The 'Dragon Defender'

Brief History Of Morphwings

"Hey, Nightling!" Hiccup pets me when he sees me. I allow him to, making purring sounds that I often seem to make when I'm being petted or something like that. "Do you know anything about her kind, Atali? We don't really know anything at all." "She's a rare species of dragon to come across, that's for sure," Atali explains.

"They're an elusive kind due to extreme hunting. They used to be a very worthy target to dragon hunters thousands of years ago. They were considered the gods of dragons. If you could kill a god, you were seen as one yourself."

"So Nightling is a goddess?" Hiccup asks, looking at me in awe. I snicker. "Not technically, but that is what is thought," Atali smiles in amusement before continuing.

"Eventually these dragons stuck to their packs, made up only of their own species, and went into hiding, only emerging when disguised so they wouldn't be captured and killed. They never really interacted with humans unless it was necessary, such as trade. Eventually they were forgotten about as they were simply never around for centuries. It was assumed they were old tales that nobody ever told anymore."

"That's incredible," Hiccup smiled, scratching under my chin. He managed to hit my sweet spot and I fell to the floor, though I didn't enjoy the sensation. Weird, I know this trick works on Morphwings. Maybe it's just a matter of personal preference.

I won't be able to get up for a minute, so I use my time to growl at Hiccup for doing that. "Did she not like that?" Atali asks, looking at me in surprise. "I thought all dragons were blissful after that. Or is it only Razorwhips?"

"No, it's all dragons," Hiccup replied, staring curiously. "Except her, of course. She's one of a kind, that's for sure."

"Definitely," Atali agrees. "If she starts to trust humans, this could bring more of her kind out of hiding. Maybe she could be the one to restore freedom to her kind."

"It's always possible," Hiccup nodded thoughtfully. "But she doesn't really seem to trust us. She's friendly enough as long as we don't get on her bad side, but she's not trusting."

He sighs quietly. "A little like someone else we once knew."

"Who?" Atali asked gently. "Her name was... Artemis," Hiccup hesitates before answering. "She got really sick or something a little over a month ago. She was taken off, but since then we haven't seen her. We think she... you know..."

I listen with wide eyes. He thinks I'm dead? Now that he mentions it, I completely understand why he thinks that. I was in pretty rough shape when I went down with morph fatigue and I haven't been heard from in ages, save for my dragon form. Add on the fact that I haven't spoken to Valka or been at the sanctuary and it's pretty believable that I didn't survive it.

Atali and I share a look. She's clearly also realised that he's talking about me. When her look turns questioning I nod my head. "You mean the Dragon Master?" She asks Hiccup.

"You knew her?!" Hiccup seems shocked. "She... she came here not long ago to fend off some dragon hunters," Atali quickly finds a believable lie. "She took care of them and then left. She's very much alive."

"She's not been at her sanctuary ever since the incident," Hiccup says, confusion now lacing his tone. "She'd never stay away for so long. Are you sure it was Artemis?"

"Unless there is an imposter, then she and her Razorwhip are definitely the correct people," Atali 'confirms', most likely remembering that I said about a Razorwhip back home and using this to make her lie appear more authentic. "She had Flashwing with her? It's like she knew about this place," Hiccup remarked.

I grin to Atali. Not only did she throw Hiccup off my trail, she sent him on a wild goose chase. Before she can get herself tangled up in a web of her own lies, I create a diversion by lowering my head and pawing at it, whining and whimpering as I go. All eyes are instantly on me.

"Nightling, is something wrong?" Hiccup asks. I simply shake myself off like a wet dog, then sit as though nothing has happened. I get strange looks, so I add in the effect of my fire climbing into my mouth before I swallow it back down again. That seems to get everybody to understand a little better.

"Atali!" Another woman with a Razorwhip on her back flies over. "May I take care of the mysterious dragon? I want to find out if she's some evolved form of a Razorwhip or something like that!"

Atali looks to me and I nod slightly. "Of course, Minden. I need a private talk with the riders, anyway. Treat her well." "Thank you, Atali," this Minden girl smiles eagerly before turning to me. "Follow me, girl. I'll show you the stables, I'm not sure if you'd eat sea slugs like the Razorwhips, but I'm certain we have something lying around that you'll eat."

I somewhat reluctantly fly off when she does, allowing her to guide me around this island. I see many women with their Razorwhips as we fly, many looking up at me in surprise.

When we eventually land Minden shows me into a wooden building. Wood? Either these guys aren't the smartest or the dragons around here are very well trained. Minden shows me a barrel full of sea slugs. "Don't suppose you like those?" She asks. I look at the slimy creatures in overdramatic disgust in order to get my point across. She thankfully understands.

"Right... um... what else do we have?" She mutters to herself. She busies herself in trying to find something to feed me with while I just lay down, yawning. It's been a long flight here and it's exhausting to keep track of everything people can and can't know.

"I hope you like fish because that's all I could find," Minden says as she comes back, offering me a fresh salmon. I sniff at it for a moment before taking it, careful not to bite off her fingers, and start to fill my empty stomach.