"I'm so sorry Toothless." Hiccup managed in a shaky whisper. "I did this."

Toothless opened his eyes and looked up at Hiccup. He could see the blame and regret written all over his face but couldn't see how any of this was his doing. He managed to lift his head and rubbed it against the young man's tear stained cheek. Hiccup couldn't help but grin sadly. He found it astonishing how Toothless always put him first especially now when he was in so much pain and so close to...

No

Determined not to let his best friend just die here on this God forsaken island, he rose and urged his dragon to do the same. He looked out over the sea before turning back to Toothless.

"Come on, we have to get out of here."

Flying was out of the question but some small seed of hope in Hiccup's mind ludicrously thought that walking would be possible.

If I can get Toothless on his feet, we can try to find a place to hide until he is strong enough to fly again. Perhaps someone will happen to cross this island and if they manage to find us, they might help us.

Hiccup was willing to tell himself just about anything if it would convince himself and Toothless that they were going to brave this nightmare and live through it together.

"Toothless, you have to get up."

The dragon looked up at him rather forlornly. The urgency in Hiccup's voice began to morph into desperation.

"Those hunters are out there and I can't do this alone. Please...I need you."

Hearing Hiccup beg like that was heartbreaking but Toothless knew, especially now, that Hiccup didn't truly need him anymore. Over the years, he had watched his boy grow into a strong, wise, yet kind man who could easily make his way in the world. The inability to let something go was a trait they both shared but now, as hard as it was for Toothless to finally accept, the young man's life depended on him learning that lesson. As though Hiccup could read Toothless's thoughts, he lived up to his headstrong reputation and continued to beseech his friend to stand.

"I'm sorry. I know it hurts but I'll help you. Please, just try."

Toothless closed his eyes and moaned out of pity for Hiccup. He could barely hold his head up let alone stand. Surely his typically discerning rider could see that. Regardless, he attempted to get his feet.

"That's it bud, come on."

Hiccup leaned into Toothless's shoulder and braced himself against the dragon's massive weight. Toothless couldn't tell which was more prominent at this point, the pain or the numbness that had enveloped his entire body. As Hiccup regrettably expected, he watched as his dragon barely managed to lift the front part of his body off the ground before his legs gave out. Despite using his entire body to give Toothless something to lean against, Hiccup was immediately overwhelmed by the dragon's weight and was knocked to the side as it fell to the ground.

The impact knocked what little wind Toothless had out of him and he started to heave and cough. Hiccup quickly knelt down next to his head and lifted it up off the ground the best he could. Blood and saliva came gushing out of Toothless's mouth and onto Hiccup.

"Please, no...Toothless!"

With strings of blood and saliva still dangling from his mouth, Toothless pulled away and looked at Hiccup in the hopes that the viking would see what the dragon already knew. The once seemingly invincible Night Fury had indeed become a heart-wrenching sight to behold as he laid helplessly on the blood soaked ground. His bright green eyes were now dim and almost lifeless. His pale tongue lolled out of his mouth as he panted heavily before allowing his head to drop to the ground.

Hiccup refused to give up while there was even the slightest hint of life left in his best friend's body though. He grabbed Toothless around the neck and pushed as hard as he could against the dragon in a vain effort to help it stand.

"Please buddy. Don't do this. I can't lose you too...gods help me...get up Toothless! Please, you have to get..."

Hiccup's pleading was cut off by another thunderous sound in the distance. There was a sharp thud and dirt sprayed up into his face. Apparently he was the new target. He didn't care though. While he realized he could very easily be killed and that his friend's suffering could end, there was a part of Hiccup that selfishly refused to give up hope that Toothless would somehow survive this ordeal despite his rapidly deteriorating condition. Toothless was the very last piece of his family, his life, himself, that he had left to cling to. He laid the dragon's head on the ground and quickly ran forward, guarding him.

Toothless opened his eyes and watched Hiccup. He couldn't help but admire the young man's bravery. He easily could have run and sought safety, and Toothless desperately wished he would, but he knew nothing could ever bring Hiccup to abandon him. That rare beautiful piece of selflessness he saw in Hiccup, no matter what he faced, was what allowed such a deep level of trust to grow between them and in turn, solidify the bond they both shared. Realizing that he could likely witness the slow and painful death of his rider while he laid there helplessly caused another shot of adrenaline to surge through Toothless's body. With what newly bestowed strength he was granted, he staggered to his feet. His legs quaked under the enormous weight and within moments, he realized he was powerless to do anything to protect his rider. The young man was standing a fair distance in front of him and it took everything he had to just remain standing somewhat upright let alone move forward and defend Hiccup. Unable to advance any closer, Toothless bared his teeth and snarled. The irony of his name amused the dragon for a slight moment. Hearing the sound, Hiccup turned to look back where he had left Toothless laying on the ground.

"Toothless!"

The surprise and elation shined on his face but it was short lived. Toothless watched Hiccup's face change from excitement to pure dread. He cocked his head curiously at the sudden change in facial expression. Unbeknownst to him, the red dot had come to a rest on his head. Dragon and rider made eye contact, taking in what they somehow knew would be the very last time they would see each other again.

Why couldn't time just stop...

Hiccup's thoughts were precipitously interrupted though as another deafening barrage rang out, cutting the air like a knife. Toothless's mouth shot open as he reeled backward. His entire body became rigid and he clenched his eyes and jaws shut in agony as he collapsed to the ground and, to Hiccup's horror, disappeared over the edge of the cliff.