Hey people! Sorry for leaving you hanging there for a bit! But here's the next chapter! My play rehearsals are over, so I should be able to write more often, but no promises. Anyway, enjoy. :D

Chapter 8

The warm, welcoming sun began to rise over the island of Berk. Hiccup and Toothless were on their annual predawn flight. As both boy and dragon flew, they become one. Their differences flew away with the wind, and the two were utterly in sync. Each knew each other's thoughts, feelings, hopes, and dreams. They glided through the wind with unrealistic ease, both minds combined yet strangely clear. Hiccup no longer thought of teaching, weddings, or warnings. All he was focused on was the infinite sky. On the back of his best friend, he was limitless. He could go anywhere and do anything unlike ever before. Sure, Hiccup was weak, but on the back of a dragon, he was the most powerful Viking of them all. He could outsmart any enemy within an endless radius, which was a more of a skill than fighting ever will be.

The bond shared between boy and dragon was unbreakable. No amount of charming or convincing could break the two up. Since the first day they met, they shared something special. When Hiccup looked into Toothless's defenseless eyes for the first time, he saw himself. Someone who was knocked down, and too weak to get back up again. And it was that same something special that made Hiccup cut Toothless loose. Hiccup knew what it was like to be vulnerable and to be held back. He didn't want to inflict that pain on anyone. Toothless was familiar with being shunned, outcasted, and ignored as well. He also saw a spark in the boy, and knew he was something special. Since that day, the dynamic duo was inseparable. For as long as both shall live, they would forever and always be together.

Both their minds wandered, but found each other in the same place. It wasn't long before the sun was up and activity in the village was in full swing. Hiccup and Toothless had just finished watching the sunrise and were in the academy preparing for class. Today was a special day in the academy, for it was test day. Time to put your knowledge to the test in a real life scenario. As Hiccup was finishing up the painting on a target, Snotlout sauntered in followed by Hookfang.
"Snotlout," Hiccup exclaimed. "You're up early?"
"Yea, Hookfang and I just had to do some pretest exercises. You know, to get us in the zone."
"Sure... Well, the test isn't going to begin until a few hours, so..."
"I thought I'd squeeze in a little practice! Hookfang, shoot!" He commanded as his dragon shot fire at the target Hiccup had just finished painting.
"I'd rather you not."
"I'd rather you not." He mimicked.
"I'd rather you not make fun of him like that." Erika came walking down the ramp with her dragon.
"Oh, look, your little wife is here to defend you."
"Little?" Erika said, grabbing an axe off the wall of weapons and aiming it at Snotlout.
"You're feisty," He said, lowering the axe. "If it doesn't work out with Hiccup, I'm totally available."
"Get out!" Hiccup demanded.
"Hookfang! We fly!" He boarded Hookfang and flew off, but not before chanting his classic "Snotlout, Snotlout, oi, oi, oi".
"He's insane." Erika commented. She looked down at the axe that was still in her hands.
"You fight?" Hiccup asked.
"I do! I don't like to toot my own horn, but I'm a pretty skilled swordswoman." She motioned for Hiccup to move, then threw the axe, hitting what would be the bullseye of the now scorched target. Hiccup looked impressed, and somewhat scared. His future wife could do that? He better not loose an argument with her.

A few hours later, the test began. The entire academy assembled out in the woods of Berk. All except for Astrid. Hiccup and the others didn't really seem to notice that she was missing. They were all too concerned with winning the challenge and the bragging rights.
"Okay, here's what to do. I'm going to divide you into two teams. One teams base will be on Changewing Island, and the other on Dragon Island. Both teams will have a flag, and the objective is to capture the opposing teams flag and bring it safely to your base. Rules: No agitating wild dragons, no cutting, stabbing, maiming, or hurting of any kind. You all have each three targets attached to your dragon. Once those targets are taken out, you're dead and need to come back here. Everyone understand," Hiccup got an approving nod from Fishlegs, two blank states from the twins, a blown kiss from Erika, and an eye roll from Snotlout. "I thought so. Teams will be the twins, Snotlout, and myself, Fishlegs, Erika, and Astrid... Astrid? Has anyone seen her?" Hiccup had finally realized that she was missing. She never missed an academy lesson. Even when she had a bad case of the plague, she still showed up.
"I saw her last night." Ruffnut said.
"Where?" Inquired Hiccup.
"At the Great Hall. After you announced that you're adopting an orphaned yak. She started crying and said her yak died or something and took off."
"How much mead did you have last night?"
"Not enough!" She answered excitedly.
"She was sitting with us at the table when we came in. But when we left, she wasn't there," Fishlegs corrected. "I haven't seen her since."
"Maybe she's just sleeping off the mead," Erika suggested. "I know women, and I know mead. Don't bother a hungover woman. Like, ever."
"Boy, is she right about that." Tuffnut agreed.
"Well, I'll check on her later," Hiccup said. Truth be told, he wasn't worried. Maybe she was just sleeping off mead, or dealing with some girl problems Hiccup would never understand. "Right now, we have a flag to capture. To make the teams even, I'll sit this one out. Twins, Snotlout, it's all you. Erika and Fishlegs, you'll be fine together. Now go! Once I give the starting signal, let the games begin!" After a few minutes, Toothless launched a plasma blast in the sky, and the games began.

Even though it was just a game, the kids still took it seriously. After a series of shots, swoops, loops, and jumps, Snotlout's team captured the flag and won the game. Hiccup rode over to his base of Changewing Island to congratulate him. Snotlout took a little too much pride in winning, and accidently ignited his dragon. He jumped off just in time, and Hookfang put himself out. Unfortunately, the spontaneous fire caused a few Changewings to notice, and they slowly started approaching the kids.
"Um... You guys," Fishlegs said. "We've got company!" Everyone looked around, but obviously, they couldn't see the Changewings, because they blended into their surroundings. They were sly creatures that had an uncanny ability to stalk their prey. The dragon was quite stealthy and dangerous. Dealing with an agitated Changewing usually meant trouble, even with six people and five dragons.
"Changewings!" Hiccup announced, as three of them appeared and began to strike. This wasn't part of the test, but it was really good practice for the kids, and a chance to put their skills to the test for real.
"Fall back!" Erika yelled. Everyone got behind her for protection, and she and Hiccup looked at each other approvingly.
"Look out! Fly! Go, get out!" Hiccup commanded as a Changewing started to spew green acidic lava at them. Everyone hopped on their dragons and flew away.
"Speed, 14. Stealth, 20. Very dangerous. Best not to attack, because they mimic what they see." Fishlegs informed.
"What do we do?" Asked Tuffnut.
"Just fly and hope we lose them!" Hiccup answered. So they did just that. They flew in all sorts of directions, lighting up the sky with all sorts of plasma blasts and fireballs. It was a fireworks show of danger and peril. Hiccup and Erika began barking commands and the others followed. Adrenaline rushed through everyone's body, and the stakes were high as death loomed over the kids. They all fought strong and hard for what seemed like hours. But the kids were used to this, seeing as they had to deal with it multiple times a week. Hiccup barked some more commands and the kids followed. Nothing ran through his mind but to get out, and get out safely. Eventually, he accomplished his goal. The Changewings gave up and went back to their island, leaving the kids alone. Exhausted, they all landed on Thor's beach and collectively sighed. They had all had enough excitement for one day, and it wasn't even noon.

Later that night, Toothless snuck out and visited Tuna outside. She was lying on the ground, staring at the sky longingly. Toothless nudged her, and she acknowledged him with her noise. She welcomed him to sit by her, and he did so. He was about to start coughing up a fish for her, but she respectfully declined. Sensing something was wrong, Toothless put his paw on hers. She looked at him and they nuzzled their noses. Toothless motioned toward the sky, but Tuna shook her head. All she wanted to do was fly freely, but she knew she couldn't. If Erika were to find out, she'd flip out. All her life, Tuna lived it by the book. She obeyed every order and never questioned authority. But now that she's seen what lies ahead, she wants it. She wants it more than anything. She wants to be free from rules, free from demands by ruthless masters. Free from doing wrong and things she knows are bad. If only Tuna could talk, and tell Hiccup what she's seen. But she couldn't. So she stayed silent and obeyed. Toothless always encouraged her to speak out, and speak for herself, but she didn't really know how. Tuna knew she was ready, though. All it would take was a little training. She smiled at Toothless, and laid her head against his neck. She was soon asleep, dreaming of the things every dragon dreams about. As she dreamt, a small smile crept on to her face. If Tuna couldn't have freedom in the real world, her dream world was the next best thing.

Hope you guys enjoyed! I'll update when I can. Just so you know, the next chapter is where you find out everything, so stay tuned! Hopefully it won't be too long of a wait! :D