*pokes head in* Guess who?
Hi guys, Sparky here with a (apparently highly anticipated chapter) I am very sorry for the wait...let's just say 2020 isn't pulling any punches and I went on a bit of a hiatus from updating (that's without mentioning the fact that I forgot to save after being half way done and...couldn't bring myself to redo it for a while.)
Also I have a few things that have been bought to my attention that I needed to address. First and foremost...I will not be doing the HTTYD sequels nor will I be completing another characters watch the movie/read the books in the future. Guys, as much as I appreciate the love for this story and how much enjoyment I've gotten from it... I don't want to do another. This story was published in October of 2015, its now October 2020 and we're on the second to last chapter (yes the last one is the finale and it will be out before the end of the month, I will be starting it later on this week. I dont want you guys to have to wait another 84 years for the ending :)
Its dragged on longer than I've wanted it to, takes a long time for each chapter (as I'm sure you've noticed) and frankly I'm done with the story and probably the concept too once this is completed. Maybe in the future I'll change my mind but for now that is my answer. And I hope you can respect that. After this I will be putting the energy into my other stories, both here and on my Wattpad (GlitchyHeart1704) that I am really passionate about and love, (psst one is a fantasy adventure non fanfic one)
I also restarted by Tumblr where I post fairly often about different fandoms with my head cannons and writings and a bunch of other random stuff in case anyone is interested in that (StarlightShadowsWorld)
Well I've rambled on long enough, Merida do the disclaimer.
Merida: SparkyIceblaze135 don't own HTTYD, ROTG, Tangled, Brave or any of the songs or characters in this story only her OC and this fanfic.
Me: Enjoy.
Stoick wanders down the steps and enters the docks. Broken-down catapults and trebuchets are bundled up and lowered from the cliffs and on the docks, Vikings load the heavy artillery into the hulls of the ships. Children and the elderly gather to on the walkways to wave farewells and the last one to be loaded is a miserable Toothless. He is chained down to a palette, muzzled, and restrained with a heavy neck ring. Stoick's brow is furrowed as the ships leave the harbour, he faces the horizon with cold determination. "Set sail! We head for Helheim's Gate!" He commands, its than that he notices Hiccup watching from the cliffside. Father and son meet each others gaze, full of hurt and regret. Hiccup slowly shakes his head in warning, causing Stoick to breaks the stare and turns to Toothless, fuming. "Lead us home, Devil." He says, leaving Hiccup alone and powerless.
Toothless whines, nuzzling his riders head, assuring him of his presence and slowly between him and Astrid they get him to look back at the screen. Merida squeezes his shoulder in comfort and Hiccup gives them all a sad smile. Stoick looks down, Gobber patted his back but no words were shared between them. What could they even say?
We cut to later on where Hiccup is still at the cliffside even though the ships are gone. He's completely alone and starts to sing, empties all his pent up fear and anxiety into song.
(I don't own Perfect it belongs to Simple Plan)
Hey, Dad, look at me
Think back, and talk to me
Did I grow up according to plan?
And do you think I'm wasting my time
Doing things I want to do?
But it hurts when you disapproved all along
And now I try hard to make it
I just want to make you proud
I'm never gonna be good enough for
You can't pretend that I'm alright
And you can't change me
#Cause we lost it all
Nothin' lasts forever
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
I try not to think
About the pain I feel inside
Did you know you used to be my hero?
All the days you spent with me
Now seem so far away
And it feels like you don't care any more
And now I try hard to make it
I just want to make you proud
I'm never gonna be good enough for you
I can't stand another fight
And nothing's all right#
'Cause we lost it all
And nothin' lasts forever
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Nothing's gonna change the things that you said
And nothing's gonna make this right again
Please don't turn your back
I can't believe it's hard just to talk to you
But you don't understand
'Cause we lost it all
Nothin' lasts forever
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
'Cause we lost it all
Nothin' lasts forever
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Astrid approaches him slowly once the song is over and stands beside him in silence. "It's a mess" she begins but Hiccup doesn't say anything. ". Hiccup doesn't respond. "You must feel horrible. You've lost everything. Your father, your tribe, your best friend. " Hiccup gives her a look "thank you for summing that up...why couldn't I have killed that dragon when I found him in the woods. It would have been better for everyone." Astrid nods "Yep. The rest of us would have done it...So why didn't you?" She asks curiously, but all Hiccup does is shake his head as if he doesn't know. There's a glimmer in Astrid's eyes, she knows what she needs to do. So she repeats her question "I don't know...I couldn't" replies Hiccup but that isn't enough for her "that's not an answer" she says cooly. "Why is this so important to you all of a sudden?" He snaps, growing angry but Astrid doesn't let up "because I want to remember what you say right now." And that's when Hiccup loses it. "Oh for the love of...I was a coward! I was weak. I wouldn't kill a dragon." Astrid corrects his use of saying wouldn't instead of couldn't "whatever! I wouldn't! Three hundred years and I'm the first Viking who wouldn't kill a dragon!"
"Oh I see what you're doing" chuckles Bunny, Astrid smirks as Hiccup pouts "couldn't you just tell me without dragging it out like this?" She gives him a deadpanned look. "I could've...I could've dragged you with me and spelled it out so simply..." she taunts before her gaze and her voice softens. "But that wouldn't have worked. I can't tell you who you are dummy, that's what you needed to figure out yourself." Hiccup looks at her in surprise, a small genuine smile blooms on his face. "Thanks Astrid", she smiles back before noticing everyone watching them and holds up her axe...and they all immediately look back at the screen.
"First to ride one, though." She interjects and Hiccup blinks in surprise. He hadn't really thought of it liked that before and seeing the realisation in his Astrid gets Astrid to prompt him to say it. "...I wouldn't kill him because he looked as frightened as I was. I looked at him and I saw myself." Astrid turns to face the open sea "I bet he's really frightened now... What are you going to do about it?" Hiccup sighs, "probably something stupid" she shakes her head "good, but you've already done that." There's another silence before Hiccup says "then something crazy." That gets Astrid to smile, he had finally understood and gotten to the point "that's more like it. "
Hiccup smiles to himself, a soft blush covering his cheeks making Toothless give him a toothless smile. Hiccup swats his head but the silent look of gloating continues and is shared by a smirking Jack and Sparky. 'Oh Odin above I'm dead' he groans internally. He just had to fall in love with the best, most beautiful and would kick his ass if he said that Viking. Stoick, who both from their on and offscreen interactions saw this coming and smiles sadly. Trust his son to fall for a woman that was so much like his Mother.
We cut to the open sea at the island where the armada coasts toward a shroud of heavy fog, hung like drapes from a low-hanging, ominous sky. The ships enter, one by one and the fog covers them immediately. The armada disappears, drawn into the blinding mist. Nothing remains but the eerie creaking of wood on water. Stoick is at the bow of his ship, tapping his fingers and looking at Toothless impatiently. Weighed down with chains, Toothless seems unresponsive. "Sound your positions. Stay within earshot." Commands Stocik and there's a bunch of shouts from the other Vikings with their positions. Massive, jagged sea stacks begin to emerge, threatening to rip the ships to shreds. Gobber approaches him, speaking under his breath "listen... Stoick... I was overhearing some of the men just now and, well, some of them are wondering what it is we're up to here, not me of course. I know you're always the man with the plan...but some, not me, are wondering if there is in fact a plan at all, what it might be?" Stoick gives him a pointed look "find the nest and take it." he says it simply. Gobber nods "ah, of course. Send them running, the old Viking fall back. Nice and simple."
"There going to get themselves killed" sighs Elinor "what kind of inane strategy is that?" The Vikings shot the Queen offended looks but they themselves were worried about their onscreen counterparts.
Stoick silences Gobber as he notices that Toothless' ear plates are at the alert, quietly reacting to inaudible sounds. Stoick crosses to the stern of the ship and grabs the tiller, moving the helmsman out of the way, covertly following Toothless' head movements. The ship barely misses a jagged outcrop that suddenly appears out of the soupy fog. Other Viking's start noticing and calling out to him but Stoick continues to follow Toothless' cues, undeterred. Meanwhile, we cut to the training grounds where Hiccup is raising the bolt on the Monstrous Nightmare's pen. "If you're planning on getting eaten, I'd definitely go with the Gronckle" interjects Fishlegs, Hiccup turns to see his fellow recruits, watching him with folded arms. Tuffnut steps forward with a scowl "you were wise to seek help from the world's most deadly weapon." At everyone's blank looks he sighs "I'ts me!" Hiccup iin't sure how to respond but luckily Snotlout beats him to it "I love this plan" Ruffnut nods agreeeing with a sultry voice and ignoring Hiccup's denial. "You're crazy, I like that." Astrid gives Hiccup a pointed look ignoring the rest "so? What is the plan?" Hiccup watches them and smiles.
The other Viking teens shoot Hiccup smiles/apologetic looks and are surprised and saddned at how the simple action makes Hiccup practically glow from the support.
Back with the ships, a dragon head looms out of the fog and the men recoil only to discover that it's a wrecked ship, impaled high on a gnarled sea stack. "Ah. I was wondering where that went." Says Gobber as a clicking buzz is heard and grows louder. It fills the sky, converging in one general direction, Stoick sniffs the air. "Stay low and ready your weapons" he commands before his ship jerks to a halt as the keel burrows into shallow black sand. Stoick hops overboard, landing on a sprawling beach, the buzzing stops and above him a volcano towers "we're here."
"I have a bad feeling in my belly" announces North and everyone nods in agreement. Hiccup watches the screen in fear, hoping his Father will be ok while Stoick watches him saddened and shocked that even after everything he's done...his son still cares for him. Sparky catches Stocik's gaze and smiles at him encouragingly.
At the training grounds, Hiccup steps back from the door, drawing the Monstrous Nightmare out of its cave. It snorts, stepping into the ring...and is calmed by Hiccup's outstretched hand. The teens watch in bewildered and in awe. Snotlout nervously reaches for a spear laying near his foot but Astrid stops him. Hiccup slows to a stop in front of the teens, with the Nightmare inches from his outstretched hand. He reaches over and grabs Snotlout's trembling hand. "Wait! What are you..." Hiccup smiles encouragingly "relax. It's okay... it's okay." Hiccup replaces his outstretched hand with Snotlout's, putting him in control of the massive beast. The Nightmare snorts, but remains calm. Snotlout, by contrast, chuckles nervously and the others watch in shock. Hiccup turns and walks away and at Snotlout's panicked yell he pulls a bundle of rope and supplies. "You're going to need something to help you hold on." The teens eye each other apprehensively, and look up to reveal... all the dragons standing in the ring, facing the teens expectantly.
"Go Hiccup!" Cheers Rapunzel giving him a warm hug. He stumbles a bit but hugs her back, unaware of his Fathers proud gaze on him...unaware of the surge of pride that wells up in Stoick's eyes. But also the fear of his son being anywhere near the island. "Honestly this is the strangest thing I've ever seen...Vikings on Dragons." Says Pitch, Merida clears her throat and directing his attention to the deadpanned seasonal's. "stranger than a Queen becoming a bear, of a lost prince becoming a bear demon and it being fixed with the power of love and acceptance?" She snorts, Rapunzel chuckles and twirls a piece of her hair "stranger than magical hair that glows and heals when I sing?" Jack clears his throat "stranger than being freed from fearlings and the three of us becoming guardians?" Pitch snorts and breaks into chuckles giving them all an amused look "ok ok, you got me their Jackson but the rest is pretty bewildering compared to this." Hiccup pouts but there's a smile on his lips and Pitch is smiling too.
Back at Dragon Island, tree trunks are being sharpened and planted into the sand at angled rows. Boulders are being loaded into catapult baskets and a plan is being scratched in the sand. Stoick looms over it, looking determined with his generals are at his sides. "When we crack this mountain open, all hell is going to break loose." He says dramaticially, even if Gobber almost ruins it by talking about his undies. Stoick turns to face the men "no matter how this ends, it ends today." He walks toward the base of the volcano wall, backed by several hundred warriors. He raises his arm and drops it, signalling a line of catapults to unleash their two-ton loads into the cliff wall making it crack. Several more hits tear away at the hollow shell of hardened lava and a final boulder shatters the fractured wall, creating a deep, dark opening to the cavern within. There's silence until Stock raises his hand, makes a gesture and a flaming bushel is launched into the dark, lighting the wall with Dragons. Stoick pulls his hammer and rushes into the cave, as war cries echo around him. In a chaotic flurry, the dragons suddenly rush out like bats from a cave. They take to the air, bypassing the axe-swinging Vikings and fleeing the island. The battle-ready Vikings drop their weapons, confused and begin to cheer. Except for Stoick...he peers down the dark throat of the cavern where a roar echoes from the cavern. The ground underfoot trembles and the cheering stops. Stoick's expression sinks "this isn't over. Form your ranks! Hold together! The men scramble to organize themselves. Before the ground cracks and tears open as a giant dragon emerges.
"Er...Grandfather...exposition would be nice..." Gulps Sparky, as everyone cowers at the sight. "That my dear is the Red Death, what you kids would call...head bitch in charge." Explains Pitch and while his slang made some of them chuckle they all stayed looking in horror and fear.
"Beard of Thor...what is that?...Odin help us" Gaps Stoick before sigalling the catapults. The Vikings score direct hits but the burning stones bounce off the dragon's skin. The Red Death focuses on the catapults. It crushes the first one - smashing it and its crew, rattling the beach underfoot. Stoick races toward the second catapult and pushes another Viking out of the way just before the dragon crushes him under his forepaw. The Vikings scramble in all directions. The ships are decimated by the Read Death's blasts. Gobber joins Stoick "heh, smart that one" says Gobber and Stoick looks up and down the beach for an answer. "I was a fool" he realises, as the dragon raises its head to the sky and roars. The beach shakes at the force, knocking Vikings off their feet. "Lead the men to the far side of the island" commands Stoick to Spitelput who nods and directs them. Gobber drops in beside Stoick, as fire blasts over head, causing them to duck. "Gobber, go with the men" commands Stoick but Gobber won't "I think I'll stay, just in case you're thinking of doing something crazy." Stoick grabs him "I can buy them a few minutes if I give that thing someone to hunt" he says sadly and Gobber removes Stoick's hand and clenches his forearm, determined. "Then I can double that time" that makes Stoick grin,
Both Gobber and Stoick grin at each other, they truly were friends to the end no matter how bitter of an end it was. friends to the bitter end.
They break cover and dash out, splitting up as they did so. Stoick rips a sharpened post from the ground and hurls it into the monster's face. "Here!" "No here!" They both yell as the Red Death spots them and focuses on Stoick despite Gobbers attempts. It rears back and inhales. Gas begins to amass, when a blast explodes against the back of the Red Death's head. It turns distracted, as... a Nadder punches through the flames, banking across the sky. Followed by a Monstrous Nightmare, a Zippleback, and a Gronckle. They roll in unison, revealing the recruits riding on their backs. Hiccup leads, with Astrid clinging to his waist. Gobber and Stoick watch slack-jawed in awe. "Ruff, Tuff, watch your backs! Move Fishlegs!" The Red Death shakes off the blast and snaps in their wake as Hiccup directs his squadron out of harm's way. They climb out of reach and circle each other. "Look at us, we're on a dragon! We're on dragons, all of us!" Cheers Tuffnit and Hiccup gets them all moving. The dragons climb past the Red Death and Gobber hobbles over to Stoick. "Every bit the boar-headed, stubborn Viking you ever were." He says foundly while Stoick is speechless.
"Aye he is" agrees Stoick, making Hiccup blink in surprise...was that pride in his voice?
The teens circleover the dragon's head "Fishlegs, break it down." Says Hiccup and Fishlegs grins "okay, heavily armored skull and tail made for bashing and crushing. Steer clear of both. Small eyes, large nostrils. Relies on hearing and smell." He explains and Hiccup turns to the rest "okay, Lout, Legs, hang in its blind spot. Make some noise, keep it confused. Ruff, Tuff, find out if it has a shot limit. Make it mad." Ruffnut grins "that's my specialty." Tuffnut glares "sicne when? Everyone knows I'm more irritating." To prove his point, he makes annoying sounds only to be interrupted by an exasperated Hiccup "Just do what I told you. I'll be back as soon as I can." The teens bank and dive toward the monster, splitting up, with the Twins race alongside the monster's head, taunting it. "Troll!" "Butt Elf!" "Bride of Grendel!" They jeer and in response the Red Death unloads a spray of fire at the twins. They barely dodge it while Fishlegs and Snotlout hang behind its eyes, banging away at their shields, making a racket. That's when the Red Death opens all six of its eyes, spotting them. "Uh, this thing doesn't have a blind spot."
"Ah yes that is quite true" nods Pitch, "you could've mentioned it earlier?" Asked Fishlegs who was hurriedly making notes. The guardian of bravery shrugged "Its been a long time since I encountered dragons, I don't recall many of it." He explained and Sandy nodded.
We cut to Astrid and Hiccup, searching for Toothless. Hiccup spots him among the burning ships and steers the Nadder over the deck and hands Astrid the reins. Hiccup lines up his jump, hops off, guarding his face from the flames and lands on the burning deck. "Go help the others! She and the Nadder take off as Hiccup fights his way to Toothless. He unbuckles the muzzle and Toothless shrieks."Okay, hold on. Hold on" He pleads, getting to work on the chains He gets to work on the chains. Meanwhile Snotlout and Fishlegs are clanging their weapons against their shields, making the monster wince and it sways its head dizzily. But it is also affecting thir dragons. The Red Death thrashes, knocking Snotlout off of his dragon and onto the monster's gigantic head. Snotlout bounces across the top and comes to a stop just shy of the hundred foot drop. Fishlegs' Gronckle goes down in a spin of confusion. "I've lost power on the Gronckle. Snotlout! Do something!" Yells Fishlegs, throwing Snotlout his hammer as the Gronkle crashes and skids to a stop.
"I'm okay!" He yells... Until the Gronkle flips over and crushes Fishlegs. "Less okay."
Everyone winces and the Gronkle growls sadly and nuzzles Fishlegs's head apologetically.
Snotlout is eyeing the Red Death's gigantic, veiny eyes. He raises the hammer " I can't miss!"He throws the hammers at monster's eyes, playing whack-a-mole."What's wrong buddy, got something in your eye?" He jeers as Astrid flies by on her Nadder, catching Snotlout in all his heroics. "Yeah! You're the Viking!" Snotlout grins, finally vindicated in her eyes. But in his distraction, he gets thrown and lands heavily on one of the Red Death's spines. The monster's tail sweeps across the burning ships, snapping masts like twigs. We follow one down as it crashes onto a deck, revealing Hiccup who can't budge the chains as fire licks his clothes. He looks up and sees the monster blasting at the teens, enraged. The monster's giant foot crashes through frame, smashing the bow under its impressive weight. Hiccup and Toothless are thrown into the water in a maelstrom of burning planks and rigging
"Hiccup!" Everyone screams in worry at the fallen teen.
Underwater, Hiccup swims toward Toothless. They're both caught in a mess of rigging which drags them down. The heavy palette settles into the rocky bottom like an anchor. Toothless has stopped struggling and Hiccup takes one more hopeless tug at the chains... he's almost out of air. Suddenly, a meaty hand grabs Hiccup and Stoick breaks through to the surface, pulling Hiccup to the shoreline through flaming debris. He lays him down, under the shelter of an overhanging rock. "Dad" Gasps Hiccup in surprise as Stoick dives back into the water. Stoick appears infront of a drowning Toothless and tears off of the chains and lets it float free.They eye each other, through the churned up bubbles before Toothless lunges out of the bars... grabbing Stoick. In an explosion of sea water, Toothless lands on the shore, setting Stoick down and releasing him while Hiccup watches in awe.
Toothless eyes Stoick before giving him a toothless grin. The Viking is taken aback before chuckling. Hiccup watches the scene both in awe and baffled.
The ground rumbles underfoot as the monster screeches. Its massive claws stomp around in the smoke. Stoick gives way as Toothless mounts the rock and raises his wings. He turns to Hiccup and snorts, "you got it, bud." Hiccup climbs onto Toothless and buckles himself in. Stoick grabs Hiccup's arm "Hiccup... I'm sorry...for everything." Hiccup looks at his dad and nods "yeah...me too." There's a pause between them. "You don't have to go up there" Says Stoick but Hiccup smiles "we're Vikings. It's an occupational hazard." They exchange smiles. "I'm proud to call you my son." Hiccup beams, taken aback. "Thanks dad", Stoick lets go of Hiccup's arm. Hiccup spurs Toothless on, charged with his father's belief in him. They rocket into the sky as Stoick watches from below.
And that's all for now, stay turnedXXX Sparky