chapter 5.
Authors notes:
For the reviewers who gave me tips three years ago, thanks, you were absolutely right. Excluding one, recommending that I should add more dialogue and advising me to look at similar works. Even though all other works back then looked either very similar if not worse than mine or were uncompleted and abandoned stories at the time. Girl bye that was very unwarranted three years after the fact especially from someone without any published stories themselves, write your own if you are dissatisfied.
Moving on…
Editing this story now, I realize aside from trying to help newb me that you must've also hated my guts with great passion cuz editing this has been 'great' just as a vacation to purgatory sounds 'great'.
Friendly advise towards you all though, when dealing with a newbie writer try giving a complement as well as tips cuz getting a review with good advise is very handy but also quite disheartening to a newbie as it's basically a list of what you did wrong.
Older me appreciates your sound advice Ungly-Duckling123, younger me not as much lol. Still appreciated them just not enough to work with it.
The camera shows the hidden cove at dusk.
''...leaving. We're leaving. Let's pack up. Looks like you and me are taking a little vacation, forever.'' Hiccup says.
''What?!'' many Vikings exclaim shocked by the revelation.
''He was going to leave?'' Stoick asks miserably.
''Better question, what made the lad stay?'' Gobber says his face still transfixed on the screen.
Toothless is nowhere in sight. Hiccup sets down his basket and opens it up, his head clouded with troubles. ''Oh..man...'' Hiccup says.
Shink! Hiccup looks up to the sound of...
Astrid, sitting on the rock right in front of him, sharpening her axe.
Everyone's gaze turns to Astrid who just ignores them.
''Aggh! What the-'' Hiccup says shocked. ''What are you doing here?'' he says recomposing himself.
She hops off the rock and back him down, spinning her axe threateningly.
''Remind you of someone?'' Astrids aunt whispers into Mala's ear. Annoyed by her sister, Mala pushes her face away from her.
Hiccup's eyes dart around nervously, searching for toothless.
''I want to know what's going on. No one just gets as good as you do. Especially you. Start talking! Are you training with someone?'' Astrid demands.
''Harsh'' a few in the theater mumble.
''But true.'' Astrid just quips.
''Uh...training?'' Hiccup asks confused.
She grabs him by his odd-looking harness. ''It better not involve... this.'' Astrid says.
This part had some fully grown adults choking on air and others gasping for it from the laughing. Leaving some very confused dragons, teens and children to look on utterly confused.
''What's so funny?'' Snotlout asks his father demanding to know the joke.
Freezing at his sons question he looks at his wife for help. She however has no intention of lending him any help.
''Yeah Spitey,'' she gasps out still laughing hysterically ''what's so funny?''
Having no other choice Spitelout simply turns his head and ignores his sons question even when said persistently tries to get his attention and keeps demanding answers.
''I know this looks really bad, but you see...this is, uh...'' Hiccup says desperately searching for a plausible explanation.
They hear a rustle coming from the other side of the cove. Astrid drops Hiccup to the ground and sets off to investigate.
''You're right! You're right. I'm through with the lies. I've been making... outfits. So you got me. It's time everyone knew. Drag me back. Go ahead. Here we go.'' Hiccup says panicked.
Laughter fills the theater following Hiccups antics.
He puts her hand back on his harness, getting her to 'drag him back.' Astrid bends Hiccups hand backwards, driving him down.
''Aaaauuggghhh! Why would you do that?!'' Hiccup asks.
Toothless hearing his hatchlings distress glares at Astrid.
''Sorry?'' She offers feebly.
''That's for the lies.'' Astrid says then she pounces the hilt of her axe off of Hiccup's laid-out body.
Making many in the theater wince.
''Vikings sure have strange mating rituals'' Meatlug says tilting her head.
''It's not a mating ritual!'' Astrid yells her face turning redder by the minute.
''Indeed, very strange'' Stormfly says ignoring her riders outburst and continues disclaimers.
''And that's for everything else.'' Astrid finishes.
Hiccup's yelp is answered with a growl, coming from the other side of the cove. Astrid looks up to see... a night fury. Toothless pounces toward them, snarling.
''Oh man.'' Hiccup says feebly.
''O man indeed'' Gobber says.
She dives onto Hiccup. ''Get down! Run! Run!'' Astrid says as she pulls her axe, ready to take on Toothless.
''You protected him at the risk of your own life'' Valka says looking at Astrid.
''He wasn't in any real danger'' Astrid rebuts.
''But you didn't know that. So why protect him?'' Valka counters. ''He was your competition after all?''
''Well… he is the future chief off Berk'' Astrid answers.
''You're sure that's the reason?''
''Yes absolutely'' Denying her feelings for Hiccup. What else what see supposed to do? Admit she loves him and that her heart hurts just thinking about him now? Admitting that would only hurt more, so why bother.
''No!'' Hiccup yells knocking Astrid's cocked axe to the ground, out of reach, then stops Toothless short of crushing her.
''Did he just disarm Astrid and stop a night fury?'' Snotlout asks dumfounded.
''Looks like it'' Ruffnut answers just as mystified.
''Weird'' Tuffnut adds just as shocked, making everyone look up to where Barf and Belch are holding the twins in the air.
''No. It's okay! It's okay...'' Hiccup says with outstretched arms. Toothless pulls up short and lands hard, spraying Astrid with sand. ''She's a friend'' Hiccup says in a calming tone.
Toothless snorts in disagreement. Astrid is frozen. Toothless looks from her to Hiccup and back to her, confused.
''You just scared him.'' Hiccup to Astrid.
''I scared him!?'' Astrid screams extremely freaked out.
Toothless snorts ''I was not scared by the small blond Viking hatchling.''
Hiccup makes a quiet motion.
''Who is him?'' Astrid whispers intensely.
''Astrid, Toothless. Toothless, Astrid.'' Hiccup says.
Astrid backs away, eyeing Hiccup and Toothless together with pure disgust. She turns and runs for the village.
''We're dead.'' Hiccup states dryly. Satisfied with Astrid's departure, Toothless turns away. ''Where do you think you're going?'' Hiccup says to toothless.
''Threat neutralized, crises averted equals time for a nap'' Toothless states as if the Hiccup on screen can hear him.
''So I was a threat.'' Astrid says smugly.
''Yeah. To my hatchling…'' Toothless deadpans.
Astrids smugness turns to embarrassment, though if anyone dared to say anything about it they would feel how much of a threat she could be.
Moments later we see Astrid racing through the trees. A large shadow overtakes her. She is suddenly snatched into the air. Astrid screams. ''Oh great Odin's ghost, this is it!''
"Don't look at me like that you would have reacted the same'' Astrid warns with a glare that could make grown man tremble.
Hiccup and Toothless fly Astrid to the top of a towering pine. It bows and creaks under their weight as Astrid dangles a hundred feet in the air.
''Hiccup! Get me down from here!''
''You have to give me a chance to explain.'' Hiccup pleads.
''I'm not listening to anything you have to say!'' she responds.
''Then I won't speak. Just let me show you.'' Hiccup says as he extends a hand. ''Please, Astrid.''
She eyes him and the dragon, then the ground far, far below. After a moment, she swats Hiccup's outstretched hand away and reluctantly climbs over the pedal, lines, and harness. She settles behind Hiccup, avoiding as much contact as possible.
''Now get me down'' Astrid says.
''Toothless? Down. Gently.'' Hiccup says to Toothless. Toothless leers mischievously. He spreads his wings slowly.
''What are you planning?'' Valka asks Toothless suspiciously as he just looks back innocently.
''Scaring the living day light out of me, that's what.'' Astrid grumbles.
With a whop, they fill with the updraft. Toothless releases the tree, tucks in his legs, and hovers in place.
''See? Nothing to be afraid of.'' Hiccup says in a calming manner.
Toothless suddenly launches straight upward making Astrid scream. The acceleration is tremendous. Every downbeat bucks the saddle, heaving them into the sky, doubling their speed like a rocket. Astrid is thrown backward. She screams and hugs Hiccup for dear life, squeezing the breath out of him.
Practically all dragons are laughing there asses off. The Vikings on the other hand look to be either terrified, nauseated or simply captivated by what they're seeing.
''Toothless! What is wrong with you?! Bad dragon!'' Hiccup says to Toothless, before turning to Astrid mortified ''He's not usually like this. Oh no...''
Toothless rolls and plummets toward the coastline far below. Astrid screams. Toothless rockets over the ocean waves, deliberately dipping them in the froth.
''Toothless, what are you doing?! We need her to like us!''
Toothless rockets skyward and begins tumbling head over tail.
''And now the spinning. Thank you for nothing you useless reptile.'' Hiccup says sarcastically.
Vikings and Dragons laugh at the sarcastic quip.
Astrid clamps her hand over her eyes. ''Okay! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Just get me off of this thing.'' Astrid says defeated, her aggressive energy gone.
Satisfied, Toothless relents.
''Payback'' Toothless says satisfied with his actions.
They level off and head up into the clouds. Astrid opens her eyes again, and looks out over a world she'd never dreamed of. She reaches out and touches clouds, pierces columns ablaze in golden hues, and floats over a vast, alien sky-scape. Her terror is replaced by wonder. She grins, despite herself.
Toothless rises above a blanket of clouds...
...and levels off under a starry sky. They emerge from a blanket of clouds under the dancing Northern Lights, shimmering in ribbons across the vast them, Berk's torches flicker in the inky darkness. The new perspective is breathtaking.
''Wow''
''Amazing''
''Beautiful''
Mesmerized Vikings ring out, never having seen such a beautiful view.
Astrid tucks her arms into Hiccup's vest, burying her chin into his shoulder. The moment is not lost on either of them. Hiccup smiles nervously.
''Aww'' Valka coos whilst Stormfly and Toothless purr.
''My baby is growing up'' Mala says emotionally.
Toothless climbs past Berk's tallest peaks and heads out over open water, leaving the village lights behind them.
''Alright I admit it. This is pretty cool. It's... amazing.''
Beat.
''He's amazing.'' Astrid says before carefully reaching down and patting Toothless' side.
''Yes I am.'' Toothless says proudly with his head raised.
''Yes, you are an amazing. Mmm… how did Hiccup describe you again? Ah yes, useless reptile'' Astrid says smiling tauntingly, Toothless' eyes turn into slits in response.
''Payback.'' Astrid says smirk widening at Toothless' ever darkening gaze.
Toothless just grumbles something along the lines of ''stupid blonde Viking hatchlings.''
''So what now?'' she asks.
Hiccup groans. It's a problem without an answer.
''Hiccup, your final exam is tomorrow. You know you're going to have to kill...'' Astrid says out loud before stopping and then whispering ''... kill a dragon.''
''Don't remind me.'' Hiccup groans.
A strange, unearthly din approaches. Toothless' ear plates suddenly stand on end. Panicked, he abruptly dives, dipping into cloud cover.
''Toothless! What's happening? What is it?'' Hiccup asks. Toothless barks at him.
''What were you saying to 'em?'' Gobber asks Toothless.
''To be quiet'' Toothless answers, ears pressed firmly against his head.
Suddenly, out of the dense cloud, a Monstrous Nightmare emerges.
''Get down!'' Hiccup and Astrid duck.
The Nightmare calls out to Toothless from one side. A Zippleback appears to the other side, boxing him in.
''What's going on?'' Astrid asks.
''I don't know.''
Beat.
''Toothless. You've got to get us out of here, bud.'' Hiccup says. Toothless hisses at him.
''And there what did you say there?'' Stoick asks.
Toothless looks at him strangely before saying ''Nothing. I hissed at the hatchlings.''
''Ow'' Stoick responds nodding his head awkwardly.
Other dragons, previously invisible in the thick clouds, appear all around them. hundreds of them, all carrying fish and game in their talons.
''It looks like they're hauling in their kill.'' Hiccup whispers. The Zippleback next to Toothless eyes them ravenously.
''What does that make us?'' Astrid asks.
Making some Vikings pale especially when they realize where they're being brought. Others just look confused as to where the dragons are taking their food, the Vikings who weren't at the nest that is.
The dragons bank and dive in formation, plummeting through the thickening fog and weaving between towering, craggy sea stacks. They emerge at the base of a massive volcanic caldera, glowing with rivulets of lava.
The flock of dragons fall into rank, funneling through a crack, and zipping through a winding tunnel. It gives way to a vast, steamy inner chamber, tiered with pocky shelves. Dragons of all breeds lay about, nested in hordes.
The arriving dragons fly in, dropping the fish and game into a central pit, glowing red and shrouded in mist. Hiccup is amazed.
''What my dad wouldn't give to find this.'' He says.
Toothless peels away from the procession, landing on a small shadowy shelf to keep a low-profile. Hiccup and Astrid peek around, taking in the busy hive of sorts. They watch as the food continues to be dropped into the pit.
''It's satisfying to know that all of our food has been dumped down a hole.'' Hiccup says sarcastically.
''They're not eating any of it.'' Astrid says confused by that fact.
''Why are you doing that?'' Valka asks the dragons sitting close to her. They however sit stock still, none of them registering the question, let alone answering it.
Last to arrive is a dim-witted Gronckle. It hovers over the pit and regurgitates his paltry contribution, a pathetic little fish. As it falls into the steamy pit, a terrible roar rings out.
The Gronckle tries to flee, but before it can, a gargantuan dragon head juts from the steamy pit and snaps it out of the air. Swallowing it back whole.
Everyone in the theater recoils and looks terrified. Faces around the theater go white.
''You went there.'' Hella says to her husband, voice trembling.
Many families embrace each other trying to reassure one another. Valka walks over and hugs Stoick tearfully when she realizes he too went to the nest and sits back down next to Stoick. Toothless also goes to sit closer to Stoick but only because Valka gave Stoick baby Hiccup.
''Almost everyone survived.'' Astrid says eyes glazing over, brimming with tears. Her mother and father hug her. ''Almost everyone…'' She says crestfallen, unfocused eyes staring at the screen.
Hiccup and Astrid recoil, terrified. ''What is that?'' Astrid asks desperately.
The monstrous beast sniffs the air, seemingly aware of them. It nears the ledge where Toothless is hiding... and roars. Several dragons take flight in fear.
''Alright buddy, we gotta get out of here. Now!'' Hiccup tells Toothless urgently. Toothless takes flight, barely evading the monster's snapping jaws.
''It's enormous…'' Valka gasps.
''You have no idea.'' Ruffnut shudders.
''Wait till you see it's body.'' Tuffnut adds, for once not arguing with his sister.
The behemoth dragon lunges for them, snatching a Zippleback out of the air instead.
''Your fight is over my friend. Rest in peace.'' Toothless says mournfully for the Zippleback that was swallowed whole.
Toothless disappears into the winged exodus as thousands of dragons flee the caldera in fear.
Later that night Toothless glides into the cove and touches down on the moonlit beach.
''No, no, it totally makes sense. It's like a giant beehive. They're the workers... and that's their queen. It controls them.'' Astrid says still reeling from what they just experienced.
''They're innocent. The queen is the only monster here.'' Valka says, sympathizing with the dragon's plight.
She leaps off of Toothless and runs towards the village. ''Let's find your dad.''
''No, no! Not yet. They'll... kill Toothless.'' Hiccup says.
''Astrid, we have to think this through carefully.'' Astrid eyes him, incredulous.
''Hiccup, we just discovered the dragons' nest...the thing we've been after since Vikings first sailed here. And you want to keep it a secret? To protect your pet dragon? Are you serious?''
Hiccup stands firm, resolute. ''Yes.'' Astrid's taken aback.
''Okay.''
Beat.
''Then what do we do?'' She asks.
''Just give me until tomorrow. I'll figure something out.'' Hiccup responds.
''Okay.''
Astrid punches Hiccup in the arm. ''That's for kidnapping me.'' Hiccup looks to Toothless for support but he only snorts dismissively.
Some Vikings look at Toothless with raised eyebrows.
''What? He chose that mate, not me.'' He says making many chuckle.
Astrid grabs him. He braces for another hit. She kisses Hiccup on the cheek. ''That's for, everything else.''
''Ah, young love'' Gobber says looking at the screen even though it sounds like his mind has wandered back in time, perhaps thinking of a love from long ago.
In the awkward wake of the moment, Astrid hurries off... leaving Hiccup rubbing his cheek, stunned. Toothless hobbles up, eyeing him.
''What are you looking at?''
The screen changes to the next day showing that the training grounds have been transformed. Banners and flags flap in the morning sun. Surrounding the ring, a festive crowd had gathered. All of Berk has turned out for the event.
''Well, I can show my face in public again.'' Stoick says to the crowd. laughter and applause follow.
'Odin did I really say this?' Stoick thinks ashamed.
He lowers his head but it shoots back up when he feels a hand on his own. ''You made mistakes and though I am less than happy to see it, everyone makes mistakes.'' Valka says.
''What did I ever do to get such an amazing wife?" Stoick wonders aloud.
''If someone had told me that in a few short weeks, Hiccup would go from being, well... Hiccup, to placing first in dragon training... I would've tied him to a mast and shipped him off for fear he'd gone mad. Yes! And you know it!'' Stoick continues.
Beat.
''But here we are. And no one's more surprised...''
The camera shows Hiccup standing at the entrance to the ring, listening, looking burdened.
''... or more proud than I am. Today, my boy becomes a Viking. Today, he becomes one of us!'' Stoick states proudly. Cheers and roars from the crowd echo through the arena.
Astrid approaches Hiccup. ''Be careful with that dragon'' She says.
Hiccup looking back to the roaring crowd and says, ''It's not the dragon I'm worried about.''
Making the Vikings mentioned look down in shame.
''What are you going to do?'' Astrid asks Worried.
''Put an end to this.'' Hiccup answers. She eyes him, dubious.
''I have to try'' He says.
Beat.
''Astrid. If something goes wrong... just make sure they don't find Toothless'' He asks.
''I will. Just promise me it won't go wrong'' Astrid grimly asks. Hiccup can't and never answers as Gobber approaches.
''It's time, Hiccup. Knock him dead'' Gobber says. Hiccup puts his helmet on and enters the ring.
The rest of the teens are hooting and hollering from the stands. ''Show 'em how it's done, my man!'' Tuffnut yells.
''See friends now.'' Tuffnut who is now back in his seat says. Showing everyone that in the end they did sort of end up friends.
Hiccup locks eyes with Stoick. Stoick nods with a smile. Hiccup returns a half-smile. Takes a deep breath. He hoists a shield onto his forearm and selects his weapon from a rack of many, a small dagger.
''Hrmph. I would've gone for the hammer.'' Stoick mutters.
''You were also built a little broader than him sweetheart.'' Valka tells Stoick.
Hiccup turns to face a bolted, heavy door. Takes a deep breath. ''I'm ready'' Hiccup says.
The door bolt is raised. The crowd grows quiet...
Beat.
Boom! The doors blast open with a stream of sticky fire. Followed by a Monstrous Nightmare, coated in flames. It tears out of its cave like an irate bull, as the crowd roars and jeers. It climbs the walls and chain enclosure like a bat, hissing at the provoking crowd and blasting fire.
It spots Hiccup and descends, leering and licking the flaming drool from its lips. The crowd grows silent, bracing for the big fight.
With the Monstrous Nightmare's eyes locked upon him, Hiccup deliberately drops his shield and dagger stepping away from them. The dragon pauses, confused.
''I was very confused by the Viking hatchlings actions, thought it made have been a trick'' Hookfang says.
''What is he doing?'' Stoick asks also confused.
The dragon presses closer, snorting. Hiccup extends his open hand. It snarls. ''It's okay. It's okay.'' Hiccup whispers.
The dragon continues to pace, focused on... hiccup's helmet. Hiccup realizes, then reaches up and removes it. Taking a breath to acknowledge the point of no return, he tosses the helmet aside. It hits the ground.
At the time Stoick saw it as a sacrilege. Not only dishonoring him in that moment but even worse his mother. He now knows it wasn't so but at the time it was like the wound of losing Valka was torn open again, only this time by his own- no. their own son…
''I'm not one of them.'' Hiccup says.
''No ye wer better.'' Gobber says woefully.
''The best of us.'' Astrid whispers tearfully, still wrapped in her parents arms. Her aunt a few chairs over looks at her niece and regretfully recognizes that look, the loss of your first and in some cases only love.
Gasps and murmurs race through the crowd. All eyes turn to Stoick. He's welling with upset. Hiccup avoids Stoick's glare and remains focused on the Nightmare, holding his hand out. It paces around him, calming down.
''It's working'' Valka says happy with Hiccup's success completely wrapped up in the story, not knowing that every Viking cringes inwardly at her statement.
''Stop the fight'' Stoick orders.
''No. I need you all to see this'' Hiccup says, publicly going against his father for the first time.
The crowd gets restless.
''They're not what we think they are. We don't have to kill them.'' He continues.
''I said stop the fight!'' Stoick yells angrily and then whacks his hammer against the iron enclosure, rattling the arena with a terrible reverberating clatter.
Spooked, the Nightmare snaps at Hiccup's outstretched hand. Hiccup yelps and springs backward. The spell is broken. The Nightmare reacts to Hiccup's sudden movements and blasts another stream of fire. Hiccup screams and barely dives out of reach.
''Mistakes remember it's not that bad, I mean from your reactions I can tell Hiccup doesn't get seriously hurt by the Nightmare so you can fix this.'' Valka says rattled, but wanting to comfort her husband none the less.
Stoick doesn't dare look at his wife when he thinks about what's going to happen in a few minutes.
At the cove Toothless' ear plates shoot up. Panic flares in his eyes.
''You heard him from all the way over there?'' Fishlegs asks. ''Can all dragons hear so well? Isn't it overwhelming to hear every little thing? Do you tune other stuff out? Can you shut of your hearing?''
''I wish I could turn of my hearing right now.'' Tufnutt groans knowing Fishlegs rants go on for forever and ever and ever. 'When does he take a breath? Does he even need to breathe?'
Meatlug looks at her Human hatchling with an endearing look only a mother could show their own child. ''We have very good hearing, not so well as to hear everything all at ones but we are sensitive to certain sounds. Such as distress calls, threatening hisses and well a hatchlings cries. We can hear those from miles away, we could tune them out but we obviously don't do that with our own hatchling.''
'oh how inquisitive her little hatchling is' Meatlug thinks looking at her human hatchling processing the information she just provided.
Back at the training grounds Hiccup scrambles around the ring. The Nightmare pursues, snapping and springing from ground to wall.
Stoick pushes through the crowd, rushing to the doorway. ''out of my way!''
''Hiccup!'' Astrid yells and then wedges her axe under the arena gate and squeezes through.
''Smart thinking lass'' Gobber says to Astrid.
Back at the cove Toothless bounds to the cove walls, clawing them in desperation. It seems he's as trapped as before, but with an incredible burst of effort he hooks a claw over the upper lip of the stone wall.
''Forgot fo' a bit tha' he couldn't fly without 'iccup'' Viking Os mutters.
At the training grounds a narrow stream of fire narrowly avoids Hiccup as he continues to dash around the ring, evading the Monstrous Nightmare. Desperate, he goes to the weapon rack in an attempt to arm himself, but the Nightmare quickly destroys the rack and closes in on him.
''Thought you didn't hurt children!?'' Valka yells at Hookfang in a panic.
''We don't, not unless it's absolutely necessary.'' Hookfang says calmly, unfazed by the mothers anger. ''Kill or be killed is one of those cases. It isn't like I could just leave now was it?''
Meanwhile Toothless tears through the woods, bounding like panther and taking to the air in short bursts.
Stoick wrenches the grated door to the arena and jumps through. The Monstrous Nightmare is only a few feet behind Hiccup.
Astrid is now in the ring. ''Hiccup!'' She picks up a hammer and hurls it at the Monstrous Nightmare, hitting it in the head. It turns its attention to Astrid, and begins chasing her.
Stoick raises the arena gate, waving her toward it. ''This way!''
Astrid makes it through, but the Nightmare blasts the doorway, cutting Hiccup off. It pounces on him and prepares to finish him off when suddenly, a terrible roar pierces the din.
''Night Fury! Get down!'' Gobber yells. Toothless bounds over the crowd and blasts a hole through the chain enclosure. He flies through it and disappears in the boiling smoke.
The Vikings rush to railings... in time to see a flurry of wings cutting through the dissipating smoke. Toothless and the Nightmare tumble into the clear, locked in a toothy, vicious fight. Toothless kicks the Nightmare off and plants himself between Hiccup and it. The Nightmare snarls, circling them. Toothless lunges and roars... causing the Nightmare to relent and back away.
''I didn't know he was your hatchling'' Hookfang apologizes. Toothless is to focused on the screen and doesn't do anything more than give a small, almost imperceptible nod as response.
To everyone's shock and horror, Hiccup gets to his feet and grabs Toothless protectively. ''Alright, Toothless, go. Get out of here!'' Hiccup says panicked. The crowd is gob-smacked, growing livid.
''Night Fury!'' Viking Schrekkle yells.
Hiccup tries to shoo Toothless away in vain. Vikings begin pouring clambering through the enclosure and dropping into the ring.
''You all ran from an attacking Monstrous Nightmare but jump right into the ring to capture a Night Fury who's protecting one of our own? Some Vikings.'' Astrid spits out.
''Go! Go!'' Hiccup says desperately to Toothless, trying to push him away.
''Take it alive!'' Viking Holgard says.
Stoick grabs an axe and charges into the arena.
Astrid calls out to him, panicked. ''Stoick no!''
''Dad! No! He won't hurt you!'' Hiccup says panicking, getting in between Toothless and his father. The other Vikings surround and attack Toothless. He tosses them aside like rag dolls, his eyes focused on Stoick.
''No, don't! You're only making it worse!'' Hiccup tells Stoick.
Stoick raises his hammer as he charges for Toothless. Toothless ducks and pounces on him. They tumble end over end.
''Toothless! Stop!'' Hiccup yells.
Toothless pins Stoick and inhales. The familiar hiss of gas builds. Everyone braces...
''No!'' Hiccup screams. Toothless swallows back the blast and turns to Hiccup, not understanding.
''I would have done it you know, if it wasn't for Hiccup'' Toothless says.
Stoick looks at Toothless and nods, ''I know.''
''Get him!'' Viking Randomon yells.
The crowd rushes him, piling on, and taking Toothless down. Astrid holds Hiccup back. ''No! Please...just don't hurt him. Please don't hurt him.'' Hiccup says desperately, practically pleading.
Stoick gets to his feet, fuming, shaken. A Viking presents Stoick with an axe. He eyes Toothless a moment, then pushes the axe back into the Viking's hands.
''Put it with the others!'' His burning glare turns to Hiccup.
The scene changes we see Hiccup being shoved into the dank, dimmed hall. Slam! The massive doors rattle and echo. Stoick pushes past him. He paces against a backdrop of shadowy tapestries and carved pillars, a legacy of heroes, all peering down in angered judgment.
''I should have known. I should have seen the signs.'' Stoick says.
''Signs that he was training and riding a dragon?'' Ruffnut says.
''Ya what kinda signs? He sprout wings or something?'' Tuffnut says supporting his sister for ones, small miracle guys.
''That would be so cool'' Snotlout says, already fantasizing over his own wings.
''Dad.'' Hiccup starts to say.
''We had a deal!'' Stoick says, pauses to say something else, but stops short. He snorts and resumes pacing, repeating the cycle.
''I know we did... but that was before... ughh, it's all so messed up.'' Hiccup says flustered.
''So everything in the ring. A trick? A lie?'' He stomps toward Hiccup. Stops short and points, fighting back words.
''I screwed up. I should have told you before now. Take this out on me, be mad at me, but please... just don't hurt Toothless.''
''The dragon? That's what you're worried about? Not the people you almost killed?!'' Stoick asks angrily.
''Technically that was your fault.'' Snotlout says carefully.
''I'm well aware.'' Stoick replies tersely.
''He was just protecting me! He's not dangerous'' Hiccup says.
''They've killed hundreds of us!'' Stoick yells.
''And we've killed thousands of them!'' Hiccup counters.
Hanging onto every word no one makes a sound.
''They defend themselves, that's all! They raid us because they have to! If they don't bring enough food back, they'll be eaten themselves.''
Beat.
''There's something else on their island dad...it's a dragon like-''
Stoick huffs before turning back to his son with newfound anger.
''-Their island?'' Stoick questions. He stomps back... pointing an accusing finger. ''So you've been to the nest.''
''Did I say nest?'' Hiccup goes silent, he's said too much.
''How did you find it?!'' Stoick demands.
''No... I didn't. Toothless did. Only a dragon can find the island.'' Hiccup stammers out, clearly intimidated by his father.
Stoick glares. A moment passes, then an idea takes form on his face. His eyes flare. Hiccup watches, realizing. Stoick stomps toward the doorway.
''Oh no. No, Dad. No.'' Hiccup chases after him, panicked. ''Dad. It's not what you think. You don't know what you're up against. It's like nothing you've ever seen.''
He grabs Stoick by the arm, tugging with all his might. He has no effect whatsoever. ''Dad. Please. I promise you that you can't win this one.''
''Listen to him.'' Valka says as one would say a prayer.
Nothing.
''No. Dad. No. For once in your life, would you please just listen to me?!'' Hiccup yells desperately.
Stoick throws Hiccup off of him, swatting him to the floor.
A painful silence overtakes the theater, no one makes a move.
Icy stillness. Hiccup stares back, stunned.
''You've thrown your lot in with them. You're not a Viking.''
Beat.
''You're not my son.'' Stoick pushes through the door, leaving Hiccup alone, devastated.
The sound of a hand hitting skin rings out through the theater turning heads. All turning to where Valka is now standing with baby Hiccup in her arms with tears in her eyes.
''You are not at all the man I married. He would never…'' She says pointing at the screen, ''Never do that!''
''I take it back, I am sorry-'' Stoick tries to say, trying to explain, to make it somewhat redeemable. Even though he himself regrets that moment and will never forgive himself for it for the rest of his life.
''I hope so but Stoick time does not heal all wounds, no matter what anyone tells you. Hiccup our son! Will always, for the rest of his life remember that moment. You think about that.'' Valka says before going to sit in a row far removed from Stoick.
Authors notes:
Well chapter 5 has been officially edited ''whoop! whoop!'' and I did end up adding some new dialogue as well (not a lot but it's there), so hope you guys like it.
Adios, Au revoir, Doei, See ya later.
