First off, sorry for the late update, but I wanted to do something for halloween.

Second, this is a pretty long chapter, so don't complain.

And three...uh...happy halloween?

Chapter Four

The First Battle

"Hello, Sparrow."

The Terrible Terror bows his head and says, "I have returned, my queen."

"I assume your mission was successful?"

He nods, though I see something off in his gaze. Ignoring it, I leap onto the Leader's Ledge and call a meeting, "Infernious! Gather to hear my words!"

Most of the clan is already settled near the pool, drawn by the return of Sparrow. The current omega, Nightwhisper, looks particularly happy at the Terror's arrival. I inwardly huff with amusement. He must be getting tired of being omega.

"As you all should know by now," I begin, "Our spy on Berk, Sparrow, has returned. Over the past two months, he has learned about our enemies, the Vikings and their pets."

Hostile hisses and snarls ripple through the crowd when I mention our foes, and I let the sounds flow before dying out.

"It is time for him to tell us all the knowledge that he has absorbed from those pathetic excuses for dragons."

More hisses, spits, snarls, and growls.

Skurge slithers up behind me, his scales brushing my flank. His spiky head appears in the corner of my eye and I smile a little. "Well, Sparrow?" my deputy rumbles, "What have you got to say?"

"We'll attack during the daytime, first." I say, drawing a line in the dirt with my claw. All the dragons participating in the first battle gaze down at the diagram that I drew in the ground eagerly. "From the north side so they can see our dark cloud coming. Skurge, Zylah, and I will ride down on lightning bolts, and on my command, the battle will begin."

"Why are we attack during the day?" Swiftstrike asks, "They'll see us coming from a sky length away."

"No," Skurge growls, "What they'll see is a storm coming their way. And it'll be right after their first patrol, so they'll be less prepared."

Swiftstrike nods in understanding and says no more.

I continue drawing in the ground, "During the battle, show off your skill and your…difference from the way they are. Then, again at my command, you will return back to the island. Meanwhile, Skurge and I will talk to the Berk dragons and Vikings, telling them their choice.

Join us, or die."

"Why are we going so early?" Dracen asks as he flies beside me. Right now, we're flying towards Berk to look for an island nearby where he can hide with his herbs during the fighting. "I thought I was going to stay at camp during the battle?"

I nod and reply, "During the first battle, you will. But it's the second battle, for when we take Berk that we'll need you to be near."

Poppyseed, who was flying below us, comes a bit closer and says, "I still don't get it."

"After the first battle," I say through gritted teeth, "they're probably going to have patrols all the time. We'd be caught if we tried to move you then."

"Ohhhhhhhh."

I roll my eyes and readjust my grip on Dracen's herbs.

After a moment, the apprentice speaks up again, "But what if they find the herbs while we're gone? Like you said, they're probably going to be patrolling. What if they start looking around the other islands and find the herbs?"

I pause and stare ahead. Huh, didn't think about that.

Before I can reply, though, Dracen beats me to it, "Don't worry, we'll hide them well. Like under a rock, or something. You don't think they'd go looking under rocks for dragons, right?"

"I don't know." I say warily, "From what Sparrow told us about them, those dragons are pret-ty weird."

"Yeah," Poppyseed agrees, nodding her head, "I mean, they had no order at all. What if, like, these two dragons didn't feel like hunting for anybody else? And what if some dragons are too old or young to hunt? And, like, seriously, having to hunt and patrol? They're basically both Claws and Fangs mixed together! Like, Cangs. Or Flaws."

I snort, "I think Flaws is the perfect definition of what they are. Good thinking, Poppyseed, we should call them that."

Poppyseed grins and we fly on in silence. Occasionally, she mutters, "No order," or, "No system." And one time she growls, "No…no…coordination at all!"

I cock my head, but before I can ask, she says louder for us to hear, "They're going to fall apart anyways. Either from us driving them out, or simply just their way of life!"

"So true." Dracen adds.

"Easy, easy, you don't want to crush them. We need their juices."

I pause, and then continue more cautiously to slide the- hmm, what was it? Oh, right- dock leaves, underneath the overhanging rock. Turns out, Berk has a lot of small rocky islands around it, full of crevices that are perfect for storing herbs.

We've decided to hide the herbs, along with Dracen and Poppyseed, in one that looks strangely similar to a snake. Inside the 'mouth' of the 'snake' is a nice, nook-filled cave. Absolutely perfect. And it would be good for the younger fliers, like Badger and Silverhawk, to practice flying, or play hide-and-go-seek in the air.

"Is this okay?" I ask, gesturing to the well-hidden herbs in the fissure. Dracen glances at them, and then nods, "Great. I can still get them out, and yet they're hidden. Good job, and…" He pauses, and then comes a bit closer and mutters, "Thanks for helping."

I give him a nudge and purr, "No problem. What should I-"

"Here come more herbs!"

Poppyseed's voice shrills outside and we turn towards the entrance of the cave. A few moments later, there's the sound of beating wings and the healer apprentice and her sister, Brook, land on the 'teeth' of the serpent rock.

"We brought wonderful, fantastical, smelly, healing-"

"Shh!" I shush her, "Do you want to wake up the Berk dragons?"

"It's the middle of the night," Brook replies, "They're probably sleeping like boars."

"And I thought we were calling them Flaws now." Poppyseed says.

I shake my head, "Whatever. Why did you bring Brook?"

"I needed help carrying the herbs," she replies, "And a lot of dragons are awake. And she wanted to help."

"Also," Brook peeps up, "Skurge said he needs you back at the camp."

"For what?"

"I don't know. He didn't tell me."

I sigh and turn away, "Alright, then. Start putting away the herbs." They pick up their bundles and scurry to the back of the cave.

Dracen looks at me and then shuffles his paws, "Er…. well, good night, then, Frostbite."

I smile and dip my head. Before I go, however, I press my cheek against his and murmur, "Just… stay safe."

"I promise."

Day of battle

I prowl into the darkness of my cave, my eyes glowing crimson red. Gazing around, I stride slowly to the back of my cave. Shifting a rock, I scoop the deadly weapons in my paw and then carry them to the center of the den.

"One swipe." I fit the battle claws over my right paw claws, "Good night."

"Nate and Irria," I sing, making up the lyrics as I slip on the claws, "It's time."

"Rake my claws across your neck.

You scream into the midnight." (a/n Listen to the end of 'Dead Bite' by hollywood undead. Creepy)

I pause in the middle of arming my left paw. Yeesh, I just freaked myself out.

"What a song!"

I look over my shoulder to see Skurge standing in the cave entrance. He grins and slithers in, "I like it."

I huff and continue slipping on the battle claws.

"Are you ready?" Skurge asks, snaking circles around me. I nod, fitting the last claws onto my hind paw, "I've waited so long for this."

I look up at him, "Thank you, by the way."

My deputy cocks his head, "For what?"

"Well, for…" I stand up and brush past him, "For turning me into the dragon I am today. None of this-" I gesture to the waiting clan outside, "-would have happened, without you."

Skurge slithers up beside me and looks outside. "I guess," he mutters, then shakes his head, "It was the only, and best, way to get my revenge. Which," he turns to me and bares his teeth in a wicked grin, "Is now ours."

I purr and walk out of the den. Hopping onto the Leader's Ledge with Skurge behind me, I yowl, "Infernious! It is time for battle!"

Raven's POV

I watch as the little female Terror, Ambra, gnaws sorrowfully on a fish, gazing at the chicken in Nate's paws.

"What's wrong?" I ask and she looks up at me. She shakes her head, and then looks pointedly at Nate's prey, "They used to be Hawk's favorite."

Nate pauses from taking his first bite. I gaze at him, and then Irria shoves him. Pulling his head away, he offers awkwardly, "Uh, if it makes you feel any better, I won't eat it."

Ambra shakes her head again and continues eating her fish, "No, no, it's okay. Just…. remembering."

"It's a pity he left." Shani comments, drawing in the ground with a claw, "But he'll be back soon. He only left to check on his friends on that Terrible Terror Island that he was talking about."

"Yeah," Ambra sighs, and then slowly gets up, "I think I'm done. See ya guys later!"

With that, she walks away. Just then, Griffin comes up, along with Zahra. He glances after Ambra, and then at us, "What's up with Mrs. Sad-Scales over there?"

I shrug and wave it off with a flick of my tail, "She sad about Hawk leaving."

"Again." I hear Nate mutter and turn to see him gulping down his chicken. "Don't be rude." I growl, narrowing my eyes, "How would you feel if Zahra left without telling you where she was going?"

"What?" Zahra asks.

"What?" Nate says the same, his eyes widening.

Irria, Shani, and I purr in amusement. Oh, he's gonna hate me for that later.

"Er…" Zahra cocks her head, "What did she me-"

Suddenly, the blow of a horn echoes through the village and we all stand up. "What's happening?" Irria asks and I shake my head, walking towards the Chief's house. Just then, Toothless lands in front of the house with Hiccup on his back.

His rider jumps off and runs towards his friends as Toothless walks to me. "What is it?" I ask and he nuzzles my cheek, "Nothing too bad. It's just a storm. Look."

He gestures towards the horizon, where the sun meets the sea. I turn and see a large dark cloud high in the sky, rolling towards Berk rapidly.

"Wow," Irria breathes, "that looks…strong."

"Zahra!"

Stormfly flutters over to her daughter and nudges her away, "We're going to wait the storm out at home."

"Okay. C'ya later guys!"

"Should we do the same?" Irria asks. Nate nods, "I'm not good at flying in storms."

"Let's go." Toothless says and starts herding us to the house. "Wait," I mutter, narrowing my eyes at the storm cloud, "There's something…off."

"What?"

I frown, gazing at the dark mass. There's something wrong about it. I mean, storms don't act like that. Some of it actually looks like smoke, but that doesn't make sense. And there're a lot of colors flashing in it, as if….

My eyes widen in horror and shock.

"What's wrong, mother?" Nate asks, gazing at me worriedly.

"There are dragons in that storm!"

"What?! How is that possible?"

"I think…she's right." Toothless rumbles, narrowing his eyes at the dark cloud, "Wild dragons, probably."

"Oh," Irria says, "Well, maybe they're….saying 'hi'?" I cock and eye at her and reply, "Wild dragons don't group together and travel to an island to just 'say hi'. No, no, this is much worse."

Toothless and I look at each other.

"It's an attack."

"Skull!" I call to the Boneknapper, who's currently carrying Solheart in his claws, "Wide round, out of sight, drop off, attack other side."

He nods, understanding what I mean, and separates from the clan, carving a wide arch in the sky, aiming for the other side of the island. What island? Berk.

"Zylah. Skurge." I bark to my delta and deputy, "You ready?"

"Ready when you are." Zylah replies and Skurge nods.

I nod and pause. Then, "Flanks exhale! Show them we're here!"

Immediately, all the dragons on the sides of the cloud fly out of it for a moment, smoke and fog rolling off of their scales. Then, after a few moments, they fly back into the cloud. What is this for? Well, one, it lets our enemy know that dragons are attacking, and two, it looks like a giant, exhaling dragon.

Commotion erupts on the island. With a flick of my tail, I order my clan to slow down, giving the pets time to come out and meet us. What? I don't want fight where the Vikings can get us. That's for another time…

Multicolored flashes dance across the island, weaving in between the Viking structures, trying to get ready. A few moments later, a large black dragon surges into the sky, followed by many more dragons.

Beside me, Skurge growls. I glance over at him and he turns his head towards me, "That black dragon is your father, Toothless." I bare my teeth and snarl.

Whipping my head back to the island, I see three more Night Furies. "Nate, Irria…and Raven." I hiss.

A few moments later, I see a black and purple shape on the top of the mountain on Berk, followed by a large white figure. Solheart and Skull. They both give the signal, waving their tails in the air.

"Ready?" I call out to the excited Fangs and Claws behind me. A chorus of shrills meet my word.

"Is your mask secure?" Zylah asks and I press a paw to the bone mask over my face. It's there to make sure my family doesn't recognize me until I want them to.

"Yep." I reply, and then say louder, "Wildfang, Skurge, Zylah!" They all tense up, ready.

I nod, and then screech, "Infernious, ATTACK!"

They surge forward like a dark wave in a black sea, smoke and fog rolling off their backs and ashes staining their scales. "Toothless, Raven," Skurge says as he hops onto a lightning bolt sent by Zylah, "here I come."

Zylah shoots lightning bolts for Wildfang before turning to me. I nod, and she summons a bolt.

"One swipe," I find myself singing softly as I leap onto the hot light, "Good night."

I take off through the cloud, leaving it far behind me. The wind scrapes the ash, fog, or whatever off of my scales as I ride the bolt down to Berk. Narrowing my eyes, I try to spot one of my family members.

There!

Irria is flying through the battle, weaving in between the fighting dragons, obviously trying to get to the dark cloud. I grin and aim for her, "Nate and Irria,"

She looks up at me as I jump off the bolt. Thunder shrieks when the lightning meets the ocean, just as I collide with Irria, screeching, "It's time!"

I dig my claws into her shoulders and ram my helmet into her neck. She falls a few feet, gaging, but then surges upward and lashes at me. I dodge her attack and swipe at her wing, feeling my claws rip through the edge of the flap.

My sister yelps, and once again falters a few feet. Growling, I drop down on her back and send us both hurtling to the sea. She shrieks as I tug on her ear and chew, feeling her flesh tear easily under my teeth.

Suddenly, a hard blow lands on my shoulder and I stumble off of her. Irria regains flight as I look for my attacker. Nate.

"I've got your back sister!" he screeches, lunging towards me. I smirk and kick his face with my hind legs, using him as a boost and surging upwards. "Which one?" I purr to myself.

Flapping my wings downward, I continue rising up. Once or twice I run my claws through one of the Fangs' opponents, much to their appreciation.

Finally, I come to a stop in mid-air. I'm way above the battle, gazing over everything. It looks like we're winning. I snort to myself. This battle is too easy.

Zylah is currently taking on a Gronckle, and I watch with content as she scratches one eye out. Her rival screeches in pain and flees.

My delta then looks up and catches my eye. We both grin at the same time, and then I spot Skurge.

I let out a purr.

He's fighting a large black Night Fury- my father, uh, what was it? Oh, yeah. Toothless. What a stupid name.

I look at Zylah again and jerk my head towards him. The Skrill glances over at them and nods before flying over.

When she reaches the scuffling pair, she lashes out at Toothless with a jagged claw, catching him on the shoulder. He shrieks and I wince, remembering- when we first met- how much it hurt when Zylah's claw met my face. My scar prickles, and then I purr. Good. He deserves that pain.

Still purring, I dive down towards them.

"Dive! Get back!" I screech and Skurge and Zylah immediately back away. Toothless, still dazed and confused, turns around, just as I collide with him. My red paw smacks into his chest and runs all the way to his shoulder blade, leaving a deep, wide gash. Meanwhile, my other paw scratches his rider's leg, who yells out in pain, along with his dragon.

Laughing, I surge back upwards, leaving Zylah and Skurge to have some fun.

Regaining my spot in the sky, I'm about to go help someone else when a pair of metal claws ram into my face.

Raven's POV

I stare around wildly at the fighting dragons around me. I haven't seen Wild Dragons like these in ages! Not since I joined the Berks.

Suddenly, I feel claws scratch my tail and glance over my shoulder to see…

A freaking Skullion!

What, is every species joining this fight?

The Skullion is on its hind legs, trying to pluck dragons out of the sky. After a moment of confusion, I am thankfully reminded that Skullions can't fly.

Flying out of its reach, I join the battle.

My first opponent: a Grapple Grounder

Fantastic.

The Grounder snaps at my neck and I dodge, only to have him wrap his tail around my waist and pull me back. He scores his claws down my back and I scream.

Another dragon, a Smothering Smokebreath, starts swiping at my head, but then stops abruptly. I glance up at her as she yowls to the Grounder, "Not this one, Whiplash! Frostbite said she wanted her for herself!"

Slowly, 'Whiplash's' grip loosens and I wriggle out of his grasp. Franticly, I fly away, only to find myself batting away blows from…from…a crossbreed? Who are these dragons?

This one seems to be a mix between a Gronckle and a Changewing. It strikes me fast, with the speed and agility of a Changewing and the strength of a Gronckle. I try to dodge as many as I can, and occasionally manage to land a blow or two on him, not that it did much because he has tough skin like a Gronckle.

"No, Snapper!" the same Smokebreath from earlier calls, "Remember what Frostbite said?"

"Well, what am I supposed to do?!" 'Snapper' snaps, "Let her attack me? No, sorry Ash, but I'm not stopping! Call Frostbite if she wants this one!"

"She's busy at the moment!" Ash snips as if I'm not here. The smaller dragon gazes at something next to me and I glance over.

A Whispering Death and a Skrill are attacking Toothless! I watch in horror as a white and red dragon dives in and scores down on him. Toothless screams in pain and the dragon flies away, leaving the other two to finish its dirty work.

"NO!" I yowl and land a hard blow on Snapper's head, snapping it sideways and dazing him. I surge upwards, aiming for the dragon that hurt my husband.

The horrid, masked thing is unaware of my coming and I thrust my metal battle claws into its face. It jerks its head back in surprise and I manage to lift the mask off a bit, just enough to see its face.

Everything- the battle around me, my wings, my blood, my heart- freezes as I stare at her in horror. Her gaze is different than I remember the last time I saw her, more cold and icy, and her markings are twisted and cruel. But there's no denying who she is.

"Ph-Phoenix?" I whisper and a harsh, growl-like purr erupts from my daughter.

"Surprise, mother!"

All right, that was good. Listen to my a/n during the chapter. Seriously. Its a good halloween thing.

Hmm...that's about it.

Good night

Sleep tight

...don't let the dead bite