:::^*^:::
A Different Perspective
Take a Risk
Silver: Welp… I apologize on the lack of updates, but I got my HTTYD motivation back because… it's my BIRTHDAY! … Yea, my birthday is on All Saints Day. Anyway, here's my birthday blowout and why the title 'Take a Risk'? It's because on both Stoick's and Hiccups situations. Where the former is convinced to give Hiccup a chance in Dragon Training, and where the latter could not kill the Night Fury and releases him instead. (Unfreezes time).
(Disclaimer: Plata-Azul Firebird does not own HTTYD… DreamWorks own it.)
Take a Risk
EXT: Stoick secures one of the ropes that hold the Nadder down, when he hears a familiar sound… He looks at the cliffs, where a few houses are set, he sees Hiccup screaming in fright and running away from the Monstrous Nightmare.
The twins and Snotlout can't help but to laugh at that, as Fishleg can't help but to feel scared for Hiccup's situation and Astrid wonders how he got out of it.
"Welp, that's the third… or fourth girliest scream I've ever heard." Hibari said with a brow raise, as Hiccup just slumps on that scene.
"Agreed." Eira quips. "Tsuna-kun is still number one in the girly-screaming department." And then laughs a bit as the blunette elbows her lightly.
Alarmed, Stoick gets up and runs to his son to protect him.
STOICK: "Do not let them escape!"
VIKING: "Right!"
In the plaza, Hiccup makes a turn and manages to avoid a flaming, liquid-like, sticky blast, courtesy from the Monstrous Nightmare. The blast hits the stone wall which melts a part of it, due to its intense heat. The dragon then leaps on the walls and stairs, once more attempting to burn the boy but only to miss again. Hiccup yelps as the fire misses him and he immediately ducks behind one of the brazier towers. As he catches his breath, he yelps a bit as an intense blast hits the pillar. He tries to make himself smaller and puts his arms up in defense, so that he wouldn't get burn. The blast stops, leaving the wooden parts to burn and the boy looks around the brazier to see if the dragon is gone. On cue, the Nightmare sneaks around the other side.
The Night Fury can't help but to growl and wanting to blast the said Nightmare out of that screen. Hiccup tries to calm his friend down, when he heard that strange growl again and it is just beside him and Toothless… this time, it is also purring and it calms the black dragon. He looks around to find the source… nope, no dragons. Silver is on his right as Hibari and Eira are on his left, but they don't have any dragons beside them. Well, once a Gronckle lumbers beside the blunette, but it went back to where the other Gronckles are. Although he is still wondering about that growl, he looks back at the screen as Toothless lays his head on one end of the bean bag.
And just it is about to blast the boy, Stoick jumps in and tackles the Nightmare away. Both landed in an open area, as the dragon immediately gets up and roars at its new challenger. The Viking Chief lands on his feet and adjust his helmet, glaring back at the dragon for attempting to burn his son. The Nightmare growls and attempt to blast Stoick, but only to find out it ran out of gas as the blast is too weak and barely reaches the huge man. Seeing that it can no longer breathe fire, the dragon's mad expression turns into a fearful one.
STOICK: "You're all out."
Stoick then punches and kicks the Monstrous Nightmare on the head till the dragon decided to flee from him. Seeing the dragon left, he shakes his shoulder and arm in good riddance.
Hiccup can't help but to wince as the Nightmare gets hit by punches and kicks from his dad, and once more he hears the growling again… this time it is angry and loud enough to be heard by everyone, causing the villagers to flinch in their seats. They thought that the said Nightmare was angry on their chief. Despite the growling is loud, the young rider still can't find the dragon and the sound dissipates.
(V.O.) HICCUP: "Oh… and there's one thing you need to know."
One by one, the Vikings arrive to the area where their chief and his son are. The fire has eaten the wooden base of the tower, causing it to collapse inwards before it leans and falls to the side. And as the tower falls, it reveals Hiccup with a 'Hi… I know I'm in so much trouble' look.
The towering brazier hits the wooden walkway, destroying it and nearly hitting a Viking who luckily jumped out of the way. Then the bowl containing the fire detaches from the wooden pillar, and rolls down the hill causing more damages. Hiccup looks around with the same expression, and then cringes as the flaming bowl nearly hits somebody and destroys something. Stoick could only look in alarm as the bowl rolls down.
HICCUP: "Sorry, Dad."
Squawks and grunts are heard as the dragon looks at the image of the two, back and forth with surprise and bafflement. That huge oaf is this kid's sire? How?!
"Whoa, calm down everybody!" Hibari said loudly as she and Eira gets up from their seats and calm the dragons. The Vikings looks at the commotion going on and some are on their guard, just in case.
"What set them off?" Hiccup asked, as he and Toothless looks at Hibari and Eira calming the befuddled dragons.
"Well first, an apology in advancement, Hiccup." Silver points out as she places a hand on her heart and looks at him. "Apparently, they can't see how that man is your dad." The young rider looks at her with a brow raise. "I mean, look! Stoick is big, brute and probably a little fat…?" that cause a few snorts from Toothless and a few villagers. "And you are…"
"A Fishbone." Hiccup supplied flatly for her.
"Uh no… I was thinking more on slim and lean." She points out as both Hibari and Eira calms the dragon and Hiccup seems to sigh a bit. 'On the bright side, you are more of your mother with a dash of your father's attitude.' The woman thought, deciding not to say that out as the movie resumes.
Vikings yells in alarm and flees, as the flaming bowl rolls to where the trapped Nadders are. With nobody pinning the Nadders down, they immediately launch themselves into the sky with the net and sheep in tow. As the sun rises, the dragons are flying away with their loots… two particular Nadders uses the net, which trapped them before, as carriers to carry more sheep. The Vikings could only watch and murmur as the dragons flee, while Hiccup looks around a bit in nervousness as they turn to look at him and their chief.
HICCUP: "Okay, but I hit a Night Fury"
Hiccup then yelps in anxiety as his father yanks him by the scruff of his vest and drags him thru the village, Stoick looking quite angry and ashamed on what happened.
"It's not like the last few times, dad. I mean, I really actually hit it! You guy were busy and I had a very clear shot. It went down just off Raven Point."
Gobber appears with a worried look at the two as the… familiar but troubled scene plays out.
"Let's get a search party out there, before it-"
Stoick let go of his son and looks at him.
STOICK: "STOP!"
Hiccup could only blink in shock and fear, shuts up and shrinks back as his father raises his voice at him.
The villagers look down in shame and guilt, on the fact that Hiccup was telling the truth back then and nobody believed him. If they only given him a chance back then, then maybe the boy wouldn't side with those monsters.
Stoick could only blink and stare on what he saw… on how treated his son in public. He hears how tired and angry his voice is, and how intimidating he is thru his son's point of view. He sees his son's lack of confidence and timidity thru his eyes and posture. The huge man can't help but to blame himself on treating his son like that and should have their talk back in their house, away from public view.
"Just stop. Every time you step outside, disaster falls. Can you not see that I have a bigger problem? Winter is almost here and I have an entire village to feed!"
Blinking and taking a small glance to the side, Hiccup answers back with sarcasm to cover the hurt and anxiety.
HICCUP: "Yeah… Between you and me, the village could use a little feeding, don't you think?"
Behind him, some Vikings became conscious and touch their stomach as they don't take the insult that well.
The Vikings reacts similarly like in the screen.
"I understand Walruses or Polar Bears stocking up fat for the winter, but you guys?" Eira points out. "Don't you know the leading cause of heart attacks is fat?" And that cause a lot of Vikings to flinch.
"Uh… Eira." Silver calls out. "They are Vikings, they are active and do heavy –lifting tasks… they're not like those people who just sit and do table jobs."
"Yeah, but the chance of getting a heart attack is still there." The brunette states, and the woman just shrugs and looks back that the movie.
STOICK: "This isn't a joke, Hiccup! Why can't you follow the simplest orders?"
HICCUP: "I-I-I-I can't stop myself. I see a dragon and have just to kill it, you know. It's who I am, Dad."
The last sentence seems to waver a bit. And with a good ear, hints of uncertainty and longing can be heard in the boy's tone.
Stoick just face palms at that, clearly not hearing the hint.
STOICK: "Oi… You are many things, Hiccup. But a dragon killer is not one of them. Get back to the house."
The dragon can't help but to pity on the smallest human fledgling, as animal hearing are a lot sharper than humans. As seen clearly in the screen the boy tries to be one of their kind, but he has doubts on if his place is right there with those… crazy people.
"Surprisingly, he's right." Hiccup said, not too loud to be heard and with a sad smile. "I'm not a dragon killer and will never be."
Meanwhile, Silver looks annoyed at Stoick's parenting skills but decided not to say it out for now.
Hiccup looks down to the ground, looking dejected and bothered as his father turns and looks at Gobber.
"Make sure he gets there."
Gobber walks up behind the boy and taps his head, but it seems to have a bit of strength in it causing to move his head. Hiccup walks towards the house with his mentor behind him.
"I have his mess to clean up."
Stoick walks to the opposite direction as they left. As they make their way there, Ruffnut's laughter can be heard and as Hiccup walks pass his peers, looking away from them with shame and deject.
"Welp, I'm going to admit that not all of the destructions are Hiccup's doing." Tuffnut points out, causing the villagers to looks at him.
"I agree with you. Although he did cause a lot of crazy stuff that can do amazing destructions, this time it was the dragon that does the most awesome one ever!" Ruffnut adds in and headbutts her twin brother, as the Vikings looks at the twins as if they're different people.
"Wait, did you both just defended Useless?" Snotlout asked, looking at the two incredulously.
"Yeah." The twins said in unison.
"Why?"
"Cause the dragon raid doesn't come every day." Ruffnut points out.
"Yeah and whenever Hiccup makes some crazy stuff, he gives us a wonderful day of chaos and pain entertainment." Tuffnut cheerily added. The Vikings could only groan as they remember how the boy makes crazy contraptions that hurt them more than to a dragon.
Hiccup, Silver, Hibari and Eira stared at the twins for defending the young rider, although the reason is more on their benefit. The young rider could only sigh as the twins only like him for the backfires and miscalculation his inventions caused. But he is a bit happy that someone saw that not all of the village destructions are his fault. Meanwhile, Silver is thinking that the twins could have potential to be Hiccup's friends, as they like how his inventions cause so much chaos.
'If I think about it, Fishleg could also be a friend for Hiccup too.' she thought. She knew that despite the burly and huge look, Fishleg lacks the confidence and is more of a nerd like the young rider. Snotlout and Astrid are the only ones who are the least to befriend the young rider. The arrogant boy regards himself as the best of the best, and constantly bragging that he is a lot better than his own cousin. The would-be shield-maiden is considered the perfect example of what being a Viking is, which means she have to live up to that expectation. If it weren't for Toothless, Astrid would remain like that and avoid Hiccup as much as possible. 'Three out of five teens have the possibility to befriend him before Toothless' appearance, but why didn't they… was it his screw-up status?' and then she decided not to wonder about it as Hiccup's friendship with the Night Fury is considered the best.
TUFFNUT: "Quite the performance."
Ruffnut hits her twin brother on the head as Fishlegs could only look at Hiccup and Astrid looks at her axe in her hands.
SNOTLOUT: "I've never seen anyone mess up that badly." He then points at the mess. "That helped!"
Hiccup kept his eyes down, avoiding any contact as he walks.
HICCUP: "Thank you. Thank you. I was trying, so…"
As he continues walking, Astrid looks at Hiccup with uncertainty and lack of interest as Gobber pushes Snotlout down. The arrogant boy yelps as he was push down, the blonde girl reacts a bit and then returns to her reserved and unimpressed look. Snotlout quickly gets up and laughs, as he adjusted his helmet and Astrid is about to leave.
Astrid can't help but to wince at her past self. Was she like that back then? Ignoring and uncaring at the brunet boy who tried to find a place in the island?
Fishleg, although he and Astrid did not mock or teased Hiccup, feels some guilt as he tends to follow and agree with his peers. Snotlout, on the other hand, just chuckles at his own joke until he earned a punch on his arms, courtesy from Astrid. The twins just smiled on what Gobber did on the screen and then giggles on what Astrid did just now.
The Haddock's house is just near the stairway that leads to the Mead Hall. The sun is rising and the place is slowly gaining colors, as both Hiccup and Gobber nears the house.
"I really did hit one."
GOBBER: "Sure Hiccup."
The crippled blacksmith seems unimpressed.
HICCUP: "He never listens…"
And that's where his mentor agrees with.
GOBBER: "Uh, it runs in the family."
"What's that suppose to mean?!" both Stoick and Hiccup asked at the same time, causing both father and son to look at one another in confusion.
Everyone laughs at that, seeing how alike they are in some ways. "And that…" Silver stifled her laughter as she talks. "… proves Gobber's point. Thank you for showing us the proof!"
HICCUP: "And when he does, it always this disappointed scowl like someone skimped on the meat in his sandwich"
Hiccup then turns around, looking at Gobber as he imitates his father. He copies his father's accent and makes himself look stern and irked, as he gestures and flair his arms wildly to act the part.
"Excuse me, barmaid! I'm afraid you brought me the wrong offspring! I ordered an extra large boy with beefy arms, extra guts and glory on the side! This here, this is a talking fishbone!"
Then his shoulders slacks down in dejection, as he looks down at the floor with a sigh of sadness.
It could have been funny if it weren't for the fact that it is depressing and somber, none of the Vikings laugh at that. Surprisingly, Snotlout just kept his mouth shut on what he seen.
Stoick could only stare at the scene, clearly crestfallen on what Hiccup's thought he was thinking on him. He never meant to make him feel that way and he wanted to protect him. His son is all that is left of his beloved wife, with that he decided to apologize to his son when this is over.
Silver senses the shift in Stoick's emotion and sighs. 'When he sees that SCENE, he'll forget on reconciling with his son and blow his gaskets.' She thought as she places her head on her hand.
GOBBER: "Nah, you got it all wrong. It's not so much what you look like, it's what's inside he can't stand."
"Seriously?" Stoick asked, he looks at Gobber with a stern look as his friend just sheepishly shrugs.
The host and the two girls looked so unimpressed on the pep talk Gobber is giving out. "Wow… that's… that's just bad, Gobber." Eira stated.
"That's the worse way to sum things up." Hibari added.
"A very encouraging speech there." Heck even, Silver points it out with sarcasm.
Hiccup just stared at his mentor with a perplexed and 'are you serious' look, and then looks away with an unimpressed and defeated expression
HICCUP: "Thank you for summing that up."
He then is about to enter his house when Gobber adds one more advice.
GOBBER: "The point is stop trying so hard to be something you're not."
HICCUP: "I just want to be one of you guys."
All of the villagers can't help but to feel down and guilty, just like a few minutes ago when Hiccup was telling them the truth that he shot down a Night Fury. Only this time, it's the fact that he is trying to belong and to gain their approval…
But they only look at his failures and sees him as a disaster, than treating him as a person and giving him a chance.
Hiccup, on the other hand, looks away from that scene as he knew that he'll never be one of them. Not anymore.
Hiccup enters the house, shutting the door as Gobber could only feel sorry for the boy and sighs at this. Then changing the view sideways, as the crippled blacksmith left, noises are heard from inside the house as if somebody is moving items around. Moving to the other end of the house, the backdoor opens, Hiccup leaps out and quickly makes his way to the forest.
"Gobber! I thought I told you to make sure he gets there?!" Stoick yelled at his friend, who just sinks in his seat as the teenagers laugh at their teacher's failing babysitting skills.
"Again, hooray for teenage disobedience!" Hibari cheers, only to yelp as something wet and cold hits her.
"I told you, don't encourage that!" Silver reprimands her again.
"Ewww… wait a sec, is this fruit shake?" as Toothless sniffs the fruity drink and takes an experimental lick on it.
"You did ask for it before."
INT: The place changes to the interior of the Mead Hall. A huge, golden model of a dragon with a sword imbedded thru its stomach, hanging on the ceiling is seen. Looking down, a large group of Vikings gather around a huge fire pit and they are murmuring as Stoick discusses the next plans.
(O.S.)STOICK: "Either we finish them or they'll finish us"
Some of the Vikings seem to agree on that, but they sometimes question their chief's method on finding the nest.
The dragons are taken aback that these Vikings glorified on killing their kind, which is shown by the said statue. They growl and grunt in displease on that image… and the mysterious growl agrees before calming them.
STOICK: "It's the only way we'll be rid of them. If we find the nest and destroy it, the dragons will leave. They'll find another home."
Stoick picks up a dagger and stabs it on the illustration of a foggy area filled with dragons, at the top left corner of the map.
All of the dragons, including Toothless, snorts and chortles at that ridiculous idea. Even Hiccup and Astrid rolls their eyes, as they have seen the huge dragon and the village are no match for it.
"Hate to point the facts, Stoick." Hibari pipes up, causing the huge man to look at the said girl. "But they'll choose Berk as the new nest if you do find and destroy the nest."
"And why in Hel would those things choose our island as their new nest?" Spitelout asked, as the Vikings looks at her with confusion and irk.
"Simple, Berk is the closest, the bigger island and it got plenty of food source." The blunette points out. "So… yeah, if you destroyed their home, Berk is screwed." She didn't bother telling them about the pack leader in the nest, as they'll see it later in the movie.
"One more search before the ice sets in."
VIKING: "Those ships never come back."
STOICK: "We're Vikings, it's an occupational hazard. Now who's with me?!"
The Vikings look uneasy and hesitant to join in the search, as they only breach the edge of the fog and the dragons attack. In short, most of their expedition ended in a failure.
VIKING #1: "Today's not good for me."
VIKING #2: "I have to do my axe returns."
And Stoick is not that please with the excuses.
STOICK: "All right. Those who stay will look after Hiccup."
With that, hands rise up in the air and they are motivated to head out on the least evil task.
VIKING #3: "To the ships!"
SPITELOUT: "I'm with you, Stoick!"
Hiccup can't help but to stare at that scene with shock and incredulousness. "That's how you get that many people on the nest search?! You used me?!" the young rider shouts as his father can't help but to slump in his seat, feeling guilty to use his son like that.
"Wow… the image of brave and strong Vikings just went bye-bye right now." Astrid points out, causing the villagers to look at her. "Hey! I thought that you guys are all brave for heading out and finding the nest. Now... I'm starting to doubt it as you guys are more afraid on watching Hiccup than facing a dragon, and Hiccup is not even a dragon!"
"You know… both Stoick and Hiccup are definitely father and son, aren't they?" Eira pipes up, causing the villagers and Hiccup to look at her. "I mean, Stoick fails on finding the nest and Hiccup fails on… something else."
Now that the villagers think about it… they both fail in their own tasks. Father and son, indeed.
STOICK: "Ahhh… That's more like it."
As the Vikings leave the Mead Hall, Gobber places his prosthetic arm with a mug attachment on the table. He wipes his face with his good arm as he gets up.
GOBBER: "Right, I'll pack my undies"
"That's just gross." The Viking teens, including Hiccup, Hibari, Eira and Silver stated at the same time. They look at each other in confusion as everyone looks at them.
"Welp… that's surprising." The woman said, as she and Hibari shrugs while the rest blinks for a moment before resuming the film.
But Stoick stops him as he nears his friend.
STOICK: "No, you need to stay and train some new recruits."
Gobber then sits back as his friend sits beside him
GOBBER: "Oh perfect. Yeah. And while I'm busy, Hiccup can cover the store. Molten steel, razor sharp blades, lots of time to himself. What could possibly go wrong?"
"Hey, I'm not that bad" Hiccup defended himself.
"Then what about that contraption of yours, during that dragon raid?" Gobber points out.
"It was just a mild calibration issue!"
"Welp, you're not as worse as the Star Twins" Hibari points out.
As the door closes, Stoick releases a heavy sigh.
STOICK: "What am I going to do with him, Gobber?"
GOBBER: "Put him in training with the others."
"So that's why dad allowed me to take Dragon Training." Hiccup whispers, clearly displeased and sulks in his seat.
Stoick gives his friend a look, as if he has grown another head.
STOICK: "No, I'm serious!"
GOBBER: "So am I."
STOICK: "He'll be killed before you let the first dragon out of its cage."
GOBBER: "Oh you don't know that."
STOICK: "I do know that, actually."
GOBBER: "No, you don't."
STOICK: "No, actually I do."
GOBBER: "No, you don't!"
Stoick sighs as he stands up and walks around, while Gobber sports a flat look, shaking his head in little movements.
STOICK: "Listen, you know what he's like. From the time he could crawl he's been… different."
"Oi! Different is good!" Hibari shouts in defense.
"Yeah! It makes living more interesting that way!" Eira added.
Gobber takes a swig of mead, only to choke a bit and accidentally spits his stone tooth into the mug.
"He doesn't listen. He had an attention span of a sparrow. I take him fishing and he goes hunting for… for trolls"
"Trolls exist!" Silver quips. "But I only know two types of trolls who can steal left socks, Gobber. I doubt they're in Berk though, they prefer a bit warmer climates."
The crippled blacksmith turns around and points his mug at his friend.
GOBBER: "Trolls exists! They steal your socks! But only the left ones… Huh, what's with that?"
Everyone looks at Silver, who supported that the said creature actually exist, somewhat doubt her and wondered if she is a bit off of her rockers like Gobber.
Gobber just whoops in joy that someone else knows that trolls exist! 'Okay, after this, I'm going to ask her about the two trolls that stole my lefties!' he thought.
"Yeah… I hate those buggers." Eira stated with a sigh, remembering that they stole the left foot of her favorite socks since she was eight!
Gobber then turns away and tries to fish out his missing stone tooth, as Stoick sighs.
STOICK: "When I was a boy…"
Gobber can't help but to roll his eyes as he have heard this story many times.
GOBBER: "Oh, here we go…"
STOICK: "… my father told me to bang my head to a rock and I did it."
The crippled blacksmith continues to fish for his stone tooth, until he decided to drink the rest of the mead to get it.
"I thought I was crazy, but I didn't question him. And you know what happened?"
"His brain was kicked out like what happened to Snotlout's?" Hibari joked lightly, only to get a light slap from Eira on her arms.
"Oh! That would be awesome!" Tuffnut yelled in excitement
"Yeah!" Ruffnut agreed.
Once he got his stone tooth, he rolls his eyes again.
GOBBER: "You got a headache."
STOICK: "That rock split in two."
He then places the stone tooth back where is it and hammers it a few times with the end of his mug, testing it a bit and making sure it stays in place.
"It taught me what a Viking can do, Gobber. He could crush mountains, level forests, tame seas!"
"Uh… No, nope and nah!" Hibari states it out loud. "I don't think normal humans can do those!"
"Yeah… if I remember from the book, Whispering Death can crush mountains." Hiccup began listing out the dragons that can do those impossible tasks.
'Including the Titan wings.' The blunette thought.
"Timberjacks can level forest… I don't know which dragons can tame seas though."
"I could know a few but they are ice-spitters. Plus I only know one other person who can do all three!"
The young rider looks at her with a brow raise. "Who?"
"Um, duh, the only person who transported the entire village population here in this mansion and forced you to watch this?" Hibari bluntly points it out and points directly at the said host. Hiccup blinks a bit before remembering that the woman has powers, and flushes a bit as he has forgotten about that. Silver just smiled a bit and letting it go.
"Even as a boy, I knew what I was, what I had to become…"
Stoick, once more, sits beside his friend with a look of sadness and on lost on what he has to do with his son.
"Hiccup is not that boy."
GOBBER: "You can't stop him, Stoick. You can prepare him."
The Viking chief looks at his friend with uncertainty but with interest to hear that he is going to point out.
"I know it seems hopeless but the truth is that you won't always be around to protect him. He's going to get out there again. He's probably out there now."
Stoick looks away from him, as he let the statement sink in and a mental argument is happening in his mind.
"Funny, that Gobber is right on the spot." Snotlout said, as he chuckles a bit as he remembered that his cousin went out of the back door of his house.
"Why did you head into the forest, Hiccup?" Fishleg asked, looking at the young rider.
The young rider stutters for a bit, causing both Eira and Hibari to giggle as Toothless looks at him with concern. "Uh yeah… about that, I-" he tries to say that he when out to look for the said dragon, but he kept sputtering on the fact that they will see what he did with Toothless. "Well I-"
"He went looking for the Night Fury." Silver stated, as if it is just the weather and Hiccup could only look at her with surprise.
It wasn't long before Stoick reacts on what his son is going to do and the reason why he left the house. "Don't tell me you went looking for that dragon alone?!" he shouts in anger and worry.
"Well… who would believe me? Even Gobber doubts I shot down a dragon!" Hiccup replied back in defense, his father is about to answer back… only for it to get stuck in his throat as his son was right. Nobody would believe him after all that fiasco that transpired that morning and his son's reputation as a screw-up.
"Let's move on to the new scene shall we?" Silver said calmly.
EXT: Showing an aerial view of Berk, one can easily spot the Haddock's house, the Mead Hall and Gothi's shack. Moving to the right, shows a rich lush forest and a fog-covered bridge that connects the two islands. Then the scene changes to a drawing of a map of the similar landscape, but with a lot of other drawings. There is a pair of circles and a trajectory line on one side and on the other page, it is littered with a lot of X's. Then a hand appears, holding one end of the charcoal pencil and circling a spot on the paper. Hiccup then appears in the scene, closing his eyes for a moment and then opening them with a hopeful look.
Only to sigh in disappointment as he only sees green plants, lack of damages or his target.
"Well, that was disappointing." Ruffnut stated, as she and the others are expecting a down dragon (and pain, on her and her brother's side).
He adds another X on his map as he walks away from the said area. But then he grips his pencil hard and scribbles on the book with harsh and frustrated strokes. Shifting the view, Hiccup looks quite frustrated as he place the pencil back in his book and slams it shut.
"I know there's a book joke but I'm not going to use it, already seen and heard a lot of them used." Silver said, earning her weird looks as Hibari and Eira only know about them.
HICCUP: "Oh, the gods hates me."
He tucks his book inside his vest pocket as he continues on his way thru the forest.
"Some people lose their knife or their mug. No, not me. I manage to lose an ENTIRE DRAGON!"
As he walks, his frustration and anger resurfaces once more, shouting the last two words to show it.
"Yikes…" a random Viking said, for he/she never thought that the boy is capable on getting that angry.
Hiccup vents his frustration on a low-hanging branch, slapping it out of his way. Unfortunately, the branch decided to get back at him and whacks him at the right side of his face. Immediately, he places his hand on the said injured area as he staggers a bit.
"OW!"
Most laughs at the boy's luck, letting the branch to hit back at him is quite funny.
"Oh man… Only you." Snotlout points out at his cousin. "Only you can turn a seemingly, harmless tree into something dangerous to yourself." Before he continues laughing.
He glares at the said branch with his good eye for a second, but then his anger dissipates on seeing the tree… The tree is almost snapped down, and only a small part of it is still connected to its base. The broken top part of the tree has a few claw marks on it and it fell on a large and fresh groove.
Everyone stops and grew silent on seeing this, as uneasiness grows in the room. The Vikings knew only a huge creature can do that kind of damage, and Hiccup will get himself into danger again.
Seeing the damage, Hiccup decided to check it out and went down into the groove. He skids a bit on the steep ground and touching a large, exposed root with a claw mark on it. He gives the mark a look and wonders about it for a sec, before he continues examining the groove. He crawls up a mound of dirt… then gasps in fright at the sight of a huge black mass and quickly ducks behind the mound
Almost everyone flinch and hold their breath on what Hiccup saw. He did shot down the Night Fury, but why is the black beast alive right now?
Hiccup sighs in sadness, remembering how that bola hurts his friend by tying him up in flight and causing him the crash in the woods. He absently pets Toothless on the head as sign of apology as nervousness takes over at this will show how he freed his best friend.
The brunet boy takes in deep breaths before he look over the mound and sees the black mass… is actually a dragon. The dragon is tangled up in ropes with one wing open… and it is not moving.
Seeing the dragon didn't move, Hiccup is a bit confused and scared, but he soon remembers what he has to do. He quickly feels around his clothes and takes out a small dagger from his vest. He hold the dagger close to him, takes in a few breaths, calming himself and mentally prepares himself on what he is going to do.
He carefully and quietly slides down the steep edge on a flat rock, and then leaps and hides behind a large rock that serves as a protection between him and the dragon. He keeps breathing to calm himself, as he rounds around the rock and keeping the dagger in front for additional protection. Once he reaches the edge of the rock, there he saw the bound dragon.
The bola that is tangled on the dragon, ties up his legs and wings and preventing him from moving. Save for one wing that is stuck open, thank to the ropes. The boy can't help but to step away from the rock and lower his dagger for a moment, in awe and surprise on seeing the black dragon.
The very dragon he shot down that night.
"Wow…" Fishleg said in amazement on seeing the Night Fury and on the fact that Hiccup was the first one to see it in personal.
Still all of the guests are tense. The Vikings are mixed with worry, fear and pride for Hiccup on facing the Night Fury alone. The dragons, on the other hand, are agitated and feel unsure on the boy on the screen and the boy beside them now.
How did the Night Fury avoid getting himself slain?
"Oh wow… I-I did it."
He walks towards the down dragon with excitement and joy.
"Oh! I did! T-This fixes everything!"
He looks around for a moment for anyone to see his accomplishments, only to see no one but still elated that he did shot down a Night Fury. He then places his foot on one of the dragon's legs in victory, quite proud on what he manages to achieve.
"Yes! I have brought down this might beast-"
He quickly yelps and leaps back when the dragon moves, grunting as if to say 'Hey, I'm not dead!'
The Vikings jumps in their chair, on seeing that the dragon is still alive. The dragons, on the other hand, chortles on the Vikings' reaction but quickly shuts up and turn away when they glare at them.
Hiccup backs against a rock, his excitement changes to fear as he catches his breathe. He points and keeps his dagger in front of him as he, once more, approaches the dragon with caution and uncertainty. He examines the dragon as the said reptile is breathing, its chest heaving up and down and rope is making it feel uncomfortable. A close-up on the dragon shows how the rope kept the dragon from moving. Shifting to the head, it appears to be sleeping until a wing blocks it for a moment…
And when the head comes back into view, the dragon's eye is open and is looking at Hiccup.
The Vikings got chills while the dragons flinch with slight surprise on that scene.
"That was… awesome… creepy, but awesome." Tuffnut said, as he feels the chills like the others do and loves it. He wonders if he and his sister can use that for future pranks.
"Hmmm… I think I got a new idea for Halloween, next year." Hibari said, as she takes a note of it.
Hiccup stare at the dragon, seeing it is now awake and looking at him. He momentarily looks at the dragon's eye with shock and… something else, but turns away from it to focus on what is important. The dragon gurgles for the boy's attention and manage to get him to look back its head. Hiccup looks back at the dragon's head with uncertainty and curiosity. The dragon stares at the boy, continuing to coo at him as the pupil slits smaller.
Then Hiccup's mind is turns into jumbled debate… As he refocuses on what he is suppose to do, his feelings are holding him back as he feels guilty for a dragon. It didn't last long as he takes some deep breaths and firmly refocuses on the task, forcing himself to look brave and determined. He reassures himself that if he does this, he can finally belong in the village.
The young rider just shakes his head on that scene. He remembered thinking that if he killed Toothless, then he can finally belong. 'Do I really have to be a killer to belong?' he thought with disgust and hate on that kind of lifestyle they are living in.
HICCUP: "I'm going to kill you dragon."
He looks back at the dragon for a second, before looking away and stretches his shoulder to prepare.
"I'm going to cut out your heart and take it to my father."
He then repositions the dagger, so that it can pierce and strike at the target with more force. Once more, he reassures himself that he is doing the right thing.
"I'm a Viking."
The dragon once again croons for the boy's attention, in which Hiccup does react and looks at the dragon with a shaky determination and nervousness.
"I'm a Viking!"
"No, not anymore." Hiccup said firmly as he fists his hands and keeps them on his sides.
"Calm down." Silver said in a calm and assuring way, the boy look at her. "Beating yourself about that will do more harm to you and it will not change anything. Now, calm down." giving him a comforting look and an assertive presence, Hiccup relaxes for now.
The dragon continues to stare at the boy, grunting at him… it is afraid and is it pleading. Hiccup mentally reassures himself again, as he raises his dagger above his head with his eyes close. The dragon continues to coo or gurgle for the boy's attention, and once more got the boy to look at him straight again. The dragon looks at the boy as it raises its head a bit… it is scared but hopes that this boy could let him go.
Then the unknown feeling returns in the boy, and he realizes that it is pity. But, again, Hiccup looks away from the dragon's eye and reassures to himself that this dragon will grant what he wants. Ready to strike, the dragon decided to accept his end, closes his eyes, slumping down in defeat and awaits death to arrive.
As the dragon anticipates its death, the boy is having another mental debate… this time pity is not going to back down. His mental distress his shown thru how his dagger is lowered and raises. But, in the end, his pity won as he drops his hands and his dagger on top of his head in dismay. He then drops his hands, with his left hand sliding down his face, to his side. He looks at his dagger with doubt and sadness, then turns to bound dragon which is still waiting for the death blow. He looks at the ropes that held the dragon down, as regret and shame surfaces and backs away.
"I did this."
The Viking stared in confusion and shock at the scene before them. Hiccup didn't kill the dragon, and they now know why the Night Fury is still alive. Nevertheless, the anger in them is starting to grow on seeing how the boy broke their tradition and law, and sided with those monsters.
The dragons see the boy's kindness winning over his wants, and spared their fellow dragon. They look at the young rider with a new light and cooed and purred at him, as if they are thanking the boy. They would gladly bring the boy under their wings, in case his sire abandons his offspring now that they see this.
Hiccup turns around to leave but his conscience stops him, looking back at the bound dragon. He stares at the black creature for a short moment, before he bows his head in regret… on what he is going to do.
Focusing on the dragon's head, the sound of cutting is heard and that snaps the dragon's eye open in surprise.
"Creepy awesome!" Tuffnut shouts, as once again, the close-up on Toothless' eye made some Vikings jump in their seats. The dragons, on the other hand, didn't react since the black dragon is alive and the boy spared his life.
Gobber heard the cutting sound and he immediately knew that Hiccup is going to free the dragon. He's disappointed and angry, but mostly disappointed and sad that the boy would rather free the dragon than leading them to it. Then again, no one would believe the boy at all.
Hiccup is cutting the ropes as fast as he can, he take a quick look behind to see if anyone there before resuming cutting the rest of the rope.
The anger in the Vikings is growing rapidly, as angered murmurs are starting. Not only he could not kill a dragon, he is setting the most dangerous dragon, the unholy offspring of lightning and death, free.
Astrid looks around her as the villagers whisper and hush that Hiccup is a 'bad news', 'the disappointment', 'I knew it, he's going to be blah, blah, blah, cause he's very un-Viking' and 'the traitor'. Her fellow teens seem to agree with the grown-ups, as Fishleg seem to disagree a bit with them, being a dragon fanatic himself. The would-be shield-maiden just casually huffs and looks away with a bored look, as Snotlout said out loud that he will show them what a real Viking is like and will kill the Night Fury. The arrogant boy places his arms around the blonde girl, asking if she will be his girlfriend if he got the heart of the Night Fury for her.
The answer is… a sore arm and nose, courtesy from Astrid.
'And that would be a no.' Silver thought amusingly, as the would-be shield-maiden is worried for the young rider. Still the growing prejudice concerns her.
However, he wasn't aware that the hind legs drop a bit on each rope he cuts. Hiccup continues to cut the ropes… when the black dragon suddenly leaps up with a angered growl and pounces the boy on a rock.
The Viking gasped, slightly forgetting on what the boy did seconds earlier, and they are now worried for his life. Gobber can't help but to feel fear and worry for the boy, as Stoick shift his anger on the dragon for harming his son.
Hiccup breathes in and out in panic, as he tries to turn his head away and eyes the dragon with fear. The black dragon stares down at the boy with his forest green eyes with light sea green ring around the pupils. Clearly the dragon is not happy, the dragon even growls as it breathes. Hiccup continues to find a way to get out of this situation, but he is still staring at the dragon. Claws tightens on the shoulder as the boy moves, so the boy move his head further back as possible but still looking directly at the dragon.
Then the dragon looks at him… differently, as its growl have less anger in it. Hiccup, who is still looking at the dragon in fear, sees something in the dragon that made him curious and slightly relaxes.
But before he can get a closer look, the dragon decided he had enough of staring games. It rears its head back, baring its teeth and flare out its wings, the boy quickly braces himself for a burning death…
Some of the villagers cover their eyes, while others are curious on how the boy survived the encounter and kept their eyes on the screen.
Instead, the beast roars at the boy at point blank range as it releases the boy.
The audiences are slightly relieved or are able to breathe again, now they found out how the boy survived.
"Thanks for the ringing ear, bud." The young rider deadpanned as the black dragon looks innocently at his best friend.
"Well, that's how dragons show gratitude. So you can't blame him." Eira point out.
Then the black dragon turns and immediately flies away. As Hiccup sits up, the screen shows the dragon's erratic flight as it hits the rocky cliff on its glide.
The boy stares at the gliding dragon while holding his fast, beating heart and hyperventilating, before slumping on the rock and breathes in relief. As the dragon growls and roars off-screen, Hiccup picks his dagger up and shakily gets up on his feet. And for a short moment, he sees the dragon's troubled flight as it is not too far and hears a lot of thuds and frustrated roars.
Once more, Hiccup breathes in fast and hard as he attempts to walk away. But the stress and his messed up emotions take a toll on him, as he only took a few steps and his knees gives out. With that, he drops his dagger and collapses to the ground with a weak groan.
The twins laughed at that scene. "Oh man, you fainted!" Tuffnut said as he laughs. But then they slow and then stops laughing, noticing that the entire room is silent. Even Snotlout is not laughing at his cousin's un-Viking faint…
"HICCUP!" a loud booming voice is heard and both twins cringes, realizing whose voice it is and wisely shuts up. Hiccup knew this is going to happen and can't help but to tense and brace himself. Toothless growls as he keeps his rider under his wings and paws, baring his teeth at anyone daring to hurt him. Both Hibari and Eira are on the edge of their seats, ready to control the situation when it goes out of hand. Silver, on the other hand, stays calm and compose as she is ready to use her powers if things went out of line.
Stoick, livid and disappointed at the same time, gets up from his seat and marches towards the top. However, the barrier prevented him from going near his son and bangs at it with his fist. "Is that true?" he demands, pointing at the screen.
"I-I…" the brunet stutters, unable to form an answer.
"… Yeah, it's true." Silver answers for the boy, knowing that the truth hurts… but it is far better than a painful lie. Hiccup turns to look at the woman in shock as the chief glares at her.
"What in Thor's name possess you to free a dragon? That beast almost killed you!" the chief shouted at his son, as the boy walks out of the protective embrace of his best friend.
"Dad, please just listen to me! These dragons are not what we think they are!" Hiccup tries to convince his father.
Unfortunately, his words just went over his father's head. "First the ring, now this… I can handle you nearly wrecking the village with your… crazy inventions! But THIS is unforgivable!" as the villagers whispers and Astrid looks at Hiccup with worry.
"Please just listen to me! The dragons are not savage beasts, they're just defending themselves!"
"You worry more about them?!" Stoick's voice booms once more as silence reigns again. "You worry more about those killers than our people?!"
Before the brunet could even reply. "Enough!" Hibari commands sternly as she stands from her seat and looking at Stoick with a stern look. "Please return to your seat." As Eira slips off her seat and gives comfort to the distressed boy.
"No, I'm not done yet."
"I believe it is, since the movie is not yet done."
"It is done, the… 'muvi' revealed the truth and I know why he could not kill the dragon in the ring."
"No, it's not. Your son's story is not yet over."
But the next words are hurtful and heavy at the same time. "No, he is not my son." Stoick said, with voice is filled with anger, disappointment and a hint of sorrow.
Shock is evident as the villagers gasped and the dragons chirped on what they heard… Stoick is going to disown his own son?!
Whispers run ablaze as the villagers thought it might be a good idea since the boy thrown his lot at them. The village women, although seems to agree with their chief, can't help but to feel bad for the boy. Snotlout never uttered a single word, as he stared at his uncle although there is a tiny betrayed thought of him being the new heir. Ruffnut and Tuffnut just gaped like a fish out of water, as Fishlegs can't help but to feel sorry for the brunet. And Astrid covers her mouth with her hands and loss for words, as she looks at the chief and then at the boy…
Cold shock came at Hiccup like a spear and struck something fragile in him. It is painful and the wall that holds his emotions are cracking… but he can't let his- no, he can't let this man see him like this. Although he wants to collapse, he stands firm and pretend it never hurts. He is about to reply… when the blunette beats him to it.
"Take your words back…" she growls as her eyes are shadowed by her bangs. The chief of Berk looks at her as she repeats what she stated. "Take your words back!"
Meanwhile, the dragons click and hiss as they crawl close to the barrier. Eira senses that things will definitely go wrong and quickly ushers Hiccup back into the black dragon's embrace. "Stay there." She said firmly as she arms herself with a stave.
As the brunet wonders where the staff came from, Stoick looks at the blunette with a stern and heavy look. "This boy has thrown himself to these devils." The last words earn him glares from the host and the other girls. "He is not a Viking."
"You're making judgment when the story is not even done?!" the blunette hissed as her fists shakes and her green eyes narrows. The dragons growls and hisses louder, the brunet wonders why they are reacting like this. Unknown to them, the host is about to intervene when…
"Like I said, this… boy chooses those beasts over his people." As heavy the word he says, the chief's duty is to protect its own… even from his own kin. "Therefore, he is no son of mine."
"HOW DARE YOU!"
Suddenly fire burst out of nowhere and lunges at Stoick, causing Eira to yelp out of shock. The fire sent the huge man flying to the ground level, just below the screen. The villagers shouts in shock and worry for their chief, as they try to find out which dragon attacked him. But the culprit's identity is revealed when the fire dies out and pinning Stoick on the ground is… an unusual dragon. It looks like a Night Fury but it looks different… red in color, it has golden marks all over its body and the wings… are similar to a bird and white in color.
"You filthy-!" Stoick hissed as the red dragon pins him down and growls. But surprise is etched on his face when he hears…
"TaKe yOur WorDs baCk!" the red dragon said, with a mixture of growling and hissing.
Meanwhile, Hiccup is shock and worried. Shock on where the red dragon came from and worried for… the man the dragon pinned down. Eira immediately cast a calming spell and a barrier spell to keep the dragons from attacking the villagers.
"This is bad… Silver, do-?!" Eira suddenly stops for a second when she looks at the silver host. "Of all the time to Envisage, it has to be now?!"
Hiccup turns to sees the woman frozen midway from getting up from her seat, as if time stopped for her. Also her eyes are shining in different shades of blue.
?: (Freezes time in the theater room) Hello. Unfortunately, Silver is stuck in Envisage. So for now, we're in charge of the freezing.
?: Great, Hibari lost her temper again. Anyway… Reference list:
1. Tsuna Sawada – Yep… he's the only guy I know who can shriek like a girl. (Considering his Seiyuu is a lady... XD!)
2. Envisage – meaning "foresee". But in this story, only Silver has this ability. This allows her to see different paths or stories(plots) concerning her charge, which in this case, it's Hiccup. (But in some cases, it has a tendency to 'runaway' or as authors infamously calls it 'plot bunnies'.)
?: And for our reviewer shinshinjane… yes, we know that Shinichi's canon girlfriend is Ran Mouri. But we're in the fanfiction universe and anything can happen if the host wills it. So Hibari being Shinichi's GF is can happen… by the way, how is he?
?: Totally buried in murder cases… he can't get a break unless you drag him out. Anyway, I think we missed updating this on our host exact birth date… Meh, we'll appear in the next chapter and don't worry too much, everything will be back to normal. So until then, see you next chapter.
:::^*^:::