How to Find Your Fire

(Httyd) Chapter 14: Rescuing

By Puffnut

"Welcome to Dragons Edge little cousin..."

I stare at Tuffnut and the other Dragon Riders with wonder. They really are amazing. They are all there, save Heather and Dagur who are probably on Berserker island. Each one is more impressive than the last. There's Hiccup, with auburn hair and green eyes, standing next to Toothless, a NightFury with green eyes; there's Astrid with blonde hair and ferocious blue eyes next to her blue Deadly Nader Stormfly; Snotlout with brown hair and blue eyes, looking ever so confident, with Hookfang, his dark red Monstrous Nightmare, rolling his eyes beneath him; and finally, the twins. Ruff and Tuff. Both Blondies and with blue eyes, just like me. They are both standing next to their green Hideous Zippleback, the one I had painted.

The painting...

I blink out of my daze and bounce up to the twins. "I made this for you," I say, suddenly bashful as I give them the painting. "It's a picture of Barf and Belch," I say as they unwrap the gift.

They both study it with a slightly comical gaze. "Why, dear sister, I believe we have just gained our first fan," says Tuffnut seriously.

"And our first genuine gift!" replies Ruffnut.

They both look at me. "Little cousin, how would you like to be taught the ways of the truly disturbed?!" asks Tuffnut in a dramatic voice.

"As long as it involves Loki, explosions, practical jokes, and hanging out with you guys and the awesome dragons you have here," I say excitedly.

"Your conditions are accepted," says Ruffnut grandly, shaking my hand.

Tuffnut also shakes my hand while Hiccup sighs. "Just promise me you won't set the whole island on fire?"

"No promises!" shouts Tuffnut. At Astrid's glare, he adds, "But we will try and stick to only burning down half the island."

Hiccup rolls his eyes. "Close enough." Then, he stiffens as a roar of a dragon pierces the air. "Dragon Hunters," he says, quickly getting on to Toothless.

That roar, it sounds familiar...

That NightFury I saw!

Is it following me?

I quickly run over to Hiccup. "Wait! I think I know the dragon in trouble! Can I come with you?!" He nods curtly and I hop onto Toothless who immediately takes off. We soar through the air with the other Dragon Riders close behind. Stoick and Gobber stay behind since their dragons are in pens and they're not very experienced with aerial fighting and would probably just get in the way. I can't help hugging onto Hiccup as we speed through the air. I just hope that Astrid won't chop me to pieces for hugging her boyfriend...

We skim through the air, breaking the sound barrier and creating the signature whistle of a NightFury. I soon see a small Dragon Hunter boat and point it out to Hiccup. He nods his head in acknowledgement and motions for the others Riders to dive down. As we approach and are able to see through the cover of trees next to the boat, I notice some Hunters dragging a dragon to their boat. And not just any dragon; it is the NightFury I saw before.

I was right, it is following me!

...but why?

Toothless shoots a plasma blast at the Hunters. Noticing us, they start calling out.

What the...

A fleet of Dragon Hunter ships comes around the corner. Above them are Dragon Hunters on Singetails. I think for a moment before calling, "Hiccup, do you have Inferno on you?"

"Yeah, why...?"

Before he can continue, I spot the blade on his belt and take it. Then, I do something the reckless twins would be proud of. Shouting, "Focus on the Dragon Hunters, I'll free the NightFury!" I jump off Toothless and into the water. Coughing out water, I swim to shore. By the time I get to land, the Riders are already engaged in aerial combat. I dry off Inferno as best as I can before igniting it and charging towards the Hunters who are loading the NightFury onto their boat. I feel so mad at the Hunters, that I charge recklessly towards them, flaming sword in hand.

I am not that tall, but I'm sure I look impressive and intimidating.

I leap on to their boat and knock the first Hunter that comes in my way into the water. "Let that dragon go," I snarl.

"Come on! There's one of her and three of us!" shouts the leader. The charge at me and I let out a battle cry, attacking them head on. I don't know how, but I managed to knock off all of them.

Breathing hard, I go over to the NightFury. It is unconsious and has an arrow in its side.

Dragon root...

I quickly pull it out. Then, i use it to pick the lock on the chains binding the poor dragon. I hear a roar and Fishleg's cry of, "Watch out!" right before a fireball smashes right next to me. I am knocked off my feet from the resulting explosion. The NightFury is awake now, desperately trying to escape the roaring flames, but she is still weak from the Dragon Root and still hasn't taken the antidote. Desperately, I crawl over to the dragon, trying once again to pick the chain. Another fireball comes crashing down, but this time, I stay in my place. I cough, smoke filling the air. It is getting intensely hot, and the heat saps the strength from my body. Still, I prevail, almost finished with picking the lock.

"Puffnut, get out of their!" yells Hiccup. "You won't be able to survive there for much longer!"

"Yeah!" shouts Tuffnut. "I'm all for dangerous things, but I prefer you don't die!"

I cough again and cry hoarsely, "I'm almost done! I can't leave this dragon to die! Just focus on your fight; I'm sure it's hard enough as is!" I turn my head as I hear noices from the NightFury. It gestures its head, a sad look in its eyes.

It's prepared to die to save me! Even after I shot it down...

But, I can't leave it here to die, I just can't!

Ignoring the voices of the Dragon Riders, I continue picking the lock until I hear a click.

I did it!

Suddenly, a crash from behind me throws me into the now free dragon. It growls and picks me up by its teeth and throws me on its back. It jumps into the air and banks suddenly as my weight, little as it is, and the affects of the Dragon Root force it down. Determined, the dragon tries again and makes it as far as the beach before collapsing again. I'm barely conscious, only able to register the fact that I had freed the NightFury and it had saved itself and me. I also notice the fight is coming to a close between the Dragon Riders and the Hunters. Feeling relieved, I black out and drift into a dreamless sleep on top of the also sleeping NightFury...