Hey everyone, I'm back with another chapter! Just a note: some parts of this chapter are intentionally in third person. I had A LOT of fun writing this part, and I'm sure you all will enjoy it too!
…
Brothers
Chapter 6: Divergence
Of all the good things that happened today, one really bad thing turned everything around for the worst. It was now just me and the Queen of Dragons inside her chamber. Why do these things happen to me…jeez I just have the WORST luck! Give the 'most unlucky person in existence' award to me because I deserve it!
She focuses her multiple eyes on me, using her mind control to chisel deep into my mind for answers regarding my sudden appearance on her island.
"S-stop…" my eyes pull back as my pupils become slit.
What are you…?
Your mind is so…foreign to me…you are not from here it seems…
I see…
You are NOT a dragon…you were HUMAN before…
I see…a world…a realm of humans yet no dragons in sight…tall obelisks that reach into the skies above…
You are from…another world…yes?
I ended up yelling in pain as I finally give in to her wishes. She lets me go, dropping me on a cliff with a thud, "you are human, but you are NOT a Viking…how interesting." She finally spoke without using her telepathy.
I shake my head, her control over me and the pain with it subsiding slowly afterwards. I ultimately collapse on the floor from the mental exhaustion, "y-yes…I am HUMAN…please…please don't eat me!" I begged…I begged like a coward, but I felt so frightened that the hatchling side of me prevailed.
"You may still REDEEM yourself, IF you listen to what I must say." Her voice boomed as I cowered in fear.
"I've seen it, you want to prove yourself: show your dragon friend you are worthy of being a Night Fury. Toothless…that is the name given to him…what the human Viking calls him."
"Please…don't hurt them" I cried out in sheer terror.
"I will show you how to use your new GIFTS, to use your new body…in order to help your friends. IF you SERVE me…I shall spare them, and YOU!"
I nod repeatedly, closing my eyes to her in submission, "okay…just…please…promise me you will…"
…
Toothless couldn't believe it, they just left Flint back there to die!
Once they landed back in the cove, worry washed over him fully like a tidal wave. The humans got off the dragon quickly, debating on what to do next.
"It all makes sense now, the Queen controls them…she makes the other dragons steal food for her!" Astrid starts running out to return to Berk, "we have to tell your dad, maybe he can help us."
"Astrid, no!" Hiccup suddenly stopped her with a hand. She almost hits him away in self-defense…a by-product of muscle memory from her combat training, but stops herself, "well…we got to do something, don't we? She has one of your dragons with her!"
"We…" Hiccup gives a serious look, "can't tell my dad, not yet…if he…and the others found out…"
"Hiccup, we can't take on this Queen by ourselves!"
Hiccup kicks the sand in clear frustration. Unknown to Toothless, Hiccup is focused on his final exam tomorrow…
"We can't just leave WildWing!" He said, turning around, pondering his next move.
Astrid crosses her arms in defiance, "you want to go risk your life for a dragon…keep this all a secret to protect them…your pet dragons? We just found what our ancestors have died trying to find for years!"
Hiccup turned again, eyeing her carefully and adamantly, "they're MY friends. I can't just…abandon them…I would never…forgive myself." He looks away. Toothless can't help but feel proud for Hiccup, who has proven himself to be indispensable to him and Flint…a human who has set himself apart from all others. A person that is quickly becoming someone he truly admires and looks up to.
"I…" Astrid is at a loss for words, all her life she was taught to do nothing but KILL the first dragon she sees and defend her island home. This all seemed so alien to her, but now she began to understand just how things are, "okay…so…how are we going to save him?"
Hiccup sighs softly in response, looking toward Toothless: who is restless, "I don't know…I'll…think of a plan…hopefully."
"Okay" Astrid mutters before lightly punching the boy on the shoulder.
"Ow!"
"That's for kidnapping me!"
Hiccup looks back to his Night Fury, but the dragon is pacing back and forth, probably formulating his own plan to rescue Flint from the evil Queen. Astrid then kisses Hiccup on the cheek, surprising the Viking more, "and that's…for everything else." She finished before leaving in a hurry.
As Hiccup looks on, feeling as though finally someone else is seeing him as an equal…as a…friend…more than a friend. For most of his life the boy was bullied, tossed aside, seen as a burden for his tribe…now, however…it looks like things are finally looking up for him. Toothless nudges him with his muzzle, taking the kid out of his trance. He remembers the issue at hand…what to do…how can they SAVE WildWing? As much as he hated to admit it…there is virtually no way they can beat the Queen in their current condition…Tooth's blast seemed to have little effect on the beast.
"I know buddy…" Hiccup paces for a moment, "I got to think…how are we going to save him…"
It'll have to wait until tomorrow, unfortunately, after the exam. Maybe Hiccup can convince his father, the Chieftain, by showing him what he's learned about dragons? For now, they'll have to rest for tomorrow, he hated to admit it…but there's nothing they can do right now. Once he told that to his partner, Toothless's reaction was less than thrilled.
"No!" Shouted the dragon in his language. In his mind, he couldn't bear the thought of waiting a WHOLE day to do something! Even if there are many reasons the Queen would NOT kill the hatchling…instead using him for her own twisted gains…what if she was currently doing terrible things to Flint? Tooth remembers when he was a bit younger…when he first met the Queen how she abused him. Flint is MUCH younger and can be manipulated easier due to his age and inexperience. There's no way she would eat him…Night Furies are a rare and valued species…with their abilities…to have one in her swarm is a rare opportunity. Having lost Toothless, now she might see Flint as a…replacement…
But…what if the human is right…how CAN they save Flint right now? Even with an army of Vikings, let alone a swarm of dragons, they wouldn't be able to stop her. There's a reason why they tried to keep her asleep and well-fed most of the time. Somehow, they would have to grab the hatchling from under her muzzle when she least expects it and fly away…far away…where her influence is non-existent. That would mean leaving this island forever. Even then, she still had a slight grip on his mind and Flint. During the escape he could feel her frustration, her disappointment that her prized Night Fury had abandoned her. That thought alone horrified Toothless, shocked him to his core.
He is not going to sit around and do nothing. He'll swim across the freezing Viking Sea and confront the old hag himself if he must!
…
Even though it is long into the night: morning just a few hours away, I am currently being taught by the Queen on Dragon Island:
"So…Mr. Callahan…is that how the humans in your world addressed you? Your memories seem to suggest so…"
"Yes…" I admit softly, still on the cliff where she left me.
"I see you have not learned to use your plasma shots…"
Is…is that something Furies do? I thought to myself.
"Yes, indeed it is…" she mutters smugly, having read my inner thoughts, clearly pleased to see my reaction, "it's quite simple really…all dragons have a gas that builds up within them, and they ignite it once they breathe out. In your case, Mr. Callahan…you have the ability to concentrate your attacks into precise shots."
"Really…?" I roll my head to the side, ears and frills moving the same direction.
"Indeed."
"Like…a fighter jet?" I ask gently, finally deciding to sit on my hind legs, now calm enough to do so.
She seems quite uneasy, seeing the mental image of a plane from my mind. It scared her but also fascinated her greatly, "the humans from your realm are indeed worthy adversaries…capable of total destruction…if they wanted to, they could wipe out all life in an instant."
I look away, "we are…aren't we…"
"I see it…a bomb that can destroy settlements or entire islands if warranted. Even just a few could destroy the world. I would LOVE to have such raw power in my possession" the Queen smirked. Obviously, the bomb she referred to is the strongest of them all we humans possess in the future…or in my world: an Atomic Bomb. If this creature was human, she'd probably make a great politician or military general…heh…
"Though you and I may not have that same power here, Callahan…I shall mold you into a powerful weapon regardless."
And so…her lessons began, and I soon learned the basics of using fire breath. It took a while to get it down. As instructed, I took a deep breath, focusing on gathering enough gas to ignite. Most of the time it ended in failure…
After about an hour, however, my mouth finally starts glowing purple! My target is a small rock across from me several meters away. I narrow my eyes, growling before I finally let out a blast! The result is my shot exploding on the rock upon contact!
I…did it! I just breathed fire like a dragon!
"Well done…your progression is impressive…for a human" the Queen proudly exclaimed, "now there are other methods, other ways you can use that attack."
…
Not too long after, I end up outside the volcano, hovering a few thousand feet above its summit. I am about to perform a crazy…crazy stunt that could end up getting me killed to say the least…
For this to work, you must fold your wings as tightly to your sides as possible, and your fins must be angled correctly
She's using her mind abilities on me…she's not outside with me, she's using telepathy to instruct me on this next lesson from inside the volcano. I do as she says, figuring the dragon was right about everything so far. Though, if I had to be honest, this maneuver, again, could end up with me crashing into the ground and ending up a crater.
Just remember to open your wings and lift upwards right after releasing your attack, Mr. Callahan.
"Duly noted."
As I prepare, I can feel the strong wind striking my black hide. The view from above is spectacular as ever. I can see hints of light trying to break through the horizon, as if morning will soon arrive. I had to be careful, my small form meant that I had to put twice the effort on flapping my wings compared to Toothless.
But…it's now or never I guess…and with the Queen overseeing everything through my eyes I wouldn't want to keep her waiting for long.
I do a somersault, soon heading downwards toward the vast ocean below with increasing speed. I folded my wings to the sides and use my back fins to guide my direction. I hear the earth screaming around my long ears, the water getting dangerously close! Suddenly, I realized I forgot that I had to collect gas halfway through! Dang it!
I pull up to halt my doomed nosedive, but I'm too late. Fortunately, I angled myself to the point that I end up tumbling through the surface toward shore instead of falling straight in like a bullet!
Well…I guess my story didn't quite end there, I'm still alive to say the least…and the shallow waves are carrying me back to shore. I can't swim in this body, so I have to be careful…
Try again
I heard the Queen demand before I sigh softly.
After several attempts I'm exhausted: wings beating heavier with each stroke. I'm panting like a dog too…but the Queen is unyielding…wanting me to perform the attack perfectly to please her.
The sun slowly rises as I climb high in the sky to try again one last time. Once I reach the desired altitude, I stop flapping my wings and do the same thing: folding them back as I drop…turning towards the ground. Once again, I pick up ridiculous speed, only this time about halfway I start gathering gas. I start growling in irritation…to be frank: I'm sick of all this…my body is aching; my wings are heavy and I'm on the brink of just giving up. No…no, I will DO THIS.
I breathe in, narrowing my eyes as I approach the sea once again and I start to screech. Heat builds in my throat and then my mouth and all it takes is one simple spit or breath to release all my energy. The purple bolt races toward the water! As it does, I lift to avoid hitting the ground this time, flying away in the opposite direction to finish. I look back to witness the magnificent explosion and I smile in relief and glee. I…did it...that was a dive bomb! Ah, here comes the excitable side from my baby dragon mind. I can't believe I actually just did that…if only Toothless was here to see that…he would've been proud! After everything we've been through, I can't believe I'm doing all this now! I went from being a mess of a dragon to learning how to walk, fly, and defend myself! I really AM a dragon now! Why do I feel soooo happy about it though…I'm still HUMAN inside, but I can't help but feel a sense of belonging…like I was MEANT to be a DRAGON! I should go back and tell Toothless what I just did, in fact…we should go flying together later today…with Hiccup and Astrid! I'm going right now, this instant!
Suddenly, however, I feel searing pain in my head as I hear the Queen growl in my mind.
Return to me
I try to fight back, still in midair, but in a few seconds my eyes turn slit and I finally obey…returning to the volcano in silence…
…
A few hours earlier…
It's still night, but an hour or so after Hiccup left, Toothless barely had enough sleep…his thoughts focused solely on Flint…is he even alive…how could they have left him there alone!? How could HE…leave HIM alone!? The hatchling was his responsibility…and he lost him…
By this point he just couldn't take it anymore! He knew he had to do something! Finally, with enough anxiousness built up inside, Toothless stood up and started finding a way out of the cove. Even though it was virtually impossible to leave without flying, his sheer determination allowed the dragon to climb the rocks above! Despite the pain and numerous attempts, he's successful in climbing out of the cove for the first time since landing there days ago!
"I'm coming, Flint!"
The young Night Fury began making his way through the dark forest, alone. Without Hiccup he is unable to fly on his own, but he didn't care…he'll swim to Dragon Island if he must! His nose drew him to the other side of the island where the Queen and Flint roughly are. His plan was: get to the edge of the island…jump off and glide until he finally lands in the water and then swim the rest of the way. It was a VERY STUPID IDEA, but he was willing to do it. He believed that the sheer fact of being a Night Fury could take his body through such a foolhardy task.
So…he kept going, never stopping to catch a breath: keeping his eyes forward for his inevitable confrontation with the Queen of Dragons…he was ready.
…
Hiccup woke up a few hours later, all the rush and excitement from the day before drained all his energy. He needed to bring his A game today, something had to be done to change his village's view on dragons and rescue WildWing from the gargantuan! Today was going to be a long and rough day and he knew it…
He felt so bad for not going back to the island to save the baby dragon the night before. Imagine having your friend, brother, or whatever their relationship is…kidnapped from you. Haddock never had a sibling…he was an only child. That didn't mean he couldn't understand the pain Toothless was feeling last night.
Nevertheless, the exam will start soon…
He got dressed and left his new wooden house, finding groups of Vikings heading for the same place.
"Come on Hiccup!"
"Don't be late!"
Some fellow villagers said similar phrases as they passed him or followed him to the exam.
"Right…" he softly grumbled.
For such a stressful day, it's beautiful outside…quite warm and sunny: something not particularly common to see in Berk, at least during this time of the year. The trek to the arena from the main village was the longest he ever took so far; however, it wasn't because it was very far away…but rather time seemed to slow for the boy in that moment.
His mind is wrapped in thought. For the past few days, he's walked to the place for dragon training…slowly climbing the ranks by incorporating harmless techniques he learned from his time with the twin Furies. That…THAT'S IT, he thought. Whatever dragon he was going to fight he would show compassion and understanding. There will be a crowd watching him and everything…almost the WHOLE village, in fact! There, he would show them all how wrong they were to assume dragons are just some mindless beasts. He would convince even his father: the Chief of Berk…tell him about the Queen and how she's responsible for everything. Maybe the war can finally end…and peace be achieved today. Maybe today won't be so BAD after all!
So, there he was, holding the helmet made from his mother's, Valka, breastplate. As his father gave a speech, expressing how proud he is for his son, Hiccup gave a long, winded, sigh.
"Be careful with that dragon…" Astrid muttered, suddenly appearing from behind him.
"It's…not the dragon I'm worried about."
"What are you going to do?" she asked, quite concerned for his safety. What if it all goes wrong? Caring for a dragon was one thing, but an encounter with an angry, wild, dragon was another story. Hiccup remained adamant regardless.
"Put an end to this…I have to try" he turns around to meet her gaze head on. Not long ago he wasn't able to keep his eyes on her too long, not because he didn't like her or he was shy, though Haddock kind of was, but because he felt he was unworthy of such things to even try. Now, however, he mustered enough courage to meet Astrid head-on, much like he will with the creature in the upcoming battle, "Astrid…whatever happens in there…whatever happens to ME, please make sure they don't find Toothless."
"I will…"
"And WildWing…" Hiccup added, "if you happen to…somehow save him…bring him safe home to Toothless…"
The girl walks closer, placing a soft, nonthreatening, hand on his fragile shoulder, "Hiccup…promise me…nothing will go wrong."
Before the boy can reply, his trainer and the village blacksmith Gobber the Belch appeared, "it's time, Hiccup…knock 'em dead."
With no more delays, the young Viking male walked into the area, surrounded by his new adoring fans and friends, before resting the helmet over his head.
The gate behind him locks, sealing him within the compound. The Berkians cheer him on as he chooses his weapons from the armory: a round wooden shield and a small dagger.
He prepared himself, giving one last sigh before saying, "I'm ready."
Across from him, the doors slowly open until…they explode! Dust fills the arena…shocking Hiccup. Before he can react properly, he suddenly finds himself on the ground with no weapon and no shield to defend himself! Panic set in afterward, he didn't expect this to happen…not this fast! The dust finally clears, and Hiccup looks up, though barely catches a glimpse of the dragon he is meant to kill. Upon catching sight of the creature, sheer horror ran down his face…
To his shock and horror, it wasn't a Gronckle, a Deadly Nadder, or even a Monstrous Nightmare! Staring back at him were familiar green eyes that he's grown to admire greatly.
Staring back at him…was his best friend…Toothless!
"T-Toothless!?" Hiccup gasped in total surprise.
"It's a Night Fury!?"
"Go on, Hiccup!"
"You got this, lad!"
The dragon jolted upon realizing who it is. He releases the boy: their expressions mirroring each other…both equally confused about what's going on. Tooth's pupils turn square as the reptile slowly backs away, paws trembling.
The villagers continued chanting, figuring that Hiccup was just using another technique to confuse the beast before he finally slaughters it for their amusement. Astrid, on the other hand, was just as shocked as the duo. She held her hand against her mouth, completely speechless.
How did he get captured!? Did they find him in the cove!?
The truth…is far simpler to Hiccup when he would eventually find out: Toothless unknowingly ran through Berk, the path of the scent taking him to the Queen…catching the attention of Vikings on duty and was overwhelmed before he could get to the edge of the Island. They must have gotten him in a hurry and locked him away quickly, for the Fury is still wearing the saddle and harness Hiccup had made for him.
"Go on Hiccup, slay the devil!" His father shouted from above, while sitting on his throne. The latter must have known about this the night before…perhaps he was the one who managed to capture the dragon, or at the very least witnessed the event. Whatever it may be…it would have to wait, for Hiccup needed to act now to de-escalate the situation!
Haddock looks to his best friend, who does the same…only now does the teen Night Fury realize what is going on…Hiccup is going to KILL him…he can't…he WON'T.
Don't listen to them, buddy, Toothless begged silently, backing away…cowering in fear, reminded of his first formal encounter in the forest with the boy…
"It's alright, bud, I'm going to fix this" Hiccup said softly, grabbing his helmet…before throwing it against the ground in retaliation.
"W-what is he doing?" Stoick had said, utterly confused.
The rest of the crowd was also bewildered. This was Astrid's chance: she grabbed an axe from the wall and forcefully opened the gate, running to the both of them.
"I'm not like them" Hiccup said to his friend: reaching out his hand toward the Fury before they make contact. The spectators all give a loud cry of surprise and shock as a result.
For Toothless, however, he is happy that Hiccup had resisted their wishes, and moved in to nudge the boy with his head before giving the Viking a soft, wet, lick across the face.
"What is this…stop the fight!" The Chieftain yelled from above, standing up quickly from his chair.
"No! Look, can't you see what's going on here!?" Hiccup protested, he began petting the dragon by the neck and they responded with a soft purr, "they're not what we think they are! They aren't the vicious, mindless creatures we think of them as…"
"It's true!"
Hiccup turns and is met with Astrid, who joins him by his side…sending the crowd into even more madness. Toothless can't help but give a 'Toothless' smile to his new friend and she smiles softly back too.
"Hiccup is RIGHT…about everything! I couldn't believe it myself, but after spending time with them I realized how WRONG we were…about them!"
"Dad…" the three of them look up to the Chief, "we don't have to kill them."
"Enough!"
Stoick orders some men to enter the pit as Hiccup, Astrid and Toothless are surrounded. The three move backwards until their backs are virtually against one another. The Night Fury gives a low growl of warning, lowering himself, ready for battle if need be. Before Hiccup or Astrid could de-escalate the angered crowd, some Vikings grab the teens to take them away.
"Hiccup!" Astrid yelled as she is separated from the duo.
The Fury had enough, he had other plans: he dodges the humans who tried to tackle him…learning his mistake from the last time. He wasn't about to end up back in that cell, and with Hiccup in danger…forget it! Toothless makes it to Hiccup, kicking and smacking away some humans in his way: quickly freeing his rider. He picks the boy up with his head and lands him on his saddle. The dragon then sprints to the gate, but it soon becomes blocked off. No worries, Toothless thought. Before the swarm of Vikings could recapture him, the Fury jumps in the air, screeching loudly before letting out a plasma bolt. The humans watching the spectacle above move out of the way in an almighty scramble and all Hiccup could do was hold on for dear life!
Toothless took the boy out of the arena: climbing out after jumping high, flapping his wings to get him up there...all those attempts to escape the cove paid off finally! Once out the adolescent dragon took the boy toward a cliff. He looked back, grunting anxiously. Hiccup realized his best friend's intention: to jump off in order to escape, and he had no choice but to position himself quickly to make it happen without them falling to their deaths! The brown-haired Viking places his foot on the stirrup. Before the Berkians outside the arena can stop them, the Night Fury gracefully leaped off and started flying away at incredible speed with the help of his rider.
All the villagers left behind can do is watch as the two disappeared into the clouds above. Stoick was at a loss for words, he didn't know exactly what had happened…it all happened so fast and unexpectedly. His mind was racing…eventually concluding that the devil had taken his only remaining family member away…hostage…
All the man could mutter amidst the rapidly calming aftermath was, "son…"
Everyone is just as lost as their Chief, but the latter had to assert his composure and lead them. He walked over to Astrid, who the guards let go shortly afterwards, "where is it taking my son…"
Astrid froze up, completely at the mercy of her leader. If terror had a face, it would be Stoick right about now. He had no time for tricks and games, so the next thing he did…was grab her forcefully, "WHERE!?" He boomed while the girl finally came clean, fearing the wrath of Stoick the Vast…
Gobber and the teens next to him listen as she explains everything to the best of her knowledge and ability.
"You want me to believe…Hiccup, MY SON, deceived us all…for that beast!?"
"H-he told me he found the thing injured…h-he hides…" Astrid hesitates, trying not to endanger Toothless or Hiccup, but the Chieftain wants none of it. He steps too close for comfort for her, "yes…?"
A tear falls from her eye as she looks away, "he hides the dragon in a cove in the forest…right outside Berk…" Astrid closes her eyes, having hated herself for revealing it…but she knew if she had lied…it would be her head.
"Gather a search party, we're headed out!" Stoick ordered before looking to his fellow warrior: Spitelout Jorgenson, who nods. The latter begins gathering Vikings for the trip into the forest in search of the boy and the Night Fury. Astrid, meanwhile, could feel Stoick the Vast's breath on her as she shivers in dread.
"Take us to them."
…
Wow…I still can't believe I wrote ALL of that! If you ask me, I think this is going to be one of my favorite chapters in this story. There's a reason why it's called 'Divergence' because things are now so different from the original film because of Flint…it's basically alternate history. I wonder what's going to happen from here? I guess we'll find out together in the next update! Please be so kind as to leave a REVIEW and let me know how I'm doing so far! Thanks, have a great weekend everybody, take care!
