The silence was eerie and almost depression. There was nothing around them but ash and smoke, and the only sounds heard were people coughing wondering what happened. They'd all been fighting the Red Death, and then things in Hiccup's plan started going so wrong so quickly. All anyone knew after that was Snotlout making them all fall back to the far side of the island, and Hiccup made his riders go too, then he faced Red Death alone with just Toothless. The last time any of them saw him, he'd fallen off Toothless and into a raging explosion that came from the Red Death's body when it landed on the island face first after Toothless blasted its mouth. Hiccup towards the flames and Toothless dove for him, then the explosion consumed them both and all anyone heard was Sylvi screaming out her husband's name.
Sylvi quickly mounted Nightstar in a scramble out of Snotlout's arms who had been holding her from going after Hiccup. "Nightmare riders, wing blasts! Find him, find my husband!" Sylvi ordered, of course they listened and didn't hesitate. When Hiccup wasn't around, she was in charge being Hiccup's second in command. Audun, Ryker, Viggo, Alex, Edvin, and Hedvig mounted their dragons and kept themselves spread apart as their dragons used their wings to blow the smoke away. They landed as Sylvi looked around and finally she spotted a large black mass across the way, she rushed over as she saw it was Toothless but no sign of Hiccup. The rest came running and looked down sadly. Hiccup gave his life to defeat the Red Death and bring peace to the world.
They watched as Sylvi just hit her knees crying hard as Valka came over and pulled her daughter in law close trying not to cry as well. Nightstar whined softly as she nudged against Toothless's head trying to wake him up but nothing. Nightstar sat on her back legs and put her head down. Then through all the sobbing, they heard a low groan come from Toothless, Nightstar instantly looked over, so did Valka and Sylvi. Snotlout, Stoick, Gobber, Fishlegs, Astrid, the Twins weren't far behind. Toothless panted, breathing heavily as he rolled onto his side and his eyes slowly opened looking around to see them all there. Toothless's eyes fell on Sylvi's teary eyed form as he adjusted and opened his wings revealing a slightly bruised, burned, cut up, and unconscious Hiccup laying between Toothless's legs.
"Hiccup!" Sylvi said quickly as Snotlout and Gobber pulled Hiccup from Toothless's legs, Hobber removed his helmet and listened closely. The old blacksmith's eyes had tears in them.
"He's alive! The lad is alive!" Gobber announced.
"Oh Toothless...Thank you, thank you for bringing him back alive..." Sylvi kissed the dragon's forehead as Toothless groaned weakly.
"Yeah but he might not make it with that injury..." Snotlout said pointing to Hiccup's left leg, looking now they could see it was gone from the just below the bend of the knee and down.
"Dragon riders, prepare to leave for Fury Isle!" Sylvi ordered.
"Woah, hang on chieftess Sylvi...Fury Isle is a 4 day flight back from Berk, probably 5 from here. Hiccup won't make it that far without treatment. Stay on Berk, at least until he wakes up..." Snotlout offered. Sylvi didn't want Hiccup to die, she sighed and nodded to him.
"I'll take Hiccup on Nightstar, we're the fastest. Valka, you and Cloud Jumper take Toothless. Viggo, Ryker you stay with us. Dragon riders, return to Fury Isle and inform Gunnar what's happened and that we'll be extending our stay here until the chief wakes up. Move out!" Sylvi commanded them.
"Aye chieftess Sylvi!" The 20 riders Hiccup had originally sent for immediately mounted their dragons and took off for Fury Isle. Sylvi got on Nightstar and looked to Viggo and Ryker.
"Carefully hand him to me..." Sylvi said, Viggo and Ryker lifted Hiccup and placed him on Nightstar, his back leaning against her chest. Valka was already on Cloud Jumper and hovering holding Toothless in his claws. Sylvi kissed Hiccup's forehead. "My brave dragon rider...You never cease to amaze me..." Sylvi whispered as Nightstar took to the sky, then she and Cloud Jumper were gone back to Berk.
"Alright, you two come with us." Ryker said motioning to Fishlegs and Astrid who nodded. Viggo and Ryker mounted their Nightmares, then Astrid and Fishlegs got on behind them holding on.
"And we'll follow in the boats." Snotlout said. After that, 20 minutes later the ships were loaded with Vikings and sailing back towards Berk following Viggo and Ryker.
(Berk; 3 Hours Later)
Reaching Berk, Snotlout and his group of friends as well Viggo and Ryker rushed to Gothi's to check on Hiccup's condition. Sylvi and Valka were sitting outside the hut sadly. "How is he?" Astrid asked first.
"Gothi says she stopped the bleeding and closed the wound. The rest will heal in a week or two, but as for him waking up there is no knowing when..." Valka sighed.
"How'd you know what Gothi said, you can't read the runes. Only Gobber can..." Stoick asked his wife now.
"Sylvi can read them, Hiccup taught her how." Valka responded.
"So we're just have to wait until he wakes up?" Fishlegs questioned.
"Its all we can do right now..." Valka sighed. They all put their heads down sadly nodding, if waiting was all they could do then that is what the would do until Hiccup woke up.
(2 Weeks Later)
There hadn't been a single change in Hiccup's condition at all. Toothless and Sylvi spend a lot of time guarding him in Snotlout's guest room downstairs after Fishlegs offered to take the upstairs room. Snoutlout was handling the village, he did a very good job and Valka still trained Snotlout, Ruffnut, and Tuffnut. Astrid and Fishlegs said they would wait until they returned to Fury Isle. Of course right now, everyone was preparing to go to lunch when three dragon riders were spotted. There was a Nightmare, Gronckle, and Nadder rider coming in over Berk so Snotlout went to greet them. Upon the landing, Snotlout saw that it was Audun, a woman holding a baby boy on the Gronckle and then another male riding a Nadder. Audun and the male each had a small 3 year old girl sitting with them on their dragons.
"We weren't expecting more riders. What brings you back, Audun?" Snotlout asked.
"Well the kids miss their mother and father, and we wanted to check on him ourselves since its been two weeks. Where is...my daughter and son in law?" Audun asked dismounting from Flameburst.
"I believe she is in my house with chief Hiccup still, I was on my way there to bring her some lunch." Snotlout responded.
"Would you mind if we came as well? And how rude of me. Chief Snotlout, this is my son, Gunnar and my wife Eydis. And of course you know Hiccup and Sylvi's children." Audun smiled. Snotlout shook their hands with a smile.
"I believe I've met Gunnar before, you were...acting chief when we were saved from the water, right?" Snotlout asked.
"That's correct. I'm Sylvi's brother, and this is my Nadder, Sunfire." Gunnar smiled.
"And this is my Gronckle, Emerald." Eydis beamed.
"A pleasure to meet you all. And sure, you can come with me." Snotlout nodded as he led them to his house now and walked inside while the dragons remained outside. "Chieftess Sylvi...There are visitors from Fury Isle here to see you." Snotlout said approaching the door. Sylvi blinked now. Visitors?
"Stay with him Toothless..." Sylvi said as she got up and exited the room, she saw her parents, brother, and kids. Tears fell instantly from her eyes as she took Thurmond, and hugged the twins tightly. "I've missed you 3 so much..." Sylvi whimpered kissing their foreheads and holding them tightly.
"We thought you'd want to see them again since you two have been gone about 3 weeks. And don't worry, Helka is watching the village. Everything is fine back home and won't be stressful on the chief..." Gunnar smiled.
"I'm sure he'll appreciate that...If he ever wakes up..." Sylvi sighed softly.
"Daddy didn't wake up yet?" Solana asked sadly.
"I'm afraid not kids..." Sylvi closed her eyes now.
"Does he respond to being talked too at all?" Eydis asked now.
"No, nothing at all...He just lays there, unconscious..." Sylvi replied.
"Use the kids sweetheart. Let them see him and talk to him..." Eydis offered. Sylvi nodded leading the twins into the room where Hiccup lay un-awakened still.
"Now remember kids, he's...in a deep sleep and won't wake up if you shake him." Sylvi reminded, the girls nodded to their mother and saw their father laying there unmoving. Sylvi held Thurmond against her while the girls each took a side of their father's bed.
"Daddy..." Selena said putting her hand on his.
"Its us...Papa brought us to see you. We miss you a lot and want you to come home soon..." Solana said.
"Yeah...The whole village misses you. You...gotta wake up. We need you daddy..." Selena whimpered a bit. Sylvi tried to hold back tears hearing how upset the girls were.
{Hiccup's Dream}
He looked around, the same darkness he'd been in for what seemed like forever. He heard muffled voices but couldn't make them out. "Come back to us my love..." That was Sylvi's voice! "Syl! Syl, I'm here babe!" Hiccup called out but still darkness around him. What happened, was he dead? Did he died against the Red Death? "Why...am I so alone right now...Is this death? Alone in the darkness forever?" Hiccup asked quietly.
"Son." Hiccup looked up and around.
"Dad?" Hiccup asked.
"Follow the sound of my voice my son and come to me." Hiccup was sure that was Thurmond's voice, he got up and began to try and follow it. Before him was a light, Hiccup ran as fast as he could and broke through it. He was standing in Snotlout's house again, in the room Fishlegs was originally using? He saw Sylvi then Toothless and...his kids? What were they doing on Berk? Looking past them he saw himself on the bed, unconscious.
"I guess I am dead...And this is me getting to see my family one more time?" Hiccup asked, he saw his wife, and daughters crying softly. Hiccup felt a hand on his shoulder, turning he saw his father, Thurmond standing there with that smile he always had. "You here to take me with you?" Hiccup asked.
"No son. I'm just here to help you get home." Thurmond chuckled.
"Home? But...I'm dead...Aren't I?" Hiccup questioned.
"You're not. You're...in between. You're in a deep sleep my boy. You asked for help, so I guided you out. But I thought while I had you here, I might take the chance to tell you how proud I am of you for all you've done since becoming chief of Fury Isle." Thurmond said.
"I...just did what you taught me dad...All the credit goes to you." Hiccup smiled some.
"I taught you what a chief does for his people. I didn't teach them to ride dragons, or train them. I didn't rescue people who betrayed me. I didn't take on a dragon the size of a mountain for the sake of peace. That was you, Hiccup." Thurmond replies. "You have come a long way from the 14 year old boy who crashed on Fury Isle 6 years ago, son. You have a beautiful wife, and 3 wonderful children. You have the best friend in the world, and the most loyal followers any chief could hope for."
"I would have all that if not for you taking me in dad..." Hiccup sighed.
"Listen to me son. I took you in because I saw that you were just like me. You were different, still are. When you came to Fury Isle, you didn't know who you were. You felt you had no purpose, and that you'd never be a true Viking. But look at all you've done. All this, is because of you. What I had was a hope that it would become what you've created. I knew peace was possible but didn't know how to acquire it. But you did. You saw truth, you saw hope, you saw peace and you made it happen. And I couldn't be more proud to call you my son, to know you took my dream and made it a reality. And now you've spread that peace to the tribe you originally left to find out who you were. I always said you would go far son and I was right. You are Hiccup Hagebak the Dragonborn. I didn't pick that name for nothing." Thurmond chuckled.
"I know...I really miss you dad." Hiccup said hugging him, he felt those arms wrap around him again.
"I miss you too my son but our time is short. You need to return to your family and I need to return to my job." Thurmond said.
"What job did you get on the other side?" Hiccup asked.
"I'm already doing it. Being here for you when you need me. And no matter where you go, Hiccup. I will always be there with you. You are my son, and I love you very much." Thurmond said with a hand on Hiccup's head. "You musn't forget that. I may not be there in body, but I am in spirit."
"I won't...but...At times, I just feel so alone without you with me. You always walked beside me and now...there's just nothing." Hiccup looked down.
"Let me tell you a story, Hiccup. I was a lot like how you were on Berk...Different, the outcast. My father used to tell me that if I followed him, we would always walk side by side through life. But as he got older and I was chief, I noticed I was along often. I remember having one of the worst days of my life and I went right to him and told him that he promised he'd always walk beside me and I'd never be alone. I asked him where he was when I needed him the most, that when I walked I only saw one set of footprints. All he told me was that he loved me, and would never leave me. I asked what he meant, and he said I'd understand one day. Years went on and he passed away at 73...I felt more alone than ever. I walked the beach many times and still looked back seeing only one set of footprints. When I got back to his house that night, I saw a note on his desk, it had my name on it. I opened it up and read it, then I finally understood what he said that day." Thurmond said.
"What...did he say in the note?" Hiccup asked.
"'My son, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of suffering, when you see only one set of footprints...It was then that I carried you.' And now I pass those words to you, Hiccup. You will never be alone, I love you and I always walk beside you even if you can't see me." Thurmond smiled, Hiccup nodded firmly to him with a smile of his own now.
"I won't forget dad..." Hiccup said.
"Good lad. Now I believe its time we both getting back to our jobs...I think you've been away from your wife and kids long enough. Its time to wake up." Thurmond told him.
"I love you dad." Hiccup said trying to keep from crying.
"Close your eyes and you'll be taken home." Hiccup went to close his eyes. "And Hiccup..."
"Yes dad?" Hiccup replied.
"Something else to keep in mind...Talk to Stoick about the night you found Nightstar." Thurmond said making Hiccup's eyes widened. "Not everything is as it seems. I love you son." With that, his father hugged him tightly and kissed his forehead. Hiccup closed his eyes feeling tears slip down his cheeks.
"Wake up son." Hiccup heard, "Its time to wake up now. Open your eyes."
{End Hiccup's Dream}
Hiccup groaned out moving his head a bit. "Dad..." He whispered out. All of them looked at him with shock now.
"Hiccup!?" Sylvi said quickly. Hiccup's eyes opened slowly and coming into focus was Sylvi's face, riddled with worry and surprise.
"Daddy?..." Solana and Selena asked leaning in more.
"I gotta say...Nothing beats waking up to the faces of my family..." Hiccup forced a chuckle. Sylvi cried now as Hiccup sat up slowly and she instantly hugged him.
"You scared the Valhalla out of me, Hiccup Hagebak!" Sylvi sobbed, Hiccup lifted his arms and hugged her back. "I'm so thankful you're awake..."
"Me too..." Hiccup smiled and then pulled back to kiss her, then he kissed Thurmond's head lightly earning a coo from the child, finally he pulled his girls close and hugged them.
"Glad to have you back son, gave us quite a scare there." Audun smiled.
"Scare? I was...only unconscious?" Hiccup asked.
"Hiccup...You've...been unconscious for two weeks." Snotlout said, Hiccup's eyes widened.
"T-Two...we-weeks?! When did...all of you get here?" Hiccup asked quickly now.
"Just an hour ago. The kids missed you two, don't worry. Fury Isle is fine, you can relax when we get back." Gunnar shrugged, Hiccup sat back sighing out now.
"And babe...That...isn't all that changed...Um..." Sylvi bit her lower lip pointing to his left leg. The girls moved back a bit as Hiccup took the blanket off and his eyes widened a bit, mouth opening a little. "You lost your leg in the fight with the Red Death...Gobber made that for you." Sylvi finished her words now. Hiccup took a few deep breaths.
"How did...this happen? My leg wasn't even injured when I fell off of...How did I even survive...I fell off Toothless and into the explosion." Hiccup asked.
"We found you wrapped in Toothless's wings, your leg was already off and you were unconscious." Snotlout added now.
"I fell off him when his tail burned off and we hit the queen's tail...I fell back off him and towards the fire and...I don't understa—Wait, I was...wrapped in Toothless's wings?..." He paused looked to Toothless now who warbled sadly. "It was...you, wasn't it? You saved me, didn't you bud?" Hiccup asked slowly.
"Wait, what do you mean 'it was him'?" Sylvi asked, "Are you saying Toothless...took your leg?"
"Yeah he did. I fell off him towards the fire, just before I blacked out...I saw him diving after me head first, his wings were up so he couldn't of grabbed me with them before the fire...He had to of grabbed my leg to stop my fall and bit it off by accident, then wrap his wings to protect me." Hiccup smiled as he reached over and rubbed Toothless's head, the dragon crooned lowly. "Its okay bud...I'm not mad. Its just a leg...I have another one and hey...I'm still alive. You saved my life, Toothless...Thank you my friend." Hiccup pressed his forehead to Toothless's before putting his good foot down, then the metal made one from Gobber.
"Take it easy now chief..." Gunnar urged, Hiccup stood up slowly and took a breath trying to take a step. It was more of a limp but he was off the bed and had no support now. He tried again but the force on the metal leg buckled and he fell a bit but Toothless caught him with his head.
"Thanks Toothless..." Hiccup smiled as the dragon led him out of the room. Snotlout rushed ahead to open the door, Sylvi followed with the kids.
"Viggo, Ryker...help Hiccup until he gets used to the leg..." Gunnar said. Viggo and Ryker took a side of Hiccup and put his arms around their shoulders to help him out of the house.
"Hey everyone!" Snotlout announced smiling, most all of them turned and looked towards the house as they saw Hiccup being held up by his guards and his family behind him, then the in laws. "Hiccup is awake!" The village broke into cheering and rushing over smiling, grateful he was awake. Hiccup was actually a little shocked to see people who weren't even part of his tribe so happy to see him alive, and awake.
"Huh...Wasn't expecting such a rejoice for my well being from the Hooligan tribe..." Hiccup said slowly.
"Hiccup. You left Berk 7 years ago and not a one of us thought you'd survive on your own. You found an island that supported what you believed all along after meeting Toothless. That peace was possible. You became chief of that island, you found your mother, you got married, and have kids. You saved us from death by the sea, from that storm, the raid, and now...the Red Death. You saved all of our lives, people you hate...by risking your own. You were willing to give your life to keep us safe, everyone safe, for the sake of peace. I might be the chief of Berk but you, Hiccup...You're the hero of Berk." Snotlout said. Hiccup's eyes widened at his cousins choice of words. Him? The hero of Berk?