Chapter Twenty-One
Hiccup-
Hiccup, Merida, Rapunzel, and Jack laughed loudly as they strolled into the Dark Forest. By now the exams were over and school would be ending soon. They had cast aside most of the rules and cared less about getting into trouble. Hiccup himself still tried to gain points for his house and didn't act as wildly as his friends.
It had been two weeks since they had come out to ride Toothless and one week since they'd trained with Simpion. Currently they were coming down to start their last training session. Jack led the way, his wand illuminating the darkness of the forest ahead of them. They all grew silent as they entered the dark mass of trees.
Merida held her bow at the ready while her blue eyes scanned their surroundings. Hiccup drew his own wand, as did Rapunzel. Jack walked forth calmly, ever since they had discovered his true origins he acted very recklessly. Hiccup suspected it was either because he didn't care or because he wanted to get his father's attention.
"I wonder if Simpion has missed us," Rapunzel wondered.
"Of course he has. We're his best company," Jack grinned. Hiccup was happy Jack seemed to be back to his old self. They still hadn't said a word about Nicholas, but Hiccup sensed Jack preferred it that way.
"At least Punzie and I are. I'm not sure about you two," Merida eyed Hiccup and Jack.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Jack asked.
"I've grown increasingly better with my bow while you've nearly made Toothless run into a tree and Hiccup has poor aim with my bow," she pointed out. Jack shrugged. Hiccup was content to just sit back and listen to his friends bicker. Even though they were talking about him he preferred to just chill in the background.
By then they had almost reached the clearing and Hiccup could image how Toothless would react when he saw them. Pretty soon they'd have to go home. Hiccup glanced at the ground. He would miss his friends. They were the only people he was really close to. Back home he was a loner, here he felt like he actually belonged. Secretly he was dreading his return train ride.
"What was that?" Merida paused. They all stopped and listened. The forest was alive with noise, but nothing out of the ordinary. A wolf howled somewhere and there was wind blowing through the trees. Owls hooted and crickets chirped. Some centaurs were hunting and called to each other.
"I don't hear anything," Hiccup whispered.
"There it was again," Merida shushed him. This time Hiccup did hear a faint thud. It sounded oddly familiar.
"It's coming from the direction of the clearing," Rapunzel gasped.
"Toothless," Hiccup cried. He raced through the woods with his friends close behind him.
"Wait up Hiccup," they called. Hiccup ignored them and continued to plunge through the forest. He burst into the clearing to find Toothless crouched by the big tree he had climbed in to catch Merida's fish the first time they met. His eyes were narrowed and he was beating his tail against the tree and hissing.
"Toothless!" Hiccup shouted. Toothless glanced at him. He grabbed Hiccup and pushed him behind him. "What are you doing boy?" Hiccup asked, struggling to escape from his grip. Just then his friends crashed into the clearing.
"Hiccup?" Merida cocked her head to the side. Toothless used his head to shove them behind him with Hiccup.
"Hey," they cried. "Hiccup, what is your dragon doing?" Jack demanded.
"I don't know. Something is bothering him," Hiccup replied. They each struggled to escape, but Toothless kept them pinned against the tree. Out of the forest came the sound of running hooves.
"Someone's coming," Rapunzel warned just as Simpion came into view. His eyes were wide and he had sweat streaming off of his silver flank. His hair was ruffled and his tail was tangled. His legs were cut and muddy and he looked out of breath. Toothless snorted at him and whined slightly.
"Children, you must return to the castle this instant," Simpion ordered.
"Why?" Jack asked.
"You are too involved. The 'shadow' is coming for you. I have put you in danger. Return to the castle now and forget about all of this," he looked delirious with crazy eyes and wild hair. Hiccup felt his heart plummet as the words left Simpion's mouth. Rapunzel whimpered and fell against the tree. Merida gripped her bow and glanced around the woods. Jack stared ahead blankly. "What are you waiting for? Go now!"
Hiccup was prepared to crawl onto Toothless's back and fly away from that terrible place, but Jack's voice held him back.
"No," he said. Simpion's eyes blazed and he glared at him.
"What do you mean? Don't you understand the danger you are in?"
"Yes I understand. But I'm not just going to let myself get bullied around. Hogwarts is the first place I've actually felt like I belonged and I'm not going to let my father's little minion scare me off. Even if I die fighting at least I won't have to go back to being alone," Jack stated. His words were filled with power and emotion and Hiccup felt his heart reach out for his friend. Simpion sighed.
"I'm staying with you Jack," Merida said.
"Me too," Rapunzel added. Hiccup sighed.
"Count me in," he said. Jack turned to look at them.
"No. You guys all have family to go back to. I'm an orphan remember. There's not going to be anyone waiting for me at Kings Cross Station."
"We'll be waiting for you Jackie," Merida argued. She looked him straight in the eye. Jack stared her right back.
"Please just go," Jack begged. The wind had begun to pick up and the patch of sky visible to them had become pitch black. Their time was running out.
"If you are leaving leave," Simpion shouted. No one moved. The trees bent towards them, their branches like groping hands. The shadows twisted and turned like they were alive. A low moan was rising above the wind and was steadily drawing nearer. "It is upon us!"
Rapunzel-
Rapunzel had never seen anything so terrifying in her life. Two red glowing eyes had appeared from behind a tree across the clearing from them. A clacked figure slowly emerged from the shadows and floated out of the trees. It was followed by a dark mass and a cold wind blew from it. As it passed the grass it shriveled up and died then blew away as dust in the wind.
Rapunzel struggled to avoid looking at its eyes, but found herself drawn to their ruby depths. Unable to stop herself she found herself looking at them. Immediately she regretted it. An odd feeling took over her. At first it wasn't that bad then it grew increasingly worse. She felt all the hatred and anger she had ever felt rush into her and fill her being until it was all she could do to keep from exploding.
Slowly the anger subsided into a deep feeling of depression and sadness, like the ache of losing a pet or a close friend. In a sudden wave of guilt and fear she felt the anguish of losing a loved one and then loosing yourself.
She struggled to look away bur found herself glued to those tempting red eyes like they were the only things holding her to this earth. The longer she looked the more difficult it was to look away. She wanted to move, but she couldn't. All she could do was stare at those terrible, wonderful red eyes.
"Rapunzel," there was a voice calling to her.
"Rapunzel," there is went again. It sounded so familiar, but she couldn't name it. Was that even her name? Maybe they were calling to someone else. She chose to ignore the voice and push it away. Now she could focus on those eyes.
"Break her away from his eyes. She may become paralyzed," there was another voice. No, don't break me away from the eyes. They're so beautiful, she thought. Wait that seems wrong. I shouldn't be looking at the eyes. But they're so red! Her thoughts were beginning to get blurred.
"I can't get to her," a voice shouted. It sounded right next to her. What did they mean they couldn't get to her?
"Rapunzel!" That's my name, she thought absentmindedly. Like the lettuce…
"Rapunzel," the voice came again, this time even louder and clearer. Suddenly something hit her side and she felt herself being shoved to the side. Her body shifted and her eyes moved upward towards the sky as she landed on her back.
"Huh?" Rapunzel gasped as she broke out of the trance. Jack was laying over her, his arms hugging her tightly.
"Rapunzel," he whispered.
"What are you doing? We have to fight," she shoved him off. Jack grinned at her.
"Good you're back," he got to feet and grabbed his wand.
"Where did I go?" she asked in confusion. She didn't remember anything after seeing the 'shadow.' There was something about red eyes, but it was blurry.
"If we live through this, I'll be sure to tell you," Jack promised. Still confused Rapunzel turned to look for Hiccup and Merida.
She saw Hiccup sitting on Simpion's back as the silver centaur charged around the clearing. When he got a clear view Hiccup would shoot a spell at the 'shadow.' She realized they were slowly leading it into the forest and away from her.
"We have to help them," Rapunzel cried. Jack nodded. Together they ran towards Hiccup and Simpion. As they ran an arrow whizzed by their heads. Rapunzel glanced around and saw Merida sitting on Toothless's back as he soared around the tops of the trees. He would fly in and Merida would shoot an arrow or a spell at the 'shadow' then Toothless would fly away before the 'shadow' could retaliate.
"Diffindo," Rapunzel shouted. The 'shadow' just barely moved out of the way in time for her cutting curse. It turned towards her and a beam of light shone from beneath its head towards its neck. She side stepped it, nearly tripping Jack. Before they could retaliate it shot another beam of light at them, causing them to dive separate ways.
The ground where they had been standing was now a large hole and there was smoke rising from it. Rapunzel gulped. This thing was strong and fast. She glanced up in time to see another spell coming her way. She rolled out of the way as it hit the ground.
"Need some help?" Simpion galloped towards her. Hiccup was nowhere to be seen. Rapunzel nodded. Reaching down Simpion slung her onto his back and continued to gallop around the clearing while Rapunzel shot spells at the 'shadow.'
She caught sight of Jack and Hiccup defending themselves behind a few trees as the 'shadow' shot continues curses at them.
Suddenly Toothless soared down and Merida shot a well aimed arrow at the 'shadow.' It landed next to the spot where the spells seemed to form. There was a sudden stillness when the 'shadow' paused then there was a loud screeching noise that caused Merida to fall from Toothless and land in front of the 'shadow.' She clamped her hands over her ears as the terrible noise continued.
Jack and Hiccup yelped and ran as the trees they had been hiding behind where sliced in half by the powerful scream. As the 'shadow' turned towards Rapunzel and Simpion they were blasted back by the screech and Rapunzel was thrown into a thorn bush and lost sight of the battlefield. She bit back a scream of pain from the scratches and instead crawled out of the tangle of thorns. What she saw when she exited the bush made her blood chill.
Hiccup was standing alone in the clearing next to the pool of water. The 'shadow' was in front of him with one ashen hand reaching towards Hiccup. Rapunzel willed him to move, but Hiccup looked petrified. His olive green eyes stared ahead filled with pure terror. The hand was growing steadily closer to him, but Hiccup still hadn't moved.
Rapunzel struggled towards him, but found that her clothes were caught in the thorn bush. As she struggled to free herself she glanced around for Merida and Jack. Merida was still crouched in the middle of the clearing, clutching at the blood dripping from her ears. Jack helping Simpion up, oblivious to what was happening behind him.
"Hiccup," Rapunzel screamed, hoping to gain both Hiccup and Jack's attention. Jack glanced at he then at Hiccup. He yanked out his wand then both he and Simpion charged forwards to rescue Hiccup. To Rapunzel's horror she realized they were too far away and would never make it.
Just as the end was drawing near Toothless burst out of the trees and blasted the 'shadow' with a shot of blue fire that knocked the beast away from Hiccup. The Hufflepuff blinked his eyes then fainted into the pool of water.
Jack and Simpion pulled him out of the water and struggled to wake him up. While they were preoccupied Rapunzel watched the battle taking place at the edge of the woods. Toothless was blasting more fire at the 'shadow' and the 'shadow' was pounding Toothless with multiple spells.
It seemed they were both faring pretty well. Toothless was fast enough to dodge some of the 'shadow's spells and he was able to land some fire balls. Maybe they wouldn't die tonight after all.
"Go Toothless," Rapunzel cheered as she freed herself from the thorn bush. Hiccup joined her in watching the battle while Simpion and Jack tended to Merida.
As they were watching Toothless flew in closer than normal for a blast of fire that would presumable end the battle. As he was moving in the 'shadow' let go one wicked spell that nailed Toothless right in the chest and sent him crashing into the trees.
"Toothless," Hiccup cried. Rapunzel gasped and felt her heart sink. Slowly the 'shadow' turned back to them.
Merida-
Merida reluctantly let go of her ears after Simpion's constant coaxing. They stung like nettles and she could hardly hear anything, but a low buzz. However as she let go of her ears it slowly decreased into the background so she could hear more normally.
"Just in time," Jack said, looking above Merida's head. She glanced behind her and saw the 'shadow' turning to face them. Simpion pulled them onto his back and raced to join Rapunzel and Hiccup.
"Remember don't look in its eyes," Simpion reminded them. They nodded. Merida fingered her wand nervously as the 'shadow' stared at them. They each waited nervously for who would make the first move.
Jack took that role and blasted a spell towards the 'shadow's chest. It harmlessly passed through. If they could have seen its face they would have seen a twisted smile. A curse flew at them and they all scattered.
Merida dove to its right and hid behind a tree. She needed a moment to think. In her head she relived the battle that had taken place. Rapunzel getting hypnotized, the screech, Toothless, everything. There had to be a clue somewhere in there about some kind of weakness it had.
"I've got it," she exclaimed. There was an explosion behind her and Merida peaked around her tree. Simpion was laying unconscious with half of his body in the pool of water and half of it on dry land.
"It's now or never," she breathed. Grasping her wand she ran out to join her friends. "Hey, do you guys remember when I shot it with an arrow?" she asked as she sent a curse flying.
"Yeah, and then it screamed really loud," Jack yelled back in response. "So what?"
"After I hit it what happened?" she asked.
"It paused," Rapunzel answered.
"Exactly," Merida rolled out of the way of a counter curse then sent her own in retaliation.
"I don't get it," Jack cried as he dodged a spell.
"It paused!" Merida exclaimed.
"I get it," Hiccup cried. "If you hit it there again it will pause again and then we can do some damage while it's paused." Jack grinned and Rapunzel beamed.
"You're a genius Merida," Rapunzel shouted. Merida smiled.
"Block me," she yelled. Her three friends moved in front of her as she pulled out her bow. She only had one arrow left. "I've got to make this count," she whispered. Knocking the arrow in her bow she readied herself.
She kept both eyes open, but narrowed them, focusing on her target. She took one deep breath then another. Her heart beat raced with nerves, but she forced it to calm. You can do this Merida, you can do this.
"Ready," she shouted. Rapunzel, Hiccup, and Jack dove out of the way as her arrow whizzed by. They all froze and watched as it soared through the air. It met its mark right in between the two red glowing eyes. Then came the pause they were waiting on. "Go," Merida cried, dropping her bow to grab her wand.
Immediately her friends shot spells at the 'shadow.' Merida joined them a heartbeat later. Their streams of magic hit it in exactly the same place; right beneath its eyes. The sky above them was beginning to grow brighter and the Dark Forest grew brighter.
The 'shadow' its self began to shrink until it had disappeared completely. When it disappeared their spells met each other and exploded, blowing them all backwards onto their backs. For a moment Merida lay there with her eyes closed, relishing in the moment.
She was absolutely exhausted, but she was alive, and it was over. So she thought. As Merida raised herself up to look at her friends a dark cloud passed over head. A cold wind blew through the clearing littered with the dust of dead plants. The cloud crackled with lightning and thunder. Merida glanced at her friends nervously. They each stood up next to each other as a low chuckle echoed through the woods like a sick hateful laugh.
"Something tells me this isn't over," Jack said.
Jack Frost-
Jack watched in shock and horror as the swirling storm cloud began to descend from the sky. It shifted and turned as it grew closer to the ground. He could already guess what shape it would take, and when it passed the tree line he found he was right.
The cloud changed into an even bigger version of the 'shadow.' It was taller than the trees and darker than Toothless's scales. Lighting flashed along its body and its eyes glowed even brighter now.
A new edition to this 'shadow' was a large gaping mouth with row upon row of sharp yellow teeth. The low chuckle was emanating from this mouth and grew steadily louder as the beast grew even bigger.
The four friends moved closer together as the monster stared down at them and snarled. Jack felt real raw fear for the first time in his life, not for him, but for his fiends next to him. He was the reason they were here, the reason they were going to die. The realization sunk in heavy and hard. They were going to die. There was no doubt about it now. They were all exhausted and spent while this new 'shadow' was fresh and full of new magic and power. They didn't stand a chance.
"I'm sorry," Jack sighed. They glanced at him.
"We chose to stay. You didn't force us to," Merida said, reading his thoughts.
"But I should have made you leave," he argued.
"Jack, do you really think you could have made us leave?" Rapunzel asked.
"You're stuck with us till the end," Hiccup added.
"I think that's coming pretty soon," Jack turned back to the 'shadow.'
He felt Rapunzel take his hand and he gripped hers back. On her other side he could see her take Merida's hand. Merida in turn took Hiccup's hand. They all took one big breath together then let it out.
"I love you guys," Rapunzel said.
"I love you too," Jack agreed.
"Me too," Hiccup said.
"I've never had better friends," Merida added. They squeezed each other's hands then closed their eyes. They would welcome death as long as they all got to go together. The chuckling grew louder and Jack new their time was up. He wouldn't make it to the morning. This was it.
The End
(Just kidding!)
Jack blinked open his eyes. He was laying on the ground in the Dark Forest. He was still holding Rapunzel's hand and she was waking up next to him. On her other side Merida and Hiccup were waking up too.
It was still dark and he guessed it was still night though it seemed like he had been asleep for months. He glanced around in confusion. Where was the 'shadow?' Why were they still alive? This didn't make any sense.
"Hey Jack, look at this," Rapunzel gasped. He looked down at their hands. They were glowing a light gold color. So were Merida's and Hiccup's. They were all glowing gold.
"Did we cast a spell?" Merida asked.
"But we never said anything," Hiccup pointed out.
"You don't have to say anything to cast a spell," Jack argued.
"Yeah, but we haven't been taught how to do that yet," Hiccup stated. Jack opened his mouth to argue then decided against it. He was too happy to be alive to argue.
"So did we win? Is the 'shadow' dead?" Rapunzel asked. They all grew quiet and glanced around. There was no sign of the terrible monster.
"Indeed you did," a strong voice said from behind them. They jumped up and turned around, letting go of each other's hands in the process. Simpion was standing behind them looking healthy and strong again.
"But how?" Hiccup asked.
"Do you remember the story of Harry Potter?" Simpion asked. Hiccup nodded. "When Voldemort came to destroy him his mother threw herself in front of him to protect him. That act of love and sacrifice saved Harry and destroyed Voldemort.
"That only shows that there are other types of magic in this world. Yes we have spells and curses, but what about love and friendship. Those are just as powerful magic that only a few can harness and use. I believe you are some of the few," Simpion finished. They glanced at each other. By now their hands had stopped glowing, but they still felt warm.
After a moment's hesitation they all rushed into a giant embrace where they ended up rolling on the ground. Simpion laughed at their actions and stomped one of his hooves.
"Oh Hiccup, there's someone who wants to see you," Simpion added after they broke apart. Hiccup looked at him hopefully. Simpion smiled as Toothless soared into the clearing and landed in front of Hiccup. He was perfectly intact and healthy.
"Toothless," Hiccup cried. He ran forward and embraced his dragon. As he did Jack noticed something glittery out of the corner of his eye. Curious he bent down to investigate it. Wedged into the ground was a shiny black stone. It looked oddly familiar to him, but Jack couldn't think of where he'd seen it. Shrugging he stuffed it in his pocket then turned to celebrate with his friends.
A/N:
I am like eternally forever absolutely positively so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so sorry for not updating in foreverrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rrrrrrr. I have been like so caught up in high school and now I've got all this drama going on with my friends and it really sucks so I've been all depressed lately. Please forgive me and please keep reading and reviewing. I'm also sorry for this chapter because it's very possible that it sucks because I wrote it at like midnight tonight and I was too tired to reread it so yeah. I hope it all makes sense and is spelled right and everything. If not I am so sorry. It seems like all I do is apologize now. Gosh my life totally sucks right now. It's nice to get away from it all and just write. I gotta do this more often. Well I hope you liked this and once again I'm really sorry for the long wait. I would say thinks to everyone who reviewed and list you out, but I'm just too tired. But thanks anyways. You guys are the best.