Characters: Hiccup, Toothless, Light Fury

Rating: T

Time range/age: HTTYD 3 Setting

Author's note: Hello again, my readers! Since the announcement of the upcoming movie, I know a lot of people (whether HTTYD fans or not) got really excited about it, myself included…and after watching that trailer for who knows how many times now, that scene with Hiccup and the Light Fury never fails to tug on my heart. So naturally, I had to write it! I really hope you guys enjoy!

P.S. Just to be clear, this is just MY take on how the scene would go down. Any similarities this story may have with others are just merely the result of coincidence.

Disclaimer: HTTYD and its characters all belong to Dreamworks and Cressida Cowell.

The sounds of war raged on down below, but only the sound of the wind wiping against his face and his own ragged pants registered in his ears. Holding on to the Light Fury as tightly as he could, Hiccup dared to sneak a glance down below. Ship after ship was either burned or exploded into tiny pieces, and in turn, he saw Viking after Viking...dragon after dragon, being wiped out from the sky.

Toothless.

Hiccup saw him fall and he didn't look conscious at all. Grimmel had failed to capture him, but not without striking a fatal blow. The minute Hiccup heard Toothless' pained roar, he and the Light Fury took to the skies.

"Faster," he practically begged. "Please, faster."

The Light Fury grunted as she urged her wings to move faster. Her slightly sloppy movements were understandable for she wasn't used to giving random humans a ride. For a moment, Hiccup felt bad for pressuring her, but that soon all but vanished as he saw Toothless plummet from the sky.

"Come on, bud," he thought, fingers curling around the Light Fury's neck. "Wake up. Please."

Seconds passed and Toothless was still falling. He just needed to get close. Just a little more.

The Light Fury gave a worried call, still struggling to fly faster. Hiccup felt his heart thump wildly against his armor.

They won't make it.

Time seemed to slow. It was like one of those nightmares he used to get when he was younger and had just defeated the Red Death. It was always the same setting, the same situation: Toothless falling high from the sky, and Hiccup unable to reach him in time. He'd always wake up just before Toothless would hit the water.

Only this time, he wasn't dreaming. The reality of it all slapped Hiccup hard on the face and soon, deep panic settled in.

The Light Fury was hysterical now, and Hiccup could feel her shaking along with his own hands as he still struggled to hold on. They were still too painfully far away. At this rate, they won't be able to save him in time.

He won't be able to save him in time.

Hiccup tightened his hold on her fin, causing the Light Fury to glance back. He gulped before forcing the words out of his mouth.

"Save him."

She didn't need to be told twice. As Hiccup felt her whole body rumble, he took a deep breath before finally letting go. And just as he did, she fired a blast so big and so loud, Hiccup swore even Thor himself heard.

At the sight of the Light Fury successfully catching Toothless mid-air, a sigh of relief escaped him. He barely even heard the cheers of some of the Vikings down below, or Astrid's screams of his name. Toothless being safe was the only thought crossing his mind.

"Thank you."

Hiccup closed his eyes before his body hit the water.