AN: Merry Christmas Everyone! Here's a tiny bit late Christmas present, from me to you! It's a little short, but filled with good stuff! I hope you all enjoy! :)

REVIEWERS!:

Acecove: Emma is very special and very mature for her age, which is why she struggles to fit in. Technically, Emma knows that Hiccup is alive because she knows he wasn't taken/eaten by a dragon. The only things she doesn't know is where he's gone and what exactly happened in the bathroom that night, but she still has complete faith in him. Hiccup is definitely not the cause of the corruption in Wonderland, but he is directly involved with what's happening on Emma's side of things. Hahaha! Glad it clicked a nice inside joke for you! I love when stories do that! Thank you! Merry Christmas! :)

Eris: Glad you think so! Oh, she'll put together quite the case, I promise you! The others will have more appearances, but it's hard to squeeze everything in without causing the story to drag too much. They will get a full arch though!

Music: "Hoist The Colors" from Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

NOTES: You sometimes think you want is to Disappear, but all you really want is to be Found...

Chapter 15: Hoist The Colors

Two weeks had passed since their escape from Fort Sinister and the crew had made an unanimous decision to head North for the safety of the familiar. Eret had them set a course for a Northern Sanctuary by the name of Tortuga which was a small island just west of the Archipelago's borders. It was warmer there, despite it still being the middle of winter, and having made it through the Allied Kingdoms' waters without a run-in with the Prime Minister's forces, the BlueBlazer crew was able to breathe easy.

Cat was just happy for a distraction. There was plenty to explore in Tortuga from the market where one could buy anything imaginable, to the wrestling pit where anyone could make bets on who would manage to pin their opponent first despite the slippery mud. However, despite his desire to avoid and distract himself, Cat had a greater desire to be close to Toothless. To be secure in the comfort and clarity of their bond.

After looking through the busy and bustling town to see what was going on, Cat retreated to the small forge on the island. It was a shabby little building on the outskirts of town with obvious signs of lack of up-keep. There was no official smith in Tortuga, so the forge was free to use for anyone who could figure out how to use the equipment. It was lucky for Cat, though, because it meant the forge was private and rarely visited. The position of it, a little outside the edge of the main town, made it easy for Toothless to slip in through the back unnoticed.

Toothless lit the forge for Cat and then curled up in the corner, snoring softly as Cat moved through the forge, picking through tools and gathering supplies for his most recent project.

Cat knew that Toothless had made it clear that he no longer wanted to fly without him, but after everything that had happened at Fort Sinister, Cat couldn't help but think that if Toothless had been able to fly without him they all could've escaped a whole lot of trouble. Cat didn't ever want Toothless to get captured because of him again.

Besides, his new design for the tail wasn't entirely self-sufficient. His ultimate goal was to figure out a way to make the tail capable of manual operation as well as automatic, but for now he figured a good compromise he would be able to convince Toothless to wear was a tail with a locking mechanism that would allow him to at least glide on his own. It was completely practical and sensible. What with their less-than-safe occupation, Cat wanted to be sure that only one dragon would be downed if they were separated.

His hands froze in their work at that thought, and he swallowed hard. Taking a shaky breath, he went back to his work, his hands moving a little faster than before as if the faster he was doing something, the faster he'd be distracted again.

He let himself become enveloped by the smell of melted metal and freshly cut leather as he worked with the smaller mechanics of Toothless's tail and the saddle attachments. The familiarity of moving about a small forge was relaxing as long as he didn't think too much about the bittersweet ache in the bottom of his chest.

"So this is where you sneaked off to." The loud voice from out of nowhere didn't startle him because he'd been expecting Talia to track him down eventually, and if he was being honest he had sensed her approaching for a while now. But he was a pirate; he didn't have to be honest.

Talia strolled into the forge, turning around to take in the whole space as she walked over to where Cat was working on his project. She leaned back against the table Cat was facing and looked down at him, but he didn't meet her gaze.

"How are you?" She asked. Her posture was casual; the heels of her hands braced on the edge of the table she was leaning against, and her spine relaxed, but they both knew better.

"Fine." Cat replied, clicking two pieces together and then picking up the leather to attach it to the metal skeleton of the tail.

"A lot has happened... What are you working on?" She asked, leaning her head back a bit to get a better look.

"A locking mechanism for Toothless's tail. So if we get separated he can glide on his own, which in the right situation could make the difference between getting captured or not." Cat told her, snapping open the finished tail and pulling the switch for the lock so he could test it.

"Smart." Talia said, crossing her arms over her chest as they lapsed into silence again. It lasted for a few minutes as Cat fiddled with little adjustments to the tail's mechanics, but soon the silence just became too much for him and he sighed, putting the tail down on the table and finally looking at Talia.

"Why are you here, Talia?" He asked, feeling tired and weighted.

"We're worried about you, Cat." She whispered. "I'm worried. You don't talk about what happened. You don't talk at all. You've been distant..."

"I'm fine," Cat said quietly, holding his left hand in a tight grip.

"No," Talia said, shaking her head and pushing off the table. She stepped closer to him and put her hand on his shoulder. "You're not okay, and you don't have to be. Talk to me, Cat."

He wouldn't look at her. He didn't speak. He wasn't sure he could. He swallowed hard and felt his chin tremble.

"They put a muzzle on me." His voice wouldn't work, so it came out on a breath more than any sound, but Talia seemed to hear it. Her hand tightened on his shoulder and pulled him into a tight hug.

He couldn't bring himself to return it. Not after the damage he'd caused. Not while he was hiding things from her and everyone else. But Toothless crooned softly and walked over, pressing his head against his back as way of comfort. Toothless was the one person in the whole world who knew everything.

"I know you aren't telling us everything," Talia said, pulling back and holding onto his shoulders. Her eyes were glassy with unshed tears. "And you don't have to. But if you ever want to talk about it. If you ever need anyone. I'm here for you. And so is Eret."

"I know." He nodded and tried to take a breath. "I'm just... I'm scared."

"Of what?" Talia questioned, pulling him back to the stool at the desk and then lifting herself up to sit on top of the desk.

"I lost control, Talia." Cat admitted, feeling shame like a heavy weight on his shoulders. "Maybe it was the muzzle, or the drugs -Call it whatever you want, but... I almost killed five people. It seems like every time I lose control, it gets worse than the time before, and..." Cat took a deep breath and then let it out all at once. "I saw Pitch Black."

"What?" Talia said.

"He was there in the throne room while I was chained up and alone. Everything he said just keeps ringing in my ears." Cat said, looking up to meet Talia's gaze. "I guess it was all just a harsh reminder that... I don't know What I am. And I don't know how to control it."

"Cat, it wasn't your fault -" Talia tried to tell him, but he shook his head.

"I know what you're gonna say, but it doesn't change the fact that their blood was on my hands." Cat said, feeling a little sick in his stomach. Talia sighed, her gaze falling to the floor. "You know, back at the end of our first year, North told us about these things called Centers. Something special inside each Gaurdian that they put into the world and protect in children. I remember thinking that if I could find mine, than maybe I'd understand what I'm supposed to be... But I've been waiting and searching for pretty much my whole life, and I haven't found any light. In fact, everything seems to get darker the further I go trying to find my destiny."

"I can't say that I know much about Destiny, or prophecies, or these Centers, but I do know that even if you can't choose What you are, you can always choose Who you are." Talia said, giving him a gentle smile. "...And I know sometimes things feel hopeless, like you're spiraling down and it's dark and you feel alone, but just when you think you're out for the count, you get kidnapped by a dragon and his rider," She gave him a wry look and Cat chuckled as Toothless warbled happily. "After all, Talia's Rules of Training; Rule number twenty-five!"

"Pressure Makes Diamonds." Cat responded easily, smiling up at her. She expression softened and her hand returned to his shoulder.

"Remember that there are people that believe in you, Cat."

Before either of them could say more, they heard a rushed galloping just before the door to the forge burst open and Kid the Goat came running over to the, bleating and fussing as he bucked and reared in circles in front of them.

"Something's wrong," Talia said, pushing off the table as Cat stood.

Toothless moved closer, making a curious growl. Kid skidded to a halt with a bleat of terror and then ran to hide behind Talia's legs. Cat met Toothless, pressing their foreheads together, and then pulled back.

"Wait here, bud. We'll go check this out." He said.

"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Toothless looked at him, Worry and Comfort radiating from him.

"Yeah, I'll be okay. I've got Talia with me." Cat smiled, looking over at Talia who nodded. He turned back and pressed his forehead to Toothless's again, returning his dragon's feelings with Thanks and Hope.

In the next moment, Cat and Talia were racing towards the town with Kid the Goat following behind, though throwing worried and confused looks between the forge where Toothless was still hidden and the two children he'd come to fetch. Once they got to the market, they immediately spotted the large crowd surrounding a man who was screaming and waving his arms in giant gestures. There were a few people who had stepped into the clearing the people had made to give the screaming man space, trying to calm him down and guide him inside the Inn.

"They're coming for us! Coming for us all!" The man screamed, his face a blotchy red as spittle flew from his lip. "He'll Hang us all!" People gasped and cried in horror, flinching away from the man and his terrifying message.

"What is he talking about?" Cat wondered, his brow furrowing as he tried to look closer at the man. His clothes were ragged and worn, nothing more than a shirt and pants, and his hair was tangled and matted.

"He was one of three survivors from a shipwreck. They were brought in two days ago. He's the only one who woke up." Both kids turned to find Esmerelda standing behind them, but her eyes were on the man, her expression unreadable. Kid the Goat sat at her feet looking worried.

"What happened to them?" Cat questioned, and Esmeralda glanced at him before returning her eyes to the scene before them.

"Their ship was attacked by a Magic of Ministry vessel. From what we were able to gather, their options were to surrender and stand trial before the Prime Minister, which would have lead them to the gallows, or fight and be destroyed. They fought bravely, but their ship was no match for a vessel like that. The latest engineering and sailed by wizards." Esmeralda said, sighing as the man shoved another man away when he tried to grab hold of his arm.

"That doesn't make any sense, why would the Ministry attack so randomly? And you said they got here only two days after the attack? What on earth is the Ministry's forces doing so far north? They've never patrolled the far north before." Talia asked, looking up at Esmeralda, but also catching Cat's eye for a moment.

"It's been escalating since the end of Summer. It started with small time, land criminals, but now the Prime Minister has extended his efforts to pirates." Esmeralda told them, keeping her voice low. "There's been rumors that he may even wage a war against our people."

"War? But that's insane!" Talia said.

"The Prime Minister will send all of us to the gallows! He will bring destruction by magic to all of our ships, our sanctuaries! We have nowhere to hide!" The man shrieked, breaking down in sobs as one of the other men finally restrained him in a giant bear-hug from behind.

The few men that had been trying to calm him worked together to carry the man inside where he wouldn't be able to scare the sanctuary's inhabitants anymore, but the lingering murmurs and tense atmosphere only increased as Fear flooded into the air.

"With Pitch running around causing trouble you'd think the Ministry would be more concerned about him than simple pirates." Cat muttered, sharing another look with Talia because she looked as confused and uncertain as he felt.

"This is getting worse." Their small group turned at Eret's voice, watching as the man walked over to them. He met Esmeralda's eyes and something passed between the two silently as they nodded at each other. "We need to call a meeting."

"It will be difficult to convince everyone to come, but we have to try. Once they've heard what's happened, I'm sure they'll be more willing to play nice." Esmeralda agreed.

"What are you talking about? What meeting are you going to have?" Talia questioned them, but Eret shook his head.

"I need you two to stay out of trouble. Esmeralda and I have some serious business to take care of." Eret told them, his eyes hard as he looked at each of them, but they softened as he placed a hand on each of their shoulders. "I promise I'll explain everything in a little while, but for now it's best if we keep this as quiet as possible."

"It wasn't some random ship that was attacked, was it?" Cat asked quietly, locking gazes with Eret who sighed and then leaned in.

"No, it wasn't. One of the Nine Pirate Lords has fallen, and at the very least we need to nominate who will take his place. We hope it will also open discussions about what to do with the threat of the Ministry closing in on our waters." Eret explained to them in a quiet hiss. "Promise me you'll stay out of trouble until I get back. Go to the ship and stay with the men. I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Alright," Talia agreed and Cat nodded silently.

"Good." Eret said, straightening up and turning to Esmeralda. They nodded at each other again and then set off at a quick pace towards the back of the Inn.

"Come on," Cat nudged Talia's arm. "We need to get Toothless from the forge and get back to the ship."

Talia nodded and they both started back the way they had come from, but Cat noticed her looking in the direction Eret and Esmeralda had gone. He couldn't blame her. He was worried about what was coming too.

He had a horrible feeling crawling up his spine.