Dragons

Through the Lightning Traverse

Authors note: This is my very first entry into the How to Train Your Dragon series. In it Hiccup and Toothless will be tested on their friendship and ability to weather through the most difficult scenario they ever have faced. However on the other side Snotlout and Astrid will spend some alone time together. Hiccup will be torn in two in this story and the adventure will push this young Dragon Rider/Trainer to his absolute breaking point. Hang on tight, cause this Nightfury won't slow down for no one, away we go.

CH.1: Invitation

Astrid stared over at Hiccup watching him teach. He was a natural at what he did, hands down no one could do what he did. She usually found her rapt attention fixated on the way his smile lit up his face or the way his excitement overtook his entire being. She had been working the nerve for a week now to invite him on a walk, just the two of them. However a new dragon usually popped up so she had to quell her desire. Now as he was finishing up she knew this was her moment, backing down was not an option.

"Alright, you all have your assignments. Alvin could strike any day so best make sure you're prepared, dismissed." Hiccup walked over to Toothless and patted his head. "Hey bud, ready for a fly?"

"Hiccup…could I speak to you?' Astrid rubbed her arm walking over; her eyes downcast as she fought the made blush pushing over her Viking features. While she was considered beautiful, she was a little self-conscious ever since Hiccup fell for Heather.

"Well…could it wait Astrid? I promised Toothless I would take him flying today. He seems to not have much to do while I teach-."

"It'll just take a second…I'm sure Toothless will understand." She forcefully grabbed his arm pulling him off to the side.

"Ok Astrid, I'm all yours…well…for the moment that is." Hiccup blushed and looked away.

Even she was blushing at that, however since she was making all the moves she was certain once Toothless groaned he would forget it ever happened. "Hiccup…you and I haven't really hung out that much…alone…together…"

"Sure we have…what about all the flights we've been on with Stormfly and Toothless? There was even that one time you and I were tracking down that wild dragon-."

"Hiccup…what I'm trying to say is…" Astrid suddenly realized Snotlout was walking over. Great, she thought, I bet he is going to hit on me again.

"Hello Astrid, Hiccup…would you mind giving us a moment…alone?" Snotlout smiled briefly before turning his attention to Astrid.

"Don't mind me…not like I was actually conversing here or anything. Maybe you could tell me later Astrid." Hiccup wore a sad smile and began walking off.

"That is what you always say," Astrid heaved a sad sigh and then looked over at Snotlout. "Ok, make it fast; you know how standing this close to you makes me break out."

"Oh trust me…this won't take long at all. Turns out my dad is going to be in the Great Hall all day, which means…I'm home alone-."

"Great…maybe you can work on shadow puppets with Hookfang." She rolled her eyes but saw he was actually getting nervous.

"The thing is…much as Hookfang and I have a blast hanging together…I was kinda hoping you'd come over."

Astrid felt her eyes widen and looking over she saw Hiccup stop in his tracks. Panic set in and she tried to think of a reason, any for which to turn him down. Her eyes pleaded at Hiccup for help, even an excuse would be acceptable. Still…what she saw in his eyes was breaking her heart, he was actually debating, torn between his dragon and her. She just wanted to run away…but she also realized a girl could only be ignored for so long before she gave in.

"Wow Snotlout, you mean it?" Her voice was loud, hoping that Hiccup would become a man she could count on, much like how Toothless could depend on him as a friend. However once again Hiccup was unresponsive as he climbed on top Toothless; his face lowered.

"Yeah…so…what do you say?" Snotlout looked at her eagerly.

Darn it Hiccup, she thought, what will it take to get you to go out with me? The thought of doing the punch on the arm followed by the kiss crossed her mind, but she shuddered it away soon as it came. It was her sign of affection to Hiccup…but he never took it upon himself to return the affection, take the lead.

"I am in…apparently I have no other plans at all. Nope, none at all; wasn't even planning on taking a romantic walk…at all."

"That's great…see that Hiccup…that is how it is done. I'll see about getting us some food, what do girls eat?" Snotlout thought it over as he walked out.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Astrid implored. "I am going to Snotlout's house…just him and me…what is with you?"

"I'm sorry, just, kinda distracted. Plus, aren't you the one who usually punches him by now or makes it clear you would not ever go to his house…by yourself?" Hiccup looked at her and try as he might yes it did bother him…but…he still found himself shy around her, even after all they had been through. Plus running the Academy and keeping the island safe from Alvin and his deplorable Outcasts drained him at times. He wanted to give Astrid what she wanted, take the initiative, but…here they were with her actually moving on…without him.

"I was waiting for you to make a move Hiccup! How long are you planning to keep me waiting? Snotlout at least shows initiative, shows me he likes me, what do you do? You are so wrapped up in this Academy and training dragons…you clearly forget you are still human. "

"Astrid in case you have forgotten…Alvin has dragons now. We can't just move on with our life like that hasn't happened. Berk needs us, and sorry if I don't throw myself at you…I just have more important things to do right now."

Astrid felt her face tear up at his words. "So…that is how you feel huh? Then don't let me take you away from whatever has you distracted, I will go home and prepare for my date with Snotlout. Consider yourself off the hook Hiccup, whatever we had…it's gone."

"Astrid…wait…" Hiccup reached out but saw it was too late, she was already flying off on Stormfly and he felt his entire being shake. What had he just done?

Toothless watched them disappear and looked up at his friend in concern. He was all ready to fly after them, but the hands on the reigns said otherwise.

"It is ok bud…she just needs to be alone right now." Hiccup was about to leave when he saw Gobber walk in.

"Something the matter Hiccup? I just saw Astrid flying away and she seemed distraught, something happen between you two?' Gobber walked over to the board of Dragons looking over the lesson.

"Gobber…I might have messed things up with Astrid. I made a complete jerk of myself…now she wants nothing to do with me." He sighed running his hand over his face.

"I see, well, did you know your father made a yak of himself with your mother?" He smiled remembering it well. "In fact, they nearly didn't get married at all."

"Wait…how come I haven't heard this?' Hiccup looked over at him.

"Oh that is because it is not Stoic's proudest moment. He ran his mouth off a little too much and she actually ended up spending the night with his best friend." Gobber looked over his shoulder as Hiccup pondered this.

"No, wait…are you saying it was you?' Hiccup couldn't tell how he felt hearing this. While yes it did happen in the past, if circumstances had carried on Gobber would've been his dad.

"Yep, and you know what, I respected my friendship too much with Stoic to do anything. She cried on my shoulder and I steered her right back at the lug. Astrid right now needs someone to be there for her, whether or not Snotlout is that guy…remains to be seen. You still got a chance…though that isn't why I came here."

"Then why did you?" Hiccup felt his hopes dashed realizing that if he let Astrid go to Snotlout…well…he kinda didn't want to picture it.

"I found a map that might interest you. Turns out it might have something to do with Toothless. While sure you might've been misled the first time, this seems certain to be the genuine article. Here take a look." He reached into his pants and pulled it out.

Hiccup accepted it and looked at it closely. "The Lightning Traverse…I've heard that before…"

`"Your father told you this when you were about my knee's length. The Lightning Traverse is a place far away from Berk that lightning strikes all the time. Thor himself was said to first get struck by lightning in that very valley. It is also an island where the Nightfury was first rumored to be. Should be worth looking into."

"This is great…but…what about Astrid?" He looked off where she had left.

"I will leave the map in your capable hands, what you do with it is up to you. I would suggest you hurry though, if your father finds out you intend to go there…he'll flip. Astrid will still be here when you get back, though, whether or not it is with Snotlout or not remains to question. I thought she would've turned him down…"

"Yeah…so did I." Hiccup looked at the map, decided on it and realized he had to go. Urging Toothless up he flew out of the Academy, his eyes looking to Astrid before leaving.