Apologies for the "misshapen" Chapter 1 & 2. Not entirely sure how that happened, but it is fixed. Hopefully it won't happen again.
If anyone's having trouble following as I go back and forth between place and time. Let me know.
Chapter 2: New friends, new deals, and new hope. 2/2
"You're telling me Hiccup Haddock III fixed your water supply in a couple of months, Alvin?" asked Spitelout, who was clearly perplexed by this story for many reasons.
"That's right", replied Alvin. "He mentioned Berk had these little pests called Smokebreaths that were clouding your water, too?"
"Aye, I remember that. The little buggers liked to take our metal and build nests. The only reason we found out was when they swarmed Gobber's forge. They grabbed an axe Hiccup was finishing, which he refused to let go and they carried him to the crevice where the entrance was. We tricked them into following a boat full of rusted scrap back near a foggy area that was familiar to them. We lost them after that."
"And the Skrill the boy mentioned?" wondered Alvin.
"Well, all we saw were flashes in the sky and the occasional roar. I think all the Smokers were confusing it with the crazy flying", Spitelout said. "We kept watch for a few weeks but nothing ever came; not that it mattered. The raids were happening soon after. As for getting the water clean, I knew nothing about that. I just figured the metal worked its way out when we removed it from the cave. As did most of the village, including Stoick."
"Well, speaking of the Skrill, we weren't nearly as fortunate," said Alvin. "I was ready to have the boy executed, but fortune or something followed him that day, if you could call it that, I mean."
"Continue, Alvin. And take your time. The longer I stay away from Stoick the better."
Outcast Island/ Month 10 Imprisonment
The supplies Hiccup requested had been brought in no time. Rock salt was plentiful on Outcast Island, which explained why vegetation was so limited there. Hopefully replacing it in different places would help the plant life too, Hiccup thought. Hiccup, in fact did know how the water on Berk had been purified so quickly, since he was the one who fixed it. He did it in secret because he knew what followed if he told. He knew his father wouldn't let him because not only would it fall on deaf ears, the other kids, primarily Snotlout and the twins, would pull some prank and get him trapped in that cavern or just blame him if the experiment failed. Tree bark when burned with rock salt was good for treating wounds created by blades, so Hiccup figured when combined with water, it would clean it out faster. A long shot, but he didn't want that crackpot, Mildew, selling useless junk to villagers. He'd seen enough of that.
Suffice to say it worked. Hiccup tested the water at home several times first and when all were sleeping, he added the new elixir to the well. He wanted to tell people it was him, but he was mostly happy the village, especially the kids, had clean water again. Hiccup wasn't one to boast anyway, which was something else to separate him from a typical Viking.
Hiccup first inspected the well in order to see if Smothering Smokebreaths had in fact built another nest in a well. With Heather and a few of Alvin's lackeys in tow, they lowered him into the caverns where the water began and he clanged metal objects along the wall to attract one. It didn't take long because not a few minutes later, there were large puffs a smoke everywhere and to avoid getting swarmed, he threw the metal towards them and demanded to be hurried back to the surface. Heather was quicker to the task than the dimwitted Outcasts who enjoyed playing with the runt; just like everyone else, Hiccup thought.
Hiccup told Alvin and requested a boat to be filled with un-useable metal. Smokebreaths weren't that picky and it lured them out just far enough to get them to Breakneck Bog. Alvin ordered some men, including Savage, to get it out southwest toward the bog. The feral buggers followed again and they were soon gone. The nests in the cavern were cleaned out quickly and Hiccup poured the elixir. He, of course, was the first to test the water. Alvin was no fool. And since Hiccup showed no signs of illness for almost two weeks, it was deemed fit to drink.
There were small comments of praise here and there, most were from Heather. She and Hiccup were given more food and they even allowed Hiccup to give ideas on the structures around the prison and the fighting rings. All had calmed down for the rest of the month into the next. Alvin wouldn't admit the impression the boy was leaving. He had become stronger and his intellect at such a young age was bewildering. Unfortunately, the swarm of Smokers were not as large as the one in Berk, which created a straight line of metallic smells for the Skrill to follow. Lighting pulses were strong and Outcast Island was not as well covered as Berk. Hiccup awoke in his cell to a strong lightning storm in the sky and knew what it meant. If he needed a miracle, it had to happen fast.
"HADDOCK!", the shrill bellow of Alvin could be heard all over the island. "I suppose you remember what happens if that Skrill lands here?!"
"I do, sir. And I have an idea" Hiccup said with very little confidence.
"Oh. Which is what?!"
"Give me a small boat with scrap metal and put me somewhere near the island where your sentries can see. The Skrill is attracted to metal. If I give him enough to follow, I can trick it into going back home."
"Stoick's fishbone is trying to trick us, sir!" The protests of Savage were not helping."He is trying to get away!"
"Quiet, Savage!" Alvin did not like anyone undermining him. "I'll get you your boat, boy, but to make things more interesting, I'll put your new friend on there with you. IF you're so certain it will work, what's the harm?"
Hiccup actually WASN'T sure and did not want Heather at risk, but he knew the alternative wasn't appealing for either of them and Heather trusted him enough to see this through. "Yes, sir. Of course."
As the lightning flashed brighter and brighter, Hiccup and Heather were shoved out to the water on a tiny raft near an island of rocks, North side of the island. They waited for the creature to inevitably appear. Hiccup could tell she was afraid, but it was different. She seemed relieved as well. Relieved to not be alone for what she dreaded would be her final moments. This time, however, she had a friend with her. Someone who did his damndest to keep her safe from harm on an island full of savages.
"Heather, I...", Hiccup started.
"I know, Hiccup." Her reassurance and cute smile were comforting for him, but before he could get another sentence out, a deafening roar was followed by large wings and a mouthful of serrated teeth. Hiccup held his ground and attempted his strategy. The Skrill noticed right away and seemed mesmerized by the metal knife in Hiccup's hand. Unfortunately, the rocking of the boat kept Hiccup off balance and it irritated the creature. He fired a lightning blast at the boat and struck the side of it. Heather fell behind the barrel of metal bars and Hiccup told her to stay down. The boat could not take another hit like that and the Skrill, in fact, fired again. The boat had caught fire. Hiccup grabbed Heather and they scrambled for the rocks near the sunken boat.
The Skrill landed near the other side, now seeing the knife as a threat and gave a menacing roar at the two. Hiccup kept Heather behind him as he stared at the creature. Hiccup wanted to do the nostril touch he perfected with Toothless but the dragon was almost pure lighting and he feared a shock, which would hurt Heather too. The only way to calm the dragon would be to get it in the water because the Skrill could not fire lightning from water without causing itself harm. There was no way to get the dragon there. As the Skrill reached closer, Heather buried her face in the boy's shoulder and Hiccup waited for the next move, and then...
"RAWWWR!"
Hiccup's eyes widened because that was not the Skrill's roar. Heather looked up as well because it didn't sound the same either. More evidence of that as the Skrill began looking around to see what was challenging him. None of them saw it at first, until something landed atop the Skrill, knocking it off balance. Hiccup, with a look of surprise and elation, couldn't believe what he saw. A face he feared he'd never see again.
"Toothless!" His dragon friend appeared out of the darkened sky; still wearing the saddle and makeshift pedal on his left side.
The Night Fury barked in response, seeing his friend again, jumped down and stood face to face with the Skrill, teeth drawn, back raised and full-slit eyes. Heather couldn't believe it either. Another dragon had appeared, only this one was protecting them. The Skrill lunged at the children after being challenged but Toothless darted in front. Taken aback, Toothless took advantage and knocked it into the shallow water. Dazed for a few seconds, Hiccup put his hand on Tooth's nostril; telling him to stay there. Hiccup raised a small knife at even posture and began waving it at the Skrill. It looked mesmerized, which was the it became apparent the Skrill was responding, Hiccup walked backwards towards Toothless and climbed on his back. Heather, still with wide eyes, was woken by Hiccup, offering his hand to motion hers toward Toothless.
"He needs to know you're not a threat. Put your hand near his nose and he'll come forward then climb on, okay."
"I, uh,...", Heather stuttered, unsure what to do.
"Please, Heather. The Skrill won't stay distracted long. Trust me, okay?" Hiccup pleaded as quietly as possible.
"I trust you, Hiccup." Heather put her hand near Toothless and after an unsure growl, he came forward and purred at the touch. Heather smiled and looked to climb on Toothless.
"Stay still, bud. It's okay." Hiccup then looked at Heather then back to Toothless. "Hold on tight. Okay, bud. Let's see if I remember how to do this. Toothless leaped into the sky while Hiccup held the small dagger. The Skrill followed. Hiccup excitement was weighed down by Heather gripping Hiccup so hard, nails dug into his shoulder. They eventually landed near some sea stacks. Heather stayed on Toothless while Hiccup jumped down with the dagger lowered. The Skrill tilted its head and realized he had been led back home. Hiccup motioned his head down along with the Skrill, as if they were thanking each other. The Skrill roared and flew away.
Heather had jumped down and as Hiccup turned around, Toothless put his head forward and Hiccup did the same for the familiar touch and purring noise which followed. It had been nearly a year since they'd seen each other, but they hadn't missed a beat. Heather saw her new friend hadn't exaggerated in the least.
"We better get back, Heather. To see how things are."
"Wait, what? Go back?" Heather was flabbergasted by this suggestion.
"That was the deal. The Skrill is gone and the water and structures are better. I need to finalize the barter with Alvin."
Heather couldn't believe how much faith the boy had in a group of savages, but after the aerial tour atop a dragon, she had become very open-minded and quite hopeful for what could happen. "Alright."
There was a group of Outcasts with Alvin up front near the shore looking to the sky. One man pointed out the dragon in the sky with two people on top. Men had crossbows raised, but Alvin motioned them to lower as Toothless landed. Hiccup stepped off and walked forward just a few feet in front of the Outcast leader. Alvin looked at the Night Fury behind the young boy, sizing up the situation. What happened next surprised everyone. Alvin laughed for several minutes and looked at the boy again. Hiccup tried his luck and spoke and put his hand forward for a shake.
"Are you satisfied here, sir? The water is clean, the jails and arena have been repaired and strengthened, and the Skrill did not attack the island. I held up my end of the deal. Will you honor your end and let us go?" Hiccup never faltered as he said these words. Alvin, to say the least was impressed with the boy's fortitude, along with everything else. And after a few minutes of looks from everyone, waiting for a warning or an order from Alvin, he raised his hand in return and said...
Outcast Island/ Spitelout's arrival
"You let him go, aye?" asked Spitelout.
"Obviously." responded Alvin. "He kept his word and played his hand perfectly. To be fair, the boy lucked out when his Night Fury friend fell from the sky and stopped the Skrill, but luck has benefitted us all at some point, I suppose. Everything else was his doing. To answer any other questions, I have no idea where he went with the girl. He took a few rations, some weapons he built for themselves. He kept his dragon far from us, of course, and who could blame him? How many could resist the trophy of a Night Fury?"
Spitelout was completely flabbergasted by this story. It was folk lore at best. It didn't seem real, especially with Hiccup as the main character. The evidence was all there, though. The clean water, reinforced structures, scorch marks off the Northern coast of rock formations only a dragon like the Skrill could cause, and there was even small evidence of crops and vegetation on the barren island. Hiccup did all this? He wondered. But why didn't he come home?
"I suppose I'll take my leave, then", Spitelout finally responded.
"I honestly hope Stoick sees the boy again, Spitelout". Alvin chuckled as he said this, making Spitelout wonder what that meant exactly. He climbed on his boat with his handful of workers and sailed back to Berk. He had no idea what he would tell his chief.
Open water/Two weeks after leaving Outcast Island
"It's amazing up here, Hiccup." said Heather. She and Hiccup were flying again on Toothless, scouting the islands, searching for food and more importantly, Heather's family.
"Sure is, Heather." Hiccup couldn't argue with it. Trying to find Heather's villagers while up here, along with a makeshift base for themselves until they decided on their next move, were the perfect excuses to do this as much as possible. Hiccup and Toothless had both been missing the flying, especially together. Although, Hiccup still couldn't figure how Toothless flew to that island to save him. His fin was still broken and how did he find him anyway? It wasn't like he could ask, though. He just had to save the questions for a rainy day.
"Thanks so much for everything. You're a good friend." Hiccup wasn't used to praise so he enjoyed hearing it. He hoped he could keep his promise to Heather, though, and find her family. She put a lot of faith in him. Unfortunately, she had no idea who attacked her home, why, or where they could've gone. They were about to take a rest when Toothless growled at something on the water below.
"What's up, bud?" Hiccup asked.
"Hiccup, look down there!" Hiccup wondered what Heather meant until he too saw the wrecked ships, half-sunken, burned, stripped of almost anything useful. They flew around to see if there was anyone they could help. Hiccup almost relented, thinking it was hopeless, until Toothless made a tiny groan at a small island patch with a figure lying on it. The person looked dead. She was soaked and tired and who knows how long she had been there?
"Is she alright?" Heather asked. After landing, Hiccup took a closer look. Just then the girl spun around after being woken; dagger in hand. She yelled, "Stay away!"
Toothless growled at her for threatening Hiccup, which shocked her so much, she dropped the blade. "Easy bud, she's just frightened." Hiccup motioned him to stay calm. Toothless stood on guard after backing up a bit. Hiccup then turned back to the girl and said, "We won't hurt you. I promise. We just want to help."
The girl who looked to be the same age as them eased a little, but not because of what Hiccup said, but when she looked closer at him and heard his voice. "Hiccup? Hiccup Haddock?" The girl said with little doubt.
Hiccup and Heather were taken aback at her words. "You know her, Hiccup?" Heather wondered.
"I'm not sur...", Hiccup started to answer before he realized. "No way."
"Camicazi?!"
The majority of the next couple chapters will be on Berk. Serious time jump here and there as well. Good night and enjoy.