Chapter 4: Dancing and the dreaming

Outside of the dragon sanctuary, Hiccup and the Speakers were outside flying above the ocean. The Dragon Shifters were holding their human siblings. Then all the dragons came out.

Hiccup: Hey, I-I thought we were going to eat!

Valka: Oh, we are! [Points down.]

They a all look down to see the Seashockers swimming in a circle before separating as Valka's Bewilderbeast jumps out the water and spits out fish. All the dragons swoop down and grabbed their fish. Toothless was so excited he catches as many fishes that his mouth could hold making his mate and sister laugh. Daniel and Skydancer were keeping an eye on Leaf, Sunny, Amethyst and Sparky, they can fly very well but they might bump into any dragons. Cloudjumper flies over to Skydancer with a big Salomon on his mouth. Skydancer looks at him as she tilts her head.

Skydancer: Is there something you need?

Cloudjumper didn't say anything, he only offered the fish. Skydancer took the fish before eating it.

Skydancer: Thank you. [Smiling.]

Cloiudjumoer nodded with a smile then Leaf flew past them roaring happily and Skydancer went after him calling him to be careful. Cloudjumper smiles at her then vanished when he heard snickering. He turns his neck around like an owl and to saw the male dragons snickering at him. Valka was smiling in amusement at her love sick dragon.

A male Scuttleclaw: Well, it looks like that Cloudjumper has found himself a mate.

All the dragons chuckled in amusement while Cloudjumper glares at them. Ocean can feel his aura turned pink means he's in love with Skydancer.

At the icy shore, Hiccup shows his mom and Arianna his map.

Hiccup: And from Dragon Island, I found this archipelago… Wow.

Then Valka draws a map of the world in the snow. Everyone was amaze to see that. Then Toothless draws over it with an icicle, and then it sticks to his tongue, making everyone laugh in amusement. Then they went to a cliff, the dragons are hovering in an updraft. Everyone was having the time of their lives. Raven was holding her hat and Flame's saddle with Smoky daggling on her hair. The Dragon Shifters holds their siblings carefully so they wouldn't get blown away. Valka dances from one dragon to another until she was next to Hiccup. They all flew high in the clouds.

Valka: Oh, when I'm up here, I don't even feel the cold, I just feel…

Hiccup: Free.

Valka smiled at her son before spreading her arms out.

Valka: This is what it is to be a dragon, Hiccup.

Hiccup: It's all well and good to call yourself a dragon. But can you fly?

Hiccup jumps off Toothless. Valka and Arianna gasp in shock but the Speakers just stared at him. Then Hiccup uses his flight suit and glides through the air. Valka and Arianna were amzed including their dragons. Cloudjumper looks at Toothless who was smirking until he realizes about Hiccup and glides after him.

Hiccup: Ha-ha, woohoo! Wooo-oo!

Then a small mountain appears in front of Hiccup. The Speakers gasp in fear.

Ocean: Hiccup! Look Out!

Hiccup: Ah! Oh no. Toothless!

Toothless grabs Hiccup and fires at the mountains. They crashed in the snow. Toothless check to see Hiccup gone then Hiccup came out of the snow, covering Toothless with snow.

Hiccup: Ha! Woo-hoo! Man, almost! We just about had it that time!

Toothless sneezes, glares at Hiccup, then knock his feet out from under him with a swipe of his tail. The others landed to check on them.

Valka: [Examining Hiccup's flight suit] Oh, incredible.

Hiccup: Well, not bad yourself.

Valka looks at him sadly remembering missing out on his childhood.

Valka: All this time, you took after me. And where was I?

Ocean: Valka, it wasn't your fault or Cloudjumper's.

Raven: Yeah. It's all the wars fault.

Valka: I know, I'm so sorry, Hiccup. Can we start over? Will you give me another chance? I can teach you all that I've learned these past twenty years. Like…

She then went over to Toothless and massages Toothless back neck which causes him to reveal his hidden splitting fins.

Valka: Now you can make those tight turns.

Toothless became excited and plays around with his fins.

Hiccup: Did you know about this?

Toothless claps his fins. The Ocean, Achilles and Raven did the same and Daniel did it to Amethyst, Leaf and Sunny.

Valka: Every dragon has its secrets. And I'll show them all to you. We'll unlock every mystery, find every last species, together, as mother and son, along with Arianna and the Speakers.

Toothless, excited by the discovery, jumps around and then burrows through the snow, before popping out next to Cloudjumper and putting snow on his head. Annoyed, Cloudjumper then dumps the snow right back onto Toothless. Toothless shakes off the snow, and shows off his tail fins to Cloudjumper, who is unimpressed. The dragons chuckled at them like they were brothers.

Valka: This gift we share, Hiccup... it bonds us. This is who you are, son. Who we are. We will change the world for all dragons! We will make it a better, safer place!

Hiccup: Yeah! That sounds... amazing. [Valka hugs him] Ah, this is so great! Now you and I can go talk to Drago, together.

Arianna and Valka looks at him.

Valka: What?

Arianna: There's no talking to Drago.

Hiccup: But we have to-

Valka: No. We must protect our own.

Ocean: They are right Hiccup. Drago can't be reason with.

Jack: You know what happens the last time when someone cross pass him.

Jack looks at Achilles, clenching his fist together, trying to calm himself down. Valka and Arianna saw that reaction and realize that Drago killed his family.

Arianna: I'm so sorry for your lost.

Achilles looks at her and nodded.

Valka: Now come on, we should be getting back.

Toothless grins and examines his fins again; everyone went inside while laughing.

At the dragon sanctuary, the Speakers were talking with the Arianna while Hiccup was resting on the ground.

Ocean: So Arianna? How did you meet Metalicana and Valka?

Arianna looks at her before sighing.

Arianna: When I was young, I was known as the silver child in my Village of Scourge. My parents believed that Odin has given me a gift of vanity and strength. And it was true; I was known to be the best shield maiden in the village at the age of eight. I got many praises and fame, calling me the lucky child. I never have friends because they were always jealous of me because their parents like me more than them. Making me all alone but I don't mind being alone. I always trained in the forest practicing my skills and agility but I always feel trapped at my village, I was like a trapped dragon that can never leave. I wanted to leave and go on adventure, until I met Metalicana. When I was ten I was training in the forest, then suddenly my sword got off my hand and was sent to the bushes. I went to get and saw it was attached to him, Metalicana, he had my sword on his nose and I couldn't help but laugh because it was adorable. He was half the size of a Monstrous Nightmare and I found him rather adorable. I heard many stories about dragons attacking and killing. But, he didn't attack me instead he gave me sword back and in return I petted him. We created a bond so powerful that nothing can break it and he's also my ticket to get out of my village. At the age of twelve, I packed all the things I need to survive the outside world, thanks to all the training and lessons of my parents; I use my stealth skills to sneak out of my house on the cover of the night. I went to the forest, where Metalicana was waiting for me, I got on his saddle that I made for him and we took off to our new adventure.

Raven: Did your people know about your disappearance?

Arianna: Yes and to make sure that they can never find me and Metalicana, we flew off to the far regions of the archipelago. We traveled and hunt together, it was fun until when I was fourteen, I saw Valka helping dragons escape from Trappers, she was outnumbered by twelve to twenty, so Metalicana and I decided to help her. Using his magnetic scales, Metalicana took all the weapons of the Trappers and it helped Valka and the dragons escaped. They didn't know who save them so they went home; Metalicana, with weapons on his body, and I decided to follow them to the sanctuary. I was amazed to see many dragons and rhe Bewilderbeast. We watch Valka tended the injured dragons, we watch silently until Scuttleclaw hatchlings squawks at us. We tried to quiet them down but Valka and Cloudumper were coming our way. We panicked and I got on Metalicana before taking off scaring both of them. We were about to go to exit but the dragons stopped us. We tried to escape but they keep blocking us. Eventually we landed and Metalicana protected me by growling at every dragon that was coming near me. Valka asked where I come from and why did I helped her, so I gave her an honest truth, she was amazed and decided to let me live here with her and the dragons. I made so many dragon friends than human friends in Haul and I grew found them. As the years go by, Valka and I were patrolling the area until we saw Hiccup and we decided to bring him to the sanctuary then I met you guys.

Arianna gestured the Speakers and their dragons. They all nodded in understanding. Arianna went to find Valka while the Speakers continued to talk while their dragons sleep; suddenly Toothless was awoken by baby Scuttleclaws. Toothless finds a baby Scuttleclaw nibbling on his tail, he growls at it and it runs away. Nightshade chuckles at him.

Nightshade: I hope our hatchlings won't be like that.

Toothless: Same here, love, same here.

Hiccup: Well, bud, we can't wait around for Drago to attack this place. We've gotta find him first. Let's go.

Daniel: Hiccup, didn't you listen?

Hono: Drago will kill you.

Before Hiccup could answer someone grabs Hiccup. Everyone was in a battle stance but soon relax when they saw Stoick.

Stoick: Easy now. [Letting go of Hiccup.]

Hiccup: You kidding me? How'd you get in here?

Bell: Skullcrusher is a Tracker dragon, Hiccup, remember?

Stoick: She's right and we're getting you all out.

Hiccup: We?!

Gobber was checking for any sign of any enemy.

Gobber: All clear!

Stoick: Toothless. Speakers. Come.

They all went out. Hiccup tried to talk to his dad.

Hiccup: Ah, Dad! There's something you need to know!

Stoick: Yeah, yeah, tell me on the way.

Hiccup: This isn't an on-the-way kind of update, actually...

Stoick: I've heard enough, Hiccup.

Hiccup: More-More of the earth shattering development variety.

Stoick: Yeah, just add it to the pile.

Stoick squeezed himself at the hole with Hiccup and the Speakers following him. Toothless head couldn't fit in the hole so he twisted it followed by the others.

Raven: Trust me, sir, it will shatter development variety.

Hiccup: Dad, unlike most surprises I spring on you, this one you'll like. I promise! You just have to handle it delicately, so...

They all halted to see Gobber looking at something that made him shock. He turned back to the others before walking over to them.

Gobber: Uh, you might want to take this one. [Sits down on a rock.] Oh, boy.

Stoick draws his sword and moves forward.

Ocean: Oh no.

Hiccup: Oh, Dad, can you put the sword away... please?

Stoick stops when he sees Valka, with Arianna on the other side, and drops his sword from shock. Hiccup and Gobber poke from either side of Stoick, who puts down his helmet and went forward. Valka looks at him sadly, scared and worried.

Valka: I know what you're going to say, Stoick. How could I have done this? Stayed away all these years and why didn't I come back to you? To our son.

The Speakers watch nervously as Stoick came closer to Valka. All the dragons surrounded her while watching the scene.

Valka: Well, what sign did I have that you could change, Stoick? That anyone on Berk could? I pleaded so many times to stop the fighting, to find another answer, but did any of you listen?

Gobber: This is why I never married.

The Speakers and Hiccup look at him annoyed. Arianna went over to them while watching the two couples.

Gobber: This and one other reason.

Valka: I know that I left you to raise Hiccup alone... but I thought he'd be better off without me. And I was wrong, I see that now, but… oh stop being so stoic, Stoick. Go on... SHOUT, SCREAM, SAY SOMETHING!

Valka back was against the wall as Stoick touch her face.

Stoick: You're as beautiful as the day I lost you.

A single tear fell on Valka's face as Stoick and Valka kiss. The dragons left the two alone and the young ones looked away in disgust.

They all went to Valka and Cloudjumper's cave where Ocean, Arianna and Bell help cook the meal.

Hiccup: Mom, you'd never even recognize it, where we used to make weapons, we now build saddles, wing slings, and we even fix dragon teeth. We even have Ocean and Bell as dragon healers. You wouldn't believe how much everything's changed.

Hiccup closes the basket before Toothless could get the fish.

Stoick: Your son's changed Berk for the better. I think we did well with this one, Val.

Hiccup: Thanks Dad.

Valka drops the tray of fish. Cloudjumper eats it before Toothless can. Toothless looks at Cloudjumper sadly and the Stormcutter regurgitates some of it for Toothless, which he ate.

Stoick: Oh, ha-ha. I got it. [Helping Valka with the food.]

Valka: I'm a little out of practice.

Stoick: Well, you know… I didn't marry you for your cooking.

Gobber: I hope not, her meatballs could kill more beasts than a battle axe. I've still got a few knocking around in here. Ha-ha. [Patting his stomach.]

Gobber takes a bite, grimaces in disgust, and feeds the rest of his plate to Grump. The Speakers, minus Ocean and Bell, hide their food away.

Hiccup: And once you move back in with all your dragons, oh Drago won't stand a chance. Everything will be okay!

Valka didn't say anything instead she walks away. Arianna, Ocean and Bell give their friends good foods to eat.

Stoick: Slow down son, it's a lot to take in.

Hiccup: Oh, gotcha. [Walking away.]

Valka was getting water from a melting icicle until Stoick begins to whistle.

Gobber: Oh, I love this one.

The Speakers and Arianna watches them along with their dragons.

Stoick: Remember our song Val?

He then began to sing.

Stoick: I'll swim and sail on savage seas. With ne'er a fear of drowning, and gladly ride the waves of life if you will marry me. No scorching sun, nor freezing cold will stop-

Gobber: Will stop me on my journey…

Arianna, Hiccup and Stoick glared at Gobber. The Speakers face palm along with their dragons except for the young ones, they just snickered.

Gobber: Sorry.

Stoick: [Continues.] If you will promise me your heart and love… [Sighs.]

Everyone watches sadly until…

Valka: And love me for eternity.

Everyone smiles widely as they watch the two adults dancing.

Valka: My dearest one my darling dear your mighty words astound me but I've no need of mighty deeds when I feel your arms around me.

Stoick: But I would bring you rings of gold I'd even sing you poetry [Valka: Oh, would you?]

And I would keep you from all harm. If you would stay beside me.

Valka: I have no use for rings of gold; I care not for your poetry. I only want your hand to hold.

Stoick: I only want you near me.

Gobber started dancing, accidently hitting Toothless on the face as he retreated to his mate's side, he pulled Hiccup on the dance. Arianna and the Speakers claps to the beat of the song while smiling.

Stoick and Valka: To love to kiss to sweetly hold. For the dancing and the dreaming, through all life's sorrows and delights I'll keep your love inside me. I'll swim and sail on savage seas with ne'er a fear of drowning and gladly ride the waves of life if you will marry me.

Gobber: Me-eee-e.

All the dragons covered their ears, trying to ignore the song. The ice has a bog crack because of that.

Gobber: I'm still goin'. [Hiccup elbows Gobber] I'm done.

Stoick: I thought I'd have to die before we could have done that dance again.

Valka: No need for drastic measures.

Ocean: That was beautiful.

The young ones: Sing it again! Sing it again! Sing it again! / Sing it again! Sing it again! Sing it again!

Stoick: For you my dear, anything. Will you come home Val? Will you be my wife once again? We can be a family! What do you say?

Toothless and Nightshade pushes the two closer to each other.

Valka: Yes.

Gobber: Great! I'll do the cooking.

Everyone laughs at him.

Stoick: Thank Odin you didn't listen to me son. We never would've found each other.

Then Toothless, Nightshade, Flame and Sunset growled.

Hiccup: Toothless? What's wrong?

Ocean: Nightshade?

Raven: Flame? Is there something wrong?

Achilles: What's bothering you girl?

Then there was an explosion from outside of the sanctuary. They all went outside while Bell stayed behind with her dragons and the young ones.

And done! The next chapter is going to be really sad because you know about two leaders dying right? And I have no choice but to follow it. Review or favorite.