Unintentional Hero

Author: Nightstar Fury of Nightstar Productions

Rated: M for a variety of things that will happen

Pairing: Hiccup/Astrid

Disclaimer: I do not own HTTYD

3; The Night Fury

Hayden woke up with such a headache from the night before. However, he had to put everything from his personal life away because today in about fifteen minutes they'd be debriefed on the mission for the next seven days. Hayden shocking enough had been chosen as squad leader for showing the most work effort or progress since his first day in his barrack. It was interesting but he felt someone else might of deserved the honor, however he couldn't disobey an order. Sitting up he climbed down and went to the bathroom before changing his clothes to dark brown pants with a belt, and short sleeved green shirt tucked in, then of course his boots on and tied. He just assumed get ready for anything.

"Yo, Hic. You awake?" Theo asked

"Yep and you know I hate that name..." Hayden mumbled quietly.

"Sorry, most of us go by nicknames here. I'm Theo, he's Vin," Theo mentioned as he pointed to Oivind still asleep on his bunk next to us.

"Whatever...I'll let you guys do it because we're friends...Only other person I let call me that is my sister..." Hayden offered a smile.

"So what do you think the big mission is?" Oivind now asked as he rolled over in his bed looking at Hayden and Theodore.

"No clue...Guess we'll find out in ten minutes." Hayden replied. Suddenly a loud horn was heard outside and Hayden was to his feet and grabbed his gun, even though it only shot blanks they told them in training to be prepared for anything. Everyone in the barrack was up and freaking out wondering what was going on. "Hey!" He yelled at them, they quieted down. "Now everyone just take a breath and relax. We don't know what's going on but freakin out won't help. Everyone get up, get dressed in your uniforms. Right now, on the double!" Hayden ordered.

"Sir, yes sir!" They said together. Hayden was already dressed but he threw on his vest and over coat for added measure. He slung the gun over his shoulder and made his way to the door to look out.

The sound a gun going off got his attention, "HIT THE DECK!" He yelled out. forced him to the wooden floor. His squad all dropped what they were doing and hit the floor, he peered out and saw outside. People walking by with guns, screaming and more. It was utter chaos. "Finish getting ready, quietly." Hayden ordered, his squad silently moved around the barrack getting dressed then taking a position where he assigned. He was impressed that they were ready in only five minutes too, not bad for getting ready fast. Hayden gave a motion with his hand to be quiet and get low so they all did as instructed. He lifted his head slightly and looked out the window, the other squads were out there firing not knowing what was going on.

"Theo, Vin...Cover me." Hayden said as he reached up and opened the door slow. "No one moves until I give the word." I stated firmly as they gave a nod in understanding or the order. As soon as the door opened, there was a loud yell.

"CEASE FIRE" Not reacting right away, the squadron of the D barrack stayed put.

"All barracks report to the forest entrance, on the double!" Yelled out one of the instructors. Hayden stood now and sighed, of course it was a test. The horn blows and what does everyone do, rush out and start firing. His squad was the only one that didn't leave their barrack due to being cautious. He instantly felt like he failed them as a leader, slowly they all made their way to the forest entrance with their guns, and backpacks on and ready. Reaching the forest entrance they saw the others panting and barely dressed for the occasion, some still in their sleepwear. Rolling his eyes his squad stood ready. Before them were some tables, and their instructors, and drill sergeants.

"Well, not what I was expecting this morning. A simple war drill and everyone freaks out, if that had been the front lines...then I know 125 soldiers would of just died in enemy fire. Who enters a fire fight with their sleepwear! Most disappointing." Stated the Drill Sergeant from the E barrack.

"However...one squad wasn't present for the fire fight. And that squad would be the squad from D barrack, the only ones out here in line, dressed accordingly and ready to enter what would be a battle zone. They didn't rush out in to the chaos, they stayed put and stayed low to assess the situation before making a move." Said the instructor from the first day of training. "Their leader, Private Hayden Haddock calling all shots." was added as Hayden's eyes widened a bit.

"He was up first before 0500, dressed and ready. After the alarm he calmed his squadron down, he got them ready and the first sign of fire close to them he ordered them low and out of sight. He didn't panic or move until his team was ready, he gave them positions to cover and watch, while have two cover himself while he check the area. The D barrack is the only barrack who passed the first test of this mission. Well done boys, and especially you Mr. Haddock." Drill Sergeant Ramirez informed everyone.

"Thank you, Drill Sergeant." Hayden stated without moving.

"So before the rest of the mission, I'd like to know how only your squad didn't react as the others did?" Said the Drill Sergeant from the A barrack.

"Sir. I reacted accordingly by having my men stay calm and silently get ready for any situation. The situation was chaotic and adding more to that will only make it worse. Charging head first, guns blazing into a an unknown situation could cost someone's life. It is better to stay back, stay down, and observe while armed until the situation is understood. Also, I do not believe in sending my soldiers out unprepared without their BDU's or ACU's and protective gear as well weaponry. Sir." Hayden replied firmly.

"Well I then I'd be proud to be on your squadron any day, Private Haddock. I know my leader wouldn't let me rush off to get killed." Drill Sergeant Amunsav offered a smile as Hayden remained in position. "Now for the rest of ya...Get back to your barracks and get ready for the mission. Take D barrack as example and get in your BDU's with your guns and backpacks." The DS ordered.

"D barrack, you stay here since you are already set." DS Ramirez told them, "And again, well done boys." The squad was relieved, the thought for sure they had failed for not joining the fight but it turned out Hayden's caution got them rewarded, now he was feeling a little bit better about leading but that also didn't guarantee the rest of the mission would be so easy going. No, Hayden still had a feeling this was about to get complicated. After ten minutes, the rest of the squads returned and stood ready.

"Squad leaders. Command your men to stand at attention, then at rest." Said an instructor. Hayden moved out from his group which he'd been on the left corner, he faced them firmly.

"Fury squadron of D barrack. Aten—SHUN!" Hayden ordered. His men stood still, facing forward with their hands at their sides, guns by their feet along the length of their right legs. After checking all were in position, he nodded. "At Rest squad." He said, in this Hayden knew they could move as long as their right leg stayed planted on the ground and engaged in quiet conversation with one another.

Hayden approached his DS, then the other squad leaders were present as well. "Your seven day mission is survive the forest with hostiles around. The forest, is enemy territory set up with traps, targets, and more. Everything you've learned the last eight weeks is in this test. The goal is to make it from this side of the forest to the other side exit in seven days before noon on the seventh day. Now, when the word hostiles is used...You are competing against one another. Every squad for themselves led by one of you. The first team to make it out the exit in the required time with as little problems wins and will receive a seventy-two hour pass to leave the camp while the other squads stay and do some more training on whatever it was that held them back. Is your mission understood boys?" Asked the head trainer.

"Sir, yes sir." The squad leaders replied.

"You also need to watch for wild dragons, and remember your training to get past them without causing a fight. When we say as little problems we mean that there are several problems that can occur and if you hit too many without a solution then you fail and will be pulled out by us. You have to navigate, be on guard at all times, protect your squad and get out safely. Your guns will shoot blanks and all of you have to wear a chip locator. When you are hit, or if someone else is...We get the signal. It is up to you to determine the situations that arise and find a solution. In these carts are bags filled with what you need to survive seven days...There are five for each squad. You have ten minutes to brief your squad in the barracks, then ten to prepare a strategy. We will be watching every move and if something comes up that you can't handle it. Switch your radios to channel 001 and call it in accordingly. We'll send an extraction team, same with medevacs. You won't lose points if you save your teammate. What you wear lets us know if you've been hit and where." Said Drill Sergeant from F barrack.

"Questions?" The squad leaders shook their heads. "Then assemble your men to return to base, aka your barrack for mission briefing. Grab your bags too. Return to the forest entrance in twenty minutes. Dismissed." The squad leaders returned to their squads.

"Fury squad, Aten-HUT!" Hayden ordered. His squad stood ready, "Return to barrack base for mission debriefing, grab the bags in that card for D barrack too."

"Aye sir!" They replied as five of them grabbed the bags and rushed back to their barrack. Just as he'd been told, Hayden told them about the mission in ten minutes and then pulled the map of the forest.

"This route takes longer but it goes around the obvious areas the other squads will go. We have to avoid enemies so if we go where they won't we'll be safe. And they will go right through heavy dragon areas, we're going around it because in the truth of it we'll be moving faster." Hayden said.

"But it takes five days to get there. And we'll have to stop to eat and sleep..." Theo mentioned.

"We'll sleep every other day. We cover two days before we sleep for half of one and move that same night. The others won't move at night. It takes five days to get to the exit location here, right?" Hayden asked, they nodded. "We move for two days. Stop that morning to sleep for six hours, eat then get on the move for late afternoon into night and move while the others are sure to be sleeping. We'll reach the exit in less than seven days, and have time to rest on our 72 hour pass off base...Come on guys. We can do this." Hayden told them.

"He's right! Let's do it!" Oivind smiled putting his hand in, the others did too. Hayden was last.

"One, two, three! Fury Squadron" They cheered together.

"Alright, lets get ready then. We got five minutes before we get back to forest entrance." Hayden said, they nodded packing things up and heading out to forest entrance. When they got there, the others squads were coming as well and everyone was lining up for their 'chip' shot. Something that would act as a human scanner for the DS's watching to see how things go. They lined up to get their shot and wait for the starting signal.

(Back In Berk-5 Days later)

Being it was now Friday, Cami had school with hers and Hayden's friends however they weren't expecting to get to watch t.v in class. And if came off as a shock to them all what they got to see. Live feed from Camp Dreki where the soldiers in training were running their seven day mission that Hayden had told Camille about. "Alright students, today I have a special treat for you. With permission, we'll be watching live feed from Camp Dreki where the soldiers are working on their seven day final exam mission." The TV started with the live feed from the news desk taking them to on base at Camp Dreki.

"And were here with Drill Sergeant Thomas Ramirez who commands the D barrack soldiers in training. Tells us Drill Sergeant if you feel your soldiers will make it out first?"

"Well they are being led by a young man who showed quite a bit of promise since he began eight weeks ago. He's strong, courageous, kind, caring, a quick thinker and learner. He responds well to all situations good or bad, he's got the makings of a strong leader one day." Said DS Ramirez. "I know they will make it out first, they were the only squadron who didn't fail the first test which was a war scenario of being awoken without warning and stuck in a fire fight. Every squad but his rushed out without gear and began firing back. My soldiers stayed in their barrack and assessed first and the leader made sure his men were ready for a fire fight."

"And who is this soldier?" The reporter questions.

"His name is Private Hayden Haddock." DS Ramirez beamed. The room of students gasped, Hayden Haddock, their old school mate was leading a group of twenty-five including himself through a enemy and wild dragon filled forest!?

"Well lets get to live feed from the forest cameras on where our soldiers are from D Barrack. Maybe we get to see this Private Haddock in action." The reported smiled.

The screen changed to show Hayden's squad making their over a steep hill with mud from the night before. "Pyramid. Stronger up first." Hayden ordered his men. In seconds, ten soldiers formed a line while those ten paired with one another crouching down while five of the other soldiers stepped in the paired soldiers palms and made it up then leaned over as then the pyramid got smaller and smaller while all soldiers made it over. Hayden was one of the last at the bottom letting a soldier step in his palms and lift him up to the ones on top. Now he was by himself to get up a wall that took teamwork to get up. Hayden backed up and them rushed at the hill in a running jump, his feet hit the mud and Theo as well Oivind grabbed his hands and pulled him up no problem.

"That was an amazing show. Private Haddock sending his men up in teams, then taking a running jump to get help from his team to get over the muddy hill. Where are they located right now, Drill Sergeant? How close to the exit?" The reporter asks curiously. While they heard the reporter and DS Ramirez talking the could still see Hayden's squad moving through the forest together.

"Where they are now, they have close to nineteen hours before reaching the exit and they are closer than any other team. I've watched private Haddock since they entered the forest five days ago. He strategically set them on a longer path but avoided running into the 'enemies' which are the other squads. In the five days thus far, Private Haddock's squadron hasn't called in any injuries, or problems. From what I can tell, they travel two days straight, sleep half the day, eat then keep moving through the night when the other teams are sleeping. Also his route took them around heavy wild dragon areas. I've come to see that Private Haddock doesn't recklessly endanger his men." DS Ramirez stated.

"Now when this started, you stated that you watched the group pull together to ride out a storm. How did that go?"

"Private Haddock stopped his troops, they all pulled their ponchos together and tied them like a big tent to keep themselves dry. The others tried to keep moving and within three hours of the start, we had medevac call from the A barrack because something slipped and broke their ankle. Another team ran right into a nest of Thunder Drums and were out a day because they couldn't hear. Others ran into other squads and 'war' in this case broke out. But Private Haddock has kept his squad safe from weather, dragons, and enemies. And the boy is only sixteen years old." DS Ramirez nodded. Cami watched closely as Hayden led his squad through the forest safely, then a Changewing shot out in front of them.

"Changewing!" Oivind called in fear.

"HEY! Fury squadron doesn't panic...Changewings are lethal. Can blend in with their surroundings and spit acid. No sudden moves..." Hayden told them, "Slowly...put down your guns and keep your hands up...We have to show it that we won't hurt it..." Hayden instructed. His men did what they were told although still nervous about the mirage like dragon before them. Hayden took a breath now, "Ssh...It's alright big guy...We aren't going to hurt you...All friends here." Hayden said. The dragon spit a blast of acid at him and he rolled right to avoid it. "Take cover!" Hayden ordered.

"You can't take that thing on alone!" Theo called to him, Hayden dodged again as he then jumped towards a tree to avoid another blast only it hit the camera and took out the feed showing Cami where Hayden was.

"Hayden!" She cried with worry. But voices were still heard over the screen, Hayden's men asking what to do.

"Lost sight on Fury Squadron after a wild Changewing attack." DS Ramirez called out.The class saw him grab a radio and flip it on. "This is Dreki base to D Fury. Do you copy, over."

"D Fury to Dreki base. We copy, over." Came the voice of one of the men.

"Status update, D Fury. We lost visual on you. Who am I speaking too, over." D Ramirez stated.

"Private Holgerson, Drill Sergeant. Squad leaded engaged with a wild Changewing. Over." Theo said. Then in the static when Theo didn't let go of the button.

"Haddock, watch out!" Said one of his squad members.

"Is Private Haddock alright, Holgerson!? Over." DS Ramirez asked quickly.

"Define alright? He's dodging Changewing acid. Over." Said someone else who took the radio.

"Give me that!" Hayden ordered taking the radio. "Private Haddock here sir. Nothing to worry about, I got it under control. Over." Hayden said while out of breath.

"Get me visual. One of you turn on your helmet cams! Over." Asked the DS. In about a minute, they saw Hayden still dodging the Changewing attacks, one hit him and he finally managed to get behind a tree and sighed out then grunted holding his arm.

"Mother fucker that shit burns..." Hayden cursed out as he looked back seeing the dragon again. "Alright, I've had enough of this." Hayden stepped out of hiding as he faced it again, eyes narrowed as it glared at him. Hiccup lifted his hands to his mouth and let out a loud screech like roar, the Changewing froze then backed up and flew off quickly into the distance. Panting he dropped to a knee with a hand over his arm.

"Haddock was hit, Drill Sergeant!" Theo said worried.

"How bad? Over." DS Ramirez asked.

"I'm fine, Drill Sergeant. Barely broke skin. Squadron...safe, dragon left. Moving towards goal in five minutes, ETA is nineteen hours. Over." Hayden said as he moved his arm and saw a little blood. He grunted throwing his head against a tree.

"You're not fine, private. Your vitals are already changing, lets us get someone out to you. Over." DS Ramirez.

"Come on, Hayden...Don't be stubborn right now...Please don't..." Cami pleaded quietly when she saw Hunter take off his outer coat to see his arm which was burning from the acid and bleeding. "Stupid! That's not barely breaking skin." Cami scolded next.

"I'm not calling in medevac. I'm fine, Drill Sergeant. I want to finish this mission...Over." Hayden said putting the radio in the side pocket of his bag and getting up. He rummaged through some leaves until he found what he needed grabbed some then pulled out a small pot and lit the burner underneath with a lighter. He ground up the leaves then boiled them with some water and tree sap, mixing it up he tore a rag and used one half to stop the bleeding and clean the wound then applied the hot green paste to his arm, he hissed once then before wrapping it and fixing his coat properly. "There, all set. Let's move." Hayden stated after cleaning up his tools. Not arguing with him they all began to move forward by Hayden's lead after gathering their bags and guns. After that, the live feed cut out and Camille could not longer see her brother. The reporter said something about checking in later then the TV was turned off. None of them could believe what they saw, Hayden took on a wild Changewing, got hit, took care of himself and kept going as if nothing happened.

(Nineteen Hours Later)

(Dreki Camp, Forest Exit)

Hayden and his squad emerged from the forest just as the sixth day began and looking around they saw they were the only ones there, no other squad had made it out yet. "You're a trooper, Haddock. Burned by Changewing acid and still going...?" DS Ramirez chuckled.

"I know the anti-acid formula...Specific leaves, ground up and boiled with water. Doesn't even hurt anymore." Hayden replied.

"Well you all deserve some rest. You're out first, and you know what that means..." DS Asmunsav grinned a little.

"72 hour pass to leave base..." The group sighed out happily all plopping down. Not more than twenty minutes later, the C barrack group came out panting but saw the D barrack squadron lounging about and relaxing on their bags.

"Are you kidding me!?" Said the squad leader of C barrack.

"They got out twenty minutes before you did." The instructor stated calmly. Other teams were right behind, all learning that Hayden's team was out first. But filled with rage the C barrack squad leader attacked Hayden and the two rolled around for a good minute and of course Hayden took a punch to the face but didn't fight back. Suddenly there was a loud screech roar heard close to them, all movement stopped. Out of the trees came an all black dragon snarling menacingly, the C squad leader backed off Hayden and stood away in fear almost. The dragon moved towards Hayden and made others stay away from him.

"It's...protecting, Haddock..." Said one of the girls from another squad. The dragon stopped growling and slowly turned its gaze on Hayden and the two stared at one another, no one moving at all. This dragon was a Night Fury and from legend it wasn't a dragon you wanted to irritate. It was known to never keep its victims alive and warned to never engage this dragon but here it was, out on its own free will and protecting Hayden for a reason no one might ever understand.