Of Innocence and Prejudice: Chapter Six

They cried together for what felt like hours, Toothless holding Hiccup in his lap and hiding his tear-streaked face in the boy's neck. It was silence minute after minute, just Toothless weaving his hand through the auburn hair and feeling his friend's smaller self shivering with self-induced hiccups.


Finally, words broke the peaceful silence.


" You don't know how happy i am...how happy i am now that you came."

" I never would have stopped looking. I.....i need you."

" I need you too!" Hiccup shivered with fresh tears and squeezed the draganoid tighter.

" I'm sure we both feel this way, and this goes without saying, but i wish this had never happened. I feel like i've missed so much of your life...and i have no idea how much you actually remember of our time together."

" They put me on so many...drugs, Toothless, and everything i can remember is hazy. Like a dream."

" Do you remember what you told me you wanted to be? You said you wanted to be a dog trainer- or really any kind of animal trainer, but specifically dog. Do you still want to do that?"

" I..suppose so. If anyone would let me..with this whole insanity record."


" I'd let you."


" I dunno, Toothless. Without you...i can't do anything. I'm...i'm not good enough. Stupid."

Hiccup jumped as Toothless pushed him back to face him, forcing him to look straight in the draganoid's eyes.

" You....really don't remember. I thought maybe seeing me would make it come back....i guess not though. You really don't have a clue, do you?"

" What am i supposed to be remembering?" The boy asked, frustrated.

" Who you are! Who i am! You're so much more powerful than you realize! You're-"




The door suddenly slammed back on it's hinges.




It was Jack. He was breathing heavy, eyes wide and he was shaking.

" Gotta go?" Toothless questioned, already standing and pulling Hiccup to his feet. Jack just nodded, unable to speak. The draganoid grabbed Hiccup's wrist, pulling him out the door, Jack following close behind as they broke into a full run. Hiccup risked a glance behind him, and faltered slightly, forcing Toothless to practically drag him behind.


Their newest enemy was a horrific monster.


It had the body of a lion, powerful muscles bunched close under tight skin. It had multiple tails, ranging from that of a scorpian to the enormous jaws of a serpant. It's face was strangely human, and it had large, draconic wings. It was made entirely of black sand.

Giving an ear-splitting roar, the creature gave chase, floor pounding as if it were an earthquake.

Reaching Rain, Toothless grabbed her arm without even slowing, catching a glimpse behind him.

" Go! Go!" He shouted, releasing their arms and turning around. He spread out his arms and legs, essentially blocking off the entire hallway.



" Come and get me."



The monster didn't hesitate, barrelling at full speed towards the draganoid. Toothless narrowed his eyes, focusing on his enemy completely.

When the creature got close enough, the draganoid leapt into the air, flipping and vaulting himself onto his enemy's back. He grabbed one of it's many serpent tails, threading it between the huge jaws, pulling it tight like a horse's reins. The manticore shook himself like a dog, and Toothless couldn't hold on- tumbling through the air and skidding to a stop; mere feet from the kids.

" Toothless!!" Hiccup screamed, stopping and attempting to help his friend- though being pulled back forcibly by Jack. The draganoid scrambled to his feet, running after the others.


Skidding around a corner, Jack flung open the nearest door, and after pushing Rain and Hiccup inside, shoved the door just hard enough to give Toothless time to slide in as it began to close.


For  a moment, the only sound was everyone's panicked breathing.






Click.