~LITTLE HICCUP~

"That thing has wings!" I observed, partially to Toothless, and partially to myself. We shot upward, flying past the clouds as we built speed. "Okay, let's see if it can use 'em!" Toothless switched directions and plunged downward toward the Red Death. He shot a plasma blast with such a force that the great creature collapsed on its side.

Rubble fell off the Red Death's wings, worn and leathery from lack of use. Its massive form loomed over loomed over the grounded Vikings. "Do you think that did it?" I asked glancing behind us. The creature rose to the sky, death in its eyes. "Well, it can fly."

We dove into the clusters of sea stacks, weaving in between like a snake in the grass. The sea stacks were obliterated as the beast rammed through them. I could faintly hear cheers sounding from below as I flew past my tribe.

This thing wouldn't slow down any time soon. I looked up to the sky. Thor was in our favour. Dark swirls had formed above us, hiding the sun from our eyes. "Okay Toothless, time to disappear," We darted to the clouds. The Red Death chased us, snapping at Toothless' tail as we gained altitude, and we swerved and twisted away from its gaping maw. I could hear the Red Death breathe in, ready to spew forth a burst of fiery breath. "Here it comes!" I shouted above the wind. We darted away and into the cover above as the dragon released its powerful flames. The Death came for us, but to no avail. Toothless an I took refuge in the black sky.

For a moment, the Red Death searched for us, peering into the clouds with its six beady eyes. We darted for it, lifting and diving as we shot for its wings. Again and again, we persisted, until the Red Death finally exploded in a tantrum of wings and fire, flailing its head this way and that. The flames came close and my dragon jolted, separating us. His single-finned tail slapped me in the face, and darkness consumed me.

~HICCUP~

No. Something was wrong. Two dark forms plummeted from the sky: One small and motionless, the other larger and flailing. I shoved my way out of the crowd, muttering "excuse me" as I ran toward Toothless, as wide eyed as me.

"Come on, let's go!" he roared, as I quickly strapped myself in. We shot off like an arrow, not wavering as we focused on our target.

We were in range. "Ready?" I asked. I didn't wait for a response as I pulled the lever for Toothless' tail and slid off my friend, who swiftly followed my lead. I shoved my fists into the loops on my legs, and pulled them out to reveal my wings. As I glided down to Tiny Toothless, I pressed a button on my chest to release the fin on my back. He was almost within reach. I had one chance.

Closer...Closer...I tucked my arms in, losing my wings as the momentum from my flight shot me toward the younger dragon. I grabbed the saddle with one hand and clicked my feet into place. I pulled up and Tiny Toothless' wings cushioned the fall. My eyes watered from the wind before we levelled off, the rush of adrenaline escaping me.

"Nice flying," praised Little Hiccup, sidling up next to me.

I smiled.

We landed gracefully on a nearby seas tack and switched dragons. "Are you coming?" Little Hiccup asked, confusion in his eyes. "I need you."

I placed a hand on his shoulder, and looked into those eyes, so familiar to my own. "You have never needed me Hiccup," I said. "But if you ever feel confused or lost, I will be here," I placed a hand on his heart, "Always."

I took a step back, removing contact with him. "Now go," I encouraged. "Your village needs you."

~LITTLE HICCUP~

The Red Death continued to flail in the sky, oblivious of our setback. We shot back I at it once more. The dragon attacked us with a wave of fire, and Toothless' tail caught light, sending a trail if smoke behind us. "Okay, time's up. Let's see if this works," I hoped, pulling Toothless into a turn. We sped into the Red Death's face, irritating it like a fly irritates a yak. "Come on! Is that the best you can do?" I shouted, and Toothless sounded an insulting roar, before jackknifing into a steep dive. The Red Death pursued, right on our heels.

The Night Fury pumped his wings, flying to his limit. We no longer attempted to evade the other dragon, but keep it on our trail. I glanced back—the prosthetic fin had almost completely disintegrated. "Stay with me buddy. We're good. Just a little bit longer," I assured my dragon, who continued to beat his wings persistently.

The great dragon closed in. I held myself closer to Toothless, remaining steady to let stay in range of the beast's sight line. "Hold, Toothless," I said calmly. I could hear the familiar hiss of gas as the Red Death opened its great jaws, the precursor to the ignition. "NOW!" I shouted. I clicked into position and Toothless pivoted, firing a purple blast down the throat of the other dragon, causing a series of explosions inside the Red Death.

Bursting from the stormy clouds, we headed for the base of the blood red mountain. The great dragon spread its wings, seeing the ground coming ever closer. As it tried to stop the momentum I could hear the beast's wings wither away, damaged by Toothless' blasts. My dragon quickly pulled out of the dive, spreading his wings to stop it as the Red Death slammed into the ground.

My ears rang as the dragon blazed in an explosion of heat and fire. We weaved through the creatures giant spikes, escaping the fire. I clicked into another position—it didn't work. I glanced back at Toothless' tail; all that remained of it were some metal rods, the fabric scorched away.

I turned back to the sky, where the massive clubbed tail of the other dragon stood in our way. "No. No!" was all I was able to shout before the dragon's tail ripped me from Toothless and sent me into darkness.

~ ~ ~

Wow, that was intense! I can't believe this is my second last chapter! We're almost there! Hopefully I'll have the last chapter posted by the end of this week!

Please, comment, vote, and share! :)

- TGD