The air was still in the dusky morning light. No wind blew, no birds called and the ocean was like glass. From that stillness a high pitched whistle slowly got louder and louder, as though something were cutting through the air very quickly. Suddenly, a black streak tore around the quiet island of Berk. No one said get down. No one was even awake.
Hiccup gazed out at the still sea from atop Toothless. He wasn't much for early riding but occasionally he and Toothless would wake before his dad did and go flying as the sun rose over the village. He breathed in deeply and sighed, feeling at peace. Toothless purred under him and gave him a sideways glance with a cock of his head. Hiccup chuckled.
"Yeah I know bud. Peaceful, isn't it? I wish we could just keep going." He looked to the horizon, his heart longing to know what lay beyond it. It had been almost a year since Dagur was put in prison on Outcast Island. Hiccup was 16 and was having to undergo changes. For one thing his dad was practically forcing him go with him whenever he had chiefly duties to attend to so he could learn useful skills for when he became chief. For another, the dragon riders were doing less dragon exploration and more...well, of their own things. They still trained, still went out to a new corner of the archipelago a couple of times a month in search of new dragons and new information, but those times were becoming less and less. Also, he was getting taller and it was weird to be tall and so skinny.
Hiccup sighed, his peaceful feeling fading as he thought about his current life. He loved what he did of course, loved the dragon riders, his dad, working in the shop with Gobber. But something was missing. Maybe it was the lack of action. Berk had always had something going on, from dragon attacks to Alvin to Dagur's skrill debacle. In the span of a year and a half, Hiccup had met Toothless, ceased the war with dragons on Berk, started the dragon training arena, almost lost the dragons, been kidnapped several times, and had to deal with both Alvin and Dagur at the same time. Needless to say, life was now a little boring.
"I know that look." A familiar voice said behind him. Hiccup looked over his shoulder as Astrid and Stormfly flew up beside him. The dragons greeted each other with a nudge of the heads. "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing important." Hiccup answered. Astrid gave him a skeptical look. She opened her mouth to ask him again when a sound that seemed to be a cross between a roar and a screech cut through the air. The dragons roared a reply and Hiccup and Astrid looked at each other. "That sounded like a distress call." Astrid nodded and their heads turned toward the south side of the island when the roar sounded again. They flew quickly towards the sound and were joined by the rest of the dragon riders on the way.
"Hiccup, that's a Monsterous Nightmare call. Hookfang is freaking out." Snotlout said as he tried to control Hookfang, who was trying to fly as fast as possible towards the call.
"Well, we'll soon find out what's going on. Hookfang, lead the way." They followed an anxious Hookfang into the forest. They quickly came to a clearing where a Monsterous Nightmare lay on it's side, breathing heavily. It roared in pain, it's head flopping onto the ground weakly. The dragons landed and the riders dismounted, approaching the Nightmare cautiously. The Nightmare heard their approach and lifted its head quickly. There was instant hostility in it's gaze and the roar that came next was not one of pain, but one of warning. The riders balked and the dragons instantly went onto the defensive. Stormfly readied her spikes, gas and sparks came from the mouths of Barf and Belch, Meatlug growled and raised her bludgeon-like tail...even Hookfang forgot his worry and lit on fire. Toothless leapt in front of Hiccup, roaring ferociously.
"Uh, Fishlegs? Is that dragon acting like it's wounded?" Hiccup hypothesized.
"No, though his first calls were clearly one of distress." Fishlegs analyzed the Nightmare. It snarled at them, it's wings weakly curling into it's body. "Hiccup look!" Fishlegs pointed to the Nightmare's left wing and back leg. It's wing was ripped towards the talon and it's back leg was...well, gone.
"So it's clearly wounded, but if it called for help, why is it acting like this!?" Snotlout asked in frustration. Hiccup shook his head.
"It doesn't make sense. He's almost acting like he's...protecting something."
"Or someone." Astrid chimed in and Hiccup looked over at her. "Look at his wings. Their curled into his body. That's always how Toothless protects you, by cocooning you against his body." Hiccup looked back at the Nightmare and then at his snarling dragon.
"Stand down Toothless." Toothless looked back at him warily but backed down, his body still rigid and a slight growl coming from his chest. Hiccup approached the Nightmare, who roared at him again and curled his wings into his body even tighter. Hiccup slowly reached out his hand.
"Hey big guy. I know you're hurt, and we're not here to hurt you more." He glanced at his wings. "Or whatever you're trying so hard to protect. We just want to help." The dragon calmed at Hiccup's soft voice and eyed his outstretched hand. Hiccup continued to approach it slowly until his hand was about a foot away from the Nightmare's nose. The Nightmare hesitated for a moment, and then reached his head out the rest of the way to let Hiccup's hand touch his scaly skin. Hiccup grinned and gently patted the Nightmare's head in comfort. "There you go. Are you going to let us help you?" The Nightmare seemed to regard him for a moment, then slowly lifted it's wounded wing from it's body. The other underneath fell open and Hiccup and the others let out a collective gasp. Against the Nightmare's body, protected by the uninjured back leg was a human body, female if the long tangles of brownish red hair was any indication. Hiccup cautiously moved towards the body, continuing to gently touch the Nightmare to reassure it. Toothless sniffed the air and let out a soft whine, walking towards the body as well. Hiccup let his dragon sniff the body first, trusting the Night Fury's judgement. Toothless sniffed the body and hair and his eyes got wide. A strangled roar escaped his maw, sounding even more distressed than the Monsterous Nightmare had. The Nightmare chuffed at Toothless and Toothless let out a soft grunt in reply. The Nightmare seemed to relax completely and it's eyes closed and it's big head fell to the ground with a soft thud, unconscious. The riders hesitated a moment before springing into action. Fishlegs rushed to the Nightmare.
"He needs attention soon Hiccup, or the shock and blood loss will be too much." Hiccup murmured in agreement, still distracted by his dragon and the still body. Astrid stepped forward.
"Let's get her away from the Nightmare. She might not even be alive." Before anyone could do anything, Toothless retracted his teeth, took the limp body gently in his mouth and moved to a soft patch of grass, laying the body down, nudging her solemnly. Hiccup and the rest of the riders went over to them and Hiccup kneeled down next to the body. He turned her over onto her back and felt for a pulse on her wrist. It was there and strong.
"She's still alive." He noticed blood on the side of her head. "She must have a head injury. We need to get both her and the dragon to Gothie, fast." He gently brushed the hair away from the girl's face, revealing her. Her skin was bruised and pale, but otherwise unblemished. Hiccup gathered her against him and lifted her, placing her on Toothless's back. "Toothless seems comfortable with her so we'll handle her. Snotlout, Ruff and Tuff, you guys bring the Nightmare." Hiccup turned around to see Astrid with her hand over her mouth, Snotlout and Fishlegs staring at the girl and Ruff and Tuff looking baffled. All of their eyes were wide in shock. Hiccup looked back and forth between the team and the girl. "What's wrong?" Astrid looked at him in disbelief.
"You don't see it?" Hiccup's brow furrowed.
"See what?"
"She looks just like you." Hiccup wheeled around to look at her again. Her hair was a lighter brown and was far more red than his was. Her body was petite and thin but curvy and her cheekbones were high, her skin pale. Aside from the bruises and besides Astrid, Hiccup had to admit, she might be the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. Even Heather didn't seem as pretty as her. But as far as her looking just like him, he didn't see it.
"We'll deal with that later." Hiccup answered and climbed on Toothless. "Get that Nightmare to Gothie. Astrid, go get Gobber, he can help. Fishlegs, help Snotlout and the twins carry the Nightmare." The riders nodded and giving one last glance to the girl, went to their tasks. Hiccup looked down at the unconscious girl. "Who are you?"