Hi. Yes, I'm back. No, I'm not dead. I'm going back to college again soon, I've just recently gotten a job, and... Well, I need to focus more. If anyone is even reading my stuff anymore, I appreciate your patience and thank you for staying with me through my shitty spells.

Ch. 9
Failed Neutrality

The morning was pleasant and sweet. Maybe it was the fresh air, or maybe it was how swimmingly everything seemed to be going. I have no idea. All I know is that I didn't want it to end any time soon.

I was cooking some fish that my parents had caught that morning. They were still out there. I could hear them talking and laughing from here. It made me smile, knowing they were getting along so well. And to think, soon this will be an everyday occurrence once we get back to Berk. The idea that I would finally have two parents- that I would actually have a family- gave me a warm feeling in my gut. And, now that I think about it, maybe this all will be enough to distract my dad from making me chief so soon. I mean, I know I will have to take the position eventually, and I will. Just… not now.

I was so busy cooking the fish that I almost didn't hear the sound of footsteps creeping up behind me. Before I could turn around a pair of arms wrapped themselves around me, and I felt someone kiss my ear.

"Morning, love," Toothless whispered.

I rolled my eyes. "Morning."

He nuzzled my neck, and I could feel the rumbling in his throat. "You smell lovely."

"You're just smelling the fish."

"Oh, right!"

Toothless leaned forward dramatically and sniffed the fish, a smile appearing on his face. I laughed as I pushed him back.

"Wait a minute, won't you?" I told him seriously.

Toothless groaned. "Ugh, fine…"

He released me and went over to the opposite wall, leaning against it and folding his arms, a pouty expression on his face. I stuck my tongue out at him before going back to the fish. At that moment, Gobber came shuffling him, hoisting his britches up higher than needed.

"Mmm, smells great," he sat down on a nearby rock. "At least your mother isn't cookin'."

"C'mon, she can't be that bad," I said.

Gobber raised her eyebrow. "The last time I remember her attempting to cook, your father was sick for three days."

I stared at him. Wow… She made dad straight up sick and he still loved her. Man, he seemed so different back then compared to how he was now sometimes. If I tried to make something and it made dad sick, he would've been pretty mad at me.

I was nearly done with the fish when my parents came in, giggling and holding each other's hands. My dad had a huge basket hanging off of his shoulders that was no doubt full of fish, and my mom was carrying the fishing poles.

"It's about time you two got back," Gobber gestured at them with is hook. "You've been out there for over an hour now!"

"Well, we would've been back sooner," my dad put an arm around my mom's waist and pulled her close. "But she just had to steal me away for a little longer."

"Stoick!" mom laughed.

I grinned.

Soon, the fish was done and was passed out to everyone. We all ate at a small, wooden table, sitting on stones placed all around it. Toothless sat next to me, still in his human form, eating some raw fish I had set aside for him. That was something I noticed about him lately. Whenever we weren't flying, he would nearly always be in his humanoid form. At first, it was just to walk beside me on the beach. But then, he started going everywhere with me in his other form, running small errands for me, even eating at the table with me and my dad. He'd still take his fish raw, but still. It was a bit odd, but I didn't question it.

I looked over at Toothless as he ate his fish. He must have felt me looking at him because he looked up at me. He smiled, and I smiled back as I went back to eating. I then felt something warm on my leg, and I glanced down to see Toothless' hand. This was something he often did whenever he ate at the table with me. Grabbing my leg, stroking my knee gently. Not wanting to draw attention to myself, I ignored it. But then I felt his hand shift, and it started sliding up onto my thigh. I stopped my eating and glanced sideways at him. He wasn't looking directly at me, but I could still feel is piercing eyes on me. I quickly looked up to see Gobber and my parents not even looking at us, all of whom were distracted in their own conversation. Toothless' hand continued to move up in a painfully slow manner, until his fingertips started to reach my inner thigh. I clenched my hand into a tight fist, trying not to move or make a sound. My heart was racing, and I felt my leg twitch. I could've sworn I heard Toothless chuckle as he gave my thigh a tender squeeze, and I inhaled quietly.

"Are you alright, dear?" my mom asked. "Do you need some more water or something?"

I assured her I was fine and she went back to her breakfast. I snapped my gaze over to Toothless, but he was already eating his own fish, a shit-eating smirk on his face. I was just considering kicking him in the shin when I heard something. A soft noise, almost like something shifting around.

"Did you hear that?" I asked.

"Hear what?" my dad asked.

I listened carefully, then I heard it again. It was clearer this time, and I could tell that it sounded like a pair of wings. Not dragon wings, bird wings. I glanced around to find the source of the noise just as there was a rather loud crowing sound. There was a heavy clatter, and we all turned to see a large, black hawk standing in an opening in the stone wall. It wasn't like any of the birds I had seen on this island, and there were very few. It glared at us coldly, almost judgingly, with its large black eyes.

"What on earth…?" my mom breathed.

"Look," said Toothless. "There's a note tied to its leg."

I looked at the hawk closely, and saw that it did indeed have a rolled up note tied to its claw. Before anyone else could do so, I stood up first and slowly walked over towards the hawk. It gave me a nasty look before turning its head away and sticking its leg out towards me. I hesitated before reaching out and softly taking the note from it. It lowered its leg and flew further away, landing on the countertop.

"What is it, dear?" my mom asked.

I slowly unrolled the letter, and looked down on the dark, jagged writing, and read it aloud.

"Dragon Master, first I want you to know that I know where you are, and I am coming for you. I intend to take your dragons just as I have taken others. But, this does not have to end violently. At least, not yet. I've heard tales of the power and persuasion you hold over dragons. As a fellow controller of dragons myself, I am both bothered and intrigued by your ability. Because of this, I feel we may have some common ground upon which we can reach a compromise. So, I have stopped my armada in neutral waters for the time being. I suggest that you come at night onto my ship so that we may discuss this like adults, and hopefully we can reach an agreement. I await your response. Drago Bludvist."

I slowly raised my head to look at the other. Every single one of them was gaping at me in shock. My dad was the first to speak.

"Don't even think about it."

"Dad, wait-"

"Hicca, you're not actually considering-"

"Yes mom, I am."

"Lass, I don't think-"

I ignored Gobber as I dropped Drago's letter. I opened the leather flap on my right arm and took out a piece of paper from it. I took out my charcoal pencil and began writing my response.

I'll be there.

"Hicca, what are you doing?" my father asked in a harsh voice.

I dropped my pencil and rolled the paper up as I walked towards the hawk. It paused in the middle of cleaning its feathers to glare up at me, then stuck its leg out again. I quickly tied the note to its leg, and the second I finished it flew off.

"Hicca, what have you done?!" my mom cried, springing to her feet. "Have you gone mad?"

"Mad?" I gaped at her. "Mom, you heard that letter. Drago wants to talk! He actually wants to negotiate. This is the chance I've been looking for."

"A chance to what? To get killed?"

"Look, I know you guys think this is impossible, and maybe it is, but I have to try. At least then I'll know for sure."

"Hicca, we can't let you go," my dad said firmly. "It's too dangerous. You have no idea what he could do-"

"I'll be fine. Besides, I'll have Toothless with me."

At this, everyone turned to look at Toothless, who was looking much less cheerful than before.

"Say something!" my mother begged.

Toothless cleared his throat, wiping his mouth off before looking at all of them very seriously.

"I think we should give it a try. If it fails, at least then we'll know."

Everyone gaped at him, thunderstruck. I smiled.

"Thanks, bud."

My dad let out a furious grunt before turning and stomping out of the room. My mom gave me a painful look before turning and running after him, Gobber following close behind. I sighed. I really hope this works.

"There he is."

Toothless floated there for a second. 'Are you sure you want to do this?'

"Honestly, no," I admitted. "But, I have to try."

'Very well.'

With that, Toothless began to fly towards the largest ship. It took only a few moments before the soldiers on deck noticed us and started to blow their horns. Along with the horns, I could hear what sounded like roars. More specifically, dragon roars.

"Steady…"

I could feel Toothless beginning to tense up as we got closer and closer towards the ship. Eventually, he closed his wings and we landed on the deck with a huge thud. The sailors all around us formed a large circle around us, pointing swords and spears in our direction.

"I was under the impression that we were invited," I muttered lowly.

'Maybe it was a trap?'

"I don't think so. They would've attacked us by now."

"LOWER YOUR WEAPONS!"

At once the sailors immediately lowered their arms, looking suddenly nervous. I could tell why. There was only one person on this voyage that could have that kind of command and authority in their voice. I looked up towards the upper deck and saw a looming, dark figure looking down at us. They jumped off and landed in front of us, making the deck shake dangerously. The sailors muttered as they all shifted around, breaking the circle so the stranger had room to move in. I slid off of Toothless as the figure walked closer towards us, and I immediately knew that it was Drago Bludvist. He looked as evil as my dad had described. Tall, massive as dad, dark soulless eyes, and he was dressed all in black. He was also wearing a dark cloak made out of what looked like dragon skin.

'Nightfury…!' Toothless hissed in my head.

What? I thought in my head.

'That cloak… it's made out of Nightfury skin!'

I inhaled sharply. But before I could respond to this new information, Drago spoke and a deep, throaty voice.

"This is the great, dragon master?! The daughter of Stoick the Vast?!"

Drago threw back his head and roared with maniacal laughter. Toothless growled at him, taking a protective step in front of me.

"What shame he must feel! Unable to bare even a single son to take over his throne. And yet," he seemed to live his chin up as he observed me. "What lovely young he has created."

Toothless hissed angrily, stepping completely in front of me. I reached up and grasped his head, making soft 'sh' noises.

"You should keep yours under control," Drago said, gesturing at Toothless. "We are in neutral waters. I am here to negotiate. Not fight."

"I understand," I stepped firmly in front of Toothless, looking as confident and determined as I could. "I'm willing to talk and negotiate."

Drago smirked. "I knew you would. Come. Let us walk."

With that, he turned and started to stomp in the opposite direction. Toothless and I looked at each other for a moment before we started to follow him.

"It stays."

"What?"

"Your dragon stays put. We will be talking alone."

Toothless snarled. 'Like hell you will-'

"Toothless," I said quickly. "Stay here."

'What? Hicca, you can't seriously trust-'

"No, I don't," I admitted. "But we don't have much of a choice."

Toothless glared at me, and I glared back. Then, after a moment, he sighed and sat down, but still at alert. I nodded at him before turning and running to catch up to Drago.

He didn't say anything as we walked. He just stared forward as we walked past the edge of the deck. As we did, I heard what sounded millions of bubbles. Curiously, I peeked over the edge and saw a huge cluster of bubbles bubbling in a circle in the water. It was like the water was boiling.

"Curious, isn't it?" Drago asked suddenly, making me jump. "How there is still so much in the world, that I know some things that you don't. Like what's down there for instance."

I gulped. "Um… what is down there?"

Drago chuckled darkly. "Trust me, you do not want to find out."

He turned and continued walking. I looked at the bubbles again before turning and resuming the walk.

"I've heard a lot about you, dragon master," Drago spoke. "About your skills with taming these beasts and using them to your advantage."

"I don't tame dragons," I corrected him. "I find and discover them, I learn about them. And my name's not 'dragon master'. It's Hicca."

"Ah yes, Hicca. An unfortunate name to be given to a woman," he turned and looked me up and down. "You are a Hiccup, yes?"

"Yes."

I was about to say 'so what', but the response caught in my throat.

"I thought so. Be grateful you were not born on my island. Any child as small and fragile as you would've been put down in an instant."

I frowned at him. Put down, I thought bitterly. I'm not a dog.

"You've certainly made something of yourself, despite being what you are. Your skills with dragons is impeccable. And yet, how you use these creatures… it's a wonder they haven't killed you yet."

I blinked. "Sorry?"

Drago turned to fully face me. "You are able to overpower any dragon you please, yet you act as if they are your equal. You communicate with them, respect them as much as you'd respect any warrior, allow them to live in your very homes, and even let them transform into their other forms. Don't you realize how powerful they can be in their other forms?"

I frowned at him. I expected this; I expected him to disagree with what I do. I was ready for this. I took a deep breath and folded my arms behind me.

"I treat them the way they deserve to be treated. Dragons are intelligent, amazing and beautiful creatures. They can add so much to this world and bring us together."

Drago scoffed. "Or tear them apart…!"

He raised his hand and pulled his cloak back, revealing his left side. It was at that moment that I noticed his left arm looked weird. I looked a bit closer, and stared. It was entirely made of metal, from the shoulder down. I inhaled sharply as I looked up at Drago. He glared as he put his cloak back over his metal arm.

"Dragons are monsters," he growled. "Beasts that are meant to be tamed, and if necessary, slain. But, if dealt with correctly, they can be used for your own gain. It took me many years to discover this, and even more to perfect it. But, after much time and force, I was successful. I did what no man could ever do. I took control of the dragons."

I stared at him for a moment. My body felt the urge to take a step back, but resisted. Cautiously, I turned back towards the edge of the ship where I had seen the huge bubbles in the water.

"Is that what's in the water?" I asked, my voice barley a whisper. "Some kind of dragon?"

"Oh no… it is so much more."

I gulped. I really didn't like the way he said that.

"You disagree with me."

"Yes."

"I figured as much. But, I feel that I could persuade you."

"Do you?"

Drago smirked as he stepped closer to me. "Think about what you could accomplish, dragon master. More importantly, thing of what you and I could accomplish together. Imagine the power we could have with the dragons following our command."

Our?

"But… don't you think that there could be another way? There's no need to-"

"There is no other way!" Drago was suddenly right in front of me, towering over me. "Dragons are dangerous beasts beneath our feet that can be used for our needs, as they should. And anyone who isn't willing to do what it takes to them is weak and doesn't deserve to be alive!"

I was surprised that I hadn't backed away yet. For the first time in the past 3 days, I was scared- borderline terrified. I swallowed hard twice, even three times. I held my head high and my shoulders back as I looked up at him, determined to make my point.

"You're wrong. What you're doing to the dragons is wrong, and I could never do what you do.

Drago blinked. His face fell into a look of instant anger, as if the idea of me disagreeing was about as infuriating as being slapped in the face.

"We shall see," he turned on his heel, his cloak floating around his ankle. "Get off my ship! But, you better be prepared to lose your dragons. I can personally promise you, you will regret not listening to me."

I remained silent the whole flight back to the island. Toothless tried talking to me several times the whole way, but I ignored him. He continued to talk to me until the island slowly started coming back into view. It was still dark, but I could feel morning coming already.

Toothless landed gracefully onto the dark beach and I practically slid off of him onto the sand. He turned to fully face me, nudging me with his snout.

'Damn it, Hicca. Say something!'

I swallowed hard, looking at the ground. "We need to get everyone ready for tomorrow."

"What do you mean?"

"When Drago comes… he's bringing all of Hel with him."