Hiccup

A falling sensation… down, down, down. My leg felt weird for a second, like it was caught on something. I felt myself flipping upside down, and then the pressure was gone. I fell faster again, before feeling a… weird sensation. Like I was covered by a blanket.

I was warm and comfortable. My leg felt funny. The prosthetic must have fallen off. I felt it with my other foot and froze. Something didn't feel right.

I opened my eyes. I was in my room.

Well, of course I was. It was the day I had been dreading. I'd have to kill a dragon.

No, no it wasn't. I had just been falling.

I pulled back the covers and gasped at what I saw. My feet… both of them!

Well, of course. Why not?

A Terrible Terror with something strapped to its leg slipped out from under the covers and scrambled down the stairs. I hoped my dad wouldn't see it; he would kill it for being in the house.

I recognized that Terror… why?

My head didn't hurt, but I felt a little foggy. My memory was all messed up.

Something about falling… and feet. And Toothless.

Toothless. Yes. Dragons.

I had to kill a dragon. But I couldn't.

I felt funny. Like I was smaller. I felt my hair. Weird, I thought I had cut it.

No, I didn't. What was wrong with me?

I had to get ready, and I had to think. How could I solve this problem?

I had told Astrid last night that I needed until today to think of something.

Memories of last night's flight on Toothless, with Astrid behind me, flooded my mind. She seemed so happy after Toothless evened out his flight and flew peacefully.

Now – now we knew why the dragons stole from us. That monster, that… that Red Death, as I thought of it, forced them to.

I smiled a little as I thought of after we came back to Berk and landed. Astrid had agreed to keep the nest a secret for now. She had punched me… then, as I was getting over my confusion, pulled me forward and kissed me on the cheek. I couldn't believe it, but I wouldn't have changed it for the world.

Changed it… wasn't there something important I had to remember?

No, no, that was just my mind playing tricks on me again.

I heard my dad's voice, echoing. "Hiccup!" It sounded distant, like he was in a tunnel.

His voice came again as he walked up the stairs.

"Hiccup, get ready! I know you're going to do me proud today." He came across the room and put his hand on my shoulder. "Finally, you're going to fully realize who you are."

I faked a weak smile. "Yep, I sure will." Now if only I could know what to do!

No, wait, I knew. I knew what I had to do.