Chapter Nineteen

A/N: CLIMAX TIMEEEE! Also...lots of Roman mythology/beliefs in this chapter. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

In response to...

OinkyThePiggy: Lol, I like dark stories too. Gloominess and cliffhangers/suspense seem to just naturally form on the screen when I'm writing. XD

Yondaime Namikaze: It is pretty fun (although recently I've kind of fallen out of my Sims obsession, it being replace by Skyrim T_T) But I do recommend it. You get lots of new stuff in Creat A Sim and Build/Buy mode. Plus DRAGONS! Soo... XD And yeah, I guess filler can be necessary but I try to avoid it most of the time since it just feels like a waste when I'm writing it... And that's fine! I understand not being able to review every time.

unknownfangirl10: Lol, I tried to make Toothless green (book reference and all) but I did something wrong and he ended up being red... oh well, he shoots fire so it's fine XD And HAPPY (late) BIRTHDAY!

LittleDragonRider: Yeah, that game is pretty cool. (Although making Stoick has been quite the challenge XD)

Five minutes before sunrise, the massive doors of the Great Hall swing open. Every nearby soldier goes momentarily rigid before turning to attention, saluting Ymir as he passes by. The Chief nods to them in a casual manner, his arms folded behind his back as he strolls toward the town square. As is tradition, he's dressed in a plain, grey tunic and black trousers. It is an execution, after all. It would be disrespectful to wear flamboyant clothing next to a dying man.

But despite his facade of relaxation, the man's dark eyes flash back and forth across the village. There's a tense feeling in the air. He shouldn't be so nervous. After all, his only enemy is a fifteen year old boy and maybe a few spare rebels. He's got hundreds of men on his side! ...so why is his heart pumping so hard? Why are his palms clammy as he draws closer to the platform where Stoick is kneeling by the headsman's block?

He shakes his head, harshly reminding himself there's no need to be afraid. Hiccup is just a child. And from what he's heard, a rather weak one at that. Maybe he won't even show up at all. He might be even more afraid than Ymir is.

So with that thought in mind, the Chief steps up onto the stage. He turns and gazes out among the crowd before parting his lips to start the speech to announce Stoick's death...

Hiccup or no Hiccup, the former Chief needs to die. Today.

But what Ymir doesn't see, are the shapes of five dragons hovering high above his head. Their massive forms camouflaged by the thick, pink and orange clouds.

"Hiccup, what are we waiting for?" Astrid demands. "Ymir is right there! We could take him out and rescue your father now!"

"I know!" Hiccup insists, his sharp eyes scanning the surrounding area for the assassin. He better not have just run away... If he did, then one of the Riders will have to kill Ymir... And then it will have to be Hiccup. He now knows he simply can't stomach it. As much as he hates Ymir...he can't kill another person.

Far below them, the self-proclaimed Chief is beginning a grand speech to the masses. While the true Chief is still kneeling behind him, scowling heatedly at the ground. All it would take is one word from Stoick...just one word and the entire population of Berk would jump in to fight in his defense. But a real Chief dies with dignity. Not begging for help from his people... Besides, certainly such an uprising would cost hundreds of lives on both sides and that's not what he wants. Better than to die himself than to let his people die for him.

Seconds turns into minutes as Ymir's speech begins to draw to its conclusion. Hiccup white knuckles Toothless's saddle, his brow knotted tensely. Where is he?! Hiccup screams in his head. WHERE IS HE?!

"...Stoick the Vast was a Chief befitting of the island of Berk. But Berk is no more! It and its people have joined the blessed empire of our High King and accepted the mercy and forgiveness of the gods! So, as symbol of that honored change," Ymir raises his hand, signaling for the headsman to lift his axe.

"No..." Hiccup whispers.

"We will send Stoick to be judged by Minos, Rhadamanthus, and Aeacus! May they have mercy on him..."

As soon as Ymir begins to lower his hand again and the headsman's axe swings downward, time seems to move in slow motion. Hiccup's heart slams painfully against his ribs, all the breath leaving his lungs in one, sorrowful cry. He pats Toothless's side and leans forward in the saddle, his misty eyes narrowing in fury.

"I won't let him die..."

Stoick's eyes are shut when the executioner lifts his weapon. As brave as he may be, he doesn't want to see that blade soaring down toward him... And despite knowing what's about to happen to him, oddly enough, his thoughts aren't on the axe about to sever his head from his neck.

There's an eerie calmness existing in Stoick's heart now. Although he's anything but peaceful. Hiccup... His expression turns sad when he thinks of his son. He's too young to be alone in this world, too young to be Chief when Berk is eventually taken back from Ymir. It's not fair to him. Not to anyone. Wherever you are, son, I hope you're safe... He knows Hiccup can't hear his thoughts, but he thinks it all anyway, as a sort of...dying wish. I hope you know this isn't your fault. None of it. You and your friends did all you could and...I don't regret saving you, even if it means dying today. He sighs heavily at the distant sound of the headsman shifting his weight, about to drop the axe... I love you son. I hope you know that.

Screeeeee-

Stoick pauses, his brow furrowing in confusion. Is that-

"NIGHT FURY!" Someone screams, just as a flash of heat and a violet light slams over the platform, throwing Stoick aside and toppling the executioner straight onto his back.

Stoick opens his eyes, staring in awe at the sight of his son hovering above the stage. Hiccup's face is twisted in anger, his green eyes aflame in a way his father has never seen before.

Ymir is staring as well, although is expression is one of utter terror and confusion. He stands there, frozen for a moment. But then, in an attempt to regain control, he straightens and forces a shivering smile. "Ahh, H-Hiccup...there you are."

The boy tilts his head but says nothing, his Night Fury growling, nostrils flaring a hot blue.

"I was wondering when you were going to show up." Ymir tells him. "You've become quite a...thorn in my side, you know?"

"Oh?" Hiccup snarls in a way that is not unlike his dragon's own hisses.

"Y-yes...you know, your little escape got your people thinking you might be able to take back the throne. How silly of them..." Now, the fake-Chief grins for real. This boy is small, so angry. He's only here for revenge, not to take back his home or do anything truly courageous. He's just a little cowa-

"Actually," Hiccup interrupts him. "That's exactly why I'm here."

All around them, the Berkians explode into cheers and shouts of pride for their Heir. He's here! He's really here! He saved Stoick and now he's going to save them as well!

"This is my home, Ymir." He continues. "And I'm taking it back. Now."

"Oh? You are?" Ymir snorts, suddenly feeling confident at the sight his guards drawing their weapons. "You and what army?"

"Funny you should ask..." Hiccup flashes the signal and four other fire-breathing, well-trained, deadly dragons flap down from the clouds, snarling and snapping at the soldiers, who cower at the sight of them. "They're not exactly an army...but they're sure better than yours."

A/N: Cocky-Hiccup has returned! XD More climax-y stuff next chapter (but it also might be the last chapter, I'm not sure yet...)