FREEEEEEEEDOOOOOOOOM! I'm on Christmas Break! Wooooooooooooo! Who saw the Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug? I did! It was freaking awesome! I don't know which was better, that, or Catching Fire.

Chapter Seven

The Battle

My belly rumbles with pleasure as I lazily chew on the leg bone of a deer. The sun slowly slides down to meet the horizon, its rays staining the sky orange and red. I purr and rip meat away from the bone. This is my favorite time of day.

I hear the grass rustle and look up to see Skurge in front of me with a raccoon in his jaws. He curls up by my left shoulder and puts down his prey.

A few moments later, Zylah joins us, lying down at my right shoulder with a pelican. I glance from delta to beta, slightly confused, and then Zylah speaks up, "So… have you decided who's going to be in the battle tomorrow?"

I blink, and shake my head.

"No... do you want to discuss it?"

Skurge nods, "We should. I was thinking-"

"You know what?" I interrupt, standing, "I have a better idea." Quickly gulping down the rest of the deer leg, I trot over to the Leader's Ledge and hop on. Everyone in the camp look up, some sauntering closer.

I raise my chin high and say loudly, "Tomorrow, we claim Berk. But for now, we shall discuss who will be attending the battle. I have pondered about who should go, but it includes some who were in the battle yesterday, and I wanted the choice to be up to you if you think you are strong enough to come. If you don't want to, I shall respect that, and you shall guard the camp and provide food for the hungry warriors that will come."

A ripple of murmurs pass through the crowd, and then Whiplash speaks up, "You know I can't pass up a good battle, Frostbite." I purr and nod when he asks, "Can my apprentice, Wildfang, come too?"

"Of course," I turn to the others, "Apprentices are included in this fight."

"Yes!" Wildfang yowls, leaping in the air. Everybody purrs and he and the other apprentices start whispering excitedly to each other.

"Who else?" I ask, and a moment later, Skull raises his head and rumbles, "Those pets barely laid a claw on my bone armor, let alone my skin. I'm in."

"Me too." Skyflame says, stepping forward, "I'm not going to miss another. Brook," she looks over her shoulder, "You up to your first battle?"

Her apprentice's eyes widen and her jaw drops. She closes it, and then opens, and then closes it again. Then, she manages to splutter, "Is-is- is that even a question? Of course!"

I grin and Skyflame nudges her apprentice cheerfully. Misty, who was trying to keep Badger and Silverhawk content, looks up and says worriedly, "Be careful, sister."

"Don't worry," Snapper, the Gronckle/Changewing crossbreed says, "I'm not too sore from the last battle, so I'll go an keep an eye on her."

Misty purrs in thanks and then returns to attending to her hatchlings. Snapper's sister, Swiftstrike, steps up next to her brother, "I guess I'm going as well."

I nod and say, "Alright, so thus far, those that are coming are Whiplash, Wildfang, Skull, Skyflame, Brook, Snapper, and Swiftstrike."

"Anyone else?"

A few mouths open, but before anyone can speak, Bluemoon yelps, "If you think I'm just going to stay here while my siblings are fighting," she weaves through the crowd and hops next to her sister, "you're wrong. Frostbite, although I may not be a Fang, I would like to fight by my siblings tomorrow."

I blink, a little taken aback, but then Crag steps forward and dips his head, "If you would allow me, I would like to join the fight as well."

Everybody stares at them, and then turn to look at me. I blink again, having not expected this, but then I nod, "Of course you can come. Would any other Claws like to come?"

No one steps forward, and after a moment I continue, "Alright, then. Back to the Fangs."

Stone, the Gronkle, stands up and stretches, "Eh, why not? I'll go."

"Then, I'm-" Calder, the Terrible Terror and Claw, jumps to his feet. He suddenly realizes that he spoke rather rudely and interrupts himself, "I mean, can I…?"

I sniff and look down at him. I had almost forgotten about those two being best friends.

"Are you sure you can handle it?" I ask, but respectfully, "There're dragons much bigger than you, I'm sure you know that, and you haven't had much combat training."

"I'm sure." Calder replies, "I want to fight beside my friends."

I nod and look to the rest of the clan. Aquamarine lifts her chin, "I would like to join the battle."

"Me too." All four of Viperfang's heads look at me hopefully and I jerk my head, "Good. So, we have me and Larksong, Skurge, Zylah, Whiplash and Wildfang, Skull, Aquamarine, Skyflame and Brook, Viperfang, Snapper, Stone, Swiftstrike, Crag, Bluemoon, and Calder."

"That's seventeen strong, smart, and skilled warriors." Skurge states.

Zylah nods her head, "I think that's enough. I mean, I bet not all of the pets will be fighting. And anyway, they're probably weak from yesterday's beating."

I jerk my head, "Then it's settled. Ash," my smoky friend perks up, "You, Sawyer, and Solheart will-"

I stop, interrupted by loud whispers in the crowd. Narrowing my eyes, I see Sawyer and Willow hissing at each other, trying to be quiet but failing. Everybody turns to stare at them. Sawyer looks around at them and then cuffs Willow on the back of her head.

"Sorry, Frostbite." He apologizes.

I cock my head, "Is there a problem?"

He opens his mouth to reply but Willow beats him to it, "I want to fight but he won't let me!"

Her mentor glares at her and growls, "There will be other fights where I will be there to guide you, but unfortunately, I got a bit banged up in the last battle so you're going to have to wait."

Willow snarls and lashes her tail, "But it's not fair that Brook, Larksong, and Wildfang get to go!"

"Well, you can stay here and keep Adder company."

"Whoa, don't bring me into this." The young Changewing says, taking a step closer to his mentor, Solheart, "I'm fine with staying because I'm going to be a Claw, not a Fang. Why don't you let her go and have somebody keep an eye on her?"

"Because-"

"Actually," I interrupt, "That's not a bad idea."

Sawyer looks as if he's going to complain, but I continue, "You need rest, Sawyer, but your apprentice needs experience and knowledge. Why not let her go? There are others to make sure she doesn't get hurt. And, I have to say, I would be pretty upset as well if my siblings got to go to battle and I didn't."

The Timberjack closes his mouth and sighs. Willow looks up at him hopefully.

"Don't worry, Sawyer," Skyflame reassures, "I'll keep an eye on her."

"As will I," to my surprise, Whiplash goes to Skyflame's side.

Aquamarine steps towards them and purrs, "We're here for her. We're clanmates, and we protect each other, even if you don't ask for it."

I purr with pleasure. Oh, I love these clan-bond moments.

Sawyer looks a little taken aback, but then reluctantly nods and looks down at his apprentice, "Alright, but don't go into the thick of the fight. Stay on the outskirts and do not pick a fight with a dragon ten times your size."

"I won't!" Willow promises and he nods, "Alright, then."

"Yes!" Larksong whoops while Wildfang and Brook prance around her sister.

I purr again and jerk my head towards Ash, "You, Sawyer, and Solheart will be in charge of the camp while we're gone."

Ash nods and then tilts her head to the sky and yowls, "To Infernious!"

"Infernious!" Amber copies and soon the whole clan is chanting,

"Infernious!"

"Infernious!"

"Infernious!"

"Tomorrow," I yell above the chants. Arching my shoulders, I raise my wings and dig my claws into the hard stone and roar, "Berk will be ours!"

Tomorrow…

I fly silently through the fog. Nothing makes a sound except the wind whistling in my ears. I don't even have to flap my wings as the breeze carries me through the foggy dusk sky.

I'm flying high in the sky. With an army of vicious dragons behind me.

Slowly, the fog clears out of my vision and I see the Isle of Berk up ahead. Beneath my bone mask, I grin wickedly and then jerk my head left and right.

Immediately, I can feel the wind behind me shift as my clan splits up into three groups. Two begin to circle around the island while the third stays with me.

I glance over my shoulder. Larksong, Skyflame, Brook, Snapper, Stone, and Swiftstrike. They all look ready- even excited. I look at the group that Skurge is leading to the east side of the island. Whiplash, Wildfang, Skull, Aquamarine, and Viperfang. Hmm…they have one less, but Skull is huge and Viperfang has four heads so….

I look at Zylah's group. These are mostly Claws and a few of the smaller dragons. Crag, Bluemoon, Calder, and Willow. I was a little wary of letting Willow go with dragons with only basic battle training, but then Zylah said she would keep an eye on her.

The groups are almost in position. Near my hind leg, Larksong is so excited she can barely fly straight. I let out a small purr, "You excited?"

Her eyes watch Berk hungrily, "Oh, you have no idea."

I grin and say, "You know, you've turned out just as I've wanted you to."

She looks up, "Really?"

I nod and look back at Berk, "I'm proud of you, Larksong."

I hear her purr in delight. "Thank you," she says, "I've tried hard. You're a fantastic mentor."

By now, I can tell that some of the dragons on Berk have seen us, because a few are rising in the air. I watch, letting them rise. There aren't as many as there were before, and the ones that are flying are slow and strained. I smirk. They're still weak from the last battle.

I glance back at Larksong and get an idea.

"Why don't you start the attack?" I suggest and her eyes widen. "Really?" she breathes, "Wait, why? Where will you go? Do you think I'm ready?"

I nod and reply, "I'll join in soon; I just want to see how you do. I'll be right over your head. Think of this as a little test." My eyes twinkle and I chuff, "Perhaps you and Willow can become full clan members on Berk, once we claim it."

The young Timberjack perks up and says, "Okay! When should I start?"

I glance at the rising tide of Berk pets, and then back at my group. "Follow Larksong." I bark and they nod.

Then, I turn back to my apprentice and hiss, "Now!"

With a mighty flap of my wings, I rise ten feet above them. As I do, Larksong cries, "ATTACK!" and the group starts diving, Larksong in the lead.

I watch as the two other side group start diving. Narrowing my eyes, I find Larksong again. They're almost upon the pathetic pets….three….two…one!

The dragons collide in a flurry of teeth, wings, and claws. Larksong dodges the larger dragons, not breaking her dive. I watch as she aims for a young Deadly Nadder, and see her spiral towards her until- SMACK! She lands right on the pet's face and starts clawing and biting.

The Nadder screeches in pain and when she turns, I see one side of her face covered in blood. I grin, pleased to know that Larksong uses moves like I do and tries to blind her opponent first.

Larksong's rival soon flees after Larksong viciously claws her shoulder, shredding the scales. Once she's gone, my apprentice looks up and meets my gaze.

I purr and nod. She lets out a whoop of joy and plunges into battle.

Looking away, I search for one of my siblings. As I scour the fighting dragons, I make my way closer and closer to the island. Soon, I realize that we're driving them backwards.

I blink and look for Skurge. He's fighting a large Monstrous Nightmare, and winning. I watch as he skillfully whips his tail, lashing a Gronkle that was trying to sneak up on him while not breaking his chain of blows as he fights. After a fierce scratch, the Nightmare backs away and goes to fight someone else.

He catches my eye and I jerk my head. Close the circle, I think.

My beta nods and barks something to his dragons. Looking around, I continue my search, and then spot Irria fighting near the forest. Grinning wickedly, I dive towards her.

Of course, there are dragons that get in my way, but I either claw them or I have enough agility to dodge them without breaking my dive. Irria doesn't see me coming- she's too busy trying to defend herself from Brook and Willow.

"Out of the way!" I screech and the two, without even looking up, immediately back off. Irria, dazed and confused, whips her head around and finally sees me. Too late, I smirk.

I hit her like a rockslide, sending us both rocketing into the forest. I keep her in my grip, making sure she hits every branch coming our way. Finally, I slam her into the trunk of a tree and she lets out a cry of pain as her wing wrenches.

"Phoenix?" she gasps, staring at my mask. Baring my teeth, I raise my red paw, ready to strike.

"Phoenix, please!" Irria yowls in fear, "Please, don't!"

The edges of my lips curl up in a mad grin and I laugh, "I'm going to scar you like you've scarred me. Only," I shove my muzzle next to hers, "A little different."

I bring down my paw. There's a shriek of pain as blood splatters on wood, and then Irria slumps. I send a blow to her head that makes it bounce off the trunk. Then, unconscious, she falls out of the tree and onto the forest floor, four long claw marks running across her chest.

I cling to the branch, glaring down at her. A few moments later, I hear Willow's excited yelp, "Wow! You're such a good fighter, Frostbite!"

I look up and see Willow and Brook flying towards me. They land on another branch and Brook shudders, looking down at Irria, "That looks like it hurts."

I jerk my head and say, "You two fought well. Good job." They beam at the praise from their leader.

Turning around, I take off and fly high into the sky. Hmm… who next?

Raven's POV

I hear Irria shriek of pain come from the forest. Yelping in fear, I abandon the Deadly Nadder I was fighting and fly towards the woods to help.

Flying high in the sky, I search for her familiar black and gray scales. "Irria!" I call out. No reply. "Irria!" I call again.

"She's not here." says a familiar voice, and I whirl around. Nobody's there, only the mountain. I look towards the ocean, seeing no one at first, but then there's a flash of white and red and the next thing I know, I'm pinned against the mountain.

Gasping in shock, I look up and see the masked face of my second daughter. "But I am!" Phoenix hisses, spitting in my face.

I yelp and scrabble for a foothold while keeping her in a headlock with my forepaws.

"Nice to see you, mother." Phoenix purrs maliciously, "But now I need you and your little friends to get off this island. Now!"

She sinks her claws into my shoulders and hauls me into the air before dropping me. I roar in alarm, trying to regain my flight. Once I do, I look up only to get rammed into by Phoenix, helmet first.

The breath is knocked out of me and I drop a few feet. I dig my claws into the mountainside and start running/flying along it. Phoenix stays in the air, swiping and clawing at me, occasionally clipping my wing or tail. I keep on running until the village is on the other side of the mountain.

Then, I leap onto a smaller, thinner mountain of rock and rear up on my hind legs, swiping at Phoenix as she passes over me. I feel my claws rip through flesh and hear her hiss in pain.

The white and red dragon makes a wide circle and then lands on a cliff on the mountain. Blood seeps from a wound on her hind leg. She hisses and flexes her claws.

"You're leaving this island," she snarls, "Dead or alive!"

Phoenix leaps for me, claws outstretched, but I dodge and hop into the air. I start flying towards the top of the mountain, but as I do, Phoenix hooks her claws into my tail and yanks. I yowl in pain as her claws tear through my tail flap.

In the blink of an eye, she's at my side and lashing out. I stumble and drop a few feet, but just as I regain flight, she sends a ball of fire at my face.

I close my eyes and grit my teeth as my scales burn. It seems like my blood itself is screaming in pain. When I open my eyes, darkness edges my vision and I fall.

I desperately flap my wings, trying to stay aloft, but my wings won't listen to me and my flaps are slow and sluggish.

Suddenly, I feel rock beneath my feet. I'm on another small rock mountain.

Claws flash an inch away from my eyes and I jerk backwards, my mind clearing up a bit.

"You're not welcome here!" Phoenix growls, swiping again. Fatigue wears at my bones, but I manage to rear up and push her backwards. The blow messes up her flight so she makes another circle and lands on a tall, sharp, jagged piece of rock that juts out of the mountain and up to the sky.

Then, it happens.

Dusk had fallen away to night. The fog that covered the moon slowly moved away, revealing the only light source in the darkness. It seems as if the whole world shrieks in fear.

I gasp, staring up at Frostbite. She's crouched on the jagged rock, her shoulders hunched and her wings slightly raised, with a blood red moon behind her. The red light shines down on her, bathing her, so it looks like she's covered in blood.

The Bloody Moon narrows her eyes at me, and then glances over her shoulder at the moon. For a moment, she just stares, and then a Viking shrills, "IT'S A SIGN!"

Chaos erupts, and all around me dragons- my dragons- flee. Ships set sail, and screaming fills the air.

"Flee!" one dragon calls as he flies by, "Flee! The gods have spoken! If we remain, the Bloody Moon shall kill us!"

I stare as my friends and family flee from their home. Our home.

"You heard him," I turn around and see Frostbite raising her red paw, making her claws glint in the red moonlight, "Leave, or I'll kill you."

Frostbite's POV

I watch as fear flashes in my mother's eyes. This Lunar Moon couldn't have come at a better time. Skurge taught me about it late at night whenever it appeared. These pets must've never seen it because they're probably supposed to be sleeping now.

Raven takes a step backwards, and then turns around and flies away, along with the rest of the pets and Vikings.

Roars of victory rise up around me as my warriors cheer. Grinning, I fly up to the top of the mountain. When I reach it, I score my claws down on its side, leaving deep scars in it.

Then, in the light of the red moon, I yowl,

"Berk, is OURS!"

Ha! I bet you didn't expect that! So...um...yeah...review