A Different Take on Dragons: Race To The Edge

Summary: What if the island Astrid and Fishlegs chose was not as deserted as they believed? What if the island had become a sanctuary for injured dragons? And what if the dragon protecting it was a familiar face? Join the Riders as they make a new ally in their fight against the Dragon Hunters.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, except my OC. Everything else belongs to Dreamworks

Previously: Hiccup winced at the title, Yeah, definitely going to have to have a talk about that.

Chapter 9: Enter the Skrill Rider Finale

After ensuring that her dragons were calm, she gave Fishlegs her satchel, explaining what everything was for, and introduced him to the Mudraker, and Windstriker. The Mudraker was far more easy going than the Windstriker, but after showing Fishlegs how to apply a salve to the patches of regrowing scales, they calmed down. Fishlegs was eager to interact with the dragons and help them, she also introduced him to the two Prickleboggles so that they would work with him should anything happen. Astrid and Gobber grabbed some netting and canvas, so that the small group could carry Scathachs things, "Alright this should be big enough to carry your things lass."

Scathach bowed her head in thanks, "Thank you, Gobber. This is more than enough." The twins were vibrating in their seats to get started, Snotlout wasn't nearly as excited as the twins, he simply waited on Hookfangs neck. "Are you sure you can manage Fishlegs?"

Fishlegs nodded his head, "Of course. I just need to keep them calm until you get back, this will also be a great opportunity to study them up close."

"Just don't be afraid to ask the Prickleboggles for help. They want to care for the other's just as much as we do."

Said dragons nuzzled Fishlegs sides, "Will do." he said returning the dragons nuzzles with his own.

Scathach turned to Grim who was sniffing at the blood on the ground, whimpering. Her blood. She went to him, lifting up his left wing she moved under it, pulling it down around her she cuddled into Grims side, Grim used the wing to pull her closer. The others were startled when the Skrill began to spark, but became surprised when the electricity simply traveled through Scathachs armor without harming her. "I'm alright Grim. I'm safe, and so are the others." The Skrill cooed at his rider, he had been scared watching her cough up blood, he knew it was the one legged boy who had hurt his rider, he could smell her magic in the boy. The Skrill glared at the boy and Night Fury, they may owe them for sparing his life, but he would not hesitate to protect his human from them. Toothless approached the sparking dragon slowly, keeping low to the ground. Hiccup watched Toothless approach Scahach and Grim, trying to make himself as small as possible, Toothless chirped at the Skrill a few times, the sparks died down and Grim returned the sound.

The two dragons eyed the other, before butting their heads together, "Well, it would seem you made a friend Grim."

"Are we going to get your stuff or not? Let's go already." Snotlout spurred Hookfang into the air,

"Yeah. Come on! I wanna know if you can turn a person inside out." said Tuffnut

Toothless moved aside to let Grim leave, Scathach smiled at Toothless and the dragon returned it, she climbed onto Grims back checking to make sure her quiver was secure. Once sure she tapped Grims back twice and the two were off, the twins taking off to follow the netting and canvas in Barf 'and Belches claws.

Time Skip

Hiccup was silent and deep in thought as he and Astrid patrolled the Edge. In the span of one day Hiccup had gained a pledge, something even his father didn't have, gained new dragons to study and train, and lastly was given absolute control over another persons life.

Noticing how pensive Hiccup was acting Astrid urged Stormfly closer to him, "So a lot happened today." she tried. Hiccup barely spared her a glance, she frowned, "I'm sorry for making you do that."

That got Hiccups attention, "You didn't make me do anything Astrid."

"Yes, I did. If I hadn't accused her so much, then you wouldn't have had to hurt her. I just… You're always so quick to see the good in everyone Hiccup and while that isn't necessarily a bad thing, it has caused a few problems in the past."

"I want to see the good in people Astrid, it's who I am. Knowing that Scathach has placed her life literally in the palm of my hand is terrifying."

"You would never-"

"I know that, but still… I could."

"Well, look on the bright side," Hiccup looked to her questionly, "At least we have new dragons to train and it look like the Skkrill has seriously mellowed out. I mean did you see him? How quickly he came to her defense, the others too?"

"I know. The Skrill was comforting her and her armor is amazing it conducted the Skrill's lightning without hurting her. Just imagine what we could do if we used the scales of a Changewing or a Windstriker or even a Prickleboggle."

Seeing that Hiccup's mood had improved, improved Astrids. The two continued to fly around the Edge, checking the Night Terrors outposts and the other dragoons that lived on the Edge. Coming full circle they arrived back to the training dome, the two riders could see Fishlegs playing with the baby Hobblegrunt, Fishlegs giggled as the dragons scales changed a multitude of colors as they danced about. Looking around Hiccup couldn't find the Tide Glider, "Fishlegs!" yelled Hiccup.

The boy yelped in surprise, startled the babies ran back to their mother, Fishlegs scrambled to his feet and blushed, "Ye-yeah Hiccup?"

Hiccup and Astrid landed, the Snifflehunch and Windgnasher eagerly greeting Toothless and Stormfly, both dragons squaked at the larger dragons intrusions. "Where's the Tide Glider?" Hiccup didn't think Scathach would take it well if they had lost one of her dragons.

"It went back to the water. I think it was starting to dry out." Fishlegs explained, "Oh, Hiccup this is so amazing. I was inspecting the Timberjacks wing and I just have to know how Scathach healed it. I can't wait to see her notes, imagine all the dragons she's encountered."

Hiccup and Astrid smiled at their friends excitement. "I know Fishlegs. I'm just as excited as you are, but don't forget we have to stay on our toes incase of a dragon hunter attack."

"I know, but it's just so exciting whenever I have more information to add to the Book of Dragons." Fishlegs gushed.

Astrid looked to the horizon, "They should be back soon. We should start dinner and get some blankets for Scathach, since she said she would be sleeping out here tonight."

"Good idea. You go find some blankets, I'll go start dinner, and Fishlegs…" Hiccup spotted both Fishlegs and Meatlug playing with the Mudraker, Hiccup cleared his throat to get the boy's attention, Fishlegs blushed again, "...Fishlegs, you stay here and keep watching the dragons. Let me know when you see them."

Time Jump

The three dragons didn't return until after dinner was made, Astrid saw them approaching, "They're back!" Hiccup and Stoick looked up from the places they were setting for dinner, to look out the entrance facing the 'front' of the base, they could see the three getting closer carrying Scathach's things in a net. Hookfang, Barf and Belch gently placed the net on the landing pad, before landing themselves, Grim landed last keeping some distance from the two-headed dragon, Scathach dismounted and bowed to Hiccup, he was just glad she didn't get down on one knee again.

"Where would you like me to put my things Master?" she asked keeping her back bent, her right fist over her heart and her head bowed.

"Yes, Master what shall we do?" asked Snotlout, dismounting Hookfang in a mocking tone, bending down to untie the netting from Hookfangs legs. "You now you don't have to call him that, right?"

"Yeah, I mean sure Hiccup's in charge, but I wouldn't call him our Master." said Ruffnut dismounting Barf and following Snotlout's lead began untying the netting from Barf and Belches legs.

"Yeah, he only gives us orders, which we follow, gives us punishments, which we accept most of the time, he makes all the plans and big decisions…" listed off Tuffnut, "... Wow, I guess he kinda is like our Master."

Hiccup sighed, he needed to put a stop to this now, "Scathach you don't have to do that. Or call me 'Master'. Just call me Hiccup, and you can put your stuff in here, until we build your hut."

Scathach rose from her bow,

"As you wish, Master Hiccup." he was about to correct her when he caught her smirk he smiled

"Yeah, yeah. Just put your stuff over there wise guy." Scathach, Astrid, Snotlout, Ruffnut, Tuffnut, Hiccup and the Chief moved the trunks into a corner of the center hut. Toothless sniffed the trunks curiously, Grim nudged him away from the trunks and the black dragon huffed,

"Thank you for helping me retrieve my things, Snotlout, Tuffnut, Ruffnut. Your company was gladly appreciated as well."

"Can we see what's inside now?" asked Tuffnut eagerly moving to the trunks,

"Of course, just be gentle with what's inside." Tuffnut and Ruffnut began opening up the trunks, one was full of books and paper so naturally it was ignored by the twins. Another was held various boxes, and when opened revealed weapons, another held more armor, one in particular caught the twins attention,

"Woah! Look it changes color!" Holding up the armored tunic everyone could see that it was indeed changing colors,

"What is it?" asked Hiccup

"A failed experiment I'm afraid. The red dragon, I believe Fishlegs called it a Changewing. Several of them have passed through my island and shed their scales either from injury or molting. I collected them and begun this armor, hoping that the scales would allow me to blend into my environment like the Changewings. But I'm afraid that I have no control over the camouflage ability, they simply keep changing, I am still looking into the right spell to stabilize and hopefully control how the scales change."

"Woah. Imagine if we could turn invisible like a changewing. You have to finish it! Oh, can you imagine the glorious chaos we could cause dear sister if we had this armor?"

"I can and the answer is no." said Stoick, incredibly weary of the maniacal grins the twins were sporting.

The twins pouted, but returned heir attention to the rest of the trunk, they pulled out some cloth sacks, looking inside they discovered different scales inside each, "Those are the scales I save for new armor's. Inside the bottom two trunk are my medical supplies and the scales I use for salves. And the last trunk holds my spell books and magical tools."

The twins went for the trunk filled with her magical supplies, but Hiccup quickly put a stop to that, "How about we leave the magic stuff alone, for now. Someone has to get Fishlegs and Gobber for dinner." Hiccup moved to be between the twins and the magic filled trunk, Toothless going so far as to sit on in, to further impede the twins.

"May I see how my dragons are doing, Master Hiccup? I can also inform Fishlegs of dinner." asked Scathach

"Sure. And why don't you two go and get Gobber." The last bit was directed at the twins who were trying to tempt Toothless off the trunk they desired. He cleared his throat to get their attention, both froze in place, but lost balance and tumbled into one another.

"Yes, sir." Tuffnut saluted from underneath his sister, the two scampered off to their dragon and left to find the blacksmith.

"Best keep them away from that trunk. The twins can be very destructive." said Astrid

"Thank you Mistress Astrid. I will make sure they do not open the trunk without my supervision. I will not be dining with you tonight though, I will return to my dragons and turn in for the night. Please let Gobber know that he is welcome to examine the armor in the trunk, and my notes I made while I was making it should be in one of the books."

"Are you sure you won't join us?" asked Hiccup

"Yes, I am. The dragons have been alone with a stranger for some time now and I wish to make sure they are alright." Scathach and Grim left for the training dome.

This place sure is getting more and more interesting.

It wasn't too long after that Fishlegs and Meatlug joined them, Fishlegs eagerly going to the trunk filled with books and paper, "Oh, I can't wait to read these!" he said excitedly

The riders and Chief heard Gobber's yelling first,

"I oughta bury the two of you in your boar pit!" he yelled, clutched in Barf and Belch's talons, the dragon dropped the irate blacksmith and landed, its riders snickering in their saddles. Getting up Gobber entered the hut, grumbling angrily, "Alright where's the armor, I want a look before the Chief and I return to Berk."

"Over here Gobber!" yelled Fishlegs holding up a leather bound book.

Gobber limped over and grabbed the book opening it he skimmed some pages, "very nice, a little basic, but it gets the job done."

"You should check out the weapons. There was a box with these weirdly shaped things with five points, to them. I don't know what they're for but I want some." said Tuffnut, Gobber opened the specified trunk and opened some of the boxes. They were mostly small blades, things easily hidden on ones person, but at the bottom was a longer box, opening it he found two identical blades. Picking them up he noticed how light they were compared to the one's he forged for Berk, at first he assumed that the blades would be weak, merely used for decoration. But he remembered that that was exactly what he thought the first time he forged a sword out of Gronkle Iron, "Bring your axe over here Astrid I want to test something." Astrid brought her axe over and eyed the blade Gobber held out, "Alright Lassie, lets see how strong this is. Ha!" Gobber brought the blade down hard, Astrid blocked it with her axe, the thin sword did not yield to the axe, nor did it crack. "Huh, this is some nice steel. You'll have to ask her about it for me. Whoever made this is a true craftsman, though the style is very strange. I wonder if she has any information in here about them."

Fishlegs and Gobber settled down to read, while the others sat down to eat.

End of Chapter 9: Enter the Skrill Rider Finale