Another chapter for your hungry minds. I am normally supposed to ramble here but nah… Read the authors note instead. (You really should!)

Enjoy

Chapter 12: Decisions

(About a week after Hicca's rescue)

Northern Draconian coast, just outside the Capitol, morning, 266 ADF

Hiccup and Valentine were standing on the command-bridge waiting. Earlier they had sent a message terror to announce their arrival to docking control and they were awaiting their landing clearance.

"We're almost home. Has your sister seen it already?" Valentine asked.

"No, last time I checked she was still sleeping. I did tell her about the city but seeing it is a whole other experience." Hiccup said.

"We'll be breaking through the clouds in a few minutes. If she hurries she'll see one of the most beautiful sights of the journey." Valentine mused.

Like the saying: 'speak of the devil', the younger Haddock chose this exact moment to open the door to the bridge and walk in. Hiccup and Valentine both turned their heads in a greeting.

"Speaking of the devil." Hiccup chuckled. "Morning Sis, you're just in time."

"Huh, just in time for what?" Hicca asked with her eyes half closed.

"Well someone isn't awake yet." Valentine laughed. "We're about to arrive in the Imperial capitol. We thought you might enjoy the view."

Hicca moved forward to stand with her brother and his friend. Hiccup then looked and gestured outside of the bridge windows as they were about to break cloud cover.

Hicca gasped at the sight before her. The entire Draconian capitol was visible in front of her, great white buildings and towers everywhere. Broken by the occasional garden or park, it was large enough to fit almost the entire island of Berk in its great walls. Nearly every major building was decorated with a Draconian flag or banner. And everywhere she looked she could see dragons flying around with and without humans, she could also spot several airships as they were called flying around or docked on one of the several towers spread around the city.

Hicca stepped closer to the windows eyes wide in awe. On the edges of the city she could see the great workshops Hiccup had told her about. They were like massive factories attached to what looked like dry-docks for airships. She could even see several still under construction. When she looked down she could see the people down in the streets running around doing their daily business, not even giving them a second glance. When looking around she spotted several large buildings not far from the workshops containing large open areas. Like landing platforms.

Looking at these platforms and the surrounding buildings she deduced these must be the capitol based training camps for the military. She saw several groups of people all wearing the same armour marching uniformly to their destination. Countless rows of troopers waiting to be shipped to the frontline with perfect discipline. Only now did she understand the scale of the conflict Hiccup had told her about.

"Magnificent isn't it?" Hiccup said standing next to her with his arms crossed and looking at the city.

"I never knew Berk was so small…" Hicca said.

"Hmm, call it the product of 266 years of expansion. The crown jewel of the empire." Hiccup said with pride. "Do you want to know where I grew up?" He asked.

Hicca looked up to her brother and nodded.

Hiccup pointed his finger to one of the largest buildings in the middle of the city. "Right there, in the Imperial palace. Home of the ruling family." He said. The palace was a giant white building with many balconies and a large entrance decorated with carved pillars.

"Woah…" Were Hicca's only words.

"Hmm, and looks like were going there right now." Valentine suddenly said. Both Haddocks looked at him. "We just got landing permission from docking control. We're going to palace dock 5."

"And what about the other ship?" Hicca asked while turning around to see the other ship that was with them.

"They got a separate message from docking control. Look, they are already breaking off course." Valentine explained. "Seems like they are going to the military complex. Likely to restock in ammo and change personnel. They that ship will fly out to the front lines again."

"Oh, so these kind of airships are like transports?" Hicca mused.

"They're part troop carriers part destroyers. Their main purpose is to transport troops and dragons, when we're moving other types of equipment and supplies we use those types." Hiccup said while pointing at a different type of airship.

This one didn't have the large cabin underneath like the one they were on now. Instead it was wider and seemed to have storage racks underneath. To carry large boxes it seemed.

"Okay, it certainly looks different. Is that what you use to move your cannons?" Hicca asked.

"Exactly, they are called 'Harrowers'. They are mostly unarmed and never go too close to the frontline. They just pick up the goods and drop them wherever they are needed." Hiccup explained.

"Oh, okay." Hicca said.

"Come, we're about to land. Grab your things and meet me at the front ramp." Hiccup said without thinking.

"Hic… I have everything with me remember. You picked me up on a Norn ship." Hicca said with a flat face.

Hiccup stopped walking for a moment and realised his mistake. "Oh… right, of course." He said.

Soon they were right above the palace dock, once they were in position Hicca could hear the engines slowing down and something mechanical turning. Like large metal cogwheels.

When looking at the outside one could see that the airship was lowering and it was deploying six large landing legs to stabilize itself on the dock. Once the ship touched down the legs creaked under the pressure of the airships weight but held fast. They had landed.

Hicca and her brother had now reached the frontal loading ramp with Toothless as well. Hiccup had now put his helmet back on, like it was a habit. Hicca had been a bit nervous when they landed, the sounds were very foreign to her. Then the doors opened and the ramp lowered so they could exit.

Hicca followed her brother and Toothless as they made their way into the palace. When she looked back she could see Valentine exiting with a few other troops exchanging a few words. He would likely follow them soon.

They walked deeper into the palace, Hicca experiencing the grandeur of the place for the first time. Gaping in awe she was humbled to be able to walk here. Though the palace was fairly accessible for the normal people, the floors she was on were normally restricted for people in the lower Imperial hierarchy.

They walked through several halls and catwalks when they finally came to a large door leading back outside to a large balcony. It was styled like a garden with a pond and a few trees for as far she could see.

The door was flanked by several troopers in a white-red armour seemingly standing guard duty. They looked at her for a minute but Hiccup gave them the all clear signal and they let them pass. They walked onto the balcony only to see a single person present sitting underneath a tree by the pond. Under the tree sat a girl who looked to be a few years older than Hiccup himself. The girl had long dark blonde hair that reached to her shoulders and blue eyes. She was dressed casually in a blue tunic and brown pants with some sturdy leather boots. You would almost say she was a normal girl from the city if not for the platinum coloured crown around her ears and forehead keeping the hair out of her eyes. Hicca didn't know who this was but Hiccup immediately recognised his adoptive sister princess Maery. Though she didn't look aware of their presence being too caught up in her book.

"Huh, that's the Mae I know. Too caught up in reading to notice her surroundings." Hiccup chuckled.

Maery was visibly startled by this, as she lightly jumped. Then she looked up to see the familiar armour and helmet of her beloved adoptive-brother. "Hiccup!" She said delighted.

Hiccup chuckled and took his helmet off which he clipped on his belt. Only to catch Maery who had come barrelling into his arms, her book forgotten. He happily returned the hug.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were still in the Archipelago." Maery asked.

"Well… there have been some developments…" Hiccup said scratching the back of his head.

Now that Maery had released Hiccup she noticed the girl behind Hiccup whom she hadn't noticed before. She took a step closer to get a better look at her.

"Hiccup…who is this?" Maery asked curiously.

"Well Mae, when I was on Berk I met some interesting people. May I introduce to you the heir to the Berk throne, Hicca Horrendous Haddock the Fourth. Daughter to Stoick 'The Vast' Haddock and incidentally my…" Hiccup introduced.

Maery studied the Hicca's face and found that she was almost like a mirror image of Hiccup. Even the name was exactly the same, only it was the female version. She looked so much like him that Maery would almost take them as related, siblings even…

Maery's eyes widened at the revelation, she turned around to face Hiccup making him stop his ranting introduction and stared at him with wide eyes.

"Hiccup… is she what I think she is?!" Maery asked.

"I was getting to that. And yes, Mae… meet my biological little sister, Hicca." Hiccup explained.

Maery gasped. "No way… you found them."

"Yes he did, though it did take him a while didn't you Hiccup…" Hicca jokingly said.

"Oh no, don't tell me he didn't notice." Maery asked.

"No he didn't, but to be fair I didn't notice as well. Since he was wearing a hood or a helmet the whole time!" Hicca said.

"Yeah, he tends to do that. I'm Maery by the way, but Hiccup always calls me Mae." Maery said with a smile.

"Pleased to meet you your majesty." Hicca said making a small bow.

"Oh no, don't do that. There's no need to bow." Maery said kneeling down and putting a hand on Hicca's shoulder. "A sister to Hiccup is a sister to me."

"Oh…uh thank you…" Hicca said surprised.

"Any time sweetie, and call me Mae. Everyone I know from your family does." Maery said.

Behind them Hiccup snorted back his laughter. It was really funny for him to see the two girls interact. It did earn him a smack on the head by Toothless.

"Aw… Toothless!" Hiccup shouted.

Both Maery and Hicca chuckled when Hiccup and Toothless initiated another play fight over the balcony.

"Does that happen a lot?" Hicca asked laughing.

"Oh yes, when they are home they so this a lot." Maery explained. "So? What do you think of Draconia so far?" She asked.

"It's enormous… I mean I grew up in a Viking village." Hicca said. She gestured all around her. "This is a whole other level. When Hiccup was on Berk he told about all this but we never realised the scale."

"The culmination of 266 years of expansion, it's what we do." Maery said sitting back down against the tree and inviting Hicca to sit with her. An invitation she took. "It's a home for thousands of people. A home we all are ready to protect with our lives."

Hicca frowned. "But…you're a princess. You do not have to fight or do anything for that matter." Hicca said.

Maery signed. "But that doesn't mean I don't want to."

"Really…why?" Hicca asked incredulously.

"I think Hiccup has told you about the front didn't he?" Maery asked. Hicca nodded. "They are out there fighting for their nation. It is as much their home as it is mine. But due to being the only heir to the throne I can't enlist, and so I can't follow Hiccup to the front lines. So I studied medicine and help out as a doctor at one the city infirmary."

"But Hiccup was raised right by you, why could he go and you couldn't." Hicca asked.

"Hiccup was never eligible for the throne because he was adopted. We never knew what happened before we found him here but we still raised him as family. He always knew he was adopted though. When the time came he could enlist he did it. He didn't have to but he said he wanted to. To end the war and afterwards go on an expedition to find his real family, if they were still alive." Maery explained.

"Well, guess he found them a little early." Hicca said.

"Indeed. Now enough about me or Hiccup. Tell me a little bit about you, I'd like to know you a bit." Maery said.

"R…really?" Hicca stuttered.

"But of course! Why wouldn't I want to get to know my adoptive brother's little sister?" Maery said excited.

"Because no-one ever gave me a second glance except Hiccup." Hicca said sadly.

Maery hummed, she understood there was more to this than Hicca let on. "You were bullied in your village weren't you?" Maery asked.

"Wha… yes…yes I was." Hicca sadly. "In my village I was looked down upon because I didn't act like a Viking. I couldn't fight and I spend my time making 'useless' inventions as they put it."

"That's harsh…" Maery commented.

"Yeah, but since I got rescued by Hiccup everyone I see has been really friendly to me. Like all the soldiers I met were really nice people. Here they don't look down on me." Hicca said.

"Because they have no reason to do so. No-one has. You be yourself and don't change anything because someone else wants you to. Maery encouraged.

"Yeah I know. I'm strangely feeling at home. Even though the amount of dragons still takes some getting used to." Hicca said.

"But you're not afraid of them?" Maery asked.

"No, not anymore. I mean look at Toothless right now." Hicca said enthusiastically. At the moment Hiccup was lying on his back in the grass being squished and licked by Toothless on top of him. "He is absolutely adorable."

"Yeah, he really is." Maery answered.

Then their attention went to the sound of several troops of the royal guard clicking their heels and saluting to the man who was walking onto the balcony. Behind him was Valentine. The man was wearing a regal looking blue and gold cloak and matching blue drapes. In his greying brown hair was a golden crown with the Draconian insignia on it. It was none other than the emperor.

"Oh, hi dad." Maery said casually.

Hicca's eyes widened and she shot up into a standing position, faced the man and bowed in respect. The princess might be friendly but she had no idea if the emperor would be. Though she would be pleasantly surprised.

"Calm down child, there is no need for you to bow." The emperor said with a deep but kind voice.

"Hey dad, how are you?" Hiccup said upside down underneath Toothless.

"I am doing fine son, and I'm happy you're back. And even happier because of whom you found." The emperor answered while gesturing to Hicca.

"You know who I am?" Hicca asked timidly.

"Yes child, Commander Valentine told me what had happened. And I wish to apologise for the deception but it was our only course of action." Dytaldir said.

"I understand sir, but I am glad Hiccup was sent. Otherwise we might never have met." Hicca said happily.

Meanwhile Hiccup had untangled himself from Toothless and come up to his adoptive father, whom he greeted with a hug.

"Well he is one of our best. And welcome back to you son. How long will you be staying?" Dytaldir asked.

"I estimate about a week. Then we travel back to Berk to clear things up." Hiccup answered while releasing the emperor.

"Good, in the mean time you can show Hicca here around the city. I believe she will enjoy it." Dytaldir said.

"Oh no sir that's not…" Hicca began.

"Nonsense my dear, I would even sent a part of my personal guard to escort you around. And I expect you both for dinner tonight." Dytaldir laughed.

Hicca didn't know what to say. She had just been invited to have dinner with the emperor of Draconia. The most powerful man in the empire.

"We'll be there father. Now come on Hicca, let's go explore a bit." Hiccup said when he realised the emperor had rendered his sister speechless.

"Uh…yeah…okay." Hicca stuttered and followed after her brother.

"Hey Hicca wait!" Maery cut in.

Hicca turned around to face the princess. "Yes…"

"I have to go to work at the infirmary soon so I won't see you until dinner. But afterwards we're going to talk all night okay." Maery said.

"Okay cool!" Hicca said happily with the prospect of having a new friend.

Hiccup nodded and then saw Valentine close by. He smirked for had an idea.

"Hey Mae…you remember Valentine don't you." Hiccup began pulling Valentine figuratively and literally in the conversation before he could run. "He was actually the one identifying me and Hicca as siblings."

Maery giggled. "Is that so…"

"Um…uh…yes." Valentine stuttered. "Hi Maery…"

"Hmm, hi Valentine…" Maery greeted in return.

Hiccup gave his friend a thumbs up when he and his sister walked away with Toothless in tow. Resulting in a panicking look from Valentine.

"Is there something going on between them?" Hicca asked.

Hiccup chuckled. "Yeah, they like each other. But they won't admit it, so I sometimes give them a little push in the right direction." Hiccup explained.

"Oh, they do look cute together." Hicca mused.

"Yes they do. Now let's go around the palace ant then fly into the city." Hiccup said.

"They are like you and Astrid…" Hicca teased.

"HICCA!" Hiccup shouted while blushing.

Draconian capitol, afternoon, 266 ADF

Several hours later the two siblings were sitting on top of one of the docking towers around the city. They had been all around the palace, multiple squares, exploring streets and rooftops and the outskirts of the Imperial training centre. They were having a quick break before Hiccup would take his sister to one of the workshops since she wanted to see one so badly.

"Alright sis, ready to see the 'big forge'?" Hiccup asked.

"Yup! Let's go!" Hicca said ecstatic.

They both mounted Toothless and took off to the nearest workshop. It was one of the larger ones on the city outskirts next to one of the training centres. When they flew inside the big hangar like structure the heat blew in their faces. Hiccup chose one of the empty catwalks to land and give Hicca a little tour.

"Now welcome in a workshop. This is where mostly everything Draconia has to offer is made." Hiccup explained.

Hicca looked around in awe. She saw multiple workstation all busy making different things. Dozens of different people were running around working and to her surprise there were some younger teens present. Though she remembered Hiccup worked in one of these places before joining the military.

"Also in these places we build our weapons and sometimes new prototypes." Hiccup continued.

They walked further into the building until they came at a large section were they were building their newest weapon. Hicca looked at it and thought it was enormous. It was like the cabin of an airship without its balloons and with massive wheels underneath it. 10 of them.

"What is that?" Hicca asked.

Hiccup looked to the machine she meant. "Ah yes, that is our latest design. We call it the juggernaut, it simply put is a large, armoured battering ram using the same drive system as the airships fitted with multiple cannons. Once finished we believe it will turn the war in our favour indefinitely."

"When will it be ready?" Hicca asked.

"Seeing its state it will still be several months until it is finished." Hiccup said.

Hicca nodded. More and more she began to align with Draconia's cause. For the time she had been here she had felt more accepted than she ever was on Berk.

"Come on, we still have time to visit the training centre next door." Hiccup said.

Hicca nodded while still in thought. Maybe she could help as well.

They travelled to the nearby training centre where Hicca witnessed the training process of the Draconian troopers. From the youngest who were only her age, to the veterans receiving extra training before shipping back out. She also saw entire legions of troops in identical looking armour march before her to the landing pads. They were being accompanied by the dragons whose riders were in the legion, either walking next to them or hovering above. These men and women were ready to ship out.

"How old do you have to be to enlist?" Hicca suddenly asked.

"About fourteen and a half." Hiccup answered.

That got Hicca thinking even more. She had been thinking all day long, and now she might have made a decision that would change her life forever.

Draconian Imperial palace, evening, 266 ADF

After a long day the two siblings were now enjoying dinner with the royal family. Hicca had been a little overwhelmed in the beginning but quickly adapted seeing that the emperor and his family were pretty normal. She was feeling at ease and was preparing to make her big announcement.

The rest of the family was quietly conversing and eating. Hiccup mostly talked about his journey to Berk and was informed of the developments when he was away. Hicca heard of some victories made in the war, which she and likely Hiccup were very happy about. During the dinner he had even changed out of his usual uniform into a more casual wear. He had swapped his helmet, arm- and chest armour for a green tunic. His lower body however was still clad in the usual heavy boots, leg armour and Kama.

The dinner went on until Hicca finally got her chance to make her announcement.

"So Hicca, what do you think of our nation so far?" Dytaldir asked.

"I think it's great, it really opened my eyes…" Hicca said.

"What do you mean by that?" Dytaldir asked frowning.

"I mean I finally found a place I can identify myself with. A place I can be myself." Hicca said.

"You are going somewhere with this aren't you." Hiccup said.

"Yes…Hiccup, I want to join the fight." Hicca announced.

Hiccup's eyes grew wide and he looked at Hicca with a shocked and slightly proud expression. "What?! But…why? You know you don't have to!" Hiccup said. The rest of the family was equally shocked.

"Yes, but I want to. And before you shoot me down, on Berk you told me that I need to make my own decisions. That the only opinion about me that matters is my own." Hicca said.

Maery looked shocked that her new friend/little sister who had only been here for a short time would make such a drastic decision. The emperor however looked proud, firstly because of Hiccup inspiring such independent thinking and secondly because he viewed his adoptive son's sister as a daughter as well.

"But, you know that is very dangerous and…" Hiccup began worried for his sister.

"Hiccup, you told me yourself that survivability has increased drastically over the years and that every soldier gets an extensive training in preparation. I can do this, I know I can!" Hicca countered.

"Son… she is right you know. And it is like you said, everyone needs to make his own decisions. If she wants to enlist and fight and defend Draconia and Berk by an extension I will speak my support." The emperor encouraged.

"Hmm… I guess you're right. Are you sure about this sis?" Hiccup asked.

Hicca, having put immense pride out of the emperor's support answered. "Yes! Yes I am sure. I am willing to do this for the first place I have actually felt accepted and supported."

"… Alright then. I'll get you enlisted and I will get you a uniform." Hiccup signed.

Don't forget to take her to bond with the dragons. Maybe she'll find one for herself." Dytaldir advised.

Hicca knew what this meant. She had been thought that dragon riding began with the bonding process. But the rider didn't choose the dragon, the dragon chose the rider. And there was never a guarantee a dragon would choose you.

"Very well… tomorrow we go search for a dragon companion." Hiccup declared.

Alright first of all this was a *BLEEP of a chapter to write. I mean it was really hard to do. The conversations were never good enough and frankly I still hate parts of it. But I guess every story has these and they are a necessary evil for the story's progression. Let's hope the next one will fare better.

Also about certain plot points. I know that fourteen and a half is extremely young to enlist but I just did this to make up for the canon entrance for Hiccup. Otherwise all the characters would have been in their twenties. So I just Deus ex machina'd it. Don't judge! Anyway for the new stuff introduced in this chapter: the juggernaut tank was inspired by the HAVw A5 Juggernaut from star wars. Look it up it looks exactly like it, and it will likely return in the last chapter. And I made the calculation in my head, it could actually work in this universe.

PS: i have recently set up a Tumblr blog about my writing ( ). feel free to drop by and ask any unresolved questions. i will also likely be posting about any future ideas or projects.

Reviews:

Critical critic: no, they are not aware of that fact as explained in this chapter. I hope this has been cleared up.

orca3553: well isn't that an excellent idea. And I'm sure the Vikings will be so kind not to surrender so force must be applied.

Thearizona: Never allowed to leave? Is that like slavery? Yikes! As for your question: the artillery tech is indeed early 20th century but it is all based around dragons and their by-products. By this I mean the gunpowder is replaced by a mix of explosive gas and flammable saliva. That kind of stuff isn't easily made smaller. And the tech is also fairly new in this time period. The smallest they have achiever are the hand grenades, which are just explosives. The smallest ranged weapon they could develop with it would be something like a bazooka I think. That's why they have the artillery cannons but still use crossbows and swords. I hope that helped…..Hmm bazooka…

Grima: I hope your question is answered.

AkaDeca: handsome devil had to at some point.

Guest: good idea! Good idea! Good idea! (Has already been planned) HINT!

mc arno: well we'll just have to see their reactions. Though I have a pretty good idea who would win the argument…

assasins death: you will have to wait for Berk because they will only come back when the two siblings return home. And I love the enthusiasm and that you think I'm doing well. Thanks a lot death.

Ghost Dragon Master: you certainly have a point though I have to be honest I haven't really decided what to do with the traitors. Though blood eagle or firing squad sound appalling for Spitelout. (#I am not afraid to kill major characters)

Guest: they will definitely take it with shock. But how? And the brother-sister love was meant to be this way.

Duckie: Here have another chapter as comfort. Tea…Star Wars…sweatband. Random? Nah…

Anyways, till next time. I've been

Dismissed