Chapter 2
The Nightscale, or Toothless as Hiccup had come to call him, sat perched smugly on top of a steep cliff. He looked down at the other Nightscale and smirked.
"No fair!" Hiccup yelled from his place on the ground.
They had been playing prior to this; Hiccup having managed to distract Toothless out of his flying lessons for at least one decent game of hide and seek.
"If you could fly up here you could come and tag me." Toothless teased the other.
"But you know I can't do that." The younger wined.
"Exactly. But if you'd have payed attention you might be able to." Toothless watched the other huff childishly.
Content with his win, he stretched out his wings and pushed himself off into a glide. Game forgotten for now. The second he was on the ground he gripped Hiccup by the scruff of his neck and hoisted him up into the air.
Though bigger than he had been; Hiccup was a runt. Small in stature and in weight making him look much younger than he was. He'd seen 15 winter's since he had been given to Toothless but didn't look much older than 6. Of course Toothless exploited this to his full advantage and still pulled the younger along by his scruff whenever able. This was one of those times.
As swiftly as he had gotten down, Toothless plopped down onto his cliff face perch and released Hiccup from his jaws.
The younger Nightscale shook his head back and forth in irritation at being treated like a hatchling. "You know I hate when you do that!"
Toothless chuckled and took off once more, leaving the other on the ledge.
"Show me how you glide." Hiccup rolled his eyes at him. A rather bad habit he had picked up from the other. "Come on, just once more and then we can go home."
Hiccup sighed and moved to a ready gliding stance. He took a few cautious steps back before rushing forward and launching himself off the cliff.
"There we go!" Toothless called encouragingly as Hiccup caught the updraft with a good precision. The older dragon moved to fly next to him. "Try angling your tail fins up a little more."
Hiccup did as he was told, a tiny sliver of his tongue sticking out in concentration.
"Good." Toothless cooed appreciatively. "You think you can flap them enough to get you over the cliff?" He asked.
Hiccup glanced to his wings and nodded determinedly.
"Alright. I'll get under you in case you miss the updraft."
Doing as he had said he would. Toothless watched Hiccup cautiously from a lower angle.
Most common dragons tended to learn how to fly properly the day they are hatched but hiccup was an exception to this rule. Toothless thought that maybe it was something to do with the Queen's magic. His wings weren't as strong as they should be and so he tended to have a hard time flying over long distances. It was due to this that the older Nightscale had come up with the idea of daily flying lessons in hopes of upping the others stamina.
It seemed to be working for the most part. It wasn't as obvious at first but as Hiccup's confidence grew Toothless noticed him beginning to push himself further and further every time they went out. Even if he acted like he didn't care or didn't want to.
Toothless knew the not caring part was all an act to try and make it seem like he wasn't as self-conscious about it as he really was. It was because of this confidence issue that Toothless tended to lead them away from the hive for these lessons. The island they were on was inhabited by humans but if they kept to one side of the Forest then they didn't have too much to worry about.
The older Nightscale pulled up to drift beside the younger as he skillfully made it up over the cliff and into the open sky.
"You're getting better." He complimented.
"Yeah but you still have to put me somewhere high to start me off." Hiccup stated putting his achievement down.
"Hey, getting up from the ground is a hard feat. You'll get it. We just have to build your wing strength up first." Toothless snorted as he watched Hiccup roll his eyes and lose his balance at the same time. "One thing at a time. You can sass me later." He instructed but Hiccup wasn't listening anymore.
"What's that?" He asked, eyes pointing to a thin stream of smoke emanating from a clearing in the trees.
Toothless stuck his nose to the wind. It wasn't dragon fire; there was no smell of lighted gas anywhere. It must be artificial human fire. But it didn't smell like the hateful roaring found in the big bowls used to illuminate the sky. It smelt of careful precision and control. It was strange. "I don't know." Toothless admitted pulling in the opposite direction. He didn't trust it, "let's leave it alone."
Hiccup paused for a moment ignoring Toothless's command. He began to fly toward it.
"Hiccup? Where are you going?"
"I'm going to get a better look." Toothless bristled at this.
"No!" He growled forcefully. He caught up to the younger with ease and nipped at his ears insistently scared to do anything more In case the other lost focus and fell. Hiccup payed no attention and instead angled himself downward to land.
"Hiccup this isn't a good idea!" Toothless called after the younger. He growled to himself when Hiccup didn't so much as slow down and reluctantly followed.
The forest itself was dense and had a smoky pine smell to it. A large amount of leafy plants covered the floor which allowed for a lot of camouflage. Toothless silently thanked whatever god was out there that Hiccup was a runt. If all else failed and they were attacked at least he would be able to hide.
Toothless caught up with Hiccup and forced his torso down with a paw. They'd have to stay close to the ground if they even wanted a chance at not being seen. The younger whined softly but obeyed Toothless's silent command.
Together they stalked towards the artificial fire.
The place was silent when they got close enough to see. It was too quiet if you asked Toothless. And too deserted. Humans didn't like to leave fire alone for too long in case it spread. This was unnatural and suspicious. But of course, like anything else unnatural and suspicious, this intrigued Hiccup. Curious by nature, the little Nightscale had built up a reputation for being an investigator. It cause him all kinds of trouble really but when it really came down to it, it was obvious he couldn't help himself.
The younger had never had any involvement with humans. He'd never even seen one. The only knowledge he had about them was what he had been told.
Great tales of brave and vicious battles fought against them. They captivated Hiccup just like many of his nest mates. He knew they were dangerous but at the same time he was so compelled to learn more.
Sniffing the air softly, he slowly crept forward.
"Hiccup!" Toothless hissed, ears pricked and listening for any kind of disturbance. "You seen it now let's go!"
"Look at this!" Hiccup gasped, completely ignoring Toothless's command.
His eyes widened in wonder. The temporary nest, for that was the only way to describe it, was incredible. Human objects littered the place in piles like little treasures. Dragons were known hoarders so it wasn't unusual for him to see objects arranged like this. The only unusual part was that they had been left unguarded.
He giggled a little seeing the fire.
Humans had placed stones around it in a circle to keep it contained. "How clever." He commented, this must be why they're so confident in leaving it be.
"Yes. Yes. Very clever, now come on Hiccup!" Toothless insisted.
"How can you be so discrediting of all this?!" Hiccup said investigating a pile of twigs near the fire circle. They all seemed dry and flammable. Did humans want to add these to the fire? Why? It was easy enough to make more. They could just make another when this one burnt out. Unless humans couldn't make fire as easily as dragons could? But why not?
"I'll credit them when we get out of here still alive!" Retorted Toothless through gritted teeth. Hiccup rolled his eyes.
He sniffed the wood softly. It was pine. That meant the fire would burn through quickly if they didn't come back and refuel it. Hiccup sneezed; the dust coming off the wood irritating him. Someone had cut clean through it with something rigid. Maybe a claw? That was what had caused the dust.
"Hiccup! Come on! Let's go before they find us messing around with their stuff."
"Just a few more minutes." Hiccup begged already investigating a new pile.
It was made up of mainly animal furs wrapped in a spiral. Hiccup batted one of them with a paw and it came undone easily enough; folding out into a flat oval.
Hiccup wondered what the need of them was? Maybe for the cold? He could understand that. Nights were cold without the sun and a pile of nest mates to cuddle with. Maybe that was the reason for the fire as well?
He sniffed the skin cautiously before rubbing his cheek against the soft, fluffy fur. It felt great! So relaxing, and before he knew it he was rolling over onto it and stretching out. All guard for the situation having been completely forgotten.
Toothless sighed in irritation, "you're an idiot!" He growled padding forward and nipping at the others ears to get him to roll back over.
"Come on Toothless! Just try it!" Hiccup laughed, rolling back over and moving further up the fur. Toothless growled.
"No! We've spent long enough here! We're leaving." He snarled tugging on Hiccup's ear harshly. Hiccup whined and pulled back sharply.
"No!" He huffed stomping his paws in protest. "Just try rolling about on this one time and we'll leave."
Toothless huffed. He took a deep breath in in steady his patience. "You promise?"
"I promise!" Hiccup replied. His tail wagged back and forth slightly in happiness.
Toothless reluctantly trotted over to the fur, shoving the other out of his way. Without another word he rolled over and wriggled about on the soft pelt; stretching himself out on his back until he felt something (a bone maybe) click into place and broke out into a puddle of purrs. Okay. He admits it. This felt awesome!
"It's good right!" Hiccup tried hopefully.
Toothless sighed contently and rolled back around to his stomach. "Yes alright, it's pretty - HICCUP!"
The second he righted himself a glint caught his eye from a nearby bush. Without a second thought he pounced over to the younger Nightscale; shoving him out of the way the second a trap launched itself.
He let out a pained wheeze as his body was tangled between a weighted net.
"Toothless!" Hiccup squeaked in fright sprinting over to him in order to help.
"NO!" Toothless roared at him finally seeing how this had all been a trap! Humans were already appearing from their hiding places, smeared in dirt and leaves in order to mask their scent.
"HICCUP! RUN!" He lashed out as much as he could, eventually managing to dig his claws into flesh. It seemed to do the trick as with a sharp yelp Hiccup took off into the wilderness, blood trailing after him. The humans let him go, more interested in their larger more expensive prize.
They laughed and patted each other on the back in smug congratulations.
Toothless snarled at any who dared get too close but soon he was overwhelmed by the amount of hands touching him. Prodding and poking. He swallowed expecting them to kill him and took a breath.
At least Hiccup was safe. He couldn't fly too well but he'd find a way to get back to the nest. He was smart. He'd figure something out. Toothless was sure of it.
Repressing a whimper, he tried not to let his fear show when the humans began to drag him in the opposite direction Hiccup had ran. Probably towards their nest. They would kill him there.
I'm sorry Hiccup. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you for longer. You'll make it. Be smart. Be safe.
Make me proud.
…..
Hiccup ran!
He ran for his life, unable to shake the sheer panic destroying his common sense. His breath came in short shaky bursts leaving him panting but unable to stop moving.
Adrenaline pulsed through his body pushing him on and on through the dense woodland. Over trees and through tight spaces that scraped textured bark and spiny stones against his wings and sensitive underbelly. It hurt but he couldn't stop. He was certain someone/something was going to jump out at him the second he let his guard down.
If only he could fly! He could get off the island and go get help from the nest. Maybe if he kept running in this direction he'd eventually get to a cliff or something where he could take off? Just to give him a head start and… too late.
Hiccup let out a squawk of terror as he suddenly tripped up. Dragons like him weren't built to be on the ground and so running for too long on rough rolling ground was bound to end in disaster. And in disaster it did. The little Nightscale spun out of control during the fall and somehow propelled himself to the edge of a crumbling cliff.
He squealed in desperation as the very top of the ledge crumbled under his weight, causing him to fall, no matter how much he clawed at the walls to stop himself.
A harsh landing insured. Hiccup whimpered pitifully at the amount of pain he was in. The sand underneath him now, that usually would have cushioned his fall, was wet from the previous night's storm, making it flat and hard.
Pebbles pitter-pattered their way over his dark scales as they also lost their grip on the ledge and came tumbling down on top of him. Hiccup whined and began to limp away from his crash site.
The adrenaline was beginning to wear off now making his injuries that little bit more prominent.
The wing on his right side throbbed painfully and dragged down on the ground whenever he tried to move. It was probably dislocated from the fall. Thankfully it didn't look as though anything had torn through the membrane, so it wasn't like it was unfixable. The other problem however was a bit more prominent and would take longer to heal.
A large bleeding wound was gouged into his left back leg. Three scratches had torn straight through his tough hide and into the flesh underneath.
Hiccup knew it was Toothless's claws that had done it and, if he was honest, he was glad the other had hurt him in this way. If he hadn't, Hiccup knew he wouldn't have bolted and wouldn't have gotten away.
Toothless. Hiccup whined painfully thinking about him. It was all his fault! If he had just listened and left the nest alone they would still be together! Toothless would still be alive!
His guardian had died trying to protect him all because of his curiosity.
Hiccup snarled at himself and began to sob. He was so selfish! Why couldn't he have just listened for once in his life?!
Droplets of water began to fall from the sky but Hiccup ignored it. It was fine! This is what he deserved! He deserved to be out alone in the rain! Cold and in pain!
Hiccup sniffled. A loud clap of thunder startled him making him yelp in fright. He quickly crouched, making himself look smaller.
Thunder wasn't good. Thunder meant lightning.
Hiccup swallowed his guilt for the moment. He had to find shelter close enough so that he didn't aggravate his injuries.
Think Hiccup think!
He glanced to his right. "It's just ocean." He said aloud finally assessing where he had fallen. It was some kind of cove.
He glanced to his left. That way was just high intimidating cliffs. Cliffs were better. He thought. He couldn't swim very well, his body not being built for it but he could climb if he had to.
Hiccup whimpered and began to drag himself along the beach. He left a trail of blood along the sand but as he neared a closing cliff wall a secluded cave came into view. It was a little way up but he would be alright. He ran most of the way here, he could survive a little rock climbing.
It took him a while of stopping and starting up the slippery slope of cliff wall but eventually Hiccup made it into the cave.
It went back a long way and the stone was smooth and sturdy. He smiled softly. Maybe this was the god's way of taking pity on him?
Hiccup whimpered at the pain on both sides of his body and collapsed against the back wall of the cave. He could see the raging ocean outside from his little cubby hole of a nest and flattened his ears against his head.
"If anyone's listening," he whispered, "please let me get through this! Please! Send help and let Toothless be okay! Please!" He whimpered talking to himself now more than anything.
He sighed a shaky breath and let himself drift away from reality. It was cold without Toothless but he would manage.
He had to.