So I've decided to write something different from what I usually write down. I'm actually getting bored of writing T fanfictions, so I'm trying out something softer. Hopefully you'll like it. :) And I just NEED to tell a short funny story from a trip in the U.S. :
( I was walking, me, family and friends towards the beach, and there was another family walking in front of us. And the youngest, a little girl, was the most at the back, carrying two styrofoam boards, which were blinding her from seeing where she was going. And she was shouting,
''Somebody help me! I can't see anything!'' to her parents.
So my dad offered help, but when she looked back at us, she just yelled ''STRANGER!'' and went running blindly, passing her mom. ''Mummy! Run!''
It was hilarious. Then we met the family and everthing end up all right. And I'm still here, writing this down and I'm laughing for I've never seen such a reaction from a kid. XD )
Anyway, here we go with Growing Pains chapter 1!
''Chicken! Chicken, reveal yourself!'' called Tuffnut, looking around, searching for Chicken who had run off in the area around here. Hiccup and Astrid stood in the Training Arena with their own dragons, interrupted by the male twin passing by as he searched for his bird pet.
''Tuffnut.'' called Astrid, the slight irritation felt in her tone. ''We're not all the way out here on Dragon's Edge for you to play with your chicken!'' But Tuffnut ignored her entirely and continued looking and he finally found his bird.
''There you are!'' he said, half laughing, grabbing his chicken before it wandered off again. He hugged her gently and pulled back almost instantly. ''Why can't you just stay put? But you are a pretty girl. Yes you are.''
''Tuffnut, would you get your butt over here?!'' called Hiccup as irritated as Astrid a few moments ago. If he wanted to stick around, he might as well help them with the dragons.
Tuffnut walked towards them, Chicken following him closely wherever he went to. ''You're not the only one around here with a gift, H.'' he said, sounding serious about it. ''You may be a dragon whisperer, but I'm a hen whisperer.''
There was a long pause where Hiccup and Astrid just stared at him, unable to find the words to answer... that.
''Oh, hey,'' said Tuffnut, suddenly remembering something important. At least, it seemed important. Not to him of course, but... ''Trader Johann just arrived, saying he has something for you.''
''Trader Johann?'' echoed Astrid, swinging her axe over her shoulder, raising an eyebrow. She turned to Hiccup, who seemed as clueless as her. ''What could he possibly have for us?''
''Well, I'd say we're about to find out.'' said Hiccup as he started walking towards the docks, Toothless with Astrid and Stormfly close behind him.
Trader Johann had indeed something for them, and it wasn't any of the many things Hiccup and Astrid expected. A bridge connected the charged ship to the docks, and from the ship came Trader Johann, stepping to the wood planks very welcomed.
''Johann!'' greeted Hiccup as the two shook hands. ''What brings you to Dragon's Edge?''
''Master Hiccup,'' saluted Johann, bowing respectfully at him before continuing. ''I have something very unique I thought you might want. I can't just give it to anyone.''
''Alright...'' said Hiccup slowly, sharing a look with Astrid who stood behind him. ''Could you show us, you're really starting to creep me out here.''
''Of course!'' said Johann, and he walked back aboard his ship to get it. There was a moment where Hiccup and Astrid stood there, worried of the surprise that the trader might bring back up, but when the man came back from under deck, holding a rope to which was attached to a dragon's – a baby dragon's head - like a halter, both teens couldn't help holding back a ''Aww..!''
''What is that specie?'' asked Hiccup as he out-stretched his arm to stroke the baby dragon's snout. The dragon was larger than the many baby dragons he had encountered; it stood on two massive legs with two tiny arms to his sides and an expandable frill around its head.
''They call them Hobblegrunts.'' answered Trader Johann, scratching the young dragon's head gently. ''I was hoping it could be able to stay here. Otherwise, Dragon Hunters might end up the ones with their hands on it...''
The young Hobblegrunt buried its nose in Hiccup's chest as it let out cute noises, like it asked to stay here as well, stroking its large head against the boy's hands.
''I would have said we had too much to do, but...'' said Astrid, eyeing Hiccup and his new friend. ''Think that is out of the question.''
''Aww.'' came Tuffnut's voice from behind them as he watched, holding his chicken. ''It's adorable. It's like it's saying ''mom'' and ''dad'' in dragon.'' His voice was full of admiration, finding something actually cute that's not terrifying as well for once.
Hiccup and Astrid turned their heads in his direction, staring at him with pointed looks.
...
A wild, bright red Monstrous Nightmare crawled in Dragon's Edge forest, close to the Dragon Riders' base. Even a bit too close... Its bright yellow eyes landed on the new arrival, the baby Hobblegrunt, all innocent and unknowing of wildlife. Its pink forked tongue licked its scaly upper lips and took cautious steps closer to the base.
...
''You know, having a baby dragon around here is gonna take a lot of energy.'' informed Fishlegs to Hiccup and Astrid who had brought their new friend up here into the Clubhouse. The other dragons were forced to stay outside for they didn't know how the young Hobblegrunt might react to other different dragon species. Chances were to be taken in the Training Arena.
''Yes, Fishlegs, we are very well aware of that.'' said Hiccup, in a may-I-remind-you tone. He scratched to dragon's scales at its cheek, and to his astonishment, the scales shifted from purple to yellowish-green as a smile grew in the corner of its mouth.
''Woah...'' said pretty much everybody in the room who'd seen the change of colors.
''This is amazing...'' said Hiccup, awed as the Hobblegrunt pressed himself against him for more scratches that made him happy.
''Interesting... The Book of Dragons mentions the Hobblegrunt but has very little information on this particular specie. Thankfully, there were some notes saying that this dragon can change its markings depending on its mood.'' said Fishlegs, stroking his chin.
''So, what does this yellowish-green represent?'' asked Astrid, gesturing to the baby dragon cuddling Hiccup.
''According to what I've read, this represents happiness,'' said Fishlegs. ''Purple, when it's curious and... uh... I forgot the last one...''
''We should name this little guy.'' offered Tuffnut, stepping forward for suggestions of names. ''You know, Hobblegrunt ain't very catchy.''
''Technically, Trader Johann gave this dragon to Hiccup, so I think he should get to decide its name.'' said Fishlegs.
''Agreed.'' said Astrid, standing close to Hiccup with the Hobblegrunt, her arms tightly crossed over her chest. ''We don't need any more ridiculous names as it is from you two.''
''Yeah.'' agreed Snotlout, sitting on a chair at the table around the fire pit in the center of the Clubhouse. ''I mean, 'Barf' and 'Belch'? Is that the best you could come up with?''
''Actually, I've already picked out name for this guy,'' said Hiccup in a hurry as he noticed the looks on Ruffnut and Tuffnut's faces towards Snotlout. ''It's very suiting and catchy, you'll see.'' He half laughed and was expecting a reaction from the others at the name he was about to say next. ''Peregrine.''
A long silence filled the Clubhouse where all the riders just stared at him. Hookfang's head even came appearing from outside.
''What?'' asked Astrid as if she hadn't heard quite well what he had said. ''Peregrine. Are you serious?''
''Wow.'' said Tuffnut, even he was shocked. ''Of all the awful names I've heard and came up with, this was the best worst of all.''
''I mean, look at him!'' said Hiccup, gesturing at Peregrine who cooed at the touch of his hand on his scales. ''He's one of the most unique dragons I've come across. Tell me, when was the last time you've seen a dragon that can shift colors depending on its mood? It's incredible!''
Astrid sighed beside him. ''I hate to admit it, but that name does suit him.''
''Yeah, when you think about it, it does.'' agreed Fishlegs as he stroked his chin thoughtfully.
''We've never seen any of that kind around, and Trader Johann said he's come a long way from where he came from.'' added Hiccup, scratching Peregrine's chin.
''So, what happened to him anyway?'' asked Fishlegs, wondering.
''Both parents were killed by hostile dragons.'' he said, his voice dropping low. ''A villager found him left alone and decided to bring him back for trade. Trader Johann said he's given up a lot to take him and bring him to us so he can live a healthy and happy life.'' He stroked the baby Hobblegrunt's neck. ''And he will. Yes you will.'' he said with a baby-tone to Peregrine.