Strike Back

End of the World

For reducios.

Because even though not all heroes get a happy ending, they all deserve one.

~~~

Toothless was living the life. He had his best friend, Hiccup, with him all the time, the weather was fair, the sun was warm on his back, and they spent most of their days in the air, dancing for the simple joy of being alive, just the two of them. Life couldn't be more perfect.

At least, it was perfect to Toothless. Hiccup still had nightmares sometimes about his father coming after him and attacking him, and sometimes he'd talk about a girl he'd known back on Berk named Astrid. He claimed he didn't have feelings for her, but Toothless knew that he really did like her. He made a mental note to himself to return to Berk sometime so the two could see each other again.

It was dusk in the Archipelago, and the Night Fury was angling down toward an islet to spend the night on. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw what looked like a small fishing boat approaching the same islet. He didn't know if it was a Berkian vessel or not, so he rumbled at Hiccup, and the boy got the message. "We'll take the far side," he said, and Toothless snorted, gliding swiftly away from the boat.

Once they'd landed, Hiccup removed his prosthetic while Toothless started a campfire and went to catch a few fish for dinner. When both of their stomachs were satisfied, Toothless lay down next to the fire, Hiccup curling up beside him, and they went to sleep.

Snap!

Toothless' eyes flew open, scanning the area. The sky was pitch black; not even the light of the moon could be seen tonight. Hiccup slept soundly, tucked under the dragon's wing to keep warm. Everything seemed normal, except—

Snap!

Frustrated whispering emanated from the woods behind them. Toothless got up and turned to face the sound, growling softly. His ears twitched violently, picking up every little noise the intruders made, whatever they were.

Something advanced on his left. Toothless whirled around and fired a sonar blast in that direction. It wouldn't hurt the intruder at all, but Toothless hoped it would scare them enough to make them go away.

Sure enough, a very unmanly yelp leaped into the charged night air as the unnerved human saw what he thought was a gigantic ring of Night Fury fire headed straight for him.

"Idiot! Pull yourself together!" another voice hissed. The dragon bared his teeth a little, enjoying how easily Idiot (why did it seem like human names got stranger with every generation?) could be scared off.

Toothless growled and nudged Hiccup with his tail, trying to wake him up. The boy moaned in his sleep and rolled over, but he didn't open his eyes.

"I'll get the boy."

Footsteps in front of him. The Night Fury snapped his head up, a vicious snarl on the way out, ready to face the human who dared attack his boy. The human, wearing a bearskin, raised his crossbow and aimed at Hiccup, totally ignoring the Night Fury. Toothless' blood ran cold. There was only one thing to do. He leaped between Hiccup and the shooter just as the arrow was loosed, and took the blow.

His mind was instantly foggy, and for a second, he didn't know where he was. His limbs felt like jelly, and as he toppled over, he was surprised to find that it didn't hurt.

Then, of course, his brain registered that he'd been shot, and the pain came roaring in at full force. A shriek escaped without his consent, and one name filled his mind, blocking out all other thoughts. Hiccup. Hiccup. Hiccup.

Woken by the cry, Hiccup sat up with a start, staring at their attackers with wide, frightened eyes. He looked down and saw the arrow sticking out of his best friend's chest. "No!" Hiccup screamed, hurling himself at the dragon, begging him to stay with him. Toothless barely heard him. He gazed blearily at his human as his vision slowly began to fade, until finally everything went as black as the night sky above.