The Viking kids pushed to the front of the crowd, looking for their friend. The smoke was drifting, barely starting to clear, and a large form was appearing out of the haze. 

"Hiccup! HICCUP!" Astrid yelled. 

The chief joined them, although not for the same reason. Upon closer inspection, the form on the black rock beach was the Night Fury Hiccup had been riding, Toothless. 

"HICCUP!" Astrid called again, visibly upset. 

"Astrid, I don't think Hiccup's coming back." Fishlegs finally proclaimed, not looking to meet anyone's eyes. Astrid spun around and almost went to punch the husky boy. 

"Yes he is! He has to!" 

"Astrid, under the circumstances, there's no way he could have survived that fall, or the heat." 

"But he has to!" Snotlout protested. 

"Or he doesn't. It's probably better this way. Hiccup can do whatever he wants to now, as long as it's away from Berk." Stoick interrupted. The teens paled in shock. 

"You can't seriously be saying-" 

"Oh, but I am, Astrid. Hiccup is hereby no longer a part of the Hooligan tribe. And anyone who speaks against this can join him." No one said anything, although Astrid wanted to. 

"Good. Everyone, board what ships you can, or do any repairs possible. We have won this battle!" A cheer of triumph rose throughout the adult warrior crowd as they started to head to the destroyed boats. Astrid, Fishlegs, and Snotlout stood back. 

"Well, I'm going." Snotlout declared, turning his back on the other two. 

"Astrid?" Fishlegs asked quietly. Although the two did not share much common interest, he and Astrid did have their moments. 

Astrid did not reply, but slowly approached Toothless's still body. 

"I'm so sorry," she whispered quietly, placing a hand on the Night Fury's warm, pitch black hide. Toothless made an echoey moan and slowly opened an eye. Astrid squeezed her eyes closed, trying not to cry at the fate of his rider. 

Toothless blinked and slowly shifted, unfurling his wings that had been wrapped tightly around his body. The Viking girl's eyes widened with happiness. 

"Toothless... you kept him alive! Thank you." Toothless gave a weak gummy smile before reclosing his eyes, the gentle rise and fall of his large chest showing the dragon was merely resting or sleeping. 

"Astrid! Come on, we're heading home!" Snotlout called from one of the nearly full boats. Fishlegs had already started making his way over to the nearest boat, hopping on and trying not to be squished or to squish anyone himself. Astrid looked back at the powerful dragon, who had opened his eyes again and carefully nodded. 

"I'm sorry..." she whispered again before running as best she could to the nearest boat that was shoving off. 

Astrid couldn't help but feel that this was the last time she would see Hiccup or Toothless, and and for once she regretted not following the inspirational boy's lead. 

-----------------------

Sorry this is short, had to finish this before bed. Was going to add next chapter as well, but it's going into it's own thing.

-Guten Nacht und auf Weidersehen!

-Becca out