An: I give you:


A Fury's Tribulation

The Cold Truth


There are many benefits to being a dragon. One may imagine that breathing fire would be an excellent example, or one may think that having well-built scales would give them an advantage, but I assure you, if there is one thing that I would take over anything else to be a dragon, it would be the flight.

There is nothing more glorious than beating your wings and tilting your fins to gusts of the wind. It may seem like a lot of exertion: the continuous flapping of those powerful wings, the constant adjustments that need to be made to the trailing and tail fins, the strain of breathing the thin amount of oxygen. It's all worth it once you're in the air. All of the fine tuning and the effort that is put forth just seems to fade away, like you're not even doing it.

I can't simply explain the beauty and magnificence that is witnessed once in the sky. Once you reach the skies, there is no one else in the world except yourself. The atmosphere has a way of enhancing ones senses; it brings out the entire splendor that the world has to offer. The colors are more bright and vivid, the smells are cool and refreshing, and the sounds are of peace and tranquility. To put it simply, it would be to closest place to heaven without breaching the barrier itself.

It's a place that I will never have the opportunity to access again.

I lay down across the ground and let out a moan in sorrow. There was nothing that could be done to hurt a dragon more than to take away its flight. I could feel my heart beating slower than normal; it too, was feeling the pain and agony of not being able to fly. I rested my head down on my paws to peer out to sea. I watched as the birds and eagles hovered over the vast open water. I could feel my eyes beginning to fill with a salty liquid as I envied the creatures of the sky. I was once one of those. I was one of the most feared and agile creatures to ever inhabit air biome.

A Dark Sentry

Why did I have to be a Dark Sentry? Why did I have to be a part of the most endangered and reclusive species of dragons? If I was any other type, any at all, I would have had a chance. I saw three Spikeshooters fly through an archway that was just out to sea. A tear began to roll down my face as I knew I could never join them in that wonderful movement.

Now would be the perfect time to come across another Dark Sentry, but sadly, I have never had the benefit of seeing another one my entire life. Being born of the smallest, smartest and most powerful of dragon species has its benefits as well as its hindrances.

I never met my mother or father; evidently it's customary for the hatchlings of my species to develop on their own. If they last until adulthood, then they are worthy of being a Dark Sentry. To put it plain and simple, it's a hard life from the start.

I watched as my fellow dragons disappeared over the crest of the horizon. They have no idea how lucky they are. Life is easy for the other dragons, they are born into a loving and caring family, they are taught how to fly and protect themselves, and they potentially could even heal themselves from an injury such as mine. I let out a long breath and eyed the sea below.

It all comes down to the dragon's fire.

A dragon's fire is so much more powerful than it appears. If used in the right method, it can even regenerate a lost limb or heal a vicious wound.

I brought my tail around for my inspection; blood was still oozing form the sudden amputation. I noticed that some old bark and grass had gotten lodged into the crevice of the wound. They say that licking ones wounds can help cure the pain and help it to heal. I'm not sure if what they say is true, but I figure it doesn't hurt to try. I cocked my head slightly and began to roll my tongue up the side of my newly lightened tail. I will say that the cleaning of the blood and debris does seem to lessen the stinging; If only it could grow back.

Once satisfied that my tail could heal properly, I rose myself up and walked into the forest to find a stream of water.

Walked.

Something dragons very seldom do is walk. It's not that we don't enjoy walking, but we prefer the flying. Once you have witnessed the sky for what it has to offer, nothing else can compare. I headed deeper into the forest to find the stream. It wasn't too bad of a walk. If it weren't for the deadly mortals that inhabited this dejected island, then it would make a suitable place to reside in.

I've made my way through many places in my lifetime. I don't even know why I've insisted on staying with the helpless dragons back at the Isle. That dreaded volcano has definitely been the worst of my travels. The dragons are missing out on so much by being held within that tomb of a cave.

The other dragons don't even realize on what they are missing out on. I often wonder if they have ever thought about what they have left behind. The families that they used to attend to, the protection of their closest friends; they left all of it behind.

I came upon a deep cove that had a small pond at the bottom. From up at the edge and peering down, it looked so peaceful and serene. I was sure that there would be plenty of fish within that pond to keep me alive and well. I slowly made my way around the rim of the cove to make sure that there were no inhabitants. The last thing I needed was some family of mortals living down by the pond and trying to kill me while I devour the fish from within.

The cove seemed completely vacant. Just the soothing sounds of the birds and water rustling slightly. I looked over to the other side of the cove and noticed a large tree climbing the side of the cliff. It would provide a perfect resting place and enough cover form the rain in case of such inclement weather.

Without another thought I leapt over the edge and glided down to the bottom where the tree sprouted from the ground. I hit the ground and jogged over to the edge of the pond. The water was crystal clear and was filled with many fish from what I could see.

I drank some of the cool refreshing water and looked up to admire my new retreat. Wow, that Cliff side is much higher than I thought; how am I going to get out of here if my tail is…..?

Ohhh crap.

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I took a deep breath and felt my head spinning with an awful sensation running through my body. It was almost as if my body was asleep even though I was awake. I took some heavy breaths to help wake myself up. My breathing seemed so much louder than normal. What happened to me?

I could feel my muscles tense as I attempted to move them. My head was throbbing as I clenched my eyelids closed. My chest felt as if it was on fire; I could feel a painful burning sensation across my torso and stomach. What did happen to me?

I tried to remember what I was doing last. I had been walking through the forest, tracking something. I couldn't remember what it was…..Dragon! I had been tracking a dragon; a Night Fury. I was walking through the forest and saw it. I remembered the desperate look on the dragon's face and I….I cut it free.

My mind seemed to go blank after that. It could faintly remember the dragon pouncing, but on what? Me? My mind flashed back to the dragon's face. It was much closer, almost touching my own. I could see the hatred in its eyes. The Night Fury had leaned back and started to build up a fire blast, then….

It killed me, didn't it?

My eyes shot open to see the forest floor in front of me. I was still at the place where I freed the dragon. The cut bola was right in front of me. How am I still alive? Why do I feel so heavy and hot?

I closed my eyes once more and shook my head trying to get rid of this throbbing. I let out a long moan of pain, the sound resembling the Night Fury as it dropped its head in defeat. Why do I sound so….different? I lifted my eyelids open and started to stretch my paws out in front of me.

PAWS!?

I frantically started waving the draconic limbs in front me, opening and closing my eyes to see if they would go away. There is no way. I don't have paws. I quickly turned my head and came across the body of a Night Fury. That's my body! I couldn't believe the sight before me. Attached to me was a long slender black body that had two massive wings and a…..TAIL!

I quickly go to my feet, er, um, paws and started running around trying to get away from the body. "No, no, no, no, no!" This isn't me I have to be dreaming. No of this has happened. I saw a large tree in front of me and decided that I should bash my head into it. I thought that I could wake myself up with a good hit. I ran forward and drilled my forehead straight into the side of the large tree.

Again, not my brightest endeavor.

I stumbled to the side and fell back down on the ground. Now my head had two reasons to throb. I let out another dragon moan and clenched my eyes shut. "This isn't happening." All I heard was growling and hissing. "What?" A frantic sounding croon. "Hello?" Again, more croons. I dropped my head to the ground and let out a long sigh. Great, now I can't even speak normal.

I tried to figure out what was happening to me. Why was I a dragon? Why would I have not died from the Night Fury's blast. I craned my head around to see my body once again. I tried to extend the massive wings and lash my tail, but it was as if the extra limbs weren't even there. I couldn't believe what was before me, or just me. How could I be a Night Fury?

I looked over the body I was connected to, the sleek black finish across the scales and acid green scars spread across my body. I didn't remember the other Night Fury having those marks on his body. I slowly started to get to my paws again, shaking while doing so. I took several deep breaths and turned towards the village to go home.

Home.

As I started my trek towards the village I started thinking about all the people there that would kill me on sight. I made it to the top of the hill and paused. If I go back, then they will kill me for sure. I dropped my head and let out short moan.

I couldn't go back. If the villagers saw me like this, I wouldn't last five seconds; I couldn't go, wouldn't. I raised my head and let out a deep sigh. Why me? Why did I have to shoot down that Night Fury? Why didn't I just kill him like anyone else would have? I looked back up towards the village once more and turned to head the other direction.

There was no use in going back. Even if I wasn't the dragon that I was now, all of the villagers hated me anyway. That look that my father had given me right before he commanded Gobber to take me home; that was one of sheer disappointment. It's not like I tried to screw up, it was an accident. I guess Hiccup is a fitting name after all; I just wished it wasn't 'Hiccup the Useless'.

I made it back to where my bola lay in shreds. Stupid bola launcher. If you hadn't worked like every other one of my inventions, I would still be a human right now. I lied down and rest my head on the ground. What was the point? If I were to stay out in the forest, someone would eventually find me. If I were to go back, I would be the first Night Fury to be seen, and the first to be slain.

I let out a shaky breath as my eyes started to fill with tears. The situation was starting to set in on me. I could never go back to see my father. I could never see the other teens. I could never see Gobber. As my vision started to blur I tightened my eyelids together and felt the tears stream down my face.

I literally had no one now. Even before, I could occasionally go to my father when in need or in pain. I used to be able to go to Gobber for advice and counsel. Now, I had no one.

I felt my wings drop to my side as if they were somehow attached to my emotions. I couldn't even figure out how to open them, but they had begun mocking my sadness by drooping lower and lower.

I try and curl in to myself to keep my body heat from escaping. It wasn't unnaturally cold out right now, but I knew that the temperature would soon be dropping for the night. Nights on Berk were always cold, and even in the blazing heat of the summer, it could still reach freezing at night.

I managed to wrap my tail around my body and shield my face form the outside world. The sun was beginning to set and it was going to be dark shortly. This was the first time that I would be spending the night out in the woods alone. My father and I had taken a few camping trips over the years, but he was always there to protect me. Now, I was alone.

Completely….alone.

The suns light finally slipped away and the only light that shed on the forest was from the dim crescent moon that was out tonight. I heard some movement in the woods behind me, followed by a long howl in the distance from a hungry wolf.

I tried to make myself seem smaller as I compressed my body together. Please don't find me, please don't find me. I had practically zero skills in defending myself as a human. I wouldn't have the first clue as a dragon.

The movement grew louder and closer. I could practically feel the presence of the wild animals. No, no, no, no, no! Please just go away.

My luck was never that good.

I heard one vicious growl form my side and quickly glanced up to see the adversary. It was staring right at me. Slobber dripping from its mouth and teeth ready to bite into me and make me into a delectable banquet. I got to my feet and quickly started backing up away from the deadly wolf.

I only stopped when another ferocious growl came from behind me. I closed my eyes and felt my heart drop inside of me. There were two of them. I slowly turned my head and looked desperately over to the other creature. Its hatred of me and wanting to tear my flesh form my bones was prevalent in its eyes.

I took several deep breaths and prepared to fight the vicious animals. There was no way I would let them kill me without a fight. I may not be the most skilled or even remotely experienced in this field, but I would not go down without a fight.

The first wolf started walking towards me, eyeing me carefully. I let out terrifying growl and snarled at it to stay away. The wolf started gaining speed and leapt towards my neck. I managed to swipe my claws at it just before the vicious beast reached me, resulting in four deep gashes running down the animal's side. The wolf gave a quick wail and limped slightly, but gradually fell back into a fighting stance.

Ok Hiccup, you can do this. Just use the claws, there the only thing that we know how to use. Suddenly both of the wolves started running towards me. As soon as the first one came into range I lashed my claws at him and threw him on the ground below me, a deep gash ripping though its chest and spilling blood onto the ground from the wound. Great, just one more to….

The second wolf leapt onto my back and started tearing his claws into my hide. I let out a roar in pain as the animal ripped into my side. I threw my front legs forward, forcing the beast off of me and into the side of a tree. The wolf yelped at impact and slowly got up from the ground. The wound on its side was bleeding profusely from when I hit it earlier. The wolf gave a few rapid breaths and eyed me angrily. It knew that it couldn't win this fight, it had no chance. The animal shook its head and gave one more vicious growl before limping away in the opposite direction of me.

I gave a long sigh of relief that the animals were finally dealt with. I limped down the hill and away from the carcass that lay near the bola. I looked down my chest and saw the blood oozing out of my scales. A moan of pain and agony escaped my throat as I continued down the hill. Once I was away from the dead body of the wolf, I lay back down and curled back into a tight ball of a Night Fury.

My ears seemed to be twitching sporadically and I could feel my chest pulsating slightly. It must have been something to do with the gashes on my body. I tried to ignore the odd vibrations coming from myself and I rested my head down on my paws.

Is this what it's like to be a dragon; having every living soul trying to kill you and eat your flesh? I settled back down and clenched my eyes closed once again as tears started to roll down my cheek. Is this the life I'm going to have to live now?

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I stared up at the sheer cliff before me looking for a plausible way out. I am such an idiot! I blasted a plasma bolt at the Cliff side and roared in anger to skies. If I make enough of a racket, someone is bound to find me here in this hole.

I couldn't believe myself. How could I have let myself be so ignorant and oblivious that I wouldn't think of a way to get out of the cove? I shook my head and once again launched myself at the cliff side, furiously flapping my wings for all they were worth.

The inevitable happened.

I flew for a mere few feet then lost balance and crashed into the wall, which led me to crash into the ground shortly after. My body groaned in pain as I attempted to roll over onto my side.

The sun was nearly set when I decided to give up on throwing my body against the stone face. I figured that I had endured enough pain and accumulated enough scars for one session. I was sure to receive plenty more the following day.

I slumped down on the ground and listened to nature take its course. The birds letting out their last chirps before they go on to sleep, the water rustling gently within the cove that I lay, the wolf giving a terrifying howl to the wind as it signaled that it found its prey. Maybe the wolf had found me and was going to attempt an attack against a Dark Sentry.

I wouldn't be that lucky.

Wolves were some of my favorite meals when the fish supply had run down. It always made my day when they would come to attack the mighty Dark Sentry. The more the merrier. I could take out an entire pack if I needed to. Not many knew the true power that my species contained. One smooth swipe of my claw could rip a wolf into shreds.

I heard the tell-tale sound of one of the beasts being slammed into something and giving out a wail of pain. I smirked and rolled my eyes. Looks like someone got to it first.

Wolves were fairly tough creatures; it had to be something with brute strength or something very skilled with combat. Suddenly I heard the roar of a dragon. I quickly raised my head and listened intently as my eyes went to mere slits. That wasn't just any dragon roar, it was another Dark Sentry.

I knew that roar of pain. Even being on the top of the food chain, you would still manage to get in fights that were nearly impossible to prevail. My ear plates twitched sporadically to listen for any new sounds from the beast. One final yelp came to me. It wasn't the dragon though; it must have killed the wolf, or at the least, severely injured it.

I stood in shock of hearing the roar of the Dark Sentry. It had to be one, I just knew it. This could solve my problems for good. I could get that dragon to help me with my useless tailfin.

I sent out my call to get the dragon's attention. I repeated the call for help several times over to get a response, but I felt nothing come back to me. What's wrong with this Sentry? Was he killed by one measly wolf? I shook my head and repeated the call; he had to hear it. I knew I had to be doing it correctly. It was how all the other dragons communicated between their species.

I waited patiently for seemingly hours for a response, but it never came. I couldn't believe it. Either the dragon was killed, or they are so arrogant that they completely ignore a deliberate call for help.

Nothing ever came.

I gave a long sigh and curled back into a ball on the cove floor. I was doomed to stay on this dejected island for the rest of my life. At least at this rate the wait would be short.

I brought my head up and blew a stream of plasma onto the ground before me. I knew it was going to be a cool night. Dragons have plenty of fire within their bodies, but a cool night without any warmth from the outside would make any dragon miserable. There was nothing worse than having a raging fire on the inside, only to be freezing on the outside. The temperature differences could send the dragon's body into shock and eventually take their life if not taken care of.

It was one of the first things a dragon had to learn when they were hatchlings, breath fire. It not only acts as a weapon, but serves as a lifeline when given the toughest circumstances. For a Dark Sentry, it's even harder; our fire comes from a different place within our bodies and is harder to focus on, but it is also what gives us the most powerful of all dragon fire.

It didn't take me long to find out how to use my fire after I had hatched. I probably only suffered through one or two nights without the aid. I was fortunate to be born in the hottest time of year and towards the south of this wretched place. I wouldn't want to have to go without my fire on a night like tonight; I would surely go into a state of shock.

I brought my wing around my body to help hold in the heat from my fire. I couldn't stop thinking of that other dragon. What was it thinking? Was that what all other Dark Sentries acted like? When a brother is in need of help, do we just leave him to die?

I have never seen another dragon be so cruel and uncaring. Maybe that is why I never met my mother or father; maybe that is why I have never seen another one of my species.

We were cruel and heartless creatures, but I wasn't, was I?

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I didn't sleep a wink through the night. The cold from outside kept me awake the entire time. I shivered relentlessly; I couldn't stop my body from constantly shaking. I knew that it was trying to warm my outer layer of skin, uh, scales, but it was more violent than anything I had ever experienced.

My eyes were drooping and my movement was sluggish. My body was in pain from not only the cold, but the gashes on my stomach were still pulsing in pain.

I slowly got to my feet and continued down the hill at which I chose to rest for the night. I trudged through the forest and made my way through several overgrown bushes and over fallen trees. All the Vikings ever did was resent me, as if I never should have been born. I'd tried so hard to become friends with the others in the village, but they just ran away like I had some contagious disease.

The only friend I ever had growing up was Fishlegs; he would probably be the only one who wouldn't try and kill me like this now. We enjoyed hanging out together when we were young and when none of the teenagers were focused on killing dragons, but when the other kids started harassing me and making fun of me for screwing up, he wouldn't be seen with me anymore.

The only other friend I had growing up was mom. She was always willing to play with me when there was no one else to. She would play my favorite games of hide-and-seek and keep away, but she would always make sure I won.

Dad never bothered to play games, he was always too busy. After mom died, I would go and ask him to play with me, but I always got the same answer: 'Maybe later son'. After a few more years the answer changed into, 'I'm too busy right now,' then into, 'Shouldn't you be focused on other more important things Hiccup?'.

I shook myself violently from the severe temperature difference within my body. It was so strange, my insides felt like a fire pit, but everything on the outside was as cold as ice. The cold almost seemed to be getting worse; I had to find someplace to warm myself up, and quick.

My eyes started to well up with tears as I crept underneath a large tree and into a crevice of the rock wall. Once through the crevice I stared in awe of the beautiful sight before me. It was a magnificent cove with a large pond on the side. I thought back to moments when I would go swimming in the ponds scattered across Berk. It was a joyous activity that would rush away any bad or hurtful memories.

I looked around the cove floor and saw that it appeared uninhabited. I slowly made my way over to the edge of the rock ledge and peered over the rim. It was a pretty steep drop and I didn't think that jumping down would be my best course of action.

Nature made my decision for me.

I slipped on the rocks and started tumbling down the hillside. I screeched in terror and fear as the floor of the cove came faster and faster. Suddenly, just before I hit the ground a black blur slammed into me and pushed me across the floor of the cove, preventing the inevitable injuries I would have gained.

I groaned in pain and squeezed my eyes shut in the pain now in my side. "Ohhh….Did it have to hit me so hard?" I was talking to myself rather than to whatever had hit me.

|| If I didn't hit you than you would have broken your neck with that kind of fall. ||

I shot open my eyes to see who the being was that spoke. I nervously scanned my surroundings and came across a black dragon heaving slightly to my left.

"Night Fury."

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I shook my head form the abrupt hit that I had placed on the other dragon. He was frantically looking around until his eyes came to rest upon me. I was about to ask for a thanks from him, but then he spoke. "Night Fury."

It was only then did I notice that he also was a Dark Sentry; right before my very eyes, another Dark Sentry. I've gone my whole life without seeing another one of my species and now, the perfect timing, a Dark Sentry. It must have been the one that was making the commotion last night. But what did he just call me?

I shook my head once more in confusion. || What did you just call me? ||

The dragon shuffled to his feet only to fall once more. What was wrong with this dragon? Had he been scared of me for some reason? What were those marks across his body?

He backed away as fast as his legs would allow him to and clumsily fell back onto the dirt. "Please, don't hurt me! I didn't mean to intrude on your home."

There was something wrong with this dragon, I could almost smell it; come to think of it, I could smell it. He had the same stench that the mortals had. He reeked of their village; was he a prisoner of theirs?

I slowly made my way over to him and glared down at him. || What did you just call me? ||

He slowly uncovered one of his eyes to look up at me as his body was shaking violently. "N-Night Fury?"

I didn't even comprehend what the Sentry had said; all I could do was stare at his eye. I knew that eye; I knew exactly who had that eye. I had only seen one other being in the world to have the same shade of eye as me.

The mortal.

It all started adding up in my head, the rather clumsy dragon, the fear of my presence, the eyes, and the thought of being called a 'Night Fury'. It was him, it had to be.

|| You're the mortal that I had killed aren't you? ||

He looked up at me trying to make himself look smaller, despite being noticeably smaller than me already. "Well, I'm not sure if you really killed me or not."

I roared into his face with a deafening tone. He dared to mock me when I could have so easily extinguished him; I would make sure he was dead this time. He threw paws back over his head and cowered in fear from me. "Please! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you. I just want to be a human again."

Tears were flowing from beneath his paws and landing on the ground below him. I rolled my eyes at the pathetic creature. I gave a huff and escorted myself to the other side of the cove to let him cry alone. As I walked away, I could hear his monotone going on and on. "I just want to be a human. I just want to be a human. I just want to be a human."

Human.

Was that what these inferior creatures called themselves? Was that what they thought themselves to be? Human? That would imply that what they did to my species was humane; I would think not.

I laid down far enough away from the dragon so that I wouldn't have to listen to his constant rambling. I glared over to him and pondered what to do with his worthless body.

Speaking of his body, why was he shaking so much? Ever since he landed he had been shivering and shaking. I studied his movement for a moment longer until it hit me.

The cold.

He didn't make a fire last night to keep himself warm. He must have been freezing from the temperature difference in his body. It seemed that nature was going to make my decision for me. I wouldn't have to do anything. The dragon would soon go into shock and his body would give up soon after. I wouldn't have to lift a claw.

I watched the mortal-dragon continuously shake dramatically until I closed my eyes being contempt. I laid in peace as I waited for the dragon to fall into complete silence.

If only.

I heard some movement just to the front of me and I snapped my eyes open. There he was standing in front of me shivering fiercely and tears streaming down his face to land on the ground. I let out a low growl and glared at him angrily. || What do you want mortal? ||

The dragon lowered his head and took a few steps backwards. "P-Please. I-I'm so c-cold and t-tired, can you h-help me? P-Please?"

Never have I seen a dragon beg for sympathy from an opponent. He was clearly miserable; he wouldn't last through the day if he wasn't warmed up quickly. || Why should I help you? ||

He looked up at me almost shocked to see me not jumping up to save him. "P-Please, I don't w-want to die!" His legs chose then to give out from the blood not circulating properly. He let out a wail in pain as more tears began to flow down his cheek. "I-I'll leave. I'll leave as soon as I c-can. Please, j-just help me."

I don't know what possessed me while watching the dragon before me struggle in pain. Maybe it was the thought of seeing a fellow Dark Sentry dying with his only possible hope of survival being me. Maybe it was the thought that no one deserved to die from being frozen from shock. Whatever the reason was, I blew a blast of fire straight at the ground in front of the dragon and shook my head at him in disgrace. He looked up at me in horror as if I was about to kill him. || Curl yourself around it. If you want to live, then that is your only hope. ||

I walked a few more feet away from the Sentry and laid my eyes across his body once again. He slowly wrapped his tail around the heat source and glanced back over to me. He could no longer speak. He stared over at me wide-eyed and I could have sworn I heard him say thank you through my thoughts.

I rolled my eyes and rested my head back down onto my paws. I never thought I would help a dying mortal, especially one that tried to kill me. What was the world coming to?

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AN: What did you all think? Was it what you were expecting? Was it worth the read? I really appreciate all the reviews and Favorite/Follows. It the reason I continue writing.

Big Thanks to the beta readers and the viewers!