Chapter 30

(Toothless's POV)

I struggled against my bonds as the humans placed me in some sort of brace. I pulled against the ropes that held me down but it proved in vain when they put a strange brace around my neck. I pulled on it, but it held me to the rack the humans had placed me in earlier.

"Please you have to let me go." I pleaded. "Hiccup needs me. Can't you tell that she needs me?" I cried out with more alarm as they loaded me on to one of their ships.

"Set sail. We head for Helhiem's gate." I heard Hiccup's father order.

"No! If you got there, you'll all be killed." I warned. But then I realized that no one could understand me. I watched Hiccup's father walk closer to me.

"Lead us home, devil." He spat venomously at me.

'If you hurt Hiccup, I don't care if you are her father, I will kill you.' I thought as we took off. I hung my head in defeat. 'I'm sorry Hiccup. I couldn't protect you when it mattered most. Now you will lose your own body because of me. I'm sorry I failed you. Both as your protector and your friend.' I grieved.

We sailed along for a couple hours in silence aside from the occasional order given by Hiccup's father. When we made it to Helheim's gate, we went in and all the humans were ordered to stay close to the ship. I didn't pay attention to what they had to say because I was too busy thinking of ways to make it out of here in time to get to Hiccup and save her family from being killed by Him. But one of the voices brought me out of my thoughts.

"Psst, Stoick. I was overhearing some of the men just now and well you know some of them are wondering what is we are up to here. Not, not me of course. I always knew you were always the man with the plan. But some, not me, are wondering if there is in fact a plan at all and what it might be." The human with fake limbs asked hesitantly to Hiccup's father.

"Find the nest and take it." He said flat and dark. It was as I feared, they had no real plan. They didn't know what they were getting themselves into.

"Ah, of course. Send them running, the old viking fall-back, nice and simple." The one with fake limbs commented.

Suddenly, I could hear His calls. 'No, I won't fall for this anymore!' I struggled against the impulses, but instinct told me to go home. I fought as hard as I could against the impulses, but without Hiccup there to give me a reason to fight them, I wasn't strong enough. With each turn from around a pillar, we got closer and closer to the nest.

(Hiccup's POV)

I stood in the arena in front of the Monstrous Nightmare's cage, unsure if this would work. I turned when I heard somebody talk from behind me.

"If you're planning on getting eaten, I'd definitely go with the Gronckle." Fishlegs suggested as he and the other trainees entered the arena. I was taken aback that they had come.

"You were wise to seek help from world's most deadly weapon." Ruffnut said darkly as she approached me.

"Huh…" I said awkwardly.

"It's me." She finished as Snotlout pushed her out of the way.

"I love this plan." He said as he tried to show me his enthusiasm.

"I didn't…" I tried to say, but he was pushed out of the way by Tuffnut.

"You're crazy, I like that." He said as got closer to me. I held my breath, then I saw Astrid pull him away by this hair.

"So, what is the plan?" she asked seeming more eager than ever to see what I had in mind.

(Toothless's POV)

We got closer and closer to the nest and the closer we got, the more I tried to fight my instinct to follow his call. But it was too late. I could see the nest just behind a thin sheet of fog just ahead of us. I could hear the calls of the other dragons. I grew more frantic. I wanted to warn them that Hiccup's family was in danger because they were close to our home. But I couldn't open my mouth to shout.

"Stay low and ready your weapons." Hiccup's father warned. 'Your weapons won't save you from what is on our island.' I thought as continued to pull and bang around in my brace and rack. I let out a low growl of defeat. I had failed to warn the others that Hiccup's family was here and in danger or Hiccup's family that if they set foot on our island they would be killed. Hiccup's father came into my view.

"We're here." He said with a certain happiness. He jumped out of the ship and on to the shores of the island. The calls abruptly stopped once he set foot on the island.

(Hiccup's POV)

I opened the door to the Monstrous Nightmare's cage and stepped in slowly. It looked at me darkly and ready to set me alight.

"Back for a rematch?" he said with venom in his voice.

"I'm not here to hurt you. I want to help you. And I need your help. My father and the others in my village have taken Toothless and are on their way to your home." I explained calmly stepping closer slowly.

"Who?" he asked quizzically.

"My dragon, the Night Fury. They took him and are on their way to your home. I need your help to stop them."

"What makes you think I would lift a claw to help you after our previous encounter?" he growled.

"Because you promised Toothless that you and all the other dragons would help him look after me, that includes my family." I replied strongly.

He lifted his head looked out of the cage. "Who is that boy with the black hair?" he asked quizzically.

"That is my cousin, Snotlout. Why?" I asked.

"There's something about him, something …alluring." He replied curiously.

"Toothless told me that dragons protect what they treasure. What they treasure above all others other than family are their riders. Maybe what you feel is that he is the one who is destined to be your rider." I explained to him.

He brought his head down in front of me. I brought my hand in front of his snout and led him out of the cage. I heard Astrid tell Snotlout no. I got closer to them and I head him give a nervous whine. I reached for his hand and attempted to bring forward.

"Wait what are you…" he asked in a panic, almost shouting.

"It's okay, it's okay." I said claming him down and brought his hand to the Monstrous Nightmare's snout. The Monstrous Nightmare let out a contented growl.

"You were right. I can feel the bond between us. It feels like a warm pulse has shot through my entire body." He crooned.

Snotlout gave a small laugh. I turned and walked toward the box at the wall. "Where are you going?" Snotlout asked nervously.

"You're going to need something to help you hold on." I explained pulling some rope out of the box turning back to the others. They all turned to see all dragons waiting to see who riders would be.

(Toothless's POV)

The vikings prepared for battle. Forming their ranks, sharpening their weapons, setting up their catapults, sharpening their battle stakes, and drawing their battle plans. But all these preparations wouldn't be enough to save them once they saw what they were up against. I could only hang my head in despair at was going to happen to Hiccup's family and what would to her in less than two days.

"I'm sorry Hiccup. I have failed you." I moaned as I felt my tears stream down my face.

"When we crack this mountain open, all hell is going to break loose." Hiccup's father said darkly. 'You don't know the half of it.' I thought gravely.

"In my undies. Good thing I brought extras." The fake limbed one said as if to attempt a joke.

"No matter how this ends, it ends today." Hiccup's father said triumphantly.

He gave a signal with his hand they began their onslaught on the nest. Boulders flew through the air and crashed against the side of the nest with incredible strength. Within second the wall of the nest was open and Hiccup's father stood atop the rubble. He gave one more signal and they sent one more boulder, this one set alight in to the mouth of the opening. All the dragons were crowded together, not a space between them along the walls of the nest. Hiccup's father gave a loud battle cry and charged in. All the dragons took off, all of them screaming, "Get out! He's coming! Run if you want to live!" I cringed, knowing that this was my fault. If I had been strong, if I had found the strength to fight His control, we wouldn't be here.

"Is that it?" the fake limbed one questioned. "We've done it!" he cried in triumph. All the vikings started to celebrate. But I grew ore anxious. I began to pull and bang my brace against the rack that held me. Hiccup's father took one look at me and knew that something was wrong.

"This isn't over! Form your ranks, hold together!" he ordered his voice high with alarm. The floor of the nest started to break apart as He made His way to the surface. "Get clear!" Hiccup's father called out in alarm.

All the vikings ran from the mouth of the nest, but it was too late. He reached the surface, broke free of rubble He had spent all this time in. He was free and ready to feast on them.

"Beard of Thor! What is that?" The fake limbed one exclaimed.

"Odin help us!" Hiccup's father prayed.

He got closer to Hiccup's father and the rest of her family. "Catapults!" he roared. They launched all they had at Him, but it did them no good. His skin like a heavy coat of armor. Nothing could get through. He destroyed the catapults and made his attempt to eat Hiccup's family.

"Get to the ships!" someone cried.

"No, no!" Hiccup's father pleaded, but it was too late. He set their ships on fire, with me still onboard one of them.

"Smart that one." The fake limbed one commented as they tried to get further down the beach to get as far away form Him as possible.

"I was a Fool. Lead the men to the far side of the island!" Hiccup's father ordered. "Gobber go with the men."

"I think I'll stay, just incase you're thinking of doing something crazy."

"I can buy then a few minutes if I give that thing something to hunt."

"Then I can double that time." They said firmly holding hands as a show of their friendship and loyalty to one another. They turned back to the battleground.

"Here!" Hiccup's father called.

"Oh no, here!" the fake limbed one called out.

The swiftly made their way toward Him again, just as He was about to swallow one of their own. Hiccup's father grabbed one the wooden stakes they had sharpened and threw it as hard as he could. It hit Him just below the eye.

"You're very brave morsels or very stupid." He growled.

"Come on! Fight me!" the fake limbed one cried out to get His attention turned toward him.

"No, me!" Hiccup's father called to get His attention.

He was about to incinerate them when a blast hit Him behind the head. Out of the smoke, Hiccup and her friends appeared riding the backs of dragons. I had never seen her so confidant except when she knew that she was doing something for the ones she loved.

(Hiccup's POV)

We made our way to the island and just in time to see the monster about to kill Dad and Gobber.

"Stormfly, fire!" I ordered.

"With pleasure." She hissed.

Her blast dissertated Him for a second. That second was all we needed to arrive unseen.

"Ruff, Tuff, watch your backs!" I called. "Move Fishlegs!"

Everyone was eager to show that they were riding dragons, and the dragons were eager to show that they had found their riders. But we didn't have time to show off. We had to destroy that thing before He killed everyone on the island.

"Fishlegs, break it down." I ordered.

"Okay, heavily armored skull and tail made for bashing and crushing steer clear of both. Small eyes large nostrils, relies on hearing and smell." He informed.

"Okay, Lout, Legs, Hang in its blind spot make some noise keep it confused. Ruff, Tuff, Find out if it has a shot limit. Make it mad." I called to all the riders instructing the dragons as well.

"That's my specialty." Ruffnut called out bragging.

"Since when everyone knows I'm more irritating, see?" Tuffnut objected turning his Zippleback's head upside down.

"Just do what I told you. I'll be back as soon as I can." I called out turning towards the ships to find Toothless. 'Please still be alive.' I pleaded in my thoughts.

Astrid and I soared over the ships trying to see if we could se him among the flames. I heard him call out to me.

"Hiccup, over here!" he cried from the ship just below us.

"There." I breathed. We went in closer and I let Astrid take over on Stormfly. I jumped on to the ship in front of Toothless. "Go help the others." I instructed. She left to go help the others distract the monster. I turned toward Toothless and poke to calm him down.

"Alright Buddy hold on, hold on." I said as I pulled to muzzle off of him. I then grabbed a broken spear and lodged it into the chains that were holding Toothless's brace to the rack, hoping to pry them open. They held strong but I wasn't going to leave my best fiend behind. He didn't leave me behind all my life, I wasn't going to do that to him. Suddenly, the main mast crashed in front of Toothless next to me.

"Hiccup, get out of here." He cried.

"Never."

Just as I had managed to get the last words out, our ship was crushed and we were plunged into the water. Toothless sank and I dived after him. I wasn't going to be able to hold me breath for long, but I wasn't going to let Toothless drown. I swan down to the bottom and placed my hand on his snout. I then began to pull on the chains. I could hear Toothless struggling to get free, but I couldn't hold out any longer, my lungs gave up and I felt my body go slack against my will

'Toothless, no.' I pleaded in my thoughts.

(Toothless's POV)

I couldn't breath. I tried to yell, but the water made it difficult. I looked up and saw Hiccup swimming down after me. I tried to swim up to meet her, but the rack held me down. No matter how much I struggled, I couldn't break its hold on me.

Hiccup made it to me and placed her marked hand on my head in the same way that she did when she tried to calm me whenever I was angry or scared. She then reached down and started to pull on a set of chains. I knew she couldn't hold her breath forever and would run out of air soon. She might've had my blood, but she hadn't gone through enough changes to have a Night Fury's lungs. If she didn't return to the surface soon, she would drown.

I frantically pulled on the restraints that had me tied down but they held fast. Soon, Hiccup stopped pulling and went slack. I moved my head up to meet hers to give her at least a little breath, but then something pulled her away.

I tried to call out her name, but my voice was lost to the water. 'At least she's safe, for now.' I thought as my vision started to go black. I was about to give up completely, when I saw another figure in front of me. I snapped open my eyes and saw that it was Hiccup's father again.

'Come to finish what you started?' I thought bitterly. He reached toward me and grabbed at the brace and broke it. I looked at him for a second and launched myself out of the water, grabbing him on the way out and dropping him on the shore. 'Just because you saved me doesn't mean I forgive you.' I thought as I shook myself off. "Lets go Hiccup. This is what we were meant to do." I called gesturing with my head.

"You got it, Bud." Hiccup called back. She leaped into the saddle and hooked herself in. Just as she was placing her foot in the stir-up, her father called out to her, taking her hand in his.

"Hiccup, I'm sorry. For, for everything." He apologized

"Yeah me too." Hiccup returned.

"You don't have to go up there." He pleaded. 'She doesn't have a choose.' I thought.

"We're vikings, it's an occupational hazard." She said with a hint of happiness in her voice.

"I'm proud to call you my daughter." He said with genuine fatherly love in his voice.

"Thanks dad." Hiccup breathed before she leaned into the saddle.

"Ready?" I asked eager to get back up into the sky and give that murderer what He had coming.

"Always will be." She said as we took off.

We launched into the sky, Hiccup cried out in joy and let out my cry of joy. Our cries matched in tone and pitch. She knew what it meant, yet it didn't seem to scare her. We didn't have time to worry about now. We had other things to worry about.

"Astrid!" Hiccup cried as she turned her head back down toward the battlefield. I looked and saw her sister being pulled into His mouth along with her Nadder. "Toothless, we have to get them."

"And we will." I snarled as we dive-bombed in.

We could hear everyone crying out, "Night Fury! Get down!". When we got in close enough, I launched a fireball at His maw and knocked Astrid and her Nadder out of the way, but in doing so, I had dislodged Astrid form the Nadder's back and her Nadder glided hazardously to the ground. I swooped in and grabbed Astrid just in time.

"Did you get her?" Hiccup asked as she tried to look underneath to see. I looked and saw Astrid smiling at me. I smiled back, finally showing a smile I had wanted to show for fifteen years. I crooned and flipped her so that her arms were in my paws. I then placed her on the ground and took off again.

"Go." I heard her call to us.

"That thing has wings. Okay let's see if it can us them!" Hiccup said as we climbed higher into the sky. We dived in again, this time, I launched a fireball at His neck to get His attention.

"Do you think that did it?" I heard Hiccup ask as we flew around the island. I could sense Him right behind us.

"For your treachery Night fury, you and that human will perish at my claw!" He cried out as he flew close behind us.

"Well he can fly." Hiccup commented.

"But we can do better." I replied.

"I know we can."

We circled the island, gliding in and out of pillars with Him crashing through everything that got in His way. We could the rest of Hiccup's family cheering on the beach, but we had to keep focused if we were to survive this fight.

"Okay Toothless, time to disappear." Hiccup instructed as she clicked the tail into position and we started to rise up into the dark clouds above us. I could smell the gas gathering in His throat.

"Here it comes…" Hiccup called as we narrowly dodged His blast. Still we climbed higher and higher into the sky. We past through a thick cloud and disappeared into the darkness.

"Night Fury! Where are you, show yourself!" He shrieked. He continued to call as we circled around him time and again.

"Aim for the wings Toothless. I have an idea." I heard her say. I swerved and fired and hit His wing. I repeatedly shot His wings until He finally lit up the skies with His fire.

"Watch out!" Hiccup called. "Okay times up, let's see if this works."

I felt a strong heat on my tail and I knew my fake tail was on fire.

"Come on! Is that the best you can do?!" Hiccup taunted Him.

"Coward!" I taunted back.

He tried to close His jaws around us but we were too fast. We started to dive-bomb. I was worried. What if we crashed? Would Hiccup survive?

"Stay with me Buddy. We're good, just a little bit longer." She encouraged.

I kept going but I was still worried about her.

"Hold Toothless." She instructed and then she paused. "Now!" she yelled.

I flipped over and shot my fire in to the gas gathering His maw. His insides flared with fire then I saw why Hiccup had pulled us into a dive-bomb. I heard Him cry out in fear and saw Him try to open his wings. His wing began to rip from the damage I dealt Him with the blasts I gave Him earlier. He crashed in to the earth and went up in an explosion.

Hiccup and I were not out of danger yet. We still had to avoid the fire traveling up his body. I heard Hiccup desperately trying to position the tail, but it burned off. I saw His tail up ahead and heard Hiccup cry out.

"No. No!"

I tried to avoid it, but I took a hit, heard a sickening crack, and I felt Hiccup's weight leave my back. I turned my head and saw her falling towards the flames. I plunged myself after her reaching out to grab her, but she was just out of reach. I folded my wings to try and make myself go faster, but she just kept getting farther and farther out of reach. I had idea of what I could do to get to her, but the thought of it made me want to vomit, but I had no choice. I got closer and made one more reach with my head straightforward.

The flames closed around us and I finally pulled Hiccup close to my chest. I wrapped my wings around her and kept her safe from the fire. When we landed, the ground nearly crushed me when I made impact. I just hoped that the one unconscious in my arms was still alive. With what little bit of consciousness I had left, I could feel her heart beating against mine, and I knew that she was alive, if not injured. I heard someone calling out her name. As I regained my senses, I recognized it as Hiccup's father. I heard him approach us and his heavy breathing and I knew that he was worried that she had not made it. I heard him slump to the ground and mourn his daughter.

"Oh Lass, I did this." I heard him say, his voice heavy with regret. I opened my eyes and I saw that we were surrounded by all the others of Hiccup's family and the other dragons. They had returned to see the Hatchling, defeat the one who had been responsible for all the pain He caused us and her family. But I focused my attention on her father. His eyes were wet, heavy with tears.

"Is there something you'd like to say?" I crooned softly.

As if he could understand me, he presently said, "Oh Hiccup, I'm so sorry."

Upon hearing that, I knew he was sincere. 'Now I forgive you.' I thought as I unwrapped my wings to reveal Hiccup, battered and unconscious, but alive.

"Hiccup!" He said in surprise as he scooped her up into his arms. He brushed her hair out of her face and removed his helmet and placed his ear to her chest. "Ha, she's alive. You brought her back alive." He said as his voice began to crack from his happiness.

Everyone around us broke out into cheers and applause. The dragons gave out roars of triumph and celebration. I watched as Hiccup's father placed his hand on my head. I slumped to the ground exhausted from our battle.

"Thank you for saving my daughter." Hiccup's father said kindly.

The fake limbed one stepped forward. "Well you know, most of her." I wanted to protest, but I could barely even move. My vision went dark and I slipped into a deep sleep.

When I opened my eyes again, we were on makeshift raft made from what the others could salvage from the wreckage of their ships. I looked beside me and saw Hiccup under her father's cloak with a rag on her forehead. I nosed at the cloak and saw that half of her left leg was gone. I let out a cry of despair. I had lost my ability to fly and Hiccup gave it back to me. But what she didn't know was that I would have given up my ability to fly if I thought that it would save her life. I could live without flying, but now my hatchling's wings had been clipped. She'd never be able to walk or run the same ever again because of me.

Hiccup's father approached me as I laid my head next to hers with salty tears running down my cheeks.

"I understand. You regret what happened to her leg, but I know you did what you had to, to bring her back safely. We can give her something to help her walk, and I'm sure Gobber can fix up another tail for you from the notes he found in her little workshop in the forge. You'll both have what you lost back in no time." He explained s he stroked my head.

So my hatchling would be able to walk again. We would both have what we lost. Hiccup's father returned to his post not far from where me and Hiccup lay. I draped my wing over my rider, whom I knew would no longer be able to understand me once she opened her eyes.

(Hiccup's POV)

I felt something warm and soft brush my face. I could hear a soft moan beside me. My eyes fluttered open and I saw Toothless looking at me with relief and excitement. But I could no longer understand what he was saying.

"Hey Toothless." I whispered. Toothless began nudging my face in happiness. " I'm happy to see you too Bud." Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain surge through my body. I shot up and held my ribs. I then realized where I was.

"Uh, I'm in my house? Uh, you're in my house?" I questioned, baffled at what was going on. Toothless began pouncing around the house. "Does my Dad know you're here? Uh, Bud. Okay, okay. No, no, no please. Toothless! Uh come on." I complained as I shifted to get out of bed.

I pulled the covers back and met a sight that made my heart stop. I brought both my legs down on the floor and heard the metal squeak. Half of my left leg was missing, replaced with a metal one. I raised my head to look at Toothless. He had a look of apology and regret in his eyes. I heaved two breaths and prepared to take my first steps. I stood up, using my bedpost for support. I pushed off and took one step with my right leg. I breathed in one more time and took a step with my new leg. A sharp, burning pain shot up my leg and I lost my balance and fell. I waited for the impact, which never came. I opened my eyes and saw Toothless holding me up with his head. I pulled my self up and leaned against his head and he guided e to the front door.

"Okay. Thanks Bud." I sighed, as we got closer to the door. Even though I could no longer understand him, he was still protecting me from whatever life might throw at me.

When we go to the door, I opened it up and saw a Monstrous Nightmare scream. "Whoa. Toothless, stay here." I said with a singe of panic. I opened the door and heard Snotlout call for other on dragons to follow. I looked around gaping. "What?" As I looked around, I found it hard to take everything in. Dragons and humans were living and working together as if the war had never happened. "I knew it, I'm dead." I concluded. I heard my Dad laughing behind me.

"No but you gave it your best shot. So what do you think?" He asked gesturing toward the village.

"Hey look, it's Hiccup." Someone called and all at once everyone surrounded me and my Dad.

"Turns out all we needed was a little more of this." He said gesturing to me.

"You said gestured to all of me." I said in slight disbelief. He nodded softly smiling down on me.

"Well, most of you. That bit's my handiwork, with a little Hiccup flair thrown in it. Do you think it will do?" Gobber said pointing to my left leg.

I looked down at it again. "I might make a few tweaks." I joked.

I then felt someone punch my arm from behind. "That's for scaring me." I turned around to see my sister, Astrid looking at me with relief.

"What, what is it always going to be this way? Because…" I started, but was cut short when Astrid pulled me into a strong, sisterly hug. "I could get used to it." I said feeling better. I turned around to see Gobber holding something I his arms. He then handed it to me. It was a new tail and saddle for Toothless. "Welcome home." He said warmly.

"Night Fury!" Someone cried.

"Get down!" Someone else yelled, but it was too late. Toothless jumped over everyone and landed in front of me with and eager look on his face. I couldn't understand him anymore, but I knew what he wanted to do right then and there. Astrid and I shared laugh before I started to hook up the new tail and saddle onto Toothless.

When I was done, Astrid mounted her Deadly Nadder and prepared to race. I shared a look with Toothless before we took off.

"Ready?" I asked as I felt my heart pounding and my blood racing with excitement. Toothless cooed at me in agreement. "What you said all those years ago came true Hiccup. Now we do match." I heard a voice say. I looked around but no one had said a word. I looked down at Toothless, but knew that it couldn't be him because the terms of the bond were over. But I acknowledged it.

As Astrid and I raced our dragons around Berk, I thought about the way our island was now thanks to us. 'This is Berk. It snows nine months of the year and hails the other three. Any food that grows here is tough and tasteless. The people that grow here are even more so. The only up sides our companions. While over places have ponies or parrots. We have dragons.' Toothless and I pulled up higher and higher into the sky. Toothless and I let out our cries of joy and victory. As I felt the wind blow through my hair and against my skin, I knew Toothless and I had found our family. We had finally come home.