Chapter 2
Hiccup waited for the last rays of sun to set over the horizon. The whole of Berk was bustling, ready for their chief. At last, the plaza went quiet as Stoick the Vast strolled into the centre of it.
``Let the celebrations... Begin!`` He boomed.
The plaza erupted in cheers, as the tables were filled, all swarming the food tables. Hiccup took his seat next to his father, Spitelout beside him, being the Chief's brother. The feasts continued, people lining up with gifts to the chief. Gobber had given Stoick a new iron axe, Spitelout a new fur coat. Hiccup's own gift lay in his lap.
``So son. What will you surprise me with this year? Although you've already surprised me more than ever.`` Stoick laughed.
``Well, It's not much.`` Hiccup stated. He handed him the piece of cloth.
Stoick unwound the piece of cloth. It was a large drinking horn, made of what seemed like ivory. The Horn had a golden handle, its details fine and visible. There were small pieces of diamonds scattered around the handle. It had his family name carved into the horn with gold. It was like the size of two of his fists. He gaped at it.
``Son, this is amazing!`` He said, the word 'amazing' and understatement. ``How-How much did making it cost?``
``Money wise, most of my savings.`` Hiccup admitted. ``Over 100d. The resources from Johann were quite expensive. Time wise, over three days.`` They boy subconsciously rubbed the back of his neck, averting his gaze a little.
He was suddenly engulfed in his father's arms ad the man chocked the breath out of him with a bone-crushing embrace.
``I couldn't have asked for a better gift.`` His father said, as he released Hiccup, the boy panting gently.
``I'm- I'm glad you like it. But...`` The boy said with a small grin, ``That's not the only gift. However, what we're about to show you is team effort.``
The boy waved over his dragon, and Astrid Hofferson, Fishlegs Ingerman, Snotlout Jorgensen, Ruffnut and Tuffnut Thorstons joined him, calling over their own dragons, vanishing behind a building.
A hooded figure danced through the crowds of Vikings. She saw her target duck behind a building, then as dragons erupted from behind it. She positioned herself near the end of the crowd, where her target was flying towards. She was carrying a wooden staff, and a book clutched in her hands. She stood behind everyone, so a wall of noise blocked her words from the ears of Vikings. She started saying words in an old language, older than time itself. Her staff emitted a dark glow, as if sucking in any light from within a meter. A man cast a curious gave over to her, but she glared at him. The man turned back to the ground. There was a gust of wind, barely able to be made out by a human, that drifted towards her staff. The same Viking glanced at her again. She pointed her staff, and the Viking managed a yell of `LOOK OUT!` as she shot.
Hiccup and the gang gathered behind a building, and all Hiccup said was, ``Let's give them a show they'll never forget.``
The gang swiftly got on their mounts and flew into the air. They flew in a near `V` formation, fire in their dragon's mouths (So that the fire is visible, but not hitting anything, to the twin's dismay) with the crowds underneath pausing their feasting to look at the display. They glided in the air above the feasting then broke off into individuals. They created a small circle in the sky, and breathed fire into the middle. Hiccup and Toothless then flew straight through the flames, adding his own plasma blast as they emerged. Then they each created something special. The twins made Stoick from their Zippleback's gas, while Hookfang set it alight. Fishlegs flew through the eye of the gas Chief. Hiccup and Astrid were flying towards each-other with immense speed, then spiralled upwards, flying through the still-aflame Viking. They got back into their formation, and the crowds cheered. The riders flew through the village, over the heads of amazed Vikings.
Hiccup was about to spiral back, when `LOOK OUT!` Something crashed into him, hard.
Darkness.
Screaming.
A blur of colour.
His vision blurred, Hiccup realised he was falling, Toothless desperately diving for him.
Then he hit the ground, and darkness beckoned him once more.
Stoick the Vast watched in horror as his son plummeted to the ground, his dragon diving behind him, but not managing to quite keep up. As if something was slowing him down. He sprinted towards his son, as a sad roar echoed through the village. If it was necessary, he shoved Vikings out the way.
When he arrived at the scene, Toothless was curled protectively over a small shape, obscuring him from view, and growling at any Viking that came close. His eyes were narrowed to slits.
``Toothless, it's alright.`` He said, carefully edging towards the anxious fury. The dragon looked at him, and let out a small warble.
``I need to see if Hiccup is alright. Please Toothless, he might need help.`` He continued.
The dragon sniffed at him, then looked towards the crowd gathered and hissed.
``Everyone, please move out of the dragon's sight. If you do so, I'll be able to attend Hiccup quicker.`` He demanded, his voice stern, but quieter than usual.
The Vikings quickly parted. Toothless looked back towards the chief, and raised his wings.
Clutched between his paws protectively, lay Hiccup. He seemed alright except...
The Hiccup he knew didn't have a tail.
Or wings.