Hey everyone! I hope you've been having a great week. This new chapter will cover the third episode of Riders of Berk: Animal House. I hope you enjoy it!

Brothers

Chapter 16: The First Winter

Some weeks pass by and it's clear that the occurrence of snow in the area increased with time: it is now Winter.

Snow and ice covered the landscape, particularly the higher elevations…and soon Berk is struck by a series of snowstorms that batter its façade as the season progresses. I'm not particularly used to such weather, especially with the colder nights. Regardless, I had no choice but to adapt to living in the northern latitudes for the time being…

Might as well enjoy it…or try to…

I'd be lying if I said I was feeling the cold most of the time…since being a dragon negates some of the weather's effects. So, I guess that perk helped when I would go out and do outdoor activities with Hiccup and Toothless.

Today, we, along with Astrid and Stormfly, raced down some snowy slopes from the same mountains Toothless rescued me. It got to be quite an enjoyable experience since the other two dragons had to turn it into a race! I just followed their lead, swooping down the mountainside at incredible speeds.

Of course, we had to run into problems from our antics…like being engulfed and barely surviving an avalanche; however, I guess I've gotten used to expecting stuff like that…

It didn't take a genius to know that snow had accumulated on the peaks from the constant snowstorms above…it's clear to me that Winter in Berk is steadily worsening.

Anyway, we found ourselves engulfed by the avalanche and brushed into a crevice.

As the group recovers in total darkness, Toothless uses his blast to check to see the extent of the damage caused. The light from his fire breath doesn't last long, however, and neither does Storm's. Both Vikings are confused but are surprised by what's happening in front of them.

Although the three of us can see in the dark the reptiles in front of me were lighting up the room…oh yea by the way…dragons can see in the dark almost perfectly...I forgot to mention that. I mean it makes sense…especially being a Night Fury, they would need the night vision to do bombing runs under the cover of darkness…they weren't doing it for themselves. I found out two reasons why they were shooting at the ceiling, one to melt the ice and the other to help Hiccstrid see…I can't BELIEVE I just called them that…

Now then…I look over my shoulder to see Hiccup and Astrid holding one another. I don't know what compelled me to do it, but I, instinct-driven, had walked over to them and began lighting up the ground around them with my fire breath. Once I'm done, I look up at them with an expression that reads: 'did I do alright?' They seemed to agree because the next thing that happens is that Hiccup pats me on the head in support of my decision, "thanks, little buddy." I chirped happily back in response.

Sure enough, both humans soon look up to see the ice melting above, and the hole in the ceiling soon reveals sunlight!

Well, that didn't take long.

"I see daylight!" Hiccup exclaimed, relief washing over him.

"We're going to get out of here!" Astrid added. Both teens look to the three of us. I flew and landed on Stormfly as the Vikings realize what was going on, "they saved our lives…" Astrid muttered softly. As if drawn by one another, both kids almost have a romantic moment…but in a split second, they pull away in response.

I roll my eyes in response, smiling inwardly at the thought of seeing these two kiss. It's clear they have feelings for one another…the whole affair reminds me of…me and…

I shake my head, deciding to drop the thought. I glance over to Toothless who chirps in dragon tongue, "let's get out of here, everyone."

As we exit the fissure, a fleeting thought surrounded my mind…my dragon instincts kicked in like Tooth and Storm…I guess I ought to be used to it by now, but I couldn't really stop myself from giving in to it either. That had me thinking…what's stopping me from going all feral in a future confrontation…or completely giving in to my draconic desires? Is my human mind slowly fading away…I DOUBT IT…but it's still a thought that has me thinking sometimes…what's stopping my dragon mind from taking over completely? Will there come a day when Flint Callahan is…gone? Maybe it's just a ridiculous notion, but it scared me nonetheless…

Sure enough, it starts getting colder and darker. The sun begins to only shine in the sky for barely a few hours. If one were to observe it from noon, or when it's supposed to be highest in the sky, they would see the sun getting as high as a forty-five-degree angle. Even then, as the season goes by…the sun starts peaking lower and lower on the horizon. The snow, as a result of the longer nights and colder temperatures, gets deeper. I thought winter, where I was from, was bad, but this is abysmal!

How can anyone expect to survive in these conditions!? Well, I guess if the first humans managed to survive the Ice Age, Vikings could too…then again there aren't any more Vikings by my era…

Not being used to these conditions, along with the long nights, began to cut deep into my psyche. I began feeling down most of the day. Toothless, now knowing who I am and where I'm from, would try and comfort me inside of the house…especially when I explained to him that I lived near the Equator.

"I'm sorry you have to go through this" the Night Fury muttered, nudging the side of my face.

"It's…fine."

"Flint, you said you come from the Equator, correct?"

"I was born on a peninsula close to it…my mother is Cuban…my father is Irish…I got some of that…I dare say "Northern" side in me, so I should be able to handle the cold…but I guess it's getting to me.

"Iris…C-cub?"

"They're places…there's a place called Cuba, far away from here I reckon…but Ireland, which is Irish where my dad is from, that's probably A LOT CLOSER I believe."

"I see…" Toothless nodded, pulling away.

"All I know…is that I wasn't prepared for my first winter here."

He nudges me again, trying to make me feel better, "it's okay, I understand." He releases a shot to get the extinguished firepit ablaze once again and even goes to get me a blanket, "hope that helps" the dragon smiled wholeheartedly as I chuckled, "you are too much sometimes, Toothless."

"We dragons got to look out for one another" he winked.

"I'll show you a dragon" I snarled at him in a joking manner, showing a full rack of teeth.

"Is that really the best you got, Flint. You're looking at the master here" he grinned mischievously, baring his teeth in the same fashion, but his mouth is bigger than mine.

"Grrr!"

"Grrrrrr!"

"GRRRRRRR!"

"GRRRRRRRRRRR!"

We both can't help but laugh together soon after and soon enough he withdraws his teeth to lick the side of my face as I push him away, "okay, okay! Gosh, you ARE too much sometimes." My ears rise not too long after, "you ought to teach me how to withdraw my teeth…I…don't know how to do that just yet."

He nods, quite excited that I had requested this, "sure thing, Flint! I'll even teach you how to growl like an actual Fury too" he grinned right afterward before I grumble.

Despite the good times we had during this whole thing, things were not looking good right now for the animals in Berk. They were having problems producing yields necessary to sustain the population. Many of what was saved for the winter was eaten by dragons prior, so when news of a MASSIVE storm reached us all, we fell in total despair.

Hiccup, being the chief's son and all, was tasked with finding a way to help the animals and dragons co-exist…since it turned out the other dragons were scaring the livestock and preventing yields to be produced.

Toothless and I watched the events unfold, but despite our attempts…no progress had been made.

It wasn't long before the storm finally hit the island.

Stoick instructed his people to take shelter within the Great Hall and wait out for the blizzard to pass. The rest of us were still in the Academy when the winds picked up and the clouds darkened.

Despite everyone's best intentions, the farm animals were still, very much, afraid of the reptiles standing across from them.

Amid all the chaos in the arena, Gobber, who's now a dragon dentist, believe it or not, rushes in, fear running down his face, "everybody out, the storm is here!"

Hiccup protests but it does little; the blacksmith takes the animals to their barn; however, upon arrival we find the entire place buried in snow and ice.

"So much for the barn…" Gobber silently grumbled. With no other place to put them, we are all forced to seek refuge in the Great Hall. By now it's clear to everyone: a crisis is unfolding…a snowstorm of epic proportions…

We all trek in the deepening snow; the winds are blowing fiercely, slowing our progress consequently. It's so bad that the squall is bringing with it thunder and lightning in the sky, all occurring almost instantaneously between each other.

I had to turn away and shield my eyes with a wing as we walked along the route. Toothless tried to shield me and Hiccup with his larger wing but the winds are too powerful, even for him! Sure enough, none of us can open our wings effectively, flying in these conditions is suicide!

"This is insane!" I roared in terror.

Toothless looked behind me to see me falling behind and grunted, "we'll make it, just keep up!"

"I-I…" I stop, panting from exhaustion. My 'brother' Fury runs up to me, setting me on his back to head back to the humans without further delay. All I can say in return is "thanks."

Gee…I wonder if it can get any worse than it is now…why did I just say that! Darn it!

As we trek through the snowy landscape, something just had to happen…me and my BIG mouth! A lightning strike had downed a tree, startling Stormfly and Hookfang.

"Up ahead!" Hook snarled as Stormfly sidestepped in shock and surprise, "Ahhh!"

Their panicked reactions lead to a domino effect that causes the sheep and yak to disperse in different directions, away from the main group!

Snotlout tries to stop them, but he is simply thrown aside by the stampede. I too try to stop the animals: I jump off Tooth to try and gather them; however, I only end up scaring them further…and I too am brushed aside by them. Curse my SMALL SIZE, if I stay here long enough…I hope I grow to Toothless's size, then I won't be such a burden!

Everyone tries to rally the frightened animals, including Hiccup. Despite our best attempts, the creatures disappear into the white haze…

My heart sank, knowing just how grim things had gotten. Toothless walks up to me to witness the deepening situation too, "this is bad…"

"Thanks captain obvious…"

Haddock is, as I've come to know him, unsurprisingly determined to get the animals back despite the foul conditions, "Come on Toothless!"

"Flint" he nudges me to follow.

"Right behind you" I nod.

Gobber tries his best to stop Haddock, but our group is already in the air, and the other dragon riders are following close behind. The squall had weakened by this point, allowing flight to be manageable, if only for a few minutes that is…

The older Viking returns to the villagers at the Great Hall, informing Stoick the Vast of the imminent danger the Riders and I have placed ourselves in. Mulch, one of the Vikings who were with us, managed to bring in some of the beasts, but more are still outside in the cold.

As I've stated earlier before, the sun wasn't very high in the sky during peak hours, so by around 3 to 4 PM…night surrounded us, making the situation for everyone worse. Nevertheless, we continue our search while the teenage Night Fury lights up the way using his plasma blasts. I decide to help by adding my blasts, that way we are constantly lighting up the forest around us…that is…until our shots run out. Gosh, I HATE that!

Anyway, the riders behind us catch up and the dragons glance over me momentarily.

"How are you doing, Flint?" I heard Stormfly squawk from the side.

"Besides feeling the cold running down my black scales…fine I guess?" I said that semi-sarcastically.

"Poor thing…" I heard Meatlug say in response.

"Poor thing…what are you talking about…he's a Night Fury, he shouldn't be complaining in the first place…" Hookfang growled in retaliation.

"Maybe he's saying it to get a rise out of you, Hook" Barf snickers as their twin laughed, "yea, maybe you ought to ask him!"

"I guess I am" I grinned as everyone looked at the Monstrous Nightmare for a second, the latter turns away and grunted, smoke exiting their nostrils. Before the Nightmare can even retort, Hiccup instructs the dragons and their riders to spread out. Once we get to a cliff, we can see pockets of Yak and sheep a few hundred meters down below.

I catch Toothless's attention with a high-pitched grunt and he warbles to his rider who finally sees them.

"There they are! Come on!"

Our group swoops down from the mountainside, descending upon the band of animals at break-neck speed.

"Yaks to the left!"

"Chickens to the right!"

Snot and his dragon Hookfang try to get the feathered beasts together, but of course, he and Fang run into issues. Fishlegs, along with Ruff and Tuff and the Zippleback, is fairing no better, eventually, he and the Gronckle are trapped under a half-frozen, half-rotting, log.

Astrid and the Nadder try to fly by and finish the other duo's work, using the spikes on Stormfly to contain the sheep! Hofferson and her dragon smile and cheer at their success; however, the Monstrous Nightmare's mishaps cause the sheep to be free again!

"Snotlout, what are you doing!?" The blond-haired Viking exclaimed in confusion, and later: frustration.

The "buff" teen can't help but retort at this, "You try herding chickens with a dragon that doesn't listen to you!"

She flat-out ignores his whines, however, and looks to HiccTooth across from them, "Hiccup! Stray sheep!" Astrid shouted as they passed by quickly. I decide to follow behind, on our way to gather the isolated sheep. Some had begun ascending a narrow pathway up on a mountain, one such creature is too close to the edge and slipped! I had landed and was chasing after the other two before I heard Toothless roar to me, "I got this one, get the others!"

I nodded, running ahead. The other two beasts that had gone up the side of the mountain found nothing but a dead end. I had approached them from behind and at first, they are shaking in fear, but I tried to make myself as small and friendly as possible. My pupils became larger squares, and I folded my wings as tightly behind me as possible. My ears and frills displayed themselves to them instead of being pulled back from fear and I gave a reassuring expression to them, "it's okay…guys…please…we're not going to hurt you, we want to help you."

I tried a slow and steady approach and thankfully, they sense my calm and friendly demeanor and look to one another.

Meanwhile, the one sheep that had fallen had been saved from death by the Night Fury, who sets them down on the ground softly.

"Good job, bud" Hiccup congratulated his best friend before the Fury chirruped happily.

By this time, at the base of the small mountain, I lead the two other creatures down where they reunite with the third member, who turns out to be their child.

"Good job, Flint!" Tooth praised me.

I step away as they look at Toothless who had rescued the baby.

"Nice going, little bud!" Hiccup also complimented.

We barely notice the look of approval from the farm animals and our gaze isn't held long, for Astrid interrupts the moment, rightfully reminding us of the storm: she's right, it's getting bad again!

"We can't see anything Hiccup!"

"Come on guys" Hiccup gestures to us, "give us some light!"

"Ready, Flint" Toothless looked down at me and I nodded, "ready."

With both our combined blasts we see yaks about five hundred meters from our position. Unfortunately, they aren't yaks at all…it turns out to be…Stoick and Gobber!? What are they doing out here!?

That's when Hiccup landed and was confronted by his father, the Chief, "what are all of you still doing outside!?"

Hiccup lowers his head as Toothless walks up behind him as I quietly join them. Soon, though, I jump and land on the dragon's back to be eye-level with Stoick and his best friend.

"I'm…I'm sorry…I let you down."

His father comes closer to comfort his only child, placing a hand on the latter's soft shoulder, "it's not your fault, son. Come, I'm taking you back."

Gobber the Belch walks into frame and worryingly asks, "which way?"

Turns out: their footprints are now gone. With the storm as bad as it is, we've lost all sense of direction. Not only that but with conditions turning grim…the humans huddle together to try and keep as warm as possible.

With barely any clothes suitable for such weather, even huddled like this won't have many benefits. Dragons, on the other hand, would be able to survive longer. That same thought plagued Toothless's mind, who suddenly thought up an idea to save everyone.

I can't help this same feeling dominating inside the darkest reaches of my mind. It's an instinct to gather around them too…share our bodies to keep each other warm. This must be my dragon mind kicking in…trying to help me and everyone else survive…I must listen, or I'll die!

And so, the older Night Fury takes the initiative and gathers the other dragons and me around the group of humans across from us. As instructed, the larger reptiles spread their wings around the Vikings.

"What-what are they doing?" Stoick queried softly, bewildered by the scene happening in front of his eyes.

Hiccup couldn't help but give a short grin in return, "they're protecting us."

Astrid joins at the moment too, mirroring Haddock's expression, "it's their natural instinct."

The boy Viking nods back. Soon, each dragon belonging to the teenagers release their fire breaths at the ground to warm up the clustered party. I also join in, releasing a small fiery blast toward the snowy floor below before getting off Toothless.

Speaking of him: he spots the family of sheep behind us and nudges me to follow closely behind. We spring to the creatures, and at first, they, the parents, instantly run away; however, the child remains perfectly still. Afraid to begin with, the sheep shakily looks up toward the large Night Fury and his friendly demeanor, "come on little guy" the dragon said in his native tongue. It's clear to me that no other animal can understand dragons. Nevertheless, the small beast looked at me, a much smaller Night Fury that's somewhat similar to its size, and noticed my soft, reassuring, smile. Not wasting any more time, Toothless guides the baby, though the latter hesitates: the sheer cold is making them reconsider, however.

I am on the other side of them, now helping gather the other animals to the fire pit. Soon enough, we've gotten everyone together. By now the Night Fury is resting on his hind legs, wings out to cover the sheep, and I help with the small creatures across from him. Stoick is marveling at it all, "your dragons are really something, son…"

Hiccup looks at the group, he can't help but agree, knowing that fact for a long time now. The boy is so proud to see humans and dragons, and now other animals, together, "yeah…they are" he smiled. Suddenly, his dragon shoots up at the sky, creating a brilliant display above before I hop on him and join in.

By morning, the storm had ultimately ceased, and the sun is now out: allowing some snow to melt off the dragons and our surroundings. The warmth provided by the others, and I, have allowed the Vikings and their stock to survive the dreadful night. Everyone wakes and begins to move, out of the forced huddle, to stretch. We resume our long journey back to the village, eventually making it to the Great Hall.

On its snowy steps, I turn to my Night Fury brother, half-jokingly muttering, "why do I get the feeling that storm last night was just one of your weaker ones?"

Toothless smiled quite impishly in response and gave a hearty chuckle.

"I don't think I can get used to winters here…" I rolled my eyes.

"Well, you ought to start, or you'll have to deal with me sitting on top of you with a blanket every night" he covered his mouth with a wing.

"Yea, no thanks" I stick out a forked tongue at him in disgust and as a rebut, "I might as well wear a fur coat."

"Well, you ARE human, maybe you can borrow Hiccup's vest for the next few months" he giggled at that statement as, again, I roll my eyes at him.

"You are a second-hand embarrassment for me, I hope you understand that."

Suddenly, Toothless grabs me with one arm and picks me up, so close that our faces are touching, "I'll keep 'ya warm, buddy!" I grunted hopelessly, "if this is what brotherly love is…" I said with my face squished against his, "…then maybe you should have left me on that-"

Toothless cuts me off, "oh! You are too bitter, you got to lighten up, Flint!"

"I…gotta get…under a blanket is more…like it!" I grimaced as he laughed.

As our playful exchange ends, I think to myself quietly: Vikings sure are Hardy people to have lived in these conditions, that's for sure…

Once the huge doors to the Hall are opened, we are greeted by cheers from the sheltered Vikings who prayed for our safe return. Much to their surprise, they see how docile the dragons and animals are now around each other.

"Hey everyone!" Astrid yelled to get their attention, gesturing toward Hiccup. The teenage boy, whilst holding a chicken, raises a hand to show an egg, "the chickens are laying eggs!" He exclaimed excitedly.

Once that is said, even more cheers erupt from inside the mead hall, now the Vikings don't have to worry about food shortages.

Stoick, Hiccup, Toothless, and I look on…seeing how united everyone is right now. It may not be warm in a technical sense, but at least the mood in the air is…

This times A THOUSAND is what I was about to witness very soon after…with Berk's yearly tradition: and for the first time ever…dragons would be a part of their festivities.

I would come to know this event simply as: Snoggletog.

Whoo! That sure was an interesting chapter to write! I suppose that Episode 3 and Snoggletog tie in together perfectly if you ask me. The next chapter will be taking place during "Gift of the Night Fury" and will most likely be split into two parts. Anyways, I hope you all enjoy the rest of your week, take care!