Author's Note: For those who read the original and wondering why this isn't called a re-write is because, I am deeply ashamed to admit I wrote the first version. So, for those of you first joint. Welcome to the world of Pick-Pocket! Swash buckling pirates, danger Night Furies action all around! :D
I hope you enjoy this!
disclaimer: I own nothing!
Chapter 1: Leaping
They say that if you try hard enough, you can fly.
Open your wings and soar forward, never touching the ground, powerful muscles beating and working, stretching and twisting almost painfully, but they'll never fail you. Not once, not ever. Faster than a dragon, longer than a bird flying for migration, further than the edge of the world. Openly joining the skies and clouds.
The key word: Try.
There isn't a guarantee.
I haven't found my wings.
I borrow flight, but the wings never stay open, ready for me to fly, ready to help me soar across the sky forever. I have little snippets of flying, freedom briefly in the clouds before it's ripped away from me mercilessly.
Life isn't fair.
But I'd never go out and yell it at the top of my lungs, why shout out what I already know to be so painfully true? Honestly, it wouldn't do much except attract odd stares and attention I don't want. I'm a warrior and a thief, a criminal. Attention is the last thing I need, have, or want. It's not going to get me anywhere, so I'll stay what I've been named: thief.
I can steal boots off a man's feet as he's walking and he'll carry on like normal, not even noticing until he steps on something sharp, but I can't seem to steal my freedom. Who ever came up with the idea that you can fly, must have been delusional, deranged, or down right mad. It's become quite clear to me, flight can't be stolen, only borrowed briefly.
The wind whips through my frozen hair, whacking against my cold limbs and blowing my coat away from my thin, bleeding shoulders. My fingerless gloves do little to protect against the freezing weather, the wind and rain beating down on my fingers.
"FREEBIRD!" A voice roars angrily behind me.
No.
I look back, my bangs flying in front of my face, obscuring my vision, but I can see blurrily at least a dozen figures chasing after me up the hill. I wrap my arms around myself in a tight hug and pick up the pace my peg leg hardly touching the ground. The distinct click the peg leg makes on the ground echoes in my ears and I let out a panicked breath, trying not to hyperventilate.
No doubling back now.
I have to leave Toothless.
My dragon, my other half, my best friend. He's waiting for me. I can't stay away forever.
My breaths hitches and thunder rumbles overhead, lighting crackling in the sky as it rips the clouds open. My gaze flickers briefly upwards towards the clouds but I can't see anything through the choking blackness of the night.
"YOU CAN'T RUN FOREVER!" The voice roars again.
I have to.
I can't stay here.
Not anymore.
My lips part, a shaky breath leaving my mouth.
My back pulses with pain, the thick black pirate coat draped around my shoulders doing nothing against the beating rain and howling wind. My foot slips slightly a terrified yelp leaving my lips, I snap my head around and watch as a rock falls off the side of the cliff. I back away from the roaring waves and look forward watching the advancing torches draw nearer.
No.
No.
No!
I won't go through it again.
I can't.
I scan around myself hoping for an alternative to leap from the ground and appear before me, shouting 'this is the way to go'. The torches draw closer and all I can hear is my heart beating in a panicked rhythm in my chest.
"There!" Someone shouts. Several figures rush forward and I back up again, my boot hitting the end of the cliff.
"Well, well, well. You think you can run from this?" A voice asks. I look up, my green eyes I'm sure are widened as large as they can go. I force a breath letting my hands slip away from my upper arms.
"No." I whisper. I can't run.
"Come now and we'll go easy on ya'. Alvin won't be pleased." Savage growls lowly. He draws his sword and the rain beats down on the metal with a clanking sound. My breathing hitches and I swallow the lump in my throat.
"I-I.." I stutter no words leaving my tongue.
"You won't escape this, boy." Savage growls advancing slowly. The rain beats down harder and I take in a breath. I have to. I will. I glance back at the cliff's edge. I shouldn't, it's the stupidest idea sense trying to convince Alvin I won't train his dragons.
"I've been escaping for years." I say my voice barely over a whisper. My back pulses with unbearable pain and my breath hitches. Savage and the other Outcasts storm forward. Now or never, I look back down at the ocean. Outcast Island is a volcano and rocks poke from the ocean, surrounded by arches and sea stacks, leaping safely off a cliff's edge is impossible.
"There's nowhere left to run, runt." Savage growls.
I look back at the frigid ocean below.
"You're right." I say my voice suddenly steady, I turn and throw my arms open, my back twisting with pain. I close my eyes tightly and force it to the back of my mind, I give a half glance back at the Outcast, "See you in Valhalla!" I yell and jump off the edge.
"HICCUP!" Savage shouts behind me, his voice echoing before I hit the water. The salt and fresh wounds on my back don't agree in the slightest and a scream escapes my lips, drowned out by the ocean. I shove my way towards the surface and break it, taking in several gasping breaths before my vision starts to blur.
No!
I have to stay awake. I have to get Toothless away from Alvin. My eyes slip shut and my consciousness departs from my body without my consent.
Author's Note: I cant give confirmation of fast updates until my AU the Snow Queen is done. If any of you have written up an episode, you know how much work it is. I mean, RTTE is killing my brain then dancing on its grave. Anyway, this has been wandering through my head since May..ish, the world, plot and my writing style are better and more devolved. I hope you enjoyed this and until the next chapter! :D
Please review!