DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters from the HTTYD series or any of the ideas to the plots. My ideas are inspired by a collective of stories that I have come across. But I am always open for any ideas that could help with the story. I might also mess up with some details but I will try my best for the story. Without a further ado I will let you get on with the reading, enjoy!
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Stoick remained silent as he looked down at Hiccup who had a smirk on his face.
"Missed me," Hiccup asked as he looked up at the chief. The large man didn't say anything as he just clenched his fist and looked at his son.
"How is this possible," Stoick asked in a quiet voice as he took a small step back.
"Which part," Hiccup asked, "Me being alive or me being the Dragon Master." His voice now had a sudden smugness to it as he stood in front of his father. "You know it's pretty funny to see the look on your face right now, you should see it." Hiccup seemed to have a few more things to say but he was stopped after Stoick punched him across the jaw. The men holding him let him go and he fell to the ground by the sudden blow. Astrid tried to run forward to help Hiccup but she felt someone stop her and she looked back to see her mother next to her.
"That's all you got," Hiccup asked with a pained chuckle as he brought himself to one knee. "You might be getting too old, I think you're losing your muscle." Despite his jokes Hiccup was massaging the spot on his jaw and Astrid already saw a faint bruise forming. Stoick didn't say anything as he stepped forward and gave a swift kick to Hiccup's ribs. Astrid had to put her hand across her mouth from crying out as Ingrid continued to hold onto her. "Might want to be careful, child services might come get you if you keep this up," Hiccup said as he slowly picked himself up again.
"You are not my son," Stoick shouted as he stood over Hiccup in a threatening way. "You are a worthless, spineless creature that hides in the shadows. We call you a devil but you are just a scared boy." Hiccup didn't say anything as he just stared into the face of the chief. "Take him to the prison," Stoick told the men standing by, "We'll deal with him later." The two men nodded and roughly grabbed Hiccup and lifted him up.
"You're right about one thing Stoick," Hiccup called out and stopped the man in his tracks. "I am not your son and I never was, nor would I ever want to be." Stoick didn't turn back around but Astrid saw a mix of emotions on his face. He remained silent as he walked off and pushed through the crowd. Astrid turned back to see Hiccup watching her as he was carried off. As their eyes met he gave her a reassuring smile and then winked.
"Come on dear, let's go home," Ingrid said as she lightly pulled her daughter along. Astrid didn't say anything as she followed her mother and sister. It was a silent walk as Astrid just tried to keep her eyes forward and not focus on her mother or sister who were both casting glances at her. They silently walked into the house and Astrid placed her bags on the floor next to the steps. She heard a noise from their kitchen and a few seconds later she saw her father step out into the open.
"Astrid," he said in a breathless tone and he set the dish he was washing down on the table. "Is it really you," he asked as he slowly walked forward and braced himself against the wall.
"It is," Astrid said with a small smile and Arthur's smile grew on his face as he walked forward and wrapped her into a tight hug.
"How are you here," Arthur asked as he stepped back slightly to look at her.
"That can wait for another time," Ingrid quickly said before Astrid could try and explain everything to her father.
"The Dragon Master brought her back," Bella bursted out suddenly, earning a glare from their mother.
"What," Astrid's father asked with a sudden confusion and disbelief in his voice now.
"It's a long story," Astrid tried to explain but her father seemed to now become agitated by the thought.
"That bastard was here," Arthur asked in an angered tone, "Is that what everyone was fussing about just now?"
"That 'bastard' is the reason why I'm alive," Astrid said in a louder voice. "If it weren't for him I would probably have died months ago."
"He's a no good runt and deserves to rot in a cell," Arthur spat, "It's good that you're not with that demon."
"Hiccup isn't a runt," Astrid shot back, "He's a good man with an even better heart."
"Hiccup," her father asked, "As in Hiccup Haddock, he's the Dragon Master? He's the one that has caused all of this trouble?" He snorted and turned to pace around the room as Astrid stared at him. "Of course, he always messes up everything for the rest of us."
"You don't even know the half of what we are really dealing with," Astrid told him. "If you saw just what we went through then maybe you would understand."
"What 'we' went through," Arthur asked, "So you were helping him all this time?"
"Yes I was," Astrid said in a confident voice, "I was there right alongside him during the raids."
"Keep your voice down," Arthur told her, "We don't need anyone to hear about this."
"And what if they do," Astrid asked, "Are you just going to ship me off again?" Astrid saw a look of hurt wash over her father's face but she didn't feel bad for her comment. She let out a sigh and then turned to face the door.
"Where are you going," Ingrid asked as Astrid opened the door to step outside.
"I'm going to go see Hiccup," she said in a tone that told them it wasn't a debate. She didn't wait for a response and stepped outside of her house. As she made her way to the prison she saw several people look at her but she didn't stop to talk with them. Finally she made it over to the structure on the side of the village. It wasn't too complicated, just a simple wooden shack with two cells inside. You could tell where the cells were because the wood was replaced with concrete blocks. Astrid pushed open the door and looked around to see two men sitting by a table and Hiccup had his back against the far side of the wall as he sat on the ground.
"What are you doing here," one of the two guards asked her as the other stood up.
"I want to talk with him," she told them as she motioned her head to Hiccup.
"That's not going to happen," the man standing up told her and then she heard a faint chuckle from Hiccup.
"I would listen to her," he warned, "She doesn't like hearing 'no' quite often."
"Shut up you," the viking who was still seated yelled, "Like my friend said, that's not going to happen." The man who was standing walked forward towards her and made a move to grab her shoulder. She took a quick step to his side and then kicked out at his knee, dropping him to the ground. She quickly whirled around and kicked at his jaw, which sent him stumbling backwards.
"I'm going to talk with him," Astrid told them, "Alone," she added with a cold tone to her voice. The vikings glanced at each other and then nodded slowly before they both got up and started walking towards the door. "Unlock the cell," Astrid added as she stared at the two before they passed her. They seemed like they were about to argue but stopped after Astrid narrowed her eyes at them. One of them slowly pulled out the keys from his pocket and went over to the cell door to unlock it. He slowly unlocked it and then turned to go outside with the other man. Astrid waited for them to leave and for the door to close before she dropped her serious attitude and rushed into the cell.
"I warned them," she heard Hiccup say as she crouched down next to him. He kept his face down and she lifted it up to see a few more bruises and cuts across his face.
"What happened to you," she asked as she looked over his face and the rest of him to see more bruises.
"Well they couldn't wait to get their shots in," Hiccup told her, "Plus I may have edged them on a bit."
"This isn't funny," she told him as she saw a smirk on his face and she heard a low chuckle.
"Maybe not," Hiccup admitted, "But you're cute when you're worried." Astrid tried to keep a serious look on her face but chuckled as she bowed her head. Somehow despite all of the seriousness in the situation right now, Hiccup still managed to make her laugh.
"Why did you do this," she asked as she looked back up at him, "Why did you come back?"
"I couldn't just leave you like that," Hiccup told her, "Besides I have a plan."
"You do," Astrid asked, "What is it?"
"I can't tell you just yet," Hiccup told her, "You can't be associated with it, not yet."
"Well whatever it is, just try not to do anything stupid," Astrid told him.
"I'll try not to," he told her as he took her hand and held it in his. He then let out a short laugh and leaned his head back against the wall. "You know, seeing the rest of the world doesn't seem like a bad decision now."
"I wouldn't have minded it," Astrid admitted as she thought of what they could be doing instead of being stuck in here. They sat in silence for a few minutes before the sound of the door opening caused Astrid to turn around. She quickly realized it was Stoick walking into the room and his eyes narrowed as he saw the two together.
"What are you doing here," Stoick asked her.
"Why do you care," Astrid shot back, causing him to become more agitated. She felt something on her arm and looked back to see a warning look on Hiccup's face.
"What brings you here Stoick," Hiccup asked in a steady voice as he remained seated on the floor.
"I've come to let you know about the decision we have made," Stoick said as he straightened his back.
"Thank you for the news," Hiccup said in a sarcastic tone, "So what's my fate?"
"Your execution is set for tomorrow morning," Stoick said with a stone cold expression. Without saying anything else he turned and left the room. Astrid was speechless as she sat there and looked back at Hiccup who had the same expression as her. All she could think of now was what were they going to do now?
The next morning rolled around and Astrid didn't wait as she got out of her bed and hurried out of her house. She made her way to prison and quickly made it in without getting spotted by anyone. As she stepped in she saw the same two men from yesterday sitting at the table. They both realized she was at the door and then both looked at the cell. They looked back at each other and both silently nodded as one went to unlock the cell and both walked outside. Astrid waited for the door to close and then stepped inside the cell.
"Did you manage to get it," Hiccup asked as he looked up at her from his spot on the floor.
"Yeah, luckily I got up before anybody else," she told him as she withdrew a knife from her boot and handed it to him. He nodded his thanks as he took it as he stood up and walked over to the corner of the cell. He then moved aside the poorly made wooden bed frame and withdrew something from the corner. Astrid watched as he sat back down and held the knife in one hand and the wooden object in the other. "So what exactly is that," Astrid asked him as she watched him continue to carve away.
"I can't tell you remember," Hiccup told her without looking up at her. "In case this goes bad I don't want you associated with it."
"I hate to tell you but I think I'm pretty associated with it after bringing you that knife," Astrid told him.
"They won't know that," Hiccup told her as he looked up at her. "Those two were too focused on hitting me to properly search me. For all they know it was just tucked away in my boot." Astrid didn't say anything as she just continued to watch him work away on the wooden block. Ten minutes passed when she heard the door slowly open. Hiccup looked up quickly and hurriedly put the knife and wooden block behind him. Astrid felt her heart beat quickly as she thought a guard was coming in but she was relieved when she saw a familiar face step inside.
"Bella what are you doing here," Astrid asked her little sister as she slowly stepped around to the opening of the cell.
"I heard you leave the house this morning," Bella said in a quiet voice, "And I wanted to see what you were doing."
"Well I'm here," Astrid told her, "Go back home so mom doesn't get worried about you."
"But I wanted to see you," Bella said in a soft and innocent voice.
"She'll be fine," Hiccup whispered and Astrid sighed before she motioned for Bella to join them. Her little sister smiled as she walked over to her and sat down as Hiccup reached behind him to grab the knife and block of wood.
"What's that," Bella asked, showing her curiosity as she focused on what Hiccup was doing.
"Something I'm tinkering with," Hiccup slowly told her as he looked up at her for a second. Bella just nodded as she continued to watch him work away.
"Thank you for bringing my sister back," Bella said in a quiet voice and Hiccup smiled as he looked back up at her.
"I could tell you were close," Hiccup said as he looked back down at the block in his hands, "I couldn't just separate a family like that." Astrid looked over and saw Bella smiling softly as she watched Hiccup. The three sat in silence as Hiccup continued to carve at the block of wood as it started to take some shape. Finally after another ten minutes he stopped and placed the knife down on the ground. "And there we go," he said as he held the wood in his hands so Astrid could see it.
"What is it," Astrid asked as she looked closer at it but she couldn't figure it out.
"This is a whistle," Hiccup told them as he flipped it over in his hands and inspected it.
"Why did you make a whistle," Bella asked him, sharing Astrid's confusion.
"Another part of my plan," Hiccup told them as he wiped away a little of wood from the mouthpiece.
"Care to share anything more about this plan of yours," Astrid asked him with a raised eyebrow.
"You know me Astrid," he told her with a smirk, "I always like to keep things as a surprise." Astrid sighed as she shook her head and watched him. Hiccup then rose the whistle to his mouth and took a deep breath in. He began to play a few notes which were long and sharp as they sounded out from the whistle. After a few seconds he stopped playing and set the whistle down on the ground.
"What was that exactly," Astrid asked him as he leaned his head back against the cell wall.
"Well like I told you dragons have different songs," Hiccup told her, "That was just another song of theirs."
"Dragons sing," Bella asked with a laugh as she cut into the conversation.
"Of course," Hiccup said with a smile, "They sing all of the time, you just have to listen better."
"How much do you know about dragons," Bella asked and both Hiccup and Astrid chuckled at her curiosity.
"Lots," Hiccup told her in a simple answer, "How many there are, different kinds, their stories."
"Stories," Bella asked with a raised eyebrow, obviously doubtful of this.
"Yeah, there are loads of them," Hiccup told her with a short nod.
"Can you tell me one," Bella asked in an excited voice.
"I don't think I got the time for one today," Hiccup told her, "But I will tell you one eventually, I promise." Bella seemed satisfied with that as she nodded and didn't ask more about it. Suddenly the door opened again and Astrid turned to see Stoick and the two guards walk back into the room. The large man didn't say anything as he just folded his arms across his chest and glared at Hiccup. "Good to see you too," Hiccup said in a sarcastic voice as the two guards walked forward. He already folded his arms behind his back and the two men grabbed him and started moving him forward.
"Ready to face your punishment devil," Stoick asked as Hiccup stopped in front of him. Astrid watched as Hiccup stared up at his father, both with a cold expression on their faces. Hiccup then began to laugh and shook his head as he looked at his father. "What's so funny," Stoick asked through gritted teeth.
"You act so tough and strong yet I see who you really are," Hiccup told him. "I see what keeps you up at night and what scares you. And the best thing is, she's alive." Stoick didn't say anything but Astrid saw something change in his eyes. However, whatever was there disappeared a second later.
"I'll enjoy it when I don't hear your voice anymore you snake," Stoick said in an attempted threatening tone.
"Say what you want to say, but my mother, Valka Haddock, is still alive," Hiccup told him. Astrid heard a noise and looked back to see the guards' faces now surprised by the newfound information. "The woman you loved, is alive and living with dragons." Stoick's face was now filled with rage at his comment. He quickly pulled back his arm and drove a punch right into Hiccup's gut. Hiccup quickly folded over and only remained standing up because of the guards holding him.
"Let's go," Stoick grumbled, "It's time for this demon to go back to hell." The guards nodded and started to walk forward, dragging Hiccup along with them. Astrid watched as he was dragged out and she finally found the power to move her legs and follow them. As she and Bella stepped outside, Astrid heard a loud noise as Stoick continued to walk forwards. She looked around and realized a large crowd had gathered now and was shouting at Hiccup. He managed to find his footing now and was walking on his feet now. He kept his head high and Astrid saw a half smirk on his face as he was led forward.
"What's going to happen to him," Bella whispered as she stood close by to Astrid.
"I don't know," Astrid admitted, "Come on, let's follow them." She held out her hand which Bella took and held onto tightly. As they rounded the corner of one house Astrid felt her heart drop when she saw what was in front of her. It was a large wooden platform with a guillotine set up facing towards the gathering crowd. Astrid led Bella so they were off to the side of the crowd but could still see everything going on. Stoick walked up the steps and the guards followed close behind as they led Hiccup forward. As they went over the last step they threw him forwards so he landed on his face. The crowd cheered but Astrid noticed him slowly reach down to his boot and pull out something. He quickly palmed it and Astrid realized he grabbed the knife out from earlier.
"Bring him up," Stoick told the two guards and they quickly dragged Hiccup back up to his feet. She watched him look around the crowd and when their eyes met he winked again. "Any last words you devil," Stoick asked as he turned back to face Hiccup.
"What no big speech," Hiccup asked with a smirk, earning another shot to the gut from Stoick. "I see, you're more of an act first, talk later type of person."
"Just kill him already," Astrid heard a voice yell out from the crowd and looked back to see Snotlout standing in the front row of the crowd.
"How's the shoulder Snot," Hiccup asked with a smirk as he stood up straight now. Snotlout didn't say anything back but Astrid could tell he was pissed.
"Bring him forward," Stoick told the two and the guards moved him closer to the guillotine stand. "Dragon Master you are being charged for being a traitor against Berk and the archipelago. You have been sentenced to death, how do you plead?"
"Being the Dragon Master, guilty," Hiccup admitted, "But being a traitor against Berk not so much." The crowd booed and jeered at him after hearing that comment and seemed as if they were about to charge up the stand to kill Hiccup themselves.
"The court has made its decision and it's final," Stoick yelled out, "You'll be executed by the guillotine." The crowd cheered and then continued to yell for Hiccup to be killed now.
"Sorry to ruin your plans but I have something else in mind," Hiccup told them, "You might want to step back." In one quick move he sprinted forwards and then stopped, causing one of the guards to fall forwards. Hiccup turned to face the other guard and then headbutted him, causing him to stumble backwards. Hiccup then brought his fingers up to his mouth and let out a sharp whistle. Astrid heard a loud cry in the distance and then Hiccup took off towards a stack of wooden carts. He leapt up onto the carts and then turned to jump onto the roof of one of the nearby buildings.
"Get him," someone yelled and a few vikings tried to chase after Hiccup but it was useless, he was already on the move. Astrid heard another cry and looked up to see Toothless now swooping in as Hiccup ran towards him. With one quick move, Hiccup jumped up and got up in the saddle as Toothless continued to fly. They made a large circle around the village and eventually stopped to hover above the crowd.
"Now that I have your attention I have an offer to make," Hiccup yelled out to the ground below. "Before you say anything I would consider it, because it could save this village and the rest of the archipelago from its current fate."
"Why should we listen to you," one villager yelled out in an angered tone.
"Mostly because I am sitting on top of a Night Fury," Hiccup admitted, "But also because you're just leading yourself to your death if you don't. I will go up to the peak of the highest mountain and will discuss more there. Only Stoick, Gobber, and Astrid are to come, all of them unarmed. If either of my terms are broken then I will leave and let this place slowly continue on it's path to death. You have till sunset and I won't be waiting any longer." With that said Hiccup led Toothless and the two made their way towards the mountain. Astrid looked around the crowd and heard a lot of chatter amongst them. A lot of questions were being asked, yet nobody had any answers to them. All Astrid wanted to know was where was Hiccup going to go from here?
Ayo, it's me, hopefully everyone enjoyed the chapter along with it being a longer one as well. Usually if they are longer and a quicker update I am having more fun writing out this chapter, case in point this one. Not saying I don't have fun overall, just sometimes I'm stuck with some ideas. Also this shows how little of a social life I have because if I don't have sports or work at this point, I basically do fuck all. So I just resort to whatever I like to do at the time, which is this, which I really enjoy.
MeoW: Of course thanks for the continuing kind words. Really surprised at the comment of good grammar since I have never seen that as a strong suit of mine. Appreciate it and the following of the story.
INFERN0BOLT: Glad you liked it and found it interesting, hopefully I don't disappoint.
sOmEdUdE: Glad to see that you have liked it and I will say there will be a lot of interesting interactions between Snotlout and Hiccup. I won't give too much but hopefully it turns out good.
RERESNIPER: Glad to hear that you are enjoying it. Definitely going to try to include some fun bits between Snotlout and Hiccup.
dragoncraft2103: Always nice to hear people enjoying it, glad to see you liked it
Atomic R4y: There will probably be some more decent cliffhangers along the way so hopefully I can keep the same level for them. Hopefully I lived up to the expectations I laid out with this chapter.
As always thank you all for the reviews along with the new follows and favorites. Always check my email first thing I do when I wake up and it's always nice to see those alerts. Not entirely sure about the next update, I plan to work a decent bit over the next week and even when I won't be working, I'll probably be too dead to actually get anything done. As always if you have any thoughts, reviews, and/or questions please leave them as they are always helpful and peace out!