Mean Seasons 39: Broken Spirit 9

"Astrid! Snotlout! You two cover the east wing. Fishlegs and I will cover the west! Let's GO!"

The dragon riders split into their respective groups, the twins taking the north side. Berserkers were attacking from all direction11s, and harpoons were flying everywhere

On the enemy's side, the chief, Dagor the Deranged, watched the Night Fury with increasing rage and snarling hate. "You're mine, Hiccup." He sneered," I'm going to get you, and your dragon."

He readied a crossbow and sat ready to fire.

The riders of Berk held their line, with Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third at the healm, it seemed nothing could go wrong. As they regrouped, the six riders were full of high spirits and congratulations. Even Stoic The Vast (All hear his name and tremble ug ug) Chief of the tribe, looked a lot more hopeful as the armada was soon sent packing.

Victory was not to be fully grasped that day.

As Stoic congratulated the citizens of Berk on a job well done, there was a cry.

"DAD!"

The huge chief looked up, just in time to see his son flying at him full tilt, to be thrown off his dragon, an arrow from a crossbow embedded in his back, the point coming out his chest.

"HICCUP!" the man roared, leaping in the air to catch his son before he crashed into the unforgiving ground. "No...son...speak to me..Hiccup..."

The eyes of the brave but skinny Viking boy were confused, and a bit sheepish as he looked at the thing coming out of his chest, as if contemplating how he was going to get rid of it.

"Hurts..." he said lamely, eyes clouding over "Hurts bad...Had to..I'm...'m'sry"

He took a shuddering breath, and then went limp in his father's arms. To Stoic's amazement, the boy was still alive. With a heavy heart, he knew that that wouldn't last much longer.

"Get a boat ready." The chief said, his tone laced with tears and sorrow so deep it rumbled like thunder.

At this announcement, the remaining dragon riders gasped, and Astrid buried her face in her hands. Snotlout looked confused and in denial The twins were too stunned to say anything, and Fishlegs clutched Meatlug, his Gronkle, and sobbed quietly.

The rest of the tribe gathered to mourn as soon as it was confirmed that the son of the chief had left for Odin's domain. Stoic continued to hold Hiccup's shell, his heart breaking as he adorned his son in a new shirt, and lay him gently in the waiting vessel that would carry his son to the halls of his ancestors.

"Safe travels, brave Viking...my brave Viking, and may Odin receive you. If he doesn't, you tell me and I'll knock some sense into him."

All were in tears, and watched as the boat made its way over the horizon.

Suddenly, Astrid pointed to a piece of driftwood that seemed to be following the pyre boat. "What is that?"

Fishlegs picked up a spyglass and looked to the wood, and said solemnly "It's Toothless."

"What is he doing out there?!"

Fishlegs again was solemn, as he wiped a tear from his eyes,

"He's loyally following Hiccup into Odin's domain. Without his friend and master, there is nothing keeping him here. So he goes where Hiccup goes...for one last journey. Faithful to the very end and if Odin wills it...beyond even that."

ROTG

Mother Nature hated going to Odin's domain. She hated it because Vikings, especially dead Vikings, stunk like rotten fish.

However, she was on a mission and right now, she needed to be here. She approached the large man with the flowing, black beard and bowed respectfully.

"Ah, Mother Nature! " The booming voice of Odin bellowed, "I had heard news that you were on your way here! Come to steal away one of the warriors who feast at my table, have you?"

She smiled cordially at him, "Indeed. Did your messenger also tell you for what purpose this one is to serve?"

"Also of whom you seek, although I must admit, you have rather interesting tastes in regards to choosing worthy warriors. I do not doubt your choice will fulfill his duties to the upmost, but he is less than qualified in the strength and brawn department."

"As long as he is noble, kind, and reliable, Odin, I could care less about his body type. His duties would not require a mass amount of strength anyway."

The burly one laughed heartily, gesturing to the halls to the right of him,

"Then he will be perfect. Go, and meet him for yourself. You will not be disappointed."

Bowing again, Mother Nature went to see her new season, hope brimming as she took her first glance at him.

The 'warrior' was a boy no older than her Winter, perhapse younger, with kind, intelegent eyes framed by straight brown hair. He was the same body type as the aforementioned winter spirit, and had a metal leg. This seemed not to bother him as he talked excitedly to the black beast that shared a fish with him. Mother Nature smiled broadly, coming forward and laying a hand on the creature adoringly.

"He's beautiful. I have not seen a dragon in a very long time. Is he yours?"

The youth blushed and then said modestly "Yeah, yeah you could say that, but you could say really that I'm his, in a way. I'm Hiccup, by the way, and may I say that you are beautiful in a somewhat...unsettling way..no offense."

Mother snickered at this ramble, and scratched the dragon under the chin, wich he seemed to enjoy, because he seemed to pout after she stopped.

"This is Toothless." Hiccup explained proudly, "He seems to like you. So um..." he rubbed his hanmd through his hair nervously, adorabvly bashful "What..what brings you to Valhalla?"

"I am Mother Nature, and I have come here seeking a new spirit to become the new Summer." She explained.

Hiccup seemed to ponder this, then began to ramble, as was his habit when he was trying to wrap his head around something really too big for him to understand.

"Wait wait wait, so you're saying that you, Mother Nature, are in need for someone to run the entire season of Summer, and out of all the options at your desposal, you come here...looking for...me?"

Mother Nature couldn't help but chuckle at the boy's bewildered look.

"Yes, that is what you would call the gist. Now Hiccup, it is time to go."

The youth looked at her, curiosity giving way to mild amusement and sudden fear.

"Wait, I don't get a say in this?"

:"No. Come."

"I'm not going anywhere! Not without Toothless!"

Mother Nature laughed, the reason for the boy's reluctance made painfully obvious with that one statement.

"I fail to see the humor..." Hiccup said lowly.

"Your dragon is a part of you, Hiccup. I wouldn't dream of taking you without him as well. But as I said before. Come. There is much that needs to be done."

Hiccup's attitude changed again, and he mounted his dragon, scratching him behind the plates,

"Hear that bud? Looks like we get to embark on a whole new adventure!"

Overjoyed as the boy may be, she thought grimly, the fact was that he was taking on a responsibility that warranted little mistakes, and he would have to be taught well and soon before actually fulfilling the role set for him.

She desperately wanted to help her Winter recover, but the balance must be set. She would peek in later, after her Summer was established. By that time, she desperately hoped that the deadness left the icy eyes, and they retained their spark.