A New World, Complicated

Chapter 33: Free Scauldy (Reign)

"Actually, I think he may be hurt. Let's check it out." This time, I took charge, just barely avoiding the jaws of the Scauldron as we landed. It glared right at me as we disembarked, trying to make itself appear more menacing.

"Whoa. He is huge."

"He could eat me in, like, one bite." Of course Ruffnut sounded excited about that.

"Let's see!" Tuff pushed his sister right in front of the Scauldron, causing it to lift its head and roar menacingly at her. Tuffnut laughed at his job, only for Ruff to kick her foot back and knock her brother to the ground. "Or maybe not."

"Hiccup look!" Fishlegs pointed to the large pile of rocks pinning the Scauldron down. "There must have been an earthquake, and before he could get back to the water, his wing got pinned." The Scauldron struggled to get free, but to no avail.

"A Tidal Class dragon can't stay out of the water for very long. If its skin dries all the way out..." Hiccup couldn't finish his sentence, and the three of us glanced at each other with concern.

"We have to help him." I began to step up, but Fishlegs placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Perhaps I need to remind you, Scauldron and boiling, poisonous death that way." He pointed at the dragon. "Changewings and acid-spitting, invisible death that way."

I glanced at the forest behind us, hearing the vague roars of a Changewing. A tree rattled, causing Fishlegs to cower behind Meatlug. Hiccup stepped forward, placing a hand gently on my arm as the twins popped down from the leaves, cackling. I looked at the boy behind me and rolled my eyes.

"Come on out, Fishlegs! It's just the twins."

"How do you know we're not a Changewing disguised as us?" I scoffed at their stupidity.

"Guys, come on. We need to find a way to free that Scauldron. We can't just leave him without trying."

"Uh, sure we can. We have dragons. We just fly away." Toothless nudged his rider, as though urging him to stay.

"You guys keep an eye out for Changewings. Toothless and I will see if we can help him."

"Yeah, feel free," Tuff encouraged.

"Knock yourself out."

"Yeah, dibs on Toothless if you don't make it back." I whipped around.

"Hey, I would get Toothless." I took a moment to realize what I had just said, and slowly turned to face Hiccup. "Okay, that was the wrong thing to say right now, but-- never mind."

The Scauldron reared its head back and growled as Hiccup and Toothless tried to get closer. The Night Fury responded by roaring, as though trying to intimidate it.

"It's okay, bud." Hiccup placed a hand on Toothless' head. "I'll be fine." The Night Fury backed off slightly, leaving Hiccup to do what he does best. "Hey, pal. How'd you get yourself into this mess?" It responded by roaring and lowering its gaze, causing Hiccup to back up. I gasped slightly as I watched the scene unfold, taking a deep breath. "Oh... kay, that's not really important. What-What is important is us getting you out of here, so... what do you say?"

It leaned down, and for a moment, appeared as though it were going to comply. That was, until it began to fill up the pouch under its jaw.

"Hiccup!"

I rushed forward and grabbed onto him, yanking him behind a rock and tackling him to the ground.

"Okay. Not the answer I was looking for. Gang? Ideas?" Tuff stood up from his hiding spot, holding his fist up in determination.