Coming Back Around

Everything was dark.

I couldn't see a thing. Like it all disappeared.

I could hear though. And smell. Right then it smelled like smoke and... blood?

Someone's voice was faintly calling out to me. Two people were actually. They were both saying my name in panic.

There was something gently nudging me followed by soft coos.

Then my mind clicked into place along with the recent events. Merciless had gone down in an big bang of flame. Toothless and I had flown through the obstacle course of spikes on Merciless's back. We had fallen out of the flames and we were now on the ground. But something was missing.

I concentrated as much as possible so the rest of my senses, excluding sight, kicked in. I could feel and right about now, all I really felt was bloody pain. I felt around for anything and felt a scaly arm draped across my stomach.

Right! Toothless had wrapped me in his wings and shielded me from everything. But why was I hurting so badly? Maybe it was just from impact of the fall. That had to be it.

Of course the curious side of me wanted to see what was going on. So, with as much willpower as I could muster, I hesitantly opened my eyes, trying not to make any sudden moves. Again, it was dark. Though streams of light were allowed, giving me some ability to see.

Toothless, I realized, nudged me again even softer this time. I turned my head ever so slightly. And that movement was enough for him. His acid green eyes peered down at me in astonishment and relief.

"Hi," I mumbled, my voice hoarse. I probably gave him the weakest smile ever but it seemed like it did just the trick. He smiled back at me and pressed his forehead against mine.

"You never cease to amaze me, Hali," he said quietly. His grip on me tightened ever so slightly.

I rubbed my head, my thoughts buzzing about like bees. Though one question stood out the most. "Did we win?"

His smile grew even more. "We won. We fulfilled that ridiculously worded prophecy." I chuckled, remembering the damned prophecy that confused me for weeks.

"Toothless, why the heck does my leg hurt so much?" I looked towards my leg for emphasis but immediately regretted it. My left leg, just below the knee, was a mess. The main thing I could see was blood then the burns outlining it. Well that explained the pain. I cringed and turned my head away, focusing on anything but my leg. "Can I do anything about that? Maybe just enough to stop the blood flow?"

"I don't know but you could try." Toothless placed his head next to mine. I nodded shortly then reached my hand out at my leg. I zeroed-in all my focus onto my leg. It was most definitely out of my power to heal my leg entirely, but if I concentrated hard enough, I could stop the blood flow. After a few seconds of willing the blood flow to stop, I blew out a deep breath. I then tried a different method.

"Sos oblaan,"(1) I whispered. It was a few seconds of silence before I felt the blood flow in my lower leg slow just enough so that it wasn't gushing all over the place. I heaved a sigh of relief as I leaned my head back against Toothless's forearm.

I wanted to close my eyes and go to sleep but a gruff voice calling my name stopped my. This time, I was conscious to recognize the voice. "Dad!" I said, trying to sit up but Toothless stopped me. I looked to him in confusion.

"You can't walk," he stated, nodding his head at my mangled leg. "I'll get his attention." With that, he lifted his head and roared, loud enough for the entire island to hear. My father's voice sounded off, even louder than before. I heard heavy, rapid footsteps coming towards us.

"Hali!" Dad cried. Toothless opened up his wings, the light flooding in and causing me to snap my eyes shut.

"Wow, that's harsh," I said, raising a hand to block the light from my squinted eyes. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust. When they did, I lowered my hand and tried to sit up with the help from Toothless. I groaned as I pushed myself into a more comfortable position. Of course, my attempt was cut off when my father pulled me into a desperate bear hug.

"Hali, how are you-" My father was undoubtedly at a loss for words. I put my arms around him as much I could, trying to offer at least some comfort.

Though that was hard to do when you were having the breath crushed out of you. "Dad, can't really breathe here." He immediately loosened his grip enough for me to actually sit myself up. I somehow ended up sitting in his lap like I did when I was younger.

I watched in amazement as Dad leaned over and gently rested a hand upon Toothless's head. "Thank you," he said quietly, just for us to hear. "for saving my daughter." Toothless nodded and nudged my father's open palm. The sounds of cheering and roaring sounded behind us. I looked over Dad's shoulder to see Vikings and dragons gathered together, happily shouting.

I turned back to my father. "Does this mean you finally accept them?" I asked, causing my father to look at me.

He smiled. "I guess we all needed a bit of... this." He pointed at me.

Smirking, I came up with my signature comeback. "You just gestured to all of me."

"Well, most of you," Gobber said, coming up from behind my father. His expression was full of pride. He gestured to my mangled leg with his hammer-arm. "We're gonna have to do something about that." I nodded, knowing full well what was going to have to happen.

Toothless had carried me to the boats where the rest of the Vikings had climbed aboard. The dragons had been hovering above the boats, ready to start flying to Berk. I was placed on the boat along with Toothless. He'd whispered something that put me under. I hadn't been too sure why he had done that. Though the next time I woke up, I was in my bed that was in the main room. (2)

My head was pounding as well as some stinging pains on my face. There was also a strange suspicion that something wasn't right. I decided to put that thought away for the time being. I could barely remember the last thing happening to me was Gobber explaining what was going to happen. The words seemed to slur together, making it near impossible for me to understand.

I groaned softly as I fluttered my eyes open. I was met with the sight of my home, lit warmly by the sun streaking in from the window. A coo sounded from my right. I turned towards the sound, blinking rapidly to stop the blurring.

"Hey Toothless," I whispered. He bounced excitedly and immediately rushed his head forward. He nudged me again and again, unable to contain any excitement. "Yeah, I'm happy to see you too." I grabbed the sides of his head in an attempt to calm him down. That, however, was futile. Toothless quickly licked my cheek, catching the corner of my mouth.

"You've been out for days," he said, licking my face again. "But you're up now. So some matters have to be discussed. Come on. Sit up." He snagged the front of my tunic and started pulling me up.

"Alright, alright. I'm getting up." I playfully batted him away then started pushing myself up. Then I tugged the blanket away and froze at the sight. Something more overwhelming than I ever thought. Toothless walked around to the other side of my bed, the sympathy evident in his eyes. I swung my legs around to the side.

To be specific, one leg and a half.

My real foot touched down to the floor and my now metal leg stepped down beside it. Toothless bent down to sniff at the newly seen leg then met my eyes calmly, knowing exactly the kind of horrifying feeling that was rushing through me.

"Deep breaths, Hali," Toothless told me softly. He pushed his nose into the crook of my neck. I breathed deeply as he told me to. I glanced to the closed front door, knowing that I would have to face my village.

"I don't look too bad, do I?" I asked lightly, referring to the burns on my face.

Toothless pulled away to press his nose to mine. "You look as beautiful as ever." I smiled then kissed his briefly with one more task waiting to be done.

"Come on. We have a village to look at." I braced myself against the bedpost, wincing and trying to hide the pain. "Okay... okay..." I took one step and let go of the now out-of-reach bedpost. I stepped again but I stumbled and fell. I expected to hit the floor, as I'd done so many times in my life before, but instead, I was caught by Toothless.

I breathed shakily as he rose his head, guiding me back to my feet. "Thanks, love," I said, leaning on him for support. He helped me walk to the door, taking very small steps at a time. I slowly pushed off of him and reached for the door handle. I pulled the heavy door open and was greeted with a very similar sight to the day I shot down Toothless. A Monstrous Nightmare roared as it flew into my point of view.

I quickly slammed the door shut, my back pressed firmly against it. I looked to Toothless who was currently smirking at me. "What?" I asked.

He merely nodded to the door. "Just go out there and see. I think you'll like the surprise. " I quirked an eyebrow at him but nonetheless, opened the door again. I peered at the Monstrous Nightmare and saw Snotlout riding it.

"You ready guys?" she called behind her. "One two three, here we go!" She flew off with multiple people on dragons behind her, like she was training them. I stepped outside, Toothless following close behind. There were dragons and Vikings walking around peacefully. Dragons were eating fish where the torches used to be. They were also perched on houses and flying around freely.

I gaped all around. There were no words I could use. Toothless chuckled and came up beside me. "Not bad, eh?" My father asked as he walked up to me. He put his arm around me and gestured to the newly renovated Berk.

"It's... I can't explain how amazing this is." I smiled.

"Hali!" a Viking shouted.

"Hali, how you doing?" another asked.

"Great to see you up and about!" one called.

Vikings one by one started coming up, some with Terrible Terrors placed on their shoulders. Gobber pushed through the crowd, beaming at me. "That bit's my handiwork," he said, pointing to the prosthetic. "With a little Hali flare thrown in. Think it'll do?"

I looked down at it, finally coming to terms with all this. "I might make a few tweaks," I cracked, causing some of them to laugh. Ashter pushed through the crowd as well, relief evident. He stepped in front of me and jabbed me in the shoulder. I stared at him incredulously.

"That's for scaring me," he explained as if it were obvious. I scoffed, dropping my hands to my sides. He moved again. I thought he was going to hit me again but instead he hugged me tightly like it was something he really needed. I wrapped my arms around him, hugging him back. He soon pulled away and ruffled me hair earning some indignant protests from me.

Should I make myself noticed now? Toothless asked me telepathically.

I giggled quietly. Go for it, I replied. In the instant after, Toothless jumped over me, causing some Vikings to cry out. One even used the special call, "Night Fury! Get down!" Toothless crushed multiple people under his weight who were nonetheless okay. The crowd grumbled and I exchanged a sheepish grin with Ashter.

One more thing, Toothless said, nodding to Gobber who now had a rebuilt saddle, rigging, and tail in his arms.

"Welcome home," Gobber told me, handing me the bundle. I took it gratefully in my arms.

The gear attached, I clicked my prosthetic foot into place. I opened the revamped tail which was now red with a white skull on it. I hooked my harness in as Ashter came up mounted on Stormfly. I smiled at him then leaned down. "You ready?" I asked Toothless.

He grinned. "Ready as ever," he replied. I rubbed his head before looking up at the village.

This is Berk. It snows nine months of the year and hails the other three.

We leaped into the sky, Ashter giving chase. The familiar rush of adrenaline filled me aligned with excitement.

Any food that grows here is tough and tasteless. The people that grow here are even more so.

The race through the village, dodging rooftops, weaving between houses, and flying between the ship masts was soon joined by my fellow recruits upon their selective dragons.

The only upside are the pets. While other places have ponies or parrots...

We all rocketed far above the village in a sort of formation. The sky was mixed with a multitude of dragons. Toothless and I peeled away from the pack, spinning high off into the sky.

We have dragons.

I named this chapter after one of the final tracks of the HTTYD soundtrack.

(1) - It means "Blood end." I looked this up on the Skyrim wikia page for something similar to 'blood flow stop' and I ended up with 'blood end.' It sounds silly in English but in dragon-tongue, it sounds cool.

(2) – I don't know what the Vikings called the rooms in their homes so I just decided that the room you walk into is called the main room.

Wow that was officially my favorite chapter to write! We reach the long awaited end of the story. It will be picking up in the sequel: The Anger of Bludvist. This sequel will be launching soon, this I can assure. Also, my best friend's birthday is on the 6th and I will be going to her birthday party at Sky Zone (an indoor trampoline park.) Hopefully I don't get knocked into too many times.

Anyways thank you all for sticking with me till the end. I know it hasn't been the easiest trip but your support got all of us through and I cannot thank you enough for the endless amounts of support. You are the best readers I could ever ask for. I will see you all very soon!