So, exciting news. I'VE BEEN ASKED TO BETA! It's a story by thetechman, and I'm kind of joining near the end, but I'm still really excited. This story is winding down (I think), so please stick with me for a little longer. I reread the beginning chapters this week, cringed at them, and tried to improve them. I'll probably replace them sometime this week. I would really appreciate feedback from anyone, even if it's negative.

Wow, that was a long AN, for me.

JustAnotherRandomPoster out.

Fire streaked down Toothless' side, dancing and twirling in the wake of the Grimora's sharp claw. A moan escaped his lips again at the new wave of pain. He'd completely lost track of how long this had been going on, he just knew that he couldn't last much longer. Coldness was creeping through his limbs as precious blood trickled away, leaving him shivering. He wondered what happened to dragons who died in their mindworld. He hadn't heard any stories about such a thing ever happening.

A wail of grief managed to pierce Toothless' own suffering, and he felt a sense of recognition as it rose in intensity. Hiccup was hurting just as much, if not more, than him, and Toothless started to drag himself towards the sound, leaving a trail of blood behind him. The Grimora let him get near enough to see down the yellow tunnel, teasing him, before sinking its claws into his back and pulling him back.

Toothless' vision flashed black and white, and the claws in his back sent hot spasms shooting across him. But Hiccup was still crying out for help, and it gave him energy. He hadn't taken more than a step this time, before the Grimora' patience ran out, and it sank its claws into him again. This time the Grimora didn't hold back, and the claws ripped large chunks of flesh from his back, exposing bone. White bolts of pain crackled through him, and Toothless howled and fell limp.

If you want to live for a few more moments, I suggest you don't try that again.

Collapsed on the ground, Toothless couldn't have moved if he tried. He couldn't think clearly, because the pain smothered all thoughts before they began, but he knew that Hiccup would make everything better.

He could smell Hiccup in the tunnel above him, but the Grimora came at him again with those horrible claws, and he cowered before them.

"Toothless…"

Making his mouth form words was the hardest thing he'd ever done. His lips were heavy and stiff, and every movement brought new waves of pain crashing over him. After two false starts, Toothless finally forced a single word out.

'Hiccup?'

Sharp pain exploded in his side this time, and he cried out in agony as the Grimora slid its claws around inside him. He could see anger rising in Hiccup's face. Toothless could count on one paw how many times he'd seen Hiccup truly angry, and like many rare things, Hiccup's fury was fierce and deadly when finally woken. He came storming down to the ledge, and yelled at the grimora.

"Stay AWAY from him!"

Toothless gasped as the grimora slid its claws out of him, and it turned towards Hiccup.

Look who showed up. Are you ready to play?

Recognising the Grimora's voice, Hiccup's eyes blazed with renewed fire.

"You made me think he was DEAD. I thought I'd lost him forever," Hiccup's voice trembled for a moment, but he drew a deep breath and continued, "I'm going to make you regret the moment you latched onto me."

The Grimora only smiled.

Hiccup, Hiccup. I am a Grimora, the superior species. It was my right to take your mind, and you cannot take that from me.

Hiccup stood gaping at the Grimora's selfishness.

"You really believe that?"

I know it. Watch and learn, you're powerless before me.

An orange claw sliced lazily through Toothless' skin, adding to the storm of pain that was devouring him from the inside out. Toothless begged for mercy, for an end to the all encompassing torment as his vision faded to grey.

'Please… make it stop... '

Hiccup threw back his head and roared. His irises expanded and the whites almost disappeared, giving his eyes a reptilian look. They started glowing as he slowly rotated his arms. All the walls of Toothless' mindworld started swaying in sync to Hiccup's conducting, picking up speed and power as he increased the speed of his spinning. The Grimora looked frightened now, and it started scrambling backwards, towards the middle of the mindworld.

You can't do this! It's not fair!

Hiccup strode forwards, until he was balanced on the very edge of the solid ground, arms still directing the agitated a word, he splayed his hands and a large gap appeared in the wall opposite him. Beyond the boundaries of his mindworld, Toothless glimpsed an impenetrable darkness before the walls surged inwards, capturing the Grimora, and carrying it toward the gap.

No! Stop! You don't know what you're doing!

The Grimora struggled as it was forced out the gap and the mindworld sealed itself behind it. Immediately, the sounds of screaming vanished and silence rushed in to fill the gap.

Despite the warm, sticky blood covering him, Toothless felt ice-cold, sapped of warmth. As if from the end of a long tunnel, he saw Hiccup sag slightly and the glow start to fade from his eyes. Before it could vanish completely, Hiccup fell to his knees next to Toothless.

"Hang in there, bud. It'll be okay."

His eyesight faded to black, and Toothless tried to apologise, tried to say goodbye, but the words wouldn't come. A small hand rested on his snout and he tried to push into it, but the terrible coldness had stolen his energy, and he couldn't move through the pain. A teardrop fell onto his forehead, and Toothless wanted nothing more than to see Hiccup one last time. Then warmth blossomed slowly, forcing the coldness and pain away. Colour returned to his vision, and he could see Hiccup kneeling in front of him, eyes closed in concentration. The final wounds healed, and Hiccup took his hand away.

"That should do it."

He swayed unsteadily on his feet as he stood up. He closed his eyes again and took several deep breaths before opening them. Toothless crooned worriedly.

'Are you okay?'

"Just a little tired."

Toothless moved next to Hiccup, and pressed his head into his hand.

'Thank you.'

Hiccup threw his arms around Toothless' neck and held him tightly.

"Gods, Toothless. Don't ever do that to me again!"

Hiccup started to cry, great heaving sobs that shook him viciously. Toothless gathered him in his forpaws, and brought his wings around them to block out the world, cocooning them in darkness. Hiccup was shaking, and Toothless pulled him closer, trying to control his own emotions as Hiccup clutched at him like a lifeline. Gradually, Hiccup's heaving breaths quieted, except for the occasional trembling gasp. And now, as Hiccup recovered, Toothless let his own terror and sadness roll over him. He started breathing faster, eyes closed and trembling slightly. Reaching out desperately, Toothless pushed into Hiccup's arms and welcomed the familiar fingers brushing over his face.

"It's okay. The Grimora's gone, and we're safe."

Hiccup's voice was steady, and his fingers never stopped moving across Toothless' face, jaw, and neck. He pressed his forehead against Toothless' and closed his eyes.

"We're family. You were the first friend who saw me for who I was. And I love you like my own brother. We're getting home together."

His eyes burned, and Toothless' trembling turned to steadier shuddering as he started to cry. Hiccup pulled Toothless' head onto his lap and waited. Slowly, he got himself under control, and started breathing deeply again, matching his breaths to Hiccup's.

'I'm okay now.'

Hiccup started to get up, but he swayed again, and almost fell. Supporting him with his head, Toothless let Hiccup lean against him.

'You're more than 'a little' tired. Go back to your own body so you can rest.'

"I don't want to leave almost bled to death, what if—"

Toothless appreciated the concern, but Hiccup needed rest more than anything else.

'I'll be fine. You need to sleep.'

"Fine."

He started crawling through the tunnel, but looked back one last time. Toothless made shooing motions with his head, and Hiccup disappeared from view.