I'm so sorry! More apologies after the chapter, I've kept you waiting long enough.


Changed

Jack woke up on the cold ground. Normally, it never bothered him, but today it felt different. He felt empty, defeated. He rubbed his eyes and the dried-up tears from his face. He would go to Hiccup and apologize. He shouldn't have kissed him, but it was stronger then himself. He walked to Hiccup's room and was just about to knock, when the door flew open and Toothless came rushing out. If Jack barely managed to jump aside, or the dragon would have run him over. Immortal or not, the idea wasn't very appealing.
"Wow, slow down boy. Where's the fire?" Only now Toothless noticed Jack. He was completely frantic, trying to explain to Jack with cries and growls. Jack didn't understand and Toothless dragged him to the room. Jack looked around but nothing seemed out of place. Everything was still in place. That's when he realized the bed hadn't been slept on. Hiccup had never returned to his room.

Jack immediately called Yuki. "Don't worry Toothless. Hiccup is probably just lost. We'll find him." Toothless wasn't so sure. They had a connection, and just now, he had felt something terrible. Enough to make a cold-blooded dragon brake out in cold sweat. But Toothless saw Jack was quite shaken too. Had he felt something was wrong as well? Toothless nudged his nose against Jack's back to comfort him. "Thanks buddy." Jack smiled and petted the dragon's head. "I hope we find him fast. I have to apologize to him."
Toothless wondered what Jack meant with that when Yuki rose from the ground. He didn't think he would ever get used to that. "Yuki, there you are. Can you take us to Hiccup? He seems to be lost." Yuki closed her eyes, sensing the castle grounds. When she opened them, she simply shook her head. "What do you mean no?! If he's not in the castle anymore then where did he go?" Jack asked. Yuki beckoned the duo to follow her.

As they followed the snow-maid through the corridors Jack was getting very worried. The castle had been locked. How could he have left? Something just wasn't right.
Yuki went into a room. Besides an old closet Jack didn't recognize, it was empty. She pointed at it and disappeared again. Jack opened the doors, but the cupboard was completely empty. He didn't understand. This was where Hiccup had gone, but he wasn't here, nor anywhere else in the castle. Then he felt something scrape underneath his bare feet. When he saw the trail of black sand, a shiver went down his spine. This couldn't be happening.
Toothless worry for his best friend grew when he saw Jack's face being filled with horror. With an almost feral cry Jack shattered the cupboard with one icy blast. It was so strong the icy walls cracked. Toothless took a step back. Jack took a snow globe from his pocket and smashed it on the ground.

In North's Workshop a cold gust of air suddenly blew as a portal opened. The sudden drop in temperature made even the Yeti's shiver and the Elves who came too close to the portal found their little bells frozen solid. Jack stepped through, Toothless right behind him. Wherever Jack's feet touched the ground, it froze over. Jack shot up to the globe room like lightning. "Ah Jack. Back so soon? Where is..." But Jack wasn't listening to the jolly man. He walked right up to the control panel and pulled a switch, turned it and pushed it back down. The Globe lit up and the Northern Lights spread across the world. Only this time, they were an icy white, fueled by the magic energy that practically flowed from Jack.
"Jack! What are you doing? That is for emergencies only!" Jack was clutching the switch so hard it hurt. Toothless finally reached the top of the stairs, ignoring the Yeti's complaining behind him. North put his hand on Jack's shoulder and turned him around. His eyes were filled with concern. "Jack, what happened?"

"North! What's going on? Why are – Jack!" Bunny said as he entered. Tooth and Sandy flew in simultaneously. "What's going on?" Toothiana asked. "Jack, what's wrong?" Motherly concern in every word. "What's happened North?" Bunny asked. "I- I don't know. One moment I'm checking the naughty list, the next my ink suddenly freezes. Then Jack flies past me and turns on the lights."
"It's Pitch." Jack said, his voice weak. "He took Hiccup. We have to save him!" "That, won't be necessary." The Guardians and Toothless looked to the dark corner from where the voice had come. And sure enough, Pitch stepped from the shadows. He barely dodged both a shot of ice and the spikes that sprouted from where it hit. He faded into a shadow, avoiding Bunny's boomerang and Toothiana. He reappeared behind them but had to jump away from an egg-bomb, barely managing to duck from a pair of sand whips in the process. Then his feet were swiped away underneath him by a black tail and North crossed his swords over Pitch's throat, pinning him down.
"My, what a reception!" Pitch laughed. "You sure know how entertain a guest." "You're not welcome here mate." Bunny responded. "Oh. Well then perhaps I should leave." Pitch smirked and began to sink into the ground. "No!" Jack shouted and pointed his charged-up staff at the Boogeyman. "You're not going anywhere until you give me Hiccup back!"

"He can't give back what isn't his." A voice came from behind them. Jack turned around and saw Hiccup standing there, hidden in the shadows. Jack dropped his staff and ran to him, but a boomerang crossed his path. "Bunny?! What are you-" "Stay back! That ain't Hiccup." The figure in the shadows smirked. "You've got a good nose there fluffy." Hiccup said and stepped forward into the light. Toothiana raised her hands to covered her mouth, Bunny's ears fell flat against his head and North dropped his swords. Sandy's eyes grew twice in size, Toothless hissed and Jack stumbled backward. "No," he whispered.
It was Hiccup, but different. His eyes had gone from green as grass to a toxic purple. His hair was now jet-black and brushed back, like he had flown straight into a ball of fire. His shirt was now a deep, dark green, like rotting leaves, with black swirling patterns that snaked up from his wrists. He had swapped his fur vest for a black waistcoat. His old pants and fur boots had been replaced with a pair of dark jeans and black sneakers.

DGDGDGDGDGDGDGDG

Earlier that night, Pitch lead Hiccup through the Pit. A piece of rock gave way underneath Hiccup and Pitch caught his arm. "Stay close to me. This place can be somewhat... unstable," Pitch said. Hiccup nodded and stayed behind Pitch. Pitch led him to the deepest part of the Pit, a gaping hole in the ground. Suspended above the abyss was an small platform of black steel, polished like a mirror. When the Boogeyman approached the edge, the iron shifted into a bridge. Once they had crossed it, it retracted again.
"This is the source of my powers." Pitch pointed to the middle of the room. Hiccup tried to see it but couldn't. The fear was so compressed that it created a dark veil to hide it from sight. Probably for the best too. Pitch continued. "A most powerful entity. Yet, it is restrained by an unknown force, only allowing it to exist in this form. And for that I am quite grateful. It's evil is unparalleled in this world. Should it ever be unleashed, the world would fall to chaos and fear."

Pitch's finger traced the surface of the darkness. When he pulled it back, a tar-like substance stuck to it. "A long time ago, I was much like you Hiccup. Unloved, unappreciated, an outcast. I was weak. But thanks to this orb, I became one with the fear and turned it into strength. I finally understood what I was afraid of. And by accepting it, I gained it's power. I became one with my fears and gained power accordingly." Pitch paused a moment and looked into Hiccup's eyes. Seeing he had the boy's full attention, he continued.
"I can do the same for you. But I must warn you. This, is a one-way trip. Once you accept the darkness in your own heart, you can never deny its existence. Also, you will have to face your most painful memories. If you fail, the orb's power will destroy you. But if you succeed, you will have incredible strength. Nothing would stand in you way. Nothing could be taken from you. Or, anyone for that matter. Give it some thought"

Hiccup sat down on the cold, dark surface and thought hard. If he went through with this, he would never be the same. But he would be strong. He would be strong enough to protect the ones he loves. Strong enough to keep up with them. He could stay with them forever. Hiccup stood up and saw Pitch was already on the other side of the abyss. "I'll do it!" Hiccup shouted to him. Pitch motioned Hiccup to the orb.
Hiccup turned to the sphere and cautiously stuck his hand in. It was thick and sticky and cold. A shiver went down his spine. He almost tried to pull his arm back. 'No,' he thought. He had come this far. There was no going back. He didn't want to loose anyone again.
Hiccup's resolve triggered the core, which seemed to explode. Like thick serpentine it shot in all directions and wrapped itself around Hiccup. The feeling of pure terror crawling on his skin, seeping into his very being was a horrible, mind shattering experience. But before Hiccup could even scream, the gooey darkness had completely covered him, throwing him into the tumbling depths of his subconscious. When he felt ground underneath his feet at last, he slowly opened his eyes. It was unexpectedly bright. Memories floated through the air as big images. When he touched one, it started playing like movie, and when it finished, it broke apart and changed its image.

"Having fun yet?" Hiccup turned around, startled by a familiar voice behind him. But there was only a shadow behind him. "If you're done wasting our time, I'll show you what you came here for," it said. "And what is that?" Hiccup asked. "The memory that you repressed. The reason why the people you love will always abandon you." The shadow swiped its hand through the air and the images all merged into one. But instead of an image of his past, it was empty and white. "Tsss. All this just because you couldn't handle the truth." The hazy figure placed his hand on the canvas-like surface and red lightning ruptured the cover. The pieces crumbled like dying leaves, disappearing into thin air as they fell. Hiccup's eyes grew wide when the woman behind it was revealed. His mouth became dry and his hands began shaking as he reached out to her. "Mom."

DGDGDGDGDGDGDGDG

"Isn't he just marvelous?" Pitch broke the silence. He walked behind Hiccup and placed his hands on his shoulders. Their grins were identically malicious. "What did you do to him!" Jack shouted. "I merely presented him with an opportunity." "Turn him back!" Jack shouted and slashed at Pitch. But to his surprise, Hiccup caught his staff, black scales covering his hand.
"Why would I want to be weak again?" he said calmly. Jack stared at him disbelieving.
"W-weak? You're not weak Hiccup." "No, not anymore. But I was before. Too weak to save my village, too weak to save her. I was only a burden. And because of that, I was hated." "That's not true! I love you!" Jack blurted out. "I- I love you. The real you." Jack felt tears rising in the corners of his eyes. "This, is the real me." Hiccup said and grew black scales over his arm. "And if you had any idea of what I've done, you would never have loved me! Just like him." Hiccup added that last part with pain in his heart. "But not anymore! Jack, I'm strong now. Now we can be together."

Hiccup reached out to Jack. Jack stared at Hiccup's open hand. A surge of pain and anger shot through his heart like a bolt of lightning. "NO! NO! NO!" he shouted. "This is all wrong. Hiccup, this isn't you! I want the real you back!" Hiccup clenched his hands into fists and started trembling all over. "Why?" he asked. "Am I still not good enough!? I'll prove it! I'll prove to you how strong I am!" Fear and frustration began to seep from him like a purple flame. Black scales sprouted, covering his arms and torso, a few snaking up to his neck and even onto his left cheek. His hands were also covered in black scales, turning them into razor sharp claws. "I'll do what even Pitch couldn't do!" Hiccup shouted, his voice raw and feral. "I'll defeat the Guardians!"
Blinded by the dark shadow infecting his heart, Hiccup lunged himself at Bunnymund, who, in defense, drew his trusty boomerang. He never had to use it, because Sandy caught Hiccup mid-air with a shot from a large golden bazooka. The sand wrapped around him and stuck him against the wall. Toothiana and Toothless wanted to go after Pitch, but he had already disappeared into the shadows.

Suddenly the sand restraining Hiccup turned black and released him, no longer under Sandy's control. Spikes had grown on Hiccup's right arm, fear leaking from the tips like poison. They scorched the ground where they fell. It had infected the sand, turning the dream into a nightmare. It swirled and began taking form. Much to the Guardian's surprise, it didn't take the shape of a horse, but that of a dragon. It was a skrill, half as big as Toothless.
"Magnificent isn't it?" Pitch's voice echoed from the safety of the shadows. "It took me nearly half a century just to find out how to hijack your sand," he said to Sandy. "And he could wield fear from the moment he was turned. Isn't he wonderful?" Pitch smirked.
"Just wait till I get my paws on you, you bloody dingo!" Bunnymund snarled. "Get me? You have to find me first." And with that he was gone, his mad laugh echoing through the halls.

The skrill shot a blast of white fire at North, who deflected it with his swords. Toothiana took one of North's spare blades and charged at the beast. But when the metal touched the shadow-dragon's skin, the Tooth Fairy was send flying by an electric charge. "Tooth!" Jack exclaimed. He shot ice at Hiccup, hoping to restrain him. But another shot of white fire destroyed it. The skrill didn't get a change to launch another attack as it turned to glass and crumbled. Toothless stood in front of Hiccup and growled. "Toothless! Enough." Toothless growled again and swung his claws at Hiccup. This impostor was not his friend. Not only did he try to take Hiccup's place, he also used his body. He could feel it. He wanted the real Hiccup back. But that would be impossible until they captured this fake. So he fought.
"If you're not with me," Hiccup said to his oldest friend. "Then you are against me!" Hiccup slammed Toothless, who stumbled back. Hiccup tried to hit him again, but a wall of ice appeared between the two. Jack tried to seal Hiccup off from the rest of them. He knew it wouldn't hold him for long, but it was the best he could do right now. But just before it closed completely, Bunny threw something inside. Hiccup looked at the oval object by his feet. It was about as big as an goose's egg. Hiccup braced himself as white light blinded him.

A whole section of the wall was gone. The rest of the room had been spared tanks to Jack's ice. The latter looked at Bunnymund in horror. "I'm sorry mate. I had no choice." Jack flew out the hole. Tumbling in free fall, Hiccup saw the ground getting closer. When he looked up he saw Jack flying at him, trying to reach him in time.
He mentally cursed himself. All this power and he still needed saving? Toothiana was right behind Jack, a few feathers still out of place from the shock earlier. Sandy carried the rest of the group on his sand, including Toothless. Jack dove toward Hiccup as fast as he could, but the distance was too great. With a thunderous bang, Hiccup crashed into the ice and snow. Grunting, Hiccup crawled out of the hole he had just made and slumped to the ground. He clutched his shoulder in agony. Jack landed and ran up to him. He wanted to put his hand on Hiccup's shoulder, but he just swatted it away, making his arm hurt even more.
"Hiccup," Jack whispered. "Let me help you Hiccup." "I don't want your help! I can take care of myself. I am strong!" "No, you are not," North interrupted. "And you can never be without your center." "He's right," Tooth added. "We're nothing without our centers." "Please Hiccup. I don't want to see you suffer like this." Jack said. This time, Hiccup let him put his hand on his shoulder.

"This isn't you. Please, let us help you. We can fix you." Hiccup just grinned sinisterly. "What's to fix?" Hiccup grinned. The snow underneath them suddenly erupted, sending everyone flying. Tooth, Jack and Sandy stabilized themselves mid-air, Bunny used his agility and Toothless dug his claws in the ice. North made a backward roll before regaining his posture. Hiccup seemed to be floating above the ground, but the settling snow barely showed the silhouette of a dragon.
"Stealth Dragon," Hiccup said when he saw their surprised faces. "They can changes shape and color to become invisible." Hiccup looked down upon the five with a smug grin. "I'll be back. And when I do, I will be stronger." The stealth dragon raised his spikes, hiding Hiccup from sight as well. They heard the whoosh of its wings as it took off. Then it was gone completely.
Jack turned around, looking in every direction. But Hiccup was nowhere to be seen. Jack floated down. Completely broken, his legs failed to support him. Toothless sat down next to Jack, understanding his pain. He too felt so empty, so powerless. Jack put his arms around the dragon's neck, looking for some comfort. Toothless crawled under him and carried him on his back. Jack didn't even care anymore.

Once they were back inside the castle, North started giving out orders to the Yetis. His finest reindeer were to be on standby, the Globe room needed fixing and security had to be tightened. Everyone would have to pull double shifts. When they weren't busy making toys, they would stand guard. Every two hours, they would changes shifts.
Toothiana passed on similar orders to her mini-fairies. As of now, Punjam Hy Loo was on full alert. Guards were posted on every tower and every balcony. No fairies were to go out on their own. Groups of at least three would be send out to collect the teeth and the vaults were locked. Everyone was given a miniature sword and a small bag of Sandy's sleep-sand in case of an emergency.
Bunnymund activated the Warren's self-defense. The plants would contain any creature that would get past the Sentinels. Any Nightmares, dragon or regular, would be strangled and crushed. He spread special pollen around the world. Everywhere they managed to take root a flower grew that would sense any Nightmare nearby.
Sandy's sand shined brighter then ever that night, straining himself to fill his dreams with extra hope, joy and wonder. He feared the children of the world would need it soon. Fortunately all their powers had increased greatly due to all the believe in them.

Toothless was lying in front of the fireplace, Jack Frost curled up in a fetal position between his paws. "Here," North said to Jack, handing him a cup. "I thought you could use some warm cocoa." Jack just stared blankly into the fire, unaware North was even in the room. "Right." North looked around, unsure what to say. "I'll just leave this here then." He put the cocoa down on the floor next to Jack. Toothless gave the otherwise jolly man a concerned look. Not just for Hiccup, but for Jack too. Nicolas St. North sighed deeply. "We'll fix this. Somehow. I promise," he said and closed the door behind him. Toothless was a little reassured, but was still worried about Jack. He started licking the boy. It seemed to help as Toothless noticed Jack was getting a little colder again.
"So how is he mate?" Bunny jumped out of his seat when North entered the room, worry written on his face. North looked at his fellow Guardians. Toothiana was giving her full attention, which didn't happen often. Sandy too was sitting on the edge of his seat. "Jack will be fine. He just needs some time." "A-are you sure?" "Bunny, relax," Toothiana said. "If North says Jack will be alright, then I believe him." Sandy nodded affirmatively. "I-I know. I'm just..." "We're all worried Bunny," North said "But right now, we need to keep our heads together and find out what Pitch did to Hiccup and how we can get him back. Jack will join us when he is ready. Right now, he needs rest." "Yeah. Yeah, you're right. Sorry North," Bunny said. "No problem my friend. I understand how you feel. We all do." "It's so unfair. To tear them apart like that." "I know Tooth. They really like each other. More then they realize," North answered.
"It was even in their teeth. Oh North, we have to get him back." "Do not worry Tooth. We will set this right." "But how?" Bunny asked. "I do not know. But MiM will."

Meanwhile, in the other room, Toothless was still licking Jack like an oversize cat. Normally neither one of them would have allowed this, but under the circumstances, they both found it to be somewhat therapeutic. Jack had somewhat recovered from his stupor and was now sitting with his legs crossed and an empty cup in his hands.
He was still staring into the fire, trying to think of way to help Hiccup become himself again. Part of him wanted to blame himself for what had happened to Hiccup, but that wouldn't help anyone. He needed to find a way to talk to him. But even if he did, he didn't have a clue what to say. Nothing he said before got through to him. In frustration he threw the mug into the fireplace. A few pieces came tumbling back from the inferno.

As Jack was staring at the pieces, he suddenly noticed a light gliding over the carpet. And not just any light! He jumped up, grabbed his staff and flew out the window. He flew as high as he could, far above the clouds, far higher than he had ever gone before. He stopped when he could barely breathe. He took a deep breath and shouted up to the moon. "MiM! You know what happened right? You must have seen it too," Jack said. "Please, can you help me? Can you help Hiccup? I know that if I could just get through to him -" Jack was interrupted when MiM's message reached him on the lunar light. He looked to where the beam of light hit. It had been good of him to come this high up, because he couldn't have seen it otherwise. "Thank you." Jack said and raced back down when the Man in the Moon remained silent.
"Guys!" Jack shouted as he came rushing through the open skylight. "Jack!" Bunny jumped up and hugged the frost sprite. "Euhm... Yeah." Bunny straightened himself and gave Jack a pat on the shoulder. "It's good to see you again Frostbite." "It's good to see you too Cottontail," the white-haired boy smiled. "How are you feeling Jack?" Toothiana asked. "A little shocked, to be honest. But I can't just sit around when Hiccup needs my help." "Good to have you back Jack," North said. Sandy flashed a moon and a map above his head. "Yeah, I saw it too. And I saw the spot. If we leave now, we-" "If we leave now, we will be poorly prepared, tired, and quite possibly not up for whatever we will find there." "Bunny is right. We leave tomorrow," North joined in. "For now, you'd better get some rest. Who know what we'll have to face tomorrow." "Alright guys. I'll get some sleep. But tomorrow, I'm going." "We, will be going. You're not alone Jack. And neither is Hiccup," Tooth responded. "Thanks you guys."

Meanwhile, in the Pit, Hiccup looked at his bandaged shoulder. "You were lucky. Foolish too." Pitch said, putting the bandages back in the first-aid kit. Even Immortals like Pitch and the Guardians occasionally had use for one, as Hiccup had demonstrated today. "I'm still too weak. You promised I would be strong!" Hiccup snarled at the Nightmare King. For a split second, Pitch was taken aback by the boy's behavior. He was definitely not used to being treated like that, nor did he have any intention to. "Your failure today was inevitable. Not because you were lacking in strength, but because power is only as good as the way you use it. If you had thought of a plan before running off to your boyfriend, you wouldn't be sitting here like this," Pitch retorted. "Or do I have to remind you that I am the Boogeyman? I did not gain the title of 'Nightmare King' just by dressing in black."
Pitch looked calm and never raised his voice. Yet the air around him shook with power, making Hiccup quiver. He tried to stare right back at the tall man, but soon bowed his head in surrender. "I'm sorry Pitch. I was reckless. I got carried away." "You're forgiven. But next time, you should listen to what I have to say. For your own good," Pitch said, his anger fading with Hiccup's rebellion. "Yes Pitch." "Good. Now go and get some rest." Hiccup nodded and left.
As Pitch watched him leave the room, he wondered if this is what raising a teenager is like. Hiccup came to his room, but didn't enter. The tunnel next to his room shifted, as the Pit does from time to time. He recognized the new tunnel, it led to the center of the Pit, and the core that resided there. Struck with curiosity, Hiccup went to see the orb again. Somehow, it felt more alive than it had last time. No longer afraid, he put his hand in it. It almost felt like it was welcoming him back. There were no words spoken, nor images shown to him. Simply a raw thought, an idea, was planted into Hiccup's head by the Darkness.
A devilish grin spread across his face. It was a great plan. And hadn't Pitch told him to use plans? He reached into the orb again, letting the darkness in. And as the thoughts slowly began to flood his mind, he let out a bloodcurdling laugh.


Phew, finally got to making this chapter. I know it's been way too long and I'm terribly sorry. It's just that I've had so much going on in my life these past two months. And not much good at that. But I know that's no excuse for making you wait so long. I know what it's like having to wait ages for an update. I'm terribly sorry. *Gets on his knees and bows* Gomenasai!
But I hope you still enjoyed the chapter and I just want to thank you all for still being here. And I want you all to know that, even though it may take some time to update, I WILL finish this story.

And yes, Hiccup's hair looks like it did in HttyD after Toothless shot a fireball dead ahead and flew into it with Hiccup on his back. I really like that style for him.
I should also explain what Toothiana meant when she said 'It was even in their teeth'. Being the Tooth Fairy, she can read people's teeth, kind off like reading someones hand. Of course she wont see the future or anything, just personality and character. Because of that she can also see if two people go well together. Either as lovers or just as friends. Remember when she looked in Hiccup's mouth and saw something 'interesting'?

And to all my followers and everyone that has left me a review, or even just reads this story, so many thanks! I read and cherish every review and I love all you guys.

See you all next chapter, where we'll see some old friends again.