Disclaimer: I don't own Dragons: Race to the Edge. The series is property of Netflix and DreamWorks animation studios.
Author's Note: I got this idea shortly after watching "Ruff Transition". I started wondering how the events might've played out if it had been Snotlout. And that thought inspired this fan fiction. Let me know what you think. Be honest. My only rule is no flames; flames are never constructive.
The Grand Transition
The day started out normally enough on Dragon's Edge. Everyone was either training, patrolling, or running errands. The twins were in the northern markets buying feed for Chicken and her family when they heard some men talking. During the conversation, they mentioned hearing that Johann knows where the Dragon Eye lenses were hidden. Naturally, the twins rushed back to Dragon's Edge and told their friends what they heard. Snotlout was skeptical, Hiccup, on the other hand, did not want to take any chances that their enemies might even have a clue where to find the lenses. If Johann had even the slightest feeling that the lenses were hidden on Wingmaiden Island, that could endanger the Wingmaidens and their baby Razorwhips. With that in mind, Hiccup had his friends mount up and set a course for Wingmaiden Island to warn Atali and the Wingmaidens.
During the flight, Hiccup reminded his friends, mainly Snotlout and the twins, "Alright, gang, when we get to Wingmaiden Island, I want everyone to be on their best behaviour."
The twins had Barf and Belch fly alongside Toothless as Ruffnut called, "Hiccup, we've made a chiefly decision."
"Okay," Hiccup replied, "But your not a chief so-"
Before Hiccup could finish, Tuffnut interrupted by saying, "Ruff and I think that we should be the ones to tell Atali that we need to move the lenses."
"Since we are the ones who found that Johann knows where you hid them," Ruffnut added.
"We don't know for sure that Johann knows anything about the lenses, you two just heard a rumor about it in the northern markets," Hiccup explained, "I'm just moving the lenses as a precaution."
"Ah, Ba-ba-ba-ba," Snotlout said, flying above Hiccup on Hookfang, "If anyone is telling Atali anything it should be me. I'm like the ambassador to the Wingmaidens."
Astrid and Stormfly came up behind Snotlout and Hookfang and Astrid called, partially sarcastically, "You are so right, Snotlout. I can't believe that they haven't erected a statue in your honor."
"They probably have, Astrid," Snotlout retorted, "We haven't been there in a while."
"Yeah, a statue of Snotlout sitting in a pot of stew screaming for help," Ruffnut mocked, laughing.
Snotlout laughed sarcastically and then said, "Like you anything about the Wingmaidens, Ruff!"
"Look who's talking. How much do you know about them exactly? I mean besides the fact that they're girls, they fly, and they take care of baby dragons?" Ruffnut retorted. Snotlout was about to reply only for nothing to come out. Ruffnut merely smirked and said, "That's what I thought."
Finally, the Dragon Riders arrived at the island and immediately went to meet up with Atali to tell her the news.
After meeting up with Atali and two other Wingmaidens, Hiccup and the other Dragon Riders walked with them and Hiccup informed Atali about the rumour that the twins heard in the northern markets and that he feels better moving the Dragon Eye lenses to a new location just to be safe.
"I completely agree, Hiccup," said Atali, "Even if there is a small chance the Hunters know where the lenses are hidden, they should be moved."
"You also might wanna stay on high alert for a while, Atali," Hiccup advised, "Just in case they come looking for them."
"Yes," said Atali, "Especially during the Grand Transition."
"Grand Transition?" Snotlout asked, "What's that?"
"I thought you were the ambassador," said Ruffnut, "Shouldn't you know?"
Snotlout shot Ruffnut an annoyed look and said, "Shut up, Ruffnut."
"You realize you're proving my point, right?" Ruffnut asked, "You know next to nothing about them."
"I know they work hard taking off those baby dragons and that they're great warriors," said Snotlout.
Fishlegs felt that there was something different about the Wingmaidens, but could not put his finger on it at first. However, the longer he looked at them, the more he was starting to notice. Finally, Fishlegs realized that their backs no longer had Razorwhips on them.
"Wait. Your-Your baby Razorwhips are gone," said Fishlegs.
Atali smiled at Fishlegs and explained, "The Razorwhips have been returned to their flock. The time has come for them to leave the safety of our care."
"Must be nice to finally get that dragon off your back. Am I right?" Ruffnut asked, laughing a little. Ruffnut then turned to her brother and expected him to give her a high five and a low five. Unfortunately, all she received was a look of disapproval. So she simply shrugged it off.
Atali could see that the girl twin did not understand and further explained, "The Grand Transition is bittersweet, Ruffnut. As one group departs, our hearst ache. But then a new flock of babies come to fill the void."
"I thought I heard some rustling in the rookery," Fishlegs said in excitement, "Oooh! Little baby dragons!"
"Yes," said Atali, laughing a little at Fishlegs' excitement, "Tonight, each Razorwhip will choose it's Wingmaiden and the process will start all over again."
Snotlout walked over to Atali and put his hand on her shoulder as he said, "You know, A, if you ladies need any help with the great tradition-"
"Grand Transition," Atali corrected, slightly annoyed. She might have punched Snotlout had Hiccup not immediately separated them.
"Okay, well, too bad we can't stay, Snotlout. We wouldn't want to intrude," Hiccup said, and then shot his cousin a stern look and whispered, "Or mess anything up."
"Nonsense, Hiccup," said Atali, "You all stay the night and be our honored guests at the ceremony."
Before Hiccup could decline, Atali walked away with her Wingmaidens. Snotlout was about to follow when Hiccup stopped him and gave him a stern look.
"Best behavior," Hiccup reminded him.
"Fine, dad," Snotlout sarcastically replied, "Best behavior."
"What?" Hiccup asked.
"You heard me," said Snotlout, "You sound like a dad when you talk like that."
Snotlout laughed a little and Hiccup shook his head and said, "I have to, you act like a child. Only without any of the joy."
Hiccup started walking away while Snotlout stopped laughing and stared, taking in what he just heard. He then realized he was by himself and ran to catch up to the others.
"What do you mean I act like a child?" Snotlout asked.
"You next to no self-control or restraint," said Hiccup, "You also rarely pay attention or listen to what anyone says. You just do whatever reckless thing you wanna do regardless of other people's safety. And you make jokes or sarcastic comments like it's no big deal."
"What's your point?" Snotlout asked.
"I guess my point is: when are you gonna grow up and start taking things seriously?" Hiccup asked.
"Hiccup, please, I totally be serious when I need to be," said Snotlout.
Once they reach the village, the Dragon Riders were shown to the hut that they would be using for the night. After unloading their supplies, Snotlout spotted a familiar face and rushed to greet her.
"Hey, Minden!" Snotlout called.
Minden smiled and replied, "Hello, Snotlout. What brings you to the island?"
"Dragon Eye lenses," said Snotlout, shrugging, "The twins heard a rumor that Johann might know where they are and Hiccup had us come here to get so we can move them."
"Oh no. That's not good," said Minden, "Especially with the Grand Transition tonight."
"Yeah. Atali told us about earlier. She even invited us to be guests at the ceremony," said Snotlout. He then noticed that she, like the other Wingmaidens, no longer had a Razorwhip baby on her back, "Looks like even your Razorwhip returned to the flock."
"Yes. It was hard letting him go," said Minden, remembering when her Razorwhip was released back to the flock. Her frown quickly changed into a smile as she said, "But tonight is a chance for a new beginning."
"I bet you'll end with the best one," said Snotlout.
"Best one?" Minden asked.
"A real top dragon. Pick of the litter," said Snotlout, "Possibly the cutest one."
"Snotlout, all baby Razorwhips are amazing, and cute," said Minden.
"But yours will be the best," said Snotlout, "How could an amazing Wingmaiden like you get any less?"
Minden laughed a little and said, "Snotlout, stop it. You sound like you're flirting with me."
"Maybe I am," said Snotlout.
"What did I say before we got here?" a familiar voice asked.
Snotlout turned around and saw Hiccup standing behind him with his arms crossed and a stern look on his face.
"We were just talking," said Snotlout.
"It sounded like flirting," said Hiccup, "And I clearly said to be on your best behavior."
"Alright," said Snotlout, holding his hands up in defense, "No need to get crabby."
With that, Hiccup and Snotlout walked away, leaving Minden to laugh in amusement at them.
Later that night, the Dragon Riders followed the Wingmaidens down into a cavern with a huge fire pit in the middle; no doubt the rookery where the baby Razorwhips were. The Wingmaidens, including Minden, lined up with unlit torches in their hands while the Dragon Riders stood in the background to watch. Atali slowly descended into the rookery with an unlit torch in her hands, apparently part of the tradition. Once she reached the bottom, Atali lit her torch and address her Wingmaidens and guests.
"For generations the Wingmaidens and the Razorwhips lived in perfect harmony. Tonight that tradition continues," Atali said. She lit each torch as she continued her speech, "Each baby Razorwhip will choose it's Wingmaiden. That is the first step in our sacred bond. This is the way it always has been and this way it always will be."
After Atali finished her speech, many baby Razorwhips started crawling out of the cave and started playing together. Hiccup and Astrid smiled at the babies and locked hands with each other.
"Look, Hiccup, it's like a little Razorwhip family," said Fishlegs, wiping a tear from his eye.
"That's exactly what they are, Fishlegs," said Minden, making the Gronkle Rider squeal in delight.
The Dragon Riders then watched as, one by one, each baby Razorwhip ran over to a Wingmaiden and jumped into her arms. Finally, there were only two dragons left as well as two Wingmaidens without dragons; Atali and Minden. While Atali and Minden knelt down and waited for a dragon to choose each of them patiently, Snotlout decided to get a look up close. So he stood next to Minden and watched the baby dragons look from one Wingmaiden to another before one ran over to Atali.
"Looks like that one's yours, Minden," said Snotlout, referring to the baby Razorwhip. The Razorwhip then turned in their direction and ran that way. "See, here it comes now."
The Razorwhip came closer and everyone was sure it would go to Minden. However, to the surprise of everyone attending, residents and visitors, the dragon went past Minden right to... Snotlout.
"What the Thor?" Snotlout asked as the baby Razorwhip jumped into his arms. "Hey! What do you think you're doing? I'm not Minden! You're supposed to go to her!"
Everyone looked confused by what happened. Atali glanced at Hiccup and he responded by shrugging his shoulders and giving a look of confusion himself. The twins found the scene both strange and adorable.
"Aw, look at him," said Ruffnut, "He's so cute."
"And he's yours, Snotlout," said Tuffnut, "He's gonna need a name. How about Razorlout? No, that's dumb. Whiplout? No. Wait, I got it. Winglout!"
"He's not mine!" Snotlout shouted. He walked towards Minden and continued, "He's going with Minden and I'm setting him straight."
Once he reached the Wingmaiden, Snotlout looked the baby dragon in the face and said, "I am Snotlout, Dragon Rider." He turned the dragon around to face Minden and said, "This is Minden, Wingmaiden." Snotlout put the dragon into Minden's arms and finished, "Wingmaidens take care of Razorwhips. You stay with Minden. Now, stay."
"Thank you, Snotlout," said Minden. She then noticed the the Razorwhip was trying to get away from her and go back to Snotlout. "Hey, it's okay."
Snotlout shot Hiccup a smug look and said, "And you said I don't take things seriously."
"That was strange," said Atali, "I've never seen a baby Razorwhip go to a man before."
"I'm so sorry, Atali," said Hiccup, "I don't know what happened."
"He must have become disoriented from all the extra people," Atali concluded.
"Baby dragons are very instinctual," said Fishlegs.
"What?" Snotlout asked, having heard that. "There's no way he meant to come to me. No way! He was about to go to Minden and I happened to be standing next to her. That was just an accident."
"Well, now he's back where he belongs," said Atali.
With that, the ceremony was over and everyone returned to the village and retired for the night. Everyone thought that the strange events were over, but they were wrong. Things had only just begun.