The Story of the Light Fury

Homecoming Part 5

He emerged from among the entire population of New Berk: Hiccup! I recognized him immediately, despite the beard. A glance at Toothless was enough to see, that he had tears in his eyes. I could understand him only too well.

Now Astrid and her two children came into our field of vision. The girl and the boy ran happily through the crowd, while Astrid joined her husband.

"Over there!" hissed Toothless at once. I followed his gaze and froze. Dart, Ruffrunner and Pouncer came flying up to the ledge in front of us. A stone fell from my heart. Our children were fine! The three landed in front of us, without noticing Toothless and me and looked impressively at what was happening below us. My Mate and I exchanged determined looks. It was time we taught the little ones a lesson.

When we ventured out of hiding, I accidentally stepped on a branch. Pouncer was the first to turn to us. His face grew snowwhite and he tapped Dart on the shoulder. This now turned around too. When she recognized us, she nudged Ruffrunner, who turned yawning and opened his eyes in alarm.

"Who of you had the idea to come here?" asked Toothless, dangerously quiet. Ruffrunner and Pouncer both pointed to Dart, while this pointed to her brothers.

"Do you know, how worried we were?" my Mate shouted at the three. "How many times have we told you, that you must never leave the Hidden World without us?" I hissed too. The children fearfully hid behind their wings. It hurt my heart to see them like this, but my anger was greater.

"But Dad, you really wanted to see Hiccup again." Ruffrunner said now sheepishly. "That's no reason to just disappear at night!" Toothless started at him and his siblings. "What were you thinking?" I added growling.

Before Dart, Ruffrunner and Pouncer could answer, we heard loud music and raised our heads in bewilderment. The children also turned around curiously. Most of the Vikings in the village had gathered on benches and were looking forward to the stage, where a curtain was now being raised. There was a man with an artificial red beard.

"Stoick" I heard my Mate murmur. Now the curtain revealed a strange black creature. I started. Should that be Toothless? The Night Fury was also visibly confused. The idea was probably to get to know Toothless and Hiccup's father.

"It didn't happen that way! Hiccup and I got to know each other like that!" my Mate stated outraged. "Dad, should you be that?" asked Pouncer. "I think so," replied the Night Fury.

For some time everything went smoothly. Then I noticed smoke at the end of the stage. "Toothless, it's burning down there!" I cried out, startled. Now the wood caught fire and the stage went up in flames! The audience screamed in horror and the artificial dragon, which apparently contained Hiccup, lost control. He shot fake plasma blasts and staggered dangerously close to the abyss behind the stage. Toothless jumped forward in horror, trying to keep an eye on the Viking.

Too late! With a loud cry we saw the artificial dragon plunge down the abyss. "Hiccup!" my Mate roared in panic. Without hesitation, he shot down from the ledge, determined to save his best friend.