"Did you get any information on the island, Fishlegs?" Hiccup asked as the Dragon Riders flew through the air.

Fishlegs was looking at a map. "It says that Shadowclaw dragons reside on an island called Obsidian Veil Island," he said nervously, "it's in the heart of the," he gulped, "Shadowed Ocean."

"We can't go there," Volker said firmly, "it's probably difficult to find. Can't we just wait?"

"Wait for what exactly?" Astrid asked, raising an eyebrow, "for Dragon Hunters to beat us to it?"

"We'll never be able to find that island!" Volker snapped.

"Enough!" Hiccup snapped, "we'll take our chances."

Toothless, Snowflake and Eclipse flew ahead of the Riders. Astrid gave Volker a glare before she and Heather flew after the three.

Volker gritted his teeth and he glared at his hands. He didn't want to be angry but he felt his blood boil. Why couldn't they just listen for once?

He scoffed and he had Scorchwing turn around but the Flamejumper screeched in protest. He gave his rider a glare.

Volker frowned and sighed heavily before his dragon turned and flew after the other Riders.

"How far away is this island?" Snotlout asked. "It's... up ahead," Fishlegs said, confusion in his voice.

Heather and Astrid looked at him. Runa squinted her eyes as she saw an odd shape ahead of the Riders. Volker frowned.

"Is that it?" She asked. Hiccup took out his telescope and he looked through it. He saw a medium-large island but it looked... dark.

"It looks like it," Hiccup said. "Is it just me or does the water look darker?" Tuffnut asked.

"What are you-?" Snotlout looked down and he made a nervous noise and grimaced. The others followed his gaze and widened their eyes. The water certainly looked darker than normal.

Jack grimaced and Snowflake hissed at the sight.

"This must be the Shadowed Ocean then," Hiccup said hesitantly, "let's be slow about this." "Really?" Volker asked sarcastically. Runa glared at him.

The dragons dove down and they landed on the ground. Hiccup looked at the trees. He inhaled then exhaled as he climbed off of Toothless' saddle.

"So... anyone wanna run the plan by me again?" Snotlout asked. "We find the Shadowclaw before Draco, Gunnar and Erich do," Hiccup explained.

"We try to get it off this island," Runa piped up nervously.

"And then... we get off the island too," Jack said. Snotlout facepalmed.

Astrid raised an eyebrow. "Not the best planner, are you?" She asked. Hiccup gave her a look and she smiled softly.

He grumbled as he and the other Riders walked into the forest.

"What the-? It's too dark! I can't see a thing!" Ruffnut exclaimed.

"Hey! Watch where you're stepping!" Snotlout snapped. "Sorry!" Fishlegs yelped.

Hiccup took out Inferno and the blade ignited into flames, lighting up the darkness.

"How is it possible that the sun was blocked out?" Runa asked nervously.

"It's called Obsidian Veil Island for a reason," Volker huffed. Hiccup continued onward with Toothless beside him.

Snowflake looked around, her eyes narrowed. She stayed close to Jack.

Hiccup glanced around. Toothless sniffed the air before he growled and his back spikes flashed blue. Snowflake snarled. Eclipse and the other dragons immediately started growling and hissing.

"Something's here," Volker said, looking around. The ground suddenly gave way and the Riders yelled as they and their dragons fell into the darkness below.

Draco, Erich and Gunnar flew their dragons towards Obisidian Veil Island.

"Something tells me that the Dragon Riders are already there," Gunnar grumbled.

"Be that as it may," Draco huffed, "we've got our orders... so we'll be using the element of surprise."

Erich and Gunnar exchanged glances.

Hiccup groaned as he slowly lifted his head. "Is everyone okay?"

Toothless grumbled softly and shook the dirt off of him and he looked at Hiccup. He had protected him from the fall.

Hiccup smiled reassuringly, "thanks. I'm okay, bud." He picked up Inferno and he looked around. There was no answer and it made him frown.

"Jack? Astrid?" He called out. There was no answer.

He looked at Toothless, "guess we somehow got separated."

Toothless huffed softly as if he was saying, "you think?"

Hiccup almost rolled his eyes as he started walking. Toothless walked after his rider and looked around cautiously.

The two walked into a larger cave and Hiccup felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand. He looked up and widened his eyes.

There were slim, black dragons glowering at the two. Toothless bared his teeth with a snarl.

One of the dragons leapt at them with a roar. Toothless fired a plasma blast at it before he and Hiccup turned and ran.

Two other dragons ran after them.

There was a shrill scream as Fishlegs, Snotlout, Tuffnut, Ruffnut, Meatlug, Hookfang, Barf and Belch ran towards Hiccup and Toothless. There were five other dragons chasing them.

"Guys!" Hiccup exclaimed. "What in the name of Thor?!" Snotlout yelped as he skidded to a halt. Hookfang snarled as he flamed up and fired at the dark dragons behind them.

"What are these things?!" Snotlout yelped as he, the Riders and their dragons quickly gathered up beside each other.

"Shadowchasers!" Tuffnut exclaimed with a grin. "No! One of them can breathe shadowy smoke!" Fishlegs huffed despite his nervousness.

"Can we focus on getting out of here?!" Hiccup exclaimed. Toothless roared at the dark dragons. One of them leapt forward and fired smoke-like black fire into Toothless' face.

The Night Fury roared and reared back, pawing at his face. Hiccup widened his eyes, "Toothless!"

He glared at the smoke-breathing dragon and he swung Inferno at it, smacking it in the face. It screeched in pain and stumbled backwards in surprise. Hiccup got in front of Toothless.

"Okay, this one breathes smoke," Hiccup huffed. There was a roar and a plasma blast hit the dark dragons, sending them flying backwards.

Snowflake ran forward with Jack, Runa, Astrid, Heather, Eclipse, Windshear and Stormfly following.

"Are we glad to see you guys!" Snotlout exclaimed, relief appearing on his face.

"Oh really?" Runa said, amused. "You know what I mean! Where's Volker?!" Snotlout asked.

"We need to focus on getting through these guys first!" Astrid said sternly. Stormfly swung her tail, sending her spines flying at the other dark dragons.

Snowflake fired another plasma blast at a nearby wall. The blast made a big enough hole and the Riders and their dragons quickly ran through it.

Luckily, there was some light and Meatlug slammed her tail against the rock wall. Cracks hurriedly formed on the wall and rocks fell in front of the hole.

"Aw great!" Snotlout grumbled, "now we're trapped."

"Not yet we're not," Hiccup said and he looked at Toothless and gently placed his hands on his face. "You okay, bud?"

The Night Fury crooned softly. He blinked a few times and huffed softly. Snowflake nuzzled against him and he nuzzled her back.

"Can we name the dragons now?" Tuffnut asked. Runa gave him a look, "seriously?"

"Oh come on! The dragons that ambushed us came out of the shadows! Literally!" Ruffnut exclaimed, "I say we call theeem... Shadowstalkers!"

"And the dragon that blew smoke can be called Shadowbreath," Tuffnut said.

Hiccup raised an eyebrow. Although he enjoyed hearing the nicknames, he was more surprised by how thorough the twins were explaining it.

Astrid rolled her eyes, "you two are muttonheads."

"And we're proud of it," Ruffnut grinned. Then her smile fell when there was a low growl above them. The Riders slowly turned to see a large jet-black dragon stepping out of the shadows.

"Oh dear," Fishlegs whimpered.

Hiccup took a breath before he stepped forward. The other Riders tensed but didn't say anything to stop him.

The black dragon snarled at Hiccup as the viking held his hand out, turning his head away.

The dragon stared at his outstretched hand and after a few tense seconds, the dragon pressed its snout into Hiccup's palm.

Hiccup looked back at it and everyone let out collective sighs of relief.

"Ahem!" Volker said, startling Snotlout. He looked at him, "where'd you come from?!"

"That dragon brought me in here for some reason," Volker replied, "and I can't find Scorchwing."

The dark dragon turned and lumbered out into the darkness of the cave. Hiccup furrowed a brow, "...guess we follow him."

Hiccup took out Inferno and he and the Riders and their dragons followed the dragon.

"How does this dragon know where the way out is?" Heather asked.

"I'm not sure," Hiccup said. Jack tilted his head curiously. Up ahead, there was a light.

The dragon stepped out of the cave and he looked at Hiccup.

The boy smiled softly, "thank you."

"No. Thank you."

The Riders spun around just as a large net fell over the dragon and Hiccup.

"Hiccup!" Jack yelled, his eyes widening. The dragon snarled and struggled in the net.

Toothless roared and he flew at Shadowdancer who quickly dodged him with a snarl.

Abyssal and Zephyr quickly grabbed the net and picked it up with the Shadow dragon and Hiccup inside.

"No!" Astrid exclaimed, her eyes widening.