"You're not a viking...you're not my son."
The words resonated throughout the empty hall. Hiccup looked up at his father in dismay. All he wanted was to make him proud, but it seemed that all he managed to do was make things worse. Stoick turned to his son one final time and looked him in the eyes. He didn't say one word, nor did he make any gestures. His eyes were filled with nothing but disappointment and shame as he stared down at his weak son. Hiccup reached up with a shred of will still holding on, hoping that his father would retract his words and help him up. Unfortunately, his father pushed his hand aside and turned to walk out of the door, motioning to some other vikings to lock up Toothless.
Hiccup just sat and watched as his father walked away. He choked back tears but couldn't fight it any longer. Letting out an angered growl he stood up and hit the door. Once, twice, three times until his knuckles were a bloody mess. All of the anger, frustration, and hopelessness that he had been feeling finally welled up inside of his body and came out. He couldn't stop the tears from flowing, and just stood there in the dark, holding his stomach and sobbing. Astrid walked quietly into the hall and placed her hand on his shoulder. She pulled him into a hug and spoke quietly.
"You know, I will help you free Toothless...I can see how much he means to you." she said in a hushed voice. "it won't be easy, but we know where they keep the dragons for holding, it's just a matter of actually getting to them. What do you say?" Astrid held one of Hiccup's hands and waited for his reply. He looked at her scowled, not because he was angry at her, but because he was finally done.
"How much time to we have before they're ready to set off?" Hiccup said, the ferocity of his question hanging in the air. "I'm going to get Toothless, and then we're leaving."
"I-i don't know for sure" Astrid stammered. "Last I heard they were getting ready to set off in an hour or so...what's your plan?" she brushed her hair out of her face and Hiccup looked out of the door. He could see the vikings running to and fro, preparing the ships for the upcoming battle. Hiccup pulled Astrid out of the door with him and towards the dragon training grounds. He could hear Toothless as they got closer, and a lump formed in his throat. Toothless sounded frightened, and Hiccup felt crushed that he had not kept him from this happening.
The pair ducked down into the entry way of the training grounds and crept inside. There were vikings in front of Toothless's door holding it shut.
"Let me handle this part. You just worry about getting Toothless and yourself out of here." Astrid pulled Hiccup back and kissed him. They stood in silence for a moment before Astrid smiled and ran towards the vikings. Hiccup ran further inside the grounds and ducked down behind the fallen weapon stand. He could barely make out what Astrid was telling the vikings but before long whatever she was saying worked because she and the others went running past him and up to the main grounds. Toothless burst through the doors of his confinement and landed right on top of Hiccup. He was so happy to see him and began licking his face. Before long, however, the reunion was interrupted by Stoick's voice bellowing towards them.
"Hiccup! You back away from that dragon this instant." his father ordered. Toothless stood behind Hiccup, nervous and upset by the situation. Hiccup stood his ground in front of him and placed a hand on his nose. "You heard me boy. Now move, or I'll move you." he threatened.
"No!" Hiccup called back. "I won't let you hurt him. Don't you see? He's not hurting anyone – we've had them all wrong this entire time! When I told you I couldn't kill a dragon, I meant it. Now, if you just hear me out, I can expl-"
"Explain what? How much of a disappointment you are to me? To everyone on this island? I was so proud of you, I thought you were finally becoming the boy I've always wanted you to be, and even better, the viking I knew you would be some day." Stoick took another step forward and Toothless growled. "Now, you've done enough damage in all of your 17 years, I think it's time you back down now and just accept that you will never be one of us." He drew his axe and pointed it directly at the dragon. He kept moving forward, and with each step Toothless became more and more antsy.
"Dad, why don't you ever just listen to me? Why can't you trust me?" Hiccup stood between his father and his dragon, and Stoick shoved him aside. Toothless stood up on his hind legs and came down on Stoick, pinning him to the ground. He bared his teeth and let out a cry. It was filled with the stress and anguish of the situation, and then he stepped off, head down, and walked over to where Hiccup sat on the ground. He sat down next to him, and just as he did, was greeted with an ax to his leg. He let out another cry, this time of sheer agony. Toothless hit the ax out of Stoick's hand snapped at him.
"Stop it! Stop it right now!" Hiccup yelled at the two. He pulled himself up and mounted Toothless, preparing him for take off. He led the dragon to the door, but before he exited, he looked back at his father. "I love you, dad" he said as they took off, tears rolling down his face as his father turned his back to his words. He didn't know where he was going to go, or even how long it would take to get wherever they were going. All he knew is that he had to get away, and he was leaving everything he once loved behind forever.
-a year later-
"Toothless buddy, you lazy lizard. Get up". Hiccup pushed at his dragon's nose and dumped a pile of fish in front of it. Toothless opened up and eye and stuck his tongue out, grabbing a fish up into his mouth with one swift motion. He got up and wagged his tail happily, partaking in the bounty of fish that lay before him. "Finally. I almost believed you were never getting up again. Have a good night?" Hiccup did his daily routine of checking on his riding gear, then checking on Toothless. He ran his hands over Toothless's smooth skin, feeling each and every scale underneath like it was the first time he's touched him. He cared for any scrapes and massaged any tender spots. Toothless purred happily and let him continue with his inspection.
Hiccup finally came to the scarred leg. He gently touched it, his fingers feeling the cold scar tissue upon his friend's body. The scar was a dull pink now, whereas before it was a bright and almost shimmering magenta. Toothless cocked his head, confused at why Hiccup had stopped his inspection and nosed him.
"Hey, don't do that. Now finish up, we have some work to do today." Hiccup touched the scar one more time and winced.
