Chapter 16: We Have Dragons

Bright was waiting beside Toothless and Luna as they stared down at the unconscious Hiccup, who had his head on a pillow. Healing scars on his face showed that a week or two have passed.

"Oh boy, the look on his face when he sees the town now," Luna chuckled to Bright.

"I know, he would be all like, 'What happened while I was out?'," Bright replied.

Toothless hovered over to him, whining and grumbling, impatiently. Soon, Hiccup stirred, opening his eyes.

Groggily, he uttered, "Oh, hey Toothless…"

Toothless excitedly nuzzled and nudged Hiccup.

"Okay, okay! I'm happy to see you too, bud. Now—" Toothless stepped on his groin, causing Hiccup to sit bolt upward with a yelp. He looked around, confused. He was in his bed, moved beside the fire pit on the main floor of the house. "I'm in my house…" He noticed Luna and Bright smiling. Toothless was leaning over him in excitement. "You're in my house."

Toothless tore around the room, knocking things over, far too big for the space.

"Uh…does my dad know you're in here?!" Hiccup continued.

"Oh yes, he does," Bright chuckled.

"What?" Hiccup tilted his head in confusion. "Why are Luna and Toothless here?"

Silence.

"Seriously, why?"

Again, silence.

Toothless paused at the foot of the bed, tongue wagging. He eyes the rafters…and leapt up onto them, brimming with 'happy dog' energy.

"Okay, okay…no Toothless!" Hiccup called, distressed. "Aw, come on…" He shifted to get out of bed, and then paused, sensing that something was wrong. He peeled back the covers slowly. What he saw startled, horrified, and overwhelmed him—all at once.

Toothless hopped down onto the main floor, staring at Hiccup. "Is everything okay, Hiccup?"

"He just discovered the reason for him being in bed," Bright replied.

Hiccup's booted foot touched down on the floor, followed by a mechanical prosthetic in place of his second leg. It was an ingenious, spring-loaded replacement, made of wood and iron. Toothless stepped up to the bed, approaching calmly and sniffed the new leg. He raised his eyes to meet Hiccup's, seemingly aware of what Hiccup was going through.

Hiccup braced himself on the bedpost and tried to stand on it. He winced and stifled the pain… "Okay. Okay…" …but he stumbled with the first step, with Toothless catching Hiccup's fall with his head…and slowly lifted him up, stabilizing him. "Thanks bud."

Hiccup leaned on Toothless like a crutch. Bright and Luna were by the door, excitement over their faces. Hiccup noticed. "What's with the excitement, you two?"

"You'll see," was all Bright said.

Hiccup and Toothless took a few steps together. Their missing parts formed a poetic silhouette as they made their way to the door. Hiccup pried it open, revealing a Monstrous Nightmare flapping outside the door. He yelped, slamming the door closed. He turned to his friends, alarmed.

"You three? Stay here, guys," Hiccup said. He paused, cracked the door open again. He peeked outside, his eyes widening. He allowed the door to swing open, revealing the Monstrous Nightmare, carrying Snotlout on its back.

"Come on, guys! Get ready! Hold on tight! Here we go!" Snotlout called out.

A class of newbie Dragon Riders followed him through the view of a variety of dragons, pulling back curtain of amazing vista in which: Vikings and dragons mill about by the dozen, basking on the rooftops, weaving along the plaza. No one seemed upset, there wasn't a sword in sight.

Under the framework of a massive barn, a Deadly Nadder blasted fire onto a metal brace. It stepped back to allow a Viking hammer it into shape. A Gronckle landed, carrying a tree trunk in his mouth. He showed a Viking what he had found. The Vikings patted his head.

Another Viking backed a Zippleback into a stall to check for its size.

Hiccup took a step outside, followed by Bright, Luna and Toothless. He found Stoick waiting for him in one step. "I knew it. I'm dead."

Stoick laughed. "No, but you gave it your best shot," he stated. He put his arm around Hiccup, steadying him. He gestured to the transformed village. "So? What do you think?"

Hiccup just shrugged, amazed.

"Hey look!" A Viking villager called. "It's Hiccup!"

They rushed over, surrounding him with a hero's welcome.

"Hiccup, how you doin' mate?" A second Viking asked.

"It's great to see you up and about," a third noted.

Stoick looked at Hiccup. "Turns out all we needed was a little more of…this," he said sweetly.

"You just gestured to all of me," Hiccup rolled his eyes, playing along.

"Well," Gobber stated. "Most of you." He pointed to the prosthetic leg. "That bit's my handiwork. With a little Hiccup flare thrown in. Think it'll do?"

Hiccup smiled bittersweet, coming to the term. "I might make a few tweaks."

The Vikings, including Bright, chuckled.

Astrid appeared and jabbed Hiccup in the arm. Hiccup recoiled with a grumble. "That's for scaring me," she told him.

"What," Hiccup said, surprised, "is it always going to be this way? Cause I…"

She grabbed him aggressively…then kissed him. Hooting and hollering followed.

"...could get used to it," Hiccup finished.

"Welcome home," Gobber said to Hiccup. He presented him with a rebuilt saddle, rigging, and tail.

Suddenly, Toothless pounced on the crowd, crushing several unexpecting Vikings under his weight. "Night Fury! Get down!"

Toothless eyed the new tail excitedly, tongue wagging. Amidst the groans and grumbles, Hiccup, Bright and Astrid exchanged a sheepish grin.

Hiccup put the saddle and tail on Toothless, then stepped his prosthetic foot onto the pedal, snapping into the modified stirrup. The two pieces clicked together, forming a single shape. Astride Toothless, he was whole again. He rotated the pedal, as the new tail opened. It was bright red with a skull and Viking horns emblazoned on it. Hiccup approved.

With Hiccup settled, Toothless was saddled up and ready to fly. Astrid and Bright, on their Nadder and Light Fury respectively, backed their dragons into positions.

"You ready?" Hiccup asked Toothless.

"Always," he answered, snorting his excitement.

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

The four friends leapt into the bright blue sky, together as one. Astrid followed, giving chase.

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

Bright chased Hiccup on Luna, as they raced their dragons through the village, under eaves, over rooftops, down cliff-sides, and between ship masts. It was a high, romantic dance of sorts for Astrid and Hiccup.

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

Their friends joined them as they took to the open sky, rocketing far above the village. The Northern Sky swirled with blazing, multicolored dragons. Hiccup, Toothless, Bright and Luna break from the pack, spinning into the blinding sun.

…dragons.

End of Volume One

To Be Continued in...

Volume Two:

Origin of Bright

Author's Note: Well, here we are. The finale of the first movie. It was a long road to get here, but at last it is finished. And yes, I'll be doing the whole DreamWorks Dragons (even without answers to my question in the previous chapter). This is probably my most popular story (it got its 1,300th view yesterday! Thank you guys so much for reading!) I hope you stay with me through 'til the end, dear readers.