Chapter

A/N: So to anybody who doesn't know, tomorrow, July 16 is my birthday, so enjoy this new chapter as a present from me.

THank you to all my reviewers, ENJOY!

I dashed through the forest, carrying a basket of fish for Toothless. After Hiccup and I left the arena, we went to the forge to discuss what to do next,

Flashback…

"Stormleg, we can't help Toothless fly solo, there just isn't enough time. He needs help, so I'm going to control the fin using-" Hiccup began.

"Using that saddle thing," I finish.

"Yeah, so you head down there with some fish and I'll meet you there, it may take a while," Hiccup says.

Flashback ends…

I had just gotten to the cove with the fish before Toothless came bounding up, cooing excessively and his eyes wide.

"Hey Toothless," I say, dropping the bag and reaching out with my hand, Toothless stopped and looked warily at me. Then he looks at my sword with a growl, "Look, I'm not going to hurt you. But I'm not going to stop carrying my sword," I say.

Toothless seemed to groan before putting his snout into my hand. I smile before rubbing his head, he cooed, tilting his head down for me to reach it better, "Hiccup will be here later," I say. As soon as Hiccups name was mentioned, Toothlesses head perked up and looked around eagerly for him.

"Ah, he's not here yet bud," I say.

Toothless looks sad for a moment before I say "You want to eat now?" then his eyes narrowed immediately, luckily I knew why, "Don't worry, there's no eel in here," I say holding up the basket and he begins to jump up and down like a dog for a treat. Toothless swoops in and begins to devour the fish before the basket can touch the ground, I smile and pat his head before going back to examine his tail. The tail was magnificent; the scales seemed to shine in the light as it quivered with joy. I rubbed my hand across it, feeling the smooth scales until I went down to the fins, the one remaining fin felt leathery and rough. The other side was rigged with scabs of the healing wounds, did Hiccup feel this when he was putting on the tail? I then remember the scales I found, where those scales? Or droplets of the Night Fury's blood?

I then hear pattering of footsteps and a familiar groan. I turn and see Hiccup looking frustrated at the shield he got stuck when we first met Toothless, officially that is.

"Um, Stormleg can you help me out here?" he asked.

Toothless actually took what was meant for me, to what was meant for him, because he blasted the shield with his purple plasma bolt. Hiccup yelped when the thing shattered, but he said "Thanks," to Toothless. The said dragon snorted before resuming his dinner, Hiccup trotted over to me and held up the saddle. It was completely made up of crossing leather straps, with several belts dangling, waiting to be put across Toothlesses belly.

"Now to put it on Toothless, hopefully he agrees," Hiccup says.

We both turn to see Toothless looking at us with…mischief? He stuck out his tongue, clearly insulting us before running away. I look at Hiccup and he looks at me confused, "Did he just taunt us?" he asks.

"I don't know Hiccup, what do you think he did?" I ask rolling my eyes.

"I'm not sure," he says, his eyes squinting at Toothless "maybe he's just being playful?"

I face-palm at this, "Hiccup, that was sarcasm. He was obviously taunting us."

Hiccups eyes narrow before saying "Oh hell no," before dashing after the dragon, shouting "No person or dragon is going to taunt me after what I just went through to help you fly again, get your scaly hide OVER HERE."

I was cracking up at the angry Hiccup as he chased Toothless around the pond, Toothless was making sounds that sounded like laughter and blew a raspberry at Hiccup. The said Viking seemed to grow in rage before leaping over a small boulder and managing to spectacularly land on Toothlesses back and shouted "Like a boss…I think."

As I said before, we still had work to do.

While Hiccup was still at the cove playing with Toothless, I went back to the forge to design something for Hiccup. When Hiccup managed to get on Toothless and fly on the saddle, he promptly fell off when he pulled the rope connected to the tail-fin. But once the rope slipped and Hiccup fell backwards off the dragon when he tried to snag it.

Flashback…

Hiccup was pulling himself out of the pond while a very disgruntled Toothless was shaking the water off his body.

"All part of trial and error Hiccup," I say.

"Yeah but I need to build something for me to attach to Toothless," he says as he went and picked up his sketchbook.

I went to Toothless and unstrapped the saddle, when I noticed two metal curves at the front of the saddle.

"Hiccup, what are these?" I ask.

"Those were supposed to be handles, but the idea didn't go so well so I took them off," Hiccup says.

The gaps were big enough for me to slip my thumb in the groove when I got an idea. "Hiccup, you play with Toothless longer, I'm heading back."

"Why?" Hiccup asks.

"Toothless likes you more and he missed you when you weren't here, that and I have an idea," I reply, taking the saddle with me.

Flashback end…

I snagged a sturdy leather belt, a needle and some thread before getting to work. I took some of the thick metal rings that were lying around and two leather straps and wound the edge of the leather strap around the rings while I attached the other edge to the belt. I sewed the leather so it was tightly attached to the ring and out on the belt; I then hooked the rings to the small metal grooves and tested it out. Hiccup would now be part of the saddle, no more falling back, but the problem now was that he couldn't sit up; he has to lean forward and control the fin some other way. I unhook the harness and take off the belt, picking it and the saddle up and moving into Hiccups workroom.

Inside were drawings and schematics of weapons, like the ballista we used to shoot down Toothless and other fascinating ideas, but as I looked closer, I noticed that they all had the same word on the bottom of the parchment, FAILURE. Each idea had failed, my guess was that Hiccup only got one chance to prove the designs worth, and no experiment went right the first time. As I set down the saddle and belt on his workbench, I saw noticed drawings, not of weapons, but of certain things. At first, there were simple, crude drawings of a plant or axe, but I continued to look, they got significantly better. I saw, over a short span of years (According to the pages) the sun setting on a vast ocean, its image being reflected on the crystalline surfaces, I saw a tree amongst waving grass. Then I saw people, Gobber hammering away at a piece of metal, Fishlegs reading the Dragon Manuel, his eyes focused on the page. Ruffnut and Tuffnut facing forward, both of their eyes showed mischief, like they were about to do something stupid. Snotlout appeared, his face filled with a look that was similar to one of a bully, then there was Astrid, she took up the rest of the space.

There were numerous images of her, from one where she had her axe at her side, to one with her clutching a bucket, her eyes filled with courage and focus. But one stuck out though, one that Hiccup probably made up, it showed Astrid pushing her bangs from her left, ocean blue eye that was filled with concern, her face looked tender and caring. Was this what Hiccup saw in her? A girl with a tough appearance by most but was a big softy inside?

Then I saw the pictures of Stoick. Some pictures had him in front of a crowd; he looked like he was ordering them around because the picture had an aura of leadership. That soon dissipated when it showed the same crowd, all looking at the artist, Stoicks eyes filled with disappointment. There was only one explanation; they were all looking at Hiccup, the screw up, the failure, it all reminded me of Jason. I blinked, Jason? Why should I be thinking about him, he's the outcast, the reject, he's just like…

Hiccup.

Then it all clicked, Hiccup and Jason were alike, and I had approached one and not the other. I was so focused on not being noticed, that I shunned Jason, I hoped that I could make amends for that when I got back. If I got back.

My stomach growled, time for supper, I leave the forge and walk up to the Mead Hall, only to run into Hiccup on the way "Hey Stormleg," he says, "You're hungry too?" I nod my head and we enter the hall, sitting at an empty table by the wall. A female Viking brought two plates of chicken and cups of ale, Hiccup gave a quick thanks before digging into the chicken. I sunk my teeth into the chicken leg and began to chew the tender meat; soon I was finished and went to look for more.

The hall was arranged so the kitchen was put near the far side of the hall, so I went across the hall to get there, the cooks were very nice and understood that I was hungry using some gestures and gave me another piece. As I went back though I noticed Snotlout, Tuffnut and Fishlegs had just entered and noticed Hiccup, the said boy noticed and was suddenly nervous as they got closer. I walked quickly across the hall but I wouldn't get there in time, thinking quick I pretended to slip on a bone and fell flat of my back. The hall erupted in laughter and Snotlout and Tuffnut joined in as I sat up, rubbing my head and beginning to laugh at my mistake. I glanced around to see Hiccup slip quietly out of the hall, I pick up my plate which still had the chicken on it and sat down at a random table. I was so focused on my meal, that when I looked up, I noticed Snotlout and the rest of the teens sitting at the table, Ruff and Tuff on either side of me. Astrid was sitting opposite of me, while Snotlout and Fishlegs sat on either side of her.

"OK Stormleg, how did you get that Zippleback to back down," Snotlout asked.

I began to stand up but the twins put their hands on my shoulders and shoved me back down, Ruffnuts hand dug into my burned shoulder so I let out a hiss as she pushed down. Astrid looked impatient; Fishlegs looked upset, most likely because this wasn't how he rolled. I look at Snotlout and pointed at my throat and shook my head,

"Don't give us that dragon crap, we know you can since you shouted after that burn," Snotlout said.

When I didn't do anything, Snotlout got a devious look and nodded at Ruffnut. She smacked her hand on my shoulder, causing a swell of pain to arise and a groan emitted from my throat. I pointed at my throat again but this time, both the twins clamped their hands into my shoulders, Ruffnuts pressing deeper than before. The pain was so excruciating, I bared my teeth into a silent howl, and then the pain began to ebb away. I looked up and noticed Gobber standing there, a scowl written on his face, all the teens were looking down at the stone floor. Gobber looked at me before jerking his head at the entrance, not needing a hint; I clamber out of the bench and hurry away. The pain in my shoulder still hurt, I moved the tunic collar down to look at the bandage, red covered almost all of the formally white linen, I need to get it looked at and only one person could help take care of me.

I trudged up the hill to Gothis shack and knocked, the frail old lady opened the door, looking up at me quizzically. It takes a second before she quickly ushers me inside and points at a chair. I sit down and begin to remove my shirt and revealing the bandage, Gothis eyes widened in shock as she stared at the burn before she began to carefully unwind the cloth. I gritted my teeth as she continued to unwind the wound, flashes of pain erupted where he gentle fingers grazed. Soon it was off and Gothi gave a gasp of shock, I look and see the worst sight. The metal shards were gone, revealing four inch long cuts that were inflamed and oozing blood and pus; the burns were an even fiery red with blisters along my arm.

"I ask you to take it easy and instead you let this happen," she said furiously. She began to mutter a string of curses as she rummaged through her cupboard, "Didn't Gobber keep you from the ring? I asked him to bring you here to check the wounds and THIS happens."

I look at her bewildered, she was the reason Gobber didn't want me in the ring, I reminded to thank him for his sudden appearance at the Mead Hall. Gothi came over to me clutching a jar of green liquid, "You're in for a rough night boy, you need to take this, it will help you sleep as I work but unfortunately it tastes like dragon piss."

"Have some experience with dragon piss have you Gothi?" I thought. She looked at me "Really? I'm going to take care of you and instead you sprout that out?" she said. I held up my hands to say 'Just trying to lighten the mood'

"Well then, this will give me a laugh," she said before snatching up her staff and whacking my head with it, knocking me out again.

(A/N: Ha-ha, Harry Potter reference if you've seen the seventh movie.)

Hiccups POV…

The Next Day…

I hurried to the forge, hoping I would see Stormleg there. I haven't seen him since dinner yesterday. The teens had nearly had me cornered before Stormleg tripped on something. While they were busy laughing at me, I quickly escaped the hall, it was too close though, I could have sworn I saw Fishlegs glance at me before looking away. Anyway, I quickly dashed home to try and escape the teens, hopefully Stormleg got away as well, he may not know them, but they can all be pretty evil if they want something. I step inside the forge and immediately went back to my workroom, there lying on my desk was the saddle and a belt. I take it that it was what Stormleg was working on before when he left me and Toothless, I strap the belt on my waist and see two rings that were crudely connected to the belt, yep Stormleg did this.

I place the belt on and thinking "What in Midgard was this," until the saddle pulled me down, since one of the rings was attached to the saddle. I grab the saddle and with a grunt, I prop it back up against one of the wooden support beams, before attaching the other ring to the metal grooves in the saddle. I shook the saddle slightly and the belt moved with it, Stormleg made myself able to be part of the saddle but now how do I move the tail?

I snag the saddle and rush to the cove, hoping Stormleg was already there with the basket of fish. I dash through the thicket and soon I'm at the cove faster than before, as I hurried down there, Toothless bounded up to me and butted his head into my stomach, I felt his purring rumble through my body.

"Hey bud, how are you?" I say while rubbing his head. He looks at me with his wide eyes before licking my face. With a sound of disgust I wipe it off; I did not want to walk around with dragon saliva on my face, Toothless remained happy though but there was still no sign of Stormleg.

"Sorry bud, I don't have any fish, I promise though I will bring some," I say. Toothless let out a sad purr before he noticed the saddle I had. "Yes, we're trying again and if you try and run away again I will slip an eel into your dinner."

Toothless seemed to shudder before he got down on his paws and let me put the saddle on him comfortably and soon we were back into the air. I had to hand it to Stormleg, his idea was ingenious, but how do I control the tail-fin using my foot?

We were flying alright in the cove until I tugged on the rope and went crashing into a large field of soft grass. Groaning, I pull myself up from the ground to hear Toothless make a weird sound. I push my way through the massive grassy stalks to see Toothless rolling around in the grass, making sounds of what I knew now was pleasure. I snag a piece the stuff, it was very soft, almost like feathers, I bring out my journal and immediately catalog the stuff, calling it Dragon Nip before storing it into my journal before trying to get Toothlesses attention so we could get back to the village.

I hurried to the Kill Ring, which had wooden barricades spread out everywhere. I hoped that Stormleg was already there, but as I approached I saw Gobber and the others, no sign of him. Where was Stormleg? I was surprised that none of the teens said anything but I was more focused on Gobber.

"Hey Gobber, where's Stormleg?" I ask. Gobber looks at me, a little nervous before he said "Stormlegs wound has…gotten worse," at that he glares at Snotlout, "he should be back later today, probably after training."

He then turns to the cages, "So today we will-" he began.

"How?" I ask. Gobber looks at me confused, "How did it get worse? I saw the bindings, the wound should have been fine unless-" I stop, unless someone purposely attacked it, then I realizing why Gobber glared at Snotlout. I look at Snotlout, rage boiling in my gut, he tries to look nonchalant, "Yeah, I did it, whatcha gonna do about it Use-" The next thing I knew, my fist was outstretched and Snotlout was lying on the ground, clutching his nose.

The other teens stood shocked, Hiccup the Useless just punched Snotlout. Hiccup the Useless never fights back, he's just useless and messes up things. Gobber clears his throat as Snotlout gets back up, just staring at me in shock as I go to the weapons rack and grab an axe, "Today we will be facing the Gronckle again," Gobber continues.

We take our positions as Gobber pulls the lever. The Gronckle comes out quickly and we spread out, picking up the shields on the ground. The twins are the first to go, charging at the Gronckle while banging on their shields but quickly forgetting about the dragon when Ruffnut bumps into her brother. Fishlegs was too big to hide behind a barricade and the Gronckle nicked his helmet and he ran away screaming. I hid behind one of the barricades when I felt my journal on my belt, could the Dragon Nip be used against the Gronckle. I quickly drop my axe and took out the nip before standing up, Snotlout charged at the Gronckle before it head-butted him against the wall. Its yellow eyes fixed on me before it flew forward, I quickly extended the hand that had the nip and the dragon fell down, its eyes growing wide as it sniffed the nip. I scratched its nose and it rolled onto its side; it wasn't until I heard clapping that I realized that there was a small crowd of the Vikings that couldn't go with my father on the hunt for the Nest. I quickly tucked the nip away before walking out of the Ring, I was headed across the bridge to the docks but then I heard someone shout "Hiccup."

Fishlegs, Ruffnut, Tuffnut and Snotlout are all running up while Astrid is still taking her time walking behind the others, her face in its stony demeanor.

"Hiccup, how did you do that?" Fishlegs asked amazed. I immediately begin to think of something as the twins spoke.

"Yeah, how did you?" Asked Tuffnut, "Hey, I was going to ask that," Ruffnut says but even the twins were together on this one. It wasn't until Snotlout said "I've never seen a Gronckle do that," when I came up with an excuse.

"Uh I left my axe in the ring. You guys go ahead," I say as I begin to back away, almost bumping into Astrid who jumped slightly as I dodged her, "I'll catch up with you," I shout out as I ran to take the long way to the docks that took me through the village. Time to pick up some food and a missing Viking.

A/N: Time to get Calder back in action, next chapter about the Nadder and the Terrible Terror. Peace, have a great day and God bless you.

Review