Helloo! So now we are on to IM2. In my mind this was supposed to be shorter than IM but, uh, it's turning into CA. Hope you enjoy!

Shout Outs!:

WeAreNumberOne

Ch.27:

Oh yeah, after a millennia you get pretty good at it. Weel, he already knows he can't see into the Archipelago because of Loki so he probably won't be overly suprise, just exasperated.
It is but it's Tony, he put a baby-monitor-protocol in Peter's suit.
They are sweet. I can imagine Tony and Loki later on bonding over incidents like that.
No, he got very luck that Astrid wasn't there.

Ch.26:

Probably, Toothless would probably find him fun.
I'm gonna be honest, I completely forgot about that so it'll go in with that section. He wouldn't have been and Hakon probably would be, especially since it sounds similar to the Serum that he would be worried of the formula going wrong...like it did.
Oh yeah, but Phil isn't going to care all that much, might be a bit too amused by it.

CHSHiccstrid

Yup, had to come across his mind at some point. Thought we needed to see her again, it had been a while. Thank you, I've been having fun incorporating him into it.

Journal 2, Entry 28: "Iron Man 2 Pt.1"

Hakon stared at the screens and holographic images with dead eyes. Next to him, Tony was passed out with a mostly drunk cup of chlorophyll loosely gripped in his hand and Tor was long since dead to the world on his custom Iron Man bed. Hakon's eyes slowly traveled over the synthesized information again, looking for anything that they could have missed.

"Hakon, it has been ninety-eight hours since you last slept. While I agree that this is a matter of great urgency, it will not be resolved if your health declines. As it is, with your age, you are very prone to give yourself a heart attack from stress if you stay awake much longer." JARVIS informed him with as much care as an AI could impart.

Hakon grunted and tore his eyes away from the glowing information to stare at the ceiling. "My heart is fine and I've stayed awake for two weeks before."

A noise like a snort echoed from the speakers. "A highly unhealthy habit, one which should be laid to rest immediately for the sake of your heart health alone."

Hakon rolled his eyes and waved the holographic images down. "But I guess a nap wouldn't hurt."

"I suggest a very long nap. I have already informed Pepper and Happy that you and Sir have gone on an inventing spree and neglected sleep. While neither are happy, Pepper has informed me that she is moving Sir's meetings for tomorrow and both of you are to get some sleep."

Hakon laughed quietly and slipped out of the chair. "Thanks JARVIS. Night."

"It is five-thirty in the morning," JARVIS responded, even heaving a tired sigh of dealing with the sleep deprived pair for so long.

Hakon hummed and laid down next to Tor on the soft doggy bed. Tor shifted so Hakon could curl up on the bed with him then crawl over his chest and snuggle his snout into Hakon's hair. Hakon smiled and slung an arm over Tor's neck, quickly falling to sleep.

Hiccup caught his breath behind the transparent, green shield while Loki threw another bolt of magic at it. He kept the shield in place but invisibly darted out from behind it while leaving an illusion in his place.

Loki gathered his Æsir into a pinpoint that would fracture the wavering shield. He had just pinched his fingers together to fling it when he paused in calculation, spinning and throwing up his own shield as he released the bolt.

Hiccup yelped and his invisibility fell as the magic struck him on the shoulder.

Loki grinned and smiled. "A good trick, Liten Listig. Had I been anyone else, I would have fallen for it."

Hiccup smirked from the ground. "You kinda did."

Loki raised an eyebrow and fell into a battle stance once again. Hiccup sprang up from the ground as well, both with green magic swirling around their hands. Hiccup attacked first, sending out a large blast that distracted Loki while a smaller but more condensed spear struck his leg. Loki hissed and narrowed his eyes against his Chosen. It was war now.

Hiccup staggered back under the scrutiny of Loki's glare, eyes wide.

"Run." Loki said simply but dangerously, trying his best to act serious.

Hiccup sprinted out of the glade then disappeared in a green flash, his laughter echoing through the trees.

Loki's glare melted into a smirk and he made to follow, but was halted before he could lift his feet. Looking down, they were encased in a thick block of blue-tinged ice. "Hiccup!"

It took him a few minutes to melt and chip away the ice before he could extract himself, Jötunn ice being frustratingly resilient. This of course gave Hiccup plenty of time to hide, fortify, and plan a new attack. He tracked Hiccup's magic to the village square and began casually asking about his wayward Chosen as it mixed with the other magics of his children.

Some shrugged apologetically while a few pointed off into the forest again.

Loki shook his head, a small smirk playing on his lips. Tracking Hiccup through the forest was difficult because he hadn't used magic for that but it wasn't impossible thanks to the snow-littered ground.

He exited the tree line into a suspiciously snow covered field that abruptly cut off into a thousand foot drop-off. He stared at the cliff with a raised eyebrow and cautiously walked towards it, his Æsir thrumming and ready. He reached the spot at the very edge of the field and felt Hiccup's ambient magic spike, he teleported again.

He sighed in mock exasperation and followed the obvious trail, well aware it was most likely leading to a trap as little had been done to hide its presence. He reappeared on a tiny outcropping a few hundred feet above sea level where the Æsir trail went cold again. He frowned and felt around the area, searching for any hidden traces of magic.

Triumph suddenly crowed over their bond along with another's swelling mirth.

Loki paused, unsure as to why Jör was humored the same time Hiccup was prematurely declaring victory. Then, the sea swelled and burst, raining so much water Loki was instantly soaked to the bone. He turned and glared at the Dýrsvell, the look burning all the more with a blue skinned Hiccup sitting on his crown.

"Traitor!" Loki shouted up to the Dýrsvell that was supposed to be his.

A deep rumble from Jör that constituted as his laughter shook some loose rocks off the cliff.

"Now, Jör!" Hiccup cried.

Jör seemed giddy as he blew a stream of chilled air at Loki. Loki frowned in confusion, which lasted all of a second as that was how long it took for the water soaking through his clothes to freeze solid. His skin shifted to that of a Jötunn's involuntarily but he could still do nothing as moments later he was frozen solid.

Hiccup cackled from Jör's head and the Dýrsvell laughed as well. "I win!"

Loki, who had already begun thawing himself, glowered in irritation before giving in to an amused chuckle. "You do indeed. You planned well."

Hiccup beamed at the praise and pat Jör's head. "Couldn't have done it without ya."

Loki scowled at his Dýrsvell companion. "Mh, I do believe we will be having some words about loyalty later."

Jör purred happily before nearing the outcropping and allowing Hiccup to jump off. Hiccup waved to the Bewilderbeast who rumbled back happily then dove into the water. Hiccup smiled at Loki and eyed the ice ensconcing him. "Don't be too mad at him. His god did ask after all."

Loki glowered at Hiccup. "So the only time you take advantage of that particular fact is to beat me in a spar?"

Hiccup shrugged. "Why not? It's not often I win—pull the tricks where I can. Right?"

"How dare you use my methods against me." Loki maintained a hard look but the humor leaked over their bond.

Hiccup laughed and took a step back, admiring the ice. "Then you've taught me well. Have fun figuring out this pickle."

Loki's face fell. "You are not leaving me here."

Hiccup smirked and disappeared in a flash.

"Hiccup!" Loki screamed but he couldn't turn his head to look around. "Liten Listig, you get back here this moment and help me out of this or I will turn you into a Fury hatchling and let Mánia and Toothless smother you for a month!"

There was another flash beside him with Hiccup appearing, a tad pale. He wouldn't deny that he was a bit terrified by the threat. "Good Thor, calm down. No need for dramatics."

Loki scowled at him. "Then get me out."

"Alright, alright." Hiccup held his hands up passively before drawing Inferno and tracing the cracks of the ice.

After a few minutes, Loki was free and instantly snatched Hiccup by his collar. He teleported them back to the glade where he dropped Hiccup into a snowbank. Hiccup shook the snow out of his hair and shook out what had fallen into his shirt, shaking his head at Loki who stood over him, arms crossed with an amused smile. "Well, after that little adventure I've worked up an appetite. Haven't you, Liten Listig?"

Hiccup nodded and Loki offered his hand which he took. "I could eat."

They walked in companionable silence for a time before Loki spoke again. "It will be some time before I will be able to visit again. Thor's coronation is now only a few months away and the whole of Asgard is preparing like it is a time of war. Unfortunately, that means my absence will be missed all the sooner."

Hiccup took a breath before nodding solemnly. "I understand. Just, promise me nothing will go wrong with the plan?"

Loki smiled sadly at his Chosen and snaked an arm around his shoulders. "Even if it does, I have planned for many eventualities. I will return to you, Liten Listig, I promise."

Hiccup nodded hesitantly and laid his head on Loki's shoulder as they continued walking. He wasn't fond of the plan but he understood the reasoning on why Loki, Býleistr and Helblindi had made it. He felt Loki tighten his hold around him as they entered the village, changed so much in the millennia, yet so similar to it as well. He knew Loki would make good on that promise. He'd always come for him before—he would again.

Tony poured himself three-fourths of a glass of chlorophyll, a taste he had long since come to hate. He wandered back to the computer and looked over the half dozen simulations JARVIS ran with a sinking heart.

Next to him, Hakon growled as yet more elements were proven to be busts.

Tony sighed as he sat down next to his uncle and took a drink. "It really should have been expected. Arc reactor technology was practically born out of the Tesseract, it's a miracle the palladium worked to stabilize just a fraction of what dad was trying to simulate. Finding something to take its place is, well, I won't say impossible, but darn near it."

Hakon breathed loudly as he glared at the screen but not for the reasons Tony thought of. No. He had a pretty good idea what could take its place but getting it to Tony without him asking questions…that was the problem. Especially as he still had yet to bring up the possibility with the leaders of the New Archipelago.

He shook the thoughts from his mind. Thinking of them now wouldn't serve much good. "You know, Howard was the main inventor behind arc reactor technology and I didn't work with him all that much on it. Maybe he has some notes on it that we missed or is still locked away in a warehouse."

Tony's nose wrinkled but he nodded. "I'll check. At the very least, it couldn't hurt."

Hakon nodded and stretched while Tony closed the simulation program, through with disappointments for the day. "The Expo is in a month and a half. You planning on attending opening night?"

It was Hakon's turn now to wrinkle his nose. "I don't know. Last time I went, my uncles-turned-traitors threw me at Howard's mercy."

Tony chuckled, faintly remembering that story. It was one of the few his father had told of the war that didn't center around Steve—that one, and Tor's disdain for mustard. He made Tony swear to secrecy to that one and it had saved many a tuna sandwich. "I promise I won't drag you up on stage." He said with a chuckle while rolling his eyes.

Hakon laughed and followed Tony out of the lab, Tor having already darted by them and was sitting impatiently by the fridge for the fish he smelt upon entering the home. "I'll think about it, kiddo."

Tony nodded but his face fell and glanced back at the stairs to the lab. "It would mean a lot to me. I'd like to share it with you before I can't…I just wish I'd seen things like this sooner."

Hakon's eyebrows pinched and he stopped, turning Tony to face him. "Hey, don't think like that. There's a way to solve this, there always is."

Tony's lip's thinned and he couldn't meet his uncle's eyes as he said quietly, "Maybe not this time."

Hakon shook his head. "Even this time. I might have an idea, but I need to… check in on it more, and you still need to cover all of Howard's notes. There's still time. Don't give up yet kiddo. Please don't ever give up."

Tony breathed slowly, looking at his uncle through the tips of the hair dangling in his eyes. "It's getting kind of hard to hang on when every day gets a little more painful to live."

Hakon's breath hitched and drew Tony into a hug, one which he quickly melted into. "Look, if by your birthday you still haven't found anything, Howard hasn't left any notes, I'll do something drastic. The people back home may not like it but if it means saving you…"

Tony smiled tensely. "Sure you won't get kicked out of the super-secret society?"

Hakon chuckled and turned back to the kitchen where Tor was still waiting but no longer looking at the fridge, his attention fully on Tony who gave him a reassuring scratch. "They wouldn't do that. Place me under house arrest sure but there's only one person who could ensure I stay put and, uh, he's going to be busy and unavailable for the next couple of months."

Tony grinned and got the cod out, Tor's absolute favorite. Tor yipped excitedly and spun several circles before trying to look even cuter to get the fish faster despite the fact that Tony's back was still turned.

Hakon laughed as he watched his godson try and give Tor the fish without losing an arm. Tor snatched it out of the air as Tony tossed it then ran off into the hallway where he could eat it in peace.

Hakon started fixing them an early dinner while Tony sat at the bar counter and chatted about some of the projects that were supposed to be at the Expo. After several minutes, Tor came back into the kitchen and dropped a mouthful of cod at Hakon's feet. Regurgitating as a dog was far less pleasant than as a dragon—something that Hakon argued with him on, as both were equally disgusting. Hakon's nose twitched and Tony turned away with a hand clamped over his mouth to stifle roaring laughter.

Hakon held up the pan that contained carbonara. "No thanks, I'm good."

Tor huffed and swallowed the last bite.

Tony shook his head in disgust and dismay at his uncle's dog. "No matter how many times he does that, it will always be sweet and disgusting."

Hakon grunted, staring at the cooking dish. "At least you never actually had to eat raw, spit covered fish."

Tony's eyes widened. "That wasn't just a story to creep me out?"

Hakon shook his head with an old smile. "Nope. Years ago, when I first met him, he offered me a piece of his fish. I was terrified and I didn't want to offend him, so I took a bite. That was almost as disgusting as eel."

Tony's brow furled. "You don't mean this Tor but the first one, right?"

Hakon peeked at him through his bangs as he stirred the thickening sauce and smiled. "Maybe."

Tony shook his head. "You're full of it."

Hakon chuckled. "No more than you."

Tony raised a hand. "Guilty as charged."

Hakon met Tony backstage after he left the video of Howard playing in the background, arms crossed and leaning on a support beam with Tor curled around his feet. "That was some entrance."

Tony smiled briefly before pulling a device that resembled a pager from his pocket. "Yeah, did it beat my dad's?"

"Well, your uniform for your showgirls covered less than his did. I didn't think that was possible." Hakon responded, trying to sound amused but it was strained when he caught the reading on the device.

Tony chuckled. "They looked nice, though."

Hakon shook his head. "My people wear more to bed at night."

Tony snorted. "They would freeze if they didn't."

Hakon gasped. "For their pride I must be offended, a little bit of cold isn't going to stop someone of Viking heritage! However, I always thought they were idiots."

Tony chuckled and slipped the palladium reader back into his pocket. "Oh?"

Tor snorted and stood, looking knowingly at Hakon before both followed Tony down stage. "Did you know that I was the only one with enough common sense to wear long sleeves in the middle of a blizzard that had to be at least negative twenty?"

Tony shook his and wanted to stare unbelievingly at his uncle. "Tell me they at least had jackets."

Hakon shrugged, shaking his head at the many fond and exasperating memories. "An equivalent to a windbreaker in that weather."

Tony nodded to Happy who started walking with them. "Your people are nuts."

Hakon chuckled. "And they're proud of it."

Tony frowned at the metal, double doors separating them from the public just outside them, the clamor in the separated hallway was already uncomfortably loud. Tor had his ears pressed close to his head and gave a quiet growl. Tony hummed in agreement with Tor before putting on his show face again. "Let's do this."

They were ushered out then almost immediately swarmed by the crowd. Or Tony was, Hakon was inadvertently pushed along for the ride. It was a maze and hassle of navigating through the fans all vying for Tony's attention or autograph, he gave a few but mostly to kids. There were also several yelps or shrieks of surprise when Tor would growl or bark at a few people who were shoving against him or Hakon too roughly.

Hakon smiled down at his friend and gratefully scratched his ears. Tor preened at the touch.

The four of them breathed a collective sigh of relief when they finally exited the crowded building to only a few guards standing outside. "Well, that wasn't too bad." Tony said, sounding slightly out of breath.

Happy pulled out the keys for Tony's car. "Look what we got here! The new model."

Tony grinned as he took them then looked over and saw a dark red head standing in front of his car. "She come with the car?"

Happy shook his head and shared a fondly exasperated look with Hakon. Tony started for the driver's seat while casually asking the woman about why she was there, mostly trying to determine if she was another reporter.

Hakon sighed and waved goodnight to Happy as he got into the car. Tor hopped in and sat between his legs, whining a bit unhappily. He disliked driving but not even having a seat to himself was even worse. Too bad Tony loved his two seaters. Hakon chuckled and held his head until Tony finally got in, the woman beginning to look a bit vexed.

Hakon looked over at his godson but saw him and the woman staring at each other, neither with bedroom eyes which was the most common reason for these stare-offs.

She thrust a paper back at Tony, looking at him hard. "I'm just trying to do my job."

Hakon leaned forward to catch a glimpse of a legal looking envelope.

Tony turned away and inserted the key. "Yeah, I don't like to be handed things and besides, I'm sick of Senator Stern trying to steal—I'm sorry—appropriate my technology just because I don't want to share it."

She huffed and thrust the note under Tony's nose. "I don't care what or who it is from, I'm just here to serve it."

Hakon rolled his eyes and took the letter, ignoring Tony's small scowl sent his way. Tony revved the engine and sped down the strip without another word. Hakon looked at him with a frown. "Bit rude, wasn't it?"

Tony shrugged. "Not as far as I'm concerned. Now I have to prep for yet another meeting, trial, hearing, concerned citizen's luncheon tea or whatever else the git wants to call it. He just can't take no for an answer and now I get to sit through yet another long lecture."

Hakon snorted. "I doubt you'll let it get that boring. Pepper's told me horror stories. Besides, when have you ever prepared for something like that?"

Tony finally smiled again. "Eh, you're right. When's it for, anyway?"

Hakon looked down at the white envelope he was sitting on. "Don't know, don't think I could see it flapping with all this wind."

Tony sent him a humored look before focusing on the road again, minding Tor's worried whine, and wiggling to plop his head out the window and pant nervously.

They came to a stoplight and Hakon ripped the letter open, nose twitching at its contents. "Tomorrow morning, uh, nine."

Tony groaned loudly at that, thumb tapping the wheel. "Well, you want to take a road trip?"

Hakon chuckled and said sarcastically, "Sure, I love car trips."

Tony laughed and gently gassed the car to go again. "Ah, at least it's night. A lot less people on the roads."

Hakon turned to fix him with an unimpressed stare. "Yeah, and the ones still on the roads really shouldn't be there."

"Touché, but honestly, uncle H, it won't be that bad." Tony comforted.

Tor snorted from between Hakon's legs.

*O*

Hakon sat next to Pepper in the courtroom, Tor curled up at his feet much to Stern's consternation but Hakon had long ago registered Tor as a service dog so he couldn't be tossed out. That was the first act in a long morning of Tony doing things to annoy Stern.

Calling the room to order was yet another hassle, mainly it being a thing of reigning Tony in when he was already sick of being there. Pepper glared at Tony, silently begging him to behave and play nice. Hakon's gaze read the exact opposite. He'd dealt with too many of Stern's types to give a Grimora's wings anymore. It was the latter that Tony latched onto for encouragement.

Stern banged the gavel again, glaring at Tony and said curtly to keep himself from screaming. "Mr. Stark, please."

Tony finally turned with an innocent smile. "Yes dear?"

A bout of laughter rose up from the watching assembly while Pepper's glower deepened.

"Can I have your attention?" Stern asked, Tony only halfway turned to face him.

"Absolutely." Tony answered, an arm still slung over the chair to easily turn again.

Pepper hissed and side glanced Hakon. "This is your fault, you're an enabler."

Hakon smirked but kept his eyes affixed upon the high table, saying quietly, "I can't exactly get mad at him. I've done worse to my cousin for not even being half as annoying as this idiot's been"

Hakon retuned to Stern's attempts to corner Tony. "-Specialized suit of weapon?"

Tony leaned closer to the mic. "I do not."

"You do not?" Stern repeated in annoyed befuddlement.

"I do not. Well, it depends on how you define the word 'weapon'." Tony confirmed for the slow man then looked back at Hakon who shook his head as if to say 'what can you do?'

Stern sat back, lips thin and glared at Tony. "The Iron Man weapon."

Tony looked solemnly up at Stern. "My device does not fit that description."

Stern leaned forward. "How would you describe it?"

"I would describe it by defining it as what it is, sir." Tony said seriously.

Stern tilted his head and looked pointedly at Tony. "As…?"

Tony had to think about the right words for a moment before answering. "As, mh, a high tech prosthesis. That is, that is actually the most apt description I could make of it." He quickly defended when most of the room laughed.

Stern rolled his eyes. "It's a weapon. It's a weapon, Mr. Stark."

They dissolved into a catty spat of trying to speak over the other about definitions and where it should belong. Hakon sighed and slowly stood, acting like his age was catching up but Pepper rolled her eyes at the motion—she knew him well enough to know he wasn't that old and stiff yet.

The spat quietened and the eyes of the high table were on him while Tony turned, staring impassively at him. Stern leaned on the table and nodded. "Mr. Hyse, it is a surprise to see you here."

Hakon nodded politely. "Well, Tony is my godson and the Expo opened last night."

There were a few amused murmurs in the crowd but Stern ignored them. "Is there a reason you've interrupted this discussion?"

Hakon lifted an eyebrow while Tony chuckled. "Yes, I would like to offer an opinion on definitions."

Stern leaned back and smiled at Tony before waving for Hakon to continue. "Go right ahead."

Hakon nodded and spoke clearly and his eyes sharp at Stern. "You're calling it a weapon, Tony's calling it a prosthesis. I would like to argue that neither one is quite right."

The assembly began to whisper again and Tony's head tilted, trying to figure out where his uncle was taking this.

Hakon continued, noting Stern's frown with delight. "A prosthesis is a replacement for something that is lost. The Iron Man doesn't quite fit that. You're calling it a weapon. While technically true because it can be used to cause harm, I could go outside, grab a branch off the tree and bash you on the head with it—that would also now be a weapon, and quite more straightforward in how it causes harm, because the Iron Man is first and foremost a suit. A suit of armor. It may have a few little flashy things but ninety percent of its make up is to be a suit to protect Tony.

"Now, everyone here knows Captain America. He had many weapons on his person but his primary tool was his shield. I don't think anyone here would argue about how deadly that could be in his hands, but it was still a shield, just as Tony's creation is a suit of armor. The purpose of both of those is defense, not offense."

Hakon fell silent and stared daringly at Stern. Tony turned around again, mouth tight. "I would like to add to that, I am Iron Man. The suit and I are one. To turn over the Iron Man suit would be to turn over myself which would be tantamount to indentured servitude or prostitution depending on what state you live in."

The people laughed at the point and Tony continued, shaking his head slightly and nodding back to his uncle before looking back at Stern. "You can't have it."

Stern's eye twitched as he tried working his way out of the ruthe'd found himself in. "I'm no expert in weapons, but we have somebody here who is an expert on weaponry. I would now like to call on Justin Hammer. Our current primary weapons contractor."

Hakon, who'd long since sat down again, shook his head as Hammer walked past—he'd always reminded Hakon of Snotlout and his jealousy, but Hammer had never managed to overcome it and let it become a friendly rival rather than personal.

Tony leaned into the mic again, looking at Hammer who was taking his seat. "Let the record reflect that I observe Mr. Hammer entering the chamber and I am wondering if and when any actual expert will be in attendance?"

Hammer took a glass filled with water and tipped it at Tony, a thin smile hiding his displeasure at the jab. He took a sip while Stern banged the gavel again as the room filled with chuckles. Hammer laughed dryly and opened his folder. "Absolutely, I'm no expert. I defer to you, Anthony, and the legendary Hakon Hyse."

Hakon's nose twitched at the 'flattery', it was amusing from dragons and annoying from people. Tony's dead-eyed stare shared a similar story.

Hammer continued, looking up at Stern. "Senator, if I may? I may well not be an expert but you know who was?" He looks over at Tony. "You're dad, Howard Stark. He was like a father to us all, to the military and industrial age. Let's just be clear, he was no flower child, he was a lion."

Tony and Hakon shared exasperated looks. Was this about weapons or putting on a performance?

"And you, Mr. Hyse-" Hammer began but Hakon raised a hand and waved him off, face scrunching.

"Please! Leave me out of this."

Tony shot him an amused glance before tiredly returning his focus to an off put Hammer.

"But we all know why we're here." Hammer continued easily, turning away from Hakon. "In the last six months, Anthony Stark has created a sword with untold possibilities and yet he insists it's a shield."

Hakon shook his head and put his hand over his mouth as he muttered. "And you clearly never saw Steve use his shield."

Tony's lips quirked but he didn't turn around, both of them ignoring the scowl Pepper sent their way.

"Mr. Hyse has called it armor. But in both examples, Anthony Stark has asked us to trust him as we cower behind it. I wish I were comforted, Anthony. I would love to leave my door unlocked when I leave the house, I really do. But this ain't Canada. You know, we live in a world full of threats that Mr. Stark will not always be able to foresee."

Tony winced minutely, memories flashing of Obadiah's betrayal, the Winter Soldier's attack and almost kidnapping of his uncle…There was no way to foresee everything. Even the greatest spy organizations of the world hadn't been able to foresee those. It was a low blow.

He shook his head in poorly veiled disgust as Hammer left the 'stage', only made worse by Stern's smug grin and the high table's clapping. That had to be one of the worst speeches, makes me sound incompetent. I'd like to see what they were doing when their weapons were being stolen and/or sold off.

Stern wasn't done as he looked down at his notes. "The committee would now like to invite lieutenant commander James Rhodes to the chamber."

"Rhodey?" Tony breathed and turned to look for his friend, a pain almost like betrayal stinging his chest. Rhodey walked down the aisle, face hard and not at all pleased, so he stood to greet his friend. "Hey, buddy, didn't expect to see you here."

His eyes were hooded showing that, much like Tony, he'd rather be anywhere but here. "Look, it's me, I'm here—let's move on."

They took their seats and Stern continued on, mentioning the complete report he had that Rhodey compiled on the Iron Man suit—the only person Tony would let close enough to do so. "For the record, please read page fifty-seven: paragraph four."

Rhodey's eyebrows rose halfway up his forehead and clarified as he started flipping through his report. "Are you requesting that I read specific selections from my report, sir?"

"Yes." Stern said firmly.

Tony rolled his eyes, shoulders slumping, and shifted in his chair to sit not at all nicely as he pulled out his newest Stark Phone. His most recent invention/upgrade.

Rhodey frowned and looked over at Tony. "I was lead to believe that I would be testifying from a comprehensive and detailed-"

Stern cut him off, smiling like a conniving politician. "I understand. A lot of things have changed today."

Hakon shook his head, this was going to turn into an even bigger cat fight. Tor looked up at him, bored out of his mind and looked ready to sneak through the crowd and steal Stern's notes. Actually, it wasn't a guess, those were the exact feelings Hakon was getting over the bond. They were so strong he could practically see it from Tor's mind.

And as amusing as that would be, he didn't fancy Tor getting kicked out of governmental buildings for the rest of his perceived doggy life. He shot Tony a text before, not wanting him to think he just abandoned him to the wolves, and stood then scooted past Pepper—leading Tor out before he acted on the idea.

Stern caught Tor's eye before he slipped out and shivered, there was nothing but mischief in those eyes.

As Hakon and Tor walked out, he could hear the TVs playing clips. When he was halfway down the hallway the room erupted. He shook his head, he couldn't wait to hear what Tony had done now.

Hiccup walked through the village of New Berk. He had a meeting with the chiefs in an hour and he was quite nervous about it—an odd feeling now, especially if they rejected his request. Toothless walked beside him and whined, slipping his head under Hiccup's hand, sending waves of comfort and reassurance through the bond.

Hiccup smiled at his friend and went over his points for what was sure to become a debate at the meeting. His communicator vibrated on his wrist, startling him out of his thoughts, and turned it over to see Tony's name. "Hey, kiddo, how ya doing?"

:Heh, not bad considering Pepper just learned I donated our art collection.: Tony answered, sounding both amused and slightly terrified.

Hiccup frowned and looked at Toothless who gave a tiny shrug. "Why?"

Tony was silent for a moment before answering resignedly. :Because, I'm just preparing. In case-:

Hiccup glared at the device on his wrist as if Tony could see him. "You're not going to die Tony. We still haven't explored everything yet."

Tony sighed. :Uncle H, JARVIS and I just finished going through every document my father ever wrote, memoed or paper he signed off on. There's nothing that's viable. I've triple checked his arc reactor development notes and JARVIS quadruple checked them…there's nothing.:

Hiccup bit his lip and leaned against Toothless. "Well, just don't give up yet, kiddo. I still have a few ideas."

Tony sounded tired and resigned as he replied. :I won't but, I'm not going to stop preparing just yet. I don't mean to sound like I have no faith in you, uncle H, you've done miracles before—just look at the Super Soldier Serum. I just… have to be realistic too.:

Hiccup nodded, hating how his heart clenched at Tony's downtrodden faith. "You still getting back from Monaco the day before your birthday?"

:Yeah. You planning on coming?: Tony asked hopefully.

Hiccup chuckled and resumed walking, now even more determined to get his idea passed. "Wouldn't miss it."

He could practically see Tony grinning. :Great! Maybe we could spend the day incorporating an arc reactor and repulsers into dad's car that never actually flew, just for kicks.:

Hiccup smiled. "Whatever you want, kiddo. But if you're throwing a rager I'm hiding in the lab."

Tony chuckled before it dropped off into thoughtful silence again. :Not this year. I think, I think I just want you, Rhodes, Pepper and Happy this year…maybe see if Phil wants to come over and instigate a game of Monopoly or something.:

Hiccup raised an eyebrow even though Tony couldn't see it while Toothless snorted, a deep gurgle rising up as he laughed—watching Pepper and Tony play Monopoly was as entertaining as it was dangerous.

Tony sounded a pick perkier as he continued to think aloud. :Maybe I'll get some catnip as well.:

"No!" Hiccup cried while Toothless' head shot up, earflaps raised high.

Tony snickered. :Oh come on, he's hysterical when he's high. If I'm not going to throw an epic party to celebrate me I need an equal form of grand entertainment.:

Toothless was already wiggling around as if the dreaded plant was already by his nose. Hiccup groaned, now he was going to be impossible to calm down. "Thank you for nothing, Tony."

:You're most welcome. See you in two weeks.: Tony said chipperly before the com went dead.

Hiccup shook his head and resumed walking to the meeting hall for what had become an incredibly important discussion.

*O*

The Outcast's chief, a broad shouldered man with dark braided hair, glared at Hiccup. "You're serious in this request to bring Tony Stark, the man who ousted himself as the modern day superhero!?"

Hiccup's lip curled. "In his defense, he never tried to hide who or what he was. He only wore a mask for the same reasons we wear masks when we fly. But yes, I am. He would never reveal such a secret for kicks. He still holds many of his own and even some of ours already—like Hydra's continued existence and Folke's cover."

He harrumphed and shook his head. "I don't like the idea of Outsiders knowing about us for any reason."

The Defender's Queen frowned at the Outcast chief. "The Wakandans know. They too were once outsiders."

"So were the sorcerers of Karma Taj." The chieftess of the Wingmaiden said, an oddly small woman of the Archipelago. She frowned at the Outcast, her Razorwhip chirping in confusion, not used to being surrounded by such high emotions.

The Berserker chief, the oldest man in the room bar Hiccup, grunted. "Yes but they too hid from the world outside their borders." The Outcast chief smiled smugly only to fall as the Berserker continued. "However, Stark has proven he can keep secrets when need be and when they are not his to give."

The Defender's Queen nodded. "And let's not forget that he is likely to die without intervention."

Hiccup scowled at the table. "It's not just likely. We've gone through everything left by Howard and he had nothing either. Tony will die without aid and we have the ability to give it to him."

The Outcast crossed his arms, eyes narrowed on Hiccup. "And what assurances can you give that Stark won't blab about dragons to the world?"

The modern chief of Berk huffed at the Outcast's stubbornness. "Up until a few months ago when he declared himself to be Iron Man, would you have been against bringing him here to save his life?"

The Outcast grunted and looked away from him to the other chiefs. "Yes. It's why we've survived for so long. Look what would have happened if more people knew about us in the last world war! We would have had Hydra pounding on our door!"

The Defender's Queen narrowed her eyes but lifted her head challengingly. "We still do. Just because they do not tamper with Yggdrasil right now does not mean they won't start again once they are back to strength. And I, for one, would like to know there are people we can depend on should the unthinkable happen. Stark is a strong ally and immensely loyal to Hiccup, or Hakon."

Hiccup chuckled. "He's already admitted that he's more dedicated to us than SHIELD, which both his father and I built."

The Berserker chief nodded firmly while New Berk's chieftess stood, looking at Hiccup. "That's good enough for me. Out of all the allies we've made in the past, revealing ourselves to Stark is the least of a blind jump we've ever made."

Both Defender Queen and Wingmaiden chieftess stood as well, affirming their acclaim to show Stark the New Archipelago. The Berserker chief and Berk's were right behind them. The Outcast chief was the only one to remain sitting and discontentedly staring at the others.

"This is ludicrous but it seems I am outvoted." He murmured.

The chieftess of New Berk smirked. "That's a large word for you."

He scowled while the Berserker chief rolled his eyes. "Come now, don't tell me you are not praying to Odin to toss Stark into one of your cells for a night."

The Outcast grinned. "If we must put up with his presence, it's only proper we show him the whole Archipelago."

Hiccup shook his head and fixed the pair with stern eyes. "You are as unbelievable as the Outcasts and Berserkers of my day."

Both men grinned at him.

Some discourse in the Archipelago. See you soon!