ANOTHER CHAPTER MY DOODS!
Chapter 6: Answers!
My life at the Jade Palace was confusing, to say the least. I sat here, completely bored as me and Toothless played a game called 'Chess', to which he kept beating me at. I watched his face as he studied the board. He moved a piece, taking out another 'pawn' of mine. He looked up at me and I yawned. I looked down at the board wondering how this would ever help me in battle, the lesson both Master Thornado and my brother were attempting to teach me. In all honesty, everything they tried to teach me was confusing. Like Math beyond adding and subtracting, and History. I already know most of the basic history, I don't think I need to know about one specific guy and what he did that one time. Trust me when I say, they're teaching me about a lot of 'one specific guys'.
I blinked the wanting sleep out of my eyes and looked at my 'white army' that was losing horribly to his 'black army'. I saw one of my knights close to his king and thought back to a certain move he pulled on me a few rounds back. He criss-crossed over three of my 'pawns', getting in front of my king, winning that round. I copied the move twice, taking two of his pawns, and pinning his king into a side. I yawned again as I looked at his face for a reaction. He was going to move before he looked at my last turn again. "How….how did you…" I blinked. He gave me a dumbfounded look. I myself looked over at Thornado who was watching the whole thing. "What, did I win or something?" I questioned with a monotone voice.
Thornado looked a little impressed actually. "Yes, as a matter of fact, you did win". Toothless slumped back a little. "How did I miss that?" He mumbled. My slow brain was beginning to catch up. "Wait, you mean I actually won? Like, no going easy on me or anything?" Still dumbfounded, my brother nodded. I blinked once. Then again. I didn't do anything I normally did when winning. No jumping around in excitement, no teasing my brother, nothing. I groaned. "Ugh! This game is stupid! One minute I'm losing, another I'm winning! What's the point of me learning this again?" I complained. My brother raised an eyebrow at me. "Somehow that wasn't the reaction I was expecting after winning".
I ran a paw over my head. "My brain hurts". "Night Fury, the reason you're learning this is because you need to learn battle tactics in the event of a war. In truth, you're showing much potential". That confused me even more. "But, how am I showing potential at something I don't even get?" Thornado just chuckled. "It's because you don't get it and still managed to come close to beating my top student multiple times that you show potential. You might not have noticed it, but you're very good at this game". This wasn't really answering any of my questions. "But, I still didn't win. Until now, at least. And I didn't…" "Enough excuses Night Fury. You will understand it soon enough, but for now, just know I'm very proud" he interrupted with a smile, walking away.
My shoulders fell in defeat. I heard the growing chuckles of my brother walking up behind me. "Glad to know my confusion entertains you, brother" I spoke sarcastically. "Don't take it to heart. He is right in saying you have potential" We walked out of the building and went down to lunch, as we have been doing regularly for the past week. I was beginning to sense a routine here. "But still, I don't understand a single thing I did! You just move pieces on a board and bahm! You win? How does that teach you about war?" Toothless seemed to be annoyed at my lack of understanding. "Brother, imagine each separate piece as a dragon in battle. The 'King' pawn would be the Emperor, the 'Knights', the 'Bishops', and the 'Rooks' would be high-positioned warriors, such as myself or the Five, and the 'Pawns' are just soldiers. Those are the main pieces".
"But what about the Queen?"
"Hiccup, the game is designed off of European armies. There would be no Queen in China, only an Empress, to which there is not at this time. The game is meant to teach you how to use your brain and your resources wisely to win. Queens would be considered like Master Thornado, for example. He's important and strong, but the country would not fall if he were to be beaten in battle. If the Emperor was, however, the country would lose its leader and have no choice but to fall under the rule of who ever wins that battle". This didn't help me at all. The pieces were actual people?
"But, why would you…
"But, how about you stop asking so many questions? Hmm?" He gave me a look and I shut up. "It's not a big deal, brother, you will understand it with time, much like I did. The Great Wall was not built in a day, so stop stressing yourself over something you will learn over time". I glared at him as he talked about it so easy. "Well, it's not my fault you're trying to teach me something I don't understand. I wasn't exactly 'schooled' like you were growing up". He sighed and brought his wing around me. "You do not need to remind me Hiccup. I know it's confusing now, and everything you'll learn in the future will be. But because you didn't learn this while growing up, it's become essential that you learn it now. Believe me, it took me years to gain the skill you have naturally. Maybe you don't get it now, but once you do, you'll be one heck of a battle strategist".
I gave out a sigh of my own. No one will be answering any of my questions any time soon, so I'll just drop the subject. "Alright, whatever you say brother. I just hope I learn it soon before I end up falling asleep mid-lesson". He broke out laughing and shoved me lightly, bringing a smile to my face. "Touche". We made it to the lower section of the Palace where I saw Masters...you know what, screw the 'Masters' thing, I know them well enough to use their actual names. Meatlug and Stormfly were sitting out, drinking what I assume was water while Hookfang went against Barf and Belch. Hookfang did a tail-whip where the Twins dodged it, fighting back with a flip charge, a move only dragons with multiple heads could pull off. It's where the dragon charges at the opposing dragon, necks intertwining while spinning. The left head would breathe out gas at the attacker, while the right head would light it at the right moment.
The only flaw with the move was….'ooo, that looked like it hurt!' I winced. Hookfang blew a blast of fire at them because Barf gassed too soon, causing it to explode in both of the dragon's faces. Hookfang tackled the Twins while they recovered, roaring out in victory. "Yeah! That's how the Fangster does it! Awwe, are da Twins sad bwecause dey didn't win?" he taunted with a baby voice. I chuffed with an eye roll. Typical Hookfang. "I wouldn't say we were more sad by losing, then we were by having to look at your ugly face" Barf spoke up. "And it wasn't my fault we lost! You gassed to early Barf. I HEAR BY DISOWN YOU!" Belch shouted dramatically. I laughed because I knew he didn't mean it. Hookfang just glared at the Two-headed dragon.
"Why you…" Hookfang started before tackling them again. "Ugh, boys" Stormfly commented. "I hope you know I take offense to that" Toothless replied, walking up to her. I stayed back by the entrance to watch the fight. Toothless and Thornado got it in my head to watch others fight so I could learn a thing or two. I might know Kung Fu, but they all have experience before me, so I watch. It was pretty entertaining in all honesty, the three fighting against each other, throwing insults and laughing too early before getting slapped in the face. Every now and then I could see Toothless shoot me a glance, making sure I was still nearby.
It wasn't until they started using their blast that the others grew worried. I was too busy laughing to notice one of the Twin's blasts dislodged a statue above me. It would've fallen on me had I not seen the shadow increasing in front of me. "Hiccup!" I heard Meatlug shout, but I jumped as far left as my legs would let me. The stone claw on the Nightmare's wing lightly scratched my side as I escaped the initial blow. The Statue was of one of the Masters that helped build the Jade Palace in the first years of the Valley's settlement, as I recognized. 'Huh, I guess all that History does come in handy' I thought. I coughed a little as the statue roused all the dust and sand that was on the ground.
Somehow the statue stayed mostly intact, only a few small pieces breaking off from the fall. Hookfang and the Twins had frozen at the statue's fall, looking at me with fear in their eyes. I, for the life of me, couldn't figure why. The three of us were never close. "Hiccup!" Toothless shouted. He was by my side in an instant. "Alright, you guys are done fighting" Stormfly scolded the three. "Brother, are you hurt?" I shook myself, letting any dust fly off my hide when I was reminded of a sting on my side. I investigated, only to see a scratch the size of my arm run across the length from my stomach to my leg. It was deep enough to show the red under my skin, but not enough to bleed.
'Wow, any lower and I could've been dealt serious damage' I thought. "Just a scratch, Toothless. Might need some ointment for it, though" I replied. Said dragon hopped to the other side of me, looking at the scratch that was just low enough to get past the thicker area of my hide. He licked it a few times, then gave a death glare to Hookfang, Barf, and Belch. Seeing the fear in their eyes again, I realized why they were scared. 'Oh, they're scared of Toothless! Or, more precisely, what he's going to do to them because I'm hurt'. I blinked a few times. That made more sense. Toothless was about to lunge at them when I gave him a small shove. "O.K.A.Y, how about lunch? I'm starving!" I interrupted, not wanting any actual damage to befall anyone else.
"They can make their own lunch. You and I are going to grab some medicine from the Healers" My brother replied coldly. "Or that too!" I said just as chipper. It was uncomfortably silent as we made our way to the empty Healer's room. Actual Healers came from the Village when one of us were seriously injured, otherwise we could take care of ourselves. Or, in my case, Toothless would take care of me. Not that I'm complaining, or anything. I began to walk to the medicine cabinets when Toothless lightly pushed me onto the stone, facing my cut to the ceiling. I hissed a little as the area was jostled. He looked back at me for a second, but continued looking for a disinfectant ointment. He seemed disturbed by something. "Brother, I can do this myself, you know. You don't have too…"
"Hiccup? Shut up, will you?" I flinched back at his tone. I didn't speak again for a few minutes. When he turned back around, holding a jar of a sort of cream, I avoided his gaze. "Are...are you mad?" I tested. He let out a breath as he sniffed the scratch. "Yes brother, yes I am mad" he looked at me with a softer look. "I am not mad at you, though. Just at how much trouble seems to find you". I huffed and flinched as he applied the cream to the deeper part of the scratch. "You would be surprised to know that, that isn't such an abnormal thing for me". A smile hinted his face. "You know, I haven't been in here since I almost died" he choked as I talked.
I leaned forward, alarmed, and nuzzled his face. "Hey, it's ok brother" I soothed. He didn't look at me. He finished with my scratch a few seconds later and roughly put the ointment away, slamming the cabinet door shut. He was tense, gripping the wall tightly, breathing a little hard. I slowly stood, walking up to him. "Toothless…" I started. "Don't Hiccup...just...don't" I got confused. "Toothless, what's...what's wrong?" I tried again. "You...you almost died, brother. Right here, in this room, in my arms. My only family, that's what's wrong!" he yelled. I flinched back from the volume. "And, it would've been my fault had I not...had Thornado not.." he tried.
My eyes widened as I figured out what he was talking about. "Oh Toothless, you can't blame yourself for that! I chose that path to fly down. I chose to face Red Death alone, knowing fully what would've happened. That wasn't your fault". He slammed his paw onto the wall, making a loud crack! "But why Hiccup?! Why would you do that to yourself? Why would you do that to me?! How could you just lay that on me so suddenly and...and let yourself go be killed?! How low did you think I was, just to let you die after finding out you're my brother?! Huh?" My jaw was dropped. What do I say to that? What could I say to that? "I…I don't…I didn't…think...you would've cared b..because I lied. Just like when...I told you about the..the catacombs" I barely whispered.
"Brother, I, out of everyone here, took care of you when you first arrived, before I knew who you were! I looked out for you, I even defied my own Master for you! And you didn't think I would care?!" He yelled at me. My head hung in shame. "I didn't know how you'd react! I didn't want...*sigh* it doesn't matter" I spoke in defeat. Toothless yanked my face to look at his, clearly far from done with this discussion. "No! What 'didn't you want'?" I yanked my head out of his grasp. "Oh, why is this so important to you all of a sudden?!" I yelled back at him, suddenly mad that this was brought up now. He grabbed my forearm, jerking me back to face him. "Because I want to remember what you say; right now". "Oh for the love of...I was a coward! I was weak! I couldn't..." "You said 'couldn't' that time!" he pointed out before I could continue.
"Ok, whatever! 3 centuries and I'm the first Night Fury who couldn't do something! I didn't think you cared, alright!"
"But I do care! I did then and I do now! Just because I got angry, doesn't mean I wanted you dead!"
"Ok, well how was I supposed to know that? Growing up, everybody else who got mad at me wanted me dead, what idea could you have given me that you thought otherwise? I broke your trust! You even said you wanted me gone after I told you!" "I know what I said, alright! I...*sigh* I know what I said and what I did, Hiccup. I knew it hurt you, and I'm so sorry I did. But, it wasn't worth your life, brother. Did you not want to give me a chance? Did you not think you could try to work things out with me?" I looked away from his eyes.
"Of course I wanted too. Of course I wanted to try, to fight, to do everything in my power to be your brother again." Toothless guided my face back to his, gentler this time. "But?" "But...I was so...fragile at that moment in time. I had nothing else to live for except the hope that you could love me as family once again, and not as some strange Night Fury you met out of coincidence. I relied on that hope so much in my life. It's what kept me going everyday, and what kept me up most nights. And when…*sniff* wh..when you told me to leave, before you even knew ha..half of the story, that...that broke whatever hope I had left"
I met his eyes, his shocked and deeply hurt eyes. "I couldn't bare the thought of being truly alone again. You had a purpose, friends, and a life. I didn't. Hope is what I ran on my whole life. Without it, I...I couldn't live. I didn't...I didn't want to. There is no pain like being alone, Toothless. I lived alone most of my life, and when you told me to leave, that…that condemned my life to living back on the streets. Alone. And I couldn't stand the thought of it, I…couldn't…" Toothless pulled me into his chest.
"Brother...I...I didn't…" I tried, but he hushed me. "Shhh Hiccup, shhh" He was gasping in his own breaths of air. "Hiccup...I...have no excuse for how I acted in the past. I didn't truly know how fragile you were, and I didn't know you were my family. I was mad and acted out on it when I shouldn't have. I should've let you finish what you were trying to tell me, and I didn't. But, look at me Hiccup" he responded softly. We pulled apart and he cupped my face with both hands. "My brother" he commented softly, like he was speaking to himself, in wonder that I was actually here. "I love you for you, brother. You are my family and I made a promise to you. Three months ago as you were dying in my arms. I would protect you. I would love you. And I would never let you be alone, ever again. And not because you're another Night Fury. Not because I want to be kind. And not because you're destiny is paired with mine. I would do it because you are my brother, and this is how it should've been your entire life. You're my family Hiccup, and I don't know enough words to tell you how important you are to me".
And with that, I broke. Again. All these years I have been holding out, just barely. I suffered so much in my life only to make it to this moment. And the bittersweet agony Tore. Me. To. Shreds. I collapsed like a skeleton holding up a mountain, bawling my heart out. I could feel it swell in my chest, closing my airway, and choking me from the inside out. I wailed out years of loneliness, abandonment, and abuse, breaking past the poor excuse of a mental wall I put up to hide such feelings. Toothless didn't wait a second before curling our tails and spreading his wing out over me, hiding me from existence.
He nuzzled me, licked me, and even let me cry it out for a short time, but 14 years of my pent up emotions flooded out of the gates, and there was no dam big enough to stop this flood. I faintly remember the warm feeling on my chin, the one only a handful of others got close enough to use, before blacking out into sleep.
Author's Note: And with that, BOOOM! SO MUCH EXPLANATION! Hope you enjoyed my Llama Lovers!