A/N: Well! Chapter ten. How am I doing so far? Love it? Hate it? Love to hate it? Let me know!

Oh goody! I get to write the part I've wanted to write since I started! Yay!

Enjoy!

Chapter 10

Toothless could remember the first time he had entered Berk's gathering hall. The place was massive, cave-like, fit for vikings. There was more than enough room for any one of the dragons to fly in. It held the entire village. And then some.

It was when the chief had decided to let the dragons stay. The air had been thick and uneasy, both humans and dragons were afraid. The young humans stood next to their dragon companions, each hoping for the best. Only one dragon stood alone.

Toothless.

He had to admit, he had been scared. Scared that maybe, just maybe, they might chase them off, making him leave his Hiccup forever. Not that he could. Not without his Hiccup.

That had possibly been one of the worst days of the dragon's life. His fate was out of his hands for just a few moments, and it scared him. His iron-clad control had slipped and he had no idea what was going to happen to him. They couldn't kill him. They couldn't chase him off the island. The hall scared him, and Toothless didn't like it.

The dragon relived those feelings once more as the demon before him swung open the great wooden doors.

It was huge. Stalactites hung from the ceiling, the tips ending a good hundred feet above their heads, casting eerie shadows above. Approaching the centre, the dragon looked back. A semi-circle of amphitheatre-style seating cascaded town towards them from at least fifty feet above. A low wall separated the area that they stood on from the seating. In front of them lay a raised platform with seven ornamental high-backed chairs, the centre-most one being taller than all the rest.

Before they could move much further, the girl had taken off without warning, heading to a small group located at the bottom of the seating just to their left. With a sigh, the half demon merely grabbed the dragon by the collar and led him to the centre.

"You're not going after her?" he inquired as his chain was latched onto an iron hook embedded in the rock floor.

The demon shrugged. "I'll give her a few minutes with her friends," he responded.

The moment she saw her friends all rational thought left Sakura's mind. She took off at top speed, sprinting for her friends. Temperance met her with a frantic hug and joined by their brother Troy.

"Are you alright?" Temp asked, looking her sister over. "You look terrible."

Sakura snorted. "Jail does that to you. I'm fine, I guess. Hungry. Sore. Could be worse." She looked at Troy. "How long have I been in here?"

He thought momentarily, running his hand through his short black hair. "About four days. Yami came to us on the second day about your Marks."

Sakure sighed and looked over at the twins and Hiccup. A frown formed on her face. Why was Artemis sitting so far off...? Apollo refused to look at his brother, his eyes instead fixed sadly on Sakura. The young viking, however, was sitting a little closer. He shot her an uneasy smile. Artemis just hung his head. Peeling herself out of her siblings' arms, she moved to stand in front of the boy. Her frown only deepened when she saw the bruises on his face.

"Art, come here," she said softly. He got up gingerly and stood in front of her, the low wall separating them. "What happened? Did someone beat you up? If it was that kid from town, I swear I'll beat him up myself..." She placed a hand on his cheek, careful of the bruises.

He bit his lip. "I'm fine, really." Glancing at Yami across the platform, Artemis looked back down at Sakura. He took her hand and looked at her. He was going to do something crazy, and he had to do it now.

He kissed her. Openly and unabashedly kissed her with everyone in the expansive room watching as he did so.

It didn't last long. She pulled away from him slowly, her expression confused. "Art, not that I'm happy you did that, but is this really the right place? Everyone's kind of watching..." She looked at aforementioned people. Temp looked livid. Hiccup wore an astonished expression, his mouth slightly agape. Apollo and Troy wore identical dark yet indifferent expressions. "Why now, Art?|"

He grit his teeth. "Because you're going to hate me when this is all over and done with."

She frowned. "Why...?"

"Sakura!"

Yami was calling. She sighed and turned away from her friends, walking to the centre where Yami and Toothless stood. Sakura let Yami attach a shackle to her ankle. She looked around momentarily. The room had changed since her last visit. Before it had been well-lit and bright, the barren stone walls almost inviting and warm. Now it was downright scary. Dramatic shadows were thrown everywhere, from the seating to the platform she stood on. The stone now looked cold and unfriendly.

Darkness was everywhere.

"You're just a regular jack of all trades, aren't you, Yami?" she said mildly, recognizing the signs.

He laughed humorlessly. "Yes. That I am. I'm impressed you noticed."

"Kind of hard not to. I mean, I've known you for seven years and you taught me everything I know." Sakura looked over at Toothless, who was shooting her a questioning look. "What is it?" she asked.

The dragon looked around, gesturing at the shadows. Sakura gave a small hum of acknowledgement. "You know how Yami is a half demon?" Toothless nodded. "Well, that half that's a demon is made of darkness. And that part allows him to... control the darkness around him."

"To some degree," prompted Yami. "I'm only half after all." The dragon nodded, understanding.

"So how many more are you other than Dmitri?" asked Sakura.

"I'm not allowed to tell you that," he replied simply as he stood up. "Now, I have to go." Placing a hand on her shoulder, Yami looked into Sakura's eyes. "I believe in you. You'll be alright."

Sakura nodded. "Alright. See ya..."

He walked back out the doors through which they had come in. Sakura sunk down to the ground beside Toothless. "So this is it, Toothless; do or die... for real."

Disgusting.

That was the only word that came to the dragon's mind as he watched the seating area slowly fill with chattering people. A thousand pairs of eyes bored into both of them. Watching. Scrutinizing. Judging.

They were on display. Wide open and vulnerable.

It was sick. Humans truly were vile creatures, putting their own on display like this. Toothless had seen it time and again, someone who has done wrong or is considered to be a freak by the rest of society was put on display for others to laugh and poke fun at.

"I wish they'd stop staring..." the girl muttered into her knees. Toothless gave a sympathetic croon. He didn't like them either.

The stands had all but filled when the half demon strode in front of the large chairs. There was a collective shuffle as everyone immediately stood. Even the girl had gotten to her feet. The dragon snorted; he didn't need to follow their human customs. He remained lying on the ground. Everyone was silent; no one dared to speak.

The half demon looked around momentarily before started. "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you today's presiding council members." His voice was powerful, bounding off the walls and ceiling so that even the farthest people could hear him.

Three figures appeared by the three centre-most chairs, dressed in robes in a deep red with their hoods up.

"Penelope Campbell," he said as the figure on the dragon's right stood before her chair.

"Gabriel Moretti." The figure to the left of the centre-most chair moved in front of his chair.

"And head of the council, Leon Takahata," concluded the demon as the man moved in front of his chair. The demon bowed deeply to the three council members and backed away to a dark corner.

The girl smirked. "Not even a full trial," she muttered. "I'm lucky."

The three tipped back their hoods as they sat down. The man in the middle held up a hand. "You may be seated," he spoke evenly. There was another collective shuffle as everyone took their seats once more. He turned his eyes on the two before him. The girl met his gaze unflinchingly. He oozed authority. And why not? He led the most powerful wizards in North America.

"Do you, Sakura Prudence Ross deny the accusation made against you by one Artemis Nicholas Flynn?" enquired the man on the left. He had startlingly red hair pulled back in a short ponytail, and didn't quite have the same presence as the other man.

The girl twitched, her calm facade faltering momentarily. Her eyes flicked to their left, where her friends were seated. The dark-haired twin sunk in his seat as she glared at him for a split second. "No, council member Moretti, I do not."

"So then, Miss Ross, please tell us why we shouldn't lock you up for what you have done," said the woman. She had a sweet voice, one that should only be used for kind words and encouraging praise. Her face matched her voice. She didn't have nearly the same presence as the two men.

"Well, technically I haven't done anything yet, Madam Campbell," said the girl. "But I do have a good reason to attempt this spell."

"There is no 'good reason' to attempt black magic," said the man in the middle, his words forceful. "But please, do tell us your reasons, Miss Ross."

She scowled at the man. "I'm trying to help this dragon," said the girl as she gestured at Toothless.

"By raising the dead?" asked the red-headed man. He seemed somewhat incredulous.

"Yes, sir. I wish to bring back his rider temporarily. You see this beast is immortal-" she was cut off before she could continue.

"Immortal, huh? Why would an immortal dragon bond with a rider? He must be some kind of masochist to do such a thing," said the dark-haired man. Toothless growled low.

The girl laid a hand on his neck. "Hush, Toothless," she murmured. "Please, you have to understand the pain he's in..."

"He's a dragon!" the man exclaimed.

"A highly intellegent dragon! He has feelings, and right now all he feels is pain! I'm just trying to help!" She was pleading. The dragon wouldn't have been surprised if she didn't get on her knees soon...

The middle man opened his mouth to say something, only to be stopped by the woman. "Please, Sakura, is there any way that you can help us to understand what this beast is feeling?" She had a knowing look in her brown eyes.

The girl thought for a moment before her eyes fell on the cowering boy in the stands. Toothless could almost see the plan form in her head. However, she looked unsure. "Council members," she started, "I would like to request that Artemis Nicholas Flynn be allowed to help me plead my case."

The trio before them looked at each other in surprise. "Why would you want the one who accused you to come and help?" asked the red-headed man.

The girl smiled. "I have my reasons."

He sighed. "Very well. Artemis Flynn, you may join us."

All heads turned as the dark-haired boy made his way shyly towards them. He stood next to the girl, who looked at him darkly. "What do you need me for?" he asked timidly.

"You're going to use your power to get me out of here. It's the least you can do, since you're the reason I'm in here in the first place," she hissed.

He nodded. "You're lucky I brought my flute. I almost left it at home."

"Oh hush; I know you take that thing everywhere," she snapped back. "Now just play."

The dark-haired man cleared his throat. "Excuse me, but we're in the middle of a trial here and we don't have all day. Now, Miss Ross, could you explain why you have requested the presence of Master Flynn?"

"I believe you are familiar with the functionality of his powers," she said.

"Yes, Miss Ross, we are," said the woman.

The girl looked at Artemis, who stepped forward a fraction. "I wish to play for the council."

The man nodded and waved his hand. He did not seem to be in the mood for this. "Very well. Play away, Master Flynn."

The boy sat in front of Toothless and looked into his eyes. The dragon trusted the boy and allowed him to read his emotions like a book. Those people needed to understand his pain.

It was the same tune from before. The crowd went deathly silent as the boy played, listening intently. Even the council was enraptured, the boy and his flute holding their whole attention. The music flowed around the cavernous room, encircling everyone present.

These were the dragon's emotions being played out on the flute, depressing and sad. The boy stared steadily into his eyes and the music became more powerful, changing the tune slightly. It was more... hopeful, yet still remained sad.

As the boy finished, there was nothing but silence to be heard. No one made a move or a peep, not wanting to disturb the affect of the song.

The man in the middle frowned. "Show me your marks, Master Flynn."

Glancing at the girl, the boy's mouth flapped uselessly, unsure of what to say.

"Just do it, Art," she said steadily.

"But there's so many people," he hissed.

"They're too far off; they won't see," she countered as he stood up.

Silently, he unzipped his hoodie, throwing it to the ground. Pulling off his shirt, he turned his back to the council, facing the dragon.

Toothless was surprised by the boy's scars. Several of the pale, thin lines marred his torso. But it was the one above his heart that shocked the dragon. That was a lethal wound, or at least it should have been.

The man on the left nodded simply. "Thank you, Artemis; you may put your shirt back on."

He obliged hastily, his face a bright pink.

"So you proved that the dragon is sad," said the head of the council. "That still does not justify doing black magic."

The girl moved towards Toothless and removed the book from his collar. "I was hoping it wouldn't come to this..." she muttered, turning back to the council. "You say I should be locked up for attempting this spell. What about it's creators?" She tossed the book at the feet of the dark-haired man.

He picked it up and frowned deeply. "Where'd you get this?" he asked quietly.

"Picked it up from a street vendor while I was getting a book for Troy. It was in a pile of other spell books. Got it for five bucks. You really ought to keep your dirty laundry hidden, council member Takahata," she spat.

He stared at the book for a moment more. "Miss Ross, this book is the very reason I outlawed black magic in the first place."

"So you could cover up your mistake?" she demanded.

His temper flared. "I will ask the questions here, young lady! What I did in my past is no business of yours!"

"Yes, but it is in the best interest of those you lead," she said smugly. "High Council Member Leon Takahata used to practice black magic. Who knew?" She shrugged.

He scowled. "I had a good reason-"

"'There is no good reason for practicing black magic'," the girl quoted perfectly. "Or does that not apply to you?"

Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself a little. He looked down at the girl, the boy and the dragon, thinking. The girl had successfully black-mailed one of the most powerful wizards of their time. She took a wobbly step forward. "Please, Dad..." she murmured so that only the council could hear.

He sighed. "Give me half an hour to deliberate with members Moretti and Campbell. This hearing is in reccess!" He got up abruptly and retreated into the darkness behind them, the other two not far behind.

Toothless let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding.

That half hour would seem like an eternity...

A/N: So, show of hands, who saw that coming? All of you? Damn.

Hope you enjoyed it! Because I stayed up late to get this out to you!

And did you guys know that the line-breaks add 50 words each to your word count? I uploaded this with 2,888 then added the linebreaks and came out with 3,038 before this note. Weird!

Review!

~Hanyou