Hiccup woke up, well guess woke up isn't the correct description. More like Hiccup's mind returned to his body. As he became more detached he found he no longer needed sleep. But when he wanted time to pass quicker or felt worn down he would 'day-dream'. It was similar to sleeping but not the same. Hiccup could control what he was thinking about, it allowed him to test theories or talk through problems if he had any.
Come on it is time to go you know.
Yeah yeah. I'm getting up now.
Hiccup sat up and looked around his cave. Years of nightmares after his awakening had caused many scars in the walls, ceiling and floor. Hiccup found due to this having a home made of stone was easier to deal with than one made of wood and having to repair it all the time. Some of the scorch marks were darker the others where they had been struck more than once.
Hiccup had multiple caves connected to each other, this was just the one he used to sleep in. To the left there was another cave connected this was his storage and dragon nests.
Dragons still exist even in the modern world but after years of being hunted Hiccup decided to protect them. To do so he had tried to create a space for everything a dragon might need. This meant having a different nesting area for each dragon type. The network of caves for this was quite easy to get lost in if a person didn't know where they were going.
To the right side of his sleeping quarters was a cave with a wide entrance. Hiccup had converted it into a blacksmiths.
As Hiccup left the cave system he walked out onto a cliff face. As he looked down he saw the small village of Berk, at least what was left of it.
Berk had been wiped off the world map for many centuries at this point. After the Vikings vanished no-one was brave or stubborn enough to live there. Hiccup had watched many generations be born, grow up, grow old, and die. Each generation brought change to the village. The changes were only simple little things that most wouldn't be able to see but Hiccup could. He didn't mind too much. He actually spent most of his time preserving the village. If anyone had seen the village they would expect Vikings to exit the houses and go about their daily life.
Behind the village was the forest. It wasn't as big as when Hiccup was alive but it still claimed most of the island. Amongst the trees was area such as the cove which Toothless had been trapped at one point. One of the areas was from when the mother typhoomerang had scorched the ground. Hiccup now used the fertile land that had been left behind to grow flowers.
You'd have thought with Berk having such cold weather that would be impossible especially so near to winter. But for some reason since Berk had been forgotten about and Hiccup started taking care of it, it seemed to be in a constant stable state of autumn. It was never too hot or too cold and the plants adapted to grow.
Hiccup had come to the conclusion that because he had claimed Berk as his home mortals couldn't find it. Such as the North Pole, Toothiana's tooth palace, Bunnymund's warren and Pitch's Dungeon?
Hiccup wasn't sure what Pitch's home was exactly only that it was a very complex cave system like Hiccup's own home.
Loneliness swept through Hiccup. It had been 10 years since he had last seen Pitch. Over the 295 years before he went missing, they had stayed friends even with all of Pitch's advances. Hiccup thought back to the day Jack died and Pitch comforted him.
Hiccup froze when he saw Pitch lean forward. He was shocked when he felt lips on his. As Pitch pulled back Hiccup stared into his golden eyes.
Pitch gave a little chuckle and the surprised look on Hiccup's face. He leaned in once again and placed a light touch on Hiccup's forehead.
"Hiccup I know this is sudden but please give me a chance. I won't force you. We can start as friend and hopefully develop into more."
Hiccup listened to Pitch's soft calming voice as he said this. Hiccup looked up at Pitch, seeing nothing in his golden eyes but worry and adoration, gave a small nod.
"Ok. That sounds fair." Came Hiccup's reply.
Hiccup watched as Pitch's face lit up at Hiccup's answer. Pitch then hugged Hiccup back.
Toothless had observed what was happening and sensing that Hiccup wasn't in any danger was quite happy to let things develop.
"Thank you Hiccup. I will make sure you're happy with me." Pitch's voice whispered into Hiccup's ear.
Hiccup simple nodded and leaned in closer to the embrace.
At the time Hiccup had been wary but really needed comforting. As they got to know each other Hiccup discovered he liked Pitch's company. Pitch didn't have any believers just like Hiccup but it seemed to effect Pitch more.
Hiccup had given him ideas how his fear could be used to help children and be made into fun happy memories. Pitch had been confused how that could have been possible.
"What do you mean Hiccup?"
Confusion filled Pitch's golden eyes.
"Well think about it. Everyone like a bit of fear. It is why parents tell children stories the get them to behave. It is also how children prove to each other they are brave by going through something that everyone else is scared of."
"And?"
"Well why don't you use your fear to get children to behave. Give them dreams about the scary stories just don't make them too scary. You could do the same with adults' right? You don't have to focus on only children."
Pitch's eyes were wide. He understood what Hiccup was saying. Why had he never thought to do that before? He could still have gotten believers and the guardians wouldn't be on his back trying to destroy him again.
Hiccup chuckled remembering the advent that had followed a couple of months later.
"Hiccup! Hiccup guess what!"
Pitch appeared out of one of the nearby shadows and walked to Hiccup who was in the middle of cleaning one of the houses of Berk.
"What happened Pitch?"
Hiccup could see there was a spring in his step. He was sure if Pitch was a child he would have been dancing and singing in happiness.
"I have my own holiday!"
Hiccup was surprised. Then a smile spread across his face.
"Really? Wow good for you. So what is it called?"
Pitch smiled, not his usual smirk or the twitch that could be taken as a smile, an actual smile of happiness. This was the second time Hiccup had seen it.
"It is called Halloween. It takes place on the last night of October."
"So tell me." Hiccup started to continue cleaning, "How did you do it? How did you get the mortals to give you a holiday?"
"Oh jealous are we hmm Hiccup?"
Pitch was still smiling and Hiccup knew he was only teasing.
"Oh most definitely it is not like I have to bring autumn to the world for three months of the year or anything."
They looked at each other sharing a smile and a small laugh. Pitch didn't laugh much, it was more of a small chuckle.
"Honestly though I used my shadows. I made shapes of creature the mortals told in stories to scare each other."
"Wow! That's good. It must be nice of you to have believers again."
Pitch looked a little sad at that.
"Well they're not exactly believers of me. They are believers of the shadow creatures I have created. Halloween is also known as the witch's new year."
"But it is a good start right?"
Hiccup couldn't help but try to cheer him up. Pitch smiled at Hiccup's efforts. He then took a step forward, wrapped his arms around Hiccup and kissed the top of his head.
"You know I can't return the affection right?"
"Of course but that doesn't stop me from giving it you anyway."
Hiccup relaxed, he was used to Pitch showing his affection this way. He never took it any further and understood Hiccup wasn't ready to return his affection. He may never be.
"Well now that I have told you I am going to head back and finish what I started."
Pitch released Hiccup and started to walk back to the shadows.
"Ok bye Pitch. Come back soon."
"You know I will."
They both gave each other one last smirk of a smile before Pitch closed his eyes, the only thing left visible in the shadows, and disappeared.
Hiccup's face dropped. That was the last time he saw Pitch. Hiccup had searched for him but couldn't find a trace of him.
Hiccup shook his head.
Ok time to get the flower and deal with today's list of things to do.
Hurry up, or we are going to be late.
Toothless landed in front of Hiccup waiting for him to get on. Hiccup nodded his head and jumped of the night fury's back.
Let's go.
Jack was waiting patiently. Anyone who knew him would be surprised. Jack didn't do waiting and definitely not patiently. Jack sighed.
Ever since he had met the spirit and talked to North he was determined to talk to him. He had thought of a plan to do just that but now the wait was killing him. Knowing he would be there soon to place another flower, Jack calmed himself.
What am I going to say to him? How will he react? Will he be willing to explain the flowers to me? Is it any of my business to ask? How will his dragon react to all of this?
Questions whirled around Jack's mind. Suddenly he heard a squeak in his ear. Jack opened his eyes and found himself staring into one purple and one blue eye.
"Hey Baby Tooth."
Baby Tooth was one of Toothiana's little helpers. Like little humming birds they move quickly and can hover easily. They are covered in bright blue, green and yellow feathers. Baby Tooth hung out with Jack almost all the time ever since he became a guardian.
Baby Tooth looked at Jack with a confused look on her face.
"Well you see. I'm waiting for someone."
Baby Tooth's face lit up as she smiled.
Just then a shadow passed overhead. Jack knew it was who he was waiting for. Jack chuckled.
"Time to begin."
