Hey guys ! New chapter !

Disclaimers : I don't own the stories of How To Train Your Dragon nor Rise Of The Guardian, all credits go to Cressida Crowell, William Joyce and Dreamworks Animation Studios.

End of the cliffhanger, onto the chapter !

Hope you enjoy !
Love and scales !

Chapter 21
For my family

Hiccup let go of his best friend and let himself fall. Toothless looked at him with utter shock and desperation, but the viking remained calm and even smiled at him, nodding encouragingly. The dragon roared at him and quickly left towards Lumiverse and Joke.

Hiccup didn't care about his fall, nor about Kosmozis who was struggling and holding onto him. His heart had stopped beating in apprehension, he held his breath and kept his head upward, looking at the two frames above.

Toothless was flying at top speed towards Lumivers, Joke was still clinging on her and was now screaming his husband's name, and the dragon caught them. He had flown that fast he couldn't stop right away, dragging them farther until they crashed on the edge of the cliff. Hiccup saw them landing and rolling in the grass, and breathed again.

Toothless was safe. Lumiverse was saved. Joke was saved. Their daughter was saved. His family was safe.

Nothing was more important than that for him. Hiccup felt serene, filled : his family was safe. Saving these other lifes was more important than his own life. He didn't regret what he had done. He had vowed to protect his family with all his might, and he did. Hiccup felt proud, perfectly calmed, ready to accept his fate. He was ready to leave this world knowing that Joke, their daughter and their dragons were all safe.

But Kosmozis was still there, hanging onto him and fighting, he broke his plenitude bubble. One of Hiccup's wings was already torn, he couldn't use them anymore, but the general wanted to make sure the viking would perish with him. He managed to climb on him to make even more damages on his armor. He already had a deep scratch of Deathgripper's claw on his chest protection, but it was not enought for the general.

He riped off his wings, one epaulet, almost scratched his face, then slipped and hold back on his fake leg, still screaming and growning in his ears.

Hiccup couldn't get rid of him, yet his focus went back above as he heard a noise. It was a whistle, a whistle he knew all too well. Looking up, he spotted a dark mass going through the mist, aiming for him. Recognizing his best friend, and understanding he was fast enough, Hiccup hurried and bent to work on it peg leg, trying to quickly unclip it.

Kosmozis understood too what was going to happen and screamed even more, trying to hold onto his last chance of survival.

''NOOO !''

The splashes of water made by his harsh encounter with the ocean spattered on Hiccup just before he got caught by Toothless. The fierce dragon beat his wings faster to get high again, then bent his head under his belly to check on his friend.

Hiccup tried to recover from his fear and beamed seeing the cute face and sparkling green eyes of the dragon he owed and loved so much, said dragon was looking at him with such an innocent look, cooing at him.

''Thanks bud, you're always here for me.'' He breathed, sincere gratefulness and admiration pouring from in his voice.

The Fury chortled in response and got higher and higher until they reached the top of the cliff, where they had left the others. As they were getting closer to the ground, Hiccup spotted Joke rushing to them while stretching out his arms towards him, Lumiverse was laying a few steps behind him, his face was torn in anguish.

Toothless quietly deposited his passenger before landing next to him. Hiccup stood on one foot and wrapped his arms around his husband running to him.

''Hiccup !''

''Joke...''

The viking wanted nothing more than huging his beloved in his arms, but said beloved started to trash and punch him in the shoulders while sobbing loudly.

''For the love of gods, what were you thinking ?! Don't you EVER do this again, you hear me ?!''

''Hey, calm down.'' Hiccup tried to reassure him, yet he lost his balance and fell butt in the grass.

He accidently dragged Joke with him, only to find the young man wrapped around his neck, crying in the crook of his neck. He hesitated for a second, then put his arms back around him.

''It worked, didn't it ? You're safe.''

''You're such an idiot, Hiccup Haddock…''

''Yeah.'' Hiccup admitted with a faint smile. ''I'm your idiot. But I promised to protect you and the baby.''

''I don't care, don't ever do that again.''

Even if his heart felt heavy, Hiccup chuckled. He let go of Joke and cupped his face, meeting his bloodshot and overflown eyes. He gently wiped his tears with his thumbs, smiling softly.

''As you wish, mister Haddock.'' He joked before kissing him.

Joke let out a mixture between a chuckle and a sob and kissed him back, new tears rolling down his cheeks.

The other riders came back from the battle, victorious, and saw them. Allies and villagers gathered near the cliff, welcoming back their heroes and reuniting with their dragons. They started to rejoy and celebrate their victory, cheering echoed in the sky and a few helmets were thrown in the air.

Hiccup let go of his husband and looked towards the Furies. Toothless was standing next to Lumiverse, still unconscious. That made his smile disappear. Joke and him helped each other to stand up, one exausted and the other one missing a foot, they leant on each other and walked to them.

The Night Lights came at this moment from the woods and landed just behind Toothless. They wanted to circle their mother but got worried and kept their distance. Hiccup removed his leather gloves while Joke carefully sat next to her, gently stroking her head. The slight touch was enough to make her react, she started to wake up.

When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was the two vikings she called friend and family, then her mate and her hatchlings. She cooed, appreciating the pet that was given to her. Joke chuckled and hugged her, earning a purr in exchange.

When Toothless came closer, sniffing her and whining a bit, Joke smiled and let his husband help him up, leaving space for the black dragon which cheek he stroked. The two vikings stood, leaning on each other, watching their dragons reunite while the hatchlings were swooping around them excitedly.

It didn't took long before Lumiverse got back her full energy, which made the hatchlings even more happy, squeaking and chirping around. Such a sight amused the Haddock couple, still Hiccup managed to tear his eyes off it to look at his husband.

Their eyes met, they smiled to each other, then the young chief of Berk pressed his forehead on his. They were all together now. Kosmozis was gone for good, the trappers had left. They could hope that, without Kosmozis to pay them, the Slaughterhouse would disappear with him. They ha dnothing left to fear from them.

Vikings around them rejoyed from the reunion and their victory. Some applaused and shouted in joy. Gobber nudged Tuffnut in the arm, the fake beard man had tied his hair together in try to save it and had been a bit mourning about it, but now he was feeling better. Next to them, Fishlegs burst out in cries of joy and relief.

''Oh that's wonderful !'' He said before pulling Ruffnut in a bear hug, overflowing her shoulder with his tears.

She stood still for a second, then she smiled before wrapping her arms around him.

''Okay, you win. I like sensitive guys.''

Eret and Astrid exchanged a sweet look, then the blond viking took his arms and rested her head on his shoulder, catch Snotlout's jealous glance.

Beside him, Elska saw him and talked to him with her usual calm and soft voice.

''You know, Eret may be bless with muscles but, just between us… You have the brains.''

He needed a few seconds to register what she had said, then beamed.

''Number one.'' He whispered to himself, smiling like a dumb.

Dragons too rejoyed from the victory. Those from the six different clans roared in delight, throwing sparkling fire in the sky, exploding in impressive and wonderful colors. Hiccup contemplated at the different faces in the crowd, admiring each man and woman, their bravery, their tenacity and the brotherhood and sisterhood they had showed during the battle.

Time was to celebrations, so Hiccup proclaimed a huge banquet for all their allies. It asked a bit of time to be prepared, but everyone helped out. That day, after fighting hand in hand, the six clans shared the same meal, surrounded in a warm, cosy and friendly atmosphere, filled with laughters, tales of their mighty deeds, exchanges and promises.

The Hairy Hooligans, The Berserkers, the Wingmaiden, the Defensors of the Wings, the Meathead and the Bearclaw, despite different clothes, habits and, for some of them, accents showing off really different origins they all gave the impression to be part of only one tribe, only one family the dragons part of too.

That day, the alliance got a completely new face and new meaning. Some links already existed before. The Berserkers and the Hairy Hooligans had been allied for generations. The Defensors of the Wings had as their king the brother of the Berserker's chieftess. A true friendship connected the queens from the Defensors of the Wings and the Wingmaiden. Deep respect and gratefulness linked the Bearclaw chief to the Hairy Hooligan's chief couple.

However, after this day, those links were stronger. More than allies, they had become comrades in battle, friends united in adversity. No peace treaty could equal such relationships, they didn't need to sign one up to know they could always rely on each other. During the diner, Hiccup and Scarlar talked a lot, the Bearclaw chief accepted to join the alliance and give a chance to peace with dragons.

Hiccup was very happy to hear this, it was always nice to have new allies, and mostly new friends. And he wasn't the only one to make new friends.

While Snotlout was devouring a yak leg without any ceremony, splashing his face with sauce, he stopped as he noticed a young woman was watching him from the other side of the table. Her leather clothes and the blue paints the shape of claws indicated she was a Berserker. Her skin was clear but not pale, her hair as dark as raven feathers, he found her slighty hooked nose cute, and her pale green eyes were shining with a devilish spark that reminded him a bit of Ruffnut's.

She was watching him intently, smiling, and waved her eyebrows at him. He gulped and checked behind him, making sure she was really looking at him. She smiled even brighter and rose her pint to him, as if she was cheering with him. The young viking, despite his internal panick, gathered his courage. He puffed out his chest, took his plate and pint, and stood to join her.

The party lasted longer than expected, the catchy folk ambiance accompanied them until the first rays of twilight. Vikings were not afraid to sail at night, especially with a clear sky like the one they had had all the afternoon. What vikings dreaded were the goodbyes.

A lot of bound had born during the battle, then during the banquet, and all of them had strenghten during this day. Though it was only a goodbye, they knew that, despite the distance, their friendship would last, even more now they knew the new location of the Hairy Hooligans.

Separation was tough, but also filled of promises. Like the promise to be invited to an upcoming wedding, the promise to come visit, an object kept as hostage to have an excuse to see the owner again, a kiss foretelling something more than just a serie of looks during the meal…

Hiccup squeezed Joke next to him, resting his hand on his, both of them looking at the horizon where the far away silhouettes were getting even more farther.

Everyone felt saddened by this departure, even if they knew it was not the last time they would see each other. A few tears still were shed. Hiccup, him, couldn't help but smile. He felt so proud. He was not only proud to his inventions in the village, nore only proud of his husband's achievements, he was proud of his entire clan and what they had manage to accomplish all together.

At this very moment, after learning to rely on his friends – who were not just the dragon riders – he felt light. The weight of his responsabilities his father had passed on to him as chief seemed to have been lifted up.

Moreover, now they were definitively rid of Kosmozis' threat, the future was brighter than ever, and full of promises.

Hiccup watched his husband with tenderness and love, his heart pounding in his chest. The wind was softly blowing in his snowy hair while his icy blue eyes reflected the immensity of the ocean. Sunset colors were putting the sky on fire and covering his winter appearance with soft warm colors.

Hiccup smiled seeing such beauty, then let his gaze go down on his belly. By instinct, he put a hand on it, taking his husband by surprise. Joke looked at him quizzically before meeting his forest green eyes, only filled with love.

A smile was the only answer to this look, then they kissed. Hiccup had a surprising feeling, he swore he just went back three years prior, the day they had made their wedding vows, the day when they had scelled their fate in a similar kiss, promissing themselves to a happy life together.

No doubt he was having the same feeling because it felt like they were making this promise again. He couldn't say, all he knew was that he was happy as ever.

Aww New Berk saved from all danger and the dragons staying with the vikings, what a happy endi- STOP !

Nope, that's not the end ! One more chapter coming through :D
See you tomorrow :)