The dragon training academy now had a new member.

Ruffnut, Tuffnut, Astrid, Fishlegs, Snotlout, and Hiccup all greeted their new arrival, some more enthusiastically than others. Astrid's frostiness had melted, and Tuffnut liked the Outcasts, having spent time among them, cracking jokes. Fishlegs and Rylan had spent enough time around each other to be called friends, but Snotlout and Ruffnut weren't quite sure what to make of him. 

Snotlout eyed Rylan and Jolt as they entered the re-purposed arena. Rylan was a little taller than him, and though he was thin, there was a sense of power in his muscles. Snotlout gave him a grudging nod. 

Ruffnut on the other hand, was too busy poking Tuffnut in the back to really pay much attention. 

"Hey Rylan," Hiccup called, grinning. "We've got a surprise for you and Jolt. Come over here." 

They walked over, the other dragons giving Jolt curious looks. From a wooden box, Hiccup pulled out a smooth leather saddle. 

"Gobber and I started making this almost as soon as you arrived. That saddle he has now doesn't look too comfortable." He gestured to the homemade saddle of poorly tanned animal hides. Hiccup smiled and handed it over. 

Jolt lowered himself so that his old saddle could be removed and the new one attatched. It was beautiful craftsmanship, giving Rylan a secure seat, but also not hindering Jolt's movements. He could still move his wings to any angle and not hit the seat. 

Rylan was almost at a loss for words. This was way more than he had dared to hope for. A place where he and Jolt could live without being hunted had been his highest expectation. But now he was allowed to fly wherever and whenever he wanted. His new friends had even made a saddle for him. 

"I... thank you," he muttered, running his hand over the soft leather. 

"Well come on!" Snotlout shouted, already seated on Hookfang. "Let's not hang around getting sentimental." Hookfang spread his wings and they flew off through the door. Hiccup rolled his eyes, and they all saddled up.

They all took off into the cloudy sky. Snotlout had slowed up to wait for them, Hookfang hovering impatiently on the spot. 

Rylan noted that all the dragons had a different speed. Toothless seemed to be the fastest, though he went slower for the benefit of the group. Hookfang and Stormfly seemed fairly evenly matched, and Barf and Belch were behind them by just a little. Last was Meatlug. She was better at cooridination flight, but in all out speed, the Gronckle was the slowest. 

Rylan wondered where Jolt was ranked in speed. They'd have to test that later. Even though each member of the team rode a different dragon, they worked well together. 

"Okay guys. Today we're working on stealth flight. If an enemy's on the lookout for flying dragons, we need a way to be less obvious. A pack of 6 dragons flying in open air is sure to attract attention. You each need a method of stealth approach. I'll sit on our test boat, close my eyes, and count to 30. Then I'll be on the lookout. If I spot you, you're out."

Toothless floated down to a small wooden raft that was their training boat. Every rider scattered in a different direction. Meatlug and Fishlegs fluttered over to the cliffs. Snotlout and Hookfang dove for the cold ocean. Astrid soared into the heavy clouds. Ruffnut and Tuffnut didn't do anything. They seemed to be arguing about what to do. 

Rylan's mind raced. 10 of his 30 seconds had passed. Jolt's bright colors would be sure to attract attention. But then a solution hit him. A method of approach only he and Jolt could do. 

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

Hiccup finished counting, then raised his head. Immediately, he saw Ruffnut and Tuffnut. They were still hovering where he had left them, arguing about what to do. Rolling his eyes, he shouted, 

"Ruff, Tuff, you're out!" 

They gave no sign of recognition. Sighing, he turned his attention else where. The surorunding area seemed clear. Focusing on the cliffs, he saw a flash of dark brown. Meatlug was darting from stone column to stone column. 

"I see you Fishlegs!" he called, now searching the water. Squinting to the base of a cliff, he saw a patch of deep red. Hookfang. He had to be impressed at Snotlout's creativity, but yelled,

"And you Snotlout!"

Now there was only Astrid and Rylan left. The cloudy sky seemed to be the only place left. The chilly gray blanket was shifting in the wind, making it hard to concentrate. For a moment, he thought he saw a flash of black, but couldn't be sure.

And then the sky exploded with lightning. Jagged white streaks tore through the air. Hiccup turned in panic, hoping desperately that no dragons were up there. While his attention was diverted, Astrid dived from the clouds, landing heavily on the wooden boat with a triumphant laugh. 

But the lightning kept moving. It moved from one end of the sky to the other. 

Up in the clouds, Jolt shot a bolt of lightning as far away from him as he could. Then they dived straight down. 

As planned, Hiccup's eyes followed the streak of electricity, not noticing the black and yellow dragon coming down behind him. 

Just before impact, Jolt jerked his wings parallel to the water, slipping easily under the cold surface. Rylan held his breath as Jolt turned upside down. His yellow stripes would be obvious from above the water, but his black underside would be almost impossible to see. 

The cold water flowing through his clothes, Rylan tried to see how far away they were. But he couldn't tell, and turned his trust over to Jolt. 

Hiccup searched the sky frantically. Rylan was still up there! What if Jolt was hit?

All the others had joined him now, their dragons resting on the wooden boat. Snotlout was bragging about his genius stealth method, but no one was bothering to listen to him. 

The last flare of lightning died, and everyone on the boat fell silent. What had happened to their newest members?

And then, a yellow and black dragon burst from the ocean, wings spread wide in triumph. And on top of it, soaking wet and grinning crazily, was Rylan.

"How's that for stealth approach!" he called victoriusly.