So...everyone should know already, that I re-wrote the Dragon Boarder to be more inline with the new Dragon's show. Just learned that 13 more episodes will be released on Dec 16, potentially changing this story. Greeeeaaaaaattt...Any who, I'm debating on ignoring the new episodes, though that might be really hard for me. This story will be finished regardless, but we'll see what happens with the future. Anyways, I hope you guys are liking this story. Honestly, with how long it's lasting, I'd like to think this is my best story yet. Hope you all feel the same! Well, enjoy!
So...I just received a very, uh, hateful PM the day after I got this chapter ready to be published. I'm not going to place the name of the said person, because I'm not that kind of guy. In fact I'm pretty sure it was just a troll. However, he did say some things that stung a little. That being said, I don't want a pity party or sympathy notes from those that really enjoy the story and The Dragon Boarder series; just please tell me what you like and don't like about the story. That being said, I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Chapter Fourteen: Original intent
Matt couldn't remember much of what happened, other than he was cold and his side was killing him. Now that his senses were starting to come back, he couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed. Where was he? Groaning, he slowly tried to push himself. Feeling that his muscles were weak, he quickly gave that up. It honestly felt like he had weights laid all over him.
"Hiccup! Guys! He's waking up!" Heather's voice sounded excitedly. Then in a softer tone, he heard her say "Easy Matt. Don't rush it."
Groaning, Matt fluttered his eyes open. Seeing that he was in a room lit by a central fire, he slowly let his eyes adjust to the objects that were just silhouettes. He could hear Hiccup walk right next to him. Looking up, he squinted his eyes to try and make him out. Seeing someone kneel down next to him, he then whispered "Ugh, where am I?"
"Take it easy Matt." Hiccup whispered, resting his hand on Matt's shoulder "You lost a bit of blood. You're going to feel sick for a little while."
Matt then remembered. He essentially had a hole in his back; at least, that was what he was told. Groaning, he let his head back down onto the pillow that he lay on. Breathing for moment, focusing on getting his strength back, he asked "Can you guys help me sit up at least?"
Nodding, Heather and Hiccup grabbed Matt's arms and gently pulled him up. Astrid then slid a crate behind him to lean against. Feeling himself situated, Matt closed his eyes and relaxed for a second.
"So, how are you feeling?" Hiccup asked, taking a seat next to him.
"Overwhelmed, confused, and tired." Matt whispered, raising his hand and rubbing his face; trying to wake himself up. "Alive."
"Easy Matt." Heather said "Took us forever to stop the bleeding; even then, it hasn't stopped all the way. You're going to be tired for a while as well." At that, she stood up and walked over to where a fire was, kneeling down at a cooking pot.
Nodding, Matt re-opened his eyes and asked "So, where are we? Dragon's Edge?"
Hiccup shook his head "No, we're in the fort at the dragon prison. You were in no position to travel, so we decided to stay the night here."
"What about the Berserkers?" Matt asked, a hint of panic in his voice.
"Gone." Astrid replied, standing behind Hiccup "After what Windshear did to their leader, they all just took off running.
"Besides that, we're posting a sentry every two hours with our dragons." Hiccup added, looking at Matt with concern.
Nodding, Matt finally took a look at himself. He could see that his body was bandaged around his stomach and back. He had a small wrapping around his head, more than likely for the blow he took to the head. Shaking his head lightly, he then whispered "Ugh, at least we won, right?"
"But it wasn't worth it." Hiccup said, looking down and shaking his head "I should have never sent you alone. That was stupid of me!"
"Hiccup!" Matt said, looking up at him "It worked out in the end. Heather saved my sorry butt and here I am, in your guys company!" Forcing a smile, he then said "I'll be up and running in a few hours."
"Try days." Heather cut in, handing Matt a bowl of some kind of soup "You need to take it easy to recover the blood you lost."
"It couldn't have been that much!" Matt argued, graciously taking the bowl "Just give me until morning and I'll be able to ride Wasatch back to Dragon's Edge."
"We'll see." Hiccup said shaking his head again "You don't realize how close we were to losing you."
"But you didn't." Matt countered, gently spooning the soup into his mouth "Here I am."
"So weak that you can't even sit up by yourself." Heather pointed out, taking a seat opposite of Hiccup.
"Listen, guys." Matt said, looking at Heather and then to Hiccup and Astrid "I know that you feel like it was you're fault. But I'm going to be frank and honest. It was a good thing I went alone. They were waiting for us. They had all their chain launchers and catapults waiting next to each other." Turning to Hiccup, he added "It wouldn't of mattered if you were with me or not. They would have gotten you too!"
Hiccup looked at Matt with concern, only to say "Still doesn't make me feel better."
"How did they know we were coming?" Astrid asked, looking at Hiccup with concern.
"Well, I had my suspicions." Matt said, looking up at Heather "But that was quickly ruled out after what happened."
Heather just looked down, shaking her head as well. "But it was my fault." She whispered quietly.
"How?" Matt asked, setting the bowl down. A little concerned, he then asked "If you know something Heather, now's the best time to come out with it."
"They knew I left them." Heather answered, looking up at Matt. Turning to Hiccup and Astrid, she continued "I wasn't very subtle in leaving this place. I think they knew that I would try to come back."
Hiccup sighed as he heard this. "I wish you told us that before we sent Matt by himself. Why didn't you tell us?"
"Because whatever trust you had in me would have been gone!" Heather argued. Looking at Matt, she continued "You would have been more suspicious of me if I had said something! Besides, I still had no idea that they would move all the launchers and catapults."
Matt just sat there, staring at Heather. His blood, what he had left, was boiling with anger that she kept that bit of information from them. But, she did save him. And honestly, she spoke the truth when she said that he wouldn't have trusted her. Well, at least not as much as he ended up doing. Sighing, Matt just shook his head.
"Heather, I realize that you were concerned that we wouldn't have trusted you as much." Hiccup began to say "But Matt was captured! Almost killed! If you hadn't gotten him away from those Berserkers, they probably wouldn't have tried to keep him alive! He could have been dead by now."
Heather hung her head down. Silently raging inside of her, she tried to quell the fire burning within. No matter what she did, or what she chose, it was always the wrong one. Before she could let loose her fury, Matt said something that caught her off guard.
"It's alright guys. She made the right call." He said, looking over at Heather. Seeing her shocked expression, he continued to say "She was right when she said I wouldn't have trusted her. I would have been more worried about watching her than focusing on the goals."
"Matt?" Heather whispered, still taken back his forgiveness.
Hiccup didn't say anything, neither did Astrid. This was something that seemed to have caught everyone in the room off guard.
Turning to Hiccup, Matt then explained "Listen, what happened to me probably could have been avoided. Maybe. But the thing is, Heather did save me. She even killed the Berserker that was going to end me right then and there." Looking back at Heather, he then added "She helped Wasatch when I asked her too. Even when I was apparently bleeding to death." Looking back at Hiccup, he finished with "And then the small fact that she's the reason why I'm sitting here, being able to talk with you guys."
Looking at Matt, Hiccup finally let a small smile grow on his face "Well, if Matt feels good about it, then I do to."
Looking at Hiccup and Astrid, and then back to Matt; Heather then whispered "Thank you. I was…really disappointed when I let you guys down again. I was feeling like I could never be able to be your friend again."
"Heather, you've always been our friend." Hiccup said gently, stepping over Matt and taking a seat next to her "I'm sorry I made you feel that way. It wasn't right for me to do that."
"Thanks Hiccup." Heather replied, looking up at him with her usual smug grin "That means a lot to me."
"Good! Now that we got that out of the way…" Astrid said loudly, standing up and moving Matt's backrest. Forcing him to lay back down, she then said "Time to change the bandages. Your back is starting to bleed through."
"Ugh, is this necessary?" Matt moaned, letting Astrid role him over onto his stomach.
"Yup. Hold still." She said simply, unwrapping the bandage around his head.
"I'd say his head is ok. Don't need to wrap that again." Heather said, kneeling down with Astrid and helping her.
"I don't know, he still looks like he needs some help." Astrid said, a mischievous grin forming on her face. Pointing down at Matt's face, she then said "Look at how beat up that face is. I mean, it's a miracle that we haven't died from seeing that."
"I have a feeling that you're talking about me, rather than the injury." Matt huffed, swatting Astrid's hand away. Then, with a similar jest, he added "At least my injuries are curable. I'd say you're a lost cause Astrid!"
"Oh you!" Astrid shouted, realizing that Matt switched the joke on her.
"Hah! That was quick one Matt!" Hiccup laughed, seeing Astrid's face.
Glaring up at Hiccup, she quickly stood up and said "I can't hit Matt, but I can hit you Hiccup!"
Instantly regretting what he said, Hiccup tried to jump out of the way of Astrid's fist. Astrid, knowing that Hiccup would try to run, grabbed his leather tunic with the same speed of that of a Speed Stinger.
"I'm sorry Astrid!" Hiccup shouted, knowing he was heading for a world of hurt.
Ignoring him, she pushed him down and kneeled down over him. Smiling, she then raised her fist and aimed at his shoulder.
Yelping, Hiccup just stared up at Astrid with fear. Then, with lightning reflex's; he raised his knee and nailed Astrid in the back, propelling her forward and off of him. Rolling onto his feet, he took off running out of the room.
"Get back here Hiccup!" Astrid shouted, sprinting after him.
"You think she'll really wail on him?" Heather asked, facing to Matt.
"Nah, she gets her kicks out of scaring him. And proving she's the best." Matt replied "She'll scare him for a minute and then things will return to normal.
Laughing, Heather then returned her attention to the wound. Carefully removing the tail of the bandage that was tucked into itself, she then slowly began unravel it. "Oooh, the puncture's still fresh." She said, quickly grabbing several clean cloths to place over the wound.
"Great." Matt groaned, shifting to his side as Heather began to roll him over "Be honest with me, how bad is it? Rate it one through ten."
"Eh…" Heather began to say, gently rubbing the wound "I'd say a six. It was because we didn't catch it right away that made it dangerous. Now it's a matter of just letting it seal up. The bleeding will probably stop after this change of bandages."
"Good to hear." Matt said with relief in his voice "I'll give it a good day rest, then see what I can do."
"If Hiccup will let you." Heather simply replied. Resting the clean cloths over the wound, she then used the existing bandage to wrap around them. "It might be easier if you can sit up." Heather said, struggling to get the bandage around his side that he was laying on.
"Yeah, no problem." Matt grunted, trying to sit up.
Seeing him struggle a little, Heather quickly helped him, grabbing his arm and gently pulling him up.
"There ya go…" He grunted, using Heather as leverage to set himself up "Thanks."
"No problem." Heather replied, focusing on wrapping the bandage around him and the cloths. After a few moments of silence, she then said "Thank you Matt."
"What? What'd I do?" he asked, looking over at her with confusion.
"For believing me." She whispered, making sure the wrapping was tight. Satisfied, she looked at Matt and said "I won't lie. I was thinking of walking out right before you said anything. So, thank you."
Slightly smiling at the comment, Matt then said "I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it. You know that."
"I do." Heather replied, moving the crate that was his backrest behind him. Making sure it was in a good spot for him, she then took a seat next to him.
"But I'm going to disagree with what you said about me believing you." Matt added, resting against the crate.
"What? What do you mean?" Heather asked, looking at him with concern and worry.
"Yeah, I believed you." Matt began to explain "But it was because I trusted you. You earned it from me when you helped Wasatch when I asked. That told me that you didn't have any secondary agendas. It told me that you sincerely wanted to help me. Which means you want to help Hiccup and Astrid.
Stunned at what Matt was saying, Heather just stared at him, not sure of what to say.
"Easy, don't get too excited." Matt teased, realizing that he just rocked her world. Then, in a serious tone, added "And don't let it get to your head. Got it?"
Snapping out of her blank stare, Heather just smiled "Don't worry Matt, I won't. Thank you."
"Not a problem. I'm glad that I'm able to say it." Matt said with a grin.
Before Heather could say anything else, Hiccup and Astrid walked in through the door. Hiccup was holding his arm tightly, which told both Matt and Heather what ended up happening.
Astrid, seeing the blood stained cloths on the ground next to Matt, said "Sorry that you had to do that by yourself Heather. I was rather busy chasing a mutton head."
Hiccup just glared at Astrid, obviously angry with what happened. Heather laughed, saying "No problem. It wasn't that big of deal. It was easier this time because he was awake."
"How did it look" Hiccup asked, finally relaxing and taking a seat next to Matt.
"Better. Still fresh." Heather answered, shrugging her shoulders "We got it under control now, I bet that it'll stop bleeding tonight."
"Good." Hiccup whispered, obviously relieved at the news. Looking down at Matt, who in turn looked back at him "I can't help but feel like this is my fault Matt. Again."
"Come on!" Matt groaned, rolling his eyes at the comment "Seriously Hiccup, there was nothing that you could have done!"
"We don't know that." Hiccup argued "They may have shot me down instead of you! I would have been fine."
"Really? What happened to your leg when you crashed three years ago?" Matt asked, folding his arms and narrowing his eyes at him "Stop blaming yourself for my accidents Hiccup!"
"You know, that's funny coming from you." Hiccup countered quickly "You're the one that got injured last time we tried to come up with a plan with Alvin. Of course you had the Haddock luck with your leg! Think about my position Matt! You're visiting here and you keep getting injured! How do you think that makes me feel?"
"Wait, hold on one second." Heather interrupted, looking at Hiccup with confusion "What do you mean the Haddock luck?" Turning to Matt, she asked "Are…are you a Haddock?" Facing Astrid, she also asked "Is that why you said they act like brothers?"
Hiccup froze, realizing what he had just opened up. Glancing at Matt, he gave him an apologetic look.
Sighing, Matt closed his eyes and shook his head "Dammit Hiccup…"
"What? Is this something that I shouldn't ask about?" Heather asked again, realizing that she was treading different waters.
"It's…it's something that…" Matt began to say, to which Astrid cut in.
"It's something that not a lot of people know about." She said, placing a crate next to Heather and taking a seat.
"Oh." Heather whispered, nodding in understanding. Turning to Matt, she asked "How many people know?"
"Just Hiccup and gang." Matt replied, sitting himself up straighter "Oh, and Stoick. It's part of my story that I didn't tell you about."
"Oh…" Heather recalled, remembering when she and Matt talked a little bit about his past "Look Matt, if you're not comfortable with telling me, I'm ok with it!"
"No…I trust you." Matt said "I was just…just waiting for more formal circumstances."
"I can wait." She replied, not wanting to push her luck with her newly earned trust with Matt.
"No." Matt said resolutely "Now's as good of time as any." Looking at Hiccup, he then asked "Think I should tell her everything? I mean EVERYTHING."
"I'm ok with it if you are." Hiccup answered "It's your story."
"Our story." Matt corrected. Turning to face Heather, the first thing he said was "Everything I'm going to tell you is true. Every single word."
"Ok…" Heather said slowly, unsure of what to expect.
Taking a deep breath, he then began to say "So…I'm not from around here."
"Kind of figured that one out." Heather said, not hiding her sarcastic tone.
"No, I mean I'm not from around anywhere near here." Matt continued "I'm from a place called Utah. Southern Utah more specifically."
"Never heard of it?" she replied, getting herself comfortable on her crate.
"I'd be surprised if you had." Matt chuckled. Then, in a serious tone said "It's located about 4000 to 5000 miles away. And nearly 1000 years in the future."
Heather gawked at Matt. Unsure if he was joking, or being serious, she turned to Astrid and asked "Is he serious?"
Astrid just nodded, motioning her to return her attention to Matt.
"Remember Heather, I'm only telling you the truth." Matt said "And as noted before, my full name is Matthew Haddock. And being from the future, and after studying my family history, that makes me Hiccup's something great grandson."
Heather just stared at Matt with an open mouth, still unsure of how to take this…unique information.
"So, our story" Matt continued, motioning between him and Hiccup "starts three years ago; back in Utah. I was a rising star as a snowboarder. About to become really famous too." Seeing that he had Heather's complete attention, either out of interest or her mind was completely blown, Matt continued to say "I got lost in a blizzard one day while snowboarding; ended up in a cave. Found out that it had a tunnel that led out to Berk."
Heather finally said something "Matt, I know you said that you'd be telling the truth; but finding Berk through a cave!? Are you sure you didn't hit your head or something?"
"Heather," Hiccup cut in, leaning forward on his seat "I've been to the cave. It's real. This happened."
"But how!? How is this even possible?" Heather cried out.
"Don't ask me!" Matt replied "All I know is that I've been blessed to be able to come back here! I don't know how, or even why. All I know is that I can come here." Then it hit him. He completely forgot about the entire reason why he came back to Berk in the first place. Turning to Hiccup, he then said "Hiccup, don't let me forget to tell you something after this."
"Ok?" Hiccup answered, confused at the request.
Turning back to Heather he then continued his story. "So, when I first came here, I never saw a dragon before. So when I saw Hiccup and Toothless, I panicked and tried to board away from them. Astrid also ended up chasing me."
"We can try to recreate that." Astrid teased, remembering the first time she saw Matt with Hiccup.
"I'll pass." Matt replied with a smile "Don't think I'd bode to well falling off another cliff. Especially now."
"Wait, care to explain?" Heather asked, still looking dazed; as if she just got out of a fight.
"Well, long story short, they chased me off a cliff." Matt laughed, instantly regretting it as his side felt like something was jabbed into it. Breathing for a second, he continued to smile as he said "Passed out as I hit the ground."
"That's when we took him to my house." Hiccup cut in, telling his side of the story "We've never seen anything like Matt, so naturally I had questions."
"When I came to, Hiccup and I found out that we were related." Matt finished saying. Seeing Heather look like her head exploded, he then said "I promise that it's the truth Heather. When I went back home, I checked my family lineage. Sure enough, Hiccup was there; as was Stoick."
Heather just nodded, still soaking in the new information.
Seeing this, Matt then said "How about I tell you the rest of the story later? When you had some time to digest what we said. What have you thought about it so far?"
Heather slowly nodded. Looking at Matt in the eye, she then said "I…I'm not sure what to think. It's...it's a lot to think about."
"I should say that I passed out when I learned Hiccup and I were related." Matt added, resting his hand on Heather's knee "Took me a little bit to get used to the idea."
Heather just nodded, realizing that Matt was trying to help her.
Turning to Hiccup, Matt then said "And now, I have something important to tell you."
"Wow, can't wait to hear what this is." Hiccup said with a smile "Can't be too important can it?"
Matt's face grew dark. How could he have forgotten the entire reason why he came here? Especially since it meant the cave's secret was compromised. Sighing, Matt then said "Someone from my world knows about the cave."
"What!?" Hiccup replied out loud, almost shouting "Who? And more importantly how!?"
"I don't know who, but whoever it was, they broke into my room and stole my journal that had information on the cave. And Wasatch." Matt said quietly "I came here originally to warn you; to ask if you guys could blow up the cave when I headed back."
"But, that would mean…" Hiccup began to say slowly.
"I know." Matt answered "But I'd rather be safe than sorry. I'd feel like crap if something from my world hurt you." Looking at Astrid, he then added "Or anyone for that matter."
"Kind of like how I feel." Hiccup quickly said, folding his arms and looking at Matt with a solemn look.
Realizing that he walked into Hiccup's reason, and seeing exactly how he felt; Matt looked down from Hiccup and whispered "Yeah, I guess so."
"So, is that why you're here?" Astrid asked, staring at Matt.
"Originally, yes." Matt answered "Since you guys were gone, I told your dad. He agreed to blow the cave up after I left."
"But…" Hiccup threw in.
"The cave was closed. I couldn't go back." Matt said with a shrug "So, I decided to make my stay worthwhile. Came here, tracked you guys for a day and a half, saved you guys, met Heather, found Wasatch, and then went on a raid with you guys."
"And got injured." Astrid finished, smiling at Matt.
"Ah yeah, can't forget that can we?" Matt said with a grin. Looking up at Hiccup, he then explained "That's why I forgot to tell you. I've been pretty involved since I've been here."
Nodding, Hiccup then said "Thanks for telling me Matt. But I don't want to blow up the cave."
"Why? Because of me?" Matt asked with a serious face returning "Hiccup, you don't know what my world can do to yours!"
"I know, but I don't want to use that as our primary plan." Hiccup explained.
Before Matt could argue, Snotlout walked in with a limp. Getting everyone's attention, he moaned "Oh, Heather! I need help!"
"What?" Heather asked, looking at him with a questionable look.
Covered in mud and scrapes all over his body, with some tree branches sticking out of her leather tunic and belt, he then explained "I was on patrol when I thought I saw some Berserkers. I chased them away back onto their ship, but got knocked off Hookfang! I need some help! Want to bandage my ankle and hurting arm?"
Realizing what he was doing, Heather just groaned and buried her face in her hands.
"Wait, so there were no Berserkers?" Hiccup asked, making sure Snotlout wasn't telling the truth.
"Uh, pretty sure that I said I saw some!" Snotlout said angrily, frustrated that Hiccup was debunking his con.
"Snotlout…" Astrid groaned, face palming herself and shaking her head "Did you hit a tree branch while flying along the tree line again?"
"No!" Snotlout shouted. Seeing Hiccup's and Astrid's questionable looks, he quickly looked down and said "Maybe."
"Ugh…" Hiccup groaned, shaking his head as well. Heather and Matt burst out laughing, to which Matt moaned as he gripped his side.
Ignoring their laughter, Hiccup stood up and said "Come on. Let's fix you up."
"Uh, pretty sure I asked for Heather's help." Snotlout replied, glaring at Hiccup.
"She's busy helping Matt." Hiccup sighed "Come on…let's see what you did to yourself."
Protesting, Snotlout was pushed away from the room Matt was in, leaving Heather in peace; with Matt and Astrid trying hard not to laugh.
"Ugh…I can't wait 'till I can laugh again." Matt groaned, gripping his side with a smile "How long did you say it'd take?"
"A few day until you feel like you're back to normal." Heather answered with a smile. Then, moving the crate that was his back rest, she added "Maybe sooner if you try and get some rest."
"I've been passed out for who knows how long." Matt grunted, slowly falling onto his back.
"That's not rest." Astrid answered, smiling at Matt "Don't worry, we're heading to Dragon's Edge tomorrow. Fishlegs left earlier today to get Gothi and meet us over there. You look like you're doing well enough to ride there. Then we'll see what she says."
"Fine, seems like my mind's been made up for me." Matt huffed, staring up at the ceiling. Turning to Heather, he then said quietly "Thanks Heather."
"Oh, and I'm just dragon bait!" Astrid shouted, glaring at Matt.
"What? She's the one that changed my bandages. And is telling me what to do to get better!" Matt teased "But, if you really want to me to say it; thank you Astrid."
"You know Matt, you're really racking up the number of time's I'm going to hit you when you get better." Astrid growled.
Laughing, Heather grabbed a blanket and draped it over Matt's head "Better stop while you can Matt. Seemed like she hurt Hiccup when she hit him."
"Have you been hit by her?" Matt asked, pulling the blanket off his head "Not fun! My arm still hurts from when she hit me three years ago!"
"Just wait 'till you see what I can do now!" Astrid breathed, letting a mischievous grin grow on her face.
"Ugh, don't want to even think about it." Matt groaned "I think I'd rather have Wasatch roll over me again."
"Alright, that's enough." Heather said with a smile "Get some sleep. You'll need it for tomorrow."
"Fine Doctor Heather." Matt huffed, rolling his eyes. Then with a small smile, he slowly closed his eyes and tried to rest.
Both Heather and Astrid stood up to leave the room. As they walked out the door, Astrid quietly asked "You ok Heather?"
Shocked at the question, she turned to Astrid and said "Of course! Why do you ask?"
"I mean with Matt's story." Astrid continued, walking with Heather down the stone hallway.
"Oh. That." Heather replied. Looking down, she just said "Honestly, I don't know what to think."
"How about I answer some of your questions.' Astrid suggested gently "I'll answer them the best I can."
"You know, I think I'll take you up on that." Heather agreed, nodding her head. Looking at Astrid, she then said "Thanks Astrid."
"Hey, it's what friends do!" Astrid replied with smile. Then, a lot more quietly, she added "And family too."
Shocked at the comment, Heather then let a small smile grow on her face "Thanks Astrid. That was what I needed to hear."