Act 1 - The Note Isolation Plays -
-Chapter 2: Interference-
It's been almost a month so I figured I left you guys hanging enough. Here's chapter 2! Hope you guys like it!
Hiro leaned back on his reclining chair and put his bare feet up on his desk as he thought about the conversation he had with his friend just now.
The Japanese boy would be lying to himself if he didn't admit he was a little bit worried. Today was a very special day, for a lot of different reasons. Not only was it Hiccup's birthday, it was also the day they, as in Hiro and his friends, were going to play a very important game.
The fact that Hiccup's copy of the game had been stolen by a mythical creature was very worrisome.
Hiccup had also raised a good point. Though all of their friends had promised to play the game today, all of them actually starting to play today was an entirely different matter. Especially when you take into account those two.
There was also the fact that Hiro's own copies of the game had been confiscated by a very annoying older brother earlier. Thankfully, he had managed to retrieve them from his brother's room without much of a hassle. For now. Hiro dreaded the moment Tadashi would notice his heist.
In short, Hiro had a lot of irons on the fire.
Still, he would be damned if he gave up before trying or doing anything. So with a sigh, the black-haired teen sat on his chair properly and turned his attention to his computer once again.
Hiro closed the window of his web browser, Daedalus, and clicked on the Pesterchum icon, hoping to see any of his friends online.
Much to his surprise, someone he didn't expect to see was actually on. Seizing the chance, Hiro immediately sent a message to his friend before the other logged out.
-combativeTechnologist [CT] started pestering antarcticanTrickster at 8:22 AM-
"CT: I cant believe I actually managed to get a hold of you so easily!"
"AT: oh sup H. whats up"
Hiro sighed as he saw his friend reply. That means he was actually at home for a change. The black-haired teen went straight to business.
"CT: Jack, do you know what day it is today?! Its a very important day!"
"AT: oh right today is the day when the mcrib is put back on the menu of course i know what day today it is today you dingus."
"AT: its hics birthday as if i would ever forget my best friends birthday"
Hiro laughed slightly at Jack's remark. When Hiro was first introduced to Jack, he had a hard time seeing how Hiccup had befriended such an... idiot.
But as he started to know him, the Japanese boy could see the why. True, Jack was a carefree prankster loaded with almost as much sarcasm and wit as Hiccup, and though he wasn't exactly smart, he was charming and he was actually rather thoughtful despite the fact that he didn't come across as the type of person that pays attention to detail. It wasn't long before he and Jack became friends, much to the rest of Hiccup's friends' dismay.
"CT: Oh, its nice to see that you do remember SOME things... did you remember we promised to play sburb today too?"
"AT: of course i did H its just that"
"AT: do we really have to play this game i mean id rather explore the forest today than stay cooped up in front of my computer screen all day"
"AT: not that i actually can or whatever but yeah you catch my drift"
Hiro sighed.
"CT: Jack ive told you a millon times that we need to play this game"
"AT: right i do distinctly remember all your ambiguous remarks about how important it is to play this silly game"
"CT: I'm serious, Jack! Playing this game could be the most important thing you could do in your life!"
"AT: i sincerely doubt that H and also why are you so sure of this game's importance like its just a pc game chill"
"AT: haha did u catch that play on words heheh chalk up one for frost overland
There it was again. The dreaded "Why" question that always surfaced. And once again, Hiro found himself unable to answer. But it wasn't because he didn't want to; it was because it would be highly inadvisable to do so. Not only would it change the past's course of history (a severe crime in San Fransokyo), Hiro didn't actually have a legitimate explanation.
By this point, it should be obvious that Hiro Hamada was actually from the far future, a good 200 hundred years away from Hiccup's era. Not like it was the best guarded secret or anything. Really, it wasn't a mystery that needed to be solved.
The Japanese teen simply knew these things. If there was one way that he could describe it... it would be... "I dreamed about it". Hiro didn't know how or why or when this started but every time he went to sleep, he would awake from a dream that had premonitions of the future. At first, the boy dismissed the idea. Because really, there was no such thing as prophetic dreams and as a man of science, it was a ridiculously folly to even entertain the notion.
As the things in his dreams came to pass, however, Hiro had to start believing.
To this day, the Hamada boy had no explanation behind the prophetic dreams, but the fact that most of his dreams contained prophecies related to Sburb... Hiro came to the conclusion that it had to do with the game.
Nevertheless, Hiro wasn't sure. And he couldn't tell either way, lest he invoked the wrath of the Mirai Kikan on him for messing with the timeline even more. So he had to find roundabout ways to tell his friends about stuff.
And now he had to convince Jack to play the game without revealing too much.
Hiro groaned. Washed up at 15... it almost felt like his life was over.
An idea formed on the raven-haired kid's mind as he eyed something out of the corner of his eye. Sitting right in the middle of his rather messy work desk was an orange package. Hiro smiled when he saw it. This package was a gift he had bought for Hiccup's birthday. Normally, he would've have mailed it to him, but given the circumstances (what with Hiro living over 2 centuries away from his friend's time) he kinda figured it was impossible. But recently he had come to learn he wouldn't have to mail it or anything. He came to learn that he was going to give this gift to Hiccup personally.
Because of Sburb.
With a sly smile, Hiro stood up straight and began typing away. Maybe he could tempt Jack with this? The timing of the dream that told him about this possibility couldn't have been better. It almost seemed like that dream had come to him specifically for this very moment... But nah, that can't be it. Besides, Hiro was beyond ecstatic to give that train of thought the attention it deserved.
"CT: Its not just a game jack! Its going to be very important! I mean...! This game will allow us to meet each other!"
"AT: what like in person"
"CT: Yeah! If we play this game we'll be able to meet each other in person!"
"AT: ok now I know youre full of it H like cmon get real this is just a dumb pc game"
"CT: Just take my statement as more of my 'vague premonition bullshit' ;)"
"AT: oh god damn it then youre serious arent you"
"CT: Thats what I've been telling you! So you better go and get that copy right now ok?!"
"AT: alright fine fine ill get it chill H dont worry"
Hiro happily spun on his chair as he read that last message. Yes! Getting through Jack was always an ordeal and not only he had gone and actually contacted him, but now he had convinced the stubborn teen to actually play the game! Now all he had to do was check on his other friends, install his own copy of the game and then, he'll finally be able to meet them all! He'll finally be able to meet Hiccup!
Everything was going according to plan.
A message notification drew his attention.
"AT: so like"
"AT: when you say were going to all meet each other then are you sayin everyone as in including hic"
Hiro tilted his head as he read the message. Why would he even ask this? You'd think the phrase, "meet everyone" encompassed Hiccup.
"CT: Yeah! Thats right Jack!"
"AT: oh crud then i guess i better look for an actual birthday gift for hic"
"AT: in any case i gotta jet to the gamestore, hopefully there'll be some copies still there"
"CT: Sure! Good luck Jack!"
"AT: later nerd"
-combativeTechnologist [CT] stopped pestering antarcticanTrickster at 8:32 AM-
Huh. Now that was a weird shift in Jack's attitude, Hiro thought. But then again, Jack was always attentive of Hiccup, Hiro had noticed. Despite their clashing personalities, they actually were rather good friends, to everyone's surprise. "I guess it isn't that weird then, for him to act like that.", Hiro thought.
"In any case...", thought the raven-haired teen as he walked over to his work desk and dug through all the trash on it until he eventually found what he was looking for. Inside a brown envelope was the Sburb Beta. Still proud of how well his excursion to his brother's room went, the Japanese teen walked briskly to his computer and let himself fall on his reclining chair.
"I figure this thing will take a lot of time to install, so might as well get a head start". Hiro went to place the CD on a CD reader he had personally built on his desk when the door of his room opened with a slam. Turning around to see who had intruded in his, Hiro groaned as he saw his older brother, Tadashi, looking angrily both at him and the disc in hand.
"The gig is up, you knucklehead."
In that moment, Hiro cursed himself for leaving his door unlocked.
Jackson Overland was in quite a dilemma.
Though he had claimed to know that today was Hiccup's birthday, he had forgotten entirely about sending his gift to the brunette. He had also forgotten to buy the game he had promised he would play with his friends. Jack groaned as he set his laptop next him and buried his head on one of his bed's pillows.
The unmailed gift, enclosed in a blue package, laid on his desk, and Jack once again felt guilty for forgetting. He was looking forward to this day ever since he met the brunette a year ago, and he went and blew it! Sometimes, Jack really thought that his friends' description of him being an airhead were spot-on.
With a huff, Jack got up from his bed and walked towards the package. With a pout, he picked up the blue box. "Guess the only thing I can do is hope that Hiro is right about that game."
Jack had known the Japanese teen long enough to take his premonitions to heart; even if Hiccup and the others were reluctant to believe in them, Jack knew better. In this world, there were somethings that couldn't be explained by science. So all Jack could do was believe that this "Sburb" would let him meet his friend. Hell, that would be the best thing ever! At last, Jack would be able to meet his best friends!
Though he was quite a popular guy in Burgess, what with his carefree attitude, love for attention and his infamous pranking skills, most of the people who hung around him didn't know the real Jack. The Jack that'd rather play with his sister than to try to pick up chicks. The Jack that'd rather craft things like flower crowns and bracelets than skip class. The real Jack that his internet friends knew. Being able to meet them... would be a dream come true.
There was... however... a problem with that.
With a sigh, Jack put the gift down, and looked at his room's door. Yep... those boards were still nailed on pretty damn tight. And even if he somehow managed to remove the boards, Jack was a hundred percent sure a 10-ton safe was blocking the door on the other side.
"Guess I have to find a way out of here if I want to buy that game..."
Jack's reputation for pranks wasn't a very well guarded secret. Pretty much anyone on Burgess knew. And since Burgess was a fairly small city, Jack's exploits eventually reached Nicholas St. North, his legal guardian.
North was usually a jolly man, but he was pretty strict whenever Jack's pranks went too far. And this time... Jack's prank had crossed that line. In his defense, those school bullies totally deserved to look like chickens, but North never saw the genius behind his pranks. And thus, the whitette found himself under house arrest, likely for the rest of the day.
This time around, though, North had been far more stricter. Usually, he only resorted to the safe, but he had never boarded up the door before. For some reason, the Russian guardian wanted him to stay inside all day. Fat chance that was going to happen though, this bird's gotta fly. Jack looked outside his window and briefly considered the dangers of going out this way before deciding it was his only option.
A buzzing in his jeans, however, stops him from climbing out. Today seems like everyone wants a piece of Overland. Taking out his smartphone, Jack opens up the Pesterchum application, the expected message notification flashing on the screen. With a quick touch, the message is displayed.
-glowingGal [GG] started pestering antarcticanTrickster at 8:37 AM-
GG: Hey Jackie!
AT: hey sup punzie
Jack smiled as he read the enthusiastic greeting. Typical Rapunzel behavior, but that's what he liked about her. Her enthusiasm was contagious and she definitely was the mood maker of the group, always with a cheery disposition.
GG: Today's the day, huh! The day we all get to play that awesome game Hiro-chan told us about?
Jack snickered at Punzie's nickname for Hiro. If anyone had a knack for nicknames aside from him, it was Rapunzel.
AT: yeah so i hear though i still dont have the game myself
GG: What? D: Really?! How come?!
AT: north is being difficult again
GG: More like someone got himself in trouble again :b
AT: haha well you know me too well punzie
GG: That's a bummer, though! :/
GG: Are you going to be able to get a copy today?
AT: yeah dont worry punzie ill figure something out never mind me tho. what about you are you all set
Jack remembered Rapunzel's situation... and it was unique to say the least.
GG: Oh! Yeah, don't worry about me! Flynn will totally get my copy before Mother gets here :o
AT: ok thats cool just be sure that gothel doesnt catch you i mean its a miracle she even agreed to let you have a computer in the first place
GG: Ugh, don't remind me! :/
GG: I really don't want to resort to using Flynn's phone to talk to you guys ever again. That's why I'm being super extra careful with this!
AT: parents am i right. why are they such sticks in the mud smh
Jack had known the blonde girl long enough to understand how strict her mother was. Gothel was apparently super protective of the blonde, and she didn't trust just any person. Which is why Rapunzel had to talk to all of them behind her back. How Rapunzel managed to convince Gothel to get her a computer was beyond Jack's understanding.
GG: Yeah, I hear you. I love Mother but she's just so difficult sometimes :/
GG: Anyways, Jackie, I have to leave you! Good luck getting that game! :D
AT: yeah sure thanks punzie. catch ya later
- glowingGal [GG] stopped pestering antarcticTrickster at 8: 41 AM -
Jack smiled. Chats with Rapunzel always lifted his spirits. And he needed all the motivation he could get. Because, really, breaking out of house arrest just to get a game? Sure, Jack had done a lot of things that could be called 'stupid' in his life, but he was going against North's wishes here. If he didn't get back here before his guardian came to check on him, he was sure to get in bigger trouble.
With a swift motion, Jack opened the window, the sweltering heat from the city outside creeping into his room. Today was a very bad day to wear his favorite blue hoodie, but the whitette had wasted enough time; every second was precious. Nimbly jumping through the window, Jack landed softly on the balcony outside his room. Giving his room a last glance, the whitette then jumped to a branch of a tree near his window and then slid down towards the ground. Not sparing any second, Jack then kicked off with a sprint, trying to get away from his house as fast as he could; he didn't want to get caught on his backyard.
With the sun beating on his back, Jack set off towards downtown Burgess, where the only game store in the city was. "Hopefully, they'll still have a copy. I don't want to make the trip for nothing."
There was something to be said about the fact that Hiccup had to sneak around his own house in order to avoid his parents. Well, mostly one of them. Hiccup had no issues with his mom, Valka, as she was actually quite nice to him, always praising him, actually paying attention to the things he talked about, and encouraging him to pursue his interests. In all honestly, Hiccup though his mom was quite the perfect mom, aside from just one tiny detail: she could be quite... doting. Specially during the boy's birthdays. Gods, the amount of cake that woman could bake... The Haddock household's kitchen was literally baking up a storm during those days. Hiccup often wondered how he was still a fishbone considering the downright obscene amounts of cake he ended up eating. Which is why the brunette had to avoid his mom today. Thor knows how much time would be used up if Valka caught him before he got the game; he would probably have to eat cake until the Gronckles came home.
Nevertheless, as the Viking tip toed outside of his room into the dark halls of the Haddock household's second floor, he cursed the layout of his home. His room was at the very end of the hallway and there really wasn't any place to hide if someone decided to come up and check on him. There was also the fact that there were only two ways to leave the house; either through the back door that was on the kitchen (That one was definitely out), or the front door, which meant Hiccup had to take down the stairs and go through the living room, where his Dad usually lounged after a hard day's work. That... was the one thing he didn't want to deal with. Who knows what would happen if Stoick caught a glimpse of him?
"Probably more forced father-and-son bonding and some more bruises after his umpteenth attempt to teach me how to play football...", though Hiccup bitterly.
Still, he had to bite the figurative bullet. If he wanted to end his birthday on a high note, recovering that game was essential. And so, with a kind-of-resolute resolve, the little Viking approached the flight of stairs and descended as quietly as possible, keeping an eye out for his father's humongous frame through the stairs' rails, which offered an eagle's view of the Haddock living room, which had a lot of Viking decorations like Viking helmets nailed to the walls, shields and axes on display, figurines which represented Norse deities on the chimney's shelf and a rug under the couches from an unknown animal that always gave Hiccup chills. Oh, how he hated the thing, but apparently it was a trophy from a hunting trip his father went to in his younger days. He felt bad for the animal, in more ways than one.
Luckily for the Viking, he saw no sign of his father as he reached the living room. No sound but the fire's cracking in the chimney could be heard. It was quiet. Too quiet. Almost abnormally s-
"Where are you headed, young man?"
"Odin's Ghost!"
The sudden voice of Valka coming from behind Hiccup made the little Viking yelp with surprise. Internally Hiccup was admonishing himself. How could he have not noticed that there wasn't any sound coming from the kitchen? Gods, how he hated his mom's ability to somehow sneak behind him without making a sound! Hiccup swore that his cause of death was going to be probably a jumpscare from his mom. Regardless, the little Viking could never stay mad with his mom. Not when she laughed so delicately, not in a mean way, but in a manner that showed she liked to see her son's reactions. Even though Hiccup was embarrassed by how easily he was frightened, Valka's laughter was kinda contagious.
"Haha, OK, yeah, you got me good Mom...!", he said as he pointed a finger at her and waved it around. "You always seem to get a... kick, from, uh... scaring your son half to death!"
Valka's laugh diminished until only a content smile was left as she saw his son's response. She always liked his son's sharp wit and mannerisms, and she couldn't understand how her little boy didn't have any friends. She didn't mind spending his birthdays with him and she was certainly happy to learn that her boy had found trustworthy friends on the internet, but...
Well, that wasn't neither here or there. Her son was up to something, and he was obviously trying to sidestep the question. Though Valka could venture a guess, given how Hiccup was eyeing the front door constantly as he fidgeted...
Valka smiled warmly.
"You know, Hiccup... if you're going out, you should at least take something to defend yourself." she chuckled as she saw the stupefied expression her son's face. "You know how dangerous it is outside, what with the dragons roaming around today. They're especially restless today for some reason."
"Oh... uh." Hiccup was at a loss for words. He wasn't expecting his mom to see through him so easily. Still, though it pained Hiccup to admit so, she was right. Toothless was friendly to him, but other dragons? A completely different story. Monstrous Nightmares were an absolute... err, nightmare to deal with, so Hiccup heeded his mother's advice.
Walking over to the weapons displayed on a shelf, the little Viking picked up a shield with the family crest on it, a red skull popping out against the dark wood of the shield. Hiccup didn't actually like to hurt dragons; his friendship with Toothless made him like that. And well, he only really needed to defend himself, not harm any dragon... so what better option than a shield.
Valka smiled approvingly at his son's choice. Hiccup quickly hung the shield on his back using the leather strap attached to the back of the shield and proceeded to walk towards the front door, giving his mom a quick hug.
"Oh, hold on a moment, Hiccup.", said Valka as Hiccup swung the door open. As the little Viking turned back to see what his mom wanted, something was put on his face. Hiccup groaned. Glasses. The brunette actually needed glasses but he didn't like to wear them; they made them look more like a nerd. Hiccup didn't object to them, though, as he saw his mom's stern face.
Stubbornness issues notwithstanding, he wasn't going to win any arguments with his mom. That was a thing that never happened. So with a resigned sigh, Hiccup adjusted his glasses and then proceeded to walk out the door.
"Don't stay out so late! Try to get home before dinner is ready!"
"Will do, Mom!"
Hiccup couldn't make any promises, though. Considering how sneaky Toothless was, this chase could take all day. It didn't help that the Night Fury had an uncanny ability to warp space and teleport around; an unheard ability on other Night Furies. But that was just another quirk that made Toothless so special, and to Hiccup it was the norm. He had grown up with the black dragon's peculiarities, after all.
"Well, no use putting it off anymore."
And with that thought, Hiccup set off towards his backyard, where dense woods sprawled just shy of the residential area of Berk. That was Toothless' preferred hiding spot. With that being his only lead, the little Viking set off towards the forest, an unnatural heat beating on his back as the sun shone with a powerful presence, something rare for the ever-wintry town of Berk.
Character introductionssssss... gotta love them! It wasn't a very exciting chapter, I know. Geez, Why do I always write slow-starting stories?! In any case, this fic is still merely a side fic so updates will be sparse... please bear with me!