I know that the anonymous reviewer 'MMM' will hopefully like this, since this is where Azura finds her Skrill companion! (If you couldn't already tell)
Chapter 4
Of Skrills and Outcasts
On Outcast Island
Alvin scowled. His spy had brought news from Berk that Savage's slave who he had left to drown on the island, had been rescued by Hiccup and was now living on Berk. He was not happy at all. First, his soldiers had made no progress with training the Skrill. Second, that ex-slave that was living on Berk. He tapped his chin thoughtfully, then suddenly commanded "Savage, bring me Sitaris." Savage went white. He hated going near the deadliest assassin in the archipelago. Out of the shadows came a slithering voice "No need, Alvin. I am already here." "Good" Alvin said curtly. "I have a mission for you. A slave has escaped to Berk. She may be a liability in our plans to conquer that accursed island." "As you wish" the voice said. Staring down at the Skrill as it thrashed against its chains, Alvin laughed evilly. "Do not worry, slave. You will not see the destruction of your new home, because you'll already be DEAD!"
On Berk:
I woke up sweating from a nightmare, my legs tangled in my blanket. I had been having the same one for a few days now, and it was always the same: Alvin riding the skrill, and tearing through Berk with lightning. I was captured, and brought before Alvin. He always laughed before yanking on the Skrill's reins to send a bolt of lightning at me. Then just before the lightning hit me I woke up. Shaking my head, I got up and dressed. After my discovery in the Book of Dragons, I had been trying to find more info about the Lightning Keepers. I had looked through books of old legends, ancient myths, but had come up with nothing. I was hoping to find the Skrill that was supposedly bonded me: after I had discovered who I was, I had become aware of a hollow, empty feeling in my chest. I let myself out of the Great Hall, taking a breath of cold spring air once I was outside. Since I had been here for about two and a half months now, Stoick had given me permission to roam the village at will. I was wandering through the village when Hiccup came running up to me. "Azura!" The one-legged boy called. "There's a Skrill attacking Silent Sven's house. Come on!" I ran after him, sliding onto Toothless behind Hiccup. We took off, the Night Fury shooting for the air.
We hovered above the lightning-ravaged sheep pen, beside Astrid and the other dragon riders. Astrid was obviously edgy, fingering the handle of her axe. "I already got Silent Sven to safety, Hiccup. But the Skrill won't leave! We tried driving it off, but it shot the Twins with lightning and we had to withdraw," The blond girl explained. "Alright, here's the plan. Azura, Snotlout, and I will go down to the ground and try to tame it. You guys will stay up here and provide cover from above." The other riders nodded, Hookfang diving after Hiccup and I. We landed, Toothless snarling. "Don't worry, bud," Hiccup reassured his friend. I was staring at the Skrill. It was beautiful, with faintly iridescent blue scales and gold patterns on the underside of its wings. Lightning still crackled through its frill and razor-sharp spines. Hiccup started to edge towards the dragon, slowly reaching one hand out. The Skrill's yellow eyes narrowed, its nostrils flaring as they sniffed his hand. Suddenly, I knew what was going to happen. "Hiccup, look out!" I cried, tackling him just as the Skrill shot lightning over our heads. I shoved Hiccup behind me, slowly standing to face the Skrill. The dragon's eyes narrowed further, until they were merely golden slits. It flared its wings, roaring to the sky. I clenched my eyes shut, preparing to be blasted by lightning. But the searing pain of being electrified never came.
Opening my eyes, I realized that the Skrill was looking solemnly at me. As if compelled by some base, primeval instinct, I slowly reached one hand out and looked away. The Skrill hesitated. I could feel her breath on my palm, then she pressed her snout to my hand. A name resonated in my mind like a brass gong: Dawnstrike. Dawnstrike drew her snout away from my palm and I turned to look at Hiccup, Astrid, Fishlegs, and the awestruck Snotlout. The burly boy stared at me, his jaw almost on the ground. "Er….. Hiccup, Astrid, Fishlegs. Meet Dawnstrike. My dragon." I looked at the blue-scaled Skrill beside me, our eyes- blue and gold, human and dragon- meeting. "What?" Hiccup stared at me, barely believing his eyes. "Hiccup, I am the last of the Lightning Keepers, an ancient group of people who bond with a Skrill for life."
So sorry this is so late. It's been a few months since I last posted, and in truth I was being lazy. Though life did interfere a little. But I'm making excuses. A nod to my wonderful sister (who we will just call ShardofSun, after her username on Flight Rising) for her assistance in creating the name Dawnstrike. I don't even remember what miserable name I had picked out, but I'm sure that this one is much better. I'll post the next chapter soon!