Hiccup's Point of View
Fang bowed so low his jaw nearly touched the dirt. The trees rustled around us, heavy with warning. Luna stayed beside me, claws flexed, her expression cold and calculating. Even in her human form, she radiated that lethal aura only a dragon could.
"What problem?" I asked, my voice low.
Fang lifted his head. "Hunters, Alpha. Deep in the western ravine. Near the jagged cliffs—your territory." His tail lashed. "They set traps. Lured in hatchlings with bait... tortured them. Screams echoed for hours."
Luna growled beside me.
"Go on," I said, though the fire already burned in my chest.
"I sent a Terrible Terror to scout," Fang continued grimly. "He overheard them. They're not just killing for sport... it's profit. Dragon skins fetch thousands in the outer markets. And someone—some outsider—is paying premium for bones. Ancient ones. Fresh ones. Doesn't matter."
My claws clenched.
"They've captured several dragons. Smaller ones. And they said..." Fang's jaw tightened. "They only have a short window before they start killing the captives. Skinning them. Packing what's left into crates."
Luna's breath hitched with fury.
But I stepped forward, tall and calm.
"Fang," I said, my voice like stone, "summon the others."
He blinked. "You mean—?"
"My vanguard," I confirmed. "My elite. The dragons I trained... and defeated to earn their loyalty. This is their purpose. And I have a job for them—one they will not fail."
Fang threw back his head and let out a powerful roar—one that echoed across the sky like a call to war.
A moment later, the response came. Four distinct cries—sharp, thunderous, and familiar—ripped through the trees like lightning.
Wings beat the air.
Then they arrived—descending into the clearing with grace and might.
Razorwind, the Timberjack, massive and silent as a blade slicing wind. His wings cut through the air like living swords.
Daggermaw, the male Deadly Nadder, spines glinting like razors.
Thrash, the Speed Stinger, a blur of gold and black.
Veil, the Changewing, almost invisible, flickering in and out of sight.
And Torrent, the Scauldron, coiling like a sea-serpent through the stream-fed path.
Five dragons.
My vanguard.
Each of them bowed the moment they landed—heads low, bodies still.
"Alpha," Razorwind said first. "You called."
They looked at me. Then truly saw me.
Their eyes widened.
"You've changed," Veil whispered, her scales shimmering. "You were strong before—but now..."
"You can speak to us?" Torrent asked, stunned. "Directly?"
I smirked, stepping forward. "Since the last time we fought, I've found more than strength."
Luna stepped beside me, expression shifting.
Then she changed.
One breath.
A glow.
And Luna became herself—her full, towering dragon form—a sleek, deadly Night Fury. The sunlight caught her wings, casting shadows like blades across the forest floor.
Gasps rippled through them all.
Veil nearly collapsed. "A Night Fury—your mate?"
"They're royalty," Razorwind murmured. "The blood of kings."
Luna lifted her head proudly.
"She's not just my mate," I said, letting pride edge into my voice. "She's my queen."
Then I changed.
My wings stretched wide, swallowing the clearing in darkness. My form expanded—sleek and sharp. I towered over them all, a massive Night Fury Alpha—my feet glowing faintly with constellations, stars flickering across them like the surface of the night sky. The ground seemed to quiet around me.
Fang stepped back, breath caught. "You're not human anymore."
I smiled, the sharp kind. "I haven't been for a long time."
Still, the moment wasn't meant for awe.
"There are hunters in our land," I growled. "They're torturing hatchlings. Planning to sell skins. Bones."
Every dragon in the clearing tensed, growls low and furious.
"They dared to hunt in my territory," I continued. "So we're going to remind them why dragons fear the sky."
I turned, meeting each of their eyes.
"You will fly with me," I said. "You will tear them apart. Burn their traps. Free every dragon they've caged."
Snarls of agreement echoed like thunder.
"But first," I raised a clawed hand, "a favor."
They stilled.
"My daughter—my hatchling—must be protected."
Gasps. Real ones.
"A hatchling?" Thrash echoed in disbelief. "Yours?"
"She is mine," I said firmly. "Flesh or not. Heart or not. She is Freya. She is your princess."
I turned to Fang. "Call on two of your underlings. Form a small army. I want this place guarded like the nesting grounds of old. If anyone dares threaten her—kill them."
Fang slammed his claws into the earth. "It will be done."
Veil bowed low. "We vow it. As her vanguard. No harm shall touch her."
"She will be protected," Razorwind added. "As if she were born of our flame."
My wings twitched.
My voice dipped lower. "Good. Because I care for dragons. I fight for them. I protect them. But when I am challenged..."
I let my bloodlust seep into my words.
"...I show no mercy."
Growls. Screeches. Roars of acknowledgment shook the trees.
Luna stepped beside me, wings flaring wide, eyes glowing.
"We go as one," she said coldly. "And we do not stop until they are ash."
Torrent hissed, steam bubbling in his throat. "Then when do we leave?"
I turned to face them all, eyes narrowing with finality. "As soon as my daughter's guardians arrive."
Without hesitation, each of my vanguard threw back their heads and let loose powerful, thunderous roars—distinct in pitch and tone, calls only their most trusted followers would recognize.
The forest fell still.
Then—wingbeats.
Heavy. Swift. Unrelenting.
Ten dragons descended in a storm of wind and awe. They landed with grace and reverence, each one instinctively sensing the truth the moment their eyes met mine. And Luna's.
Their bodies lowered.
Their heads bowed.
They knew their Alpha.
I stepped forward, raising a claw. "You have one mission. One sacred duty."
I looked back toward the shelter.
"Freya," I called gently. "Come here, my little star."
She peeked around the corner, hesitant at first—then ran forward, her emerald eyes wide and curious. Her small tail swayed with each step, wings twitching excitedly.
She stopped before them all and beamed.
"Hi!" she chirped. "I'm Freya. Hiccup's daughter. I'll be in your care!"
Silence.
Complete, breath-holding silence.
Then a collective gasp from the group.
Every dragon froze—utterly stunned—until one of the females let out a high-pitched squeal and lunged forward, nuzzling Freya with such enthusiasm it knocked her slightly off balance. The others followed like a dam had burst—cuddling her, cooing, brushing wings over her tiny form.
The males, meanwhile, stood frozen and stiff, muttering under their breath.
"...It should be illegal to be that cute."
"Did you see the tail twitch? And the wings?"
"She looks half-human, but—by flame—my heart..."
"...I'd adopt her in a heartbeat."
Luna tried to hold it in, but a quiet snort escaped her nose.
I didn't fare much better.
We shared a look.
And chuckled.
Our daughter—the hatchling of a Night Fury queen and an Alpha Night fury —was being smothered in affection by ten of the fiercest dragons in my vanguard's ranks.
She giggled through it all, arms flailing, tail flopping.
And I knew then.
No harm would ever reach her.
Not while they drew breath.
Not while I still ruled the sky.