Hey, Guys Duskmuse here. Back with a new chapter.
I'm gonna be honest. I'm not a huge fan of my cover right now for this story and was wondering if any of you would help me out. I would love to have fan drawn cover if possible, or even just if you guys find one that you think looks better.
Disclaimer: I have no rights to Rise of the Guardians or Guardians of Childhood.
Hiccup had always known he was different, when he was only 5 years old he had sacrificed his own leg in an incident that cost his mother's life. With his new handicap, he dreaded beginning school. Most boys his age would probably rather run around playing kick ball or something that required lots of running.
Just as he predicted, when he first entered school he had a lot of people thinking he was weird. His first recess was both the worst and best 20 minutes of his life. The worst because people thought he was a freak and wouldn't let him play with them but it was the best because when he truly thought he would never make a friend, he heard it, a chuckle, faint but it was there…it was coming from under the bleachers. Cautiously, Hiccup peeked through the gap, something white past before his eyes. For a moment he thought his eyes were playing a trick on him until it zipped by again.
As gentle as his leg would let him, he proceed down to the bottom and around the corner and it was there he saw him. The white zip was the head of a boy his own edge. He was swing a stick around as if it were a sword. He didn't even seem to notice Hiccup looking.
"I, Sir Jack shall battle all evil-doers and all the evil dragons!"
"Dragons aren't evil." Hiccup said it so quietly, it was only when Jack froze, did he was heard. The other turned to him and Hiccup was shocked, his white hair standing crazily on his head, his bright blue eyes widened in surprise, they stood out even more so against his pale skin. The boy seem to be taking him in for a moment before a grin ran wide against his face. He didn't know if the guy was going to make fun of him or something but he was prepared to be berated for anything.
"Why do you say that?"
"Huh?" He hadn't been expecting that.
"Why do you think dragons aren't evil?" The boy looked at him expectantly.
"W..well. While a lot of them do, guard princess in towers, and fight knights, maybe they really are only trying to pr…protect what they believe needs they're protection…" He refused to look in to the other boys eyes. He knew any second the other would call him stupid….after a few moments of silence, Hiccup looked up and notice Jack seemed deep in thought.
"I never thought of it like that!? Of course it makes perfect sense, good thing too, I always wanted a pet dragon imagine flying high in the sky. Soaring through the sky, diving through clouds, I wondering what clouds taste like maybe they're like cotton candy, they look fluffy like cotton candy…but then again they could just be cotton, ugh that would taste gross!" Hiccup was floored by how fast the boy rambled and how quick he changed his focus. The boy seems to finally turn his focus back to him, pointing the stick straight at Hiccup's nose. He had to lean back lest he be poked in the eye by accident.
"What's your name?"
"H..Hiccup." Without skipping a beat the boy's grin grew.
"From this day forth you shall be known as Sir Hiccup, all knower of dragons! Oh! And Dragon Rider!"
Hiccup was pulled from his memories, by Toothless meowed. It was kind of sad to think of the old days, Jack could be a very cocky person, he was so open about who he was. When he was a kid he loved how different he was from other, he told Hiccup that the two of them could the presidents of the unique club. But suddenly they're first day of high school, Jack came up the hill, Hiccup almost didn't recognize him. His hair now a shade of brown as well as his eyes. Hiccups was worried he would just walk by him, ignore him but nothing of the sort. They were still as close as the day they meet.
He shook his head of the thoughts as he saw the limo coming up the hill.
"Merida, Rapunzel. Ride's here." He shouted, to their open kitchen windows. Making his way down the steps he saw, the driver get out give him a nod.
"Morning Mate"
"Morning."
"Are the Lass an-" A cough came from inside the car. "I mean lasses coming?" He gave a nodded. Why hadn't Jack gotten out and greeted them himself? As if he reading Hiccup's mind, Aster open the door, revealing…Jack!? Well that was obvious but it was the Jack he met the first day of school. His hair once more its snow white shine and his eyes standing out once more the deep blue, which once made the girls, giggle in elementary school.
"Wh-At…B..Bunny! What the hell?!"
"They're going to see either way." It was at that moment both Merida and Rapunzel appeared.
"Sorry we're late, come on let's…" Merida stopped short of her response when she saw Jack.
"What?!" Rapunzel seemed to be looking him over.
"Whoa, Jack that's quite a new look for you trying to check a certain someone's attention?" She added emphasis on the "someone" as if to indicate at herself. Bunny gave a glare that only Hiccup seem to notice.
"You guys-"
"You must be kidding me?!" Merida interrupted. "Yee gob and make fun of me hair, since we met and now and now this. Maybe I should start calling you snowflake or maybe white-out."
Jack looked around at his friends without a word, he slide in further allowing the three to make their way in. He knew Merida would have the most to say but she didn't have to be this insulting, she continued to try out nicknames on him. It hurt he could feel the corners of his eyes watering but chose to ignore it. He appreciated Hiccup trying to explain but was continually cut off by Merida.
"That's it Frostbite! That shall be your new nickname!" Bunny might have liked it more if it wasn't being used to insult his charge. Finally pulling over, he got to open the door for Jack. The other three went out the door on the other side.
"You alright there, Mate?" Jack nodded at his guard. "I'll see ya after school alright?" Another nod. "And Tooth will be there all day so if you need anything…" He noticed the look on Jack's face. It was almost a smirk. "What?"
"Nothing, it's just you make me think of an over protective brother or uncle." Aster looked at him for a moment before blush. "Aww you do care."
"A rack off you bloody show-pony! I'll see you after class." Handing Jack a hat before hooping back into the limo and speeding off.
He attempt to stuff as much as he could into hat.
"Oh, we lamb. Are we upset that our hair stands out now? Then why did ya dye it in the first pla-"
"Merida! Please back off. Just because you're pissed about my hair does not mean you can ridicule me!"
"Then just tell me why ya-"
"His hair is naturally white! I've been trying to say that since we pulled off the curb!" Hiccup shouted.
Merida seem to look back and forth between the two boys before crossing her arms.
"Whatever, I don't care if he used to have rainbow hair, why change it back now?"
"I..can't tell you…." Jack sighed. Merida turned around and started storming towards the school. "It's not like I don't want to! I just can't!"
"Jack, why can't you tell us? I mean we've been friends since we were kids." Hiccup said hurt by the situation. Jack was becoming frustrated, he looked around at all three… they were his friends. He gave a quick look around.
"Fine, I'll tell you but you guys have to promise not to make a big deal." Merida raised an eyebrow but moved in close. Jack gave another look around before announcing. "My grandfather isn't here just to get to know me….he's here because…he's the current monarch of Santoff Claussen and with my dad gone; I'm next in line for the throne. Alright?!" The way all three stood silently staring at him worried him what if they just got really mad.
"I'm still calling you Frostbite." Merida proclaimed. "And there is nothing you can do to stop me." She smirked.
"Whoa, I mean whoa Jack that's…Whoa." Was all Hiccup could see to utter. He was so thankful for the two of them. Merida could careless and now everything seem to make complete sense to her, Hiccup was getting there and soon would have no issues with registering what was going on. That only left Rapunzel.
"Jack, you gotta tell people. Imagine what everyone would say, if they knew they had been ignoring Royalty!"
"What no way!" Jack exclaimed instantly shoot her down. "I wasn't even supposed to tell you guys but it was hurting our friendship all these changes in my life, you guys can't tell anyone."
"On my life." Merida replied.
"Wouldn't dream of it, it's yours to tell, Jack." Hiccup finally manage to utter. All three look to Rapunzel when she didn't respond. She looked at all three as if trying to make them see things her way but after a minute of internal argument she puffed her cheeks and responded.
"Fine, I get it."
Jack noticed as he took his seat in class a lot of people were giving him a look. Ignoring them he began to pull out what he would need for the class. Merida noticed this too but before she could say anything the teacher followed by Tooth entered.
"Alright Class, settle down. We're about to begin." As class quieted down, Macintosh raised his head. "Yes, Mac."
"If I'm not teach, isn't there a rule of no hats indoors." Jack froze know that comment could only be aimed at him. The teacher looked to Jack and with a gentle nod he spoke.
"I'm sorry; Jack but you know the rules." Jack looked around a moment; he took a sharp breath and ripped his hat off his head. A few people gasped in class.
"Well, well, have a little trouble with the bleach there Overland?" Mac chuckled.
"What's with your eyes?" Dingwall Jr. wondered as he looked back at Jack.
Jack took a sharp inhale; he didn't dare look up at everyone around him, he could hear the whispers. "Try hard." "Lame."
"Seriously, we need a nickname for yea now. Let's see…Snowflake! Seriously you look lik-" When Mac cut himself short, Jack lifted his head, surprised, if Mac started talking he usually didn't stop till he was tired of his own voice. Looking up he saw why, Merida. She had stood up from her seat and was now two inches from Mac's face
"How 'bout you shut your trap, what's so wrong with being different. You're a pretty boy, who has a hissy fit, if he's off the target by a 'ircle." Mac had nearly fallen off his seat as Merida spoke harshly. "Anyone else got a problem?" A silence fell over the crowd.
"If that's everything…let's begin class." As Merida walked back to her seat, Jack gave her a nod of appreciation. She merely smirked back and took her seat.
Tooth had been so thankful for Merida and Hiccup throughout the day, anyone who attempted to mess with Jack were swiftly cut off. Tooth made a note to thank them sometime in the future.
"Grampa, this isn't gonna work!" Tooth found herself pulled from her train of thought but Jack's frantic reply. It was then that she realized Jack was balancing 3 larger size books on top of his head.
"Umm, North…"
"Bah, Posture is very important for ruler, strong back means kingdom can rely on us. A straightforward look let's them know, we wish to speak honest and ear to ear.
"…uhhh I think it's eye to eye, Grandpa."
"Bah, not important, what is important is that you have confidence in yourself." Jack froze slight at that looking expectantly at Tooth who shook her head. "You always slouch forward, is not good for back." Placing a few books on top of his own head and took a few strong strides forwards, not a single one shifting.
"Now Jack, symmetrical shoulders and a straightward head is key to keeping books on head." As North spoke, Jack looked towards Tooth and began shaking his hips side to side. Tooth gave a chuckle, noticing North's sideway glare with a raised eyebrow; she went to point towards Jack only to see him standing perfectly still, quickly quieting down. As he went back to his explanation, she turned her attention once more to Jack, who waited a moment to make sure his grandfather would be rambling a few minutes before going into a full out hula dance. She stifled a laugh as he switch to the walk of the Egyptians before North turned around. Stopping mid-step, Jack felt his cheeks redden.
North merely looked at Jack a moment before bursting into laughter.
"Is good form, Jack but I think you forget the head movement." North chuckled as he to bob his head only for the books to fall off his head. "Whoops." A laugh of three echoed throughout the embassy. It lasted a few minutes and was cut off by the sound a door closing followed by the austrailan shouting.
"O' where ya at, North, Tooth, Frostbite?!" Jack groaned at the nickname, it almost made him want to not call Aster, Bunny in hopes of him stopping…almost.
"Back here, Bunny." He heard a grumble as the man made his way back. Though he was shock to see a man of small stature follow in behind Bunny, his hair a vibrant gold colour that mess on top of his head though not as mess as Jack's. The man looked to Jack giving a gentle smile and a wave that Jack quickly returned.
"Sandy! Ha is good to see you again." North quickly greeted the smaller man. "Jack, this is Sanderson Mansnooze."
"Or for short, Sandy." Tooth quickly inserted. Jack noticed the man began to move his hands. It took Jack a moment to recognize some of the symbols.
"What does he mean by Black?" Jack inquired. All four adults turn to him.
"Jack, you know sign language?" Aster asked in awe. Jack nodded.
"Yea, my little brother Jamie, asked to learn it because a classmate was deaf. He was getting frustrated so I made a game out of it. It was so fun that I just continued to learn it with him." He rubbed the back of his neck, not realizing just how much respect he gained from every adult in there.
"Oh Jack, would you mind checking on Baby Tooth for me? She was in the garden last I saw." Jack looked confused before giving a shrug and heading out.
"The wanker, never ceases to amaze." Aster shook his head. Turning his attention back to their smallest member.
"He is staying at a hotel near the bay. From what I was able to gather, he will be here till the end of the month."
"At least, he ain't coming to the Embassy."
"Cause he knows, North and you would ripe him apart." Tooth sighed.
"Onyx is with him, but what worries me is where I followed her to."
"'nd where would that be old friend?" Sandy seem to pondered the thought.
"I think, it was Jack's home."
AN:
Hey guys, it's me Duskmuse. Sorry for the long wait. College just started back up for me so I'm trying to get into the swing of things.
So Jack blab, wonder how thats gonna end?!
So a lot of you guys guessed it right, Sandy was the spy, I guess if you wanted to give Sandy a title, it would be Head of Internal Affairs.
Love hearing from you guys, if you have any question for me, please don't hesitate to ask and I will answer to the best of my abilities.
Duskmuse, fading with the rising moon. Till Next time.
