Standard Disclaimer: This fic is based on IHHS, but it is not the official sequel. You can find the actual sequel, Echoed Songs, on Rift-Raft's account.


"A half-baked idea is good so long as it's in the oven, right?"


I didn't know how much of a Loki-blessed genius Hiccup could be sometimes. First he makes the discovery of the century about dragon language, then he figures out what's bothering my Skrill so much, and then, to top it all off, he suggests I get our minds off of things by pranking the Meatheads?! And with the double-whammy of my Skrill and his being alive, to boot! Well, that last part was my idea, but my point still stands. He's like the brother I never knew I had!

Now here I am, almost bursting in anticipation, holding the ropes of my Skrill's harness and waiting for the large ship of the Meatheads to get close enough for a good jump. They are the hosts, so the warship wasn't surprising; in fact, I was counting on it. The larger the ship, the more careful the docking, the easier it'll be to time this just right.

The distracting roars and chirps from above finally ended a few minutes ago thanks to Hiccup's whispering. My Skrill was really making a big deal about Hiccup riding on his back when I literally threw him up there, but I knew Hiccup would find a way to deal with it. Besides, it's perfectly safe so long as he jumps off before the lightning starts. Or it should be; I never actually tried it myself…

Note to self: Go flying as soon as possible.

Anyway, since this prank was Hiccup's idea in the first place, I was not going to let him miss out on all the fun!

We were hiding behind the sail of my ship so the Meatheads wouldn't see us, but I started to reposition us once the Meatheads started steering their warship to the other end of the bay. While the ship made its slow way to the harbor, I moved us around the deck, paying careful attention to their line of sight. While I did Hiccup decided to reminisce about the laughs we once shared.

"By the way, I've been meaning to ask you what the deal was with all those daggers you threw at me when I was little."

My Skrill made some kind of choking noise.

"You know the saying. What doesn't kill you makes you harder to kill!"

"Uh, I'm not sure that's right."

I shrugged and inched us a few paces to the right. "Well, you get the idea. I was just trying to toughen you up, give you the skills you need to survive in a body like that. And it worked! I mean, you even survived a Night Fury! It was nothing personal."

"Yeah, I'm having a hard time believing that with how happy it made you."

"Hiccup, throwing weapons always makes me happy." I gestured at my Skrill to hover higher. "I just made you stronger by doing it, so it was a win-win."

"And what about the time you almost drowned me?"

"Same thing."

"And buried me?"

"You know, you really got to learn to let things go. We were just kids." They were almost in position, so I stepped over to the railing.

"I don't think most kids spend their time like you did."

It was time. "Shushusshhhussshhhh! They're almost in range!" Ready to jump, I took a few steps back. I nearly tripped over my own two feet when Hiccup called out before I could start my run.

"Actually, I was just thinking, it might be better if you wait for them to dock so they'd have somewhere to run. Or at least wait for them to get close enough to the shore to jump overboard and swim."

"Hiccup, you're a genius! I'll go with the second option. That way, we still won't technically be doing anything illegal. Plus, it'd be boring if they could just run away; swimming sounds much funnier!"

"Whatever you say, o pranking master."

I rolled my eyes and took a few steps back. "I guess that means we have a little more time to talk."

"… So, you're really trying to tell me you did all that to help me? Are you going to say this is supposed to help me, too?"

"Sure will! And besides, just look at you! Not even dragon magic could leave a dent in you!" I took a few steps to the right. "Well, not much of one anyway."

"Gee, thanks for reminding me."

"Anytime, Brother! Anytime!"

"… Brother?"

"Brother in pranking, of course!"

"I'm pretty sure 'brothers' don't force each other to do stupid things like this."

"Clearly you've never had a sibling. If I told you all the times my sister made me do something stupid, we'd be here till spring!" They were almost in range again, so I stepped up to the railing once again.

"You have a sister?"

"Oh! They're about to dock! Hang on!"

In the ready position once again, I tugged on the harness to signal lift-off before pushing against the deck of my ship with all my might. The familiar feeling of being pulled through the sky seeped into my bones as I steered us to the ship. I took a moment while we were in the air to close my eyes and inhale the breeze through my nostrils. No matter what, the urge to embrace the freedom of flight with closed eyes and a ready body always hits me after takeoff, and I stopped fighting it a while ago.

After filling my lungs for three full seconds, and holding my breath for a second more, I opened my eyes and locked on to our target, then I opened my mouth and did what I was always born to do: I screamed at the top of my lungs. Every good warrior has a battle cry; every great warrior has a battle scream.

This is going to be legendary.


Is there such a thing as having too much fun with your fic?