Moon Fire

Chapter 15

Sorry this took so long. Remember to vote on those two songs I posted earlier. I need a tiebreaker.

Enjoy!

***

Hiccup sighed, looking at his work. Making the saddle had taken most of yesterday and pretty much all of the following night. If he didn't fall off during practice today, there was a chance he'd probably just pass out mid-flight.

If they got in the air.

Toothless reclined outside, basking in the dawn moonlight, watching. When he saw that the saddle was finished, he got up and nosed Hiccup's arm. How's it coming?

"All done, I think," Hiccup replied. "Want to try it on?"

Toothless obligingly turned to the side a bit, allowing Hiccup to lay the saddle on his shoulders, just in front of his wings. The straps were a little trickier. They consisted of a wide leather band that stretched between the dragon's forelegs and was connected on both sides to metal rings that Toothless would put his front legs through. The rings had buckles that attached to the saddle, keeping everything firmly in place without causing Hiccup or Toothless any irritation. The saddle had places for Hiccup to put his feet, the left side of which was more of a pedal and connected to the prosthetic, allowing Hiccup to control the prosthetic without making any erratic movements. Hopefully, this was the answer to Toothless' flightlessness.

I really hope this works, Toothless murmured as Hiccup pulled everything into place, mimicking the feel of the saddle being fastened together without actually doing it.

Me, too. If this doesn't work, I don't know what I'll do, Hiccup worried. Is that comfortable?

Toothless nodded. Plenty. Let's go try it out.

Hiccup slipped the saddle off and they walked outside. To Hiccup's surprise, there was a large Nightmare perching on one of the ruined buildings. His scales were a grim combination of deep maroon and black. His back and neck spines were long and jagged, and his amber-colored eyes seemed to glow. There was something very off about this dragon, but Hiccup couldn't figure out what it was.

Toothless hummed a greeting, and the Nightmare gave a short hiss back. The sound was strangely haunting, almost hollow, like wind blowing through a dead forest. He seemed preoccupied by the sight of the saddle in Hiccup's arms. He didn't do anything, just sat there, staring.

Toothless cocked his head, warbling something. The Nightmare didn't seem to want to answer at first, but then made a sort of grinding sound with his teeth. In answer, Toothless warbled again, sounding indignant, and swept his tail around behind Hiccup, pulling him closer. The Nightmare hissed and inched closer. Hiccup rested a hand on the Night Fury's folded wing, and what he heard didn't help his jumping nerves.

I am not mad, Scorch, nor am I being controlled. This is by my own choice.

Scorch cried out loudly at that, attracting the attention of several dragons who were close enough to hear. They came forward slowly, keeping a careful eye on both Toothless and Scorch.

Toothless growled back, standing straighter and looking the Nightmare right in the eyes. You are forgetting your place, Scorch. Hiccup is a part of this herd just the same as you are. What on earth was Scorch trying to get at?

"What's going on?" Hiccup whispered to an ashen-faced Twig. "What are they saying?"

Scorch thinks you're controlling the Alpha. He thinks the flying sickness has got him too bad and that you shouldn't be a part of the herd anymore. She swallowed hard, and it was clear by both her face and Scorch's posture that "you shouldn't be a part of the herd anymore" meant "you should die".