A Changing World
Act 1
Chapter 23: To Whom It May Concern
A/N: Welcome to the final chapter of act one of this story.
Here I will be tying up the remaining plot threads before moving onto act two.
But before that, I have a reviewer to respond to.
hirshja: "I don't think he would've killed the bewilderbeast. He knew that it was enslaved and the only reason he didn't regret killing the red death was because it acted on its own."
That is correct, but with the Red Death, the fact that Berk's forces were at risk played into Hiccup killing it.
I went with the same general idea when he killed the Bewilderbeast. He killed it, because it was putting Berk at risk, even if indirectly, via Toothless, to the point where people died.
You could make the point that it wasn't a risk after the battle, but Toothless was still under its mind control and unlike what we see in HTTYD 2, I couldn't see a way that Hiccup could free Toothless from that.
Certainly not for a guy who isn't as familiar with Bewilderbeasts/The King of Dragons as his canon self is.
I'm rambling so I'm going to stop talking now. I think I've made my point clear enough.
Anyway, enjoy the chapter.
Hiccup stepped through the tunnel and to the centre of the arena where Mildew was already waiting, amid cheers from the assembled Vikings.
They were all making noise in favour of Hiccup.
Not that Hiccup cared, he simply watched his opponent as he walked.
Mildew had brought his staff along and seemed equally uncaring about the Vikings who were watching.
Coming to a stop, both stood in silence as they waited for the match to begin.
On another part of the island, Stoick was with Alvin.
"When they arrive at Outcast Island, I trust you will ensure they don't enjoy their stay."
"My men won't be gentle, ah can promise you that Stoick." Alvin said.
"Very well. I wish you safe travels Alvin." The other chief nodded and left.
Stoick then sought out parchment and charcoal before sitting in his chair.
Placing the parchment on his lap, he began to write.
To Bertha, Chieftess of the Bog Burglars.I have good news for you and your tribe.
"Begin!" Gobber shouted.
Hiccup struck first, whacking Mildew in the face with his trusty shield and withdrawing.
His opponent couldn't react before Hiccup was outside of the range of his staff.
The crowd cheered for Hiccup.
Drago brought his army to Berk and met his end at the hands of my son.As a result, your tribe need not spend time fortifying your island in preparation for attack from the madman who nearly killed me in that fire all those years ago.
Mildew had recovered by now, drawing nearer and swinging his staff at Hiccup.
Hiccup simply vanished in front of him, his staff meeting nothing but air.
However, may I be the first to recommend your tribe keep watch on your neighbours to the south west.As you well know, their chief has been replaced. No doubt by the current chief, Dagur the Deranged.He reminds me too much of Drago, and as such I believe it is in the interests of both Berk and the Bog Burglars to make sure another does not return.Signed, Stoick the Vast, Chief of Berk.
Hiccup reappeared behind his opponent, delivering a kick to Mildew's back before disappearing again.
Mildew was sent stumbling, with only his staff preventing the man from falling onto his face entirely.
The crowd laughed at the display, before cheering for Hiccup even louder.
Stoick put his completed letter aside, before he sought out another sheet of parchment to begin a letter for another chief.
To Mogadon, Chief of the Meatheads.I have good news for you and your tribe.
"Show yourself coward! Face me like the dragon lover scum you are!" Mildew snarled, enraged by the laughter of the crowd.
A metal leg swept his feet out from under him and he fell, painfully slamming face-first onto the stone floor of the arena.
I am happy to inform you that Drago Bludvist is dead. He was killed by my son in battle.However that is not the only reason I am writing to you today.With your permission, I wish to send your tribe some new Vikings.
Hearing footsteps draw near as he lay face down, Mildew kicked out, succeeding in sending his mildly surprised opponent off balance.
Attempting the same trick again resulted in his legs meeting only air however, as his opponent had already retreated.
The Vikings in question are a large clan; the Jorgenson clan.Following various events that have happened involving them, including an attempt on my life, they are hereby banished from Berk.Ordinarily I would simply send such people to Outcast Island, but following the surrender of Drago's men, the island is set to be overpopulated, even with a number of his army being dead.I eagerly await your answer on this matter.Signed, Stoick the Vast, Chief of Berk.
Mildew got up, turning just in time to avoid an elbow aimed at his throat.
He swiped at Hiccup, who leaned back to avoid his staff; a move he learned from Neo.
He then grabbed Mildew's staff and tore it out of his grasp then followed up by jabbing him in the chest with it.
The air driven from his lungs, Mildew was left gasping, only for his staff to cruelly smash into his face, sending him to the stone floor for the second time and earning him more laughter from the crowd.
Stoick put charcoal to parchment for the third and final time.
To Dagur The Deranged, Chief of the Berserkers.Be aware that the madman, Drago Bludvist, was killed at my son's hands.
Mildew rose for the second time.
"Seriously? You have no chance to win this. Why not yield?" Hiccup asked, eyeing his opponent with confusion written on his face.
"I would rather die than yield to you, dragon lover." Mildew spat.
"You keep saying 'dragon lover' like that is meant to hurt me. I am not ashamed about having a dragon for a friend you muttonhead. Now yield and save the dignity you have left." Hiccup advised him.
Also be aware that if you decide to start a conquest of the archipelago, that Berk and all of its allies will be prepared to act.Break the peace that currently exists between us, and you and your tribe will find yourselves in a war that you cannot hope to win.
Mildew ignored him, turning to snatch up his staff.
Before he could reach it, Hiccup kicked him to the ground.
"Never turn your back on your opponent. It gives them an opening. Now yield already. I have better things to do than fight someone as pathetic as you."
For my son has informed me that he is not the strongest fighter within the Branwen Tribe.If I were you, I would not be prepared to find out who the strongest fighter in that tribe is, Chief or not.The sign of a true Viking is to know when it is best to not awaken sleeping giants. And there appears to be a whole tribe of sleeping giants out there.For your own sake, heed my warning well.Signed, Stoick the Vast, Chief of Berk.
This job done, Stoick rose to deliver the letters.
Mildew grabbed his staff and rose once again.
"Well I will say you are persistent. Though that isn't a good quality when it comes to you."
Mildew swung as hard as he could just as Hiccup finished talking.
The blow was avoided by his opponent, leaving Mildew open for a few seconds and allowing Hiccup to drive his metal shin into his abdomen.
Mildew gave a curse inspired by the pain and crumpled.
"Hiccup wins the match!" The blacksmith said cheerfully.
Hiccup then turned and left as the crowd started cheering for him; much louder than before.
Astrid found the short silent form of Gothi staring at her when she awoke.
Somewhat startled by the mute, she moved away. Well, as far as she could considering she was currently confined to a bed.
Gothi rolled her eyes at Astrid's reaction to her presence before moving through the door that was built into the wall behind her and into the next room.
After a few seconds, the sound of various containers which contained all sorts of substances for healing could be heard being moved around.
Now calm, Astrid scanned the interior of the room she was in.
In addition to the door that led into the next room and was closest to the head of the bed, there was another door on Astrid's right that let people enter the hut and a chair in the corner of the room next to the door.
Propped up against the foot of the bed was an axe. On the foot of the bed itself lay a note.
Reaching forward, Astrid picked it up and began to read.
If you're reading this, then it means you're finally awake. In which case, may I be the first to welcome you back to the land of the living, lass.
As I'm sure you've noticed by now, given your love of axes, the axe I put by your bed is for you.
Hiccup suggested that I make you a new axe to replace the one that got destroyed by Stormfly. I did my best to collect the melted metal.
Give it a try. If you like it, then Hiccup has plans to add a gun to it, so be sure to let him and I know if you do.
In other news, since you've been incapacitated due to that wound in your side, a few things have happened.
There was a celebration where Spitelout and I helped get Stoick and Valka reunited.
The Jorgenson clan are set to be banished from Berk but somewhere other than Outcast Island since Drago's army are going there.
Hiccup killed Drago and his Bewilderbeast as well. I think the lad needs to talk about that at some point.
But that can wait for now. Remember to tell me what you think of the axe lass!
Astrid put the note down, just before someone knocked on the door of Gothi's hut.
The sound of container's being moved around in the room next door stopped before Gothi re-entered the room that Astrid was in and opened the door.
It was Hiccup. His face lit up with joy upon seeing her as he stepped through.
"Hello Milady." He grinned.
"Hey babe." She said, smiling in return. "You've been busy lately, according to this note from Gobber."
"I guess I have." He looked at Gothi. "Is she able to leave now?"
Gothi nodded and Astrid rose, walking slowly around to the foot of her bed and grabbing her axe as she left.
She gave a few practice swings as they walked, with Hiccup matching her slower than usual pace. "This is great. Thanks babe."
"Anytime Milady. Is that injury you got still sore?"
"What do you think Hiccup? I'm literally forced to walk slowly because of it." She drawled.
Hiccup chuckled at her sass. "I see I've been rubbing off on you. So, what do you want to do now? Do you want to come back to Remnant with me and help Roman and Neo out?"
"Depends. Has your mother apologised yet?"
"Yeah. She apologised after the battle."
"Then I don't see why not. I've spent enough time around Snotlout for a lifetime."
Hiccup laughed but it sounded bitter. "I feel like I should be the one saying that, since, you know…"
"Let's talk about something else. How does having killed Drago made you feel?"
"I don't know." Hiccup replied, refusing to meet her eyes.
"Hiccup look at me." He obeyed and she repeated the question.
"I regret it Astrid. He was ready to kill you and I regret doing the same. That's all I'm able to feel. Regret for killing him and anger at Mildew for bringing him here."
Astrid stared at him, confused. "What do you mean Hiccup? He sailed here by himself."
In response, Hiccup produced a folded up note from the pouch on the left arm of his leather flight suit and gave it to her.
Her face bore an expression of shock and fury after reading it and passing the note back to Hiccup. "That son of a half troll! Where is he? I'm going to send him to Valhalla."
He reached out and grabbed both of her arms. "As much as I wouldn't object to that, I've already dealt with him. He's not worth any extra attention Milady."
"But-" she began
"Do you want me to take that axe away?" Hiccup said, raising an eyebrow. "Let's get ready to go instead of plotting Mildew's death Astrid. I think that's a better idea."
"Fine, I'll drop the matter. But only because you're too forgiving."
"Good. Let's go."
Toothless landed outside the cells just as Alvin lead Ryker, Viggo and Krogan out while he was flanked by two guards.
"I believe we had made a deal Hiccup. You agreed that I would go free had I given up dragon training."
"I must have forgotten to tell Stoick the Vast about that. Sorry." Hiccup didn't sound apologetic in the slightest as he spoke.
Viggo glared at Hiccup who remained unfazed, having seen worse from Glynda.
"Make sure they don't escape Alvin. Him especially." He said, pointing at Krogan.
"Loud and clear 'iccup" Alvin grinned before shoving the rope bound trio forward.
Hiccup then mounted Toothless and they were off.
Landing at the Hofferson hall, he came into land beside Stormfly, with Astrid, Gobber, Stoick, Eret and Valka waiting for him.
"Coming with us Eret?" Hiccup asked.
Eret shook his head in response. "I wouldn't leave without my crew, and you couldn't carry them all, even if you brought all three dragons."
"Fair enough." Hiccup muttered.
"Which is part of the reason I'm here." Eret said as he turned to Stoick. "After this, could you help me go find them?"
"I can have Mulch and Bucket drop you off during their next fishing trip." Stoick replied.
He then looked at Hiccup. "So this is it son? Are you sure I can't convince you to stay here?" Stoick asked.
"No, but I will come back to visit you both dad." Hiccup promised.
"You will?" Valka asked, eyes shining.
"Of course. Because in 6 months you will have someone else to watch grow up." Astrid replied.
Then the pair mounted their dragons.
Both Stoick and Valka's eyes widened as Gobber climbed on behind Astrid. "…You mean?"
Hiccup and Astrid only winked and nodded. Then Toothless was off, with Stormfly following close behind.
"We're going to be grandparents!" Both yelled excitedly, as the dragons got smaller and smaller in the skies above Berk.
"So where are we going to go when we get to Remnant?" Astrid asked as she drew Stormfly alongside Toothless.
"Haven't really decided yet. I'll choose later. Do you want to have a race to Raven's island?" Hiccup responded, looking over at her.
"That needs a better name Hiccup, but yes, I do want a race." Astrid replied, her competitive side rearing its head.
Hiccup grinned. "I welcome any ideas you get Milady. Now, go as fast as you can bud!"
Toothless quickly overtook Stormfly.
"Oh it's on now Hiccup!" Astrid shouted at him before urging Stormfly to catch them.
Over in Vale, Ruby was busy looking over her beloved Crescent Rose when the door to the building she was in opened.
"I'll be with you in a minute." Ruby said, not looking up.
"Hmm. Haven't been here in a while. Didn't know this place had a new owner." A familiar voice said, prompting Ruby to look up.
"Hiccup? Astrid? Gobber?" she gasped before two more figures appeared, with one of them causing her to stiffen.
"You!" she growled.
A/N: Enter Hiccup and Astrid. Master of dropping bombshells wherever they want to.
I'm convinced that is their semblance. Not this Elemental Control/Summoning and Invisibility nonsense.
Anyway, I'm going to move onto writing Act two now.
See all you guys there.
Until Next Time.
Silvolde.