OH MY GOSH!
Guys, I am so sorry for not updating in two days! I feel so terrible. I initially wasn't going to update tonight, but I felt guilty for leaving you guys hanging so thought I'd quick type up a chapter (albeit a short one… but hey! It's a chapter!)
Enjoy!
The Changewing leapt forward, scurrying about as it blended in and out with its surroundings. Hiccup, who was still leaning against the wall for support, watched the dragon carefully and wearily. He still had no idea WHAT TO DO.
The Changewing, using its long claws, crawled up the side of the wall, spewing out acid towards the crowd. The men jumped back, quickly scurrying out of line of fire.
Then, the Changewing's eyes went to Hiccup, and the dragon immediately camouflaged itself. Hiccup could hear where it was, and could also see the faint movement of it as well. It was easier to tell where the Changewing was since all it had to blend into was grey stone.
Hiccup finally decided… to just stay where he was and hope for the best. There was no way he could run, and he knew he couldn't train this dragon for Munga to use and control. He was almost coming to the conclusion that it might just be better for the dragon to die… but Hiccup didn't let his mind go there. Just the thought of an innocent dragon dying brought pain to his heart.
"Train it, boy!" Munga's voice boomed from above. Hiccup quickly glanced upwards, before lowering his gaze back to the dragon he knew was marching up to him.
Hiccup didn't move- well, he did flinch but he didn't actually move from where he was standing. He knew what was coming. He knew that the Changewing would kill him. By now, Hiccup had come to accept it. He was protecting Berk and the people living there. He was keeping them from getting destroyed by Munga and the army of dragon's he wanted Hiccup to train. Besides… Toothless was dead. The thought brought an empty feeling to Hiccup's chest, making him feel even more grief. Toothless was gone… there was no on back on Berk for him…
His Dad. Astrid. The whole of Berk.
The thoughts flashed quickly through his mind, and his look hardened. Even if Toothless died, he wouldn't want Hiccup to grieve. He wouldn't want Hiccup to just… give up… because of him. Hiccup closed his eyes, inhaling deeply while saying silently in his mind.
I'm sorry Toothless. Then, Hiccup opened his eyes, quickly forming a plan in his head. Train the dragon or no?
Well… if he could even train the dragon. He'd always had a hard time with Changewings. He'd never fully trained one before… which made this situation that much stickier.
Hiccup pushed himself away from the wall, pushing the pain aside for the time being. He had to ignore it. The lightheadedness… the blur his vision temporarily became… the white-hot pain racing up and down his leg…
Just ignore it.
Hiccup took in another ragged breath before walking forward, holding out his left hand slowly. He held it out to what looked like blank air- but Hiccup knew better. The Changewing was standing right in front of him, completely camouflaged.
The men gathered around the arena fell silent, save for a few who whispered among themselves. Hiccup ignored them, focusing solely on the dragon before him.
"Hi there." He said quietly. "You a prisoner too, huh?"
He heard a hiss, but no acid yet. He took that as a good sign, so continued.
"Yeah, I know what you mean." Hiccup said, pretending to know what the dragon was talking about. He was actually just looking for an excuse to say low, calming words to the dragon. To hopefully tone it down.
"But, if I train you, and we become friends… we can work together and get out of here." Hiccup said in a low tone, so that none of the men could hear him. Hiccup stopped moving, mainly because he wasn't sure if he could walk any further on his bad leg, but also because he was literally standing right in front of the Changewing's nose.
Hiccup turned his head away, focusing his gaze on the stone ground. He extended his hand out slowly, feeling the warm breath of the dragon as it huffed hot air onto his fingers.
Hiccup held his breath, waiting to see if the dragon would merely eat his hand or put his trust in Hiccup. Hiccup was really hoping it chose the second option. He wasn't exactly in the mood for loosing another limb…
Hiccup sighed in relief when he felt the scaly nose press against the palm of his hand. Hiccup turned his head, smiling at the fiery red dragon. The dragon had shed its camouflage, and was now standing before him, his eyes gentle and trusting. He totally relied on Hiccup now. It trusted him… believed in him.
Touching and training this dragon brought the memories of his first encounter with Toothless flooding back. Toothless… he had put his full trust in Hiccup too… and it had never wavered. NEVER.
Hiccup was forced to set those burdening thoughts aside, for men were already advancing towards Hiccup and the Changewing. Munga's voice came loud and strong.
"Lock the dragon up!" his voice boomed. Then, "Bring the boy here!"
Hiccup gulped, turning around to look at the soldiers quickly walking towards him and the Changewing- which in that very dangerous moment Hiccup decided to name Fireclaw.
"Uhh…. Let's just stick together…" Hiccup whispered as he walked closer to Fireclaw's side. The dragon hissed warningly at the men, his mouth opening to shoot acid at anyone who dared to get any closer to him or Hiccup. Even in their dangerous situation, Hiccup had to smile at the dragons protective instincts.
"Tell the dragon to cooperate, boy." One of the soldiers said fiercely.
Hiccup said nothing, but instead reached up and gripped tightly onto the blue spines that ran along Fireclaw's back. He hoisted himself up, crying out as he swung his bad leg over the dragon's neck.
"O-okay, Fireclaw… can you get us out of here?"
"NO!" Munga shrieked. "Stop that boy! I'm not finished with him yet!"
Hiccup fell against Fireclaw's neck when the arrows began to fly from all directions. Fireclaw was spewing acid as fast as he could, and as much as possible but it was a hundred against two. And Fireclaw couldn't even camouflage since Hiccup was on his back. Not that it would really be worth it to camouflage himself with so many men in the arena. There was nowhere to hide.
Hiccup saw the main gate open as Munga stormed inside, absolutely furious. Hiccup immediately made the decision.
He slid of Fireclaw's neck, never minding the rip his shirt gave as it caught on one of the dragno's spikes. He tumbled to the ground, giving the dragon a shove towards the door. "GO!" he shouted. Fireclaw glanced back, confused.
Hiccup waved his hands at the dragon, one hand pointing over towards the open door. The heavy metal gate was beginning to close. Fireclaw didn't have much time!
Hiccup gestured wildly towards the door way again. "GO!"
With one brief, hesitant glance towards Hiccup, the dragon obeyed, rushing towards the door, quickly camouflaging himself in the process. The men glanced about in confusion, not certain where to go or what to do.
Munga was flung aside from his stance in the entry way, and Hiccup sighed in relief as he watched Fireclaw uncamouflaged as he flew off into the dimly lit sky. The dragon was free.
"Get the kid!" one of the soldiers shouted, rushing towards him. Hiccup took a step back, but stopped immediately when he knocked against something large and hard.
He whirled around as quickly as possible, only to have the front of his shirt seized in a death grip by Munga, who was glaring at him in hate, anger, and more hate.
"Do you know how long it took to catch that thing!?" he exploded, shoving Hiccup to the ground. Hiccup groaned as his bad leg touched the cold stone, sending cold tingling pain rushing up and down the limb.
"You will pay for that mistake." Munga growled. "You will pay dearly."
He reached for a dagger at his belt, jerking it from the scabbard and lifting it as though to use it. Hiccup brought his hand up to shield his eyes, more so he didn't have to watch then to block any movement Munga might make.
Pain burst out in Hiccup's side, and his eyes shot open wide as he gasped for air. He wasn't certain what had happened at first, but then he realized that Munga had merely kicked him- hard- in the ribs. He hadn't used the dagger.
"Get up." Munga hissed. Hiccup stumbled to his feet, bending over nearly double due to the splitting pain in his ribs. He was certain Munga had either cracked or broken a couple of them- if his labored breathing was any indication.
Munga gripped Hiccup's arm tightly as he dragged the wounded boy from the arena. "When the sun is up you'll train my dragons- and you will do it without any funny business."
Hiccup didn't bother to answer, to busy focusing on getting a decent breath to listen. His free arm was wrapped tightly around his ribs, wishing the hot pain would leave him alone. His leg was throbbing painfully to an invisible heartbeat, making his head pound.
When they reached the cell Hiccup had been in previously, Munga tossed him inside. Hiccup landed on his hands and knees, not able to support himself so falling to the ground on his side with a moan.
"Three hours, Hiccup." Munga said before leaving. But the words were faint in Hiccup's ears, as his world quickly slipped into blackness as the pain slowly dulled to nothing.
…
Astrid sighed as they passed over Outcast island. She didn't bother to stop, even though Stormfly looked at the island longingly. Astrid knew the poor Nadder was tired, but they had to keep going. They had to reach Hiccup before something horrible happened to him.
"Astrid?" Snotlout asked, he and Hookfang flying up alongside her.
"Yes?"
"So… I mean… I'm just wondering what exactly the plan is? Just march onto the island and demand they give Hiccup over? What's the deal?"
Astrid sighed, not really certain herself. "I-I don't know. I'm thinking that if there's no way to just sneak in and steal Hiccup away, then we'll- or I if you guys don't want to- will give ourselves up… so that we can at least go in and make sure Hiccup's alight."
"Doesn't that seem a little… drastic?" Snotlout asked incredulously.
Yes. It did. And Astrid hastily slapped herself out of her worried daze over Hiccup. That was a stupid idea. Hand themselves over to this guy… Munga… and just give Stoick more people to rescue? No. Definitely not a good idea.
"Yeah, Astrid. That does seem rather reckless." Fishleg's agreed.
Astrid nodded. "I-I know. But… I guess we'll just have to wait until we get there to see how everything is laid out. Then we'll figure out a plan."
The group fell silent, and they flew on for a few moments more. The horizon was beginning to turn a slight pink color as the sun rose slowly, taking it's merry old time to light up the world. Astrid was frustrated, wishing it would rise faster so she could see the island they were heading for.
"Uh, Astrid?" Tuffnut said hesitantly.
"What now?"
"Is that what I think it is?" Tuffnut pointed ahead towards a red blur against the hazy blue sky.
Astrid peered at it, trying to tell what it was. Her eyes opened wide in realization.
"Changewing!" she shouted. She watched it a bit more, a frown tugging at the corners of her mouth when she noticed how the dragon seemed to be struggling to stay in the air.
"It looks like it's hurt." Ruffnut said after inspection. "Should we check it out?"
Astrid and Stormfly headed towards the dragon, stopping when the dragon hissed at them angrily.
Fishlegs flew up beside her, pointing a finger at the dragon's wing. "Look, Astrid!"
Wrapped tightly around the dragon's right wing was a metal band- obviously put there to keep it from flying. Astrid's heart tightened in anger to whoever had done this.
"We have to help it." Astrid said quietly. "But it looks really jumpy… and scared."
"Hey, wait a second." Tuffnut said. He pointed at the dragon's back. "Is that… green cloth?"
Astrid peered at the cloth stuck on the dragons spine, giving a gasp of shock. "It's a green… guys that's a strip of Hiccup's shirt!"
Okay, I hadn't planned on ending the chapter here, but I have to go and work on some more homework. So, I'll see you tomorrow when I'll post another chapter! Thanks everyone!