A Blazing Fury in my Heart <HTTYD Story Rewrite>

Rise of a new day

<Strike's POV>

"Fuck fuck fuck-"

I jumped up like a scared cat from where I was laying mere seconds ago, my whole body shaking like a leaf in the storm I passed out in hours before. Slamming onto the ground on my side I let out a yelp of pain.

I took a few moments to cool down enough to think as I looked around. I was alone, save for Toothless, his human. Valka. And Cloudjumper. Who were busy on something and all quickly looked at me making a fool of myself.

"Damn it" I growled in a mutter, letting out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. Toothless rushed over to help me up.

"You okay?" He asked, holding out a paw. I took it and he assisted me in standing up.

"Yeah...I'm...'Fine'" I lied, my breathing still a bit heavy. "Did you have a nightmare?" Cloudjumper asked. "Aye, you could say that... What time is it?" I asked as my breathing went back to normal.

"Not too long into the morning. The storm cleared out about three hours ago" Hiccup responded.

I stretched a bit. Still feeling some of the pain from last night until I got to my wings. Which hurt like hell to even try to move. "Alright...I'm assuming I still can't go?" I asked. "No, not until you've recovered" Toothless responded. Worry and concern in his voice.

Letting out a sigh, I decided against arguing. Or leaving anyway. Don't think I'd last too long out there again. So it would be for the best..

"Fine...Can I at least have the tour?" I asked. Toothless's face lit up. "Of course!" He reminds me more of a hatchling than a Alpha.

"Then by all means. Lead on"

As we left the huge hall I was in, Hiccup also following, as he knew more on it than Toothless I'm assuming. I was finally able to have a look around. For a human village, it's not too bad. "Welcome to Berk. Been a home to vikings for generations. And a home to dragons too for the last five-ish years" Hiccup explained as we walked.

"It's honestly one of the prettiest islands I've seen" I said, looking around. And it was true- seriously. Its a good size from what I can gather, and it looks great. "It really is, we've seen our fair share, too. From islands with Deathsongs to Changewings. Though it's home" Toothless responded.

"Sounds- And honestly looks- Like you both have seen your fair share of action and exploration" I noted. "Oho we most certainly have" Hiccup chuckled.

"It's just a shame we can't really show you the highest point as your wing is..Pretty bad" Toothless sighed. "Hey...When it's healed..Mayyybbee I can hang around to have a lil look" I said, looking away, though I could tell his eyes lit up like a pit of Fireworms.

"We get plenty of snow in the winter too- It makes the forests look like a winter wonderland. Then of course there's Odin's Fire, only comes up every ten years. Though there have been a few times when it has appeared early, or late" Hiccup continued his explanation on the island.

"I think I've heard of Odin's Fire, only seen it...Once.." My voice grew quiet and I sighed, then suppressed a whimper as I fought off the worst memories ever I've ever made.

I closed my eyes for a moment and kept fighting it off. A impossible battle, one without end.

The crimson red of the blood of another, a roar in desperation, a fired blast. A aurora hangs above.

"Strike? Strike are you okay??"

My eyes snapped open to see Toothless in front of me, looking me in the eyes, I froze up. Unable to look away, the corners of my vision a blurry mess. He reached a paw up to my face and wiped away a tear that I didn't know I let out.

After what felt like a eternity, I was able to muster out a whisper. "I'm f-fine" I whimpered out.

"No your not... If you don't want to talk about it... I understand.. Just be honest with me" He responded in a sweet, gentle tone. A tone that made me feel like everything was going to be okay. A tone I've not heard in years..

"Okay?" he asked, still with that tone, I nodded slowly, finally breaking away from eye contact, a strange feeling in my chest.

"Good" he said with a kind smile, no-one has treated me like this in a long time.. I didn't deserve it anyway.. I don't know how I should feel about this..

After a moment the tour resumed, as they told me their many stories they have made throughout their lives here, fighting off things like Whispering Death to Skrills.

To fighting off Outcasts to all sorts of adventures, including the one that brought peace between humans and dragons on the island.

How Hiccup shot Toothless down, freed him and helped him fly again, became brothers, and faced down a monster because it was the right thing to do.

It was incredible to listen to, and I could only imagine what it was like in the moment, making those choices and plans.

Wish I had a story to tell them. One that I don't run from all the time.

We walked down a path in the forests of Berk, it was nice, and it's a beautiful forest too.

"Soo.. Strike, I was wondering why you wear that mask? And how does it even stay on, there's no straps or anything" Toothless asked, my breathing stopped for a moment as my mind raced.

"I.. Have a lot of enemies, and I just.. Don't want my face to be seen anymore.. I helped a Armourwing and in return it welded it on.. When I healed from it, it came off, but it can somehow stick on without help. Just takes a bit of force to get it on" I responded, as my mind went back all that time ago as I spoke.

"There, you.. You should be safe now" I spoke out to the large dragon. He was honourable, loved. I'll never be that, not after.. Everything.

"Hmph, thank you.. I suppose, your reputation seems to have been wrong, So-" "I don't use that name anymore... I don't deserve it" I cut in.

"Very well, I owe you my life. How could I repay you?"

"You don't... I..." I paused, then spoke again. "Make a mask and weld it onto me"

"Weld it directly onto you?" He asked, reasonably in surprise.

"Yes. No-one needs to see my face ever again.." I responded. "Very well then.."

It was a agonising process, but I accepted the pain it brought, I deserved it.

"There... It is.. Done" He said as I opened my eyes.

"Thank you... I'll be going" I said as I turned to take flight.

"You need a name" he noted, remembering what I said earlier. "Like what?" I asked. He shrugged. "That's for you to figure out" he said as he turned away and walked away, leaving me in silence.

"W-Welded?... That must have been agonising.." Toothless said, a heavy amount of empathy in his voice, and worry.

"I'm fine now, but yes" I responded, I know the look on his face, he wants to know why I thought welding it on was necessary.

"It's a long story as to why... I-I'd rather not talk about it.." I said, letting out a sigh. "I won't ask" He told me.

"Thank... Thank you"

The walk through the forest continued until we reached a Cove of sorts.

"Annd this is where me and Hiccup bonded" Toothless announced with a smile. Hiccup gave him a pat on the head. "Good times" He whispered to himself.

"It's a beautiful spot" I said, looking down into it as I imagined the things they got up to. Drawing in the sand perhaps.

Just by listening to how they spoke, their expressions, this place is important to them. Very important.

"I'm honoured you two brought me here" I said, smiling a little. As I looked down into the Cove, and pictured a scene in my head.

Eyes closed, trust strong, contact at last. A bond formed. A friendship unwavering.