Happy New Year everyone! I'm back with a new update to the story. This is officially the third anniversary of Brothers! Wow, we've come a long way!

I hope you all enjoy this next chapter!

…

Brothers

Chapter 49: Dragon's Edge

Not long after, we bid the Thunderdrum family farewell and left the island…figuring it wasn't suitable to make camp there anymore, as stated previously. We ventured further into the unknown.

We checked numerous islands further ahead. It took days, but so far, they all proved too treacherous. I don't think any island back "home" was as savage or unsuitable as the ones we've seen so far. Maybe this was all a big mistake? Maybe we're just wasting our time?

Well, that will all soon change. One particular island we discovered had a new dragon species: that we called…Night Terrors.

They were the size of Terrible Terrors and were part of huge flocks that could form the shape of large dragons to scare off predators. Besides that, this new island was huge: with idyllic forests and cliffs…and a particular mountain range in its center…which is reminiscent of Berk. Perhaps we finally found what we were looking for?

After some deliberation from the Teen Vikings, they decided to give the island a try: giving the name…Dragon's Edge.

It's just big enough for each of the teens to make their section, or turf…and it soon gave me an idea. The island is just big enough to have some dragons from Dragon Island living in it. It wouldn't hurt to have allies on this rock for sure, especially since we have no idea what's out there. Belin could keep running Dragon Island and the sentry islands while I take the overcrowded populations here.

I soon proposed the idea to both the humans and the dragons and they didn't seem to object.

Not too long after, we settled in our new base of operations: constructing what we wanted and needed. At the center of everything (as Hiccup put it) would be the Clubhouse for all the teens and dragons to hang out, plan, and administer the island.

Halfway through the construction, I was writing down some notes in my English journal…using my writing prosthetic. I wrote down some of the adventures we had so far leading up to today…since I finally had time to do so.

It's early in the night; the moon hangs just above the horizon…almost looking like a coin made of silver. I sat down by a cliff overlooking the progress of Dragon's Edge. Toothless trotted towards me, his harness and saddle seemed to have been removed along with his red tail fin.

"What do you think about the island, Flint?" He asked, lowering his head to meet mine.

"It's perfect, I was thinking…we could set up a sanctuary for dragons along the coast…help spread the word" I said in my teen voice.

He nodded, soon sitting down as well, "sounds like a great idea…we definitely could use more help around here.

A short silence followed, which was followed by a nervous warble from Tooth, "are you seriously thinking of flying all the way back to Dragon Island by yourself?"

"Why not? It would be a good opportunity to test my endurance. You can't always be there for me, you know?" I responded.

"Well, take someone with you at least…take Spitfire."

"That clumsy oaf? He's too busy trying to woo Stormfly half of the time." I chuckled and Toothless did the same.

"I'd go with you, but I can't stand the thought of leaving Hiccup and the others without one of us" Toothless sighed.

I placed a paw on his side and said, "Tooth, I'll be fine" I gave a smile, "besides, this place will probably be finished by the time I get back."

"Not if Ruffnut and Tuffnut keep sabotaging our progress" He replied.

We both laughed at that. I soon stand up, closing my journal to head back, "I should probably get some rest…I got a long week ahead of me."

The adult Night Fury sighed softly, "right, you're going to need it."

…

By early morning I began my journey back to Dragon Island. The weather was quite calm, and sunny. It seemed as though the climate in this region is much milder than in Berk and its surrounding satellites.

From time to time, I would land on an uninhabited island to rest and gather myself for the next leg. In one of these instances, I had gotten a visitor.

"You wanted to talk?" I could hear Dith's echoing voice behind me as he suddenly beamed into existence.

I scoffed, standing up from the small rocky shelter that I was in to confront him, "have you been interfering?" I asked, tensing my narrow face at him.

"You are referring to those dreams you've been having, correct?" The ethereal gray man copied my expression.

"Yeah, what's the deal with them? What are you trying to tell me, Dith?" I suddenly eased my face just as he started pacing in circles around me, "the forest, the dragon, is it a message?"

"There are big things that will happen soon in this archipelago…regardless of how much your presence has changed the timeline. Your decisions from this point on will have a major impact on the world, and I wish for it to follow down a certain path."

"That was NOT our deal!" I roared at him, getting into his face…showing teeth. He didn't budge, in fact…he looked unimpressed, "as you humans put it…deals are meant to be broken" Dith retorted.

"This is all a game to you…it always has been…"

"I believe we've had this conversation before" he said, snapping his fingers before we are both teleported to the Plane of Possibilities. Just before he was going to explain his job, I stopped him, "okay, okay, I know why just take me back."

He seemed disappointed but complied. We're back on the island: I shook my head, walking away from him, "everything is perfect, there's no need for you to change anything, Dith."

"My dear Flint…you have become complacent." He stated, crossing his arms, "these dreams serve a purpose…they have a connection with what is happening in this world. Study the dream, memorize it, it will help you in the future." He waved before finally disappearing into nothingness.

I sighed softly, finally lying down again, "that explained a lot…" I scoffed.

I suppose to Dith this change is something he wants to be the best version of so he can study, so maybe that's why he's doing this, but there's something he's not telling me. His advice sounded ominous…like something bad is going to happen…

I decided to let it go and I fell asleep for the day.

...

I finally arrived at Dragon Island, greeting everyone there. Belin was taking care of Galadriel, who was still weak and sick. After spending some time with her and Belin I told everyone about Dragon's Edge and they were excited to see the new frontier.

And so, over two hundred dragons followed me for the trip back to Hiccup and the others. Again, a few days passed…I followed the scent and the winds, trusting my heading.

Once we arrived, Hiccup and the others welcomed me back and were pleased to see the new arrivals too. The wild dragons will get settled into their new habitat: some would become sentries, others would help the group in their construction projects, and others simply were there to make the camp livelier if that makes any sense (like Terrible Terrors to annoy Snotlout at night, hehe…totally not my idea!)

I could finally rest from my long journey…I rested near the center of Dragon's Edge, looking at the golden hour peak of the day. I sensed Toothless moving in: he sat down beside me and chuckled, "I'm proud of you, you did it."

"Thanks" I warbled.

A short silence followed before Tooth gave a sigh of relief, "I thought we would never find the perfect island" he soon rested his head on his front paws. I was soon pulled into a trance, which, of course, warranted a confused look from the other dragon. I was thinking about my role in all of this, thinking about what Dith said…was bringing the dragons here really a good idea? What if something happens and they get hurt?

"You okay?"

"I…I'm just worried." I sighed deeply.

"We all are, buddy" he smiled softly at me.

"But…" I shook my head shortly afterward…my face was filled with uncertainty, "after all we've seen here, maybe we've seen nothing yet?"

"We'll meet them head on…like we always do, Flint" Toothless nudged me with his head to comfort me.

I soon stood up and he jumped at that in response, "no, Toothless…listen, I…I have this feeling…something is out there…something we're NOT prepared for…"

After a few moments of just standing there, he decided to move in again, placing a wing over me, "remember what I taught you…most battles happen when you least expect them. You must adapt to the situation."

I just remained still, staring blankly at the coast. Toothless sighed, patting me on the back with his wing, "you're tired. Get some rest, Flint. Everything will be alright" the Night Fury reassured me before deciding to leave me be. I said my goodbyes and decided to rest my eyes as Tooth advised me to do.

My mind was wrapped in a thousand thoughts…many of which were questions that could not be answered. Dith was among many of them, but I soon tried to dispel the negative thoughts. We're here now, on Dragons' Edge: we have everyone here, and we have dragons to help us. If anything, this could be the beginning of something really great for all of us…I should really stop being a stick in the mud…

Might as well buckle up and enjoy the ride…right?