As usual, I edited the crap out of this, but I'm rather happy with it so it was totally worth all the work. :D

Before we begin, can we take a moment to thank the Lord for guest reviewers. I swear, it's always the guest reviewers who show me mercy and point out where I messed up. I spelled x-word wrong, my lack of drive was very easy to see in the quality of scene Y, and the very recent, "hey, you double posted your last chapter by accident." Good golly that was embarrassing. But I fixed it!

Really though. YOU THE REAL MVP! I would suck without your help! (tech can be my worst enemy at times, I swear) So thank you! Thank you for existing! (I now have trust issues with my copy/pasting skills, but whatever. I still appreciate you pointing that out for me.)

First big plot point is being set off here. Have fun!


Hiccup

When I'd woken up that morning, I just knew something was very wrong. It was in the air around me, and the pool of dread filling my gut was not doing anything for my nerves. I tried to dismiss it as my dread for the oncoming day. First day of undesired dragon training can do that to a person, you know?

But I had not thought that Toothless getting ill was going to be the first very wrong thing that would happen that day.

"How are you feeling?" I asked him as Mom spoke quietly to Gothi. He glared at me, probably compelled to punch me for asking such a stupid question.

"Crappy," he bit out dryly.

Okay, I'll admit that that was a stupid question. He really did look awful. He looked like he'd gotten waterlogged last night. He was sallow, and his hair was sopping wet! I put a hand on his forehead only to find it burning hot. He shivered under my touch which was definitely at a contrasting temperature in comparison to his skin.

Speaking of… His arms were covered with his…condition. It had been nothing but splotchy patches running over his hands and knuckles yesterday. But now, it ran up his arms with its pattern more decipherable this time. Scales. They looked like dark scales. I felt their texture which was like touching the scales of a dragon's skin. It was really disturbing.

His eyes were shadowed, and his glare made his entire face look bizarre. Like some kind of sleepy, angry dragon. Heh. Ironic.

(Okay, that was a terrible thing to joke about, I'll admit it.)

You know that saying that warns people about pissing off a dragon? You probably know this already, but I'm terrible at following rules.

I smirked at him and said, "Baby."

He narrowed his eyes, but a twitch of the lips let me know that he wouldn't kill me. Yet. "Fishbone."

"Bed head."

"Twig boy."

"Dragon teeth."

"Runt."

"Toothy."

"Shut. Up," he growled threateningly.

I was smart enough to stop right then and there. He sucked in a deep breath so suddenly, I was caught off guard. He sounded like a drowning man grasping for precious air before he could be submerged again. It was alarming.

Mom was immediately at Toothless's side pressing a hand on his forehead. "Toothless? Are you alright?" she asked. Without waiting for an answer, she helped him sit upright in hopes that he might breathe better that way. She saw him shiver and had another blanket over him quick as a flash. "There. Does that help any?" she asked. Toothless shrugged and shook his head slightly, not really up to answering verbally at the moment. Mom's lips pursed together as she swiped sweaty hair away from his face. "My poor boy."

I looked over to Gothi who was studying Toothless silently before she made more adjustments to her diagnosis in the dirt.

"What's wrong with him?" I asked.

The old woman gave me a dismal look before shaking her head. She gestured down to her runes. Mom quickly got up and, after sending me to stand by Toothless, walked over to read the runes herself.

She asked, "Are you certain?"

Gothi nodded. Grimly. Something leapt fearfully from my stomach up to my chest. My hand reached over to Toothless's own, lacing together with his. Toothless sighed but squeezed back reassuringly.

"Certain of what?" I asked.

Mom looked from the runes to Toothless and I. "She doesn't know. She says she has never seen symptoms like these before," Mom explained. "Please. There must be something you can do," Mom pleaded desperately. My hand's grip only tightened even more.

Gothi looked from Mom to me. She saw our blatant concern and sighed. She wrote a reply in the dirt. Based off of Mom's relieved smile, I comcluded that Gothi had probably said something between the lines of "I'll try."

Gothi gave Mom some medicinal herbs to try out. As soon as Gothi had left, Mom was boiling them into tea, and Toothless complained that he could smell them from his place in bed. I had to admit the smell was wafting over to me too. It was strong, and it had a sharp mildewy stench to it.

Toothless then suddenly said, "You need to head out."

I stiffened and gave him an incredulous look. "What? Why?"

He coughed before rolling his eyes at me. "Training." He gave me a light shove. "You still need to go, scatterbrain."

I what!? I didn't know whether to be shocked or angry that he'd even suggest that. What if he got worse? What if he needed my help!? That's how we'd always done it. If Dad was out on a hunt, Mom was in charge of the village. If one of us was sick, we'd look after each other so Mom could do her job. I couldn't just leave!

Especially not to go to Dragon Training.

"I'm staying."

Toothless seemed surprised at first. Then he scowled too and gave me a light shove. "You have to."

"Make me," I challenged before seating myself on my own bed. I crossed my arms, daring him to do something about it. Looking back, I'll admit that that was a little unfair. He wasn't in the best shape so it wasn't like he could toss me over his shoulder and carry me to the arena like he could have on other days. At the moment though, I was using that obstacle to my advantage.

Before he could force out a retort, Mom came upstairs to give him that disgusting-smelling tea. I refused to look away from him while Mom came to his side with a mug in hand. That stuff smelled worse up close. I had to fight the urge to wrinkle my nose in disgust.

"This will help you breathe better," Mom explained as she held the cup up to Toothless's mouth.

He clearly didn't want to drink it. But the desire to breathe easier again came before his outright disgust. He tipped his head back and tried to swallow the mug's contents carefully. He gagged a few times but forced it down. I couldn't help but feel sorry for him.

Finally, he managed to swallow it all. As he took in a deep breath, I could practically hear his airways clear up.

With that out of the way, he shot me a scathing look. "Training," he breathed out. "Go. Now."

I crossed my arms and gave him a stubborn glower. "How many times do I have to tell you no?"

Mom was apparently on Toothless's side because she said, "Hiccup, perhaps it would be best if you went."

I looked to her with an expression of utter betrayal. "You've got to be joking. I'm not leaving while Toothless is like this!"

"Hic—" Toothless began.

"No, I'm serious!"

"Hiccup," Mom said sharply. She motioned for me to follow her. I looked over to Toothless who was giving me a smug I win look. I gave him a dirty look right back before I followed after Mom.

She walked me over to the middle of the main room and sat me down. Oh great, I thought. Time for a lecture. I silently braced myself for the long speech I was expecting.

"I think would be best if you go to training, like we'd planned."

Here we go "But—"

"Toothless won't get better just because you're nearby."

"That's not—"

"Hiccup." She sighed. "I don't want word of this getting around. Did you see those scales?"

I faltered in my words. "W-well yeah, but—"

"We come from a line of superstitious people, Hiccup. If anyone tries to visit and they see those scales, can you imagine what they may think?"

That struck a cord in me. I thought back to the sight of those scales. Hadn't I just thought about how disturbing that was to look at? What would other people in the village have say about it? Oh I could imagine. A sign or a bad omen, they may call it. A curse from the gods. I don't believe the gods would curse Toothless; Toothless never did anything that could warrant a curse or omen or whatever to be put on him. But my opinion wouldn't matter to any of the villagers.

I looked up towards the loft, wondering if Toothless could hear us. Were these thoughts also running through his mind? I could imagine they were.

I'd nearly missed it when Mom continued on.

"I need you to go to class as planned. If you do, it will be less concerning when I explain that Toothless isn't feeling well. Do you understand?"

I didn't answer for a long time. For a moment I was compelled to refuse to go, if only so I wouldn't have to go at all. But that would be selfish. I could never do that to Toothless.

"Okay," I finally said. "Okay….Just…let me know if anything happens. Please?"

Mom smiled in relief. "I promise, darling," she said.


"Welcome to Dragon Training!" Gobber declared after he opened the gates and led the recruits, myself included, into the arena.

It was a desolate place that reeked of dragon s's blood and the stench of desperation emitted from past recruits. Scorch marks and body prints stained the concrete walls, and the chains that enclosed the arena made me feel like I was a caged bird. I couldn't get out of this one.

The other teens were already making their way inside while I stayed back. Mom was already heading back to the house, going to check on Toothless. Gods, I'd trade places with Toothless in a heartbeat. If only it wasn't for all the wrong reasons.

I mentally berated myself. C'mon, Hiccup, I growled at myself, Just go on and get it over with!

I walked in hearing the other teens talking about the scars and burns they were hoping to earn, as though getting hurt was some sort of badge of honor. I knew from experience that it really wasn't. Getting hurt was just that: painful.

Astrid agreed with some comment Ruffnut had said. "Yeah. It's only fun if you get a scar out of it."

"Yeah no kidding, right?" I said thoughtlessly, getting the attention of all the other teens. "Pain. Love it."

"Oh great," Tuffnut said as I walked over to them, "who let him in?"

"Alright! Let's get started," Gobber announced. "The recruit who does best, will win the honor of killing his first dragon in front of the whole village." I flinched when he'd mentioned the killing part. I might as well just open a cage and let a bloodthirsty dragon eat me. Or, even better, drop out right now.

"Hiccup already killed a Stormcutter," Snotlout said, "so does that disqualify him or…" A smirk crawled onto his face as the Thorstons laughed at his little joke. My face burned up, and I just wanted to sink into the floor. Why oh why did you have to get sick today, Toothless!?

"Where's the cool Haddock anyway?" Tuffnut asked.

I opened my mouth to explain, but Gobber beat me to it. "Toothless isn't feeling up to par today," he explained. "Probably got some eel slipped into his soup last night." He shot a glare at the twins who immediately protested.

"Hey! We didn't do it!"

"Yeah, if we wanted to poison him, I'd just have him kiss Ruff!"

Before I could blink, Tuffnut was rolling on the ground as Ruffnut scrambled to overpower him. She punched him in the face repeatedly. I couldn't help but cringe on his behalf. Once satisfied, she got up and got back in line, muttering "ratfink" under her breath. I wondered wether anyone would help Tuffnut up, but I didn't say anything.

Gobber rolled his eyes. "Anyway. He'll be alright by tomorrow. Probably."

I tightened my grip on my axe. Alright by tomorrow? I tried not to shrink as the thought mulled around in my head. Toothless didn't look well at all this morning. It'll take more than a day for him to get better.

If he even does get better.

I immediately shoved that thought out of my head. Probably paranoia setting in, I told myself, That's all. Right?

I barely realized that Gobber had proceeded to move on to today's lesson. I had to run over to the line of other recuits while trying to listen to him.

"Behind these doors are some of the many species you will learn to fight," he said as he patted the large bar that kept the animals inside. The dragons were shaking the doors and bellowing from the inside. It was giving me the creeps to watch the doors rattle.

My mind imagined the dragons breaking out as Gobber proceeded to name each one that was hiding behind the doors.

"The Deadly Nadder."

I could remember seeing Nadders attacking at the raid the other day. To my right, Fishlegs was muttering dragon fact that did little to hinder my imagination.

"Speed eight, armor sixteen."

Their spines shooting into the backs of unsuspecting victims was a very vivid image at the moment. Impalement wasn't common, but I could imagine a spike through someone's head being not only possible but also very graphic.

"The Hideous Zippleback."

The Zippleback that exploded the hidden food storage flashed in my mind. One of those guys alone could be more destructive than a horde of Nightmares if they put their minds to it.

"Plus eleven stealth times two."

Gobber looked irritated from Fishlegs's yammering, but he still went on. "The Monstrous Nightmare."

"Firepower fifteen!"

Okay I had to agree. Fishlegs's babbling was getting to me. Not that I'd ever do anything about it.

"The Terrible Terror."

I had to admit, Terrors weren't that bad. Toothless and I would chase them around the forest as kids, and none of them would really attack us back. Most of the time. In packs, they were the devil.

And, predictably, Fishlegs had something to say about the Terrors too. "Attack eight, venom twelve."

"Would you stop that!?" Gobber finally shouted at Fishlegs. That shut him up fast. Once satisfied, Gobber finished, placing his hand on a lever, "And the Gronckle."

I really should've seen it coming, but Fishlegs not-so-subtly leaned towards me and whispered, "Jaw strength eight."

I sighed. Man, I missed Toothless.

I looked over at Gobber whose hand was on the lever. Looking at what the lever opened, I was suddenly smacked with a realization that Snotlout voiced at the exact moment.

"Woah! Wait! Aren't you gonna teach us first?"

Gobber gave Snotlout a far too pleased smile before saying, "I believe on learning on the job."

No kidding, I thought to myself as I watched him pull the lever. I had scars from cuts and burns all over my hands and arms to prove just how much he loved that teaching technique. Oh gods. The door opened and an angry Gronckle exploded out.

Here we go.

I along with the other teens quickly scattered.


Toothless

Breathe in. Breathe out. It should be that simple; in fact, it usually was. That day, though, it isn't. Frankly, I felt like someone was strangling me. My chest felt like there was a fire burning inside, stealing all my air and making my exhaled breaths abnormally warm. Laying flat on my back didn't help, and sitting up made it worse.

My hearing was still as horribly messed up as it was this morning. It was like I was submerged in deep waters, and I could hear the blood rushing in my ears. Every footstep, every breeze, every rustle of fabric, and every creak was suddenly distinct to me. It was maddening. I'd done everything I could think of to stifle it. Nothing was working.

I fingered the fabric hiding most of my skin. The flesh underneath felt like it was moving. It was practically crawling and every movement made a detached sensation spread over the area in ripples. I couldn't stand the feeling. Earlier, I had tried to scratch the skin until I drew blood, but I could barely dent the leathery hide that built itself up over my arms. The fact that this hide was my skin left me feeling unsettled.

Suddenly, a piercing sound broke out. I cringed upon hearing it. However, once it started, it only got louder. I hissed in pain and my breath shook as the noise rose in volume.


Hiccup

After finally getting ahold of my shield, I went with the others as Gobber instructed us to bang on our shields to confuse the dragon. The Gronckle shook its head and faltered in its flight. Huh. The banging really does work.

So far only me, Fishlegs, Snotlout, and (not surprisingly) Astrid were still standing in the Arena. The twins had gotten themselves ousted earlier while fighting over something. I think their bickering was over a shield, but I wasn't really paying attention.

"Every dragon has a shot limit," Gobber explained from his place on the sidelines. "How many does a Gronckle have?"

I heard Snotlout voice his guess. "Five?"

"No! Six!" Fishlegs said.

"Correct! One for each of you."

How was that supposed to be a good thing!? I feel like Gobber just finds joy in torturing the teenagers of Berk. I just happened to have been currently among them at the wrong time in life.

While the Gronckle was going in the other direction for Fishlegs, I dove for the safety of a pile of crates that were located near the sidelines. This entire situation was turning into pure chaos.


Toothless

The noise was killing me. It was making me restless. I felt the need to get up, get away from whatever was making that noise.

I tried to drag myself out of bed only to gasp from a shooting pain that pierced my chest. I collapsed on the floor with a heavy thunk. Mom ran up the stairs and was at my side before I even noticed her presence.

"Toothless?" Her voice was drowning in worry. "Are you alright, sweetheart?" I wanted to reassure her, but I realy couldn't waste precious air wheezing out a few lies.

Her arms, which were wrapped around me, were stifling. It was like being contained in a sack that was suffocating me. I knew that that wasn't her intention, but, frankly, that's what it felt like. I was dying in the containment.

Her hands brushed my arms. It made my skin crawl. Even worse, a sudden flash of pain shot up my arms. I cried out in pain. Mom's hands jerked back, and she gasped. Looking down I realized what she was gaping at. The scales were spreading.

It made me feel even worse.


Hiccup

I watched from my hiding place as Fishlegs got outed and ran off screaming. I felt bad for him. It wasn't his fault he wasn't really the fighting type.

Honestly though, I was pretty shocked that I was still not out yet. Then again, hiding far away from the crazy dragon was probably a huge factor to my survival.

"Hiccup, get in there!" Gobber yelled at me.

I swallowed and crept out of my hiding place. I'd barely gotten out when I was shot at by the Gronckle. Bubbling lava slattered about, nearly burning me. Well, that was enough to scare me in the other direction.

From across the Arena, I could hear Snotlout trying to flirt with Astrid.

"So I'm moving into my parents's basement. You should come by sometime. You look like you work out."

Astrid was having none of that, and she was keeping her focus on the dragon in front of her. The Gronckle spit out another burning fireball in Astrid's direction. She quickly dodged out of the way. Snotlout wasn't so lucky. He was out.

Much to my surprise, Astrid had wound up rolling her way in my direction. She stood right next to me, so close I could hear her quick breaths. I glanced at her, in awe of how level headed she could remain in the face of a dragon. Calm, cool, and collected. Gods, she was amazing.

I could feel the blood rushing up to my face from just looking at her.

Say something, idiot! "So I guess it's just you and me now."

"No, just you," she replied bluntly before ducking in the other direction.

I was a little confused for a moment there before I realized what she meant. My shield was knocked out of my grip when another slug of lava shoots through the air. Shoot! I scrambled to grab up my shield, but it's rolling away faster than I could keep up.

I was knocked off my feet when the Gronckle lunged at me. Suddenly I was pinned.


Toothless

It was getting worse. My head was dizzy, but the need to get away was only stronger now. Mom didn't have any idea what's going on, but she refused to leave my side. Not a good thing.

Suddenly, I just couldn't take it any longer.

I scrambled to untangle myself from her embrace, stumbling to my feet and nearly collapsing.

"Toothless!" Mom exclaimed.

I didn't even try to answer her, before I went running down the stairs. Maybe it was my fever going haywire, but I just couldn't ignore the impulse that seemed to take over my senses.

It was like a voice was in my head screaming, Get away get away get away!

I just couldn't ignore it, no matter how hard I tried. The best thing I could think of doing was doing as it said. So I did.

I don't fully remember bursting out the back door, but I soon found myself heading straight towards the woods. I could hear Mom shouting. She was pleading for me to come back, but I couldn't bring myself to stop. It hurt too much. Running in this direction was making it hurt less. What else could I do?

I stumbled and tripped multiple times on the way. Every noise in the forest, from the twittering birds to the chirping insects, was blaring in my ears. But the high-pitched noise was getting quieter at least.

I screamed out my frustration as I tried to get away. I didn't notice the sound of my own scream. Later I would. It didn't sound human

I don't know how long I'd been running before I fell. I tumbled down a slope that I hadn't been able to notice before. I could feel my body getting banged up, but it was like there was some sort of padding covering my body. It didn't hurt nearly as much as it should have.


Hiccup

The Gronckle opened its maw as bubbling hot lava built up in the back of its mouth.


Toothless

I cried out against the pain and screamed as the power inside me became too strong.


Hiccup

I could feel the heat as the fire was building up


Toothless

It felt like something was trying to claw its way out of me


Hiccup

It was finally gonna let go. In that moment I was waiting for my fate.


Hiccup and Toothless

There was no escape.


I'm really excited about writing the next few chapters. Like, super duper excited.

For the record, ratfink is an actual word that I found in the thesaurus. Heh heh *nervous* I found it under bastard. It sounded like something one of the twins would say though so I used it! :D

—Tenchiko