Chapter 2: Responsibilities
Soon classes were over and every one was heading out to do their daily activities. Well as for Athena she was heading home to have another big talk with her parents.
Athena was walking through the village alongside her dragon talking about what will happen when they got home.
Athena: "Aww bud…. I just hope that when we get home mom and dad won't be mad so much." Then she started to have a depressed look on her face.
Zap then nudged her shoulder a little bit to get her attention, when she looked at him he sat down and leaned against her to comfort her. It was like he was saying, "Don't worry things will be fine." She gave Zap a small smile for cheering her up.
Soon enough they came up to their house and entered inside, they slowly walked in to not attracted attention, but when they entered the living room she was then greeted by her parent's dragons. "Hey Stormfly, hey Toothless." They were really happy to see her and that she was back home, but she knew that meant her parents were home as well! Then she walked into the dining area and saw her father and mother standing in the middle of the room with serious glares on their faces.
Athena: "Hi mom, hi dad how was your day?", she said nervously.
Astrid then started to talk to her daughter about today. "Well we heard from Fishlegs that you were late for class again." She said crossing her arms and giving her daughter a disappointing look.
Athena: "How did you find out so quickly!?" Astrid: "Fishlegs sent us a Terrible Terror with a message that said you were late for class." Athena knew she had to explain herself why she was late again. "I'm sorry mom but I was flying with Zap and…. I just lost track of time"-, Astrid: "Save it, you know these classes are important for you, I know you have learned a lot about dragons from Valka and your father but these tactics will help you become a great dragon rider."
Athena tried to think of other things to say but then started to just look disappointed in herself.
Astrid: "Sweetie I know you love flying with your dragon but"-. She was then cut off by Hiccup. "Honey let me talk to her outside, alone"! Astrid took a moment to think and she agreed with him. "Okay, just be back inside before dinner." "I will", Hiccup then takes Athena outside to look down at the village, and starts talking with her.
Hiccup: "Athena look I know you don't care for those classes and you're smart about dragons & fighting, but I want you to be prepared one day and ready to lookout on your own to be able to protect everyone in the village because one day I won't be here and"-. Athena then cut him off.
Athena: "Dad not this talk again"! She said annoyingly. Hiccup then looks at her confused and says, "What talk"? Athena rolled her eyes and said, "You know the one day I'll be chief and you won't be here to protect me and I need to know responsibility talk."
Hiccup just stares and says, "Am I that predictable now"? "Pretty much yea." Athena replied. "Look dad I know my responsibilities and how much you and mom want me to be a good leader one day, but I really want to see new things, find new dragons." She pauses and stares at the horizon of the sea. "Maybe even find another Nightfury."
Hiccup then sighed and said, "Look Athena I have searched far and wide to find other Nightfuries for a long time and no luck. True I still believe there could be more out their and if I could continue my search I would, but I am the chief of Berk and it's my duty to lookout for everyone here on Berk so I don't have time for adventures. It's also your duty to learn how to be a great dragon rider and be chief one day, so do you understand what I'm saying?!"
Athena sighed looking at the ground then she looked up at her father and said. "Yes, dad I do." Hiccup: "Good I'm glad we had this talk, are you coming inside?" He asked her. "No, I'll stay out here for a little bit until dinners ready?" She said to him. With that Hiccup understood she needed some time with herself and was heading back to the house.
But when he opened the door he saw Zap sitting right inside waiting for Athena. Hiccup then showed him where she was and Zap like the loyal dragon he is decides to go out and join Athena on the hill.
Meanwhile inside with Hiccup and Astrid. Astrid: "So how did the talk go?" she asked Hiccup. Hiccup: "Well I think she gets the point, I just wish she could understand better about how important her role is for Berk." He said frustratingly.
Astrid then rests her hand on his shoulders which got Hiccups attention. "I think she does, but She's trying to figure out things her own way." She said trying to calm him down. "I know, I just wish she'd show some effort in her duties. I mean she's going to be chief one day I want her to be ready!" Hiccup said while heading to the table to sit down and think things over.
"Well if you keep having those talks with her you'll put too much pressure on her and she'll never learn on her own."
Hiccup and Astrid were confused to who said that. They both turned around to see whose voice that was. It was Valka Hiccups mom with her dragon Cloudjumper!
"OH umm… hey mom, how much did you hear"? Hiccup asked his mom.
"Enough to understand that there's trouble between you guys and Athena". Valka said as she walked up to the table to sit next to her son. Cloudjumper joined Toothless and Stormfly to listen to their trainer's conversation. "There's no trouble mom, Athena's just having problems with her classes again."
Valka then looked at Astrid and said "late again!", "Yep" Astrid replied. "ohh Hiccup she's just trying to be herself, having fun with her dragon, and be more like you!" "I never missed class!?" Hiccup said confusingly. "No, Hiccup I think Valka means Athena wants to be like the adventure part of you when you were her age, am I right?" "Yep" Valka answered as she nodded.
"I mean think about it Hiccup. She's always flying like how you and Toothless did, trying to tame and understand different dragons, and even wanting to explore new lands!" Then Astrid smiled at Hiccup and said, "Hiccup she's you!"
After Astrid said that it got Hiccup thinking for a few minutes but then he said, "Well... if you say things like that about her then yes, it's obvious but I just want her to focus on important things like helping the village, school, and preparing to be chief."
Astrid then decides to be sassy and says, "You know honey if I recall when you were 20 you didn't want to be chief or focus on Berk duties."
Hiccup then remembered when that happened and got flustered at Astrid for being right. Then Hiccup got out of his seat and started to walk around the room. Then he said, "Well… yea… but I was scared and didn't think I would be fit to be chief, but when my dad- "
They all paused remembering what happened to Stoick, the room got quiet for a minute even all the dragons got sad. "When we lost him to Drago I had to take a stand and take my responsibility to become chief, but I had a ruff start because he wasn't there to help me understand some things, that's what I'm trying to do for Athena I'm preparing her so she'll be ready when its time."
Then he started to look sad, "So she doesn't feel lost." Hiccup said with a sad quiet tone.
Then Astrid and Valka got up and they both went over to hug him. Even all the dragons joined the group hug. "If your father were here he'd be very proud of the chief and man you've become." Valka said smiling at her son.
Hiccup returned the smile and they all broke the hug. "Well now how about I get dinner started, Hiccup can you set the table." Astrid asked Hiccup. "Sure", Hiccup answered. "I'll help you with the potatoes", Valka said while heading into the kitchen with Astrid.
Then as Hiccup was putting the plates on the table he remembered something and called for Toothless, "Toothless!" Then His dragon came right up too him. "Can you get Athena for me and get her to come in to help with dinner."
Then Toothless went out of the house to get Athena.
Meanwhile with Athena & Zap. Athena was siting on a high hill with Zap sitting next to her, both of them looking at the sun setting in the ocean.
"Zap do you think we'll ever have a grand journey of our own someday?" Athena asked looking at Zap. Then Zap shrugged his shoulders as if he was saying, "I don't know, maybe?"
Then Athena stared back at the ocean thinking and hoping that one day she will get off Berk and have an adventure. But then she and Zap herd dragon cries and they both knew where those cries came from. They got up and turned around and just like they thought Toothless was in the distance calling out for them. Athena knew that it was time to go back inside.
"Well I guess dinner is almost ready, are you hungry bud?" Athena asked Zap then he smiled and roared in happiness. "I'll take that as a yes." Then they both walked down the hill and met up with Toothless and all of them headed back inside their house to have a nice dinner with their family.
