(HTTYD) To Protect Its Own

Helllheim's Gate

Hiccup POV

We're finally here. The symbiotic gate of fog stared at me, making me grin in eager anticipation. We're almost home. I jumped to the front of the deck, looking into the white abyss. I breathed in the fresh scent, reaching out to the fog, feeling the cold, familiar sensation.

"Why are we here?" I turned to Stoick, looking around in confusion. I forgot that dad's been here before, trying to find the nest. But of course, the fog was too thick for anyone to navigate into. Well, too thick for a Viking.  "Isn't this the Dragon's nest?"

I shrugged my shoulders, turning around and walking toward the wheel. "Well, I made it my home. Got a problem with it?"

"But how do you even navigate? The fog is too thick! Even we, Vikings couldn't find a way after generations!", Dad shouted in frustration, pulling at his beard.

I shrugged my shoulders, humming secretly. "I got my ways. Heather, do you wanna do the honor of leading?"

Heather groaned and pouted, leaning back on her dragon. "Ugh-- I don't want to." She turned to Dagur, who was busy stroking Shattermaster. She coughed, making Dagur stop. He slowly turned around to see his sister with a nervous smile.  "Dagur, you do it."

"I don't want to do it either! I'm older, so you go!",Dagur said with a whine, his arms crossed in denial.

I rolled at their bickering, pinching the bridge of my nose. Can't they stop fighting for one second? Typical siblings. "For Odin's sake, both of you go."

"Fine." They huffed, accepting the command and left to the skies. I looked at them, shifting the boat when they changed direction. Everyone was staring at the front in nervousness. I guess I can't blame them as they were waiting to know what the dragon's nest looks like their whole lives. They have been searching for generations after all.

"Ughhhh- do anyone hears wings?" I stayed quiet, noticing that they were wings coming for us. I guess we're at the physical barrier. I left the wheel, running to the front of the boat. I silently counted from three. Wait for it.

Sure enough, little dragons speeded toward us, surrounding us like a tornado. The Vikings were freaking of course. I stared at them, shushing them. Thankfully, they did, trembling slightly as they tried to stand stock still. I stood relaxed as the Night terrors looked at me. The Night terrors have been guarding the gate of Hellheim since I found them. They were a mischevious group, stealing from me in the night. Luckily, they were just looking for a place to stay and I decided to let them live here. Due to Dragon chivalry though, they took it upon themselves to guard the island from any trespassers.

"Hello, little guys. I need to get through if that's okay." All of them twirled around me, their cries ringing in the air. That is the closest cry to a yes that I'll ever hear. Their leader rested on my shoulder, nuzzling me. I laughed, stroking him behind the ears. He turned to look at the others, then cocking at me in confusion. Yeah, he was wondering why I'm on a ship, with Vikings nonetheless.  "They're with me." He nodded in reply and went up to the air, the white night terror crying out to the others. The other night terrors followed, forming their main shape. It was a large dragon, meant to be intimidating and I bet that they showed it to serve as a warning to Stoick and the others.  I smiled at their big form as they looked below me and roared one time before leaving.  I sighed in relief and turned to the others. Thank god that went so smoothly.  My eyebrow raised as I saw Stoick and the gang's jaws down on the ground, eyes widened in disbelief.

"What?" I said in confusion. They said nothing, just silently moving their mouths up and down.

"What was that?", Fishlegs said in excitement.

I shrugged my shoulders. "It's my security system. The Night terrors guard the island well."

Fishleg's eyes are shining, full of curiosity and eagerness. That expression makes me smile.  "What are they? I've never seen them before."

I chuckled. Typical Fishlegs, always aspiring for knowledge. But then again, I am as well. I turned to the haze of fog, silent before answering with soft cheeriness. "There are many others you won't know about on Hellheim's Gate, so don't be too surprised now."

I looked up at Heather and Dagur, who were waiting to continue. The Night terrors didn't bother them as they were on their dragons. The inhabitants of Hellheim's Gate don't bother the riders as they can trust the fact that their own dragons let them ride on. Heather was looking at me with an impatient expression as well as a knowing one. Her eyes were saying, "they're your responsibility". I sighed at the scolding expression and gave her a thankful smile. It's a rash method, but it's her own way of caring.  "Heather! Dagur! Ready?"

Heather put up a thumbs up while Dagur shouted in reply. "Yeah! Let's go!"

We resumed the journey and slowly moved forward.  Sure enough, the final checkpoint came before us. It was a simple ring of stone, placed in the middle of the sea. The fog made the entrance seem mysterious and I can hear the silent breathing from the others.  The Night terrors were resting on the landmark, looking at us while the ship went slowly through the opening.  I can hear the rising cries of dragons as we get closer and I closed my eyes in anticipation. I wanted to fly with Toothless already. But I need to wait. Until the fog clears up.

Finally, the ship broke away from the fog, clearing up and revealing the island, my home. The island has not changed the last I saw it, meaning there was no trouble. I can hear the awes coming from the others and I  grinned at them.

"Guys, welcome to the Dragon's Nest."