Hiccup's eyes adjusted to the dark gradually and he could just about make out the night fury against the sleek walls. He stumbled over the boulders and the dragon cooed slightly. After a moment, it charged a small blast in its mouth but didn't fire, holding it.

The cave glowed purple, stalagmites and stalagtites glistening.

"Wow," Hiccup murmured.

The night fury stared expectantly at Hiccup. He shifted on his feet.

"I should probably, uh, apologise for shooting you down. So um. Yep. Uh. Sorry." Hiccup gestured randomly with his hands. The night fury tilted its head, intelligent eyes following his movements.

Hiccup ran a hand through his sweaty hair, noting that he was long overdue for a thorough wash. "I should also probably give you a name, and stop thinking of you as just 'the night fury'."

The dragon gurgled. With its mouth open for light, Hiccup could easily see its gums, humming thoughtfully.

"Toothless? You definitely had teeth earlier."

The dragon seemed to shrug.

Hiccup smiled. "I think Toothless fits you well."

The night fury gurgled again, as if to approve of the name, coming forwards to nuzzle Hiccup.

"Hey easy there, big guy," Hiccup told him. "You remind me of Throggsjorn, actually."

Maybe all dragons can be friendly, once you get to know them.

Toothless titled his head.

"Oh, he's a night terror I'm roommates with, essentially. Very cute. Hey, where are you going?"

Toothless began wondering down the cave, completely at ease.

"Shouldn't we be working in opening the exit?"

Toothless flicked Hiccup with his tail.

"Ow," Hiccup said, even though it didn't hurt. Toothless made a laugh-like rumbling sound. Shaking his head, Hiccup decided to follow.

"Hope you know what you're doing because I most definitely do not. Chances are we're going to get lost and die down here, but hey at least I didn't die on day one. I'm pretty sure I've not set any records for quickest death, but the dumbest death is up for grabs. Oh Gods, I'm monologuing to a dragon again. How has it only been a third of the Dragon Games I'll never know."

Toothless snorted, unimpressed. Ignoring Hiccup's rambling, he carried on, walking quickly.

Without the adrenaline from chasing after Toothless, Hiccup's exhaustion caught up with him. He quickly fell behind. Due to his awful sleep schedule, the tiring activity of the Dragon Games and his constant state of anxiety, he could really use a week-long nap.

Yawning, Hiccup tried to keep up with Toothless. The large dragon paused, giving him a moment to catch up.

"Thanks."

Toothless made to lick him, but remembered that he was currently the only source of light. He shook himself, the spikes on his back swishing.

Together, they headed through the maze of tunnels, Hiccup following Toothless' navigation.

"You seem pretty confident on where you're going," Hiccup observed. "Been here lots?"

Toothless snorted in response.

"I'm honestly not sure how to take that. Seems sarcastic. Can dragons even be sarcastic?"

At this, Toothless paused and looked over at him, as if he was raising an eyebrow.

[Credit: google images - pinterest.com]

"Okay then, mr sarcastic, guess they can be," Hiccup grumbled. Toothless made another grumbling laugh and Hiccup sighed. "Where are you even leading us?"

Toothless gestured forwards with his head and Hiccup looked up. The cave branched out, with a large chamber ahead of them, where a distinct squarking was coming from.

"No way."

Toothless head-butted his back, pushing him forwards. Hiccup stumbled slightly, gaze never leaving the chamber up ahead.

Numerous large eggs glowed in the purple light. A couple baby nadders tripped, too young to be able to see clearly. Toothless walked to them, laying down around them and licking them.

Hiccup didn't even care that he was now in the pitch black. His mind was reeling.

"You were protecting them," he realised. "You all are. They're too small to fly away, you can't leave. This... this is a nesting site." His expression grew sour. "And we've been returning to this island, every single Dragon Games, attacking you."

Toothless focused on Hiccup, using his fire to light up the cave again. Hiccup caught his distressed reflection in Toothless' eyes and sighed.

"This isn't right. We don't have to fight."

Toothless cooed, nuzzling Hiccup's arm.

"I know bud, I need to sleep." Yawning, Hiccup laid down, leaning against Toothless.

As Hiccup fell asleep, Toothless watched over the nest, making sure the baby nadders and the dumb human didn't go anywhere. He guarded his pack as they all fell asleep.

*

Hiccup woke to complete darkness. Loud breathing surrounded him and he squinted, trying to make out the shapes. After a moment of disorientation, he remembered.

"Toothless?" Hiccup whispered, slowly sitting up.

Toothless nuzzled his arm in response, clearly having been awake for a while. Hiccup scratched under his chin as he slowly woke up.

Having no idea what time of day it was, Hiccup glanced up as if to check the sky by habit, before remembering he was in a different cave.

His stomach grumbled loudly. Hiccup laughed sheepishly before standing, careful not to trip on the eggs or dragons. The baby nadders watched him curiously, completely trusting.

Hiccup fidgetted. "We should probably get you guys something to eat. But first we have to get out of here."

Toothless stood, stretching out his wings and tail in the spacious cavern.

"Lead the way, bud."

Toothless started off in one direction, using another drawn out blast to light the caves. They walked for what felt like an hour, passing numerous crossroads and caverns. A couple contained nests, the eggs hidden in the depths of the mountain.

Eventually, they reached an exit. Bright daylight shone through, causing Hiccup to squint. The sky was a brilliant cloudless blue, the clearest it had been the entire Dragon Games. Hiccup sighed peacefully.

Petting Toothless, he gazed out the entrance. Hiccup looked down and yelped, jumping back.

The cave opened up hundreds of metres in the air, with a sheer cliff edge. Much more carefully, Hiccup inspected the entrance. It was high up, with no easy path down.

There was an awkward beat.

"Hey, uh, Toothless?"

Toothless looked up at him, playful eyes twinkling.

"How do we get down from here?"

Toothless nudged Hiccup's side, crouching down slightly.

Hiccup's eyes widened. "What are you- ah!"

Hiccup fell onto Toothless' back, and the dragon stretched out his wings wide.

"Oh no."

Toothless took off, diving straight down. Screaming, Hiccup hang on for dear life.

"What are you doing?!" The wind snatched away his words.

The ground approached rapidly and Hiccuo shut his eyes. Toothless pulled out his wings and glided gently above the treetops, making a laugh-like gurgle.

"I'm alive? Hey, I'm alive!" Hiccup cheered, patting Toothless' head. "Okay, if you could drop me off about... there!" Hiccup pointed to the tiny cave he had been staying in.

Toothless angled his wings and tail, tilting towards it. Hiccup began to relax, almost enjoying the ride. After a smooth landing, Hiccup got off and looked into the cave.

He gasped.

The place was trashed. The launcher was missing, his flask thrown half-hazardously against the walls and his supplies stolen.

"No..."

Hiccup ran into the cave, searching the overhang. He didn't find him.

Throggsjorn was missing.

***

Hi! I hope you enjoyed this part! I tried to write a happier chapter this time, then the ending happened whoops.

Who do you think trashed the place?

Where could Throggsjorn be?

Side note, I've finished writing about half the story. It'll be able twenty five parts long.

Next part tomorrow as always 💛