The 'Dragon Defender'

A Safe Return

"So, the plan?" Adriana asks curiously once we're in the clouds. I didn't see anybody coming after us, which is a good sign. I think we're safe.

"I'm going to make sure you guys get home safely, like I said," I answer. "I'll scout around the island to make sure nobody followed us, on the off chance. I think we're alright, though, it's just a final precaution. Then I'll head to the Sanctuary, grab the Changewings and we'll make our way over to Berk. I'm going to erase everyone's memories so that they never go after us again. They'll forget about Morphwings and about me. And while I have the chance to fill you in, Asher and I were looking at the Book of Dragons last night and I tore out the Morphwing page. Looks like we left before they noticed the book is missing."

"You guys did what?!" Adriana is shocked. "When they find out, aren't they gonna be even more suspicious?!"

"Not once their memories are erased," I shake my head. "They'll only question why a page is ripped out and what might have been on the page. But there's no way they'd find answers for that, so we're safe."

"Did you take the book?"

"Of course not, where would I have put it? I only hid it. Burnt the Morphwing paper."

"And there's absolutely no way it could be traced back to you guys?"

"Only if they question the three visitors that left just after the book disappeared, but that can't really be helped. There was no possible way any of us could have snuck the book off the island and what reason would we have to hide it that they know of? Besides, they know I have more knowledge than that book does, I have no need for the book."

"Okay... but why didn't you guys tell me sooner?"

"We did it on a whim. I went out to check what they knew about us, Asher was already there looking for the book. I couldn't smudge it or anything, so I just ripped out the page and burnt it. I'd have burnt the whole book but there's no need to destroy all their dragon knowledge. And then by the time you were awake you really wanted to see Asher, so we headed up, and that made it a bit difficult to talk about such a thing in public. In the end we never had much of a safe chance to talk until now, or I'd have told you sooner."

"Okay, that makes sense. Thanks for filling me in now, at least. But back to the plan... are you really going to erase the memories of everyone in Berk? Is that something you can really do?"

"Not at all. The Changewings need to look people in the eyes to hypnotise them and I only have two at the Sanctuary, which means I have no practical way of hypnotising an entire village. I'll have to make sure the Changewings and I are very careful with how we go about this; we need to erase dangerous memories without erasing what's become common knowledge, or they'll recognise that something is off."

I consider all of this as I voice the issues, knowing I'll need to have it all figured out as soon as possible. "I'll go after Valka first. Hiccup and Astrid are next. Then I suppose Fishlegs. Everyone else can come afterwards. I just need to get the main group and I'll be fine."

"Don't forget Gothi," Asher reminds me. Now that he's actually being careful, he's not had any major issues with flying as a rider. "She still has my scales. You might need to take those from her."

"Good point," I nod. "Aside from all that, I think we're good in terms of erasing all knowledge of our existence. Did you two want me to wipe you out of mind completely, or should we leave them aware of you both just in case we need Gothi's help again so we don't have to explain everything all over again?"

"Is it a risk if they remember us?" Asher asks. "I can't see how it would be," I shake my head. "They don't know where you live, they don't know that you're dragons... I can't see a scenario where being aware of your existence will put either of you in harm's way."

"Then just do whatever's the least work for you," Adriana says. "You'll probably be pressed for time anyway."

"Most likely," I hum. "I don't know how many of them I'll be able to lead somewhere completely isolated. It might be a challenge."

"I'm sure you've got this," Adriana assures. "Thanks," I return, hoping she's right. If things don't go smoothly, I don't know what the outcome will be.

~•~

"There you all are!" Selene hurried over to us when we walk into her cave in human form. She morphs to match this, going straight in for a hug with Asher, though I can see she tries her best to be gentle. "Are you okay?! Were you really in a human village?! Plasma told me you were injured, what happened?! Did the humans do anything?!"

"I'm fine now, mum," he assures her, returning her embrace without hesitation. "Indi and Adri got me to Berk - that island Indi sometimes goes to - and they had a human healer take care of me. There's a few loose ends - nothing major - so Indi's planning to go back and erase a few memories to cut any ties. We're completely fine."

"You were gone for days! What actually happened?!"

Asher pulls out of the hug and lifts his shirt, showing off his bandaged torso. "Typhoomerang. I'm all good. Gonna hold back on morphing until I'm completely sorted, but I don't think it's so bad anymore. The Berkian healer was pretty good."

"Just make sure you get some rest," I tell him. "I'm going to make my rounds. I'll be back once I'm done."

Selene stops me by catching my arm, turning me to face her, then pulling me into a hug as well. "Thank you for helping him, Indigo. If you hadn't been here... I don't want to even think about it..."

I nod slowly, my arms snaking around her. "Of course. I'd never let anything happen to any of you if I can help it."