𖣯 ✹ 🌷(makligr) ꏍ ！┈─❟
╰───►chapter thirteen; yrsa
❝ back to the wild! ❞

    "WANT TO bet on this?"

    Yrsa peered at Snotlout beside her from where they stood waiting outside the arena. They were all racing to beat the dome in order to check the closing speed of the mechanical system Hiccup created. Not that Hiccup knew, but they all were definitely turning this into a competition to see who could beat the dome the fastest.

    "You ... really want to bet over Hiccup and Toothless not being fast enough?"

    Snotlout stared at her. She was waiting for the realisation to hit him. Then, he made a face, "Uh, duh, Yrsa, that's how betting works."

    Yrsa bit back an amused smirk, knowing she was going to win this easy. "Okay. Uh ... I bet that Hiccup will be the fastest; you have to take off everything 'S' related from your hut."

    He soon scowled. Crossing his arms, he then decided. "Wow, look at that, I've changed my mind."

    Yrsa smirked, smug.

    Astrid turned her nose up at them. "How ... how are you guys friends?"

    Glancing at her, Yrsa just shrugged. Astrid scoffed, shaking her head in amusement. Then she gasped, pointing out to the edge of the forest as a slender dark dragon shot out of the midst of dense wood. "There they are!"

    Yrsa's attention spun quickly upwards to the sky, smacking Snotlout right in his chest in her attempt to gather his focus. He doubled over, coughing, winded. "Ow," he managed.

    Fishlegs waved over to the Twins, "Close the dome!" they stood by their new lever mechanism. Jumping away from checking the hairs on their lips, Ruff and Tuff shared a grin.

    "And so the drama begins!" announced Ruffnut.

    Her brother nodded, slowly walking up to the large lever as Hiccup and Toothless weaved around the sea stacks. Yrsa watched them, eager to have a go herself. She and Helrose were determined to be the fastest for once, and this could be their chance. "One man," said Tuffnut dramatically, "one dragon, one leg━" together, he and his sister pushed the lever down with all their might, "━versus one rapidly closing dome."

    With many creaks and clinks, the open dome of the arena started to fold out around the perimetre. This didn't scare or fase Hiccup who merely checked where they were over his shoulder and pulled Toothless up for a spin and back down. Yrsa watched from the edge, hearing the Night Fury shriek as he picked up speed. He and his rider darted underneath into the caves below and Yrsa spun around, eager to see them reappear before the doors closed.

    Snotlout scoffed, crossing his arms beside her, "Yeah, there's no way he's making that."

    Just as he said so, Hiccup and Toothless shot up through the crack. Yrsa bit back her smirk as they darted out of the closing dome with only seconds to spare, glancing at Snotlout with a raised brow to say, want to take that back?

    Toothless spread out his wings and ducked his head down, searching for the reaction of a specific Viking. Yrsa glanced up and chuckled to see his expectant gaze. When she set him a thumbs up, he gave her a gummy grin in return, very happy as he set down on the grass with Hiccup giving Yrsa a flat-stare himself. Snotlout grumbled, very unhappy while Astrid and Fishlegs applauded.

    Yrsa rushed over to hug Toothless, giving him a scratch. Hiccup rolled his eyes, "Really?" he asked his dragon. "Am I not enough for you? Is she all that matters?" He hopped off his saddle, propping his hands on his hips. He let out a breath, satisfied with his run.

    "Nice flight," said Yrsa, running her hand along Toothless's brow and he purred, closing his eyes. "Though that switch from upwards out of the crack and out of the dome was a bit choppy."

    Hiccup gave her a light-hearted scowl. "You want to try it?"

    "Oh, I am," she smirked, smug, "after Snotlout. And be prepared to lose."

    "Yeah, we are!" stated Snotlout loudly. "Come on, Hookfang." The Monstrous Nightmare stopped annoying Stormfly to look over, rapt with attention.

    Fishlegs rolled his eyes, "Oh, please, nobody's been able to beat the dome except Hiccup."

    "Nobody till now."

    "Yeah, and it'll be me," added Yrsa, pointing to herself. Snotlout grumbled, annoyed at her.

    Hiccup glanced at them all, incredulous, "Guys," he said, unsure, "this was supposed to be a drill. Do you have to turn it into a game?"

    "Yes━"

    "━Obviously━"

    "━Uh, duh━?"

    "━Yeah━"

    "━Don't we always?"

    Hiccup pursed his lips, taken aback by their immediate responses. Then he sighed, agreeing with Astrid, "Fair point." He turned back to Toothless who was now slumping onto Yrsa's lap as she sat down with him, he went blank-faced all over again. Yrsa resisted the urge to laugh.

    Things were back to normal with them now. Well ... as normal as things could ever be. Friends━just that. Friends. Nothing more for now, and Yrsa liked it. She liked it far better than the confusion, lost promises and sombre longing it had been before. Things were good.

    "'Twas once a drill!" spoke up Tuffnut, waving a hand out towards them. They all glanced over to the Twins, incredulous. "Then it became a game. Now, it is theatre!"

    Ruffnut held up her chin pompously, "Let the drama unfold!"

    Snotlout rolled his eyes and started off towards the beginning line with Hookfang following. "Whatever it is," he said, "it's my turn."

    The Twins watched him go, muttering amongst each other.

    "I'll wager he loses an eye."

    "Ah━ha! On the contrary, I predict that Act One, Scene One will conclude with the loss of a gall bladder."

    "Hmmm, or perhaps a leg! What say you, young Hiccup?" Tuffnut turned to Yrsa, Hiccup, Toothless and Helrose (who had come over to join, deciding to sunbathe beside them instead of away).

    Hiccup didn't look amused. "Okay ..."

    "I predict this will be a disaster," offered Astrid.

    "I predict that the Twins are both idiots," added Yrsa. Ruff and Tuff both glared at her.

    Hiccup face-palmed.

    The group of young adults waited for Snotlout to journey through the woods and back out for the dome. Yrsa peered around, trying to see with Toothless's weight keeping her down. Everyone was confused about her friendship with Snotlout━aside from Hiccup. But, of course, all they saw was Snotlout's obnoxious comments that only just heightened since Yrsa actually started to get along with him. But they hadn't been there━nor did they know━when he had helped her, and was there when she needed advice. And it wasn't like she had a choice, after that, Snotlout just decided they were good friends and unlike before, Yrsa couldn't escape it. Or maybe the difference this time, was that she accepted it.

    Finally, when Snotlout and Hookfang reappeared, the Twins were back at the lever. As they waited to lock it in, Ruff and Tuff decided to announce everything that happened as if this was a Roman ampitheatre.

    "He hath emerged from the forest!" called Ruffnut in a very dignified voice.

    Tuffnut stood ontop of the base of the lever, "And what of his gall bladder?"

    "Impossible to say!"

    At this, Tuff pushed the lever down, and the drill officially began. Yrsa drummed her fingers on Toothless's back, a mixture of anticipation and anxiety over the result of Snotlout's run. Astrid looked a little eager to see failure while Hiccup casually watched, scratching Helrose at the back of the crown since Toothless decided to give Yrsa all of his attention (which she loved. She loved him and Helrose with all of her heart). 

    Watching Snotlout reach the sea stacks, Tuffnut smirked, "The tension continues to build━whah━!"

    He had fallen off the lever and onto the grass. Ruffnut laughed in his face. Chicken clucked from where she had been sitting amongst her feathers a few paces away. She then fluttered her wings for a quick jump and landed on Tuffnut's chest as he tried to get up, making him fall flat again.

    "Oh, you menace," he told her. She ruffled back into a comfortable position. "We talked about this, Chicken!"

    "There he goes!" announced Fishlegs as Snotlout and Hookfang disappeared into the caves. Yrsa glanced anxiously at the dome, her heart beginning to race as it closed almost too fast this time. They were running late━and even a second late against this dome meant you were going to lose.

    "And time runs out for our plucky little anti-hero!" called Tuffnut from the ground.

    "Ah, yes, I love a ticking sundial, don't you?!"

    "Indeed!"

    Yrsa rolled her eyes at them. Hiccup sighed and propped his hands on his hips again, "Guys, please?" he chided the Twins.

    Out from the fissure returned Snotlout and Hookfang, just in time that they might indeed make it. But for some reason, Hookfang refused to fly through. Yrsa frowned, confused. Snotlout was similar. "Hookfang!" he said to his dragon. "Beat the dome! Hurry up!" He managed to pull him around to fly, but it was too late. The last thing Yrsa saw before the doors closed was Snotlout's triumphant face until━

    WHAM!

    They ran straight into the closed dome.

    Everyone gasped.

    "Snotlout!" exclaimed Astrid.

    The Twins winced at the following thud and quickly pulled up the lever. Yrsa got Toothless off her lap with a quick hand signal and she was rushing towards the arena with the others following. As the doors rotated back open, the group of friends skidded to a stop, horrified by what they might see.

    Yrsa's breath hitched and she jumped down to see Snotlout on his back, not moving. "Snotlout? Snotlout, are you okay?" she crouched down beside him with Hiccup at her side. The others stood back, watching with worried glances. When Snotlout didn't move, Yrsa reached out and awkwardly gave his shoulder a push and like that, he shot upwards, surprising her so much she shrieked and sat backwards. (She was very embarassed).

    "Define okay," he fixed his helmet, scowling as if he hadn't just been dazed.

    Gradually, the others joined them. Hiccup glanced around, a frown forming on his face when he couldn't see a specific red Monstrous Nightmare. "Uh ... where's Hookfang?"

    Snotlout pushed himself back onto his feet, shaking his hit off, "That's what I'd like to know." Angry, he pointed at the ground, "I've got some words for that dragon!"

    Yrsa stood back up as well, brushing off her skirt and trying to act as though she hadn't just shrieked like a little girl. "Snotlout, I wouldn't be that harsh━"

    She was cut off by a screech. Recognising it to be Hookfang, she glanced over and tilted her head, confused to hear it coming from the woods. She met Hiccup's gaze, and saw him furrow his brows, just as bewildered.

◞ ★ ꒱꒱◜

    IT TOOK Snotlout the entire afternoon to find Hookfang and was seen almost dragging his dragon into the stables for dinner. The Monstrous Nightmare kept glancing back to the forest, whining and trying to get away. Yrsa didn't think much of it━it wasn't like Hookfang being disobedient and not listening to Snotlout was something unusual. But he was concerned about his dragon, and so he placed Hookfang in his pen for the night so he wouldn't hurt himself. And Yrsa would admit, when Hookfang started to bang his head continiously on the support beams of the stables, something didn't seem too right. But things really started to get confusing and worrisome when the next morning, Hookfang had broken right out of his pen and disappeared.

     The last time Yrsa has seen Snotlout this worried was when he grew exhausted and started to lose his flame. That was around three years ago; he almost lost Hookfang that day, Yrsa believed he was scared that he'd actually lose him this time.

    She and Hiccup joined Snotlout in a search for his dragon, taking to the forest and surveying from above. Yrsa peered down through the tree tops, keeping her ears peeled for any sounds that could belong to a Monstrous Nightmare. Snotlout gave Hiccup no choice in flying with him on Toothless, clinging on behind him and calling out below. "Hookfang! HOOKFANG?!"

    He pushed Hiccup down and the chief's son let out a grunt of discomfort. Toothless snarled, but Hiccup quickly reassured him with a rub on his snout, "Easy, bud," he muttered. "The sooner we find Hookfang, the sooner we'll get Snotlout off your back."

    Yrsa peered through her spy glass as Helrose glided, searching with her. Her wings beated gently in the wind, taking a slow pace just in case so they wouldn't miss anything. But so far, Yrsa couldn't see a explosive Monstrous Nightmare with severe anger and rebellious issues anywhere. But they weren't going to give up until they found him. Hookfang seriously seemed to be in some sort of hysteria to break out like he had, and that meant he wasn't in a smart state of mind━he could have gotten hurt, or even worse.

    As Hiccup sat up, Snotlout smacked his shoulder, "Hey━give me your eye thingy."

    Hiccup arched a brow at him, "You mean my spy glass?"

    He pulled it out of his saddle bag and Snotlout just snatched it from his palm, holding it up to his eye to glower out at the forest. Just as he did, a cry echoed out━one that belonged to a Monstrous Nightmare. Yrsa perked up in her saddle.

    Snotlout frowned. "That sound," he murmured, "we heard that right before Hookfang weirded out." Suddenly, he pushed forward and pointed down towards the roar. Hiccup was shoved to the side. He gripped his saddle tight to not fall off. "Go that way!"

    "Would you just━" Hiccup grappled for a safe place on Toothless's back, "━okay," he quickly calmed himself down, "okay━let me fly the dragon?"

    A second roar followed, louder than the last one. Yrsa tilted her head, "That sounded like a Monstrous Nightmare..."

    Together, they dived down towards the sound, wrapping back around and landing by the pit of thin rocky cliffs close to the centre dormant volcano.

    Yrsa sat with her back straight and her hands tight on the handles of Helrose's saddle to keep her calm when as soon as they landed, Hookfang growled. He was here, standing guard in front of a dark cavern within the rocks, and he wasn't his usual self. Even with Snotlout behind Hiccup, he did not calm down.

    "This place again?" Snotlout was surprised. "This is where I found him last time!"

    He jumped off Toothless's saddle and took a step towards his dragon. Immediately, Hookfang reared back. He extended his wings and let loose a defiant shriek, claws raking and pawing the ground. Yrsa flung out a hand to stop Snolout, eyes wide at the friendly dragon's sudden vicious nature, but Snotlout ignored her, clenching his fists and forging onwards.

    Then, from the dephts of the cave, emerged a second Monstrous Nightmare. Smaller, slender with bright purple and orange scales━a female, just as aggressive, if not more than Hookfang in front of her.

    "There's another one," stated Yrsa to Hiccup.

    "Not just another," he glanced at her.

    "A female one, I know," she finished.

    Hookfang turned to the female Monstrous Nightmare, his attention falling away from his rider and onto her as she dipped her body and flared her wings. He copied, circling in a dance that if Snotlout tried to interrupt, would not end up well.

    "Stay here girl, it's okay," Yrsa whispered to her dragon before slipping off her saddle. Her feet touched the ground alongside Hiccup's and they walked up to Snotlout who stared at the two dragons, not sure whether to be horrified or delighted.

    "A female Monstrous Nightmare?" he muttered. Then, he grinned. "Now it makes sense!" He crossed his arms, proud, "My dragon has a way with the ladies. Must've picked up some pointers from his master, eh?" he elbowed Yrsa and she rolled her eyes.

    "Unlikely," she replied, "she isn't dry heaving."

    Snotlout threw a hand up, scoffing at her, "Okay, shush. Hookfang," he called to his dragon, "time's up. Let's go."

    Both Yrsa and Hiccup winced as their friend stepped forward.

    "Uh, Snotlout," warned Hiccup, "you might want to tread lightly. He's ... uh ... he's looking a wee bit territorial."

    "He's looking a wee bit territorial," mocked Snotlout and Hiccup sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. The Jorgenson did not falter in his march towards Hookfang. "Thanks for the advice, Hiccup━" he shot sarcastically over his shoulder. "But, like you said, nobody knows my dragon like I do. So, when it comes to Hookfang, I handle my own business."

    "Oh, gods..." Yrsa hunched up beside Hiccup, already seeing the disaster that was going to follow.

    Stopping by the dragons, Snotlout propped his hands on his hips. "Hookfang? Girl Hookfang━AHHHHHH━!"

    Yrsa and Hiccup shielded their eyes from the flames. Snotlout's screams slowly faded away, sizzling with all of his arm hair. Slowly, Yrsa lowered her hands, watching Snotlout limp back towards them, charred like a burnt piece of yak meat. "Yeah," he rasped, "he's a little busy right now ..." he slumped forward at their feet, unconsious.

    They had to drag Snotlout back to the outpost, slumping him in front of Hiccup on the saddle to make sure he wouldn't fall off. It took a short while for him to wake up back on the Edge, charred and with something more than a burnt ego. Fishlegs, Astrid, Ruffnut and Tuffnut were waiting for him to retain what had happened, and when he woke up at the Clubhouse, still dazed but okay, they explained what they saw. And by the end, Snotlout looked miserable.

    Yrsa pursed her lips once they finished. It was like she was staring back at the boy who thought he had killed his own dragon in his determination to keep up with his father's expectations, slumped and grim. It made her say softly, "Snotlout, I don't think that it's that bad."

    "Yeah," agreed Astrid, "it could have been way worse."

    "He hasn't left you," went on Yrsa, "he's just ... preoccupied at the moment. But Hookfang would never leave you; you mean too much to him."

    "I fear not, fair maidens!" spoke up Tuffnut. Yrsa scowled at him, knowing he was going to mess this up. "Hookfang clearly made a decisive choice in that moment and━thus━acted upon it!" her scowl turned blank in realising the Twins were still going about their stupid dramatic theatre phase.

    Ruffnut hummed, nodding along with her brothers words, "Hmm ... yes. Showing, not telling. The number one rule in theatre. And what better way to achieve that than by setting one aflame!"

    "Kid all you want!" snapped Snotlout, glowering at the two of them. "But I know that dragon. I know what's in his heart and in his head! Yrsa's right. He'll come back to me. He always does."

    At Fishlegs's nervous whimper, Snotlout spun to him with a furious, "Oh, what?! What?! You're gonna tell me he's never coming back?!"

    "Well━" began Fishlegs in a very high-pitched voice, but he seemed to think better of it.

    Yrsa clenched her hands. Hiccup placed a hand on her shoulder and asked, "Fishlegs?"

    Fishlegs twiddled his thumbs, shyly meeting his gaze. "Hookfang wouldn't follow his training," he explained hesitantly, "he wouldn't eat, he ran away━twice ... he picked another dragon over you," he turned to Snotlout.

    "Oh, and don't forget the fire!" offered Tuffnut.

    "Right ... he━well, he pushed you away. All the symptoms are there."

    Snotlout's face grew pale under the ash stuck to his cheeks. "Symptoms of what?"

    Fishlegs glanced at them all, apprehensive. Then, he said, "I ... I think Hookfang is going feral."

    They all gasped, horrified.

    "No!" Tuffnut's hands flew to his helmet dramatically, "not going feral?!"

    "The cruellest turn of events!" added Ruffnut. "Wait ... what does going feral mean?"

    "I have no idea."

    "Oh, my gods!" Yrsa snapped at them for Snotlout's sake as he grew paler and paler by the second. "Shut up!"

    "It means that meeting this female Monstrous Nightmare," explained Fishlegs, "has reawakened his primal instincts. And he's returning to the wild."

    At that, the Twins went wide-eyed. Their jokes fell away and they shared a grave glance, for not even they could bear to make fun of someone losing their dragon back to the wild. Yrsa turned to Snotlout, not sure what he was going to say, or how he'll act. She ... she couldn't imagine the thought of Helrose or Toothless going back into the wild. She could barely even begin to imagine to actually face it like Snotlout was right now.

    Looking small under their gazes, Snotlout quickly went to the defence, "Shut up, Fishface!" he snapped. "What do you know? Hookfang needs me!"

    "It's nature, Snotlout," argued Fishlegs weakly. "You can't fight it."

    Furious, Snotlout spun on his heel and stormed towards his hut, shouting, "Watch me!"

◞ ★ ꒱꒱◜

    IT WAS SOMBRE that afternoon as Yrsa and Hiccup scrubbed their dragons' scales in the stables. Yrsa couldn't stop thinking about what Fishlegs said as she scrubbed the dirt from Helrose's beautiful scales, picking out every change in the purple and black. Thoughtful, her fingers brushed the side of her snout as she glanced at her, knowing something was on her mind. Yrsa pushed past it to give her a reassuring smile.

    But it clouded her mind. What would life be like without Helrose? Without Toothless? Yrsa's life changed the moment she found the Night Fury with Hiccup━the both of them changed her, gave her something different to live for. They helped her find an understanding and closure within herself and her father. Made her see things differently. They were a part of her, Yrsa couldn't ... she couldn't bear the thought of having to say goodbye to either of them.

    Hiccup glanced over at her, watching the way she sadly dipped the brush back into the water bucket they were sharing. He pursed his lips, a hand on Toothless's neck, "Scary idea, huh?" he spoke up and she met his gaze, seeing him give her a little, sad smile.

    "That one of our dragons might just ... one day, go back to the wild?"

    Yrsa hummed softly, nodding. Her gaze flickered to Toothless, and with Helrose following her, she reached out a hand to run along his crown, too. The Night Fury closed his eyes, purring. She held a hand against either dragon, just happy for the comfort that they were still here with her.

    Hiccup's shoulders slumped a little at the sad tilt of her head. Then, he cupped Toothless's maw, smiling, "But you'd never do that to us, would you, bud?"

    As if knowing what he was talking about, Toothless nudged into the both of them, and Yrsa chuckled, wrapping an arm over his neck as Hiccup scratched under his chin. Helrose ducked in under Hiccup's other arm, too, and Yrsa let her dragon rest the side of her head against her cheek. She wondered whether that was Helrose saying, I would never, either, and it made Yrsa smile.

    Hiccup looked relieved. He held both dragons into a loose hug with Yrsa. All four of them were close━a small team within a team. "I didn't think so."

    "Yeah," Yrsa nodded to herself, realising she was overthinking it all. She let her head then fall, comfortable against Toothless's neck, the sound of his vibrating purr almost like a lullaby that brought her back to the peace of the Cove every time. "We won't have to ever worry about that, will we?" Their dragons gave them a final purr, and Yrsa knew the promise was true. 

    She smiled, meeting Hiccup's gaze who chuckled at Helrose nuzzling her snout into his cheek. She was glad they were friends again. 

     Yrsa went to say something else, but a strange smell grabbed her attention. She frowned, turning towards it, "What smells so good?" Hiccup shrugged, and together, they left their dragons to investigate. Soon, they heard the sound of Fishlegs humming and Meatlug's happy clatters. The two of them came to a stop around the corner, incredulous.

     Hiccup arched a brow at Fishlegs scratching away at Meatlug's belly━now, of course, this was normal, but in addition to that smell? His humming? At this time of day? This was usually Meatlug's bedtime routine, and Yrsa had a feeling she knew why Fishlegs decided to give her extra treatment. It made her frown, finding it slightly manipulative. 

      "You're giving Meatlug a rubdown?" accused Hiccup.

     "Yeah," answered Fishlegs innocently. Yrsa crossed her arms. "With her favourite lingonberry oil. Just letting her know she's appreciated."

     Astrid glanced over from where she was feeding Stormfly, "Fishlegs, you can't guilt-trip your dragon into staying. Remember Snoggletog?"

     Fishlegs's innocent facade dropped and he turned to glower at her, "Okay, first of all, I said it then and I'll say it now, I'm pretty sure she wanted to say at a good ninety-one per cent━" Astrid rolled her eyes, "━and don't act like you haven't been giving Stormfly extra chicken!"

     The blonde went bright red. The accusing eye turned onto her. Astrid quickly stepped in front of the basket Stormfly was eating from. "I ... do not know what you're talking about, Fishlegs━don't turn this on me! You once chained Meatlug!"

     "Guys!" Hiccup stepped in before an argument would break out. "No one is losing their dragons, okay? Not even Snotlout."

     The Twins whispered amongst one another. 

    "And the tension builds!" said Ruffnut dramatically. 

    "Even the future chief," sighed Tuffnut, "our one day leader, our hope and our destiny━"

     "Oh, gods," Hiccup face-palmed.

    "━is going through the worst of reactions!" the youngest twin placed a hand on to his heart, filled with sympathy. "Denial."

     "You want to see what reaction you'll get once I knock out your teeth?" Yrsa threathened. The Twins went quiet. "Guys, seriously, we don't need to prove anything or make-up in attention, or love to our dragons." She felt Helrose rub against her and she gave a rare smile with everyone around, gazing at her dragon with the greatest adoration. "They bonded with us for who we are. They've chosen to be with us through everything. Our bonds are special, and nothing will ever change that. So," she met their gazes, shrugging, "relax. Hookfang will find his way back to Snotlout, everything will work out. Your dragons trust you; you have to trust them."

     Yrsa watched her friends all glance at their respective dragons, and there was a warmth in her heart to see them give them a scratch, or a hug. Tuffnut frowned at her, sharing a silent exchange with his sister before deciding to say, "Well, that's easy for you to say. You got two dragons. If Helrose goes, you still have Toothless, and he can't fly to leave, so ..."

     Her confidence faltered instantly. She wanted to be angry. She wanted to attack him and call him a stupid idiot, but that doubt flickered within her yet again. Yrsa set her gaze on Helrose, and then it drifted down to Toothless, unable to stop herself from thinking: what if? Helrose had freedom to go whenever she wanted, and that sort of scared her, but with Toothless? Instead of fear, she felt guilt. But she and Hiccup once offered him a tail that could work on its own, and she had seem him destroy it in favour of the one he had now. Toothless peered back at her with those large eyes, and for a second, she had a freakish flash of memory to when he had stared at her like that, and then took off without a second thought. He and Helrose had come back, but those few days around Snoggletog that she had without them, Yrsa had been miserable. 

    It's okay, Yrsa persuaded herself. They came back. They always come back. 

    The door to the stables opened, revealing the setting afternoon sun that made them all wince and hold up their hands to cover their eyes. Inside, arrived Snotlout, looking as though he had walked through fire all over again. Yrsa's shoulders fell, wary of the distant look in his eyes. 

     He didn't say anything. They all watched as he gloomily walked past them to Hookfang's empty stall. Snotlout set his hand against the door, gazing inside with a silent somberity that made the rest of them share solmen glances. 

    Yrsa found herself stepping forward without even thinking. It struck her, but she moved past it, which also made the solemn looks behind her turn to ones of surprise. Hiccup followed her, and that gave Yrsa some sureity. 

    "Hey," she began softly, stopping behind Snotlout, "any luck?"

    Snotlout froze up. He refused to meet her gaze, knowing the others were still there. That was something similar about Yrsa and Snotlout, they hated being vulnerable in front of others. "You give a dragon the best years of your life and then━pfft━it's over!"

     Behind them, Fishlegs whimpered. He spun to Meatlug, desperately grabbing his bucket of rocks, "You want some more bauxite, girl?!" Astrid rushed to scratch Stormfly's scales. 

     Tuffnut sighed sadly, "Classic romantic comedy paradigm. Boy gets dragon, boy loses dragon, dragon falls asleep, boy eats, boy falls asleep, dragon eats." He choked up.

    His sister let out a muffled sob, "Oh!" she wiped tears from her eyes. "Gets me every time."

     Snotlout sighed, slumping, "I give up." Yrsa's lips parted, not sure what to say. "If ... If being with her makes Hookfang happy, I guess ... I guess I should be happy for him, too." He turned away from the stall, brushing past Yrsa and Hiccup who watched, taken aback to silence. They didn't know what to say, or what to do. "Now ... if you'll excuse me," Snotlout muttered as he slumped towards the door again, "I think I'm going to go lay down for a few ... weeks."

      He left and the air was even more sombre than it had been before.

     Finally, Hiccup breathed, "Wow ... it's really not like Snotlout to give up this easily."

     "What can he do?" said Tuffnut. "Hookfang hath forsaken him. I, too, would be depressed━" he frowned, trying to find some dramatic way to say the word. Yrsa didn't have the strength to even be annoyed, "━ed, if Barf and Belch forsook ...ed, me."

     "And if I forsak━ed thee?" pondered Ruffnut to her brother. 

     He thought about it, then shrugged, "Eh, that wouldn't bother me."

    "Forsaketh," corrected Yrsa miserably. "You could've said melancolic and forsaketh."

    Hiccup shook his head, stubbornly staring off where Snotlout left, "We gotta get him back in the saddle right away. That means we've got some work to do."

◞ ★ ꒱꒱◜

    THE NEXT MORNING, before Snotlout was sure to wake, the Dragon Riders all rangled a Monstrous Nightmare each from the forest to quickly train enough for Snotlout to take on board. They set them up in a line outside the arena, all positive for a good result. Yrsa was happy to drag the Jorgenson down, declaring that it was important despite his many objections for her to leave him be. But like he didn't leave her when she had been snappy and upset over Hiccup, Yrsa was determined to repay the favour━she did a Snotlout and annoyed him out. 

     Once she managed to get him down to the arena, and he saw the Monstrous Nightmares awaiting him, did Snotlout start to realise. Yrsa hopped into place beside Astrid in front of the Nightmare she had wrangled herself, a beautiful and proud female with a stunning gradient scale colour of purple and blue. 

    Snotlout frowned at them all, looking just as tired. Yrsa wondered whether like they had stayed up all night, he hadn't slept a wink, either. "What's this?"

     Hiccup held out his hands proudly, "We stayed up all night wrangling some new dragons. We figured, maybe with Hookfang going through━uh━well ... whatever he's going through, this might help."

     "Guys ..." Snotlout pursed his lips. Yrsa's hopeful stance fell a little, seeing the reluctance within his gaze, "... I don't know what to say."

     Astrid sighed, releived, "Thank Thor━"

    "Except that you wasted your time."

    She shot back up, a mixture of confusion and annoyance. "What?"

     He nodded, crossing his arms with a stubborn scowl.

    Hiccup sighed, exasperated, "Oh, come on, Snotlout," he coaxed, "at least try them out."

    But Snotlout just shook his head. "As awesome as Hookfire━" he nodded to the green male behind Tuffnut, "━Fangmaster━" he pointed to the one Yrsa had wrangled, "━and Hook Blazefang are━" he stuck his nose up at the third and final orange-scaled dragon, "━and yes, I've named them already." He then sighed. "I just━I can't look at them without thinking of Hookfang."

     Yrsa pursed her lips, but understood. She didn't think she could ever just replace Helrose or Toothless. 

     Tuffnut dropped the ropes to fly out his hands, "Another cruel twist! Snotlout rejects the new suitors!" He spun around to the Monstrous Nightmares and shooed them. "Begone, pretenders, and never return! I hast forsookenst thou!"

     "Hath! Forsaketh!" stated Yrsa as they took off back to the forest. 

    Meanwhile, Hiccup walked up to the lonely rider, "Snotlout," he began, admittedly desperate, "I know you're hurting, but we need you up there with us."

    Astrid nodded, agreeing, "Dagur's out looking for us. We can't be down a rider."

    "What if you tried training a different kind of dragon?" suggested Fishlegs.

    "I don't know," Snotlout muttered. He shrugged sadly. "Maybe."

    Hiccup's face lit up, "Hey, yeah, there you go! How about a Nadder? Uh, Astrid?" he turned back to the blonde and instantly, she winced.

    "Uh ... oh, he doesn't want to ride Stormfly again," she tried to back-track out of the offer. "He's already━"

    But Snotlout was already walking down the line, listing them off each with a shake of his head, "Too small," he told Stormfly, "too slow," he pointed to Meatlug, "two heads━" he scoffed with disgust at Barf and Belch. "Too angry," He finished with Helrose who reared back her head, blinking at his insult. Yrsa crossed her arms, annoyed. 

    "Okay," said Hiccup quickly, "you don't like any of these dragons. So, maybe we try some new ones? Uhh ... A Thunderdrum or a Timberjack? Or, how about━?"

     "Listen, guys," Snotlout cut him off, "I don't want to come off as thankful or anything, but you taught me a valuable lesson today by offering me your inferior dragons."

     "What are you saying?"

    "I'm saying that if I can't fly Hookfang, I don't want to fly any dragon."

    This made Yrsa's eyes widen. She rushed forward, "But━how can you be a Dragon Rider and not ride a dragon?"

     Snotlout tried to be sarcastic, but it came out weak, "You were always the smart one, Yrsa."

    Her breath hitched, realising. She shook her head. It took Hiccup a second longer to understand. "Wait," he frowned, "you're━?"

    "Quitting, that's right." He put on a dramatic voice for the Twins' sake. "I shall be a Dragon Rider no more."

     There were a few gasps. Yrsa continued to shake her head, not wanting to believe it. Snotlout might be frustrating and annoying at times (many times), but he had started to become her friend, and he was begrudingly a neccessity. They needed him on this team, and deep down, they all wanted him on this team. 

     Tuffnut sighed, disappointed, "Time to call in the understudy," he grumbled. Yrsa clenched her hands. 

    Ruffnut nodded then leaned in to whisper, "Hey Fishlegs," to the pudgy Viking beside her, "how's your Snotlout?"

    Hiccup wasn't going to take no as an answer. He surged forwards yet again, standing close to his cousin, "Oh, come on, Snotlout, you're just hurting now, that's all. Give it some time."

    "No, Hiccup," he said and the chief's son faltered, "my mind is made up. I'm going to say goodbye to Hookfang, then sail back to Berk for good." He turned and Hiccup went to go after him, but stopped himself. "It's over."

     Yrsa noticed the stubborn clench of Hiccup's jaw. This time, she agreed with it, "Yes," she told him, "let's go after him." She ran to Helrose without an answer, leaping up onto her saddle. She was glad the others got the idea and followed suit. 

    Hiccup fixed Toothless's tail, "Let's go, gang!" 

   They took off, following Snotlout back into the forest. During the short flight, Yrsa tried to think of what to say to him━how to convince him to stay. She wasn't good at these sort of things━never has been. Even with Hiccup, her condolences and words of advice were always blunt and you know how to figure it out, so do it. Good thing for her, he usually appreciated it and listened. But she was sure that saying to Snotlout, Hookfang has made up his mind, so work towards moving on, wasn't exactly the right way to handle this situation. 

     But Yrsa wanted to be there for him, so that meant something good, right? 

     She didn't have much longer to think on the matter. Reaching the clearing they found Hookfang last time with the female Monstrous Nightmare, Yrsa pulled Helrose up in surprise. Down below, Snotlout stood between the female dragon and a Titan Wing Monstrous Nightmare of a molten deep red with nothing but a thin sword to protect himself. Hookfang was a few paces away, barely able to raise his head. 

     "Look!" she gasped and Hiccup didn't waste a second. Before the Titan Wing could attack, he staggered back by the sheer blast of a Night Fury. Snotlout glanced up, surprised. The Twins took Hiccup's place, dipping down with a line of green gas that exploded with a emitting spark. The Titan Monstrous Nightmare shrieked, but took flight, leaving for now.

     The group of them landed, desperate for answers. But Snotlout just shook his head, disgusing his relief with annoyance.

     "What are you guys doing here?!" he backtracked. "Not that I'm complaining."

     "We came here to convince you not to quick," said Hiccup, swinging off his saddle with one smooth movement. He landed, dusting off his leather gauntlets. 

     Yrsa sat straight in her saddle, "You want to tell us what's going on here?" 

     Fishlegs and the Twins joined Hiccup, stepping out of their saddles. Astrid kept a glance to the sky with Stormfly, on the search for the Titan. When she didn't find him, she, too, planted her boots on the dirt. 

     "It looks like two male dragons fighting over a female," observed Fishlegs.

    "Yeah," frowned Ruffnut, glancing at him. "I've heard male Vikings do it, too," she shrugged, "but I've personally never seen it."

     "Was that really neccessary?" Astrid asked her. Ruffnut shrugged again.

     "The Titan Wing heard the female's mating call, too," went on Fishlegs, "and was drawn to it."

     This made Tuffnut's eyes brighten, "Ah━ha!" he brandished his finger. "A love triangle!"

     "Wrong!" snapped Snotlout. He pointed to the cave. "Girl Hookfang has three eggs in that cave. Hookfang was helping her protect them from that giant jerk dragon."

     "That wasn't a mating call Hookfang was answering," realised Hiccup. "I━It was a distress call!"

     "Well," Astrid smugly crossed her arms. Yrsa decided to dismount Helrose at last, "we taught him a lesson, then. He won't be back."

     "Yes, he will," Fishlegs━like usual━bore the bad news. "They're probably the eggs of a rival. Titan Wings won't give up until they're destroyed."

     Hookfang had recovered enough to return to his feet. He made his way back over to his female friend, dipping his head down to check whether she was okay. She gave him a reassuring purr. Snotlout reached out a comforting hand to both of them. "So, Hookfang didn't go feral after all?" He asked, admittedly hopeful. 

     Fishlegs shook his head, a small smile on his face, "Apparently not. He's actually trying to establish dominance over the Titan Wing so he'll leve the eggs alone." He shook his head, a little in awe. "Wow!"

     This made Snotlout stand up straighter. "I knew it!" He crossed his arms, turning proudly to his dragon. 

     "A true underdog story!" gushed Tuffnut. 

     "Yes!" exclaimed Ruffnut. "The apex of dramaturgy!" She rolled her 'r'.

      "How do you know these words and yet be so dumb at the same time?" Yrsa questioned them, back to her relentless self. 

      "Ha!" Snotlout ignored them all, giving Hookfang a happy hug around the snout. "I'm proud of you. Girl Hookfang," he cupped her chin, too, "you just became an honourary Jorgenson!"

     "Oh, boy," Astrid muttered. Yrsa snickered at her. 

     Fishlegs whimpered.

     Yrsa spun to him, annoyed he was interrupting a sweet moment. "Seriously? What?"

     He pointed a shaky finger up at the sky. Yrsa's breath hitched and immediately bent her legs, ready to fight. 

     The Titan Wing had returned. He circled above, so large that he blocked out the sun. Both Hookfang and girl Hookfang snarled, extending their wings with fury. 

     Hiccup paled, but he soon glowered up at the large dragon, "Hookfang can't take on that Titan Wing alone."

     Snotlout set his jaw in determination. Then, he jumped onto Hookfang's saddle. "He won't be alone."

     "Neither will you," stated Yrsa. 

    But he shook his head at her. "We gotta do this ourselves," he told her, and she knew it wasn't up to negotiation.

     That didn't mean she wasn't going to listen. "No way!" argued Yrsa. "That thing will tear you apart." She turned to the others. "Saddle up, everybody━"

     "You heard Fishlegs," Snotlout cut her off. "That Titan Wing will only stop if it's dominated by Hookfang."

     Hiccup nodded, "He's right."

    Yrsa knew that, too, but she didn't want to admit it. "But, Hiccup, look at that thing!" she gestured upwards at the Titan still circling above. "It's━"

     "I know," he held a hand out to calm her. She pursed her lips. "Gigantic, scary, angry━"

     "Bloodthirsty!" added Tuffnut helpfully. 

     Hiccup sent him a blank stare. "Thanks, Tuff," he grumbled.

     "Sorry, writer's embellishment."

     "Go get him, Snotlout," the chief's son turned to his cousin with full belief. "You guys can do this."

     Yrsa sighed, but nodded at her new friend. "Hey, be careful."

     Snotlout managed a slight, grateful smile at them. "Just━whatever happens, promise me you'll protect those eggs."

     "We will," said Hiccup. 

     And so, Snotlout and Hookfang launched into the air, ready for battle. 

     Watching them go, Yrsa shuffled in close to Hiccup to mutter, "He's crazy."

     "He's Snotlout," he replied.

     "True."

     The Riders below watched their fellow team mate and friend soar upwards to face the Titan Wing head on. The large Monstrous Nightmare glowed even brighter━like he was made of molten lava itself━under the glare of the sun; scary and very monstrous, but that didn't seem to hinder his smaller opponents whatsoever. 

      He let loose a column blast; far stronger than Hookfang's own. Snotlout pulled them out of the way and they dodged messily, stumbling underneath. But that didn't deter them. Snotlout tugge Hookfang's horns and his own blasted landed━centre against the Titan Wing's underbelly. The dragon's flight staggered as he screeched.

     Back on the ground, the group of riders all cheered. 

     Snotlout and Hookfang darted around their larger enemy. Here and there, up and under, spinning and diving, missing blasts just by inches and striking ones of their own that hit each time. Hookfang was smaller, and that made him far more maneuverable against a Titan of such size. While his opponent held the advantage in size and power, he was as agile as an overweight yak, and Monstrous Nightmares had trouble changing direction to begin with. 

     But he caught on pretty quick to what they were doing. As Snotlout returned to repeat the pattern, the Titan Wing brought out his long tail, hitting them head-on. The Riders all winced as the dragon and rider dipped backwards, spiralling. Snotlout couldn't pull back in time. Even as he stabilised Hookfang, the Titan Wing was following at a dive. 

     Until something else intercepted. 

     In a flash of pink and orange, Girl Hookfang cut off his momentum. Her fire caught him off guard and he stumbled, giving Snotlout enough time to turn around and think. "Way to go, Girl Hookfang!" he exclaimed. "I always did like you!"

     The Titan Wing shot up between them and Hookfang grabbed his attention with a well-aimed blast to his spine. And Snotlout had a plan, too. "Okay, Hookfang," he announced as the dragon set his beady eyes onto them, "time to play Beat the Dome!"

     Back down below, the riders all shared a confused exchange. As Snotlout veered Hookfang around back towards the base, Astrid said, "Beat the Dome? That's his great idea?"

     "Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait━" Fishlegs held up a hand. "But, Snotlout's never beaten the dome."

     "You're right, he hasn't," said Hiccup, watching them go. "Okay, Yrs, Tuff, Ruff you're with me. Astrid, Fishlegs, stay with Girl Hookfang and defend the eggs." They all nodded, undersanding their assignments. Then, they took off running. 

     Helrose dipped her head down to allow Yrsa easier access to her saddle. She clipped herself in quickly, taking to the sky without a word with the Twins and Hiccup. They raced to catch up with Snotlout and Hookfang━they had to meet him at the Outpost before he reached it, ready to close the rotating arena dome. Yrsa was nervous, but she had faith━she had to have faith in situations like this; she's learnt that very much the past three years. 

    They took a shortcut, veering around the cliffs in record-breaking time. And just in time, too. For as soon as they landed, Snotlout appeared from the forest with a large, angry Monstrous Nightmare right on his tail. 

     "Start the dome, now!" ordered Hiccup and the Twins raced to the lever. No time for dramatics; they pushed it down in seconds, eyes fixed on their airborne friend, praying to the gods that this time━for the first time━he'd make it. 

     "Come on," whispered Yrsa, having not even gotten off her saddle. She watched Snotlout disppear past the sea stacks and towards the underground caves. "Come on ..." Behind her, the dome was closing quick. 

    Her eyes fixed onto the dome, heart racing. Glancing briefly at Hiccup, she saw his face contorted with worry, but still, at the same time, he seemed sure━and so she was sure, too. The doors were inches to closing. Yrsa's breath hitched. She saw a glimpse of Snotlout coming towards them ... until, then, he stopped. She frowned, having no time to react before the doors closed, and Snotlout and Hookfang were locked inside with the Titan Wing Monstrous Nightmare.

    "They didn't make it," she muttered, shocked. 

     Hiccup was silent, gaze fixed on the arena. He was waiting for something, listening. There were growls inside, and then a earth-shaking roar. Yrsa gasped, gripping her saddle handles to keep Helrose steady as she reared back, nervous. Inside the cracks, she could see the arena light up with fire. Miniature blasts of bright, blinding colour and shrieks that followed. 

     Yrsa's stomach twisted, but Hiccup seemed to see this as something positive. He grinned. "Hookfang's using the Titan Wing's size against him!"

     "He's trying to wear it down ..." realised Yrsa, impressed. 

     The dome shuddered. It lit up. Flames broke through the cracks to hiss and spit. Each time, they jumped and hunched up, worried ... until ... it went silent. 

     The Riders outside waited for a second, unsure. Yrsa glanced at Hiccup, waiting his verdict. He furrowed his brows, but nodded, "Quick!" he told the Twins. "Open the dome!"

     Slowly, the roof folded back inwards. Yrsa touched the ground beside Hiccup to race forward and check whether Snotlout and Hookfang were okay. She gasped when the face of the Titan Wing appeared with a final snarl. Hiccup jerked forwards and pulled her back, but that was it. The Nightmare slumped and hit the ground again, exhausted. And standing over him, victorious, was Hookfang and Snotlout. 

     Snotlout crossed his arms, staring down at them with a smug grin, "Now," he stated, "that's what I call domination! Boom!" Hookfang roared and the Titan Wing whined. Yrsa watched him stagger to his feet and take off, and she was sure that this time, he won't be bothering another mother's eggs any time soon. 

◞ ★ ꒱꒱◜

     RETURNING back to the nest, Yrsa tilted her head at the sight of Fishlegs's and Astrid's smiles of greeting. The group of them landed and dismounted, curious as to why they were so happy. But soon, they got their answer.

     "Guys, look!" squealed Fishlegs, pointing eagerly back inside the cage. "They hatched!"

    Yrsa's heart lit up. Not wasting a second, they all ran inside, excited. A bright smile on her face, Yrsa Olofsdotter pushed her way to the front to see, squeezing in beside Hiccup and Astrid. Her bright smile turned into a gorgeous beam, eyes bright and sparkling. At their feet, still surrounded by cracked eggs, hatching Monstrous Nightmares peered up at them. They screeched and shook their bodies, testing out the length of their wings and the strength of their legs. 

     Female Hookfang appeared behind them, hovering over all of their shoulders with a proud, gentle hum. Yrsa crouched down, extending out a hand and one made his way over to her. She chuckled, her hand running down his neck. He purred, content. Across from her, the Twins were a sobbing mess. Astrid laughed at them, shaking her head. 

     As the sun set and the sky glowed with pink and purples, the Dragon Riders laughed and they helped the new hatchings get their bearings. Amongst the victorious cries of Hookfang, Yrsa glanced back up at Hiccup as he crouched down beside her. He sent her a warm smile and she returned a shy one of her own, finding it hard to meet that gaze that glowed just like the dusk behind them. Yrsa fixed her eyes upon the baby dragons, realising something:

      Surrounded by her team━unconventional, definitely. Some annoying? Very. All of them by far different than the one beside them. A leader, a warrior, a strategist, an intellectual, the misunterstood brawn, and the two halves of the same unique coin. But they were also more than those things. They fight, they argue, they laugh, they have each other's backs━but they also have an unqiue, gorgeous experience that not many have the chance to hold. And they hold that together; they share it. 

      Just like they share a special bond with their dragons━through trust, equal companionship and understanding, they also all share a bond with each other. One that no matter what happens, no matter their disagreements and their ways, it stayed stronger than any metal. For here they are, enjoying this rare, beautiful moment together with no regards to their dislikes, to their feelings or to the arguments they were sure to have once to sun rises yet again. 

     They were something Yrsa's never experienced before, something she doesn't know how to recognise━or what it even is. She just knew one thing: deep down, no matter what, she was the luckiest Viking in the entire Archipelago to be apart of it.

      This was her team. This was what they searched for. 

      And the Great Beyond was still out there, still with corners yet to explore, and Yrsa was ready now more than ever to explore it with the people beside her. 

END OF ACT ONE!

◞ ★ ꒱꒱◜

     a/n: we've finished season one!!!! how does that make y'all feel? because i'm emotional. i'm very emotional. thank you guys for being here on the first step of yrsa's rtte journey!! i love you all, and i'm so excited for season two, and for to continue this journey with you guys! 

    what are you excited for in season two? what are your predictions? 

    (i'm personally excited to write hiccup punching snotlout and knocking him out ...)

    anway, i'll see you guys soon in act two!!!

    i love you all!!! xxx

    (ps, not edited, i have family over lol and i should be socialising but it's a rare day off i just want to recharge and write lol)

     (also, comment if you want another spin-off book for the httyd shorts with yrsa? like the gift of the night fury, the boneknapper one shot, those ones?)