On My Own

Author: Nightstar Fury of Nightstar Productions.

Rating: M for Mature.

Disclaimer: I own nothing from Dreamworks HTTYD or Dreamworks Dragons. I also don't own any of the songs I use :p Now that we've established that...We can enjoy the story!

1; Hiccup The Dragonborn.

{Hiccup's POV}

I stood there at the alter facing the elder of the village as she proclaimed my greatness and all I'd do for the tribe. I was wearing black pants, brown boots, a gray tunic, a cloth of black wolfs fur handing from my shoulders as a cloak. I wore brown armor on my arms and chest and a belt that belonged to my father before he died just 2 months ago which is why I now stood here about to take an oath to do his job. I felt eyes staring into the back of my head, these people were about to be mine to lead. They trusted me, relied on me to take them into the future under my protection. Me, a mere 15 year old boy. I was about to become the chief of the tribe. And all I could do in this moment while the elder gave a speech about me was think back to how I came to be here. Think back to the day I left and my entire world opened up for me. It happened a year ago.

I was in the village that resided on the island of Berk, home to the Hairy Hooligan tribe run by my father. Stoick the Vast. I was 14, and heir to the tribe not that it mattered. I was pretty much invisible since I was about 5 years old, things changed when my mom was taken and carried off by a dragon when I was a newborn. That was the story I was told at least. I had no friends in the village although there were kids my age. I had a crush on one of them not that she noticed I even existed unless I messed something up and was getting publicly scolded by my father. What joyous days right? I had a cousin but he was a jerk to me too. I essentially hated my life, only two things made it manageable.

Gobber the Belch, my mentor. And my best friend Toothless. Who are these two you might ask? Gobber is an old time friend of my father's and essentially my uncle or maybe my father. He treated me like his son, that he actually cared. I've been his apprentice ever since I was little, maybe 2. And Toothless? He's a dragon, a Night Fury and my best friend. I met Toothless because I shot him out of the sky during a dragon raid. You see, the island was at war with dragons. All Viking tribes were, they raided us for food and destroyed so much. There was always only one dragon among them who we called the unholy offspring of lightning and death itself. The night fury was an all black dragon with incredible speed and only known to be close by because of its unusual whistle like sound. This dragon however, it never took food and it never missed a target.

It was invincible because is blended in with the night sky but I managed to shoot him down with one of my inventions called the Mangler. It was a bola launcher of sorts, and one night during a raid. I got Toothless when he flew past an ignited catapult tower. Of course, this only got me scolded and no one believed me. So I went looking for the night fury in the forest where I'd seen it land. And after hours of searching. I found it. Him. He was tied up and I assumed dead but in my early cheering, I realized he wasn't. All my life I'd been told, I wouldn't be one of the Vikings. I wasn't a dragon killer. Mostly by my father. And in that moment when I could of stabbed this dragon and cut out his heart...I wouldn't kill him. I couldn't.

This dragon was wounded, and weak. It was defenseless to stop me from hurting it. I knew how that felt. To be weak, and unable to defend myself. I hated it and I'm sure the dragon did too. So did something bold, I let that dragon go. I cut the bola holding him and he pounced me, roared in my face then let me go. I had no idea what happened. I knew dragons didn't let their victims live, every story I'd ever heard about the Night Fury was that no one ever met one and lived to tell about it. But it let me live then took off. I had passed out a few hours before returning to the village. Right away, things started. The teasing and I didn't defend myself. I wouldn't rat out the dragon. I couldn't. He had let me live and also...No one believed me so whatever. A Night Fury let me live.

The next few days I spent going back to the area where I found him, he was trapped in the cove off Raven Point and my launcher and his landing costed him a tail fin. I felt bad so I did something that went against every viking law ever established. I built Toothless a tail fin, and I gave him that name because of his retractable teeth. All in all after a couple test runs with the tail, I realized that Toothless would never fly unless I controlled the tail fin this resulted in me becoming the first Viking to ever ride a dragon and this...bonded Toothless and I. He was my friend. My best friend. I always took him flying and brought him fish to eat. He stayed in the cove when I was stuck in the village. But I saw him every day. Things were okay at first, until I was caught sneaking out and again got yelled at but this time...I snapped. I'd never in my life in any scolding snapped back at my father but this time I did and I did something that changed my life.

/Flashback/

"I knew you were up to something!" I heard my father's voice boom in the early morning as he came through the door to my room. I was just sneaking out the window to see Toothless and I was caught. Great.

"D-Dad!" I said quickly. "I was...just looking out the sky light is all." I tried to lie.

"With your legs hanging out and you with a bag on your back?" He yelled, I winced. Now the whole village would be up and listening for my daily scolding.

"I was going to go hiking..." I mumble. My father grabbed me by the back of my collar and pulled me back inside then outside where go figure everyone was already gathered. This was like a sport to them, to watch me get yelled at.

"Stoick...It's 5am...Can't this happen after breakfast?" I heard Gobber sigh. Oh yes please. Do it later...

"No Gobber. I told ya he's been sneaking out. This time I was up early and listening to him move around towards the window. Where the hell you goin so early? What if there had been a raid!" My father said.

"Then I would have been out of the way." I retorted slowly.

"Or carried off like yer mother was!" I winced a bit.

"Could you stop yelling at me...I'm always off in the forest..." I sigh.

"And what is so important in that forest you have to sneak out at the crack of dawn?" Stoick asks.

"Nothing. I just like it...Its peaceful..." I look down.

"Well from now on you're forbidden in there without someone going with you. Don't need you getting killed...You are the next heir of this tribe. Even though don't have what it takes to be chief..." I heard that comment and it hurt to hear too. I balled my hands to fists but otherwise kept quiet. Wait. Forbidden in the forest? Toothless would be alone! I couldn't...let that happen. I was so sick of this. It was one thing to give me crap all day, every day. Scold me but to ban me from the forest and tell me I'm your heir even though you don't think I can do it? No. That was it.

"You can't do that..." I state.

A few people gasped. "I am your father, yes I can!" Stoick shot back.

"You can't tell me what to do!" I yelled back.

"This is why you can't be chief, you can't give orders much less take them. You are not allowed in the forest, Hiccup. End of discussion." Stoick began to turn away.

"I hate you!" The entire square fell silent now as Stoick froze and turned back facing me.

"What did you just say to me?" Stoick asked.

"You heard me. I. Hate. You! I can take orders just fine but your rules are ridiculous and unfair!" I stomped my foot down. "You've treated me like a thorn in your side since mom died and I'm sick of it. How can you even call me your son when you treat me like an outcast!"

"Watch your tone Hiccup..." He warned me.

"No. I'm sick of listening to you. Every word out of your mouth is nothing but an insult to me! 'Hiccup you're destroyin the village', 'Hiccup you'll never be chief', or my favorite 'Hiccup why can't you be one of us. You're so different. You'll get killed like your mother did...'. I'm not dealing with it anymore!" I yelled at him.

"You can't be chief! You don't care about this island, or the people on it. In raids, I have to save you from getting killed. Your mother was different, she couldn't kill a dragon either. And she got killed because of it. You aren't one of us, but you're still my son and the heir to this island so no matter what I have to do...I will make you be the chief these people need." Stoick ordered. "You have 3 years until you take over. 18 and you start your training. You're forbidden in that forest, Hiccup. I don't care if you don't like it. As long as you are my heir, living on this island, and a member of this tribe then you will do as you are told!"

I couldn't believe him. I wouldn't obey his order, I wasn't going to be kept from Toothless. I narrowed my eyes darkly at him. I'd read every viking law about this tribe since I was 8. I was done. "I hereby invoke self-exile." I state loud enough to be heard by everyone. People backed up gasping, Stoick froze.

"Lad! No!" Gobber yelled in fear.

I faced him sadly. "I'm sorry, Gobber."

"If you finish that sentence...You have to leave, forever. You can never return to Berk or this tribe unless you prove yourself before the council!" Gobber reminded.

"I know what it means and I don't care. I'd rather be dead than live under this chief's rule." Stoick faced me with a little shock. "You said as long as I live here, as your heir and member of this tribe that I have to do what I'm told...Then my only choice is to leave the tribe, the island, and being your heir Stoick."

"You wouldn't dare..." Stoick challenged.

"I, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third..." I began.

"Hiccup." My father warned.

"...hereby invoke self exile..." I glared at him.

"I forbid it!"

"I invoke my right to leave in self exile under the pretenses that I'm not treated fairly by this tribe or its chief. From this moment forward, I abdicate my birthright as heir to chief Stoick the Vast Haddock of the Hairy Hooligan tribe and the island of Berk. I cast myself from this tribe, this island, and being your heir. So shall it is said, so shall it be." I said firmly as I watched my father's face fall in complete shock. "I'll be gone by nightfall, as the Viking law permits me at least 12 hours to get my things and leave." Then I walked away leaving everyone silent at what I'd done.

After I left them there, I got my things packed in record time. I put the basket over my shoulder and my former father's house heading towards the forge. I saw Gobber in the backroom where I always worked crying. "Lad...Please...please take it back. You still can until nightfall..."

"I can't Gobber...I'm sorry. But I've had enough of him...I'm through letting him control my life...How can I be chief to a tribe that hates me? I can't. I'm sorry...But I have to do this." I state firmly.

"There's no changing your mind, is there?" I shook my head, "Then take this with you, to keep you safe. It was your mother's sword and shield...Stoick told me to keep it safe for when you were older but if you're going out on your own then I've giving it to ya now..." He handed me a sword and shield, I tied the sword sheathe to my back then put the sword in it, I clipped the shield back there too. "Are you going to keep in contact?"

"Better if I don't...I think all I'll miss about this place is seeing you every day. Thanks for everything you've ever done for me, Gobber..." I give in to my pride and hug the old blacksmith tightly, fighting tears. I really would miss him. We pulled apart as I stepped back and gathered my things from the backroom. "This is goodbye, Gobber...Stay you my friend. You were the father I never had and for that I will always be grateful."

"I want to know your safe, Hiccup..." Gobber said.

"Come to the cove off Raven Point before the 12 hours is up. And come alone...I know I can trust you. Forest entrance, 30 minute walk heading North. You can't miss it." I tell him.

Gobber nods, "I hope you find whatever it is your destined for lad." He tells me as I leave the forge and begin heading for forest. As soon as night fell, I was leaving on Toothless. I watched as the village got silent while I walked through it. People still whispering about what I said. This was self exile meaning I chose to cast myself out. It wasn't something a lot of people ever used but I meant it. I wouldn't stay here anymore. I saw Stoick standing at the forest entrance.

"I don't accept this, Hiccup. I know you're just going to sit in the forest and come back before 12 hours is up to take back what you said." Remarked.

"You believe what you want to and I'll do what I plan too." I walk past him. "What I do is no longer your concern, Stoick." I began to enter the forest.

"You'll never make it out there on your own, Hiccup! You know nothing about survival!" I heard him call to me.

"I think you'll find soon how very capable I am of taking care of myself. I've done it for years after all. Come the end of 12 hours, you will find not a single trace of me left on this island." I was out of sight after that comment. I made my way through the forest to the cove, it was a good 30 minute walk. I saw Toothless and he bounded towards me. "Hey bud. We're leaving tonight. As soon as the sun sets, we're gone from Berk forever. We'll find our own place." I tell him, he licks my cheek and nods.

For the next 11 hours, I sat there with my map out planning the places we could go. Had to be uninhabited by humans because anyone seeing a human on a dragon was sure to go down well. As darkness fell, I loaded up on Toothless and positioned myself in the saddle. I heard crunching in the leaves, "Hiccup?" I heard Gobber's voice.

"Gobber?...Did anyone follow you?" I ask quickly.

"Thor no. Is that...a Night Fury?" Gobber asked a little shocked to see me on the back of the most elusive dragon known to man.

"This is Toothless and yes he is one. The one I shot down a few weeks ago...I made this rig to fly him and he's how I'm getting off Berk...He'll keep me safe, Gobber...And please don't tell anyone. Dragons aren't...what we think they are. One day I'll be able to show everyone." I say

"I'll keep your secret lad. You keep him safe, Toothless...He's like a son to me." Gobber carefully rubs Toothless's head and Toothless crooned in response as Gobber looked at me sadly. "Last chance to back out?"

I chucked a bit, "No chance, Gobber. Time for me to spread my wings and fly, find out who I really am." I say. Gobber hugged me again.

"I understand. I hope this won't be the last time I ever see you..." Gobber says.

"It won't be. We'll meet again when the winds and tides change." I smile.

"Take care lad..." Gobber stepped back, I nodded.

"I will. You take care too. Lets go, Toothless!" I called out, with that...Toothless spread his wings and launched from the cove into the night sky. I looked back only once seeing Berk get farther and farther away from sight.

/End Flashback/

Gobber was the only one to ever learn my secret on Berk, that I shot down a Night Fury. And he knew I left on Toothless too. I haven't been back since, a year already. And now I stood before the elder of the tribe, preparing to take my oath to become chief. "Do you swear by Odin to lead your people into the future and do all in your ability to keep them and this island safe?" The elder asked me. I took a deep breath.

"I swear by Odin to do all in my power to lead this village and these people towards a better future and protect them even if it means giving up my life." I state firmly, loud enough to be heard by the entire assembly. She motioned for me to knee as she drew in ash with her finger a pair of wings then the chief symbol on my forehead. The symbol was a shallow semi circle with a smaller one on top then a line through both. I stood now when she put her hand on my shoulder.

"May I present to you Hiccup Hagebrak the Dragonborn. Chief of Fury Isle, home of the Dreki Riddaris tribe!" The elder called out.

"Long live the chief! Long live the chief! Long live the chief!" The room chanted. I took a breath. I'd done it. Become chief of my father's island. And though I was sad to lose him, I knew I'd keep his dream alive with my own. I faced my people and gave a bow. It wasn't more than a moment later, I was tackled my girlfriend who was crying in joy.

"You did it, Hiccup!" She said happily. I chuckled as we shared a kiss.

"Thank you, Sylvi...I couldn't of done this without you." I hold her close. My girlfriend, Sylvi Svendsen. A girl my age with light brown hair and hazel eyes. She is beautiful too. I looked towards the sky as the ceremony had been held outside.

"I know you miss him babe..." Sylvi said softly.

"I do but I won't let his dream die with him...I'll keep this place going strong as he did. I won't let these people down, and I won't let him down. I can't. He gave me so much. He took me in as his own. Adopted me, clothed me, fed me, protected me, taught me...He left me all this, Syl. I can't let him down. This is my island, my tribe, my home, my life. And I will always protect it." I said firmly. She hugged me softly as the party ensued in the village square. 'For you father...' I thought looking towards the statue of a large man. On the engraving it read 'Thurmond Hagebak'. The man who took me in after I left Berk, the man I'd always see as my dad. 'I won't ever let this place fall.'