Free Scauldy

The day was bright and alive with laughter but it was reckless laughter from the Twins, which really hadn't been heard in quite some time. Not really since they'd become older siblings to Creel and Gala.

However, today the Riders were out on patrol for the Screaming Death and none of their younger sibling were allowed to join them on patrols. It was already dangerous enough with Boden and Una with Hiccup, but after the events of their second encounter with the Screaming Death and witnessing its power?

It was unanimously agreed by all the adults that the children wouldn't be coming along on patrols, save for Boden and Una who went wherever their older brother went.

That didn't mean, however, the children weren't making themselves useful against this dangerous dragon back home on Berk. They're under the care of the Anquetils sisters who acted like big sisters to everyone.

Their job when the Riders weren't on Berk were to take over protection duties. In addition with the assistance of the Riders' siblings, run practice drills of what do when the Screaming Death, made its inevitable return to their home.

Though it was also crystal clear when without their younger siblings the Riders more negative traits came to the surface as it was with the Twins being reckless and silly.

Which was what Fishlegs was trying to bring to Hiccup's attention though he was a bit preoccupied for the moment making sure his own siblings were doing alright.

After all this thing frozen them stiff the first time they'd encounter it and they'd barely been able to function the second time they encounter it. His talk with them was rudely interrupted when Fishlegs yelled at him. "HICCUP!"

"What?! Can't you see I'm having an important talk with my brother and sister?!"

"I've been trying to get your attention for ten minutes! And in those ten minutes alone the twins have done a lot of very highly dangerous and reckless things. So I really want to know why we got stuck with them."

"Because we'd rather deal with their clownish behavior then Snotlout's ego!" shot back Una from the far left where she was flying on Nightrainbow.

"Beside you're the one who'd agreed to come with our party. You could've agreed to go with Astrid and Snotlout! It was your choice to tag along with our group, remember, Fishlegs?" hark back Boden as the wind whipped about his ponytail that had grown at least two inches since they first encounter the dragon they're searching for now.

"They do have a point, Fishlegs. You could've gone with Astrid and Snotlout. I feel very bad Astrid got to deal with Snotlout alone. I know he'll be hitting on her all day long. That's gonna be a nightmare in two ways. For Astrid to put up with and Snotlout the amount of pain he'll be in at the end of the day!" chuckled Hiccup knowing Astrid quite well.

"Okay, point taken. Not like anyone can stand Snotlout's ego when Velika and Brimstone aren't around to help him keep it in check."

"Yeah, it's kind of nice that all your siblings help you all work on your fault. That's the great thing about how in teaching you'll learn and in learning you'll….hang on!" Hiccup cut himself off abruptly.

"What?!" everyone came to a stop in midair as Hiccup had a look on his face that they slowly were start to recognize. This expression meant he was sensing someone was in trouble.

"We've to change course immediately! Someone in distress! This way now!" and he took off like a shot in the opposite direction of what their planned patrol path was.

Boden and Una didn't need telling twice, though the others were a little reluctant, but eventually followed. It was still a little weird to them and frankly all of Berk that the Chief's three children had these freaky powers and not even the three of them understood how they worked or could control them. Or honestly all they do even!

Still they soon realized they're fast approaching a very dangerous island. Changewing Island. Changewings were dangerous dragons because they're very bad-tempered, shot acid and could literally blend into any environment with their chameleon-like abilities.

Yet that's where Hiccup, Boden and Una were going full speed ahead and Boden let out a cry of agonizing pain and looked at one of his arms that suddenly was limp and useless.

"There an injured dragon needing help down there, Hiccup. One whose left wing is hurt badly," called out Boden as they came in for a closer look.

"Wow it's a Scauldron! Why is it on land? And here on Changewing Island?" inquired Hiccup as they landed quickly a relative safe distance away from the frighten dragon.

The second they touched down Una swayed a bit but managed to regain her balance quickly. "He was separated from his pod when they're out hunting by a large typhoon. The force of the storm brought him all way here which set off an earthquake and pinned his wing before he could get back to the water."

"So we have not only a tidal class dragon out of the water which isn't a good thing, we have one whose injured, and also hungry and dehydrate. This isn't good."

"Not to mention brother he's a long way from his pod! His family!" Boden pointed out as he was trying to ignore the injury his arm was mimic.

"Okay gang we've to work fast to get this dragon out of here so he can get home to his family. Any ideas?"

"Um why should we help him? We can just fly away? Why is this our problem?" the twins wanted to know.

"Yeah we have acid spitting invisible dragons one way and venomous and boiling death the other way. We do best to leave."

"I can't believe what I'm hearing! Would you leave a member of your family to die? Or have you forget part of your Vow again?!" demanded Hiccup incredulously with his hands on his hips that made him really look like his mother.

"Yeah, don't you remember part of it was "That we treat others with kindness, respect and compassion."?

Or that "We work diligently to provide for the needs of our siblings, our families and community" Boden looked at them with narrowed eyes and looking as stern as his mother.

"And have you never heard the phrase "There is a lesson to learn in all of us so please be kind to those around us? That means if someone in trouble you help them!" Una told them in a way that really made you think you're dealing with Valka Haddock.

"Okay we'll try and help the Scauldron, but what about the Changewings?"

"We'll have to worry about them later! That Scauldron dying and we ain't gonna let him die without a fight!" Boden stated firmly as he and his siblings walked firmly over to try and make contact.

Though all they got for their efforts was a face full of boiling water which they barely avoided. And when they asked for advice they first had to tell Tuff his idea for sliced bread was nice but not the time for it and Ruff it was too dangerous to blast the boulders off his wings.

Fishlegs suggested getting him wet would help which they did try only for that to end in failure when the dragon knocked them out of the sky. Fearing they're running out of time and still not wanting to leave but out of ideas how to gain trust something happened by dumb luck really.

The Twins for some stupid reason all their own had started to argue about something totally unrelated to the subject had at hand. No-one knew what had started their topic and without their little sisters around to break it up there was little luck they'd be able to do.

Hiccup was about to go try when he had to dive to cover his own siblings because Barf and Belch had tried to intervene in whatever the fight been about and had thrown Ruff right in front of the Scauldron.

She was frozen with fear and so was everyone else. And Hiccup cried out. "Ruffnut don't move!"

"Hiccup! For the first time in my life you have my full attention!" and she pulled back in fear as the Scauldron start to sniff her careful and Boden who'd been tensed up started to feel very relaxed.

"He's calming down, Hiccup. He's feeling soothed by something about Ruffnut. His thoughts are fear and panic, but calmer. His mind isn't raging like a storm, but gentle waves."

"That's great to hear little brother, but what is about Ruffnut that soothing him?" Hiccup asked and Boden shrugged but Una was looking closely at what the Scauldron was doing.

"He seemed to be soothed by whatever aroma is coming off Ruffnut. Hey Tuffnut? What kind of soap or things does Ruffnut use when she bathes?" Una called out to Tuffnut who looked confused.

"She doesn't really wash her hair like a normal person. She says likes to have a greasy unwashed look so she puts fish oil in it. Why? Why is that important?" he asked with a blank look on his face.

"That's why the dragon calm! It reminds him of the ocean! Home! That's our way in!" Una exclaimed excitedly.

"Well, that's true, sis but it's only half the battle. We still need Ruff to train him enough so we can get close enough in to help him. And I don't know about you but I've some doubts." Boden replied in some skepticism.

"Well, let's just do it and if we have to do a step-by-step that's what we have to do. Ruff! You're gonna have to train the dragon so we can help him!"

"What?! Are you crazy?! I've only trained half a dragon!"

"You can do this! We believe in you and we'll talk you through it!"

"Besides his very life depends on you right now! So if you want to do one very good deed in your life its saving another life!" Boden called out to her.

"So please believe in yourself and trust yourself you can do this!" Una shouted with encouragement.

"Okay what do I have to do first?"

"Establish a bond! Start with giving the dragon a name and talking with him!"

"Hey call him "Scalding Painful Death: the Dragon!" called out Tuffnut which was followed by a loud groan.

"Don't use that! It's not a proper name. You're naming a dragon, not trying to write a book!" called out Una who'd kicked Tuffnut in the groin to shut him up. They didn't need anything to mess this up.

Though she didn't know she'd accidently alert the Changewings to their position. Scauldy may've been loud but Tuffnut's scream was really gonna draw them in.

"Okay I got it. Scauldy! So Scauldy, Una tells me you had some bad luck? It must have been terrible to be tossed around like a ragdoll and be separate from your family.

I miss my little sisters terrible right now. Do you have any brothers or sisters?" she spoke in as causally a manner she could muster even though her knees were shaking.

It seemed to be working and then Hiccup told her to put out her hand and see if he'd touch it. Counting to three she reach out and he touched it.

"Okay, Boden go and help her. She'll need extra help and… WATCH OUT!" as Changewings emerged and acid was being spread every which way and Ruff was trying to keep Scauldy calm and the dragons were doing their best to protect them.

But it wasn't till a surprise combo attack of flaming spine shots drove the Changewings drove them back.

"Okay what have I told you about playing with wild Changewings? Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III you've got some explaining to do!" snarled Astrid as she jumped off Stormfly and yanked Hiccup by his collar and looked ready to punch him.

Boden and Una could already see Snotlout had gotten on Astrid's bad side no doubt by trying to flirt too much with her and not getting the hint. And fearing their brother was about to get a large black eye they rushed forward.

"Astrid! Astrid! It's not his fault! We had to deviate from patrol to help Scauldy!" gesturing to the dragon behind them Ruffnut was still trying to help.

"Scauldy? Okay you have five minutes to explain what's going on."

"One quick memory transfer coming up!" as Hiccup closed his eyes and all of his, Boden and Una's memories quickly flooded her mind and she dropped Hiccup like a sack of potatoes.

"Okay, this is a noble thing you're doing, but you could've sent some type of message instead of worrying us and…" dropping her voice "keeping me stuck with the most obnoxious disrespect womanizing jerk on Berk!" she said with her eyes narrowed arms crossed.

"Sorry it all happened so fast and we need to work faster to free Scauldy and get him home so he can return to his family!" replied Hiccup as she helped him up.

"Can we focus on getting Scauldy out of here before the Changewings come back? Please?" Boden pleaded and they nodded.

Boden quickly joined Ruffnut and it was the first time he'd ever held her hand but it was the only way to make her connection stronger to Scauldy at the same time to allow his own powers make a connection.

Una shortly joined her second older brother as well as Ruffnut and held her other hand as they all started to sing the Viking Lullaby together to keep Scauldy districted while the rest of the teens removed the boulders on his wings.

But Boden screamed in pain along with Scauldy when the last of it been removed and translated what was obvious. "It's broken, but since my arm doesn't feel that bad I don't think it's a really bad break. Very minor, we could most likely fix it with a splint that could fall off later when the bone heals."

"We still have to hurry. I'm getting very bad vibes that the Changewings are getting seriously unhappy with all of us on their island. We need people to go scout for them while others work on the splint.

Boden need to be here to tell us about Scauldy's condition and Ruff and I need to keep singing to keep him calm and soothed while the splint being made. So whose gonna go look for the Changewings?" Una asked at large.

"Astrid and I'll go! Alone!" shouted Snotlout aloud quickly and Astrid didn't have time to protest since time wasn't on their side and they went off to look for the Changewings.

"Okay, um you'll find what you're looking for over that way and some that way. And a little that way," Una was calling out and pointing to where her intuition was telling they find what they need as Hiccup and Boden told Tuffnut to take the extra stuff from their shield and bola to help, though he got hurt from both of them.

Though 15 minutes later just when they're finishing bad luck came rolling fast. Snotlout said something about not understanding women and Astrid yelled they had so many Changewings coming in they weren't even trying to hide themselves.

Though they felt they could leave the rope snapped and now Scauldy was doomed. If they didn't leave they'd be killed but it meant leaving Scauldy to die but without something to complete the splint in the next five seconds they all perish.

Ruffnut refused to leave without Scauldy as she was tugging her hair and then realized something and took her knife out and made one of the greatest sacrifices of her life.

When the Changewings came to the beach everyone was gone and all that was left behind was a knife for everyone had fled just in the nick of time and were far, far away from Changewing Island.

Ruffnut had cut her prized hair to save Scauldy life as they're watching him below swimming happily having already caught a few fish and was once again bright green and looking happier.

"That was one of the coolest and most selfless things we've ever seen, Ruff! You did awesome today! You really did!" the three Haddocks compliment her to which she blushed proudly.

"Thanks, I do it all again, after all it will grow back, eventually. Still we did make a Vow and well we should help anyone we can human or dragon whenever they need it. Are you sure we're leading him in the right direction?"

"Well, Hiccup's heart is a good compass so if we fly a little further for a few more minutes we at least guide Scauldy enough that he can find his way back on his own to his family," Boden replied.

"Yeah, I think he'll be back with his family by this time day after tomorrow. Though I also think he'll be friend for life to us. Once you make a connection to someone it never goes away."

"That's good! Give me a second," as Scauldy raised his head above the water so Ruff could give him a proper goodbye.

"Goodbye, Scauldy. I'll miss you, we all will. Come by Berk sometime to visit. You can stay with me. I'll just kick out Tuffnut to make room. Just get home safely, okay?"

He roared once and then they'll were surprised when he sprayed his water in the dying sunlight it made a rainbow and they knew it was his way of saying both thank you and they're friends forever.

"Okay, he'll be able to manage from here! Come on guys we've got our own home and families to get back too let's go." Hiccup said as they fly back.

Still they all smiled as they knew now you never knew when you make a friend or when that friend might come back to return the favor of helping them! So it's never goodbye it's just till we see you again!