Lines Between
Hope and her friends were back on the Excalibur discussing what had happened at the Neverland with her father.
"So, Polly Parrot is on this as well," said her father.
"Yes, but that she wasn't acting like the others," said Hope.
"Would you mean?" her father asked.
"It's just that she didn't mock us like Wolf and she was more carefree than Cam," said Hope.
"So, she was enjoying herself, nothing new there," said Frank. "She always enjoyed on what she was doing."
"Yeah, but something seemed off," said Hope.
"I think attention should be more focused on these events," said Rex. "It's now clear that they are creating an army and not just Heartless, but vile villains as well."
"Yeah, like Voldemort, Kronos and Darth Vader," said Frank.
"Maleficent did the same when she tried to take over the worlds," said Sora. "This is indeed troubling, but I don't believe that Rattus is the mastermind."
"I agree," said Rex. "Even though we can't see them there is indeed someone pulling the strings. The question is who?"
"I'm afraid that is something you will have to find out," said Sora. "We've already stressed ourselves thin trying to regain footholds in other worlds hopefully before this officially war begins."
"But you and the High Council stopped Xehanort," said Hope. "What could be worse than him?"
"Hope, we may have succeeded in winning the Second Keyblade War, but light and dark eternal. One cannot live without the other," said Sora. "There will always be those with darkness in the hearts wishing to take control. I had hoped that wouldn't have happened for a long time, but clearly I was wrong."
"You sure you have no idea who is behind all this?" said Rex.
"No, but we have received a message saying that Rattus is attempting to rewrite history," said Sora.
"Is that even possible?" said Frank.
"Unfortunately, it is," said Sora. "Maleficent did it when she tried to take control of Disney Castle as did Cinderella's stepmother. Though, it does a massive amount of magic. Normally, to travel back in time, you would have to go back to a spot where you will be exist and you must leave your body behind, or so you cannot change history."
"But into magic door appear that allowed Pete to go back in time physically," said Rex.
"Yes, and we never did figure out where that door came from," said Sora.
"Wait," said Hope getting to her feet. "Dad, you're not saying that the same person who conjured that door seventeen years ago, is doing the same now and is working for Rattus."
"Or, more likely, Rattus is the one working for them," said Rex.
"Either way changing history can be disaster," said Sora. "You must go back in time and stop Rattus from changing the destiny of a young man."
"And what world are you sending us too?" Hope asked.
"Master Terra's home world, Barbaric Archipelago," said Sora.
Rex looked up. "And let me guess you'll send us directly to Berk," he said.
"Yes," said Sora.
"What can you tell us about the Barbaric Archipelago?" Hope asked.
"It a world that has more dragons and a centipede legs and for a long time humans have been fighting them," said Sora.
"Also, it's a world without magic," said Toodles.
Hope stared at him. "How's that possible?" she gasped.
"Worlds without magic is uncommon, but you'll still be able to perform magic there, it just means you won't find anyone that's able to do magic either," said Sora. "But despite what everyone in Hogwarts says everyone was the pretention to produce magic."
"Okay, but how do we get there?" Hope asked.
"The High Council will transport you there yourselves," said Sora. "However, you'll have to inform us when to send you back."
"And how do we do that?" said Frank.
"I can contact them," said Rex. Hope and Frank stared at him bewildered. "I can communicate them through dreams. Time travel is always possible with in dreams."
"Okay, not sure I understand, but okay," said Hope.
"You won't be alone," said Sora. "Master Terra was there at time and he'll be able to help you in your mission."
Suddenly the whole ship began to shake and the Lines Between began to disappear. Hope realised that the High Council must be sending them back in time now.
"But what is our mission?" Hope asked looking at the monitor before they lose the connection.
"You must protect the one who will strive to bring peace to his world," said Sora as he slowly began to vanish. "You must protect a young man by the name of Hiccup."
"Guys, it may be possible that you will lose consciousness during our jump through time," said Toodles. "But I'll make sure that everything remains functional."
Before Hope could say anything everything went black.
Barbaric Archipelago: Berk
When Hope opened her eyes she found herself lying on the grass. She got up and saw Rex and Frank were too getting up.
"What happened?" Hope asked.
"We went back in time that's what," said Frank rubbing his head.
"But how come were not on the Excalibur?"
"Toodles transported us the world," said Rex. "And he dropped us not to far away from the village."
Hope looked around and saw there was indeed the village in the distance it was dark out, but she could plainly see that most of it was on fire.
"What's going on?" Hope asked.
"A dragon raid," said Rex. "There were quite common in this time, but before you say anything we can't interfere."
Hope wanted the protest, but she knew Rex was right. As a Keyblade wielder she was not allowed to interfere in the affairs of other worlds.
"Yeah, but it's not just dragons I could see Heartless as well," said Frank.
Hope looked again and definitely saw that he was right she could see Vikings, Wyverns and even a Behemoth Heartless around the village.
"Now, those we can deal with," said Rex.
"Then let's go," said Hope summoning her Keyblade.
There are into the village and saw many of the villagers fighting both the Heartless and the dragons, but it was clearly a losing battle.
Hope then saw a blonde girl with an axe doing battle with a Viking Heartless. Without, thinking she charged that the Heartless and sliced right through it. She then turned and looked at the girl she just saved, but instead of looking great for she looked angry.
"That was my fight, you had no right to but in!" she roared. It took several seconds to realise that the girl didn't recognise Hope. "Wait? Who are you?"
"Uh, a traveller," Hope shrugged.
The girl didn't buy this, but fortunately a Wyvern moved in and grabbed Hope by the arms. It then flew off into the air still having Hope in its talons.
Then Frank blasted it ended vanished, Hope would have fallen to a death if it wasn't for the fact that she could glide now. She then landed next to Rex and Frank.
"Watch yourself," said Frank.
"Our main priority is finding this Hiccup and protect him," said Rex.
"We don't even know what he looks like," said Hope.
"I do," said Rex. "I read his fire on the Datascape and he shouldn't be hard to find he doesn't exactly look like one of the villages."
"What we know about him?" Frank asked.
"In our time he's a hero and a peacemaker, but in this time he's just a social outcast and the son of the chief," said Rex.
"So an underdog," said Frank smiling. "I'm liking this kid already."
"Good, because I see him," said Rex pointing behind them.
They turned and saw a small skinny kid running as a dragon began to chase him. The boy didn't look like the villagers, he was smaller and not so masculine. He had auburn hair and emerald green eyes, he also looked terrified though Hope can blame them with a sixty foot dragon was chasing after him.
"He suddenly looks like it could do with some help," said Frank.
He needed even more help, because Vikings now appeared in front of him blocking his path.
"He needs more help now," said Hope. "I'll handle the dragon you two deal the Heartless."
As Rex and Frank made their way to the Heartless, Hope charge straight at the dragon. The dragon looked quite surprised seen a fourteen-year-old girl charging straight at it and Hope took advantage of this right away.
She used her Strike Raid ability throwing her Keyblade at it and it came flying back to her hand. The dragon then breathed fire at her, but she simple spun around and the flames spun around her harmlessly. She then jumped high into the air and slammed her Keyblade right down on top of it.
The dragon then toppled over and fell into a crumpled heap. Hope then walked over to the boy Hiccup, who was lying on the floor stunned, and extended her hand.
"You looked like you could use some help," she said.
Hiccup took her hand and she pulled him up. "What have you impression?" he said.
"Call it a hunch."
Hiccup then looked at her Keyblade and then back at her. "You're a Keyblade wielder," he said.
"I'm Hope and I'm surprised you know about the Order," she said.
"I'm Hiccup and I've only heard rumours, but clearly what I heard are true," he said. He then looked up and yelled. "Look up!"
Next thing Hope knew, Hiccup pulled her way just as the Behemoth slammed its large foot right where she was standing a moment ago.
Both she and Hiccup looked up in time to see the Behemoth charging magic in-between its horns. However, before it could launch the attack something slammed into its back.
The Behemoth roared in pain as a man in armour landed in-between it and them. Hope noticed that in his hand was a large Keyblade and realised at once who this was. It was Master Terra.
Terra raised his Keyblade and it began to transform into a massive cannon. It was one of his most famous attacks the Ultima Cannon. They watched as he launched as massive sphere of energy and when it hit the Behemoth there was a huge explosion and when the smoke cleared it was gone.
Terra turned and looked at Hope and Hiccup and his arm vanished. He didn't look much different from when Hope met him.
"Are you two all right?" he asked.
"Yeah, we're fine," said Hope as they got to their feet.
"Hope!" Rex voice yelled.
She turned and saw Rex and Frank running towards her. Clearly they had just finished dealing with Heartless.
"We saw the Behemoth and—" said Frank, but stoped when he saw Hiccup and Terra. "Never mind."
Terra stared down at Hope in shock. "Hope, but you—" he stopped when he remember that Hiccup was with them. "Never mind, will discuss this later. Right now we have other problems."
"Hiccup!" said a loud and booming voice.
They turned and saw a mountain of a man approaching them. He had the same emerald green eyes is Hiccup and Hope realise that this must be his father. He stopped when he saw Terra and then glared at him.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded.
"Hello to you to Stoick," said Terra crossing his arms.
"Dad, you know each other," said Hiccup perplexed.
Terra looked at him and back at Stoick. "I see you haven't told him about me," he said.
"Why would I tell my son about a traitor of his own tribe?" Stoick growled.
Hope noticed as this argument progressed that the other villages were surrounding them. Including the girl she met earlier, along with others of her age, and a man with a blonde rope-like moustache and several missing body parts. She could feel the tension in the air as the sun began to rise in the distance.
"There's someone might explain to me what's going on," said Hiccup.
"If you won't tell him Stoick I will," said Terra glaring.
"Fine," said Stoick and looked at Hiccup. "Son, say hello to your Uncle Terra."
Hiccup gasped and looked at Terra. "My—my uncle," he said.
"I'm your mother's older brother and I have to say your lot like her," he said smiling. "She could never sit still either."
"You still haven't answered my question," said Stoick.
"I came here because there was a Heartless presence here, surely you know that," said Terra. "As tough and brave as your Viking warriors are they do not have the experience when it comes to Heartless and thought you could use my help."
"And one of them?" said Stoick gesturing to Hope and her friends.
"We're on a Quest and this world is one of the stops we have to make," said Hope.
"Well, the Heartless are gone so you can leave," said Stoick.
"The not gone Stoick," said Terra. "They'll be back and this war is making them stronger. If you listen to me and Valka you wouldn't have been in this—"
Stoick turned on him and glared at him in fury. "Don't you dare speak her name," He said furiously. "You want even here when she was killed."
"As I told you ten years ago I was in no position to help, body was possessed and my soul stripped from my body," said Terra. "It took twelve years for me reading control of my body."
"Excuses," said Stoick. "You then just told us all to give up."
"I told you that there was a peaceful way to end this war without bloodshed," said Terra. "But you wouldn't hear me and then banished me. And while you're gallivanting off trying to find the Dragon's Nest the verge will be practically defenceless and do you truly want that?"
"He's got a point Stoick," said the man with missing limbs. "Our weapons don't have any effect on these beasts. We need their help."
Stoick glared at Terra one last time. "Fine, but will discuss more after I return," he said and walked off. "Gobber, take Hiccup home before he causes even more trouble."
The man with the missing limbs then took a very saddened Hiccup away. Hope watched as the other kids mocked him as he was taken away. She can't believe how heartless his father was nor the harsh treatment the other villages were giving him.
One by one the villages dispersed repairing the damage from the raid and then Terra looked down at Hope and her friends.
"Explain," he said.
It took the rest of the morning for them to explain why they were there.
"So, you're here to protect my nephew," he said looking slightly troubled.
"Yeah, he makes quite a big impact," said Frank.
"It also explains why the Heatless are here," said Terra. He then noticed something was troubling Hope. "Is something wrong, my dear?"
"Just can't believe that someone could treated the own son like that," said Hope.
"Ever since my sister disappeared during a dragon raid he's been very overprotective of Hiccup," Terra explained. "He's saw that scar on Hiccup's chin, he got them when he was a baby when his mother was taken by a dragon. Also, he's not the strongest Viking in the world, but his intelligence makes up for that. Unfortunately, in this well you have to be strong to survive and it even worse when you're the son of the chief. The people here considering him a screw-up and a waste of space."
"Still—" said Hope.
"Don't concern yourself about Stoick," said Rex. "We should be more concerned about keeping Hiccup safe."
"I've heard that Gobber has convinced Stoick to have Hiccup take part in dragon training later today," said Terra. "But I have a feeling that he is not in the village as we speak."
"What do you mean?" Hope asked.
"Gobber also told me that Hiccup announced that he shot down a Night Fury last night, but no one believes him," said Terra. "However, that's not going to stop them from surging forward in the woods."
"What's a Night Fury?" Hope asked.
"A very rare species of dragon, all the dragons in this world have different names," Terra explained when he saw Hope's blank expression. "The one you took down was a Monstrous Nightmare, one of the most ferocious type of dragons I might add."
"Then I'll keep an eye on him," said Rex. "I'll stick to the shadows, he won't even know I'm there."
"You sure you're only going to make sure he's safe?" said Frank slyly.
"What you implying?" said Rex.
"Oh, it's just the kid reminds me of you, Chucks," said Frank. "You know when you actually smiled."
Rex glared at him and then walked off into the woods.
Barbaric Archipelago: Berk: Arena
Later that day, Hope, Frank and Terra were looking down at an arena. They were looking through a metal chain that covered the top of it and saw the Viking teens fighting against a dragon.
They were facing a dragon called a Gronckle, a large and chubby dragon with a bludgeon like tail. Gobber was watching from inside the arena as the Vikings teens tried to stay alive.
The first ones that knocked out were a pair of twins, girl and boy, called Ruffnut and Tuffnut. They were so busy arguing with each other that the Gronckle fired a lava blast at them.
The next one was huffy blonde kid with skinny legs called Fishlegs, he spent most of his time quivering and wishing he was somewhere else, he so busy answering Gobber's question that the Gronckle blasted him.
Next was a muscular blacked haired kid called Snotlout, who had an ego the size of a planet. He spent most of the fighting wooing the girl that threated Hope last night, who was named Astrid.
Astrid, seemed to be the only one, who knew what she was doing. She also looked quite determined to succeed no matter who got in her way.
Hope felt quite sorry for Hiccup, because he looked as if he didn't want to be there. In fact it looked as if he was being forced to do something that he didn't want to do.
Then Rex appeared out of nowhere looking quite stern.
"I see their training is going well," he said.
"Yeah, and when they entered that girl Astrid hope she'd get a scar, because their cool," said Frank.
"Did she then," said Rex. Hope wasn't sure, but she wagered that he was glaring down at her. "Then I'll have to talk to her when this is over."
"What I don't understand is if Hiccup wants to slay a dragon why does he want to leave a class that forces on that," said Hope.
"Because earlier this morning he found the Night Fury, he shot down, trapped in a bolo. He then realised it," said Rex. Hope and Frank stared at him, but Terra didn't look surprised one bit.
"Hang on, he found a dragon, that he caught, and then realised it? And survived?" said Frank bewildered.
"Actually, the Night Fury only roared in his face and then ran off," said Rex.
"That certainly explains why my nephew doesn't want to fight dragons," said Terra, who didn't looked shocked by this news.
They watched as the Gronckle chased Hiccup, but before it could blast him Gobber pulled it away with his hook. He then forced the Gronckle back to its cage and turned to the Viking teens.
"Remember, a dragon will always…" he then turned and looked at Hiccup, "always go for the kill."
As the class exited the arena, Hope notice that Hiccup was looking slightly perplexed. She wagered that thinking about the dragon that spared his life.
However, she was pulled out of the thoughts when Rex made his way toward Astrid.
"So, you think scars are cool?" he said.
"Yeah, they show a warriors mark," said Astrid smiling.
"And you've just proven you an ignorant child," he said.
"Hey, who do you think you are?" said Snotlout.
"Someone who knows what it means to be a true warrior," said Rex. He then glared down at Astrid. "If you think scars are cool then you have no right to call yourself a warrior. Scars are nothing more of reminders of what you could have done what you should have done. The constant reminder of your failures… nothing more."
"And what makes you such an expert on scars?" said Astrid hotly.
Hope then saw Rex reaching for his hood and then he lowered it. She gasped as did the other Viking teens. The left side of Rex's face was badly burned, there was no fur whatsoever, and there was a massive scar over his left eye which was pure white.
"Let's say I had first-hand experience," said Rex and pulled his hood back up. He then walked away not saying anything to either Hope or Frank.
Frank then looked at Astrid. "You must have really gotten under his skin, he never shows his face to anyone," he said. He then sighed sadly. "Boy, do I miss the old Rex."
Barbaric Archipelago: Berk: Great Hall
Later that night, Hope and Frank were in a massive hall. They didn't fancy going outside, because it was raining heavily. They were sitting at a table having dinner and watched as Gobber was going over the class they had this morning.
"They will last ten seconds with Heartless," said Hope.
"Especially since these Heartless feed of anger and fear," said Frank.
"When you think Rattus as is shown himself?" Hope asked.
"My guess, he's waiting for the right time to attack," said Frank.
In her mind Hope had another question and it was about Rex. She up together that both Rex and Frank had fought against Rattus and they lost. It also caused Rattus to swear off fighting that appealed together.
"What happened to Rex's face?" she asked.
"The same thing that happened to my arm and eye," said Frank. "We both fought against Rattus at Bog Easy and he hit us with some powerful Dark Magic which resulted me of losing a few body parts and Rex heavily scarred. I always thought that I got the better end of the deal."
"I think that hard to believe," said Hope perplexed.
"I said he was heavily scarred and I meant both outside and inside," he said. "There's two things in any world that can change someone's heart to stone. Love and hate."
Then the doors open and they saw Hiccup walking in thoroughly drenched. He nor the Commons that the other Viking teens were giving him and made his way over to Hope and Frank.
"Do you guys know that Rex is outside, cross-legged?" he said.
"Oh, he's just meditating," said Frank. "He always does it when he's feeling quite down."
"But couldn't he do it inside when it's dry?" Hiccup asked.
"That sort of thing doesn't bother him," Frank shrugged.
Hiccup then looked at the two of them totally confused. "Why are you guys even talking to me?"
"Because with friends?" said Hope.
"I've never really had any friends before," said Hiccup looking at the other Viking teens who were laughing with each other. "Everyone just thinks some waste of space."
"Then it's their problem not yours," said Hope. "You're smart, funny and brave any girl in their right mind would like you."
"Say what?" said Hiccup looking up.
"You heard me," said Hope. "I've seen the way you've looked at Astrid. It's not that difficult to miss."
"Please, Astrid wouldn't come near me if she was on fire and I was the only one in the village with a bucket of water."
"Proving my point," said Hope sighed.
Hiccup just stared at her not sure what she meant by that and spend the rest of the evening eating and talking. That night Hiccup found himself more relaxed and at peace than he's ever been in this life, maybe this is what it meant to have a friend.
Barbaric Archipelago: Berk: Arena
The next day, Hope and her friends were looking down into the arena. It has a different setup than normal it was like some kind of maze in the Viking teens running around as a beautiful blue and yellow dragon with a spiked tail, called a Deadly Nadder began chasing them.
"He's been to see that Night Fury again," said Rex.
"And what happened this time?" Frank asked.
"They just stared at one another as they were curious about each other," said Rex.
"In the next step is him trying to approach it," said Terra.
"You're not actually saying that he's going to befriend the beast?" said Frank bewildered.
"As for the history file says," said Rex. "And it's been right so far."
"Shame it's not helping him now," said Hope.
Hope had indeed had a point, last night Hiccup had read a book called the Dragon Manual which had information of all kinds of dragons. The only problem was that it practically just told them to kill on sight and there was that we nothing about the Night Fury. So, he was questioning Gobber about this as they would training.
They watched as the Deadly Nadder run around chasing them knocking over the wooden walls. Astrid managed to climb on top of the wooden walls and Deadly Nadder began to chase her. She jumped, but realised too late that Hiccup was below her.
When the dust cleared they saw that Astrid was on top of Hiccup with her axe impaled in his shield. When she got up she saw that the Deadly Nadder was running towards her. She stepped on Hiccup's face and pulled on her axe, practically removing Hiccup's arm. She then raised her axe, with Hiccup' shield still attached to it, and slammed it across the dragons face.
Astrid then turned on Hiccup angrily. "Is this some kind of joke to you?" she yelled. "Our parents' war is about to become ours. Figure out which side you're on."
"I still see people still see things as black and white here," said Terra as looking at them outside of the arena. Everyone turned towards him. "Personally, I find it good to see that someone can see the grey."
"What are you talking about?" Ruffnut asked her brother.
"Don't know, but it sounded cool," said Tuffnut.
"He shouldn't be here, he's not a warrior," said Astrid gesturing to Hiccup.
"Good thing," said Rex as he, Hope and Frank. "There are too many warriors in this world its people like Hiccup that make the worlds turn round."
"Hiccup, moving a world, that stupid," said Snotlout.
"How about you be quiet?" Hope suggested.
"Yeah, before I blast your mouth off," said Frank.
"None of you apart from Hiccup have any chance of saving this world," said Rex. "The twins argue over every little thing. Fishlegs is practically scared of everything. Snotlout can't see past his ego. And you…" He looked at Astrid. "You are the worst of them all. I admit you're skilled, but you're a lone wolf and they are the most dangerous. You see everything as an obstacle that you have to push past and you don't care who you crushing your way you're the least trusting here."
Then they heard clapping and they turn to find two people stand on the opposite side of the arena Rattus and Luke Castellan. Both of them didn't look any different from when they met them so they must looking from their time.
"Quite the speech, Rexy," said Rattus smugly. "Did you really mean it? Or do you see so much of yourself within Hiccup."
"I was wondering where you were Rattus," Rex snarled. He then looked at Luke. "The surprise you brought him along."
"I thought young Luke would do well to see other worlds, but I was wondering how you knew we were here," said Rattus.
"I can gonna tell you," said Rex.
"So be it I'll find out soon enough," said Rattus.
He then looked up to see Terra rushing towards the entrance he snapped his fingers. Next thing they knew a magical barrier appeared around the arena preventing anyone from leaving or entering.
"Sorry, but I don't wish to face one of the strongest Keyblade Master's in the multi-verse," said Rattus.
Hope watched as Terra tried to break through the barrier, but to no avail. Then she saw Rex approaching Rattus and pulled out his lightsabre.
"That's fine with me," he said activating his lightsabre.
"I've waited for this for a long time," said Rattus as he activated his lightsabre too.
The two of them clashed and began to fight each other furiously. Hope could feel shockwaves as they clashed and decided that it would be best not to get invalid.
She turned her attention to Luke, who was making his way towards Hiccup. She saw Snotlout grabbing his mace and swung it Luke, but simply dodged it and punched him in the face. The twins then charged clenching their and he simply sliced them apart and legged sweep them so they landed flat on their faces.
Astrid then charged at him, but easily dodged her attacks. Hope realised that Astrid was still angry with both Hiccup and Rex and was letting her anger get the best of her. Luke took advantage of this.
"Screaming and waving an axe a real tough strategy to crack," he mocked and disarmed her and then twisted her arm. "You've got to keep that angry of yours in check."
He then slipped her over and she landed hard on the ground. He then turned his attention onto Hiccup.
"Rattus says you're the most dangerous one here, but I can't see why," he said tightening his grip on Backbiter. "However, that doesn't mean I'm going to kill you."
Then both Hope and Frank placed themselves between the two of them.
"You have to go through us," said Hope clenching her Keyblade.
"You make it sound as if is a challenge," said Luke.
Luke swung his Backbiter at them and Hope quickly blocked it and Frank took this change to blast Luke, but simply side stepped. He then swung his blade at Frank, who blocked with his mechanical arm, but then got kicked in the chest.
Then both he and Hope began to circle one another waiting for one of them to make the nexted move.
"WHERE IS SHE?" Rex's voice yelled.
Hope looked at Rex, but at the same time didn't turn her eyes away from Luke. Rex had somehow disarmed Rattus and was pointing his lightsabre at his neck. His hood had come off and Hope saw a look of anger over his face.
"ANSWER ME!" He yelled again.
"I think I'll keep you guessing," said Rattus and next she saw Rex being blasted by lightning and sent across the arena.
Then suddenly Terra slammed into the barrier from above. He slammed so much force into his attack that the barrier shattered.
Rattus knew at once that they had lost their chance and looked at Luke and said, "Time to go!"
Rattus then conjured up a Corridor of Darkness and both he and Luke ended in it. Hope tried to stop them, but it vanished before she could do anything.
Rex then regained consciousness and just saw the Corridor of Darkness vanish in front of him.
"NO!" He yelled.
"Rex, there's nothing you can do," said Frank.
Rex just closed his eyes and covered his head with his hood. He then walked out of the arena and Hope could see tears fall from his face as he left.
"What was that about?" said Gobber hobbling into the arena.
"That is the reason we came," said Frank.
"Can someone tell us what's going on?" said Hiccup.
"Yeah, I like to know that as well," said Hope looking at Frank. Frank just remained silent, but Hope wasn't going to let that go not this time. "I've waited long enough! You're going to tell me what's between Rex and Rattus right now."
Frank's sighed. "Very well," he said. "Master Terra already knows this tale, but I'll explain it to you. First thing you need to know is that Rex wasn't always like that. Before he got the scars he was an entirely different person."
"What? Like some kind of party animal?" said Snotlout.
"No," said Frank. "He was more like…" he then looked at Hiccup direction. "Hiccup."
"What?" they all said.
"Well, the term world basically means parallel world and there's always a version of us in those worlds," said Frank. "And basically Rex is a parallel version of you Hiccup."
They are just remained silent.
"Okay, did not see that one coming," said Tuffnut breaking the silence.
"Anyway, both me and him served together in the Wasteland's Honour Guard, which in fact was run by his father, and Rattus was with us," said Frank talking as if he remembered it like it was yesterday. "Back then we were all good friends, but then came the day when both Rex and Rattus Bell for the same girl, beautiful fiction by the name of Faye Fox, who was also in the Honour Guard. Anyway to cut a long story short she chose Rex over Rattus and he didn't take it very well."
"You need to say that he did all this just because he's jealous that Rex got the girl," said Hope in disbelief.
"No… partly, but there was another reason," said Frank. "You see Rex's father took Rattus in, but soon we discovered that Rattus' family were bitter rival to Rex's family and when he discovered this he was distraught and angry. Rex's father took him into end the blood field, but the moment he found that out started all over again."
"He raised an army, mostly assassins and mercenaries and learn the ways of Dark Magic. He then attacks a small settlement by the name of Bog Easy and naturally we came to stop it. Anyway the battle was gruelling and both Rattus and Rex's father found themselves fighting one another. Rex's father disarmed Rattus and had him at his mercy, but he hesitated. And within that hesitated moment Rattus you stuff a bit Dark Magic, the planet's own hand into his chest and poured out his heart and then crush it right in front of Sir Richard's eyes. Killing him."
"It rage, Rex picked up his father's sword and sliced Rattus' tail clean off, but before he could do the finishing blow. One of his lieutenants, Wolf, had grabbed Faye and while Rex was distracted, Rattus struck him in his left eye blast of Dark Magic which left the scars on his face. I tried to resist, but he blasted me and… well you can guess the rest. They then retreated taking Faye with and that was the last time we ever saw of her."
Everyone just remained speechless, but Frank wasn't finished.
"We woke up a few days later in the capital and at once Rex wanted to leave to find Faye, but the King knew that if he wasn't careful he could fold to a dark path. But he also knew that Rex wouldn't take no for an answer and so it was agree that Master Ventus, who spent most of his time travelling to other worlds and as he trained he became different, he was now a pacifist, but he would only fight for three things: to defend himself, to protect the helpless and to protect those he loves."
"He's been through so much," said Hope.
"Are problems must seem second nature to him," said Astrid.
"Don't take it personally, he just finds it hard to look at you," said Frank.
"And how am I not supposed to take that personally?" said Astrid angry. "What have I ever done to him?"
"You remind him of Faye, she's your parallel self," said Frank. Silence fell once again. Frank then realise why there was silence and quickly added, "But that doesn't mean that you too will fall in love with each other."
"I hope not," Astrid muttered.
Hiccup took this quite badly and left the arena without uttering a word.
"Really tactful," Hope muttered.
Barbaric Archipelago: Berk: Cove
Later that evening, both Hope and Frank were trying to locate Hiccup and his Night Fury friend. Rex didn't want to go with them, because he was still shaking up what happened this morning. He however did give them the location of the Night Fury itself.
Hope, however, was more focused on the tail Frank told. She had never heard of anything so tragic in all her life and she started to understand Rex a lot more. Though she couldn't help but think of one thing and that was how brave he must be. She already had a massive respect for them, but now that had increased tenfold.
"If Rex was right we should be close to this Cove mentioned," said Frank bringing her out of the thoughts.
They soon found the Cove and it was beautiful. It looked as if it came from a fairy-tale picture book and she can help but marvel at the sparkling lake and overhanging trees.
Then she noticed Hiccup sitting on a stone drawing a picture in the sand and behind him was what she guessed was the Night Fury. His scales were completely black and his eyes were catlike. His wings were massive and judging from the look of he could look face of he wanted to be, but at the moment Hope can help but think how beautiful he was.
"I've never seen anything like it," said Hope.
"Shh," Frank whispered.
Hope look back down and saw that the Night Fury was now drawing in the ground with a large branch. He seemed to be mimicking Hiccup and once he finished he looked at his squiggly drawing proudly. Hope couldn't help but think that was quite cute.
However, the moment Hiccup placed a foot on one lines he growled at him. Hiccup then started moving around like he was dancing and suddenly found himself face-to-face with the Night Fury. He then outstretched his hand and looked away next thing they knew the Night Fury lowered his head and placed his snout in the palm of Hiccup's hand.
Then Frank began to clap and both Hiccup and the Night Fury looked up and saw the two of them.
"That's quite impressive," said Frank as they both entered into the Cove.
"Oh, man," Hiccup groaned. "Listen it's not what it looks like."
"It looks like that you befriended a Night Fury," said Frank.
"Then I guess it is exactly what it looks like," Hiccup groaned.
The Night Fury growled at Frank, but the moment he saw Hope he calmed down and looked at her with puppy dog eyes.
"Ah, isn't he cute," said Hope.
"You know, I don't think anyone's ever said that to a dragon before," said Frank.
"Wait, you guys aren't going to rat me out to the village?" said Hiccup stunned.
"One thing about us Keyblade Wielders, we don't interfere in the affairs of other worlds," said Hope. "Besides what sort of friends would we be if we rat you out?"
Hiccup stared at them not sure what to say, we got the words out. "Thanks, guys."