Me: Because of the encouragement from my friend (you should thank her) it is decided that I shall continue this story "as soon as [I] can" (her words, not mine) and since I have a lot of time because of some mix-up that I finally got straighten out (finally), I am more free to do this as I please. Especially after the first six weeks of school is almost coming to an end. So things should go slow from there.

Here is chapter two; hope you enjoy.

The Downed Human

Stoick's head shot up as he heard a scream. But it wasn't just any scream.

The scream was nasally and more high pitched than any other dragon would dare to vocalize. It was a scream of terror and fear rather than a scream of anger and fury that one would've expected on a battle field.

It was Hiccup's scream.

Stoick felt himself sighing in either irritation or exasperation. Probably both.

For a short moment, Stoick growled at the humans that he had caught in a net–personally dropped from the skies by the huge Self-Flamer himself– with a warning tone to not cross him and his kind before looking at the Spikesbearers who are helping him restraint the several burly humans that tried to struggle their way out.

"Do not let them escape!" The dragon leader quickly ordered before slithering away with one of the other dragons yelling in confirmation that they heard the command.

Stoick huffed as he treads quickly towards where he heard the screams of the fledgling, grumbling testily about 'not listening to him' and how 'he told him so' before looking up to the skies to deem it safe enough to fly up. Usually, the Night Fury attacks wouldn't just end so early after a couple of shots at his people like tonight but he didn't have time to ponder about the absent of attacks. He should take this opportunity to save his stubborn son.

Hiccup on the other hand, despite how casual Stoick is concerning towards the possible danger that the fledgling could be involved in which seemed to have a tendency to happen often (and it does), is at the point of panicking. Not because of the huge, bulky human with the brown beard and dirt-covered face who smells as if he had been in a Bodyboulder's dung (and trust him; that is not a pleasant thing to smell)—his fear is mostly directed towards the axe that is particularlybeing thrown at his head.

Like the axe lodged in the pillar just a few inches away from his snout.

If he could, he would've pale until he's as white as a cloud.

Scrambling away from the weapon that is practically signing his death warrant, Hiccup then rounded around the pillar only to narrowly miss another axe being thrown (very accurately) towards his neck. Sheesh, shouldn't this guy ran out of axes already? He had already tried throwing his sword at him and all of his hammers! That was the third axe he had thrown at Hiccup!

It was then the black dragon had notice all the abandon weaponry spread on the ground—to his luck, all of them were axes.

It looks like some of the dragons were shirking their responsibilities of making sure that no human weaponry would be on the ground where humans could get them.

Great, just great.

"What's the matter dragon? Can't fly? What a weakling! You're probably just as pathetic as a Terrible Terror!" he heard the human mock in an attempt to anger him. Maybe the guy was hoping that Hiccup would turn around and attack him because of the insults but the fledgling was too scared to even try to defend himself (that and what the human said is true… except for him being as pathetic as a Diminutive-Drag—he's actually proclaimed to be even more pathetic than them).

Hiccup dared himself to look back behind him only to see the red-faced human dashing towards him with two huge axes on each hand but he doesn't seemed to be able to get any closer to him than he already was. Well, Hiccup always have been the fastest of all dragons when it comes to being on the ground so it's not surprising that he is able to outrun the mammal but to make up for the lack of endurance that the human does not have—he decided to decapitate the dragon instead by throwing particularly sharp axes that could make a clean cut through a trunk of a tree without any trouble at all. At this rate, Hiccup rather get caught alive than having is neck clean off of his shoulders. Though maybe the death would be much more painless since he doesn't know what they would do to him once they take him back to their civilization…

But those kinds of thoughts were cut off –almost literally– when another axe flew pass his head and Hiccup deems it's better to keep running lest he actually wanted to figure out which of the two options are better.

"Face me like a man, you coward!" The human yelled right behind him, not yet tired out by having to chase the speedy dragon around pillars and on the uneven ground which made Hiccup more prone to trip than ever before (if it weren't the fact that Hiccup's body decided to be clumsy around this time, stumbling with every single crevices and rock that is placed in his path, he could've been able to outrun the human even farther).

"I rather be a live coward than a brave corpse!" Hiccup automatically responded in Dragonese though he's very well aware that the human couldn't understand him.

Determined to make it out alive (with all of his limbs, including his head, attach), Hiccup decided to use the shadows to his advantage after considering the fact that night is still here—though the bright light coming from the pillar torches above would certainly make things a bit more difficult for him to do so. Once he calculate the best shadows to hide in, he made a sudden swerve towards the right where the light from the make-shift torches couldn't reach, surprising the All-user at the sudden change of direction the small dragon had made. Soon enough, Hiccup engulfs his body into the darkness but didn't stop moving from there. To prevent the human from finding him any further, he quickly switch from one shadow to another hiding behind different kinds pillars and boulders that are casting dark enough shadows for his use. Hiccup didn't stop until he had switched to his thirteenth shadow behind a large, roughly-shaped pillar, using it as a temporary hiding place until the fledgling is sure that the All-user is gone.

Pressing against the towering rock as he lift his ears and sensors to detect any possible threat coming towards his way, Hiccup listens into in the strange silence that is only penetrated by the faint background noises of humans yelling and dragons screeching. His soft yet frantic breathing is now added to the mix, his throat automatically gathering up gas due to a defensive mechanism that dragons would have but knowing that the clan wouldn't take it very well if he ever dared release one of his fire bolts, he tries to shallow it down. The black dragon froze once he settles himself into the darkness, his muscles stiff and rigid as he then closes his eyes out of fear that they would give him away. His ears and sensors are the only things moving on his body as they shifted left to right in concentration to his surroundings. For a while, he heard nothing and there was a hope inside Hiccup that the man had finally given up on him.

The fledgling had yet to discover the bulky figure slowly and gradually rounding around the pillar with the movements of a cat to the right of where Hiccup was hiding at.

Much to Hiccup's miscalculation –despite the massive figure that the All-user has– the human is actually very nimble and agile. Usually, sneak attacks wouldn't be the Viking way to fight –meaning to run head-on into a battle no matter how hopeless it is– but capturing (or in cases that are deemed necessary; killing) a dragon like this would require some sneaking around to do. All for the Queen. Their lovely Queen.

Raising his axe high above his head, a maniacal grin spreading on his face, he slowly crept closer as he then could finally see the dragon though only by a faint outline that would barely be visible up close and practically indistinguishable in the distance. He took in the sleekness and the smoothness of the creature and thrum with excitement at how different the other looks from all the other dragons he had seen in his short life.

The Queen would love this creature in her collection; seeing that she doesn't have anything like this. Gronkles? Yes. Monstrous Nightmares? Of course. Deadly Nadders? Enough so. Hideous Zipplebacks? Affirmative. Terrible Terrors? Plentiful. But this creature would certainly be the prime display of all the dragons combined! And though it would be a much easier feat killing the dragon, taking it alive would earn him a reward from his lovely Queen... Nonetheless, that doesn't mean he doesn't have to hurt it. He just have to avoid killing it…

His eyes twinkle at the thought as he sidesteps to the left to get a clearer look at the dark dragon. That proves to be his mistake when he wasn't paying attention to his surroundings and accidently kick on a small pebble, which made a tapping sound that is rather loud in the semi-silence between them.

At that instant, Hiccup quickly turns around to the sound; his forest-green eyes widely open as they directly stare at the deadly, enormous axe held by the human with a ravenous look on his face complete with the dilated eyes, the huffing nostrils and the slightly foaming mouth that is grinning a menacing grin, shooting shivers down Hiccup's spine.

His dragon instincts kicked in once again (though those instincts failed him too many times to count, he really couldn't help it) and he finds his throat producing gas at a hasty pace, his mouth automatically open as his head instinctively leaning back in impact.

Realizing what the dragon is going to do, the human shout out a war cry, running at the creature with haste but it was already too late.

Letting out a short hiss, Hiccup release his fire and was surprised to know that it had hit at what he had attended to aim for—the axe. As anyone in the world could see, his fire differs from the other dragons. It doesn't have the usual color of red, yellow and orange and it looks even more unstable and less controlled than any other fire that would come out from a dragon's mouth. The male human realized that very quickly as his axe was forcefully taken out from his grip after a shot of blue and purple flames had flew passed him, hitting a nearby pillar soon after with a resounding explosion.

The flames were familiar to him since he knows of the human who uses such flames against the dragons. Now, the very same flames they had relied on are being used against them.

But there was something different from this flame compared to the one that the 'Shade' (what they called the Night Fury) would use. Despite that the colors are the same; the dragon's fire is much brighter and vibrant—lively as if there is a soul to it. And the smell…

The Viking felt the haze in his mind that he wasn't aware of become clearer and unclouded as the scent of lavender invaded his sense. Suddenly, he felt confuse and lost, not understanding what he's doing or what he should be doing. He looks at the frozen dragon in front of him and blinks in bewilderment, seeing the petrified and slightly panicking expression contorted on its face. What was he trying to do to the little fledgling just before? It's barely even a full grown dragon…

GET ME THAT DRAGON!

A loud, abrasive yet familiar female voice shrieked in his ear and as he move his hands to cover his ears, his hands instead reached for the axe that is hooked onto his belt, gripping on the weapon before raising it high above his head. The Viking recognize the fear on the dragon's face and notice how the creature's frame is now shaking but despite so, his body wouldn't stop as it took a step forward towards the fledgling, preparing to strike its chest.

THAT DRAGON! I WANT THAT DRAGON!

The feminine voice in his head said, convincing him that he wants that dragon—he needs that dragon.

But once again, something forced his axe to fly out of his hand, something whip-like and alive. Soon enough, a stream of fire intercepted his path and he was completely blocked off from the dark creature.

Automatically, as he heard a devastating screech heading towards his way, he snaps his head to the sky and his eyes widen at the vast Monstrous Nightmare that seems to appear out of nowhere.

He watches in dread as the dragon landed in front of him as a replacement for the stream of fire, its wing now blocking the small fledgling instead. The Viking wisely steps back as he heard a murderous growl coming through the sharp teeth that it bares, the dragon's eyes narrowing into slits of fury.

Knowing how powerful this one is, the All-user began to reach for a weapon tucked in his belt—only to find out that he had none.

Shit, he's all out.

And the dragon seems to realize that for the creature had tensed for a moment earlier when he reached for his belt but then became less precautious at his disarmed state.

Without any warning, the dragon snaps its large jaw at him, aiming for his torso, but he was lucky enough to have quick feet for he was able to jump back before he finds the teeth sunken through his body. Stepping a few paces back, looking at the Monstrous Nightmare with a cautious gaze, he then scampered away without even bothering to think about the cowardice of his actions, trying to scoop up any remaining dignity he has left. But still, he's unarmed while the massive dragon has many things it can use as a weapon against him—he's brave but he's not stupid like most think. He knows when he's beaten and that black dragon isn't worth being killed over. It didn't seem like a decent dragon in the first place.

Stoick watches as the human scurried away, making sure that the male didn't have any plans to come back and attack, before turning towards the troublesome fledgling, who was trying to subtly shuffle away in an attempt to escape. As Stoick eyes narrowed in obvious anger, Hiccup flinch, his ears and sensors folded down in guilt and embarrassment.

He is so dead.

And even more so when the pillar he had shot his fire bolt at started to crack and creak, slowly falling over to the side—then it toppled onto another rock pillar near it. Like a domino effect, that pillar started to fall and hit another. Then that pillar fell and hit another. And another. And another.

Oh, and there's one more thing you need to know.

Hiccup wince at every crash he heard in the distance, taking in the yells and roars of warning and surprise. Slowly looking back at the tribe leader, Hiccup felt the urge to shift his paw while trying to look as sorry as he can be, recognizing the stabbing stare of frustration and anger coming from the Self-Flamer.

"Sorry… Dad." Hiccup quietly grumbled, but it didn't lessen the tension between the two dragons. If possible, the tension thickens even greater once the falling pillars caused by Hiccup reaches to the humans that Stoick had just previously caught. The dragons guarding the humans scatter as soon as they notice the falling pillar tipping towards them, letting the humans go in the process before that final pillar collapse on the ground.

Hiccup watch with growing dismay and embarrassment as the humans were able to slip out of the net, due to their lack of guards, and it wasn't long till they began to flee, running towards their ships to escape the island.

Realizing the stares and glares he have been given –not only from his father but the entire tribe themselves who decided watch his humiliation– Hiccup begins to fiddle with the claws on his fore paw, trying to find some way that would redeem him from his now current mess-up, shifting his forest green-eyes left to right in self-consciousness.

"Okay…" Hiccup mumbled, slightly admitting that what just happened is his fault. "But I got a Night Fury."

Obviously, Stoick didn't believe him considering that the Self-Flamer is already gathering Hiccup with his enormous wing towards their den, forcing the fledgling to go back home.

"It's not like the last few times Dad!" Hiccup tries to explain as his father's powerful wing continues to shove him towards the cliffs, using his short claws to dig into the ground to prevent the larger dragon from dragging him off completely. "I mean, I really actually have it! You guys were busy and I had a very good opportunity! It went down just off Raven Point—let's get a search party out there before it–"

"STOP!" Stoick interrupted with a taxing roar. The fledgling quickly clamps his mouth as his father snaps his horned head towards him, exasperation and fury shone in his yellow, slit eyes.

"Just… stop." The way the tribe leader said that sounded like an angry hiss, almost pleading in a way that made the dark fledgling shuffle his paws at the tone.

Hiccup began to look to the side in an attempt to avoid the Self-Flamer's eyes, deciding that it would be better if he doesn't continue on with his babbling about the Night Fury— whether it's true or not. He should've known that no one is going to believe him in the first place anyway. In addition to that sad fact, this is the first time his father had spoken to him since he had found the black dragon; which means that he's pushing it.

"Every time you step outside, disaster falls." Stoick growled as Hiccup slightly flinches at the harsh statement—though it's true in every way. "Can you not see that I have bigger problems? Winter is almost here, and I have an entire tribe to feed!"

To emphasize his statement, Stoick waves his other wings towards the rest of the dragons who are watching—the ones on the ground and the ones up above on the pillars.

Winter is not really a problem for dragons –considering that they have an internal heat source in their body– but it is not the same for every other living creature that lives on the island. Once winter comes, food became scarce and even the toughest dragon needs to eat. Though the tribe doesn't exactly know the reason why the Humans would come here, most assumed it's because that they needed to raid them. Every time they came to Berk, they would steal most of their livestock from under their noses. There were also some rumors that the reason humans had been invading their home are to hunt the dragons for their meat…

"Well…" Hiccup mumbles, shifting his eyes to the surrounding crowd wearing the expressions of disappointment and weariness before looking back at his father with a sheepish, dejected expression. "Between you and me, the tribe could do with a little less feeding, don't you think?"

Though the comment was meant only for the Self-Flamer's ears, many of the nearby Bodyboulders and some of the Spikesbearers had heard the remark and look up and down at each other as if to question whether they were as… big… as the fledgling implied.

"This isn't a joke Hiccup!" Stoick hissed, not amuse by his son's attempt of trying to lighten the atmosphere. "Why can't you follow the simplest orders?"

Hiccup sputters as he tries to think of a way to explain his actions—without sounding stupid or embarrassing.

"I-I can't stop myself!" Hiccup uttered defensively. "I see a human and I have to just—" The fledgling bares his teeth and chomps the air almost half-heartedly, giving a visualization of his statement. "—kill it, you know? It's who I am dad."

Despite his words, his tone was rather awkward and gawky, lacking the confidence and the conviction that dragons would usually have.

Stoick sighs at this.

"Oh, you are many things Hiccup." Stoick admitted in a drained tone; the fury and the frustration he was feeling had already depleted into exhaustion. "But a human-killer is not one of them."

The black dragon slightly slump at that—but at the same time, he couldn't really refute the statement. He's not exactly the best dragon warrior in the tribe—lacking bravery, lacking confidence and lacking strength (not to mention he couldn't fly or even be allowed to breathe fire) he's the worse dragon in dragon history. It's a wonder how he survived this long (the gods probably don't want to lose such a prized entertainment like him…).

"Get back to the den." When Hiccup heard his father said that, he knows that it is not a request or a suggestion. It's an order. And to make it clear, Stoick uses his wing to give Hiccup one last shove towards the house before turning his head towards Gobber, the Bodyboulder who was watching the whole interacting with a different kind of exhaustion. The blacksmith had seen this type of scene too many times and while it was hilarious and funny at first, now it's getting kind of tired and somehow pitiful. "Make sure he gets there!"

Gobber didn't say anything as he was already walking up to the fledgling, using his boulder-like tail to smack the other on the head as soon as the Bodyboulder had strolled pass the black dragon. The smack clearly states 'Follow and don't try anything stupid'.

Though begrudgingly, Hiccup did just that; without a word, he follow Gobber with dragging steps and a sullen-looking face, ignoring the stares and gazes that followed him while the other half of the crowd choose to stare at his father instead. When he heard his father mumble 'I have his mess to clean up,' Hiccup could help but slump even more while his ears and sensor press down harder on his skull. It's not new that his dad has to clean up whatever disaster he made, but he's starting to make it sound like a tedious chore.

Gobber suddenly stop for a moment, letting Hiccup pass, before continuing on behind the fledgling, as if deciding that it would be better to have the black dragon where he could see him. It's nice to know that he's trusted—though there has yet to be a reason for him to escape. Maybe that's why Gobber decided to keep a better eye on him; when the dragon actually finds a reason, he charges at it without even thinking it through.

As they continue out of the massive crowd and towards the den, Hiccup almost audibly groan at the fact that he have to pass the other fledglings—who were either laughing at him, making jokes at him, or just sneering at him superiorly. Fishlegs gave him a sympathetic glance though and Astrid looks as if she could care less about him (which is an 'ouch' for him), watching him stoically in the corner of her eyes.

"Quite the performance." Tuffnut jabbed as he passed by, sarcasm evident in his tone. Both of the heads on the Double-minded are chortling in agreement while his sister then join in the giggling event, both wearing matching expression that were able to fully creep Hiccup out.

"I've never seen anyone mess up that badly, that helped!" Snotlout then comment soon after as Hiccup pass the young Self-Flamer, the scarlet dragon giving him a devious, fang-filled grin of sheer mockery and ridicule and the twins laugh at his comment even louder.

After hearing a few more sarcastic retorts coming from the twins and from Snotlout himself, Hiccup frowns in annoyance and displeasure. He seriously doesn't want to deal with the other fledglings right now.

"Thank you, thank you—I was trying, so…" Hiccup mumbled in a halfhearted attempt of defending himself, already passing the whole group with Gobber just behind him.

As Snotlout was making faces at him, Gobber decided to not-so-subtly smack the Self-Flamer with his tail as the Blacksmith was passing by. Except for the love-tap that Gobber had given to the black dragon, the whack was able to whip Snotlout's head just a little to the side. Not enough power to hurt or disorient the arrogant dragon but enough to surprise him for a short moment.

Hiccup decided that it wouldn't hurt to secretly smile at that as Snotlout quickly tries to regain posture as if he hasn't lost it, but the twins howling in the background at the Self-Flamer's predicament gave proof to what just happened.

On the way back to the den, the lair uphill some ways a little far from the rest of the den, the two dragons were quiet. It's not the first time that Gobber has to escort Hiccup back to his den. Nothing they say is anything new or fresh; because nothing really changed today. He got yelled, he got scolded, he got scorned—and in the end, he comes back home after another day of ridicule.

But something did change, Hiccup realized. He defeated a Night Fury (in some form of fashion).

"I really did hit one." Hiccup uttered, breaking the somewhat comfortable silence, in a way that tells Gobber that the fledgling is going to be ranting very soon.

The Bodyboulder roll his eyes as if he wasn't surprised at the prospect.

"Sure, Hiccup." He answered nonchalantly.

"He never listens."

"Well, it runs in the family." Gobber admitted for he's the one who have to witness the two dragon's stubbornness. The Blacksmith was not surprised at the fact that the conversation then switched onto Hiccup's father. That's usually what Hiccup thought to be the source of his problems—though unconsciously.

"And when he does, it's always with this disappointed scowl, like someone skimped on the meat in his sandwich." By then, both Gobber and Hiccup were already in front of the den, the fledgling, instead of going in, decided to pace instead in front of the entrance with a deep frown. Hiccup suddenly began to deepen his voice in a thick accent, performing a mocking imitation of his father that would sure have Gobber laughing if it weren't for the fact that some people might come over to check and make sure a yak wasn't dying.

"'Excuse me dragoness! I'm afraid you brought me the wrong hatchling!'" Hiccup started out, trying to make himself look as intimidating as his father while making wild gestures with his head and his tail. "'I ordered an extra-large dragon with enormous horns, extra guts and glory on the side! This here!'" Hiccup kept gesturing his head raucously towards a random spot on the ground that's supposed to be him in some way. "'This is a talking gecko!'"

Gobber couldn't help but snicker at the reference that Hiccup have towards himself, before trying to actually correct the fledgling in his thoughts.

"Now, you're thinkin' about this all wrong." The Blacksmith told his apprentice, who looks at him with a doubtful raised eye as if he's convinced that he's correct on his thoughts about his father. "It's not so much what you look like; it's what inside that he can't stand!"

Hiccup gave Gobber a blank look, his dreary pacing stopping. "Thank you, for summing that up."

Of course, the remark was sarcastic.

"Look, the point is, stop trying so hard to be something you're not."

Hiccup frowns at the statement as he headed towards the inside of his den, letting the darkness and the shadows blend in with his body. He then abruptly stop and turns his head over to Gobber, just before his snout reaches over to the dark side of the den.

"I just want to be one of you guys." That was all that Hiccup had said, his tone rather pained with loneliness and fatigue, before he trotted deeper into the den, his one-fin tail dragging behind him, and out of Gobber's sight.

The Bodyboulder sigh at this as he felt the words putting some weight into his heart (not that he'll admit to having a heart—he's a dragon warrior for Odin's sake), feeling some form of pity for the other though he knows very well that Hiccup doesn't need is pity. But most of the fault does go to Hiccup's personality—it wasn't his lack of muscle or his lack of flight that makes him so unbearable sometimes (though most would refute that those particular lack of things are what makes him unbearable), it's his lack of recognizing what is truly important. Hiccup is an intelligent dragon –Gobber dared anyone to say otherwise– but the fledglings doesn't understand there is more to life than killing humans (then again, most fledglings in their tribe doesn't realize that but like he said—Hiccup is very intelligent so he expected more out of the other). But then again, he couldn't blame the other for not realizing it sooner.

Killing a human is everything in their tribe—for glory and fame. Having your dad being one of the strongest dragons in the tribe and all time human-killer puts a lot of pressure and expectations. Even worse when you're a dragon who can't fly, a dragon that is forbidden to breathe fire and a dragon with some of the smallest stature that Gobber has ever seen on a dragon (not counting Diminutive-Drags, they're a whole other species). If someone else was in Hiccup's paws, they would want to prove themselves as a fierce dragon too.

Besides, there are only a few occupations that Hiccup could have—being a dragon is one of them.

Which Hiccup can't be described as with his strange lack of dragon features.

Feeling an exhaustion that Gobber is very familiar with after taking care of the black dragon since he was a little hatchling, he turns around and heads for the pillars, knowing that Stoick probably calling for a meeting at the Central-Lair.

As Gobber left, hovering towards the Pillar grounds rather than walking the whole way, forest green-eyes watch as the Bodyboulder disappear from the cave's entrance, his ears and sensors up as he confirms whether Gobber is long gone or not. After a few minutes of shifting his head along with his sensor and his ears, he finds himself content at the fact that the Bodyboulder isn't anywhere near his home now. With that assurance, he scampers deeper into the back of the den, automatically turning his eyes towards the hidden small tunnel that looks only to be his size.

There are some cases where humans would try to smoke out dragons, which are almost idiotic considering they're –well– dragons but this precaution is mostly for the hatchlings (and specifically Hiccup), tunnels are made for an alternative escape if the emergency arises. Every den has a back-up tunnel to escape through, made by Earth-Drillers (dragons that are named Whispering Death) themselves.

The tunnel that Hiccup is looking at leads to an exit that is closer to the forest…

Breathing in and exhaling out a breath of nerves, he tucks in his wings and venture into the dark tunnel, using his night vision to guide him through. It wasn't long till he saw the light from the other side of the tunnel, running towards it with newfound determination and hope.

"Either we finish them or they'll finish us! It's the only way we'll be rid of them!" Stoick's booming voice is clear and powerful inside the Central-Lair, the roars of the Self-Flamer echoing in the cave full or rune writing, black drawings, and scorched markings of dragons killing humans or some other dragon victory. But mostly dragon killing humans. All the dragon warriors, both male and female, are gathered in a circle, Stoick in the middle with his head raised up high like a leader should. He made sure to make eye contact on every dragon in the area. "If we find their civilization and destroy it, the humans will leave! One more search, before the ice sets in!"

"Those dragons never come back!" One of the dragons stated, reminding everyone about the number of dragons that would enter the fog-filled cave that serves to be the entrance to the Human civilization for the past 700 years and never to be returned without some harm or injury or just never to be returned ever again.

"We're Dragons! It's an occupational hazard!" Stoick quickly reminds them. There has never been a time where their job isn't dangerous. "Now who's with me?"

At that question, the other dragons look at each other in hesitation, knowing the risk of going hunting for the Human civilization. It's no joke about the fact that there were dragons that didn't come back. Some dragons even made excuses on why they couldn't be on the expedition, ranging from having to tend their gardens to needing to sharpen their claws.

At this, Stoick didn't seem surprised, knowing fully well that many of the dragons would be hesitant to go out considering that their success rate is low. Leaning back with a calmness that only a leader could possess and Stoick then made a proposal instead: "Alright. Those who stay will look after Hiccup."

In an instant, every dragon in the Central-Lair voice out their cooperation on the mission—no one wants to babysit Hiccup. The fledgling is a walking disaster itself and who knows what could happen to them in the duration of their caretaking. They have nothing against the little one, really (well, there are some who did have something against Hiccup but they know that the fledgling didn't meant to harm them in any way). But they do want their limbs attach.

And what makes it even more dangerous than hunting for the Human's Civilization? Easy, they can slash, hit, and kick whatever harms them but they could not do that to Hiccup—no matter how tempting it is.

Stoick mumbles his content (something along the lines 'Aye, that's more like it.') as he saw and heard all the willing warriors that would come along in the hunt and say a few more words before dismissing everyone to get ready and bring what they deem necessary. It wasn't long until Gobber and Stoick were the only ones in the Central-Lair, the Bodyboulder chomping on the torso of a freshly caught fish.

Noticing that the Self-Flamer is coming towards his way, Gobber lifts his head from his breakfast but didn't stop chewing as he saw the business-like face that his supposed best-friend is showing.

"Right. I'll stop eating." Gobber said as he swallows the rest of whatever is in his mouth, pushing the rest of the torn carcass of a fish away. The Diminutive-Drags will eat the leftovers since they don't really care whether the food is fresh or not.

Gobber always made sure to have his stomach empty before going onto another expedition for the Human's Civilization because of the belief that he's going to end up upchucking his lunch in the end as fearless as he is (he added that last part). Though it hasn't really happen yet, it was just a precaution that the Blacksmith does.

"No. I need you to stay and train some new recruits." Stoick informed as he saunters up in front of the Bodyboulder, pushing the half-eaten fish back in front of other as a way to say that the dragon could continue to eat.

Gobber looks at the fish before looking back at Stoick. It's not like he has a problem with the assignment really. It's fun to watch fledglings run around with their tail between their legs as the humans would chase them around the ring (of course, he couldn't let the humans kill them but it's still fun to watch) while their haughty fledgling ego then became nonexistent with their broken pride (then, they later become mature dragons worthy of their tribe so it's a win-win situation).

But there is something that Stoick miss in that equation.

"Oh yeah, perfect." The sarcasm in Gobber's tone made Stoick tilt his head as if to question whether there is anything wrong with the assignment. "And while I'm busy, Hiccup can cover the stall."

Both grimace at the thought.

"Exploding sticks, razor-sharp blades, lots of time to himself—what could possible go wrong?"

Stoick didn't really appreciate his friend's sarcasm but understands his point. He really does not want to know what could happen to Hiccup if he's left at the Blacksmith Shop for too long unsupervised. While Hiccup is very familiar with everything in it, he doubts that it would end well. And as he thinks about all the possible incidents that Hiccup could have gotten himself into, he let out a very strenuous sigh.

"What am I goin' to do with 'im Gobber?" Stoick questions, almost desperately, as he treads up to the Bodyboulder's side, lying down next to him with his head resting on his crossed front paws.

Gobber looks at Stoick for a moment before taking a bit out of his fish, chewing thoughtfully as he was also inwardly asking the same question himself.

In truth, Hiccup is capable enough to take care of himself.

Despite his lack of muscle as well as his lack of flying abilities, he is able to catch his meals, clean his body and do all his daily needs. It's whether he could keep himself out of harm's way is where the problem lies. Or, perhaps, keeping Hiccup from harm isn't the answer…

"Put 'im in training with the others." Gobber abruptly suggested, making the Self-Flamer shot his head up off his paws while looking at the Bodyboulder with a gaze that ask if the other is actually joking.

"No, I'm serious."

"So am I!" Gobber persisted, frowning slightly at how the other didn't seem to take him so seriously—though his solemn tone is quite obvious to anyone who would hear it.

"He'd be killed before you let the first human out of its cage!"

A very good point and Gobber knows that. Hiccup would be a very easy target for any human if the other wasn't as stubborn as his father. But still…

"Oh, you don't know that." Who knows? Hiccup might surprise them.

"I do know that."

"No you don't." Gobber insisted.

"No actually, I do."

"No you don't!"

"Listen." By then, Stoick is already on his feet, pacing around in frustration about the topic t-that-that Hiccup should be put in Human training! His son could barely fly and he knows how destructive his fire could be—he's just going to get himself killed! Watching as Stoick pace, Gobber felt a sense of déjà vu for he had just watch Hiccup pace just like his father not too long ago. Like father, like son. "You know what he's like. From the time he had hatched from his egg, he's been… different."

Gobber couldn't help but think that is the understatement of the century.

Hiccup is an unknown species—they have yet to make a name for what kind of dragon Hiccup is. In truth, Hiccup isn't Stoick's child by blood.

After an incident with another human raid, Valhallarama –Stoick's mate and another proud Self-Flamer also– before they could have children, couldn't lay any eggs anymore, and the two Self-Flamers were devastated.

Then one day, while Valhallarama was walking down the shoreline in hope that the peaceful scenery would help her bear the tragedy of having no children, she found a shimmering dark egg washed up onto the beach. After showing the abandoned egg to Stoick, the two went around to ask if anyone had lost an egg in their nest but every couple on Berk confirmed that they haven't lost an egg in their bunch. That is when Stoick and Valhallarama decided to adopt the egg. Though Stoick was at first skeptic, considering that the egg color is a lot darker than most eggs, he learned to love the yet-to-be-hatched dragon. Valhallarama absolutely adore the egg and curled around it at every chance she has. Gobber humorously remembers how this one time, sweet and kind Valhallarama had growled out of protectiveness at a curious Diminutive-Drag who had wanted to touch the egg out of curiosity.

The day that Hiccup had hatched was a surprising one (Gobber was there to watch it because he was making a short visit to both Stoick and Valhallarama). Of course, they weren't sure what kind of dragon Hiccup would be (by then, Valhallarama had already named the unborn dragon) but they expected the hatchling to be as big as a hatchling should be or that the hatchling's color to be bright and to be the attractive color of flames (red, orange, blue, scarlet, etc.). But instead, a black, hornless, tiny little dragon pop out from the egg with a coo, large, unusual forest green eyes staring back at them with an intelligence and a curiosity that you wouldn't have thought to see in a hatchling just yet.

At first, the small black dragon regarded them cautiously, partly still in the remaining shells of his egg and was almost on the verge to completely hide in it, but after staring at them for a while more, determining that they weren't going to harm him, the hatchling finally slitter out of the broken pieces of egg shells but it wasn't long till he then curled up to Valhallarama's side, promptly falling asleep by his adopted mother's side.

At that instant, Valhallarama fell more in love with Hiccup. Stoick was a bit concern at first at Hiccup's lack of horns but brushed it off with the fact that his black coloring would make-up it up.

Beside, Valhallarama said that it makes Hiccup looks cuter and while dragons are not supposed to be cute, he ends up having to agree with his mate.

Boy, Stoick had hoped that would change when the boy grew up.

They weren't ignorant of what Hiccup is though. They heard of his species but never had a name for them. They move in the shadows and during the night, rarely seen, but now that they saw Hiccup, they knew why. They were an isolated clan which only consists of their kind and moves constantly, migrating to different parts of the world, never staying in one spot. They were thought of as noble warriors back them and relatively superior in some ways (which is funny to Gobber considering how Hiccup is practically the opposite of that).

But there have been rumors that a Red Death had killed off the species.

The reminder of that particular dragon species, the Red Death, still brings chills to Gobber's spine.

"He doesn't listen, he has the attention span of a sparrow—" Hearing the continuous rant of Stoick, Gobber snorted at the comparison. He tries not to correct Stoick on the fact that if you actually give Hiccup the challenge to find out the secret of the universe, he'll probably stay on it until he dies. "—I take him fishing and he goes hunting for—for trolls!"

"Trolls exist!" Gobber couldn't help but interrupted, seeing how the other didn't believe there are trolls out there, partly trying to defend Hiccup in some way of that aspect. "They steal your socks. But only the left ones. What's with that?"

It's obvious where Hiccup got the troll idea from but Stoick decided not to question about it.

"When I was a fledgling—"

"Oh here we go." Gobber grumbled, preparing for another 'when I was a wee fledgling' lecture—meaning partly distracting himself by eating the rest of his fish while automatically not listening to the parts he had already heard about. Besides, he and Stoick have been best friends since they were hatchlings; he knows most of what had happened when they were young.

"—my father told me to slash my claws against a rock and I did it! I thought it was crazy, but I didn't question him. And you know what happened?"

"You broke a nail," was Gobber nonchalant answer.

"That rock split in four!" Stoick reveled, obviously not listening for Gobber's input. "It taught me what a dragon can do, Gobber. He can—he can crush mountains, level forests, tame seas! Even as a fledgling, I knew what I was, what I had to become…"

A deep sigh from the Self-Flamer got Gobber to lift up his head from his breakfast, looking at his old friend who resettle himself next to the Blacksmith with his head on his crossed paws again.

"…Hiccup is not that fledgling."

Gobber sigh a deep sigh himself, shaking his head slightly.

"You can't stop him Stoick, you can only prepare him." The Bodyboulder stated truthfully, making the Self-Flamer frown at the fact. "I know it seems hopeless, but the truth is you won't always be around to protect him. He's going to get out again. He's probably out there now!"

Stoick continues to sulk (as it looks like in Gobber's view—the dragon probably picked it up from Hiccup) but it seems that he's starting to thoroughly think this through than just actually go forward with assumptions.

Gobber nods in appreciation as he gets back to his fish. That's all he's asking from Stoick.

Hiccup stares desolately at the empty patch of grass which only consists of some fallen leaves, some tall weeds and some tiny little bugs that are almost invisible to the naked eye. He then looks up at the cover of branches above him, taking note of the broken branches hanging and swinging in the wind and the noticeable hole that ruptured through the curtain of leaves. But then he looks at the ground again and felt his confusion rise.

He was pretty sure this is where the human had fallen. Did he miscalculate? Maybe he got the wrong spot? Or did the Night Fury actually escaped, despite falling from how-many-feet above the ground?

Hiccup groans as he does not want to think of that possibility and decided in a half-hearted optimistic view that maybe the human had bounced off the ground and landed in another spot… if humans could bounce… which they don't, since Hiccup had seen them fall from high heights before trying to beat down a dragon in mid-air…

Grumbling at his stupid logical mind and his logic's stupidity of actually suggesting that a human could bounce to a different place, he tread along through the shrubs on his quest to find the so-called mighty beast.

"Oh, the gods hate me." Hiccup whined dramatically but after all the past incidents he has gone through; he wouldn't be surprised if they did. "Some dragons lose their fish or their fangs. Nooo, not me. I manage to lose an entire human being!"

And to point out his frustration, he hit his wing against a branch that is right in front of him—which soon after came back for some revenge and smack him right on his face, his eyes closed when it did. Hiccup couldn't help but jump back in pain at the sting on his face, lowering his head and rubbing his paws on his snout as an attempt to sooth it, mumbling light curses at the branch.

As he opens his eyes slowly, making sure that no damage had come to them, he froze at the skid marks that are relatively the size of the human he has been trying to find. Slowly lifting his head, his paws gradually dropping back down to the ground, he found the skid marks going further over the small hill in front of him and the dragon couldn't help but feel hopeful, yet cautious at the same time.

Crouching down like a panther ready to pounce on its prey, Hiccup little by little treads upwards over the hill, gulping as he felt fear sink into his entire body once again—almost like the time he had first faced the Night Fury. He doesn't really understand why he felt this way; he had no way in knowing whether the Night Fury is still here. Yet, why does it feel like he's confronting the Night Fury again, its weapons pointing at him?

Hiccup stop at a spot on the hill where he couldn't see what is on the other side of it unless he stretches his neck up. After a few seconds of pondering and trying to calm his already erratic heart, he did just that, lifting his head over the hill to see what is on the other side—only to immediate duck back down and press himself against the hill, eyes wide and breathing slightly ragged as if he had just experienced a short-term heart attack. It took Hiccup a while to actually gather his courage (if he has any) before he dared himself to look back over the hill, his eyes slowly widening even wider and his mouth becoming unhinged as he then openly gaped at the downed creature right in front of him.

The human, the Night Fury, is on the ground, still and unmoving, almost seemingly dead to the world. The man is covered from head to toe in dirt, twigs and leaves, coating his body like a second cloth. Ironically, the human is actually trapped its own Rope-trapper, his whole body entangled and knotted together, effectively preventing any kind of movement it could make.

Crawling forward for a few more feet, his ears and sensors up just for precaution while also sniffing the air to check if this wasn't a trap, Hiccup couldn't help but stare at his long, black mane (hair, whatever they call it), which is covering most of the human's face. It became more messy and wild since the last time he saw it but still somehow retains itself to look soft and fluffy even. Now that it's light outside, he could see the extent to how dark the human's skin is. It's not like his black scales—much lighter really to some degree. It's a brownish—lighter than the color of a tree bark and wet sand—and looks as smooth as water. Muscle is evident though and Hiccup has a feeling that the guy could easily choke him if the other wishes so. Like he remembers, the human is not as bulky as some of the humans he had seen—lean and in his prime. He's pretty long (tall?) and if the other stood up, he would considerably tower over him (though if Hiccup tries to stand on his hind legs, he'll be taller than the human but only by at least a couple of feet or so).

So, this is the so-called legendary Night Fury, in the flesh.

Hiccup stares at the human for a little while longer, still crawling forward in a cautionary posture, hoping that what he is seeing isn't a mirage of some kind or dream that he would wake up from just to find out that he's still back at the den.

After a few slightly painful pokes from his claws and several eye blinks later, he was happy to know that this is not a dream and the Night Fury in front of him is not a mirage. His body began to thrum with excitement.

"O-Oh wow…" he gasped in disbelief. He –Hiccup the Disaster, the Flightless Dragon, the Ugly-Excuse-of-a-Dragon-Warrior– had just caught a Night fury! "I-I did it! O-Oh, I did it! This changes everything!" His status, his life, and probably even his father's thoughts on him! And what would Astrid think of this? "Yes! I—" In the moment of glory that he had never thought he would have in his life, he put his right forepaw on the human's side above its arm in a pose of victory, trying to look as what a noble dragon of great skill should look like (which he failed miserably at) with his ears and sensor slightly slated back and his head held up high. "—have brought down this mighty creature–"

Hiccup froze in mid-sentence as he felt a slight movement under his right paw. Then suddenly, the movement began to yank forward as if trying to push him off, which made Hiccup scramble back instantly in both surprise and fear.

The human… it's alive…

The black dragon knew it's a bad idea, but he couldn't help but to slowly shift his eyes towards the human's face, feeling of excitement turning into terror when he did.

Peeking through the curtain of black locks, partly shadowed because of his hair, are those very same lime-green eyes, almost luminescent, staring at him in a wide fashion, his pupil dilating. From there, the human stayed still, not moving as if he was still the thought-to-be-dead human just before. His chest is slightly heaving though, as if he had just finished a short marathon, probably breathing through his nose.

Hiccup gulps and took a more thorough look at the human.

Despite it had moved just a while ago, it seems that the human couldn't get out of the Rope-Trapper even if it wanted to. The human, now that Hiccup is realizing the possibility of the human actually hurting him, also have a few weapons on him though not reachable where his hands are positioned.

Okay… the human is trapped… he cannot move, therefore, he cannot hurt him despite the weapons on his persona… an easy kill…

Hiccup lets out a shuddering breath as he inches towards the human with slight fear and caution.

The so-called Night Fury continues to stare at him, still not moving.

Feeling a bit more confident (only a sliver more really), he carefully treads towards the human—his eyes wide, his ears and sensor propped up and his muscle tense. It almost felt like the night he stupidly decided to go and confront the Night Fury by himself…

Scrunching his face slightly, Hiccup then gently rolled the human over on his back, earning him a slight grunt from the human which is either in surprise or in pain—the black dragon doesn't know which. Not too long after, Hiccup place his right paw on the human's chest, pressurizing it in a way that shouldn't harm the other or prevent it from breathing. He then swung his leg over to the other's side, positioning himself to look as if he's pinning the other down. Exhaling with a shaky breath, he lifted his head and opens his mouth, his teeth in place, setting his body and his mind in ripping the human's throat.

And throughout the whole process of preparing himself, the other continues to stare at him with wide lime-green eyes—as if it's trying to penetrate his soul.

"I-I'm…" Hiccup first stammered, feeling his will slipping bit by bit the longer the other continues to stare at him. "I-I'm going kill you human…"

He said the declaration in a trembling tone, mostly trying to convince himself rather than the human below him.

"I-I'm going to take your carcass to my f-father."

Deep down inside Hiccup, he felt sicken at the thought. Dragging the dead human, the human that he killed, through the forest while it's still bleeding— he felt bile rise up from his stomach and through his throat at the imagery but he was able to shallow it down.

"I'm a Dragon…"

His testimony sounds weak, unsure, and hesitant.

"I'M A DRAGON!"

This time, he practically roar out his declaration—but to Hiccup's ears, it still sounds weak, unsure, and hesitant.

Looking down, he notices that the human is still staring at him widely with those seemingly glowing eyes of his.

Hiccup closes his eyes instantly so that he wouldn't have to see those nerve-wreaking eyes, pulling his head back with his teeth out and his mouth open, readying himself to make the final blow that would kill the human. At least the guy doesn't have to suffer—he'll be dead before he could register the pain. A quick bite on his throat (Hiccup does not look forward to see what the human taste like) and it will be over, simple as that. Quick and painless… right?

Hiccup made the mistake to look down at the human once again, registering the soulful eyes as if it was a slap on his face. His will to kill the human left completely when he looks into those expressive eyes—the emotionless, stoic monster he had first met on the cliff suddenly turned into a being capable of getting hurt and feeling fear.

Not wanting to believe it at first, Hiccup closes his eyes and try to gather up the will, a spark of bloodlust that dragons are supposed to have—anything. But all he felt is remorse, guilt, and shame.

He opens his eyes again to see that the creature had laid back its head, not staring at him anymore but he looks to be a lot more peaceful than before—like it's accepting its fate with a dignity and a nobility that Hiccup had only seen with the most respected dragons of their tribe, his father one of them.

Staring at the human, he felt his resolve crumble into nothing—his shoulder slump, his head down, and his eyes lowered.

"I did this."

He didn't realize that he had said that out loud; the phrase echoing in his mind, taunting him. He couldn't help but stumble back a little, fully comprehending what he was just about to do.

He was going to take someone's life. An action he had no right to make.

Never had he really killed someone before. Sure, he had to hunt fish and stuff but those don't really count unlike the intelligent being that is still under him.

With his paw still on the human's chest, Hiccup turns away from the Night Fury in an attempt to leave, wanting to escape, run, flee—just get away from this place; but something –a small voice in the back of his head maybe– stops him. In the corner of his eyes, he took a glance at the ropes that are currently binding the human.

A compelling thought appear in his mind, knowing very well that he'll probably regret it in the end.

Hiccup bends forward towards the other, his breath ruffling some of the human's hair away from his face. Hiccup's forest green-eyes stare at the smooth chin, deprive of hair that the black dragon finds unusual consider that many other humans seemed to pride themselves in the fur on their face. The dragon then raises his eyes from his chin up to the other's cheekbones, which is as furless as the rest of his face. Then from his cheekbones, he looks up at the human's eyes, which are still closed, as if he's only sleeping.

Hiccup huffs at the Night Fury's face through his nose, blowing back the other's hair once again to give him a clearer look of its face, before bending down closer to the other's chest.

In that instant, the human tensed, as if he's readying himself for the killing blow.

But instead of a killing blow, Hiccup uses his teeth to chew through the ropes which bind the human, cutting them within seconds. It wasn't long after the first cut till Hiccup began to chew through another line, severing that soon after. The black dragon knows that last rope he needs to cut will loosen all the others so he quickly went to work on that, chewing it as if it's some kind of rubber toy. It snaps like the last and the rest of the ropes sagged when it did.

But then, before he could bother to try to escape or leave, something grasps his throat, choking him slightly. He didn't even have the time to react when something on the ground had inwardly sweep him off his feet, gasping as he felt a knee dig into his chest and turn over on his back, pinning him to the ground.

For a moment, he didn't know what had just happened. Something is clutching his neck to keep him from getting up and he found his fore legs pinned by something rather boney. He didn't realize what had happened to him until he saw those very same lime-green eyes glaring at him with rage and fury—like his name had referred.

The human's eyebrows (so they called them, dragon doesn't have such things) were deeply furrowed and his mouth pulled back in a sneer, his white teeth clenching and his jaw tense. Most of his hair fell from his shoulder as the hung down in a way that partly cover his face, the hair almost long enough to brush his chest. His pupils are dilated and Hiccup could see speck of bloodlust in them.

A wave of fear washed over Hiccup's body, his frame now slightly shaking, as he notice the small, hunting knife raised above the human's head, aimed towards either his heart or his throat.

His eyes widen in terror, his breath turning ragged and panicked but he couldn't move. He couldn't even scream for help or just scream in general.

He's completely at the other's mercy and no amount of god or deity would help him.

All in that while, Hiccup could only stare at the lime-green eyes that the human have, taking in its structure, its color, its shape and its emotions. The human did the same—just stare at his eyes. That's all where he had look since the human had pinned him, which unnerves Hiccup slightly but it's not like he could complain about it.

After a few more seconds of staring, the human seemed to have made a decision; his eyes narrowing, his muscle tightening and tensing to the point that Hiccup could see the veins in his arms and the knife drawn back further to make the final blow that was sure to kill him.

Hiccup shuts his eyes and cringes back, not having the courage to see his own death, holding his breath as he waits for the pain—or if the other decided to give him a quick death, then for the blissful blackness. He heard a war-cry being made by the human, his voice deep and strangely soothing, and his ears couldn't help but twitch at the sound. It wasn't long after till he felt a slap of wind on his face indicating that the other's arm is coming towards him—mostly like for his throat.

But instead of the gushing sound of flesh being ripped and cut through (Hiccup inwardly shivers at that rather gruesome imagery he came up with), he heard the ground next to him being slice through.

It was silence after that. The only thing he could hear is his breathing intermingling with another's, the rush of blood going through his head and the quiet chirp of a bird in the distance.

He's still pinned of course but there has yet to be any pain. Any smell of blood. And… he's still… alive? Still breathing?

Hiccup dared himself to open his eyes once again, looking back up at the human who surprisingly didn't have the knife raised at him. He flickers his eyes to the side where he heard the sound of the earth being sliced through, seeing the knife now thoroughly embedded into the ground like a warning of some kind, before looking back up at the human again, staring at its eyes once more. Except for the pure rage and fury that Hiccup had expected to see, he saw that the human now looks more frustrated—irritated really. There is glint of exasperation on his facial feature but before Hiccup could ask or question about it (not like the human could understand him anyway), the one called The Night Fury jumps off him with the grace of a cat and ran off over the bushes and through the trees, disappearing deeper into the forest as the fog soon cover him along with the foliage.

Hiccup took a moment to reassess what just happen, rolling over to his stomach as he slowly got up on his wobbly legs, watching the Night Fury disappear like some kind of apparition or ghost.

That just did not happen. The thought-to-be ruthless Night Fury did not just let him go like that… but it did… didn't it?

Hiccup counts backward from ten to make sure that he's mentally stable. When he had finished, he wasn't so convinced at the stability of his mentality so he started to count backward from twenty instead. After a little episode where he argues with himself about whether what just happened wasn't because that he's going crazy, he began to do a mental checklist to see whether all body parts and functional organs are present.

Legs. Check.

Torso. Check.

Tail. Check.

Wings. Check (not counting his left tail wing).

Neck. Check.

Head. Check.

Ears.

Hiccup gave them a wiggle.

Check.

Eyes. Check.

Hiccup wasn't sure how to check whether all his organs were here, so he assumed that since there are no cuts in his body that would be deep enough to reach in and take his organs, that all his organs are present.

Let's see…

He could hear, so that's good.

He could see.

Smell.

Taste.

Touch.

And he's breathing… so he have to be alive…

…he's alive.

Alive.

Dazed, Hiccup began to stumble back towards the den, not believing what he had just went through in just a few short hours.

Then, his eyes roll to the back of his head and his body drop down to the ground in a dead faint.

As Hiccup hobbles through the tunnel back into the den, he felt exhausted, sore, spent—all rolled up in a nice package.

He never wanted to experience something like that again. In fact, he wanted to forget about the whole thing and live his life as the tribe's disaster—the tribe's idiot… wow, what a lose-lose situation.

As he came closer to the other end of the tunnel, he saw a dim light. It's night time as of right now so if there is light at the other end of the tunnel… that means his father is home…

Hiccup refrains from groaning, not wanting to deal with his dad so soon but thinking back all that has happened to him from the pass hours or so, he knew that a talk is coming up. No, it's not that his father needs to talk to him—Hiccup needs to talk to his father. About something that either his dad would be relieved of or disappointed of.

Taking a deep breath, he staggers towards the den's entrance and pop his head in first, seeing that his father is laying down just staring at the fire of burning twigs, grass, and hay that is made to simply light up the den considering that his dad couldn't see in the dark like him, seemingly waiting for something or someone.

Hiccup sincerely hopes that it wasn't him. Sure, he said that he's going to have to talk to his dad but maybe, he could put that off for a day or so—he means, it is pretty late… or maybe a week… a few months…

The black dragon tiptoed towards his crater –the makeshift elevated hole of dirt, ashes and rocks that is supposed to be his bed– in hopes that his father wouldn't sense or know that he's here.

"Hiccup."

So much for that hope.

The fledgling turns towards his father, seeing that his father is also turned towards him, standing up as he then walks over to the black dragon. Oh, this can't be good.

Hiccup didn't think he would have to face his father so soon. And he wanted to put the conversation he was thinking of talking about on a later date really but it's better to get it over now than regret it later.

"Uh… I have to talk to you, Dad." Hiccup mumbled nervously, looking at the floor and back at his father, who nodded his head with a strange business-like look that certainly worries Hiccup. His father never gives him the business-look. It always have been disappointment, exasperation or anger.

"I need to speak with you too, son." Stoick replied, earning a wide-eye look from Hiccup. His father… needs to speak to him? Oh, that's not good. What did he do wrong this time? He swears that all he did is put a bit of damage to the pillar grounds and unintentionally let the captured humans go but that's all he did!

Both of them began to stare at each other in the eye, as if waiting for the other to say what they need to say. After a few seconds of silence, they both assumed that the other wasn't going to talk and both tried to take the initiative themself.

"I've decided I don't want to fight dragons" "I think it's time you learned to fight humans." Both of the dragons confess simultaneously, the mixture of words sounding like garble in their ears. Both blinks in confusion when they realize that they have both spoken in unison and a short pause came in between the two.

"What?" Both of them ask the other, shutting their mouths as they realized once again that they spoke at the same time.

Stoick clear his throat, making a coughing-like sound. "Uh, you go first."

"No, no. You go first." Hiccup insisted soon after, slightly using his head to gesture his father to go on in an awkwardly fashion. Might as well hear what his father has to say first before dropping the bomb.

Stoick nods, accepting the offer, reverting back to the strict and business-like facade he had before things got somewhat uncomfortable. It was never easy talking to his son since Valhallarama had died. There are even times when he couldn't help but feel awkward whenever he and his son did have a conversation.

"Alright—you get your wish." Stoick recognize the confuse expression on his son's face, not knowing what the Self-Flamer is talking about. Taking a deep breath, Stoick began to clarify. He can't believe he's going to allow this—no matter the fact that Gobber has a point. "Human training. You start in the morning." The tribe leader punctuates.

It took a few seconds for Hiccup to actually process what his father said, his mind temporary going into a short shock before quickly retaliating on what his dad had said. Wait, wait, wait, wait—what?

"Oh man, I should've gone first." Hiccup told his father, seeing the puzzled expression on the Self-Flamer, who is obviously questioning on what Hiccup is talking about.

Well, this is unusual. Hiccup usually would be jumping up and down in joy once he heard the news. Stoick was anticipating it—expecting it. He didn't blame his son for being shocked (if it wasn't for Gobber, he wouldn't even be considering it), but there is no reason for him to become more awkward or uncomfortable.

"Because I was thinking—" Stoick avoids trying to grimace at that phrase. He acknowledge that Hiccup is very intelligent compared to the other dragons at his age (and some of the older dragons too) but it does not do well when the fledgling thinks too much. "—you know, we have a surplus of human-fight Dragons. But do we have enough herb-picking Dragons? Or small den repairing Dragons—"

Stoick decided to stop listening to his son from there consider that all he's saying is practically gibberish at this point and grab an object from the side.

"You'll need this." Stoick declared as he dumps the object on top of Hiccup's head, slightly earning him a squeak from the fledgling out of surprise.

What the tribe leader had given to Hiccup is a human horned-hat, pointed, sharp and slightly small for Hiccup's head.

The Self-Flamer gave a critical eye down at Hiccup, making the black dragon slightly squirm at the heated stare, noting on how the hat looks rather ridiculous on Hiccup. It's obvious that his son isn't going to grow any horns in any time of his life and Stoick has been trying to make his son look at least a bit more frightening rather than letting Hiccup stay as an 'overgrown puppy' (Gobber's words, not his).

"Maybe we should think about gluing horns on your head."

"No!" Hiccup refute, a bit horrified at the thought. Sure, he's not considered handsome to any dragoness if he doesn't have any horns but there's no need to actually glue horns on him!

Stoick gave him a skeptic look.

"Don't worry, they horns can be as black as the rest of yer body."

"N-No dad, that's not it." Hiccup tries to explain, wondering slightly how the conversation turns towards this. He knows very well that his dad was a bit disappointed when he came out to be a dragon with no spikes or horns (which Self-Flamers usually have a lot; and are very proud of it too) but it's not like he can help it. He's born that way.

"Well, you're going to need them once you get into the Kill-Ring. Only a couple of humans have ever really seen you but you won't be able to use the shadows to your advantage since it's going to be light out so some horns will at least frighten the humans a little—"

"Dad, I don't wanna fight humans." Hiccup abruptly said in Stoick's mid-speech, wincing slightly at how his voice seemed to be louder than his father's.

The Self-Flamer blinked owlishly at him though, looking as if he's processing what Hiccup said, before loudly chuckling as if he thought what the fledgling had said is a joke.

"Oh come on, yes you do!" Stoick sounds sure and positive about it—he means, Hiccup has been running out of the safety of his den and into the battle between humans and dragons just to prove that he could. There is no way his son would actually change his mind about something like this.

Hiccup felt sheepish at what his father said; considering that it would be true if only several hours ago.

"Rephrase: I can't kill humans." Hiccup tried again, though he doubts that it would deter Stoick from forcing him to go through Human Training.

"But you will kill dragons!"

"No, I'm really very extra sure that I won't." Hiccup refuted once again, seeing the humor in Stoick's eyes from Hiccup's 'joke' disappear into a more serious glint. Back to business once more.

"It's time, Hiccup—"

"Can you not hear me?"

"This is serious, son." Hiccup couldn't help but automatically shut his mouth when he heard his father use his leader/lecture tone. Like every other dragon in the tribe, it also had an effect on him that warns him to shut his mouth and listen. Also, seeing his father's eyes narrowing and his face slightly contorting to an annoyed expression, indicates well enough that his input would probably not be need in this segment.

"When you carry the internal flame insider your body—" Great, his father is giving him the internal flame speech. The internal flame is what keeps a dragon's body warm and what lights the fire through their mouth. It's the ultimate weapon for any dragon (which Hiccup cannot use, slightly question why he's having this speech because so). "—you carry all of us with you. Which means you walk like us—" The Self-Flamer uses his wings to straighten Hiccup's slumping form up. "—talk like us—" Stoick then uses his right-wing to lift Hiccup's head up high. "—you think like us." Stoick then pointed towards his cranium to emphasis his point, looking up and down at Hiccup with a slight frown.

"No more of…" The tribe leader waves his wing up and down at Hiccup. "This."

"You just gesture to all of me." Hiccup deadpanned slightly, having the urge to roll his eyes but stop when he saw his father staring at him in a strict manner that made the other uncomfortable.

"Deal?" His father questioned and Hiccup knows that once he accepts this deal, he would have to go through with it. Deals are not particularly like promises but familiar in an aspect on importance. Deals are probably a manlier version of promises.

"This conversation is feeling very one-sided…"

"Deal, Hiccup?"

This time, he had said his name. And his tone is a lot more firm, as if he doesn't have a choice in this (he probably doesn't considering how Stoick is so convinced that Hiccup belongs in Human Training).

Knowing that prolonging his answer would just make things worse for him, Hiccup sighs in defeat at last.

"Deal…" He grumbled in resentment.

He had just escaped from death just several hours ago—now, he's going to face it once again tomorrow.

Looking rather content and pleased, Stoick then began to stride towards the entrance, apparently leaving judging by how his father had passed his bed.

"I'll be leaving for an expedition." The Self-Flamer informed over his shoulder. "I'll be back." Stoick falter for a moment. "Probably."

Hiccup could only nod at his dad's own version of a goodbye (which is either for forever or for a little while), watching as his father would leave with the dignity of a leader— his head up high with the right expression that would get people to follow him—despite what they were just talking about a few minutes ago. As if it never happened and this was just like all the other times his father would leave him alone in the den to go out and find the human's civilization.

"And I'll be here." Hiccup calls out in his own version of saying goodbye, watching with a slightly dejected expression as his father rounded to the right of the entrance towards the Rock Pillars and to the shore where the dragons usually meets when they're going on an expedition.

He's definitely going to die within seconds after entering the Kill Ring. He's probably going to get killed before they even let the first human out of its cage! Ever since he threw down the Night Fury, his chances for surviving are somehow dwindling into negative numbers.

"Probably." Hiccup soon after mumbled—since he also can't make any promises of actually being alive when his father comes back home(his father will end up coming back anyway—more or less okay. He's too stubborn to die).

When the fledgling is sure that his father is long gone away from the den, thoughts of fleeing to the south and changing his name made a sudden appeal to him.

Me: YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHH I FINISHED! DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG THIS HAD TAKEN ME? Well, I'm sure you guys do as well consider you have been doing more of the waiting than me. But seriously, 39 pages of this chapter (on Microsoft Word) is too much. I need to dwindle down my habit of writing too much.

You guys better be happy since this is a long chapter.

Now, enjoy (blah blah blah, I'm sorry for the grammar mistakes and I'll get right to it) while I'll sleep my much deserved sleep.