The Mysterious Figure

-11 years later-

"Come on, Shadow. I have to gather moonberries." Krystal says. The dragon simply looks away from 17 year-old girl. Krystal needed to go to a certain island that was a distance away from Ithali, the island the girl and dragon called home.

"Please? I know you don't want to go right now, but it's important." Shadow huffs, knowing that he couldn't win. Krystal smiles and mounts the dragon. The two fly off toward the island.

~~~

"Down there." Hiccup says, pointing down at the island ahead. "Seems like a great location for a break."

"Finally! My butt is on fire." Snoutlout complains. His dragon, Hookfang, huffs at him.

"Let's set down before Knucklehead #1 dies from soreness." Astrid advises.

"Was that a compliment?" Snotlout asks.

"Not in the slightest." Astrid replies, diving toward the island. Toothless lands next to Astrid and Stormfly, Hiccup sliding off the black dragon. The boy rubs the Night Fury's head, making the dragon purr in delight as he looks around.

"Can't we just camp here for tonight?" Ruffnut asks.

"Yeah. I don't think I could go another minute flying." Her twin, Tuffnut, agrees. Hiccup still didn't understand how he was the only one who never got saddle-sore.

"Fine. We can stay here tonight."

~~~

It was night by the time Krystal and Shadow got to the island. The girl's blue eyes narrow as a column of smoke rose in the sky.

"Stay close." Krystal mutters to Shadow. The dragon nods as the girl jumps off, gliding down with her flightsuit. She had constructed the suit some time ago, practicing diving off large cliffs in case something happened mid-flight. The girl lands softly, quickly packing her wings up. She catches movement off to her right as Shadow lands next to her, already camouflaged. Krystal reaches out with her hand and lays it on the dragon's side. She watches as her dragon-scaled armor turns Shadow's color. Shadow's scales, once shed, turn black, but still have the ability to shift if in contact with the dragon. The color usually lasted an hour, then the scales would turn black again.

Now camouflaged, Krystal raises her mask over her lower face and creeps forward. In the middle of the beach, Krystal spots a Mountrous Nightmare, a Deadly Nadder, a Gronkle, a Hideous Zippleback, and a Night Fury. Beside each dragon was a rider, also fast asleep. Krystal looks back for Shadow, who at some time had wandered off to find some moonberries so they could leave faster. Krystal turns back and slowly makes her way onto the beach, ducking behind cover when needed.

Nothing stirred as Krystal crept into the middle of the camp. More curious than anything, she creeps closer to the nearest dragon, the Night Fury. Its rider was fast asleep, his brown hair flowing in the wind. Something seemed familiar about the boy, causing Krystal to take a closer look at him. She suddenly gasps as the Night Fury sits up, having sensed her. The dragon spots Krystal and growls, making the girl fall over in surprise and waking up the rest of the group.

"AH! When did that get here?!" One of the other riders, a boy with long blonde hair tied in four segments, shouts.

"I don't care how he got here, but get it!" Another boy, this time with short choppy black hair, dives at Krystal. The girl simply dodges the tackle, running toward the woods.

"After him!"

~~~

Nothing had scared Hiccup worse than seeing that hooded figure standing over him. Who knows how long they had been standing there, watching the gang sleep peacefully. Hiccup was determined to find out why they were able to sneak up so easily.

"There!" Hiccup spots the figure, who darted sharply to the right. Toothless took the turn fast, almost dislodging Hiccup. The figure stops when they reach a cliff. Hiccup slips off Toothless, sword ready. The figure sees he was cornered and faces the duo.

"You're trapped. Tell me why you were watching us." Hiccup demands. The figure's eyes suddenly seemed to light up in amusement. Hiccup didn't understand. Why was he smiling? The figure backed up to the edge of the cliff.

"No!" Hiccup races forward as the figure steps off. When he reaches the edge, he doesn't see the figure. "What?"

It was as if the figure vanished into thin air.

~~~

Krystal tries to slow her breathing, listening to the boy run to the cliff. Shadow had neatly wrapped her in his wings, hiding Krystal from the boy's and dragon's view. It took a minute before the two left, confused as to how Krystal had disappeared.

"Thanks, Shadow." The girl says, climbing onto the dragon's back. Shadow huffs in annoyance. "I'm sorry, okay? I didn't think they would wake up. Besides, I had to get a better look at that rider." Krystal explains as the dragon lifts off, scales shifting to blend into the sky. Shadow growls in disbelief. Krystal sighs, knowing the dragon wouldn't let her live this down. She swore she had seen that boy somewhere, but she couldn't remember where. Maybe from the market? Wherever she had seen him, Krystal was determined to find out where.