The 'Dragon Defender'

Memories

We're on a timer now that Valka's been hypnotised; the window between the first and last person to be hypnotised needs to be as short as possible to prevent conflicting stories before I can adjust everyone's memories. Say if Valka was told about something I'd only just had her forget, everyone would realise something is up and I'd have to restart the whole process.

The next two people I want to hit are Hiccup and Astrid; after Valka, they're the biggest threats to me as they know the most. I need to make sure nothing goes wrong with hypnotising the pair of them.

"I couldn't find either of them," I hear Citrine's voice beside me. "But I found those twins and the one with the Monstrous Nightmare."

I frown beneath my mask, not liking that I can't find the most important targets right away, but I nod gravely. "At least there's that. Which way?"

"They're near the Great Hall."

"Got it."

We start moving while I try to figure out a plan to hypnotise Snotlout and the twins. It doesn't take me long, to be fair; they're all kind of idiots and they're usually predictable enough for me to plan around them.

"You can both emerge, if you'd like," I say, watching the Changewings appear either side of me. We're just coming up to the Great Hall now. I can see the trio on the steps, with Snotlout just heading inside, leaving the twins alone. Perfect.

"Ruff, Tuff, care for a staring contest with the dragons?"

I don't even stop walking up to the Great Hall, watching the twins scamper behind me to where the Changewings are waiting, bickering between each other. I don't hesitate when I hear the thumps of them collapsing. "Once they wake, take them home," I tell Barf and Belch. "They're fine, they'll just be a little confused. Camo, Citrine, head inside when you finish up. I'll need your help there too."

With that, I head into the Great Hall, looking around to see who's already in here. Snotlout, of course, is present, though he's chatting to Heather pretty invasively, if his stance leaning over her is anything to go off of. She seems a combination of put off by him and rather done with him.

"Need me to knock him out for you?" I offer, causing Snotlout to pull back and both parties to look to me. "Be my guest," Heather chuckles. "I didn't realise you'd be back already."

"Just forgot something and came back to get it," I use my previous lie. "But I heard the Book of Dragons went missing, so I figured I'd help find it. Have you got any idea of where it might be?"

"Not really," Heather frowns. "I'm hoping that someone just misplaced it, but... I doubt it."

"It's definitely not ideal," I agree. What else can I say to stall them here? "So you noticed it was missing this morning?"

"Yeah, Fishlegs went to get it," Heather nods. "And then he realised the book was missing. Everything was normal, nothing was left open."

"That's strange... by the way, have you seen Hiccup or Astrid anywhere? I wanted to talk to them while I was here, but I haven't been able to find them."

"I think they went to ask Gothi a few things," Heather answers. "I don't see why Gothi would take the book, so I don't know if it's about that or not."

"Right, thank you," I nod. That's pretty inconvenient; a group of three people is risky. We can handle it, though.

I then feel a nudge against my shoulder. The Changewings are ready.

"Do it."

"What?" Heather is cut off when Camo appears in front of her, Citrine doing the same for Snotlout, who briefly yells in surprise.

Both are down after a few moments. That's two more that don't remember me or the Morphwings. All I have left to do is handle Gothi, Hiccup, Astrid and Fishlegs. I can do that.

I wait by the doors to ensure that nobody's going to walk in too soon. I briefly catch the twins being lead off by Barf and Belch, though what I see next both relieves and concerns me; Fishlegs is hurrying towards the Great Hall, looking rather frazzled. Likely over the book being missing.

The Changewings are still busy with Heather and Snotlout, so I suppose I'll have to stall him. I head out, waving him down. "Oh, hey. Any luck with the book?"

"Artemis?" He seems surprised to see me, just like with everyone else. I once again rattle off my little explanations, growing bored of repeating myself but knowing it's a perfect opportunity to waste time all the same.

"Well anyway, have you had any leads with finding the Book of Dragons?" I ask him. "Must be pretty worrying."

"It is!" Fishlegs agrees wholeheartedly. "I mean, what if dragon hunters got their hands on it somehow?! You never know what they might do with such priceless dragon knowledge! And that book is part of Berk's history! If we lose it, we lose something that connects our generation to all previous generations on Berk!"

"I understand completely," I nod. "Though the way you view it is definitely interesting. Tell me more."

Fishlegs lights up when I ask for more information. I allow him to passionately ramble until I feel another nudge against my arm. Time for him to forget all of this.

"Do it."

"Wha- woah, a Changewi-..."

There he goes.

This only leaves Gothi, Astrid and Hiccup. Citrine is taking care of Fishlegs now, so I mount Camo. "Let's fly up there. Citrine, meet us up there when you're ready."

Camo takes off and we make our way up to Gothi's hut. They're probably asking about Asher and whether he could have plausibly stolen the book, would be my first guess. How do I do this, considering there's three people? The plan has to go off flawlessly, they're the last weak links.

Fingers crossed, I suppose...