Race To Fireworm Island:
Another day, another day of training. And today they were headed to do an exercise with the academy. If only Hookfang would hurry up.
"Come on, Hookfang. Is that all you got?" Snotlout reprimanded. "If I wanted a slow lazy dragon, I'd take Meatlug from Fishlegs."
Hookfang roared out and then sped up, Snotlout whooping in glee. Now that was more like it. They'd be there in no time.
000
Everyone sat on their dragons on the beach ready to start. The only person they were waiting for was Snotlout. Where he was, was anyone's guess.
"WHOO-HOO-HOO-HOO!" Snotlout's voice rang, and as Hiccup turned around she saw Snotlout and Hookfang swooping in. Everyone ducked as he swooped down and up passed them shouting the usual Jorgenson chant.
Hiccup looked up with a perplexed look on her face. "What is with him?" she asked.
"I heard ever since Alvin and the Whispering Deaths attacked, he's been training nonstop", Aric said.
"I heard he's been flying all night for the passed week", Fishlegs added in.
"Oh, yeah?" Tuffnut jumped in. "Well I heard Gothi can debone a yak just by looking at it."
"Well I heard if you sit on a Terrible Terror you can make flames come out of your―"
"Whoa", Astrid interrupted Ruffnut. "What does that have to do with Snotlout?"
"Oh", Tuffnut said. "I thought we were playing the I Heard game. And by the way, Terrible Terror thing? Totally true. I tried."
"That's right!" Snotlout bragged having finally decided to land on the ground. "You just saw what you just saw."
Then he proceeded to kiss his biceps, but Hiccup paid no heed too distracted by Hookfangs state. He laid panting and heaving for a breath, his tongue out and eyes drooped. He looked awful.
"Snotlout, Hookfang looks pretty tired. I think you might be pushing him too hard", she said.
"You say pushing, I day challenging", he denied. "Hookfang doesn't need rest. He's a warrior. And we warriors live for the thrill of battle. It's like my dad always says—"
"Take a bath, Snotlout", Astrid guessed.
"Rip your tongue out, Snotlout", Aric followed.
"Stick your head up a yaks―"
"No!" Snotlout interrupted Astrid. "No, none of those. He says, 'rest is for the weak'."
Silent stares followed.
"And let's thank Snotlout for that inspirational speech", Hiccup sarcastically broke the silence.
"Your welcome", Snotlout responded. "Now! Let's get on with this exercise. Unless, you guys are too tired", he then mocked before flying ahead chanting, "Snotlout! Snotlout! Oi, oi, oi!"
"I can name one thing I'm tired of", Aric stated, Astrid's arms crossed in agreement.
Nevertheless, the exercise was still on, and everyone got into the air.
"Okay guys, Alvin wants Berk for himself", Hiccup started. "And now, he has dragons. If he can train them to fight, we'll have to fight dragon riding Outcast soldiers up here."
"Up where?" Tuffnut asked.
"Here? In the sky? On-on your dragon?"
"Well I say, bring it on Alvin!" Snotlout said confidently.
"Okay. For this exercise, Aric, you and Shadowstar will act as our bad dragon", Hiccup continued.
"Shadowstar, battle ready", Aric said, and Shadowstar went up above them.
"The rest of you, make sure you don't get caught", Hiccup continued. "He touches you, you're out." And with that they scattered out, the exercise started.
000
Fishlegs and Meatlug chose the forest to hide in. It was the most logical choice given their coloration and maneuverability. In and out and in and out they expertly weaved through the trees, and once they made it through into a small clearing, Fishlegs couldn't contain himself.
"Now that is how a highly maneuverable, boulder class, Gronckle does it", he praised.
"Yeah! Let's see Shadowstar beat that", Meatlug lightly boasted.
" "Ah!" " they both exclaimed, Meatlug coming to a sudden halt in front of the Nadder burs that could have nearly skewered them hadn't she stopped.
"Yeah. Looked great from up here", Aric said above them.
'Darn it.'
"You're both out", he continued, Shadowstar swooping down, and Aric tagging him as they passed by and left.
"Don't let 'em get you down, Meatlug", Fishlegs whispered to his now saddened dragon. "You still have the biggest heart out here."
Meatlug smiled.
000
Aric stared at the Zippleback so obviously trying to hide behind a tree. Of course the twins would think that would work, despite the fact that practically the entire body of Barf and Belch was in plain sight.
He pat Shadowstar's back signaling her to move forward, and then tagged Barf's neck. "Out, and out", he said.
"Who's he talking to?" he then heard Tuff ask.
"Can't be us", Ruffnut replied.
Aric only rolled his eyes. Typical twins.
000
Astrid was up in the sky above the clouds. Her brother would never find them up there. He'd never even think to look. So, as such, she had let her mind wander off a bit. She was laying back on Stormfly and observing and thinking things she hadn't noticed before; she was always too busy training to let herself.
"You ever wonder what makes wings so… flighty?" she wondered. It was a good question; something she might ask Fishlegs, or maybe Hiccup, about later. Just what was it about wings that gave creatures flight?
Her thoughts were halted, however, when Stormfly squawked in alarm. "Stormfly?" Astrid asked sitting right up. She looked down to see Aric and Shadowstar coming straight for them. "Oh, great. Well that's what I get for getting cocky", she berated herself, before zooming off from her gaining brother.
"You can't out fly me, sis!" Aric called out.
"What does it look like I'm doing?!" Astrid responded boasting a little of how she was keeping ahead.
"Losing", Aric exclaimed tagging the top of her head as he had flipped upside down for a moment above her.
"Ugh!" Astrid grunted frustrated.
"You're out. Next time, I suggest not getting distracted and talking to yourself", her brother told her before flying off for his next victim.
000
Hiccup let Toothless leisurely fly over the ocean, speed being their main plan against Aric. Out of the corner of her eye, Hiccup saw him coming up and settling behind Toothless. It stayed like that for a little bit, before he spoke.
"You might as well give up now", he said to her.
"Wow", Hiccup drawled sarcastically. "You sound just like Alvin." Looking forward, that's when she saw a cave in the side of a mountain. Perfect. "Come on, bud. Let's see how he does when the lights go out."
"This is gonna be good", Toothless laughed. Then with one strong wing beat, he pushed forward into the cave ahead.
000
It was three down, two to go, and now Aric found Hiccup who was presently rushing into a cave. Aric chuckled.
"Hiccup; so predictable", he said before flying in after her.
He heard the telltale screech of a Night Fury, Toothless or Hiccup using their echo location of which Shadowstar was unfortunately incapable of. A bad luck of the draw in her gene pool he supposed, but that definitely made it harder to keep up in a dark cave. Luckily, Shadowstar was a smart girl. She opened her mouth and ignited her purple flame, but kept it inside her mouth using it like a lantern.
"Good girl, Shadowstar", he praised and then they rushed on catching up with Hiccup.
"Aric; so predictable", he could hear her say by the echo of the cave. He could just imagine her rolling her eyes with that dry tone of hers.
Hiccup and Toothless turned a corner, and Aric followed not seeing them anymore, but figuring they must have just went out the exit. Where else could they have gone? As such, they rushed out to catch up again, but when they got back into open air there was no sign of a black scaled dragon and his hybrid rider anywhere.
"Huh?" he wondered confused.
000
"All clear", Toothless silently warbled after peaking out from their winged cocoon on a rock at the side of the cave.
His wings opened up, and Hiccup looked up to Toothless from where she was seated. "He's not going to be too pleased with this, is he?" she drawled knowingly.
000
"No…"
He'd lost her. He didn't know how, but Hiccup bested him again. If there was one thing he couldn't beat, it was her craftiness.
A Nightmare passed by.
Lucky for him, there was still one person left who had the craftiness of a confused yak.
000
It seemed that Aric had finally found them, the other teen flying up behind them. Snotlout bet he just wanted to save the real challenge for last.
"Okay, Hookfang", Snotlout said. "Let's show 'em who's the true king of the sky. Flame!"
A burst of heat, but no flame.
"Uh, Hookfang, I said, flame!"
One burst of heat again, but still no flame.
'What in the name of Thor?'
"And out", Aric tagged his helmet frustrating Snotlout further.
"Come on! Stop being stubborn!" he yelled. As usual, Hookfang was just trying to make a fool out of him. "Flame up!"
Nothing.
"FLAME UP!"
000
When they all landed back on the beach and dismounted their dragons, Hiccup couldn't help but look at Hookfang's worn form. And the fact that he couldn't flame up before, was really concerning her. But as usual, Snotlout denied everything.
"What?" he asked defensively as they all looked with concern. "What's the matter with everyone? Never seen a stubborn dragon before?" he tried to laugh off.
"Snotlout, that wasn't stubbornness", Hiccup interjected. "There's…something wrong with Hookfang. He couldn't flame up."
"No, Hookfang didn't want to flame up", Snotlout denied. "There's a difference. He's board with your dumb exercise and he can flame up whenever he wants!"
"Okay, how 'bout now?" Tuffnut asked.
Snotlout turned back to Hookfang, but he just laid there tiredly.
"Nah. He doesn't feel like it now", he tried saying lightly, but no one could deny the slight tone of worry and doubt creeping up in Snotlout's voice.
"Snotlout, we really need to check Hookfang. And we should probably do it now", Hiccup said with as much care as she could.
"Fine", he conceded. "Be my guest. But there's nothing wrong with my dragon."
Hiccup hoped there wasn't, but with each second that passed as they headed to the academy to check Hookfang properly Hookfang seemed to be getting worse and worse, his scales dulling in color to a sickly gray. When they got to the academy Fishlegs promptly got the Book of Dragons, and Hiccup went to Hookfang to examine him.
"Alright. No fire; check. Pale coloration; check. Flaking scales", she rubbed her hand over his side, pale scales flaking off, "Check."
"See? He's fine", Snotlout said. "Checks are good right?" he then knelt beside Hookfang with a worried tone.
"Totally", Tuffnut answered.
Hookfang then expressed his discomfort, before moving away from Snotlout into a different position. The poor dragon sounded worse than when he was poisoned by the Blue Oleander.
"Hiccup, any one of those symptoms would not be good", Fishlegs came up to her. "But together? Really not good."
"So, what are you saying?" she asked.
"According to the Book of Dragons, a Monstrous Nightmare can lose its ability to generate flame."
"But, why?" Astrid inquired.
"Lots of reasons", Fishlegs answered. "Old age, injury, exhaustion―"
"Pushed too hard by his stubborn rider?" Aric interrupted.
"I heard that", Snotlout took offense. "And I always work him this hard. So he's a little low on flame? What's the cure?"
"That's the thing with Stoker class dragons", Fishlegs tried to explain. "Once they lose their flaming ability, they become completely…defenseless and…"
"What are you saying, Fishlegs?" Snotlout asked now sounding worried.
"I'm saying Hookfang is in trouble. And we need to do something, now."
000
Snotlout was scared. He'd never admit it; he barely admitted it to himself, but he was scared. He wasn't sure what to do. If Hookfang wasn't okay, if he didn't get better… Well, no matter. Right now all that mattered was that Hookfang got better, and that started with getting him a nice bowl of water as he just rested on the bottom floor of their house. He brought it over to the dragon, and set it down on the ground.
"Hookfang don't listen to those guys, they don't know what they're talking about", he said. Hookfang was a warrior. He'd be fine. Right?
"Is that really what you think, son?" his mom questioned as she came down the stairs with a blanket.
"Of course. Pfft. Hookfang's indestructible. Like me."
"Hmm…" she just hummed knowingly as she placed the blanket over Hookfang.
Looking back down, he noticed Hookfang hadn't moved his head to drink. As such, Snotlout scooped up some in his hand and placed it in Hookfang's mouth. He began drinking after that, and Snotlout found himself smile for it.
"Snotlout", the door then slammed open with his father.
Snotlout jumped up to his feet quick as lightning. "Oh, hey dad. Didn't expect you home so soon", he greeted hoping his dad wouldn't notice Hookfang.
"Eh, have you seen my spare bludgeon?" his dad asked looking around the house.
"If you put it back where it belongs, you wouldn't lose it", his mom responded.
"I could've sworn I left it here", Spitelout continued searching through the chest of weapons.
"You want to borrow mine?" Snotlout offered.
"Yeah. I have to get back to the port. We're having a contest to see whose skull is strongest."
"Heh, sounds fun."
Hookfang moaned shifting on the ground, and his mom knelt down to pet him in comfort. Unfortunately, his dad noticed.
"Trouble with the lizard, son?" he questioned as he grabbed the bludgeon from its place on the wall.
"Oh, who, him? He's fine. Just resting."
"You know what I say about rest."
" "Rest is for the weak." " Snotlout recited with his dad.
"And you know what I say?" his mom interjected. "Even the greatest soldier needs his rest."
"Maybe. If you're a hiccup", his dad dejected nudging Snotlout with his joke.
"It's just a break", Snotlout tried to say lightly. "You know, from annihilating stuff all day. Isn't that right Hookfang?" Usually, Hookfang would huff or grumble, but now he just groaned moving his head away. "Haha, he's roaring on the inside…" he just tried laughing off as he turned back to his father. It all came out strained, though. He wasn't exactly sure why. All he knew was that he was scared. But he was also feeling this overwhelming sadness like he was going to cry. But that was ridiculous. He was a warrior. Not some emotional girl.
Outside they heard a Night Fury's roar, Hiccup and Toothless passing by on another one of their evening flights. Looking back to his father, he could see the scowl plain on his face.
"You know, boyo", his dad started strolling up to the door. "As Viking warriors, if our swords are not cutting properly, we sharpen them", he said taking out a sword from the basket. "But, if our sword can not be sharpened any longer…" he snapped the sword in half on his knee, Snotlout's eyes widening. "…we get a new sword." And with that he tossed the broken pieces away like trash and made his way to leave.
"Spitelout!" his mother yelled reprimandingly, and she followed him outside. The door shut and there was anger, and shouting could be heard through the door as murmurs.
"Oh, what is it now?!"
"How could you say that to him?!"
"It's just a dumb ol' lizard!"
"That dragon is more than that to him, and you know it!"
It all didn't matter, though, as Snotlout looked down at Hookfang. He could never… He would never… Why would his dad say that…?
Snotlout seated himself beside Hookfang placing a gentle hand on his best friend's snout feeling like he was gonna cry again. Hookfang just had to get better. He had to.
000
The next day, Snotlout brought Hookfang back to the academy, and as they waited for Fishlegs' report on anything, Hookfang laid on his side so tired and his scales nearly all gray. Hiccup and Snotlout sat with him to offer comfort to him, but it did nothing to calm Snotlout's strange and raging emotions.
"Don't worry, Snotlout. We'll get to the bottom of this. I promise", Hiccup said to him.
"I'm not worried", he only said. Then, not even a moment later, when he turned his face back to Hookfang, something took over him, and a little tear began to escape his eye as he began to sniffle. Why was this happening?
"Whoa", Tuffnut then voiced. "Are you crying?" he asked. "What's that like?"
"Crying?!" Snotlout burst out punching Tuffnut away. "Ha! That's ridiculous", he strained to say. "There's dust in my eyes. Can't you see how dusty it is in here, guys? Right?" his voice cracked, and that's when the flood gates opened. He could no longer hold it in. He began to sob, tearing right in front of everyone, and he tried with all his might to stop it, but couldn't. This was embarrassing. He never cried. Ever! It was weak. It was disgraceful; unbecoming.
Astrid, however, didn't seemed fazed by it. Instead, she did something odd. She was nice to him, coming up with a soft expression. "Snotlout, there's nothing wrong with being upset. It just means you care", she said softly, even placing a hand on his shoulder.
Snotlout moved away from the touch, unfamiliar with it. "Alright. Um, let's just pretend for a minute that I did, well, care. How would I know? I mean, how would you know?"
"Well, you might feel a tightness in your chest... you might get a little shaky… You're eyes might get watery."
Check, check, and check. Was that all this was? This overwhelming fear and sadness? Was it all just caring?
"Yeah, I'm just gonna go with dust", he said wiping his eyes. "For now."
000
As Snotlout went through a strange emotional episode she'd never seen from him before, Hiccup continued to croon and warble to Hookfang trying to offer as much care and comfort as she could. It was the very least she could do, and she wished she could do more for the dragon, but until Fishlegs came with some kind of information, there was nothing they could do.
"Hiccup!" she then heard Fishlegs call as he ran in. "Here's something from the Bork papers regarding reigniting a Stoker class dragon flame." He showed her the paper in his hand. It was a drawing.
"Fireworm dragons", she said taking the paper.
"Or as Bork liked to call them, the Flame Eaters."
"Flame Eaters", Tuffnut reiterated. "We should be flame eaters."
"Cool!" Ruffnut exclaimed before punching her brother's back.
"OW!"
"Fireworms are Stoker class dragon too", Hiccup thought aloud. "There must be something in them that can help reignite the Monstrous Nightmare! Okay. Hoffersons, twins, we're rounding up as many Fireworms as we can find. Fishlegs, keep reading."
"What about me?!" Snotlout exclaimed.
"You, stay with your dragon. He needs you", she responded.
"It's part of caring", Aric added.
It didn't take long to gather a bunch of Fireworms up. And once the riders had gathered back up in the academy, Hiccup told the Fireworms to circle around Hookfang. They did it with no questions asked. It seemed Fireworms were very simple hive minded types. All Hiccup had to do was tell them to please stand around Hookfang and they did it. But, when they surrounded Hookfang nothing happened.
"Huh. Nothing", Hiccup said, and Snotlout gave her a lost worried look. "Well, that might not have worked", she placated."But―
"Maybe he can drink this", Tuffnut presented a bowl.
"Wha―what is that?"
"Fireworm milk", Ruffnut answered.
"Fireworm milk?" Aric questioned.
"Uh, Tuffnut, I hate to break it to ya, but I don't think you can actually milk a Fireworm", Astrid said.
"Oh great, thanks. Where were you three hours ago?!" he asked showing his bandaged hand.
"Maybe we have to put the Fireworms on Hookfang", Hiccup decided. "So he can absorb their heat directly."
"Yeah. Yeah! Good idea Hiccup", Snotlout brightened up grabbing her arms and shaking her. "Direct heat. That makes sense." Why obnoxious brutes liked to shake her she had no clue, but then Snotlout stopped, his face turning into a glare. "Well, what are you waiting for?!" he shouted and Hiccup just smiled.
"Well, you heard the man! On the Nightmare, guys", she told the Fireworms, and they all climbed onto Hookfang standing all over from his head to his tail.
Hookfang began to flame, and spirits rose, but then the fire extinguished as fast as it had come, and Snotlout freaked out.
"We need more Fireworms now!" he yelled racing and turning everything over trying to find even a single Fireworm. "You here me?! More! Fireworms!"
"Snotlout, I think we've rounded up all the Fireworms on Berk", Astrid said solemnly, and Snotlout instantly deflated dropping the bucket in his hands.
It was a disaster. Hookfang was running out of time, and without him she began to fear Snotlout might fall apart.
"Come on!" She then heard, and turned to the twins at Ruffnut's voice. "You said you wanted to be a flame eater", she said with a Fireworm in a clamp looking like she was trying to burn her brother's face. They were playing with them, each having a Fireworm in a clamp tool and shoving them at each other.
As Hiccup watched, she couldn't help but notice the glow that brightened whenever the two Fireworms got near each other.
"Um, Hiccup, do you really think now is the perfect time to be focusing on the twins?" Astrid questioned her.
"It's actually the perfect time", Hiccup said back before walking up to the twins. "I-I don't say this often", she started, the twins pausing their game. "But, you two are geniuses."
"Pfft. Like we don't know that", Tuffnut said in response.
Quickly, Hiccup got a spear and a lantern and had two Fireworms kindly file inside for her.
"What are you doing, Hiccup? Shouldn't you be figuring out how to SAVE MY DRAGON!" Snotlout yelled hostilely.
"I am", Hiccup just stated before going over to three Fireworms near the group. "As Ruffnut and Tuffnut so astutely discovered, Fireworms glow brighter the closer they are to one another", she showed by pulling the lantern nearer and then further away from the Fireworms.
" "Whoa…" " the twins chorused. "We discovered that?" Ruffnut asked.
"Yes. Yes you did. And if I'm right, the closer we get to more Fireworms then… Come on… Come on, Tuff, lead us home!"
"... We'll…all burst into flames! Yes!"
"Geniuses!" Ruffnut exclaimed after him. Then they hit their helmets together.
"No, actually, the closer we get the brighter the Fireworms will glow!" Hiccup said excited. "Inside this", she lift the spear with the lantern up.
"Oh… Much less fun than bursting into flames", Tuffnut groaned.
"Wait a minute! I thought you said there were no more Fireworms on the island?" Snotlout pointed out.
"There aren't", Fishlegs confirmed. "On this island. But there are plenty on Fireworm Island."
"Fireworm Island?"
"That's where these little guys are going to lead us―"
Hookfang's groans of pain and weakness grew in volume, the pale dragon pleading for help. There was no way he'd be able to fly to the island, let alone get up from the ground. But, Snotlout still went over to Hookfang and encouraged the dragon to push through it.
"Come on, Hookfang, you gotta dig deep. I know there's still some fight left in you", he said, going under his wing to help lift his dragon up.
Hookfang made a short grumble for him to stop. He was far too weak, but Snotlout wouldn't give up. He kept pushing both verbally and physically, and somehow, by sheer will of power, Hookfang stood.
000
They were on their way after that, and while Hiccup didn't think it was the best idea to fly Hookfang to the island, Snotlout insisted otherwise. There was no telling how much time his dragon had left, and there was no way they could bring hundreds of Fireworms to Berk. Hookfang had to be brought to the Fireworms. It was the only way, and Hiccup knew he was right. Now, they were lagging behind the group, Hookfang doing his best to fly with everyone else to the island.
"Hang in there, Hookfang. We'll find more Fireworms. I promise", Snotlout told him, placing a hand to his head.
"Getting anything?" Aric asked Hiccup who was leading the way with her Fireworm lantern on a spear. Normally he'd be griping about how she always had to be the leader, but right now he couldn't care less. Just as long as they got to Fireworm Island.
"No. Nothing yet", she answered, but Snotlout didn't lose hope. He couldn't. Not even when Hookfang dropped a few more feet in altitude.
"Hiccup!" Fishlegs called to Hiccup rushing up to beside Toothless. "Hookfang is getting weaker without his flame. I-I'm afraid he won't be able to fly much longer."
"I know. We don't have much time", Hiccup responded, and then Hookfang lost more altitude, his flying becoming ragged as he panted and tried to stay in the air.
"Hold on, Hookfang. We're almost there, just hold on", Snotlout practically pleaded.
"Hookfang is losing too much strength", Fishlegs said, everyone turning back to look at him and Hookfang. "We're going to have to head back."
"No! We have to keep going!" Snotlout shouted at them. Even though Hookfang was losing more altitude by the minute, they couldn't just give up. They could make it.
"Fishlegs is right, Snotlout!" Hiccup said. "It's not safe."
Hookfang kept going down, but there was no way he would let his dragon give up. "Come on, boy! Keep fighting!"
"We should turn back!" Aric agreed too as the riders all fell back to where he and Hookfang had dropped down to for the time being.
Although he really didn't want to, Snotlout relented, and they all began to turn back. But, as they turned left, the lantern began to glow brighter.
"Guys look!" Fishlegs exclaimed.
"Ye-ye-yes, I see it!" Hiccup exclaimed in response. The clouds broke, and in front of them stood an island. "That must be it. Fireworm Island."
They flew close to the island letting the lantern lead them to the Fireworms' nest, when they found a cave and the glow got even brighter. "They must be inside here", Hiccup said, and they landed on the cliff beside it, Hookfang just barely making it. Snotlout got off, and he watched despairingly as his weary dragon collapsed on the ground.
"Snotlout, I think that you need to stay behind with Hookfang. Aric and I will bring the Fireworms back", Hiccup said, but he couldn't. He wanted to stay with Hookfang, but he couldn't just stand back and do nothing. No.
"No. I did this, Hiccup. I did this to Hookfang… And I have to fix it", he decided running into the cave.
"Wait. Snotlout!"
000
"Wait. Snotlout!" Hiccup shouted after Snotlout, but he didn't stop, and after Hiccup quickly let the Fireworms go from the lantern, Toothless ran after him.
"We'll take care of Hookfang!" Aric called as she raced.
"And hurry!" Fishlegs shouted after.
Hiccup had quickly caught up to Snotlout; it wasn't hard given she was riding a Night Fury. "Come on!" she said, and Snotlout jumped on Toothless, the dragon then taking them both further into the cave.
Toothless stopped, however, when they came to a bright cavern filled with Fireworms and some kind of honey comb looking stuff on the walls.
"What is that?" Snotlout asked.
"I think its the nest", Hiccup answered, and looking closer at the Fireworms she noticed that they were eating the gel inside the combs. The combs, or, the gel, had the same glow they did. "Flame Eaters", Hiccup realized. "That's what Bork meant. Those…fire combs are filled with the gel. Eating it gives Fireworms their heat. Whatever you do, please don't tell the twins about this", she then murmured. "Now we have to be careful not to disturb their nest. Whatever you do, don't touch―"
She heard a cracking sound to the right of her, and looking over she saw Snotlout grasping at a firecomb trying to tear it off from the rest.
"Snotlout, no!" When did he even get off of Toothless?
"This is gonna save Hookfang!" he argued as he pulled eventually succeeding in his heist. "I got it!"
"Slimy eels", Hiccup then heard someone growl and hiss. "You think you can invade my nest and take what is mine?!"
"What was that?" Snotlout nervously asked hearing the roar.
The owner of the voice crawled through the nest's entrance, Toothless defensively turning right around to face the large dragon now standing before them.
"Uh, that would be the mother. The Fireworm Queen", Hiccup nervously answered.
"LEAVE!" the Queen roared again.
"I'm sorry your highness", she tried with a submissive tone. "We didn't mean any harm. It's just a friend of ours is in trouble and―"
"SILENCE! I don't know what you are or how you speak the dragon language, but I don't want to hear another word of it. If you're human friend doesn't release my firecomb this instant I will not hesitate to burn every single one of you into nothing but ash!"
"I'd like to see you try", Toothless growled right back.
"Toothless, no. She's just protecting her nest. We're the intruders here", Hiccup placated.
"Wise creature", the Queen hissed with an edge of fascination. "Now order your human to put my comb back", she growled threateningly.
000
Snotlout was completely lost as to what was happening. This apparently Queen showed up, and now Hiccup was having some sort of conversation with it, the Queen not seeming to be calming down guessing by the way she kept growling and hissing in response to Hiccup's croons, warbles, and moans. It was always weird when Hiccup talked to dragons. Not only did he always feel like a fish out of water when she basically just forgot he was there, but the sounds she made didn't sound like she should be, and it was like she had a separate set of vocal chords just for her dragon side. It was just strange to hear come from a human mouth, especially when even Fishlegs couldn't replicate it. And he'd heard him try.
It always sounded like he was gargling rocks or chocking on something, and Snotlout would always laugh. Then Hiccup would glare at him and tell him to leave and stop interrupting Fishlegs lessons. He of course didn't listen though. It was way too much fun to make fun of the chicken boy.
Finally, it seemed the conversation ended, and Hiccup turned to him.
"Uh, Snotlout, about that comb? Yeah, I've been ordered to tell you to put it back. So…if you wouldn't mind…?" she told him.
"No!" Snotlout protested. "This is the only way to save Hookfang, and I'm not giving it up." How could Hiccup ask him to put back the only thing that could save his dragon just because some dragon Queen said so? If it was Toothless she'd do everything in her power to get it to him. And for Hookfang, he'd do the same.
"But―"
He ran for it, the dragon shrieking after him as he escaped out of the cavern.
"Snotlout!"
He ran through the cave, the Fireworm chasing him down, when he heard the sound of a Night Fury and paws wrapped around him. Next thing Snotlout knew, he was on Toothless' back behind Hiccup and flying for their lives.
"I told you to put it back!" Hiccup scolded him.
"And I told you no!" he shouted right back.
The dragon shrieked crawling the walls and gaining on them fast.
"Bud, get us out of here!" Hiccup exclaimed to Toothless, and the dragon sped up racing through the tunnel.
The cave's ceiling started crumbling with the Queens fury, when suddenly, the shrieks stopped, and when Snotlout looked behind he found the Fireworm Queen to be nowhere in sight.
"Wait, where'd she go?" he said.
"There's no time to worry about that now", Hiccup responded. "She's gone, and the exit is up ahead." But as they approached the exit of the cave, the Fireworm Queen showed up to block their exit. "And, she took a short cut."
"There's no way out!" Snotlout freaked, but then a blast of magnesium fire hit the Queen causing her to fly away from the assault, thus leaving the cave's entrance.
"Astrid! Stormfly!" Hiccup yelled out, and when they emerged from the cave they saw both Hoffersons fighting and keeping the Fireworm Queen busy.
"We'll handle that Queen. You get to Hookfang", Aric said, and Toothless dived for Hookfang.
"I got it, Hookfang!" Snotlout exclaimed jumping off. "I got it. You need to eat this right away", he hastily told Hookfang placing the firecomb in front of him as Hiccup left to join the others. Hookfang looked at it with interest, a little steam coming from his nostrils, and it gave Snotlout hope. But as the fight with the Queen raged on behind him, his dragon wasn't even attempting the lick the gel. "What are you waiting for Hookfang? Eat it. Eat it!" he practically begged.
There was another screech behind him and he saw the Fireworm coming towards them with anger and fury. Snotlout looked from Hookfang, and then to the Queen. Determined, he fully turned to her stepping up challengingly.
"If you want to get to my dragon, you have to go through me", he told her defiantly.
It was all for not, though, when Hookfang then suddenly took the firecomb into his mouth and threw it away towards the Queen.
"No!" Snotlout shouted. "What are doing, Hookfang?! You need to eat that!"
"Snotlout, he's protecting you", Hiccup explained. "He's doing for you what you were willing to do for him."
It didn't make him feel any better though. Hookfang was giving his own life for his, and he didn't want that. He just wanted Hookfang back.
The Fireworm Queen took the firecomb into her claw looking pleased to have it returned. She then roared something, but instead of leaving like he thought she would, she instead wrapped her tail around Hookfang's neck bringing him to her face to face.
"HOOKFANG!" Snotlout shouted in fear.
The Queen opened her mouth, stuck her weird possibly poisonous tongue out, and then struck Hookfang in one swift move.
"NO!" Snotout screamed, and he ran for Hookfang, but the Queen swatted him away with her wing.
"Hiccup!" Aric yelled, and she roared something to the Queen causing her to look at her. Then as Snotlout walked back up, the Fireworm Queen had placed Hookfang down and began to step back.
"Hookfang", Snotlout said with a broken voice. He just laid there still; breathing, but who knew for how long.
"Oh no", he head Astrid cry too.
Hookfang's eyes barely opened to look at him as Snotlout knelt down beside him and pet his snout. He was crying, Snotout knew, but he didn't care.
"I'm right here with you. You're not just another sword, Hookfang." It hurt so much. This was all his fault. If he had just paid attention to Hookfang more, if he had just acknowledged Hookfang's needs sooner, none of this would have happened.
The scales beneath his hand was a dull gray; ruff, but smooth, and… warm?
"Huh, that's weird. He's really hot", Snotlout muttered. And then, right before his very eyes, Hookfang's scales returned to their natural color. Hookfang stood up, and he flamed up in a grand display before Snotlout who stood there speechless but over joyed. "Hookfang! You're back!" he exclaimed when he found his voice.
"Feel his skin", Fishlegs muttered. "The gel; it's regenerating."
"Her venom must have started it up again. She saved him", Hiccup then said with sounded to both be surprise and gratitude.
Snotlout didn't care for the explanation though. He was just glad his dragon was back.
000
Hiccup was kind of proud of Snotlout. Despite his insistence on treating Hookfang as a mere pet rather than a friend, he really did care for Hookfang. This day proved it. He was even tearing up with joy.
She was also amazed by the Queen's actions. Just by returning her firecomb Hookfang had gained enough gratitude from the Queen to save his life. It was the biggest thanks she could have ever given him, and it was what Hiccup found she loved about dragons most. Through one small kind act, they could forgive; no matter what species.
"Thank you, Queen of the Fireworms", Hookfang thanked the Queen.
"You are welcome", she responded cheerfully. "You're human has much to learn about respecting others and their property. I hope one day he does."
"Don't worry. I'll give him plenty of lessons", Hookfang smirked.
"Farewell. Let us hope we do not meet again", the Queen said, and then retreated into her nest.
000
"Where is he?" Astrid complained.
"Why are we always waiting for him?" Aric griped.
"There he his", Hiccup said.
The riders were all up top a sea stack waiting for Snotlout the following day, and the rider and dragon had just arrived landing in front of Hiccup.
"Okay, good", she said. "We're all here. Snotlout, you and Hookfang are the evil dragon this time."
"Actually, I thought we'd sit this one out", Snotlout surprisingly said continuing to pet Hookfang. "Maybe go on a nice flight, take in the sights… I just want to make sure that he's well rested."
"I thought your dad says rest is for the weak?" Aric knowingly stated.
"Turns out, my dad knows absolutely nothing about dragons."
Hiccup and Aric both shared a look to that response, but smiled nonetheless.
"I just want to take it easy. Until Hookfang is back to his old self." To that Hookfang smirked and tossed Snotlout into the air. "AH! Hookfang, no!" Then he flew up and caught him on his flaming back. "Stupid dragon!"
"Okay good; back to his old self", Hiccup joked, and with that they all leaped up into the air.