Here is the second-to-last chapter. Enjoy, and there will be a sequel after this.
And to answer the questions of my faithful reviewer known only as MMM...
As you can see, they do go back for Dawnstrike. All of them will be fine. The power that Azura displayed is indeed within her, the necklace serves as a 'trigger' for her power, to awaken it when she comes of age. I intend for there to maybe be some romantic involvement between Hiccup and Azura, but I don't really know, and I am a pretty faithful Hiccstrid shipper.
On with the show!
Chapter 9
Rescue Attempts
I swung my bag off my back onto the small row boat I had stolen from Bucket, just as Hiccup and the other riders landed. "Why are you doing this Azura?" Hiccup asked. "We can help you. You don't have to do this alone." "You don't understand, Hiccup" I responded fiercely. "Actually, I do. I know what it's like to have your dragon taken from you and threatened." "No, I mean how it feels when it's like I'm missing half of me. You could never understand. Dawnstrike is as much a part of me as my arm, or my legs. I can't just leave her there." "True, but at least let us help." This made me pause. "I suppose I can't stop you." "Definitely not." Hiccup responded. "Fine. I'll let you come with me." I grudgingly said. I slid onto Toothless's back, my arms around Hiccup.
After a while, when the moon was starting its descent in the sky, we crossed into Outcast waters. Landing on a small ledge, I hopped off Toothless as the other riders landed. "Alvin will be keeping Dawnstrike in the dragon arena. It's a short walk from here, but it will be heavily guarded," I whispered, peeking out from behind a lip of rock. I headed off with Annabeth, another rider who had joined the academy recently and had become my friend, and Aleah, while the others flew off to distract the guards. I carefully climbed down from the ledge, and together we set off for the arena.
I darted out from behind an opening, clamping my hands on the shoulders of an Outcast guard and letting my lightning do the work. Aleah and Annabeth took care of the other, staring at me. "How did you do that?" Annabeth asked, startled. "I guess it comes with the whole 'Lightning Keeper' thing," I replied with a wry grin. We cranked open the gate and I ran over to Dawnstrike, who was in a cage in the center of the arena. I unlocked the chains with the keys that I had 'borrowed' from one of the guards, letting them clatter to the floor and wrapping my arms around Dawnstrike's neck. The Skrill, obviously no worse for wear, hummed and rubbed herself against me. "I'm glad that you're safe, girl."
Aleah was wary. She felt uneasy, like danger was looming. Her green eyes scanned the arena, glancing up at the roof, then down again. She looked up again instantly, having registered what was up there. "RUN!" She shouted, shoving Azura and Annabeth forwards. A metal cage fell from the ceiling, right on top of them and would have crushed Annabeth's hands if Aleah hadn't pulled her out of the way. Alvin stepped out from one of the dark cells, walking over nonchalantly. He chuckled darkly. "Well, Azura, you have caused me much trouble. You can't just stay away from your true family, can you? But you keep causing trouble. So much trouble, in fact that I am forced to remove you. Before, I would have kept you alive in my prison, but you have forced my hand. Take the other two away." He motioned with one hand. Guards grabbed Aleah and Annabeth. The two girls fought, but more guards overpowered them and chained their hands. They were hauled off down a corridor. I slammed my hands against the bars, anger making tears swell up in my eyes. "What have we ever done to you?" I cried as another set of guards lifted the heavy metal cage onto a cart. "You escaped me," Alvin growled. "And no one ever escapes Alvin the Treacherous." The last thing I saw headed down the corridor was Alvin laughing.