...Sup?

I forgot to tell you guys that DisneyDreamworksFanatic came up with Zylah, Nate, and Irria's names...

...kinda late to tell you that, but...

...yeah...

Chapter Ten

A Really Long Chapter

Raven's POV

Sighing, I sniff my prey remorsefully and then pick it up. The Vikings and dragons of Berk are still recovering, but thankfully, some of them with serious wounds are in stable condition. We've been on Dragon Island for many weeks now, too weak and shaken to do anything more than survive.

The Vikings that are the least injured have started building makeshift homes. Stoick and his most experienced soldiers have been under a lot of stress trying to keep everything together. Meanwhile, any fit dragons are either guarding or hunting.

Toothless is in charge of the patrols, along with Nate, who assigns two dragons to keep watch up at the topmost perch of the island. Meanwhile, Stormfly and I are in charge of the hunting.

Unfortunately, most of the good hunters were the most injured. Stormfly, Ambra, Pounce, Shani, and Iris are with me now, trying to find something to hunt in the lifeless woods. Thankfully, the Terrible Terror family mostly stayed out of the big fight, and thankfully, they were the best hunters. Well, for Terrible Terrors.

Shani had immediately fled once we realized the Wild Dragons were attacking. She looked like she was flying blind, screaming something horrible. Afterwards, when she found us on Dragon Island, she was overcome with regret for leaving us.

Stormfly's injuries have mostly healed, along with mine, but Irria and Zahra are still healing, constantly crusted with blood. At first, Stormfly wouldn't leave her daughter's side, and neither would I, but then Saar came along with Meatlug's son, Egan, and promised to watch over them while we hunted.

"Sorry, Raven."

I glance over my shoulder at Shani, who has a scrawny possum at her feet. An awful stench wafts off of it. Next to her, Ambra is carrying a couple of bats.

Shaking my head, I say, "It's alright. Once we drop these off, we'll head out again near the sea."

Carrying my catch, which is a boney raccoon, I head towards a large outcropping of rocks, "Come on, let's wait for the others."

Hunting on Dragon Island is poor, its sparse forest only containing meager pickings. Nobody can remember what it's like to have a full belly anymore. I can feel my bones jutting out, my dry scales hanging on my frame loosely. My legs shake as I scramble over the rocks.

Lack of food means lack of strength. Us dragons are doing most of the hunting, but some of the Vikings are trying to help by fishing or searching for edible plants. It's never enough for a large community like us, though. Nobody's getting enough to eat, and as the prey in the woods become less and less from our hunting, so does our energy and spirit.

"We're here." I hear Stormfly as she appears from the shadows of the trees. Three rats hang from her jaws. Behind her, Pounce carries two more while Iris drags a squirrel.

I give them an approving nod, even though I'm mentally wailing in despair. Turning around, I grip my prey firmly in my jaws and take off. Immediately, my wing muscles start screaming in agony. Pushing on, I hear the others start flying behind me.

Suddenly, Iris yowls, "Ambra!"

Whirling around, I see said dragon falter in exhaustion and crash onto the rough ground. Landing nearby, I dart to her side and drop my raccoon.

"Ambra, are you-"

The purple Terror jerks to her paws and yelps, "I'm fine." She suddenly slips to her side and I catch her with a paw. Moaning, she lays down. Iris anxiously circles her scrawny sister, whimpering, "What's wrong with her?"

I glance at Stormfly and Shani. They both look as disgusted as I feel. Straightening up, I say, "This is ridiculous. We can't keep on living like this. We have to do something now, or we'll be too weak to later. We have to take back Berk- while we still can."

Pounce sighs and asks, "But can we? We've never been more frail."

"We will." I say, picking up my prey, "I don't know how, yet, but we will. We have to."

Frostbite's POV

"Come on, Misty!"

I crouch next to Nixie and Bluemoon, watching with wide eyes as Dracen encourages Misty. The female Deadly Nadder is currently laying eggs, and it looks painful.

She had been eating with Badger and Silverhawk when the caretaker had suddenly cried out in pain. We couldn't even move her to the Healer's Den before the first egg came out. Dracen had then taken over, ordering everybody, except for Fernheart, to stay back.

Not that I would want to get any closer.

Misty lets out another yowl that echoes across Berk. "Don't give up, Misty!" Dracen urges, "Only four more to go!"

Next to him, Fernheart flaps one wing to cool Misty down while keeping her tail curled protectively around two eggs. One of them is purple and golden, and the other is dark blue and green.

"Poppyseed!" Dracen calls over his shoulder to his apprentice, "Bring me some chervil!"

"It's alright, Misty." I hear Fernheart mutter quietly to the laying caretaker, "Just stay calm, and maybe bite down on something. It'll be over before you know it."

Misty releases a particularly loud wail, and soon Fernheart is tucking another egg into the cluster.

I arch an eye, staring at the scene incredulously, my mouth slightly agape. "I am never having kids." I find myself saying aloud, my voice hollow. Next to me, Bluemoon laughs, "Why not? I would like to have some one day."

"It's just…." I shake my head, still staring at Misty, "Hatchlings are…. It's just too…."

"Scary?" Nixie suggests, settled on my other side.

I tear my gaze away from the scene and look down, giving a little nod. They both purr.

"I'd never thought that you, of all dragons, would be scared of having children." Bluemoon nudges my side, "It's probably only bad for a few moments."

I look back at Misty, who now has four eggs. She's been like that for hours.

"Well, okay, maybe not a few moments," Bluemoon corrects herself, following my gaze, "But you get the point."

Suddenly, I feel tiny claws dig into my tail and look over my shoulder. Silverhawk is attacking my tail, and looking like a future Fang.

Her adoptive father, Fireflight, rushes over with Badger at his feet. "Sorry, Frostbite." He apologizes, picking her up. Badger starts batting Bluemoon's hind leg.

"Badger, stop it!" his adoptive father scolds, putting down Silverhawk, who then climbs up onto my back. "When is mommy going to stop?" she asks innocently, peeking over my head at Misty. I sit up, gently sliding her off.

"Soon," I reply, "Now go play with your brother somewhere else."

"Why can't we go see her?" Badger, who's being carried by his scruff by Fireflight, asks, "We can make her feel better. She always laughs when I do this."

He wriggles out of his father's grasp and starts doing this weird worm-dance on the ground.

Nixie purrs and stands up. Flicking her finned-tail in front of their noses, she says, "Come on. Pretend my tail is a fox that you're hunting. What are you going to do?"

"Ooh! Ooh!"

As the Scauldron leads the two young Nightmare/Nadder crossbreeds away, Fireflight sighs.

Glancing at me, he groans tiredly, "How am I going to be able to father six hatchlings if I can barely deal with these two?"

I put a paw on his shoulder and gaze at him with sympathy. "Don't worry, the clan will always be here to help you." I say, "And anyway, Badger and Silverhawk will be apprentices in two months, so you won't have to take care of eight hatchlings for too long. And if you really need it, I'll consider making them apprentices early."

His eyes widen, "Would you? Oh, thank you, Frostbite! You're such a big help."

Fireflight glances at his wife, worry in his gaze, and then turns around, heading towards Nixie, Silverhawk, and Badger.

"Do you really think that'll be a good idea?" Bluemoon asks as I settle down again. I glance at her, "Why not?"

The Claw shrugs and replies, "It's just that the other apprentices might take it badly."

I pause for a moment, and then give myself a little shake. "Well, they've just got to deal with it, then," I say, "Life isn't always fair. Some dragons of the same ranking might get a smaller piece of fish than the other. Do they whine about it?"

"I guess not."

Nodding, I turn back to the scene. Misty now has five eggs.

"You can do it, Misty!" Dracen encourages, "Just one more egg!"

"I-I can't!" Misty's voice sounds hoarse, "I'm just so…"

Suddenly, she lets out a piercing shriek that seems to rip her throat. Then, she slumps on her side, panting heavily. The final egg is added to Fernheart's cluster.

"Tired." She finishes, and then closes her eyes.

A few feet away, Skyflame pricks with alarm, "What's wrong?" she hisses, "No, no, no! Stay awake, stay awake!"

"Poppy-" Dracen begins, but his apprentice is already heading towards the panicking Fang, "On it!"

She quickly makes a little wrap and urges Skyflame, who's pacing around anxiously, to eat it. The Fang sniffs, "What's in it?"

"Stuff to calm you down," Poppyseed replies, "Juniper berries, chamomile, thyme le-"

"Alright, alright," she quickly swallows it and continues pacing, eyeing her sister nervously.

I watch as Dracen mutters softly to Misty, who's struggling to stay awake. He gives her some herbs, and-

"Is she done yet?"

I turn to see Solheart and Whiplash with their apprentices stalk towards us from the entrance of the camp. Solheart sniffs the air, and then says, "Yikes. Why is everybody so scared? She's just laying eggs."

Aquamarine, hearing this, replies, "It's painful. Apparently more painful than getting your scales burned by Nadder fire."

Whiplash gives her a skeptical look, and then notices Skyflame flustering about. He rushes over to her side, and his apprentice, Wildfang, rolls his eyes.

"What were you doing?" I ask as they get closer.

Solheart replies, "I suggested that we practice fighting. I know that we haven't had any trouble with the pets, but we remembered what you said a couple of weeks ago, and Adder needed some practice anyway, so… yeah."

"Good," I give him an approving nod, "A little practice once in a while-"

"Hey…" Adder suddenly says, looking at something across camp. His eyes widen, "Hey! He's escaping!"

My head whips around, and after a few minutes of searching, I spot the prisoner slowly prowling away from the camp.

Jumping to my paws, I bound across the camp, weaving through the crowd nimbly. I leap, and land in front of the prisoner in a crouch.

"What do you think you're doing?" I hiss and he halts. Fear-scent wafts off of him, "I…uh… I was just-"

"Trying to escape?" I take a step forward and shove him back. I feel my Fangs circling behind me, alerted by Adder's alarm.

"What should we do with him?" Skull growls, "Now that he's able to move-"

"Punish him!" Whiplash interrupts, snarling, "Claw his legs till their useless!"

I bare my teeth and raise a paw, my claws glinting in the sunlight. The prisoner shrinks away.

"Wait!"

Suddenly, Dracen is in front of me, pushing me back. Murmurs of shock pass through the crowd.

"Don't hurt him!" Dracen orders fiercely, "I won't be dealing with anymore injuries you inflict on this dragon. You've done enough to him anyway. Have someone guard him, but if you want to hurt him you'll have to go through me."

I blink in surprise. But it doesn't seem like Dracen's directing it to me. I glance over my shoulder and see Skurge.

Oh.

That makes more sense.

Turning around, I say to the crowd, "You heard him. Nobody attacks the prisoner. However…."

I glance around and bark, "Sparrow!"

A few moments later, the omega appears and bows at my paws, "Yes, my queen?"

"You are to guard the prisoner at all times, and while you sleep, Nightwhisper-"

I give the Smothering Smokebreath a challenging look, "-will take your place. You will eat next to him, and only feed him what is left of the prey pile after we all are finished. Do you understand?"

Sparrow nods and replies, "Yes, Frostbite."

"Good." I thrust my muzzle into his chest, making him stumble backwards. "You'll be spending a lot of time with him, so you'll no doubt talk a lot. Just know that if you even think about letting him escape, your life will end at my claws." I growl, narrowing my eyes. His amber eyes widen and I see a flicker of fear in them.

The omega crouches low in a submissive form and crawls towards the prisoner, his eyes never leaving my face, "Y-y-yes, my-my q-queen."

I straighten up and flick my tail over to a small Viking house wreckage. "He will be kept over there, and stay there at all times."

Dracen glances over his shoulder at the wreckage and frowns. I give him a don't-push-it look and he sighs. With his tail on the prisoner's shoulder, the Healer guides him towards his shabby new den.

Looking back at the Fangs, we stare at each other, unsure of what to do. Searching the crowd, I spot Fireflight, Skyflame, and Whiplash nearby, Badger and Silverhawk peeking out from behind their feet.

"Shouldn't you be with Misty?" I call out to them. The three jump in surprise, and then rush over to Misty, who was watching the scene wearily as Poppyseed fussed over her.

Glancing back at the crowd, I clear my throat, "Well?"

Everybody starts moving away awkwardly, going back to whatever they were doing.

Zylah weaves through the dragons and hops in front of me. "It's almost dusk." She says, "I'm going to send out a patrol, and when they come back I'll organize a hunting party."

I narrow my eyes, "Isn't that Skurge's job?" I haven't seen much of the Whispering Death after our conversation, and I've barely spoken to him since.

"He's out in the forest again." My delta says, shifting her feet uncomfortably, "He's been doing that a lot lately. Do you know why?"

I sigh and reply, "We had a… minor disagreement." Shaking my head, I gaze at the forest on the horizon, "Nevertheless, Skurge should not be leaving his duties to you. It's a beta's job to be there for his clan, advise his leader, and organize patrols and hunting parties. Just because we had an argument doesn't mean Skurge can neglect his responsibilities."

"Yeah," Zylah agrees, "I mean, if he's gonna be leader someday, he'd better clean up his act."

I tear my gaze away from the forest and look at her, "Yes. However…" I lower my voice, "He is older than me. I'm not sure if he's going to be any more than a deputy. I'm sure you will; you're younger than me. Skurge is going to be too old to lead by the time I'm gone. Well, unless I die in the next few years. Which I won't."

Zylah hesitates, breaking my gaze, and says, "Well…. With all the fighting Infernious does…. You could die."

My gaze hardens and I turn around. "No, I won't." I growl determinedly, "Frostbite will live on for as long as she chooses."

Sparrow's POV

My stomach growls hungrily. I watch in envy as Skull takes his pick from the prey pile. The giant dragon lifts a large boar and a fox out of the pile and stalks away to eat nearby Whiplash, who's sharing a couple of pikes with Skyflame. The Boneknapper is the second ranking Fang, so I have a while to wait for my share.

The delicious scent of the prey pile makes my mouth water as Sawyer picks a turkey from the pile. Turkey… my favorite.

My stomach growls again.

I tear my gaze away from the food. I've got to focus on something else. Scrutinizing my fellow clanmates, I try to notice new things about them. I usually do this when I'm waiting to eat.

I look at Whiplash and Skyflame as they share prey. Skyflame isn't supposed to eat yet, but Whiplash brought her the fish, and he's the first one allowed to eat, since he is the highest ranking Fang. So… I guess Skyflame would be allowed to eat if she's just sharing with him…

After another rumble from my stomach, I give myself a sharp shake. Think of something else…. Other than food.

Looking past the prey, I notice Whiplash's tail is resting on Skyflame's back, curling protectively around her. Oh great. That means there'll be more mouths to feed. And that means less food for me.

Turning away, I gaze at Skull. The Boneknapper is small for his kind, but he's still huge compared to the rest of the clan. Next to him, I feel like a little trapped mouse.

Larksong and Willow are the last two Fangs to pick from the pile, since they're the newest members. The two sisters bounce around and over each other in excitement. Larksong rears up on her tail and bats Willow's head with soft blows from her wings.

Gazing at the two sisters, I find myself purring a little. I used to play like that with Ambra and her family before…

Shaking my head, I glance over my shoulder at the prisoner. He seems familiar, but he's so scarred that I can barely even tell that he's a Monstrous Nightmare. I stare at him for a few more moments, and suddenly my scales prickle.

Whipping my head around, I see Frostbite, who's eating with Zylah on a cluster of boulders near her den, gazing at me intently.

Uh oh.

I jump to my paws and scramble over to the prisoner's shabby den. I must've been too far away from him. And I wasn't watching him very closely. Frostbite must be really serious about this.

As I skitter over to him, my twisted paw slips out from under me and I fall onto my chest.

"Omph!" I grunt, my breath getting knocked away. The prisoner, who's closer now, lifts his head and turns it towards me.

Climbing to my paws again, I walk over to him and sit down on a flat rock next to the Viking wreckage that's serving as his den. The prisoner, whose head is still following me, sniffs the air and rumbles with a scratchy, yet familiar, voice, "Terrible Terror. Are you my new guard? If so, then I'm not impressed."

Frowning, I reply, "Yes, I am your new guard. My name is Sparrow, and the only reason I'm your guard is because I'm the omega. I'm just here to watch you- if you try to escape, I'll just alert the Fangs. Then you'll have to deal with them."

The prisoner huffs, and then after a moment, asks, "I guess I might as well introduce myself. I'm Flynn."

I mentally wince. Oh yes, I remember him now. He's one of the sons of Hookfang, and he's also the brother of that rude one…what was his name? Oh yeah. Griffin.

Flynn is considerably nicer than his snarky brother, and I interacted with him the most out of the Nightmare family.

Great spirits, why does he have to be our prisoner?

"So, why are you the omega?" Flynn's question jerks me back to reality, "I mean, I'm pretty sure I smelled another Terror here, and he's hanging out with the bigger dragons. So, why you?"

I blink and reply, "I was born with a twisted paw." Mentally, I slap myself for saying that. Way to give away my identity! I mean, how many Terrible Terrors are born with a paw like mine?

Flynn hums and rests his head on the ground. "I once knew someone like you. He walked kinda funny, and didn't stay very long on Berk. I liked him, though. He always hung out with another Terror named Ambra and her brother and sister. They really liked each other, and for awhile I thought he and Ambra would….well…"

He cuts off, shaking his head, and continues, "He left, though. Something about checking on the island he came from. Ambra was really sad after he left, and she's been all mopey ever since."

"Really?" I ask before I can stop myself. I can't help feeling a pang of guilt and longing. I really did like Ambra while I was on Berk. She was unlike any dragon I'd ever met. Whenever she comes to mind, which is almost every day, I feel a hint of regret for leaving. Of course, however, about the consequences of me staying every time I look at Frostbite's deadly claws.

Giving myself a shake, I clear my throat and ask awkwardly, "Er, what was his name?"

Flynn tilts his head and replies, "Hawk. Wasn't much bigger than one, also."

I grunt and glance back at the prey pile, which is dwindling. Nightwhisper is currently taking his pick, and after him it'll be my turn.

I get to my paws and watch him impatiently. The Smokebreath catches my eye, and gets a mischievous look on his face. Then, he proceeds to nose through the pile with dramatically slow movements. Feeling annoyance spark inside of me, I bare my teeth in irritation.

Nightwhisper gives me a smug look, and then plucks a seagull out of the pile. As he walks away, I start towards the prey. Glancing over my shoulder, I order, "Don't move, Flynn. I'm getting us food."

The Nightmare huffs, but makes no attempt at moving. Turning around, I scamper towards the prey pile. Only a few things remain; a snake, some bugs that Badger and Silverhawk "caught", a quail, and a chipmunk.

I hesitate, wondering whether to fill my stomach or Flynn's. I mean, he does need it, if he's going to heal fully.

Then again, if he heals, then he'll be able to escape more easily.

Sighing, I pick up the snake in my mouth and the bugs in my forepaws. Then, I drag them back to Flynn.

As I drop them at his paws, he sniffs them and then asks incredulously, "This… this is it? This is all I get to eat? If that's the case, then don't worry about me escaping, because I'll have starved to death!"

Letting out a snort, I retort, "Well, it wasn't exactly a feast tonight."

Quickly fetching my share of the Claws' catch, I settle down near Flynn and start eating. The Nightmare finishes his snake and bugs in a few famished gulps. Then, he lets out a long sigh and rests his head on the ground.

As I eat my quail, keeping one eye on him, I can't help but feel a prick of pity. Pulling away from my prey, I flex my claws, trying to push away my guilt.

I glance at the quail, and then at the chipmunk. The quail… well, I guess it's more than enough for a small dragon like me.

Huffing, I toss the chipmunk to the blind prisoner. It hits his muzzle. Flynn jerks his head in surprise, and then gazes at me with clawed, sightless eyes.

"Thanks," he mumbles, eating the chipmunk quickly. After he finishes, he swipes his tongue over his maw and says, "It's nice to know that you Wild Dragons have at least a little bit of good in you."

I pause, and then mumble quietly, "Not all of us do. You should watch out for Skurge. He's the deputy- a Whispering Death."

Flynn nods, "I've smelled him before." He takes a deep sniff, and then says, "He doesn't hang out here very much, though." Taking another sniff, he adds, "You guys have weird scents. It's almost as if-"

He cuts off, taking a long, deep sniff. I cock my head, "Almost as if- what?"

Slowly, Flynn's head turns to me, his nose still twitching. "Your scent…" he mutters, "It's familiar… but where have I-"

Suddenly, his body tenses and straightens. I sink my claws into the ground, my blood growing cold.

He knows.

I wince, closing my eyes.

"Hawk?"

Nate's POV

"I agree," Hookfang says, "They have my son, for crying out loud!"

An hour or so ago, Raven called a meeting of the dragons. Toothless, Stormfly, Hookfang, Meatlug, Barf and Belch, Snip and Snap, Shani, Saar, Griffin, Ambra, Pounce, and all of the other dragons who aren't too injured to work came. Irria's still too weak to do much.

My mother had said that we should attack the Wild Dragons while we still could. Roars of disbelief met her words, but I secretly agreed. We won't get any stronger on this island, only weaker. So then I suggested that we tried a more stealthy approach, with a smaller group of dragons, to attack at night and strike Frostbite and the two other leaders.

At the moment, we're discussing my plan.

Griffin snarls, "I'm not going any longer without my brother. He may be a pain in the tail sometimes, but he's family."

Murmurs of agreement ripple through the crowd, and Toothless slams his paw down for attention.

"We're going to have to tell our riders about this." He says, "You know I can't fly without Hiccup."

"But I don't want to put Astrid in danger." Stormfly argues. The others nod.

My father narrows his eyes, "Yes, but you're not going without me. I'm not going to let you risk your lives while I stay here and do nothing."

I nod, knowing that nothing will stop Toothless from joining us. Sighing, I say, "Why don't we just figure out who's going, and then start planning?"

Raven nods and says, "The fastest and stealthiest dragons should go."

"Right," her mate says, "So, that's you," he glances around, "Stormfly, Saar, Ambra and Pounce, Barf and Belch, me," he pauses, and then asks, "Shani… I know you've had a bad past with these dragons but… would you like to come?"

The scarred Nadder nods vigorously, "I'll never forgive myself for abandoning Berk at its time of need. I might as well start making my foul up by joining you."

Toothless nods, and continues to include some other dragons including Hookfang's brother, Scratch, and one of Stormfly's daughters, Feather.

"What?!" Griffin exclaims, "I'm not going?!"

Saar glares at him, still upset about what he said to his sister, and growls, "You're too noisy and unpredictable. Stealth isn't your thing, battle is."

Griffin narrows his eyes and snarls, "There might be a battle, and you'll need me to be there for you-"

"Griffin." I interrupt. The Nightmare turns to glare at me. I say calmly, "You have to stay here and protect the island with Hookfang. You two will be the strongest dragons left here, and the Vikings need you."

Griffin stares at me blankly, completely baffled. I've never complemented him before.

Taking a deep breath, I lower my voice, "And don't forget about Zahra. What's going to happen to her if no one's there to protect her?"

Griffin and I both care about the Nadder, and constantly try to prove ourselves better than each other. But, honestly, right now isn't the time for rivalry. There's a bigger threat out there, and we have to put aside our hate if we want to survive.

The Nightmare's eyes soften for a moment, and then he nods determinedly. "Alright," he says, taking a step back, "I'll stay."

The other dragons glance at him in surprise. Griffin is usually harder to persuade, but I know I hit a nerve when Zahra's involved.

There's a moment of awkward silence, and then Raven shuffles her paws uncomfortably. All heads turn to her, and Toothless asks, his voice slightly concerned, "What is it?"

My mother's shoulders sag, and she raises her head to look at us. "Who's going to kill Phoe- I mean, Frostbite?"

We all hesitate. Nobody wants to take on her- heck, nobody wants to kill at all. But we're going to have to if we're going to get through this.

I inhale sharply. I don't like this. I don't want to do this to her. But she has shown that blood means nothing to her, so I must.

Taking a step forward, I announce, my voice strong.

"I will."

A really long chapter. Anyway, I updated sooner than usual. I'm just gonna finish this story as fast as I can so that I can move on with my life. Meaning- I'M GONNA WRITE A NEW STORY! Yep, after this I'm gonna write an Avenger fanfic, starring my OC Zoey Colt! She's a kick-ass wolf mutant that's 13 years old! Woo! Fury is so bad with kids.

Anywho, if you're an Avenger fan, please read my new story after I finish this one. Don't know what it's gonna be called, but I'll update Who to Cross with an author's note when its posted.

R&R

Tally ho!