The Missing Pieces to a Night Fury's Heart

Chapter 3

His return to the village was slow and heavy. His ears were pressed flat against his head in disappointment.

He had been so close to meeting another of his kind again. He paused, suddenly remembering the wound the female had had.

Maybe… Just maybe she was still on the island.

A troubled though occurred to him. She was grounded to the earth and if another hungry predator could find her…

His wings sagged on the ground. Forget it, he thought. The dragoness didn’t want to be found, so he’d leave her.

“Alpha!” the call came from behind as Stormfly strode by his side. “You look disappointed, what happened?”

“Well…” The Night Fury took a breath and recounted his events. The Deadly Nadder listened skeptically.

“I see,” she muttered. “Well if I were you, I’d stay away.” Her gaze softened. “I know she must be the first Night Fury you have seen in ages, but if anything she spells trouble.”

The Night Fury’s ear flicked at this.

“Very well,” he sighed, groggily dragging his paws. His thoughts raced with the new encounter. Another Night Fury. Here! His heart quickened in his chest, though it eased back into a slow pulse. But then again, there was the problem of the dragoness not wanting to be found.

“It is my honor to help you, Alpha.”

He grumbled under his breath. “Stormfly! There’s no need to say Alpha…”

“Of course, Alpha.”

He pressed his eyes shut. “Why must everyone call me that?”

“Because you are our Alpha. It is a sign of respect.”

“But what if I don’t want this ‘sign of respect’ and just want to be called Toothless?”

Stormfly shrugged. “It has always been this way.”

Another snort came from his jaws. Another consequence he had to solve.

He did a playful bow, his eyes dilating.

“Would you like to play then?”

Stormfly hesitated. “Is that an order?”

“Of course not!”

She then nodded, leaping at him.

With quick agility, the Night Fury ducked, grabbing hold of an adolescent tree.

He heaved, ripping it from its roots before dashing away.

“That’s not fair!” he heard Stormfly laugh-a throaty though melodious sound all dragon’s omitted.

He felt a tug as the Deadly Nadder caught hold of the opposing branch. Her fangs crunched down on the bark, blistering it to pieces.

She sat back, licking her chops as if she had started to eat peanut butter.

“Ma tongue. I can’t spheel ma tongue!”

Toothless dropped his end of the branch and grinned, spotting the look on her face. It was so comical.

“You all right?” he called, trying not to smile, but a sudden playful urge kept him like that.

“I am, but I doubt your going to be when I beat you!” she said suddenly, the accent of her voice changing back into strength. Her large maw clamped down on the branch and she raced away, her tail raised in a sign of triumph.