Dragon Tales

Story 2 - An Overdue Meeting

Part 4 - How We Met

Authors note: okay here we go! ^^ the last chapter for this arc/story or whatever- it comes with a hint to the next story (this one should be a Oneshot) I hope you enjoyed this four part addition to the collection as always reviews are awfully appreciated it might be a week or two before this is next updated fur to other stories I plan on posting and stuff (mainly the doom to all things creative- the writers name that is - college/school/ any and every other type of education)... yay homework.

Well, North had upheld his part of the deal, he thought. He still wished he didn't have to do his part of the exchange, though. He was not a great storyteller- Freya told him so. In fact, what was it with Sky Dragons and tricking him into telling stories? He supposed he did like hearing them- that didn't mean he enjoyed telling them.

"Dont worry about Tooth and Bunny, we'll tell them later." North promised. Great, he guessed there was no escaping it now. North had done his part, and he couldn't back out of a promise ;(although he wanted to). Just get this over and done with, he thought.

"Well, what I think happened- I'm, er, not really too sure- is that one of the Nightmare Dragons must've been knocked out rather than killed, and thought the same thing as Jack when they saw the battlefield: he was the sole survivor. But then, before Jack could investigate or anything, the Nightmare Dragon spotted him- and went after him." North was stroking his beard (no doubt enjoying the curious sensation- Sky Dragons had a habit of doing that in human form- hair was weird to them).

"I do not think it's likely we didn't notice one of them still breathing." He frowned. Yeah, Hiccup had also noticed that problem with his theory: how had the mighty Sky Dragons not noticed that survivor? And another thing he now didn't understand- they had they managed to take down many Nightmare Dragons over the course of the fight, when it took a battle to the death for Jack to destroy just one?!

North seemed to have a possible answer, though.
"The dragon that went after him... Did the shadows seem to be...strange, around him?" He asked. Sandy's eyes widened in alarm and realisation. Now he thought about it, it had been weird- like the darkness of the night sky had been bending around that one dragon, menacingly.
"Y-yeah." He told him. "It seemed almost as if the shadows were responding to him." He suddenly made a connection. "The net." He realised. "That looked like it was made of of shadow too." He was unsure if the Sky Dragons caught that last bit, but North looked as though his fears had been confirmed.

"Pitch Black." He muttered. "I think Jack may have stumbled upon their leader." Leader? Hiccup thought. No wonder he'd been so difficult to defeat- Jack had been up against the king of the Nightmare Dragons. He was lucky to have survived.
"If so, then, it makes sense." North told him. "Pitch was a rogue Sky Dragon, who dabbled with things he shouldn't. He saught the power of shadow- and in doing so became more darkness than dragon. We are fairly certain it was him who stirred the Nightmare Dragons fight us."

So this 'Pitch' that Jack defeated... he was a some kind of grotesque Sky Dragon who became some kind of monster in the search for power? Half Nightmare Dragon, half Sky Dragon- controlling shadow as his element, and having the ability to become human, unlike regular Nightmares. Everything finally clicked now. But, while he knew everything, the other Sky Dragons didn't.

Sandy looked a little confused, putting up a skull above his head.
"You're right- you defeated him yourself, Sandy... He must've used some kind of dark power to survive." The older man muttered, and Sandy nodded. Hiccup let them reflect a moment more, before continuing.
"So, anyway, this Pitch person went after Jack, and, at some point, Jack stopped running, and tried to fight him. That night Toothless woke me up because of the snowstorm he created- in fact, it was probably because of Pitch instead." He realised. "But, the next morning, we went to investigate. We found signs of their fight everywhere- and then eventually.. we found Jack."

"Pitch had hit him so that he crashed into a forest and smacked into a cliff base, where a boulder fell and trapped his wing." North winced in sympathy, as he pictured it. Sandy looking silently dismayed at what had befallen him. Yeah, it was awful. He thought, remembering the state he'd been in. So weak and badly injured- blue eyes, glazed and fading. "He probably wouldn't have made it, but me and the other riders saved him, and he flew off again... That was the first time he met." He told them, recalling the spellbinding moment the dragon had first met his gaze, and bowed his head in gratitude.

"But Pitch found him again, a few days later. This time, he only just escaped, badly injured, by turning human and throwing him off his scent. Toothless sensed him, as he stumbled out of the forest- and, when we went out to bring him in, he collapsed."

"We bandaged him up and, for the next few days, while he was healing, Berk became his home- then, when he was healed, he decided to stay." He told them.
"Then why did he come with us after the battle of the Alpha?" North asked confused. Hiccup rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment.
"We.. Sort of, had, a stupid misunderstanding. We both thought we didn't need each other anymore and went out seperate ways." North chuckled.
"Seems like you could not stay apart for long." He pointed out, chuckling.
"Yeah." He agreed. "That's one stupid mistake I'm never gonna make again." He wasn't leaving that Sky Dragon again. They were stuck together now, through the best and the worst. He wasn't letting him go... ever. He realised North was looking at him- smiling at him, as he watched his expression- and it suddenly made him eager to change the subject.

"I remember I'd always notice little, strange things about him, we could never explain. Like when he scared Hookfang into submission, or spoke to a wild Nadder- or that didn't even have a name until we gave him one." They'd got to it in the weirdest way possible: something to do with omitting vowels, and Jokul Frosti- and Snotlout calling him 'jerk'. "We always just thought it was because he'd lived in the wild for so long. And when I noticed the ice and wind phenomena- I remember I thought the Sky Dragon was his friend." He told them, smiling at the idea that seemed stupid now. "I never thought it was him." He chuckled slightly, at how close, but far, he'd come to the truth.

North leaned forwards, pointing at him, looking somewhat serious- and yet playful, somehow.
"How long did he manage to pass off as a human?" He asked him. He tried to think back.
"Err... two weeks? Maybe three?" He answered.
"Bah! Snow flinging Show Wings! Three hours- my best! Three hours- and he just stomps all over it." He exclaimed. Apparently it was somewhat of a contest, to see who could fit in as a human the longest, he noted.

North shook his head, still grinning.
"But, then, he did always love you two walkers the most out of all of is." He told him. "So, he finally managed to fit in with a village." He grinned. It really was an achievement, huh. Hiccup thought. Seeing the other Sky Dragons trying to blend in as humans earlier, he had a newfound appreciation of how well Jack fit in as a regular human. He still wouldn't think he was a dragon to this day, if he didn't switch form every half hour.

"Yeah, we would've just carried on thinking he was a wandering traveller before he arrived on Berk- except..." He paused, his smile faded slightly, as he remembered how he found out. The reveal. The way they'd treated him afterwards... He still felt guilty about it all these years later. He should've stood up for him. Sandy noticed the subtle fall of his smile, and tilted his head in slight concern. North didn't notice it, however.
"So how did you find out?" He asked, cheerfully. He probably thought he'd caught him transforming, or else figured it out? Maybe he thought or Jack had showed him... He wished it had happened like that.

He wished, one day, Jack would've just gone up to him and said he had something to tell him. They would've gone out into the quiet woods, and eventually stopped deep inside. Jack would've told him not to freak out, and then shown him his true colours- or, rather- pure, white scales. He would've been okay with it, he was fairly certain of that. He would've accepted him, and supported him. Helped him keep his secret, until he was ready to tell the whole village- or maybe never tell them at all. He really wished it could've happened like that, and not the way it did.

He sighed.
"Well, one day, we were investigating reports of a rogue dragon. Only... It turned out to be Pitch." That seemed to give them an idea of what had happened. They looked worried now, about what he'd say next. "And when Jack saw Pitch attacked me and Toothless- in order to save us-... he changed. that was how I found out." He told them. "He revealed himself to Pitch, to keep us safe... He managed chased him off, having the element of surprise, but... the way the village reacted... we didn't take it too well." He muttered, ashamed.

"I remember him running back to him as a dragon, and then changing back to human. I'd never seen him look so afraid... And what did we do? We tied him up and threw in in a cell, like a prisoner- like a wild animal." He paused, looking down. "And I didn't do anything to stop them." He still hated that- he should've done something; at least stopped them tying him up. But no. He didn't.

North swept a hand across the air, as though dispersing the thought.
"Ahh, you were just in shock." He told him. "There's no shame in that- and it's not everyday you find out your friend's a dragon." He pointed out merrily, and he found himself cheered up a little. He could see why Jack got along with these guys so much. They were easy to get along with- and very good at cheering up (Jack more than most needed that).

He continued he story
"Well, when he was locked him up, no one would let me see him... But that was when we first time we used the trustbond- well, I got bits of thoughts from him now and then beforehand, but it was the first time I responded." North's eyebrows raised, like he was surprised to have something confirmed to him, but he didn't say anything. "He told me about everything: the fight, and what had happened... I still can't forget how miserable he was- he thought he'd lost everything again. He was terrified of being alone- losing Berk, like he had you guys- and I couldn't do nothing. So I went up to his trial."

"I think I almost had everyone convinced he wasn't a danger- but that was when Pitch showed up." He said, pausing as he remembered to add. "That was what Thugfist meant. He thought you were like Pitch- coming in and asking to be taken to Jack, just like he did." North's eyes widened with the realisation, and he nodded.

"Anyway, Pitch said to give him Jack and he'd spare the village- and Jack, like the selfless idiot he is, gave himself in. He fought him one last time, in the skies high above Berk. And this time- with something to fight for-... he beat him. But, as Pitch died, he threw a net around him, made of of shadow. Dragging Jack down towards the ocean. He almost drowned, but I went to rescue him on Toothless. We got him out of the water, but it wasn't enough. His injuries were too severe. He had to use his elemental revive thing because I wasn't quick enough." He told them, miserably.

"...But, still." He said, reminding himself of how lucky he was Jack even got that second chance. "I guess he survived, didn't he..." He smiled, as he remembered the moment he realised he was still alive.

"A week later, I woke up to a pile of snow dumped on my head- and I saw him." He rounded up the story quickly after that. "He came back to Berk every winter after that- except the last one, where he turned up late, in the middle of spring. From then, we fought out about Drago, fought him in the battle where he sent up the symbol- call... thingy- and you know the rest from there." He finished.

He got the feeling North had picked up on his guilt for not getting to him sooner all those years ago, though, because caught his eye and said.
"You two must have an incredibly strong bond." He told him, eyes sparkling. Hiccup frowned.
"How do you mean?" He asked.
"The healing does not work with a broken heart." He reminded him. "And it takes a lot to mend one as broken as someone who believes themselves to be the last of their kind." He said, smiling. For a moment, he wondered if the glint in his eyes was the firelight, or just his eyes. He smiled at the comment.

Yeah... him and Jack were pretty close. He thought, reaching up his mind to find him still laughing hysterically. Watching as Bunny tried to escape Tooth, who, though fast, found it near impossible to break through the rock barriers he used to block her. (They were still at that? He guessed Sky Dragons really were as stubborn as Vikings- it wasnt just Jack). He knew what North was telling him: you did save him back then- even if the healing was not your doing, he couldn't have done it without you; you healed his heart... You saved him. That meant a lot more to him than North realised. Jack had saved his life more times than he could remember- and it felt good to know he'd returned even a little of that favour. He knew he needed Jack, as much as the Sky Dragon needed him. They were intertwined. They just kept saving each other, in more ways than one. Forever looking out for each other- forever grateful. They couldn't leave each other if they tried.

He was so lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice Toothless padding over, until his heavy panting ruffled his hair. The Night Fury groaned, as he flopped down heavily behind him- exhausted from the golden squirrel chase. Hiccup chuckled as he collapsed onto his side, holding up his paw in request of a belly rub. He obliged, shaking his head as he turned to scratch his stomach. This dragon really did think of himself as royalty, didn't he: 'stroke me- peasant' it looked like he was saying, but he knew he was just a big softy looking for a good belly rub.

North's voice made him turn back again.
"You know, I don't think I've ever heard of a trustbond getting formed with a human." He was saying. Sandy shook his head, agreeing with him. What? There'd never been a Sky Dragon who bonded with a human before? "Jack never actually said it, but we suspected you were bonded- and now we know for certain."

Did that mean anything? He wondered... Only that he was stuck with a obnoxious, irritating dragon with the mind of a child, he decided. It wasn't like he was growing scales or anything. But wow... he was really the first to earn a Sky Dragon's trust? He felt somewhat honoured- and definately amazed.
"I didn't even think it was possible." North marvelled. "But, then, Jack always has been special- never did follow the rules of what's possible." He joked, chuckling. Hiccup chuckled too. Yep- that was Jack. He just had a habit of doing the impossible.

Dragons couldn't be human? Well, he made Toothless become human. It was impossible to break free of an Alpha's command? He did that too. A Sky Dragon couldn't bond with a human? He didn't care. He wanted to trust Hiccup with his soul. So he did it. He wondered if he'd be freezing the ocean next- he wouldn't put it past him to try.

"Speak of the devil." North called out, as three dragons landed beside the fire. One looking very sorry for himself; one looking satisfied with herself (although still a little annoyed); and the last looking like he'd just watched a quality comedy performance. They all turned human as they touched down.

'You should've seen that, Hic- she slapped him like a hatchling!' He laughed through the bond. 'What's up with Toothless?' He asked, smirking with amusement as he noticed the panting dragon.
'Spent too long chasing a golden squirrel- you should've seen it.' He said, repeating his words back at him.

"I hope you've learnt your lesson." Jack taunted, looking goadingly at the giant rabbit, who glared back.
"I don't know why we even came to visit you. Fancy flighted Snake Head." He grumbled, surprisingly sulkily. North stood heavily, and Sandy did the same (though you couldn't really tell with Sandy).
'Wait- they're going already?' He thought to Jack.
'They've already stayed longer than they usually do.' He told him. Hiccup blinked- he guessed he still had a long way to go before he understood Sky Dragons.
"We wanted to come and visit him before the biggest storm sets in." North reminded him.

Oh yeah, Hiccup remembered, Big Bertha would be hitting Berk in the next few weeks. Jack grinned like he'd been told Snoggletog was almost here.
"What- you not skilled enough to fly it?" He teased.
"Not suicidal enough, more like." Bunny muttered. Sandy rolled his eyes at Bunny, but shook his head smiling in response to Jack.
"I'd love to." Tooth told him. "But you know only the best wind masters dare go for it. I wish I could go, but I don't want to go without the others. I hope you have a good time though." She grinned.

She spoke about it like some kind of ultimate challenge, or elite extreme sporting event.
"Your loss." He grinned back. "It's been good to see you guys though.. and catch up." He added, and Hiccup got the feeling he knew what they'd been talking about all along. Then the Sky Dragon met his eyes with a grateful look, and he knew for certain. He knew what Hiccup had told them about, and was glad- he couldn't have done it himself. Hiccup sent him a silent 'don't worry about it' in response.

North laughed loudly (not for any particualar reason, he was just generally loud).
"Yes it has been fun." He agreed. "But the open sky beckons." He said, before turning into a large, red, muscular dragon. Sandy nodding enthusiastically.
"Fun? Speak for yourself, mate." Bunny mumbled, also switching back into his dragon form. Tooth gave Jack a quick hug.
"I promise we'll visit again before spring." She promised him, smiling.
"Can't wait." He grinned back. And then Tooth surprised Hiccup, by giving him a tight hug as well.

"It's been great meeting you." He heard her say, right next to his ear. But, he seemed to have gone numb and found himself unable to respond. He was getting hugged by a dragon/bird flying woman- he was just a little shocked- he rationalised to himself. And he'd only just met her- shut up Jack. He thought, as he heard his mental laughter. He knew it was just shock, because he wasn't expecting it- but it didn't make him any less brilliant to taunt.

Then Tooth flew off, North and Bunny following her. Sandy gave a final, cheerful wave, before also turning into a dragon and following his winged companions.

They spent a while just watching them shrink, and vanish into the stars. But it wasn't long before Jack's voice ruined the moment.
"...So, Hiccup." He heard saying, a long smirk growing on his face that just screamed trouble. "How about it?" He frowned in confusion, and turned to look at him. What does he want him to do now?

"Big Bertha."

Hiccup froze as though Tooth was hugging him again- this time, with dread.

Oh no...