Fireproof - Chapter Fifteen: An Unexpected Discovery

 

Hiccup's POV
"Okay, guys, split up, and if you find anything, use your dragon call.'
'Got it, Chief.' they replied.
'I'd say that this would be a perfect opportunity to teach our newest rider about dragon calls. Eret, what does a Rumblehorn call sound like?'
Skullcrusher answered the question.
'And thank you, Skullcrusher, for that brilliant demonstration.' I laughed.
'Now, let's start the mission.'
Eret's POV
As we started flying off, Skullcrusher began acting strangely. When I laid my hand on his snout to soothe him, he shook it off.
'What's the matter, boy?' I asked him.
In answer, he sped off. I had to hold on tightly to avoid falling.
Then I saw it.
A fallen tree; and nearby, there was a black shape.
I had a horrible feeling that it might be a dragon.
'Hiccup! Come here, quick!'
They all came, as soon as I had finished speaking.
'What-' Hiccup's words were cut off, as he realised what I had found.
'We need to get Valka. Now. She'll know what to do...'

Fireproof - Chapter Sixteen: The Female Night Fury

 

I raced into the house, flinging open the door. Sensing something was wrong, Valka immediately climbed onto Cloudjumper.
'Let's go.' she said, without stopping to ask any questions.

We walked nervously over to the unmoving dragon.
Astrid stroked it's side lightly, and it groaned.
'It- it's out cold...' she observed.
'Let's not do anything until Hiccup and Valka get here. We don't want to hurt her.'
'Right.' we agreed.

I jumped off Toothless, and ran over to the dragon the other riders were crowding around.
'It's a NIGHT FURY! I yelled in delight. Valka seemed equally overjoyed.
The Female Night Fury's POV
A blurry-sounding voice entered my head.
It sounded familiar...
I opened my eyes, and growled deep in my throat. The other Night Fury- "Toothless", growled too. Then he launched himself at me.

'TOOTHLESS! NO!' I screamed, desperately trying to pull him off the other Night Fury.
Toothless seemed to have been brought back to his senses by the sound of my voice.
He took his teeth out of the other Night Fury's throat, and went back to me, whimpering, tail between legs.
I am sorry, Master.
But I am not sorry for you. He growled softly at the other Night Fury, who was sitting obediently behind him and me.
The feeling is mutual, oh Great and Mighty Alpha. she mocked.
Toothless grunted incredulously.
How do you know that I am an Alpha?
How curious you are. I am not surprised; you are still young for an Alpha. But you will know later, in time. Much later... Now, come. Your Masters are preparing to leave.
Toothless grunted in annoyance, and allowed himself to be climbed on to. We flew into the sky with the other riders, the female Night Fury following behind, a bit slow, but otherwise, apparently none the worse for her experience.

Fireproof - Chapter Seventeen: Scars

 

(This is a VERY long chapter, in my opinion!)
"The teeth are in good condition. Yep, everything's okay. Except-' I noticed a long red scar, filled with dried blood, running down the Night Fury's right cheek.
I winced, imagining the pain the poor creature was in.
Where did you get that from?
I received it when I crash-landed from the trees.
No, you didn't. You're lying.
Are you daring to call a dragon, no less, a mighty Night Fury, a liar?!
That scar looks too deep. It looks like you got it from a weapon.
I will kill you for suggesting that I am a liar, and I will at least fulfil my master's orders.
Your master?
I was answered by a fierce growl, as the Night Fury moved slowly towards me, stalking me.
I remained there, calmly, not making any movements, until she was almost upon me.
Then I twisted my hand sideways. The Night Fury's pupils rolled across it's eyes, and it fell onto it's back, purring.
Toothless looked slightly uncomfortable, as if he was remembering that I had done the same thing to him five years ago.
'If a dragon is being hostile, remember to pacify it.' I informed the other riders.
'What were you saying to her, Mother?'
'She said something about fulfilling her master's orders.' I replied.
Hiccup turned pale.
'I think I know who her master might be...'
'Oh, don't say it, Hiccup...Please, for Thor's sake, don't say it...'
'That scar looks deep enough to have been inflicted by a weapon. And it looks like that weapon was a hooked staff. Who do we know that has a hooked staff for a weapon?' he asked.
"D-drago...' Eret stammered. 'He's back...He didn't drown...I should have known...You can't kill someone like him that easily...He'll come after me first...I'm a traitor...'
'Well, it seems like we're both very hard to kill.' Hiccup said, attempting to put in some dark humour.
'Eret, what do you think we should do?'
'Why are you asking him? You're the Chief.' a voice said. The owner was Tuffnut, who had just walked in to our house, followed by his sister and Snotlout.
'Yeah, why are you asking him?' Ruffnut asked, repeating what her brother had said.
'Stop copying me!' Tuff yelled.
'Why should I? It's fun!' Ruff retorted.
For once, they didn't start fighting.
'You're right! It is!' Tuff agreed.
'At least we've found something we can agree on!'
'Yeah!' shouted Ruff, finally giving Tuff a punch in the shoulder.
'So, what's going on?' Tuff asked, ignoring his sister.
Hiccup facepalmed himself and sighed.
'Look, all you need to know right now, is that Drago's back.'
'Oh, great, not him again!' groaned Tuff. 'The Bloody Fist guy?'
'Yes, him...I'll explain more on the way there.'
'Way to where?' Ruff asked.
'The way to the woods where we found the Night Fury. If I know Drago, he's probably set a few dragon traps there.'
'Right. Everybody, let's go. I just really hope we don't run into him.'
'We won't, Hiccup, don't worry. He'll wait until we've let our guard down, and then he'll strike. Like a Night Fury. Or a snake.' Eret said helpfully...not.
'Except he actually has a Night Fury this time.'
'Which means that it'll be even worse.'
'Not helping, Eret...' Fishlegs reminded.
'Would you like me to shut him up for you?' Tuff offered.
'No, Tuff.' Hiccup laughed. 'Don't hurt him.'
'Okay, Chief. I'll beat up the traps instead.'
'Riiight...You do that then. Anything to keep you out of trouble, Tuff... Actually, that probably will get you into trouble. Why don't you go looking for the traps instead?'
'And then can I beat them up when I've found them?'
'Yes, Tuff. Sure. Now can we get going, please?'

---

"Perfect...' I chuckled evilly at the sight of the seven dragon riders flying off into the dusk.
'We attack Berk when the Night Fury returns to report.' I told my soldiers.
'Now, we will go back to camp.'