Finally this is completed. I'm sorry that it took me a while to update date this. School and work can pile up when you don't organize the schedule. Anyways, I hope this can make up the wait. Please enjoy. And, oh, I forgot to proofread it so sorry for some grammar errors.
Previously on Different Path:
"What is the next test?" She asked.
"Oh, it's a reaction test. Most dragons don't like this." Fishlegs said.
"It's the eel reaction test." Tuffnut said evilly.
Chapter 9: Reactions
Scarlet nervously smiles. There were a few ideas she came up with when she heard that. Maybe they would put Sky in the arena full of eels. Or have an eel electrocute her precious Skywing dragon. However, Sky, personally, doesn't mind having eels slithering around. She would probably ignore the thing till someone let her out. Fishlegs pulled out a bag that was strapped on Meatlug. He pulled out the yellow-black eel in it and wiggles it in front of Sky's face. The serpent-like dragon just stared at it in a daze. She later gave Scarlet a side-way glance to see if her rider knows anything about this. The brunette shrugged her shoulders.
"No reaction…" Fishlegs hummed.
"I guess there are some dragons that are not afraid of eels." Hiccup added.
The blond pulled away the eel and stuff it into the bag. He then wrote into his small notebook with a questionable frown and stare at Sky before writing. The serpent-like dragon slither her way to Scarlet and nudge her head against the rider, absent-minded. The brunette smiled before averting her attention the 'big boned' blond. She raised a brow in confusion. That's it? You just put an eel in front of a dragon and see what it does? How is it considered a reaction test? And to think she was getting worried for nothing. Fishlegs close his notebook and place it in his pocket.
"Well, that's about it."
"I guess Sky is going to be in the Book of Dragons soon." Hiccup cheered.
"I wanted to see more things break." Tuffnut huffed.
"When do you not?" Snotlout asked, rolling his eyes.
Tuffnut smirked at Snotlout. He responded with a 'when I'm dead'. Snotlout rolled his eyes again. Scarlet watched the two as they started their own conversation. Sky was slithering around with Lelia flying above her. Those two seem to be getting along well. Hiccup walks over to the brunette, settling his hand on her shoulder. She turns around to see the brunet smiling at her. She knew what he was going to say. After this, Scarlet and her two dragons are going home. The brunette knew that once she leaves, she's not coming back. Even if Hiccup does allows her to visit them whenever she wants. She turns away from the brunet.
"Sky, Lelia, it's time to go." She shouted across the room.
"Remember to visit sometime." Hiccup suggested.
"Don't worry, I will."
"Have a safe flight."
"Hiccup, I can handle myself. If there's any trouble, I'll come back."
Scarlet lift herself up on Sky and settled there. Lelia noticed her owner on the serpent-like dragon and flew to her shoulder. The small dragon rest there, caressing the brunette's neck. She gave everyone a smile. This is the last day she's going to see Berk. She floated midair and exit the arena with high speed. Before Scarlet could blink, they were up in the blue sky. She looks down to see the village of Berk and the Dragon Academy. The moving figure around the former arena was probably Hiccup and his friends trying to say goodbye from a distance.
"… C'mon Sky… We better get home soon before Charles has a mental breakdown."
–
It was practically night time when Scarlet and the rest landed. The brunette just stretched her body before sighing. Instead of taking the short way home, she wanted to fly around till she felt tired. The time somehow slipped her mind when she was in the sky. It was till Lelia decided to move around that she came to notice the starry night. The small dragon was still napping on her shoulder with light snoring that sounded like purrs of a cat. Sky was slithering around the ground, nudging her head on Scarlet's side. The brunette was debating whether she should bring Sky home or let her stay at her hiding place. She eventually caves in to letting the Skywing dragon to stay with her. She needed some company.
"Let's go home. But mom and dad are coming home soon from their trip anytime. So, please keep quiet." Scarlet warned.
Sky let out a low pitch croon. She understood what her friend was asking. The Skywing dragon slithered next to Scarlet when she was walking. The walk didn't take too long since she used the shortcut. Even though it is very dangerous at this time of night… And any weird dragon could pop out from anywhere. However, she didn't really care. And apparently, neither did Sky. They just continued walking through the grassy ground in peace with the sound of crickets cricking from a far distance. Lelia would even stir in her sleep from time to time to feel comfortable.
"I wonder if Matthew left already…" She muttered.
Many didn't know but Matthew developed the habit of not staying in one place for certain limits on his own. It started about when he was twelve. Their parents weren't home a lot and he hated being in places that are too quiet or appear lonely. Being a researcher probably became his dream at that time. From occasions, Matthew would come once a month to visit her to see how she is doing. However, after a day or two, he just leaves without thinking. The habit went as far as to tying him down on a chair for the holidays. Their parents want them to spend time together as a family for a few days but Matthew couldn't comply. The guy just acted like a zombie the entire time.
"No matter… I have Sky and Lelia so I'm not lonely anymore."
Sky crooned with a smile. Scarlet pat her dragon on the head in appreciation. Sometimes, the brunette would wonder how she would have turned out if her Skywing dragon was not around during those important years. She would probably be lonely in the house she calls home and lock herself in her bedroom. She would have been even lonelier if Lelia wasn't there to play with her when she was a kid also. Scarlet have always envy some of the kids in her village that spent time with their parents. Most of the time, she wished she could be like them; a big happy family.
Since Lady Luck decided to join them, not a single malicious-like dragon appeared on their nature walk back home. Scarlet opened the door to see the house is bright and quiet. There isn't even a small sound of Charles' Electric dragon electricity flickering somewhere in the distance. That's a bit odd. Normally, since Charles became her babysitter, it was never really quiet when he and his dragon are around. The brunette's intuition was screaming for her and her two dragons to run away before something bad happens. Ignoring it, she just continued her way in.
"Charles, I'm home. Did you prepare dinner?" She asked.
"Charles isn't here darling." A feminine voice replied.
"We're in the kitchen Scarlet. Mama made a lot of food today. She even made your favorite." A masculine voiced replied after.
"Oh no… Don't tell me… They're home already?" Scarlet thought, panicking.
Scarlet looked around while listening carefully. She needs to hide Sky. Leila was already awake and flew into the kitchen to distract her parents for the time being. She mentally thanked Leila for her brave sacrifice. Her parents are a bit if-y with Leila since they despise dragons of any kind. They even hate Mint dragons. They're pale green with a pink underbelly. They're mostly mistaken as lizards for its' small size and lack of wings. Their looks have given rise to the common insult of calling dragons "large lizards". And they're mostly known to be peaceful creatures of the land despite being the weakest kind. Even if they're hatchlings, Mints are relative smaller than regular hatchlings.
"A-Ah, Leila… Where's Scarlet? It's almost dinnertime and she's not here." Her father asked.
"And I made her favorites too. It'll get cold soon if she doesn't eat it." Her mother complained.
Scarlet took that chance to rush herself and Sky upstairs to her room. Leila was probably entertaining her parents as best as she could so the brunette couldn't get caught. She might be using her dancing. When she was a little girl, Leila would come up with things to keep her happy. And the dance she came up with would normally do the trick for her. Her parents saw it somehow and thought it was completely strange. However, they never said anything about it. Scarlet hurried Sky up the stairs by pushing her tail forward as she slithers. She never felt this scared in her life. Everything was working out perfectly till Sky accidently miss one step and slipped down, dragging Scarlet with her with a loud thump.
"What was that?" Her mother wondered.
"I don't know. Let's check it out." Her father suggested.
"Oh no, they're going to see Sky!" Scarlet thought harshly.
The brunette hurried herself up but her body was tangled up with Sky's. It was practically impossible to get out of. She then gave up at trying to get up and rest on the wooden floor. Maybe she could lie her way out of this. Like how she would lie to Matthew about Hiccup being from here. However, she should be a bit more convincing since it's her parents. They normally don't believe her most of her life. It's as if they could see right through her every time. It was a bit scary if you think about it. Your parents could read your mind with one hundred percent accuracy. Got her busted whenever she tried to sneak out or cover up something.
"Scarlet, what in the world is that?" Her mother asked.
"That's a dragon! A Skywing dragon too! What is it doing in this house?" Her father growled.
Her father is named James Lancaster. He is tall in height with a very well built body. On the left side of his temple, he has a scar that is shaped like an 'X'. He got it from fight sea dragons during his travels. His hair is dark brown that is mostly slid back, making it spiky at the end and two strand of hair in front. Most people recognize him by his goatee. Her father appeared to be one of those buff warriors you would normally find in battles, he would if he wanted to, than being a traveling trader. Despite that, citizens mistook him around forty as his age when he is actually thirty-one. He is also known to be the bravest after fighting countless dragons during his sea travels. Not just brave, he's the strictest person around. However, he likes to party a lot if he could drink as much as he wants.
Her mother is Emily Lancaster. When she's standing near her husband, she would be counted on the short side. However, her height is average for most women. Her body was slim and curvy in the right places since she is fit. Her face was naturally beautiful even without those things called make-up. She has long brown hair that would be curled at the end. Unlike Scarlet, Emily has those traits that would be similar to a queen of royalty. Because of her looks, many passing performers would ask her to join their performance. Some would court her too. However, she declines every time. She wanted to stay with her husband and his adventure in the sea. She's in her thirties this year.
In the eyes of others, they would be considered as a perfect family. A strong father, beautiful mother, intelligent son, and adventurous daughter would be considered perfect. Well, it's not. Everyone wish they could be like them but Scarlet wished it was the other way around. Of course being a traveling trader would mean being away for a long time and coming back at unknown days is natural and part of the job. Sometimes Scarlet would think they went missing when she was a kid. She was alone from the very start. And when Matthew became a dragon researcher, she became even lonelier. It's hard to say that this is a perfect family when it's not.
"Scarlet, explain to me why there is a dragon in our house." James growled.
"Darling, you know we don't allow other dragons here. Get rid of it this instant!" Emily complained.
Sky released a nervous croon from her parents' hostility. She knew that she isn't welcome here from her father's dark glare. The serpent-like dragon slithered off Scarlet as she sat up. The brunette wasn't even in a good mood as of now. She didn't even say anything back. She just sat on the floor with her arms crossed on her bent legs. The brunette just felt frustration building up as her parents continued on bad-mouthing her dragon. Sky was, at this point, resting her head on Scarlet's legs with her eyes closed. Leila left the kitchen to help comfort the Skywing dragon. The serpent-like dragon didn't know what her friend was feeling since half of her face had darkened.
"Didn't we teach you better Scarlet? Hurry up and get rid of that thing!" Emily shouted.
"… Shut up…" Scarlet muttered.
"What did you say?" James asked.
"I said shut up! Both of you just shut up!"
"Don't you dare speak to us with that sort of tone young lady!" Her father yelled.
"I don't care! I hate this family so much! If you get rid of Sky, I'm leaving too."
The room became silent as Scarlet's words echoed through the room. Both James and Emily became speechless. They didn't know what to say back. Their only daughter just threatened them that she would leave if the dragon did. The taller male turned his shocked expression to a stern frown. As a father, he felt disappointed and shame. Why would the brunette become so attach to some unknown dragon out of nowhere? He was more than disappointed when his only son ran off becoming a dragon researcher rather than being a traveling trader like himself. The same feeling of that day is coming back with his precious daughter.
"Darling, what are you saying?" Emily asked.
"I hate being part of this family. Both of you were never there for me… Only Leila and Sky were there." She stated.
"But dragons aren't family. You should know that Scarlet."
"You're wrong. I consider them as family more than I do with you two. What sort of parents would leave their kids alone?"
"We were working hard for you and Matthew. It's hard earning money these days. You should understand that." James said.
The conversation dimmed down. Scarlet stood up and turned to her parents. They both could see how the brunette is ready to cry. Leila and Sky were trying their very best to keep her calm. Alas, it was not working. This situation was a bit emotional for her. Even though it was quiet and no one is talking, the atmosphere is cold and tense to be in. James was standing his ground with the same frown. Emily was standing next to her husband with her hand behind his back. She was feeling a bit uneasy about the new dragon in the house. Her father took a step closer to the brunette, being face to face with each other. Out of sudden, Sky and Leila hissed at him. They were trying to defend Scarlet just in case.
"Silence you monsters! Scarlet, are you choosing these unholy creatures over your own family?" He asked.
"James, what are you saying? Of course she wouldn't. Don't say such foolish things." Emily argued.
James just held his hand up to silence her. Emily was shocked and remained silent. Maybe her husband was getting at something. From how her daughter was defending the Skywing dragon, she is beginning to be doubtful about it. Sky caressed her head against Scarlet's cheek gently. It was bit too late to avoid the question now or run out this time. She knew that. Scarlet wiped her tears away and stood her ground like her father. Her father height made her feel a bit smaller than she really is. However, she's not going to let that fluster her to the least.
"… I'm sorry father… But if I had to, I would without any regret." Scarlet answered with pride.
"Scarlet, what are you saying? We love you very much. Don't you know that?" Her mother reasoned.
"Apparently she doesn't Emily… Do you know what you are saying?" Her father asked.
"Yes… I care for Leila and Sky. I'll protect them if I have to."
In all his years of being a prideful man had he felt ashamed. His only daughter would betray him for dragons. His body shook with rage and his blood was rushing to his head. He didn't know what to say. He couldn't even think right with this anger. In the end, James had at least common sense not to raise a hand against his daughter. No, he still cares for her. However her behavior will not go unpunished. Emily rushed to his side and requested him not to do anything too rash or something he would regret later. In a way, she was too late. He already knew what punishment to give to his daughter. A punishment that would teach Scarlet a lesson but it would break his heart at the same time.
"If you care for these creatures so much, then leave." James said lowly.
"James, what are you doing?" Emily asked, shocked.
"You, as of now, are no longer part of this family. Don't let me see your face again."
"If that is what you want, fine. You will never see me again. I'll disappear from this island." Scarlet replied.
"Wait a minute Scarlet! Your father doesn't know what he is saying. Please don't leave."
"I'm sorry mother… I've made up my mind."
That night, Scarlet ran out of her former home off to the sky. Maybe it's not too late to go visit Berk again. Emily rushed to the door to stop her daughter but it was too late. She was already in the sky. She leans against the door frame. Her only daughter ran off to somewhere unknown and it was both her and her husband's fault. In retrospect, without those dragons, Scarlet would have been lonely either way. Maybe they should have considered that before jumping into hatred. Emily removed herself off the door frame to her husband. James was still standing on the same spot with the same expression. She frowns at him.
"Are you happy now? We lost a daughter because of this. Maybe we should stop this hatred for dragons."
"How can I be happy? I know she'll come back. We just need to wait."
"I don't care anymore. Tomorrow, I'm looking for my daughter."
–
This chapter is done now. Just a few more to go… Anyways, wish me some luck. And this chapter is sure intense now. Maybe Scarlet could stay at Berk and become a citizen there. Or not if I want change it up. So, until then, please review. Thank you for your patience.
