The group lands back at the cave on Wyre island, and they all quickly turn to Niether; as Rocky slides off his back. But Rocky falls onto his side as he grunts in pain, looking rather pale.
All the dragons start to crowd Rocky letting out quiet roars as he holds a hand on his side, where the arrow is sticking out. Heather quickly runs in, pushing the dragon away. She then quickly kneels down to Rocky.
"Rocky, hey, Rocky keep your eyes open." Heather calls out to him.
"I'm... fine...." Rocky's eyes flutter as he tries to keep them open.
Niether lets out a rumble as he nudges Rocky with his head. Heather Grabs Rocky, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. Then she carries him inside the cave, and over to his bed.
She lays him down as he gives her a weak smile. She looks over his condition, seeing his armor and clothes soaked. She then glances at the cave entrance, seeing all the dragons crowding around, before glancing down at Rocky.
"Hey, do you have any medical supplies?" Heather pats his cheek a few times, keeping him away.
Rocky lifts up his hand and points to the side. Heather follows his hand and sees a cabinet. She runs over and starts pulling open all the draws, only to find the herb supply all empty, but for a little yarrow and some bandages.
"Oh no..." Heather mutters as she picks up the few leaves.
She glances over to Rocky, who has his eyes clenched closed as he grits his teeth in pain. She crushes up the leaves as little as she can, and she walks over to Rocky.
She then puts the crushed leaves, and bandages on the end table next to the bed. She then hovers over Rocky as he seems to grow more pale, as his bed becomes soaked.
Heather takes a breath as she puts a hand on Rocky's chest, making him open his eye. "This might hurt a bit."
Heather leans over and grabs onto the arrow. Then she gently pulls it out, but Rocky still grunts in pain. Heather then tosses the arrow to the side, as she quickly grabs the crushed Yarrow leaves and the bandages.
She presses the Yarrow onto the jagged arrow wound, then quickly wrap the wound in bandages. Rocky gives her a forced smile, before his head hits the pillow.
Heather quickly puts her fingers on the side of his neck, before sighing in relief. She then walks to the entrance, and right up to Niether.
"Alright boy, are there any more Yarrow on any of the near by islands?"
Niether rumbles as he shakes his head. Heather brows furrow and she gets nudged by Windshear. She looks down to her dragon and rubs her head. She hears a chirp and sees Stiner zip in front of the dragons.
He sniffs the air and roars as he runs up to Rocky. He sniffs him over and lets out a roar rumble. He then rests his head on the bed as he whimpers. Suddenly roars start to ring out around the island, as Heather exits the cave.
She walks up to the edge of the cliff and looks out, spotting dragons flying around restlessly. Windshear steps up beside Heather and looks out to all the dragons.
"What's going on?" Windshear lets out a low rumble.
Niether steps up beside them, staring out as his lets out several angry breaths. "They smell blood on the wind, human blood. Since there is only one human on the island, and they've smelled his blood before, they know it's Rocky. But not this much blood, so everyone worried that something bad is going to happen, if something happened to the resident human."
Windshear glances over, and sees the white markings on his body glowing. "Are you okay?"
Niether lets out a huff, as his white markings glow brighter. "I'm... very angry."
Heather looks back to Rocky, before she rubs her chin in thought. "Rocky will die if we don't get him medicine." She steps over to Niether as rubs his chin, making him calm down. "I'm gonna need you're help, okay?"
Niether lets out a low rumble as he lowers himself to the ground. She goes to climb on, but she sees the blood covering his makeshift saddle. She stares down at the saddle, before taking a deep breath and climbing on.
Windshear roars as she walks up to them. "Hey girl, I need you to watch over Rocky, okay?" Windshear lets out a worried rumble. "Look, I need a dragon I can trust to look over him, and I'm nee a stealthy dragon. Niether her is much more quiet then you girl, sorry."
Windshear lets out a soft roar, before walking to the edge of the cave and laying down. Snips and Spine fly off as Leafwisp goes invisible. Mulic rumbles as he lays down next to Windshear, staring inside at Rocky and Stinger. Raincutter sits by the pond, staring out to the island.
Heather then pats Niether on the neck. "Okay, boy. I know where a Hunter Outpost is, but it is pretty far. So we're gonna need to be quick, but quiet."
Niether lets out a rumble as his white markings stop glowing. Neither opens up his wings and takes off to the sky. Windshear watches them fly off with a worried rumble.
Inside the cave Rocky sweats heavily as he starts muttering. Back outside, Mulic tenses up as he hears a familiar fluttering of wings and he glances over to see Grandma Drips fly up. She lands in front of Windshear and Mulic.
"Mulic, I don't like that smell." Grandma Drips says as she walks up to the large Monstrous Nightmare.
"We had an... incident..." Mulic looks down as he mutters.
Grandma Drips looks past WIndshear and Mulic, and spots Rocky laying on his bed. The bandage on his side fully soaked. She lets out a grumble and looks at Mulic, who just keeps staring at the ground.
"I want to know what happened."
Hours pass as the moon hangs high in the sky as Niether flies silently along the top of the ocean. They pass past several Hunter ships without them noticing. Heather lays flat on his back as they approach an island lit up with torches, and campfires.
"Alright, land up on the beach, and I'll head in." Heather rubs his neck.
Niether lets out a low rumble as he speeds between several boats. Before he slows down and softly lands on the dark side of the beach. Heather quickly climbs off his back, and motions to the sky.
Niether nods as he takes off and flies high above the island. Heather then takes off into a forest, as several patrols pass by. She maneuvers through the woods, staying to the shadows as she avoids patrols.
After a few minutes of sneaking around, she finds a large campsite, tents littered about, with dozens upon dozens of Hunters. She look around, before pulling out a spy glass and looking around.
She then finds a tent where some Injured Hunters enter and exit. She smiles as she lowers her spy glass, before sliding down a hill, and rolling behind some barrels, as some Hunters pass.
She then dips out and runs along the tents, sticking to the shadows. She silently runs along the tents, avoiding several Hunters. She then passes by a large tent.
"You know anything about the new operation?" A Hunter questions.
Heather stops and slinks to the side of the tent as she listens in.
"Operation Jörmungandr?" Another Hunter questions.
"The Serpent of Midgard?" Heather mutters as she listens in.
"Yeah, from what I've been told, this plan is crazy." The first Hunter starts. "Trying to chain a dragon of that size."
"Only Sigewulf himself is crazy enough to do it." The Second Hunter says. "But still, only his ship could even handle something of that size."
"Still, I think this is crazy. But what's it even for?"
"Apparently, after Sigewulf takes over these chains of isles, he wants to go after Berk. Take out the whole island."
Heather frowns as she listens in, and huffs in anger. "Looks like Rocky will have his hands full."
Heather speeds off, keeping to the shadows, passing by several more patrols. Before she finally reaches the medical tent. Several Hunters walk out, covered in bandages as they limp away.
Heather peaks inside and sees unconscious Hunters laying on racks. She then stops a table filled with supplies in the middle. Her eyes light up as she slips in, slowly moving through the tent as to not make noise.
She reaches the table and grabs a empty satchel on the table. She shoves some bandages inside, then uncorks a bottle and sniffs it. She quickly moves the bottle away, before corking it and putting it in the back.
Then she grabs some herbs lying on the table, then a needle and twine. But then a pair of voices are heard coming towards the tent, and she quickly clips the satchel close, before speeding out of the tent.
She quickly moves through the shadows, sneaking her way back to the edge of camp. But she stops halfway as she sees some carts moving some unconscious dragons.
She grits her teeth in anger. "Sorry, I wish I could help..." She then speeds off.
Heather makes it out of camp and speeds her way through the forest. She then reaches the beach again, and Niether silently lands behind her. He walks up to her and rumbles in question.
Heather smiles as he rubs her head. "I got some supplies, hopefully it'll be enough."
Niether whines as he lays down, and Heather climbs onto his back. He then spreads his wings and takes off to the sky.
"Let's hope we'll make it in time." Heather says in worry.
Niether speeds up high into the night sky, heading back to Wyre island.
Back at Niether's home, Grandma Drips is sitting back on her Basalt Formation. She lets out a grumble as Mulic sits in front of her.
"The Hunters are getting bolder." Grandma Drips munches on some rocks.
"They've already injured one of us, we need to hit harder." Mulic lets out a deep growl. "Rocky has their main fleet mapped out."
"But even with all of us, we could never hit it. They're are too many Hunters."
"But they're are a hundred of us!" Mulic growls at Grandma Drips.
"And thousands of them." Grandma Drips lightly growls back. "We don't stands a chance. And right now we can't afford to run out, not with our human injured."
Mulic growls loudly at her, but she growls louder back; making Mulic whine and lower his head. Grandma Drips stops growling and lets out a sigh.
"I can't let my dragons just go out and fight, not without a plan." Grandma Drips states. "And Rocky might juts be a human, but he's very smart. His plans are usually good, we're gonna need him if we want to strike back."
Mulic lets out a low rumble. "The others won't be happy."
"They can be as unhappy as they want, I'm still the leader."
Mulic huffs as he starts walking off. "We can't hold off the Hunters forever, we need to strike soon."
"We will, once Rocky is better."
Mulic rumbles as he takes off to the sky, and back to the mountain.
Several hours pass and the morning sun starts shine over Wyre island, as all the dragons are still restless. Snips, Spine, Leafwisp, Windshear and Mulic are laying outside Rocky's cave. Raincutter sits on the edge of the cliff, staring out to the horizon.
Riancutter then notices a dragon flying in the distance. She narrows her eyes, and sees Niether and Heather. Her eyes widen and she lets out a roar, causing all the dragons to wake up.
They all quickly get up and look towards the horizon. They watch as Niether flies in at high speeds, and they all roar to him. He quickly lands on the ground and Heather jumps off and runs into the cave.
She slows down as Stinger growls at her, pointing his tail at her. She holds her hands out to him.
"Hey, hey, I'm here to help him okay." Heather says in a soft voice. "Remember, I'm his friend."
Stinger growls as he starts at her. Before lowering his tail and stepping to the side. Heather moves up to Rocky, noticing how he's no moving. He grows worried and runs up to him, putting her head on his chest.
She hears the thumping of his head, and lets out a sigh. She then kneels down and starts to work on him. All the dragons crowd around the entrance and watch as Heather spends the next few hours.
Niether paces back and fourth at the edge of the cliff. Then as the sun hits its high point in the sky, the dragons let out a happy roar. Niether's eyes go slit as he runs over, using his size to push everyone to the side.
He then lets out a happy roar as he sees Rocky sitting up in bed, with Heather helping him. He looks rather week, but he's still smiling. Niether then runs in, making the two panic as he causing all the furniture to get thrown about.
Niether then jumps onto the bed and nuzzles Rocky, making him groan.
"Yeah, I'm okay, bud." Rocky mutters in a chuckle.
"You dumb dumb, you have no idea how much I've been worried!" Niether lets out a rumble, and the rest of the dragons all storm in and crowd around the bed.
Heather steps to the side as she watches Rocky's dragons all start licking him. Windshear steps up to Heather, and she pats her on the nose.
That night all the dragons are sleeping inside Rocky's cave, after making a mess of everything. Heather is putting some supplies in a pouch on Windshear's saddle.
She hears some footsteps and looks over, spotting Rocky walking up to her. He has a hand on his right side.
"Heading out?"
Heather nods. "I know it's a bad time to, but we've spent more time here then we met. I know I should stay to help you recover, but I need to head out and continue my search."
Rocky nods in understanding. "That's fine, I've get these dragons to keep me company. But will we meet again?"
Heather lets out a soft chuckle as she slides onto Windshear's saddle. "Fate has a way of brining people back together around here. So we most likely will."
Rocky smiles as he walks up to her, and holds out a pouch. Heather grabs it, and opens it up, finding some salt inside.
"I know it isn't a great gift, but salt can be very useful." Rocky points out.
heather smiles as she puts it in the saddle pouch. "Thank you Rocky. I hope you get better."
"I do so too, lots of work around here."
Heather then perks up. "Oh, before I forget, Sigewulf is planning something. Something big and it involves a rather large dragon. They've named it Operation Jörmungandr. So please keep your eyes... well eye, out."
Rocky gives her a two fingered salute. "Yes, ma'am."
Heather smiles, before she takes off with Windshear. Rocky keeps a hand on his side as he watches Windshear fly off into the night. He lets out a sigh as he walks back into the cave, avoiding all his dragons tails.
He gets to his bed and steps on something. He looks down and finds that weird lens from before.
"Oh, I wondered where you went."
Rocky picks up the lens and sets it on his end table. Then he climbs onto his bed, which has been cleaned up. And he looks out to all the dragons, which nearly take up all the space in the cave.
Rocky then lets out a yawn as he lays down. He stares up to the ceiling with a sigh. Then he closes his eyes and quickly falls asleep.
Morning soon arrives and Rocky grunts in pain as he lifts his table back up. He then puts a hand on his side as he leans onto the table. Neither walks over with a rumble.
"You should be resting."
"I'd rather rest in a clean cave." Rocky points out as he picks up his map, and scrolls.
He sets them on the table and Niether walks off to the side. Then a moment later a fish slaps Rocky in the back. He shivers from the sliminess and looks back, and sees Niether sitting at a campfire.
"If you're not gonna rest, at least eat."
Rocky rolls his eyes and he picks up the fish and walks over to the fire. He grabs a stick and stabs it through the fish, and holds it over the fire. Niether shifts over and sits on his hunches beside Rocky.
Suddenly they hear the familiar chatter of a Gronckle. They look to the side and see Grandma Drips land beside them. She shakes herself and lets out a small roar.
"Good to see you're doing fine now, Rocky."
Rocky smiles at the Gronckle. "Thank you, Grandma Drips."
"What brings you up here?" Niether asks with a head tilt.
"I came to check on our resident human." Grandma Drips rumbles. "You had the island worried."
Rocky dryly chuckles as he rubs the back of his head. "Yeah, sorry about that. Didn't mean to make everyone worried."
"But also with that, you need to be more careful. We can't have you be hurt while the Hunters are on their non-stop crusade."
"Once he can stand without whining about the pain, we'll head right back out on patrols." Niether informs.
Grandma Drips nods as her wings start to flap. "Good, I need my best in the air. But I have business to attend to, so you two have a good day."
Grandma Drips flies off with the two waving to her. Rocky then looks at his dragon.
"I don't whine in pain."
"Then what was all that complaining when you woke up."
"...Just normal complaining."
"Whatever you say." Niether says with a low chuckle.
Rocky rolls his eyes as he looks at the campfire. "We won't be grounded for long, I refuse to let Sigewulf get the upper hand."
Niether lays down beside Rocky. "We also need to find information on Operation Jörmungandr."
"Whatever it is, can't be good."
Rocky looks out to the morning sun. Letting the warmth hit him, as Niether closes his eye beside him.
6-30-2026
3100 words