Former Peers
Astrid couldn't sleep that night. Her mind kept replaying the events of the raid over and over. It all lead up to one conclusion. That man had been Hiccup. She almost couldn't believe it. Hiccup had never been a warrior. An inventor, yes, a klutz, definitely. But not a warrior capable of taking on a group of men twice his size without getting a scratch. But the evidence all lead to the same thing. The eyes, his words, Stormfly's reaction, and then the big kicker, the Night Fury with the missing tailfin.
She flushed slightly at remembering how he fought. He was so fast, so precise, so deadly. And he'd become so tall. He was even taller than her now. And his shoulders were so broad. He was still kind of thin and lanky for Viking standards but she could defiantly tell he'd filled out quite a bit.
As she continued to lie awake in bed she suddenly became aware that the sun was beginning to rise. She sat up in bed as she deliberated doing what she had wanted to last night. Go find him. Bring him back.
It took all but a second for her to make a decision. She hopped out of bed and started to get dressed.
She was determined to find Hiccup.
In about half an hour Astrid was dressed, packed, and set to go. She snuck out of her house and saddled up Stormfly before mounting her and taking off. She looked down at Berk as she flew away. Only a few villagers were up so she went largely unnoticed. They'd probably just think she was going for a morning flight or patrol anyway. She was glad the village had been relatively undamaged in the raid last night. Only a few injuries and some broken down doors but everyone was fine. Largely thanks to Hiccup.
Astrid turned her gaze to the horizon as she started to formulate a plan. She had no idea how she was going to find Hiccup. It wasn't going to be easy. He'd been missing for six years after all.
"ASTRID!" suddenly came a shout behind her.
She looked over her shoulder to find her friends flying up behind her. "What are you guys doing here?" she asked in surprise. She was slightly worried they were going to try and stop her.
"We're coming with you to find Hiccup," Fishlegs answered.
"Yeah. He was so awesome last night," Tuffnut said excitedly.
"And so tall," Ruffnut added dreamily.
Astrid glared slightly at the female twin.
"I don't know guys," Snotlout interjected. They all tuned to look at him questionably. "Hiccup had always been a little guy. Plus he was never a warrior," he argued.
Astrid rolled her eyes. "Did you not see the Night Fury with the missing tailfin last night Snot? Who else could it be?"
Snotlout didn't have a response for that. So he turned his gaze to the horizon and remained silent.
"How are we going to find him though Astrid? No one has been able to find him for six years," Fishlegs pointed out.
Astrid pursed her lips in thought. She still hadn't worked that out yet. Still, now was the best chance they had to find him. Hopefully ha hadn't gone far last night. "Ok, we'll split up. Ruff, Tuff, head south and check the island, Fishlegs you take north, Snotlout east, and I'll go west," she ordered. "If you find him don't engage. Head back and meet on Dragon Island around high noon." The other nodded before splitting up.
Astrid steered Stormfly west.
"Please don't be gone Hiccup. Please don't leave again," she silently pleaded.
"Well they know I'm back now," Ryuiji said in exasperation. After helping Berk with the Vandals he'd flown off to a nearby island north of Berk. He'd simply laid back against Toothless and collapsed from the emotional and physical exhaustion at the battle and seeing people again.
He'd arrived at Berk just as it was being attacked by the Vandals and decided to help. He hadn't expected to run into Astrid. He couldn't believe how beautiful she'd become. She definitely wasn't a child anymore. And then there was his father. Suddenly he couldn't do it. He'd panicked and flown off on Toothless.
He released a groan as he sat on the edge of a large stone jutting out of a hillside. He looked out upon the meadows and forests of the island and searched for an answer. Then he felt a nudge from behind. He smile and looked over his shoulder at Toothless. The dragon crooned in concern and cocked his head to the side.
"I know bud. But last night didn't seem like the best time for a family reunion," he said with a sigh. He didn't know what to do. He could still very well be executed for stepping foot on the island. And what would his father think about how much he'd changed. Would he proud? He'd finally become a strong warrior in his own right. But it was in a different way. And Vikings didn't take to kindly to different.
"Can I get a second alone bud?" he asked his friend. "I'll dragon call if I need you." The dragon cocked his head again before nudging his face with his cheek. Then he complied. He spread his wings and glided down to the bottom of the hill and walked off, looking for something to hunt.
Hiccup sat there and contemplated his next move. He reached to his belt and took out his katana. He opened unsheathed the blade slightly and smiled. Was he living up to the title of samurai?
With a sigh he sheathed the sword and cradled it between his legs as he let his mind wander off.
Meanwhile, a figured was looking down on an island with a spy glass I hand. Atop his Gronckle Fishlegs smiled as he noticed a man and a black dragon. It was him. He'd found Hiccup.
"Come on girl. Let's get to Dragon Island," he said excitedly. Then he steered his dragon toward the rendezvous point with his friends. He was eager to tell them he'd found him.
Hours later Astrid and her friends were making their way through the forest. They had met up and Fishlegs told them he'd found Hiccup. So they flew as fast as they could to this island to search for them. At Fishlegs' suggestion they left their dragons in a meadow and continued on foot. They didn't want Hiccup to feel cornered and run away again. They opted to talk to him and hopefully convince him to return.
As Fishlegs led to the spot he'd seen Hiccup last Astrid's heart thrummed in anticipation. After six years she was finally going to see Hiccup again. She was so happy that she'd been right that he was still alive. What would she say to him? Where should she even start? She shook her head to clear her thoughts. The first thing she had to do was get him to come back.
Suddenly Fishlegs stopped, causing Astrid to almost bump into him. Before she could ask for an explanation Fishlegs spoke. "There he is," he said in a whisper. Astrid stepped around him and peered through the tree line. It was him.
He was sitting on a rock with his back to the forest. From here Astrid could see long auburn hair with a few braids in the back. His helmet was off and at his side and he seemed to be staring intently at whatever was in front of him. Astrid crouched low and motioned with her hand for the other to follow her lead. Then she began to slowly advance.
After a few steps a loud snap was heard. Astrid turned to see Ruffnut had stepped on a twig. The twin looked up at Astrid with a sheepish smile. Astrid turned to look back at Hiccup only to find he was now gone. With a silent curse she turned and glared back at the female twin who looked at her apologetically.
With a sigh she rose up and walked out of the forest. There was no point in hiding now. She walked to the spot where Hiccup had been sitting. She looked down, trying to see if she could spot him. The point she was at was too high to jump from. She looked around and assumed that Hiccup must have gotten up and walked down the hill side. So she led her friends on his assumed path. At the bottom of the hill there were many rocks and boulders that had ended up here who knows how long ago. The group shifted their heads back and forth trying to make out a human figure.
"Can I help you?" a voice said.
Everyone shifted their gaze to the right where the voice had come from. And to their surprise and Astrid's relief there he was. It was Hiccup. He was standing fifty feet away and leaning against a boulder casually with his arms crossed over his chest and his helmet on.
"Well?" he said.
Astrid smiled and took a step forward. "Hiccup," she said to him.
"The name is Ryuiji," was his reply. But Astrid wasn;t swayed. Now that she listened closely, she could recognize his voice. Even with it beng muffled by his helmet and deeper and not cracking, it was still nasally like when he was a child. It was definetely him.
Astrid was a little confused by the curt attitude but was too overjoyed to see him. "Hiccup. We've come to take you back to Berk," she said. She stood there and waited for his response. It came in the form of a snort and him getting up and walking away.
"Hiccup?" she called out. She jogged after him. The others followed after her. "Hiccup?" Astrid repeated following just behind him. She couldn't understand why he was ignoring them. "Hiccup? Why won't you talk to me?" she asked as she reached out and grabbed his wrist.
As she did he yanked it out of her grip. Then he turned around and faced her. "I told you my name is Ryuiji," he said with a hard glare. "Second. I don't take orders from women," he said lowly.
Astrid was initially surprised by his comment. Old Hiccup never would have had the nerve to speak to her like that. The others were just as surprised. Then she narrowed her eyes in offense. She took a step forward and gave him a withering look. "What?" she asked dangerously.
He took a step forward and got right into her face. "I. Don't. Take. Orders. From. Women," he repeated slowly as if she were a stupid child. She bristled at his attitude. Why was he being so difficult?
"Ok Hiccup. I don't know what your problem is, but either you come back to Berk or else…"
"Or else what?" Hiccup said lowly cutting her off. Astrid saw him place his left hand on the hilt of his longer sword and then use his thumb to slightly unsheathe it.
Astrid hesitated at this. She was willing to use force but after remembering what he did to those Vandals last night she wasn't sure she could take him.
"Hmph. Thats what I thought," he said before turning to walk away. Astrid stood there dumbstruck. Had Hiccup really just threatened her? And had it seriously just worked? She turned to her friend to see what they thought they should do. They just shrugged, being no help at all.
"Pssh. Just let him go. That obviously not Hiccup," Snotlout said. Hiccup just kept going. "I mean Hiccup was a tiny, shrimpy, wuss. No way that's him," he said jerking a thumb in his direction. The others glanced over at Hiccup ad noticed he'd stopped.
"You have the nerve to call someone tiny half pint?" they heard Hiccup say before he turned around to glare at Snotlout.
Snotlout bristled at the 'Hiccup's' words. "Oh you want to fight about it stranger?" he asked pounding his fist into his palm.
The other watched as Hiccup began walking forward. His posture showing he was completely confident he could take Snotlout. "Oh it's not gonna be a fight," he said confidently. Snotlout narrowed his eyes before marching past his friends.
The others stayed back to watch what was going to happen.
As Ryuiji was walking toward Snotlout he took him in. He was surprised he'd become taller than his cousin. But he could tell the boy was still stocky and probably had strength on him. He was gonna have to be careful and avoid getting punched. He also noticed how Snotlout had aged over the years. His face had matured and he sported some facial hair. If you could call the fuzz on his upper lip that. He had the same helmet on his head from when they were kids and his outfit had changed slightly to a black furred half jacket.
When they were within a few feet of each other they stopped and looked each other up and down, sizing one another up. Then Snotlout raised his hands up in fists. Ryuiji did the same. They stared each other down as they waited for the other to make a move.
"Go ahead. Hit me if you can," Ryuiji said to taunt his cousin. It worked. Snotlout scowled before tensing up to throw a punch. But Ryuiji was faster. Before Snotlout could react Ryuiji threw a punch with his right hand, connecting with Snotlout's face and sending him stumbling back. Snotlout and his friends all gaped in surprise. The speed had been amazing.
Ryuiji smiled to himself. Though Snotlout was probably a good fighter with a stronger punch than him, it would do him no good if he couldn't hit him. One of the cornerstones of Ryuiji's fighting style was speed. Snotlout was going down.
Snotlout shook off the punch and glared at him. Stepping back up to him he raised his hands up once more. They once again stared each other down, waiting and anticipating an attack. Then Snotlout threw a right cross. Ryuiji ducked and weaved left before throwing a right cross himself which connected. Snotlout growled and threw a left, but Ryuiji raised his right arm and blocked before punching him in the face with his left hand. As Snotlout stumbled back from the punch Ryuiiji grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him close. Then he rammed his right knee into his stomach. Snotlout gasped as the air was knocked out of him.
Ryuiji gave Snotlout a push to get some distance before stepping into striking range once again and punching him in the torso 20 times in the blink of an eye. Dazed and out of breath Snotlout wobbled on his feet. Deciding to end the fight Ryuiji crouched and with a leap kicked Snotlout across the face. Snotlout was spun y the kick before hitting the ground. With a groan he tried to raise his head up but he dropped it to the ground and blacked out.
Ryuiji caught his breath. He almost couldn't believe it. He'd just beaten the crap out of Snotlout. "It's been an honor," he said respectfully. "To KICK YOUR ASS!" He suddenly finished haughtily. Man how he'd wanted to do that for the longest time. Normally he'd be a lot more humble, but this was Snotlout.
"Man that felt good. I feel taller. Do I look taller?" he said looking to his old peers. "Never mind, don't answer that," he said dismissing the question.
His former peers were in shock. He'd beaten Snotlout so easily. "Is Hiccup gloating?" Fishlegs asked leaning over to whisper to Astrid.
"I don't know. I've never seen Hiccup gloat before," Astrid said with a shrug. She was impressed. His hand to hand skills seemed just as sharp as his sword skills.
"Well. That was fun. But now I'm gonna go," he said cracking his neck and turning to walk away. As he was walking away he was met with two spears suddenly crossing in front of his path. The twins had come around him.
"Not that we really care about you kicking Snotlout's ass Hiccup," Tuffnut began.
"Yeah, it was awesome," his sister said with a smile. "But we can't let you leave," she finished.
Ryuiji narrowed his eyes at them before stepping back. He shifted his gaze to both of them and got ready.
"Don't hurt him guys," Astrid call out behind him.
Like they could, Ryuiji thought to himself. He waited as the twins came around to both his sides. It was obvious they were trying to surround him. He watched both of them out of the corner of his eyes and waited. Then Tuffnut thrusted his spear at him. Ryuiji caught the spear in with his left hand before spinning clockwise toward Tuffnut and ramming his elbow into the side of his head. Tuffnut went down, losing grip on his spear in the process.
Ruffnut stepped forward to avenge her brother and made several stabs at Ryuiji. But Ryuiji used Tuffnut's spear to guard. Pointing the non-spear head end at her he rotated it in front of him in a circle to sweep away and block her attacks. Then he thrusted the spear forward and into her solar plexus. She gasped and wheezed as the wind was knocked out of her. Ryuiji advanced. Planting the spear in the ground he spun on his right foot and then lashed out with his left heel. Ruffnut held her spear horizontally to block. But as his heel connected with the spear it gave, splitting in two with a crack and allowing his heel to connect with her chest.
She hasped as she was knocked back several feet onto her but. She held her arms over her chest and knew there was going to be some bruising later. She looked up and noticed Hiccup approaching her. Her brother's spear was in his hand and he was glaring at her. Ruffnut was actually a little scared. He looked as if he wanted to kill her. Then suddenly Fishlegs moved in front of her protectively.
Fishlegs was scared out of his mind. Not liking violence and seeing Hiccup beat all of his friends had him very nervous about standing in his way. But he liked Ruffnut and was willing to try and protect her. He held his hammer in his hands and tried his best not to tremble.
"Hiccup now just hold on one second," he stammered out nervously. Hiccup just getting closer. He was seriously starting to think he may have to fight him when suddenly an axe blade was held in front of him. Fishlegs sighed in relief as he saw Astrid move into Hiccup's path.
Astrid pointed her axe at Hiccup, keeping him away from Fishlegs. She glared at him. If he wanted to be difficult then fine. One way or the other she was taking him back to Berk. "I'm taking you back to Berk Hiccup. Even if I have to knock you out to do it," she said firmly. Hiccup didn't look impressed. He chuckled in amusement before twirling the spear in his fingers. Then he pointed the spear head end at her. Inviting a challenge.
Astrid narrowed her eyes and twirled her axe in her hands. Her heart was thrumming nervously. She'd just watched Hiccup take down all her friends. Easily at that. She wasn't completely confident she could beat him. They circled each other for a few moments before Astrid decided to attack.
She raised her axe up and stepped forward before swinging at him. Hiccup raised his spear up horizontally and blocked. He pushed her back and started thrusting the spear head at her. Astrid dodged and parried with her axe handle. Hiccup had a slight advantage, being able to keep her back with his longer weapon. But Astrid was determined. Parrying a stab she stepped forward and swung at him in a horizontal arc. Hiccup dodged at the last second before driving his palm into her stomach. She coughed slightly and winced in pain before stepping back.
She looked up to see Hiccup suddenly begin to twirl his staff in both hands. She watched in amazement as he spun it at amazing speeds. It was just a blur in his hand as he spun it behind his back, at is sides, above, and in front of him. Then he started advancing on her. She had to back away to avoid getting hit in the head by the spinning staff.
She needed to get in an attack. So she advances and tried to swing at his right thigh. But Hiccup stepped back and spun right before bringing the spear shaft down on her wrist. With a yelp she dropped her axe. Before she knew it Hiccup stepped behind her and out of sight. Then she yelped as she felt a sharp stinging smack on her rear.
She brought her hands to her rear to massage the stinging and blushed at Hiccup's boldness. She looked at him incredulously. "Did you just?" she began. But she was cut off when Hiccup swept her legs out from under her. Landing on her back she was immediately pinned as Hiccup placed his foot on her right shoulder and held her down.
She looked up at him and was met with the end of a spear inches away from her nose. She glanced past it and looked up to see Hiccup glaring down at her with his spear raised and poised above his head.
Astrid suddenly was very afraid. It looked as if he was going to kill her. Then she saw him tense and she shut her eyes tightly in anticipation of her death. But she heard a noise to her left. She peeked her eyes open and saw he'd stabbed the spear into the ground next to her head. She looked up at him as he crouched down and reached his hand out. He grabbed her by the front of her shirt and raised her up to eye level.
She remained frozen and flushed slightly at his intense stare. Then he 'hmphed' before letting go of her and letting her fall back to the ground. With that he stepped of her and began to walk away. She watched him walk away. He'd beaten her. He'd shown her mercy. And his glare had made it perfectly clear. It said not to follow him or else.
"Hiccup wait!" Fishlegs cried as he watched him walk away. Hiccup kept going. "Your dad wants you to come back. He misses you. We all do," he said desperately. Hiccup stopped. He turned his head slightly and looked back at him. Then he faced forward again. He remained still for a moment before he started walking away again.
Everyone watched him walk away. Save the unconscious Snotlout. They could hardly believe it. He'd just beaten all of them.
Astrid's heart plummeted considerably though. She'd failed to bring him back. She had just let him walk away again and she'd been powerless to stop him.
What she going to tell the chief?
New chapter. Sorry for the wait. Its kinda short too. Eat that Snotlout