Chapter 5: The Colony

The sun was beginning to set, the sky crossed with streams of pink and crimson, as the pair of Night Furies approached their destination. Toothless's eyes widened in awe as Aylan came into view, taking in the sight before him. Ash smiled, noticing his astonishment. The young Alpha had seen many unique and intriguing islands, each with its own curiosities and wondrous natural beauties. The map that Hiccup had charted, as human and dragon crossed the skies of the Barbaric Archipelago in all directions, was filled with a multitude of wondrous islands. Even the curiosities of Mystholm's havens—which Toothless had only seen from a distance—beckoned further exploration. But the isle of Aylan was like nothing the young Night Fury had ever seen.

A single mountain peak dotted the island's surface, but Toothless was entranced by the strong curve of rock that bent the mountain into a crescent. It stretched over the island, capturing the rays of the setting sun in a blanket of light that bathed the land beneath it in dimming shades of red. The sheer abundance of life radiating from Aylan was overwhelming; its forests seemed thicker, greener, more alive than any Toothless had known. Trees reached towards the sky with unfamiliar leaves, their branches laden with vibrant, unknown flowers. Large mushrooms—like the ones he had noticed on the Eyrie—were already beginning to glow in the fading light, resembling captured stars nestled among the lush undergrowth. As the pair landed on the shore, the beach sparkled with a thousand tiny lights. Toothless nosed at it cautiously, feeling the coarse sand mixed with what he assumed was volcanic ash. The ash of the Eyrie was littered with mineral residue, yet soft and smooth, glittering like scattered gems in the deepening sunset as stars began to faintly emerge. Everything on Aylan seemed... ethereal, unnatural. But incredible nonetheless.

"Hey, earth to the Alpha," Ash joked affectionately, snapping Toothless out of his trance. "I told you Aylan was beautiful. Gosh, I'm so glad to be back here…"

Toothless snorted. "Beautiful is an understatement. I've never seen anything like this. This is… amazing!"

The last rays of daylight slipped over the horizon, and Toothless was now fully embraced by the faint glow of Aylan's forests, the beach blooming in a subdued—but noticeable—array of reflected starlight. He stood and observed, wanting nothing more than to rest for a moment and take in the incredible view. Ash, letting him bask in the life of the island, turned toward the treeline. A high-pitched whistle escaped her throat as she cried out to the trees. For a moment, there was no reaction, no sound except the gentle brush of waves across the glittering beach. Then, slowly, additional dots of light began to emerge from the dark green canopy. Before Toothless knew it, winged shadows began to slink out of the trees. Several dozen Night Furies, of various shapes and sizes, cautiously approached the pair. Their eyes shone with an array of colors; Toothless noticed that the majority were forest-green like his own, a smaller number shining blue, with a few rare colors—amethyst, amber, and even a golden yellow—scattered throughout the group. Slowly, the dragons began to whisper to each other:

"It's Ash!"

"By the stars, she made it home!"

"Who is he? He can't be from Seregon, can he?"

"What's wrong with his tail?"

Some of the Night Furies ran forward to nuzzle Ash, while the rest eyed Toothless with suspicion. After a moment, one female—who looked to be an older Night Fury, with light green eyes—approached her.

"Ash, where have you been? We've been worried sick! You've been gone for months," the dragon exclaimed, nuzzling Ash affectionately. "And the elders were furious when you left! You've got a lot of explaining to do, starting with this one here." She made eye contact with Toothless. "Who are you, and where do you come from?"

"I come from an island called Berk, far to the north," Toothless answered. "My name is Toothless."

Snickers arose from several of the onlookers. The older female shot a glare in their direction to silence them, then turned back to the newcomers. "Don't mind those hatchlings. It's just that the name's uncommon; what you call yourself is your business. I'm called Zephyr. Nice to meet you."

Ash spoke up. "I'm really happy to see you, but you're right. We should probably talk to the elders; no use waiting."

"Wait just a minute!" One of the male Night Furies stepped forward, his head low as he regarded Toothless with a threatening eye. "You all can't be suggesting we just let him walk among us?! We know nothing about him, and I, for one, would like to know…" He pointed his tail at the Alpha's. "…why his tail is covered with metal."

Toothless stood his ground, bringing his tail to the front so the others could see. "I won't try to hide it; this is an artificial fin. It helps me fly. A friend made it for me… a human on my island." Silence fell as the other Night Furies' expressions changed from suspicion to contempt, with the exception of Zephyr.

"You fucking traitor."

The male bared his teeth, coming within an inch of Toothless's face. Toothless didn't flinch. "You call a human 'friend'? Yet you dare come here, where we are lucky enough to have none of them. Toothless, did your human give you that name like a dog?! Do you let it ride you and feed you like some house pet?!"

Toothless let out a low growl, drawing himself to his full height. Despite the modest size of Night Furies, he towered a good head above the other male. "Yes, I let him ride me. Especially into battle, where I've fought many times against other humans. He is a great chief who respects dragons, and I rule my nest as the Alpha. If you think I'm lying, I can show you just how much of a 'pet' I am…" Blue light began to trace down his spine as he charged his flame.

"That's enough!" Zephyr roared, inserting herself between the two. "You forget yourself. Do you think Ash would bring a stranger here if he were a threat, she who is descended from an elder? He has traveled far, and yet no harm has come to her." The male glared for a moment, but her stance was unyielding. Growling, he stormed off, vanishing back into the trees. "As for you…" she turned back to Toothless. "This is a place of peace, and I trust Ash to have explained that to you. I think you came for good reasons, and I look forward to getting to know you better. But make no mistake, this isn't your nest. You may be an Alpha, but try commanding anyone around here, and you will be at dire risk. Am I clear?"

"Crystal," Toothless replied, powering down his plasma. "I didn't want to cause any trouble."

Zephyr laughed. "You're a newcomer; that is trouble enough. But Ash brought you, so many here will be willing to accept you. Come, we should let the elders know you've arrived." She turned, ready to guide the pair into the forest, as the surrounding Night Furies began to depart, some shooting half-hearted smiles at Toothless and Ash.

Toothless felt a nudge against his wings and looked over to see Ash beaming at him with a draconic grin. "Don't mind him; some of the males are pretty suspicious. They're used to the only visitors being from Seregon and burning stuff."

As they walked, Toothless replied sardonically, "Maybe he's just jealous you didn't ask him for help."

Ash giggled as the two of them followed Zephyr into the trees. The light of the woods was dim, yet the glow of the luminescent flora illuminated the undergrowth in deep hues of blue and green. As they traveled, Toothless took in the sights around him; he could make out the shapes of other Night Furies hanging bat-like from the trees in deep slumber. He could also hear and see others traversing the forest, pinpoints of light leaping silently upward as pairs of glowing eyes took to the skies in pursuit of food or leisure. Some stared suspiciously as the trio passed through the vegetation, a few Night Furies stopping to greet them; they generally nuzzled Ash or called out greetings, while regarding Toothless with pointed stares or growls of warning. However, a few younger Night Furies greeted him warmly, even bumping him with their snouts in welcome; the other dragons smelled of sweet flowers and other plants, with the faintest trace of metallic sulfur from the air. The Alpha was thankful that the smell of human had virtually faded after weeks of air travel, as the tail was a calling card enough. Sorry, Hiccup.

"Ash?"

"Hmm?"

"What do you think these elders are going to say?"

Ash's ears flattened in embarrassment. "Well, they'll probably read me the riot act… but I doubt they'll actually demand anything from us. Like I said, these are peaceful dragons… which is why I needed help convincing them of a possible dragon hunter attack. But Moonlight will at least come to my defense, I hope."

"I heard Zephyr mention you were descended from an elder."\n"Moonlight is technically my great-great-grandmother, a fact that the other elders love to remind me of. Hey, Toothless?"

"Yeah?"

Ash turned to look at him as they walked. "The grotto we're going to, where the elders meet… the stone is there. Try not to look directly at it, and don't try to touch it. It's forbidden."

Toothless nodded. He had completely forgotten about the dragon stone, undoubtedly the boon behind this island's ethereal life. What would an enchanted stone even look like, he wondered, and what did it do? The light of the forest brightened, and Toothless realized, as he looked upward, that the stars were now covered. They had passed under the crescent overhang of the mountain, journeying toward its base as they descended further into the heart of Aylan. He could faintly make out numerous cracks and crevices in the mountain's flatter surface, likely hiding numerous caves. Zephyr turned to take a winding path, one that began to rise above the trees. Despite the exchange of treeline for jagged rocks, small trees continued to jut out from the rock. Two large, ancient oaks marked the edge of the path, and Zephyr paused.

"We're here. I'll announce you both."

They entered the grotto. Toothless marveled at the stones that rose from the floor and down from the overhang at the mountain's root. The grotto walls were covered with vines and more luminescent plants, and at the center was a great tree unlike any other. It towered to the ceiling, its trunk thick and dark; the leaves were green, yet traces of silver were scattered across their surface, shining with a pale light. A large pond surrounded the base of the tree, bordered by a wall of moss-covered stones. Five Night Furies were lounging around the great oak, a few of them looking up at the visitors. Toothless took in their ragged wings, the coal-black of their scales graying and patchy, as if the dragons themselves were as twisted and ancient as the tree they guarded. But their dimly glowing orbs betrayed an ancient stare, the kind that had seen a multitude of years. These dragons are probably more than ten times my age, Toothless surmised.

Zephyr growled, deep but clear. "Dear elders, Ash has returned to us. And she brings a newcomer from the far north, one of our kind. Toothless, an Alpha from the island of Berk."

One of the elder females, with amethyst eyes, stared at Ash coldly. "Thank you, Zephyr, you may go. We have much to discuss," she said icily.

The younger female bowed, gave Toothless and Ash an encouraging nod, and vanished into the night.

"Step closer, you too," the elder commanded, frustration in her voice. As they approached, the violet-eyed dragon addressed Ash as one would a delinquent child. "And who are you, to ask for our counsel only to ignore us? You leave for months with no reason other than to combat a threat that has no proof of existence?! Many thought you dead! Explain yourself!"

Ash looked down, visibly intimidated. "Well… I didn't…"

"Dawn, do not be so quick to berate the poor girl." Another elder, a male with shaky legs and amber eyes, chuckled softly. "Is she not of mature age? You take her impetuousness too personally, old friend. Let her at least reunite with Moonlight before you attempt to pin her wings." The emaciated Night Fury shuffled over to another slumbering elder, one who sat closest to the tree's base. Nudging softly to wake the dragon, he whispered, "Ancient one, Ash has returned."

The old female's eyes opened, revealing murky sapphire eyes that glowed brightly despite her advanced age. She rose, tattered wings draping her body as she sniffed the air. Toothless stared; Moonlight was blind, the pupils of her eyes warped and cloudy, and her wings all but decayed to the bone. And yet, her eyes shone with life as she gingerly stepped from the tree's roots. Her eyes stared blankly forward, yet she walked purposefully to Ash and Toothless, her ears flickering.

"It's about time you returned. And you made a new friend, I see." Moonlight lowered her head, pressing it against Ash's with warmth. "I have missed you, my dear."

Ash held her embrace for a moment, her voice cracking. "And I you. Forgive me; I left so suddenly."

"Flying off into the wilderness as an adult Night Fury doesn't require forgiveness, child." Releasing Ash, Moonlight retook her place on the tree roots. "But an explanation, however, would be appreciated. You…" she turned toward Toothless. "…are not from Mystholm. Why have you come, young one?"

Toothless lowered his head in greeting. "I am not, ancient one. Ash asked me to return with her to help unite Night Furies against potential danger."

A laugh escaped Dawn, who lingered against the pond's edge. "Unite, he says. Clearly, Ash has explained nothing to him. There will be no unity, not until Seregon sinks into the sea or the Watchers grow hearts that extend beyond themselves. Danger, indeed…"

"Ash, do not feel guilty for taking an adventure of your own accord. And I imagine Toothless considered hearing of us a welcome gift, as I've never heard of Night Furies living so far north…" the elder male said, nodding to Toothless in acknowledgment. "…but we've told you before, dear. This 'dragon hunter army' is an idea at best; there is no physical proof."

Moonlight interjected, "And yet the attack did happen. It had to be significant, at least for a Watcher to supposedly break her silence. The absence of a fleet doesn't prove that one can't be—or isn't being—mustered."

"Oh, please!" Dawn exclaimed. "Humans haven't attempted to enter these waters since before the time of Nightshade. They think it's haunted, and we're far away from this supposed city. Even if they did come, we are Night Furies; we simply vanish and wait until the hunters are gone, or perhaps they and the savages on Seregon will kill each other and solve two problems at once."

Nightshade? What does that mean? Toothless thought, resolving to ask Ash about it later, but he was pulled from his distraction when Ash erupted next to him. "That's cruel!" Ash shouted. For a moment, further words died in her mouth, but then, to Toothless's pride, she stood her ground. "They are Night Furies, too, and we need them to survive! Hatchlings grow fewer every year, and eventually, they will be forced to join us. There aren't enough of us left to afford staying split anymore!"

The male elder sighed. "No one disputes our needs, child. But Seregon Night Furies would sooner take this island by force than join us to fight humans—to say nothing of the Watchers. Those self-proclaimed vigilantes' sense of kinship is completely skewed."

"That doesn't mean the attempt can't be made." Moonlight's blank eyes turned to Toothless, who found himself looking away uncomfortably. "They are adults; they know the risks, as well as the unlikelihood. Assuming, Toothless, that you are willing to help Ash speak with the other colonies. They may not so quickly despise a newcomer, after all."

"You're too naive, Moonlight." Dawn approached Toothless, scrutinizing his tail fin. "This Night Fury may seem peaceful, but has no one else questioned whether he has loyalties to others? I am no fool; that is a human contraption, to help you fly, no doubt." She glared. "Now, I admit I've never seen such a thing, much less heard about a human who built a tail for a dragon instead of killing it. But is he loyal to Ash, or his human friends?" She gestured to the great tree with one wing. "Will he take our stone, hoping to heal his injury? Or perhaps give it to the humans?"

The Alpha couldn't help but turn his head to examine where the elder Night Fury was pointing. Something was nestled directly into the front of the tree, toward the base where the roots curled and delved into the ground. What Toothless had previously written off as a knot in the wood was a small, egg-shaped gemstone. As he stared, the gem's surface began to emit an emerald glow, like warm coals being heated by a bellow. It looked as though the inside of the dragon stone was swelling with ethereal clouds, growing brighter and deeper with each pulsing beat. It was like gazing into a bottomless emerald sea, waves of magic rolling into themselves and vanishing, yet endlessly renewing. The Night Fury was entranced, staring as though the gem was the gateway to an infinite void. And yet…

Something shifted in the abyss of color, and Toothless was gripped by a terrifying, indescribable sensation. A shudder of fear erupted through his body, breaking his gaze as he gasped, realizing he had been holding his breath. Something within the stone had stared back at him—or more accurately, through him. He felt watched by an incomprehensible being that had seen… something… within him. The stone was alive, yet not. Gasping for air, he tried to catch his breath. Something covered his back and wings tightly, and he looked over. Ash had draped a wing over him, terror in her eyes.

"Breathe deeply, child." Moonlight's soft, soothing voice cut through the quiet. Toothless took a few deep breaths, feeling the strange sensation recede. He was himself again, and when he dared to glance at the tree, the dragon stone was dark, as if it had never been lit.

"The stone cannot be 'taken,' Dawn," Moonlight said calmly. "And those who attempt to gaze into it often find things they didn't wish to see. I doubt our new guest has any desire for it now, if he ever did." She regarded them kindly, but sternly. "Ash, Toothless, the elders have spoken at length about the futility of uniting the Night Fury colonies. Many have tried before, all without success, but difficulty does not mean impossibility. A dragon hunter invasion, while possible, is just as unlikely. But you are both of age and reason; if you wish to pursue this, that is your affair. But you must do so yourselves, persuade dragons of able body yourselves, and bear any injury yourselves. Now go and rest; you both require sleep after such a long journey."

They left, Toothless following Ash into the sky without a word. His body felt normal, but his thoughts drifted; he could barely focus, following Ash on instinct. When they reached their destination—a small, unoccupied cave, one of many dotting the inner wall of the crescent mountain—Ash led him in, then flew off without a word. Toothless barely noticed, much less thought of a retort; his mind was swimming, yet his body felt normal. He shook his head but the fogginess remained. He barely registered Ash's return or the slap of fish against the stone floor.

"Hey, look at me." Ash's voice cut through the fog. Toothless looked over, green meeting blue. "How do you feel?" she asked with worry.

"Like I was hit in the head really hard by a ghost," Toothless groaned, sinking to the cave floor. Closing his eyes brought some relief. He felt Ash's warmth as she lay down next to him. She swatted him playfully with her tail. "Told you not to look at it."

"What did you see?"

Toothless considered, eyes still shut. "I… I'm not sure. I thought I was looking into a normal gem, then an endless sea of emerald waves, then it was like looking into nothing. Except there was something! Both at the same time, yet neither. It felt like something was staring into me."

Ash sighed. "You got lucky, then. When I was a kid, some hatchlings and I snuck over because someone dared another to see how long he could look at it. He had nightmares for weeks. A few go mad; others just cower in fear. Don't worry; the feeling will pass."

"Have you ever… looked?"

"No, Moonlight told me never to unless I was in 'unimaginable need' of magic. I don't ever want to reach that point." Ash looked solemn for a moment, then asked, "Hungry?"

"No, thanks," Toothless admitted, rolling onto his side. "I'm exhausted, which is a shame, as I'd love to look around. Everything here is beautiful."

Ash eyed Toothless caringly. "You're right; that can wait until morning."

He lay there, eyes shut, hoping sleep would cure his raging headache. Suddenly, he jumped as warm scales brushed against his. Cracking open one eye, he saw Ash curling into his chest, her smaller wings wrapped around his lower body. She opened her eyes, gazing up at him.

"Everything?" she asked playfully, nuzzling his neck.

This time, Toothless didn't hesitate. The Night Fury leaned in, one large wing wrapping protectively around the smaller female as they nestled together for the night.

Author's Note: I think I'm actually beginning to enjoy writing dialogue more, what a surprise. Not much to say about this chapter, hope y'all enjoy where this is going.