i - banned

HICCUP

My hand was shaking, but I had to do this. For my tribe, for Toothless and for all the dragons' sakes. I couldn't just kill the Monstrous Nightmare - plus, I was way too weak to even lift a sword -, my best friend would never forgive me. I was terrified. If I failed, my village would certainly banish me for having "betrayed" them - not that I had a problem with that. I would've left Berk yesterday if Astrid wouldn't have stopped me.

I heard my village begin to whisper around the Killing Arena as the dragon started to calm down, but I only focused my eyes on the Nightmare. Its pupils slowly began to dilate as its muzzle was almost in contact with my hand. On the corner of my eyes, I saw Gothi leaned against the ring, pressing her weight on her staff.

"Hiccup, what is the meaning of this?" said my father as he gradually got up on his feet. His voice was soft, but I knew that inside of him, he was yelling.

I ignored him. My attention was still on the dragon like it was the more important thing in the world - it was if I wanted to stay alive. I stopped breathing when its nose finally touched my palm and I felt the tribe startle. The Nightmare raised its eyes on my hat and I took it with my available hand and threw it on the floor. It meant that I wasn't one of them, those who was killing for fun and entertainment, to prove that they were true Vikings - what a shame!

"Stop it," ordered Stoick with his big voice. I looked up at him, confused. I just showed him that the peace between dragons and humankind was possible! How could he possibly ask such a thing? "Lock the beast up and..." I felt a shiver along my spine when my dad's eyes fell on me. "We'll decide your fate, Hiccup. You've betrayed your own race."

Before I could even react, I was dragged away from the Nightmare, which began to agitate, its eyes fixed on me. What is going to happen to it? Alarmed, I started to fight back and yell as those who were pulling me off strengthened their grip on me. "Don't hurt it! It didn't do anything wrong! Don't hurt it!"

Of course, nobody listened to me.

I caught a glimpse of Astrid and I saw worry and fear in her eyes. Was the fearless Astrid afraid for me? But as quickly as she had appeared in my field of vision, she disappeared among the bodies that were coming in and out of the Killing Arena.

I finally stopped resisting and I let them drag me to the Great Hall where everyone will unquestionably ban me for trying to stop a dumb war - their war! Once again, I expected too much from people that didn't even care about my opinion. What was I thinking? I knew that Vikings had stubbornness issues, but I still kept to my plan. Was it by pride? Was I so blinded by my arrogance that I didn't see it wouldn't work?

The three Vikings that were holding me pushed the doors of the Great Hall open and pushed me at the center of the room. I tripped and collapsed on my knees, grunting in pain as I felt my skin sliding on the cold and rocky ground. I slowly got back on my feet as everyone was entering the Hall, talking and throwing me stares and scowls. It made me seem like I was an animal that hasn't eaten the food they gave me.

Then, my father came in and his disappointed and disgusted eyes crossed mine. I wanted to throw up, his gaze made me feel unclean like I was dirt under his boots. He sat at his seat at the end of the table and I prepared myself for what was coming.

"Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Thrid, you've betrayed your race for those hideous beasts that destroy and kill for pleasure," claimed my dad and I slowly lowered my head. "This crime is punished with banishment and you will be sent immediately to the sea. Do you have any words before your departure."

My lips curved into a bitter smile and I raised my head, my eyes reflecting how furious I was by this unfairness. "Crime my ass. All I wanted to show you, Vikings, was that the peace between dragons and humankind is possible. Do you enjoy that much killing innocent souls? Do you enjoy seeing your village being destroyed every damn raid? Are you guys masochist or something?"

My speech obviously shocked the assembly because everyone started to talk at the same time.

"How can he defend those beasts?" shouted a man at the back of the place.

"What's the point of being in peace with them? They'll trick us!"

"They've killed hundreds of us!" said Stoick and everyone agreed with him loudly.

"And we've killed thousands of them!" I shouted like I haven't ever shouted before. They all fell silent and I stared at them, amazed by their own stupidity. "What right do you think you have to judge them without even knowing why they raid us? And don't tell me that they are beasts and that they don't think! They do. They eat, sleep and procreate as we, humans, do. We're all the same but in different forms! You are all so anchored in your barbaric lifestyle that at every opportunity that allows you to change, you cling to your habits like it's the last buoy."

All the Vikings were dumbfounded by my speech, but I didn't even give a damn. "Go ahead! Ban me! Kill me! Silent me! I don't care! It won't stop the change from advancing!" I threw a scowl at my father and he narrowed his eyes. "And the day you realize how much you need me, it will be too late."

Suddenly, a loud and terrible sound was heard and I immediately recognized the roar of a Nightmare. He obviously managed to escape his cage and his captors - I was happy for him. The thing I didn't understand was that why didn't he fly away? Stoick looked at me but turned his eyes on the doors that he opened quickly.

I raised my eyebrows as a spectacle of destruction appeared before us. The dragon I've tamed in the Killing Arena was setting fire everywhere in a powerful rage as has been rarely seen. Then, the Monstrous noticed us and roared at the top of its lungs. The men oh-so-called fearless withdrew from a few steps, startled by the fury of the dragon.

"Let's give him what it wants!" yelled someone behind me and I turned around, only to see Mildew smiling like a madman. "He caused the fury of the beast, punish him like the Vikings we are! A screw-up like Hiccup the Useless wouldn't even survive alone, so let's kill him right here and now!"

I growled at his speech, yet everyone seemed to agree with him. Stoick tried to reach for my hand, yelling in the voice hubbub, and I also attempted to grab his, but a man dragged me by the elbow and threw in front of the Nightmare who suddenly froze. I grunted in pain as I twisted my hand, having tried to cushion the fall. But then, I felt a breath against my neck and my body stopped moving.

I raised my head and crossed the Nightmare's pupils. They were dilated and seemed to ask me if I was alright. The dragon lowered its belly to the ground and purred, nudging my shoulder almost playfully. The smoke and ashes were starting to embalm the air, making me cough my lungs out.

"Hiccup!" yelled my father as I felt the Nightmare freeze. That's when I realized that a screech was slowly heard louder and louder. I couldn't help myself but smile and wait for my best friend to arrive. He must have seen the brightness of the fire from the Raven Point and managed to get out of it.

Finally, a black blur flew under our heads. The tribe started to yell and shout, trying to hide themselves behind their shields - like the cowards they were. In my case, I slowly got up on my feet and stared at the dragon that no one has ever seen. The Night Fury left the security of darkness and went straight to me. I heard my dad order me so back off, but I ignored him and walked right towards Toothless. I started to run and then I threw myself at his neck, shaking.

I didn't want to admit it, but the situation was terrifying me. Being banned by my own people and tribe because I only wanted to bring the peace between dragons and Vikings was horrible and pretty lame. And then, they tried to kill me! I was surprised to see my father against this idea.

"I'm glad to see you too, bud." Toothless cooed and nudged my arm, worried about my bloody knees. "It's nothing. Well, I mean, it doesn't hurt. You know, they banned me," I announced him bitterly, feeling my heart break at the thought of no being able to see Astrid anymore. But there's nothing I could do about that... "I'm definitively leaving with you, so what about we leave now?" The Night Fury grumbled and threw a look to the Vikings who were still motionless behind their shields.

I faced my old tribe and a cold smile curled my lips. Toothless sat by my side, his pupils split in rage, and the Nightmare was on his talons in my back, growling and breathing loudly. "You've made a big mistake. Don't ask for my help or forgiveness because everything you'll get from me will be my middle finger," I told them with a sad voice. "I've been abused and bullied since I was a baby because everything I was doing to be accepted wasn't enough. It was never enough. So from now, it's over. You guys," I paused and climbed on my best friend, "are nothing to me."

Toothless took off and we disappeared into the smoke as the Nightmare followed us. My father yelled to catch my attention, but I ignored his voice and asked my dragon to go free those confined in the Killing Arena's cells. I pulled down all the cranks and raised my hands to show the Deadly Nadder, Gronkle and Terrible Terror that I meant no harm. Against all expectations, they didn't try to attack me, probably because they saw two of their kind calmly sat at my side. Just as I was going to talk, I heard footsteps at the entry of the building. "Hiccup?" murmured a soft voice which I immediately recognized.

"Astrid?" I turned around and saw the girl I had a crush on since I was ten. She approached me and the five dragons growled at her. "Don't, she's a friend," I pleaded and they all closed their mouths, but stayed near me, in case. "What are you doing here, Astrid? If they see you-"

Astrid suddenly rushed to me and embraced me passionately with her arms. Surprised, she almost made me fall on the ground, but I managed to catch up my balance. She then started to shake and I felt hot water on my neck. Was she... "Are you crying?"

"A Viking doesn't cry."

"Okay," I said, not wanting to upset her more. "I'm sorry, but I have to leave..."

"It's so unfair!" the blond-haired girl suddenly yelled, making me cringe. She had shouted right into my ears. "Look at them," Astrid then said, pointing the dragons behind me. "They are all calm and obedient! They aren't beast and merciless! You've changed my mind, so why aren't changing theirs!"

"They didn't listen to me!" I screamed back, startling her. I looked away and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. It's just that... You're right. It's not fair, but there's nothing we can do."

"Will you come back?"

"For you, yeah."

Our eyes crossed and I smiled one last time before I climbed on Toothless and flew off, followed by the four dragons. "Hiccup!" I couldn't help myself but stare back at the ground, where I could still see Astrid, her eyes stuck on us.

"It's a promise!" I said as my voice was breaking.

"You better come back or I'll go get you myself!"

Finally, I left my mask aside and I collapsed on Toothless, crying all the tears in my body. I've lost everything. My tribe, my father, the girl I loved.

The only things I still had were Toothless and four dragons on my side... Well, that didn't sound so bad.

At least, I wasn't alone.

Any comments or suggestions?

See ya!

Sorry for my bad English, once again.