A/n: I managed another chapter tonight! Here's an idea from guest: more baby dragons! This time they're different dragons, and I've had a shot at naming some. Disclaimer: I'm not very good at naming dragons. Still, I tried, at least...
Come on! a zippleback called, bouncing excitedly with the occasional wing flutter.
We'll be late! the other head whined. Ugg and Lee - aptly named by the twins - then tried to go in two directions at once. The other dragons laughed slightly, the amusement at the two's actions not fading even after the amount of times it had happened.
Ugg and Lee, as all zipplebacks, had to get used to having two heads controlling one body. After five years of working towards synchronisation they were finally starting to work it out, but it wasn't easy. Barf and Belch, one proud half of the young dragon's parental set, insisted to Hiccup (or anyone else that would listen - sometimes even those that wouldn't) that this rate of synchronisation was, in fact, very fast for a zippleback.
We'll get there eventually, Laze, called as such for a tendency move even less than his mother Meatlug, said. He was ambling along with the nadder, who were both engaged in light conversation.
I agree with Ugg, Fireworm announced. The monstorous nightmare liked people to know what he was thinking, a trait many assumed he'd picked up from spending so much time around Snotlout. Or Lee, whoever it was. Like many others, Fireworm had no idea which zippleback head was which.
What are we doing? Sleekscales asked, sounding reserved, though the twitching of her tail betrayed her hidden excitement.
Going to the flightless dragon! Ugg, or perhaps Lee, shouted, bouncing in excitement. Between the younger, and a considerable amount of the older, dragons, Hiccup was named as such. The nickname had come about long before Hiccup's ability to speak Dragonese, (as a result of his outstanding closeness to all dragons) but his ability to speak like a dragon served to heighten its use.
Yay! Laze shouted calmly, waking up a bit. There he is now!
The other three dragons looked over to where Laze looked, seeing that Hiccup was indeed walking down in their direction. Hiccup! they all yelled, bounding over and tackling the chief.
"Hey guys!" Hiccup said, surprise making him forget to switch to Dragonese, What's going on?
We came to see you! Ugg and Lee said in unison. Hiccup chuckled; the baby dragons that he'd cared for practically from birth had always loved playing with him. He shared the sentiment; though the youngsters could be very distracting at all the wrong moments, he had become almost a second mother to them. Sometimes they even referred to him as such.
He gave each of the young dragons a hug in turn, then waved them off as they forgot their excitement over him to pursue new adventures.
You okay? Toothless worried over Hiccup as he stood up to dust himself off. He'd arrived just as the younger dragons left, so wasn't sure of the effects they'd had.
Yeah, Hiccup nodded slightly, patting himself down in inspection. No broken bones or concussions this time. And, as you can see, I'm still conscious.
Toothless sighed in relief. So, flight?
What next? What next? Ugg and Lee chanted, wings flapping desperately to keep them hovering off the ground. Their tails still dragged a little.
Flying practice! Fireworm announced, jumping to give himself some lift before he tried to hover like the zippleback. He managed to float just a little above the two, wearing a smug grin as he looked down at them.
You think that's impressive? Sleekscales challenged, Look what I can do!
The nadder then proceeded to run up to a group of nearby Viking children. She leant down slightly, motioning for one of them to get on her back.
A young girl was the first to step forwards, boldly jumping straight onto Sleekscales. "Let's fly!" the young girl commanded, pointing to the skies.
Sleekscales obeyed readily, lifting slowly but steadily into the air. Vikings and dragons alike shared a moment of awe at the two in the air.
"Look at me! I'm the chief!" the human shouted to her peers.
And I'm Toothless! Sleekscales announced, I'm the fastest and bestest dragon in ever!
With enough riders for every dragon to have one each, the children of each species spent the next few hours pretending to be the heroes of Berk. The sun was setting by the time their parents turned up.
The Viking children all followed their parents off to the Great Hall for lunch, saying a quick goodbye to the dragons that would likely one day become their partners as they went. Right, Stormfly said as they left, Time for you to get to bed, now.
Aww! the disappointed dragons chorused, But I'm not tired! Even as they made the insistence, each broke out into a large yawn.
I'm so awake... I could fly round... round all of Berk! Fireworm boasted tiredly.
Well I could... I... I'm awake... Sleekscales started to say, but was interrupted as she drifted off completely. Stormfly rolled her eyes affectionately and picked the youngling up.
I'm gonna have a nap, Laze decided, falling asleep instantly while still stood up.
One by one, each of the younger dragons dropped off to sleep, leaving their parents to take them home after a long day's playing.
Next it should be the nest building, which should be getting to you in about a day.