Hey guys !

Here is a new Hijack/ Frostcup story.
This time it's set in the universe of Rise of the Guardians with a spirit Hiccup, though I took some liberties about it, especially with the Man In The Moon.

In this universe, our planet is protected from darkness and void by two stars : the sun, Lord Søl, and the moon, Lady Máne. Both have great powers and are like deities, Søl uses his powers to make spirits so they can watch after all life on Earth : nature, animals, humans, children, and so on.

Like The Lost Boy, it's basically the plot of the original movie but with a background story of my own and a few changes due to the added character in it.

Hope you enjoy !
Love and scales !

Now no more blahblah and onto the chapter !

Prologue – Rebirth

Darkness. The smell of salt and ashes. Burnt. Warmth around him. It was not heat, on the contrary, it was warm and soft.

When he opened his eyes, he spotted smoke arising in the sky, it seemed to come from himself. He sat up with curiosity, his mind dazed and confused. He felt completely lost, he couldn't understand where he was neither how he had ended up there.

He glanced around him. Except for the reef he was siting on, there was only water surrounding him, and a giant island which seemed to move away. Or was he the one moving ? The island seemed oddly familiar but he couldn't get why. Its imposing cliffs looked like a fortress rising so high it was piercing the clouds… it was unlikely and noticeable, he should be recognizing it. Where was he, exactly ?

He got up in hopes to get answers, and noticed he was not on a reef, but onboard a barque. It was on fire. Rather, it had been on fire. It was burnt and the fire was dying, causing the smoke. He remained puzzled. Why wasn't he feeling the burnt from the flames ? He looked down to his hands, they weren't even darkened by the soot. that's when he saw what was at his feet, or rather his foot and the piece of metal replacing his left one.

There was a white veil, some carbonized flowers, his flaming sword which had rolled a bit away… Viking funerals. Why funerals ? Was he dead ? He froze as the recent events suddenly flooded back into his memories. He instantly turned around and looked back to the fortress-like island, which he recognized this time. New Berk. Grimmel and the war lords had attacked. He, his dragon rider friends and the allied clans had fought back to protect dragons and their clans.

His best friend – Toothless – and him had been chasing after the trapper who had tried to escape on the back of the Light Fury. They had caught up and fought, but Toothless had been knocked off and had been falling… Hiccup had ridded the Light Fury from the Deathgrippers' drug and sent her to Toothless' rescue, and he had let go…

He remembered his fall, he remembered watching the white dragon with anxiety, he remembered seeing her catching Toothless, the both of them crash-landing on the edge of the cliff, safe and sound. He remembered falling and trying to fight off Grimmel, still clinging on him. He remembered hearing this specific whistle echoing in the sky, meaning a Fury was approaching. He remembered he had looked up and met the blue eyes of the dragon who was diving after him in tries to save him. But she had not been fast enough.

He remembered the pain when he crashed in the water, breaking his whole body as if he had just been a glass-figure. Then everything had turned black. Did that mean he was dead ?

By reflex, Hiccup pressed his palm on his chest, his mind replaying the sudden and stabbing pain. He noticed how pitiful in shape his scales-coevered armor was, damaged both by the fight against the Deathgrippers and by Grimmel during their fall. There were deep scratches on the chest, left by claws, his left shoulder-blade was missing, his wings were torn off, his left armband and right kneepad were also missing, also torn off as it seemed.

However his body felt perfectly fine. How was this possible ? The viking's breathing started to quicken without his conscent, panic and confusion bubbling uncontrollably in both his heart and mind. He looked around again, taking in the sight of the funeral barque. Was he really dead ? Then why was he standing there ? This was definitively not Valhalla. Was it some kind of test before he could join the gods ? Was he going to see valkyries soon ?

''Greetings.'' A voice suddenly called.

It seemed to echoe in his head, making him start. The first thing he did was to turn around, looking for who was talking to him, but he saw noone. Then, instinctively, he lifted his gaze to the sun. It was shining blindly, its light piercing through the clouds seemed to shine upon him and the barque. Hiccup didn't know why, but he was certain the voice was coming from the star.

He felt a bit silly about this. How could the sun be talking to him ? But, after all, he was probably dead. What weirder things could happen ? He took a bit of time to stare at the incandescent body which was oddly not blinding him. Then an explanation popped up in his mind.

''Odin ?'' He asked tentatively.

The voice chuckled soflty.

''No, young one, I am not Odin.''

''Then who are you ?''

''I am the Sun, one of the two protectors of your world, the other being the Moon.''

Hiccup didn't manage to answer back, his mind was fuzzing over, overflooded by countless questions. The only thing he managed to do was looking around again.

''No, this is not Valhalla. You are still in your world.''

''… Am I dead ?''

''I'm afraid so, likely. Your life ended, and you've just been brought to the next one.''

''I don't understand…''

''You died. You sacrificed your life in order to save the life of your closest friend, the black dragon your people call the Night Fury.''

Hiccup felt a pinch in his heart. So, he really was dead.

''Did it work ? Is Toothless alright ? What about the others ?''

Silence lasted for a few moment, then Hiccup heard a laugh coming from the sun. It was weird. Just talking with a star was strange, hearing a male voice sounding fatherly coming from a mystified entity was a bit intimidating, still the sun was giving a feeling of nothing but kindness and guidance.

''Even after hearing about your own death, you are still worrying only about your friend's fate. That is exactly why I chose you.''

''Chose me ?''

''Yes, you are a really special person. Your mind is open and tolerant, your heart is kind and generous, your soul is fierce, you stick to your values to the end, seek to defend peace to the last extend and, most of all, you are selfless and devoted. Your being is too precious to be lost, so I made a spirit out of you.''

Hiccup blinked in confusion. He felt honored, but at the same time completely lost.

''Huh… Mister sun, I-''

''You can call me Lord Søl.''

''Okay, huh… Lord Søl, I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean. What are spirits, exactly ?''

''I brought you back to another kind of life, now you are vested with immortality and powers which would help you resume the mission you gave yourself. The life you knew had come to an end, and you have just born to the next one. Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third has died in battle, and from his ashes rose Horren Blaze.''

Hiccup's eyebrows shot up with confusion and some spark of anger.

''Horren Blaze ? That's not my name.''

''It is, now.''

''Don't I have a word to say in this ? Shouldn't I be the one to choose my name ?''

''Did you choose your former one ?''

The viking had to admit he didn't. His parents did, and if he had a word to say back then, he would have certainly never picked up 'Hiccup'. This name had given him too much troubles and teasing when he was young, but he had ended up identifying to it, and growing attached to it. It was his identity, after all.

After a moment of silence, another chuckle escaped Lord Søl.

''From now on, your name is Horren Blaze. That is all I am going to tell you for now, but worry not, the rest will come to you in time. For now, leave your previous life behind you, discover your powers and learn to use them.''

And with these words, the voice grew silent.

''My powers ? Which powers ?'' Hiccup asked, confused.

Another chuckle came from the sun- Lord Søl, he seemed pretty amused.

''Have fun, Horren Blaze.''

Then the voice turned silent again. Strangely, even if Hiccup could still feel this presence in the sun, it felt like, no mattered what he could say, there would be no answer. He sighed heavily. Well, that was not very helpful. Onboard of this charcoal barque, drifting farther away from New Berk, he didn't know how to get back home. He couldn't see any dragon in the sky. No dragon, no ship… What ? He couldn't just swim back and climb the cliff by hand ?

''Lord Søl !'' He called out, looking up to the sky. ''How am I supposed to get myself out of this ?''

No answer. Why was he surprised ? Why was he even relying on a spirit – could he call the lord a god ? – while he was meeting him for the first time ? No, he had spent his life handling himself on his own, he was not going to change anytime soon. He had to find a solution, and he could find it himself. Swimming was not an option because of his prostesis and armor which were too heavy and were sure to drag him down. Plus, he was too far away to make the trip safely.

While he was rummaging his mind, looking for an idea, his focus was brought to a noise of sprouting flame. He looked down and startled as his hands were on fire. Panicking, he shook them violently to put it out. He bustled that much he fell backwards.

Sitting on the deck, eyes closed and squinted, he got perplexed. It was not burning. It was not hurting either. Had he succeed to extinguish the fire ? He cracked an eye open and noticed it was still there. The flames were dancing around his flesh but didn't seem to touch it, barely grazing it. There was not hot burning, only a smooth warmth and the feeling of a soft caress, like the wind. And the flames… they were oddly red. Was this part of the powers Lord Søl had been talking about ?

He clenched his fists, looking at the flames vanishing. He removed his leather gloves to check out his flesh, it was unharmed. Then he noticed his teint was not as pale as usual. Good weather was not usual in the region, so the skins tended to be pale and dotted with freckles, Hiccup was a perfect example for that. However, his skin was now more tanned, almost golden. Feeling even more confused, he got to the railing and bent over to try and see his reflexion in the ocean.

He almost had troubles recognizing himself. It was him, but at the same time it was not. His face and built were just the same, his shaggy hair too, the map of freckles too, but the colors were altered. His pale skin was now sun-kissed, his hair seemed even more auburn, with red highlights, and his green eyes… had turned orange. Was this linked to those red flames ?

While his mind was fumbling again, another set of red flames flared, this time on his shoulder. Slowly, he patted it with his other hand. No burnt, no pain, just a soft warmth. Again. The flame disappeared when he blinked. Had he become some kind of fire wielder ? He chuckled at that, remembering the name Lord Søl had given him. Horren Blaze. Blaze.

''Subtle.'' He smiled.

He gave a playful glare to the sun and, even though he saw nothing, he swore the star was smiling back at him. A smooth gust of air blew in his hair, tickling his forehead and ears. He pushed the locks out of his face, then felt a strange prickling sensation on his back and in his stomach. It felt like inner shivers, something he had never felt before, and as his heart quickened, it fed his mind with urgency. He could almost hear the shivers talk to him, forming a voice echoing in his mind, telling him to run.

Why run ? Was there some kind of danger, somewhere ? He turned around and looked frantically. He saw nothing, but he heard something. Bubbles. He glanced down and started with dread as he realised the barque was starting to sink ! He couldn't stay onboard ! He had to get to land somehow ! Without thinking, moved by pure survival instinct, he jumped overboard and started to run.

… Run ? How could he run upon water ? He should have already fallen in and started swimming. Looking down once more, he was shocked to see he was actually running in the air. As if running on the air. How was this even possible ? Just under his feet, there was some king of blur, like the mirages caused by heat.

Was this another one of his newfound powers ? He couldn't really linger to wonder about it. Visibly he had become a fire-wielder, and fire and water didn't get along. He didn't know what it could do to him, but he could wait before discovering it. Surely he would try this later on, but that would be with tiny steps, certainly not by dropping head first in the ocean !

So he quickly focused on his running towards the island, he kept on running and managed to get a bit higher. Excitement bubbled inside of him and, soon, he found himself chuckling, then laughing out loud. He was running on air ! What would have he given for his friends to see that ?

His smile vanished and he froze. His friends… If he really was dead, how would they react seeing him again ? A yelp of surprise tore its way in his throat as he suddenly dropped. Crap, why had he stopped running ? Luckily, he had already reached one of the narrow beaches around New Berk, so he landed in the sand. Face first. He quickly got back up to his feet and spatted the sand before brushing off his scales-covered armor.

Okay, so he could fly… ish. This could be handy because that way, he didn't need dragon nor drakkar to travel. He looked up to the fortress-like island, taking in the actual height of it. Well, that one was kind of an challenge, he had to admit it, but he had his powers to help. Sure he didn't really know exactly how it worked, but he was not the kind of person to give up at the first obstacle.

Lord Søl had told him to leave his previous life behind him, but how was he supposed to do that ? He had to make sure his friends and his clan were fine. Maybe he was dead, but that didn't mean he had stopped worrying about them. So, despite the newness and non-control over his powers, he launched himself in another running on the air, climbing higher and higher towards the still in-building village of New Berk.

Night was falling when he finally reached the top. He had awoken on the barque with the first fading lights of dusk, and had to try several times to run-fly to the top of the cliffs. He also had to take a few stops on edges and also had tried to run vertically along the cliff. The sensation had been kind of weird and foreign, but it also had been exhilarating. This was an experience he wanted to try again.

If Hiccup was starting to get used to the fact of running on air, he had to admit landing was still a work-in-progress. He lost his balance and kept on running on land, dragged by the momentum, until he had bumped in a wall. Ouch. He stood up and rubbed his sore shoulder that had banged into the wood. Well, he made better entrances before, hopefully noone had noticed this awkward arrival.

His gaze wandered over the village. It was quiet. Too quiet. Why was there a sort of weight in the air ? And why… why wasn't there any dragon in sight ? He frowned with suspicion and decided to investigate. Plus he wanted to find Astrid and his mother. He knew where to find both of them, at their own in-building hutt. It didn't took long for him to get to Astrid's, but it was empty, so he quickly started looking for his girlfriend. She must have been with Valka.

Hiccup wasn't paying much attention around him, but on his way he had to dodge vikings several times before they bumped into him. Why were they all so distracted to the extend of not minding where they were going ? Their faces were dull and sad. that's when the viking remembered he was dead.

Loosing a chief was a hard blow for vikings, even more when said chief had no heirs to take over his place. Though Hiccup was not exactly dead. He was there, in front of them. Granted he had changed a bit, but not that much, right ? Maybe they just didn't recognize him and were too focused on their grief to mind him ?

His thoughts went silent as he heard a sob. The female voice sounded familiar and made him turn around to check on it. He found Ruffnut sitting on a log, her face burried in her hands. Around her were Tuffnut and Fishlegs, also sitting with depressed faces. It hurt to see them like this. Hiccup joined them and talked to them.

''Hey guys…''

He didn't know what to say. What could he say in such circumstances ? Though neither of the threesome reacted to his voice. He hesitated and called them again, but that didn't change anything. Confused, he stepped closer and crouched in front of Tuffnut, his dull blue eyes looking straight through him, straight through anything really. Had Tuffnut gone blind ? Had he been hurt during the battle ?

This hypothesis was proven wrong as the blond suddenly reacted, as if woken up, he blinked and straightened up, sniffing and wipping his nose with his sleeve.

''Finally back, Snotlout.'' He said, his voice flat.

Hiccup got up and looked over his shoulder, his brown-haired friend had four pints in his hands and walked past him as if Hiccup didn't even existed. Snotlout looked like he couldn't see him. Hiccup frowned again. He stared at his friends taking a pint each and simply remain there, deadly silent and unmoving, eyes fixed on nothing in peculiar.

He had to find his mother and his girlfriend. He left the dragon riders without trying to talk any further, and ran to the place where he hoped to find his family. But when he did, he hated what he saw.

He kicked the door open without thinking, and spotted his family huddled in front of the fireplace. Astrid was nothing but a sobbing wreck, crying out every tear contained in her trembling body. Valka was sitting on the floor next ot her and holding her shoulders. The dragon-lady rose her head with angry but wet eyes and yelled at the door.

''I told you to leave us alone !''

Hiccup couldn't recall seeing his mother looking and sounding that furious, yet her eyes were bloodshot and her cheeks flooded in tears. Her face softened seeing the young man at the door, she lowered her head and quietly stood to walk towards him.

''I'm here, I'm not dead !'' Hiccup pleaded.

His mother kept on walking without looking at him, her head low and her face drowned in sadness and despair.

''Mom, I…''

She wasn't stopping. Why wasn't she stopping ? She was going to bump into him if she kept on like this, she-

Hiccup blenched and froze when she suddenly went through him. What what what ?! Through him ?! By the gods, what the… ?! He stepped back in shock and put his hands to his chest. Panting and panicking, he palmed himself to make sure he was tangible. It was the case, he could feel himself, so how in Hel had Valka walked through him ?

He turned around and looked at her as she closed the door, sighing.

''It was just the wind…'' She murmured.

''The wind ? No, it's me ! Mom, I'm right here, right in front of you !''

He tried to grab her shoulders but his hands went through her in a blueish blur, just before she walked through him once more.

He panted again and even started to hyperventilate as realisation sinked in. He was… He really was dead, then ? It was not possible, it was a nightmare… He was going to wake up soon, was he… ? Was he… ?

His mother got back to Astrid before wrapping her arms around the blonde, both of them sobbing and weeping.

''Hiccup…'' Astrid cried.

The young viking stood there, astounded, shocked, lost. He… He couldn't stand watching this. He bursted out and rammed the door shut behind him. His eyes were burning and his chest felt like it was being crushed, he could already feel his face wettening with hot tears and didn't noticed his arms, shoulders and back were covered with red flames.

He ran as fast as he could, heading straight to the woods and getting deeper and deeper in it, until he collapsed on his knees and started whimpering like a toddler. After a moment, he punched the ground in a mixture of anger and sorrow. He could have cried like this for hours, if it had not been for this melodious voice adressing him in a whisper.

He held back his breath and looked up. Instinctively, his eyes found the moon. It was full and so bright it seemed to chase away darkness with its soft silver glow. Just like with Lord Søl, he felt a presence in the star, but this voice seemed distant, unreachable, as if muffled by a water veil or fog. The voice was low, barely a whisper, he had to strain his ears to hear it. This voice was just as kind and reassuring as Lord Søl, but it sounded like a woman, like a mother.

In a way, this soft and calm voice reminded him of his own mother, which made him sob again.

''I know this is not easy, Horren Blaze, but you cannot stay with them.''

''How can Lord Søl and you ask me to give up on my life ?!'' He shouted.

''Your time as Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third had come to an end. Just like your friends and family have to learn to live without you, you have to grieve and move on from this life to start anew with the next one.''

''No, I can't.''

''You have to.''

The viking gritted his teeth to hold back added sobs, lowering his head and trying to digest the information. He had to admit the two stars were right. To his friends, he was dead, he fell in battle. It wouldn't do good to anyone if he miraculously showed up again, that different and vested with strange powers. He noticed the red flames covering his hands and arms, but he simply shook them off. He ran his hands on his face in try to calm down, then straightened up, sitting on his knees.

''Why can't they see me nor hear me ?''

''You are a spirit, now. Your soul has entered another world within the one you know. Only those who believe can reach this world. Just like every other spirit that exist, you can only be seen by the humans who believe in you and what you stand for. But you have only born, you do not know yet the extend of your abilities and even less your tenets. This is way too early for you to have believers.''

''What am I supposed to do, then ?''

'' Unfortunately it is not up to us to tell you. This is something you have to find out by yourself, because the answers lies in you. All I can advice you to do is distance yourself from you previous life. Find a place to move on and start anew. Discover and master your powers. Meet other spirits. Find yourself.''

Hiccup lowered his head again, reflecting on the prospect. It had taken him a long time to figure out who Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third was. And now, he was said he had to start all over again with Horren Blaze ? But were the two really different from each other ? Who was he ? He thought he had found out before. He was a chief, a protector, a peace-keeper and a dragon rider. The dragons…

He glanced up at the moon, whom he realised not knowing the name.

''What is your name ?'' He asked.

''I am the Moon, but the spirits know me as Lady Máne.''

''Lady Máne… Can you at least tell me what happened to the dragons who lived on this island ?''

''They left. The king of dragons guided his people to the Hidden World which you helped him find.''

''… I suppose it was the best thing to do. Our world is too dangerous for them, these three war lords we fought back aren't the only ones who could never accept them.''

''Indeed, it is for the best. Dragons were not supposed to be part of the human world, because in the begining they are children of the spirit world.''

''Dragons are spirits ?''

''Not exactly. They were once but, little by little, children belief extended to adults. Fear did the rest, rendering each dragon visible and vulnerable to attacks. Nowadays they are just as living and perishable as mortals, though they had kept their connection to spirit world.''

Some warmth spread into Hiccup's chest. It had nothing to do with his red flames, he recognized it because he had experienced such warmth when he was alive too. It was hope.

''So, does that mean they can… ?''

''Yes, they can see you.''

A bright smile spread on the viking's lips.

''Then I know where I'll take my new start.''

A soft white and silver light emitted from the moon and, just like with Lord Søl, Hiccup swore the star was smiling at him. It felt great.

''That case, I wish you all the best for the future, Horren Blaze.''

The viking's smile grew bigger. Even if his heart was still aching from his recent loss, hope warmed him up and filled him with confidence about the future. Surely it would take him some time to grieve Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third and the life he had led, but he was sure he was going to fully move on to become Horren Blaze.

And he was not afraid anymore of that.