Title: The Lonesome Rider

Chapter title: This Is the Dangerous Life

Author's Note: Hi! Welcome to my very first entry into the HTTYD fandom. I recently watched the movies and then the tv series, so it's only natural in my dragon-high, that a sudden plot bunny took hold and thus this fic was born! I am absolutely excited for the third and final movie about Hiccup and Toothless and I just adore their relationship. So, naturally, this fic will be exploring that while hopefully tucking at your heartstrings a little bit. Astrid will be making an appearance as will the rest of them, but the main focus will be on those two! This takes place sometime after Race to the Edge ended and before the second movie.

Enjoy!

Chapter titles are snippets from "Feel Invincible" by Skillet. Awesome listen, if you wanna feel like a badass!

Disclaimer: HTTYD is the property of Dreamworks and I claim no ownership of any characters or places you might recognize.

"If we hit on troubled water, I'll be the one to keep you warm and safe, and we'll be carrying each other until we say goodbye on our dying day." - Brother, by Kodaline

It was a beautiful day.

The wind was calm and refreshing as it weaved through Hiccup's auburn hair. He couldn't help the smile that spread across his face. This was truly living. Soaring through the fluffy clouds, high above the sea and land, where no one else went. He never felt freer than when he was on Toothless' back, gliding through the air, unhindered. Someday, he was going to fly right next to him, like a real dragon. He just needed to make some adjustments on the flight suit, but both Astrid and Toothless had banned him from ever trying to recreate it again. So, for now, that remained a dream and he settled for simply enjoying flying on a dragon instead of beside it.

He took in a big gulp of air and let it out in a content sigh. The sun was shining for once, a rare occurrence on their side of the archipelago, bright rays forcing their way through the thin cloud cover. Hiccup didn't let any negative thoughts on all the responsibilities waiting for him at home dampen his mood. Instead he just focused on the way his heart galloped and his head spun as they climbed higher.

"Beautiful day, huh, bud?" he voiced aloud, his fingers gently caressing the black scales underneath.

Toothless hummed in agreement. His side rumbled and sent vibrations through Hiccup's fingertips that tingled all the way up his arm.

It wasn't pure enjoyment though. Their flight had a purpose to fulfill. It was one every Dragon Rider on Berk took part of. It was a security patrol to make sure their borders were safe. Nothing sent enemies running quite like the sight of a dragon. Well, most of the time. There were still dragon trappers or hunters out there and Hiccup suspected there might always be, as long as dragons roamed these parts. And it was his job to make sure these magnificent creatures continued to do so.

So, he might fly out a bit farther than he was actually supposed to. Perhaps he was always the last one home. But he took the opportunity whenever he could. Flying on Toothless wasn't just to patrol and make sure Berk and its people were safe. It was also a chance to train and bond with each other. Both Rider and dragon benefitted from the flying patrols. Hiccup just took it one step further than most. It was only when he flew together with Astrid, that she was able to drag him back home a bit sooner.

Today it was only him. And though he missed her company and bright, beautiful smile, it was still enjoyable being out. Just him and his best friend.

Toothless perked up then, his ear-plates stirring, and Hiccup felt his body tense slightly under his legs.

"What is it, bud?" Hiccup asked but received the answer shortly after. A gush of wind blew into his face, the stream colder than mere seconds before. The cool air sent a shiver down his back. Ahead the clouds began massing together, growing rapidly in size.

"Looks like a rain storm," he mused out loud. "This might be a good time to head back."

He twisted his fake foot in the stirrup and Toothless' tail clicked into another position, allowing him to turn smoothly. Toothless picked up the pace, his wings beating rhythmically as his black body rode across the sky. Hiccup urged him on. He started to feel the cold seep through his clothes as the storm drew nearer. He was confident they could beat it. They raced against the elements, trying to out-fly the oncoming storm. It was an angry one. Clouds began to shift from white to dark grey.

Soon it swallowed them completely whole.

The wind picked up and started tearing at his clothes and howling in his ears. The unforgiving rain followed soon after. The water droplets were fat and frosty as they hit both dragon and Rider. Hiccup could feel the water running down his back and picking at the sensitive skin around his eyes. His hair plastered to his forehead, sending streams of water down his face. He squinted as he tried to see past the pouring rain, but he saw nothing except grey blurs of the storm clouds surrounding him. Toothless grunted with the effort as the wind suddenly picked up and blew them back.

"Easy, bud," Hiccup encouraged. "You can do this!"

He didn't dare let go of the saddle in fear of getting blown off, but he wanted nothing more than to comfort his best friend and help him through this. The Night Fury's wings flapped and twisted in the harsh blasts. Thunder rolled above their heads, cracking and creaking like empty barrels. Thor definitely had something to prove today. Hiccup shifted uneasily in his leather saddle. Where thunder roamed, lightening was sure to follow. A metal tailfin did not mix well with lightening. Add in a metal leg as well and that was just cause for more disaster. They had proven that several times in the past already. In the end, it wasn't the lightening that got them this time.

A powerful gust of wind ripped through the fabric of the tailfin. Another blow practically lifted Hiccup from his spot on Toothless' back. As soon as his prosthetic left its holder, a forceful blast forced him completely off. Then he was airborne. Hiccup yelled as he was suddenly weightless and tumbling downwards into the grey unknown, Toothless trailing along beside him.

Air tore at him like never before as it rushed by him. He plummeted to the ground at dangerous speeds. His eyes watered, blurring his vision, as his world twisted and turned before him. The ground crept closer in a worryingly rapid pace.

"Toothless," he shouted but his voice was carried off in the roaring whirlwind. Somewhere to his right he heard his best friend's distraught roars. He angled his body towards the sound. Toothless was a black mass merely a few steps from him. It might as well have been on the other side of the archipelago.

"Toothless!"

I'm so sorry, bud…

They broke through the thick cloud cover. If Hiccup had any more air left in his lungs he might have gasped. They were headed straight for an island, peaking up out of the vast ocean. Rocks and dirt and tall trees, none of them soft to land on. They would be crushed if they hit it at this speed.

Hiccup felt the air around him shift suddenly before it almost completely died off. He recognized the feel of warm scales nuzzling his skin. Toothless had somehow reached him, hugging him close to his body.

The relief was short-lived.

The roaring wind might have stopped but their descent hadn't. Together they plunged towards the island, Toothless wrapping his large body protectively around Hiccup's lean frame. Hiccup felt the exact moment they hit. It jarred and jerked in his entire body as they crashed onto the ground. The impact was so powerful Toothless lost his precious grip. Hiccup was torn out of the embrace. The Viking soared through the air in freefall once more. He bounced off the harsh earth, rocks digging into his back as he rolled head over heels. He lost sight of what was up and down.

Panic, pain, confusion and fear all managed to whirl around in his mind before he felt his head strike something hard.

Then everything went black.