Aztec

My first breeding male. Aztec, you were a disappointment sometimes, but you served your purpose in this pack without complaint. Rest in peace <3

Died on the 19th of Feb 2022

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Hiccup was woken by a small, soft tapping outside his den - a polite way of asking to enter. "Come in," He called out tiredly. What is it at this unearthly hour?

He was surprised to see Firefly, one of the pack's eldest she-wolves and a senior pupsitter, pad in hesitantly, dragging something heavy with her and setting it on the ground in front of her. "Firefly?" He pushed himself to his paws. "What's the matter?"
The she-wolf's eyes glistened, and Hiccup realized with a start she was tearing up. "H-he started breathing oddly- raggedly and shakily... and-" Firefly gulped back a sob.

Hiccup stared in cold fear at the body at Firefly's paws. It was Aztec, the pack's breeding male, and Hiccup's father. "Hang on," He managed to stutter, his heart racing. "Lemme try something."

Placing his paws on the male wolf's chest, he tried pumping some air in, and just for a few seconds Aztec's breath started again. He rolled onto his back, his eyes opening halfway. Hiccup breathed a small sigh of relief. At least now he was conscious.

"Seven years and six months," Aztec chuckled, his voice wheezing raggedly. "That's a long time for a wolf." His eyes settled with some difficulty on Firefly, softening with love for his mate. "Good to see you, Firefly. One more time, for old time's sake... Hush, little mama bear, don't you cry..."
Firefly was silent for a heartbeat, but she sniffled, continuing the lullaby. "Honey's gonna get you a butterfly..."

Aztec's smile widened, as if he was about to continue the song. His face froze that way. Firefly let out a small anguished wail as a small silvery wisp rose from Aztec's body, barely noticeable. Hiccup would have thought that his spirit would spiral up into wherever spirits went, but instead it formed into a glowing outline of Aztec, stars flecked in his fur. He touched noses lovingly with Firefly, then dissipated into the air.

Hiccup could tell that Firefly was trying her best not to break down, and the effort was showing. Finally she took a deep breath, looking somewhat peaceful, like she had accepted her mate's fate. "Do you want to come with me to tell Dawnblaze?" Hiccup offered gently.

"No," Firefly said decidedly. Her eyes took on a dreamy light. "I'll leave tomorrow at sundown, after the burial. I'd like to have one final journey before I leave this world."

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The burial passed in a flash. Many wolves paid their respects, remembering how great at telling stories and making up silly songs (though some of them were beautiful and meaningful) Aztec had been. As tradition, the herbalist was supposed to place a herb or flower on the grave to send the spirit on a safe passage. Hiccup chose marigold. "To honour our beloved breeding male, Aztec, I gift him the Marigold, the Flower of the Sun," Hiccup announced, dropping the vibrant flower on the grave. "For creativity and passion. May his spirit be ever peaceful in its rest."

An hour after the burial, just after sundown, a wolf worriedly reported that Firefly had gone missing right after the burial and while the mourning period was ending. To that, Hiccup smiled sadly. "She wanted to have a final journey," Was all that he would say.

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Best Quotes:

"Dear, I love you and our pups, but I wanna watch what happens with this!"
-Aztec to Firefly when their pups were squabbling

"What if something happens? Will she die? Is she ok? Is she nested? Will she give birth safely?"
-Aztec worrying when Firefly was pregnant for the first time

"Kid, you should never have to worry about that. Your talent will be awesome, don't worry."
-Aztec when a pup was worried about not being skilled at something

"Never forget how wildly capable you are."
-Aztec to Firefly when she was going through depression after accidentally letting a puppy die

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Passing Plant:
Marigold - the Flower of the Sun
For passion and creativity