always. Hiccup tensed, he didn't know if he should mention what Shadow said. But they were a team, so they should know.
He decided to leave out certain things though. He didn't wish to tell them exactly what she showed the girl which convinced her to talk.
"She told me about her nightmare. About how I tried to kill her after her secret was revealed. But she was afraid, afraid that she couldn't kill me. She told me that other people had tried to kill it, or kill her, and she killed them without hesitation… but when I tried to in her dream, she couldn't do it." He said. The others listened in wrapped interest. None of them noticed Shadow stirring from her bed in the tree.
"She told me how strong the Black Moon dragon is, capable of wiping out entire armies on its own. But it is also in danger of annihilation, its numbers being drastically low."
Shadow's eyes cracked open and stared at him, watching as he told them what she had spoken to him. She wanted to know how much he would tell, how much he would keep a secret. She didn't know what she would do if he told them everything.
Hiccup's eyes were cast down at the grass under his feet. He was contemplating telling them what she told him about Night Furies. Should he tell, or not? But before he could decide, Astrid noticed the thoughtful look on his face. She knew there was more to be said.
"Hiccup, there was something else wasn't there?" she asked. But it sounded more like a statement. He nodded.
"She told me secrets. She told me where the Night Fury really comes from… that it is a hybrid species."
Fishlegs eyes went wide and his jaw dropped. "What?" he cried. Shadow tilted her head around at the noise. The still didn't notice.
"Shadow told me that the Black Moon dragon is the Night Fury's ancestor. Its sire. That by combining the genes of the Black Moon and a Skrill produces a Night Fury offspring."
Hearing this, Shadow sat up on her perch. He was giving away too much. A rumbling sound started in the back of her throat. Hearing that information would give them ideas, and she couldn't let them get out of hand. People had tried before, and it never ended well, for anyone.
"The Night Fury is created by intermixing dragon species?!" cried Fishlegs with glee. "Oh Thor. Imagine the possibilities! Imagine crossing the spines of a Nadder with the flaming body of a Monstrous Nightmare. Or the colour changing skin of a Changewing with the intense speeds of a Speed Stinger. If the Night Fury is possible, imagine what else is!"
"But what about the possibilities of more Night Furies?" said Snotlout. Everyone froze. It was brilliant. They had the makings for a squadron of Night Furies at their disposal. The Black Moon was out there somewhere, and that Skrill was right were Hiccup left it. They dreamed of what it could mean if they were able to breed the unholy offspring of lightning and death itself. Breed an army of them.
"No!"
Everyone froze. Shadow growled and leapt down from the branch, landing on her hands and feet like a cat. She stood before them, looking like a powerful figure, with her back straight and her head raised. She looked like the representation of an army general, or even a queen.
"You cannot use the Black Moon to create Night Furies." She simply stated. Her words were lased with finality.
Hiccup stood in challenge. "Why not?" he asked, but it sounded more like an accusation.
"I am the guardian of the great black beast, and I say that you cannot. You have no control over it, nor do you have any claim on it. So therefore you cannot use it to create your own army." She snarled.
"It might be your dragon, but have you thought about Toothless? He's been all alone for his entire life. Why would we pass up the opportunity to give him a family?"
Shadow growled. "You don't understand. Even if you could breed a Night Fury, he couldn't have it as his mate! And do you intend to use that beautiful beast as a factory for your hatchlings?" she spat. "You would have it produce offspring like a common dog?!" she screeched.
Hiccup realised the mistake he made. His stomach dropped and the blood drained from his face. "Shadow, we didn't mean it like that. Of course not." He hopped that the sincerity in his voice and eyes were enough to convince her. She calmed, but only slightly.
She took a deep breath and calmed her raging blood before speaking. "Did you even consider its own age? It hasn't even reached maturity yet, so how would you use it to breed a bloodline of Night Furies?"
Fishlegs tilted his head in curiosity. "How old is it anyway?" he inquired.
"It is still two centuries from full maturity, but it is currently three hundred years old." She said calmly. His eyes went wide.
"You cannot force the Black Moon to create any offspring, it will not yield to force. And you especially cannot force it to breed like a farming animal, not while it is as young as it is. You will get no Night Fury hatchlings from her until at least two hundred years from now. And I will definitely not show it to you if you intend to use it like that."
With that, Shadow lunged down and grabbed the fish that had been left for her breakfast, practically swallowed it whole, and marched off to a secluded spot by the river to bathe.
She felt disgustingly filthy at their words. If only they knew what they were implying. If only they knew what their plans would mean for her.
Back at the camp, Hiccup never even realised the connection between their conversation the night before, and the dragon's age. He never connected the dots between how long Shadow had said she looked after the dragon, and the three centuries of its life.
It was doubtful he would figure it out before it was too late.
Woah, that was intense. let me know what you think :) and how should Hiccup apologize to Shadow? Favorite and review.