Green-eyed shadow
Disclaimer: I do not own anything except the plot.
KEY
'Thoughts/memories'
Emphasis/yelling
*Symbiote speaking*
*Symbiote think-speaking*
(A/N: Avarice: noun, excessive or insatiable desire for gain. Different from greediness or gluttony, which more precisely pertains to wealth and food respectively.)
Review responses
NightHowler0: You picked that up, didn't you? Yep, Avarice advises him like a true friend should. He sees everything logically, since he has no interest in humans other than the wellbeing of his host/friend.
Arraia: Thanks, and here you go.
Umbra Lycan: I would personally like to hear them, ideally by PM.
Guest #1: He already missed that opportunity. I'd like to think that night furies and their other subspecies are nomadic, which would explain their rarity.
Guest #2: Avarice means the want to get more of something, encompassing both greed and gluttony. Hiccup's symbiote shares his desire to be more than what they are, this desire is what it latched onto to bond with him. Hiccup wanted his father to be openly proud of him, wanted friends, WANTED acceptance from the tribe. He wanted… wants… WANT is what drives the two to get stronger, to better themselves to protect each other. I did find the 'Seven heavenly virtues' mind-blowing, I had no idea such an amazing concept existed, and diligence does fit Hiccup perfectly.
Now, back to the Action!
Chapter 8: On the hunt
Nar POV
Berk village outskirts
Hiccup and Avarice were walking back to the village, a few hours after their farewell to the light fury. "So, Avy… when do we hunt, bud?", Hiccup asked eagerly, having a taste of their new ability.
*Patience, my dear Hiccup, patience*, Avarice spoke to calm his host. *Believe me, I want to jump in and start grabbing as many abilities as possible, as soon as possible*, Hiccup hopped over a log, *But we need a plan and information on our prey*.
The teen hummed, "Well, if we're talking about dragons, then our best bet would be talking to Gobber". Hiccup pushed aside a low hanging branch, "He's been teaching dragon training since before we were born and fighting against them even longer". He released the limb, "And it's not like we can start gobbling up the dragons from the arena without getting caught".
*Hmm, I see*, Avarice paused in thought, *Yes, we should speak with him soon… you might want to ask if we can have a look at that 'dragon manual' while we're at it*.
"No need bud", Hiccup pulled out his journal and flipped to a section, "I've copied a decent amount from it a long time ago".
Avarice looked through his host's eyes at the writing and few drawings of dragons, *When did you do this?*.
"A long time ago, way before you and I met", Hiccup sighed.
*Ahh, yes… I remember now. It was when you were still trying to fit in with the others*, his other recalled Hiccup's past. *You were trying to help them your way*, Avarice reminded him.
"Yeah, fat load of good that got me, bullied and ignored", the teen spat with unhidden resentment.
*Do… do you still miss those days?*, the symbiote asked carefully.
"What?!", Hiccup got caught off-guard, "Pff, no… not a bit". He took a deep breath and sighed, "Not anymore", he patted his chest, "Now that I have a friend that likes me for who I am".
*I couldn't agree more, Hiccup*, Avarice smiled, *I don't miss my old life as well, not one bit since I met you*.
"Thanks bud", Hiccup looked up at the sun getting lower in the sky, "Should we squeeze in a training session for our new power?".
*Yes… yes, we should*, Avarice agreed.
Dusk, Berk village
Hiccup walked into the village from the forest, exhausted, "We might need to find a way to deal with the drain from using our fire".
*Most definitely, I've had to tap into our reserve of biomass halfway in, just stop you from collapsing*, He waved to Mulch and Bucket as the two fishermen passed him, the pair pulled a wagon laden with their catch. *Speaking of biomass, you should go eat*, no sooner than Avarice spoke that Hiccup's stomach growled.
"R-right, off to the great hall then", the teen said with a blush of embarrassment.
Hiccup reached the steps of the great hall but was stopped when someone called out to him. "Hey, Hiccup!", he turned around and saw Shamus trotting over to him, "Where were you, lad?".
"Oh, hello", Hiccup relaxed since the blonde had become friendly with him, "We were uhh… you know, walking around in the woods".
Shamus's face tensed, "The forest, I hope you were staying away from the west end". He hunched down, "They're saying the beast stalks that part of the woods".
"We heard and don't worry, we haven't taken our chances going near that area", Hiccup replied.
"Good, lad", Shamus stood back up, "I've started to like the new you, stay safe boy". Hiccup followed behind him as they walked up the steps and into the hall. Everyone inside continued their conversations and meal, some even acknowledged the teen. After the pair served themselves, a few men called out to Shamus, "Sorry Hiccup, my friends are waiting".
"No problem, you go enjoy yourself", Hiccup gave him a quick nod. The teen looked around at the bustling hall, many villagers had groups at their own tables. He shrugged and walked to the head table, the pair of guards noticed him and gave Hiccup curt nods. They had jobs that he had helped them with, the teen returned the gesture then sat down.
Half an hour passed, many seated were done eating and were just talking about their day with others. Hiccup scanned the room, his eyes looked over the conversing groups. His sight stopped at a table where many were crowding, 'Hmm, I wonder what's happening over there?'.
*Does it really matter, Hiccup?*, he shrugged at Avarice's counter. The crowd shifts, letting him see table. Hiccup sees Gunther and his family seated, talking with the surrounding crowd. *Ah, it's that certain female and her birthers*, he and Avarice overheard bits of conversations, mostly about Astrid's performance in dragon training. Her parents excused themselves and left Astrid, then the other trainees joined her. Snotlout plopped himself next to her, making Astrid angry.
Hiccup watch the people come and go between their tables and the caterers, some left back to their homes for the night. He watched as Snotlout tried to garner attention from the crowd surrounding Astrid, 'Pathetic', he thought with a look of disgust.
*Agreed*, Avarice growled while Hiccup chomped into a chicken leg. A few minutes later, Snotlout, the twins and Fishlegs got up to get more food. Astrid groaned after they left and looked around, spotting Hiccup eating alone. She excused herself from the crowd, then picked up her plate and walked over to the head table. *Hiccup-*, the teen looked up, *-incoming*.
Before, Hiccup would glower when he thought about Astrid trying to goad him into fighting her. However, since his short exchange with the light fury, his anger was extinguished when he felt a haunting feeling of the vast loneliness his late friend had endured. The Hofferson stopped before the guards and cleared her throat, "Ahem, Hiccup". The teen acknowledged her, "I… I was wondering if I can talk with you?".
"Astrid", he set down his food, "Do you recall our… agreement earlier?". Both guards raised their eyebrows in piqued interest.
She took a deep breath, "I remember, it's just that…". Astrid looked over to her table, the crew was sitting back down, waiting along with the crowd for her to return. "I… I was hoping to get more… advice?".
Hiccup looked passed her and deduced her ulterior motive. "Sure", he felt a twinge of sympathy and nods to the guards to let her pass, "As long as you don't mention anything about 'that', you may sit".
He watched her demeanor relax, as though some pressure was lifted off her shoulders. The pair resumed eating, occasionally Astrid would ask a question and Hiccup would answer if he could. The crowd around her former table began to disperse, Snotlout was wondering where Astrid was. He sees her sitting at the head table with Hiccup, the Jorgenson scowled and loudly got up from the table.
"Hey babe", Snotlout strolled up to where they were sitting, "Why are you sitting next to him, let's go back over to the 'real' viking's table".
"I can sit where I want", Astrid spats back, "Leave me alone".
Snotlout's eyebrows shoot up, "Okay Babe, I'll just join you here". He walked up to the steps but was stopped by the guards.
"Sorry boy", Agnar spoke when he and the other guard crossed their spears in his path, "Only the chief, his family or certain members on the council may sit here". He and Bob were some of the victims whose homes were damaged by him in the past. Both still held a deep-rooted resentment of the prideful young Jorgenson, whose shenanigans had cost them dearly.
"What?!", Snotlout screeched, "Well… m-my dad, he's on the council".
"Your father was allowed a seat only because he controls the sheep farms that supply most of the wool for the village", Hiccup corrected. "Even then, he's only tolerated by the rest of the council", Agnar and Bob relaxed, "That doesn't mean you can sit".
"Well…", Snotlout looks at Astrid, "Why does Astrid get to sit, her family isn't even on the council!". That set her off, but Hiccup raised his hand to stop the girl from attacking Snotlout.
"Hiccup is sole heir, he allowed Astrid to sit by his authority", Bob countered.
"Oh, I see", Snotlout composed himself. "Hiccup… buddy", the pompous teen spoke with a fake friendly tone, "What do you say you let me sit down with you, old pal".
Hiccup scrunched his face in disgust, then shook his head at Agnar and Bod. "Looks like you best be on your way, boy", Bob spat. Snotlout was stunned, then turned around and left while grumbling.
Hiccup returned to his plate, "Thanks Hiccup", Astrid said with some relief in her voice.
"No problem", Hiccup cleared his throat, "Snotface was making us lose our appetite". Bob chuckled and Agnar followed soon after.
The next morning, The forge
Hiccup finished the light work Gobber had left him and stepped out. Most of the village was out and about, doing their jobs or personal errands. He overhears two men talking and hides around the corner, then peeks out to see Gunnar talking with Hoark, "I heard Mulch and Bucket's boat got attacked by a nadder near the western cliffs".
"Really?", Hoark sets down the small barrel he was carrying, "Are they okay?".
"Aye, a spine bounced off Bucket's noggin and their boat got singed, nothin' too serious", he shrugs back.
"Bucket's tin sure is tough", Hoark taps his own helmet.
"That it is", Gunnar hoists a bag over his shoulder and walks off.
'Perfect', Hiccup smirked and silently jogs into the maze of alleyways, towards the west forest entrance.
*Indeed*, as soon as he disappeared into the brush, Hiccup shot out thick strings of symbiotic flesh and reeled himself up into the trees.
Berk's western clifftops
A gentle wind flowed over the grass of the clearing, making green waves like the water below. A trio of nadder younglings fluttered their small wings as their mother spat out semi-digested fish glop. The chicks dug into the mass but stopped when another dragon landed in the distance. The mother moved in between her offspring and the nadder male. The stranger roared when he spots the dragonlings, their mother roars back at the larger stronger male.
The male was not intimidated and flapped his wings, then charged at the family. The frighten chicks hid behind their mother, who knew she wouldn't be able to fight the male and protect her children at the same time. The family watched in horror as the male stomped towards them, then see something in the shadow of the forest entrance. Thud, the family looks back at the threatening male dragon.
The nadder struggles on the ground, he looks at his foot and sees a white glossy tentacle coiled around his ankle. The male follows it back to the darkness in the woodline, a pair of green glowing eyes and fanged jagged maw shone out of the black. The nadder thrashed as he was slowly dragged towards the forest, even tail-whipping a few spines at the unsettling figure. The male's attack had no desired effect, more tendrils shot out of the darkness and grappled around him.
His wings and other leg were trapped, the nadder roared and thrashed as he drew closer towards his ambusher. He blew out a jet of sparkling fire as he was dragged into the shadows, more jets shot out randomly as he fought the mysterious predator in the dark. The family heard more roaring before, Crack-thud, the roars became pained whimperings. They heard dark chuckling before the cries were silenced.
The glowing eyes and maw returned, they nod and vanish into the shadows. The nadder mother and chicks were relieved that their unknown rescuer was satisfied with its meal.
The next day, Dragon arena
The enclosure's gate rumbled at first, "Meet tha' terrible terror", then squeaked as the small doggie door unlocked. The small dragon trilled and looked around, even use his tongue to lick his disproportionally large eyes.
"Ha, it's like the size of my-!", Tuffnut was cut off by the terror pouncing onto his face and knocking him down. "Ahhh, get-it-off!", the trainees scatter as the little dragon mauled the male twin.
Astrid raised her axe to attack the terror, creating a small dot from the sun's light. She sees the dragon eye the spot while chewing on Tuffnut's nose and remembers some of Hiccup's advice, 'Winning a fight isn't always how much stronger you are, but how much smarter you can be'.
Astrid aims her axe to lead the terror away with the dot, 'saving' Tuffnut from more injury, "Ohhh, I'm hurt… I'm very much hurt!". The crowd above ohs and awes as she 'drives off' the dragon without putting much effort at all. Tuffnut holds his bruised nose, "Wow, she's better than us then we ever were", he groans to the other students. She plants her foot on the door after the terror disappears and turns to the crowd, earning a round of cheers. Astrid scans the audience and spots Hiccup standing impressed. He smiles and nods, acknowledging her use of his advice.
The next morning, Berk docks
Gobber stands silently as a lone overcrowded longship drifts towards the boardwalk, the damage to the ship was extensive. A gaping chard hole in the side and the torn sail were evident that the rest of the fleet did not fare to well. The gangplank was set as soon as the boat bumped to a stop. Dock workers helped the weary survivors disembark with what little they could save.
Stoick pats the shoulder of a worker as he passed, running into Gobber, "Well… I trust ya' found tha' nest at least?".
"Not even close", Stoick trudged passed his battle brother.
"Eh, excellent", Gobber sighed and hobble over to catch up to the chief.
Many families stood silent as they waited to see their returning kin, "Hope you had a little more success than me".
Gobber snatched his basket from under his arm, "If by success you mean your parenting troubles are over with then… yes".
The chief turned to Gobber when Burnthair marched up to him, "Congratulations Stoick, everyone is so relieved!".
"Out with the old and in with the new, right?", Gunnar followed her pass Stoick.
"No one will miss that old nuisance".
"The village is throwing a party to celebrate!".
Stoick's worried expression grew, "He's gone?", he asked Gobber in shock.
"Umm… yeah, most afternoons", the blacksmith explained, "But who can blame 'im, its rough with all tha' work 'e's done". "'e can barely walk through tha' village without bein' thanked or asked ta' help someone with somethin'", Gobber spoke nonchalantly.
"Hiccup?", Stoick grabbed his shoulder to stop the peg legged blonde.
"Who would've thought it eh?", he said with some hint of joy. "'e 'as this way ta' work an' help othas'", Gobber turned to face Stoick, "I tell ya' Stoick, no one else could come closer to havin' your drive ta' put tha' village first". Stoick's face grew more and more pleased, hearing his son has begun to follow in his footsteps.
Elsewhere, Berk Forest
Hiccup bound through the trees, *Are you sure you want to go after this prey so soon?*, Avarice asked with some unease in his tone.
"Gobber said some hunters are having trouble with a nightmare stealing their game", he leapt and caught a high branch, then swung himself across a gap. "Even if it's just an adolescent nightmare, we might not get another lead", Hiccup rested on a thick branch and scanned the open area below him. Some scorch and scratches dotted the trunks and boulders, marking the territory of the dangerous dragon. "Hmm", he continued to follow the trail using the trees.
Hiccup burst through the thick foliage, "Whoa!", unknowingly emerging at the open cliffside. He turned in midair and shot out strings of slime from his hand, grappling the trunk of a fir and pulling himself away from the edge.
Hiccup breathed heavily as he eyed the jagged edge, *That's one steep drop*, Avarice cynically joked.
The teen huffed and scanned the clearing, the clues lead the trail over the edge and down the cliff. "We might as well get this over with", he descended his perch and walked towards the cliff. Hiccup formed his claws and began to climb down the rockface, digging his nails into the stone to keep himself from falling. He followed the dragon marks down to a cave opening, the ocean waves crashed against the rocks below.
Hiccup sniffed, catching a whiff of brimstone and sulfur, *I wonder if anyone's home?*.
"I would knock but…", he trailed off before his swung himself into the opening. As soon as Hiccup walked into the darkness a deep guttural hiss echoed inside, "Uh oh". Whap! The teen was sent flying out the cave, smacking against a sea spire, "Oof". Luckily, Avarice had strengthened his host's body to easily withstand damage, "Yep… they're home". Hiccup flexed his clawed hands and powered up his lower legs, then lunged back inside.
The bright orange nightmare met him at the entrance but was knock inside by the teen's barreling mass. The dragon shook off its daze and ignited itself, roaring a challenge at the smirking teen. Both opponents charged at each other, Hiccup ducked under a claw swipe and punched the nightmare in the snout. The dragon hissed and swiped again; he dodged the swipe but didn't see the tail following behind. Hiccup crashed into the cave wall, sliding down in a heap. The nightmare spewed its napalm at him, dousing the area with flaming liquid. The dragon grunted, believing it had killed the trespasser.
The nightmare turned around to leave, but the dragon roared in agony when it felt blades pierce into its back. It craned to look at its back, three long squared spikes had dug deep into its hide. *Who said our fight was over?*, a figure strolled out of the flames. The two-meter-tall figure stretched his muscular slender body, stranger's snow-white skin glistened in the fire. The black of his clawed hands slowly transitioned into numerous small stripes that dotted his veiny forearms, the marks occasionally crossing over themselves. His legs were similar, the black ending halfway up his calves with thin marks dotting his thighs.
Avarice's smooth alien visage grinned, his blackened lipless mouth filled with needlelike teeth, *What happen to all that bravado, eh, you overgrown snake with wings?!*. He opened his maw, a long slimy pointed tongue emerged, *I'd like to play with my food a little*. The nightmare felt a dreading aura come from the humanoid monster, it scrambled towards the opening to flee. Thud, the dragon fell when a tentacle latched onto its hindleg, *Where do you think you're going, all this anticipation is making me hungry*. The nightmare spewed napalm at the ensnaring limb until realizing it had no effect, it doused the creature from where it sprouted from.
*Your fire is nothing more than a warm bath for me*, Avarice pulled the dragon back deeper into the cave. He opened his jaws, Boom, launching a plasma blast up at the ceiling. The stalactites rained down at his captured prey, the jagged rocks tore its wings and pinned the nightmare down. Avarice retracted his left limb and formed it back, the black spikes sprouting from his right arm twitched, *You were good, dragon… but I'm better*. Avarice's torso swelled then burst open, the wave of symbiotic flesh crashing over the defeated nightmare.
After a few minutes, the dragon was no more. Avarice reabsorbed the expelled mass back before powering down, receding back into Hiccup's body. He held his left arm out, "Did you get it?".
His arm powered up before being engulfed in lime green flames, *Yes*. Hiccup gazed at his blazing skin and smiled, *Yes, we did*.
(A/N: Unlike in the Sony Venom-verse, Hiccup's always in control due to his willpower, even in his full Avarice form. Avarice likes his host and wouldn't attempt overpower him unless it was for their mutual survival. Hiccup and Avarice's "collection" grows, as does their hunger.)