A/N: Hello o-o
Fancy meeting you all here. Come here often?
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As soon as they got to Berk, lunch was ending. Adults and children were all in the square, giving out good-byes as they braced themselves to return back to work. Dragons waited eagerly for their humans to be finished talking, tails lashing with excitement. The happy atmosphere almost fooled Hiccup into believing that Toothless would be waiting for him at the forge, the same large smile pasted across his face. But Hiccup knew better than that of course.
As soon as they stepped foot into the village, the happy feeling broke instantly. People's jobs slipped their mind as gasps traveled around the clearing, horrified looks shining on children's faces as they caught sight of Astrid and Hiccup. Hiccup was still bleeding from the claw marks hidden under his clothes, and he had to lean on Astrid to keep himself from falling over. The blonde Viking looked frazzled, her concern for Hiccup and the knowledge of what just happened making her seem like a wreck. When really, anger was burning underneath, the teen having to stop herself from turning back around and killing the stupid female. All of this was her fault, she was certain of it now. Hiccup wasn't just freaking out when he shared his suspicions with her.
People rushed forward, pressing on the two as Astrid finally came to a stop, still holding on tightly to Hiccup. The boys head was hung, and he was staring at the ground with a totally blank look, seeming oblivious to the yelling people around him. Astrid gave a small huff, raising her voice so that she could be heard above the clamor. "HEY!" She yelled, the crowd immediately hushing around her. "Calm down! Something came up, and I think we need to talk to Stoick about it. Where is he?"
One or two of the people in the crowd looked at her crossly, as if they felt like they had been cheated from a good story. But somebody from the back of the crowd shouted over the others. "He's in the Great Hall still! Him and Gobber!" Not even bothering to wait for the crowd to part for her and Hiccup, Astrid shoved her way through, mentally cursing herself as she saw that she was still shaky. It was just something she didn't expect, that was all. It surprised her entirely, she wasn't able to comprehend any of it.
Reaching out, Astrid managed to push the door open without letting go of Hiccup. The boy let out a small mumble that sounded like an apology, trying to wriggle away from Astrid's arms. But the girl only tightened her grip stubbornly, she wasn't gonna let go. Walking back into the warmth of the Hall, Astrid spotted Stoick and Gobber immediately. The two were sitting next to each other, talking as they finished off their lunch.
Sucking in a deep breath, Astrid let go of Hiccup, the boy regaining his balance as he straightened beside her. "What do we tell them?" Hiccup mumbled, his voice so quiet that the others couldn't possibly have heard. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye nervously as he spoke. Astrid blinked in turn, giving him a small smile as she mouthed: 'Winging it.'
Hiccup paused for a moment before turning back and starting forward bravely. Astrid shifted her weight from foot to foot nervously, biting her lower lip. She didn't know why she was so scared, Stoick wasn't her father and Toothless wasn't her dragon. But he might as well have been. Toothless and Hiccup were always together, and since Hiccup had been with Astrid most of the time, Toothless would be there wagging his tail with the goofy smile on his face. It had started to get annoying, but soon it grew on Astrid. The blonde would give anything for Toothless to be tagging along right now.
"Dad?" Hiccup spoke up, Stoick looking up from his conversation.
"Hiccup!" His father greeted. He paused for a moment, looking oddly at his son before asking. "What's the matter? Did something happen? Don't tell me that you-"
"No, Dad." Hiccup interrupted shortly. "It's Toothless." Stoick blinked, obviously surprised by that. Hiccup plowed on. "He's changed. Ever since the female came here, he's been acting weird. Today I tried to go flying with him, and he completely forgot I was there and it got too rough. Him and the female were having a sort of race and I ruined it because I didn't see the rock in front of us quickly enough. We accidentally crashed into it, and the female said something to Toothless. Then he glared at me and refused to even look at me. After I came back for a while, Astrid said that she would go with me to try and even it all out. And when we came back, Toothless didn't even look at me anymore, it was like I wasn't there. Then the female jumped at me," Stoick stiffened as he heard this part. "and Astrid threw a rock at her to get her off of me. Toothless was just watching, Dad, he didn't even try and do anything." Hiccup's voice broke, and he looked away. "He growled at me, Dad. He glared at me and threatened to attack me too."
"What!" Stoick yelled, Hiccup jumped backwards as his father slammed his fist down on the table. Gobber eyed Stoick carefully, but he looked at Hiccup with concern clear in his eyes. It wasn't a secret that Gobber treated Hiccup like a son most of the time, although he showed that in an odd way as the two fought most of the time. But Hiccup wasn't even paying attention, his wide eyes set on Stoick. His father's eyes were blazing with anger, and he looked back at his son, seeing for the first time his tattered clothes and scratched-up skin. "Did Toothless do that?" He demanded.
Astrid came to the rescue this time as she stepped forward. "No, that was the female."
Stoick seemed to have calmed down somewhat, his eyes narrowing as he looked down at the table. Hiccup fidgeted uncomfortably as his scratches started to sting and itch, his eye twitched as his hands started to wring in front of him endlessly. Silence weighed down on the four Vikings, and Hiccup could literally feel the tension press down on his shoulders. Finally, Stoick spoke up. "We can't let this happen to more people." He said, glancing at his son's state.
"What do you mean?" Astrid asked, eyeing the chief wearily.
"What if it happens to more people?" Stoick said sharply, Astrid snapping her mouth shut as he glared at her. "If what you say is true, it's dangerous to leave them alone. What if somebody else gets hurt? Or worse? I always knew that there had to be something else to Toothless, and now look at what he's done! He's a monster."
Hiccup flinched away from the words. "I can try harder to train them, I'm sure that-"
"We can't let them stay on the island anymore." Stoick said firmly.
Hiccup blinked rapidly, looking at his dad with confusion. "But I'm sure that if we could just-"
"Hiccup, I know that you and Toothless might have been close before, but you have to see what is right in front of you. He is a danger now, if he could try and attack you, he would do it to anybody then. He's not the way you remember him, Odin knows why. He's a danger to the island, therefore we have to make him leave."
"But we can give him one more chance, right?" Hiccup pleaded.
Stoick shook his head once, standing up from the table swiftly. "You need to get those scratches looked at, they look like they could get bad. I have to go and deal with the dragons, we need to get them off of our island as soon as we can, before any meddlesome child finds their way into the cove."
Hiccup stiffened, eyes widening as his father made his way to the door. "Wait…you aren't going to-" He broke off, shaking his head as he stumbled forward. "No, Dad, wait! You can't kill them! The female could just go back where she came from, and Toothless…" He trailed off, swallowing. "You just can't kill them!"
"There isn't another way. Would you rather us just keep Toothless locked up in the stables for the rest of his life?" His probing look shot down to Hiccup, and the smaller boy ducked his head, mind racing. He couldn't bear it if Toothless was killed, no matter what happened with the Night Fury. The only thing Hiccup could think about was the Night Fury's wide, lopsided grin. But then again, the thought of him being pinned up in the stables wasn't too happy either. Toothless would probably RATHER be dead with that one.
He stared at the ground blankly for a while, aware of everyone's gaze trained on him. He shuffled from one foot to his metal one, mind racing as he tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he raised his head, looking up at his father with unblinking eyes. "The female could just go back where she came from…but I think she wants to stay with Toothless. He can't fly on his own."
Astrid spoke up quietly where she stood, her graze fixed on the ground as she refused to look up at Hiccup. "You could re-make his tail again." She murmured. Hiccup blinked, turning back around to look at her. "It's not like he'll refuse it this time. Right? That way he could go with her and they would leave Berk."
Hiccup started, having forgotten about the tail that Toothless had destroyed long ago. It was true, he probably would take it without question now. He would probably take it and then take off into the air without even looking at Hiccup. Just like last time. "It would work…" He said thoughtfully, not exactly keen on the idea.
"We don't have time for that!" Stoick snapped, glaring at the two teens. "You have to understand that having two dragons on our island that are doing things such as this," He gestured to Hiccup. "is a very dangerous thing! Odin knows what they'll do, and I have to solve this problem before it gets too out of hand! We can't wait for something to be made-"
"The ice!" Astrid said suddenly, the idea worming its way into her mind. "They could go across the ice! It wouldn't crack when it's in the middle of winter now, so it would be safe for them! We just have to chase them out onto the ice or something, and hopefully they'll just keep going back to wherever the female came from!" Hiccup winced at the idea, wrapping his vest tighter around himself as if he were cold. He had to admit that it was a better idea than killing them. Astrid was trying to help Toothless as much as he was.
"But what happens when they get there?" Hiccup asked sullenly. "Toothless still wont be able to fly. Can't I just make the tail? I already know how to do it, and I'm sure it would only take me a few hours! He wont be a real Night Fury with the others if he can't fly. I don't think tailfins grow back for dragons."
"Should you really care 'bout that?" Gobber chirped where he sat. "I mean, it's no' really somethin you should worry yourself over, right? Not with everythin' else goin' on right now. He'll be fine, don't you worry about it." Hiccup looked at his mentor doubtfully, but didn't object as he lowered his eyes back to the ground.
Stoick had been silent for a while, staring thoughtfully at Astrid. Nothing happened for a while, the only sound being the strangely-loud crackle of the fire in the hearth. But then he gave the blonde a small nod of approval. "I guess that could work." He said, looking over at his son. "If you want to make it more complicated than it needs to be." But in the back of his mind, he remembered how the dragon had turned back into the fire to save his son from death. So maybe he owed the Night Fury something. "How do you say that we go about doing this?"
Astrid looked over at Hiccup, only to blink with surprise as he saw that the boy was shuffling away, head down as he made his way back outside into the cold. The blonde gave a small sigh as she watched him, almost seeing the pain of loosing Toothless radiating off of him. It really wasn't fair, especially since Hiccup had no idea what was going on. He didn't deserve all of the things that had been happening to him.
She shook herself as the door slammed shut again. She turned back to Stoick, wringing her hands in front of her as she spoke. "I think that we should wait until tomorrow for early morning." She said hesitantly. When Stoick looked angry at the idea, she immediately went back. "It's the best time to do this! Because listen…"
In the back of her mind, she knew that Hiccup was going to the forge anyway. You could never tell that boy no. He never listened. She had to make sure that he had enough time to make a replica of the tailfin. Despite her anger at Toothless's sudden anger, she agreed he needed the chance to be a true dragon. Her and Hiccup were going to make that happen.
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The sun hadn't even risen into the sky when the group of alert Vikings slunk through the snow, making their way for the cove. Hiccup and Astrid were in the lead, staying close to each other. Hiccup's face was filled with sorrow as he looked back at the Vikings that held swords and clubs. "Just in case." His father had said, when Hiccup had seen the weapons in hand. He had looked sourly back in response, but hadn't said anything.
The large bag that was slung over his shoulder held Toothless's tailfin. Astrid and him both had agreed that Stoick wouldn't have agreed to Hiccup making the fin himself, it was as if everything that the Night Fury had once done was now gone. Astrid had made up the plan about the ice instead, having to fight Stoick for a long time before he finally agreed to wait until morning. Hiccup didn't see what the big deal was, if his father could have waited this long, he could have just waited for him to make the tail. But maybe the thought of the dragon never being able to fly again appealed to him. A thought that made Hiccup scowl.
Bandages had been set firmly around Hiccup's stomach last night by Astrid, another around his leg. It only made the claw marks itch more, only increasing his irritation with the cuts. He had to grit his teeth tightly together to draw his attention from the still-stinging cuts, which he was sure wouldn't be good for his teeth in the long run. But that was by far not the biggest of his worries right now.
"Hiccup." The boy jumped as he heard his father's voice behind him. The boy turned and looked up nervously, chewing on his bottom lip. Stoick leaned over and grabbed the bag from Hiccup quickly, the boy having no time to say anything before his father picked up the tailfin in his hand.
It was something that Hiccup was proud of. He thought it was even better than his last one, which was great considering he was in such a rush last night. He had ran around the forge in such a hurry, that he was surprised he didn't wake up the whole village. The fin was still a glossy black color, seeming to glisten in the light like a real fin. Hiccup tried to make it as real-looking as possible. He had done something that he had ultimately regretted as soon as he did it though.
Near the edge of the fin, where hopefully Toothless's tail would cover it up, was a small handprint. Hiccup had to admit that he wasn't thinking at all when he did it, but at least he had the decency to make it a dark color also. In dark gray was his handprint on the edge. Hiccup knew that Toothless would never see it, considering that his tail would most likely cover it up, but it helped Hiccup to think that no matter what Toothless thought of him, a part of him would still be with the Night Fury wherever he went.
"I made a new one anyway." Hiccup said flatly, surprising his father as he looked directly into his eyes. "I want Toothless to be happy, and I know that he loves to fly. I'm not stripping him of something that he loves just because he doesn't like me anymore. You can say whatever you want, but I'm giving it to him." He reached up and took back the tail, spotting the cove coming up close.
Stoick looked at his son thoughtfully for a moment or two before he finally spoke. "Someday you'll make a good chief, Hiccup." Blinking with surprise, Hiccup looked back and gave his father a small smile. In turn, Stoick turned back and gestured for silence, the crowd going quiet at once. "We are just back-up!" He called. Some of the people in the crowd looked confused at the change of plans, mummers traveling around the mass of people. Stoick waited for a moment or two before it settled, then explained. "Hiccup has a better idea, which will hopefully be better than our first plan. These are my orders, so listen!" He paused glancing back at Hiccup and Astrid as if to make sure that they were listening also.
"Hiccup is going to go down into the cove and do his part. The rest of us are going to keep to the bushes of the cove and watch. If anything is to happen with one of the dragons, we are all going to attack, with no mercy. Got that?" A few people looked crestfallen at the lack of a good plan (again), but most people just nodded tensely, too worried to feel cheated.
Stoick looked back at Hiccup, and gave his son a small nod. "Be careful."
"I'm not worried." Hiccup murmured, almost to himself as he turned and started down into the cove. He was aware of the Vikings' gaze trained intently on him as he landed with a small thump on the ground. Despite what happened the other times he had come here, Toothless immediately raised his head as Hiccup edged closer. The female was still asleep, eyes shut tight as a low snoring noise came from her. Toothless's ears flattened, and he stood up immediately, growling warningly as Hiccup came closer.
There was a loud rustle in the bushes behind him, and Hiccup held up his hand behind him in a STOP. At once, the noise behind him stopped. Taking in a calming breath through the noise, Hiccup's steps got smaller and smaller as he got closer and closer to Toothless. The Night Fury's growl was loud now, and the female stirred slightly where she lie, fidgeting in her sleep as her ears flattened. Toothless glanced back at her, changing to baring his teeth at Hiccup instead.
Pressing down the raw sadness that he felt from Toothless's narrowed eyes, Hiccup slowly brought the tailfin into view, watching as Toothless's growling faltered, the dragon's ears perking as he recalled the familiar fin. Hiccup started speaking in a low voice, trying to keep his voice strong instead of wavering. "They don't want you on the island anymore." He murmured, Toothless looking at him oddly as he went on. "They think you and the female are dangerous. They wanted to kill you."
Toothless immediately crouched down to the ground, letting out a loud and furious roar. The female's eyes snapped open wide and she scrambled to her feet, whirling around for the danger. She deadpanned as she saw Hiccup, but the teen barely noticed it, too busy staring at Toothless. A lump was devolving in his throat, and his voice came out thick. "But I know you aren't like that. Me and Astrid both know better. We wouldn't let them hurt you."
Toothless drew back slightly, eyes still narrowed as he glared at Hiccup. It was like he was expecting hordes of Viking people to dart from behind him and attack the two dragons. Hiccup tried to control his breathing as he felt his shoulders start to shake. He thought that this would be as easy to do when he gave him the fin last time, but it wasn't. It was harder because he knew that Toothless hated him now because of the female. He knew that Toothless would never come back because he'd be too busy soaring through the skies freely with her. And Hiccup would never be able to find a dragon like him ever again. He'd be the only one in the village without a dragon of his own.
"We got them to agree to let you go." He said around the thickness in his throat. He extended the tailfin and started forward slowly. "If you let me put it on, you'll be able to go without them chasing you. You'd be free to go." The female's eyes shone at the last part, and she chirped happily to Toothless. The male gave a smile, and Hiccup's eyes blurred automatically as he saw the dragon. The bright eyes were back, but it was different. He was happy to be leaving. Not happy to be staying with Hiccup and going flying with the boy. He was smiling for the wrong reason.
Taking a step forward, Hiccup leaned down to the ground and put the tail beside Toothless's tail. He gave a shaky sigh as he saw the small handprint the had so stupidly added last night. Reaching out, he lined up his palm and pressed it against the dried paint, feeling the familiar touch of leather underneath. Images flashed through his mind of him and Toothless. Lying on the grass and looking up at the clouds, soaring through the air with certain ease, Toothless's head stuck through the window of the forge as he watched Hiccup work. It had been a wonder at first, to walk past the Blacksmith shop and see the large behind of Toothless sticking out from the window. But soon enough, the people just laughed and said, "Hiccup must be working."
He was jolted from his thoughts as the female snapped out an impatient growl. Shaking his head and reaching up to wipe his eyes roughly, Hiccup strapped the tail onto Toothless tightly, securing it and making sure that it would stay on. He hesitated for a moment before looking up, his watery eyes meeting Toothless's straight on. "Good luck, Buddy." He whispered hoarsely.
As Hiccup eyes met Toothless's, the dragon started somewhat, tilting his head to the side as his eyes widened somewhat, the narrowed look he had taken to give Hiccup leaving as Hiccup saw a flash of his old dragon come back. For a heartbeat, Toothless looked like he was about to go forward to him, but the female let out another yip, intercepting the two and locking gazes with Toothless. Hiccup was pushed back, and he let out a muffled squeak as he sank into the snow. Pushing himself up slowly, he looked with confusion at the female.
Toothless immediately recovered, giving her a small snort and a nod. The two lined p together, and the female pushed herself off of the ground, wings spreading out as she climbed up into the sky. Toothless stayed back for a moment or two, looking at the ground carefully before he looked over sideways at Hiccup.
The boy's eyes filled over, and he felt warm streaks slowly go down his face as tears left marks down his cheeks. His shoulders were shaking, and when he spoke, his voice was chocked back and thicker than before. "Bye, Buddy." He sobbed dryly. Toothless looked away quickly, wings spreading out as he followed behind the female, gone in an instant. It was quick, but it wasn't painless.
Footsteps came up behind him, and he realized that Astrid was behind him. She crouched down to sit beside him, glancing over at him with sadness. Hiccup curled his knees up to his chest, and he buried his head away from her, more and more tears falling down onto the fabric of his shirt, making small dots as they melted away. "Please leave me alone." He whispered brokenly.
Astrid didn't say anything else, leaning over and wrapping her arms around her friend tightly, closing her eyes as she held him close. Almost unconsciously he turned closer to face her, trying to find comfort from her prescience beside him. Behind them, there were rustles in the bushes, but no others came down to confront them. The Vikings left one-by-one, back to the village, eyes heavy with sadness of the loss that they all felt.
Stoick and Gobber were left in the clearing, looking down into the cove emptily at the two teenagers.
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A/N: Dear Tradith: I am aware that Toothless is OOC, you must not have gotten it, but Nightflight is hypnotizing him. Therefore, he can't really be in charge of himself. So…yeah. I didn't want you to keep leaving stuff like that, so there you go ^^
Did you like the story? It's over! :D
No it's not. I kid. I kid. *derp face*
This chapter made me sad inside D: *goes off to listen to Disney Music*
I LOVE CHUR REVIEWS!