Chapter Two

The dragon training center truly is a source of pride for most of the Vikings here, though as I spent more time with Toothless my awe and adoration of this domed prison became hatred and contempt. I hate the thought that the Vikings thought they could imprison the dragons here without any consequences. Despite my anger, I grin, running over my plan in my mind. Of course, I have to be careful. Doubtless the dragons won't take to kindly to being woken up by a human at this hour. Still, this is something I need to do.

The first thing I have to do is leave my belongings at the gate. All my research would be lost if an angry dragon burnt it to cinders, or if it got torn to shreds by their claws. Slipping through the metal grate that closed off the massive dome, I realize that if I had been the son Stoick wanted (and that I thought I wanted to be), I wouldn't have been able to pull that off. A mental image appears of Stoick getting stuck attempting to follow me, and I smirk to myself. Truly, he and I are nothing alike.

Glancing around, flashbacks to Dragon Training come to mind, and I scowl. The nerve of the Vikings. I wonder to myself if they ever even thought to feed the poor dragons. In my memories the dragons seemed to be at least somewhat well-fed, though at the time I was also too busy trying to keep myself from dying. Thinking back on those memories, it had been amazing to be right there to see Astrid doing what she did best. But now, knowing what she is actually like, the experience has been tainted with that knowledge. In a village where killing dragons was the way to become loved by all, it's little wonder why Astrid was so much more popular than I.

Coming to the huge doors that keep the dragons in their prison, I again revisit those memories. This time however, not for nostalgia's sake. I need to remember which dragon was kept behind which door. If I release the Monstrous Nightmare first, the plan would fall apart. I have to release the other dragons first. Hopefully, seeing the other dragons waiting to be freed will allow the Monstrous Nightmare to understand that I am here to save them. After digging through my memories, I finally remember which door Gobber had used to release the Gronckle. Gronckles are lazier and calmer, which would make my job easier.

Looking at the placement and thickness of the lever used to open the door, this would be the part where being taller and more muscular would definitely come in handy. Still, I can't let that get in the way of my plans. After a bit of thinking, I back a bit away from the lever. Perhaps, if I get a running start... Before I can doubt myself, I run towards the wall, jumping at the last second in an attempt to grasp the lever. My first jump fails, and I am rewarded with a scrape from the sharp rocky wall. Wincing as I inspect the wound, I shift where I stand and run at the wall again. This time my attempt succeed, and I grasp the lever. I struggle to bring the lever down with me, and at first it seems like it'll be hopeless. After a few moments, however, I notice that both the lever and myself are coming closer to the ground.

Suddenly the lever drops all the way down, depositing me on the ground. The wooden log lifts away from its perch on the doors, though unlike in training, the doors don't aggressively swing open. Instead, they remain shut. I cautiously approach the doors, wondering if the Gronckle might be asleep. Guilt overwhelms me as I realized that I'm waking the poor dragon up at incredibly early times of day. However, there is no other time I could do this. During the day the Vikings swarm around the dome to watch the younger Vikings go through Dragon Training, and I won't be able to sneak back here another time due to my exile. I have to release them all tonight. I gently knock on the doors, wondering if such a quiet sound will be enough to wake the Gronckle.

To my shock, I hear stirring from behind the doors. The Gronckle is waking up. I allow myself a small grin as I back away from the door, allowing the probably-groggy Gronckle time to wake up and push open the doors. After a few moments, the doors slowly swing open, until the Gronckle stands in front of me, groggy and confused. Slowly, I approach the half-asleep dragon, extending my hand to show that I have no ill intent. At first the Gronckle snorts and growls at me. But several moments pass without me showing any intent to harm, and I am allowed to come closer, until I am gently rubbing the bridge of the Gronckle's nose. In return, the tired Gronckle makes a sound I could only compare to purring or something of that nature. I made another dragon friend. But my work is far from over.

I lead the Gronckle over to the next door, the one with a Terrible Terror behind it. Terrible Terrors are small, playful, and (when not dealing with vicious-looking Viking teens) friendly. Surely enough, once I open the door and quietly knock, the Terrible Terror drowsily stumbles out of the small opening at the bottom. Smiling, I allow the tiny dragon to rest on my shoulder.

Glancing at the sky to judge how much time I had left, I next walk to the doors holding the Hideous Zippleback. While Zipplebacks aren't as laid-back and calm as Gronckles, they are still calmer than Deadly Nadders and Monstrous Nightmares. When I unlock the doors, I hear two sounds. The sound of a drowsy dragon slowly shifting, and the sound of footsteps. Time is running out.I could rescue the Nadder, or I could rescue the Nightmare.

I consider my options. They wouldn't be able to use the Nightmare in their initiation ritual if it wasn't there. Nadders are known to be more docile than Nightmares, but gaining their trust might take longer. The footsteps grow louder, and I make my decision, whispering an apology to the sleeping Nadder. It doesn't take long for the Nightmare's cell to be opened. I show it that I am unarmed, then cautiously allow it to walk over to me. I gently place my hand on its snout, and breathe a sigh of relief as it seemed to relax.

"Outcast. What do you think you're doing." I turn to glare at Astrid.

"This doesn't concern you, Viking. Consider this a favor. You consider these dragons a threat? Well now they're gone." Her eyes widen. Again I consider apologizing - it isn't her fault they've raised her to think all dragons are evil - but again I remember her harsh words at the smithing hut.

"These dragons aren't yours to take, Outcast." Her shock warps back to anger. I scoff.

"They certainly aren't yours. But perhaps you'd like to ask them who they would prefer?" She scowls.

"I liked you better when you were just Stoick's little runt. Traitor."

"Why? Didn't like me being the center of everyone's attention?" Her eyes widen as she takes a step backward, but I don't stop.

"Well. Good news for you. Once I'm gone, they'll be able to fawn over you again." With that, I signal the Terrible Terror to scamper over to the grate. As expected, Astrid jumps backwards, even though the Terrible Terror ignores her and trots back with my bag in its mouth. As a reward, I give it a couple affectionate scritches on the chin. I look up at Astrid as the Terrible Terror climbs back onto my shoulder.

"Astrid. Step aside, and let us leave. I will tell them not to attack you. But do not block our way." Finally recovering from her shock, she snarls at me.

"No. I'm… I'm going to tell Stoick about this."

"Fine. Do it after we leave. She seems surprised. She considers her options.

"How do I know you won't attack us."

"There's nothing here that I want. My father has exiled and disowned me, and here you are acting like his little spy." I glance upwards. Time is running short. "The village will hate me, once you tell Stoick. So I have nothing to come back here for." I look her in the eyes. "You will not see me again, Hofferson." She takes a step back. Perhaps she hadn't expected me to call Stoick by name.

"Very well. Don't let me see your stinking face around here again, Outcast." She turns and walks away, harshly flipping the lever as she does. The door loudly clatters upwards.

"Well guys, you heard her. Time to go." I quickly walk to the door, and to my relief they follow me. I have no guarantee that they won't immediately fly off once they can fit through the door. I can only hope they'll trust me enough to get to where Toothless is.