Scales was standing outside of Dragon Mountain's entrance, looking toward the lapping waves of the ocean. His gaze never left the sight before him. He let a smile across his scaly lips, then it widened upon seeing Flashwing returning with Bright. He blinked when he thought he spotted a second human on Flashwing's back, and indeed he had seen the newcomer. What had gotten into Flashwing? Has he allowed that human back when I told him not to bring any other horned humans beside his hatchling?

Upon Flashwing's landing on the black pebbled beach, Scales watched as Bright and the older human step down from his back. "I thought I told you not to bring more of Bright's kind here," he said firmly, and disappointingly, to Flashwing.

Flashwing looked at Bright, who nodded and took the human's hand, leading him away from the two dragons.

Scales raised a scaly brow, awaiting an answer.

"Forgive me, Alpha," said Flashwing with a heavy sigh, "but it was my idea to bring Arne here with me."

"Arne?" repeated Scales.

"Him," pointed Flashwing at the human who was sitting by a rock with Bright. "He helped me teach Bright how to speak their language, and —"

"'Their language'?" snapped Scales, gritting his sharp teeth. "Have you forgotten about our deal when you first brought your hatchling to the island?"

"Well…" stuttered Flashwing. "I haven't."

"So, why did you bring the horned human with you?"

The Night Fury sighed. "Look, Alpha. I know I've broken our deal by bringing Arne here. I thought that maybe we all could use someone with a lot of knowledge on how to defend ourselves against malicious humans."

"Is that the real reason behind this?" inquired Scales. "Or do you have something else on your mind?"

"How'd you know?"

"I have my reasons," said Scales. "You know I dislike humans, aside from your hatchling, Flashwing. But know this: if this Arne will do anything to harm the colony, then I will exile him right away."

"He won't harm anyone," promised Flashwing. "Not as long as I am here."

Scales glanced over to the two humans. "How long have you known about him?"

"For six years."

Scales shot his eyes back at him. In rage, he snapped, teeth baring. "Six years?! And you didn't tell me about your meetings with him?!"

"I…I'm sorry, Alpha…" uttered Flashwing, gulping nervously. "I would have told you when the time was right…"

"And only now you were finally brave enough to allow me to see him?!" growled Scales.

"Alpha, please…" A plea filled Flashwing's next words, "I only need your acceptance…"

"Acceptance of what?" Scales snarled. "Allowing him to stay? Have you forgotten about my past experience with the horned humans?" His voice tuned down, so Bright did not hear it.

"I haven't forgotten about it," said Flashwing in a whisper, "but just for this once, let me have Arne join the colony. I promise he won't harm a single dragon."

Scales's eyes narrowed. Then he began pacing in front of the Night Fury. After a moment pass, he looked over at Bright, who was sitting by Arne's side. He blinked, watching them closely. Seeing no harm to Bright was done, he let out a frustrated sigh. He turned back to a tensed Flashwing. "Do you promise he won't harm a single member of the colony?"

"With my heart," affirmed Flashwing with a nod.

Scales glanced over to Arne once more, before he turned tail. "Then, consider the deal done. You are in charge of the consequences should Arne betray us. If anything happens to any dragon or your hatchling, I will exile him. Understood?"

"Yes, Alpha," said Flashwing. "Thank —"

Scales raised a paw, silencing him. "Don't thank me yet. Nothing has been made for this to be deserved now. I shall see to Arne's actions in the coming days, and then afterward, I shall announce his stay to the colony."

"I understand, Alpha." Flashwing bowed his head.

Scales turned tail, then walked away.

•••

Bright watched as his father walked over to them, his face brightened upon seeing him. "Is everything alright, Dad?" he asked. "I could hear Alpha's angry voice from over here."

He noticed his father's astonished look. "How…"

"I have sharp hearings," explained Bright. "Ever since you and Mom helped me to hear things better, I've known some things from all around me." He lowered his head. "But that did make me realize I shouldn't eavesdrop on the colony's privacy between each nest."

Flashwing smiled, nuzzling him gently. "I am glad you have learned from that, my hatchling."

Bright looked at Arne. "Would you like to see our nest?"

"Oh…" uttered Arne. "Uh, I think I will have to wait until the time is right for me to go in there. I don't want to cause a ruckus based on my appearance to the colony."

Bright nodded. "I understand if you're uncertain, Arne. C'mon, Dad!" he said cheery, jumping to Flashwing. "Let us go and meet up with Mom and Sister!"

Flashwing chuckled heartily. "All right, son. Let's see what they're doing." Looking at Arne, he added, "I wish things would no longer be so heated between our Alpha and your kind."

"It is fine, Flashwing," said Arne with a dismissive wave. "I will be able to hold onto this for now. Thank you for bringing me here. If anything goes wrong—"

"I will inform you," finished Flashwing. "I know. But it should not be like that."

Bright looked at the two adults, tilting his head in wonder. He walked away from them, before he heard his father's voice.

"I will be coming in a moment, Bright. You go on ahead!"

"Okay!" called Bright in response. He ran toward the entrance to the Mountain. He continued running, making his way through the tunnels until he was able to see the Night Fury tunnel. He stopped to catch his breath, and he walked over to the cave entrance. "Mom! I'm back!"

Penumbra raised her head and looked at him. "Bright, it took you long enough." She stood and walked over to him. "What kept you?"

"We…uh…had someone with us," replied Bright.

"Oh? A new dragon, perhaps?"

"Not exactly, Mom…" Bright rubbed the back of his neck. "He's another one from my species…"

"Really?" Penumbra's scaly brow rose. "And what did your father do?"

"Nothing," said Bright. "He and Alpha had a heated talk, and uh…it was about the human."

Penumbra's eyes never left him.

Bright sighed. "Do you want the long or short story about how we were able to meet him?"

"The long story, if you would please, my hatchling," she said, turning tail and returned to the nest.

Bright followed after her. "All right. So, it all began when I was a small hatchling…"

•••

A few days later, Scales was awakening from his slumber when he yawned. His ears picked up the sounding movements of Aquawing. He glanced down at her from the plateau. "Yes, Aquawing?" he asked. "What can I do for you?"

Aquawing ruffled her wings. "I think you can I need to talk."

"About the new human?"

"Yes," she nodded.

Scales sighed. "I already told you, Aquawing. I allowed Arne to be on Dragon Mountain because of Flashwing's insistence."

"Is that it?" she wondered. "Or do you have something more to say?"

"How'd you guess?"

"Your eyes cannot deceive me, Alpha," said Aquawing. "There's a plague in your mind that you're not telling me."

Scales blinked, realizing he was caught. After a short passing moment, he sighed. "Alright, I will admit it. I have not the intention to letting Arne stay with us." A pause occurred, before he noticed her waiting. "However, I did know that it would make Bright happy if he was staying."

"So, did you allow it?"

"I did," said Scales. "But sometimes, I may have regret making the decision. What if he indeed turn against us? What if he calls for other horned humans to approach our nest, eventually murdering the rest of our colony?"

Aquawing hummed. "I understand your concern, but you need to let go of the past, Alpha. We cannot live in it forever. We need to move on, and continue to live during the present. We have a future we need to hold onto, even if we cannot forget what had transpired many years ago."

Scales looked skyward, closing his eyes. "What should I do?" he asked, glancing back at her. "Arne is out there—on the beach, waiting—and here I am doing nothing."

"Make amends with your hatred for humans," said Aquawing after a moment's silence. "If you cannot escape the past, you can at least forgive yourself by accepting Arne into the colony as a honorary member."

Scales stared at her, silent. When he closed his eyes once more, and looked at his paw, he said, "I will announce his presence to the colony."

Aquawing smiled. "I am happy to hear it. It would make Bright a lot happier to know that his friend is staying."

"I hope so, Aquawing…" mumbled Scales, when he saw her leave him alone.

•••

Scales looked at the gathered dragons in front of him. He was able to see Bright's family, all of whom were between the crowd of dragons. From the back of the crowded area, he watched Arne sitting by a rock, while the human was waving nervously at the staring dragons, who were looking at him now and then.

Finally, he cleared his throat, getting everyone's attention. "My friends. It is with great pleasure to have you all gathered here today," he started. "As many of you may know, there are humans amongst us. While many of you are concerned about what they might do, I can assure you that they will not harm anyone in the colony."

Murmurs arose in the crowd of dragons, many of them were still concerned. Others were muttering to themselves in anticipation and fear.

Scales raised a paw, silencing them. "I can understand your feelings toward the humans. I am also worried they might harm us, but that is not the reason for why I have you gathered here. I and a friend of mine have decided to allow the new human to live with us in the colony. I hope each and every one of you will be taking kindly to our new member."

Once again, murmurs came between the gathered dragons. Many of them were speaking up worryingly:

"What if they decide to betray us?" one asked.

"Or if they would be signalling other horned humans to this very location?" another chimed in.

"I can assure you," said Scales, "that is not going to happen. I've been speaking with the new human, Arne, about this. He has promised me he would not be signalling others of their kind to Dragon Mountain."

"What if he lies?" responded a concerned dragon.

"If he did, I would have not permitted him to stay," assured Scales. "Right now, we all are going to need all the help we can get in order to fulfill our same dream: finding the Hidden World."

"Hmph," harrumphed someone. "Why would we need these filthy humans to help us? We can find the mythical Hidden World ourselves. We do not need their guidance."

Scales looked toward a Monstrous Nightmare, whose blackened wings made it nearly impossible to see him in the night. His red scales were bright as flames. "Are you saying that we should not be able to find the Hidden World, as my mate wanted us to?" he asked firmly.

"Those humasn have no right to be helping us find our safe haven," snorted Blackhorn. Black smoke puffed out from his nostrils. "And I would like to state a point to this: If it weren't for that stubborn Night Fury, then the human hatchling would be as good as dead right where he was found."

"I can hear you!" Flashwing's growl reached their ears, as he let Bright stand behind him. "My son has feelings too, Blackhorn! I will not allow you to threaten him or anyone in my family!"

"Your son is not worth our time," growled Blackhorn, glaring at Flashwing. "If anything, he might as well be good to be in exile at this very moment." He turned to an unease Scales. A toothy grin appeared on his muzzle. "Are you going to do something about it, Alpha? Or…are you too afraid to do anything in your power?"

"That's enough!" boomed Scales, stomping a paw on the earthy soil of the ground on his plateau. "I won't allow you to mock me like that! Especially in front of Bright!"

"Really? Has the human softened you that much you're going to let him get away with this?" continued Blackhorn. "I thought the two of you were better than this. I see only weaklings with no sense of honor and justice."

"What was that, Blackhorn?" growled Flashwing, curling his tail around Bright, who was being comforted by Penumbra. "Are you saying I should have left him to die so many years ago?"

"I am indeed telling you that for the greater good of the colony," said Blackhorn, smirking. "If you insist on letting him grow up, he will eventually betray you and the other Night Furies like the violent creature he is."

Flashwing snarled. "He is not a violent creature!"

"Prove it," challenged Blackhorn. "Prove it to me—to us— that you allowed him to live as the one who is destined to kill us all."

The dragons around them stood back, worried murmurs rose between them.

Scales could see Penumbra's shocked expression. "You're not allowed to speak like that to a fellow colony member," he told Blackhorn. "And you have no right to challenge anyone in the Mountain."

"So what? You would exile me for threatening him?" sneered Blackhorn, pointing a claw at a tearful Bright, who was leaning at his mother's side.

Scales bared his teeth. "You do not speak against me, Blackhorn. That is only a sign for a challenge if you do." He glanced briefly at a worried Arne, who was tense in his position.

Blackhorn laughed. "And it's because of your title as Alpha? If so, then I would gladly declare you as my opponent in a fight!"

Scales stepped back, a look of stunned surprised on his expression, and he heard gasps of shock from the dragon crowd. "A battle?" he demanded. "And why, do tell, should I accept your challenge?"

"It's for the right as being the colony's Alpha," explained Blackhorn. "And the winner will be banished as the loser from the colony."

Scales frowned. What should I do? There isn't much to back down, now that he has challenged me. He looked over at Bright and Flashwing, who were with Luna and Penumbra to soothe the human. In fact, I should at least do something to assure him, he decided.

Aquawing ruffled her wings, stepping beside him. "Blackhorn, you should know that you cannot challenge the Alpha just because of two human in the nest."

"Oh, it isn't about the humans, Aquawing," snarled Blackhorn. "It's about the power."

"You are not worthy for the Alpha status," warned Aquawing. "I will not allow anything to happen as long as I—"

"Aquawing."

She blinked and looked at Scales, whose determined expression was telling her everything.

Once he had gotten her attention, Scales continued, "I accept his challenge. I will do anything in my power to do the right thing. To protect Bright and Arne for their rightful place in the colony, and for Bright's safety as Flashwing's son."

From where he stood, Scales could see a smiling Flashwing and Penumbra. Scales sighed and looked down at Blackhorn.

"Very well, Blackhorn," he finished. "We shall have a duel for the right on the title as the colony's Alpha, and the humans."

A dark, toothy smile appeared on Blackhorn's expression. "Excellent. Then let us not delay it. We shall duel over there." He pointed with his clawed wing to the right.

Scales followed his wing and noticed the crystal area. The shining, brilliantly colored area from the center of the Mountain. The crystals glowed under the sunlight that came down from the hole above the crowd. His gaze returned to Blackhorn. The Monstrous Nightmare's toothy smile showed the dragon's fangs.

Scales sighed, before speaking up with a clear, voice of authority. "Very well, Blackhorn. We shall take the battle over there." Scales stepped down from the plateau, and he soon let the Nightmare follow him to the crystal area of the mountain center.

When he stood in place across Blackhorn, Scales looked at Flashwing, who was giving him a worried face — and Bright was staring at him, his emotional expression told him all he needed to see. Do not worry, young one. I will not be defeated so easily, he thought silently to assure himself.

As Blackhorn spoke, Scales turned his attention back at the Nightmare. "The rules are simple. The fighters will be allowed to fight until either one of us cannot hold on any longer. If one of us are shown to give up, willingly, then he will be spared from death. We are not allowed to kill each other."

"Seems fair to me," Scales said. Maybe I won't be needed to injure him that much, if I can avoid getting too many strikes from him.

"And one last thing, the dragon who is defeated will be exiled from the colony, and they are to never return," concluded Blackhorn.

"I accept." Scales stood firmly on his paws, his tail swaying from behind him.

From where he was standing, he could see Bright's eyes looking at him. Have no fear, hatchling. I will not be defeated, nor exiled, Scales thought. He glanced at Blackhorn, who was slowly creeping forward. Blackhorn's maw was filling up with reddish orange flames.

Scales braced himself. And as soon as he was in position, the fire was unleashed upon him. He unfolded his wings, and he quickly flew above the flames, which sizzled the ground beneath him, and he landed safely on the ground. Afterward, Scales sprinted toward Blackhorn, claws extended, and his maw filling up with gas. When he was in range in front of Blackhorn, a high-pitched screech was heard, and —

A quick, swift slash cut across his eye, and Scales fell to the ground, barely missing his opponent with his plasma shot, and he was sent a few centimeters away from Blackhorn, whose clawtipped wing was raised.

Scales shook his head, his left vision a blur. He tried to look at slowly advancing Blackhorn, watching him charge straight for him with claws ready, but the blurring vision was not easy.

"Watch out, Alpha!" cried Bright.

Scales rolled to the side, and he watched as Blackhorn roared in rage. He was able to see better when his vision returned to normal, and Scales knew that the Monstrous Nightmare was advancing toward him once more.

Scales saw reddish flames coming out of the Nightmare's maw. He jumped to the side, and when Blackhorn fired again, he shielded himself with his white wings, and the flames bounced off his impenetrable scales. He lowered his wings, watching Blackhorn running toward him in anger.

Scales swiftly clawed at Blackhorn's right eye. Blackhorn roared in pain. Scales let a grin across his muzzle.

Blackhorn glared at him. And he began to speak. "You are so pathetically weak, Scales," he growled. "I thought that an Alpha should be strong and powerful!" He spread his wings dramatically in the air. "But you…" he snarled, "you are just a weak, cowardly Alpha who wished to find the Hidden World, isn't that right?" He spat in disgust. "Well then, if that was the case, why haven't we continued the search? Could it be that you finally have given up hope to find it? Or…are you growing too soft and blind to see the reality, now that the human hatchling came into our lives?"

Don't let his words get to you, said Scales to himself. He was silent, no words in response to the mockery.

Blackhorn seemed to notice his silence. A toothy grin came upon his expression "Are you afraid, oh mighty Alpha?" he asked. "Afraid of losing someone so dear to you?"

Finally having enough, Scales spoke up. "I am not afraid," he growled. "I already lost someone dear to me. And I won't let it happen again." I won't be allowing him to blind me by my guilt, he reminded himself.

Blackhorn blinked. "Again?" he repeated. "Who would be so precious to you, Alpha?"

Scales was unable to speak, when he bent down, claws at the ready. "Let us continue the battle, shall we?"

"Hmph," huffed Blackhorn. "My pleasure."

Scales watched on, as Blackhorn sprinted forward, his maw filling up with gas, and then the reddish orange flames soon began to appear. When the flames was shot at him, Scales rolled to the side, then clawed the Nightmare. A roar of pain erupted from Blackhorn. Scales smiled, but his feet was swiped by Blackhorn's tail as a loud thud was heard in the area. Scales fell onto his side on the ground, groaning.

Scales slowly stood back up on his paws. "Are you just about to be done, Blackhorn?" he asked, his lips curling into a snarl. He jumped into the air, tail smacking Blackhorn, before he flew down adn bit onto the Nightmare's back. A roar was heard.

"You will pay for hurting me!" roared Blackhorn. He set his entire body on fire and advanced forward to Scales, who was lowering himself in a defensive position.

As soon as the burning Monstrous Nightmare was in range, Scales slapped his face with his tail. Then he continued the assault by biting onto Blackhorn's throat, hurling him across the ground. When the fiery Monstrous Nightmare stood up onto his feet and wing, he roared loudly, ran forward, and Scales rolled to the side. However, he was struck on the cheek by the claw swung from Blackhorn. Scales backed away, panting heavily.

"You are defending the humans, aren't you?" asked Blackhorn venomously. "Why? Those humans has brought nothing but death upon our race. Why do you insist on letting them stay?"

Scales panted, taking a couple of breaths, before he looked at Blackhorn. "It's because he is harmless. He hasn't done anything wrong to us, but despite that, you hate him for something he has not done."

"Dragons and humans will forever hate each other," stated Blackhorn, encircling Scales while he spoke. "No one will be able to live peacefully. Besides," he added, "I reckon to remember you hated that Bright hatchling six years ago." He glanced over to Bright, who was hiding behind his mother's forepaw.

Seeing this, Scales growled. "Well then, shall I prove you wrong?"

Blackhorn grinned. "Go ahead and try, Alpha," he challenged. "I would not be surprised if you fail, though."

"You wish you would not insult me like that, Blackhorn," growled Scales, and he sprinted forward, claws unsheathed. He clashed with Blackhorn, and he bit down on the Monstrous Nightmare's neck. Blood began to color the brown, dirty ground as Blackhorn was struggling to free himself from Scales's grasp. As soon as he was able to let go of Blackhorn, he watched closely each and every one of his movements.

Scales was careful, stepping around the wounded Blackhorn, who was slowly creeping in circle in response. Just then, they jumped each other, with Scales biting onto Blackhorn's spiky back, before he retreated when Blackhorn set himself on fire. He stepped backward, holding his mouth, groaning.

"That was uncalled for, Blackhorn." Scales winced at his own mouth movements, when the pain was slowly drifting away from the muzzle.

"You should know that in a fight, there are no hard rules when it come to winning, as the strongest always win against the weaker foe," said Blackhorn, grinning. "You should know that, oh dear Alpha. Or…are you possibly being careful not to hurt that human hatchling's feelings if you lost?"

Scales growled, teeth baring. "You would be smart not to talk about Bright like that, Blackhorn. Especially in front of me."

"Or what? Would you kill me on the spot?" asked Blackhorn in a mocking voice. "I seem to let you know that we are not supposed to kill each other in this fight. I've also heard stories from the past about how enraged you were when humans killed your family!"

Scales roared in rage, and he sprung toward the Nightmare, clawing him across his long neck. Then he kicked him onto his back, before pinning the Nightmare to the ground, holding a firm grip on his neck, and snarled.

"Go ahead, kill me," cried Blackhorn, then he coughed when Scales's paw sank him. Barely managing to speak the next words, he choked out, "Do it in front of everyone. In front…of the humans…Let them see how heartless you are to a fellow dragon!"

Scales bared his teeth, raising his free paw in the air. The temptation, the fury in his eyes was telling himself everything. The only he wants to do now was killing Blackhorn, and made sure he never bothered anyone in the colony anymore…

"Bright, wait!" called Flashwing's voice in concern.

Someone grabbed tightly on his hindleg. He stopped in his paw on its way to Blackhorn's eyes, then he glanced down at Bright with his narrowed eyes.

"Please, Alpha…do not kill…" whimpered Bright. "I do not want to see you as a monster…who only kills for fun. Please…"

Scales's eyes softened. His paw lowered, and slowly, he rubbed the human on his back. He let go of Blackhorn, who crept away from underneath him, eyes widen. His entire body trembled visibly.

Scales watched as Flashwing moved forward from the crowd to him, while Bright sobbed.

"If there is something I want you not to do, Alpha…" continued Bright, "then it's hurting other dragons."

Scales blinked, letting the words sink in. He looked over at Blackhorn, as the Monstrous Nightmare began standing onto his clawtip wings and feet. Scales growled at him, while Blackhorn's continued shaking. "Get out of my sight, Blackhorn. You are exiled from the colony. I won the fight."

"That was only because you let yourself get angry," stated Blackhorn with a shaky voice. "If it weren't for the human…"

"It was because of you!" Scales growled. "You would be wise not to speak against my family to me!"

Blackhorn snarled. "Fine!" he said. "I was getting tired of being in the colony two pests are a part of." He turned toward the entrance, walking away from the dragons and the humans.

Scales looked at Bright. "Thank you for bringing me back, Bright," he thanked him quietly. "If it wasn't for your voice, I would have killed him on the spot."

Bright looked up with tearful eyesl. He wiped his tears, nodding, before he was picked up by Flashwing, who had him on over his head.

"That was a very dangerous thing to do, my hatchling," scolded Flashwing while he went back to Penumbra with Bright.

Scales noticed Arne standing up from the rock he had been sitting on the entire time.

Scales turned to Aquawing, who ruffled her wings and shook her body. "Did I do the right thing?" he asked her, while the other dragons went back to their nests.

"Only time will tell, Alpha," was all Aquawing said. "I cannot say for certain now."

Scales sighed, returning to the plateau and lay down on the surface of the rock. Sensing Arne's presence, he raised his head. When Aquawing was out of earshot, he asked, "What is it?"

"I just wanted to say I'm happy you did not kill the Monstrous Nightmare," said Arne.

"I did what I had to," stated Scales. "Bright would not be happy if I killed one colony member in front of him."

A short silence occurred between the two of them.

"Now that Blackhorn is no longer a member, what will you do?" asked Arne.

"I am not sure."

Arne rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "If you need something, like finding the Hidden World, then it would be wise to accept a certain tribe's help in finding it."

Scales's ears raised in the air. In wonder, he said, "What settlement would this tribe be from?"

"The Isle of Berk," replied Arne. "However…"

"However, what?"

"Those Vikings have a…stubbornness that will pit themselves fighting dragons," Arne said. "I would avoid them for the time being until things have settled there."

"How do you know this?" asked Scales.

When he was turning around, Arne answered, "Because I can see that in the future, your colony will become a part of the Hooligan Tribe, and you will make your new home on Berk."

Scales blinked. He watched, as Arne left him alone.