CROSS POSTED ON AO3 : SAME USER AND STORY NAME.
Hi there, this is my first HTTYD Fanfiction, I do not own the movie and English is not my native language so sorry for the mistakes, but feel free to correct me if needed.
This story is kinda like Heather Report episode of Riders of Berk, but set in RTTE with different roles… And I thought I was being creative ^^'
Anyway, it is complete and secure on my hard drive, but I will post a chapter every day/two days, because if I can torture my readers, why not? XD
About the timeline of the story: During season 5 of Race To The Edge series, after Dawn of Destruction (5x7) episode. Incoherencies might ensue. It's better if you watched the series first, but it's not absolutely necessary to understand the main plot. There will be some references to it though.
THE ONE WE TRUST : CHAPTER 1
Even though the sun started to go down, the dragon riders' day wasn't really over. Because of the damages caused by the volcano, their work schedule has been multiplied by four.
''Easy, bud.''
Hiccup, with Toothless' help, was installing the second to last gronk iron plate on the outside wall protecting the Edge. After Viggo's attack, the base reinforcement, as well as its reconstruction, was first on the chief's priority list.
He looked up at the sky for the first time on the day and wiped the sweat off his forehead. The sun was already starting to go down.
''Looks like we're going to eat later again today.'' He said while caressing his dragon's head.
At the mention of food, Toothless' stomach started to rumble loudly. The growl that followed said a lot about his will to continue.
''Come on Toothless! We can't leave this, it's almost done!'' Hiccup answered while showing him the spot where the last plate should be.
Toothless protested once more, pulling out his unimpressed face.
''Please! The sooner we get the plate, the sooner we can install it and go back.''
Knowing his riders wouldn't give up, Toothless decided to comply and headed toward the central part of the Edge where the riders were making the plates.
Or at least that's what Hiccup thought they were doing. When he arrived at the place, he only found Fishlegs, Meatlug and the twins, the four of them absent from their position.
''What are you doing?'' Asked Hiccup.
Fishlegs, who didn't hear Hiccup coming, jumped while letting out a short scream.
''Hiccup! Is the wall reinforcement going well?''
''Very well, I came looking for new plates to finish the east side of the wall'' Hiccup explained, his gaze landing on the empty cases.
''Yeah, about that…Meatlug is exhausted, I don't think she can produce anymore gronkle iron for today. And I think Tuff and Ruff have also reached their limits.'' He said pointing his thumb at them.
Both of them were crouched, hitting their heads one after the other on a remaining iron plate.
''Keep going lil' sis! We have to-ouch- harden-ow- our skull.'' Tuffnut encouraged after each hit.
''I think our head-ouch-'' Ruffnut stood back up to look at her brother, ''is going to break like our dragons.''
Tuff stood back up in his turn and grabbed his sister's hand.
''We have to, Ruff, in honor of Barf and Belch!'' He cried dramatically.
When Fishlegs let out an exasperated sigh, Hiccup placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. He knew it was sometimes difficult to deal with the twins.
''Where are their dragons?'' He asked.
''In the nursery…''
Hiccup frowned.
''But they are okay!'' Fishlegs quickly added, waving his hands. ''They knocked themselves out while making the plates.''
''Which explain why the production stopped.'' Hiccup concluded.
''Yeah, that and…some other reasons?'' The dragon trainer answered, embarrassed.
''What do you mean?''
''Snotlout isn't back yet, it's been a while since he went to fetch the materials.''
Hiccup sighed and immediately made his way towards Toothless.
''I'm going to check on him-''
He got cut off by a dragon roar far away. The young Viking turned his head in its direction, narrowing his eyes to avoid being blinded by the sun. It actually was Snotlout and Hookfang finally coming back with the materials.
And they weren't alone, Astrid and Stormfly were with them, they were the ones carrying the supplies. Hiccup joined them with his dragon to help them put down the stones to the ground. Meanwhile, Hookfang and his trainer landed. As soon as the Monstrous Nightmare's paw touched the ground, he collapsed.
''Thank you.'' Astrid smiled.
Hiccup nodded softly to her but his smile slipped as he strode towards Snotlout.
''What happened?''
Snotlout slid down from his dragon back and dusted off his clothes.
''What happened? We almost died! That's what happened! And it's your fault!'' He screamed, pointing his index finger at Hiccup.
'' My fault?!'' Hiccup repeated, incredulous.
''Yeah! Hiccup the great chief took off this morning, leaving us with a hundred of plates to make! Do you know how many return trip I had to do today?''
Hookfang fired a spark at his rider.
''Yeah, the return trip Hookfang and I had to do…'' He corrected, ''Five! In one day! And now, my dragon sprained his wing and can barely fly! We almost crashed into the ocean!''
Snotlout guided his explication with wide gestures, clearly he was upset and Hicup knew it wouldn't be easy to calm him down.
''That's when I saw them as I came back from patrol.'' Astrid finished.
''About that, did you see anything, Astrid?'' The chief asked.
Astrid shook her head.
''Nothing, as usual.''
Hiccup hummed and scratched his chin, deep in thoughts.
''Hey! Did anyone hear what I just said?!'' Snotlout asked, getting angrier.
''Yeah, I don't know how we couldn't hear you Snotlout…'' The blond answered sarcastically.
''Really Astrid? So now that you are face to him you won't say anything?''
Hiccup shot her a questioning look.
''Well…'' The young Viking started, but Snotlout cut her off immediately. .
''It's her seventh patrol today, don't you think it's… oh I don't know? Totally stupid?!'' Snotlout screamed at Hiccup.
''What he's trying to say is that maybe establishing one patrol per hour is a little bit much knowing the amount of work we already have on the Edge.'' Astrid explained diplomatically.
Hiccup couldn't believe his ears. Astrid was starting to give up too?
''Astrid… you know why we have to make theses patrols, you all know it.'' Hiccup looked at each of his comrades; he could read the tiredness on their face. At this moment many questions crossed his mind, but they were cut short when Snotlout spoke anew.
''Yeah right, because Viggo is supposedly back from the dead. We don't even know it was him!''
''You think I would have shared an information like this if I wasn't sure of it?!'' Astrid outraged.
Hiccup put himself between the two, raising his hands, telling them to calm down.
''Viggo or not Viggo, the hunters are still out there, the sooner we are ready to face them, the better.''
''Yeah, well at that rate there will be no one left to face them! Look at Hookfang, look at me!'' Snotlout took one strand of hair between his fingers. ''I'm growing white hair! Heather won't love me anymore!'' He whined.
''Well that won't be that different, since she didn't want to have anything to do with you before.'' Astrid scoffed.
''That's it, laugh at me, you won't tell anything to your dear Hiccup anyways!''
''Are you jealous?'' She mocked.
Snotlout was ready to answer, but Hiccup stopped him right away.
''Enough ! I though I didn't need to remind you what is at stake here! Yes it's hard, yes, the days are long, but we don't have a choice! The hunters can come here anytime, attack us, steal our knowledge on the dragons or worse. And you worry about your hair?'' He looked at Snotlout angrily.
''I think the problem might come from our lack in number.'' Fishlegs proposed.
''And the lack of explosions!'' Exclaimed the twins who just joigned the group.
''It's true that one or two more dragon riders wouldn't hurt…'' Astrid approved.
''I'm not against it either, but our allies have their own defenses to build, unfortunately, we're on our own for now.'' Hiccup argued.
''So we keep working like slaves? No way!'' Snotlout said as he stomped his foot.
''Oh come on! There's more work than usual but I would never ask you something I knew you wouldn't be capable of. There is two weeks left of work at most, I'm sure your hair can handle that.'' He concluded sarcastically.
''Oh yeah? Sorry, but I'm out! Come on Hookfang let's get out of here.'' Snotlout said as he left on foot with his dragon.
''Snotlout, come back here!'' Hiccup ordered, but the other viking ignored him.
''Have fun with his tyrant!'' He screamed before disappearing out of sight.
Annoyed, Hiccup pinched the bridge of his nose. When he raised his head again, he saw the twins leaving in their turn.
''Hey, where do you think you're going?'' He called.
''To check on our dragons.'' Said Ruffnut, turning around.
''Okay, can you please fill up the stables on the way?'' He asked them before they got too far away.
''At your command, master!'' Tuffnut answered, insisting on the last word.
Hiccup couldn't help but feel hurt when he heard it, did his teammates really thought of him this way?
He turned towards Fishlegs while trying to hide his sadness.
''Fishlegs…can you quickly do the inventory before leaving? I'll take care of the last plates witch one of the gronkles of the island.''
Fishlegs nodded and flew off with Meatlug towards the storehouse.
''Come on girl, you worked very well today.''
As soon as they were gone, Hiccup's shoulder slumped and a long sigh escaped his lips. When he felt Astrid's hand on his shoulder, he took it in his, smiling. The simple fact of having her beside him gave him back the courage he had lost.
''Everything's alright?'' She asked softly.
Hiccup stayed silent for a moment, his partner waited patiently all the while. Toothless approached him, sliding his head under his arm. His trainer gave a faint smile while petting him.
''Do you think I'm being too hard on them?'' He asked suddenly while fixing the huts.
''I think…that maybe you are overestimating them a bit much.'' Astrid answered carefully.
Hiccup looked at her with curiosity, encouraging her to continue.
''You are a great chief, Hiccup, you've showed us so many times. We've followed you to this place, and we will follow you after that, no matter where, you know that.''
Hiccup gave her a sad smile.
''I know.''
Astrid nodded before continuing.
''However, despite how devoted they might be, you can't ask them to work as hard as you do, because they are not… you. They aren't used to have that much pressure on their shoulders, you need to give them time.''
''We're far away from our adventure quest looking for new dragons species huh?'' Hiccup said with bitterness as he watched Toothless run towards Stormfly.
''Maybe it isn't a coincidence, maybe we are doing what we were meant to do, to fight, not against the dragons, but for them.'' She also shifted her gaze towards the two dragons playing.
''I really want to believe it is possible, to defeat the hunters, to protect every dragon.'' He said softly, lowering his head.
''And we'll succeed.'' Astrid answered him while straightening up his chin so he could look at her, ''But not with a team on the verge of exhaustion.'' She finished.
A wave of guilt crashed over Hiccup. Astrid was right, he should above all think about the well being of his team.
''You're right, I'll try to talk to Snotlout tomorrow.'' He kissed her on the cheek and started to walk in Toothless' direction.
''I'll take the last patrol, don't wait me up for dinner.'' He added while checking his saddle. The young man was about to climb on his dragon when a hand grabbed his tunic. He whirled around to face Astrid, her eyes were shining with rare sadness.
''You know, that's also worth for you Hiccup, you should take a break.''
Hiccup smiled, touched that Astrid was worrying for him.
''Don't worry, I'll just finish some knock up tonight and tomorrow I'll slow down, promise!'' Before she could answer, he hopped on Toothless and flew to the forge.
When he finally finished his 'knock up' the night has already settled down on the Edge. It's not without guilt that he woke up Toothless to go on patrol. Fortunately, the dragon was always up for a night trip, especially when his stomach was full.
Both glided in silence, unnoticeable, and fresh air filled Hiccup's lungs who let himself close his eyes and appreciate the flight. It was at this moment that he realized he didn't take the time to fly with Toothless outside the patrols for a really long time. Just flying, to feel free, to not think of the constant threat hovering above him, his team and the rest of the dragons anymore.
However it was inconceivable for him to relax, it felt like his whole world could crash in one blink of the eye. If his team couldn't keep up anymore then so be it, he would make his possible to do the work they couldn't do.
A yawn escaped Toothless' mouth, Hiccup laughed while stroking his dragon's head. Suddenly he realized something, and a new wave of guilt washed over him.
''I'm sorry Toothless, I'm asking a lot of you.''
The dragon turned his head to look at him and let out an interrogative growl, not understanding what his trainer was talking about.
''Since the volcano's eruption and the hunter's attack, you stood every day by my side without complaining…'' He swallowed before continuing, ''If you want to stop, I would understand.''
The Nightfury slapped Hiccup's arm with his earflap.
''Ouch !'' His rider cried.
Toothless let out a determined cry while beating his wings harder to gain speed, showing what he thought of Hiccup's proposal. In front of this act of loyalty and enthusiasm, Hiccup couldn't help but smile fondly. The young viking didn't know what he would do without him.
''Thank you, bud, you're the best.'' He said as he hugged his dragon, who purred in satisfaction.
Suddenly, a flash of light caught both friend's eyes towards the beach below them. It was so fast that Hiccup thought he hallucinated, but giving Toothless' reaction, it couldn't just be his imagination.
''Let's get a closer look.'' He whispered.
Without a sound, they went down, and quickly hid behind a pile of rock. From his crouched position, Hiccup inspected the area, but didn't spot any trail on the sand, whenever if came from a human or a dragon.
With a sign of the hand, he asked Toothless to shoot a plasma blast to scan the area. His shot reverberated on the entire beach as well as the surrounding caves. The NightFury purred sadly, telling him he didn't detect anything. Hiccup frowned at that, maybe this light was only a reflection on the ocean?
Before continuing the patrol, he threw one last worried glance at the beach as they took off. Toothless immediately felt his rider's posture rigidify.
Later at Dragon's Edge, Hiccup continued to work on the dragon eye. Toothless' snoring and the rustling of paper were the only sounds filling the room. It didn't take long for the rider to fall asleep in his turn.
On the edge of the table, a now cold meal was waiting for him.
NOTE : That's it for chapter 1, sorry if it was a little boring, I needed to settle the mood of each dragon riders. The plot starts next chapter. =D