Disclaimer: I own Pirate and the Goldclipper breed, so please ask permission before using either for fanfics, roleplays or deviations.

I know Stormcutters are from HTTYD 2 by the way, but this is in a separate universe.

Eclipse

Chapter 6 – Prices

The Dragon Council gasped as the magnificent beast came forward. His scales were almost like the sun at dawn, and his lightning streaks were a hue of electric blue. He had a dark coloured mark over one eye, and both eyes were a bright, toxic green. Indigo Wing gaped. "Pirate! What… What are you doing here?!"

The Goldclipper radiated an air of confidence, yet humble respect as he spoke. "My rider made a stop here to speak with your chief. She'll be busy for a few hours, and I had heard word of Eclipse's presentation. I also heard that he is potentially to be exiled." Pirate narrowed his eyes at the older dragon, clearly disapproving of such a decision. Indigo Wing bowed his head in shame. "I am aware of that. You see, Pirate, I'm afraid he's a-"

"Black Nadder, I know." Pirate interrupted wearily. "What, so because he's different, you refuse to spare an innocent life?! He'd die in exile and you know it!" Pirate took a deep breath, controlling his temper, which had gotten him into trouble many times before. "And that," He said, "is why I will give an eye in return for this hatchling's survival for 3 human years."

The crowd gasped. A dragon's eyes were one of their most important weapons – a half blind dragon couldn't hope to win in a battle, surely? But here he was, the last Goldclipper in all his glory, offering his most valuable possession for a mere hatchling he had never met! Indigo Wing also seemed shocked, but he nodded in acceptance. "Very well. Are you certain you want to go through with this, Pirate?" Pirate looked faintly nervous about it, but he nodded nonetheless. "With all my heart." Toothless blocked Eclipse's view with his wing. He didn't want him seeing this at such a young age.

He stepped forward, trembling with the prospect of what was about to come, as Indigo Wing unsheathed his claws in preparation. The golden dragon bit down on his lower lip, and braced himself for the sharp, stinging jolt…

There was a sickening slicing sound as Indigo's claws were swiped across the eye socket, slicing the eye clean. Pirate's legs almost buckled, but he stayed standing despite the pain. And what was most amazing was… All throughout, Pirate hadn't emitted so much as a whimper. He hadn't even flinched.

Toothless couldn't believe he had done that – how brave was this dragon? He had learnt himself, many years ago, that true bravery wasn't not being scared to do something. It was when you were scared, but went right ahead and did it anyway. And that mean that this was one of the bravest dragons he'd ever met. As the crowd drifted away, with Indigo's promise that Eclipse would live, for now, Toothless approached Pirate, who was staring at nothing in particular with his remaining eye. His expression almost seemed haunted, and who could blame him? He had seen it all – the claws coming towards his eye, fighting the natural urge to dodge and fly away… Toothless placed a consoling wing on his shoulder.

"I honestly don't know how to thank you… You didn't have to do that…" Pirate turned to face him, seeming surprised when Toothless didn't retreat at the sight of the missing eyeball. There was a gash where the claws had come on impact, and the eyelid (the one on the right.) was shut, and slightly inflamed. "Yes, I did have to. If not for you, then for him. I couldn't live with myself knowing a child had been murdered in cold blood, when I could have done something." He gave a weak, shaky smile, despite the great pain he was undoubtedly going through. Toothless still couldn't believe what Pirate had given up.

"But you gave everything for one hatchling! How… How will you manage without both eyes?! You'll have trouble hunting, flying… And what about your rider? Won't she notice? She'll be really worried about you!" Pirate laughed dryly, trying to make light of it.

"Gee, I really don't think she'll notice that… I mean, it's not even very obvious!" he chuckled sarcastically. Toothless still looked worried, though. "Pirate, she'll be really upset for you! You know how she gets whenever you get hurt!" Pirate nodded – Toothless did have a point. His rider really did worry about him too much…

Spotting an old cloth nearby, he quickly tied it over the injury. Surprisingly, it was on the same eye his eyepatch marking was on, too. Since Toothless looked and obviously felt guilty about the whole event, Pirate decided he should go. Nodding a last goodbye, and patting Eclipse on the head, he padded back to the village. He heard Toothless shout "Thank you again! One day we'll return the favour!" Pirate smiled, a snaggle tooth poking from his jaw. By letting me save your son, you've done that already… The dragon thought, as he went back to his rider to face the music.