The rustling grew louder, faster. My heart pounded as I scooted closer to the Speed Stinger, placing myself between it and whatever was coming. I took a steadying breath, bracing myself mentally for what was about to happen.
Then—
a black blur shot past the trees and landed in front of me.
It took me a second to process what I was seeing. Sleek black scales. Wide green eyes. Wings folding in smoothly.
No way…
Toothless.
And right behind him, sliding to a stop with a familiar awkwardness, was a brown-haired Viking with a prosthetic leg.
Hiccup.
I just sat there in stunned silence for a few seconds, my brain refusing to catch up with reality. I'm actually looking at them. In person.
Hiccup was the first to speak, his gaze flicking between me and the injured Speed Stinger, clearly on edge.
"Speed Stingers are known to be vicious," he said carefully. "So how did you get so close to it without getting stung?"
Toothless let out a low, curious chuff, tilting his head as his eyes locked onto me—watchful, but not hostile.
I swallowed hard, still trying to calm my racing heart. This just got a lot more complicated.
I stood there in shock, my mind still trying to catch up—until the Speed Stinger let out a low, pained grunt. The sound snapped me back to reality.
I glanced down at its injured leg, my chest tightening. I didn't even know where exactly I was in this world, let alone how to help it properly. Swallowing my nerves, I looked up at Hiccup.
"Is there… anywhere nearby where I can get supplies?" I asked. "Something to help it?"
Hiccup studied me for a few seconds, his eyes sharp and thoughtful, as if trying to figure me out. Then he slowly walked closer, crouching slightly to get a better look at the Speed Stinger's injury.
"Yeah," he finally said. "The Edge isn't too far from here. We've got medical supplies—stuff we use to treat dragons all the time."
He glanced back at me, then added with a small, reassuring smile, "We can help your dragon, friend."
Toothless let out a soft chuff beside him, almost as if agreeing.
So we carefully loaded the Speed Stinger onto Toothless's back, securing it as best we could. The dragon hissed softly in pain but didn't resist, and Toothless let out a low, reassuring rumble before spreading his wings.
Not long after, we took off.
The flight was quiet, the wind rushing past us as the forest slowly faded into endless ocean below. I held on tightly, stealing glances at the Speed Stinger to make sure it was still breathing steadily.
It took about two hours before we finally arrived at Dragon's Edge—the place where the riders would one day fully settle during Race to the Edge. Right now, though, it was still rough and unfinished.
Wooden platforms clung to jagged stone cliffs, half-built structures scattered around the island, ropes and scaffolding swaying in the wind. It didn't look like much yet, but I could feel it—the energy, the potential. This place would become something incredible.
As Toothless landed smoothly on one of the larger platforms, I felt a strange sense of awe wash over me. I'm really here… at the Edge.
And somehow, I kneWe carefully lifted the Speed Stinger and carried him toward the largest structure on the island—the main building, even though it was still unfinished. I had a strange feeling about the place, like it would one day be where some of their most important conversations and decisions would happen.
For now, it was quiet. Empty.
We gently laid the Speed Stinger onto the large wooden table before his condition could get any worse. He let out a weak hiss, his muscles tensing as pain rippled through his injured leg. I stayed close, resting a hand against his side to steady him.
Hiccup moved quickly, grabbing supplies from nearby crates—bandages, splints, salves, and tools clearly meant for treating dragons. His movements were practiced, calm, like this wasn't his first time handling a situation like this.
"Alright," Hiccup said, kneeling beside the table as he examined the leg. "Let's fix this before it gets any worse."
I nodded, my heart pounding. Please… just let him be okay.
w this was only the beginning.
So we grabbed him and took him to where the main building would be where they would have some of there most inpiont talks and there most impuint moments so we laid the speed stinger on the table before he got any worse and so Hiccup grabbed some supplies to help fix the Speed stingers leg .
Hiccup knelt beside the table, carefully examining the Speed Stinger's injured leg. He ran his fingers just above the bent joint, watching closely for any reaction. The dragon hissed softly, its tail twitching in discomfort.
"Looks like a bad fracture," Hiccup muttered. "Not clean, but not shattered either. That's… actually good news."
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. "So it'll be okay?"
"It will," he said, glancing up at me. "As long as we set it right and keep it still for a while."
The Speed Stinger shifted anxiously, claws scraping against the wood. Without thinking, I stepped closer and placed a hand gently against its neck. "Hey… easy. You're safe. We're helping you."
Its red eyes flicked toward me, and after a tense moment, it stilled—breathing evening out just a little.
Hiccup paused, noticing. His eyes narrowed with curiosity. "Huh… it's calmer with you."
"I think," I said quietly, "it knows we're trying to help."
Hiccup gave a small nod and got to work. He applied a thick, herbal salve that smelled sharp and earthy, then carefully straightened the leg. The Speed Stinger let out a sharp hiss, its body tensing—
I tightened my grip, pressing my forehead lightly against its scales. "I know. I know it hurts. Just hold on."
Slowly, the tension eased.
Once the leg was set, Hiccup secured it with a sturdy splint, wrapping it tightly but carefully. When he finally leaned back, sweat beading on his brow, the Speed Stinger was lying still, exhausted—but alive.
"That should do it," Hiccup said. "With rest, it'll heal. Might take a while, but it'll walk again."
Relief flooded through me so hard my knees nearly gave out. I laughed softly, running a hand along the dragon's neck. "You hear that? You're gonna be okay."
The Speed Stinger let out a quiet, low sound—almost like a purr—and leaned into my touch.
For a brief moment, everything felt still.
Then, a familiar chime echoed softly in my mind.
Something had changed.