Through The Ups & Downs
Couple; HarrisonXAddilyn
Rating; Mature
Disclaimer: I do not own HTTYD or any songs I might use! Also, from this point in the story and in future chapters, I do not own the character; Ella(Eira) Solveig. She belongs to my good friend, ShadowSpirit020.
14) Whole New Ballgame
[Arifjan; Monday, April 13, 2015-7 am]
The night had been long, none of the Wind Rider Platoon soldiers got to go to sleep until almost 10:30 pm after all was said and done. After unpacking their belongings, they followed Aaron and Glenn to Zone One's mess hall to eat a late dinner and be briefed by Aaron about how things would work at the camp. It wasn't a lot of information to take in, but the group understood that they had to be informed. When the soldiers left dinner, twelve of them went to see their dragons for a bit, then turned into their beds to get some sleep. For the time being, Aaron let them know they wouldn't be doing any missions for the first two weeks to make sure they were adjusted well and ready to work without distractions.
Harrison was just waking up now at 7 am. Was it bad that all he wanted to do was get a shower, some breakfast, then take a flight on Toothless? Harrison felt like it had been forever since he and his best friend flew together.
"Hey, there ya are," Trevor smiled from his desk. Harrison sat up in his bed and looked around; it took him a minute to remember he was in Kuwait.
"Sorry, guess I was more tired than I thought," Harrison admitted with a smile as he stood up.
"Well, the others are up and have been since 5:30 am, you're the last of us," Trevor chuckled.
"Go figure," Harrison stretched. "So what the hell are we gonna do for two weeks?" he asked.
"Think Hagebak said something about getting used to the camp, knowing our way around?" Trevor replied.
"Seems like something he would say, but not sure that two weeks was necessary," Harrison chuckled. After taking some time to wake up a little, Harrison grabbed his shower items and left for the bathrooms, but not before stopping to see Toothless first.
[7:20 am-Zone One]
Harrison felt a lot better after his shower and then joined his comrades in the MWR, a place to relax and get something to eat. Harrison sat down near his friends with a small tray of food.
"Morning, Harrison," the members of Fury Fire greeted him.
"Hey, guys and girls," Harrison smiled.
"So, what will all of you being today?" Aaron inquired as he walked by the table now.
"What are we allowed to do?" Syrus wondered.
"Well, I find it be best you get to learn the zones you'll be in most often, maybe make a few friends with the company you're gonna be working with," Aaron suggested.
"Can we go flying?" Harrison decided to ask calmly.
"I suppose ya can, but don't fly outside of the camp walls," Glenn shrugged as he walked beside Aaron. Harrison nodded, that's all he needed to know. Harrison began to eat his food calmly and planned to take Toothless for a flight as soon as breakfast was over.
[8:15 am-Stables]
Harrison hurried to the stable after the morning meal; he couldn't wait to go flying! Harrison grabbed Toothless's saddle off its stand and got it positioned and strapped onto Toothless, then led him out. Unfortunately, Harrison had to wear his uniform, but that was okay.
"Wow, so it is true," someone said as Harrison turned and saw a small group of the Americans walking towards him and Toothless
"You do have a Night Fury!" a female stated with a broad smile.
"Um, yeah, I do. You came out to see for yourself?" Harrison asked.
"There's a Skrill in your group too, right?" inquired a male.
"One Night Fury, one Skrill, three Deadly Nadders, two Gronckles, one Hotburple, two Razorwhips, two Monstrous Nightmares, and two Changewings," Harrison replied to the group of five.
"They're so cool. I wish we could have dragons," said a girl with platinum blond hair and what appeared to be violet eyes. Harrison read up that it was a rare trait, but they were beautiful.
"Well, who knows. Bonding to a dragon can happen whenever. Sometimes, they pick who to bond to," Harrison shrugged as Toothless warbled and nudged Harrison's arm. "Alright, settle down you. I know you're itching to fly, bud,"
"Awe, we were hoping you could tell us more about dragons?" repeated the platinum blond.
"I, uh, don't think I'm authorized to tell you a lot about them. Though, my platoon and I did come here after training the trainers at Fort Benning in the basics of Dragon Training," Harrison shrugged a little.
"So, can't you teach us?" asked one of the males.
"I'm not sure. Uh, look, I gotta take Toothless to stretch his wings. "How about you go check with your CO, and if they allow it, then I don't mind telling you more," Harrison informed.
"Okay! Have a safe flight," they said. Harrison threw his leg over Toothless's saddle and held the bars.
"Come on, Toothless! Show me what you got today!" Harrison grinned as Toothless roared out and shot into the sky with an upward twirl and the two flew around, moving together in perfect harmony.
[5 pm-Barrack]
After an hour a flying after breakfast, Harrison landed Toothless back in near the stable and promised they would go flying again before it got dark. On the flight, Harrison got a great sky view of Camp Arifjan, and he was able to see all the zones and everyone hard at work. Harrison was rather excited to start working, but it sucked that he had to wait the two weeks. On the ride also, Harrison wondered if those soldiers he talked to would ask their commanding officer about the dragon thing. It would give him something to do if nothing else.
Harrison used the time after the flight with Toothless to spruce up his and Trevor's barrack room. As it was setup upon arriving was not a spacious arrangement so after getting permission, Harrison and Trevor went at fixing up their place to get the most out of it without being cluttered. Walking in the door, someone would be able to see the refrigerator and microwave on their right against the first wall. The TV sat on top of the fridge but not high up. Continuing around was Harrison's metal closet, nightstand, then bed. The window wall had both Trevor's and Harrison's small desks. Then on the left where the door rested after opening was Trevor's closet, bed, and nightstand.
Yeah, it worked well now and gave both of them ample space to enjoy. Harrison didn't know how the others arranged their rooms, but this was perfect for Trevor and him. The rest of the time was organizing their computers, books, notebooks, clothes, and other accessories. However, now the time was 5 pm, and Harrison wondered if he should call home to say hi to everyone since he hadn't talked to them since Cairo yesterday and Harrison was sure they were worried about him. Trevor and the others were out with the dragons, so Harrison had some quiet time to make the call through Skype since he had internet access.
Giving it a moment to load, Harrison was greeted by his little brother first.
"Harry!" Nate exclaimed. Harrison was able to see his mother and father too, all smiling and happy to hear from him.
"Hey, Nate. Hi, Mom and Dad!" Harrison answered.
"We're so glad you called, Harrison," Viviana sighed in relief.
"Yeah, sorry about yesterday. I meant to call when we landed in Kuwait, but everything just happened so fast with boarding the bus and getting to camp, then unpacking and dinner, briefing. You get the picture. I've been busy all day, but I have time now before dinner, so I figured I'd say hi," Harrison explained.
"How are you settling in there?" Spencer inquired curiously.
"Doing good. Trevor and I just finished our room. It's small but works for two people," Harrison told them.
"Happy to hear it, son. How's the weather?" Viviana wondered.
"Eh, not too bad right now but we've been told it gets worse May through September. Worst being June-July time," Harrison replied.
"Maybe you'll get your time off around then and won't have to suffer so much of it," Nate laughed a little.
"Perhaps. How are things back home?" Harrison pondered.
"Not the same without you, big brother," Nate smiled.
"Aw, don't worry. I'll be home before you know it, this is only six months," Harrison stated with a calm smile.
"Well, you do still have to return to the US, Harrison," Viviana reminded.
"I don't think we'll be there that long. I'll keep you posted about it as I learn more, Mom, I promise," Harrison informed.
"Good boy," Vivian sighed in relief at Harrison's answer. "So, show us where you're staying," she beamed. Harrison laughed some and nodded as he got up and left the room, going outside to start there because it was easier.
"Alright well, this is our barrack. Wind Rider Platoon stays on the second floor. Uh, over here are the makeshift stables for the dragons. Toothless is at the end. Say hi, bud," Harrison instructed as Toothless gave a somewhat audible 'Hello' that came out as 'Herro.' Harrison smiled and moved the phone over to the bathrooms. "Those are the restrooms and showers, 'bout an eight-minute walk from the barrack,"
"No co-ed, right?" Spencer inquired.
"Of course, Dad. The girls have their side of it," Harrison nodded and kept walking up the stairs to the second level and entered the long hallway. "So, this is Wind Rider level as we call it. Trevor and I stay in this room on the right. Syrus and Dexter next to us and then Liv and Chels beside their room. I think Sammy and Ella are after them. Not sure. But Trev and I are here, and this is what it looks like after we arranged it," Harrison turned the camera to show everything, then he let it face him again.
"It looks suitable, son," Viviana nodder her head approvingly. "Have you gotten to fly Toothless at all?"
"Oh, yeah. For an hour this morning, we're gonna go again before it gets dark too," Harrison enlightened.
"Have you done any missions?" Nate wondered.
"Not yet. Aaron wants us to get used to everything first before sending us out so; I guess our mission is to make friends with the Americans who share the barrack we're in and learn how things work around here. Simple enough, but if we do good then we can do missions in two weeks," Harrison stated.
"Ah, that's good then. Best be careful, Harrison," Viviana reminded. Harrison knew she was worried about him getting hurt, but unfortunately, it was a risk of being in a war zone.
"You know I can't make that promise, but know I'm safe for at least tw-" Harrison stopped quickly when Glenn and Aaron burst into the room, they looked like they'd been running. "Major Hagebak? Lieutenant Belmore?" Harrison asked. "What's going on?"
"Grab your dragon, we got work to do," Aaron ordered.
"Gotta go, guys. Call you later on or tomorrow. Love you," Harrison ended the call and tossed his phone onto his bed while grabbing his ACU coat, vest, headgear, and rifle which had been leaning against the wall by the head of his bed. "Explanation would be nice," Harrison remarked while following them out and rushing down the stairs.
Glenn pointed to the significant wave of enemies and dragons nearing the base border and the Americans getting ready to fight. "How's that for explaining?" he panted.
"Still doesn't tell me what you want me and Toothless to do, Lieutenant?" Harrison fought the urge to roll his eyes. Thomas rushed over now.
"Oh, good. You found him," Thomas stated.
"Will someone tell me what I'm doing please?!" Harrison demanded now, becoming frustrated.
"We can handle the humans, but not those dragons. There's a guy on their side who knows how to make them do as he says, we can't fight that," Thomas said quickly.
"What he's asking is if you know any way to wrangle them or take control, lad?" Aaron asked now.
"Why are you asking me?!" Harrison questioned.
"Harrison, can you and Toothless do it or not?" Glenn said in a calmer tone.
"I-I wouldn't know unless we tried and you would have to keep your soldiers back, Colonel Dunbar. I don't want them getting caught in any of Toothless blasts," Harrison remarked.
"Done. I'll pull them back and let me know when to send them back in to keep back the enemies," Thomas nodded, "Use channel one on your helmet radio. Connect you to me directly,"
"Got it," Harrison confirmed. "Toothless!" he called as his Night Fury jumped out of the stable, saddle still in place as Harrison jumped on his back and held the handle bars after securing the strap on his helmet.
"Be careful and if you can't do it, come back immediately," Aaron ordered. Harrison nodded to him as Toothless launched into the sky and headed over everyone's head. Harrison looked at all the dragons while hovering slightly; there had to be at least seventy of them.
"Alright, Toothless. Help me out here, how do we handle this?" Harrison asked his draconic friend. Toothless dropped his fangs and growled, eyes averting to all the dragons, then he gave a little rumble, and Harrison understood. "Ready whenever you are," Toothless nodded as both of them took in a deep breath, Harrison brought his hands over his mouth.
"What's he doing?" Syrus wondered. Finally, a loud roar emitted from Toothless and Harrison. The area seemed to fall almost silent as the sound resonated out. Afterward, Toothless shot three blasts into the sky across the line of dragons. None ever made contact, but it was enough to stop the dragons from moving any closer. As such, the enemies became hesitant too, not understanding what was going on. Toothless hovered lower to the ground and landed in a pounce with a menacing snarl, it sounded like a warning almost.
However, a Titanwing Deadly Nadder got bold and flung a set of spines at Harrison, and one whipped by his side and cut him open pretty deep. Harrison gasped out and held his side, seeing the blood after he pulled his hand away. Before anyone could react, Toothless gave a deadly snarl this time and suddenly took on a blue glow. The light went down his back spines, which were split apart all down the tail. The light also emits from Toothless's nostrils and throat, along with his sides too. The other dragons halted and stopped completely, turning their heads away from Toothless and bowing their heads. Toothless roared loudly as the dragons turned around and fired a line of blasts at the enemy forces who quickly ran away to evade being attacked by dragons that had been on their side.
Toothless heard Harrison cringe in pain as the blue light faded and Toothless whipped around and landed near Wind Rider, Aaron, and Glenn.
"I don't know what just happened, but it was the most amazing thing I've ever seen!" Thomas exclaimed. "What was that?!"
"I-I don't...kn-know. Never knew...he could...d-do that," Harrison panted.
"Harrison, are you alright?" Olivia asked as she moved beside Harrison when he got off Toothless slowly, still holding his side. Harrison moved his arm away as the bleeding was still coming heavy. Toothless saw Harrison stumble in moving so he crooned with concern and braced Harrison so he wouldn't fall. "You're hurt!" Olivia whimpered.
"Alright, lad, come on. Let's get you to Medical. We can talk more afterward," Aaron said as Harrison nodded and let Trevor and Syrus help him into the ambulance that Thomas had called for then Trevor sat down inside and went with them as it drove off.
"Not sure what happened but I know that with you soldiers and your dragons here with us, it will change everything," Thomas stated to Aaron and Glenn. No one else could do anything except clean up what little mess there was and keep guard. Wind Rider took care of the dragons who had stayed behind instead of flying off. During dinner at 6 pm, all anyone of Wind Rider Platoon could do was wonder if Harrison was alright and wait for news on him. What a great first day? However, it was a whole new ballgame now that Toothless had the ability to command others.