Author's Note: Hello, everyone and welcome to "Sticks and Stones!" A one-shot, drabble, and arc collection that spans across the entire HTTYD universe! =D I'm super excited to get into this one-shot collection (I already have six one-shots written and I've started the first arc. X)), and I'm planning on it being somewhere around seventy-six chapters long. Seventy-six chapters of hurt/comfort, family, friendship. *Dances around in a circle* Yes, yes, yes! =D

And now, presenting the very first one-shot for "Sticks and Stones." =D I hope you guys enjoy it! =)

Summary: Hiccup and his friends are sitting by the firelight after the defeat of the Dragon Hunters and the young viking contemplates on their life on the Edge and how much has changed since then, and he looks forward to the adventures that are yet to come. (Post RTTE.)

By the Firelight

Fire was a funny thing really. Just a small spark could start an inferno. It was the same with Hiccup and Toothless. Hiccup was small, physically weak, and overlooked, but he proved to be more than he seemed. He was able to create a contraption that was able to bring down a Night Fury, the unholy offspring of lightning and death itself; a dragon that not even a full-grown experienced viking was able to bring down. Hiccup then not only befriended Toothless, but he trained him as well. He gained his trust. They became fast friends, and now share a bond that goes beyond the ends of time.

Hiccup and Toothless may have looked like just a boy and dragon but these two have done things that no viking or dragon had done before. Hiccup created a new tailfin for Toothless and together they defeated the Red was able to convince the entire Isle of Berk that dragons weren't vicious beasts, but intelligent, smart creatures who had feelings too. They helped fight the Outcasts and Berserkers back when they were enemies and with the help of their friends, they defeated the Dragon Hunters.

Like a spark, Hiccup started the first friendship between a human and dragon. Like an inferno, Hiccup and Toothless were able to spread that truth to others and defeat those who wanted to put an end to the peace.

Now that Hiccup was much older than he had been three years ago, he had learned a lot of different things about dragons and people alike. Not everyone was able to accept the truth about dragons, even if they were proved that the scaly reptiles weren't as harmful as they seemed. He learned that if one was going to take down an armada, they would need the help from close friends and family. He learned the importance of teamwork, and so many things more from his time on Dragon's Edge with his friends.

"Ah, ah! My shirt is on fire! AH!"

Speaking of said friends…

"Snotlout, I told you several times not to sit so close to the fire," said Fishlegs with a roll of his eyes.

Tuffnut shook his head. "You should've known better, Fishlegs. Snotlout listens to no one."

"Absolutely no one," Ruffnut emphasized.

"For once I actually agree with you two," said Astrid from Hiccup's side.

Snotlout jumped into a nearby water barrel, sighing in relief. Hiccup shook his head and cracked a small smile.

"Well, looks like some things never change," he said. "How many times has Snotlout caught fire?"

"Hmmm, let's see," said Tuffnut. He lifted up a hand and began to count on his fingers. "There was the one time when Hookfang shot that blast of fire at him, then there was the time with the Fireworms, and then there was—"

"Okay, okay, we get it, Tuffnut!" shouted Snotlout from the water barrel.

Tuffnut frowned. "Excuse me, you interrupted me."

Astrid rolled her eyes. "Okay, you guys. This is supposed to be a relaxing session by the fire. Can't we just all relax? I mean, look at the dragons."

Everyone turned to the side to face Stormfly, Hookfang, Meatlug, and Barf and Belch, who were currently snoring away. Toothless was the only one who sat curled up behind Astrid and Hiccup and was currently chomping on one of Hiccup's extra prosthetic legs as if it were a juicy fish. Hiccup chuckled and decided to let the Night Fury have some fun. It had been a while since Hiccup had last seen Toothless act so playful. Now that the Dragon Hunters were defeated, the Dragon Riders could finally catch up on things back on Berk and spend some extra time doing fun stuff instead of worrying about constant attacks from crazy chiefs, Dragon Flyers, Dragon Hunters, or Viggo and Ryker.

To celebrate their victory, the Dragon Riders decided to have a little campfire night. They had gone off not very far from Berk and found a good spot to set up a pile of sticks and light it up. Hiccup couldn't remember the last time he felt so at ease. He still couldn't believe that the Hunters were done pestering them with their constant attacks and threats.

But a part of Hiccup…missed it. Well, not the imminent threats and unwanted attacks. Why, he had a bounty put on his head! Who in the world would miss that? No, what Hiccup missed was the adventure. Yes, it sounded strange, but Hiccup missed the constant twists and turns. Discovering new dragons in new places. Finding new dragon eye lenses and obsessing over new dragon facts. And most of all, living on the Edge. Not the edge as in dangerous or difficult, but the Edge. Dragon's Edge.

"You know, I still kind of find it hard to believe that the Dragon Hunters are gone," said Tuffnut. "And that we're not living on Dragon's Edge anymore."

"Yeah," agreed Fishlegs. "I'm gonna miss it."

"Me too," said Astrid. "It was kind of fun living beyond the archipelago."

"I think you mean 'The Great Beyond'," said Ruffnut with an impish smile.

"Oh, the Great Beyond!" Tuffnut said happily. "What a wonderful time that was! We were so young, so ignorant. And now, we're practically masters of all things beyond the borders!"

"We did have some pretty awesome adventures," said Hiccup.

"My favorite was when we were looking for a place to build the Edge," said Tuffnut.

"That wasn't an adventure, Tuff," said Snotlout. He walked back over to the fire and plopped next to Hiccup. "That was just us searching for a place to build a base."

"Uh, hello?" said Tuffnut as he snapped his fingers. "Did you forget about the Deathsong?"

"Oh, yeah," said Snotlout as the memory dawned on him. "I was talking about when Hiccup was Princess Outpost."

Hiccup rolled his eyes. "Seriously? You guys were throwing out so many ideas, and we needed to agree on just one."

"I personally think that the boar pit was the best one of them all," said Ruffnut. She slumped sadly. "I'm gonna miss it…"

Tuffnut patted his sister's shoulder. "Don't worry, sis. I'm pretty sure we can find a good place to build a boar pit somewhere around here."

"Oh! And remember the time when Tuffnut thought he was turning into a Lycanwing?" said Fishlegs.

Tuffnut sighed nostalgically. "Ah, good times."

"Good times? Ruffnut literally dragged me from island to island collecting 'samples'. I went blind from all that venom!" exclaimed Snotlout.

Hiccup laughed. He and his friends did share some pretty amazing moments and adventures, both big and small. The orange firelight flickered across the young viking as he smiled wistfully. He was really going to miss Dragon's Edge.

Astrid looked up at him and asked, "Hey, are you okay? You kind of went quiet for a while."

Hiccup nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just miss the Edge."

Astrid nodded and wrapped an arm around Hiccup's shoulders. "Yeah, me too. But who knows? Maybe we'll get out there again. Finding new dragons, new places. We'll probably find ourselves going on another adventure by tomorrow."

"Or by the hour," said Tuffnut. "That's Dragon Rider life."

"I concur with that," Ruffnut said.

Hiccup smiled. He agreed with that too. He knew that it wouldn't be long until he and the other Dragon Riders found themselves on another adventure. He knew it wouldn't be long until they were out finding new dragons, and probably even saving them. Hiccup did miss the Edge, but he knew that it wouldn't be long until he and the Riders found themselves tangled up in a new adventure…

But for now, Hiccup was glad to be with his friend by a dancing fire under several twinkling stars with a peaceful, calming mood in the air.

I'm surrounded by my friends

I'm surrounded by the light

I'm surrounded by warmth

That makes me feel bright

Smoke swirls in the air

In patterns light and fair

The fire crackles on

Small ashes brush at my hair

I lean against my dragon

With scales as black as night

And my friends scooch up close

To the orange dancing light

I smile, feeling at peace

I smile, feeling calm

And we continue to sit by the firelight

Until the morning dawns

Author's Note: Yes, I did write the poem that is at the end of this one-shot. =) It 'tis completely original and it actually inspired this one-shot! X)

I hope you guys enjoyed this first one-shot! =D

Until the next chapter!

-BeyondTheMoon1203