"Amazing!" Hiccup said, staring into Jolt's open mouth. 

"He shoots lightning like a Skrill, but can do it without having clouds or a storm nearby," Fishlegs exclaimed, adding notes to the Pyron chapter. 

Jolt closed his fanged mouth and looked rather proud of himself. Ever since the stealth exercise, Rylan had been somehow accepted into the group. His impressive dragon had definitely helped though. 

"So, how long has he been able to do it?" Fishlegs asked, quill suspended over the page. Screwing up his face, Rylan said,

"I guess since he was born. He was almost a newborn when I found him and he had the ability to spark even then."

Jolt growled smugly, a few sparks flying out his nostrils. Toothless batted at his face playfully, and the two of them romped off, nipping at each other's tails. 

Hiccup smiled at them and folded his arms. "It's like they're brothers," he said, grinning as Jolt butted Toothless's shoulder. 

Rylan stood in the bright sunlight, his dragon and himself safe and protected. He had people who trusted him now, friends, and a safe home. He had to admit, he'd never felt better.

------------------------------

Alvin scowled at Rylan's father, dissaproving. He should have some straight to him when he found out his son had a Pyron. Ever since the killing Alvin had wondered if he'd made a bad choice. Because Pyrons could shoot lightning, they could make an invaluable weapon. 

And now he had a second chance to have that power again. 

"You say you don't know where he went?" he growled, staring at him intensely. Rylan's father, a man named Karn, shook his head nerovusly. 

"All he left was a note saying he was leaving." 

Alvin drummed his fingers on the stone table. He wasn't great at reasoning, but it occured to him that the boy's first priority would be to keep his dragon safe. He'd probably flee to an island where dragons were accepted. 

There were plenty of desserted islands, but hunting parties and wild dragons could be dangerous to Rylan and his dragon. They'd head toward civilization.

And what better place than Berk?

A sly, evil smile crept over Alvin's face. The time had come to see if his dragon was worth anything. It was time to ride it.

The Whispering Death that Alvin hadn't bothered to name was fluttering restlessly around it's cage. There was nothing it knew now but metal and noise and fear. Every day was the same thing, black metal, smoky air, deafening shouts. And the worst noise in the world.

And then the dragon heard it.  The most terrifying sound in the world was growing louder and louder, echoing in the dragon's sensitive ears. 

It was the sound of Alvin approaching. Shuddering in fear, the dragon shrank against the far wall, trying to make itself blend in. 

Alvin threw open the cage door with a crash, marching confidently in. The Whispering Death's small, pale eyes narrowed. It was afraid of the pain this human caused, but the dragon's defiance was still hidden away, waiting to be called upon.

Alvin strode purposefully right up to his dragon. It hissed, teeth spinning. Alvin merely chuckled. 

"We've got some flying to do," he growled quietly, a dark look in his eyes. He hefted his huge axe, and the dragon immediately recoiled, flailing away from the weapon. 

"Yes... I see you do remember what'll happen if you don't cooperate," Alvin said, smiling that the Whispering Death knew to fear him. 

With the fear of the axe still hanging over it, the dragon allowed Alvin to mount. But somewhere in the back of it's mind, the Whispering Death knew it was stronger. And eventually it would dawn on it that Alvin was going to be alone. 

But that will come later.