Httyd-raven-ch009

Several weeks past, during which Verde healed completely. Physically at least, though Sharpshot feared that his mental state would never be quite the same after the forced mind wipe. It was obvious the Night Fury was traumatized but since his episode the day he woke up, he had shown no desire to recall what transpired. It left Sharpshot very frustrated and uneasy.

If there was a threat, he would like to know about it. As there was no designated leader among the large clan of Terrors, it was up to one each and every one of them to maintain the safety and security of the island, and Sharpshot had a deep seeded sense of foreboding. It was like an unusually calm day that precedes a storm, a false sense of peace, a shadow unseen but felt. And it all emanated from the lone Night Fury hatchling.

Any and all attempts to coax the little dragon into remembering again were dismissed or avoided. Verde seemed quite intent on keeping his memories locked away. Some small portion of his mind must have warned him of the dangers lurking in those memories, of the pain that he would find, and he knew he did not want to uncover them.

Other than that, life on Bella Boyuyu went back to normal fairly quickly. Normal being a relative term, of course. As to be expected of the home of Terrors, it was utter chaos, hence their name, Beautiful Chaos. They loved it. Verde, however, didn't feel like he fit in and always felt uneasy in the hustle and bustle and general non-sensible attitude of the chaotic clan. As such, he would often sneak away, which he did find he was exceedingly good at, to a secluded beach front facing north.

On a beautifully sunny day during which the entire clan decided to be particularly rambunctious for absolutely no apparent reason, Verde found himself once again gazing out into the vast horizon of the cold north. That had been the only resounding thought that had not caused him pain. North. It seemed the word or the idea was filled with hope. It dulled the pain he felt and for reasons unbeknownst to him, he knew he would find something…something amazing.

"I knew you'd be out here," a familiar squeak sounded behind him. He didn't even turn, just twitched an ear in acknowledgement of the company. Sharpshot sighed. "You know, you gonna have to eat sooner or later." He still received no response, so he simply waddled over and plopped himself down beside the sunbathing dragon. Even in the few weeks he had been here, Verde had grown quite a bit. Still clearly a hatchling, but he had grown another half of what he had been. He sat a full head over Sharpshot as they both lay in the dark grey sand. The sun was setting on their left, sending auburn rays dancing over teal sea-foam and gently cresting waves in the distance, and a few dark clouds drifted lazily across the sky. A chill breeze was the only indication of the foul weather to come.

Sharpshot drew in a breath to say what he came to say, but Verde spoke first. "I'm leaving," Was all he said, momentarily stunning the Terror.

"What?"

"I'm leaving," he repeated, now turning to face the smaller dragon. His face looked calm and set, but his eyes flickered with uncertainty. Sharpshot sighed again. He knew what Verde wanted to do, even if neither really knew why. "I'm going North."

Sharpshot knew it would have happened eventually. But he had grown very fond of the Night Fury, and had been hoping that he would agree to migrate with his clan. Winter was coming early and any journey was going to be a difficult one. Couple that with the ominous threat that they had heard rumors of, and they had enough reasons to begin their annual trip south, a bit early though it was.

"I was going to ask you if you wanted to come with mi familia y me, but I know how much this means to you," Sharpshot said with all sincerity.

"It's just," Verde sighed and peered out over the graying ocean as if, if he only stared a bit harder, he could see what he lay beyond the horizon. "I feel it. I don't know what it is, but the only thing that has dulled the pain is thinking about the North. I need to know what's out there, why it feels so…right." He chuckled a bit and shook his head, glancing at Shaprshot apologetically. "Sorry, I probably sound ridiculous."

"No, amigo! Not at all," Sharpshot quickly consoled his friend. "I understand, and I agree with you."

"You do?!" Verde's eyes widened slightly, a brow raising in question.

"Oh yeah." He nodded mock solemnly, then his face fell into true sincerity as he continued. "You got these horrible memories that you don't really want to remember but you know they's important. You want to be able to know why they's important and going North makes the idea of remembering them bearable."

"That's…" Verde didn't know how quite to respond to the accuracy of the statement. Even he hadn't been able to put his feelings into words. But Shaprshot described it perfectly. "That's exactly it. Wow."

"You're not the only one struggling with a horrible past," Shaprshot said cryptically, lowering his head nearly to the ground. Verde saw a flash of something in the little dragon's eyes that he didn't quite recognize immediately. Those giant yellow eyes had always been filled with happiness. Proud of his home, excited about every little thing, and always glinted with mischief. But this… this was grief like Verde felt every day. But what struck him the worst was that Sharpshot obviously recalled the reasons for his pain which made it all the worse, in Verde's opinion.

"Oh Sharpshot, I'm so sorry. I had no idea," he didn't know what to say.

"Ees ok, Verde," he struggled to put a little pep back in his voice, but it was strained and thin as memories flashed before his eyes. "It was a long time ago. Eet doesn't hurt so much anymore." He shrugged his little shoulders, his wings shuffling slightly with the movement. Verde wanted to say something to comfort his friend, but before he could think of how, Sharpshot swatted him with his tail. "I said ees ok, Verde. I have a new home now. A new family and, well… yeah."

Verde didn't believe him but it was clear that Sharpshot wanted to drop the subject, so he did. There was a semi-peaceful silence that lasted until the last rays of light vanished in the west. Stars twinkled in the darkening sky and the thin moon hovered on its horizon.

"So where are you going," Verde finally spoke, trying to make lighter conversation.

"The clan? Oh, I don't know, eet's different every year. We've been everywhere, found a place with really thick forests and really big wingless dragons. And this other island just south of the archipelago has really fantastico castles. We deedn't stay there long, though. Bears." Sharpshot's eyes got wide and he shivered comically. Verde laughed a little. "This year, though… yo no sé. But it doesn't really matter to me."

"Why?" Verde asked, half trying to keep the conversation going, half trying to distinguish where the mischief in Shaprshot's voice came from so suddenly.

"Because I'm not going with them," he said simply.

"But…why? I thought, I mean… you just said that they're your family. They're your new home," Verde was thoroughly confused and slightly suspicious of the placid expression on Sharpshot's face. It was the face he made right before he did something reckless, and it normally got him and whoever else was involved into trouble.

Sharpshot turned his smug grin towards Verde. "They may be my family, but my home is here. I don't really care where I spend my winter as long as I come back here next spring… besides, I've never been very far North before. I think eet would be quite the adventure." He paused, letting it sink in.

Verde's ear twitched and he blinked slowly. "…oh."

"Oooh yes…"

"Oh no! What are you thinking? You can't come with me! You've got to stay with your family, and you said it yourself that the North is too dangerous for Terrors. Nuh uh," Verde shook his head vigorously, but Sharpshot just laughed.

"I deedn't ask your permission, Verde. And besides, eet's just as dangerous for a hatchling as it is for a Terror, if not more so. I know more of the territory than you. I know where to avoid and where is safe to rest. Whatever you're looking for, I want to help."

Verde couldn't help but feel immense gratitude towards the little dragon that had become his friend in such a short period of time. Here he was, about to set out on a journey following a legenf looking for myth just as winter is setting in, and Sharpshot was prepared to leave his family and home just to help. Verde didn't believe that entirely. "Are you sure that's the only reason you're coming? I don't want to put you in danger…" he trailed off when he saw the look of determination in Sharpshot's eye.

"Danger or no, I want to help…" he paused, contemplating something. "And I was hoping that whatever is out there that gives you hope will give me hope too. It's a dark world out there, Verde. And hope is often in short supply. If there is something out there that brings even a little light, I'm ready to try and find it too, no matter how slim the odds."

Verde found himself yet again at a loss for words. The night was now setting in true now, the sky a deep midnight blue. Clouds had rolled in, obscuring a lot of the stars, but every now and then a bright flicker would flash through the dark shadows as if to remind the world that they were still there. Still shining, still bringing hope.

"Thank you," was all he could say with all the sincerity he could muster.

"Thank me when we find the Bewilderbeast," Sharpshot smiled back.

They gazed out at the ocean for a while longer before returning to the island center to sleep, but sleep never came to the Night Fury. His thoughts always ran rampant at night and tonight especially, his thoughts traveled far and wide in anticipation of an adventure.

'I'm going on an adventure' his voice echoed in his head accompanied with the now familiar pain of harsh memories trying to break out of his mind restraints.

'To find a Bewilderbeast…'

...

AN

This was a bit of a filler chapter, i will have the next update sooner than this one, but like i warned before, chapters will start slowing down as i update faster than i can write, haha. There will be some small adventures with just Verde and Sharptshot, i've got one or two in mind, anyone got any suggestions? They are making their way North, who and/or what should they run into?