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

5; Deployed

Hayden had barely slept, lights out had been at 9:30pm but he woke up shortly after midnight and just laid staring at the ceiling in the darkness. How was he going to lead one hundred and fourty-nine people? It was a big job, and he couldn't mess up. He was doing this in front of everyone, now it was close to 12pm and he'd been called by the DS's to the main office. He knocked on the door and waited. "Enter, Haddock." Came DS Amunsav's voice. Taking a breath, Hayden entered and stood at parade rest which was feet shoulder width apart and the right hand in the left with palms out.

"At ease, Private." DS Ramirez said. Hayden relaxed a little facing them, "You ready for today?"

"In all honesty, no sir." Hayden replied.

"Speak your mind then." Stated on of the other Drill Sergeants.

"I feel as if I don't deserve this honor, to lead one hundred and fourty-nine soldiers onto the parade grounds and command them into position for graduation. I've done no more, or less than the others." Hayden answered calmly but with respect still.

"True you've done the same as the others, as far as the Basic Combat Training goes at least. But you have done more in other fields, such as dragon training, wrangling, riding, and flying. You excelled where others took one or two tries to get right." DS from A barrack stated.

"That doesn't mean I am qualified or privileged to lead the Company, sirs and ma'ams." Hayden added.

"Private Haddock, do you know why we chose you for this task?" DS Ramirez asked, Hayden shook his head to them. "Because you've earned it. You are sixteen years old and mastered all training, and exceeded further than the rest with your dragon bonding. You are a quick thinker, you always managed to pull through for the team exercises when the others didn't know what to do. In the test before the mission, you didn't run your squad into a line of fire. You made sure they were safe, got them ready, called all proper commands, and stayed hidden to observe what was going on. If you recall, I stated you were squad leader for the mission starting at 0500. You took charge before the mission was even announced and you were the only squad who didn't fail that exercise."

"Let us not forget also that, Private Haddock was the only squad leader who took his men through the forest the on the longest trail to avoid heavy dragon areas, and enemies, making it out first. You, Mr. Haddock excelled in all areas of training and had some of the best times and scores I've seen in a long time for a kid you're age. You're always ready and willing to help, when anyone in training wanted to give up...you pushed them to keep going. If anyone was hurt, you helped them. Physical training, runs, exercises, teamwork, dragons, and everything else we have taught. You have excelled in everything and that is why we chose you to lead the Company today. You deserve today's honor to lead, and you deserve all you will continue to achieve as you go through the army." DS from C barrack added.

"I appreciate you believe that, I just wish I could." Hayden remarked.

"You will one day. Now off with you, we're assembling all barracks to the training grounds and making the announcement of your leading." DS Ramirez told him. Hayden saluted before turning heel and leaving the office returning D barrack. Reaching it, he sighed heavily and leaned against his and Theo's bunk.

"What's up man?" Oivind asked.

"It's nothin...Just thinkin is all." Hayden said closing his eyes.

"ALL BARRACKS REPORT TO THE TRAINING GROUNDS!" Yelled a voice over the loud speaker. All of them quickly got ready and rushed out with the others, the DS's were waiting in line by order. Hayden took the hint instantly as he stood ahead of his squad.

"Fury squad, fall in!" Hayden ordered, his men listened right away and stood ready at attention in a perfect six by four line up. Meaning six men lined down and four lined across."Hand, salute!" Hayden turned and saluted their DS's before lowering his hand and faced them again, "Squad...Parade Rest." Hayden commanded. All the men to Fury squad fixed their legs to shoulder width apart and hands behind their backs and standing quiet. The rest of the squads were still all standing in tangled mess and not even separated. Hayden wanted to smack his forehead, "For the love of Thor...You do not approach your commanding officers in such a manner! Have we ever, in any training formed like that?! Pull your heads out of your asses and fall in to Parade Rest, now!"

"Hey, you ain't our squad leader. You mind your own squad, if they wanted us in formation they would of ordered it as soon as we ran out like they've done before!" One of the other privates fired back.

"Actually, Private Haddock is correct. Anytime your squads have been called to the training grounds in the last ten weeks you are to stand at attention, salute, then parade rest." DS from F barrack stated firmly, the others quickly now got into position. "And here you said you couldn't command on a dime. Well done, Haddock."

"Thank you sir." Hayden nodded.

"Stand with your squad, Private." DS Ramirez ordered, Hayden saluted then stood in front of Theo, also at parade rest. "Now, I'm sure you're wondering why we brought ya out here. For today's graduation, you will not be led by one of us, or by squad leaders. You will be led by the soldier we have chosen to lead the entire Alpha Armourwing Company." DS Ramirez continued.

"The soldier we've chosen is one who started at the bottom, and worked his way up. He excelled in all training both team and personal and by far exceeded our expectations. Your Company leader will be, Private Hayden Haddock. You are to do as you're told. The reason he was selected was for his incredible display of leadership skills in teamwork drills, the test before the mission, the mission itself, and even just now with assembling his squad properly before officers. Haddock is in charge of today's graduation commands and positioning." DS Amunsav stated. "Is that understood?!"

"Sir, yes sir!" The squads replied.

"Return to your barracks and prepare for graduation in full BDU dress. On Hayden's command at 1300, you are to report to the forest entrance half mile in and await further instructions. Guns too. After the Company is assembled before families on the field, a short speech will be given and then you will return to barracks to change into your formal dress. On Hayden's command again being led back to the field for graduation. Orders clear?" DS from E barrack said.

"Orders understood." The squads answered firmly.

"Dismissed!" The DS's said together. The squads saluted their DS's then all turned heel to return to their barracks.

"No shit, Haddock...You got picked as Company leader!? Why didn't you tell us!" Oivind smacked him on the shoulder.

"I wasn't allowed too...And it's really not that big a deal...Let's just get back and get ready. We go an hour til 1300." Hayden said reaching the barracks first, he only prayed this went well.

As instructed too, Hayden commanded all squads to fall in at 1300 and they did as told. To make it more even, Hayden did allow the other squad leaders to stand ahead of their squads but they weren't to give orders, all of them followed Hayden's only. They did quick march to the forest and a half mile in as instructed, sure enough their DS's were there waiting. Each squad formed in front of their respected DS after saluting, then standing at parade rest. "Well done, all of you. Now it is time to form into your platoons. A and C, B and F, D and E. Hayden will still be leading all three. Strike Platoon stand center, Tracker take right, Stoker take left. Make your way to the forest entrance again, and when you see the smoke...Haddock will start the march commands." Said DS Ramirez.

"Sir, yes sir." The squads answered. Hayden checked his watch, it was already 1:20pm. There was only a little while left until 1400 which was 2pm when the ceremony began. He was nervous, he wouldn't lie about that but he knew his DS's believed in him, so why didn't be believe in himself? He knew he could do this. He didn't need anyone's approval, he was proud of himself for all he'd done and would do in the future. With newfound determination, he looked towards the sky as the platoons were forming behind him and the DS's were talking.

"I can do this.' He told himself. When 1:45pm, they all moved to the forest edge but stayed hidden from civilian sight. The DS's would be walking on either side and in between the groups but Hayden would still be leading. Meanwhile in the stands, Camille and Gerald found them good seats in towards the lower section and in the middle. They all had their phones or cameras ready to record the moment that Hayden graduated Basic Training.

"I can't wait to see him!" Camille beamed brightly staring at the field for the moment they'd come out.

"Relax, they still got fifteen minutes." Felix chuckled. Those were the longest fifteen minutes of their lives, and suddenly when the clock struck 2pm, something sounding like bombs was heard towards the forest creating a smoke screen and hard to see through. "Ooh its starting!" Felix cheered, the crowd exploded with joy.

As soon as he saw the smoke he took a deep breath waiting for the announcement, "Ladies and gentleman, may you turn your attention to the forest entrance to see your soldiers of the 2nd Berkian Infantry of the 1st Alpha Armourwing Company. Led by Private Hayden Haddock!" Came the announcers voice. Camille cheered loudly screaming, Hayden was almost positive she was the loudest person in the crowd.

"Company! Attention!" Hayden ordered loudly, he had a microphone turned in to the loud speakers. Something DS Amunsav hooked on his suit so the crowd would hear the commands too since they were pretty far away being at the forest. "Shoulder...ARMS!" All of them lifted their weapons to their right shoulders while their hand held the butt of the gun, Hayden did this as well. "Forward, quick march!" Hayden commanded now as he began walking, left leg first. The others felling as well making their way out of the smoke to the endless amounts of cheering from family and friends watching them.

"WOO! That's my brother leading!" Camille shouted jumping up now. Hayden had to ignore it, only Camille would make a scene like that. He led them to their positions and gave the next command.

"Company, slow march!" They began to slow, and then..."Halt!" They stopped. "Eyes, right!" All turned their heads to the right towards the stands. "Eyes, forward!" Their heads turned to normal position. Seeing they were all facing the camp, Hayden knew he had to turn them to the left. "Left, face!" They all turned accordingly now facing the stands and stage. "Present, ARMS!" The company held out their guns and waited, "Shoulder...ARMS!" Guns were returned to the shoulders. Finally, last command. "Order...ARMS!" Hayden said as guns were placed butt down on the ground by right legs which were shoulder width apart.

"Wasn't that an excellent demonstration of commands! Drill Sergeants step forward!" The announcer ordered, now all the DS's walked forward ahead of the three platoons and stood in line, arms length apart ahead of Hayden. His mic was off and all of them were standing there as speeches were given and more about how they started and where they were now. All the while, the boys had to stand completely still and not talk. As told after speeches, the platoons returned to barracks to change into formal dress. Hayden being leader of the company wore a black officer type hate with the Barbaric Archipelago Army crest on it, as well he wore a dark green coat, black pants, brown belt, brown around the neck tie that knotted in the middle and two pieces hung down, also there were gold buttons going down the jacket and two black shoulder pieces with white two silver stripes on the ends.

"Look how hot he is standing there!" Rachel swooned leaning on Avery.

"Right...It's awesome how serious he looks..." Avery giggled, Camille only smiled taking pictures of her brother standing still and waiting for orders. After maybe fourty-five minutes, it stopped and the DS's were handing out the diplomas that said they completed their Basic Combat Training, and graduated from Camp Dreki and now officially soldiers of the Barabaric Archipelago Army. However, Hayden never got his. Instead, he was called onto the stage.

"At this time, we'd like to as that Private Hayden Haddock report to the stage." The announcer said, now he didn't know what was going on. This wasn't rehearsed at all!

-Hayden's POV-

What?! I was being called specifically to the stage? For what? When the fuck was this rehearsed? It wasn't! Gritting my teeth, I turned myself to right face and walked to the ladder leading up the steps to the stage. Reaching them I turned left face and walked up and found myself standing before DS Ramirez and the Sergeant Major of the Army. He was a big guy and why was I being brought before him. "Atten—SHUN!" The SMA ordered, I quickly snapped myself to attention after DS Ramirez took my gun from me. "Right, face!" I turned heel to the right. "Left, face!" I now turned left. "Forward, face!" I faced forward again. "Hand...Salute!" I brought my hand up and saluted then returned it to my side instantly.

"Name the seven values taught here to represent the army." SMA ordered.

"Sir. The seven values taught are: Loyalty. Duty. Respect. Selfless Service. Honor. Integrity. And Personal Courage, Sergeant Major, Sir." I replied firmly in a respectful tone.

"Do you know why you were not given your graduation diploma and asked to come to the stage, Private Haddock?" The SMA asked now with his hands behind his back standing before me.

"No, Sergeant Major, I do not." I responded. He gave a short nod before turning to face the crowd and I remained still.

"Parade Rest, Private Haddock." SMA stated, I changed positions and stood there. I had no idea what the hell was going o anymore. "I watch very closely to the Basic Combat Training, to see all the new recruits slowly be molded from civilian to soldier in a short ten weeks. I check in with the Drill Sergeants on their trainees, and Private Haddock's name came up quite a few times in my reports. More than usual for a Private, and I've brought him up here before you all to tell you the times his name was brought up on my desk." SMA said.

'Oh fucking wonderful.' I tell myself but otherwise did nothing else.

"Private Hayden Haddock is a sixteen, about to be seventeen year old boy who left school eleven weeks ago to join the army. On his forms when asked why he wanted to do this he answered: I want to help people. I want to protect and defend the people I care about and work towards a safer, better future for myself and for all. Private Haddock passed all his physicals with high marks, he aced his tests on military law, first aid, and weaponry. In training, he excelled tremendously with leadership. In teamwork exercises, Private Haddock took the reigns and got his team through in the required time safely and efficiently. His mind and body are sharp as can be having passed all physical, mental, and even emotional tests with high scores. I was informed just a few weeks ago that Private Hayden Haddock also did something that no private in training has in about thirty years. He bonded with a dragon, rather it chose him. A Night Fury of all the dragons chose Private Haddock as it's trainer and rider. Also this happened right after Private Haddock led his men through an enemy and dragon filled forest behind me to the left with the longest route but also safer and they were out first. Private Haddock has shown and demonstrated every value this army strives to teach. And it is my esteemed pleasure to be the one who gets to promote Private Haddock to his next position." The SMA announced.

Next...position? I'm just...a private! That's all it is, there was no need to bring me up here to make me what the others were being made. I watched Drill Sergeant Ramirez hand Sergeant Major a badge as I saw them both face me. "Stand at attention, Haddock." DS Ramirez ordered. They weren't...calling me private anymore. Just what the hell was going on here! I didn't like surprises likes this. Regardless, I stood at attention as the SMA faced me again with a smile.

"For excelling in all areas of training, bonding, training, and riding a dragon, becoming a member of the dragon aerial guard, outstanding leadership, and having the highest marks making you top graduate of Basic Combat Training to the 2nd Berkian Infantry, Alpha Armourwing Company. I present you, Hayden Haddock with this badge of promotion from Private Hayden Haddock to Sergeant Hayden Haddock." SMA stated as he pinned the badge on to the left sleeve of my outer green coat. The badge was black with three silver arrows pointing up on it.

"You've earned it, Sergeant Haddock." DS Ramirez nodded with a smile. I couldn't believe it...I jumped...four ranks. It was supposed to be Private, Private First Class, Specialist, Corporal, then Sergeant, and suddenly I'm...Sergeant for what I'd done in ten weeks. It...didn't make sense. Was it because I had a dragon? All I did was the same as the others, why didn't they get bumped to a higher rank? I honestly didn't know what to feel right now. Proud, happy, relieved, shocked, confused? What did I feel when I just got promoted from Private to Sergeant. The SMA stood back now with a nod and saluted me!? Not knowing what else to do, I just saluted him back and then I was handed my diploma.

"Back to your company, lad." SMA said, I saluted again as I turned heel and made my way back to in front of the Strike platoon. Back in formation, I was still trying to settle with the news. I was a Sergeant now. "Soldiers! Aten-HUT!" All of us stood at attention, guns at our sides. I caught the SMA's glance on me to carry out orders, I stepped away and faced them.

"Company, repeat military vows!" I ordered, all moving to hand salute on their own we began as a group. "I am an Archipelago soldier! I am a warrior, I am a member of a team. I serve the people of the Barbaric Archipelago and I live the military values. I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat, I will never quit! I will never leave a fallen comrade!" I raised my gun and position it facing up towards the sky ready to fire. "Company, present...ARMS!" They all followed suit. "Prepare...Arms!" I commanded as I heard all guns load for a shot. "FIRE!" I shout as all guns fired together. They were blanks so no one would be hurt, thank Thor. "Present...Arms!" All guns returned to chests, "Shoulder...Arms!" Guns returned to the shoulders of soldiers next.

"I present the graduating class of the 2nd Berk Infantry, Alpha Armourwing Company. Led by Sergeant Hayden Haddock!" The SMA announced and the crown cheered out. That was my signal...

"Company! About...Face!" All soldiers turned towards the barracks, guns still on their shoulders as I stepped left, then forwards ahead of them, then finally my back to them. "Forward... March!" We began to march back to barracks, DS's catching up right behind the company. The crowd was still going wild, and I still couldn't believe I was promoted to fucking Sergeant!

(Barracks)

I gave the command to separate and each platoon split back to squads then go to their barracks to put their guns away, we'd get to go back out to see our families now that the ceremony was over. I knew I'd be tackled by Camille but I didn't mind. After twenty minutes, we were ready to go back out. "Go enjoy your families lads. Station posts will be up in an hour." DS Ramirez announced.

"Sir, yes sir!" We replied then headed out as our families were waiting. As expected, tackled by my sister but I held firm and hugged her.

"You made Sergeant!" She beamed happily.

"Yeah...I did...I was promoted four ranks for just...doing what I was trained to." I said softly.

"It's amazing!" Avery and Rachel exclaimed. I kept getting congratulated over and over again by other privates who I graduated with, I hadn't heard a word from my father about it. I was kind of grateful too, I didn't need that negativity right now. I just spent time with my squad and family, we were all sitting together in the field talking about how BCT was.

"So where are you being stationed, son?" Gerald finally spoke.

"I don't know yet, station assignments should be up in the main building in about ten minutes." I replied. I heard the radio make a noise and I lifted it from behind my belt.

"Sergeant Haddock. Report to DS office on the double. Over." That was DS Amunsav's voice and this sounded anything but good.

"Orders understood. Over." I replied putting the radio away, I got up and sighed. "I'll be back." I rushed off to the DS office as fast as I could and entered quickly. "Sergeant Haddock reporting as instructed." I stated standing at attention with a salute.

"At ease, Sergeant. No need for all that right now, bigger problems." DS Ramirez stated handing me a piece of paper. My eyes scanned over it and widened.

Requesting immediate deployment of the 2nd Berk Infantry, Alpha Armourwing Company to location AF-1 to join the 33rd Fury Fighters Division. -Colonel Mark Jacobson; 26th Riddari Brigade Leader.

"We're being...deployed?" I asked to make sure I'd read it right.

"Yes and you leave right now. The plane will be here in fifteen minutes for pick up, go round up the company. On the double too. Grab your BDU's and ACU's, vests, and backpacks with all spare clothes." DS from E barrack stated. I didn't even have time to ask questions, I rushed out with a nod and made it to the field.

"COMPANY! FALL IN AT ATTENTION!" I yelled out as loud as I could, hearing the urgency the group didn't disobey. They all left their families and formed together in front of me. "To your barracks! Grab your BDU's, ACU's, vests, and all spare clothes in your long green bags. This is not a drill, I want everyone back out in ten minutes! Hustle, Hustle, Hustle!" I commanded quickly.

"But..." Theo began.

"No questions! You have orders and so do I! Now MOVE IT!" They didn't ask anything else, they rushed off to their barracks to pack their things up. I did the same, came out in eight minutes dressed in BDU and ready. Others were doing the same and not sure what was going on.

"Hayden! What's going on!..." Camille pleaded as they saw the large army style plane come in for landing on the air strip. My troops were all out, dressed and panting.

"All soldiers to the plane, we're shipping out immediately for deployment!" I ordered. It seemed to freeze now.

"No...NO! Hayden, no! You're not leaving me!" Camille cried instantly holding my arm, I pulled it away and stepped back.

"Company...MOVE OUT!" I ordered. Still shocked and confused, they all followed orders and made it to the air strip, getting in the back of the plane as fast as they could. I was last of course, I looked back to my distraught sister, and only managed to mouth one thing. I'm sorry. I jumped up and climbed in, banging on the wall the hatch began to close and slowly my family and friends slipped from sight as the plane rerouted to turn around then take off back in to the sky.

"Hayden..." I heard Theo ask slowly, I glanced his way. "Where...are we being deployed too?" Now all eyes were on me.

"Location AF-1." I answered.

"But that's...!" Oivind started. I nodded. No one else knew what to say, they were just in shock as I was but this was really happening. We really did just graduate and get deployed on our first tour of duty to Afghanistan to fight in the war.