AN :

Thank you so much for the warm welcoming for the prologue !

Guest asked a good question as to Hiccup's spirit name and I get it can be confusing so I'll answer it here. I have a canon that the spirits' name are a deformation of their actual name (Sanderson ManSnoozie deformed into Sandman for instance), so finding Hiccup a name related to his new powers was kind of a challenge for me. I finally settled on Horren Blaze, Blaze being a added name for the fire and Horren coming from his middle name Horrendous. So his whole name as a spirit in this story is Hiccup Horren(dous) Haddock Blaze, he usually goes by Horren Blaze but his closest friends call him Hiccup as a nickname.

Hope it clarified the questions :)

Chapter 1
The Big Four

The night was peaceful and chilly. A lonely figure was strolling on the roofs of the city, silently, thoughtful. His steps made the thin snow melting away. Some could have thought this lonely figure dressed with a black leather armor covered with coppery-auburn scales would have catch attention. If this young man had been human, surely he would have. But he was a spirit.

He had walked this earth for so many years, even though the first centuries of his life had been spent in exile, in the Hidden World, the secret world of dragons. Over two centuries among the winged reptiles allowed him to discover and master his powers, and after that he had left for adventure around the globe. He had discovered the world of spirits, met a few of them, then he had started to watch the human world.

It had changed over the time, so much he had troubles recognizing it sometimes. The twenty-first century couldn't be more different from the viking era, sometimes it felt like he had landed on another planet. Winter was the best season for his nostalgia, it was constantly bringing back hurtful memories, so he couldn't be more glad that spring was around the corner. Easter celebrations were in three days.

The snow he was looking at this night, it was sure to be the last of the year. While his mind was fogging with memories and wandering thoughts, he was suddenly brought back to reality as he spotted a lace of shining golden sand floating next to him. It was time for Sandman, and it made him smile. He appreciated the work of several spirits, but the Sandman's dreams were one of his favorites.

He started to run along the roof and into the air to chase at the golden dreamsand, staring in awe at the shining rays entering the houses and giving beautiful dreams to human children. When he thrust a hand into a lace, some of the sand swirled out and took the shape of a dragon, which started to fly and dance around him.

A new wave of nostalgia hit him, a softer one, bringing him back to the time where he himself was human, the time of vikings and dragons. He was not even surprise to see a skinny teenage boy take shape in the dream sand, riding the dragon and giggling. A Night Fury. It had been so long since he had last seen one of those. Living in the Hidden World with all the dragons had given him proof that his best friend had been the last of his kind.

Even though the dragon had built his family with his mate Light Fury, the breed has been mixed-blood, called Night Lights, and little by little genes inherited by their father had been lost in the blood until there was nothing left but Light Fury's genes.

Hiccup missed his best friend. It had been over a millenia since the black dragon had died of old age, after a long and happy life, but still. Hiccup had never forgotten the years he had spent with him as human, then as spirit. Until the end they had been friends.

Inside one of the houses, the golden dreamsand sipped through the window and floated towards the young girl who lived there. She loved unicorns. Her bedroom was the proof of that, it was covered with wallpaper, posters, drawings, figures and stuffed unicorns. She was hugging one in her sleep, while another one took shape in the dreamsand. Her chubby frame appeared on the mystic creature's back, galloping happily over the girl's head.

Yet, in the corner of the room, where the glow from the pink and blue nightlight couldn't chase away the shadows, a presence emerged. A dark silhouette, tall and lean, came out of the darkness and slowly walked to the bed with a wonder look and a false smile. This man was dressed with a long black cloak and his skin was as grey as ashes, raven hair slicked back on his head and grey eyes gleaming in the dark.

''Ah, I thought I have heard the clipiticlop of a unicorn.''

A chilly gust of wind slipped under the window frame and opened it in a slight creek, before soft fern-like patterns appeared on the windowsill. A cold fog followed the presence, indicating someone's breathing, but there was no one to see. Though this someone was seeing, and was watching curiously at the shadowy man, who was bending over the bed.

''What an adorable dream.'' The man mused, his voice tender. ''And look at her. Precious child. So sweet, so full of hope, and wonder.''

While the man in black kept on marveling, the cold presence rolled its invisible eyes, wondering what the other was scheeming. It didn't sound like him to contemplate dreams.

When the dark spirit gave a sly smirk towards the cold presence, the other gave him his full attention, watching him stretching a finger towards the golden sand unicorn.

''There's only one thing missing. A touch of fear.''

Once he touched the unicorn, a black strain spread on it, the girl squinted and started to whimper. Black engulfed the unicorn, and the sand swirled around, now as black as night, until it took another shape.

It was still a horse, but this one was creepy, gloomy. Its frame looked like a skeletton with horns and sandy spikes all over its back, soul-piercing golden eyes glowing in its dark frame. The horse neighed in a gloomy, echoing way and started to gallop around its creator.

''Yeah, what a pretty little nightmare !''

''Oh.'' The other spirit said, his voice sounded young and a bit amazed, but mostly curious. ''So that's how you do it ? Just a bit of fear, you let it simmer a bit, then the dream turns into a nightmare.''

''That's right.''

The dark spirit snickered towards the invisible younger one at the window, then focused back on the nightmare floating in front of him. It looked instable. Its frame was defined as a spiky horse, but countless streams of sand were swirling around it, distorting its frame and threatening to scatter all around with the slightest touch or brush of the wind. The dark spirit smirked, satisfied, and softly stroked the nightmare's back. The sand started to disperse but swirled back into the unstable horse, before the spirit whispered to it.

''Now, I want you to go tell the others. The wait is over.''

The nightmare bustled about and turned into a stream of black sand, zipping to the window, nearly hitting the other spirit there, before it vanished into the night.

In a neighboring town, totally oblivious of what was being schemed in the shadows, Hiccup was still taking his night stroll, eyes lost in the sight of the golden dreamsand slowly fading. He smiled the same small and nostalgic smile he always had after seeing the Sandman at work. He had to admit he always felt a bit lighter after a good dream.

However, the trip back to reality was harsh when something ran past him at top speed. Hiccup started, on guard. It had been centuries he had learnt to differenciate things from mortal world and spirit world. That thing was magical. Intrigued and distrustful, he decided to follow it.

He let red flames envelop him and used one of his powers he had mastered with time. He shifted into a dragon whose scales were the same auburn color of the ones on his armor. The Night Fury spirit was a dark redish-brown color, he looked almost black in the night, but his body was covered with coppery-auburn highlights, the exact same color as his hair when in human shape, and his orange eyes were standing out like fire in the night.

The dragon took off and followed the mysterious frame, straining his ears to spot any suspicious sound this creature could make. There was no doubts it wasn't making efforts to be discreet or hide, it seemed to taunt him and do everything for him to follow. This was certainly a trap, but what could harm a dragon spirit ?

So he played along and kept on following it until he found himself in a slightly gloomy empty and narrow street, between two warehouses. Something passed quickly behind him, raming into a trash can, scaring off a cat, beaconing the rebellious fire spirit to land. Hiccup did so but kept his dragon shape, ready to fight if necessary.

Back slightly bent, he eyed around him with burning eyes and a slight grip of worry in his chest, until he heard a voice behind him.

''Hello, ol' mate.''

He turned around in a jump but calmed down as he recognized the frame leaning against the wall, swirling a boomerang in their hand.

Thick and fury legs looking nothing like human, long fluffy ears above the head, there was no doubts possible.

''Been a lon' time.'' The voice said before steeping out of the shadow. ''Last time I saw ya was in 1986, I believe. The explosion of Tchernobyl central. Four days before Easter.''

The dragon let out a small warbble and shifted back to the armored viking.

''Hey Aster. If you're implying I tried to ruin your holiday, you're wrong. I didn't cause the explosion but I lessen the damages as much as I could.''

The giant bunny's left ear twitched and he adopted the same position as the dragon spirit, crossing his arms and raising his chin a bit, frowning but smiling defiantly. Both remained like this for a short moment, as if challenging the other, then both laughed at that and hugged the other briefly but friendly, patting shoulders.

''How are ya doin', ol' friend ?'' Aster asked.

''I'm okay, same old. What about you ? Shouldn't you be overbooked with Easter preparations ?''

''Yeah, you know how it is every year, but I had ta see ya, mate.''

His grave tone caught Hiccup's interest. Something was up, and it had to be important for worrying that good old bunny.

''We have a problem, and we need yer help.''

''Wait, when you say 'we', you mean the Big Four ?''

''Yeah, we-''

''Count me out.'' Hiccup interrupted.

''W-What ?''

''Anything that concerns the Big Four concerns Søl. I don't want to have anything to do with him anymore so, whatever is happening, don't include me in this.''

He gave a dismissive gesture then walked away, but the six feet tall bunny wasn't going to give up yet and started to bounce after him, next to him, trying to hold him back.

''Seriously mate, I don't know what happened with you two, but this is important and-''

''Do not insist.''

Hiccup quickened his pace in try to loose the bunny, who stopped because of astonishment. He stood up from his crouching position and crossed his arms over his furry, blue-greyish chest.

''Fine, so ya don' give me a choice. Fellows ?''

Hiccup barely had time to take another step he was suddenly grabbed by the collar and hoisted from the ground. He looked around and spotted who was carrying him, but he couldn't understand the barbling langage of the yetis before he was thrown into a bag.

''Hey !'' He protested, ''Get me out of this ! Aster, what in Hel are you doing ?''

He squirmed and struggled as he could while he heard the characteristic tickling of snow globe from Santa Claus. Of course the dragon spirit had known the yetis worked for the most famous spirit of them all, but he wasn't expecting to be kidnapped by them. He heard the yetis talk to Aster, but he could only understand the bunny's reply.

''Me ? Heh heh heh, not in yer nelly. See ya back at the pole.''

Okay, so that's where they wanted to take him. Hiccup heard the yetis grumble, then he was thrown in the air, through the portal where he was shaken up in every direction before landing heavily on the ground.

Sounds were different around him, more muffled, he couldn't hear the car trafic in the background but jingling bells and a voice whispering.

''He's herre. Quiet.''

Hiccup groaned and pushed open the bag, coming face to face with two elves with oversized curious eyes. They quickly ran away, visibly afraid of the intimidating, frustrated dragon-viking. The small creatures were dressed in red with tiny bells tied to the tip of their bonnet.

Hiccup opened up the bag completely and stuck out his head, taking in the sight of the North Pole. The first thing he saw was huge windows offering a view on a blinding, snow-covered landscape, then he noticed the giant fireplace and the spirits standing in front of it, facing him. Three spirits he had never met in person but had heard countless times about. The Sandman, Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy.

With the Easter Bunny, they were the Big Four, the most famous spirits in the world, the Guardians of Childhood. While some spirits had the mission to look after nature and seasons, others existed to protect living beings. These four were there to protect children and look after them. Santa Claus was bringing joy and festivities in the harsh winter when people used to loose hope. The Tooth Fairy collected teeth and, for what Hiccup knew, accompagnied the children to adult path. The Sandman was chasing away night terrors and fear of the dark with his dreams. Aster was the symbol of spring and renewed life, the Guardian of Hope.

While Sandman and Santa Claus were watching Hiccup with a welcoming smile, the fairy was talking and giving intructions to tiny fairies that looked like her. She was talking just as fast as her wings were beating in her back, and they were beating so fast you could only see a pinkish blur.

''Zere he iz !'' Santa Claus beamed, moving his arms around excitedly. ''Horren Blaze !''

The Tooth Fairy instantly stopped her ranting and quickly swipped around to face him, a large smile on her face.

But the dragon spirit was puzzled.

''Tell me that's a joke.'' He sighed.

He didn't have time to do anything as two yetis grabbed his arms and hoisted him on his feet.

''Okay, thanks guys.'' He said, half sarcastically.

One of the furry, tall and large winter spirits brushed the back of his armor but he shrugged to lightly push him away. Both yetis stepped back and gave him space while Santa Claus talked again with his deep voice and thick russian accent.

''Hope ze yetiz treated you well.''

''Yeah,'' Hiccup deadpanned, voice full of sarcasms. ''I love being embushed, kidnapped, tossed in a bag and thrown into a magic portal.''

''Oh, good. Zat waz my ideah.''

Hiccup shook his head, frowning. Visibly the big bearded man didn't know what sarcasm was. Then Santa Claus pointed to the other spirits around him to introduce them. The viking noticed the Easter Bunny leaning against a pillar, checking his claws casually.

''You know Bunny, obviously.''

The dragon spirit got surprised to hear Santa Claus not using Aster's name. He knew the spring spirit only let close friends call him by his name, but he was sure the Big Four were friends, actually. Looked like he was wrong and Bunny only considered them as colleagues, or friends but not close ones.

He dismissed it and shrugged.

''Obviously.''

''Ze Tooth Fairy…'' Santa Claus added.

Hiccup jumped back as a colorful blur suddenly appeared right in front of him, too close for comfort. Blue, cyan, green, a touch of golden yellow and pink. The fairy looked like an over-colored tropical bird, her pink translucent wings beating at top speed on her back, so much it was difficult to see them. She flew so close to him she was invading his personal space, and she spoke so fast he almost missed half of the words.

''Hello Horren, I'm so excited to meet you, I heard a lot about your stories and battles for dragons- Now show me your teeth !''

Her voice got high-pitched with exhiliration as she spoke the word 'teeth'.

''W-What ?'' He stuttered.

''Come on, open up !'' She squeaked, litterally forcing her small fingers into his mouth to open it up, then pull at his lips to get a better view at his teeth. ''Hum… They're a bit crooked but they look healthy, you seem to flush correctly. Not bad at all knowing from when you are ! Vikings used to have really poor mouth-health, still not as bad as Middle Age.''

When she finally released his jaw, he moved it in circles to make sure it was still working, then backed as two of the tiny fairies came into view, eyeing his mouth and teeth with great attention. He had already met several times these tiny creatures, they looked like a mixture of fairies and hummingbird, but he had never seen some that close before, and even less met their queen. He was a bit amused by her behaviour, he had to admit it. She was over-excited and passionate, that for sure.

She flew back to the fireplace without adding word, allowing Santa Claus to finish the introductions with the fourth spirit.

''And Sandman.''

He pointed to the short spirit next to him, so small he could barely reach the big man's hip. The spirit was sleping upright, floating a few inches above the ground. He didn't look like much, didn't look treathening, but Hiccup knew otherwise. The Sandman was one of the oldest and most powerful spirits in the world. More ancient than himself, and he was about a millenium and a half !

The Sandman was a short and chubby man, golden skin and blond hair spiking like bolts of lightning above his head. He was dressed with a suit that seemed to be made of his dreamsand, slightly sparkling in the light.

''Sandy ?'' Santa Claus called and tapped his shoulder in try to wake him up. ''Sandy ? Wake up !''

The golden spirit opened up hazel eyes and instantly dropped back to the floor. Hiccup would have laughed of that if the situation was not confusing.

''Look, nice to meet you all but can someone tell me why I'm here ?''

Sandy rose a finger like a student asking for permission to talk. The viking looked down at him and saw him use his sand to form images above his head. Despite tickling and magical sounds coming from him, the spirit seemed to be mute, so Hiccup assumed signs were his way of talking.

He formed a sun, then a burning flame, then some king of bust figure that Hiccup didn't have time to recognize, then some kind of spiral, a question mark followed by a serie of pictograms scrolling too fast for the viking to actually see them.

''Okay…'' Hiccup interrupted. ''I've not understood anything, but thanks for trying, Sandman.''

He crossed his arms over his chest and looked at the others, rising his eyebrows in interrogation. Aster sighed and ran a paw over his face before explaning the situation.

''Pitch is back, mate, and we don' know what he's up ta.''

''Pitch Black ?'' Hiccup asked, suddenly more encline to listen.

He had heard from the Boogeyman before, and also had witnessed some of the damages this evil spirit at made during history. Specifically during Dark Age.

''Huh, okay, so what does that have to do with me ?''

''Lorrd Søl, Blaze.'' Santa Claus said.

The viking's fists clenched without even thinking, and red flames sprouted around his hands while his eyes darkened.

''I already told Aster what I think of this.''

''Listen mate,'' The bunny interjected. ''We don' enjoy gettin' ya involved, okay ? But we got a message from Søl. He thinks this is grave and we need help.''

''He's the one who told us to get you.'' The Tooth Fairy added.

Hiccup didn't answer, he simply lifted his head towards one of the opening in the roof. He kept his gaze focused on the blue sky and was happy to not see the Sun there, because he would have burnt him. If burning a star was possible.

He kept his fists clenched but forced himself to relax so he could put out his flames. Then he sighed and looked back to the four spirits in front of him.

''Listen guys, I don't know why he sent you to me, but I can't help you.''

He turned around and aimed to leave, but was stopped as he was followed by Aster's annoyed voice.

The bunny hoped to catch up with him and grab him by the shoulder, a heavy and furry paw resting on the scale-covered shoulder-blade. The viking kept on frowning, not wanting to meet his friend's spring green eyes.

''Mate, forget about this dispute ya have with the Sun, it has nothin' ta do with this. We are spirits, guardians, our mission is ta protect life an' children. Pitch is threatening the children. If Søl sent us ta ya, there was a reason. We can't do this without ya.''

Hiccup remained silent, struggling with his boiling thoughts. When he finally lifted his head to look at his friend, his answer had not changed.

''I'm sorry, Aster, the answer is no.''

He was about to shift and leave, but it was Santa Claus's turn to talk.

''Blaze, walk wiz me.''

Hiccup only agreed because knew there would be no other occasion to visit the North Pole. Visit Santa Claus' workshop was not something everyone could do. Granted when he was human, Christmas didn't existed yet, but he had to admit he had grown fond of this tradition.

Both of the spirits stepped in what looked like an elevator which descended and led them into the core of the buzzing workshop.

''It's not against you guys,'' Hiccup explained as they stepped out of the elevator. ''Søl and I grew apart a long time ago, it has been centuries now.''

''I do know about zat, I heard rrumorrs. Thrree hundrreds yearrs, at least ? But you still kept on yourr spirrit duties, didn't you ? Sometimes you have to put aside rresentment to do what iz right.''

A yeti approached Santa Claus with papers and a pen, asking for his signature, which the tall and bulky man granted him before throwing the pen over his shoulder. Hiccup had to dodge it. They kept on walking, passing between busy yetis working on building toys. At a point, the viking had to dodge a crazy flying plane.

''I always thought the elves were making the toys.'' He admitted.

Santa Claus leaned in a bit and whispered back ''Just let zem believe zat.''

The viking spotted three of the little gnomes-like creatures on a table and looked at them curiously. One of them was using Christmas decoration globes as binoclars while the other two thought it would be a great idea to test the lights on themselves, electrocuting one in the process. Hiccup stared at them puzzled, until the Christmas spirit came back to him, a large hand on his shoulder, adressing the elves with a big, false smile.

''Verry nice. Keep up good worrk.''

They kept on walking in the middle of this chaotic agitation, until they finally reached an office that was way calmer. It didn't took long for the viking to realise it was Santa Claus' office, but it didn't look like anything he could have imagined. The ceiling and walls were made of ice, it was kind of cold – too cold for his liking, but he was too proud and stubborn to admit it. Several shielves were covered with wooden toys and pastries while the large desk in the middle of the room had several ice sculptures on it. The same sculptures the yetis were using as models.

While Hiccup was marveling at the room, Santa Claus spoted an elf carrying a plate with a big decorated cake on it. Taking the plate, the big man threw the little creature off the edge without noticing.

''Frruit cake ?'' He offered the other spirit.

''No, thanks.'' The viking replied, eyeing the pastry that seemed iced.

The big bearded-man then frowned his bushy grey eyebrows and threw the plate mindlessly, before cracking his knucles in a menacing way.

''Now we get down to tax a breath.''

''Tax a… ?'' Hiccup asked, confused.

He door slammed shut behind him, a big decorated lock magically scelling it while the tall and intimidating man stomped closer, forcing the other spirit to back up until his back was pressed against the door.

Okay, granted the man was a bit fat and so he was less intimidating than Stoick the Vast, but unlike the viking chief who had been his father when he was human, Hiccup didn't know Santa Claus. So the intimidation worked, he had to admit it. This man may had the white beard, rosy cheeks and big belly the legends said he had, he was far more badass and scary than expected.

''You arre brroken, Horren Blaze. You've lost yourr centerr.''

''My center ?''

What in Hel was this man talking about ? Hiccup felt even more confused than the sudden change of mood, even more when the man poked at his chest, before straightening up with a much more calm composure. Strangely, a jolly smile spread on his lips, then he turned to one of the shelves. Hiccup adjusted his breastplate and let go of the door. He was still on guard, but he tried to convince himself Santa Claus was just naturally intimidating, that he had not meant to scare him like that. They had to admit his broad shoulders, his thick and bushy eyebrows, his russian accent and his arms covered with tattoos were not helping. He looked like a bear, he was even more scary that the yetis he was working with.

Hiccup looked at him pick up a russian doll. It represented the man. The thick eyebrows, the intimidating flare, two sabres crossed over his chest, he seemed ready to attack.

''Herre, this is how you see me, no ? Verry big, intimidating, ho ho. But if you get to know me a little…''

He outstretched his hand to give the doll to Hiccup, almost hitting him in the face with it. The fire wielder stepped back and took the doll, giving him a sceptical look. Santa Claus had to smile and nod to him, telling him to open it up. Hiccup rolled his eyes and did so. The following doll inside was also a portrait of Santa Claus, but the expression was different, the man had a large smile and sparkling eyes.

''You are jolly ?'' Hiccup stated hesitantly, though he had noticed this when he had arrived.

''But not just jolly !'' Santa Claus chuckled, making a sign to the doll.

The viking smiled a bit and opened the following doll to look at the third one. The face was drapped in a red coat.

''I am also mysterrious.''

Hiccup was a bit doubtful about this one, but he played along and opened the third doll. The fourth one was a bit scary as the face on it was obviously screaming with fury.

''And fearrless. And carring.''

Hiccup had to agree, the face on the fifth doll reassured him. The doll was small, representing a Santa Claus smiling and crying while holding a baby reindeer in his arms.

Judging by the size of the doll, there was only one left. Santa Claus got closer and extended a hand, gesturing him to give him the parts of the fifth doll so he can focus on the last one.

''And at my centerr…''

Hiccup opened it and gave him the parts so he could look at the last doll, a tiny piece of wood. The face was young without beard nor hair, and black stripes on the red wood seemed to represent nappies.

''… A little baby ?'' Hiccup hesitated.

''Look closerr. What do you see ?''

The viking got a closer look and took a moment to inspect it, then he noticed.

''You have big eyes ?''

''Yes !'' The big man shouted excitedly. ''Big eyes, verry big ! Because zey arre full of wonder !''

He shook the viking's shoulders and paced in the middle of the room, gesturing wildly around him as he let his passion express. Hiccup smiled at that, he just found them a common point in gesturing wildly while talking.

''It iz what I waz born wiz. Eyes zat alwayz see the wonder in everthing ! Eyes that see lights to the treez, and magic in ze air !''

He unlocked the door and dragged Hiccup to the balcony, looking down at the vast and amazing workshop, and the countless flying toys hovering in the air. The giant circular building was composed of several levels that seemed to gravitate around the middle pillar where stood a globe of their planet, covered with millions and millions of tiny lights. Granted it was wonderful.

''This wonderr iz what I put into ze world ! And what I prrotect in childrren. It iz what makes me a guarrdian.''

His voice was softer as he turned back to face the dragon spirit, who looked down at the wooden doll he still had in his hand.

''It iz my centerr. What iz yours ?''

Hiccup kept his head low, unable to meet the man's blue eyes. He got lost in his thoughts for a moment. His center… Once he knew what it was. His powers were of fire and dragon shapeshifting, but what was the mission he had dedicated himself to ? He had lost it.

Santa Claus was right, he had lost his center, and Hiccup knew why. Surely he had lost it the day he had stopped to live, the day when… when Søl had let him down, betrayed him.

''I don't know.'' He admitted.

The Christmas spirit smiled softly at him and closed the viking's hand over the doll, silently telling him to keep it, hopefully it could help him find himself back.

''Thanks, Santa.''

''You can call me Norrth.''

Hiccup looked up and him and smiled. In this moment, he felt like he wasn't alone anymore.

But this moment came to an end as they saw the Tooth Fairy fly by hurriedly on the other side of the office's window. She seemed panicked. Aster and Sab quickly joined them, the bunny seemed somber.

''We have a problem, mates. Troubles at the Tooth Palace.''