Chapter Text
"When the days are cold
And the cards all fold
And the saints we see
Are all made of gold
When your dreams all fail
And the ones we hail
Are the worst of all
And the blood's run stale"
- "Demons" by Imagine Dragons
Chapter 1
The sun shone brightly on the School of Dragons as I walked and chatted with Heather, my roommate, best friend, and fellow Berserker. Bolt, my Skrill, trailed behind us. We were almost to the lab when someone whizzed past me, nearly causing me to stumble. Heather and I exchanged a look.
"Was that-?" Heather said.
I nodded. "Harald," I said under my breath. The pirate who kept getting in our way and drove me crazy. "Come on, Bolt."
I easily slid into my dragon's saddle, and we took to the air. Hiccup and Astrid flew past me on their respective dragons, but I hovered in the air and surveyed the scene.
Harald carried a large crate bearing his captain Stormheart's symbol and was headed towards the landing pad, a large, raised circle surrounded by water. His Terrible Terror Leopold was nowhere in sight. Harald placed the crate in the middle of the landing pad while Toothless and Stormfly drew in closer.
Harald backed away, and I saw Toothless preparing a plasma blast. I knew he would aim at the crate, not the pirate. Then it hit me. "Hiccup, don't!" I cried as Bolt zoomed forward. "It's a trap!"
But it was too late. Toothless' plasma blast struck the crate, causing it to explode as it fell down the geyser elevator. The elevator and landing pad were shattered and plummeted into the water. The underwater ground must have broken too, for there was now a giant gaping hole in the middle of the school.
Hiccup looked at me in shock. "How did you-?"
"Harald's clever," I said. "He wouldn't run out onto a dead end without a good reason. He was baiting you." I turned around in the air.
"Where are you going?"
"After that pirate!"
While everyone was distracted by the hole, Bolt flew towards the docks. I would have time to examine the damage later; right now I had something more important to take care of. I smirked when I saw Harald's empty boat in the distance. Thankfully, he had come alone. Bolt swooped down and landed on the boat.
It did not take long before Harald climbed aboard and we stood face to face. "Brennda, what a pleasant surprise!" he said amiably as if he were addressing an old friend instead of an adversary. "Are you here because you finally realize you would make an excellent pirate?"
In a flash, I had him pinned to the side of the boat with my sword inches from his throat. "Guess again," I said menacingly.
If my actions surprised him, he did not let it show. "Now, Brennda, you and I both know you will not hurt me." He spoke with such confidence and certainty that I wanted to hurt him, but of course, he was right. He was always right.
"I could," I muttered, not wanting to give in.
A smirk played on his lips. "But you won't."
I scowled and took a step back, releasing him and sheathing my weapon. I hated this. I hated that he understood me so well when I ran around in circles trying to figure him out. Right when I thought I had something, he moved just out of my reach.
"What was that about?" I said, motioning back at the school. "Why did you do that?"
"It was nothing personal," Harald said. "I was under Stormheart's orders. It's a warning, if you will, to stop getting in our way."
I stared at him hard. There was no way to tell if he was lying this time, and his reason made as much sense as anything else. "Fine." I looked away and placed a hand on Bolt.
"Well, now that that's settled, if you'll excuse me." He strode past me and started up the boat. The movement did not bother me. I could fly off on my dragon anytime.
I should have gotten out of there. I had no reason to stay. No reason I found acceptable at least. Bolt stared at me as if he was in no hurry either. I turned back to Harald. "Don't you ever get tired of this game we play, Harald? Using logic to get me to do what you want? Getting close and then running away? Keeping me guessing as to where we stand at any given moment?"
Harald shrugged. "I find it quite entertaining, actually. Don't you?"
I frowned. "No. I'm not going to stop, but... it does get to me."
Harald turned fully to face me and stepped closer. "Listen, Brennda..." Something changed in his demeanor. He had grown more serious, more real. This did not mean he would necessarily speak the truth, but he did want to convey a message to me. "I like you. I really do. But if things were to change, they would not be in your favor."
I bristled. I had the feeling he knew exactly what I wanted, and I hated it. "You don't know that."
He moved in a little too close and stared at me in earnest with his green eyes. His eyes were the only part of him that could not lie. "But I do." I would not have believed the regret in his voice if I did not also see it in his eyes. He was an expert at concealing his emotions, but even he let something slip every now and then. Not that I could ever make much use of it. "You know who I am. How many times do I have to remind you? Don't get greedy and make a mess at everything."
I glared at him because he had struck too close to home again. "You say that as if all of this is my fault. You're the one in control, and it's driving me crazy! Don't blame me for wanting to change things. You started this stupid game, and I might as well try to win."
"But you can't beat me." He moved away from me, and I crushed that annoying sense of disappointment. His mask of confidence was back, telling me I could push him no further. "You can't even get close."
I hated the truth of his words. Every time I thought I had slipped past his defenses, a thick wall blocked me from going any further. It had been that way since the day we had met. Back then, I naively wanted to break his walls down simply to prove that I could do it. And for moment, I thought I had. Had it all really been an illusion crafted by him to gain my trust? He clearly wanted me to believe there had been nothing real in what I thought I saw in him, and just knowing that was enough to plant a tiny seed of doubt in my mind.
But every time I thought I came closer to the truth, he spun me around so I no longer knew which way was up and which was was down. This had to stop. I climbed onto Bolt's back and prepared for takeoff. "I can beat you if I change the rules." An empty threat I had no idea how to fulfill. I saw Harald's smirk as I took off over the water.
I had intended to fly all the way back to the main part of school, but I noticed Heather and Eret watching me from the docks, so I landed in front of them instead. My friends exchanged a glance. It was Eret who stepped forward and spoke first: "Are you alright, mate?"
I looked over my shoulder at Harald's ship. I could just see his blond hair in the distance. "No." I was never fine when it came to him. No one else could make me feel such a wide range of strong, contradictory emotions. "He's leaving. Again. And I'm just watching him. Again."
"Technically, you're the one who left him this time," Eret said.
"What was I suppose to do, stay on his ship?"
"It was an option available to you."
I spun around and shot him a dark look. "Who's side are you on?" He always said the oddest things when it came to Harald. Was it because he had not been there when he had betrayed the rest of us?
Eret raised his hands, palm-up. "I was just trying to help."
My shoulders sagged when I realized I had taken my frustration out on my friend. "I'm sorry, Eret. I'm just tired. I -" I took a deep breath. "He's always running away... literally and figuratively."
Eret shook his head. "Brennda, you wouldn't know what to do with him if you caught him. Figuratively speaking, it looks to me like he's not the only one running away."
I scoffed. "I don't think so. Berserkers don't run from anything!"
"Yes, we do," Heather said as she came to stand beside Eret once more. "We just pretend we're running to something instead. Just ask my brother." She smiled at Eret. "I'll take it from here."
Eret nodded. "Thank you. And... good luck."
Heather and I started back to school with Bolt trailing behind much like we had that morning. I did not want to address her previous comment, so I decided on something else. "I'm sorry I disappeared on you. I hope you didn't have trouble finding me."
"No, I figured it out pretty quickly," Heather said. "You're the only one who would run away from an explosion and chase after the guy who caused it."
I shrugged. "It's what I do." I looked over my shoulder but could no longer make out the boat. I faced forward and sighed. "Nothing's ever going to change, is it?"
Heather gave me a sympathetic look. "Anything's possible."
"But it's not probable. You're a scientist; you know this is something you would not recommend."
"Brennda, if I thought my expert advice could stop you, I would have given it to you long ago."
"I guess I just don't know when to give up."
"And that's one of your best traits."
I glanced at her and was surprised by the sincerity on her face. "But sometimes I want to give up, Heather. And it's not just Harald. We have more enemies than ever, and for every dragon we save, two more are captured. It just seems so hopeless."
Heather gave me a pointed look. "You know, for an idealist, you're awfully pessimistic."
"Maybe it's because I'm an idealist. Reality can never live up to what could and should be."
Heather shook her head. "No, it's because you're a perfectionist. I keep telling you that you need to stop focusing on the details and take a step back to look at the big picture. Do you realize how far we've come? When we both joined the school, the Berserkers were at war with Berk and everyone thought you were secretly working for them, remember?"
"Yeah, I remember." How could I forget? The day I joined the school was the day my life changed forever. One of the two days at least. "Dagur was the reason we both joined. It's kind of funny now that you think about it."
Heather smiled. "Yes. And speaking of Dagur... back then I would have decided against the probability he would ever come around. I did not think he could change. No one did."
"I did," I said quietly. "I didn't tell anyone, of course. How could I? I was trying to fit in, and I did not need to give anyone another reason to think I was working with Dagur." I thought back to those dark days tinted with hope. "I didn't know him personally, but my parents knew his father. They said he had to have imparted some good onto his son and he would come around eventually. He never really struck me as evil anyway. But I didn't do anything about it. I left."
Heather stopped walking and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "It's a good thing you did. Things worked out in the end, didn't they?"
"Yeah, they did."
I could still remember everything clearly...
***
5 Years Earlier
It started off just as any normal day on Berserker Island. I roamed the village and performed tasks for various Vikings in exchange for food or useful items. When I could find no more work, I made my way to the warrior camp.
It was a routine I had gotten used to the past several months. First, I made sure Dagur was not in sight. Messing with the chief was not on my to-do list. Once certain the coast was clear, I made my way through the group of men casually sitting around or sparring with each other.
"Hey, Borris," I said to a particular beefy Viking. "How's the wife?"
Borris laughed. "Haven't seen her in ages."
While he was distracted, I swiped a turkey leg from the table behind me. "That's a shame. I send my regards anyway." I careful turned and left with my prize.
I despised these men. They had made living on the island nothing but unbearable. Up until about six months prior, Dagur has stationed his troops on Outcast Island. Part of me wanted to believe he actually cared about us and had done it for our benefit. Sure, we had been basically leaderless, but anarchy was preferable to the ruffians that now roamed the island ever since Berk helped Alvin take back control of Outcast Island.
The warriors pushed everyone around and stole what they pleased. It was hard for the village to grow and become productive when there was no certainty that their hard work would be rewarded. Dagur himself was not bad. He just did nothing to stop his men. All he cared about was destroying Berk and their dragons.
No one dared voice their dissatisfaction. The chief was not the most stable person, and we did not want his attention turned to us. So, I pretended to be friends with his men. It lowered their suspicions and made it easier to take from him. It was all a matter of survival. Ever since my parents died at sea, I had to look after myself.
My parents had tried to find a way out. They set to sea in search of a friendly island. They had faith that Dagur would wake up eventually and turn things around, but they did not want me to suffer in the meantime. But a storm took them out, and now I was alone. I could not even follow in their footsteps, for they had never had the chance to teach me how to sail. I was stuck.
Finished with my turkey, I tossed the bone in a bush and continued along my way. I saw some sort of commotion as I neared the docks. It was Dagur's me. It looked like they were harassing a foreigner who had come to trade with us. I had seen him before. Johann, I believe his name was. One of the men laughed as he took something from his boat.
Anger bubbled in my chest. If they kept this up, no one would want to trade with us, causing us to suffer even more. However, I knew rushing in there in a rage would do no one any good. I had to think calmly and rationally about this. An idea came to me.
I raced to the docks in a frenzy. "Guys!" I exclaimed, catching the attention of the warriors. "I just saw a Night Fury fly over to the other side of the island. You better hurry!"
The men exchanged glances. "But we didn't-" one of them started to say.
The guy next to him elbowed him in the side. "You idiot. Do you want to be the one to tell Dagur we got a lead and didn't check it out?"
The first man paled. "Gotta go. Thanks, kid!"
I chuckled as I watched all of them run off. That was almost too easy.
"Not that I don't appreciate that they're gone," Johann said as he brushed the dirt off his clothes, "but I just left master Hiccup and his Night Fury on Berk. I doubt they've made it back here."
I smirked. "I lied. You're welcome."
"Oh, that's marvelous. Thank you. Say, are you a fan of dragons? Because I can tell you all sorts of stories about-"
"I think dragons are cool," I said. "A dragon saved my dad's life when I was younger. And anything that causes Dagur to run in circles is okay in my book."
"A dissenter, I see."
"That's for sure. Life here has been tough these days. I'd leave, but-" I stopped when an idea hit me. "You're not looking for help, are you?"
Johann frowned. "I beg your pardon?"
"Let me travel the seas with you! I'll do whatever you ask, no matter how dangerous. I just need to get off this island!"
"Well, won't you parents-?"
"My parents are gone. They died trying to find a new home for us. Now I'm stuck here, and I'd do anything to leave. Please?" I gave him my most charming smile, hoping it would be enough.
"I'm afraid I have to decline your request," Johann said with a twinge of sadness in his voice. "My journey is meant for me alone." He paused. "However, let me give you a counteroffer."
***
I never imagined I would end up at Berk's recently established School of Dragons. Sure, I had been curious about it ever since I heard, but I never thought they would accept me, a Berserker. Johann seemed to have some pull with them, however, as I soon found myself waiting outside the Great Hall while Chief Stoick discussed the issue (aka 'me') with his Vikings.
Finally, the door swung open, revealing a young Vikings who had previously introduced himself as Hiccup, the chief's son, and his Night Fury, Toothless. "Congratulations!" he said. "You are now a student at the School of Dragons!"
I let out the breath I had been holding. "R-Really?"
"But you must renounce your life on Berserker Island," Stoick said, coming up behind his son. "You are loyal to Berk now."
I nodded. "Of course. I didn't want to be there anyway."
"And if I hear of any trouble-"
"There won't be any." I offered him my best smile.
Stoick sighed. "Very well then. Hiccup, will you help her pick out a dragon?"
"Come on, Brennda," Hiccup said, smiling at me. "This is the best part."
At least he seemed friendly and willing to give me a chance. It was more than I could say for the Vikings who followed us and gave me suspicious looks. Hiccup led me across a grassy area to the hatchery. He explained that the school found and took care of eggs and baby dragons that had been abandoned. Each new student chose a baby to raise and train as a partner.
"Pick any one that speaks to you," Hiccup said.
I gazed into the pen of baby dragons. They were all different colors and different species. I did not know what most of them were called, but I knew I would learn in school. There was one dragon I recognized, however. "I want that one." I pointed straight at the Skrill.
Gasps and murmurs broke out through the crowd that had gathered. I knew what they were thinking. Of course I had chosen the Skrill, the symbol of the Berserker tribe. My people used to capture Skrills and force them to battle with us. Truthfully, this was part of the reason the dragon called out to me. I had a crazy idea that I could take that legacy and turn it into something good. Also, I had always had a thing for lightning and storms.
"That's a good choice," Hiccup said, though a hint of uncertainty had leaked into his voice. "Go in there and see if he will accept you."
I nodded. I took a deep breath, I stepped into the pen and slowly made my way the purple dragon. The Skrill bristled when I got close, and lightning danced between his wings. I stopped. "It's alright, little guy. I want to be friends." I knelt down and looked into his eyes.
"Try patting his head," Hiccup encouraged.
I had never touched a dragon before. For some reason, they were scarce on Berserker Island. Most of the tales I heard were about how dangerous and destructive they were. But looking at this baby, I saw a creature who was also homeless and last. We needed each other.
I slowly moved my hand forward, stopping each time the Skrill growled. Finally, my hand hovered over his head. "It's okay now. You don't have to be alone anymore." I let my hand gently drop onto his head. The Skrill relaxed under my touch, and soon he nuzzled my palm. I smiled as a warm feeling spread through my chest.
I followed my instincts and reached out with my other hand. I picked up the baby Skrill and snuggled him to my chest. A few stray sparks of electricity hit me, but they tickled more than anything else. "We're going to be together from now on... Bolt."
"Great job," Hiccup said. "You're a natural."
I smiled. The uneasiness of the crowd no longer bothered me. It did not matter if I was not accepted at my new home. This place was better than where I had come from. I could build a life here. And now I had a little dragon to call my own. Together, we could conquer anything.