Hi everyone! I'm here with a new addition to the novel. I hope you enjoy this read today!

Brothers

Chapter 38: It won't Last

Time passed by…nothing significant occurred with the Outcasts or the Berserkers. Despite having beaten the Outcasts and their Berserker sympathizers, Dagur's disappearance made the whole affair quite bittersweet.

Still, peace returned to Berk for the time being which meant it could rebuild and it also meant that I could spend more time with Toothless and the others. Often, I find myself racing Stormfly or even Tooth himself; however, I'm still slower than them.

Yet, if you compare me to where I was a year ago, I'm definitely a lot faster now.

As the autumn gradually welcomed the cold, stillness, of winter, I find myself more and more wanting to spend as much time as I could outside before the freeze. Often, I would bask with Toothless, Stormfly…who ever honestly. Today, however, we are joined by the Monstrous Nightmare known as Hookfang.

"I see you've been practicing your flight skills" he said to me specifically. The Night Fury next to me almost intervened, but I answered first, "a bit, yeah."

"Care to race me?" The red scaly simply requested. In his tone, I could tell he still had a bit of resentment toward the both of us. Toothless and I look at one another, with the former almost stepping in to deny the Nightmare's request; however, I stopped him with a wing, "okay."

My "brother" looked toward me with a raised scaly brow…a look that said: are you sure about this, Flint?

I gave him a "reassuring" shrug back and he just nodded it off.

And so, Toothless and Stormfly watch the imminent contest from a cliff while Hook and I prepare to go head-to-head for the first time. Now in the air, we hover idly until Stormfly gives us the countdown.

Three

Two

One

Go!

And off we went! The course involved a circular pattern that had some small sea stacks and H-shaped formations not too far from the shore. The first dragon to make three laps wins! I thought it would be an easy start for me: since…you know…I'm a Night Fury now and all, but it turns out Hookfang (as he's proven in the past) is fast. As a result, the red reptile already had the lead. Still, I breathed in deeply and narrowed my eyes: blasting forward with a downstroke from my bat-like wings. It isn't long before I'm on his tail and we passed under one of the rock formations. The beast looks behind him to find me closing in and with a draconic smirk they turned back and gave themselves a boost.

Since the course is pretty short and we're both fast compared to most other dragons, it's only a minute before we reached the 1st lap. Toothless and Stormfly watch us both pass by like bullets flying past them. For the former, he felt uneasy…I was still in second place and the worst thing he wanted from me was to become a laughing bag for the Monstrous Nightmare.

Once the 2nd lap begins, however, I give myself the proper motivation and make stronger flaps to gain progress. Then, I close my wings as close as possible and dive: not all the way but by swooping down just a few feet from the altitude we are both flying. It ends up being a good move because it gives me the necessary advantage. It's right after that I pass the Nightmare who huffs loudly in frustration. I look behind to see him getting angry, attempting to gain first place again.

Once we reached two sea stacks that served as the marker for the finish line, we both manage to pass through them at the same time…so far, it's a tie…could this end in my favor…or?

Now it's the third lap and as we passed by the spectators again, Toothless stood up and jumped on his hind legs with excitement… clawing up in the air, "there you go…you've got this, Flint!" He said before sitting on his haunches again. He heard a chuckle from the dragon next to him. Tooth snorts loudly and looks at her, "what is it?"

She had hidden her beak with a wing in an attempt to hide her amusement, "I thought we were going to be unbiased."

"YOU said that, not me…birdbrain!"

"Fine, I'll make this interesting and bet on Hookfang" she grinned mischievously.

"What are you going to bet with…your tail spikes? I don't need 'em!" He laughed. Suddenly she flicked her tail and spikes came his way. Thanks to his Night Fury instincts, he was able to dodge them by ducking…with the projectiles impaling the rocks behind him, "h-hey!?" The black dragon growled after recovering.

"Those are on the house" she laughed back.

While those two eggheads are having their moment, Hookfang and I are trying to get ahead of each other. We pass through the sea stacks one last time as I narrowly pass the Nightmare with a little speed boost. By this point, there's only a quarter of the "track" left and I give a smile…I might actually win…oh boy this is going to feel great! I can hear Tooth's excitement in the background and Stormfly's encouraging squawks at the red dragon. Speaking of which, I suddenly catch them beside me again and I groan…we're level again…not good!

We're both only a few meters away too, but then…out of nowhere, Hookfang smiled and suddenly pulled back…letting me win at the last second! Toothless erupts in celebration as Stormfly grunts in defeat. The Night Fury jumps up and down on two legs, rubbing it in on the Deadly Nadder.

I land not too far from them and I'm soon joined by the older reddish beast.

"Y-you let me win…" I gave a flabbergasted look to him, and he nodded to confirm this, "I figured I was returning the favor to Toothless for letting Snotlout and me win Thawfest." He explained.

I pull away, raising an eyebrow in response, "this was your plan the entire time, wasn't it?"

"You've proven to be indispensable, Callahan. You'll make a great Night Fury like Toothless over there" he pointed with his snout to the other dragon, "just try not to get his ego."

I rolled my eyes, "no promises" I jokingly said.

Hookfang said nothing more: he just gave a parting smirk before leaving us behind. I guess that's all I needed from him. I guess that was just his way of telling me he respects me now…at least to a certain degree. We've come a long way…that's for sure…a year ago he'd probably rip my head off my shoulders if Toothless wasn't around me all the time. Either way, it's good to see some relief from our strenuous relationship.

Anyways, the older Night Fury and his dragon friend join up and he pats me on the shoulder with a squishy paw, "nice going there, ace."

"Thanks…I owe a lot to you for what I did…learned a lot."

"Maybe one day you'll beat Toothless and make him shut up about his wins" Stormfly quipped back before the former snarled at her. She wasn't the least bit intimidated and decided to laugh it off in response.

"It's getting late. I think we should head back to town" I said, yawning before stretching myself like a cat. The others agreed and it's not long after that we make our way back to Berk.

Time passed. Just to summarize events that happened in the days following Dagur and the Skrill's disappearance: Gustav Larson…who's quite the character from our village, got his own Monstrous Nightmare. Go figure…Vikings go so far as let their children tame fire-breathing lizards…heh. Anyway, it's not long before the little monster names the dragon "FangHook" as a 'subtle' nod to HookFang.

Another thing that happened: we found an injured dragon, a Scauldron, and helped them out.

What else…oh yeah: not long after, Berk came under attack by flightless dragons that paralyze the inhabitants (though thankfully they are drawn away before things really got bad.) Though most of these were pretty mundane compared to previous adventures, one of the most notable events is when Fishlegs found a strange plant. It was a greenish specimen that looked a lot like a cactus…the teen called it: a Dragon Root. Strangely enough, it has toxic components that affect most dragons. They become Berserk and uncontrollable. We learned the hard way that being close enough to the plant causes symptoms in a short time. Eventually, though, with the help of Meatlug, they extract the Dragon Root and carry it away where it can't affect anyone.

A few days after all those shenanigans happened Toothless and I returned to Dragon Island to see our allies and how they were doing since the last time we were there. Turns out (though not really much of a surprise) the island is still growing in population. Consequently, Belin had to organize everyone into sections or zones to make sure places didn't become overcrowded. For the first time, snow was on the ground in this place, which gave the location such a peaceful and calm atmosphere all around.

It's not long before the little green rascal spots us and scurries over to meet with Toothless and me.

"Hey, you two! Welcome back!" He bowed in respect, unknowingly tripping on himself in the process before recovering. Tooth and I had to giggle at his clumsiness but soon we compose ourselves.

"Looks like you've become quite the city planner" I quipped, and the reptiles just eyed me in confusion, "uhh…a what-planner?"

I rolled my eyes, "future-talk."

"Okay…" Belin scoffed amusingly before eyeing my medallion, "we ought to get some of those trinkets for everyone…that way I can remember who's who…"

"Uhh…you don't rely on smell…" Toothless asked, pulling back in surprise.

"I'm a Terrible Terror, we don't usually have keen senses…especially one without a pack."

Toothless gave the stink eye before I stepped forward to block him, "how are things?"

"Just peachy despite the fact our island is getting crowded."

I sat down on my haunches and placed a talon against my muzzle-chin, "hmm…what if you spread outwards into the nearby islands?"

"Such as?" Belin also sat on his hind legs, but the dragon crossed his arms…expecting a good answer. Toothless moved me aside with his head, "Thor Rock Island" the Night Fury suggested before we glanced over to him.

"Uhh…"

"Where'd you get that idea?" I asked, rolling my head to the side in curiosity.

"I heard Hiccup talk about it from time to time whenever he glimpsed over his map. He says they're uninhabited by humans, close to Dragon Island…it could be close enough to be defended by your swarm and still provide ample space" Tooth explained and suggested.

I slapped his back with a wing, "there you go! That sounds like a great idea…maybe you should send scouts out that way, Bely" I nicknamed Belin for the first time.

"I have in the past…and honestly, you two might be right…I'm just afraid we'll be overstretched or gather unwanted attention if we live beyond Dragon Island" the Terror sighed, looking away. I decided to lower my head to be eye level with the small dragon, "I would think about it first, figure out what's best."

They ultimately nodded before being called over by a purple Gronckle who needs help with her young, "sorry, I gotta go…I'll think about it, thanks!"

We nodded, waving goodbye before Toothless coughed to get my attention, "well then…shall we?" He smiled, ushering me forward with his bat-like wing.

We climbed up the volcano, avoiding some chaos all around us from the dozens and dozens of reptiles milling about. Snow had settled on our black scales and by the time we reached the broken summit, we shook the flakes off us.

It's not long until her ginormous muzzle appears from within the dormant crater and we're face to face again with the Ex-Queen of dragons.

"I sense the Berserkers are no longer an imminent threat to Berk…" she opened.

I nodded though she obviously couldn't see it, "Dagur the Deranged has…disappeared…"

"He had a Skrill in his company…" the Queen muttered as her voice softly shakes the ground around us.

"Ehh…not really" Toothless jumped in, "he TRIED bonding with them, and it didn't work very well…"

"Toothless!" I barked back at him before he jumped away in momentary fright (like a scaredy cat.)

Galadriel just had to laugh, sensing what was going on before getting our attention, "well, I apologize for not sensing the troubles on your island. We will make sure to send more scouts along your borders more often" she said.

"Ehh, I think we had it under control, Queenie" Toothless said as if it were just ME and HIM dealing with the Outcasts/Berserkers and I just had to lightly punch his arm to deflate his ego a bit, "will you stop" he jokingly growled.

"You don't have to, Galadriel" I said before squinting my eyes at my dragon brother as he smiled nervously at me.

"We will make an attempt regardless" she finished. Soon silence fell upon us…with nothing to hear but dragon's screeching and crying in the distance. Sure enough, though, the Ex-Queen rested her muzzle on the ground across from us and telepathically said, it is good to see the both of you.

"Thanks" we both said in unison, catching us off guard as we look at one another. Oh goodness…this is where we have ended up…we LITERALLY are brothers now, heh.

You both have come a long way since we've met…you two have endured so much. I wish to make it up to you. Flint Callahan…let me into your mind…allow me to search your thoughts and memories to build something for you.

With almost no hesitation, I opened my mind to the Queen. Toothless gets closer to me as if he's bracing himself: knowing what is about to happen…

Sure enough, it happens: the entire scene around us changes and we are "transported" to a modern setting. All around us are buildings…tall skyscrapers. It's sunset…with the sky a colorful orange and red and the weather relatively warm. The structure that gets our attention the most, however, is the massive stadium that dwarfs everything around it. Toothless's mouth hangs open as he sees such construction for the first time, "w-what is this?"

"I think what you should ask is…what's in there" I chuckled, realizing just what this place is…I've been to it several times in my life.

I look over to my right to see a bus parking and soon people with badges start flooding out of the vehicle in excitement and anticipation. The slightly bigger Night Fury next to me tilts his head to see the commotion and his pupils round in response.

"What is that thing called again?"

"A bus" I laughed, "I think Galadriel wants us to follow them, come on!" I ran ahead, gesturing to him to follow at the same time. Toothless sighed softly before sprinting to catch up. We pass through the crowd of "fake" people like ghosts, and we pass through security. Once we do, we find ourselves face to face with thousands of people and a huge stage at the center of the stadium. It's clear to me that it's a concert but it hasn't started yet. This gives me enough time to find the perfect seat though it had to be appropriate, for the make-believe humans might obstruct our view.

I look to my left to see a flight of stairs we can take and I gesture to the other dragon to follow again, "come on, I know a place with a better view."

"Can't we just…fly there?" He rolled his eyes but I chuckled back, "no, I want you to earn your seat, lazy" I remarked quite humorously.

And so, we ascended the black stairway, only to end up having to walk around to take another set leading to the third floor and beyond. As we do, we can see people walking to their sections or getting food at the concession stands. For Toothless, it kind of shocked him and he lowered his head a bit toward me to ask, "wait…people get food in those little huts?"

"Yeah, they're called concession stands. People order the food and they make it for them within minutes."

"Within minutes!?" He appeared shocked and I laughed, "why don't we have such a system on Berk?"

"Fast food hasn't been invented yet, dragon" I added, "and it won't be for centuries. Plus…foods' not really that good to be honest…quality sort of declined…take my word for it."

"Yeah right…I'll believe it when I see it…"

"Who knows" I said as we climbed another set of stairs to reach the top, "maybe you'll end up here in my time instead of me."

"Heck no! I don't go anywhere without Hiccup or you!"

"We're talking about you being forced into it like I was…" I rolled my eyes. We walked through a "tunnel" and ended up at the section I wanted to take him. His eyes widened as I smiled, proud of myself. He leaned over to see the spectacle before us: the sun had just set and the sky is getting dark, but lights all around us illuminate the inside of the stadium. Thousands upon thousands of spectators crowd the rows and sections around us. Toothless was beyond amazed…he had never seen so many humans before in his life and the white lights all around us, along with the skyline in the distance, was quite the view.

"There are as many humans here as there were dragons on Dragon Island when I was your age…well…your…current dragon age I mean."

"Right" I nodded, standing up on my haunches to rest my front paws against the railing. Tooth saw what I did and immediately imitated me. Silence overtook us, aside from the people talking nonsense around us and whatnot.

"This is amazing…" Toothless sighed afterward, taking in everything. I looked around, making that usual childish smile I usually made when excited. I'm so excited that I feel my tail thumping against the concrete ground behind me.

"It is…" he looked down to examine my face of contentment, "I just wish dragons were around in my time…I wish…somehow…we could share moments like these together."

"Maybe one day they will…" Toothless sighed.

"One of my biggest worries…Tooth…is what if…the dragons…they all…"

"Died?" He finished for me as I gave a serious look to him, "it scares me too, but I doubt they did. Still, I think I'm beginning to understand something about all this, Flint" he threw a reassuring smile my way as I look up to meet his round green eyes, "it won't last…things won't always stay the same. It makes me appreciate moments like these more…moments being with you and Hiccup…that birdbrain, Stormfly…"

I laughed back as he said that, scoffing at the roast, "we just…got to hope for the best. Heck, things have been going our way for a long time now. Call it luck, call it fate…I don't care, but I'm happy with the life I have. At some point Flint…you're going to go home…and we'll never see you ever again, but I won't ever forget these moments with you…these moments that you showed me that there is still a future to look up to. When you get home…Flint…I want you to live life like how you're meant to…live it how anyone should: the best way they can."

I scoffed a bit, looking away, "maybe if I do return…I'll come here and think of you, buddy…think of everyone else too. Maybe I'll write about it. Heck, maybe I'll start looking for dragons…maybe…maybe that's what I'll do. I'll go to Berk in my time…and look for…signs…anything…someone must know. The Vikings…Berk…it can't all be for nothing…" I sighed, "but a thousand years…so much can change…so much so that maybe there's no record of Berk anywhere in my time…no way to find it…I just-"

I suddenly felt a clawed talon against the bottom of my snout before I looked up to see Toothless and the comforting smile I'd learned to love from him. With a short warble, he said to me, "try not to worry too much. The important thing is that you'll be with your family and friends…and live life happily, yes?"

"…"

"…"

"…can I be honest…Toothless?"

"When aren't you?" He laughed a bit but soon his laughter quieted down.

"I…I don't think I'll ever be the same if I go back. After being here…meeting you and Hiccup…what we've been through...things will be different."

He wrapped a wing around me, bringing me closer a bit, "things change…everything ends up different. Seeing this world for the first time…and recently…life finds a way to adapt. You will adapt…just like you have after arriving here. I believe in you, Flint…I just want you to believe in yourself." He purred.

I sighed softly to myself, looking at the medallion. Before I could say anything, the concert finally started and loud music began playing from the speakers all around us: making Toothless jump in fright and surprise. Loud applause followed shortly after and I, once again, place my front paws against the railing to see the concert below us. It got dark all around, with the exception of the stage and the lights around it. Toothless, upon recovering, witnessed what was happening…listening to the strange loud, and rowdy music he'd never heard before in his life.

I look over to see his face and I chuckled, "Toothless, may I introduce to you…Rock 'n Roll!"

"What now?" He seemed confused by the name, but soon he started getting into it…he started swerving his tail and hips back and forth as if he'll start dancing. The next time I see him, he's all over the place, circling the balcony in excitement…tongue out and everything!

"Toothless, what are you doing" I laughed at the silliness happening before me.

"I like it, I like it A LOT!" Tooth roared with enthusiasm.

He hopped around like a bunny…I didn't expect him to get all this excited! Then again, I guess with the crowd, the lights, and everything…once he got into the mood nothing could stop the Night Fury.

I rolled my eyes but soon an idea crossed my mind, and I smiled mischievously as a result. I scampered over to him and lightly tapped his head with my tail and said, "follow me!" I unfurled my wings and dropped down toward the stage, gliding to get there. Toothless stopped what he was doing and decided to follow. Once we both land on the stage, the band is still playing their music (blissfully unaware of our presence even though we're standing right in front of them.) The people below us are as wild as the music blasting all around. The dragon next to me looks toward the crowd, pretending to feel they are cheering for us and the band and he decided to give a happy roar to them. I soon join in and we both wrap our arms around one another before giving the spectators a wave.

Inside, I just let myself feel the moment…listening to what Toothless had said. Think positive! I might as well enjoy these small moments…don't worry about tomorrow, we just need to live life one step at a time as we always have.

Things are changing…life around Toothless and I are changing and none of this will last, so let's seize the moment and be TRULY happy!

Hey everyone, I hope you enjoy this latest update. The next chapter ought to be interesting…something to do with eels…heh heh. Anyways, have a good day everyone…I'll see you next time!