Alright, this is my very first fanfic-EVER! I'm just testing out my literary skills, trying to see where I'm at. This story will still continue though. Loved the movie and am currently waiting for the next Riders of Berk episode. The whole goodbye scene with Heather really slapped me in the face. Hugged Astrid, hugged Toothless...And Hiccup? "Well, later guys!" Just...no. That wasn't enough for me. I really wished she was a reoccurring character though.. Critiques, opinions, and ideas are welcomed.
The afternoon's cold, chilly air filled the dim sky. The isle of Berk was covered by thick grey clouds so that only few beams of light that escaped through their crevasses may shine. The village itself however was bustling as ever. About every Viking was busy harvesting the last of their crops, bringing in more livestock from the wild, and hauling in catches of fish. All for the nearing end of the harvest season and the preparation for the Freeze, the coldest time of the year. With the help of Berk's new allied dragons, work was as prominent without falter. All work was focused in bringing in the year's haul, except for a boy and his Night Fury.
"Alright, bud", said Hiccup. "Let's do this one more time!"
Soaring through the sky, gales of wind sliced in their path. Toothless flew upward, higher into the sky. Still holding on with one hand, Hiccup unclipped his safety line. Nearing the peak of his limitations, Toothless began to slow down and at this point, Hiccup had let himself go. Opening his arms outward for his leap of faith.
Facing downwards, the wind blew greatly towards his face. Surely, any Viking who would do what he did would be screaming for his Norse life. But Hiccup wasn't just any Viking. He was a Dragon Rider.
Hiccup placed his arms to his side, accelerating his drop and intensified his adrenaline. The rush he would get from these sort of stunts was exhilarating. The fact that he'd do this every day, never bored him.
"Now, Toothless!" Hiccup commanded.
In response, the Night Fury did a loop and dived toward Hiccup, closing his wings and bringing his forelegs closer to his body just as Hiccup did to gain speed. Due to Toothless' sleek scales, it made him less wind resistant and faster when falling.
Nearing Hiccup, Toothless opened his wings, tilting them slightly, allowing the wind to let him glide just underneath him. As soon as Toothless was within his grasp, Hiccup grabbed on and hooked his safety line back in place. Then swiftly, he mounted the saddle again. Hooking his prosthetic leg back on the foot pedal, he was back in control.
Hiccup leaned forward as the open water was within their midst. Hiccup quickly shifted the foot pedal just a few yards before imminent splashdown, gliding Toothless over the ocean. The water was split upon their path and mist had speckled onto Hiccup's face. Truly, Hiccup was the best Dragon Rider of Berk.
"YEAH!" Hiccup yelled in triumph, a chuckle beneath it while double fisting the air in his newest feat.
Hiccup settled himself back into place, clutched the saddle.
"Alright, now for the last bit."
Patting his dragon's side, Toothless pulled up again, allowing a mist of water to trail behind them. Hiccup held on tighter as tension grew. Toothless then fired three consecutive shots ahead of them, exploding into a hot field of smoke. Hiccup had ducked down and nearly closed his eyes as the Night Fury began gaining speed. Before making contact, Hiccup quickly shifted the foot pedal, causing Toothless to spiral right through, dissipating the cloud into a ring of grey. Going back to their normal pace, Hiccup relaxed.
"YES!" he screamed in success. "Aw, bud that was a close one. At least my face wasn't burned like last time", Hiccup reminisced.
A loud abrupt boom snapped him back into reality. Looking over his shoulder, an ominous storm crept along the horizon. Though they were from a safe distance, strikes of lightning accompanied by the crashes of thunder could still be seen.
"Looks like a storm's brewing" he muttered. "And by the looks of it, it's cutting close to Berk" He looked back at the near island of his home. "Alright then buddy, that's enough riding for today"
Gaining speed, they headed home-bound for the rising storm.
When they arrived, mild winds have already swarmed through the plaza. Rainfall had already covered most of Berk, and it was only going to get worse. The village, once immersed in work, now scurried about in distraught, trying to get their jobs done before the storm reaches their homes. All food must be stored and all livestock in their holdings. Lightning strikes have become more abundant from the oncoming storm. Hiccup landed by his house and dismounted Toothless. Turning toward his dragon, he began unlatching his saddle.
"Hiccup! There you are!" shouted a deep gruff voice.
Hiccup looked back in response to the familiar tone of his own father and chief of the village, Stoick the Vast.
"Oh, hey dad. What's going on?"
"What's going on? What's going on is that a storm is headed for Berk and we need all the help that we can muster", he sternly rebutted. "And as future chief, it's going to be your responsibility to tend to the villagers. And getting some hands-on experience would do good for ya. An early start wouldn't hurt."
"C'mon dad, it's not total chaos out there!" Hiccup gestured towards the village. "And besides, we're Vikings. A little rain and lightning won't tear us apart."
"Don't you think I'd know that Hiccup? Anyways, I have a job for you. Something I can only entrust to you."
Hiccup's attitude changed as he caught interest in what he has to say. "Like what?"
"Well, it seems that one of our fishing boats still hasn't returned. I'm going to need you and Toothless to go out there and find that missing ship."
"Not as big of a mission as I'd expect, but it seems simple enough" Hiccup thought. "Alright dad, you can count on us!"
"Great! I knew I can count on ya"
Hiccup tightened Toothless' saddle and mounted him, hooking his foot back into the pedal.
"Well Toothless, it looks like the day's not over yet."
Toothless bellowed a roar as he expanded his wings. In a hard flap, they took off with only gusts of wind behind them.
Hiccup searched from above as they crossed farther into the open ocean.
"See anything, bud?"
Toothless scanned over the open waters to no avail. The fast rainwater on them didn't make the search easier and the storm itself seemed to be growing larger as they were forced to draw near it.
"Me neither…Where can they be?"
Toothless roared as he spotted something below them.
"Wait—I think—" Toothless flew closer so that Hiccup could get a better look. "It is! That's our ship!"
Hiccup leaned forward and Toothless dived in to land on the boat.
"Dragon!" someone had shrieked.
"Nononononononono, it's ME! Hiccup!" he tried to explain.
Settling onto the boat, Hiccup got off to confront the fishing Vikings. Only two were on board. One was short and stout. He had a large auburn beard and a hook for a hand. The other, much taller than the first, had long blond hair with a corresponding beard. He as well had a hook for a hand and for his own reasons, a bucket snug on his noggin.
"Bucket, Mulch; my dad's sent me here to tell you to get back to Berk. If you haven't noticed, a storm's coming this way" Hiccup pointed behind them at the dark grey thunderstorm.
"Sorry Hiccup" started Mulch, rubbing the back of his head. "But Bucket and I were in the middle of a game of Boulder, Parchment, Spears! And the game's gotten mighty ferocious!"
Both Vikings looked at each other as they tapped the palms of the hands with the other and presented their hooks.
"Oh darn, Mulch. Tied again…"
"Thirty-one times in a row too…Would you like a try, Hiccup?"
Hiccup put up both hands in defense. "Hehe…wow guys, that's a pretty interesting game. But how 'bout we play back home for more people to see?"
"Great idea, Hiccup!" said Mulch. "We'll see ya there, then"
"Do you need any help getting back? With the storm and all. Could take a while."
"Aye, it could take time, but winds are good in this weather. We can handle our own."
"That's a Viking for ya. An occupational hazard."
Mulch let out a hearty laugh then proceeded to walk to the helm.
"Oh, Hiccup—wait!" interrupted Bucket.
"Yes, Bucket?" Hiccup asked.
"The storm, right? The one over yonder?" He pointed over his shoulder.
"Yeah, what about it?" Hiccup asked.
"Well, I may be no dragon expert as yourself, but I do know that you always fancy a new dragon"
Hiccup's eyes slightly widened, "I'm listening."
"Well with all that bright flashes and booms in the sky, well—Mulch told me it was called a—uh…what was it again? It only appears when the sky's like this…erm.." He snapped his fingers. "Oh yes! I do believe he called it a Grill!"
"You mean Skrill?"
"Skrill?! Where?!" Bucket ducked down, holding onto his Bucket.
Hiccup only stared at him. "Well thanks for the info, Bucket. I'll go check this dragon out. Maybe it's the one causing the storm."
Hiccup got back on Toothless and shifted back the foot pedal.
"Let's go, Toothless!" Then they were off.
"Skrills are known to be found in electrical storms like this, so perhaps his story may not be as farfetched as it seems…Supersonic speed, covered in lightning and spikes, and breathes white fire…Perhaps there could be a link between it and this storm. It's too unnatural in these parts for it to get so massive. This could get tricky… "
The boat back in motion, Mulch walked back to Bucket. "So what did you and Hiccup talk about?"
"Hiccup? Where?" Bucket looked around. "Well, can you tell him I said 'hi' for me?"
"Aye, Bucket. I shall. And let's just hope the gods'll give ya a new head too." Mulch joked as he tapped Bucket's bucket.
"But Mulch, I like my head!"
"Well, Toothless. Let's hope that if we encounter this alleged dragon, we can put an end to this"
The rain was getting heavier and the clouds seemed to be pitch black as they ventured into the storm. The ocean seemed to roar under them and the thunder shouted over them. A loudness that he couldn't block away. Hiccup was squinted his eyes while moving his damp hair out of his face.
"You gotta fly lower Toothless. I don't know what I'd do if you were stuck by a stray lightning bolt. That means I've gotta swim back home to Berk."
Toothless growled and as a rebuttal, whipped Hiccup's side with his ear.
"Kidding! I was just kidding, Toothless. Jeez bud, when we get back home, let's try to improve your sense of humor."
Looking underneath, Hiccup was in for another surprise.
"A boat? In the middle of this mess?" he muttered
It was only a small boat. There was no insignia on the sail that usually notified its' clan or origin. And by the looks of it, it was just waiting for disaster to strike. In the midst of things, only one person was on board. Hiccup couldn't configure what it was though. They were completely covered in a black cloak, and their petit hands were configured onto the helm, trying to escape the storm.
"Let's go check it out Toothless. Looks like they might need some help."
Toothless swooped right in and was suddenly startled by a flash of lightning. It stopped him in mid air, blinding him momentarily. Hiccup cringed at the sight and held his arm over his face. Regaining vision, Hiccup put down his arm, realized that lightning had struck the ship's mast, igniting it, followed by a grazing flame that began to consume the sail. The lone person on board panicked as they tried to stomp out the flames as the burning fabric fell upon the deck.
"Toothless, we've gotta help 'em!" Hiccup shouted.
Gaining more speed, Toothless headed for the flaming boat.
"HEY!" Hiccup shouted at the hooded person. "GRAB MY HAND!"
The figure stopped what they were doing and looked at the speeding dragon. Hiccup extended his arm to save the person in need.
"C'mon, c'mon, almost—there!"
Things took a turn for the worse as the charred mast finally gave through, falling and damaging the hull. The person stumbled over the deck just as Toothless flew over them.
"We've gotta turn around!"
Shifting the foot pedal, they swiftly turned back. The boat was now being filled with water from the hole the mast gave it. Barrels and crates slid overboard but the person on board did not. Holding on for their life at the railing, they looked back at Hiccup. Straining to extend his hand once more, the hanging person did the same. They were just a couple feet away from imminent contact. Fate had other plans however, as a massive wave collided with the side of the boat. The impact shook fiercely loosening their grip followed by a high-pitched shriek that was heard as she fell overboard. The wood creaked as the boat itself began sinking into the unforgiving sea.
"Toothless!" he shouted. Toothless flew over the water and Hiccup darted his head left and right for any sign of life. Nothing.
"Looks like we're going in!"
Toothless brought himself and dived right in. Coming back up, Hiccup exhaled deeply, still with no body to be found.
"We HAVE to find them! We can't just let this by!"
Taking in another mouthful of air, they dived back in. Going deeper into the watery abyss, Hiccup searched tirelessly. He wanted to stay down, but his body resisted. He could feel his lungs rasping for air, the feeling getting worse with each passing second. But if he were to resurface, he would be unable to find her and she would surely drown.
Toothless squinted into the darkness then quickly affixed his gaze into one area. Hiccup tried to look at the direction he faced and could barely make an image. There she was: struggling to swim to the surface, but rather did the opposite. Her movements slowing and the amount of air bubble that escapes her lips soon dwindling. She would surely drown if he would not act fast.
With his wings, Toothless pushed the water with all his might, dodging pieces of the broken ship as he torpedoed towards his target. Now in better sight, Hiccup grew anxious and grits his teeth.
"Almost…there..."
Gliding through the waves, Hiccup grabbed her by the waist, still holding on fiercely with the other arm. His vision growing dim from the lack of oxygen, he feels himself slipping away.
"N—Not…yet…"
In what seems like a loud explosion, they submerged from the depths, breaking the ocean surface. Toothless; bellowing a loud screech in doing so. Hiccup gasped for air as soon as possible, letting it fill his lungs; enjoying each breath that he unappreciated for so long. His moment of bliss was interrupted with a striking thought.
"Is she still breathing?"
The sky was filled with near-pitch black clouds and the pouring rain and lightning afflicted his vision. Hiccup quickly shifted her into both arms and pressed his ear to her chest, listening attentively.
"She's not breathing!"
Still holding on, Hiccup looked back at Toothless.
"Toothless! We've gotta get out of this rain and land somewhere! Quick!"
Flying to the nearest island formation, Toothless landed on the beach. Hiccup got off and laid her onto the sand.
"Oh, please don't die, please don't die, please don't die!" Hiccup panicked.
Placing one hand over the other, he applied rhythmic pressure on her chest then listened again.
"Oh gods, oh gods, don't do this to me!"
Removing her hood, long black hair sprawled over her face, still damp. Moving it back, he tilted her head back.
"Okay, okay—I learned this! I just have to…I'm just going to…" Hiccup hesitated. "Odin, help me…"
Hunching over, he opened her mouth gingerly then connected his to hers, sharing as much air as possible.
"Don't die don't die don't die don't die don't die"
Toothless watched Hiccup in awe as he, what he seemed to be attempting, was trying to eat a sleeping woman at the mouth. A strange ritual that these humans have. Occasionally, he would see other Vikings do the same. Holding each other and mouths agape, they seem to be trying to consume each other. But always, they're equally matched. A fight for dominance, perhaps?
He'd seen the Rider of 'Stormfly', as they now call her, do the same to Hiccup. Quick strikes, though, and with them, she completely dominates Hiccup. He would always get weak around her. Perhaps she emits an aura that renders opponents defenseless. A powerful one, she must be. Although, Stormfly says that she has 'soft spots' here and then. A weakness? Then she regards none other than Hiccup! The very one she conquers! Humans are strange creatures. But always interesting.
This is a battle for dominance. Before him, Hiccup is the one dominating here. But here…she's just letting it happen and Hiccup still hasn't asserted complete dominance. Even in sleep, she still stands her own. A strong fighter, this one must be to defend oneself without conscious. Though, is this a battle at all? It seems though the she must be winning if Hiccup were to be struggling so. His face had gotten completely red. She must really be a strong and persistent opponent.
Hiccup was startled as he felt her lips twitch. Throwing himself back, she began coughing hoarsely as water exited her lungs.
"Oh, thank …the gods…that…that you're alright…" Hiccup panted.
Looking at her from this distance, her details were more prominent. The robe clung onto her skin, revealing the curves of her body. Her hands were small and fragile. Her skin looked pale and smooth and yet her cheeks were rosy. Hiccup's mouth slightly hanged as she hazily half-opened her eyes. They were a changing tint of jade green; eyes that were too familiar to forget. Her mouth slightly opened, but no words came out. Then she fell back. Hiccup caught her before her head touched the ground then picked her right up.
"Heather…" he whispered. "Why is she—"
Placing her on Toothless first, the dragon looked back at them.
"Toothless, we have to get back to Berk." Hiccup got on, latching his foot and latching on his safety line. He held her tight in his arm then tapped Toothless' side with the other.
"Heather doesn't look so good."
Listening to his rider, they took off. Heather slightly jostled in his arms and tried to mutter something and then again, her eyes closed and grew silent. They headed for home once more and the storm still raged. Though they neared Berk's isles, Hiccup couldn't help but look back as a high pitched screech filled the sky followed by abnormal strikes of ultra violet lightning.
"Priorities come first…"
First chapter: DONE! I've already gotten the next 2 chapter written down, but I still need to type it out. Another thing: Next episode of Riders of Berk: When Lightning Strikes, they're going to introduce the Skrill into the series! NOSTALGIA! Should I continue or not? At least one review or follow, and I'm going to release a new chapter. :D
Edit: Had some technical difficulties seeing that it's my first time uploading -_- All better now and properly edited! Any more mistakes I've made, just added it in a review or PM me. :D