Chapter 3; The rightful chief
Here we are, the final chapter? Still remains to be seen. I'm going to get straight to the point. Enjoy!
-S2-
Hiccup arrived at the huts to find Toothiana gushing over Jack's white hair while Sandy napped and Bunny argued with Jack about whether or not his nickname was adorable. Upon noticing him Jack got to his feet, watching as Hiccup slammed the door to his hut open, spooking a napping Toothless.
"Hiccup?" Jack questioned walking over to the hut.
"What's goin' on mate?" Bunny called to him.
"I'm going home," Hiccup said simply, trying another set of black armor onto his chest and shoulders, a pair of black dragon scale boots on his feet and another one of his swords at his hip. Jack's face lit up as he laughed.
"Really?"
Hiccup smiled at Jack, grabbing him by the waist with his right hand and pulling him into a kiss. Bunny groaned rather loudly while Tooth giggled. Hiccup finally pulled away, grinning with all the confidence of the future chief. "Really." Hiccup let Jack go. "And we will be taking dragons." Hiccup walked back to the hut to grab the saddle as he called for Toothless.
"What!?" Jack jumped. "There is no way I'm riding on a vicious-" The dragon stepped out of the hut to stretch and gurgling before hopping around excited that they were going to a ride as Hiccup came out with a smirk.
"Jack, I'd like you to meet Toothless." Hiccup patted Toothless' head, Jack stared at the creature in stunned silence before nodding his head, not looking away from the beast.
"Okay, one ride." He walked over and was pleased when Toothless nuzzled into his offered hand.
"Hold on a minute!" Bunny shouted, waving his arms around. "You can't just take off like this!"
Hiccup didn't look at him as he strapped the saddle to Toothless. "I'm sorry Bunny, I have a responsibility, and I've been ignoring it for too long."
"Oh yeah? What about us? We need you too!"
"Bunny," Tooth said warningly, knowing he was being unreasonable. He liked to pretend he didn't care but she knew he was rather attached to the young man.
Sandy, having woken up from the commotion made a few gestures. "I'll miss you too," Hiccup said, smiling at him. He climbed onto Toothless, reaching a hand out to Jack to pull him onto the dragon. "Put this on," He handed the harness to Jack who nodded quickly buckling into it before Hiccup attached it to the saddle. Without another word, they were in the air heading West.
The trio was silent for a moment, Sandy sad, Bunny furious and Tooth just stunned. Suddenly she jumped. "Jack left his staff!" She called running over to grab it from where it rested against a tree.
"So what?" Bunny growled with his arms crossed. Tooth and Sandy looked at eachother then looked at Bunny sternly.
"Bunnymund!" Tooth yelled, shocking him as she never raised her voice. "I don't care how hurt you feel, that is our friend going into battle and so help me we are going after him to do whatever we can to make sure he comes back in one piece!" Tooth stuck her fingers in her mount and whistled, a Deadly Nadder and a Gronckle came out through the trees, running up to their humans.
"Oh no, mate, I am not riding one o' them!" Bunny yelled as his companions climbed onto their dragons. "No way!" Tooth, clutching Jack's staff, rolled her eyes.
"Bunny, we have to leave, Toothless is the fastest of us and they already have a head start." Bunny shook his head. Tooth looked over at Sandy who nodded at her. "Fine, you give me no choice." The dragon lifted into the air before swooping back down and grabbing Bunny with its feet.
"Wow! 'AY! PUT ME DOWN!" Bunny yelled as the two dragons took off, Bunny's Terrible terror flying behind them.
-S2-
Hiccup wasn't sure what he was expecting, but the barren wasteland he found was not it. Toothless landed just on the border in hopes they wouldn't be spotted before they were ready, Hiccup took in the devastation and his heart sank, his home had been destroyed by his uncle.
"The Berserkers' aggressive hunting chased away the animals, even fish are scarce. Because the animals left the land died except for where the river flows through to the lake," Jack explained, looking over the sad land.
Hiccup grabbed Jack, pulling him into a tight hug. "I'm sorry." Jack smiled, feeling safe for the first time in years. Strange how everything changed, once he had been Hiccup's safe haven, now it was the other way around.
"Come on," Jack said, pushing him away. "Let's take care of Pitch, then we can be all sappy with each other."
"Hahaha," Hiccup rolled his eyes before something seemed to occur to him. "Jack, where's Astrid." Hiccup realized how odd it was to have had Jack show up looking for help, yet Astrid had stayed behind.
Jack sighed. "Astrid hasn't exactly been cooperative with Pitch, we had tried to sneak away together but the Berserkers caught us. Astrid gave me the time I needed to get away, but I don't know what happened to her." Hiccup nodded understanding, hoping his childhood friend was okay. "I think her rebellious streak has more to do with the Berserkers than Pitch, to allow an alliance with the people who killed Stoick-" Hiccup's head snapped around to look at Jack in shock. "What?"
"He said the Berserkers killed him?" Jack was taken back by the question, confused, he had been told Hiccup had been with Stoick when he died.
"Yes, they stabbed him in the back… when we found him but not you Pitch said they must have killed you as well." Hiccup looked away, something pieces together in his eyes.
"How did he justify the alliance?" Jack gritted his teeth at the question.
"Said he didn't want a war." Hiccup squared his shoulders, as if the last piece was finally in place, he nodded at Jack, telling him it was time to go.
Before they could make it any further they heard another pair of dragons approaching and someone crying "Put me down" over and over. They looked up to see Toothiana and Sandy land, the Deadly Nadder dropping Bunny just before it's feet hit the ground.
"Surprise! We came!" Tooth yelled happily.
"Uh, what are you all doing here?" Hiccup questioned as the dragon riders dismounted.
"We thought you might need some help, and…" Tooth grabbed the staff off the Dragon. "I thought Jack might need this." She handed him his weapon, Jack smiled at her.
"Thanks."
"Speak for yourself Toothiana! I have been kidnapped." Bunny yelled absolutely outraged.
"Sssssh" Hiccup hushed at the man. "We are using the stealth strategy." Bunny grunted, taking in his surroundings.
"You've come back to claim this?" Bunny scoffed, a little offended that Hiccup would leave their oasis.
"It didn't always look like this," Jack spoke sadly. "When Hiccup's uncle took over the chiefdom he allowed another destructive tribe to share our land, they are responsible for this mess." Bunny grunted in understanding. Hiccup started making his way to the village, his companions following close behind.
-S2-
Pitch Walked along the road to the center of the village, smiling as he was quite pleased with himself. In the square two women were tied to stockades, both looking weak from hunger. As the footsteps approached Astrid looked up at the man, pulling on her restraints. "Astrid dear, it brings me no pleasure to see you so miserable."
"Oh yeah? Untie me and give me my ax, I'll feel better!" Astrid gritted her teeth, still full of fire. Valka looked up from beside the woman, glaring daggers at her brother in law.
"Valka, darling, I don't suppose you have reconsidered my offer?" Pitch asked sweetly, running a hand through her hair. Valka flinched away.
"Not in your life," Valka said venomously.
Pitch hummed, rubbing his fingers together. "Pity, with you as my wife it would be so much easier keeping everyone in line." Pitch turned his back to the women, about to order another two days.
"You will never be the leader Stoick was," Valka spat at him, causing Pitch to freeze with anger. He turned back to her, sneering.
"I told you, never speak that name." Valka didn't back down.
"Stoick would have never allowed any of this to happen." Valka had had enough, years of abuse, of hunger and watching her land die, she wasn't afraid to face the horrible man who stole the reins of her home from her in her time of mourning.
Pitch, livid, grabbed a spear from one of the Berserkers that accompanied him, raising it up at her. "If you will not lead with me, I guess killing you will have to do, then there will be nothing left of Chief Stoick's legacy." As he was about the run the woman through a plasma blast hit the floor in front of Pitch, sending him flying away from Valka, three dragons with riders landed between Pitch and the two women, Jack jumping down from the Nightfury to untie Astrid as Tooth Left the Deadly Nadder to help Valka.
"Jack!" Astrid cried happily as her hands were freed and she was able to hug her brother. "You found help." She looked up as the armored man climbed off Toothless, drawing his sword while the dragon growled.
"THAT'S A NIGHTFURY!" One of the Berserkers yelled in alarm.
"I found the best help." Jack grinned as Hiccup threw his helmet aside, revealing his face. Astrid stared in disbelief, not sure if the man before her was who she thought he was.
"Hiccup?" Valka said as Tooth helped her to her feet.
Hiccup smiled at her. "Hey mom."
Astrid gasped with the confirmation. "He…" She didn't know what to say.
"I know," Was all Jack responded with as he helped Astrid to her feet.
"Hiccup?" Pitch looked over at Heather and Dagur as they stared at the brunette in shock. "I'm so pleased to see that you are alive and well." Pitch stood tall, showing off his false kindness. The effect was lessened by Hiccup's growth as he was just as tall as his uncle.
"No more of your lies Pitch!" Hiccup pointed at him with his sword, Toothless wrapping a tail around Hiccup to show his protective nature. "How could you do it!?" Pitch lowered his head, still watching Hiccup.
"Whatever do you mean, dear little Nephew?"
"Stabbed in the back, it wasn't the dragon blast that killed my father, it was YOU!" The tribe around him all watched the scene before them in shock, seeing Hiccup alive and all grown up was one thing, but what he had just said made their blood run cold.
"Hiccup, you're confused, I would never harm your father, he angered the Berserkers and-"
"I was there Pitch! There were no Berserkers when my father died, but YOU were there. You conveniently show up after he died and expect me to believe you had nothing to do with it? You were the only one that could have stabbed him!" Hiccup grounded his stance, ready to attack his uncle.
"Oh Hiccup, you always were too smart for your own good." Pitch threw the spear at Hiccup but Toothless effortlessly knocked it away. "Kill him! Kill him now!" Pitch ordered as Berserkers ran at Hiccup, The three dragons with the help of Jack, Tooth and Sandy easily kept the Berserkers off of Hiccup. Another battle cry was heard as Bunny and his Terrible Terror came out from behind the huts, the remaining villagers following him armed to the teeth. Pitch backed away from the battle in shock, realizing he and the Berserkers were outnumbered and outmatched. Hiccup marched after him, Toothless staying behind to help the other, Pitch took off to the mountain, Hiccup hot on his heels.
Pitch was running out of breath very quickly and managed to trip over several rocks and branches, allowing Hiccup to pursue him at a more leisurely pace. When he reached the top, Pitch grabbed a large branch, using it like a staff and swinging it at Hiccup, who easily dodged it and sliced it in two with his sword. Pitch stood stunned, Hiccup sheathed his sword and grabbed Pitch by his shirt, punching him in the face, a tooth flying from his mouth. Pitch fell into a heap on the ground. "Please Hiccup, have mercy!" Hiccup glared at him, furious. "It wasn't my idea, the Berserkers came to me, they told me if I didn't go along they would destroy us all!" Pitch was grasping and didn't notice the Berserker siblings that had followed him intending to save his life but halted their plan at hearing him transfer the blame to them.
"I don't believe you," Hiccup almost growled, shaking his head at the pitiful man. Pitch had always been weak, frail, especially compared to Stoick, this is what his people were worried he would become, a toothpick that couldn't fight for himself. Hiccup knelt down to him, glaring into his grey eyes. "Leave this land, Pitch, and never return." Hiccup ordered. Pitch bowed his head, getting to his feet to walk around Hiccup.
"Yes, of course, I'll go." Pitch stopped for a moment, looking back at Hiccup with absolute loathing. He ran back at the brunette, throwing his body into him in an attempt to push him off the edge, but Hiccup's solid build made it difficult and in the moments before Pitch could push him off, Hiccup grabbed Pitch, yanking him around him causing them both to fall. Hiccup quickly pushed Pitch away from him, spreading out his limbs to slow his fall.
"TOOTHLESS!" Hiccup called, mere seconds passing before the dragon came into view, grabbing him with his powerful claws and flying away, leaving Pitch to fall. Hiccup looked back with sad eyes, not seeing his uncle's fate.
Pitch landed on a ledge of the cliff with a grunt, having been thrown by Hiccup he managed to grab on and pull himself onto the safe space. The man sighed heavily. "Well, this is a set back." He sat up, looking to his right to see Heather and Dagur running to him.
"So, you managed to survive." Dagur glared at the man.
"No thanks to you." Pitch straightened out his clothing, as he began to walk past the siblings as if bored. "Not to worry, I had not anticipated Hiccup's return, but I believe the situation can be rectified." Heather blocked his path with her double ax, glaring at him from the corner of her eye.
"You have used us for the last time," She said, pushing him back.
"Excuse me? How dare you-"
"How dare you! We are done with you, you have taken our lives from bad to worse." Heather pushed on him again.
"Yeah, we may have been poaching Berk for scraps but we ate better then we have in the last three years. Then you placed all the blame on us, you just aren't too bright are you." Dagur pulled out his sword.
"You are making a mistake, without me you fools will go back to searching for scraps!" Pitch yelled backing away from the sharp weapon.
"Eh," Dagur shrugged before a manic grin formed on his face. "It's worth it!" Cackling, the siblings pounced, their weapons digging into Pitch's flesh mercilisally.
-S2-
Toothless flew back to the village, dropping Hiccup next to an exhausted Jack before landing himself, nuzzling at Hiccup. Jack smiled at him, having already chased away the last of the Berserkers from Berk. Jack wrapped an arm around the other man's shoulders, causing Hiccup to blush despite the situation.
"You know, after everything that's happened, that was a little anticlimactic," Jack chuckled, Astrid coming up behind them to wrap the boys in her arms. Hiccup missed this.
Valka walked with help from Gobber over to her son, smiling at him. "Oh my boy," She smiled, coming to the ground and cupping his face. "You're alive, You're home." She pulled him into a hug, pouring all the love she could into the contact.
""I, uh, I'm sorry." Hiccup snuggled into her, feeling overwhelmed and happy to be home.
There will be time for explanations later, for now let's just be happy." Hiccup smiled, Hugging his mother again before getting to his feet and pulling Jack with him.
"So, what now chief?" Jack asked teasingly as Hiccup smiled at him. The tribe gathered around them, all unsure what to say, some feeling guilty over treating Hiccup badly before he had run away, others just relieved he was home. As Hiccup debated on what to say, Mim broke through the crowd carrying a bowl of paint.
"What? H-H-Ho-How-How did you get here so fast?" Hiccup questioned, eying the little man in shock.
Mim didn't say anything, he motioned for Hiccup to kneel in front of him and the young man obeyed. Mim dipped a finger in the paint, drawing a symbol resembling an eye on his forehead before bowing his head to Hiccup. The young man stood up as Gobber cried out "The Chief has come home!" The tribe breaking out in cheers. His friends smiled at him, Tooth looking like she was about to explode with sheer excitement. Astrid gave him a bone crushing hug that would have broken him five years ago. Jack grabbed onto him next, holding on to Hiccup as if his life depended on it.
When Jack finally pulled away he laughed at the new height difference. "I guess nothing is ever going to be like the good old days huh?" Hiccup smiled back at him, gripping the smaller man's waist and pulling him close.
"I could get used to it," He said before placing a passionate kiss on Jack, not caring that the whole tribe was watching, no one seemed to be shocked.
"Yes! Now, we finally merge family!" North yelled with glee causing Hiccup and Jack to look at him quizzically. Hiccup looked at the sky as he felt a drop of rain fall on his head, it was quickly followed by more drops until a downpour started, he smiled, looking back at Jack who seemed to be basking in the rain.
Jack grinned at him, hitting Hiccup in the shoulder causing the larger man to groan. "What was that for?"
"Running off and getting taller than me," Jack said teasingly. Hiccup grinned cheekily.
"You weren't complaining yesterday," He teased back, causing Jack to go bright red while Astrid burst out laughing. The rest of the tribe had already taken refuge inside, the dragons were even taken to a shelter while Bunny, Tooth and Sandy followed Valka who was asking them questions about how her son had fared living with them.
"Shut up, Haddock!" Jack struggled as Hiccup wrapped him in a tight hold, suddenly reminded of what a disadvantage being shorter really was.
"Make me Frost." Hiccup pulled Jack into another kiss, not caring about the rain, anyone watching or the struggle in front of them, he just wanted to enjoy this moment with no regrets.
-S2-
Well, there you have it, three chapters, I could write an epilogue, I'll leave it up to you readers, if you guys want an epilogue I will happily write one. I know this isn't as… sophisticated? As some of my other writing, especially when compared with my Merlin fic for example, but I got the idea and just wanted to write it all down, I really don't feel this particular story needed to be made more detailed or longer but I guess it could have been, I didn't feel up to it, I just wanted to write a cute, short and sweet fic. Maybe one day I'll do a rewrite and give us more of Hiccup growing up and a better final battle…. Not likely. Anyway, review, tell me your thoughts and if you want to see an epilogue! Thanks for reading!