The Dragon Master Part III: End of an era (A Httyd Fanfiction)

Chapter 35: Not everything

(Hiccup's pov)

Upon returning back to New Berk some time later, those who were allied with us went their separate ways to recoup their losses, some of the Sami tribes spat in my face and told me to never extend a call for help ever again and others just said to send message if I needed aid once more. Our defeat was crippling to not just us Hooligans and Strike, but to those allied with us.

We lost so many good people, Odin must be happy to have taken hundreds of our fallen Viking brothers and sister to feast with him and the rest of the gods in Valhalla.

But there was no joy. Absolutely none, the entire trip back to New Berk was quiet, the only sounds were our ships slicing through the water, the dragons we had left crooning sadly and the groans of pain from our wounded.

Once making it back to the village, those of us who couldn't fight rushed outside to find their loved ones. Those who did were relieved and embraced them warmly and for those who couldn't see  their loved ones? They lowered their heads and began whimpering in sorrow. The sight broke my heart, and I know exactly what its like to lose your loved ones. Letting out a sorrowful sigh, I look up into heavens and close my eyes.

Our enemies won. Thats it. They won; they crippled an army of our combined tribes and people, they took our dragons, robbed thousands of Northmen of their loved ones and they burned down Old Berk. My former home. Our former home. The place we were born. The place that gave both dragon and man sanctuary. The place we grew up in. Everything we had was gone.

What was once my house on Old Berk is now replaced by burnt wood and ashes. And my fathers statue, Mala's statue and the names of everyone we lost used to stand is now but a bunch of smashed rocks. I couldn't stand watching that. None of us could. Tears burned by cheeks as I silently cried, we threw everything we had at our enemies, United our forces under one banner and fought so hard, only to come up short.

We had been through so much, Old Berk held so many memories— good and bad, laughs and tears, feasts, mournings, love and war. And here we are now. Tired, hurt, full of battle scars, breathless, and feeling absolutely hopeless. But none of us here can care less about our physical health, right now. No wound on our flesh can compare with all the pain that's bottled up inside of us. "Thats it." I mumbled to myself, I know that I'm the chief and everyone expects me to say something, have a plan or tactic that will save the day. But I have nothing.

I let them down. I let my father, Mala, my mother, wife, children, friends, people allied with us and the dragons down. I'm not worthy of being chief.

I guess Tuffnut heard me mumbling to myself and he nudged me hard, causing me to hiss in pain and see his face twist with disbelief before crying out. "Are you for real Hiccy?! What do you mean thats it?! We're giving up?!!"

"Giving up on WHAT Tuffnut? What is there left to fight for?" I screamed at him, catching him by surprise, Asbjorn and Fishlegs shared a sad look, Heather was about to speak up when Gobber beat her to it. "Lets not lose our hopes yet Hiccup." He said in a encouraging tone. Hope? What hope is he talking about? How can we possibly have any hope right now? Hope for what? "You all fought so bravely today, I'm proud of you all." Valka said, as if any of that mattered now, as if it would make anything different.

"So what now chief?" Eret asked, then something inside me snapped, they all had to be kidding right? Did they really expect me to lead them out of this? "Nothing." Was my only response to Eret's question. "What do you mean nothing?!" Asbjorn demanded, Ruffnut too spoke up. "Well if the chief is having trouble making up a plan, I've got one!!" She said proudly.

"Oh great... now we're saved." Eret mumbled through his teeth. "So first, we get a hold of those chains attached to Grimmel's airship, then we kick that old mans ass then boom!! Our dragons are freed and we save the day!"

"No one cares about your stupid plan!" Tuffnut growled at her, causing Ruffnut to turn to her brother and glare daggers at him. "Its not like YOU have a better idea!" Ruff shot back, then everyone started arguing, getting into pointless fights and disagreements. I had heard enough of this.

"ENOUGH!!!"

I roared out, causing everyone to stare at me with scared and confused faces. "There is no plan! Don't you get it? Its over! Grimmel and the Cabal won. And we lost. End of story." I huffed out, causing everyone gathered to look at each other then back at me as if I had lost my mind. "Grimmel took our dragons. Kjell and Chimola took our home of seven generations. They burned Old Berk to the ground for Thor's sakes!!" I seethed out before falling to my knees, and my head looking down at the grass. "We lost everything..." Its funny to even look at myself right now. Who could've thought that I, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, would eventually lose every last drop of hope inside me. But how could I not?

My father sacrifice his life to save mine when Toothless was controlled by Drago's muddy Bewilderbeast, Mala died to her injuries because Drago wanted to get at me, I lost my children to Krogan and his Flyers, I watched as Kjell and Chimola burn Old Berk to the ground, my people and my allies being slaughtered like animals and I watched Grimmel take my dragon away from me. What could I hope for? I lost everything.

Suddenly, I felt very familiar fingers on my shoulders. "Not everything." Astrid said and gripped my shoulders a little tighter to remind me that her strength can eclipse mine on many occasions. I raise my head to look at her. The most beautiful woman in all of Midgard. My wife Astrid Haddock. She was here. With the most beautiful eyes in the world and that smile I fell in love with.

Tears wetting her cheeks as she cupped my cheek gently with her free hand. "You didn't lose everything you fool." She leaned in closer and whispered. "You still have Valka, Gobber, your people, your friends... me and our unborn child." She reminded, and Thor did I lose myself. She's right. She's always right. She was right in front of me, alive and breathing. So is my mother a few meters behind my wife, so is Gobber, as well as the whole gang and my people— Hooligan and Strike, all hungry for payback. We are all here and alive. What more could I possibly ask for?

And then I realized how blind I've been. Everything I need is right here in front of me. Because Berk isn't just a village. Its not just about the houses that are now reduced to ash on Old Berk. Its about the possible. It is US who carry it in our hearts. And we will fight for it no matter what.

So I got up from the grass beneath me and stand on my foot and prosthetic, I look at Astrid who's now smiling at me, knowing that she worked her magic yet again. I took her into my arms and kiss her forehead before embracing her. "Thank you Milady." I whisper into her hair, she embraces me back and nuzzles into my chest. "Your welcome my love." She cooed in my ear, causing pleasant shivers to crawl down my spine.

I then look to my mother, friends and my people, there was no way on Thor's hammer we would give up. We're Vikings, its an occupational hazard. This is Berk. We are Berk. The people. And our story isn't over yet.

"Suit up gang! We're only going to extend s hand of invitation back to Viggo and his people. Once we're gathered? We ensure they're ready to fight. We're getting our dragons back and we will personally send Grimmel and all our enemies to the gates of Hel."

A/N: Five chapters left!! Be ready, the next five chapters are gonna get crazy and will cause y'all to shed some tears, of that I promise. I'll get to work on those hopefully tomorrow. Catch y'all in the next update.