Okay there's been a slight change of plans. Chapter seven was getting a little too long so I had to split it into two chapters but hey at least the wait is over for ch. 7! So now there's gonna be a total of nine chpaters, we justb have two more to go.
Standard disclaimers apply. R&R please!
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Chapter Seven: Capture
I woke up early the next day, it was barely sunrise. The early morning fog hung over the canyon and the sounds of the forest filled the air. Everything seemed peaceful and calm. But I still couldn't shake off the feeling of dread. I kept thinking that something terrible was about to happen. I could only hope that Hiccup wouldn't be caught in harm's way, if anything were to happen to him…I couldn't finish the thought…
A light breeze came over the canyon and with it, Hiccup's scent and Astrid's! They were coming! I felt slightly relieved, as long as I was at Hiccup's side, nothing could hurt him. I heard their footsteps as they approached the canyon and was able to catch some of what they were saying.
"…I don't want to worry Toothless…" Hiccup said he sounded tense, "There's the chance that something might go wrong and…" he trailed off.
"I think 'not worrying' Toothless is pretty much impossible…" Astrid said, "But you're right…if he knew what you're planning to do and if something…bad happened…I don't know how he'd cope…"
What? What's Hiccup going to do? I remembered last night that he had been planning something out and had said something being "It's the only way" then trailed off as if considering the worst case scenario. My blood ran cold, he was going to do something and there was the chance he could be killed!
A few minutes later, Hiccup and Astrid arrived at the canyon. Both looking very worried, but once the saw me, Hiccup immediately smiled. Somehow I knew he was forcing it for my sake. Still, seeing him alive and well reassured me. Maybe I was just getting jumpy or still getting used to the instinct to fight to the death to shield Hiccup from harm.
Or maybe I did have reason to worry…
"Toothless!" Hiccup ran over to me and flung hi arms around my neck. I purred softly. Astrid stood a little ways back. She still looked worried and shifted on the spot. She glanced towards me as if trying to tell me something, but whatever it was, all I could sense was her concern and growing sense of dread.
Hiccup suddenly started trembling. I started, something was defiantly wrong.
Hiccup! What's wrong? I purred trying to calm him and wrapped my wings around him hoping that would ease him. Why was he acting like this was the last time we'd ever see each other? Hiccup released me he looked pale and utterly resigned to whatever he was planning.
"Thanks Toothless…" He said a little calm but his hands were trembling violently, "It's…there's something I have to do-it's really important that I do it…"
What! What is it? Tell me please! If there ever was a time I wished I could speak Human speech it would be right now. Even though I could speak, Hiccup and Astrid would only hear Dragon sounds, they didn't understand our language. I could only communicate to Hiccup through my actions. I nosed him trying to get him to tell me.
"I'm sorry…" Hiccup said eyes slightly downcast, "I…I don't want to worry you…"
He wasn't doing a very good job of it. He was making me even more worried. I whimpered softly. Hiccup gently stroked my nose; I could feel his hand tremble against my scaly hide.
"Hiccup," Astrid said, "We need to get back before anyone notices we're gone." Hiccup lifted his hand from my nose and hugged me once more.
"I have to go now…"Hiccup said, "I'll see you later…I hope…" I was reluctant to let him go, but I did. Hiccup and Astrid climbed back up the rock ledges and made their way back to Berk. I watched, wondering if I'd ever see Hiccup alive again. Once Hiccup and Astrid were out of sight, the feeling of dread that had welled up last night, started to worsen. I laid down in the grass to save my strength. I was going to need every last ounce of it. I closed my eyes and laid my head on my paws and began to doze.
Suddenly from far away, I heard him. Hiccup screamed. I sprang up to my feet, Hiccup was in danger! I had to save him! How was I going to get out of the canyon? The entrance Hiccup used was too small. I would have to climb out. I frantically scanned the canyon walls, there! I dashed over to the far end of the canyon crouched, readying myself to leap at the lowest ledge, and burst into a charge at full speed! I flapped both sets of wings and leapt! Luckily the new tailfin opened up and I was able to grab onto a crevice below and off to the side of the ledge I was aiming for. I sprang over and scrabbling at the canyon walls I managed not to fall, but at the same time I couldn't get a hold on the ledge!
I heard Hiccup scream again. Strength boiled from somewhere deep inside me and my claws gripped on the ledge. I pulled myself up and soon, I was free of the canyon!
Hold on Hiccup! I'm coming! I charged through the trees as fast as I could flapping my wings to gain speed. I kept running, not stopping for anything. I ran up a fallen tree trunk and leapt off spreading my wings, the wind caught underneath and I glided forwards, I flapped my wings to fly faster! My landing was a little rough but I picked myself up and kept running. I was not going to let Hiccup die-never! I was fueled by one thought and one thought only, I must save Hiccup!
I tore through Berk, the village was completely empty. Where was everyone? I stopped, sniffed the air, there! At the back of town! My ears twitched towards the sounds of a loud commotion. I ran towards the sound as fast as I could! I heard the roar of a Flare Body, Hiccup cried out again! If I ran, I would be too late! I clambered onto the roof of one of the houses.
Father Thor I need to fly NOW! Please! I spread my wings and took off! Miraculously I was flying! I flew towards the back of the village where a large domed cage was built and a large crowd of people. They were all shouting in a panic! I flapped my wings willing myself to go faster! Within seconds I was over the cage! Hiccup was fleeing for his life from a large Flare Body! He tripped and fell, tried to get up but the Flare Body pounced and pinned Hiccup to the ground about to kill him!
"NO!" An ear piercing shriek filled the air and the villagers all turned to see me. I didn't care, I hardly even heard them yell in alarm as they dove out of my way! I released one of my violet fireballs and the cage bars were blasted apart! I dove into the cage as it filled with smoke and tackled the Flare Body!
"GET AWAY FROM HIM!" I dug my claws into the Flare Body's hide, clawing, scratching! I clamped my jaws on it neck and pulled back with all the strength I could muster. We fell back I sprang up and beat the Flare Body back with my tail viciously! While the Flare Body was dazed I quickly sprang over to where Hiccup lay slightly dazed, I grabbed the back of his pelt and dragged him over to the far wall of the ring-away from the Flare Body. The Flare Body sprang back up to its feet and snarled at me.
"Back off Fury, the stripling is my prey!"
"If you put a scratch on him I'll kill you!" I lunged at the Flare Body kicking, clawing, biting, and doing everything I could to keep him away from Hiccup! I heard shouts from the townspeople as the smoke cleared but I couldn't make out what they said. It was taking everything I had to keep the Flare Body at bay! I was knocked down to the ground, the Flare Body tried to pin me down but I snapped my jaws and swiped at his face with a powerful blow from my paw and he was knocked back. I got back to my feet standing between the Flare Body and Hiccup. The Flare Body tried to get past me but I blocked him everytime. If I had to, I was going to take this fight to the death. I roared in rage beating my wings forming a protective wall. The Flare Body cringed and limped back into a large hole in the wall.
"Toothless!" Hiccup shouted running over to me. The townspeople all let out savage cries and leapt into the ring. Hiccup looked around horrified and started shoving at me shouting that I had to run!
And leave him here? No! I wasn't going to let him out of my sight! He was still in danger! The Vikings converged on us weapons raised high over their heads. I didn't care what happened to me-but I wasn't going to let Hiccup suffer so much as a scratch. I roared and leapt forwards knocking the Vikings away before they could reach Hiccup.
Hiccup shouted something but I couldn't understand what he was saying. I could process one thought only: "I have to protect Hiccup!" I swatted a Viking away with my tail and he was sent flying across the ring and crashed into three more Vikings and they all fell to the ground in a tangled heap. Hiccup ran over to me again and shouted something but whatever he said was drowned out by an enraged cry. I snapped my head around to a large entrance to the ring. A large hairy man wearing a long horned helm and large pelt like a cape charged forwards axe held high-right at Hiccup and I-his intent was to kill.
"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HIM!" I roared and lunged at the man tackling him to the ground and pinning him place! A loud rumble sounded in my chest as my fore rose up from my belly…
"NO!" Hiccup screamed and his voice broke the madness that gripped me. I halted the fire and calmed down. I turned to face Hiccup. He stood there, a little battered, but alive and whole. He was gasping and looked terrified. The Vikings converged on us, rushing right past Hiccup.
Wait…if they weren't attacking Hiccup why were they rushing at us?
WHAM!
The man I had previously pinned hit me on the side of my head as hard as he could! He managed to get back to his feet and pinned me to the ground! I tried to get back up but several more Vikings tackled me pinning me to the ground! I heard Hiccup cry out begging them to stop! He would've rushed over to my aid but Astrid must have been holding him back saying there wasn't anything he could do!
I was completely pinned. One large hand was pressing down on top of my head preventing me from opening my jaws and several more hands and limbs were restricting my movement! I struggled to get free but there just too many of them! I heard Hiccup pleading in a choked voice but no one seemed to listen to him.
The large hairy man stood up and glared down at me.
"Put it in with the others." He said in a rough growling voice. The other Vikings started to lift me off the ground and haul me away! I struggled to get free again but to no avail. The large hairy man advanced on to where Hiccup and Astrid stood, both looking horrified. Hiccup looked at the man terrified. The man seized him by the arm and started dragging him out of the ring! I struggled even harder!
LET HIM GO! I tried again and again to get free! More Viking converged on me holding me in place. I was pulled into the hole in the wall and the last thing I saw before the doors banged shut was the large hairy man dragging Hiccup away.
A muzzle was forced over my snout and I was chained down to a large plank of wood with several metal arches restraining me. I struggled violently against my bonds as the Vikings restrained me. I had to get out! But the chains held. My paws were shackled down preventing me from pulling the muzzle off my head. The Vikings stepped back from me catching their breath watching me struggle.
"Filthy Devil…" A large grey haired Viking grumbled, "Nearly killed everyone!"
"Can't believe the chief's son actually was friendly with it…" A dark haired Viking grumbled.
"That traitor…" the other Viking spat coldly.
I completely forgot I was chained down and tried to lunge at the Viking! But all I managed was a muffled snarl and a jerk. The dark haired Viking laughed coldly.
"Not so tough now are ye Night Fury?" he spat at my face, "Don' worry, soon ye'll have the honor of being killed at the next coming of age ceremony."
The Vikings left leaving me alone in the cage. I struggled to get free again, I had to find Hiccup! Where had that man taken him? Soon as I got free and got my paws on him he'd be sorry! I tried again and again! But I couldn't free myself no matter how hard I struggled. All my strength used up I slumped down to the plank of wood. Breathing heavily I shut my eyes. And somewhere…nearby…Hiccup was in pain.
The doors banged open and the large hairy man stood before me with several other Vikings. All my strength returned to me all at once and tried to break free once more! I snarled through the muzzle as the Vikings swarmed around me lifting the plank of wood I was chained down to.
What have you done to Hiccup! I struggled violently as I was taken out of the cage and through the ring. Everyone in the village was rushing about pushing along war machines and wagons full of axes, spears, swords, and hammers. We were heading for the docks. When we reached the ships a large and heavy harness was bolted on around my neck I tried to shake off the Vikings but they had already secured the harness. I struggled again to get free as I was lifted into the air and swung around onto one of the ships. I was lowered onto the bow of the ship and the large hairy man walked past me. He glared at me angrily.
"Lead us home Devil." He said in a low voice.
My blood boiled over. I could sense Hiccup nearby and he was in terrible pain!
And the one responsible was standing right in front of me.
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The final battle looms aheadwill our faveorite black dragon be able to win the day!
