Dangers of The Migrating Lands

New Alpha

One year later...

Stephanie slept in her cot near the damaged wall where the dragon, now realized to be Scorpion, crashed through after she had blasted him to oblivion.

As Stephanie slept, a voice rang throughout the den.

"It's happening!" Shadow screamed, "Guys, wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up! It's haaappppeeennniiinnnggg!!!"

Stephanie covered her earflaps with her paws as she heard Eclipse grumble, "Come on, Shadow. Stop acting like a child."

"WAKE UP!" Shadow screamed again, "It's time to find out who's going to be Alpha!"

Stephanie uncovered her ears. She was now wide awake. So was Eclipse.

"Really?" Eclipse asked.

"Are you playing with us again?" Stephanie asked.

"No!" Shadow snarled, "This is actually happening!"

"You said that last time," Stephanie said, "I'm going back to sleep!"

As she curled back around, Shadow yelled, "I'm serious this time, guys! It's not that weird holiday that humans celebrate anymore. At least, I don't think... but I'm not fooling."

"Mmhmm..." Stephanie hummed. She covered her eyes with her wings.

But as Shadow continued to yell, Stephanie heard the soft wingbeats of her mother entering the den.

"What's taking you all so long?" Luna asked, "Come on, get up! Didn't Shadow tell you the news?"

"Wait!" Stephanie said. Her ears perked up. She was on high alert, "So it is true?"

"Yes!" Luna growled, "Now come on, your father is waiting! And he does not have any more patience for you!"

Luna flew out of the cave, followed by Shadow. Eclipse and Stephanie jumped out of their cots and followed the two dragons. They emerged into the clearing to find so many dragons crowding around them. Among those dragons was Cloudjumper, Skullcrusher, Stormfly, and several other familiar faces in the front rows. 

Stephanie felt a little overwhelmed, but she didn't care. All she cared about was getting to the Crystal Throne. Her father and Luna were already seated on the structure. Eclipse and Shadow were already seated.

"Sorry I'm late, Father," Stephanie said as she landed, "I was just looking around the-"

"No need to apologize," Toothless snorted, "You should know that a good Alpha never apologizes for being late... they are always right on time."

Stephanie bowed her head in shame, "I know. I'll try to fix that in the future."

"It's kind of too late for that now, Stephanie," Eclipse whispered, "This is it."

Stephanie gulped. She had to admit she was a little nervous.

"Anyway," Toothless started, "Shall we change the subject?"

The siblings nodded, as did Luna.

"Alright then," Toothless inhaled. Stephanie looked at her father. He seemed to be a little nervous himself.

"As you and everyone in the audience are aware," Toothless explained, "My children are no longer hatchlings... they are dragonets. They are now eligible to be Alpha. The thing is... which one to choose?

"A lot of you are also aware of the horrific event that happened at least a year ago with the rebellion of dragons that I banished for reasons that I would like to keep to myself. That threat has now perished or ran away. But, despite how dangerous and tight the situation was, one of these dragons managed to stay on their game the entire time. They showed not just bravery, protection, they also showed courage. Courage for doing things that a normal dragon would see as suicide."

Stephanie looked at Shadow. He was tensing up with excitement. She watched as he mouthed, It's me, it's me, it's me...

"Now, I would argue that all of my children made a... reasonable stand against the threat," Toothless continued. His voice started to crack, "But one made an impact that I have never seen in a dragon. I've definitely seen it in a human on multiple occasions-"

"ALL HAIL THE CHIEF OF BERK!" a dragon from the audience interrupted. He was promptly slapped by the dragon standing next to him.

"Anyway..." Toothless said in a gruff voice, not liking the fact that he was interrupted, "Yes. My old human showed great bravery in even the darkest of times that we shared with each other. One of my children has shared that same bravery and determination as him. And I'll give you an example on its bravery...

"It protected me when I told it no. It showed responsibility when it sent Scorpion over the edge of the cliff to the water below. Not only that, but this dragon also holds great powers that are unimaginable to any dragon... including me.

"And that is why... I present Stephanie as your new Alpha."

Everyone in the room seemed to come to a halt. Stephanie's siblings stared at her, Eclipse's face was smiling. Shadow had a face of shock.

Then, after a moment of silence, the dragons started to cheer. Toothless and Luna smiled as they beckoned Stephanie to join them. 

Seeing her father and her mother, Stephanie grew confidence. She trudged towards her parents proudly, her tail in the air and her head held high. 

She sat next to her father and whispered, "Do your thing. For them. For me."

Stephanie felt a rush of joy. She stood on her hind legs, spread her wings, and let out the loudest roar the dragons had ever heard. And the dragons responded to that roar almost immediately. Even Shadow returned the roar. And, from that day on, everything was back to normal.