Hello and welcome to my first fanfic. For my first story I wanted to tell an epic story that highlights the relationship between Stoick and Hiccup. I realized that the themes of How to Train Your Dragon were similar to the themes of another one of my favorite animated movies, Finding Nemo. Both are about overprotective fathers who have to learn to appreciate their sons for who they are. So, this story will use the basic story of Finding Nemo but it will be set in the work of HTTYD. Without further to do this is the first chapter. Any criticisms on my writing style or characterizations are welcome, hope you enjoy!.

Stoick slowly opened the door, careful not to make a noise. He tried to tiptoe quietly into the house, but every step made the floorboards creak. He cursed his large stature, the one time where it was a disadvantage.

"You're home," said a soft voice.

"Didn't want to wake you," he replied. He placed the bag he was carrying in the kitchen and made is way towards the living room. His wife was rocking in her chair, eyes closed and humming a lullaby. Stoick took a moment to look at her, sitting there so peacefully. Her long brown hair, delicate face, fair skin, all just as beautiful as the day they wed. And then she opened her brilliant green eyes and he was lost in her beauty.

"Wasn't sleeping. This little one was being restless all night," she said, stroking her pregnant belly.

"Aye, he's going to be quite the troublemaker," said Stoick. He knelt besides her and gave her a long kiss on her forehead.

"How was the meeting," she asked, wrapping her hands around his arms.

"Same old business. Mildew was complaining about something or another. We all pretty much voted to move his home to the far side of the village, so nobody will have to deal with him.""

Valka gave a slight chuckle. "Serves him right, always starting up trouble."

"The rest of the meeting was full of trivial matters. Oh, we're planning to build a new bridge across that river in the west. Should make herding the sheep to the feeding grounds far easier. And of course-" Stoick paused and but is lip, unsure whether to bring up the topic, "we discussed the dragon raids."

Valka winced. She always believed there was a way to bring peace with the dragons. She held her tongue, not wanting to start an argument, not tonight. She was far too tired.

"What is that delectable smell?" she asked, changing the subject.

Stoick smiled and retrieved the bag from the kitchen.

"Plum cake, fresh from the bakers milady," he said, breaking off a piece for her.

Valka smiled and eagerly took the piece. "Oh, thank you Stoick! I've been craving this all day."

"For you me dear," he replied, kneeling besides her, "Anything." He gave her a quick peck on the cheek.

"So, shall we discuss names?" she asked, still chewing her first bit of cake. "I was thinking Hiccup."

Stoick snickered. "Hiccup? Not the most manliest of names is it?"

Valka gave him a look. "Well mister, what do you have in mind?"

"I was thinking something strong, like Tornado or Skullcrusher."

Valka laughed. "I'd rather spend a week cleaning Mildew's toenails than name my boy Skullcrusher."

Stoick joined her laugh and put his hand on her stomach.

"Ah, we'll have time to decide. Though, I wonder," he started, "nah nevermind."

"What?" she asked.

"Forget it, it's stupid."

Valka gave him that look again. "Come now Stoick, speak up."

"It's just, what if he doesn't like me?"

Valka burst into laughter. "The great Stoick the vast, scared of a small child's opinion?

"See, I told you it was stupid," said Stoick, blushing.

"No, no, I'm sorry dear." She wrapped herself around his arms before he had a chance to stand up. "Of course he'll like you, what makes you think otherwise."

"I mean, I know I can be brash sometimes, and I'm a bit stubborn."

"A bit?" She was making that look again.

"Ok, more than a bit."

"Oh dear, you're worrying too much. What I see here is my warm cuddly papa bear, who wouldn't love that." She gave him a long kiss on the lips until she felt a kick. "Oooof, see, he already likes you."

Stoick couldn't help but smile. He leaned forward gently kissed her lips once more.

"Stoick! Er, got a minute?"

Stoick turned his attention to the one-armed, one-legged man standing at his doorway. "Oh hi Val, er, sorry to interrupt.

Valka smiled and gave him a friendly wave.

"This better be important Gobber," Stoick snapped. It had been a long day and he wanted nothing more than to spend the night with his wife.

"Dragons," Gobber replied. "A whole flock of them spotted south, coming right for us."

Stoick turned to his wife. "Sorry Val, I-"

Valka put her finger on his lips. "Go, I'll be here when you get back."

Stoick nodded. He grabbed his hammer from the closet and headed out.

00000000000000000000000000000000

Streams of fire filled the night sky as the dragons attacked.

"Protect the sheep!" Stoick yelled before swinging a hammer, fracturing a gronckle's hind leg. "Watch the roofs!"

A deadly nadder jumped off of a nearby house and fired a series of spikes at him. Stoick dodged, and quickly grabbed the dragon's tail. With a might heave he slammed the dragon to the ground, where two other Vikings immediately pinned it down with their bodies.

He made his way to the catapult where he found Spitelout, his brother and second in command, barking orders at another group of men.

"What have we got?" Stoick asked, brushing off an ember on his shoulder.

"Mostly gronckle's and deadly natters. Some zipplbacks, Mulch even said he saw a changeling.

"Ah well he always says that. Any night furies?"

"Thank Odin no."

"Great, let's hope luck is on our side. Load another boulder!"

The battle raged on throughout the night. Stoick felt a rush of excitement every time he swung his hammer. He took pleasure in every skull he smashed and every wing he shattered. He looked triumphantly at the pile of dragon bodies that lay in front of him. Things were going smoothly, he even believed they could save every sheep, until-

"NIGHT FURY, GET DOWN!"

A flash of blue shot from the sky and struck a catapult, sending debris everywhere. Stoick ran toward the burning tower. Luckily the men jumped out of the way right on time, but one less catapult meant a hole in their defenses.

"They found the sheep!" someone yelled.

Damn Stoick thought. Winter was approaching fast and they couldn't afford to lose much more food.

"Stoick!" he heard behind. It was Gobber, point at something. He turned his head in that direct and his eyes filled with horror. Three monstrous nightmares were burrowing their way into his house, setting it ablaze with their fire-covered bodies.

"Valka," Stoick whispered as he sprinted towards his home. His sense dulled, he was oblivious to his surroundings, the only thing on his mind to her. He didn't notice someone yell "NIGHTFURY GET DOWN!" He didn't notice the large boulder fly towards him. He didn't notice the blow to his head before everything turned to darkness.

000000000000000000000000000

Stoick groaned as he awoke. The world around him was spinning until his eyes focused. I'm inside he thought, but where?

His eyes fixated on a tapestry hanging on the wall. He recognized that tapestry. Gothi's house. It was made out of brilliant red cloth and stitched with gold thread. It told the story of a man, one of the founders of Berk, and his conquest against the dragons.

Dragons. There was raid.

Stoick tried to stand, but the pounding pain in his head forced him back on the bed.

"Stoick! You're awake!" he heard.

He turned his head to find Gobber hobbling towards his bed.

"How long was I out?" he asked, trying to tune out the ringing in his ears.

"About five days. You took a rock to the head, knocked you out cold."

Stoick tried clearing his mind. The pain was dying down now, slowly but surely.

"How many sheep did we lose?"

"Bout thirty I'd say."

Stoick groaned. We're cutting it close this winter. He tried to recall that night. He remembered running, running towards something burning.

His eyes suddenly grew wide with fear. "Valka," he whispered.

Gobber looked down. "Stoick, I'm sor-"

Stoick pushed his fiend out of the way and started limping towards the door. Gobber said something behind him, but he didn't hear it. The room was spinning again, but he kept tugging forward. He opened the door and saw her.

She was lying on a bed, her face pale and unmoving, her body covered with a white sheet. Stoick slowly made his way towards her. "Val?" he whispered. He got no reply. He felt tears form as he stroked her hair, hoping her eyes would open and he would be lost in a sea of green. He removed the sheet from her body and leaned forward to pick her up.

"Stoick, wait" said Gobber, but it was to late. Stoick gasped as he saw her back. It was burned to a char, filled with blisters. She was protecting the baby he thought. He then noticed the large scar on her abdomen. It was black and bruised, the stitches barely holding the skin together.

"When did she go?" Stoick asked, now cradling her in his arms.

"Two days ago. She said she knew her time was coming, and she wanted to save the child."

Tears were now flowing down Stoick's face. "Did you?"

"Aye. He's weak, cause, you know, he was early. But Val believed, no, believes he will make it."

Stoick looked back at his wife's face. She looked at peace. "What were her last words."

"They were to your son. She said she loved him and told him to never give up."

Stoick smiled, "That's my girl."

"Would you like to meet him?"

Stoick carefully put Valka back on the bed. He gave her one last kiss on the forehead before placing the sheet over her face. "Aye, let's go."

Gobber led his friend through the curtains into the next room. Gothi sat in the middle, rocking a baby cradle back and forth. The old healer's eyes met Stoick, and she nodded, gesturing him to come closer.

Stoick peered into the cradle and saw his little boy, struggling in his sleep. He was small, so small, but he'd make it, he was a fighter. He skin was a healthy pink, his eyelashes long, hair a distinct auburn, ten fingers and five – "His foot," whispered Stoick, turning to Gobber.

"Sorry Stoick, we couldn't save all of him. It was too far gone, he'll have to learn to live without."

Stoick looked back at his child. My poor, innocent son.

The boy fidgeted and started crying. It was not a loud cry; it was more of a whimper, like a wolf pup left out in the rain.

"There, there little one," Stoick whispered as he cradled the babe in his arms. "Daddy's got you." The boy stopped crying then opened his eyes, looking right at his father. They were a brilliant green. Just like his mother. Stoick stroked his son's hair and kissed one his tiny hands.

"I promise, I won't let anything happen to you," he whispered.

"My little Hiccup."