Anything Is Possible

Rated: M
Pairing: Hiccup & OC-Runa
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the HTTYD or Frozen characters. Everything belongs to its original creator. However, I do own all my characters.

Chapter 31.

=Normal POV=
[November 18; Midmorning]
[Isle of Berk]

The return to Berk was a mass collection of emotions for everyone. With only three dragon riders to make the trip, there was mostly confusion and very little talking because no one knew what to say. Ruffnut and Astrid rode with Heather on Windshear, while Tuffnut was with Fishlegs on Meatlug and Snotlout with Dagur on Sleuther. There was underlying sadness between the four riders who lost their dragons because of Hiccup's punishment that they were told not to make the dragons attack, and warned if they did; there would be consequences. While, at first, no one believed Hiccup would make good on the threat, the seven dragon riders found out that Hiccup was very much a man of his word.

Initially, all seven of them were supposed to lose their dragons, but Hiccup seemed to make exceptions to three of them who told Astrid not to go through with her plan because the dragons didn't want to do it. Dagur and Heather tried to ask the Hooligans what happened, and why Hiccup was claiming that they betrayed him. Still, nobody wanted to talk about it given they had just lost their dragons, and though Fishlegs didn't, he felt terrible as part of whatever took place. Heather and Dagur didn't push during the flight, but they needed to know what happened. However, it would probably have to wait as Berk was in their sights.

"So…Who wants to explain things to Stoick?" Tuffnut asked the quiet group.

"I'll do it…" Astrid sighed. "It was…My idea to scope things out after Johann said he saw Hiccup on a ship with Viggo and Ryker Grimborn…"

"And you're sure that Johann said Hiccup was captured by them?" Dagur decided to chime in.

"Yes," Fishlegs nodded. "Trader Johann came to us at the beginning of November, just on his usual route. While talking with Stoick, who is the one told us to check things out, Johann told the chief that he had some information about Hiccup." He continued.

"The next morning, Stoick called us in with the Hooligan Council present to explain what he heard from Trader Johann. Stoick explained that Johann told him he heard by word of mouth around his usual ports that dragon hunters were becoming more active when believed to have stopped after the battle with the dragon riders." Astrid closed her eyes.

"According to Trader Johann, the merchants in the ports spoke of them claiming to be back to business again after reuniting with their leaders. Johann stated that he ran into one of their ships in crossing and found Viggo and Ryker. Johann said he played along, happy to help and be the friendly trader as always." Fishlegs paused a moment to catch his breath. "But what he noticed while talking to Viggo and Ryker, was there being an auburn-haired, green-eyed teenager working on the deck with the rest of the crew. When the teenager turned; he looked tired, pale, and miserable,"

"Johann confirmed it being Hiccup without a doubt in his mind," Snotlout interjected.

"And something about Viggo and Ryker raving that they had a new friend, hard worker, and helped them a lot in getting the business back up and running…" Ruffnut frowned.

"Johann claimed that the brothers had specifically motioned to Hiccup when they talked about this new friend," Tuffnut added. "Then after all their trading was done, the hunters headed off South and Johann immediately turned around to come to us as soon as he could with weather and whatnot,"

"Well, not sure what's going on with Hiccup and the dragon hunters suddenly, but it's not right, and Stoick is going to be angry as ever when he finds out," Astrid huffed.

"You know it's not true, Astrid," Snotlout remarked. "Viggo and Ryker probably did something to him. Viggo's a mastermind,"

"Maybe they hypnotized him? Like…When Gothi did it to Fishlegs, and we ended up with Thor Bonecrusher, who is the complete opposite of Fishlegs," Ruffnut offered.

"It's possible. Hiccup was claiming Viggo and Ryker saved him, that they were his friends," Fishlegs agreed.

"And he took our dragons from us…" Tuffnut reminded. "That's not something Hiccup would do…"

"Actually…" Heather trailed off a bit as they all looked at her. "It is something Hiccup would do, he would absolutely take dragons away from people who were forcing them to do anything…" She glanced back to see Astrid stared in surprise.

"My sister is right," Dagur shrugged. "We told you the dragons didn't want to attack Hiccup, and you made them do it anyway. Even Hiccup warned you not to do it, or there would be repercussions." He reminded. "You were so lost in your anger, which I think, was about losing to Hiccup, and forced the dragons to give in to stop the fighting…"

"What are you getting at?" Snotlout scoffed.

"I'm just saying that…Maaaybe," Dagur paused a moment. "Hiccup was telling the truth, and he is friends with them. There wasn't any kind of smirking or grinning on the Grimborn brothers' side. There was no coercion, no tone to show they were lying…" He went on. "I've been evil and deceptive before, and I recognized the signs. But Viggo and Ryker weren't showing anything but honesty to me. So I think they were telling the truth…And so was Hiccup."

"You can't make that call. You saw Hiccup attack me, and do all those other things that aren't Hiccup!" Astrid glared.

Dagur decided it was his turn to get a little angry. "Look, Blondie…" Dagur began. "I know you might not want to accept it and keep up that innocent act like Hiccup mentioned you do…But Hiccup wasn't being forced to do anything that he did." He remarked in a more serious tone while looking over at her. "If Hiccup were their prisoner, Viggo and Ryker would have him and Toothless in cages and chains, away from one another. I'd go as far as saying separate ships to keep them from escaping. But Hiccup was walking around freely with his dragon. The guy didn't look like he'd been roughed up at all, and he was dressed pretty well."

Astrid still looked angry but was contemplating it. "And Hiccup didn't look tired, pale, or miserable. Honestly…He looked angry, hurt…And Betrayed." Heather mentioned gently.

"And that's precisely what he said you five were. Traitors." Dagur said. "Now, Heather and I don't know what happened, but Hiccup said that the Hooligans abandoned and rejected him…And I'm just saying here, that something enough anger and hurt can change someone. I don't think Viggo and Ryker are responsible for this…" He paused as they reached Berk and hovered above. "I think you five, and the rest of the tribe are. It's just a theory, but Hiccup's story seems pretty solid; he's not a good liar…So if one of you wants to give me something different to make me believe otherwise, this is what I'm sticking too."

Right after Dagur said it, the dragons went in for a landing as Stoick came into sight, looking for Hiccup. "Where is he?!"

"Hiccup isn't with us, Chief Stoick…" Fishlegs reported looking down.

"What happened! Was he…Dead? Did they have and kill him? Answers now!" Stoick demanded.

"Viggo and Ryker Grimborn are alive, and they claim that they survived with some of their men then hid out on Dragon's Edge until we all left to return here." Snotlout started.

"I don't care about any of that, not at the moment, at least…I want to know what happened to my son!" Stoick demanded. "Did they have Hiccup?"

"Yes," Astrid spoke up before any of the others could. "Hiccup is alive, and well,"

Stoick sighed some. "Were you unable to save him as he's not with you? What information can you give me? I can assemble an entire fleet in just hours to attack and rescue Hiccup,"

"I don't think that's neces-," Heather started.

"Hiccup wasn't a prisoner, Stoick…" Astrid cut in. "Hiccup and Toothless were both there, walking around freely. Hiccup told us that he was never coming back to Berk, and perhaps the worst part; he is choosing to stay with the hunters," Stoick's eyes widened.

"And he took our dragons!" Snotlout added quickly.

"Then why do Heather, Dagur, and Fishlegs still have theirs?" Gobber inquired, leaning on his hook.

"Astrid sort of called Hiccup a traitor for choosing to stay with the hunters, and they fought," Tuffnut shrugged.

"Astrid named herself the new leader of the dragon riders, Hiccup got mad and said we didn't deserve our dragons, and because he's the leader of the riders; he gets to choose the punishment," Ruffnut continued.

"So he took Stormfly, Hookfang, Barf, and Belch," Astrid looked down. "I tried to get him to agree nicely, Stoick, but he refused, and we ended up fighting one another…He defeated me and won."

Stoick blinked. Hiccup, his son, beat Astrid in a fight? "But Viggo and Ryker confirmed that they had been training Hiccup, which is how he got so good. Trust me; Hiccup would never have won otherwise," Snotlout said.

"That's n-," Dagur started.

"Enough. We'll discuss this at the house," Stoick informed. "I'm sure you kids are tired," He added. "But I need to know everything that happened because it sounds like my son has lost his mind, confusing allies with enemies." The man sighed as Gobber noticed Fishlegs, Heather, and Dagur not looking happy with what had been said. "If necessary, I'll go find and talk to him myself…Maybe knock some sense into him, then he'll come home."

"I…Wouldn't advise that, chief…" Fishlegs spoke up.

"Come again? You're against going back to bring him home?" Stoick arched a brow.

"The last thing Hiccup told us was that if any Hooligan came in search of him, he would lock them up until he decided they could leave," Heather sighed softly.

"And that when they did return to Berk, they would find that he removed all the dragons and hidden them…" Fishlegs finished the rest of the threat.

"And you took the threat seriously?" Gobber asked.

"After he took Stormfly, Hookfang, Barf, and Belch…We weren't about to question it…" Astrid looked down. "Stoick," She said as Stoick looked at her. "He's not the Hiccup we know; he's not the same anymore…"

"Go on?" Stoick pushed.

"We think Viggo and Ryker might have hypnotized him or something. This guy looks like Hiccup, but…The way he acted," Tuffnut started.

"I mean…Astrid went to attack the brothers after they claimed they didn't have Hiccup and Toothless, but…Hiccup came out, and…Protected them?" Ruffnut informed.

"Protected Viggo and Ryker?" Stoick questioned.

"Oh, cut the soft reveal!" Snotlout groaned. "Stoick, Hiccup protected them, said they were his friends, and he used his powers against us!"

The village went just about silent, and all movement had stopped. Stoick's mouth dropped open, and his eyes widened in shock. Stoick looked to the others now. "Is this true?" All seven of them looked down and nodded to confirm. "Is anyone hurt from his…Abilities?"

"No, that's the weird part…Hiccup had full control, Stoick. I threw my ax at him, just to try and get him away from Viggo and Ryker, who were on either side of him, and he only put a hand up to stop it in mid-air, then made it float it back to me," Astrid stated.

"And when we went to destroy the ships with a full attack from the dragons, planning to grab Toothless and Hiccup afterward…Hiccup was able to stop all of it. Spine shots and fire blasts…He only used his hands to stop it, then let the attack fall into the water…" Snotlout added.

Stoick dragged his hand down his face in frustration about all the confusion. Gobber saw Fishlegs, Heather, and Dagur trying to say something about things, and he shook his head to them to stay quiet for now. "Alright, go relax for a bit, and I want you, Astrid, at my house before dinner. I want to know everything, and I know you are the dragon rider's second in command,"

"Yes, chief," Astrid nodded firmly.

"Will ye two be staying?" Gobber asked Dagur and Heather.

"Just for a few hours, to give the dragons a break," Heather smiled to the blacksmith.

"Stay through dinner, I insist. My thank you for joining the Berk riders to save Hiccup," Stoick offered.

"Thank you, Stoick." Dagur nodded. Stoick got everyone back to work as he walked off to his house, needing to think and prepare for tonight's explanation. The other riders without dragons broke off and headed to their homes.

"That's not what happened, is it?" Gobber asked the three before him.

"No. Some of it was, but they're just telling it to you from a personal opinion because Hiccup took their dragons away after forcing them to fight when they didn't want to…" Dagur said.

"Alright, you three come to the shop. Don't make it obvious, but I want to know the truth…Because I know this isn't the same Hiccup I raised," Gobber told them.

"Yes, sir," The three replied, then split off.

. . .

[Midday]
[Blacksmith's Shop/Forge]

An hour or so had gone by since Gobber told the three riders who knew the truth about things to come to the forge and tell him the truth. They had to put some time between their arrival and going there to avoid suspicion. So the three agreed to meet around lunch because Gobber would be closing shop while everyone ate. Heather and Dagur arrived first, then Fishlegs about ten minutes after them. Gobber closed the shop window and locked the four of them inside before ushering them into the side room where there was a desk, bed, closet, and the walls were riddled with invention ideas.

"Well, you can tell who used this room," Dagur folded his arms while looking around.

"Aye. It's the lad's room, ever since he was a wee thing. Hiccup spent a lot of time here in the forge with me, so I gave him his own studio since there were times he'd stay later here and then fall asleep. I've left everything as he did before he disappeared; he hated people messing or moving anything…" Gobber smiled but then sighed. "Enough about that…What happened with all this?"

Heather, Dagur, and Fishlegs looked at one another and sighed before they began to explain what went down when they located Viggo and Ryker's ship up to when they left after Hiccup's threat. "And that's everything," Fishlegs finished.

Gobber closed his eyes and leaned against the wall while thinking it all over. "I'll say this much, I agree with your theory, Dagur. It doesn't sound like Hiccup is being forced by anyone…And the other four sound like their acting on emotions about Hiccup taking away their dragons, for a good reason." Gobber informed.

"Gobber?..." Heather hesitated as he looked at her. "What did happen with the tribe and Hiccup?"

Gobber sighed. "Fishlegs, you already know," He started as Fishlegs nodded, looking down ashamed. "But for you two, and don't go saying nothing to anyone. You too, Fishlegs. Hiccup's powers that you saw, he's had them a very long time, and it's Stoick's fault that things went as horribly as they did." Gobber revealed and began to tell them that Hiccup had his powers since he was three, and against the elder's and his advice, Stoick refused to say to the tribe that Hiccup was unique and very different from the rest.

Gobber went on without a bunch of detail that Stoick made Hiccup stay in control of his emotions, to keep his powers buried. Of course, this only made it worse as it didn't matter how much of a lock had on his feelings to keep his abilities down because it only kept them dormant, but not stop them from growing stronger. And the longer they went without being used, learned to control and access, the worse it would be if Hiccup ever slipped up, which was precisely what happened that fateful day in January a week before Hiccup disappeared.

"So, when Astrid was in danger, Hiccup got scared, and his only focus was to protect her..." Dagur's eyes widened.

Gobber nodded at them. "His focus wasn't on controlling his emotions, and his powers sparked,"

Fishlegs sighed, slumping against the wall now. "No one got hurt, Hiccup's powers manifested to make some kind of white forcefield around himself and Astrid; it stopped the weapons, and made them drop around the dome shield." He explained.

"But it took everyone by surprise, and that's where the problems started," Gobber informed. "Stoick didn't tell anyone that he'd known. Gothi and I couldn't say anything, on Stoick's orders. The tribe said they could adjust if Hiccup could control his powers. So for a week, they purposely threw him into situations to test him, and because Hiccup didn't have any control from years of suppressing it, they became scared and didn't feel he belonged here. Nobody wanted him to be chief…"

"The night day before Hiccup left, we, as the riders, had been trying to tell him it would be okay, and he just had to stay in control or put them out of his mind and be like the rest of us…Hiccup got stressed or mad, and some strong force pushed us away from him. We were okay, but Astrid hit a post and knocked out for a few seconds. Later that night, Astrid told Hiccup that she didn't hold it against him, but she was also leaving him as his lover and his friend because her parents were making her. Not wanting Astrid to be with Hiccup anymore." Fishlegs stated.

"That was brought up when we were with Hiccup, he said it was a lie," Dagur pointed out.

"It was a lie…" Fishlegs looked down. "Astrid left Hiccup because she is scared of him. His powers that he can't control."

"So everything about Hiccup saying the one time he needed her to be there for him, and she wasn't, was true," Heather frowned. "It all makes sense now, and Hiccup really was the one hurt in this,"

"Astrid's parents wouldn't have had a say in Astrid not being with Hiccup, that's why he knew her reason was a lie," Gobber rolled his eyes.

"Why wouldn't they have a say?" Dagur wondered.

"Marriage contract was already finalized," Gobber said.

"Wait, they were betrothed?" Heather stated in shock with wide eyes.

Fishlegs and Gobber nodded. "Hiccup's powers came out a week before the wedding…" Gobber told the Berserker siblings.

"And Astrid left Hiccup the night before the wedding," Fishlegs closed his eyes.

"Oh, my Gods…" Heather gasped.

"I get it. Astrid's parents couldn't say anything to her about leaving Hiccup because the contract was negotiated and done already. At that point, the only things that can dissolve them are one of the two dying, unfaithfulness, or fear for their life. Neither of them died, nor were unfaithful. But Astrid was afraid of Hiccup after what happened, and blamed it on her parents being scared for her, and got the contract broken." Dagur remarked.

"That's correct," Gobber nodded. "I had planned to see Hiccup the next morning after that day, but he was gone. Knowing what I do now, it makes sense why he chose to leave. Hiccup didn't feel like he had anything left here because everyone turned on him. Not me, of course, but Stoick wouldn't let me talk to him that night…Though I fear that decision is why Hiccup left because no one came to see or talk to him. What do you do when you feel alone and that you're not wanted? You leave. Hiccup disappeared in the middle of the night, and we haven't seen him since. By the sounds of things; it doesn't look like we're ever going to again," He looked down.

"I'm…Sure if you talked to Hiccup, Gobber, he'd understand that Stoick wouldn't let you see him that night. He'd forgive you, not the rest of us, but definitely you." Fishlegs offered.

"It's a nice thought, but I don't want to risk him removing all the dragons. Hiccup is a man of his word if he said he'd do something; he will." Gobber admitted. "But you're right, and he would probably forgive me. I wouldn't know where to find him…" The man sighed.

"We can tell you where we saw them?" Dagur suggested.

"Yeah, they were headed Southwest of here and already past Hysteria and Bog," Heather stated. "I'm sure if you're flying high enough, you can see where the ships would be docked on one of the islands." She added.

Gobber considered things. "I'll think about it; things would be too suspicious now to do it, and I don't want to take the chance of anyone following me. Besides, I'm sure he could use some time to calm down," He said. "Alright, now get on out of here. Lunch hour is almost over, and we don't need anyone reporting the group of us together. Remember what I said, not a word about what was said in here."

The other three nodded as Gobber let them out before he sighed heavily. If he was going to pull off going to see Hiccup, he was going to need a plan to be off the island for a few days, so Gobber better get to thinking on how he was going to pull this off. Still, Gobber absolutely decided that he would be making the trip to see the boy he practically raised.