Behind the mask

Chapter 1: "something crazy"

The Lone Rider

"I can't do it." Hiccup mumbled as he stumbled through the empty paths that weaved in between the huts and houses of Berk. Any sane person would be fast asleep at this hour of the night, but not Hiccup, he had far too much on his mind. It has been about two weeks since he joined Dragon Training, and with each day his fear of killing a Dragon was getting him increasingly close to getting himself killed. Hiccup brushed his long brown hair out of his eyes and stared out at the full moon that hung suspended over the crystal clean ocean. Berk had everything that the boy wasn't: a tightly knit band of Vikings, who thought every problem ever known, could be solved with the swing of a hammer of axe. Almost every night he dreamed of being free, to be out there, where wouldn't have to worry about Vikings mocking him, and his father regretting him.

A dream that was now entirely possible, thanks to his Dragon, Toothless.

Hiccup's Night Fury also shared his desire for adventure and exploration. He would always want to just keep on flying, to not stop and to never return to Berk. It was times like these when Hiccup fantasied about such a situation: to leave Berk on the back of his Dragon, leaving faces of shock and awe, to fly farther than any Hooligan had ever traveled before and to start a new life, maybe even a new tribe. He also imagined how his father would feel, how his shock and anger would soon turn to pride as he realized his 'useless' son had the courage to ride the most dangerous Dragon ever known. He also thought about telling them all the truth, that Dragons and Vikings can co-exist, even work together. Hiccup came to a stop by a large tree on the outskirts of the village, slumping down against it. Who was he kidding? How could he convince these people that Dragons weren't what they thought they were? He new the truth all too well, soon enough they would realize how he'd gotten so good in the ring, and he'd be named a traitor and an Outlaw. After staring at the stars for what seemed like an eternity, Hiccup got up and walked deeper and deeper into the forest. Toothless mattered to him more than ever now, and knew he would manage at least a little sleep by his side.

o~0~O~0~o

Hiccup eventually found himself in the grove where Toothless slept. The moonlight revealed the distinct outline of a Dragon resting besides an overhanging tree.

"Hey bud, you sleeping there?" Hiccup asked, breaking into a short yawn. Toothless gave no response, just a steady purr he often gave when he was scratched under the neck. "Come on, I know you're in there" Hiccup smiled as he gently nudged his friend. Toothless finally woke up, opening his deep green eyes and staring at the boy in a confused state. "Yeah, sorry I woke you, I couldn't sleep again", Toothless gently hit his friend over the head with his half-tail. "It's not my fault!" Hiccup protested, rubbing the spot he was hit, "I can't sleep knowing I might have to kill a Monstrous Nightmare". Toothless looked at him for a second, and then up at the star filled sky.

"Why don't we leave?"

"I know, I know. We should leave before this gets out of hand." Hiccup sat down against Toothless and let his heat warm him up. "But maybe if I let Astrid win this next battle then I won't have to kill the Dragon". The Dragon placed his head on Hiccup's lap, making that same purring sound he did earlier. "I reckon we should make a tribe of our own, Toothless. I'll be the chief and everyone will ride Dragons, we won't need boats to travel and I can finally have some well-earned respect!" The more Hiccup thought about it, the more ridiculous it sounded. He didn't want to become chief, not in Berk or anywhere for that matter, he wasn't cut out for that kind of responsibility. "If we leave, you think we'll survive out there? I mean, how will we live?" Toothless nudged Hiccup's belt, where his small dagger rested in its hilt.

"You could learn to use that thing, for a change."

"Yeah yeah, I admit I'm lacking when it comes to fighting" Hiccup stood up and took out his dagger, pretending to strike down imaginary foes in the near-darkness. Toothless let out a frustrated groan, burying his head in the cold soil.