Chapter 5
One day Re, Aurora, and Tenor were on Berk. Hiccup had offered to upgrade their armor so it was more fire proof, and harder to cut off. They spent most of their time under the apple tree. They were laying on their backs in the Dragonnip when Hiccup and Fishlegs came up the hill.
"Hey Re," Hiccup said.
"Yes?" Re said, with his eyes closed.
"We just realized that we never put your breed in the Book of Dragons," said Hiccup.
"And Fishlegs has been bugging me about it all day." All three dragons sat up and looked at each other.
"What do you need from us?" Aurora asked.
"Well we want to know you wing span, how many shots you have, your top speed and other things," Hiccup said. "We will also be comparing you to other dragons."
"And there has never been a Night Fury hybrid documented in history," Fishlegs said excitedly. "It's got to be the rarest dragon in the world."
"So will you let us document you three?" Hiccup asked. Re, Aurora, and Tenor got to their feet. They began talking to each other in Dragontongue. Hiccup and Fishlegs waited patiently. Finally Re spoke.
"Alright," he said.
"Great we're meeting at the arena," Hiccup said. The three dragons followed them to the plaza where Toothless and Meatlug waited. The two riders mounted their dragons and flew to the arena. The chain roof was off so the dragons could land more easily. Astrid, Snotlout, and the Twins were there already. Astrid was holding the Book of Dragons, which was very thick now.
"Okay gang," Hiccup said dismounting. "These three have graciously agreed to let us put their breeds in the Book of Dragons. So who should we start with?"
"I want to start with Tenor, he's the rarest," said Fishlegs, dancing on the spot.
"For your information I'm no longer the only Night Fury/Blackfang hybrid in existence," Tenor said. "There's now Black Widow."
"Yeah but you're the first one," said Fishlegs.
"We will save Tenor for last," Hiccup decided. "Let's start with Aurora. She and Re are the same breed so it will help us document the difference between male and female Whippertails." Astrid put the book on a nearby table and opened it up to a blank page. Re and Tenor went over to the wall of the arena to wait their turn.
"First we measure the wing span," Fishlegs said. Hiccup pulled out a measuring tape. Aurora opened her wings to their full extent and Hiccup measured her wings.
"50 feet for the wings," he said. Fishlegs wrote it down. Hiccup continued to measure Aurora and Fishlegs wrote down what he told him. Soon the measurements were done.
"I want to do the claw sharpness test," said Snotlout. He unrolled a large patch of thick leather and held it in front of Aurora. She sat on her haunches and sliced her talons through the leather like it wasn't even there.
"Whippertails can slice through thick leather," said Snotlout. Fishlegs wrote it down.
"Now it's time for the eel reaction test," said the Twins in unison. They both held up an eel and shoved them into Aurora's face. She flared her wings, and roared. Instead of flinching away from the eels like most dragons, she used her tail to whip the eels out of the Twins' hands. They dropped the eels and Aurora used her tail again to whip them clear across the arena.
"Wow she didn't run from the eels, she threw them away," said Ruffnut. "No dragon has done that before."
"It's probably because she's a queen," said Astrid. "And as a queen she has to set a good example." Aurora smiled with pride, a rarity.
"Next we'll see what kind of damage she can do," Fishlegs said. "I'll get the targets out."
"Eret you can examine her teeth," Hiccup said as he, Fishlegs, and Astrid went towards the shed. Eret went to the Queen's head, her eye followed him. Then she opened her mouth, showing her sharp teeth. They were as large as a bear's and sharper than a snake's. Eret saw that the roof and floor of her mouth were armor plated, no doubt to keep from burning her mouth every time she breathed fire. But something didn't add up.
"How come you don't burn your tongue when you breathe fire?" Eret asked.
"A dragon's saliva is 100 % fire proof," Aurora said. "That's why their teeth and tongue don't burn." She opened her mouth again and Eret looked inside. He spotted something at the back of her mouth. Just then Hiccup and the others returned with metal targets.
"Guys come see this," Eret said. He beckoned them over. They all gathered around the dragon's open mouth. Eret pointed to a pair of fleshy valves at the back of her mouth, just passed her teeth.
"That's most likely where her fire comes out," said Astrid.
"But I thought a dragon's fire came from the stomach," said Fishlegs. "And out the same way food went in."
"That would be impossible since Wippertails and Blackfangs don't have stomachs," Re said. "They have what we call gas lungs, all food they eat gets turned into fuel needed for fire breathing. As a result..."
"You don't have a shot limit," Hiccup finished. Re nodded.
"So you don't have a stomach?" said Snotlout.
"Nor intestines, or a bladder," Re said. "All we have is a set of lungs, gas lungs, brain, heart and liver; and in a female's case egg sack." Fishlegs went over to put it all in the book. Aurora closed her mouth before she slobbered all over the riders.
"Now lets get these targets set up," said Astrid. They all went over to the targets and began to set them up. The other dragons went up to Aurora.
"How's Serenity doing these days?" asked Stormfly. "We haven't seen her for a while."
"Ah, she's trying so hard to not be miserable," Aurora said sadly. "She doesn't smile anymore, but she does talk to us. She's trying not to be miserable for Edelweiss's sake."
"Are you going to bring her back here?" asked Hookfang. "Maybe we can help her."
"I appreciate that," Aurora said. "But we're not bringing her back until we know it's safe."
"Ah," said Meatlug. "Snotlout and Fishlegs are still arguing about who would win her over."
"I thought it was annoying when they were trying to win over Ruffnut," said Hookfang. "But this really low."
"Okay Aurora, try to knock those down with fire," Hiccup said. Aurora turned her attention to the targets. They were made of steel, a very strong metal. Aurora snarled and took a fighting stance. Then she shot her blue fire at the all the targets at once. Her fire melted the steel into puddles of lava.
"Whoa, that's really hot," said Fishlegs.
"Yeah even hotter than a Nadder's right Astrid?" Snotlout laughed. Astrid was about to put Snotlout in his place, but Aurora beat her to it. She swung her tail around ad whipped Snotlout in the rear. He howled and clamped his hands on his throbbing backside. Everyone laughed. Hiccup snagged the dragon's tail and looked closer at it. The last third of her tail had the tiniest barbs Hiccup had ever seen. They were smaller than a human eyelash, and sharper than fish hooks.
"Wow I would hate to be hit with that," Hiccup said.
"Mmm, yes it really hurts," Aurora said."Or so I've heard. And it's all solid muscle so I can also constrict prey and evildoers, those barbs help me grip better." She wormed her tail out of Hiccup's hands before he cut himself.
"Now we should document your Tian Wing," said Fishlegs. Aurora looked at him.
"I don't activate my Titan Wing unless I have a very good reason," she said.
"Please Aurora," said Astrid. The Queen shook her head.
"Well if you won't do it willingly," said Snotlout deep in thought. "We could always bring Serenity here and put her in unspeakable danger, and we know where she is too." Aurora growled.
"I mean you can't hide her from us," Snotlout said. "We will find her eventually, and since you three are all here she's alone in that castle, unprotected."
"Snotlout don't!" Hiccup warned.
"What I'm just calling it like I see it," Snotlout said. "We could lock you three up in here and go get her, and you won't be able to stop us." Suddenly Aurora wrapped her tail around Snotlout's neck and lifted him a few inches of the ground.
"Hookfang rescue," Snotlout gagged out. The Nightmare snorted and flew off.
"Thank you," Snotlout said sarcastically. He clawed at Aurora's tail in vain.
"What do we have to do in order to get you and Fishlegs to back off?" Aurora snarled.
"You'll have to kill me," Snotlout said.
"That can be arranged," Aurora hissed. And she activated her Titan Wing. Her turquoise belly scales turned silver grey and the ridges on her belly formed upside down V's. The silver grey scales also formed the rib like pattern all down her body. The scales under her eyes, on the whip part of her tail, and her wing membranes turned silver grey. The whip part of her tail grew longer, as did her horns. The barbs on her tail grew slightly bigger, digging into Snotlout's neck. He began struggling.
"Aurora please don't kill him," said Hiccup. The Queen eased up and dropped Snotlout to the ground.
"I'm only sparing your life because your chief said please," Aurora said. Fishlegs quickly document Aurora's Titan Wing. She didn't seem to care. She sat on her hunches and her scales turned back to normal.
"Thanks Aurora," said Astrid. "Snotlout won't get Serenity we'll make sure of it." Aurora just nodded, then went over to her comrades.
"We'll do Re next," said Hiccup. "Since he's the same breed we won't need to do as much." Re turned to his mate, who looked upset.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"Yes I'm okay," Aurora said. "I'm going to see how Serenity's doing, she shouldn't be alone." She went out of the arena and flew off.
"Where's she going?" asked Hiccup.
"Well because of what Snotlout just said, she's going to make sure Serenity isn't left unguarded," Re said.
"Nice going Snotlout," Astrid snapped. "Now the dragons can't trust us because you just can't back off." Re stepped forward for his examination. It only took a minuet; they just did the measurements. The discovered that the only difference between him and a female was that he was bulkier. They didn't need him to activate his Titan Wing since it looked similar to Aurora's except a different color, yellow. When he was done he went back to the wall.
Then to Fishleg's delight it was Tenor's turn. He was prancing on the spot as the dragon stepped forward.
"Can I do the examination?" Fishlegs cried excitedly.
"Go ahead," said Hiccup. Fishlegs ran over to Tenor and looked him up and down. Tenor stayed very still, with an annoyed expression on his face.
"Wow, this is so exciting," Fishlegs said. "The first Night Fury hybrid in the Book of Dragons." He looked at Tenor's eyes.
"He has big eyes," he said. Then he pulled Tenor's lip up showing his black teeth. "Whoa, those have got to be the deadliest teeth in the world." He went to touch the teeth, but Tenor jurked his head away to keep Fishlegs from killing himself.
"Fishlegs just start with the measurements," said Hiccup, throwing the measuring tape to him. Fishlegs eagerly began to measure Tenor. The dragon opened his wings so they could be measured.
"Well he's a lot smaller than the other two," Fishlegs said.
"Small for a Blackfang, big for a Night Fury," Tenor said, bragging a bit.
"Say, do you think they'll be more dragons like you in the future?" asked Astrid. "Now that you have Black Widow?" Tenor furrowed his brow, in thought.
"I think so," he said.
"Then maybe you can give a name to this new species," said Astrid. "Unless you just want to be called a Night Fury hybrid all your lives."
"Good idea," Tenor said. "I was thinking of calling this new breed; Nightfangs."
"Perfect," said Astrid. She wrote it down in the book.
"Now we can examine his mouth," said Fishlegs.
"Know this," Tenor said. "You so much as poke or scratch yourselves on my teeth you die, even if it's accidental."
"We understand," said Hiccup. Tenor then opened his mouth, showing his black teeth. They looked inside while Astrid took notes. His mouth looked the same as Re and Aurora's; he had the fleshy valves at the back of his mouth, but he said it was for his regular fire, his plasma blasts came from his mouth. Every time someone came close to scratching themselves on his teeth, he withdrew them into his gums. When they finished with his mouth they moved on to his aim. They set up more targets. Tenor shot down the first set with his regular fire, turning the targets into nothing. The next set of targets he shot down with plasma blasts, making them explode.
"Wow incredibly dangerous," said Tuffnut. "Do it again." Tenor shot a small plasma blast at the Tuff's feet sending him running behind Barf and Belch.
"Now all that's left is your Titan Wing," Hiccup said. Tenor smiled rather excitedly. He then unlocked his Titan Wing. His body was covered in what looked like red lightning. His nostrils and spines glowed red as well.
"Man that gets me every time," said Fishlegs, as Astrid took notes.
"What are you talking about?" Tenor said. "I've only activated it once."
"Still, it looks so cool," said Fishlegs. Tenor spotted one last target still standing. He shot a scarlet red plasma blast at it and it vanished.
"Wow that reminds me of the time I got Eel Pox," Toothless said.
"Sorry if that's a painful one for you," Tenor said.
"It's okay, it does look cool," Toothless said. "And it was really powerful."
"Well that's every thing," Hiccup said. "I'll get back to work on your armor."
"No rush," Tenor said as his scales went back to normal. "We don't believe in deadlines." He and Re spread their wings and flew out of the arena. They flew over the ocean. They began looking for fish.
"Do you think my parents are still alive?" Tenor asked. "I have never met them before in my life."
"I'm sure wherever they are Draco is keeping them safe for you," Re said. "And I'm sure they're thinking of you when they go to sleep."
"Why did they leave me behind? Why?" Tenor cried.
"Only Draco knows," Re said. "But you'll meet them someday."
"It seems everyone is walking out of my life," Tenor said. "First my parents, then my mate."
"You still got us," Re said. "And now you have Black Widow."
"You're right," Tenor said. "Thanks bro." Re smiled and nodded. They flew onwards looking for fish.
Back on Dragon Island Aurora had checked on the children, who were being watched by Ruby and Harmony. She also checked on the welfare of the other adult dragons living on the island. When she was done with all that she went up to Serenity's room. Aurora found her sitting in a rocking chair on the balcony. She looked up when the dragon landed.
"Hi Aurora," she said. "What can I do for you?"
"I just come to see how your doing," the Queen said. "I don't like to think of you all alone, especially now." She nuzzled Serenity's shoulder. She hugged the Queen very tightly.
"I love you my queen," she said, her voice breaking.
"I love you too sweetheart," Aurora said. "You feeling okay? You feel a bit feverish." Serenity let go and leaned back in her chair.
"That's why I'm out here," Serenity said. "To get some fresh air."
"Where's Edelweiss?" Aurora said.
"Come I'll show you," Serenity said. She heavily got out of the chair and went into her room. Aurora followed her into the room and over to the crib. They looked into it, and saw Edelweiss and Black Widow asleep, curled up together.
"Aww, that's so cute," Aurora laughed.
"Shhh," Serenity said, laughing too. "I can't wait until they both fit in that saddle."
"Here, here," Aurora agreed.
"I wish Chris could see this," Serenity said sadly. Aurora noticed that she was crying. The Queen gently nuzzled her cheek, and licked her tears away. Serenity leaned her head on the dragon's strong, warm shoulder. Aurora wrapped her wings around her.
"It's okay don't cry," she said in her motherly voice.
"How's everything going on Berk?" Serenity asked, hoping to change the subject.
"Swimmingly," Aurora said. "We got added to the Book of Dragons. Tenor gave his new breed the name of Nightfang." Aurora had used her magic to see what was happening in the arena.
"Nightfang huh?" Serenity said. "That seems to fit. You think they're going to be more dragons like him?"
"Sure," said Aurora. "Tenor might have brothers and sisters out there who look like him."
"I wish we knew where his parents were," Serenity said. Aurora murmured in agreement.
"Come on, you should get some rest," she said. "You still feel feverish." Serenity went over to the bed and laid down on it, pulling the blanket over her. Aurora went towards the door.
"Please don't go your majesty," Serenity said. "I don't like being alone either." Aurora glanced out the window for a second.
"I'll be right outside if you need me," she said.
"Okay," Serenity said. Aurora nuzzled her again, and licked away her tears. Serenity hugged her again.
"Sleep well sweetheart," the Queen said tenderly. "It'll all get batter, you'll see."
"Yes ma'am," Serenity whispered. She let go and laid down. Aurora changed her mind at that point. She didn't go outside, but laid down beside the bed. She fell asleep praying to her father that everything would work out. Draco showed her a vision of a red Phoenix rising out of a mountain in a halo of fire and ash. Then it burst into flames and became a pile of ashes at the foot of the mountain. From the ashes came another, younger phoenix. Only this one was white. The vision ended and Aurora was left to fit the pieces together.