Yeah. Another long wait, but hey at least I got a chapter out. I am personally pleased with how it turned out (after what. A month) But you see folks, I may post the beginning to random Ideas to stories I will have to start because I finish all my stories. But the reason it takes so long to update this one is: (Besides busy life which is the main reason might I add) I pour my heart and soul into this. It's really hard to find a time where I can write this and make it work up to my standards. I want this story to end on a high note, so if it takes a while for updates please don't forget I'm in the background, still churning out chapters one at a time XD
I know you all understand that life gets bust n stuff but I just wanted to let you know how it is on my end.
Alright. time to reply to the reviews :D
Ninuhuju: Hehe. I thought it was clever, Well, it was a mix of the sound track and the booming voice of "READY THE SHIPS" in stoicks voice that inspired it :P. Thanks for your review :D
silverowlvesarecool: Yeah I figured I'd go back to basics with this chapter. How do they all, essentially, feel about dragon training? Well. I think I got that as right as I could (Considering I modelled it off the shorts...) I'm glad you liked it :D Thanks for your review :3
glitterjewel: Hehe, Not exactly the best combination, especially after I made everyone wait with this update. I'll try and be a bit quicker with updates in the future :) Thanks for your review XD
ivanganev: Review 1/ Hmm, Nope, well, you read the next chapter so it was answered for you I guess :P
Review 2/ Yeah. Loki has that effect on people... XD Yes, so far Astrid is alive. Being the main character and all.. Well, never stopped people dying before but whatever, I'll leave the rest of the questions to simmer in your mind, as answering would be spoilers :P Also, NF saliva's healing properties is probably a joke Hiccup made, just to let you know XD
Review 3/ Yeah having two different time zones in a story is hard enough, but now a war on BOTH of them? Well, this is going to be fun... ... ... But yeah, I see where you're coming from :)
Review 4/Yup, CLoudjumper too the rescue, I couldn't just have Valka die like that, why? Because she's waaay to awesome :P You're going to be seeing more of her :) And the weapons from the giants (mountain and obviously fire) would be a little big for humans as such. The frost giants weapons are still a little big but as a last resort... Maybe. :P
Review 5/ This... was a long review. Here goes :D As much as all these battle tactics might have worked if they had time to make all of this. Vikings are rash, And Astrid also too, has to understand this. Granted she will work with what she has and change the tactic accordingly, and I'm sure Stoick would have a better Idea this time as well, but in the end, all of the things they'd have to make. Armour, Weapons, Collecting poisonous plants (that would take a long time to effect the queen judging by it's size) would take to long to make. However, Taking out the senses is already an idea that she has in mind, don't doubt that. As for the talk about what caused ragnarok. That is well gaurded secret, and you will know... In due time... Thanks for the many helpful reviews :P
BEST OC Maker: Thanks, I thought that I'd base it off of the shorts that came out way back in 2010. And I did have a little trouble making it suit the story, and I wasn't all that happy with it, But I'm glad it came out okay :) Thanks for your review :3
Rayfe: Yeah I was going for that, but somehow the past is going to the same place, having a war to fight the next day and all, But the last bit of fun will still be had. And the story will end well, it's just not going to be smooth sailing. Thanks for your review :D
Guardian of Azarath: Okay, is it bad that I automatically typed "azeroth" instead of "azarath" (That isn't the nerdiest thing I've done today might I add). A few days? Yeah I forgot this thing is over 50 chapters long (Didn't I say back at chapter 22 or something it won't get to 50? lol, whatever) I'm glad you like the plot. (Despite the fact of how mangled I made it.. I mean, this thing started off as fluffy, now look at it..) And as for your predictions on Ragnarok and it's reasoning. Compared to everyone elses guess I'm going to say this... "Warmer..." Thanks for your review XD
Dusk
Astrid was rather pleased that the teens were getting on nicely with their dragons, not that she expected any different. The first time they went through this whole process they took it pretty great as well, however, they were under different circumstances that time. Snotlout had been trying to act indifferent towards having a dragon all day, the twins kept being… Well… The twins, while Fishlegs and Hiccup were asking an abundance of questions. Fishlegs mostly for statistics and academic purposes. Hiccup for getting closer to Toothless and becoming a better dragon rider. It was actually really odd to see Hiccup learning all the things he taught her… And him asking her questions she once asked him. None the less it was still a productive afternoon to say the least.
However, all this being said. They were still running out of time as dawn was only a night away. She would have to close up the acade- the kill ring soon so that they could get some sleep. As far as battle strategies went, she was still rather unsure, the plan from last time would just backfire again. And she hadn't taught them anything beyond the basics so besides herself they wouldn't be comfortable flying a dragon. Hiccup maybe but the rest would take time.
Astrid looked up towards the sun as it was starting to fall dangerously close to the horizon. The sky already had a slightly orange tinge to it. She turned to the teens who were taking turns flying around the ring, Snotlout trying to show off and failing miserably.
"Now here comes the flip!"
Snotlout declared while going around in a circle.
"Snotlout. You really think that you can do a flip inside the kill ring? Unlikely. The space is much too small..."
Fishlegs retorted to Snotlout's boast. But Snotlout merely glared while responding.
"Just because you ride a scaly yak with wings doesn't mean I have to stoop down to your pathetic level."
Snotlout began, Fishlegs merely raised a brow, and then proceeded to watch as Snotlout tried to make Hookfang loop in mid air. Hookfang, seeing that there was a chain link ceiling merely huffed out smoke rings and did a barrel roll instead causing Snotlout to fly off of his back as he was unprepared.
Snotlout crashed into the stone floor as he muttered a curse of annoyance. Hookfang landed near him and nudged him as if to say. 'Sorry man, I totally didn't mean that', Snotlout turned around to the snickering of the twins and the reserved amused grin of Fishlegs. Astrid wasn't paying attention and Hiccup was tending to Toothless' tail. He threw the three teens that were paying him attention a glare. It only managed to stop Fishlegs.
Hiccup was doing a final check up on Toothless tail mechanism, he could of sworn that he heard something clink earlier.
"Hiccup…"
Astrid began as she walked up to him.
Hiccup glanced up at her but then went back into looking into the tail mechanism.
"Yeah?"
He replied, Astrid had clearly been waiting to talk to him for a while as she began talking instantly.
"Well the thing is, You know how I'm from the future, right?"
Hiccup frowned and quickly glanced at Snotlout and the Twins before returning his gaze to Astrid.
"Yeah."
He replied. Astrid spoke a bit quieter catching on to Hiccup's wary glance.
"And you know how Gothi asked for me?"
Hiccup was silent, Astrid continued.
"Well uh, obviously she was on our side in the ring, but that's because she already knew I was from the future… The Gods sent her a sign."
Astrid uttered as Hiccup nodded. She resumed speaking.
"Well, turns out in the future… Something here caused... Ragnarok."
She winced at saying it out loud, but Hiccup needed to know. Hiccup was taken aback slightly and remained silent. Toothless began getting restless at Hiccup keeping him still for so long. Hiccup broke out of his statuesque figure and let go of Toothless so he could mingle with the other dragons.
"Well, that ups the ante a bit then doesn't it."
He grumbled. Still slightly gawking at the fact that he caused the end of the world. Astrid seemed to catch on and corrected.
"It's not completely our fault however, I mean, it could merely be me going back in time that shook Yggdrasil for all we know. It's not like we screwed up and therefore the end of the world happened. Loki is to blame."
She tried, she didn't want Hiccup to blame himself, because he probably would. Hiccup sighed and looked at Astrid sadly.
"I guess, assuming it's not you being here that caused it. We need to figure out what it is. "
He shrugged as Astrid smiled, because this is exactly what she wanted, if they were both on the same page, they could figure out what the Hel caused Ragnarok, they could prevent it. Halting Loki and his plans. She nodded enthusiastically.
"Meet me in the cove after we're done here. We can brainstorm without people stumbling in and asking too many questions."
Hiccup finished. Astrid nodded and added her own input.
"Should I get Fishlegs?"
She asked. Hiccup seemed to blush slightly and stammered out his reply.
"Well I mean… He could help but, like, I uhh, was hoping, before we go to war and all… If I could spend some time with… uhh, you."
He finished and Astrid pointedly ignored the colour rising within her own cheeks at his unintentional awkward charm. She couldn't help but smile and nod at him as she spoke.
"All right, Fine, As important as it would probably be to have Fishlegs there. Well. You're persuasive."
She settled with that, mostly to avoid saying something stupid like, 'you were so cute in how you asked it I literally couldn't say no if I tired' Damn, her unjustified teenage crush for Hiccup came back hard. Who was she kidding, did it ever leave?
She smiled and he mirrored it. She then turned to the rest of the teens and spoke with authority.
"All right everyone, you're going to have to lead your dragon back to it's cages. We're packing up for the night, We fly at dawn remember."
She yelled. And for once, everyone seemed to listen, for once grasping the fact that it was serious. Stoick still didn't trust them, and they were flying out to war tomorrow. Granted, it's probably not as bad as Ragnarok but still… Astrid briefly wondered how her fiancé was doing. Was he fighting right now? Was he dead? What about herself… Was she fighting? or dead? She shook her head to clear herself of these thoughts. Hiccups all right in the end, he always is.
She bid goodnight to Stormfly who nuzzled her affectionately before being coaxed back into her… cell. The other dragons were more hesitant but with help from Astrid they all managed.
She then ushered the teens out. Toothless began to follow Hiccup.
"Hey, how come he gets to have his dragon leave with him?"
Snotlout argued. Astrid sighed and replied.
"Snotlout, there's no other pens."
However, Stoick was seen coming over the bridge too late as he joined in the conversation, he didn't seem very happy about the fact that a Night Fury was free to roam and 'harm' people.
"It can share with the Terrible Terror. I'm not having that thing loose, innocent, or not."
He said firmly. Hiccup subconsciously put himself between his father and Toothless.
"Toothless doesn't do well in cramped spaces. And he won't harm anyone, did you think we would have him free if we thought he could ruin our chances at convincing you he's innocent?"
Hiccup vocalized. Stoick glared him down and re-iterated.
"It's going with the Terror. I'm not having it loose. Innocent. Or not."
He emphasized. Hiccup didn't seem to be budging either so Astrid stepped in.
"One condition."
She interjected and before Stoick could state the fact that she wasn't in the position to make conditions she continued.
"You let the terror free."
She said and crossed her arms in a typical act of defiance. Daring him to challenge her. He scowled.
"Fine."
He almost spat. Hiccup gave a sigh of relief when he left. The other teens gave their farewells as Astrid stared down Stoicks retreating figure. She forgot how stubborn Stoick was about dragons. She should probably not be so defiant... But it was natural when defending Hiccup or dragons. After the teens left Hiccup and Astrid reluctantly directed Toothless back inside.
"He's not going to be convinced easily is he…"
Hiccup muttered when everyone else was out of earshot. Toothless cooed in agreement. Astrid sighed at the difficult father/son relationship that Hiccup told her all about in future years.
"Hiccup, he trusts you more than you think, I mean he's let us back in here to free a terrible terror and he trusts us enough not to let the other dragons loose."
Hiccup didn't respond so Astrid went on.
"I think… I think he's coming around to the idea, granted a bit slowly."
She comforted. Hiccup smiled slightly at that. He opened the hatch and the terror slowly crawled out. It blinked its eyes in the sunset as if it were confused at why it was let out... Hiccup slowly crouched down to the terror and held out his hand. The naturally curious dragon sniffed it for a few seconds before cautiously placing it's head in Hiccups palm.
Hiccup picked up the terrible terror in his arms as Toothless cooed at the small dragon. Hiccup became still, just staring at the dragon in his arms.
"They are truly amazing creatures."
He said finally. Astrid looked at him with a small smile.
"Yeah… They are."
She responded. There wasn't much else to say. Dragons were truly beautiful creatures. Hiccup sighed and walked towards the open platform outside the kill ring and let the dragon down at the exit. The terror looked at the horizon for about half a minute and then turned back towards Hiccup. It sniffed him again and then slowly made his way back towards him.
"No... You're free now... You don't need to come back to me…"
Hiccup said as the terror circled around his legs. Hiccup picked up the dragon again as he muttered.
"You don't want to stay here, not just yet. The war isn't over… Maybe if you find your way back after all this is done you could stay… But you can't now."
Hiccup pleaded, and somehow, seeming to understand the dragon nuzzled Hiccup one last time before taking flight. Just as the sun dipped under the horizon the terror flew into the distance, free at last. Astrid walked up from behind him. She smiled at the sight. They stood there for a few minutes in comfortable silence as the Terror eventually disappeared. But she then realised that the sun had gone down and the sky was darkening.
"Come on… We still have work to do."
She whispered quietly. Hiccup nodded and turned back towards Toothless who was still in the ring. They walked into the ring and directed Toothless towards the pen. When he got there and sensed what they wanted him to do he seemed rather hesitant.
"Toothless, come on, you know you have to do this…"
Hiccup tried, but his dragon would not budge. Toothless was completely aware that this cage would have him trapped. And being trapped… Toothless has been there before. He didn't recommend. However, Toothless, being one of the most intelligent dragons also had to realise that if he wasn't trapped the first time he would of never met Hiccup.
"Come on bud… Do you trust me?"
Hiccup tried again. This time Toothless looked at him with his expressive green eyes, as if trying to decipher why. Hiccup sighed as he tried one last tactic. He closed his eyes, and held out his hand. This was a language they both understood. But Toothless didn't react immediately. And Hiccup noticed. He opened his eyes again and Toothless was still staring at him.
This time it was Toothless that moved first. However instead of connecting his head to his hands, Toothless put his forehead against Hiccups. (At the back of Hiccups mind for one delirious moment he thought Toothless was going to get a bit too friendly.) However he caught the idea soon enough and did the same. This wasn't just a sign of trust. It was a sign that they trusted each other with their lives.
Astrid had seen them do this after the defeat of Drago and she was struggling herself not to get emotional. After a couple of moments Hiccup pulled away. Toothless seemed to get Hiccups meaning finally and entered the cage. And Astrid was forced to ask for the millionth time 'was it her or could Hiccup communicate with dragons?' Because it certainly looked like it.
They pushed the massive doors closed and the grey stone of the cage began to match the shade of Toothless. Only his green eyes shone in the darkness, and in the moment before the doors closed his eyes looked at Hiccup, wide, expressive as they appeared to be saying; 'Don't mess this up.' As the doors clanged shut.
This was the last night before everything would begin, the be all or end all for the war. This was the calm before the storm. The Dusk Before the dawn.
'Really dragonbow? Poetry? It wasn't even a good rhyme, It was a half rhyme!' Yeah shut up, I thought the ending was poetic and cool, so I ran with it (clarifying, the ending to the chapter.)
Also, I thought that Toothless would share with the Terror because 1. Its the smallest, and 2. It was modelled off of book Toothless. And the whole trad ething there was what I thought. Again. Poetic.
I don't know why I'm adding poetic devices (that I don't know the name of and it's probably not poetic) but I just... Nevermind.
(Hookfang! Do a barrel roll!)
Sorry, thought that would break the pit I dug myself into.. XD
Favorite. Paint rocks, Paint books, Paint paint! I don't understand enough Spanish to have myself understood! Follow Review and Leer... (Leer is Spanish for read... The more you know...)
Cya
