The 'Dragon Defender'

But You Are

(AN: The art above was made by @Snowydraco and I absolutely adore it! I haven't thought overly hard on what Morphwings look like tbh but I'm probably gonna have this in my head for a good while now. Tysm for this!)

"Hey! Wait!" Hiccup tries to catch my arm, but I snatch it away and quicken my pace. "You did something to her, didn't you? You took her memories!"

"You did what?!" Astrid is now also on the case. "I thought you told her everything! Even more than you tell us! Why would you need to erase her memories?!"

"What are you even trying to achieve here?" Hiccup demands. "What are you doing? What did you do?"

"Your mother doesn't remember me," I inform Hiccup. "She doesn't remember the location of the Sanctuary. She doesn't remember any personal information about the Dragon Master."

"But why?!"

We're back into the village now. Not far to go before I can reach the forest. I just need to keep them on my case a little longer.

We've sped up to a proper chase now. They're close, close enough to give them hope, but I'm still just barely out of their reach.

"Leave me be!" I snap, knowing that'll encourage Hiccup to do just the opposite if his previous actions are any indicator.

"No! Not until you tell me what you're doing!"

So predictable.

"Listen, whatever it is you want, maybe we can help!" Hiccup tries to bargain. "But you've gotta talk to us! And you can't just erase people's memories when things get difficult!"

"Things aren't just difficult, you've made it all downright impossible!" I spit out. I can see the forest. So close, just gotta reel them in.

"Don't you both see? This is the only way! Now leave me to finish my work in peace! I'm so close now!"

"What are you trying to do?" Astrid demands. "It must be pretty important if you'd go after Valka!"

"Then you know just how serious I am about this!"

Almost there... almost there...

We're into the wilderness.

"Get away!" I snarl at them both, only encouraging them further. I cup my hands to my mouth - over my mask, of course - and call out a dragon cry. A Deadly Nadder cry, to be exact. I can't risk them being cautious of the Changewings showing up, so I'll let them slip to the backs of their minds for a bit.

Once I feel we've gone far enough, I turn to face them both, drawing my sword. I coated the blade with a fresh layer of Slitherwing venom just before I left the Sanctuary. I'd hoped I wouldn't have to use it. Right now I still am. But if it comes down to it...

No, I should be fine. The Changewings are surely nearby, as I asked of them. They surely heard my call. They can make this so quick. So easy. So efficient that murder won't be necessary.

The moment I've drawn my weapon, the pair finally skid to a halt, looking up at me in shock.

"No dragons," I remark. "No way for you to fight back or stop me. Just you and me. And I think we both know who's going to come out on top here, don't we? So let's have a little chat."

"Indigo... why are you doing this?" Hiccup asks again. I shrug, watching him closely. "Well, you got too close, of course," I remark, knowing I need to stall for the Changewings. Might as well give away the gist of my plans to keep them both here.

"I did always tell you, you're smart and stubborn. Very stubborn. I have to admit, I both admire and loathe that about you. But the truth is, it got you just a bit too far for your own good. All your theories, all your reckless stunts... you've made yourself a security risk. You've made yourself a threat."