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DreamWorks Dragons: Defenders of Berk

Authors: Fareway; HTTYD Frozen Forever

Free Reign

Fareway +1: Chapter 1

The waves crashed against the sea stacks as hard as the morning air would allow. The water's surface glittered from the sun, sparkling with brilliant pink and fluorescent orange. The droplets scattered once they hit the solid rock; climbing up the side until they parted from one another and fell back down. The totems, standing strong on top of said sea stacks, held their wooden pose directly towards the rising sun. Not once were they blinded by its rays.

Not far from the sea stacks lay Berk, a descent size island that reached high up on its mountain slopes. Down closer to sea level stood the village of Berk; most of its people still asleep. Those who rose early stepped outside their homes and breathed in the fresh air with a grumbling stomach.

Up at the Haddock house, the two rooms were quiet. Stoick, who had awoken not long ago, walked towards the table with a tankard in his hand. He sat down in his chair and shuffled through some papers that he left to read this very morning. Just up the stairs was Hiccup's open room, the boy still snoozing under his covers while curled on his side, facing away from the steps. His eyes momentarily squeezed shut as his mind halted its dream and began to wake up. A yawn escaped his lips, his mouth opening wide as it was the first of his body to actually move. He leaned forward, wiping his eyes from their drowsy state and glance forward at Toothless on the slab. His eyes grew significantly once he realized the black form that should have been sleeping on the rock slab was not in fact there.

"Toothless?" he asked the emptiness, concern evident in his voice. He began glancing around for his friend, moving the covers off his legs and whipping them around to land on the wooden floor. Once doing so, however, he looked up and was frightened from the sudden appearance of an upside-down Toothless staring playfully at him.

Toothless' face was level with Hiccup's as the Night Fury opened its mouth with a toothless grin. His rider smiled and sighed,

"Toothless," he said with a slight chuckle. Toothless hopped down from his perch on the rafter and began nudging Hiccup in his stomach. Unfortunately for Hiccup, that was one of his tender areas and he couldn't help but laugh from the tickling sensation.

"Toothless! Okay, okay, hahaha, you're hungry, I get it!" he stated between his breathes. Toothless relaxed and allowed Hiccup to get up from the bed. The two walked down the stairs and Hiccup greeted his father.

"Good morning, Dad."

"Good morning, son." His father replied, not once looking up from the scroll-like letter in front of him. Hiccup sat down at the table and picked up his spoon to scoop up some of his soup left out for him. Toothless casually ventured over to the side and began digging his nose into the basket full of fish.

Hiccup noticed his father's concentration and furrowed his eyebrows.

"What is that?" he questioned, placing his spoon back into the bowl.

"It's a letter from the Lava Louts. They want us to meet today." Stoick answered, getting up from his seat.

"When are you leaving?" Hiccup asked, scooping up some soup and blowing on it to be rid of its intense heat.

"Right now, unfortunately." The chief replied while hurrying around to gather what he needed. "You're in charge until I get back."

The sudden news struck Hiccup hard and he quickly spit out the soup he just stuck in his mouth. With widened eyes, he looked over at his father in disbelief.

"What do you mean in charge?" he asked, but didn't want the answer he figured he was getting.

"I'm assigning you to be temporary chief until I get back." Stoick stated firmly, too much in a rush to stop and explain things more.

"Wha—but… what about Gobber? He's your right-hand man, why doesn't he get the promotion?" Hiccup said, standing up now.

"Gobber has to come with me, it'll be better if he does." Stoick replied, opening the door now and ready to head off.

"But why?" Hiccup's voice was laced with desperation as he quickly rushed over to his father and stood beside him out on the porch.

"Hiccup," Stoick said softly, placing his hands on his son's shoulders, "I know this is all so sudden for you, but it is for me too. You're the next one in line for the role and now it's your job that Berk remains safe until I return." He looked him in the eye, "Can you do that for me?"

Hiccup sighed and lowered his head, his eyes venturing down towards the ground.

"Yes." He said with a soft, defeating breath. Stoick smiled before turning to head down the hill and toward the docks.

The sun had finally arisen high above the horizon, the pink and orange hues that once glittered across the surface disappearing as its regular blue took over with the yellow rays. Sea gulls swooped low and graceful over the water, one such perching itself on a barrel of fish resting on the docks.

"Oh, no ya don't," Mulch said, shooing the gull off from the cask, "Our chief needs those supplies." He stated before picking up the barrel and handing it to another Viking who tossed it into a boat.

The docks were abuzz with Vikings, all rushing to ready the three ships that would be heading off with a full quota of men and supplies. This was an important voyage, for with it, came the re-signing of the peace treaty between the Lava Louts and the Hooligans.

"Hurry it up!" shouted Spitelout as he oversaw the loading of the main ship. "We have until noon!"

Stoick stood on the docks with his son while waiting for his boat to get loaded. Toothless sat patiently beside Hiccup, cooing a bit as he sensed his rider was bothered. He too watched curiously as the Vikings stuffed the boats with supplies.

"I've got my skivvies pack." Gobber proclaimed loudly as he hobbled over to stand beside Hiccup and Stoick.

"Good, then we can head out soon." With the announcement from his father, Hiccup looked down at the ground before glancing over at Spitelout.

"Why couldn't Spitelout be in charge?" Hiccup asked.

"Spitelout's not my son." Stoick replied while looking down at Hiccup. Gobber caught wind of the tension and tapped Hiccup's shoulder to get his attention.

"Don't worry, Hiccup. You'll do fine. Just remember everything I've taught you." He exclaimed.

Hiccup tilted his head, "But you only taught me smithy." He stated, confused.

"Exactly. If anyone starts giving you a hard time, you whack 'em over the head with a hammer." Gobber replied, hitting his hook against his hand for emphasis. Hiccup looked at him with surprise… and disagreement.

"Gobber, that's not how you run a tribe!" Stoick complained.

"That's how I would have done it." The one-legged man stated as he shrugged and headed over to the main boat.

"Which is why you're my right-hand man." Stoick said as his friend left his side. He turned his attention to his son who was looking down at the wooden floor again.

"Hiccup, just think of it as training. Don't try to solve the world's problems, just make sure everything is functional and people are getting along."

"You make it sound so easy." Hiccup replied, just now lifting his head up to look at his father.

"Yes I do, but you've got this. I know you do." The chief stated as he looked lovingly at his son before he was called to board.

"And don't worry, I'm sure your friends will be able to help." He said as he walked off to board his boat.

"Somehow that's not reassuring." Hiccup groaned as he thought about Snotlout and the twins. He walked over to the edge of the dock and watched as the three ships set sail.

"I'll be back as soon as I can!" Stoick shouted as the ships moved further away from land.

Toothless walked casually up to Hiccup and sat down on his butt, looking out at the boats leaving the island. He cooed and turned his attention over to Hiccup, giving him a reassuring groan.

"This is going to be a long day."

Writer's Note:

This story is going to be written by myself and a friend of mine, HTTYD Frozen Forever. The plus one in front of my name up at the top is the credit that goes to HTTYD Frozen Forever who was responsible for the idea of last part of the intro. He's going to be in charge of the even chapters while I take over on the odds.

Takes place after 2nd season finale.

We thank each and every one of you guys who take the time to read!

-I'd like to thank Fareway for giving me this amazing opportunity. She's sweet, kind, and a helping person. I'm happy we became friends and she's taken time to beta my stories. And I find myself extremely grateful that we get to present you with this collaboration.

~HTTYD Frozen Forever