Prologue
I'm So Excited! No really, I couldn't be any happier then this moment. They were here. The eggs were here. All of my future brothers and sisters were here, and it would only be a matter of days before they hatch. I hopped around our cave in a mad excitement, leaving claw marks and cracked stone. My father chuckled. "Calm down son, we don't want any to hatch too early from all the ruckus you're making" What he said went past me for a second. Then I froze, now feeling terrified. "T..that can happen?!" I whispered. I saw my mother whack the back of my father's head. "Of course not dear. You're father was just messing with you. Come, my First Hatch" she gestured with her head. Still overly concerned, I walked very quietly towards the seven eggs. Father put his wing around me. "I thought our kind could only bear six at a time" I whispered, leaning down to all of the hardened shells. They could be mistaken for obsidian had their shape not been oval.
"It's not unheard of to have seven, my child. It just means we have a runt hatchling" Mother replied softly, nudging the smallest egg. The rest were a tad larger than my own paw, but this one was very small. I noticed the concern in my Mother's eyes. "Why are you worried, Mother?" She hummed at the egg. "Remember years ago, my First Hatch, when you learned how eggs were made?" I reeled back in disgust, shivering a little at the reminder. I glared at both my parents, still not forgiving them for ruining my innocent childhood like that. Both chuckled in their own time. "How could I forget." I replied monotone. Both still held proud humor in their eyes while Mother continued to explain. "Runts are made when one hatchling splits into two after the mother already conceived. All healthy mothers are supposed to bear six eggs, taking up all the room in the mother's tummy. But when one hatchling splits, there isn't enough room for them all. The hatchling will grow to be healthy as all will, but because the room in the mother's tummy is too small, the shell that forms around the hatchling will be smaller than it's siblings"
"But if it will grow to be healthy like the rest, why will it be a runt?" I questioned. "The eggs do not grow, son. The hatchlings do. If the egg is not of normal size, then the hatchling inside will outgrow the egg and hatch before it's time. Runts like this one will hatch earlier than it's brothers and sisters, but will remain smaller and more easily sickened because of its early hatching" I crooned in sadness. "So, he might not survive Father?" My mother gave me a warm nuzzle to my face. "There is always that risk my dear. Remember how your litter consisted of six, but you were the only to hatch. Our little boy" she playfully nuzzled. I shoved her back a little. It has been a few years since I hit my adult stage, I was too grown for her to treat me as a hatchling still.
"But, you were too young to conceive properly, my mate. We were lucky to be blessed with a child then. I have no doubt in my mind that if we can have a hatchling before it was your proper time, then this runt will be as strong as the next" Father declared proudly. I looked back at all of the eggs. Even if one was going to hatch sooner than the rest, I knew I loved them all already. I never had siblings growing up, so I always felt alone with no one but my parents to play with. I was thrilled when I was told my parents were soon to lay more eggs. I could just imagine all of the little babies now, annoying me by gnawing on my ears and tail, but I can also imagine the happiness in all of their little hearts. I couldn't wait for them to hatch. Little sisters I could taunt. Little brothers I could battle...and beat.
But there's also that runt. I felt waves of warmth coming from that tiny shell already. I could tell even now I could never do such mean things to that one. How much I would let that undersized hatching get away with all because it would be smaller than the rest. Weaker than the rest. I felt so much warmth just looking at them all. "I think I will sleep now. Laying eggs is just as tiring as I remember it to be" Mother said. Father curled around her, but I stayed on the opposite side of the eggs from them. I curled my own body around them all as if they were my own, and not my parent's.
It started as a scream. Then another. And Another. My head shot up as the Nest began making distress signals. Both Mother and Father were up already, looking out through the cave entrance. I got up and approached them quickly. "Mother? Father? What is happening?" It was early in the morning, the new sun not having been hatched from the sky yet. Mother moved in front of me, leaning in to protect me, like she always did. She felt threatened. Father was no different, maw set in a snarl. "The Nest in under attack" he growled. I looked down, and sure enough a decent amount of dragons were fighting below.
"But, no one has ever attacked us! Who would attack us?" I was in a state of disbelief. Our nest was the most peaceful of all dragon nests! We never lived under an Alpha, but by the rule of selected elders and higher classed dragons, such as Father and Mother. The last battle our nest faced is when No Scales took over our last nesting grounds. I was but a hatchling then. "I cannot answer that now. My mate, stay here with our son and watch over the eggs. I will go now to see" Father said, giving me a nuzzle and Mother a lick. "I will go too, my mate" "Scarlett…" "We are both of higher class dear. Whoever dares to attack must face us both. Our elders are not strong enough to fight for the nest, and you cannot possibly take this on yourself" Mother stated, determined.
Father did not like the idea. It couldn't be more clear on his face even if the skies designed it themselves. "You are still weak, my mate. Who will watch over our future little ones?" "I will!" I but in, too excited. They both looked at me. "I...I mean, I'll take care of them. Go on, they're safe with me!" They both looked hesitant. "Very well, but it does not calm me that you would be up so soon after laying our eggs" Mother stretched, and shook herself. "I will be fine my love. After all, you were the one to say I would never be weak, even if I was sick or dying at the hands of Hell herself" She nipped his ear and he tackled her down, pinning her between his paws. I rolled my eyes and walked away with a groan. I might know how eggs are made, but I have no intention of seeing or hearing any of it, let alone my own parents! Gross.
I could still hear what Father said to Mother, though. "You could never be weak even then my love. Do not stray far from my sight and do not overwork yourself. Strong as you are, you could not avoid Hell anymore than the rest of us" I didn't need my eyes to hear them kiss. All the adults say there was not a greater match made by the skies then my parents, but to me they had a problem with showing too much affection with each other. I huffed in annoyance as Father walked back over to me. "Do not be disturbed by our love son" I raised an eyebrow, knowing very well he knew why I looked away. He put his head on top of mine, a move that would always be comforting to me. I always felt safe as he did that. "You will understand someday on your own, when you find your mate. Take care of the eggs, don't let anyone in. And?" "And don't leave the cave. Must you remind me so often?" I complained.
"It comforts us to check, son" Mother added, putting her head under mine. They always did this when I was very little and scared. Father would be above me, protecting me from harmful skies, and Mother would be under me, shielding me from Hell's fire. I nuzzled them both as another call issued. "We will be back soon" Mother pulled away and gave me a lick to my forehead. I yelped and wiped it off. "Mother! I'm not a hatchling anymore!" I whined again. "You will always be my hatchling, Toothless. Always our First Hatch" She said. While the side of me that kept my pride intact wanted to argue, the side that held my heart melted from warmth. My pride won over, and I gave a light glare. Both chuckled and took off.
I looked back at the eggs, all unmoving and black. I crawled to them and reheated the floor around them. Eggs needed much warmth to grow properly. I laid around them again and splayed my wing over them, keeping the heat in. "Don't fear little ones. Mother and Father will return with much warmth to give. Until then, I will keep you safe. Every single one of you" I whispered, looking towards the runt. Explosions blew for the next few hours, and more than once did I leave the eggs to check the battle below. It did not look good.
It wasn't until I heard the most monstrous roar in all my life did I begin to feel fear. I ran to the edge and my heart dropped to the gates of Hell when I saw it. It was easily twice the size of any Burn Water, maybe more with thick scales like a Rock Dragon and Teeth of a Flame Skin. Six eyes bore down onto the battle. An evil grin grew onto it's overbite. I shrunk down to the cave floor in fear. It looked like a spawn from Hell had dug its way to the Skies. It flew in a circle with it's mighty wings before unleashing it's flame below. In an instant, trees were turned to ash, animals were killed, and dragons...I could see from here the flame burnt the scales right off their bodies. Blood poured out from those unfortunate enough not to have been killed by the flame. Roars of pure agony rang through my head. I wanted to move. I wanted to cover my ears, close my eyes, do anything to rid what I was seeing before me. But I was frozen. I could not move. Could not tear my eyes from the horrific scene before me.
I then saw my parents. I let out, what could've been the smallest breath of relief in the Skies' history. I didn't even think about them after I witnessed that! They shot around the Monster, blasting her with all they had. I watched, unable to do anything else. They could beat it! Right? They had too! They had to beat it so they could come back to our cave, come back to me, to my new siblings! They fought it from afar, other dragons joining in to try and claw it's hide, burn it's underbelly, injure it somehow. My hope began to rise. We could beat it! It might be big, but we were bigger! We could defeat it and send it back to Hell where it was hatched.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
I gasped as most of our nest was crushed by the size of the Monster. It fell to the ground and rolled, killing all of the dragons on it with several crunches. I collapsed in horror. Rock dragons took to trying to hit it's muzzle, but they bounced off like toys. I didn't think this thing could be more monstrous than killing innocents and burning such a beautiful island. Torturing dragons with it's fire by leaving them without scales to protect them from illness or other threats. But it was. With the most horrific noise I ever heard, it chomped down on one of the Rock Dragons. And swallowed.
All fight left what remained of our nest. Mother and Father hovered in the air with faces of horror, much like my own. The Monster spoke. "Submit to me Nest of Peace! Bow to me as your Queen, and you all shall live!" It didn't deserve to have a voice. Mother roared. "We do not submit!" No hesitation. No fear. My eyes looked on with fear. Father's did as well. It was quiet for a moment. Them with agility unheard of for a beast so big, it snapped it's jaws around her as well. "NOOO!" I screeched. I could still see a part of her wing sticking out of its mouth. I felt a claw slash my heart open. My eyes began leaking when Father's roar deafened the Skies. His back began glowing a neon indigo and he unleashed the biggest blast on the Monster's head, breaking the horn on in between it's eyes.
The Monster roared in agony while Father let out his own kind of Hell. But it's hide was still too thick to even be touched by him. He flew at her from behind, creating the biggest blast I could imagine. But It was not to be shot because the Monster's tail crashed into him, sending him flying to the ocean. He never surfaced. My heart was torn in two. My eyes stopped leaking just as my heart stopped beating. I looked at the Monster. It roared again. "Anyone else?" I trembled, unable to move from my spot at the entrance of the cave.
They were gone.
Mother.
Father.
Gone.
Father could not protect me from harmful Skies anymore. Mother could not shield me from Hell's fire anymore. They could not meet their other hatchlings. Now, they never would. The Monster looked over the destroyed nest, pleased. That's when it's eyes found me. Fear shot through my split heart, burning it like acid. I remembered what I was supposed to be protecting. I threw myself back into the dark cave, the once warming walls now a cold reminder of what I had lost. I threw myself over the eggs, laying just above them, hiding them under my wings and out of sight. No sooner after did Flame Skins and Spine Tails rush in my cave. I stood frozen over the eggs until one came too close.
I shot her with my fire. They had come for me. I fought as hard as I could, but I was outnumbered. They brought me down the mountain where all the remaining dragons were. Rock Dragons, Flame Skins, Spine Tails, Small Teeth, and Double Heads were all there. Were all bowed in front of this Monster. It spoke. "Your kind are quite the fighters". I glared up at It. I wouldn't speak. It didn't deserve the benefit. "Still are I see". It's eyes left my form and I blinked back the shock of what went on in the short time of a few hours.
"Hear me now and forever know my rule!" It shouted. I kept my tortured eyes on the ash in front of me. "You will obey my every order, when I say it, exactly how I say it. Any who oppose shall meet the same death as your precious Death Strikers. But, that will not be all you will endure. Heed this warning now, for any who try to defeat me will receive the same punishment" It roared. Four eyes met my own frightened ones, while two others motioned for something to come over. A green and grey Spine Tail landed forward with a bow, dropping something in front of It. It was oval shaped, black, and shiny. It was one of the eggs. "What..what are you…" I began to speak. It brought a massive paw onto the egg, smashing it.
I lurched forward. "NO!" I screamed. The same dragon brought two more. "PLEASE STOP, I'LL DO ANYTHING!" They were smashed too. I could see the dead hatchlings covered in egg goo, still and under formed. It was too soon for them to come. They were being killed. Another dragon brought the last four. "STOP IT, STOP IT, STOP IT!" I cried. I fought the dragons holding me down, bawling my eyes out. No one stepped in. No one helped. What happened to the nest, why weren't they doing anything! It brought it's massive paw down one last time. "NO!" I screeched one last time. All but one died with a final crunch. One egg rolled my way, the smallest egg out of them all. The runt. I broke free of the dragons with a snarl, jumping forward to cover the last egg. It had a small crack in it.
My torn heart crumpled up into nothing. I growled up at this...thing that ruined my life in a single day. That took everything from me in a matter of hours. My eyes leaked non-stop as I curled around this little egg, ready to protect it with my life. It stepped over the pile of crushed eggs, eyes boring down into mine. I shrunk back like I was a hatchling again, but I didn't let go of the egg. It's eyes fell to the the runt egg in my paws. I shook as I prepared for what would be my death. "I will let you keep this one, Death Striker. But make no mistake; any trouble from you and I kill it like the rest of your weak family. Am I in anyway unclear when I say this?" I shook my head through my trembling. It stepped back. "Good. From this day forth I am your Queen, and you shall address me as so…" I blocked out everything that she said.
It moved its giant paw to reveal all of the dead hatchlings, covered in egg goo, broken shells, and blood. I looked away at the horrific sight, holding the last egg of the litter. I leaked freely, sobbing, trembling. I was broken. Everything I ever loved was taken away from me, in front of my very own eyes. My parents. My siblings. My home. And there was nothing I could do. No one stepped up. No one moved an inch to help me. And now all that was left of me was tied to this little egg in my paws. I didn't know how long I stayed in this spot. I didn't move when It burned the rest of the life on this island. I didn't move when It took its place in the center of the volcano. And I didn't move when the air became foggy and waste-like, keeping us from the Skies, and turning my home into a scene from Hell.
I stayed where I was, broken and leaking, on the ground, a tail's length away from the six eggs that were supposed to be my family. I stayed where I was until I leaked myself to sleep.
Days had past since the Monster took over. I came back to my cave with the only egg I had left in my paws the next day after It came into power. I heated up the stone below me that day, never letting the small egg go. I never left the cave. Never once moved from my spot. A light blue and yellow Spine Tail brought me food yesterday. She said the 'Queen' had use for me, and I was to be kept alive. That thing was not a queen. It was an It. A thing. A monster. I would never refer to it as anything but. The sun never hit the cave anymore. The Skies were too poisoned to shed any light. I didn't care. My heart was burnt into ashes, just like the island. I didn't feel anything but pure agony from all the loss of everything I knew. I leaked, every night, holding the last piece of my parents in my arms. The last piece of me.
Today was no different. I remember all the love my parents had for me. All the games we played, all the stories they told, all of the protection they brought. All that was gone now. I had nothing left to live for. No one was around to love me anymore. No one was around to protect me anymore. I wish It killed me like the rest of my family, so I didn't have to feel this pain anymore. I continued leaking all that was in me when there was a crack. I didn't pay any attention to it. Rocks fell all the time, making the same noise. It sounded different this time. Closer. Another crack echoed through the cave, and the egg shifted in my paws. My head shot up. It was breaking. It was breaking. It would break and die like rest of the eggs. It would leave me with nothing.
"..no… no, no, No, NO! DON'T BREAK!" I cried. The leaking in my eyes increased as I tried to close the break. Images of the other eggs being crushed flashed my mind, and I covered my eyes. "NO! STOP IT! I DON'T WANT TO SEE IT ANYMORE!" I roared. The cracks and pops continued until I heard the same crushing noise as when the other eggs were smashed. But, then I heard a noise. It sounded unfamiliar and out of place. A chirp. Then a high-pitched whine. I removed a paw from my right eye to peek at what I thought to be another dead hatchling. This one was different.
A bit of shell was covering what had to be, the tiniest hatchling I ever saw. I heard it's raspy breaths and pulled myself closer to the small thing. I used my paw to remove the shell, and saw the head of a newly hatched Death Striker. A memory flashed through my head.
"Now son, when you find a mate and have little hatchlings of your own…" "Father! I already told you, I don't want a mate! Girls are gross!" I complained. Father whacked my head. "When you do, you'll need to know how to care for them, especially when they hatch". I groaned, annoyed, but listened. "When a hatchling first hatches, they will be covered in what's called amniotic fluid. Now, really it's more of a goo, but it's what the hatchling grows in until it's big enough to hatch" I listened intently. Even if I had no intention of having a mate and hatchlings, I did love to learn. "You will need to clean the hatchling off right after it hatches, that way it won't breath any in and choke. Licking it's back will also trigger it's lungs to start to breath" I gave a confused croon. "Won't it breath by itself?" "Not every time, son".
Despite my tears and pain, I instantly started to lick the hatchling clean. It coughed and hiccuped before it began to cry out, breathing properly. I retracted my teeth and moved the newly hatched Death Striker away from the mess. I laid down and began to give it a bath. It stopped its screeching, but continued to hiccup. My heart gained back some of its warmth, if the smallest bit. It opened it's large eyes and began purring. It snuggled, no, he snuggled up into my arms, looking at me with wide eyes. 'Skies above you're so small' I thought with worry. He hiccuped again.
I let out a disbelieving breath. I sniffed. "Maybe that'll be your name, little one. Hiccup". He only hiccuped in response. I licked him some more, making sure he was clean and healthy. I remembered what Father told me about runts.
"The eggs do not grow, son. The hatchlings do. If the egg is not of normal size, then the hatchling inside will outgrow the egg and hatch before it's time. Runts like this one will hatch earlier than it's brothers and sisters, but will remain smaller and more easily sickened because of its early hatching" I crooned in sadness. "So, he might not survive Father?"
My chest ached painfully at the thought. 'It's not all happy and safe yet, Toothless. By this point anything could take him from you' one part of me said. I narrowed my eyes in determination. 'No. Nothing will harm him. Nothing will even come close'. I looked down at my baby brother. "Nothing's ever gonna happen to you. No harm will ever come to you brother, I swear it to the Skies. Anything that tries will meet its end to my claws. And Hell be frozen if anything takes you away from me" I swore. Hiccup didn't react. He just curled more into me, crooning adorably in the process.
'I failed to protect our family once. I will not fail again'.
