When Runa, Volker and the Dragon Riders had told Freya about the mission, the chieftess wasn't exactly thrilled.

If anything, she was worried about the safety of her daughter, her friends and their dragons.

"We'll be okay, Mama," Runa said, hugging her, "I promise."

Freya returned the hug, gently rubbing her daughter's head. She looked at Hiccup, "well... okay then. Just be careful."

"We will," Hiccup said reassuringly. Freya nodded.

The Riders and their dragons took to the skies and flew away from the village.

Runa glanced at Volker who was trailing behind. She frowned before she sighed and looked over at Hiccup. She flew over to him and Toothless and he looked at her.

"If you don't mind my asking," she started, "who was the last leader of the Dragon Hunters?"

Hiccup glanced away before he sighed, "his name was Viggo Grimborn. I'm guessing you've heard of him?"

Runa nodded and sighed, "he may have been an enemy but he was a good man. My mother spoke highly of him."

"Wish my dad could say the same," Hiccup chuckled slightly. Suddenly Scorchwing flew up beside them.

"Why did Viggo put a price on your head?" He asked. Hiccup tensed slightly and Runa gave her friend a glare.

"You heard about that?" Snotlout asked, surprised. "News travels fast along the Archipelago," Volker replied and he looked back at Hiccup, wanting to hear his answer.

Hiccup hesitated for a moment, contemplating his answer. The weight of that secret burdened his shoulders. "Viggo believed that I was a threat to his plans," Hiccup finally admitted, his voice tinged with regret, "he wanted to eliminate me in order to gain control over all dragons and establish himself as the ultimate ruler."

The Dragon Riders flew in silence for a few moments, the gravity of Hiccup's confession sinking in. Runa, her eyes filled with concern, reached out and gently squeezed his shoulder. "We won't let him succeed, Hiccup," she said firmly, determination lining her voice. "The Dragon Hunters may have been led astray, but together we'll put an end to the hunting and protect dragons from them."

Hiccup couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope as he looked at the other Riders. Their unwavering support gave him strength. "Thank you all," he replied, a touch of gratitude evident in his voice.

As the Dragon Riders soared through the sky, Volker was thinking about something else. He frowned deeply.

The Riders landed by the docks of the Market and Hiccup looked around. There were a lot of Vikings here and there.

"Split up. And let's meet back here," Hiccup said firmly. He sent a glare over to the twins and Snotlout, "and no stealing."

"Fiiiine," Ruffnut sighed, rolling her eyes. "Buzzkill," Tuffnut grumbled. Snotlout nodded in agreement as he crossed his arms.

Everyone split up and started looking around, their dragons quickly following their riders.

Hiccup, Toothless, Jack, Snowflake, Runa and Eclipse snuck through the crowd before they rounded a corner and Runa quickly stopped them. She poked her head out from behind the stall and she saw a nineteen year old boy and an eighteen year old boy.

The nineteen year old boy had pale ivory skin, dark brownish-black hair and one left brown eye and one left green eye.

The eighteen year old boy had bronze brown skin, dark blue eyes and dusty brown and black hair. There was a scar that went over his nose and most of his hair covered the right side of his face.

"Is that them?" Jack whispered.

"Looks like it," Runa nodded, "I recognize Draco but I don't know who the other guy is."

Hiccup narrowed his eyes slightly. He slowly inxhed closer. Toothless looked at his friend.

"Hiccup?" Jack whispered, "what are you doing?" "I'm getting a closer look," Hiccup replied before he quickly took a shortcut and hid behind some barrels.

He peeked out from behind one barrel and saw that he was close enough to hear what the two were saying.

"And you're sure Thorian is okay with this, Gunnar?" Draco asked, crossing his arms, "you know he isn't fond of that kid."

"I know but Volker seems to be the kind of guy who can prove himself. Thorian needs a soldier like that. Plus, the guy has a Flamejumper," Gunnar smiled. Draco rolled his eyes as the two started walking away.

"If this comes back to bite us then I'm kicking your butt," Draco huffed.

Hiccup frowned as he watched them. He looked over at the others. Runa frowned. It was strange that they were talking about Volker but it didn't make them any less wary.

"Let's meet up with the others," Jackson said. Hiccup nodded and the three Vikings and their dragons hurried to the docks. Astrid, Heather and Fishlegs were waiting for them.

"Where are Volker, Snotlout and the twins?" Hiccup asked with a frown.

"Saw them go scurrying around," Astrid sighed. Hiccup frowned deeper.

Astrid placed a hand on his shoulder, "me and Heather will go looking for them."

He sighed and nodded.

Astrid and Heather climbed into the saddles of Stormfly and Windshear and the two dragons took off into the air.

Jackson held Hiccup's hand, making the boy look at the other.

"You okay?" He asked. "About as okay as I can be," Hiccup sighed, "just... uneasy."

Runa looked at him but didn't say anything just yet.

Jackson wrapped his arms around Hiccup's waist and he nuzzled his boyfriend. Hiccup nuzzled him back, relaxing in the other's hold.

Volker walked past the booths, looking around. He sighed deeply, rubbing his face. He had gotten away from Snotlout and the twins.

He rubbed his temples as so many questions ran through his mind.

Why did Runa befriend these guys so easily?

They were from Berk and it unsettled Volker because that tribe was so different from Fenris. While yes, they used to hate dragons with a fiery passion, Fenrisians cared for dragons. They cherished them.

It was a miracle that both tribes hadn't gone to war.

Volker let out a deep sigh and grunted when he bumped into someone's back. He looked up and froze when he saw that he had bumped into Draco.

"Hey, Volker," he said, surprised, "what are you doing here?" "Oh, you know," Volker replied quickly, "just... passing through. Any word from Thorian yet?"

"Not yet," Draco replied, "but there's new dragons appearing around on the Archipelago. It's gonna be good."

Volker forced a smile as he nodded. "I bet...," he chuckled slightly, "what kind of dragon is it again?"

"It's called a Shadowclaw," Draco replied, "Thorian's sending hunters out to get it. It could be any where by now."

Volker nodded again, this time absentmindedly. Draco looked at him, "hey... you alright? You don't seem like yourself."

"I'm fine, I'm fine," he replied with a wave of his hand, "excuse me. I need to go."

Before Draco could say something, Volker walked away.

He stared at the ground as he walked towards the docks.

Unbeknownst to him, Draco had followed him and was watching from behind a wall of a booth.

Hiccup looked at Volker.

"There's a Shadowclaw dragon," he started, "Thorian's been sending hunters out to find it."

"Well... guess we better beat them to it," Runa said as Astrid, Ruffnut, Tuffnut and Snotlout walked over.

"Saddle up, everyone," Hiccup said, "we've got a Shadowclaw to find."

The Riders mounted their dragons and the dragons spread their wings and took to the skies.

Draco frowned as he watched them. He sighed deeply before he walked to the other side of the market. He walked over to a Stormcutter.

"We need to pay Thorian a visit, Shadowdancer," Draco sighed as he climbed into the saddle. Shadowdancer growled softly before she took to the skies.

In the western part of the Archipelago, on an island, a large Dragon Hunter camp was set.

Dragon Hunters were moving around cargo and cages.

In a larger tent, a nineteen year old boy sat in a chair, fiddling with a dagger. He had limestone skin, raven black hair and bright green eyes. He wore golden bracelets on his arms and wrists. He had a golden choker around his neck along with two golden necklaces and he wore three golden rings on his right hand.

He hummed deeply as he stared at the dagger in his hands.

He heard the unmistakable sound of a dragon landing outside of the tent.

After a few moments, Draco walked into the tent, "Thorian, sir? I have some news."

"Unless you have news on that Shadowclaw, I'm not interested, Draco," Thorian said calmly as he tossed the dagger up into the air.

"Actually... it's about Volker," Draco replied quickly. The dagger landed in Thorian's hand. He glanced at his lieutenant, his eyes glinting.

"What?" He asked calmly. Draco swallowed, "um... he is conspiring with Hiccup and the Dragon Riders."

Thorian narrowed his eyes, "...really? What a shame honestly."

He slammed the dagger down, embedding the blade into the desk.

"I honestly enjoyed that guy's company," he said, "is there anything else?"

"Th-they're, um...," Draco glanced at the dagger. Thorian stood up and got in front of him, startling the other.

"Well?" He asked calmly. Draco silently inhaled, "they're going to search for the Shadowclaw."

Thorian hummed deeply, "then you, Erich and Gunnar will have to try and beat them to it. Take a few hunters with you. Oh, and... if you manage to encounter Hiccup... capture him and bring him to me."

He picked up the dagger.

"I want to meet the Boy who Flew with Dragons myself."