Thanks to phieillydinyia, Lynkia, ReptileGirl497 and Smoe05 for the feedback!
Time jump incoming! I'm trying to get this somewhat close to the second movie, which means Hiccup has to be twenty by the time we get to the actual events of the movie.
This isn't really an action chapter, and more of an 'let's get up to speed' Chapter. Just trying to let you guys know whats up with all the different characters.
Enjoy!
Time really did fly. It had seemed like just a few days ago that Astrid had rejected Hiccup's marriage proposal. And then accepted it. But that had been one year ago. Hiccup was now nineteen, with one more year to go before he and Astrid would be married. True, this year was one of the hardest years ever for Hiccup. But he had loyal friends and family ready to help him.
Hiccup sighed and looked out the window. Berk had also changed in this past year. With a little encouragement, the village had made some additions to accommodate the dragons they lived beside. There were custom stables, all-you-can-eat buffet, and even a fire prevention system. It appeared that all of Hiccup's hard work had paid off.
His relationship with Astrid had also grown as well. The two were inseparable. So much so, that when Hiccup rebuilt the Edge, he left the spot where his hut had been empty, and moved in with Astrid. For all intents and purposes, they were married. In Stoicks eyes, they were married.
If there was one person the last year had been hard on, it was Stoick. Being reunited with his daughter had brought up memories of his wife. Stoick missed Valka every day. Hiccup had clearly taken after her, and every time Stoick looked at the man his son had become, he was reminded that his wife had missed out on so much. If only they had discovered peace with dragons sooner, Valka might not of been killed that day.
Stoicks beard had a lot more grey in it, and he was looking more tired. Word around Berk was that the Chief was about to pass the mantle of leadership down to Hiccup. He had been training the boy his entire life, but he could tell Hiccup didn't feel ready. Which, Stoick could understand. His first few years of Chiefing were rough. But it got easier as time went of, and he was sure it'd be the same for Hiccup.
All in all, Stoick was looking forward to watching his son start to lead. That was something Stoick never had. His father had died in a fight, and the title of Chief was forced upon Stoick. The Chief planned to do everything in his power to stay alive to watch Hiccup become next Chief of Berk.
Things really had changed in the past year. For better and for worse. Hiccup had dealt with crazy enemies that had tried their best to destroy him. Alvin, Ryker, Viggo. They all were gone now. Their deaths were a reminder to Hiccup that revenge was pointless. He felt no different.
He still occasionally got nightmares, but they were few and far between. Hiccup could point to the day when they had started to diminish, and that was when Astrid forced him to sleep in the same room with her. He felt like he owed her everything for what she did to help him.
The Dragons Riders had moved back to the Edge, but as the Dragon races started to kick off, they found less time to spend exploring like they did when they were younger. Hiccup, to absolutely no ones surprise, never stopped exploring, using the Edge as his starting point. Now that the Dragon Hunters had vanished, it had gotten a lot easier to explore.
Dagur the Deranged, former Chief of the Berserkers, had gone back to his people, and started to rebuild. He formed an alliance with the Hooligans, reformed his tribe into people of peace, and maintained close contact with his 'brother.' There were times when Hiccup missed the insanity Dagur brought to the team.
Heather Haddock had changed immensely. When she first arrived on Berk, she was near silent. Never speaking unless spoken to. As time moved on, she gradually came to accept the Dragon Riders, especially Fishlegs. The revelation that she was the daughter of Stoick the Vast and brother of Hiccup removed a lot of barriers she had. Now, she was in charge of the Dragon Academy in Hiccup's stead, as he was off learning to be a Chief and exploring, and Astrid was busy preparing for marriage.
Hiccup sighed. They had spent the better part of six months searching for Eret, son of Eret. Nothing. It was like he had disappeared. Or, more probable, had been killed for failing his boss. Hiccup had systematically been hunting the Hunters down, but the trail had been cold for a very long time now. Maybe Astrid was right. Maybe it was time to give up, to focus on Berk and his future.
He knew Astrid had total faith in his leadership abilities, but look how he did with the Riders. There were several times he was sure they were going to leave. There were times he put his interests above their well-being, like when he was trying to destroy Viggo. Even so, his friends had stuck beside him no matter what.
Hiccup looked at the house that was being built beside the Meade Hall. His house. The house he and Astrid would live in once they were married. Sure, it was a year off, but the year moved quickly. It would be upon them before they knew it. And Hiccup couldn't wait.
Hiccup thought back to the last time he had almost lost Astrid. Viggo had convinced him that the only way to take down Ryker was to team up. Which worked, Ryker had been killed. Until Viggo betrayed him and took Astrid hostage, offering her life for the Dragon Eye. Hiccup did throw it to him, it was just out of his reach. Viggo died trying to catch the Eye. Hiccup gave up the Dragon Eye and all of it's secrets for Astrid, and he would do it again in a heartbeat.
A sudden crash broke him out of his thoughts, and he ran outside to come face to face with an old enemy, one thought to be dead. But, of course, the dangerous ones never truly die. And now Hiccup had to deal with him all over again.
Someone Hiccup thought was dead is now back. Guess who!
Thanks for reading! Review if you are enjoying this. Or if you hate this. Just to give me an idea where you all stand.
