Part Four
"You won't be going back, Fishlegs. Not now that you've found me."
Hiccup did not look back as Toothless moved in closer to Fishlegs, head low, fangs bared, and a deep growl echoing in his throat.
The stout boy slid backwards on the damp grasses, his fingers hesitating to reach for his sword. Hiccup would call off the dragon, right? This was just a scare, right? He risked a glance behind the hulking form of the dragon to see Hiccup's retreating figure disappear behind the foliage. "Ha ha Hiccup…." This was all a big scare…right?
Toothless roared and Fishlegs screamed in return, drawing the great sword.
The dragon snarled and roared again, his massive wings spreading to make himself seem larger. He lunged for the Viking and Fishlegs rolled out of the way, slicing through the air as soon as he regained his feet. "Night Fury… speed unknown…strength unknown," Fishlegs recited, slowly bouncing in place. "Do not engage…" Fishlegs almost rolled his eyes. "Too late for that…" He darted toward the dragon, faster than his bulk seemed to allow, and swung his blade.
Toothless leaped over the blade and its wielder, gliding a moment before coming to land again. He roared for a third time, the shrieking call primal, before firing a plasma blast just beside Fishlegs. It was enough to make the Viking stumble away but the dragon did not seem to be aiming for him. At least not yet…Fishlegs frowned. Was the dragon playing with him? It didn't matter. Again, Fishlegs charged forward, the sword slashing through the air. Toothless reared up to avoid the heavy blade, wings flapping, both to steady himself, and to push away the one that attacked him. Another plasma blast left his maw and Fishlegs had to jump to avoid it. Toothless roared and charged as his feet hit the ground. Fishlegs pivoted and darted to the left but the Night Fury's tail was waiting and wrapped around his legs. The powerful limb hoisted the boy into the air and flung him into the trees. The sword clattered to the ground midway between his starting and landing point. The sudden sound of stones and branches hitting the ground met the dragon's ears and he cautiously picked his way into the brush. Dust still rose from where his prey fell and he could hear the sound of the Viking struggle. He growled again, beating his wings once to clear the air.
Trapped, under a stone-weighted net, was Fishlegs. He was cut up a bit from his fall and seemed dizzy from the landing, but otherwise, was unharmed.
"Good work, bud."
Toothless turned his attention to his rider as Hiccup reemerged, a long rope in his hands.
Fishlegs looked up, eyes still spinning as his brain tried to deal with being smacked on the ground, into a blurry, skinny face. A limp smile wrapped onto his own lips and, despite the coarse net weighing him down and the dragon that still huffed smoke next to him, he felt relieved. "Hiccup…" Fishlegs reached up. "I knew you wouldn't kill me. You're better than that…" his words continued as, face impassive, Hiccup knelt down and placed a soaked rag over the Viking's nose and mouth. After a few seconds, Fishlegs went silent and still.
0000000000
The first thing that Fishlegs realized, as consciousness returned to him, was the dim red light that filtered through his closed eyes. Slowly, muffled sounds and smells filled out his world and he heard a fire crackling, steel running against wood, and a voice talking softly.
Fishlegs groaned as his body woke, and the bruises from his fall screamed for attention. "That was not the best landing…" he muttered, trying to figure out why he couldn't lift his hand to massage his shoulders. He blinked open his eyes and was even more surprised to realize that he could not see any better. A moment of panic took him and he struggled against what he now realized were ropes, holding him in place.
The sound of footsteps made him pause, his other senses flinging out to understand. He heard breathing and felt fingers inching closer to his face. Out of instinct, Fishlegs pulled away, turning his face as far he could, tensing each muscle in preparation for….for…a blindfold to be removed? Light suddenly flooded into his eyes and Fishlegs had to squeeze them shut for a moment to adjust. When he opened his eyes again, Hiccup was sitting in front of him. Now that he was able to get a closer look, Fishlegs saw that Hiccup was not exactly the same. His eyes, that had once been bright and full of ideas, were heavy and grim. Creases were already burrowing into his face, despite his young age and his shoulders were hunched with an invisible burden.
"Why are you here?"
"Uhm…"
"Are you hunting me?"
"What? No!" Fishlegs sighed. "We…we all thought you were long gone."
Hiccup's eyes narrowed. "Then why are you here?"
For a moment, it seemed that Fishlegs was not going to answer, his eyes darting around to avoid meeting those of his questioner.
"Fishlegs!"
"I'm mapping the islands!"
"Why?"
"To find a new one…"
"What…that doesn't make any sense? Berk is fine."
"That's right…you…you left before it happened…" Fishlegs hesitated again. "You don't know."
"Fishlegs…what are you talking about?"
The stout boy winced against Hiccup's harsh tone and sighed. "Hiccup…it's…it's pretty bad…"
"Tell me."
~~~Flashback~~~
All of Berk was once again gathered in the main hall, their angry voices echoing off the curved walls. At their head, on a raised platform, stood Stoick, his great arms waving as he tried to get everyone's attention.
"Quiet! QUIET!" His voice boomed over the others and a slow silence spilled over the room.
"Now look…I know this is getting worse – "
"Worse?!" A voice roared over the chief's. "The damn things are practically moving in!"
The crowd bellowed in agreement and Stoick once again waved his arms for silence. "I know! And that's why I am taking the fight to them!"
The villagers groaned and their complaints filled the room: "Not again!" "We'll all get killed this time for sure!" "You're crazy!"
Stoick drew himself to his full height and boomed over them, "Yes…I will go to their nest, again, and I do not demand you come with me!" The silence slowly filtered back into the room. This was not the first time Stoick talked about hunting the dragon's to their nest, but there was a desperate determination in his tone that was new. "I will not tell you to throw yer lives away on this asinine mission of a stubborn man but I can promise you that this time I will end this!" He slammed a heavy fist on the wall to emphasize his words. "Even if I have to go alone…this time I will destroy them and I will not stop until I have made them fear the very smell of our island!"
No one said anything as the last words tumbled out of their chief's mouth. There was too much at stake..too much to risk…but there was also too much to lose by doing nothing.
In the past months, the dragon hunts had multiplied. First, they came nearly every night in packs of four or five, but within a few weeks, they dozens of dragons came throughout the day and night. The villagers spent more time fighting the beasts for their food rather than actually being able to hunt for it. The sheep were nearly gone, only Mildew's pet and a few young ewes' remaining, and most of the fish had migrated to safer waters. Food had become scarce and the harshness of winter was settling in. People were scared and angry.
Stoick…had to fix things or lose everyone.
Just as the silence began to stretch to a point where Stoick was sure he had received his answer, a slow drawl echoed in the room. "What makes you think this time will be any better than the last?" It was Spitelout that added this last, snide, remark, pushing himself to the front of the crowd.
Stoick glowered at his brother. "Because this time, they will lead me to the front door."
000
The Berk armada steered silently through the icy waters, the familiar mist that rolled from Helheim's Gate, coating the air.
Stoick paused his lead ship for a moment, letting it list just before the mist. His eyes wafted over the ones staring back at him, both in his own ship and out beyond, where just over two dozen more ships waited. Every able bodied villager was in on the mission, only the young and infirm lingering behind at Berk to await the outcome. He was responsible for their lives; their futures. This battle would determine all of that and he was not going to lose. He could not lose.
The burden of his determination settled on his back, Stoick turned back to the mist. A figure passed over head, the shadow of wings coating the boat. From below he could just make out the thick chains, swooping in the breeze, which had once held the Timberjack in captivity on Berk. Stoick braced himself. "Take us in."
The fog swallowed the ships and for a few minutes it seemed as though they would not survive the mist's hunger. But slowly, the fog eased away as large stone towers and the steady beats of dragon wings broke it up. Stoick, glanced back to ensure his armada was still together, before turning again to the sky. Another dragon passed overhead, so close to the boat, the gale from its wings nearly toppled them. "Keep close to it!" Stoick whispered harshly.
The Timberjack was fast, but large enough to keep in their sights, though following the beast's aerial maneuvers proved to be more difficult. The stone pillars were no problem for the dragon that could simply go above them, but the boats had to move slowly in order to avoid crashing into the stones or each other. At times, the dense fog and even denser sea stacks, sent the Vikings off course and it was only the phantom jingling of their released dragon that kept them from being led astray. Still, the fleet was spread painfully thin, but there was no way Stoick was going to go any slower and risk losing this chance.
As the Timberjack joined up with a flock of other dragons, the Viking's saw before them, a massive volcano, reaching toward the stars. The dragons raced in through an opening high above but cracks and tunnels near the base of the mountain were all Stoick and his Hooligans needed.
The Vikings arranged themselves on and around the island. Heavier catapults were lined on the shores of the beach, the giant rocks at the base of the mountain loaded into the cradles. The ships were staggered just beyond the shores, three rows deep so that the last of row of ships were just silhouettes in the mist. If this went south…they would have the better chance of escape. Each ship sported two or three harpoons settled in massive crossbows, aimed for the sky.
Stoick surveyed the set up with a critical eye, nodding with approval. It was time. The chief turned to face the mountain and Gobber and Spitelout turned with him. Behind the three, twenty Vikings each, readied themselves for what horror lay beyond.
Stoick glanced to those at his side. "When we crack this mountain open, all hell is going to break loose…" The other two nodded grimly, tightening their hold on their weapons. "For Berk."
"For Berk."
With a wave of his arm, Stoick commanded the catapults on land to fire. A line of snapping rope served as a prelude to the destruction of the boulders that crashed upon the mountain. The walls of the volcano shattered away under the attack and dust filled the air. Stoick prepared for anything…but the world remained eerily silent. Taking a few steps further, he peered into the darkness that extended into the mountain. "Give me a torch."
Another catapult was readied, tightly wound bramble over stone blazing, and fired into the void. The falling light illuminated more dragons than he could dare count.
Like a true Viking, Stoick refused to be taken over by fear or shock and instead, brazenly rushed into the cavern, a fearless bellow tearing from his throat.
The nest of dragons responded by rushing from the chasm like bats. The stream of colorful bodies and large wings seemed endless but Stoick and the Vikings slashed, hacked, and fired into the mass, determined to go down fighting. The monsters, however, paid their attackers no heed, simply launching into the air and tearing away from the island.
The villagers watched, wary, then, "We did it…?" Gobber said, a bit unsure. Spitelout nodded at his side. "We did it!" A cheer went up from the villagers, all but Stoick happy to be free of their terrors.
The chief did not turn away from the mountain, his ears focused on some small sound rumbling in the bowels of the mountain. His brows bristled. "This isn't over." Stoick turned back to the villagers, raising his voice over the villagers' rambunctious cheer. "This isn't over! Form your ranks! Hold together!" The villagers scrambled back to their positions, quick hands readying the weapons.
The volcano growled again and the island quaked under the strain. The ground cracked and the mountain rained down on them like an avalanche, sending the Vikings on the shore diving to get out of the way. A great dragon head burst from the opening in the mountain, its wide, thick jaw easily dislodging the stone.
Gobber paled as he tilted his head to see the beast that towered over them. "Beard of Thor…what is that?"
The dust did not have time to settle, as the rest of the dragon emerged from the debris. Legs, twice the size of most trees, slammed down on the shore, steadying a body that seemed large enough to have supported the entire mountain.
"Odin, help us…" Stoick whispered before shaking off his terror. "Catapults!"
The Hooligans obeyed, scrambling to their feet and launching direct hits against their foe. But the stones did nothing to the dragon's tough hide and the beast only roared, annoyed by the action. She turned her eyes to the weapons and with one claw tore into half a dozen. The wood splinted and screamed, while those too close cried out in fear and pain. Stoick whipped around to see his people flop into the water, bloodied, broken bodies floating like dolls. "What have I unleashed?" His fear would not be coaxed away this time. A leader knew when he had gotten in over his head and Stoick was not going to lose more lives because of his pride.
"Get out of here! Go!" He waved his hands over his head, directing the ships more so than those that remained on land.
The dragon watched the tiny leader and roared. No one escaped! Her bellow shook the land again, before a blast of fire wrapped around a line of ships.
Stoick watched in horror as the first row and much of the second were easily engulfed in flame. "Get in the water!" The chances of survival were dwindling.
The villagers screamed, panic filling their every movement. Those in ships that had not yet been destroyed turned and tried to escape. The others, grabbed any spare wood and launched themselves into the icy water, paddling for what they prayed was safety. The dragon refused to be denied her meal and crashed into the water after them.
"NO!" Stoick raced after the beast ramming his hammer against her rear legs. He knew he had no hope of defeating the monstrous beast but he could give his people some time to escape. "HEY! HEY!" Decades of controlling rambunctious hooligans were put to use as Stoick bellowed to get the dragon's attention.
Further to his right, Gobber turned to watch his friend. The smith growled. "That idiot!" With a maddening roar, Gobber rejoined the fray. "Stupid beast! Over here!"
One of the queen's many eyes rounded to face the new loud thing and for a moment, she paused her attack, debating which to take on first.
Stoick's head snapped to Gobber just as fast, angry, but fear filled, eyes locked on him. "What are you doing?! Get out of here! I can buy you the time!"
The dragon wheeled back to Stoick and the chief snatched off his helmet, banging the hammer against the reverberating metal.
"Then I can double it!" Gobber jumped and flailed like fish out of water, spewing creative insults that he was glad that dragon did not fully understand.
"Damnit Gobber!" Stoick threw his hammer at the dragon and she roared as it struck her nose. He would die first. The queen reared up on her rear legs and came crashing back to the ground. The shore gave under the force and anything still standing came to its knees. Gobber was blown back, the flutter of the creature's wings knocking him off his feet, while Stoick slipped and rolled on the cascading stones. A boulder, shaken free in the demolition, nearly avoided his head but seemed more than happy to settle over his legs. Stoick let out a pained howl and banged against the entrapment.
Above him, the queen towered in all her destructive glory and roared a victorious call. This one that led them….she would kill it and they would fall and she would get retribution for all they took from her.
She lowered her massive snout and boiled the fire in her belly with a hiss. The noxious fumes that would spark the flames spilled out around Stoick and he coughed as it seeped into his lungs. This close he could hear the zip of the spark, just before angry red flooded over him. The ground glowed white hot with the heat of the blaze, stones melting into lava the sizzled as it leaked into the icy water.
The scream that tore itself from Gobber's very core was the lead in a chorus of disbelieving wails. Without a second thought the smith launched everything he could find at the beast, a red haze clouding his logic. It killed him! It killed him! IT KILLED HIM! Stone, blades, shields, his helmet hand and plethora of large stones bounced off of the dragon, doing nothing but heightening her ire.
"GO TO HELL YOU VILE BEAST!"
The queen turned, ready to roast this one too, when a harpoon launched into the dragon's side and the beast turned again to see the remains of a burning ship face her. The queen of dragons roared again.
"Gobber! Get outta there!"
The metal smith turned to the ship as well, a moment of clarity coming of him as he spotted the mighty Spitelout at the helm of the burning ship. Another flaming harpoon was nestled between the decorations on the ship and the man was lining the shot up.
Gobber took the scene in, in a brief moment and frowned. There was no way that shot was going to work. The dragon would tear it out of the air before it landed. He glanced to the smoldering rocks at the dragon's feet and felt his chest constrict. "For Stoick…."
Gathering up his courage, Gobber raced to the dragon's front, and wildly waving his arms, shouted. "Over here you giant lizard!"
The dragon queen lolled her head to the side so that her eyes could catch the insulting insect. It danced teasingly in her vision and she swatted at it. It was small and fast and rolled away from her claws. She growled and swatted again, the insect still diving away.
"Come on! Show me what you got!" Gobber raced around the dragon's front, twisting and jumping away from the angry beasts attacks. "Anytime now, Spitelout…" he muttered, glancing over his shoulder. The dragon was utterly focused on Gobber, but otherwise lined up well for the Viking's attack. Its sensitive, wide nostrils were open and a perfect target. If only…
The flaming harpoon flew over Gobber's head, lodging itself in the queen's head. She reared back, roaring angrily, spewing fire. They had hurt her!
Spitelout nodded and leaped from the boat as the flames made it more dangerous. He splashed into the water as the dragon crashed back onto land. Her fire would not be stopped and Gobber raced toward the water. A wide tongue of flame snaked around him before he made it and the Viking felt his very flesh boil and melt away from his bones. All sense left him and survival remained his only focus. He ran, desperate to escape the agonizing heat, and plunged into the water. Consciousness fled him as the cold water shocked his inflamed skin.
On land, the queen spread her thick wings and shot into the air. Streams of flame poured out of her maw, painting the land and water red.
~~~End of Flashback~~~
Hiccup had gone pale as he listened to Fishlegs recount his story and he was trying not to shake in his chair. His brain struggled to grasp the enormity of what had occurred but he could only really focus on one thing: his father – Stoick the Vast, the invincible, the wall of Berk - was dead?
"The Red Death – that's what we've been calling it – died shortly afterwards." continued. His voice was rough with years of emotion. Spitelout's shot burned the dragon from the inside." Fishlegs sighed. "Most of the villagers survived but…when we got back to Berk…the dragons that escaped had taken over the village and most of the island. We…we couldn't go back. So – "
"How…." Hiccup was hardly paying attention anymore. So much had happened…too much had happened and what had he been doing? Sitting here, feeling sorry for himself for five years! A rush of anger lanced through him and Hiccup roared, flipping a table.
"How did this happen?!"
Fishlegs stayed silent, curling back on himself as Hiccup raged about his home.
"I should have been there…He needed me...I could have fixed this!"
"…Hiccup…"
"He didn't have to go there….he…if he had just listened!"
"Hiccup…"
The rider stopped, breathing ragged, hot tears staining his cheeks. "What?"
"I…I don't think this is your fault…"
Toothless, from his corner by the fireplace, crooned his agreement. His bright eyes were big with sadness and worry. He did not mourn the Viking's but he felt Hiccup's raging emotions as though they were his own. They roiled in his heart like fire unable to get out.
"I could have…done something."
Fishlegs sighed. "You…you don't know that."
"What?"
"Even if you had been there…the Red Death was vicious and as big as the main hall. It killed so many…you…you probably would have died too…"
Hiccup was silent for a moment, trying to let the semi comforting words settle him...but...wouldn't it have been better to die fighting rather than hide here, forgotten? Then again, he was not here by choice. His own father turned against him…
Conflict raged through Hiccup, tearing his mind apart. With a hefty roar, he stormed out of the hut, Toothless trailing behind him.
Fishlegs watched with wide eyes, flinching as the rush of wings filled the air and it was clear that the rider and dragon were gone.
Author's Note:
I want to give a huge thank you to those who have favorited, followed, and reviewed this story! I did not expect it to be so well received and am honored and touched by all of you! I hope you guys liked this chapter! It went through a few rewrites and rethinking to get to this version and I am sure, if I spent any more time on it, I'd change it again! It's the longest chapter so far and I also think the most action packed so I wanted it to be worth the read. Anyway! I just wanted to say thank you again to everyone!