Hello, peoples! :) Welcome to the next chapter! :) This should be interesting! :) Anyways, as promised, here are the shout-outs for you amazing people! :D
ShadowSpirt020: Exactly! Find the cure, gang! :D
Dimensional Girl: LOL, that's hilarious! XD
Martyn: Meh. Maybe next time. XD
AvaniAcrux: Yeah, poor Hiccup. I'm really too evil to him for my own good. Oh well. I think everyone here kinda likes a bit of Hiccup!whump, so I think I'm good. XD It's sort of the opposite of that, where the reviews show up on Fanfiction but not in my email inbox. It just makes shout-outs a bit trickier, 'cause I don't know when the reviews come in and fanfiction isn't always reliable. XD Thanks for the review! :D
Animals Rule: That he is. :)
SilverGhostWolf: Gah, evil dragon! Awesome dragon! Half-and-half dragon! XD Thanks! :D
wikelia: Hahaha, same! XD
midnightsky0612: My thoughts exactly! :)
Crystallion12: Yeah, I know, right? Poor guy. :(
ChariaRose: Awww, haha, thank you so much! :D I never know what to say when I get compliments. XD I'm glad you're enjoying it so far! :D Thanks for the review! :)
AquaticDragon: Thanks! :D Yeah, I'd never seen a story like this before, either, so I'm having a lot of fun with it! :D I'm glad you're enjoying it! :D
Jo: Hahaha, well, you're right. We all just love to see Hiccup kidnapped when he's vulnerable, don't we? XD Thanks for the review! :)
DG-Agent37-Lover: Haha, well, I love intense scenes, and it looks like most my readers like 'em, too, so I look forward to doing more in the near future! :D Ah, yes, we all love the twins and their crazy dragon-naming skills (hahaha, SKILLS *sarcasm* But anyways, I'm glad you enjoy it! :D Yeah, I'd be freaking out if I was in Hiccup's shoe, but I guess the guy's kinda been through too much for his own good. XD Thanks for the review! :D
Secret: Let's see what happens! :D
DinoBoy13: Haha, well, I guess the summary kinda gives away who goes blind, but no matter. XD Thanks! :)
throughthelookingglass27: Cue epic theme music! :D Thanks! I thought Rusty was a fitting name. XD
Zoha Ven: Definitely! I really like overprotective Astrid, I think it's great. :D And don't worry, I LOVE getting reviews, so you're never annoying, no! Actually, I quite enjoy getting reviews, even if they are repetitive. Frankly, any review is a good review, and they keep me writing! :D So thanks for all the reviews! :D Cheers! :D
22ablanchard: We shall see! SOON! :D
Toothy fury: Yeah. :D
Charr2003: Yes! The plot continues to get thicker and thicker! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA! XD It's okay, I like putting fictional characters in pain for some reason, so I guess we're in the same boat! XD Thanks for the review! :D
hiccupandtoothless294: Haha! :D
Shizuku Tsukishima749: Thank you so much! :D Yeah, I had TONS of fun writing that build-up, it was almost crazy! :D I definitely enjoyed writing this chapter as well, so I hope you enjoy this one as much as the last! :D Thanks for the review! :D
Star-The-Writer: Knowing her, I'm sure she will. :)
Galaxy-Mitsuko-Pegasus: Yep! Very interesting! I promise you that! :D
LunarCatNinja: My thoughts exactly. The guy goes through way too much. :)
1 Fan: Thanks a bunch! :D
SharKohen: Thanks! :D :D
HufflePufforlife: Okay, okay, I'm updating! XD Thanks for the review! :D
Fishlegs tied off the bandage around the puncture wound on Hiccup's arm and stepped back, checking his work with satisfaction. They were in the Clubhouse, and Hiccup sat on the edge of their round table while Fishlegs stood in front of him and Astrid, Snotlout, and the twins gathered in a semi-circle nearby.
"Well, the stinger didn't go in too deep," said Fishlegs, "so there was minimal bleeding, no risk of infection...I'd estimate a week before it seals itself up."
"Um, that's great, Fishlegs," said Astrid, stepping up, "but what about his eyes?"
"Oh...right," said Fishlegs, and he looked at Hiccup, no longer reassured. Toothless had his head in Hiccup's lap, and Hiccup was scratching the dragon, looking blankly at Fishlegs. He was looking at Fishlegs, yes, but anyone could tell he wasn't actually seeing Fishlegs.
"Okay," said Fishlegs, and he stepped forward again, this time taking Hiccup's face in his hands and looking into his eyes. "They're kind of foggy…" said Fishlegs, nervously, and he frowned. "Hiccup, can you describe what you see?"
"Um...nothing," said Hiccup.
"Nothing," said Fishlegs, stepping back again.
"Yep," said Hiccup. "Nothing. It's just...you know, black."
"Let's see if you can see something bright," said Fishlegs, and he gestured to Toothless. Toothless pulled away from Hiccup momentarily, sucked in a deep breath, and fired a single plasma blast into the nearby fire pit; with an explosion of purple light, the flame began to roar.
"I heard that," said Hiccup, "but I didn't see anything."
Fishlegs swallowed hard. "So, how did you feel after the dragon stung you?" he asked, taking a notebook of Bork's notes from a shelf and flipping through the yellowed pages.
"I just felt really dizzy," said Hiccup, "lightheaded. My vision went all blurry, but I thought it was just because of our rough landing. But then, it didn't get better. It just got worse until it went black."
"And did it go black all of a sudden, or gradually?" said Fishlegs, not looking up from the notebook.
"Kind of gradually," said Hiccup, as Toothless nudged him in the ribs and Hiccup scratched the dragon's head. "It started slowly, like little raindrops of black, but then it turned into splotches, and then it was...nothing."
Fishlegs grimaced, swallowed hard, and kept flipping through the pages, all the faster this time. His hands were shaking so badly he nearly ripped the pages. Hiccup and the others watched him, concerned.
"Ermmm...Fishlegs?" Hiccup finally said, and Fishlegs jumped, but pretended he didn't hear him. "What's wrong?"
Fishlegs swallowed nervously, came to the page he had been searching for, and put his thumb on it. "I think I know what kind of dragon it was," said Fishlegs nervously, and he tossed the notebook onto the table for all the riders to see. Snotlout, the twins, and Astrid gathered round while Fishlegs hung back.
"It says the dragon is called the Golden Flash," said Astrid, reading, "and it gets its name through its amber eyes. Its scales change colors as the seasons pass to help it blend in with its environment - in spring, it's a light brown, in summer, a sandy yellow, in autumn, a bright red, and in winter, a whiteish-blue."
"Okay," said Hiccup, "but what does it say about its stinger?"
Astrid's eyes scanned the paper. "The venom of the Golden Flash is never fatal," said Astrid, "but when injected, the venom blinds its victims completely within five minutes…"
She paused.
"Oh," said Hiccup flatly, turning away. "So I'm blind."
"Um, I have a question," said Tuffnut, raising his hand. "What does 'blind' mean? Because it doesn't sound good."
"It means," said Ruffnut, elbowing her brother in the ribs, "that Hiccup can't see anything at all."
"Oh," said Tuffnut. "Yeah...that's not good…"
"Does it ever wear off?" Hiccup questioned.
Astrid shook her head. "No," she said, "it doesn't. There is a cure...a kind of herb called the Denum Nightmare, but that's the only thing potent enough to reverse the venom…"
"So, what happens if we don't find this Denum Nightmare?" Hiccup asked. "What does that mean for me?"
"I think," said Fishlegs nervously, stepping forward again, "it means, you'll be blind forever, Hiccup."
Hiccup swallowed.
So did the other riders.
…
In the middle of the ocean, cutting against the tumultuous waves, Dagur the Deranged and his armada of Berserkers sailed towards Dragon's Edge. The weather was as bad as it could get, but the waves kept pushing the ship in the direction Dagur wanted to go, and for that, the sail would be so much shorter.
"Sire!" shouted Savage, and he charged over; the men behind him were working to keep the sail open on Dagur's command. It was against their better judgement, as they knew that in a storm such as this, one should close the sails to keep them from tearing, but Dagur, though he knew this, dismissed it.
Dagur groaned, turning towards Savage, a psychotic gleam in his eyes that would have had anyone backing away. "Oh, what is it, Savage?" moaned Dagur. "I have to say, I would think you of all people would know what happens when I'm interrupted…"
"Sire, the ship is tearing to pieces!" shouted Savage, waving his hands over his head. "We have to withdraw, regroup, and maintain course when the storm blows over!"
Dagur wanted to deny this, but the more he looked at it, the more he realized that yes, Savage did have a point, and Dagur hated him for it. "Fine!" spat Dagur. "Take us behind the nearest sea stack and moor us to it! As soon as the storm lifts, we'll head to Dragon's Edge!"
He grinned maniacally.
"See you soon, brother."
…
"Are you sure the Denum Nightmare is the only thing to cure the venom of the Golden Flash, Fishlegs?" Hiccup asked, still seated on the edge of the table while Fishlegs, Tuffnut, Ruffnut, and Fishlegs packed their things.
"I'm positive," said Fishlegs, stuffing a notebook into his satchel, along with a spyglass and a small jar. "We'll go to Berk, find out what Gothi has to say about the Denum Nightmare, and follow her instructions."
"I still don't understand why we have to go with Fishface," grumbled Snotlout angrily as he flung Hookfang's saddlebag shut and crossed his arms. "You don't need four people to go find a tiny little Denum Nightmare, do you?"
"Actually, Snotlout, we might," said Fishlegs. "From what I've read in Bork's papers, the Denum Nightmares are the favored food of dozens of lethal species of dragons."
This made Snotlout more upset. "THEN WHY ARE WE GOING," he said, "IF WE COULD ALL DIE!?"
"Fishlegs, I told you, you don't have to go," said Hiccup, getting to his feet, putting out his hands, though he couldn't see where his friends were. "Me and Toothless can go just fine-"
"No, you're not going, Hiccup," said Fishlegs. Hiccup couldn't remember the last time he had seen - no, heard - Fishlegs this determined. "You can't find what you can't see."
"So, hang on," said Tuffnut, pausing from where he was stuffing Macey into his satchel. "Are we going to find a bunch of dangerous dragons along the way? You know, like, dragons that could literally kill us without a second thought?"
Fishlegs sighed. "Yes, Tuffnut, we are," he said.
"Oh, cool!" said Tuffnut, grinning. "So what are we waiting for?" He tossed Macey, along with a few other things, into his satchel and turned, already mounting Belch. Beside him, Ruffnut mounted Barf, weapons and necessities stuffed into Barf's saddlebag.
"Guys, I just don't know," Hiccup said, rubbing his arm, which was still bandaged. "I don't like the thought of you doing something like this-"
"We've done tons of stupid reckless stuff in the past, Hiccup," said Snotlout, leaping onto Hookfang's back. "We'll be fine. Watch! We'll come back with that stupid Denum Nightmare, and you'll have your sight back!"
Hiccup crossed his arms, but he couldn't exactly argue. "Fine," he said. "Just...be careful."
"And hurry up and get back," said Astrid, stepping up beside Hiccup. "The book mentioned something about it being permanent after a certain amount of weeks."
"We'll hurry," said Fishlegs. "And be careful, you two. Make sure the Golden Flash doesn't break out of its cage."
"We will," said Astrid.
"Be careful," said Hiccup.
"We will be," said Fishlegs, and he mounted Meatlug. "Come on, girl, let's go to Berk." Meatlug growled her agreement, spread her wings, and left the Clubhouse. With Meatlug followed Hookfang and Snotlout, and Ruffnut and Tuffnut with Barf and Belch, leaving Stormfly, Toothless, Astrid, and Hiccup behind.
…
Fishlegs, Snotlout, and the twins arrived on Berk the next day in late afternoon, and once the dragons had landed, their riders dismounted. A few passing Berkians stopped to wave at them, and the dragon riders waved back.
"Alright," said Fishlegs to Ruffnut, Tuffnut, and Snotlout, once the villagers were out of earshot, "let's go to Gothi's, before anyone asks why we're here."
"Ah, Fishlegs! Ruffnut! Tuffnut! Snotlout!" said a voice from the left, and Fishlegs instantly cringed. Of course. Gobber hobbled up to them, looking up at the sky, no doubt expecting Hiccup and Astrid to land with the other riders, but when he didn't see sign of Stormfly or Toothless, he turned his attention back to the dragon riders who had arrived.
"So," said Gobber, running a thumb along his hook of a hand, "tell me. What brings you four to Berk? And why aren't Hiccup and Astrid with you?"
Fishlegs paused. "Um," he said, raising a finger, "that...that's a long story." He hoped it would be enough to run Gobber off, but Gobber didn't have any intention of leaving any time soon.
"I've got time," said Gobber, shrugging.
"Oh, no, we wouldn't want to keep you from your work," said Snotlout, shaking his head. Snotlout, apparently, wasn't in the mood to explain just why they were here, either. None of them knew how Gobber would take to hearing his former apprentice was blind.
"Ah, come on," said Gobber. "It's not like I have a lot of work to do around here. I have a few axes to sharpen and a Nadder tooth to pull, but that's not until later."
Fishlegs, Ruffnut, Tuffnut, and Snotlout looked at each other. Well, it wasn't like they had the choice.
They opened their mouths to speak, but before they had the chance to, someone else showed up, and this someone else's appearance was even worse than Gobber's.
"Ah, Fishlegs!" said Stoick, making his way towards them. "I thought I saw you lot fly in. Ruffnut, Tuffnut, Snotlout…" He nodded to each of the dragon riders in greeting.
"Uh, hey-ya, Chief," said Tuffnut, saluting, somewhat embarrassedly. "Fancy seeing you here...um, well, I guess it isn't, considering you're the Chief…"
"Aye," said Stoick. "The real thing is, fancy seeing you here." He paused. "What brings you to Berk?" he asked, and then, after realizing who was absent, "Where's Hiccup?"
Fishlegs swallowed. He and the riders exchanged nervous glances.
Great. Just great.