Green-eyed shadow
Disclaimer: I do not own anything except the plot.
KEY
'Thoughts/memories'
Emphasis/yelling
*Symbiote speaking*
*Symbiote think-speaking*
(A/N: Some insight into the past, and hints to the future.)
Review responses
NightHolwer0: I know right? Yes, he could. Thank you and here you are.
Arraia: Thanks, already jotting down ideas for it.
Anonymous Noob the 2nd: I hope so.
Umbra Lycan: Me too, kinda like a protective big brother. I might indirectly do something similar to bringing in Toothless.
Back to the action!
Chapter 5: Callous observations
Nar POV
Nightfall, Berk village
Hiccup waved goodbye to Iric after learning the basics of carpentry, using his journal to jot down notes and drawn some sketches. By now, most of the village was at home excluding guards who were on night watch. Thunder rumbled above, dark clouds obscuring the view of the stars in the night sky, *Ahhh, the icy precipitation, how nostalgic*.
"We could do without the possibility of frostbite", Hiccup chuckled, sharing his other's reminiscence of their meeting. Pit-pat, cold droplets landed in his auburn mop, "Bud, anybody around that can see us?".
*There are no humans in our immediate area, why?*, Hiccup raised his hand, turning the sleeve into ooze. The slime rose and bloomed into a thin shiny membrane canopy, *I don't know if I should be pleased that you're learning to control our power, or disappointed for using it for such a mundane purpose*.
'I would think the former, we're testing our limit of creating complex forms', with his improvised parasol, Hiccup jogged over toward the great hall.
Berk great hall
Hiccup reached the top of the steps, then collapsed his umbrella and flicked it free of moisture. He reformed the white goo mass back into his sleeve, "Uh, where did Astrid go wrong in tha' ring today?", Gobber asked from inside the hall.
He pushes open one of the doors, she responded, "I mistimed my summersault dive, it was sloppy, and it threw off my reverse tumble". The dry teen closed the door behind him, he spotted Gobber sitting with his students at a table to the right of the head table. Only those on the council and Stoick could sit at the head table, Hiccup could sit there with his status as sole heir.
"Yeah, we noticed", mocked Ruffnut.
"No, no, you were great", Snotlout tried to appease the critical blonde, "That was so Astrid".
The students all turned to Hiccup approaching their table, "She's right, ya' 'ave ta' be tough on yur'selves", Gobber enforced her self-assessment. Snotlout scooted over to block him from sitting with them when he picked up his share of the food. Hiccup locked a cold glare at him, robbing the Jorgenson of any satisfaction. "Ah, there's my assistant", He sauntered over to the head table and plopped himself down, "So Hiccup, where did everyone go wrong?".
"Well, why do we go in order?", Hiccup picked up the chicken leg, Chomp, and bit clean through the meat and bone. After crunching for a few moments, he swallowed the mouthful and turned to the surprised teacher and students, "Ruff and Tuff, eliminated due to their combined lack of attention". He sipped his water and continued, "Fighting over a shield design is pointless, when it's just gonna get burnt off".
The twins scowled at his correct judgement, "Tha's right, go on".
"Fishlegs, being knowledgeable is good, but not while spouting it during battle", said teen's face fell along with his shoulders. "Like with the twins, distractions during combat will get you or others hurt… even killed", Hiccup stated coldly.
Fishlegs hunched down to draw less attention, while Snotlout sneered at him, "'arsh but true, go on".
"Next and probably the worst, Snotlout", the Jorgenson boy stopped his guffawing and glowered at Hiccup's tone. "If the twins and Fishlegs weren't paying attention than he might as well been blind and deaf compared to them", it was the twins' turn to mock the jilted boy. "Ruff and Tuff were at least trying to get the proper gear and Fishlegs was giving essential information to his fellow fighters", Hiccup prodded his chomped chicken with his finger. "Snotlout? Too busy annoying Astrid to see a gronckle coming right at him", he took another bite out of it and swallowed.
"Very good 'iccup, distractions, tha's wha' will bring yew down", Gobber proudly agreed.
"Finally, Astrid", said Hofferson looked up through her bangs, "Despite her own assessment of her 'poor' performance, she did the best out of all the trainees". Hiccup held the bone end of his dinner daintily in his hand, "One, she was the first to remember the basics of dragon fighting, the shield". Tink, he dropped it onto his plate, "Two, she rallied the remaining trainees and lead them in impairing the dragon's ability to attack". Hiccup smiled back at her, causing Astrid to look away, "Last, she made it through without so much as a char mark, Impressive performance".
"Yeh went a bit easy on 'er but again, thank yew 'iccup", Gobber smack the twins as he walked by, silencing their groaning. "Yeh need ta' live an' breath this stuff", the teacher pulled out a book, "Tha' dragon manual". He cleared the table with his mug attachment, "Everythin' we kno' 'bout every dragon we kno' of", he set his hand on it. The rumbling outside caught Gobber's attention, he narrows his eyes and turns back to them, "No attacks tonight, study up".
The blacksmith turns his back to the group, Snotlout uses the opportunity to snatch up his mug. He throws it at Hiccup smugly sitting at the head table, who catches it effortlessly. He smirks and throws the mug harder back at Snotlout, smashing into his helmet and knocking it off, "Eeep!". His skillful display of dexterity frightened Snotlout but impressed the twins, Fishlegs… and even Astrid.
Gobber turns back when he heard Snotlout cry out, he spots the shattered mug and his dented helmet on the floor. "Snotlout, I told ya' befo'", he scoops up the boys cap, "Stop tryin' ta' test 'ow 'ard yur 'ead is!". "Keep it up an' I'll tell yur' fatha' ta' make yew start payin' fur' them!", the teacher forcibly places it back onto the stunned boy's head, "I said study!".
"Wait you mean read?", Tuffnut broke free from his daze.
"While we're still alive?!", Ruffnut was horrified at the prospect.
"Why read words when you can just kill the stuff the words tell you stuff about?!", Snotlout hammered his fist down on the table, making the remains of his chicken leg bounce.
Fishlegs perked up, "Oh, I read it like seven times". "There's this water dragon that sprays boiling water at your face", his giddiness makes Snotlout slowly turn to him annoyed. The twins shared a mix look of confused and boredom, "And, and there's this other one that buries itself-".
"Yeah, that sounds great", Tuffnut interrupted his ranting, "There was a chance that I was gonna read it".
"But now…", Ruffnut continued her brother's sentence.
"You guy's read, I'll go kill stuff", Snotlout rose out of the bench and marched out of the hall.
The twins followed behind him, "And there's one with spines…", Fishlegs did too while stating more from the manual. Hiccup watched them leave before getting up and taking another helping from the food table. Minutes passed as the few villagers in the hall started to leave back to their homes, leaving Hiccup to write and draw in his journal while occasionally taking bites out of his meal.
After the last adult left, he lit a candle and resumed his activities. He assumed he was alone, when his symbiote spoke up, *Hiccup, we have company*.
Someone stood across from Hiccup, who didn't bother looking up as he scribbled in his book, "Hello Astrid, please have a seat".
"Who are you?", she demanded after she sat down.
"Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third", he set down his charcoal pencil, clasps his hands together and smiled at her, "Only son to Stoick 'the Vast' Haddock and his late wife Valka".
"Really, the same Hiccup who couldn't walk five steps without tripping over his own two feet?", he nodded once. "The same one who caught my axe and a mug from Snotlout without effort, that Hiccup?", his smile grew.
"Oh my, we didn't know how much you were interested in us", he mocked playfully.
"AM NOT!", Astrid slammed her fist on the table, making his book and pencil bounce.
"Sorry, we apologize for aggravating you", he cleared his throat, "Ahem, what can we do for you?". He spots the dragon manual resting on the table between her fists, "Do you want to share our candlelight?".
Astrid followed his gaze, she slides the book away, "Read it".
"We see", Hiccup returned to writing but stopped when she stayed seated. "So", he closed his journal with his pencil inside, "What do you want then?".
"Why are you talking like that?", Astrid questioned.
"Like what?", he responded while resting his clasps hands on his book.
"Like… you're more than one person?", she flicked her bangs aside.
"It's… a secret", Hiccup tucked his book inside his vest, "A secret between us and our friends".
"But you don't have any friends… well besides Gobber", Astrid corrected.
"Exactly, Gobber's more of an… uncle… to us", he motioned with his hand. "Besides reminding us of our ostracized existence, what did you really want to ask us?", he reclasped his hands.
"Oh um… I wanted to see if you had anymore advice", she picked at the grooves in the tabletop, "You know… since you said I could ask?".
"We take it our earlier advice came in handy?", Hiccup smirked.
"No!", he raised his brow at her response, "Okay, yes".
"There, isn't much easier to be honest", Astrid growled at his tone, "Right, don't push our luck".
"I don't appreciate the flattery when you gave our judgments to Gobber", she huffed and looked away.
"If you think we were trying to flirt with you, you're wrong", she glared back at Hiccup, "We know the outcome of such actions, we just have to look at Snotlout and his crooked nose".
"Good, so do you have any other advice?", Astrid relaxed a bit.
"Besides learning to control your breathing, you could try switching up your planting foot", she narrowed her eyes. "If you're training to throw your axe, you'll have to know how far your target is-", Hiccup took a sip from his mug, "-not just where it is and where it's going".
"Thanks… I guess", she shrugged.
"No problem, we're happy to help", Hiccup rose from his seat and walked to the doors, "See you tomorrow!". Astrid waited for a minute, then snatched up the dragon manual and left. She stepped outside and looked around, trying to see if she could see Hiccup. After she didn't see him, Astrid quickly descended the stairs and ran to her house.
Hidden in the crook of the left statue's arm, Hiccup watched her disappear into the village, *Well, well, looks like your female does have some humility behind her pride*.
The teen sighed while hiding under the parasol made from his symbiotic flesh, 'Whatever, I'm not gonna bother correcting you anymore'.
*Good, we should head back to your resting place, you have a big day tomorrow*, Hiccup climbed down the statue and stealthily made his way to his own house.
Early next morning
Hiccup arrived at the arena and descended down the ramp, "Ah 'iccup, yur' here bright an' early".
Gobber had finished dragging out the last of the thick wooden maze walls, "Yep, we're here and ready to start", he replied using the same cheery tone as his uncle.
"'ere", Gobber handed him several sheets of parchment, "'old on ta' tha' map while I get some 'elp from tha' otha' men". The teacher walked out the arena ramp, "Don't lose 'em, we're gonna need it ta' set up fur' tha' next class!".
Hiccup looked over the plans, easily finding the many shortcuts and exits, *Interesting, a labyrinth as battlefield?*. *We're not going to wait for your caretaker to return with assistance-*, The symbiote felt his host already reforming his flesh, *Are we?*. The white slime reformed into the larger forearms and lower legs, albeit without the hooked claws. More goo seeped out of the upper part of Hiccup's arms and legs, covering more of his limbs. Many black stripes dotted his covered limbs, mimicking his hidden marks. The front of his torso and his head remained uncovered by symbiotic flesh, *We're not going for full power?*.
"Nope", Hiccup stomped over to the piled walls and lifted one of the towering sections with some effort, "No need for us to go all out". A pair of small tentacles held the stack of plans out in front of his face as he stamped over and set down the wall pillar upright, Thump. "Yeah, this won't take long", he said with a smirk while squeezing his blackened tapered fingers.
Less than an hour later
Gobber returned with some of his burly friends, ready to set up the maze for his class, "Wha' tha'?!". The three men behind him shared his surprise, the arena was already set up. He looked around and spots Hiccup, dozing off while sitting on a crate by the wall, "'iccup?".
The teen wakes from his nap, "Oh hey Gobber, yawn, it's all set up".
"'ow'd ya' manage ta' do this?", the teacher's brain was working overtime to figure out how his godson did in less than an hour what took a team of four men several hours to do.
"We used our strongest muscle", Hiccup tapped his temple, "and some rope". He points to several ropes draped over the links of the chain roof of the arena.
*Quick thinking, Hiccup*, the symbiote advised his host to stage an alibi to conceal their power.
"I see", Gobber turned to the three, "I guess yew lot are free ta' go". The men shrugged, already gotten paid for the labor, "I'll go get tha' otha' teens".
"No problem, we'll be by the nadder's gate waiting", Hiccup sauntered over to the pentagon door as Gobber left.
Moments later
Gobber ushered the trainees into the maze, giving them a minute to spread out, "Today, is all 'bout attack!". He gave the signal to Hiccup to release the nadder, the dragon burst out their enclosure. It leapt onto the walls and roared, trying to find the trainees, "Nadder's are quick an' light on their feet". The teens were running around desperately trying to avoid being spotted by the dragon, "Yur' job is ta' be quicker an' lighter".
The nadder spots Fishlegs and flares out its tail spines, then tail whips to fire barbs into his shield, *Hmm, interesting ability*
"Ahhh, I'm really beginning to question your teaching methods!", the large teen bounces off walls in his frantic fleeing.
'I did too when I became his apprentice', Hiccup sat with his legs hanging over the edge of the arena pit.
*I believe you*, his other sensed a lack of empathy toward his large peer, *Trial by fire… not the most appealing technique*.
"Look fur' its blind spot, every dragon 'as one", Gobber spoke while picking his teeth, "Find it, 'ide in it an' strike". The twins crossed paths with the hunting nadder, both squeezed close to its snout.
The dragon forcefully puffed air from its nostrils, blowing Tuffnut's stench back to his sister, "Ugh, do you ever bathe?!".
Ruffnut shadowed her brother as he moved with the dragons swaying head, she shoved her shield into his back to push him away, "If you don't like it, the get your own blind spot".
The siblings began to roughhouse, "How about I give you one?!", drawing the attention of the nadder.
Ruffnut pull her brother away just before the dragon blew its magnesium jet where it heard their squabble, "Blind spot, yes". Gobber tilted his head mockingly, "Deaf spot… meh, not so much".
Astrid and Snotlout hunkered down around a corner, the nadder prowled by slowly while tilting its head to sense its surroundings. She watched it until seeing an opening, rolling across the gap before Snotlout followed. The dragon was oblivious to their movements, that is until it heard the echo of his heavy footfalls. The nadder hopped on the walls and zoned in on the source of the echoes. It spots them and lands before them, screeching and flapping its wings.
"Watch out babe", Snotlout sweeps Astrid aside, "I'll take care of this".
"Hey!", she watches him throw his mace, hitting the wall and missing the still nadder.
The dragon emits a chirping laugh, Hiccup's other also was amused, *He-he, how pathetic, missing such a huge target standing still!*.
Snotlout sideways glanced at her scowling, "The sun was in my eyes, Astrid!".
'She'd believe that if it weren't almost perpetually cloudy', Hiccup rolled his eyes, 'Idiot'.
The nadder roars and breathed its sparkling fire, making the two flee deeper into the maze, "What do you want me to do, block out the sun?". It charges after them, "I could do that, but I don't have time right now", Snotlout breaks left while Astrid continues down the long path. She skids around the corner, the nadder's momentum makes it crash it the wall. The dragon roars out angrily and barrels through the maze, destroying or knocking down walls.
The teens all run to the exit while Astrid kept fleeing from the nadder, making her climb onto the walls. The dragon snapped at her heels as she hopped from wall to wall, "Astrid!", Gobber yelled out as the arena became a disaster.
As the dust settled, it revealed Astrid tugging at her axe pinned under a fallen wall. The rest of the teens were trapped under a pile of debris, Gobber had made his way down and was digging them out. Hiccup looks down and sees the nadder moving under a stack of walls, "You gotta be kidding us", he groaned.
The teen jumped down into the arena just as the dragon freed itself, Astrid noticed and struggled to free her axe. The nadder sees her and screeched, Hiccup looked around and spots a shield among the rubble. He whipped his arm out, sending strings of white symbiotic flesh out from his palm. The strands globbed onto the shield and retracted back, bring it into his hand. He jumped, spun and sent it flying into the nadder's face, making it veer away from Astrid.
The dragon shakes off its daze and sees who threw the shield, it roars and charges at Hiccup. His eyes changed and became glowing green, the skin around his eyes darken to black, *Bring it, Birdbrain, we dare you!*. Like the gronckle, the nadder felt an overwhelming urge to flee from Hiccup. The dragon ran into its enclosure, fearfully whining until Hiccup closed the gate.
Astrid pulled free her axe and looked back, all she saw was the nadder running from Hiccup, 'How does he do it?!'.
"Get off me you ox!", Snotlout barked at Fishlegs, his cry made her turn back to Gobber trying to free them.
"Hey, who's hand is that?!", Screamed Tuffnut, the other trainees were entangled in a mess of limbs.
Astrid scowled and marched over to them, "Is this some kind of a joke to you?". They all looked up at her looming over them, "Our parent's war is about to become ours", she brandished her axe at Snotlout, the twins and Fishlegs. "Figure out which side you're on!", Astrid huffed and looked back to Hiccup walking towards the exit.
"Can we go now, Gobber?", he asked while waiting by the gated ramp.
"There's a couple 'o tools tha' need fixin' at tha' forge", the teacher grunted out as he pulled Fishlegs up, "I need ya' ta' work on 'em".
"Alright, we'll get it done", Hiccup called back as he ascended the ramp.
Later, Ingerman house
Knock-knock, Hiccup waited for a couple of moments outside the home of Fishlegs' family. The door was opened by a tall imposing brunet woman, "Can I help you, dear?". Gyda Ingerman was taller than her husband and slightly bigger, her son mostly took after her. Despite being one of the most intimidating figures amongst the wives, she had a gentle demeanor for a viking.
"Hello Mrs. Ingerman, we're here to start working with Mr. Ingerman", he said with a smile.
"Working for Iric?", Gyda gave him a curious look, "I thought you worked with Gobber over at the forge?".
"We needed some supplies for a person project of ours, but we don't have much money to spend", Hiccup rubbed the back of his head, "Mr. Ingerman offered to help us in exchange for our labor".
"Two jobs? You're just a child, dear!", her maternal instincts kicked in. Her, Brenna Hofferson and Valka were close during their pregnancies. Gyda would care for Hiccup when Stoick had to deal with chiefing duties after his mother was taken by dragons, "I'll talk with Iric and see if I can change his mind".
"We're strong despite our slender frame", he placed his hands on his hips, "Besides, we gave Mr. Ingerman our word".
"Alright Hiccup but be careful not to push yourself too hard", Iric emerged from his workshop, carrying a rucksack and pulling a hand wagon stacked with planks, shingles and a ladder.
"Ah Hiccup, right on time!", he stopped by the teen and held out the handle, "Ready to get to work?".
Hiccup reached for it, but Gyda stopped him, "Oh no, Hiccup carries the tools". She pulled off Iric's rucksack and handed it to him. "You pull the wagon, husband!", she pulled the laden cart with ease and thrusted the handle at him.
"Honey, the boy's almost grown", Iric knew how much his wife cared for Hiccup, "You shouldn't coddle him". Gyda harden her face, making him pale and hold up his hands, "Oh-h-kay, I'll h-handle the heavy liftin'".
"Make sure you don't push him too hard", his wife's serious tone made him uneasy.
"Y-yes, dear", Iric tugged the wagon and ushered Hiccup to follow.
*Wow, the large one's female birther is terrifying*, Hiccup's other muttered.
"Hiccup", the teen looked up to Iric, "Word of advice, if you get married… be careful and pick your battles wisely".
Elsewhere in the village
Shamus was sitting on a crate waiting for Iric to arrive at his home. He sees him break over the horizon, "Iric, there ya' are!".
Shamus gets up to greet him, but sees a smaller form following him, "Hello Shamus, we're here to fix your roof".
Hiccup walks next to Iric, "Hello Hiccup, nice to see ya'", the teen smiles and nods.
"Hiccup", he turns to the blonde carpenter, "Why don't you take this over to back of his house and set up?". The teen nods and takes the handle from Iric, then pulls it after him towards the rear of the house. "Aright Shamus, what's with all the cheeriness?", Iric looks back to him, "Last time I heard, you didn't think too highly of Stoick's boy".
"Well, I warmed up to the lad since he helped me settle a bet with Hoark yesterday", he shrugged.
"Really?", Iric raised an eyebrow, "How big of a bet?".
Shamus tapped his coin purse to make it jingle, "Ho-ho, twenty silver!".
"What, why would Hoark bet so much!", Iric knew Hoark didn't make much as a fisherman, "I knew he was a gambler but how was Hiccup involved?".
"If Hiccup didn't tell anyone, I'm not gonna say", Shamus shrugged again, "Gotta respect the lad's privacy". He took out ten silver and seven copper pieces, "Whatever happen durin' his disappearance changed him…, hopefully for the better", then set the collection in Iric's palm.
He watched Shamus walk back into his home, then pocketed his fee and made his way behind the house. Iric watched as Hiccup lifted the ladder with ease, before he knew the boy could hardly lift a hammer. He rested it against the side of the roof and turned back, "All set, Sir".
"So, Hiccup-", Iric pulled out his tools from the rucksack, "How's been life recently?".
"Pretty good, Mr. Ingerman", Hiccup picked up an armful of planks from the wagon and set them beside the back wall. "Phew, we talked with our dad about keeping us working in the forge with Gobber instead of entering Dragon training", he dusted his hands free from sawdust, "That is until we're old enough to start chiefing training".
"Really?", Hiccup nods to him, "I'd never imagine Stoick wouldn't push you into startin' dragon training".
Iric climbed up to the roof, "Well, there's already a lot of dragon killers around", Hiccup passed him up a plank. "So, we said it'd be better for us to manage the village and leave the fighting to others", he passed Iric his toolbox, "It's what's better for the village in the end that matters".
"That's good, I only wished more of our youth had the same mindset", he sighed while sawing the plank to size, thinking of son. "Oh well, we all can't be as lucky as Stoick", Iric grunted in between hammer hits, "Having such a selfless child".
"Oh… well thank you, sir", Hiccup stacked shingles into the crook of his arm, then climbed up to join him on the roof.
"You're welcome, my boy", Iric said, silently wishing his son were more like Hiccup.
Hours later, back at the Ingerman house
"Ha-ha, I've haven't finished work that quick in a long time!", Iric rested his hand on Hiccup's shoulder, "You're a hella good assistant". The teen smiled at his genuine praise, "If Gobber ever gets tired of you, give me a holler and I'd be more than happy to take you", the blonde patted his shoulder.
*Ohhh, aren't you the popular one?*, his symbiote mocked.
The pair approached the Ingerman house, Gyda was standing in the door, "Hello Hiccup dear, I hope Iric didn't work you too hard".
"Nope, we actually had a good time", Hiccup said with a smile.
"That's good to hear", delicious aromas came from behind Gyda, "I've made lunch, would you care to join us, Hiccup?". She stepped aside, "We're having Boar roast, sweet potato and honey bread".
*Do it, all that smells really, really good!*, his other pleaded.
"Sure, we'd love to, Mrs. Ingerman", he followed the couple inside.
Iric sat first, "Hon, where's Fishlegs?", Hiccup sat across from him.
"Still socializing with Spitelout's boy and the twins", Gyda sighed as she brought over a tall iron pot.
"Odin give me patience", Iric muttered after plopping a large cut of boar on his plate. "I've tried talkin' to the boy but no-", he cut into the meat slab, "all he wants to do is go prancin' off with 'the crew'". The Ingerman patriarch ate some more, "I heard from Gobber he's barely keepin' up in dragon trainin'!".
Hiccup ate in silence, *I don't consider being burned and quilled exactly keeping up*, his other jeered.
"Iric, we have to be patient", Gyda served him a baked sweet potato, "I'm sure he'll come around eventually".
"When? It's been nine years!", Iric looked over to Hiccup eating quietly, "I mean look at Hiccup". His declaration made the teen look up, "He's half his size but puts in more than twice the effort to better himself and help the village!". Hiccup blushed at his approval, "Not only is he workin' with me and Gobber, but also is helpin' him with trainin' the other teens!".
"Oh Hiccup", Gyda stood up and packed his plate with more meat slices and spuds, "You must be famished".
"Thank you, Mrs. Ingerman", Hiccup ate warily.
Iric looked at him after taking a large swig of mead, "C'mon Hiccup, no need to be modest". He burped, "You can eat like you want, we won't judge". The teen looked over to Gyda, she nodded in agreement. With that, Hiccup began devouring his plate faster than the Ingermans thought physically possible, "Wow, I guess he was starving". After several large platefuls later, Hiccup slumped into his chair looking satisfied. Iric noticed his lack of a bulging stomach, "Ho-ho, where do you put it all?", he chortled.
*Me*, the symbiote chuckled.
Gyda brought over a honey glazed loaf, "Care for dessert, dear?".
Hiccup shot up, "Yes, please!", earning a chuckle from the couple.
Iric burped again, "So, Hiccup?", the teen looked over with a loaf slice hanging in his mouth. "Shamus mentioned a couple of his friends needed a few holes patched in their roofs", the blonde stroked his bread, "Up for another day helpin' me?".
Hiccup inhaled the slice, "We'd be thrilled, sir".
Later
Iric and Gyda stood outside their door, "Take care of yourself dear", the matriarch bent down and enveloped him in a soft hug.
"I'll be workin' on your payment tomorrow in my shop", the blonde ruffled his hair gently, "Come by when you're ready to work".
"We will, sir", Hiccup nods his head and walks off towards the forge.
A few moments earlier, near the dock ramps
"You think Astrid calmed down yet?", Tuffnut asked his sister, the crew walked up towards the village center.
"Knowing her temper, I doubt it", shrugged Ruffnut.
"Well, we got a few days off from dragon training", Snotlout fixed his clothes, "I doubt she'll be able to last long without seeing me".
"Yeah, if you mean her busting your face again", Tuffnut chuckled, "Man, I'm surprised she didn't hit you with her axe".
"Shut up!", the Jorgenson snapped.
The trio made their way through the village, nearing Fishlegs' house, "Well, I'll see you guys tomorrow?".
"Yeah, see ya-", Snotlout and the twins looked passed him, "Who are your parents talking to?". The group hides around the corner, they see an auburn-haired boy standing before the Ingermans. Fishlegs' mother hugs him, while his father ruffles the boy's hair affectionately. They talk a bit more, then he turns around, "Hiccup?!".
"What's he doing with your parents, Fish?", asked Tuffnut.
"I-I don't know", the large teen furrowed his brow. He walks out from the corner and heads to his house; the others follow at a distance.
Iric and Gyda seen their son approach, "Hello Fishlegs, welcome home".
"Mom, dad", he spoke up, "What was Hiccup doing here?".
"Ah, he's helping me with my work", Iric replied nonchalantly, "Gobber doesn't know how blessed he is havin' Hiccup as an apprentice".
Gyda noticed Fishlegs' stunned expression, "Ahem, there's leftovers in the kitchen, son".
"You guys ate already… without me?", he muttered sadly.
"Son, me and Hiccup worked for hours, fixin' up people's huts", Iric shrugged, "Besides, the food would've gotten cold if we waited".
"Don't worry son, there's still some left", Gyda assured him.
"He-he, you're lucky he left some", Iric chuckled, "that boy sure loves your mother's cookin'!". Fishlegs felt disheartened, seeing how affectionately his father spoke about Hiccup.
The forge
Hiccup stopped by his workspace in his backroom, carefully taking down sketches of designs for his forest hideaway. He walked through his doorway just as Gobber walks in, "'iccup, there yew are".
"Hey Gobber", he tucked his sketches into his vest, "You need us for anything?".
"Yes, I need ya' ta' go feed tha' dragons-", he walks over to his wall of attachments, "-while I settle a dispute between Ack an' Silent Sven".
Hiccup sees him fasten his maul attachment, "If it's just a dispute, why do you need your bludgeon?".
"Eh?", he looks to where his apprentice motioned, "Oh, yeh never now when ya' have ta' fall back ta' tha' ol' tradition 'o settlin' problems".
The dragon arena
Hiccup pulled in a cart laden with baskets filled with leftover catch from Mulch and Bucket. One by one, he dumped bucketfuls of fish slop into slots built into the gates. One after another, the gronckle, nadder, zippleback and nightmare all were fed. His last problem was also the smallest, the terrible terror's door wasn't built with a feeding slot. *Hmm, we could let it out to feed it?*, his symbiote offered.
"What if it tries to fly away?", Hiccup didn't want to get in trouble if a dragon from training escaped.
*Your reflexes have gotten sharp*, his other assured him, *If it does try to flee, you'll pull it out of the sky*.
Hiccup took a breath and pushed the lever down, the doggy door unlatched. He watched the tiny dragon scamper out, scanning its surroundings with its oversized eyes. It tensed when it spots him, Hiccup tilted the bucket to show it the fish slosh. It growled, but not from its mouth. He dumped the contents on the floor and stepped back, giving the terror some room.
"Fishlegs said this one is venomous", he watched it sniff the pile before digging into the smelly mass.
*I can purge any poison that enters your bloodstream with ease*, the symbiote said smugly.
The small dragon hissed and hopped back, away from a black and bright yellow eel carcass. The terror flew up, but its full belly slowed it down. Hiccup dropped the bucket and whipped his arm back, "Oh no you don't!". He swung it forward at the small flyer, morphing it into a whip-like tentacle. It wrapped itself around the dragon's swollen body, "Got ya!", then he reeled his prey back.
*Foolish beast, it thought it could escape us?*, the symbiote growled inside his head.
Hiccup coiled his limb tighter around the small dragon, trapping its clawed paws against its body. He picked up the eel and brought it near the terror, making it screech and writhe in fear, "Hmm, it must be afraid of this".
*Hmm, I wonder if all dragons fear this creature?*, Hiccup held open the door flap and stuffed the struggling dragon back into its enclosure. He scooped the leftover pile with his appendage and dropped it into the nadder's feeding slot, feeling sorry for smashing a shield into its face.
Hiccup flicked his limb free of fish slime and reformed it into his forearm and sleeve, "They might, and it could come in handy if we're caught in a pinch".
*Looks like we have one more exercise to fit into our training sessions*, his symbiote already planning on teaching his host advance shapeshifting.
(A/N: I used the terror for the eel because it posed the least flight risk to Hiccup. A little Fishlegs bashing, while Hiccup is normally forgiving, his symbiote is not. Being cast out by his species made him VERY vindictive and cruel, which may influence Hiccup subconsciously on those who betray him.)