Hello everyone, and thankyou for reading my second major fanfic. I'm sorry for the kinda late update, I was seriously struggling on how to start the whole story after I wrote the prologue. To be honest, I'm not entirely happy with this first chapter, but after plenty of attempts, this was the better version. I will add in the second chapter within 24 - 72 hours to try and make up for the lame chapter. This chapter was just to set the scene, but in the next one the story will begin to unfold.

Please review and let me know how to improve.

Far over the heads of every Viking on Berk, two black dragons glided on air currents. Their wings were fully extended to catch every wisp of breeze to keep them airborne, and they patiently waited for the right time. Hiccup as usual was on the back of Toothless the Night Fury, clad in his most recently made armour. His partner in flight, Shadow, glided next to him. Her Black Moon themed armour reshaped to accommodate for her wings and tail.

Human on dragon, flying next to a combination of both. They exchanged a look. Three. Two. One. They dived. Both Night Fury and hybrid Black Moon angled their bodies and shot towards the ground, letting gravity do the work. Despite being built for dives, Toothless was slow compared to Shadow who pulled ahead steadily.

Wind rushed through Hiccup's and Shadow's hair as they continued to plummet towards the ground. Shadow and Toothless narrowed their bodies further, picking up speed.

The ground was approaching, fast. Only a few hundred meters to impact, but Shadow pressed on, determined to make the turn as late as possible, while Toothless and Hiccup were getting ready to turn earlier.

With a hundred meters between them and the village, Toothless unfolded his wings and turned at a ninety degree angle to avoid crashing, still speeding along at a breakneck pace. Shadow on the other hand made no move to turn, and only when she was twenty meters from the ground did she suddenly changed her direction. With a powerful thrust from her wings, and flick of her tail, Shadow shot forward, level with the ground, speeding along at a few hundred kilometres an hour, continuously flapping to increase her speed.

After a few moments, they were back at each others sides, laughing at their little stunt.

"I beat you again Hiccup. Just admit it, that the Black Moon is superior to a Night Fury." She chortled. Hiccup laughed. "Never."

They both burst out laughing and continued to fly as fast as they dared around the island. Their friendly contests were something that they always did, and most of the time it was Shadow who won. Ever since she had regained her power from the Outcast Incident, she had been working hard to get her skill levels and strengths back up. Not only did she get back her old strength, but she improved drastically as well over those two years.

It was rough and often ended in bruises, but all of her effort had paid off. Shadow wasn't the only one that improved though, Hiccup had grown into a strong and capable young man with the help she gave him. In those two years, she had trained him and helped him develop into a lithe and agile fighter and taught him some of the styles she had learned while traveling the world. He was beginning to look more and more like a soldier, but added with his position as leader of the academy, he was more like a soon-to-be general.

Not only did they improve as individuals, and as a team, but the whole of Berk was improving too. The Villagers were learning to work together with their dragons to defend their home in case of attack, and Hiccup was creating more inventions to improve daily life. Shadow had even contributed, sharing her secrets of the known world, and teaching them new concepts to add to their lives.

Everything was a work in progress, but they held promise for great results.

After their flight around the island and surrounding sea stacks, Toothless signalled for lunch, and caught some for himself at Hiccup's approval. Shadow too caught her own fish, and they landed on one of the taller sea stacks for a break.

Even though Hiccup was seated on top of Toothless, Shadow was still incredibly tall. Standing next to her, she was still taller than him.

"Hiccup, I can't help but admit that life on Berk is starting to get a little boring. I mean, it's great that the village hasn't been attacked and there hasn't been a major earth shattering development in months, but I've gotten strangely attached to all the crazy events that's happened." She said. Hiccup sighed and nodded slowly.

They hadn't been attacked by anyone, but this is something that they didn't want to change, they hadn't had any wild dragon attacks, hadn't found any new species or new islands, making life too peaceful. It was driving them slowly nuts.

"I know Shadow, and frankly, I miss all that adventure as well. I wish we could go and pursue something, if just to keep us entertained."

All of the other dragon riders were affected by the peacefulness too, however, they had found ways to cope. Fishlegs was one of the major teachers of Berk's history and helped the younger generations, Snotlout had a job testing weapons for Gobber, the twins were training for their new job of dragon inspired weaponry (while under constant supervision), and Astrid was being offered a place in the Berk guard. Shadow had also been awarded the title of military officer, and was now responsible for training new soldiers. Hiccup was still the ruling commander of all things dragon related, but he longed for more, as did the others, but his sense of longing couldn't be stated with a job on Berk.

"Hiccup, I'd like to talk to you about something that has been bothering me… With things the way they are in Berk, and with me having full control over myself again and my half-form, there is beginning to be less and less reason for me to stay. When I first came here two years ago, I only stayed because I couldn't leave to continue my mission, and after the Outcast thing, I stayed because I needed help and guidance. But now, technically there isn't anything tying me to Berk anymore. If my superiors found out that I abandoned my mission and have been indulging myself with this life, they would be furious. I've been away from my purpose too long." She said sadly.

Hiccup could feel tears pricking the back of his eyes. He didn't think that after all this time that Shadow would be forced to leave. He rubbed his eyes to rid himself of the growing tears.

Shadow noticed, but didn't comment. "Hiccup, I'm afraid to say it, but if nothing happens in the next few weeks that requires me here, I may have to move on. I don't even know if I would come back after that if I'm honest."

One traitorous tear rolled down his face, and he angrily brushed it away. Shadow waled up to him and ran her clawed hands through his hair to try and make him feel better.

"I don't want you to have to leave." He whispered. "And I don't want to leave either. But I might have to in the future." After that, they sat there in silence mulling over their thoughts.

The two of them eventually sighed and launched back into the sky towards home.

Shadow didn't want to leave at all, but if anyone found out that she was abandoning her kind, being selfish and having a place for herself instead of helping find a place for them all, they would be absolutely furious with her. She shouldn't feel attached to any one place, but she did, so much in fact that she would do anything to stay. But if she would completely abandon her people for her selfish acts, she didn't know.