HTTYD: School of Dragons

Chapter Three: New Berk & New Friends

Dawn had woke up from her nap at the sounds of a battle going on outside of Joan's trading boat. Dawn made herself hear the sounds of dragons that Vikings hear and moved it into telepathy. Dawn jumped at the sound of roaring from outside, she immediately came out of her cabin to see what was happening. She quickly got off of the trading boat and onto the beach. She gasped in surprise when she saw what was happening. The amber and magenta sky was outlined the ongoing attack that was happening. There was unknown Viking ships attacking the Berkian Vikings. The sky was alight with flying explosive cannonballs and dragon fires from the ridden dragons. Dawn could see that the Berkian battle ships were alined with the invaders and the Vikings started fighting with their weapons aboard the ships.
She felt both the excitement of the battle and terrifying anger of the cowardly attack on the Berkians. Fire had started to spread throughout the Viking ships, to allies and enemies alike.
"Dawn!" cried out Joan from one of the further docks. "We must split up and find the Dragon Riders!"
Thanks to Joan, Dawn cleared away her anger of the ongoing battle and had started to think more clearer. Dawn saw a young man with messy brown hair and in black armor accented with bright red astride on a saddled Night Fury with emerald green eyes landing on cliff above the village of Berk. She caught a quick glimpse of Fishlegs and Meatlug protecting the village with Tuftnut and Ruffnut, who are both astride on Barf and Belch. Dawn had seen the Dragon Riders a few times before when she was younger, but she was too shy and nervous to meet them.
Dawn continued looking around and had to quickly dodged the flaming arrows and dragon fire. She soon to carefully run across a thin, twisting cliff bridge that leads up towards where Hiccup and Toothless were both hovering over one of the cliffs as he led the children and the injured dragons away. She almost lost her balance a few times, but had quickly regained her balance from falling. But as she was climbing, Dawn thought she had saw a quick glimpse of deep blue and purple scales flying through the clouds overhead, but it had disappeared all too quickly.
Dawn felt her heart hammering in her chest like a Gronckle's flapping wings. She never felt so terrified and excited before, she managed to calm herself down with deep breaths. Hiccup must of seen her, since he made Toothless land on the cliff and turned to look at Dawn.
"You're Dawn Skyheart, the new student?" Dawn nodded to Hiccup, feeling a little winded from the climb. "I'm Hiccup, sorry for the brief introduction, you can see that New Berk is under attack. We need to get in the air and stop these raiders from capturing dragons!"
Toothless made a deep rumbling sound in his throat and glared out at the raiders with an angry growl.
"Come on, you hitch a ride with me and Toothless." Hiccup mounted Toothless and helped Dawn mount in front of him.
There was a dip between his spine and his wings that was just the right size for a human or two to kneel in and which is the place where Hiccup had placed the saddle on Toothless, Dawn had placed her hands on the saddle collar.
That's when Toothless launched into the air. They were flying. They were FLYING! Dawn was flying ON A DRAGON!
Dawn wished she could she could enjoy it if they weren't in the middle of an ongoing battle between allies and enemies. The air was in the surprising combination of cold from the incoming evening and hot from the burning fires below. Dawn glanced down and saw the others helping with the battle. Many other Berkians were fighting against the Dragon Raiders. Dawn felt relieved to see most of the dragons had been released and the Dragon Riders had rescued the eggs. They soon started flying over the bay and in between the ships, while dodging the flying arrows. The raiders yelled in alarm when they saw Toothless flying overhead.
They soon saw Astrid riding on the back of Stormfly, they seemed to be watching the battle and waiting for them to arrive.
"I need you to take the control and fly us to Astrid," said Hiccup. "Don't worry about flying. Toothless and I are with you." Dawn became instantly tensed, because she never actually flew on a dragon before. Despite what her dragon family had taught her, she never rode on a dragon before. "Toothless is already an expert flier. You just need to tell him where to go."
Dawn nodded and leaned forward, Toothless had started started to follow her instructions almost instantly. They soon started to fly towards Astrid and Stormfly. Astrid turned to look at them with a smile.
"Hiccup and Dawn." Astrid looked at Dawn in surprise before stating to Dawn and Hiccup. "Well, you chose a great time to join the fight. They're starting to press the attack."
"Well, let's take care of that!" said Hiccup, sounding determined to save the dragons and their homes.
They soon started flying over the bay and this time Astrid took the lead with Stormfly. Dawn almost had a panic attack when she saw that Hiccup had jumped off Toothless and started GLIDING down towards one of the raiding ships and started fighting the soldiers there with a sword that has its blade on fire?
Astrid and Stormfly soon started flying alongside Dawn and Toothless.
"That just leaves two ships for you and me!" Astrid said, sounding excited to get rid of the raiders and unsurprised by Hiccup's inventions. "Avoid the flying arrows and shoot at the ships with the red sails!"
Astrid and Stormfly both flew off to take care one of the raiding ships. Dawn soon patted and nodded at Toothless, who tilted his head at her and had fired at the third raiding ship with one easy swoop. The raiding ship soon lit up in flames and the raiders had jumped overboard to get away from the fire.
Toothless soon started to fly towards one of the docks that has a burnt out raiding ship and a cage being hung on by ropes by the raiding ship. Dawn could see there was some sort of dragon trapped inside, about the similar size as Toothless, though a little younger looking. Dawn was glad to see Hiccup there with Astrid and Stormfly on the beach.
"We did it!" Astrid said, grinning. "Those lousy trappers will have a long way to swim home from here."
Dawn laughed, she felt surprisingly giddy from the battle and riding on one of the most famous dragons of Berk.
"Great job you two, but it's not over yet." Dawn and Hiccup both glanced up at the frightened, caged dragon. "These raiders caught a lot of dragons in their traps and had injured them. The twins are going around destroying the traps, but we have to free these dragons."
Dawn soon dismounted Toothless as she looked up at the trapped dragon, barely noticing that Toothless had joined Hiccup's side and the two of them greeted each other excitedly. The dragon in the cage seemed to become much calmer, but still looks wary.
"Go and see if you can find anything to free this poor dragon," Hiccup said to Dawn.
Dawn soon found an axe and ran towards the rope that was holding up the caged dragon and immediately started cutting the ropes. When she was done, Dawn heard Hiccup spoke to the dragon, "Steady, steady... There's just one more problem for us to fix. Find the combination for the lock."
Dawn soon found the lock combination and quickly memorized it, she felt very desperate into freeing the dragon. She soon went back to the cage and put the combination onto the lock. Dawn was once trapped in a cage, it was not a fun experience. It had taken a massive dragon attack to get out of the cage.
Dawn backed up a bit as the cage door had opened and the dragon, which turned out to be a beautiful Sand Wraith, had started to walk out warily.
Dawn sucked on her breath as she began to admire the regal dragon. She caught a glimpse of its face — not like the other dragons she had seen, but perfectly like an elegant Fury's, with the most brightest and clearest blue eyes she had ever seen. When its scales caught the dusky sun, the dragon's scales and wings sparkled in the color shades of bright tawny golden, flecked with hints of both beige and light tan. The Sand Wraith is both sleek and lithe as well as she is strong and well-muscled.
"There, there. Take it easy fella." Hiccup turned to look at Dawn with a small smile. "Talk to her. Reach out your hand. Like this." Hiccup reached out his hand and Toothless placed his snout in Hiccup's hand before they both separated to look at her and the Sand Wraith.
Dawn raised her right hand in front of her, she quickly looked as she suddenly felt unsure of how to befriend one of the most elusive and feistiest dragons that ever lived. She almost felt herself bolt when she felt the Sand Wraith snorted softly before she leaned into Dawn's palm, purring softly, making Dawn look up at the golden dragon in surprise. The dragon's scales felt like a lizard's, smooth and warm, to the touch and she felt the dragon's scales warmed her hand like sunbaked stones.
The Sand Wraith purred into Dawn's hand and rumbled softly, the two of them looked at each other. They both met each other's eyes, Dawn somehow knew that they were confirmed as equals. The two of them both met each other's eyes. Emotions rolled around inside Sky like a whirlwind. She don't know whether to feel scared or awed or joyful or uncertainty. New feelings like lightning raced between them: newly made trust, joy, curiosity, and understanding. Behind those blue eyes seemed to hide more intelligence than seemed possible for any dragon and the dragon's eyes seemed to have the reflection of Dawn's soul.
"You blaze like the sun," murmured Dawn to the Sand Wraith as she reopened her eyes. Dawn hesitated a bit before she smiled at the dragon fondly. "Can I call you Sunblaze?"
The Sand Wraith cooed softly and started nuzzling Dawn, making Dawn laugh and the two of them both placed their foreheads against each other's, their hearts beats as one as their breaths were one just as well. It had confirmed to her that the Sand Wraith wants to be called Sunblaze from now on. Dawn couldn't help, but feel as if she had found a missing piece of herself that she didn't know was missing.
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Dawn was leaning against Sunblaze, whose wings are halfway opened and was wearing a new leather brown saddle that's long and narrow with a large and tan barrel-like on the front, and fins on the back. They were both lounging away from the others, Sunblaze snacking on freshly caught fish and Dawn was eating her yak chops on a wooden plate by the fireplace, Sunblaze suddenly regurgitates a fish head and looked at Dawn with a curious expression.
"Uhh, no thanks." Dawn gave a nervous and slightly disgusted smile before she gestured towards her own finished meal. "I'm good."
Sunblaze shrugged and continued munching on her meal, Dawn's eyes flicking up towards the circle of Dragon Riders and their dragons: Chief Hiccup and Alpha Toothless, Astrid and Stormfly, Fishlegs and Meatlug, Snotlout and Hookfang, Tuffnut and Ruffnut with Barf and Belch, Valka Haddock and Cloudjumper, Gobber and Grump, and an unknown young man and a Rumblehorn that resembles the one that Dawn had rescued two weeks ago.
They all circled a fireplace that they had made together. As much as Dawn longs to be with them, she knew she was too different to be around. Many of them were Berkians, while she was not. Her differences sets her apart from the other Dragon Riders.
As if they knew what she was thinking, Hiccup and Toothless both walked towards Dawn and Sunblaze. His gaze showed his brotherly respect and concern, a reflection in Toothless' green eyes, as they both came towards them.
"Chief." Dawn bowed her head towards Hiccup.
"Alpha." Sunblaze bowed her head towards Toothless.
"Why are you out by yourself Dawn?" Hiccup asked.
Dawn reverted her blue eyes and replied, "Because I am different compared to others. I'm originally from the Berserker Tribe and the Dragon Hunter Tribe."
"You are?" Hiccup looked a little surprised and looked at her curiously. "But what made you think that dragons are so much more than they first appeared?"
"He's right you know," said Toothless. "You carry the scent of dragons, but not the blood of one."
"It's mostly because I was taken away from my tribe during a dragon raid when I was five years old and was raised by dragons," Dawn said as she petted a purring Sunblaze. "They had taught me so much about dragons and their way of life. They had taught me their language and had somehow made me the first human Alpha. To return the favor, I've started freeing trapped dragons as much as I can."
"Come and join us," said Hiccup gently as they stood up and they dusted off the fire. "You're one of us now."
"Okay." Dawn placed a hand on Sunblaze's back as they both followed Chief Hiccup and Toothless into the circle. She watched as Hiccup put a quick word for her to the Dragon Riders and Toothless doing the same for both her and Sunblaze. Dawn gulped nervously as they were allowed to enter the circle of Dragon Riders. Everyone's eyes were on her as they watched her, judging her.
"Okay." Hiccup cleared his throat before the awkwardness could increase anymore and stopped everybody from looking at her, much to relief. "Everyone, this Dawn Skyheart and her dragon, Sunblaze. She's one of us now."
"Hey." Dawn flinched at the gentle warmth that came from the young man besides her. He's both tall and broad-shouldered, marred with scars. He has a light blue tattoo on his chin and neat black hair, with two bangs draped in front of his ears. He was wearing a beige-white and white tunic under a thick, sleeveless fur vest with a metal owl brooch pinned on it. Two sheaths hang from his thick waistband, one behind his waist, and the other at his left side. He also wears two grey fur wristbands. Eret has a large symbol-like branding on his chest.
She looked up and met his gentle amber gaze, his eyes seemed to dance in the firelight. "Welcome to the tribe Dawn. I'm Eret, son of Eret."
"Thank you," whispered Dawn.
"I guess you already know everybody here?" Eret said, looking curious.
"My dragon family had told me about you all," said Dawn softly. "Plus, I saw those six on Dramillion Island."
"You did?" chorused the six mentioned Dragon Riders in surprise.
"Though, I heard a lot of puzzling rumors coming from here and I wanted to explore outside of my island," Dawn finished.
"That must of taken a lot of courage," said Astrid.
"Thanks Astrid." Dawn looked down and looked at Hiccup awkwardly, who gave her an understanding smile. Dawn was surprised as Eret shifted closer to her.
"Oh!" said Tuffnut excitedly. "Can I tell you all a scary story?"
Dawn felt Eret stiffened next to her and started glancing around, she was surprised and curious of why the other Riders seemed so nervous all of the sudden. Even Ruffnut seemed unsure of Tuffnut's storytelling.
"What type of story is it?" Dawn asked curiously.
"It's a story based off mystery and wonders," said Tuffnut mysteriously and ominously. "You probably don't know about this fabled 'Dragon Thief.' She had appeared from the deepest parts of the Hidden World fourteen years ago. She was raised by dragons as well as she can rule dragons like a queen and has made it her mission to hunt down those who threatened dragons." They all tilted their heads to the wind as Tuffnut did. "They say if the wind blows...... you can hear the song of the Dragon Thief howl through the wind."
Dawn snorted softly with amusement and exchanged an amused glance with her equally amused dragon. Her blue eyes was alight with amused laughter.
"Oh yeah?" Gobber challenged. "I've heard she's everywhere and nowhere. She's mysterious as well as elusive, nobody has ever gained a good look at her. But if they did, she will certainly be the last person ever seen." Gobber had a mischievous look in his blue eyes. "Ahhhh!"
Gobber's story had caused everybody to scream or gasped, except Dawn and Tuffnut.
"Awww..." complained Tuffnut. "Come on Gobber, I wanna to do that."
"In yer own good time!" Gobber said to the mischievous troublemaker.
Dawn bursted out laughing and Sunblaze had also started chortling just as well. Their laughter had gained some startled and confused looks being at them.
Dawn blushed when she noticed, but she had managed to stammered out, "Y-You know that story is based off of me, right?"
Everybody looked startled, but an understanding recognition had went over. The Dragon Riders gave annoyed looks at Tuffnut and Gobber, who had both sheepish expressions on their faces.
"It's okay," snickered Dawn, her eyes dancing with mirth. "It's so amusing to hear how terrifying I can be when I need more training in dragon riding."
"So glad to make you feel better lassie," Gobber said with a grin. "Now I'm guessing we need some shut eye?"
"Shut eye?" asked Tuffnut, confused.
"I can do it for you." Ruffnut raised her fist up, ready to punch her twin brother.
"No, Gobber means to get some sleep." Dawn rolled her eyes at them, but a mischievous look entered her eyes. "But maybe you can have your punching contest in the morning?"
The twins looked at each as Tuffnut said, "Sure." While Ruffnut said, "Fine by me."
Everybody looked at her in shock before Hiccup had snapped them out of it and they went to sleep. Hiccup opened one eye and was amused to see Eret snuggling next to Dawn, a protective arm over her waist.