Author's Note: This is an idea I was really excited about. It's something I honestly think that hasn't been covered with other stories in this fandom. The idea came to me when reading some of the fics, and it just evolved. I always wondered what would happen to Hiccup if he experienced something as big as this. Well this is my own version of it, and I hope I did the whole story right. I have to give a big thanks to Ugly-Duckling123 who helped beta read the chapter.
Chapter 1: First Kill
This is Berk…a settlement in which many Vikings have called home for many generations. Despite the constant cold and endless winter, we Hooligans will lay down our lives to keep the village safe. Yet, one of the safer times is at night as nothing much happens upon as everyone in town is asleep, save for the guards on night patrol. Other than that, It's pretty quiet… Well except when a loud horn is blown, waking everyone up to inform them of an attack taking place.
"Push them back!" Stoick's shouted out to his fellow Vikings, all of which were locked in battle with both Outcasts and Berserkers.
The chief had been sound asleep, along with his son and dragon when the warning horn was being blown. Immediately they awoke and knew they were under attack. Quickly getting ready and heading out the chief of the Hooligan tribe started barking out orders to many, which included telling his son to get the Dragon Riders and assist from the air. He did so without hesitation and soon they were in the air defending their home.
Roars echoed in the air as Stoick looked up, a smile gracing his face, as he knew the battle is in their favor. Astrid and Snotlout maneuvering their dragons downward, in sync, both unleashing a long blazing stream of fire at a large group of Outcasts. Many alarmed shouts were heard as they scattered, dropping their weapons along the way.
They kept fighting back and soon the enemy started retreating back to their boats. Stoick along with many other of Berk's Vikings stood on the cliffs, looking out in the distance where flaming ships were. All of them sinking and taking whatever enemy reinforcements that were supposed to back them up. Within minutes all Outcasts and Berserkers were setting sail, chalking another victory to the Hooligan Tribe.
Stoick blew a sigh of relief as he sheathed his sword and turning away from the ocean. The cheers of the whole tribe echoing in the night as they all rejoiced in their victory. Seeing them all crowded around, the chief could see most of the populace is here. This lifted another weight off his shoulders as this is a good indication that no one had perished during the fight, which is a miracle upon itself. Finally. A moment passed before Spitelout and Gobber approach him, "What's the damage?"
"A few of the houses were set ablaze," Spitelout was the first to respond, having a calmness to his voice. "The Fire Brigade is already taking care of it."
"Was anyone in those homes?" Stoick asked, mentally checking off his list.
"No, thank Freya, they got out in time," Gobber responded next, which made the chief sigh in relief. The luck keeps rolling on, yet he feared when it would run out. "The only major damage done is to the docks, but that happened as the Outcasts and Berserkers were retreating."
"Any injured?" Stoick inquired next.
"About fifteen, but they're being taken to Gothi for treatment," Spitelout answered next, then taking another look around. Despite the dark the village could still be seen quite a bit. The fire from the ablazed houses were being doused. Some others were walking about to see if anything was missed. And the injured are being helped to Gothi. "I say we got off lucky this time around."
"I agree," the chief responded but then turned as a Nadder landed next to him, followed by a Gronkle. Astrid and Fishlegs got off and headed straight for him. "Report!"
"We circled the island and found no stragglers," Astrid chimed in, looking confident in her words. "It's safe to say they all left as well."
Just then two more Dragons landed as the twins and Snotlout dismounted, the buffer teen walking forward. "We doubled checked no Outcasts or Berserkers in sight."
"They hauled out of here once they knew we were coming," Tuffnut smugly said, almost in a way that would make Snotlout proud.
"That's what they get for messing with us," Ruffnut agreed with her brother, both of them high-fiving.
Stoick opened his mouth, but nothing came out as he looked around. Both eyes carefully scanned amongst the crowd as panic started to fill him as someone is missing. "Where's Hiccup!?"
It was then everyone else noticed it as well and looked around. The one-legged teen wasn't in sight, and most of all his Night Fury couldn't be seen either. Various whispers started amongst the crowd as the worst started to swell up within them all. Had he been taken?
"That's strange, I saw him a few minutes ago," Astrid commented, which caught the chief's attention.
"Where?!" he asked with urgency.
"He was flying near the Great Hall, he told me to go and help take out the ships," the blond responded back, now worried, as well as the other teens.
Immediately Stoick turned to the crowd, "Find my son!" They didn't need to be told twice as they disbursed, all of them going in different directions in hopes of finding Berk's heir. Turning towards the Dragon Riders Stoick issued another order, "Search from the air!"
Immediately the teens mounted their dragons and flew up and were out of sight. Stoick remained where he was, trying to think of where his son could be and did what he could to push down the notion of him being taken. He had thought about going to grab Thornado to search up in the air as well, yet he remembered what Astrid had said. She saw him near the great hall last. With the destination in mind he rushed out towards it on foot. He was thankful for being close to the building, as his eyes searched ever where. The torches lining the stars provided some light, but no one could be seen. The chief then looked around the sides, in the blind spots that anyone could miss.
Circling the vast building he was almost near the back, when both eyes widened as something new came into his vision, causing the panic to increase. "Toothless!"
A few yards away the Night Fury flailed around on the ground, entangled in a bunch of long bolas that enclosed around its wings and legs. There was even one enclosed around his mouth, no wonder the beast couldn't call for help. Rushing over to the dragon Stoick pulled out his sword and started to cut the rope. He knew something bad had happened if his son's dragon is on the ground and Hiccup nowhere in sight.
"Toothless, where's Hiccup!?" as his voice came out the Night Fury noticed and immediately started making muffled warbles…frantic warbles. It was as if he was trying to say something important
Once the last of the bolas is cut Toothless got up to his feet he instantly ran off in one direction, causing Stoick's eyes to follow. Yet, something else came into view as he lost sight of the dragon, something that was unexpected. A few yards away from where the dragon was lying was an Outcast soldier…more importantly a dead Outcast.
"Great Odin's Ghost," Stoick said as he couldn't take his eyes off the dead human. Lying face up, eyes devoid of life and facial expression one of surprise, as blood pooled underneath him. Yet that wasn't the surprising thing. All around the upper body were open wounds, which looked like stabs. Many littered the body….and by the grouping of the wounds they were blind stabs…all of them seeming to have belonged to a small blade, most likely a dagger or something.
A coo brought the large man out of his observation as he looked over and finally found his son, "Hiccup!"
Not too far away the one-legged teen sat against the large rock which the Great Hall stood upon. Both of his knees were to his chest as his arms were resting on top of them… Both of them were trembling. Right next to him his son's dragon is trying to get a response out of him, but nothing seemed to be getting through as Hiccup seemed to be in some kind of trance.
As he got closer it's then both of Stoick's eyes widen, as his son's appearance became more apparent.
Blood soaked the teen's clothing. It may have been hard to see during the night, but it was there as dark splotches covered all over the furred vest and green tunic. In his son's blood covered hands was his knife. The metal covered in a sticky crimson and dribbled down onto the boy's hands, covering the pink flesh.
Even though Hiccup isn't a normal Viking and was opposed to carrying weapons around the dragons Stoick insisted that his son be armed in case something happened. And knowing the trouble that followed the boy, this concern was warranted. After arguing a while Hiccup relented and agreed to carry his dagger with him. Although the chief rather he has something bigger it did give him some peace of mind as the small weapon is still deadly if used right…and apparently from the looks of it that is what may have happened.
"Hiccup…Hiccup!" Stoick called out as he is finally kneeling by his son's side. But like with Toothless, the boy was unresponsive almost like he couldn't hear either of them. His voice went soft as something is definitely wrong, "Son."
His massive hand went out and touched the boy's shoulder, which seemed to do the trick as Hiccup gasped and jumped. The knife falling out of his hands as he looked around in confusion before settling on his father. A frightened expression now plastered over his face as he started to breathe heavily and uneasy, "D-Dad?" he calmed down some upon seeing it's his father.
"Hiccup," Stoick started out gently. There were many things he wanted to ask him, yet only one thing came out of his mouth. "What happened?"
The teen's body stiffened upon hearing that, his head slowly looked away from his father, and eyes widening as they rested on the dead Outcast not too far away. His face visibly paled, body trembling, and breathing grew heavier as he swallowed, "I'm…I'm going to be sick…"
Stoick could only watch as his son quickly crawled off a few feet away and started emptying his stomach. Audible gagging filling the area as the chief and dragon watched the teen hurl. By this time, they started to draw a crowd as the villagers, including the riders, found them. They were bearing torches which brought more light to the area, and soon gasps are heard. All of them were surprised to see the dead body and a blood covered Hiccup throwing up. Slowly their minds put two and two together and yet they were surprised and silent.
"Chief," Astrid came up and asked in concern. "What's going on?"
Stoick said nothing as he moved to Hiccup's side, placing a comforting hand on his son's back. After a bit the teen is heaving as he seemed to have stopped. By now his small frame is trembling violently as silence filled the air still. Seeing that his arms might give the chief carefully grabbed his son, the last thing he needed is for the boy to fall in his own bile. Gently he moved him, so he is sitting down, father and son looking at one another. "Son…what happened?"
Hiccup took one look at his father and then slowly to the body before looking back. All sorts of emotions were hitting him like a rushing Gronkle as it was overwhelming. He had trouble trying to find his voice, but his dad was patient and allowed him all the time needed. Then he said three words that his father never expected his son to say…well at least for another few years, "I-I killed him."
A/U: I hope you all like. Especially with with I have so far. I had always wondered what Hiccup would be like if he killed someone for the first time. If it had happened during Race to the Edge I honestly thought that version of Hiccup would be able to endure it better, mainly since he's more mature. Then I decided to stick with Defender's of Berk Hiccup as he's still somewhat a child and it could have greater consequences. I hope you'll give this story a chance because I have a lot planned for this. Till next time.