Spirit Bonded Siblings

by KelseyAlicia

My 4th HTTYD. Life has changed for Hiccup dramatically and now he's about to face his toughest challenges yet. He and his new little sister Una have had a strong bond ever since they met. Now their bond is put to the test. As they go on a journey of self-discovery and learn the true meaning of being a brother and sister and nothing on Berk will be the same ever again!

25. The Dragon Soul's Keeper

The Dragon Soul's Keeper

Astrid was hurrying to Hiccup's home hoping to catch him. Though it was still like two and half hours before even nightfall something strange had been going on for nearly two weeks at the Haddock's household. And she was determined to find out what the hell was going on!

But when she got there and knocked loudly she found Una opening the door and that looking over her shoulder she saw Valka was finishing mixing some type of a brew up. She saw strange jars and some plants in a basket nearby that she didn't recognize.

"Hi, Astrid! What brings you here today?" Una asked brightly at the same time she was blocking the doorway. Astrid tried to get a better look inside but Una refused her entry till her mommy had gone upstairs with that weird concoction. Once Valka was upstairs in Hiccup's room Una finally let Astrid inside the house.

"About time you let me in! If I didn't know better I'd say you're trying to keep me out. Which I don't understand why I'm being treated with such disrespect. What's going on here, Una?" she demanded in an accusing tone to which Una blinked in surprise.

"I don't know why you're being disrespectful to me at the moment. I've not done anything wrong. Would you like to play a game with me?" she asked innocently as she pointed to some little colored metal balls on the floor inside a chalk circle. "I call it marbles. Hiccup and I came up with a few days ago. It's fun!"

Astrid looked madder than her shirt was red and crossed her arms. "Please don't take me for an idiot, Una. Your brother didn't fool me like he did everyone else with his perfect ways in Dragon Training. I knew there was a certain reason he got so good. So what's going on? Where's Hiccup?"

"He's sleeping," Una replied honestly then added, "So do you want to play marbles with me? It's quiet enough we shouldn't wake him up."

"ASLEEP?! What in the name of Odin is he doing asleep before its even dark? I mean I'm not the only one in the village to notice he's been going to 'sleep' very early and 'sleeping' really late. So talk! What's really going on for nearly two weeks now?" she shrieked rudely at the little girl with her hands on her hips with an extremely irritated expression on her attractive features. It looked like Astrid was seriously infuriated by all this strangeness and didn't want to be told a bunch of 'lies' anymore.

"Astrid! Watch that tone of yours! I won't have you or anyone show such disrespect to my children or in my house. Even if you're going to be my own future daughter-in-law one day! Mind your manners please!" snapped Valka furiously as she came downstairs with a large empty golden goblet in her left hand.

Astrid hung her head shamefully and answered back softly. "Sorry for my rudeness, Valka and to you too, Una. All the same I can't help but feel you're keeping some type of secret from the village and from me. And I'm extremely curious as to the reason why Hiccup's sleeping so much. The whole village has noticed and desires an answer as to why the Chief isn't around so much."

"It's because Hiccup been the Chief for nearly a year, Astrid, he's so worn-out. He's really feeling it right now. You really expect a kid, even if he's practically 21 himself now, to really not get burned out and deathly exhausted from the demands of a to a certain extent selfish and ungrateful village?" she began to enlighten her son's true love as she snorted with anger then clutched her fist and threw her long reddish-brown locks over her shoulder. She even slammed her first angrily into the wall and screamed a second before regaining some composure and continued on.

"Almost no-one on this whole island with a few exceptions seems to realize just how hard, stressful, demanding and exhausting being the Chief is! Or how it's not easy for someone who still a kid in many ways, like this whole damn island can be utterly clueless!

He's just extremely burned out from all the crap he's dealt with for nearly a year and is just trying to get some extra rest is all. Surely you at least can understand that, Astrid?" Valka asked as she finished explaining with her fury little by little leaving her beautiful and kind voice. She took a few deep breaths and then went back to the table with all those peculiar ingredients on it.

Astrid seemed to be thinking it over for a moment and had a thoughtful look cross her beautiful features. Tossing her blond braid over her shoulder she walked over to the table and nearly slipped on Una's toy marbles, but managed to keep her balance.

Still her mommy looked up for a second from what she was doing. "Una? Honey, could you please pick up your toys? I need make dinner soon and I rather not break my neck on your marbles. So be a dear and clean them and your other toys up?"

"Yes, Valka-mommy! Excuse me, Astrid, one of my turquoise painted marbles is by your right foot. Thanks." Una quickly picked up all the marbles put them in a drawstring bag. Then she picked up her other toys which were a small doll that kinda looked like a Valkyrie, a small container filled with rusty red and greenish molding clay and a small number of painted wooden blocks which had some letters on one side and on the other side was pictures of different dragons.

She couldn't really carry it all at once so Astrid took the small metal container with the molding clay and some of the blocks. The little girl smiled appreciatively at the pretty blond girl who smiled kindheartedly back at her.

Una then walked to a small painted wooden box which was obviously a toy box as when she opened it she saw other playthings inside and they carefully organized them so the fit properly and then closes the lid which had Una's name and the word 'toys' in etched onto it. The whole thing was painted with hearts made from lilacs Una's favorite thing in the whole world. So it was very cute and charming at the same time.

"Thank you, Astrid! It was very nice of you to help me!"

"Welcome, Una."

"Is there anything else you need me to do, Valka-mommy?"

"You and Nightrainbow can go and get a few things I'll need to make us dinner. We're out of a few things and if you could go fetch them that be great. Here's the list you'll need, sweetheart," Valka requested kindly as she gave her daughter the list.

"Alright! I'll be back in two shakes of a lamb's tail! C'mon, Nightrainbow! Let's fly!" and almost as fast as a whirlwind the child and her beautiful dragon were out the door singing beautifully as they zoomed super-fast leaving a rainbow comet behind them.

"She's a good kid. Do you need some help with all this weird stuff? Or is this part of your special dinner?" Astrid inquired in a curious and hopeful tone.

"No need to butter me up, Astrid, you've already apologized. I just figured you'd might be able to figure out on your own why Hiccup's trying to get some extra sleep is all. You're his sweetheart after all. I'm sure you'd have noticed he's all but dead on his feet after all this time." Valka remarked wearily as the women started to put the stuff on the table away.

Astrid picked up one jar and sniffed it. It was a pleasurable aroma and she looked at a dark red mix of juice and some kinda berry in it. "What is all this stuff? What were you making a few moments ago, if it's okay for me to ask, I mean?"

"It's just a natural sleeping brew my own mother came up with. My father occasionally suffered from sleeplessness and she did some experimenting on her own. She'd had a bad reaction on one occasion to Gothi's remedy for a rash for poison ivy which didn't really help her out at all. I think she was allergic to one of the ingredients in Gothi's remedy, in view of the fact her rash got worse and not better.

After that that unfortunate incident my mother didn't really trust her or her medicine ever again. As a result unless she had no other choice she tried to fix a few things on her own. Sometimes it was a success, like with this sleeping potion of hers, other times like when she tried to cure something like a wart it was an epic failure. Win some loses some I guess." Valka chuckled at the recollections dancing in her head.

"Okay, so what's in this brew and why are you using it? Can't sleep?"

"It's a mixture of some warm yak milk, some chock cherries, both as berries and juice, some bread bits, a few special flowers, and surprisingly a bit of dragon nip. It does more then make dragons calm and happy. It also calms and relaxes humans and helps them sleep as well. The wonders of nature."

"Okay, sounds somewhat logical. But are you using this stuff?"

Laughing she shook her head. "I've been mixing it for Hiccup. He may be exhausted, Astrid, nevertheless every now and then even when you're dead on your feet your brain still won't let your body sleep. Therefore I've been mixing it for him to help him sleep.

It's just I don't have the knowledge of what exactly is the correct dosage or how potent it is. Consequently it's been a bit of trial and error. On the other hand in the long run at least he's sleeping and not having bad dreams too." Valka finished enlightening as she and Astrid finished gathering all the ingredients for the sleeping potion up and then put them up in a high cupboard and locked it.

"I understand why you've put that stuff on a high cupboard and locked. No need for someone to get mixed up with something that might not be healthy or safe for them. Una might get into it and get sick or nearly poisoned. Children are naturally curious after all."

"Well, I know Una won't get into it as she knows what that stuff is, but that is the reason still its locked up and high out of reach of others who might get into it. So, if the village really needs to be told, just tell them the Chief is just trying to get some extra rest for a while. As he's more burned out then a Monstrous Nightmare whose flame's gone out, alright? If they really got to know. Just don't mention the sleeping brew, alright? Though why my family personal business is any of the village's business to begin with I don't know!"

"I get why not having any privacy or being expected to do so much can be overwhelming and just not really fair. So, sorry again for being so rude and demanding. I guess I could've figured it out if I didn't let my own anger cloud my mind."

"It's perfectly understandable, Astrid. Unless you've lived with what I've lived and have had two Chiefs in the family to love and support you'd probably not get it like I do. You're welcome to stay for dinner if you want. I've got some extra chicken somewhere that Stormfly can have."

"That would be just fine, Valka. Thanks."

By this time Una came back with a large basket of the food and supplies needed to make dinner with and the girls all worked together to make a meal to be proud of and it wasn't so bad tasting in the end either.

Before Astrid left both Valka and Una did inform her of something Hiccup had meant to tell her. He wanted her and the gang to help the children of the village have a better understanding of the dragons, and learn strong moral values and lessons of hard work and responsibility. So they'd be a stronger community.

Asking what they meant by that they said Hiccup wanted Astrid to help escort and care for the younger children in the Dragon Nursery with Skullette and Firefang to try and teach them some of those things. And if the rest of the gang could do similar things that they'd discuss later. Astrid assured them she'd help out with that and they get it started the day after tomorrow. With a loving hug Astrid left to go home and Valka and Una then played with the marbles.

They only glanced once up at the ceiling where Hiccup was sleeping with Toothless too. They hadn't been lying as to one reason why Hiccup was sleeping so much. They just didn't tell Astrid there was a second reason as to why Hiccup was sleeping so much.

Since he and Toothless were very busy right now spending as much time possible in the Realm between the Realms helping their younger siblings Boden and Stardust get ready for their upcoming job as Keeper and Trainer of the Dragon Souls in Valhalla. Since given the fact you could only access the Realm whilst you slept they'd hoped the sleeping potion gave them some extra time.

Again as no two Realms had the same flow of time and that also was true for the Realm between the Realms, they're trying anything to give the boys more time together. As a result both Stoick and Valka, who had taught the recipe for the sleeping brew to her husband before her abduction, hoped by giving the boys the potion to make them both fall asleep quicker and sleep longer, they'd have more time to train and get Boden and Stardust ready for their very important and awesome responsibility.

So far the plan had seemed to be working. As both went to bed very early and it seemed that at least sunrise on both sides seemed to take longer too. Since again no-matter-what when the sun came up whether in Valhalla or Earth didn't matter which was first you'd be forced back to your body.

It's just as Valka said the effects of the potion could be quite potent and as result while you fell asleep almost the second it pass your lips, you still had a hard time coming out of it. Still a little extra sleep was what both boys needed all the same. Same seemed to be true for the dragons as both Toothless and Stardust had some too to knock them out flat in less than a second.

So while Una and Valka and their dragons played with the marbles things upstairs were going pretty smooth for the most part.

Hiccup was sound asleep under the warm and beautiful blanket his mom had made for him for Snoggletog and he was smiling very happily as he dreamed and Toothless was matching him.

But where the boys were at the moment was still quite different. Right now Hiccup was with Boden going over the basic commands and hand signals as they reviewed things they'd been working on.

Boden had no problem coming up with a few of his own hand signals for Stardust. He had signals for what he called "lullaby hum" where he hummed and made a slight wave with his left hand. Stardust couldn't sing like her younger brother Nightrainbow. Though she did make a humming sound when she was trying to calm others down.

Another thing he had taught her to do with a hand signal was what he called shimmer. When he wanted her to shimmer as Silver Phantoms scales can be quite shimmery in the light was he shivered slightly with a smile and then placed his hands over his chest for a second.

"Well, what do you think, bro? I know it's not really battle ready or things of that nature, but it is akin to her personal nature. Stardust as you may've notice is very much a sweetheart who is as kind as she is beautiful but brave as she is loyal." Boden inquired as they gazed up at the skies above.

Stardust had chosen tonight conditions of the Realm. She chosen a starry night sky with dazzling diamond stars with a blazing comet streaking across the sky every so often.

"The hand signals are yours to choose for what you need, little brother. But me teaching Toothless to smile isn't exactly a battle thing either. More of a cute thing for myself. Still we've covered quite a bit and you do seem to be a natural at this. I mean you never fell off her that's for sure!" he said with a chuckle.

"I guess that is something, bro. Given how many times you've fallen off Toothless! Though he did throw you off that first time after you tried that first tailfin. He is sorry about it now." Boden added with a quick glance to Toothless.

"Did he just say that?" Hiccup asked as they mounted their dragons and he pointed to Toothless.

Shaking his head Boden looked a bit sad and embarrassed. "I've yet to really master or completely comprehend this blessing of mine of hearing dragons thoughts. I can hear Stardust no problem. Her voice is nice and clear and quite angelic to be honest. But I've tried to understand other dragons and it's just not as clear. I've worked really hard at it too."

"We all need to fail sometimes, Boden. It's how we learn. We learn from failures and mistakes not instant success without hard work and struggling to achieve a goal. You know that right?" Stardust tried to reassure him kindly as the brothers and their dragons who were brother and sister started to do the next part of training.

Hiccup had been doing all he could to help by remembering each lesson he had taught to his friends over the years. Right now he was teaching them about trust. Which first meant trusting your dragon to catch you then guide you in times of no sight.

"Alright I'm gonna jump off Toothless and not active my flight suit. I'll trust him to catch me. Then you and Stardust can do it. Then we'll try flight training when you need to trust Stardust to do things you cannot. Understood?"

"Yep, we understand. Though we should make sure Kara understands. She's not gonna be too crazy about this part of the training I can tell you that, Hiccup!" Boden said softly as the golden winged woman flew up to them.

"May I ask you, Hiccup, what exactly is tonight's training exercise going to be? You've done a great deal of basic training on flying and other things that are pretty much safe as they can be. On the other hand learning dragon calls, hand signals, basic flying and how each species is personally, doesn't seem dangerous. Though I've an inkling you're about to do something that might be a bit dangerous even for this location. What exactly are your two doing tonight?" she asked sternly.

"It's gonna be a trust exercise. Though how it's dangerous here or in Valhalla I don't know. Since we can't die here and you can't die again in Valhalla. But part of bonding with a dragon is trusting them enough to know they'll be there for you in times you cannot save yourself."

"You're gonna jump off Toothless and expect him to catch you? Like you want Boden to do the same with Stardust, I take it that's the exercise?" she asked a bit fearfully.

"Yep, that's what we're doing. I did it before over the open sea and Toothless caught me and that was in the real world and without my flight suit. Don't worry, Kara. It'll be fine."

"It may seem fine, Hiccup, still I've got a responsibility here and that's to make sure you and your family doesn't get hurt. And if you may fail to recall while this Realm itself is only limited by your imagination, you still can get hurt to some degree. You did feel real pain when you two and Una all smacked into each other first time here, remember?"

"Yes, we do know it's slightly concerning, Kara. We've not forgotten, still I need to make sure I've absolutely faith and trust within Stardust. I need to have no fear and know without even slight panicking that she'll be here for me. So we've got to do this trust exercise. Please? I've got so much still to learn and a very short time to learn it. So please, Kara?" Boden pleaded with the beautiful Valkyrie.

Sighing she nodded. "I'll be standing by if this goes wrong but I do understand it's necessary nonetheless. Just please don't do anything stupid, okay?" I'll be nearby but I won't intervene unless it gets too deadly. So proceed," as she fluttered about twenty feet away and hovered.

"Okay, Toothless, ready to do this? Make sure your sister is paying close attention, okay, bud?"

Toothless nodded and just let Hiccup slowly fall off him and plummet to the ground below. Kara waited anxiously doing her best to restrain her impulse to go in and save him. Then just when she couldn't take it anymore Toothless zoomed in caught Hiccup and they flew up and smiled.

"See? Nothing too it. You've got to let go of your fear and distrust and just have faith and trust that your dragon will come through for you. Don't be scared you can do this, little brother. So just fly high as you can and just take a leap of faith here!"

"You sure you want to do this, Stardust? You feel we can do this?" Boden asked nervously as she flew higher and faster to the heavens her natural habitat.

"You'd think I'd let my best friend get hurt or anything bad at all to happen? You really think I want to disappoint my own big brother? We can do this. Together as one. No fear but unshakeable faith and unbreakable trust! If we can do this one then we can do much more when the time comes. So let's get too it!"

"She's ready, Hiccup. Okay let's do this! On the count of three I'm gonna free fall and let's see if this trust and faith thing works! Odin still watch over us and keep Kara's blazing speed up too!" Boden prayed. Taking a deep breath they had gone as high as possible he then let himself fall off and free fall.

It was sorta of an amazing feeling. Just being totally free and touching nothing but just touching the sky itself and it was weird and cool at the same time. He kept his dark green eyes closed for a good amount of time but couldn't take it and finally after about two minutes opened them and looked at how the Realm was acting.

As sensing his lacking trust the weather began to falter some and he was slowly panicking. As the sky became more chaotic Hiccup called out to his little brother.

"Don't panic, Boden! Just relax! Don't let your fear get the better of you! Have faith!" though he looked worried as did Kara who was almost ready to zoom down and catch him.

But then the sky became calm and tranquil again and Stardust flew like an elegant silver serpent slithers across the dewy grass. She was a shimmering streak of silver and Toothless seemed impressed by this as she finally caught him and flew back up.

Everyone let out a big sigh of relief. This was a big step in the training. More than anything else they'd done before. But it looked like things were progressing smoothly.

"Hey! We did it! Stardust and I did, Hiccup! We did it! It was scary but I guess trusting can be scary! But that was so freakin' cool and scared the crap out of me at the same time! But totally exhilarating at the same time!"

"Glad you feel that way, Boden. I feel for one if I wasn't immortal my heart would've stopped on that one. But you may finish your trust exercises but please don't scare the crap out of me!" Kara begged them as the brothers nodded and the rest of the night covered more of trusting and dealing with different flying weathers. It was very productive but sooner or later you've to wake up.

Before sunrise came on Earth Hiccup gave his progress report to his younger brother and Toothless and his sister Stardust seemed to be talking about what they felt needed to be improved.

"I'll say this, Boden. You and Una are a lot better at dragon training then Dad was at first. You also learned quicker and are much better at it then all of my friends! Even my girlfriend wasn't this good when we started at this. Though she was the most competent out of everyone else when we first started. She's beautiful, tough and deadly all at once. Just like Stormfly!" he added with a chuckle.

"It's nice to know I'm really a Haddock. Even if I'm merely adopted into the family it's nice to know I'm still a natural one nonetheless. Tell Mom I hope she's sleeping alright. I know this can't be easy on her with both her sons being alone doing this. She naturally wants to be with us I can feel that one."

"I know Mom isn't always happy with this current arrangement, but she does understand that this isn't simply me helping my little brother out with dragon training. It's also about us finally getting some quality alone time. So she understands that part, but I can tell she's scared, worried and concerned like any mother would be. Even if we're here in this place."

"And with our own guardian Valkyrie watching over us. But I can sense sunrise is coming so we'll meet again as soon as possible right? We'll take the sleeping brew again two and half hours before dark? To ensure we can as much time as possible right?"

"Correct. Though I do admit while our souls are busy all night my body is at least getting the recuperation it really needs. I don't think Astrid understands but I really am almost dead on my feet from being Chief for nearly a year! It's a lot more hard work than anyone realizes! And yeah it can be so draining you're like a walking corpse at times! That's how drained and tired I feel lately. So at least that sleeping potion helps my body still! So see you again really soon, bro. Love you, Boden." Hiccup said as they hugged.

"Love you too, big brother. I'll work on what I can and we'll continue tomorrow night, okay? Oh, and Stardust says to tell you she loves you too and can't wait to see you and her big brother again!"

With a laugh both boys return to their proper places. It did take a while for Hiccup to fully come out of the grog he was in but he eventually did. His mom was at the foot of his bed awaiting news on how things were going with her other son and wanting to know what she could offer for help.

This was what it had been like for the past two weeks. Still yawning some he quickly relayed what had been going on and what was planned for the next three nights.

Una snuck in at this time and hugged him tightly asking about how Boden and Stardust were doing and if Boden had asked about her. This was the family private time and while others in the village may think it was their personal business why their Chief did some things, ultimately it was no more their business what the Haddocks were doing then it was their business what went on in someone else's household.

Astrid at least was being a bit less irritable and told Hiccup later that morning she would do what he asked and was going to take care of the rest of the gang for him.

However she also warned him to not to overdo it on the sleeping potion or he might be out cold for longer than he wanted. Too much of anything was a bad. He laughed, kissed her and assured her he knew what she meant and they try a lesser dose next time.

So while things in the waking world were doing alright for the next few days and Hiccup and Boden still trained as hard as they could at night it was becoming slightly obvious that they might want to lay off the brew for a few days and let him sleep naturally as he was becoming a bit too groggy.

So three nights later he agreed to just fall asleep naturally and let his system get back to normal and only go back to it if he really needed it. So three nights later he manage to fall into a natural sleep and not a sleep aid induced one.

Things had really were going well with the brothers and Toothless and his sister Stardust seemed to be having plenty of fun too. But after so much training and stress they all felt it was time to just kick back and relax and just have some fun.

So right now the whole family and even Kara were just relaxing under the beautiful and magnificent family tree by that perfect and gorgeous obsidian lake, all of them eating as many tasty treats they could imagine strawberries to be in. Even if they're totally made up or insane they just conjured up whatever they wanted no matter how insane or ridicules it was. But having a whole buffet of crazy but delicious strawberry treats was a treat in itself!

The dragons were even trying a dish of strawberry Ruff-cream. Hiccup had actually was gonna try do what Ruff and Tuff suggested when they became intelligent after contracting eel pox.

He thought it sounded sweet and interesting even if Gobber found it 'barbaric'. But like Skullette and Firefang pointed out. It's those who are different and think for themselves that change the world. And it did seem like a good idea to try anyway.

So he had pushed a small bowl of creamy soft and delicious looking Ruff-cream which he at least sounded a bit better than Tuff-cream in front of Toothless and slide another over to Stardust.

Toothless was a bit unsure about the new desert and was sniffing it as if it was poison. Stardust on the hand sniffed it once and licked it and soon was eagerly consuming it. She spoke in her own way to her older brother.

It sounded like to Hiccup that she was telling her big brother to stop being a hatchling and eat it as it was sweet and delicious. So he then licked himself and soon both dragons were busy stuffing their faces. Which made the brothers and Kara laugh amusing at the sight.

"I guess that's one thing we can use when we don't have enough dragon nip to calm the dragons. It doesn't appear to make them sick as some human food does to dragons. So I'll make a note that at least strawberry flavored Ruff-cream is something dragons like. And this strawberry cake with all this flavored creamy stuff you added, bro, is quite tasty as well! Hmm. I'm in Valhalla. Well, yeah I reside there but you know what I mean!" Boden added with an amusing chuckling for copying his older brother's sense of humor.

Hiccup laughed so hard he chocked for a second and Boden rushed over to try and help but Hiccup waved him off. Coughing a second he assured him he was fine. "Thanks, Boden, but I'll be fine. It just went down the wrong tube when I laughed, I'm okay now. Okay I'm okay."

"I'd hope so, Hiccup! I don't know when your last day is but I'm confident is a long ways away, still you never know for sure when we met our demise. Still do be more careful. Rules here are strange still." Kara warned him as she herself looked him over before she was satisfied he was alright.

"Thanks for the concern, both of you. It's really appreciated. So how about we just relax and try talking about something else for a while?"

At that moment Stardust was looking eagerly at Toothless and acted a bit excited, kinda like Una did when she was wanting a bedtime story. Stardust spoke in her angelic dragon voice which was as beautiful sounding as the voice Boden heard in his head.

She looked eagerly at Toothless and softly spoke in dragon language and curled up contently as Toothless seemed to laugh at what seemed to be an in-joke and grinned his toothless smile and curled up closer to his own sister and they began to talk softly to each other. As if Toothless was telling his own style of bedtime stories and Stardust just simply listened fully enchanted and with a contented smile.

"They look so happy and loving with each other. Like how we're with Una. I just wish I really knew what was really going on. But I'm not a Dragon Whisperer like you, Boden. You sure you can't attempt to translate a bit of what they're talking about? Or what this in-joke is?" Hiccup slightly begged to his little brother.

"Well, again I've yet to fully master this whole Dragon Whispering thing as you call it. Cool name for it though. Like it. What do you think, Stardust? Or you, Kara? That I'm also a Dragon Whisper and not just about to become the Keeper and Trainer of the Dragon Souls?"

"I think it's a cool nickname, very clever on your part, Hiccup. Though I think that the dragons are bit too preoccupied eating more Ruff-cream which they just conjured up themselves. Hope they don't get a brain freeze from it the way they're going at it with that stuff," Kara added thoughtfully as she at a slice of strawberry cake and sipped something that Hiccup was conjuring up.

It was a sweet cold beverage similar to the strawberry flavored Ruff-cream. He said it was mixing the Ruff-cream with some syrupy made by some strawberries and mixing it together with a few other things and that it took some shaking to get it right. So he was calling it a strawberry flavored yak milkshake. Something he really wanted to try again to make for real when he got back to real world. He was smart enough to figure out a lot of things so maybe with a crazy suggestion or two he'd also make a lot of this crazy stuff that the family been dreaming up here in the Realm! Worth a try if it was a tasty here in this Realm as it was!

So everyone slurped nosily a few moments on their thick milkshakes and shivered once. Then got back to the subject on hand.

"Never thought of a dragon getting a brain freeze but that sounds very funny all the same. So glad you like that new nickname. So as Dragon Whisperer can you at least attempt to tell me what they're saying?"

"Again, Stardust is so far the only one whose 'voice' comes in crystal clear. The most I've got from the rest of the family dragons? I can feel their emotions and see like fading dreamlike images connected to strong emotional times. So I'm very much empathic at the moment, but can I hear Toothless or Nightrainbow clearly yet? No. Nevertheless I'm little by little improving.

I can at least tell you this much, Hiccup. I do have some sense of some of Mom's dragon Cloudjumper's feelings and emotions. His seems to be the strongest I've gotten and the clearest I've gotten."

"Like what have you've felt or understood about Mom's dragon?"

"Well," he said rubbing the back of his neck and tugging his short auburn ponytail a second, "I've been able to pick up clearly his own intense feelings about encountering Mom for the first time and how their bond was just instant.

A feeling he never could quite put into words, human or dragon! Though I do sense he does feel a lot of regret about leaving you motherless and Dad wifeless for two decades. I just get the feeling from his memories I'm able to pick up and his emotions connect to that moment, he thought he was doing the right thing at the time.

His mindset that night was our dad was the one endangering Mom and he was trying to rescue her and also just felt she was meant to be with him. Though I can also sense and understand he would've brought her home if she had told him too.

I also getting the feeling he might've wanted to do it without her permission but Mom was even with a broken heart doing what she felt was best for you and Dad. So he just honored her feelings. Though he did come close a few time of returning her against her will. That I'm able to pick up pretty well from some of the time I spent with him."

"Wow, that is intense and I guess nice to know that Cloudjumper loved Mom but also wanted to bring her back to me. Even if he honored her wishes, that at least is a good quality. Still at least knowing for sure he does regret taking Mom away from me before I could even remember her does bring me some closure. I've never since meeting him have ever really been truly angry with him for it or giving me my scar. Still I don't hold it against him, still I can't help but wonder what my life be like if Mom had raised me too."

"Well, as Mom said to Heather we can't dwell on the 'what ifs' of life. We've to accept what happens, happens and just deal with what is."

"Besides, Hiccup everything in all the Nine Realms happens for a reason, whether we ever understand that reason, isn't as important of just understanding things happen for a reason.

Like your mother being taken from you lead you to become who you're meant to be. The boy with the heart of a chief and soul of a dragon. The one meant to bring these two worlds together as one. And your father dying had to happen to make you stronger.

Unfair were both incidents and unpleasant? Yes. But still each happened for a reason whether we figure it out or like what we figure it is again that' s part of life and it's the same in any Realm." Kara reminded him wisely.

"I do understand. Doesn't mean I like it. But I do understand everything in life happens for a reason."

"Well, I think I can cheer you up some. I'm getting a bit stronger indication what our dragons are talking about and how they feel about being siblings themselves."

"Oh, whatcha got?"

"Toothless laughed because Stardust joked about how Nightrainbow says something similar to what Una says when she wants a bedtime story. Nightrainbow has special song he sings when he wants a bedtime story from Toothless and Stardust finds it amusing as does Toothless."

"How does this little song go?"

"Well, I'm not as musically talented as our sister is, but I'm getting better at my panpipes Dad gave me for Snoggletog. Though I'll give it my best shot. Roughly translated Nightrainbow's bedtime request song goes like this."

"Please sing me a story or sing me a rhyme about once upon time. I love to hear all about what happened once upon a time! When you sing me a story big brother it all seems brand new as though I've heard it sung for the very first time! So please sing me a story I love to hear them from you, big brother! For when you sing me a story or rhyme it's always as if it I'm hearing it for the very first time!"

"Quite charmingly cute. Maybe Una can pick a bit of that up since she's so musically inclined herself. Didn't think though Toothless be one to 'sing' or tell a story at all."

"He feels as strongly about his younger sister and little brother as you do for both me and Una. He knows they matter more than any of the other dragons in the world and that family comes first and isn't about blood as much as it's about love. That one thing I can pick up from the whole family's dragons. I've got no doubt on that one!"

"Good to know you feel the same way about your siblings as I do, Toothless. Again you never ceases to amaze me, buddy. Though I wonder what kinda of tales you sing to Nightrainbow or Stardust about. Is the same ones I tell to Una? About my past adventures?"

"I'm sure he tells both Nightrainbow and Stardust a lot of those kinda tales. Though I'd think he might mention a few things to them both about life before encounter you, bro."

"I've told Una a lot about my past secret feelings and moment I've never shared with another human. Mostly when we met in the Spirit Cavern. Though for bedtime stories she tends to request more of my adventures with Toothless and everyone. Though I do admit I've told a few more tales of my life before my destiny. Still she really seems to like my adventures with Toothless more than anything else."

"Well, we both found it amusing the tales Dad told us too. We liked some of the stories he told us about your adventures. I really like the one when you went on a treasure hunt over a painting to prove yourself to Dad.

One of the reasons I really like that story is for the reason that we've the family portrait in the living room in our Spirit House and Dad made sure that was painted correctly the first time when we got it and not a false image. So at least I didn't have to get buried alive twice. It's just really special to be part of a family and it's a very nice painting.

Then again Dad has also told a few amusing tales of his own life before your birth and some of his early days in his and Mom's marriage. I can tell you their first week as husband and wife wasn't easy. Or at least getting out of bed wasn't easy at first because Dad once after celebrating their first week together had gone well he overindulged on his own special wine and having a 400 pound hung-over husband wasn't easy for Mom to deal with and she really had to clean the bed sheets like three times because of that hangover. Won't go further into it but you can guess what happened."

"Yeah, I did see Dad a few times in my life have too much to drink and when he did get hung-over it wasn't fun for me either to get him sober enough to do his chiefly duties. So I've got an idea of what Mom went through when Dad had too much. He stopped overdoing it about when I was ten or eleven. After that time it was just very rare to happen, though Gobber is a worse drunk. He's still happy but harder to get sober sometimes harder to get him sober then give him a bath ugh!" which caused the brothers to laugh.

"So is there something more you want to tell me about your past, brother?"

"Like what do you want to know?"

"Well, you've already told me and Una all about your life with Toothless and all the amazingly cool adventures you've gone on. I'd like to know something from your childhood that happened before Toothless."

"Well, I'll share one thing for now. It's about the first I told a lie and why it's so easy to guilt me into telling the truth."

"I was about Una's age and it was about midsummer. I was inside my house just playing with my own toys not wanting to be with the other children, again because I was already different and not really wanted. I was already even as a child considered too weak and too small, not a Viking at all, stuck in a place I obviously didn't belong in."

"Still very painful after all these years, isn't, Hiccup? All pain fades with time, but still doesn't mean the hurt it caused doesn't linger forever. Being basically outcasted and mistreated since the time you could crawl? I can imagine even now it wouldn't be easy to let it all go." Kara remarked in a motherly tone.

"Nope, it sure isn't. Still, it was twilight time and I was home alone as Dad was busy with things in the village and so I was just playing with my toys alone on the floor. Then when I was getting bored with that wishing Dad come home and play with me I threw one of my toys in frustration at the wall. Well, the toy hit the wall and caused a chain reaction of many things to fall off the wall and a nearby shelf and also smash to pieces something at the time my dad valued very much. The thing I smashed with my toy was the skull of the first dragon my dad ever slayed."

"Oh, crap! That does sound bad! Breaking anything is bad, but that sounds like you'd be in hotter water then even a Scauldron could spray! Oh my gods! So whatcha do besides panic?"

"Well, my first reaction was to panic and I did for a few minutes act like a chicken with its head cut off. Then I hastily tried to clean up everything thing, again not easy as I was five and well still weak. Did the best I could as fast as I could but there was nothing I could do about that skull. It was smash to pieces. So best I could do was literally sweep it under a rug and then I heard Dad's footsteps and I bolted. I hurried up to my room and tried to pretend I was asleep. I really didn't want to be yelled at or punished or whatever Dad had in mind for me ruining his most prized possession.

Well, I was cowering under the blanket and heard Dad downstairs calling my name, but I was too scared to go and face him. So I just stayed hidden. Finally Dad came up the stairs and was in my room and I was still cowering under the covers.

He then told me to come on out and be a real warrior. For real Viking warriors face their problems, troubles and dangers of life even when they're scared to death. So even though he sounded very angry and I was still super scared I came out from under the covers but still refused to look at him.

He first asked if I was alright and not hurt by the mess downstairs looked like a dragon had ransacked the house. I admitted I wasn't hurt, still not looking at him. He then asked me if a dragon had gotten into the house while he'd been at the Great Hall all night and that's why everything was a mess downstairs and if it was a dragon seeking revenge by breaking his prized skull to pieces and trying to hide it under the rug."

"What did you do? Lie? Or were you that easy to guilt into the truth?"

"Well, I tried to lie because like anyone else on the planet I didn't want to be in trouble or yelled at for even causing something by accident. I was trying to first say that yeah some dragon got into the house while I was upstairs napping. But I finally looked up at him when he was just staring at me with his arms crossed and I caved."

"So what did Dad do then? When you told him that you're the one who destroyed that skull even it was by accident? How mad was he?"

"Well, to my personal surprise he didn't yell at me which was a relief. He seemed happy I had told the truth explaining how things got busted up downstairs. Still he did say he was a bit upset that the skull was broken but he was happy just the same I hadn't lied.

He said Mom never liked lying herself and had said it herself that telling the truth no matter how painful it might be or the trouble it causes makes you a better person then even living with a smidgen of guilt and dishonor in your head.

So I've never been good at lying anyway but I guess the real reason it's so easy to make me tell the truth even when I've tried to lie when I needed too I really didn't want to make Mom upset with me. I guess I felt deep down if I did manage to lie completely without telling the whole truth from the start I'd be disrespecting her. And I never in my whole life wanted to disrespect Mom even when we thought she was dead. So I guess that's the real reason I don't lie or can't lie to be honest."

"Wow. Well, I guess that is a good reason. I guess Dad doesn't know that one, though, he just said it was always easy to get you to speak the truth without much effort. You should tell Mom that story though. She needs to hear that one."

"I'll sing her that story if you sing me the stories I desire most to hear tonight."

"Come again? I don't really know what stories I can tell you, bro. As you know very well both Una and I cannot recall anything from our lives before our deaths other than the last four days alive. The earliest memories I've got of my last four days alive was simply us already in the ocean sailing and then that family of Night Furies leading us to safety to wait out the coming storm. So what story do you expect me to sing?" Boden asked dumbfounded as he picked up his panpipes for a minute and played a tune on them.

"Hmm, still needs work. I'm again not naturally talented at music as Una is. Still I think I can learn to play these things pretty well if I keep at it. Music does help soothe all living things, after all."

"Well, there is two stories I've been dying to hear from you personally. Something Una cannot tell me. I've wanted to hear these two stories from your mouth in your words since we came here for the first time. So how about you sing me a story about once upon a time?"

"And what stories can I tell about once upon a time you want to hear that Una cannot tell you? That you want from me personally?" he asked nervously as he fiddles with his panpipes some more.

"Sing to me and Toothless about what your first few days in Valhalla were like and then tell me the one I want to hear most. How Dad's first few days in Valhalla were and how you and Una really became part of the family? I want your side of things told from your perspective. Una cannot tell me that and she honestly hasn't been totally in-depth with telling me in great details how things in Valhalla were. So please, little brother, sing me those stories. I need them. I really need them."

Smiling he picked up the panpipes and played an enchanting melody one that Kara vocalized some harmonies too. Stardust and Toothless looked up from their conversation as Boden and the world of the Realm changed and faded as he told his own tale.

"Well, I can still honestly remember the last moment I was alive. I remember trekking through the woods heading back to check the boat. It was still awful muggy and the ground was very unstable from three days of nonstop rain. Still I kept going and then I heard a sound I've not forgotten in all the time I've been dead.

I was near those intertwined trees when I heard a sound that sounded like the very Earth was being blown up and came unglued at once! I heard it and felt it and then I looked up frozen with fear as that wall of mud and earth just came at me faster than you can blink! I tried to run but even when I did that I didn't make it any farther than those intertwined trees which were of course much smaller at the time. I then had the earth bury me alive and then one minute saw that the world come down on me, the next? Oblivion just darkness and when I came too again Kara was escorting me through the Golden Gates into Valhalla.

At first I didn't really comprehend what was going on. I didn't want to believe I was dead, which I think Kara you'll agree most souls if not all souls don't want to believe when they first pass through the Gates do they?" he called over his shoulder to which the beautiful winged woman nodded.

"Well, it was Spirit Sunrise of course as you know. Since the only way the Gem of Souls allows the Golden Gates to open is it must be Spirit Sunrise. There was the usual welcome of an aerial ballet show by the Valkyries and Kara always does something unique and special when she escorts a child into Valhalla."

"The day Boden arrived in Valhalla my personal dance for him that day was me free falling myself with cascades of golden sparkles all around me then transforming into a swan before I hit the ground surrounded by an explosion of golden shimmers and feathers and giving him a golden rose. And me personally welcoming him to Valhalla." Kara added in looking pleased with herself for when a child did die she also did something special to welcome them to the afterlife.

"That sounds amazing to hear and must've been more amazing to behold."

"It was. Though Kara did her best the first two weeks I was in Valhalla to make me feel at home and welcome. But I still felt very sad, depressed, and mostly just lonely."

"Is it because Una wasn't there with you or how long did it take you to realize you couldn't really remember anything?"

"Well, of course all who pass on feel for at least the first 72 hours the initial sadness and depression of knowing you're no longer alive. Or at least almost everyone does. There are a few who don't really feel it and go straight to partying. Which frankly is still super annoying and you really should take a few days to absorb the fact your dead and come to terms with it. Not just think because your no longer with the living everything gonna be a never-ending party!"

"Totally true, Boden. Listen to him, Hiccup. I'm not the only one amongst my many sisters who wish more people came to terms with their deaths and not just got to partying. A party fine once in a while, though in Valhalla lately it's still serious overkill. Ugh! Hopefully your guys' dad can at least restrain it some so we all don't get headaches again! Ugh!"

"Well, I promise you this now, Kara. When it's my time to come to Valhalla I won't be nothing but a stupid partier! I'll take the time to actually do what I really should do before I start thinking anything like that. I promise!'

"I'll hold you too it. But I know you'll keep it. So continue on with your tale, Boden."

"Well, after the first three days I finally came to terms with my own death. It was on the fourth day which again by Earth Time didn't mean I had been dead that long. Time is so strange and not really able to figure it out between the different Realms. So it's' best not to strain your brain trying to do the impossible!

But it was the fourth day from my perspective is when a whole new depression and sadness and panic set in. The Valkyries and the other departed souls after a welcoming party then show you around and give you the load down on all of Valhalla and everything that goes with it.

But the thing that was bad for me was with group I came with everyone was talking about the lives and asking all kinds of questions. Like when was your birthday? What was your family like? Did you have a pet? How did you die? Things of the nature.

It was then I realized all I knew about my own life was the last four days alive. I knew my name and I remembered Una and I knew how I had died. But how I lived? I didn't know that! Like how you're an outcast for most of your life? I suddenly was an outcast myself and lonely and abandoned. I was frighten and worse I was homeless and without a family.

Since traditionally they've family Spirit Homes and I had no memory of mine so I couldn't find out who my already departed relatives were or where they might reside. I'd hoped that my memories would return or at least someone would eventually claim me. But it never happened I waited years for someone to come through that Gate and say "My son! Boden! Oh how we've missed you, son! I love you!"

It never happened and being without memories, family or a home the afterlife which is supposed to be so wonderful and happy was bleak, gloomy and depressing. It was like dying each day and all I could think of was the only family I remembered was Una and I felt bad because I knew she was in that cave when I died but I still expected her to come through Gates one day and I've her and she bring our parents. But again nothing. You think people have bad attitudes and views on the living who are different? It can be worse in death.

No-one talked to me even! The only friend I had was Kara and she was the only one who paid any attention to me. I think I'd have lost my sanity if Kara hadn't at least been there to comfort me.

Then came the day you set Una free. It was weird but Kara and I were just playing a chess game and then the Gem of Souls acted crazy. It went into an explosion of color and light and Kara said she's never seen it behave that way. But it shined a spotlight on both of us and I heard you and Una and I cried. I knew after gods knows how many forsaken years I'd at least have my little sister back! So the Gate opened and a golden light enveloped both of us and well you remember what happened after that. And I was beyond elated to finally have my sister back, but I was even more elated to have you for a brother now too. It meant I finally had another family member!"

"I remember and I too was overjoyed too to have you two in my life even if it was so short between us. Is it when you three got back to Valhalla is that when you made this promise to take care of me or our parents or what? How did Dad and you both really get into the family on your end of things?"

"Well, both Una and I agreed and so did Kara when she escorted us both inside. It was the only time in all of history that a single soul came through the Gates and it wasn't even Spirit Sunrise! But the minute the three of us were back in Valhalla we all sorta swore no matter what we'd find a way to pay back your kindness and do something for the only one to ever give a damn about either of us.

Many years later by both times came the day Dad came to Valhalla. Kara could you explain that one a bit?"

"Well, I guess I better explain a little bit on what happens when someone like Stoick dies."

"How is my father's death different than any other death and soul that comes to Valhalla? Is it because he's a Chief that Chiefs get some special honor or something when they pass on? Gobber eulogy was beyond beautiful mind you. So was Dad's arrival just as beautiful?"

"Well, yes when a Viking Chief passes on it is a bit different. But also when someone does the most selfless and truest act of love there is. By sacrificing themselves for another? That's even more important and significant. So the Gem of Souls is kinda of in a way sentient to a degree and it does sorta give all of us a heads up of what kinda of souls are coming in that day. Like it glows a certain color or sings or something.

But never did it do what it did when your father died. It pulsated like crazy and it was just an explosion of blinding colors that had no names or had ever been seen before or since. And the song that went with it? Was one so beautiful you'd cry but you'd never remember it after it passed but it was still the most beautiful sound ever!

Everyone knew that day your father came that something was very special about one of the souls being escorted inside at that Spirit Sunrise and well your father was the first inside and when he came through everything in the whole Nine Realms was quite for a few seconds and he just looked and felt different than any other soul ever! Not only was he a Viking Chief which is already a great honor that deserves special recognition? But he had given his life for his only child! So wow! You don't get someone like that every day in life or death! So the party we had that night to welcome him and the other souls that we escorted in that day was one unforgettable party! And that was good reason to party and have fun! It was the one party I truly enjoyed and didn't have a problem with! You don't see many people have that much love, courage and selflessness in them! That is worth celebrating and honoring!"

"Wow! I can barely imagine that. It sounds beyond amazing! Wow! There are no real words I can give to describe how that makes me feel."

"Well, this is what you wanted most to hear, big brother. So here it is. The day our Dad came to Valhalla even before he died both me and Una who slept that night on the hill where the house we'd soon share was to be build we both had a dream. A dream that we never even told Dad or anyone about.

However, Hiccup, in this dream it was like no dream anyone living or dead has ever had before or ever will again! It was like feeling loved and wanted finally after an eternity of being unloved and like we didn't matter or even exist, you can't put into words what those feelings from this dream which I guess was now a premonition for both of us.

We'd feel strong loving arms around us holding us safe and warm. We felt joy and happiness and the kind of feelings only true family can make you feel. Safe, happy and belonging. Things both our hearts had once known among the living, but never amongst the dead.

Nevertheless, my brother, we had yearned all our deathtime to remember and feel those things once more and the glow from that dream filled us up like a small ember that slowly became a roaring inferno. It was like the Gods finally had had enough of us being outcasted, homeless, unwanted and unloved, therefore at long last they blessed the broken road that led us to you, Mom and Dad. Like after a very long journey we're finally going to be home. That's how that dream which we still couldn't put completely into words what we'd seen in it more what we felt.

We just both knew that this day in Valhalla would be different and change the course of our lives or afterlives to be more accurate forever. We knew it before the Gem of Souls went bonkers!

So we woke an hour before Spirit Sunrise and just ran faster than the wind to get to the Gates. Other souls were still sleeping and we just hurried down the Gates. We wanted to be the first ones there and we just knew something important was gonna happen.

Well, Kara may be the Valkyrie of Children but you've to admit yourself, Kara you do seem to be able to sense some things your sisters can't. Like you have a strong intuition of something special and important is to happen!"

"That is true. I was there too on the front lines even before my other sisters had come back from collecting the fallen adult souls. I knew something important and special was gonna happen and then of course we told you what happened with the Gem of Souls. Though what happened between the three of us and your father was something totally never happened before. I'd been Boden and Una's only friend and their caretaker since bringing them to Valhalla, though when your father came through the Gates? Something changed within all of us."

"It was indescribable feeling but the first three faces Dad saw when he came to Valhalla, Hiccup was ours. And when we saw him for the very first time? Yes we're all a bit intimidated and well, uncertain. On the other hand both me and Una knew without him even telling all of Valhalla who he was we knew without out doubt just by his eyes this was your dad, and we didn't even need him to tell his tale of his death to know why he was there.

Again most souls wait till the Valkyries have done their air ballet show then go to the Welcome to Valhalla party and then we tell our tales of our lives to our deaths. Yet Dad didn't even need to say one word, or at least not to the three of us. We knew all in our hearts who he was, how he died and why he died. It was more than just that dream it was like we KNEW!

We just looked at him and he looked at the three of us and there was an instant connection a bond a family bond just by looking at each other. Like he knew who we were without us telling him. I mean he did! Because after everyone else came through and was heading to the party he came right up to us and said,

"You must be Hiccup's little brother and sister, Boden and Una. I've waited a long time to meet the two special souls who gave my son such joy and love. Come I'd like know you too, so show me the wonders of this world. Please."

Boden had paused at the moment and everyone seemed to be holding their breath and just feeling this unsaid feeling that they all shared. The feeling that made you really feel and appreciated being loved, cared for and belonging to something that wasn't guaranteed. For their mother Valka was right beyond a shadow of a doubt with one thing she had said recently.

Nothing in life or even death is guaranteed. And everyday things that too many souls took for granted such as family, love, friendship and just belonging somewhere wasn't guaranteed either. So you should really appreciated and cherish it when you've these simple but desperately and essentially needed ordinary miracles for your heart and soul really needed them so never take them for granted ever!

As of that moment now Hiccup knew without a doubt the answer he had so long to know since the time of Una's rebirth and really wanted to know since being allowed into this special location which they sat at that moment. He finally knew what his heart had had to know for so long and it was very welcome to know the truth. A moment to truly be happy, grateful and joyful all at once!

That his father had already just by looking into his brother and sister's eyes had claimed them to be part of their family and that he had understood why both of them, even if he'd spent more time with Una, he hadn't disregarded Boden either, that his father had understood how much both meant to him. Furthermore that it appeared even before his death and arriving in Valhalla he'd already meant to take care of them, to love them as his own children, even before he'd died! He'd already decided that even if they'd been just souls at the time they'd already apart of the family. That he always saw them as his second son and his daughter and that if they had matter to him then they're already part of the family and nothing was gonna change that!

And though it had taken Boden longer to call their father Dad he still had done it and he knew now too, that his mom just by telling her about Una and Boden she too even if she hadn't met them till about a week later had already decided whenever she did meet them they'd be her son and daughter too. For since they'd meant so much to him than they did matter to his parents and this was why they're a family.

It looked like even the dragons had realized all this and for a moment there was silence but then the brothers just fell into each other arms and hugged and cried and soon their dragons and Kara was joining in the hug too. For she was always meant to watch over and protect them it was her duty long before she gave it to herself and that was special and important as well.

Then just when it felt that the moment couldn't get any more perfect something happen that again would change the course of everyone lives and destines and really change and challenge this unique but nevertheless very loving family.

They all heard a scream echoing so loudly it was the worst sound ever! It sounded like a child being murdered! That was exactly what the scream sounded like! And it was so bloodcurdling and horrific it was impossible to bear. But yet it was also so powerful it did something totally unexpected and what it did seemed impossible.

The moment after that scream penetrated the Realm between the Realms it was a like the same amount of the dragons firepower ferocity of when they defeated Drago's Bewilderbeast happened. It was that loud and powerful of an explosion and then everyone was blinded and then the next thing anyone knew everyone was yanked forcefully back to where they belonged and it happened so fast you got whiplash!

"Ahh! Oh my GODS! What was THAT?!" cried Boden as he woke with a start! Looking up out the window above Stardust's bed she glanced up and saw it was still the middle of the night here too! So it wasn't likely that it was dawn on Earth yet etiher! So what in hell just happened?!

"Boden! What in the name of Odin just happened? Who was screaming like that?! What's going on?!" demanded Stoick who was thundering up to his second son's bedroom clearly panicked himself and shaken. He too looked shocked and worried.

"I've got no idea what just happened, Dad! I was just talking with Hiccup as we took a break from training and then we heard this scream! It sounded like a…"

"Like a child being murdered? I heard it too! But I was sleeping downstairs and I wasn't in the Realm. So how did I hear what you heard? And how did that scream pierce the Realm in the first place? I thought it's impossible for outside sources to get through that Realm! So what in hell just happened?"

"I don't know, Dad! I don't have the answers! And I can't ask Hiccup if he's got them!"

"I think I have a rather jumbled answer as to of what's going on or at least something that's just happen," spoke a soft voice behind them. Turning around the saw Kara walking into the room. She looked appalling even worse than when Dagur had tortured her, but that was neither here or there at the moment.

"I didn't just drop in I found myself when I came too from whatever happened in the Realm in your living room a moment ago by the fire. I tried to reenter the Realm and found it's been sealed off. I didn't know why for a second and then I got a message from the universe going through me for a second time. I can explain what I was able to understand of that message."

"I'd like to know what happened myself, Boden. So please tell her I wish to know too! I want to know my big brother is alright as is yours!" Stardust spoke quickly in Boden's head and he nodded and he opened his mouth to speak but Kara held up a hand.

"I already know she wants to know too, Boden. Okay, you're right, Stoick, normally nothing from the outside Realms can get into the Realm between the Realms. But that scream came from Una."

"UNA?! IS SHE ALRIGHT?!" demanded both father and son at the same time to the battered Valkyrie.

"She's not been murdered if that's what you're asking. No, she's alive and well. She's just pretty much scared to death at the moment and because her dreams have the ability to sometimes see things significant to the future she's unintentionally sealed off the Realm from all of us temporarily"

"I don't get it, Kara. How is my daughter being scared able do that? What's got her so scared she's even done such a feat? I know from Earth standers we weren't together long but here we're together for quite some time. I know she's an extraordinary child, but please explain how she able do to something like this?"

"I'm not sure truthfully, Stoick, what's got her so scared she's screamed like that and somehow did two impossible things at once. But as you know the Realm between Realms can only be gain access to when souls are slumbering and only after receiving the invitation to enter it in the first place.

We also know Una's blessing again is second sight. So her dreams have special energy so whatever got her that petrified she screamed bloody murder one way or another she's sealed the Realm off to all of us by her intense fears. But I think because again of her special gift, and that her soul has been in that Realm, she's unknowingly so scared about something she's subconsciously sealing the Realm off by her fear, and we can't get back in till she gets over whatever is causing this intense fear.

She's not doing it on purpose and she doesn't even know she's doing it at all. And we've got no way to tell the Hiccup or Valka what's going on. So till Una confronts and deals with whatever is causing her fears no-one is getting together I'm afraid. At least that was the message I got. Sorry," Kara finished explaining and apologizing with her head hung. Stardust tried to comfort her and did it well.

However father and son were very worried about the rest of the family. "This can't be happening! Not right now! I've got to start my new job the day after tomorrow! I don't know if I've learned enough to deal with how many dragons souls I've to help take care of! Even with all my brother has been teaching me! I don't know if it's enough!"

"Well, it's gonna have to be enough, Son. Hiccup didn't have a manual or someone to teach him how to train the dragons. He'd to just hope for the best and trust himself. I can help where I can and anyway I've got to be there for the ceremony when we open the Dragon Sanctuary part of Valhalla as part of my first few duties as the new Chief here. I really wish either Thornado or Skullcrusher were here to help me out with my duties like both did before and it doesn't hurt to have a friend too."

"The ceremony will be stressful enough as all of my sisters and all the Gods and Goddess of Asgard are coming for that ceremony and so Odin himself can do the official part of proclaiming your titles to both of you. So it's more nerve wracking then that."

"Great! Now I'm really nervous, thank you so much for summing it all up about how many things I need to be freaked out about, Kara! Thank you so much!" Boden replied in a sarcastic tone.

"It's not her fault or anyone's fault, Boden. Again everything happens for a reason. Maybe this is fate's way of getting you to take the big leap and try your own style of training and doing this. But we'll stick together as a family and just do the best we can."

"You're right, Dad. Time to spread my own wings and fly. Still don't tell me you don't want to know what's got Una so scared she's done this feat?"

"I'm curious and worried about Una as you are, son. She's my only daughter, and I wish I could be there with her right now. Little girls need bot their mommies and daddies when something got them this scared. I know I still wasn't the best father when Hiccup was scared as a child, but I still wish I could help Una out myself right now."

"We all wish that right now, Stoick. But we won't be able do that at the moment. So for now. I suggest we all just take the rest of tonight and all of tomorrow to rest and get ready for the ceremonies Love you both so much and if the universe decides to tell me anything else I'll let you know. But for now we've got at least try and sleep. See you both tomorrow." Kara said kindly as she hugged both of them and kissed each of their cheeks. And even gave Stardust a hug and kiss.

So everyone tried to rest for the rest of the night and all of the next day. But two days later when it was approaching Spirit Sunrise Boden couldn't sleep and not even that sleeping potion would've done it. He had butterflies the size of Terrible Terrors in his stomach and Stoick was just as bad, which for Boden seeing his father looking as nervous and scared as him was calming him down some too.

They're in the living room both around a large washbasin getting cleaned up to look their best for the ceremonies and even looking their best in the new mirror didn't hide the reflection of fear in both their dark green eyes.

"Dad?"

"Yes, Boden?"

"Are you as scared as me right now? Because I feel scared to death and I'm dead. But things really nerve wracking today. Is this how Hiccup felt when he became Head of the Berk Dragon Training Academy? Or is this how both you guys felt when you became in charge of Berk?" Boden asked curiously as he tried to comb his longish auburn hair but the hair comb got tangled.

Stoick looked sympathetically at him and took the comb from his hand and quickly got the knots out of Boden's hair and then back into its short ponytail, no problem. Boden smiled gratefully at his dad who answered his question then.

"As Gobber told Hiccup when Dagur had kidnapped me, my first few days a Chief I was like a newborn yak trying to stand up. Everyone starts off rocky and everyone is scared to death when something this big is about to happen to them. It's perfectly normal to feel scared. I'd be more worried, son, if you didn't have butterflies."

"Well, that's good to know, still I wish everyone could be here for the ceremony."

"Everyone in Valhalla and Asgard going to be there. But I'm guessing you mean your mother and Hiccup and Una? You want them to see you have your moment of glory and special day, I take it that's what you mean?"

Nodding he looked sad and depressed for a second before saying "Mom was there when Hiccup was made Chief. I wish she was here to see me be officially made Keeper and Trainer of the Dragon Souls. Like it too if my brother was here too. I'd like to see both of their proud smiles and just see Una's face light up with joy. Though we both can feel she's still so scared she's still subconsciously sealing the Realm off. So we can't even recreate it for them to see!

I know you and Hiccup lived two decades without Mom thinking she was dead. But right now I could use her too, like how Hiccup needed her most after you first passed to go defeat Drago and save everyone. I need a mother's love and comforting words of wisdom right now. And I'm not gonna get it when I needed the most."

"I could use your mom's words of loving wisdom and comfort too right now. But we'll have to just feel it in our hearts right now and just hope sooner rather than later we'll be visiting in the Realm again and then we can show them how the ceremony went. Just try and think what she say and do if she was here and maybe that will be enough for now at least."

"Your father has a point, Boden. I don't even have a mother or father of mine own, so feel happy and lucky that your father is at least here for now. And at least I can finally be free to fly within Valhalla with you. So just try and imagine what your Mom and siblings would do and say if they're here." Stardust spoke kindly in his head as she nuzzled him comfortingly.

"Thanks, Stardust. Okay, well I'll try and think of what Mom, Hiccup and Una say if they're here and we'll just again like you said, Dad, hope that its sooner rather than later whatever is freaking Una out so badly passes. Just give me a minute alone and then we can get going to the Ceremony, okay?"

"Understood, Son. Stardust let's go wait outside for a moment. Kara said she be here soon to escort us to Ceremony. So let's give Boden a few minutes alone so he can get ready for it, alright, girl?"

Nodding Stardust and Stoick went outside to wait for Kara. Boden for a moment just tried to gather his thoughts and feelings. He really did wish Valka was here at the moment. Sometimes you just need your mom and again Valka and Stoick were the only parents he knew and they at least loved him and Una as their own flesh and blood and that was an amazing feeling. Still all he really wished like his brother was you just knew when you needed your mom. So gazing forlornly at the ocher flames in the fire pit and just tried to envision what Valka be saying if she was here.

"Mom, I know you can't really hear me right now and that you've got no idea what Una's doing as she doesn't even know what she's doing. But I could really use some comforting words right now. I trust what Hiccup's taught me and I've the faith inside me I can do this job. All the same I could really use some comfort right now to at least go to my own ceremony and not well bungle it and make a fool of myself in front of nearly all the Nine Realms. Wish you're here right now with me, 'cause I could really use you right now, Mom," he confessed to the flames as he sank to his knees and cried.

Then something very strange happened. He suddenly felt like someone was hugging him warmly and that he felt a gentle hand brush his tears away from his face. He looked up but no-one was there in the house with him but he could still feel someone hugging him tightly and then he heard the voice he longed to hear the most at the moment.

"Whether I can be there or not for your special day, son, I'm proud of you as I'm proud of your brother. I know you won't embarrass yourself and you'll do me and the rest of the family proud. I believe you, my son and know that I'm in your heart to give you the strength of my love whenever you needed it most. For a mother whether she can be there to hold her child when they need her most physically is always there in spirit no matter if she's dead or alive a mother is always there when her children needed her for she lives forever in their hearts which were born from her love. So I'm here for you even if I'm not there physically I'm here."

Nothing more was said nor were those words spoken aloud. They came from his heart and he cried one more tear this time of joy. Valka may've been temporary cut off from him because of Una's fears, but she obviously was still a true mother that her heart could still sense when her children needed her most.

Taking a deep breath and feeling happier and more confident Boden put out the flames and hurried outside where everyone was waiting. Smiling elatedly he climbed upon Stardust back for the first time outside the Realm. Then he let his dad get onto her back too.

"We're ready for the ceremony now, Kara. We better hurry! We don't want to be late for our own party! We're partly the guests of honor! Let's ride!"

Laughing gleefully the family took off and flew far and fast and Silver Phantoms are not known as Ghost Dragons for nothing because she was just as fast as her big brother Toothless as she was just like the wind and seemed to be just a whisper on the wind!

All the souls had been busy being escorted by a combination of the Valkyries and some of the Asgardian servants. The same ones that had been getting Asgard ready for the Council Meeting. They'd come to help set up for the ceremony and help out with all the extra souls that the Valkyries couldn't escort.

They're flying high enough no-one could see them and anyway their place of honor was still pretty far ahead. Still it looked like everyone was getting more butterflies in their stomachs as they landed finally.

They had landed on an extraordinary high summit of unusually colored grass. It wasn't just green it was mixed with other colors like different shades and hues of blue, red, brown and oranges. Also at boarder of this summit was a large barrier of bushes with amazingly different shades of green leaves with unusual, cool looking and heavenly scented flowers. In the middle of this wall of bushes was a smaller but similar gate, made of gold like the Gate the souls came through, even a tiny purplish pink gem was a fixed on top with like living glass with matching colors within the Gate. And the coolest feature on this gate was a large lock in the center with a picture of Toothless glowing as if it was alive and was a heart because it seemed to be beating like one.

"Well, no turning back. The time has finally come for such a long awaited day. It's history making in this beautiful paradise. Well, I hope you two are good, I might faint myself with how nervous I am and I'm a Valkyrie. I've seen and done a lot scary things then this! Still let's hope this goes well. How does my hair look? Do I look good?" Kara asked nervously as she tugged at her cascading thick golden locks.

"Kara, you're beautiful, as are both of you too, and of course Stardust is stunning herself. Even I didn't look that good when I had my special day and that well over four millenniums ago! Again the sense of time here is not the same as it is in the other Realms. So 4000 years could be very different in the Earth Realm but it would still be very long time ago even by Earth's sense of time. Don't worry too much how you look. You all look perfect the way you are. So don't worry about that," spoke a very motherly and sweet sounding voice. Turning around they all gasped and bowed almost immediately for before them was Odin's wife and head goddess Frigga!

She was extremely beautiful for a woman older the time itself. Her hair was a cascading curls of strawberry blond which fell to her waist with very smooth fair skin. Her almond shaped eyes were bright bluish green and with long thick eyelashes. Though she again was very old with some light wrinkles she was yet powerful, beautiful but still like with her husband when he'd called them to that private meeting, she was still just a normal motherly kindhearted woman even if she was a goddess and Odin's wife.

For the ceremony she was dressed in a beautiful flowing emerald green silk gown trimmed with silver with some of her symbols embroidered into the gown. She also sported some fascinating jewelry as well as hair accessories again with the same symbols that were part of the Signs Hiccup had taught Una meant it be a good Mother's Day.

So she was gorgeous, magnificent yet at the same time just compassionate and sweet. Seeing her warm and tender smile on her lovely features put everyone in a more calming state of mind. Also she hugged and kissed everyone's foreheads which made them all blush but Boden blushed the most.

"Well, must go take my place now in the audience. I've seen how this will play out but even if I can see the future I cannot change it, but still even the future can change with just one tiny act. So even if I've seen one future I don't know for sure if it's the true one either! Well, better go sit down pretty tired from being up all night choosing this outfit. Good luck!" she said as a servant girl with wavy brunette tresses in a silver uniform escorted her to a special seat nearby.

"She's a good wife and just a very good person all around. I'm lucky to have her as you're luck Valka was your wife and is your mother, Boden. True love and family again are so rare but true miracles nonetheless. So even I don't take my wife or many children for granted. Shall we get this ceremony underway before we all die from the butterflies threatening to erupt from our bellies?" chuckled Odin good-naturedly as he showed up in his finest robes.

He too had done his best to look his best and it showed. His starlight sliver hair was shimming like the stars themselves and his robes seemed be made of living cosmos as it looked like the universe was just wearing him. He had shined up his Eye of Odin amulet till it shown even brighter than a new star.

"Let's do this, my Lord. Before we all die from these butterflies! It looks like everyone is seated anyway. So let's get this show on the road!" Kara giggled playfully.

Nodding Odin lead the trio and Stardust till they stood in front of this special gate. Everyone fell dumb and looked at Odin and everyone in front of them in awe and wonder.

"Welcome all gather here today to this day a monumental and momentous day of history for all the Nine Realms. Today everything changes in all of the Nine Realms and here especially for Valhalla. For today we welcome very special souls into our world ones that are long overdue to be allowed to join us all in this paradise of beauty and happiness.

Today we welcome the souls of the Dragons. For if there ever was a creature with as much a human heart that equals humanity and if anything living ever had a soul as great as or even greater than humans it's these amazing and outstanding creatures of great love, loyalty and everlasting friendships.

So from this day forth a specially selected team of Valkyries that myself, my wife and the one Valkyrie who has made it a point for the dragons to come here, Kara the Valkyrie of Children. We've selected the best of the best to bring forth here along with human souls at Spirit Sunrise the souls of those noble and magnificent creatures to come dwell here," gesturing behind him at the Gate and everyone starred at it in awe.

"This valley has long been one of the many pleasurable escapes for the souls here. Now it will be known from this day forth as the Dragon Souls Sanctuary. Where all good dragons may come and find their peace and happiness in their own afterlives.

As you all may've suspect I've made some very personal choices that will affect both this new Sanctuary as well as the Village of Valhalla of where humans dwell. I know call forth the two special souls who will help both out at the same time so humans and dragons can truly live in peace like they do on the Isle of Berk back in the Earth Realm.

Let's me present Stoick the Vast and his second son Boden Haddock. For these two have shown undeniable talent and the right characteristics to have fully earned the honors I'm about to bestow upon them.

Stoick the Vast in his living life was the Chief of Berk which he did a very great job of no denying that. But what really makes this man worthy of the job I'm about to appoint to him has nothing to do with how he ran his homeland when he lived, it is because of his last act of life that I feel he's the best man for the job I'm about to give. For he did the most selfless act of true love there is by giving his life for his first son Hiccup, who you might remember played an important part with the other child of this extraordinary family in saving us all during the Siege of Valhalla.

I'm speaking of course of his second son Boden and his first son Hiccup's little sister Una. Who thus far has proven to be the only soul which all of you did unanimously agree was worthy of the rare gift of rebirth.

Boden here has done many great deeds himself in his death and I feel for what this extraordinary family has done both the living and dead halves together I'm more the confident in my choices for their new titles and honor.

Therefore from this day forth I appoint the great honor to Stoick the Vast to become the first Chief of the Village of Valhalla. He'll be taking care of all of you and keeping Valhalla from becoming unglued when I'm too busy myself to make my usual visits. Please treat him with the same respect, kindness and love I've shown you," to which there was a lot of thundering applauds and whooping and everyone seemed happy at this news.

Then Odin held up his hands for silence and everyone fell dumb again. Looking at him again he then gestured to where Boden and Stardust stood.

"Now to this extraordinary young man who truly belongs in this family. Boden you still are rediscovering yourself but you do know you've the same special gift as your older brother does possess?" Boden nodded and smiled and Odin continued on.

"I've looked for many, many, many years for the right soul to take on the job to take of the Dragon Souls. So it only seems fitting that the younger brother of the Earth Realm Dragon Master would have the right spirit himself to do what only his brother seems to have done ever in history of the Earth Realm. Therefore Boden Haddock second son of Stoick the Vast and Valka, younger brother to Hiccup Haddock and older brother to Una Haddock will know be known for the rest of time as the Keeper and Trainer of the Dragon Souls. And helping him with this new duty will be his own destined dragon the lovely and enchanting last Silver Phantom dragon ever hatched Stardust! I trust all of you will give both of them their respect too."

There was an even bigger applauds as Boden felt just like his brother did when he'd been anointed Chief of Berk. And again while the rest of the family couldn't be there for this special day physically even with the Realm sealed off temporary he knew they could still see it in their own hearts.

"The Dragon Souls will reside in the Sanctuary when they come. But as I'm sure these two special souls will tell you if you're willing they'll help you all find the dragon that best matches you. With 300 years of Dragon Souls about to come in protected by some of the soul's light from Hiccup Haddock dragon the Night Fury Toothless.

We had a way of asking Hiccup and Toothless if part of Toothless's essences could be forged into a protective lock so that the Sanctuary would be protect from any evils that might come here once more. They agreed and now a part of Toothless will protect the dragon souls as he does as Alpha on Earth.

But I'm sure both your new Chief and Dragon Trainer will help you all find the right dragon soul for you all. Just remember the base of all things in life and death all beings must be treated with love, compassion, respect and trust. That's how you truly earn a dragon's loyalty and even more importantly anyone worth anything in any Realm.

So both Stoick and his son Boden will help you all when you're ready for that part. For now let's us welcome the Dragon Souls to their forever home here in the afterlife! Let us open the Gates to The Dragon Soul Sanctuary for the first time as the Sister Gem of Souls opens it!"

At that everyone stood up with a standing ovation that was so loud it would've made all life in the Nine Realms go deaf. Then it was so quiet as the all watched as the Spirit Sun rose and hit this second Gem of Souls and the light casted from it was more beautiful than words could say. And then if they'd thought after it was waterfall of souls coming in after Dagur and Hel were defeated that was nothing compared to what came flooding into Valhalla!

Thousands of dragon souls came soaring into the afterlife and there were more than enough souls of humans for this many dragons. And Boden be the one to train them first and then take what he'd learned from his brother and do it slightly in his own style of bringing the world of human souls together with dragon souls. But this he knew was what he was meant to do and he knew he could do it.

Looking at Stardust she sang her own song and he climbed on her back and flew high above all the confused but happy dragon souls. He then spoke to them mentally.

"My name is Boden Haddock, this is my dragon Stardust. We welcome you to Valhalla and your own private Sanctuary. Let us show you around and get you settled. Then we'll have some fun and then maybe in a little while you'll have as much fun as my brother and sister have on Earth with their dragons. Do I have your trust and will you follow us? Friends? Family?"

And you think hearing the voices of over a 1000 dragons speak at once would have knocked him off Stardust and left him comatose for a week. But all he heard was one word and it was one clear word that all they said at once. It was simply "Yes"

So Boden and Stardust led the dragon souls into their forever home and got them settled and happy. He practice talking with them for a few hours before he said he'd be back tomorrow to see how they're doing and give them some time before they got to training and if they wanted it bonding with the human souls and having soul riders to which all of them seemed eager to have, but all agreed they needed a few days at least to get settled and let them have some resting in peace before they had the fun like they did on Berk.

So he flew out of the Sanctuary and let Toothless's Soul Light seal it shut for now. Then Boden and Stardust told everyone what was going on and all the human souls looked impressed and eager for the day that this extraordinary boy would do what only his older brother had done before him and soon both human and dragon souls would be together forever both in life and death! For now? It was time to have real party for a real reason and Boden, Stardust, and Stoick then went to celebrate the party thrown in their honor and have the time of their afterlife for this was surely the day that would change history forever!

They still hoped though privately as they went to the Great Hall of Valhalla was that they still somehow soon get back to the Realm between Realms to share all this with the rest of the family. But they didn't know when that would happen so for now they just enjoyed the food and dance the night away and had the time of their afterlives!