eleven - part one

THERE WERE MULTIPLE STORMFRONTS HEADING RIGHT FOR THE EDGE AND IT WAS ALORA'S DUTY TO MAKE SURE ALL THE HUTS AND OTHER BUILDINGS WERE SECURELY LOCKED.

Alora loved seeing Astrid taking charge. She always felt such pride in seeing her boss other people around (especially Snotlout). So she didn't hesitate to obey her orders in taking cover at the clubhouse. She closed each wall down and unlocked the door so that people could come inside. Of course, everyone was surprised that she could pull the levers down to close it, despite her having such a small frame (and barely any muscles).

Alora smiled as Toothless ran towards her, cuddling around her for warmth.

"The dragons are all cozy in their pens," Fishlegs reported.

"Did you lock the main doors?" Astrid asked.

As Fishlegs stuttered, Alora stood up and ran out.

"I'll go check!"

"Wait Aly!" Hiccup said. "Not you too Astrid!"

The rain poured on two girls as they used the zip line to go down to the stables. As they approached the building they watched as the roof caught on fire because of a lighting strike. Astrid pried open the gate and Alora started opening the dragon's pens.

"Let's move them to the arena before this whole place comes down on us!" Astrid yelled.

"You got it boss!" Alora said, jokingly.

As they released all of the other dragons, two little Night Terrors were closed in by the fallen debris. Astrid didn't hesitate to jump in. And as she released them, Alora watched in slow motion as the lighting approached them. So she ran towards her best friend, pushed her back causing Astrid to turn her back against her, and when she turned around she came face to face with a lightning bolt.

The last thing she remembered was her body being sent back and hearing Astrid's voice in the distance.

The sun, Aly. Go to the sun. It'll help you heal.

Alora felt like her whole body was sore. Her mouth was dry and she had a massive headache.

"A-Astrid?"

"I'm right here, Aly," the blonde girl told her, holding her hand.

"What the. . ." Alora turned her head side to side. "Where? I can't see you."

She used her other hand to feel Astrid's.

"Where's Hiccup?" Alora asked. "And why's it so dark in here? Let me guess, the twins put out the fire."

"I-It's not," Hiccup said, approaching her.

Everyone in the room stayed quiet.

"Your highness, I don't know what to tell you. But it's pitch black in here."

"Aly. . ."

"Hiccup?" Alora said, getting up. "Where are you?"

As far as she was concerned, she was in the dark in a room with Astrid and Hiccup. So you couldn't blame her as she started to get panicky.

"Hiccup! Astrid!" Alora yelled. "I can't see any of you! Can someone please say something?!"

"Um. . .your hair looks really nice," Tuffnut said.

Alora felt like she was shaking. That was because she was.

"Guys, let me talk to her," Hiccup told them.

But nobody moved.

"Alone?"

Then, everyone (including Astrid) moved to another area of the clubhouse.

Alora felt Hiccup place his hands on her shoulders. She felt something cold behind her, so she used her foot to push herself up and sit on it. She felt warmth behind her, and figured it must've been the fire.

"Hiccup, what the hell is happening to me?"

"I don't know, but I'm sure it's only temporary," Hiccup told her. "I mean, Bucket lost his sight and then got it back."

"Didn't Astrid say that he permanently wears a metal bucket on his head now?"

"Y-Yes, that's true," Hiccup said. "But. . .what I'm trying to say is that—"

"Look, I get what you're trying to do," Alora said, extending her hand out trying to find him. He held her hand and she hopped down from her seat. "And I appreciate it, but—"

"Look," he told her, squeezing her hand, "when there's a break in the storm we'll fly to Berk and see Gothi. She'll be able to help you and in the meantime Aly, you need to rest."

"Rest? You're joking right?" Alora said. "Look, all of the dragons got spooked and took off, I need to help find them!"

"Don't worry about that right now."

"Is Astrid mad?" Alora asked. "That I pushed her?"

"I'm not," Astrid said. "I'm not mad at you for pushing me, but I am mad that you're in this situation because of me."

"No Astrid. It was my choice, you would've done it for me."

As Hiccup helped her lay down, she heard an eerie silence. She didn't hear Toothless's grumbles or Hiccup's annoying snores, and as much as she hated to say it, those were pretty much the only noises that rocked her to sleep.

"Um, Hiccup? You still there?"

"I'm here Aly."

"Uh, c-could you and Toothless stay with me for a little while? Just until I fall asleep?"

She heard a low purr come from the Night Fury.

"We're not going anywhere, right bud?"

She felt Hiccup situation himself beside her and Toothless nudging her feet. She placed her hands on her stomach and turned only to feel Hiccup's breathing on her arm. She had no idea that he wasn't sleeping. Instead, the worry about his friend kept him awake (but Toothless was passed out).

Alora rubbed her thumb against the symbol on her bracelet until she felt her eyelids get heavy and then, all was quiet.

∾

The next morning, Alora woke up. . .in peace. Peace. She had a peaceful sleep. There were no nightmares or vivid flashbacks. Just peace. . . Until the twins came in and started testing her.

"Okay! Thorston Blind Field Test, numero uno," Tuffnut said.

Alora felt around until she situated herself on one of the stools in the clubhouse.

"Who is standing right in front of you?"

"Tuff, I know it's you."

"She's cured!"

"Guys, we can't worry about me right now! We need to find your dragons!"

"She's got a point," Hiccup said. "We need to round them up before the next storm hits."

"Aly, I know you love coming with us on missions but you need to stay here," Astrid told her.

"You're kidding right?!" Alora yelled. "I'm the reason you lost them in the first place! It's only right that I go with you and find Stormfly!"

"Not an option!" Hiccup told her. "Aly, there is no way you're flying in your condition, okay? I am sorry. As leader, I am putting my foot down."

He really shouldn't have said that.

He really shouldn't have.

Alora turned towards the sound of his voice and crossed her arms as well. Giving him the best glare she could.