It's been a few weeks since Crusher joined the Dragon Riders and surprisingly he's been very helpful, especially building a more fortified base in case Dagur attacks us in the future. His abilities to control the earth itself will definitely be a boon to us. I like to see Dagur's face when he meets Crusher's giant fist. Hahahaha!
For now we were back on Berk gathering some supplies for Dragon Edge. The supplies back on base were a bit drained since both the Rumblehorn incident caused massive damage and we needed more materials to build most of the base, and with Tyse and Crusher joining, we needed more food as well. You know how much a Shifter can eat by himself? A lot! Tyse and Crusher can eat fifty yaks! EACH! Crusher I understand, but Tyse? What the hel?!
"Okay, now remember, gang we're only taking absolute necessities to Dragon's Edge." Hiccup explained as we packed the supplies. "And that means lots of food, people! After all, most of it is gone because of TWO glutinous Shifters!" I pointed and glaring at the hooded Tyse and large and beefy Crusher. Tyse tries to hide her embarrassed face behind her hood while Crusher scratches the top of his head confused. "Why Nightshift mad? Food good for Crusher and Scary Lady." He says as I sighed.
"Because you aren't the only people that eat, Crusher." I said calmly. "Oh. Crusher share food with friends. Let Crusher regurgitate food then." Crusher said and was about to regurgitate his breakfast making everyone turn to him in horror and disgust. "NO!" We yelled causing him to pause. "Thank you, Crusher but… uh… what Matt meant is that most of us can't eat like… uh… dragons." Hiccup explains stuttering slightly in slight disgust.
Crusher nods in acceptance and swallows back his breakfast. "Ok. Crusher understands. Crusher share food that two-legs can eat." We sighed in relief hearing that and got back to supplying for the base.
Suddenly I watched Stoick striding towards us and he didn't look happy. Behind him was Bucket and Mulch and they looked nervous and slightly concerned, like they saw something. Crusher noticed them and slowly reached for his hammer but Tyse stopped him from doing so. Crusher hasn't gotten used to civilization so he's a bit cautious of humans. Hopefully he'll be comfortable soon enough.
"Which one of the usual suspects was out sinking boats on their dragon this morning? I have my suspicions." Stoick demanded, causing me and Hiccup to look at each other in surprise. "Sinking boats?" Hiccup questioned. "Bucket and Mulch saw the whole thing." Stoick says as the two Vikings waved at us. "And don't try convincing me that there's anyone else in the archipelago who could pull something like this off! Well? I'm waiting." Stoick ended and crossed his arms.
We were all silent looking at one another before suddenly Tuffnut raised his hands up. "It was me, Chief! I couldn't control myself. I had to do it." Tuffnut approaches with his knees on the ground. "What's wrong with me? Why do I do things like this? Why doesn't anybody do anything to stop me? Can't you all see that it's a desperate cry for help?" Tuffnut sobs as Stoick facepalms in belief while Ruffnut approaches from behind.
"What are you talking about? None of that happened." Ruffnut stated. "I know that. I always wanted to confess to something. How did it play? I didn't overdo it, did I?" Tuffnut asked as I snorted in amusement. "Overall, you seemed grounded, but still it was a little hard to believe." I said as Crusher scratched his head. "Two legs are strange." Crusher replies. "No just those two." Tyse added as Stoick growls in impatience.
"Dad, we've been together all morning. It couldn't haven't been one of us attacking the ship." Hiccup defended as I approached. "And Tyse and Crusher with me all morning gathering food. None of us were even in the area when it happened." I said as the two Shifters gave me thankful looks for defending them when Stoick turned to their direction.
"Well, if it wasn't one of you, I'd say, we have a much more serious problem on our hands." Stoick says, causing us to realize that there's a rogue dragon rider out there. "Rogue dragon rider?" Astrid asks as Tyse looks at her. "Let's hope that's the only thing. For all we know the rider could be a Shifter and that's really dangerous." "Yes it is, but we need to find out who it is, whether they are a Shifter or not." I said unsheathing my claws and sheathing them again.
We flew to the last place where Bucket and Mulch spotted the dragon and it's rider attacking the ship. We spotted the abandoned ship and flew towards it. "Spread out everybody! Look for signs of what dragon attacked this place." I growled and landed besides Hiccup and Astrid along their dragons. "I've been thinking about this rogue dragon rider." Astrid says as she dismounts Stormfly. "Dagur." Hiccup spoked as I turned to my human form. "It makes sense. If Dagur has a dragon and is attacking ships, then who's to say we won't be next?" Astrid theorizes causing me to shake my head.
"This doesn't look like his M.O. He would've killed the Vikings piloting this ship. Not to mention he'll love to ride Skrills. And by the looks of the damage caused here, no burns from a lightning strike anywhere. I think we're dealing with someone else." I said, causing the two of them to rethink their conclusion. "This smell… There were three beings here. One human while the others are dragons." Toothless crooned causing me and Hiccup to frown. "What? What did Toothless say?" Astrid asked. "He said that there were three beings. One human and two dragons." I translated, causing her frown. "But Bucket and Mulch told us that their was only one dragon that attacked the ship." "Which means that one of the riders is a Shifter." Hiccup says. 'That's not good.' Wolf crooned as I frowned.
"Hiccup! Matt! You got to see this." Fishlegs called us over and we see him observing some deep gashes on the side of the ship. "Wow. Those are some deep gashes there. Wonder what caused them." I said as Fishlegs analyzed the gash. "This dragon is extremely powerful. It has the slashing attack of a Speed Stinger yet from the depth of the strikes it appears to be as strong as a Typhoomerang. Yeah…" Fishlegs says, impressed.
Hiccup turned to the gang and called out. "You guys, you find anything else?" He called. Astrid was looking through multiple barrels, the Twins were running around to somewhere and Tyse seemed to be looking at something. "This ship has been stripped of everything valuable." Astrid says as she kicks over one of the barrels.
I sighed in disappointment before we noticed the Twins fighting over something. They continue fighting for a moment before noticing our eyes on them. They tried to play it off. "Nothing over here. Right, sis?" Tuffnut says hiding an object obviously showing behind his back. "Nope, no-thing." Ruffnut agreed. "Zilch. Not a thing in front, behind, or to either side of us." Tuffnut adds in the end with a smile.
We looked at them blankly and I sighed. "We can clearly see that, Tuffnut." I said, crossing my arms. "Alright, but we get to keep it." Tuffnut admitted but refused to hand it over. "Yeah, finders keepers." Ruffnut adds. "Losers…I…" Tuffnut tries to find the words but fails. "Losers don't get this 'cause it's way too cool for a loser." "Yeah." Tuffnut showed us the item and it looked like a barb. A metal barb. "A barb!" Fishlegs says surprised, pointing at it. "That looks like one of Stormfly's." Astrid comments looking at it. "Which means the dragon we're looking for could belong to the Sharp Class. In fact, I'd bet my Meatlug on it!" Fishlegs says, causing Meatlug to look at him. "What?" She growled worriedly causing Fishlegs to reassure her. "No, no, don't worry, girl. It's just an expression. I'd never do that."
Hiccup and I approached the Twins and put my hand up waiting for the Tuffnut to put the barb in my hand. Tuffnut looks at my hand and shakes his head rapidly. "Nuh uh. Sorry Matt, but we found this and keeping it." Tuffnut denied as I raised my eyebrow in amusement. Hiccup takes a hold of the barb and pulls but Tuffnut pulls back. The two of them play tug-a-war for a bit before Tuffnut puts his other hand over Hiccup, causing Hiccup to do the same. Tuffnut does it again but unknowingly slams his hand on the sharp part of the barb. He screams in pain as his sister looks amused by his suffering and watches him kiss his hands multiple times to get the pain out.
I laughed in amusement before I noticed Tyse still in the same spot and looking at something on the ground behind some barrels. Curiously, I walked up to her and tapped her on the shoulder. "What's up?" I asked, causing her to glance at my face before going back to look at the object. I looked at what she was looking at before gasping in shock. "Uh, guys. I can safely say that I'm right about Dagur not being behind this." I said, causing everyone to walk towards us. They looked at where me and Tyse were looking before gasping in shock and horror.
Right in front of us on the ground, is the dead body of a Berserker Viking. There were two large holes deep in his chest and looks like whatever caused it ended out of behind the Berserker's shoulders. Like two blades caused it. There was also a large hole in the neck like something stabbed him right in the neck, but whatever it was, it was sharp and by the looks of it, it wasn't clean.
"Cool! Dead body!" Tuffnut says cheerfully before noticing our annoyed glances. "I mean, oh no! Dead body!" He says, causing us to look back at the corpse. "What could have done this?" Fishlegs says horrified and looking a little green. "Maybe it was one of the riders or maybe both. Or maybe it was their dragon that caused it." Astrid guessed, causing Tyse to shake her head. "It was the Shifter. Look at how he was stabbed and where it ends. The blades pierced the Berserker from below and stabbed through the chest and possibly punctured the lungs and ended behind the shoulders. There was also some damage where the blades pierced through, meaning that he was lifted off the ground. A normal human wouldn't be able to do that but a Shifter would. While being lifted off the ground something stabbed through his neck, and with two blades lifting him up, my guess is a very sharp tail caused the damage, like a scorpion ending the Berserker's life." Tyse analyzed before noticing our gazes. "What? I was once a professional assassin, I know what causes kills."
We nodded in acceptance before Hiccup looked at the barb. "You thinking what I'm thinking?" Hiccup questioned. "Oooh! Good game, Hiccup! You think of something, and we'll try to guess what it we do, we get a prize. Think away, my good man. And let the game begin." Tuffnut says cheerfully before thinking really hard, like he was trying to read Hiccup's mind alongside his sister. "Let me see. I'm thinking you two are muttonheads." Snotlout says annoyed, causing Tuffnut to cheer. "Yes! I win!"
"What he was actually thinking, if we find the dragon and Shifter, we find the rider. And I bet I know how we can find it." I said, causing everyone to look at me. "First let's get back to Berk. Maybe Bucket or Mulch might tell us something." I said, turning into my dragon form and head to Berk followed by the others.
"Sharp! Did I say that it's sharp?" Bucket yells as Fishlegs draws on the shield to figure out what the dragon looks like. "I know, Bucket. We've gone over that 20 times." Fishlegs says slightly annoyed. "Well, it's got a very long tail. And it can tie itself into a knot. Yes. Yes, that's right. And two large wings to slice." Bucket describes and once Fishlegs finished, Bucket gasps in fear and runs away screaming. "So?" Hiccup asked. "I've never seen anything like this in the Book of Dragons or Bork's papers." He says as I look at the picture and gasps. "Tyse?" Hiccup asked, confused about my demeanor. "I know this dragon! But if I'm right, I need to be sure." I turned to Hiccup. "We need the Dragon Eye." I said with a smile.
Hiccup takes the Dragon Eye out of Toothless's hand bag and holds it out to me. I took the Dragon Eye with a wide grin and turned to Stormfly. "Mind helping me, Stormfly?" I growled as she preened. "It would be my honor, Tyse." She squawked as I used my daggers to hold the Dragon Eye steadily.
Stormfly approaches the Dragon eye and makes a low flame, lighting up the Dragon Eye and causing it to make an image of a Dilos Brit Bo, translation to Deadly Beautiful Flier or simply a Deadly Nadder. "Deadly Nadder. I must have missed this the first time around. Who's got some chalk? I have to translate it." Fishlegs says excitedly as I giggled. "Unfortunately we don't have time for that." I chirped as I twisted some mechanics on the Dragon Eye and it changes to a Tah Nin, Pack Stinger or Speed Stinger. "Speed Stinger! One of my favorites. There's always so much to learn." Fishlegs continue to be excited. "I always admired the Tah Nins. Their fast and accurate attacks and their paralyzing poison. I sometimes wish I was born one of them." I mused before twisting the Dragon Eye once again until I finally caught the next image.
"That's it!" Snotlout exclaimed, pointing at the image of the dragon. The same dragon we are looking for. "It's called a Razorwhip." Nightshift says causing me to cheer. "YES! I knew that this dragon was familiar! This is a Qah Viing or Armor Wing or most Shifters called them Silverwings. They are deadly dragons with metallic-like scales and are capable of cutting anything like a Timberjack, especially their tail which can squeeze the life out of anyone unless it's in a hurry, then it just slices you in half." I explained with glee. "Punch me, because I must be dreaming." Tuffnut told his sister before she punched him in the face. "Ow!" He screams in pain as I giggle.
"Tyse, is there anything about this dragon that won't kill us?" Astrid asked. "How about its eyeballs?" Ruffnut asked. "No. Poisonous Tears." Fishlegs says reading, causing me to snort. "Yeah that is a big fat lie. I am a master of poisons and Silverwings do not have poisonous tears. I should know, I tasted their tears myself. Don't ask." I said, wondering who came up with that lie. Tuffnut groaned in disappointment as Ruffnut frowned.
"Tyse, is there anything that might help us locate it?" Nightshift asked as I think about it. "A lot of things. Let's see. Top speed, oral hygiene, mating rituals, feeding habits…" I listed it down. "Wow, wow, wow, wait. Go back to that one." Hiccup interrupts me, causing me to blush shyly. "Oh Hiccup. I never realized you were interested in dragon mating habits." I said giggling. Everyone widened their eyes and blushed madly except for one person. "HAHAHAHAHA! OH THIS IS GOOD! HAHAHAHAHA!" Nightshift laughed falling down on the ground. "No!" Hiccup stutters. "Feeding habits. If we can figure out what this thing eats, then we might figure out where it eats." He explains causing me to blush nervously. "Wow I got that all wrong. Sorry everybody." I chuckled nervously. "It was a good laugh though. Hehehe." Nightshift chuckled as I pout.
"Sea slugs!" Fishlegs exclaims, causing Tuffnut to freak out. "Where!?" He screams looking around rapidly. "It eats sea slugs." Fishlegs repeated. "Slugs? I hate those slimy monsters. They're just snails without homes. Giant homeless snails!" Tuffnut exclaims as I giggled at him overreacting. "We've come across a few islands out there that are just crawling with sea slugs. Hopefully, our Razorwhip's feeling hungry." Hiccups says as Astrid approaches him. "And hungry for sea slugs, not Vikings." Astrid says, causing me and Nightshift to groan. "We don't eat Vikings, Astrid. Too many bones and less fat. Although I would take a bite out of Fishlegs." I giggled, causing him to look at me in horror and fear. "What!?" He yells. "I'm kidding of course! I would never hurt one of my friends." I assured him, causing him to sigh in relief.
A couple of hours later we were above another island that was inhabited by sea slugs. "I have a good feeling about this island." Fishelgs says. "That's what you said about the last five islands!" Snotlout complained, causing me and my swarm to growled. "He's the optimist guy! Cut him some slack!" I said, my voice echoing from my swarm. "I hear it multiple times, and I still am not used to your voice when your in dragon form." Nightshift says shivering. "Does anyone consider what we're gonna do if we actually find this Razorwhip?" Astrid asked. "You can marry it." Tuffnuted joked. "And what if Dagur's riding it?" She asked. "Didn't I say we're dealing with someone else." Nightshift asked but they ignored him. "Well, then Ruffnut can have him." Tuffnut replies, surprising his sister. "It will be complicated, but I will one day learn to love him as my own." "Um, Tuffnut…" Astrid replies slightly disturbed and weirded out by him. "Like a little babe, a child that I carry in my arms. But he's too heavy." Tuffnut says, causing me to look at him strangely. "You are a weird human aren't you?" I said. "Welcome to the club." Nightshift joked before spotting something with his eyes.
"Hey guys! Found some smoke! Let's investigate!" He yells out as we approach the smoke. "This dragon builds campfires?" Tuffnut says in excitement. "No you idiot… actually now I think about it Shifters are dragons so I guess that certain type of dragon can build campfires." Nightshift says bewildered. "Wow. So smart of you." "Shut up, Toothless!" Toothless warbled in laughter as I giggled. "Hah! I knew it!" Tuffnut yells. "Give me the 'Twins serve a purpose' speech again. Quickly?" Astrid says annoyed. "Yeah! I've only heard the 'Twins are muttonheads' speech, which is also very good." Tuffnut shrugs as I roll my eyes. "Okay." Hiccup says as we continue flying towards the smoke. "Okay, or you don't have to." Tuffnut comments.
We land on the ground and approached the camp. I merged my swarm into myself before looking around. "Think we found our mystery rider and Shifter's camp." I said as I picked up some of the ash from the campfire and sniffed it. It was recent. "Could be the loot from the ship." Astrid comments as she looks at the loot that was probably from the ship. "And these gashes look familiar." Hiccup says pointing at a rock with claw marks on it. "And this campfire was recently put out. I say five minutes ago. I bet they knew we were coming." I said as I wiped the ash off my hands. "You think they saw us? Or the Shifter sensed us?" Nightshift asked. "Possibly." "Crusher think we split up. Find faster then crush them. Gently." Crusher gruffs out. "We don't need to crush anyone, Crusher." Hiccup says, nervous of Crusher doing that. "He doesn't mean to kill them. He meant to capture them and only used force when necessary, right big boy?" I said, causing Crusher to smile big.
"Oh, sorry for the misunderstanding then, Crusher." Hiccup apologies causing Crusher to wave that it was no big deal. "Alright, gang, let's split up and search the island for our rogue rider and his Razorwhip and the Shifter." "Actually the rider is female. I can smell her everywhere. Now that I think about it, even the Silverwing and Shifter are females as well." "Whoa you have a good nose." Ruffnut comments to me. "I may not have the nose of a Rumblehorn but I can distinguish different smells." I replied with a smile. "Okay then. Fishlegs, you and Meatlug stay here, signal if they come back." Hiccup orders causing Fishlegs to salute with two fingers. "You got it." Fishlegs says as we all split up to a different part of the island to find the looters.
Tyse and Crusher followed me as we searched for the three that looted those ships. After an hour of searching though, we took a small rest by a cliffside. "Crusher tired. Crusher not used to fly. Crusher rolls." Crusher panted sitting down and causing a small tremor. "Sorry, Crusher. I forgot that your wings are smaller than your body." I apologized sheepishly. "Crusher accept apology. Proof Crusher need more exercise." Crusher jokes, causing us to chuckle. "You have the body of a giant. I'm sure you'll excel at it." Tyse giggled as I smiled.
Suddenly we heard rocks rolling and cracking from above us. We looked up quickly and found many large boulders falling towards us. "Ah Scales." I deadpanned before the boulders landed on us and blackness followed.
A few feet away from the boulder pile, a Razorwhip lands in front of it. On its back was a hooded rider with a unique axe on her back. The rider pats the Razorwhip's neck and turns around to take off. Only to hear a sound from the boulders.
The two looked back to not see anything, until they noticed some of the boulders shaking slowly before the shaking becomes faster and faster and faster. It suddenly stops for a few moments before the boulders exploded outwards. The Razorwhip and Rider ducked, avoiding the rocks before looking forward towards the pile.
In the center was the snarling forms of Crusher, Tyse and myself. And we were mad. We looked towards the two and snarled. Our eyes turned slits, fangs and claws sprouted out, and scales covered our bodies. Me and Crusher roared in fury while Tyse did a frightening screech. The rider urged the Razorwhip to fly away and take to the air but we were close behind them. Crusher wasn't able to catch up by flying, but he picked us up in his large hand and threw us towards the two like a speeding bullet.
We landed on the Razorwhip's back and growled, revealing our presence. The rider looks at us in fear and pulls out her axe before transforming it into a double axe. Tyse smiled wickedly and pulled out her daggers while I unsheathed Yolsilnah from my back. Tyse giggled psychollocally and went to attack only to be kicked off the Razorwhip by a silver figure. Tyse fell and landed on a couple of trees while I looked at my opponent. It had a feminne appearance if the bust had anything to say about it. She was covered in Razorwhip armor from head to toe like a warrior maiden. Through her helmet, I could feel the glare she was giving me. She growls as I growled back. Her wrists flicked and two long metal-like scale blades came out of her wrists.
"Is that supposed to scare me?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. The Razorwhip Shifter roars and begins to stab me. I deflected the strikes with Yolsilnah and attacked with it, but the Shifter blocks my attack and proceeded to kick me in the stomach. The attack landed and I stumbled backwards, but I got back to my stance to defend myself from the Shifter's swings and strikes. We go on for a while attacking and defending until the Shifter stabs forwards, piercing through my stomach. I screamed in pain, but I used this disadvantage to my benefit by punching multiple times. The helmet protects most of the damage from heavy attacks, but multiple hits from a Shifter can cause severe damage nonetheless.
The Shifter pulls her head back and slams it onto me causing me to whip back in pain. I growled at the Shifter before a click was heard and a part of her back separated to reveal a tail. The sharp, spine-like scales raised up from the long thin tail like a Deadly Nadder and tried to stab me. I tilted my head to the left to avoid the tail, I tilted my head to the right to avoid another stab. The Shifter's tail stabs towards my neck but I grabbed it with my claws.
I growled in pain as the Shifter's blades sank deeper into my stomach as the tail gets closer to my neck. I opened my mouth widely and a blue glow resonated from it. The Shifter realizes what situation she was in, but it was too late. I fired point blank range and hit her in the face. The blast launched her away, ripping the blades forcefully from me, and landed on her rider friend. I looked at my wound and grimaced, that's going to take a while to regenerate.
I looked back up and growled seeing the Shifter back up with her helmet seared black. She touches her helmet and sees the ash on her fingers before looking back at me with a growl. "Aw what's wrong? Don't like the new paint job?" I mocked causing her to roar. She pounces with her blades up, only for her to be tackled by Tyse who had a few twigs in her. "Remember me, Kiir!" She giggles darkly and slashes at the Shifter's helmet with her dagger. The blade scratches the helmet and the Shifter in response kicks her off and quickly gets back up.
She looks at the both of us and watches us closely, getting into a defensive stance since we surrounded her on both sides. Tyse giggles psychotically and attacks, spinning her daggers so fast that one hit could saw through the metal like scales. The Razorwhip Shifter dodged Tyse's attacks, kicking her in the chest before deflecting my blade from multiple angles. Once she deflected my attacks she sent her tail forward. I dodged by spinning, the tail barely touching my back, doing a high spinning kick causing the Shifter to duck. I used my momentum to spin again and strike her right in the ribs. She grunts, grabbing my leg before slamming her elbow right in the knee, snapping the leg in half. I yelled in pain as I held my now useless leg.
Two legs wrapped around the Razorwhip Shifter's waist and were lifted up in the air before slamming head first backwards, courtesy of Tyse who had a dark look on her face. She did not like seeing me in pain apparently. Continuing using her legs, Tyse squeezed causing the Razorwhip Shifter to scream in pain of the pressure, bone and armor heard breaking. Using her tail, the Razorwhip Shifter stabs Tyse in the back causing her to gasp and loosen her grip. The Shifter escapes, using her tail to wrap around Tyse before flinging her off the dragon. Tyse hits a tree breaking it and lies on it in pain.
The Razorwhip Shifter turns back to me only for a fist to block her vision. The large impact dented the helmet causing her to hold her face in pain. While the Razorwhip Shifter was dealing with Tyse, I snapped my leg back into place allowing my natural regeneration to heal it, getting me back into the fight. I continued giving her multiple punches to the face, chest and stomach causing the Shifter to wear down. She was deadly and quick, but I was stronger. With one final hit, I uppercut the Razorwhip Shifter, knocking her out on her friend's back.
The rider looked at me in fear as I growled at her. I slightly glanced behind her and smiled. I turned back to the hooded rider and saluted her before slowly leaning to the side, allowing myself to fall off the dragon and onto the ground. The rider looked confused before she looked forward and widened her eyes when she saw Hiccup and Toothless right in front of her!
Toothless fires a plasma blast and knocks the dragon out of the sky and onto the ground. The rider quickly gets back up and heads towards her dragon and touches it, causing the Razorwhip to croon. "I wouldn't do that if I were you." Hiccup challenged as Toothless' maw glows, readying another attack. The Shifter wakes up and quickly appears in front of the rider snarling. Suddenly a giant arm appears from underground and wraps around the Shifter, squeezing her so she wouldn't escape or cause any more harm. "Crusher not like you." Crusher growled as he appeared in the hole he made. "Make sure she doesn't move big boy." Tyse cheerfully speaks as she approaches the trapped Razorwhip Shifter. "I'm going to make a few surgical improvements." She giggled darkly.
"Now we don't have to do that. But she can remain like that for a while." I said, shaking some dirt off of my shoulder. I turned to the rider and smirked. "Not so tough are you with your friend out of commission." I said, pointing at the struggling Shifter. The rider stays silent for a moment before sighing. "You haven't changed a bit, Matt." She said, surprising me when she revealed my name.
The rider takes off her hood and face mask to reveal long black hair with a braid over her left shoulder. She was wearing a long-sleeve, light gray shirt with a black, short-sleeved hooded shirt over it. She wears a brown leather vest, wristbands, dark gray pants and brown boots. She has three black belts which hold a horn and some sort of lens. She also wears the scales of the Razorwhip like armor using them as shoulder guards, bracers, knee pads and skirt. But the most defining feature and the most familiar were her green eyes which caused me to growl. 'Oh no.' I heard Wolf growl worried as rage filled my being.
"Heather." Hiccup said in shock as I growled. "I shouldn't be surprised." I say aggressively. "Oh, do you know each other?" Tyse asks as Crusher tilts his head in curiosity and the Razorwhip Shifter becomes motionless listening to our conversation. "It's been a long time, hasn't it?" Heather says smiling before gasping as I grabbed her throat and lifted her, choking her. "Matt!? What the hel!" Hiccup yells as he sees me choking Heather. "I knew someone like you doesn't have a good heart! You lying eal-eater!" I growled as pupils turned into slits. "L-Let me e-explain!" Heather gasped out as I growled. 'Nightshift put her down!' Wolf roared as I continued choking her. The Razorwhip Shifter struggles to become faster when she sees her friend in danger, The dragon itself didn't know what to do against a Shifter, Crusher doesn't know if he should help or not, Hiccup was still in shock while Toothless didn't know if he should stop me to help Heather since his love for me is stronger but he was being conflicted. But Tyse knew what to do.
Tyse quickly chops my hand away from Heather's throat, allowing her to breathe and on her knees gasping as I try to get to her. "LET GO OF ME! SHE NEEDS TO PAY FOR ALL THE LIES AND PAIN SHE CAUSED!" I roared in fury as Tyse held me back, allowing Heather to back away in fear. "Listen to yourself! What happened to the nice person I met!? Where is the calm and joking Shifter I used to know!?" Tyse yelled as I continued to struggle to get to Heather. "LET ME GO!" I roared before punching her in the face and allowing me to pounce at Heather. She screams in fear only for a giant fist to hit me to the side, launching me into a cliff. "Crusher thinks you need sleep. Always help with Crusher's anger." Crusher gruffed out as I slowly became unconscious.
I slowly woke up as a small headache formed on my head. I shook a little and looked up to find myself in Notic's realm. I felt a slight warm breath behind me and I turned around to find a frowning goddess looking at me in disappointment. "Do you have no shame, my child?" She says in motherly disappointment. "I don't know what you are talking about." I said glancing to the side. "Do not lie, Nightshift. You attacked and harmed that sweet girl. If Crusher didn't stop you would have killed her." Noctis growled causing me to whimper. She breathed in and spoke more calmly. "Why do you hate this girl? What reason did she earn your anger?" She asked, making me growl. "Is that a joke? She caused harm for everyone! The first time we met, she pretended she was a sweet little girl shipwrecked by pirates but in TRUTH she was a spy and took the Book of Dragons for Alvin! To get it back, Astrid took the appearance of that Snake to get closer, but in the end she was revealed and hurt because of her!" I roared in fury, rage in my veins.
Noctis remains quiet looking at me as I breathe heavily before speaking. "And what reason did she do all those things?" I remain quiet, not answering. "It's because her parents were in danger. If she didn't, her family would have been killed. In her position she didn't have a choice. What would you do if you were in her position?" She asked as I continued to remain silent. "If Hiccup was in danger? If Toothless was in danger? Astrid? Fishlegs? The Twins? Snotlout but less likely. You would have done the same for each and every one of them." "She broke my trust." I choked out tears in my eyes. "I revealed my past to her and what I am, showed my abilities to her. I showed her kindness when I had no reason to, before she stabbed me in the back and hurt my friends in the process."
Noctis' stern face softens as she approaches my crying form. She uses her soft feathery wings to wipe my tears away before smiling. "I know that it hurts, my child. It's the same hurt when my brother betrayed me all those years ago. But the difference between us is that you still have the chance to rebuild your friendship with Heather. But only if you give her the chance to right her wrongs." I nod in acceptance. "I'll try, Noctis. I'll try." I sniffed, causing her to smile softly. "Good. Now wake up."
I slowly woke up from unconsciousness and I could hear my friends arguing involving Heather. "You rolled me into a river!" Snotlout growled in frustration. "You trapped me in a cave!" Astrid says glaring. "You left me dangling in a tree!" Fishlegs says looking distraught. "You crush us under a bunch of boulders! I give you ten points for cleverness!" Tyse cheerfully thumbs up. "And I have to admit, the chicken move? That brought back some memories." Astrid admits. "Guys, now I'm sure Heather has a really good reason for doing what she did. Right?" Hiccup asked, smiling as Heather looked at him.
"Look. I've been living on my own out here for years and I made more than a few enemies. I didn't want you guys to be involved. I needed to send you back to Berk." She says sincerely. "You couldn't have just, I don't know, said that?" Snotlout yelled. "Would you have listened?" Heather questioned. "She does have a point. We're pretty stubborn group." Astrid agreed as Snotlout replies that he doesn't listen to anyone causing Astrid to sigh in disbelief. "Heather, whatever problems you have, whatever enemies you've made, we can help. You don't have to be out here alone anymore." Hiccup says with a smile causing me to think about me being alone before coming to Berk. It was hard. Heather didn't want Hiccup's help though and wanted him to let it go. "We have a base not far from here." He continued to get Heather to come with us. "Why don't you come back with us? Nothing permanent. We'll get you some provisions and catch up. You can see how you like it." Hiccup says as Ruffnut drags Tuffnut onto a nearby tree.
As he comes too, he sees the blurry image of the Razorwhip looking at him. "Whoa. Razorwhip. This is the best dream ever. Like I can reach out and touch it." Tuffnut reaches out and touches the Razorwhip causing it to lean into the touch. Tuffnut then realized that he was actually touching it. "I can reach out and touch it! Cold, scaly." Tuffnut proceeds to feel its neck before taking off his helmet and getting on his knee. "I, Tuffnut Thorston, take thee, Razorwhip, whatever your last name is, insert it here, to be my…" Then he noticed Heather next to him with a smirk. "Oh, hey, Heather. And what are you doing in my dream? At my wedding. I didn't put you on the list." Tuffnut asked in confusion. "You're not dreaming, Tuff." Heather says, causing Tuffnut to look at the Razorwhip in a new light. "Oh! Well, in that case, Razorwhip attack! Run!" Tuffnut screams and runs causing Heather to giggle. "I see nothing has changed." She says in amusement. "Yeah, same story, different year." Hiccup agreed before going back to the last conversation. "Let's head over to Dragon's edge." "You're not gonna give up, are you?" Heather replies with a small smile. "Not likely." He agreed. "Okay, Dragon's Edge it is." Heather gave in with a smile. "You'll love it!" Hiccup says in excitement.
Heather smiled and was about to mount the Razorwhip when the Shifter grabbed her arm and stopped her. Heather looks at her and shakes her head continuously not liking it. "I know, but for now let's go to Dragon's Edge." Heather speaks softly as the Shifter growls. She points aggressively at me and snarls. Heather looked away from my face and I sighed. "I'm sorry that I attacked you Heather." I say approaching her. The Shifter gets in front of Heather and her wrist blades sprout out ready to harm me if needed. The dragon's got into battle stances ready to defend me but I stopped them. I raised my hands up and stepped back. "I'm just angry about what happened all those years ago and because of that anger I almost…" I'm hesitant to speak, ashamed of myself. Heather sees the conflict on face and turns to the Razorwhip Shifter. "Let me see him." She says, causing the Shifter to look back at her. She chirps in confusion and slight hesitance but allows Heather to walk towards me.
I felt arms around me and saw Heather hugging me. "I'm sorry." I said tearfully. "It wasn't your fault, it was mine." She says softly to me. "But I attacked you." I defended myself. "I broke your trust and you told me a Shifter's trust is sacred, and I broke it." She argued softly. "You were trying to save your parents, I should have seen that but instead I didn't." I argued back. "I buried you in a bunch of boulders." Heather says. "I knocked your friend out." I growled, starting to get annoyed. I deserve it.
Before it escalated, Tyse hugged the both of us with a grin. "Hey! Look, both of you are sorry so start tearing each other! Just make up and start being friends again. Or be neutral. I prefer friends though." I sighed before glancing at Heather who did the same for me. "Acquaintances?" I asked. Heather nodded, but I could see that she wanted to be friends with me again. "Alright let's get back to Dragon's Edge, gang." Hiccup says before looking at me with a smile proud that I would put aside my anger and try to reconnect to Heather.
We were back to Dragon's Edge and we asked questions about Heather's dragon and the Shifter. "Wait, where did you find her?" Tuffnut asked. "More importantly, can we ride it?" Ruffnut questions. "Did you miss me? I think you did. That's why you threw that tree at me. Isn't it? Playing hard to get. Me likely." Snotlout flirts causing Heather to push him down with her finger and Astrid to trip him, making him fall down. The two girls fistbump as I chuckled at Snotlout. "Never mind him. How did you train a Razorwhip? It's incredible!" Fishlegs asked. "And how did you meet a Razorwhip Shifter? They're quite rare, only residing on one island." Tyse asked. "She's right. Where did you find her?" Wolf asked curiously.
"Actually, I owe a lot to you guys." Heather revealed. "To us?" Astrid questioned happily. "To me." Snotlout interrupted proudly. "She meant to me. How much more obvious can she be? Ahh, women. I totally understand them." Snotlout boasted before the tail of the Razorwhip Shifter smacks him away causing Astrid to make a 'ooh' face. "Okay, great. Check you later." Snotlout said.
"When I found Windshear and Sharlene-" Tuffnut interrupts Heather. "Awesome name! I bet you ride like the wind, shearing through it! Get it? I used both of the words in its name to explain why he's called that." Tuffnut says excitedly causing Hiccup to groan. "Oh, gods." "It's a female, you dunderhead!" Tyse growls as Heather looks blankly at him before continuing off. "Anyway, when I found them, Windshear was hurt in a fight with a Typhoomerang while Sharlene was battling against another type of Shifter with black flames sprouting from its back-" "Black flames?" I said in fear as I as everyone else paled in fear. "What?" Heather asked in confusion. "You were very lucky that you, Windshear and Sharlene were unharmed from it. That was a Dark Shifter, the most evilest and most dangerous of Shifters. They are not to be trifled with. Even one can kill ten Shifters" Tyse explains. "W-What? B-But Matt told me that one Shifter alone can destroy a-an army of human warriors. Y-You're saying a Dark Shifter can k-kill ten of them!" Heather exclaims in horror as Tyse nods. "Please tell me that it's not out there. If you survive, it will not stop until you're all hunted down and killed." She pleaded as she shook her head. "N-No. Sharlene killed i-it." Heather says, causing us to sigh in relief. "That's good. That's one Dark Shifter not a threat to this world. Anyway, continue with your story, I didn't mean to interrupt."
"As I said before that horrifying information, they held their own. But they needed to be nursed back to health. Then when Windshear was better, I used the training you guys taught me on Berk. And for Sharlene I used everything I had to get her to trust me. We've become the perfect team. We're unstoppable. I mean, look at them! No one can take us down. And if they try, they'll be sorry for it." Heather ended, causing some worry to us. 'Well she's not the same girl we used to know. She more… aggressive.' Wolf mentally communicates as I nod. 'Something happened in her past, but what?'
As I continue to think, Snotlout became boastful again. "Ha! I guess she's pretty cool, but not as cool as this. Hookfang, flame up!" Snotlout ordered. Hookfang hovers in the air and catches himself on fire while Snotlout smirks. "That's cute." Heather says before ordering Windshear. "Windshear, tail slice!" Windshear tail rises up and attacks the floor surrounding Snotlout, shocking him. When he realizes nothing happens he mocks her. "Ha! What's so great about…" The floor below him breaks and he falls in screaming. We look down in the hole to Snotlout holding onto one of the supporting wood. "Okay, we'll call it a draw." Snotlout says hanging on.
"Whoa. what else can she do?" Fishlegs asked in awe. "Her breath can burn the flesh of a human from 100 feet away." Heather says as Snotlout tries to get out. "You're gonna get me outta here?" he asked but he was ignored. "One single blade of her tail is as deadly as the sharpest battle-ax." Snotlout gets out of the hole but was frightened and falls in again when Winshear's tail raises up unexpectedly.
"Great having Heather back. She's so… I don't know, intense, hardcore. I love it!" Astrid comments to me and Hiccup as the Twins run up to Heather. "Yeah, it's great. She's definitely grown up since the last time we saw her." Hiccup says. "It's been three years, Hiccup. We were just kids. We've all grown up." I said as Astrid smirks at me. "You're still a kid, Matt." She says as I stick my tongue out. "Just because I'm sixteen doesn't mean I haven't grown up still." I defended crossing my arms. "Yeah, but she was so sweet, and now she's so… I don't know." 'Hiccup doesn't know how to take the new Heather apparently.' 'You would be the same.' I replied mentally. "Edgy? What's wrong with that? I like it." Astrid says smiling. "There's a difference between edgy and looting ships, sis, which we still need to ask her why she did it." I reasoned causing Hiccup to nod in agreement. "Well, do me a favor and wait until after I ask her about her battle-ax. I want her to show me how to make one for myself."
We watch Heather unfold her ax which became a double ax while the Twins pull out two swords out of nowhere. "Let's do this!" Tuffnut yells as he and his sister begin attacking. Heather begins deflecting each of their attacks jumping over a low swing. "Come on! Is that all you got?" Heather asks as she kicks Ruffnut away and blocks Tuffnut's attack, which breaks his sword. "Uh." "See? Hardcore." Astrid replies before making a war cry and charging with a sword in hand. "I don't suppose you want to talk to her, do you, bud?" Hiccup asked Toothless. "Oh I do! Let me get a front row seat!" "Yeah, thanks again for everything." He said sarcastically on the ground as I laughed.
It's now dusk and Heather was feeding some sea slugs to Windshear while Sharlene was sharpening her wrist blades, making them shine. "Eat up, girl. You'll need all your strength for what we've got coming." I heard with my hearing but I didn't say anything allowing Hiccup to start the conversation. "Heather? Uh, we should probably talk." Hiccup said. "Sure, about what?" Heather asked as Sharlene looks up from her sharpening. "About the ship, the one that you, Windshear and Sharlene destroyed." He clarified as Heather looked down guilty. "Oh. That ship." She says softly. "Heather, what are you doing out there?" He asked, wanting to know the answer. "I'm just taking care of business, Hiccup. Nothing you need to worry about." Heather says, saying it's just nothing. "If dragons are attacking ships then we worry. What will your parents think?" I asked.
A flash of sadness and anger appeared in her eyes before it disappeared but I still caught it. 'What was that? The mention of her parents caused a reaction.' 'Now I'm wondering where her parents are. And I'm beginning to worry about what happened to them.' I thought as Heather avoided the question. "Look, Matt, a lot has happened in the last few years. We're not kids anymore. Everything's changed." She replies as I look at her in sadness. "This isn't you. It can't be!" Hiccup denies the new change of Heather. "It is now. The last time you saw me, I… Never mind. I-If you want me to leave…" Heather says worried. "We didn't say that. No, whatever it is you're going through, we can help. All of us. There's always another way." Hiccup said as I looked away for a moment. 'Not always, Hiccup.' Heather hugs Hiccup as he hugs back. "You're so sweet. Thank you, Hiccup. You've always been a great friend to me." Heather says as Hiccup sighs.
I was drawing Sharlene in my notebook when I heard a knock on my door. I looked up curiously, tossing my notes on my desk before heading towards the door. I lift it up to reveal Sharlene who looks at me. 'What is she doing here?' Wolf asked, wondering. 'I'm surprised she's even speaking to me, considering what I did to Heather.' I became guilty at the mention of it but I hid it. "Can I help you, Sharlene?" I asked curiously. "Need your help. Speak of Kin." She growls in dragon. "What do you need my help for?" I growled as she asked. "Others won't understand. You do. Believe threats should be eliminated, yes?" She chirps as I narrow my eyes. "Noctis believes we should only kill when it's the only way. So yes, a threat to our kind needs to be eliminated. Why do you ask?" I chortled as Sharlene looked around for any eavesdroppers before speaking. "We know the location of Dagur or soon will be." She revealed, causing me to widen my eyes in surprise. "You know where he is?" I asked as she shook her head. "No, but our source does. He holds a map to his location. Heather wants to kill him for killing her mother and sire."
'Vengeance. She wants revenge for her parents' death.' Wolf growled as I finally understood what happened to them. "Why are you telling me this?" I asked. "You wish to protect others. You kill so they don't kill. Admirable, but weak in my opinion. Pacifists like Hiccup will fail in their goal if they do not have the drive to kill when necessary. I hope you teach him that if he still wants a world where dragons coexist with humans. I come for your help because you can help protect Heather if this goes sideways. I understand you still dislike her for breaking your trust, I don't understand what happened but I understood what it's like to be betrayed by someone close, but at least do it for my bond sister Windshear." She growls as she goes on her knees and bows to me. I looked at her for a moment thinking about what she said.
'This could be our chance to take out Dagur. Hiccup won't like it, but it's the only way for him to not hurt us anymore.' 'I agree. This will hurt our friendship with the others but it needs to be done.' Wolf agrees as I nod to Sharlene. "Okay. I'll help. I'll help protect Heather as well as take out Dagur for good." She nods in acceptance before turning into her dragon form. "Follow me." She growled as I changed into my dragon form and followed her.
A few minutes later, we arrived at the stables and I saw Heather with her hood and mask up and mounting Windshear. Heather looks at me in shock before looking at Sharlene. "What is Matt doing here?" She asked glaring at her. "I came to help." I told her, still in my dragon form. She widened her eyes in surprise as I clarified. "Sharlene told me about Dagur and your parents. You have my apologies and I understand you want revenge. I want to help you." I said as she looks down at the ground. "What about your friends? Wouldn't they be against this?" She asked me as I looked at her determined. "Dagur is a threat to everyone and to the dragons. My friends may be against this, but sometimes you need to kill so that others don't have to. It's the only way." I said, I was determined.
Heather looks at me, observing me before she nods in acceptance. "Alright let's go then. Having two Shifters on my side should make this easier." Heather says as I chuckled. We took to the air and I followed Heather and Sharlene to their source. Unknown to us, we were being followed by Hiccup and Toothless.
After a couple of hours of flying, we flew towards a boat that was all too familiar. "Are you serious right now? Johann!? He's your source?" I growled as Heather turned to me. "I know you hate Johann for, I have no idea, but he has the location to where Dagur is so can you please bear with him for a little longer. For the greater good?" Heather asked as I growled. "Fine, but I don't trust him. I wouldn't be surprised if the location he gives us is actually an ambush." "You're paranoid." She jokes. "It's called instincts." I say blankly as we land on the ship.
"Ahh! Miss Heather. Oh, and a Night Fury! I thought Master Hiccup is the only one with a Night Fury." Johann said in awe as I snarled at him. "So you're the one who gave Heather the location of those ships." I glared as he stepped back in shock, realizing it was me. "Oh! M-Master Matt! I-I didn't realize it was you. F-Forgive me for the misunderstanding." Johann chuckles nervously as I growled at him. "Matt, please. You promised me." Heather says as I roll my eyes. "I didn't promise anything but I'll relent for now." I said, not liking it. "Where is the location you promised?" Sharlene asks coldly as Johaan takes out a roll of paper, unrolling it and we see the location of a single ship on a part of the map. "Here is the location of where Dagur the Deranged is located." Johann speaks as I look at the map. "Just one ship? Is this even accurate?" I asked, instantly suspicious of Johann. "I agree, this information doesn't make sense. Why would Dagur be alone without reinforcements?" Sharlene questioned. "Guys. This is the perfect chance to attack and take out Dagur once and for all." Heather insisted. "We know. But I do not like this information, it seems too easy." Sharlene says as I nod. "Whether it's easy or not, we know where Dagur is going to be so please follow my lead or I'll go by myself." Heather threatened in the end causing us to sigh.
"Thank you Johann. It's always a pleasure doing business with you." Heather thanked Johann as he smiled. "Ah. The feeling is quite mutual, Miss Heather." Johann says we took off. Finally, we're away from Johann but I still can't shake the feeling this is a trap. 'I agree. Keep your senses sharp.' Wolf growled as we continued flying to Dagur's next location.
It was now morning and we finally found Dagur and his ship. "There! There it is, guys." Heather says pointing at the ship. "Remember, girls, we're doing this for mom and dad. For our whole village. I want my face to be the last thing Dagur ever sees." Heather promises as she takes off her hood and mask and has a threatening look. We looked forward before the fog fades to reveal three Berserker ships behind Dagurl. "What in the name of Thor?" Heather said as I growled. "I knew something was wrong. Always Johann that gives that information that turns out to be wrong. Whoopie doo." I snarled. "Agreed, but there's only four ships. You and I can handle four." Sharlene crooned as I looked down. Something feels off. Why do I feel fearful all of a sudden?
"Sir, those dragon's been circling up there for a while." Savage interrupted my musing and I looked to see two unfamiliar dragons and a really familiar dragon circling above us. "Hm. Never seen those before, but I know that Night Fury all too well." I smirked, recognizing the scar on his eye. What are you doing brother? "What should we do?" Savage asked as I turned to him. "Well, you know what I always say. When in doubt, take it out. And bring out that device from below deck. I want to test it out." I say smiling madly.
I looked at the ships and see many Berserkers aiming at us with crossbows. "Evasive maneuvers!" I yelled as they started firing at us. I barrel roll from multiple bolts while blasting a few bolts away from my person. The feeling came back again and I couldn't help but shiver in fear. What. 'Oh no.' I heard Wolf growled in fear as we spotted some sort of weapon with a glowing dark energy centering it. "No!" I heard Heather scream. I turned my head to find her and Windshear being hooked and pulled towards Dagur and his men. And more ships were coming this way. "Sharlene! Matt! Help!" Heather called as we quickly flew towards her. "Fire!" I heard Savage yell before a dark purple beam covered in black sparks fired from the weapon, that I had a bad feeling from, hitting me. An agonizing pain went through my being causing me to scream. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" My mind felt like it was tearing itself apart! My body felt like it's going to break on me! My soul feels like it's being devoured by something mercilessly!
I was in so much pain that tears flowed out of my eyes, crying and wanting the pain to stop! "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" I continued screaming in so much pain that I could barely hear Wolf, Heather, Windshear or Sharlene's voices calling out to me. I feel like I'm going to break. "HEATHER! SHARLENE! HICCUP! TOOTHLESS! GUYS! NOCTIS! MOTHER! SIRE! PLEASE MAKE IT STOP! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" I sobbed as the pain increased, making me scream louder. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Oh no! Will anyone save Nightshift, Heather, Sharlene and Windshear from Dagur!? Can anyone save Nightshift from the pain he is feeling in his very soul!? What exactly is the weapon that is causing Nightshift so much pain!? Can they be saved in time!? Let's hope so! Continuing on in part two!