Time for extras!

Alternate Scene for Chapter 22

I (KateMarie999) wrote a scene for the opening of chapter 22. Em wrote a better one. Here's the original, complete with a dream sequence neither of us liked much.

"I'm not going to ask you again," Hiccup's voice rang loud and clear, making his young son flinch, "did you break this?"

"I... I just pushed it a little and it fell." Finn said, looking at the fragments of the lantern on the ground. "It was an accident."

"No, I think you were roughhousing and you knocked it over." Hiccup retorted. "Otherwise there wouldn't be scuff marks all over the floor."

"Well it was an accident!" Finn insisted. "I told you I didn't mean to!"

"But I told you not to roughhouse in here, especially without anyone around. How many times, Finn? Didn't I tell you just this morning? Didn't I tell you how dangerous it would be if a lit candle or lantern fell on the ground?" Hiccup pointed to the glass. "We can't walk barefoot in our own house until we sweep this up. What you did was dangerous, Finn!"

"I'm sorry!" Finn wailed. "I won't do it again!"

"That's what you said last time." Hiccup pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing heavily. "Finn, I don't know what else to do. You aren't listening to a word I'm saying and you could seriously hurt one of us or yourself. I thought you knew better than that."

"I do!"

"So act like it!" Hiccup pointed to the glass on the ground. "Clean this up right now before someone gets hurt."

Finn shoved his hands in his pockets as he walked into the kitchen to get a broom. As he was getting it out, he heard someone walk through the front door. He felt a cold, clammy feeling in his stomach. His mother would be even more upset than his father, more than likely.

"Oh hello, Benen." Hiccup said in a voice brimming with false cheerfulness. "I didn't know you were coming by today."

"I wasn't planning on it but I was on a walk and I wanted to know how you were doing." came the familiar voice. There was a pause. "What happened here?"

"Well, according to Finn, he lightly pushed on the table and the lantern just leaped off on its own accord." Hiccup deadpanned.

Benen laughed. "That is the way it usually works, isn't it?"

"Well he just lied to me." Hiccup countered. "So that's not how it should work."

"No, of course not." Benen's voice became serious once more. "I don't mean to offer parenting advice, especially since I have..." the elderly man paused for a moment. "Since I have no experience." he continued. "But I have been speaking to your son for a few weeks."

"Oh no, go right ahead. I honestly don't mind." Hiccup said quickly. "I'm no expert on parenting either and he does talk to you more willingly."

"All right." Finn heard Benen walk across the room, presumably to sit down. He guessed that Hiccup had gestured him to a chair. "Finn reminds me of myself when I was a boy. I recall that my sister and I broke a vase when I was about his age. My mother was furious and we lied and said the cat did it. She didn't buy it for a second."

"Sorry but what does that have to do with Finn?"

Benen took a second to think about it. "Finn's going through a rough time right now. I'm not saying he shouldn't be punished for what he did just now but growing up isn't easy. You know that as well as I do."

"I can't seem to get through to him." Hiccup admitted. "He won't listen, he lies to us when he messes up... I don't know. It's been what, a month since everything on Maero? I understand his hesitation, I was awful before all that but even so, how many times can I apologize before he forgives me?"

"Keep loving him." Benen said seriously. "Keep being patient. Correct him when needed and don't be afraid to be firm or give out punishments. If I were you, I would make my standards clear but be there to talk to him and forgive him when he makes mistakes. And he will make mistakes."

"I'm not sure he'll ever trust me again." Hiccup said sadly. "I don't blame him but at the same time..."

"Give him some time. He'll come around." Benen assured him.

"Seeing as he's been listening to this whole conversation, I would hope he's thinking about it." said Hiccup in a loud voice.

Finn jumped but sheepishly walked into the room, broom in hand. "I know, I shouldn't have."

"It's only natural for you to be curious." Benen said kindly. "But next time, you could always join our discussion. We're happy to talk to you."

"I don't think I'm anything like you, Benen." Finn admitted, getting on his knees to sweep up the glass shards. "You're a lot... smarter."

"I'm quite a bit older than you, Fearless Finn." Benen laugh again, his blue eyes twinkling with amusement. "But I do think wisdom comes with time. It will happen for you when I'm long gone. Hopefully I can influence a bit of that."

Finn felt his heart constrict. He knew Benen wasn't a young man but the fact that he would be gone one day clicked in his mind for the first time. One day, hopefully in a long time, there would be no Benen anymore. True, the elderly man had only been in Finn's life for a short time but the boy felt as if he had known him forever. He wished he had known him forever. Horrid people like Ratri had stolen away 42 years of Benen's life. How could Benen be so calm when he had so little life left? What would Finn do when his friend was gone? The thought made his head spin so he immediately put it out of his mind.

"So when I'm done here, do you want to go fishing?" Finn asked Benen in an abrupt subject change.

"Ah ah ah, you still broke a lantern and lied about it." Hiccup turned to his son with a frown. "I think you can spend the evening helping your mother and me clean the kitchen."

"Dad, come on-"

"No, I don't like being lied to, son. The truth is always better." Hiccup insisted.

"May I help as well?" Benen asked. "I always found the kitchen to be the most relaxing place to clean."

"Well..."

"Please, dad?" Finn wheedled. "It'll go faster!"

Hiccup looked between Finn and Benen a few times. "All right. But you have to work."

"I will!" Finn promised. "Thanks!"

"And when you get that glass cleaned up, we can go for a walk." Hiccup said cheerfully. "If Benen is up for it."

"Absolutely." Benen agreed.

"Great!" Finn grinned widely as he swept up the last of the shards.

The boy felt warm as he wiped the area down to get out any extra glass. Warm and comfortable at the thought of many years with a new best friend. He could almost feel the stories he was going to tell rolling off of his tongue already. This was going to be the best-

The room disappeared into darkness. Finn felt his body lying heavily on a soft surface, the sounds of steady breathing filling his ears. Something in his arms stirred and for a moment, he was afraid he had been suddenly knocked out and deposited here with his arms around someone else. He hummed sleepily and was momentarily surprised to hear a lower, manly voice come out of his throat.

"Sorry but I do have to go to work." came a feminine whisper. "Go back to sleep if you want."

The reality of the situation slowly dawned on Finn. He wasn't seven years old. He wasn't on Berk with his father and his best friend. He was on Brawn, in Raine's room. And Benen was...

A familiar weight settled in his stomach. Benen was gone. Benen had been gone for a long time.

The memories of last night rushed into his head and he gasped, his eyes flying open.

"Oh my gods..." he groaned, sitting up and barely registering the red hue of the sunrise coming through Raine's window. "We... you and I... oh my gods."

"Hey, it's okay." Raine put her hands out in front of her. "I stopped it. You remember that, right?"

"Yeah, I..." Finn blinked a few times so he could see her clearly. "Thanks for stopping me."

"Anytime." Raine said cheerfully.

"So... what now?"

"Now?"

"You and me." Finn slowly rose from the bed. "I mean we almost... our relationship is different now. Are we, you know, dating?"

"What?" Raine looked surprised at the suggestion. "No, I just wanted to make you happy. I didn't realize I was doing the wrong thing until you started crying."

Finn felt the pangs of shame filling his insides like lead. "We're not dating? You wanted to have sex just to... to make me happy?"

"Wait, was that your first... oh." Raine put a hand over her mouth, looking horrified. "I didn't realize! I thought you'd gotten around a bit, you sounded like it with Helga and Dana..."

"I never had sex with them." Finn shook his head. "Just making out. But you, you're older. I thought you were interested. I thought we could have something more... adult."

"Oh no." Raine put her hands up in what seemed to be a surrendering position. "I didn't mean to give you the wrong impression."

"You don't want anything more?" Finn could almost feel his heart breaking in half. "But after last night..."

"I don't think we have quite the same opinion on this." Raine said slowly. "I mean for me, sex is just fun. Recreation."

"So you'd have done it with anyone?" to his horror, Finn felt tears burning his eyes.

"Not anyone. I'm not a whore." Raine shook her head vehemently. "But if we're attracted and there's a connection, sure. Point is, I'm not interested in a relationship right now. I've got other stuff to do."

Finn couldn't help it. A tear rolled down his cheek. Raine looked like she was about to start crying right along with him.

"Gods, Finn, I am so sorry." she reached down and wiped his tear away. "I never meant to hurt you."

"I have to go." Finn breathed, picking up his coat and nearly tripping over himself as he bolted to the door.

"Finn wait!" Raine followed him down the stairs and finally caught up with him at the door. "I do care about you. And I care about what you're going through."

"Yeah right."

"No, I do. I wouldn't have listened if I didn't." Raine put a hand on his shoulder. "For what it's worth, I think you're a great person who just lost his way. I felt sorry for you. I just went about this the wrong way."

"Great. Pity sex." Finn mumbled. "Just let me go, Raine."

"I'm sorry-"

"Please." Finn squeezed his eyes shut and felt more tears drip down his face. "Please let me go."

"Okay." Raine released his shoulder.

Finn nearly ran out of the house. He didn't stop until he arrived at Kara's. Brawn no longer felt like a safe haven. It felt like a trap, like something that seemed safe until he was in its clutches. He nearly ran into Thornado, who was sauntering out of the pen next to the house.

"We're leaving." Finn said to the dragon.

Thornado made a grumbling sound but didn't protest. Finn ran through the house and grabbed his things as fast as he could. He stopped only to scrawl out a note for Kara and her family to thank them for their hospitality before nearly leaping out the door and tying his things to Thornado. He had to wake up Sharpshot, who protested at being awakened before sunrise. Apparently he was used to sleeping on Hiccup's schedule, not Finn's.

"I need to send another letter home." he told the small dragon as it perched on his shoulder. "Hold on, I have to write it."

Sharpshot made a huffing sound and flew onto Thornado. He curled up in an obvious attempt to go back to sleep. Finn would have to think about his letter anyway so he decided to let Sharpshot sleep for a while.

It was seconds before Finn and Thornado ascended into the air. As they flew, Finn got out an old copy of the Dragon Book and a scrap piece of parchment. He suspended his charcoal over the parchment. He wasn't altogether certain of what to write. He could barely concentrate on his own thoughts.

The truth was, he had failed everyone. He had failed his parents by going so far against what they would have wanted for him. He had failed his village for leaving instead of making amends. He had failed his sister by coming dangerously close to killing her best friend. Most painful of all, he had failed Benen for not learning from his mistakes. For not ever learning from them. He reached up to touch the necklace but was alarmed to find it missing. His heart had started pounding in his ears before he realized that he had left it on Berk. It was just as well. He didn't deserve it anyway.

He was not strong. He was weaker now than ever before. He was a failure at life who didn't deserve anything he had been given. He tried to hold the tears back but he felt himself fall apart once again. He hugged the unwritten letter and Dragon Book as he sobbed atop his dragon.

"Benen." he whimpered. "Benen, if you can hear me, please tell me what to do now."

The only sounds he could hear were the rushing of the ocean below and the wind whistling in his ears. He ached for his best friend now more than ever.

"I'm lost." he wept. "I'm alone. You always knew what to say. I don't think I can be forgiven this time." he looked skyward, as if he expected to see Benen's face in the clouds. "Please... something, Benen. Just so I know you're there. Just so I know you're still looking out for me. That you forgive me."

No response. Finn felt as if the fragments of his heart were being ripped apart again. He looked down at his dragon's blue back and sobbed until he could hardly breathe.

Erick and Adrianna Make Up

This was an iffy scene that would have taken place just before Erick's accident but we ultimately cut it because we felt Erick and Adrianna's making up should be in the moment of the accident. Regardless, had we done this, it would have hurt a lot more had Erick died.

"Mags, this wasn't your fault." Erick reached forward and took her hand. "Hey, look at me. No, this wasn't your fault at all. You were right, I was unstable and I'm glad you got me out of there before I hurt someone. You couldn't have known it was going to get that bad because you have your own family."

Magnus gave him a watery smile. "Things really are better now?"

"Absolutely. I'm happy with the Haddocks. Well, I was until Finn got arrested. But they're going to work through it. This isn't the first time they've gone through something like this. I still remember when they almost got divorced, Annie made me promise not to..." Erick made a face. "Not to... Mags, I have to go."

"What?"

"I... sorry, I have to go."

"Wait!" Magnus stood up and followed him out of the office. "I just wanted to tell you something."

"Okay." Erick bounced from foot to foot in impatience.

"You're welcome to see the kids again." Magnus told him, stifling a grin at her brother's impatient movements. "Maybe Wednesday? Garrett should be better by then."

Erick grinned. "Thanks. What time?"

"Can you make it at 6? I can make dinner. Or you can, if you want." Magnus winked at him. "I know you like cooking."

"Don't spread that around." Erick wrapped his arms around his sister. "Love you, Mags."

"Love you too, Erick." Magnus playfully ruffled his hair.

"I'll be back soon, Horst." Erick called before letting go of her and running as fast as he could into the village.

Erick tore through the village square, barely avoiding tripping over a toddler and upending an entire cabbage stand before he found himself on the path to the Haddock house. He didn't slow down as he bolted up the hill and threw open the front door.

"Annie!" he called, hoping she was home.

"What in the world- Erick?" Adrianna hopped out of her bedroom, trying to put on a sock while moving. "What are you doing here?"

Erick sighed in relief before thumping up the stairs and throwing his arms around his friend. He felt her gasp in surprise before hugging him back.

"I'm sorry." he whispered into her ear. "I've been an idiot and I am so sorry."

"What?"

Erick let her go and brushed her hair from in front of her face. "When we were kids and your parents were fighting, you made me promise to stay friends with you no matter what. And I meant it then, I really did, but I broke it anyway and I've been breaking it every single day since my dad died."

"You remember that?" Adrianna asked, still looking astonished.

"Of course." Erick sighed shakily, pushing down emotion. "Annie, you are the best friend I've ever had and I threw that all away and I only stuck to it because I was too proud to come and apologize and then I was scared that you were going to get hurt."

"Erick-"

"No, please, let me finish." Erick grasped her hands and squeezed them. "Right after Aud died and we hugged and I admitted it wasn't your fault, I really wanted to be friends with you again. I missed you so much, Annie, you have no idea. But I kept thinking about what would happen if you died next and I was a coward. But I don't care about that anymore."

"Why not?" Adrianna breathed, her eyes glistening with tears.

"Because right now we're not dead. Right now, we're alive. And we're fine. Right now, I love you so much I don't ever want to push you away again." Erick kissed her forehead. "I got too caught up in a future that might not even happen that I forgot about right now. I'm not letting that happen again." he waited for Adrianna to wipe her tears and look at him again before speaking once more, his heart thumping in his chest. "So... can we start over? Will you be my best friend again?"

"Do you really have to ask?" Adrianna asked shakily, laughing through her tears. "Oh, come here, you!" she pulled him in for a hug. "I missed you so much."

"I missed you too." Erick took a deep breath, taking in the flowery scent he had come to love over the years. When they broke apart, he took her hands again. "This evening, do you want to go for a flight?"

"Gods, yes!" Adrianna said the second he finished his question. "I can't wait."

"Me neither." Erick smiled, wiping her tears with his thumbs. "I should get back to work though."

"Yeah, I've got a job in a minute." Adrianna said sheepishly. "Tonight, I'll be waiting here."

"I'll be there." Erick promised.

They descended the staircase and parted ways at the front door. Erick was smiling during the entire walk downhill and to the shop. Regardless of the current problems with the gang and the extra work he had to do, he had his best friend back. He was so happy, he wanted to skip through the village square but he restrained himself.

Adrianna Finds Out About Finn's Gang Involvement

We ultimately scrapped this scene because we felt it was going nowhere.

Adrianna awoke in the middle of the night to the sound of a door half slamming downstairs. She didn't even have to open her eyes to know that it certainly wasn't morning yet. So who was slamming doors? The Haddock girl got out of bed and lit a lantern, which she shakily held aloft before tiptoeing out of her room. She sighed in relief at the sight of her parents and Erick on the first floor.

"What's up?" she asked, trying to slow her heart rate.

The trio looked up at her in alarm. Apparently they hadn't expected company.

"Oh... sorry." Hiccup sighed deeply, sitting on the couch and rubbing his face.

"Go ahead back to bed, Adri." Astrid told her calmly. "Everything's fine."

"I don't think so." Adrianna descended the staircase and placed the lantern on the coffee table. "Why is everyone congregating in the living room in the middle of the night? Did something happen?"

Astrid cleared her throat. "We just had a long night."

"Um, I think she should know." Erick spoke up. "Considering who's involved."

Both Hiccup and Astrid glanced between him and Adrianna for several seconds before Astrid nodded. "You're right."

"Astrid-"

"By tomorrow, everyone will know anyway." Astrid gestured to the couch before taking a seat in a cushioned chair next to it. "We need to tell her."

Adrianna slowly sauntered forward and sat down. "Tell me what?" she asked as Erick sat down next to Hiccup.

"We caught the gang." Hiccup said in a hollow sort of voice. "And guess who was the ringleader this whole time."

Adrianna didn't even have to take a moment to think about it. "Finn."

"Yeah." Hiccup exhaled slowly. "So... he's in prison."

Adrianna stared at her clasped hands for a few seconds before looking back up at her father. "So now what's going to happen?"

"Trials." Astrid said through gritted teeth. "Punishments. Hopefully he'll... h-he'll..." the Haddock matriarch put her head in her hands as her voice began to tremble.

"We're hoping to get through to him." Hiccup finished her sentence, looking almost as brokenhearted as she did now. "He's angry. And in some ways, he has every right to be. But to take out that anger in this way..." he sighed again. "We have to be fair."

Adrianna dearly wanted to comfort her mother, whose shoulders had started shaking, but she remained seated. She needed to hear the rest of the story before she could say anything even remotely helpful.

"He's going to stay in prison?" she asked her father directly.

"For now." Hiccup said in the same emotionless voice. "I don't know what's going to happen. I don't know if anything will get through to him anymore. I'm hoping he isn't too far gone, Addie. But I've been thinking about it and..." he looked directly at his daughter, "if this nonsense continues, he can't be the heir anymore. Our village needs good leadership."

"Wait... what are you saying?" Adrianna's breath caught in her throat.

"If we can't get through to him, you're going to have to step up and become the heir. Heiress, I suppose." Hiccup placed a hand on top of hers. "I know that's a lot to ask of you but-"

"I don't want to be the heir." Adrianna interrupted. "I've never... Finn's the heir. That's the way it's always been."

"Right now, he might not be an option."

"I'm not a leader!" Adrianna exclaimed, her heart racing once more. "I don't have the training, I can't lead an army, and I certainly can't do everything you do!"

"Listen," Hiccup's voice became softer, "I think you can do it. You're kind and compassionate. I've always thought you underestimate yourself but if the time comes, I think you'd do the job well."

"Not as well as Finn. This is his dream, not mine." Adrianna shook her head, anger surging in her at the very thought. "This is how it works, this is how it's always worked! Finn is the heir, I'm the last minute replacement if he dies in a freak accident or something. You can get through to him, I know you can!"

"Adrianna!" Hiccup's voice was sharp but not unkind. The girl stopped speaking. "This isn't what anyone wants. But our family has passed down the chiefdom from generation to generation since Berk was founded. Leadership is in your blood. That's probably why you're so good with the kids."

"I won't be working with kids." Adrianna huffed. "I don't mean to be selfish but this really is the worst decision you could make." she looked around for support from Astrid but her mother was in no condition to talk about this. "You could... you could make Erick the heir."

Erick jerked. "What?"

One Step

Erick's scrapped suicide attempt. He really was going to do it but we thought that with all the angst, it was far too dark for this story. Plus, this scene never really came together. Also it has Hiccup finding out about Erick's depression instead of Astrid and that was actually a late change that we're glad we made.

Erick trudged through the brush, his eyes fixed on his feet and his hands shoved into his pockets. He hardly noticed anyone he passed in his trek. It wasn't like they were going to say anything to him. Why would they? Anything they'd have to say would be polite small talk, pleasantries reserved for those they don't care much about.

But not him. Not today. Not ever again. Erick didn't have to give this any thought. With each step, he thought of all the people he had failed, the people he once loved who now looked on him with scorn on their features and hatred in their eyes.

His mother was ashamed of him. There was no denying that. She hadn't wanted him to begin with and why the Hel would she want him now? And it wasn't like anyone else in his family was any better. Nikolas looked on him with irritation, as if his own brother was an annoying fly buzzing around his head. And his once loving brother and sister, Gustav and Magnus, they didn't even want him around. He brought them down, made them feel uncomfortable. He was untrustworthy. Unable to perform even the most basic jobs.

His mind wandered to everyone else in the village. Horst, the man he'd worked with for years, couldn't possibly miss him all that much. There were other boys who could replace him. Girls too, now he thought about it. Adrianna might be good at-

His breath caught in his throat as the person he had most wanted to forget sprang into his head. He could see her glaring at him in his mind's eye, walking off with her hand clasped in Brandyn's and smiling up at him the same way she used to smile at Erick. He had let her down. He had broken his promise to her, ripped her heart to shreds with no remorse, and treated her as if she was less than the dirt under his feet. If there was anyone who would benefit from this the most, it was her. No more seeing him in the village and feeling the spark of anger and pain he knew she must be feeling. No more cold glares at the leather shop. No more him.

He barely noticed the cliff until he was inches from the ledge. One more step and he'd have fallen by accident. Although maybe that would make it easier. Wasn't that what he was here to do?

A burning sensation formed behind his eyes and he looked into the clear, starry sky. Tears fell down his face as he used his voice for the first time in what felt like weeks.

"Dad..." he croaked, his heart feeling like it was about to burst open. "Gods, Dad, what... what am I supposed to..." his voice cracked and his chest tightened. He felt like his ribs were suffocating him. "I c-can't..." he sniffled and wiped his face with his trembling fingers. "I j-just want you b-back, Daddy. It's s-so hard. Everything's been so h-hard." he let out a sob that he didn't even try to hold back. "I can't d-do this anymore."

His teal eyes, still leaking tears down his front, lowered to focus on the rocky ocean below. One step... that's all it would take. One step and it would be over. One step and his mother would never have to think about him again. One step and Adrianna would be free of the pain he had put her through.

One step.

"I'm sorry, Daddy." Erick shakily whispered, his heart drumming against his ribs, his foot slowly lifting an inch off the ground... two inches... three inches...

The first thing he felt was the wind rushing through his whole body, much like it did when he was riding Charger and feeling particularly reckless. He took a deep breath of the cold, crisp air as he fell down... down... the rocks grew ever closer and with them came an end to every agonizing second of his existence, to the burden he had inflicted on the village by his very presence... he steeled himself for the impact...

A splash of black, a constricting grasp, the distinct feeling of going up instead of down, the sensation of a solid surface under him... Erick opened his eyes and for a moment, he thought he was floating out of his body to the heavens themselves... but surely he'd have felt the impact before that happened.

He tumbled onto the ground seconds later, feeling suddenly exhausted and weighted down by his own body. The deep gulps of air he was taking made him feel like he had just been rendered unable to breathe and suddenly released from his confines. His tears felt plastered to his face, reduced to the salt with none of the moisture behind them. A big black thing suddenly blocked his view of the sky... and licked him.

"Toothless?"

The Night Fury made a mournful sound deep in his throat. And then another, much louder sound pierced through Erick's eardrums.

"Erick, what..." the voice was choppy, its owner clearly close to hyperventilating. "My gods..."

Hiccup.

"No!" Erick shouted suddenly, sitting bolt upright. "Not you!"

"Not... Erick you are very lucky I saw you fall, otherwise this story would have a completely different ending." Hiccup's words were almost angry but his tone was still one of shock and horror.

"Why did you save me?" Erick shouted, his voice quivering with emotion. "I was falling on purpose! Didn't you see that?"

"Yes." Hiccup scooted forward on his knees and grabbed Erick's shoulders. "Erick... why?"

"It doesn't matter."

"Clearly it does." Hiccup blinked and Erick was shocked to see his eyes glisten with tears. "What you were trying to do... something had to drive you there."

"What's it to you?" Erick snarled, trying to twist out of his grip. "Why do you care if I'm dead or alive?"

Hiccup paused, still holding the boy's shoulders tightly. He seemed to be at a loss for words. One of his tears fell down his face and he made no move to hide it or wipe it away. Erick's breath seemed to leave him for a second. Hiccup... chief Hiccup, the Dragon Conqueror... crying for him?

"I don't know what to say, Erick." Hiccup finally said in a voice thick with emotion. "I don't think any words can take away the obvious pain you must be feeling." his shoulders shook as he attempted to keep his emotions from taking over his body. Suddenly he pulled Erick in for a hug. "This... this isn't the answer."

"Why not?" Erick whimpered through the fabric of Hiccup's shirt. "Nobody cares, nobody wants me around."

"Hey," Hiccup pushed Erick back slightly so that they were looking at each other. "I care."

"You're just saying that-"

"No. I care about all my people, it's true, but you?" Hiccup paused for a moment to collect himself. "How could I not care about the little boy I watched grow up on an almost daily basis? How could I not love someone who loved my little girl as purely and as genuinely as you did, probably still do? And even if you don't anymore," Hiccup waited for Erick to meet his gaze again, "I see you every day and I know that you are better than this. I know that you are a kindhearted, compassionate, and intelligent person. You represent the best of Berk, Erick. And if you don't see that, we have failed you."

Erick desperately tried to push down his tears but they pushed back too hard. A little sob escaped him and before he knew it, he was crying like he had never cried before. Hiccup held him tightly, in a way he had only been held by one other person. His father.

Finn Caught

The final cut scene we are sharing with you is a scene Emily wrote in June 2014 because she was so excited for this story. We also hadn't named all the gang members yet at that point so you'll see some wrong names in there. Bear in mind, we were writing Taming Hearts when this was written so we didn't know a lot of what was going to happen in this story.

Doused in darkness, the GH echoed with the footsteps of the motley group of teenagers. The leader stood on the closest table to see his followers easier. The other teens could see his excited smile born from the adrenaline coursing through his system. Finn loved to see how far he could go before he was caught, which was apparently a pretty long time. He had almost laughed out loud in his father's latest village meeting about catching the culprits. Love really was blind.

"Alright, listen up," Finn ordered in a quiet voice. Even with the lack of his usual boisterous volume, the sound carried through the empty Hall. "We only have one shot at this and about ten minutes before the guards come back around the bend-"

"We didn't see the guards tonight." Helga Ingerman interrupted him. Finn frowned. He had studied and watched the guards' usual routine to a tee.

"We won't take chances; let's just keep this to five minutes and beat it. We want to make a statement but don't torch anything."

"Aww..." A few boys grumbled and Finn stepped in front of them with a loud stomp.

"We all agreed that we wouldn't destroy this place. It's not a house-"

"Can we argue about this later? Come on, you said we only have five minutes!" Helga sneered, marching toward the mead barrels.

Finn huffed. "She's right, get moving. Just go, I'll deal with you later."

The Haddock teenager marched toward the center of the Great Hall, heart beginning to pound at the damage he could hear his friend's doing around him. Barrels overturned, spilling their contents, drapes were torn and glass broke. Important weapons clattered to the ground or were haphazardly thrown. One teen hissed angrily at the other for nearly being impaled. Finn continued on his march, ignoring the sounds and rising guilt in his chest.

The sound of metal scraping against stone caught his attention, but Helga spoke first. "Jorgenson, quiet down over there, would you?"

"Its not me..."

A sharp chuckle broke the silence. "Never in my life did I think I'd witness something so immature and disrespectful."

Finn knew that voice. He whipped around to his friends. "Scram! Beat it!" He charged past tables, even slid over one in his haste, but the sonic scream of a familiar Night Fury broke through the teenagers' sprint to the doors. The center fire pit roared to life as adults jumped from various hiding places. The large doors slammed to a close from the outside, trapping the youngsters. Every teenager was apprehended, only a few really fighting. Helga Ingerman threw one swift uppercut, smacking Snotlout right in the jaw. The adult growled in anger but the girl was quickly pulled back by her mother. Ruffnut pushed her into a bench seat while her father crossed his arms in front of her.

The Hall quieted when the sound of clacking metal sounded on the stone behind Finn. Closing his eyes for a moment to keep his cool, he slowly turned around to face his father.

Hiccup stood high above him on the rim of the center fire pit. His arms crossed, chest heaving and green eyes harder than Finn had ever seen directed at him before, it wasn't hard to figure out that his father was livid.

The silence was deafening. Everyone stood with bated breath as they waited for their chief's first words. Hiccup stared at Finn long enough for the teenager to locate his mother and Toothless standing nearby in the corner of his eye.

Finn tensed when Hiccup finally smiled and slowly looked around at the rest of the teenagers. "Kind of sad how I thought you would be ready for some more responsibility." His eyes landed back on his only son and heir and he shook his head with a soft huff. "Unbelievable."

Finn ground his teeth and finally found the strength within himself to meet his father's glare with one of his own. He raised his head to look taller, which was futile when his dad was already high above him. He didn't know what would happen next, what his father had planned, but he could easily tell that after his forthcoming show of arrogance on display at the moment, he was in for a world of trouble.

Well, there are the scenes. I forgot to mention in the last author note that one reader did point out a throwaway detail we put in on purpose. Remember when Ruffnut told the Haddocks she had delivered a baby before? We recently revealed the baby was Erick.

Also, A, I really doubt the lilacs and ladders seeing as I'm applying for airline jobs and mortgage banker positions. This makes me doubt your original premise of God telling you that things'll get better. Guess I'll have to find out on my own. As usual.

The next story will be posted soon so keep an eye out for it! And hey, if you're going to review, in addition to reactions to these lovely scenes, can you tell us your favorite fic from this series so far and why? We'd like a general idea so we can make these last 3 more satisfying and give you all what you want to see. And as always, if you haven't given a comprehensive review, please don't hesitate to do so. This was a tough fic to write so we appreciate any and all feedback.

~KateMarie999