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Chapter Text

The battle for the assassin fortress lasted for three days, sure it wasn't exactly unknown to the Templars but it was in an easily defensible position. So it was a major shock that a Templar force had shown up about two thousand strong. Normally, even with a force that size it wouldn't be much of a struggle given the night fury they had on standby for defense. Somehow they had managed to sneak into the fortress and drug him, knocking him out for the first two days before he woke up and helped fight off the attackers, finally ending the siege. The other thing that was surprising was that they were able to build up such a force anyway. Basim, their main Templar spy should've been able to notice such a build up, how he hadn't Hiccup couldn't fathom but Altair was going to tear him a new one for it. Speaking of which Altair had asked Hiccup to go get Basim so they could have a chat, whatever they "chat" entailed Hiccup was glad it wasn't him. Now that Hiccup thought about it he hadn't seen Basim the entire battle, sure the area they were defending was large but still. Even before that though Basim had been reporting that the Templars had been pulling back, but that didn't make sense considering the week before Hiccup himself had assassinated at least four Templar lieutenants. He wasn't the only one who had killed Templars he knew at least three other assassin's had as well. Perhaps Hiccup did want to join Altair, he wanted to know what Basim had to say on this matter.

Hiccup was walking along the hallway to Basim's room. He was happy that Toothless was awake again, he did get injured during the part of the battle he was in but it wasn't too bad, a few scratches here and there. He was continuing to ponder how Basim had failed to see the attack coming. The only possibility that came to mind were either he had hit his head so hard he had become criminally incompetent, someone in the Templars somehow knew he was coming and specifically hit information on their movements from where he would be, or he was a traitor. Hiccup didn't think it was the first or last option. Basim seemed fine mentally and when Hiccup arrived four years ago Basim had been the one to train him. He liked Basim, he was smart, funny and a great teacher. Throughout the year Hiccup and Basim did drift away, different assignments and the such. With Toothless as well Altair had personally started training Hiccup. While Hiccup was sad to lose Basim as his teacher Altair was definitely a better teacher. He simply knew more, and given his position as the master assassin gave Hiccup access to continue making inventions. These inventions ended up being extremely useful, and given his previous experience he helped Altair build the new contraptions for the brotherhood. Hiccup wondered where he got the designs for them but decided not to ask. Given all the good his inventions did for the brotherhood he sometimes wondered what it would have been like if he had been able to have these resources back in Ber- Hiccup stopped himself there, he never liked thinking about his life before the brotherhood, it really only brought him pain. Deciding to end any trains of thought he continued to Basim's room.

When he arrived at Basim's room he saw that his Terrible terror was there napping at the door. Thanks to Hiccup's taming knowledge the brotherhood was able to train a few terrible terrors for communication. Dragons this far south were rare, Hiccup had trained to try several but all attempts failed, he theorized that the ones here were hunted relentlessly by the humans so taming them wasn't an option. There were a lot of Terrors however so the few they could train went to the higher ranked assassins. As Hiccup opened the door to Basim's room he heard a click. Before he could even register what was happening Toothless was knocking him aside and there was an explosion. Taking a moment to regain himself he pulled out his sword and slowly entered the room, realistically there couldn't be anyone after an explosion like that but it didn't kill to be careful. Upon entering the room he realized it had been cleared out, everything was gone except the bed and desk. On the bed however there was a note.

My friends I have realized the folly of our ways, the templars hope to make a world where all are equal. The assassins are in the way of that plan. Hails the Templars - Basim

As Hiccup walked out of the room a few other assassins were outside no doubt hearing the explosion.

"Go inside and check for any more traps or notes I may have missed. I need to give this note to Altair 

The other assassins nodded as they went in. Hiccup ran off to Altair's office at the tail end of a meeting with his lieutenants about how they were going to repair the castle. Hiccup showed the note to Altair which greatly shocked him as well.

"This is a great loss and a great shock. Basim was one of our best and I thought one of our most loyal." Altair stated

"Altair let me go after him, even with his three day head start I could probably catch him Toothless." Hiccup requested

"Hiccup, I need you here to help repair the castle. Besides I will be sending a letter to the guild at Acre. If he takes a boat we will know. There's no way he would try and cross the desert. Stay here and help repair the castle."

"But I could-" Hiccup tried to say but was cut off by the glare Altair gave him. "Yes grandmaster" Hiccup said as he left

As he left Hiccup considered disobeying Altair's orders, but that thought was quickly quashed. He owed so much to Altair and the brotherhood as a whole that he couldn't betray him like that. But Hiccup swore to himself that he would hunt Basim down, no matter what.

1 week later

Hiccup had been relentless, in annoying Altair with asking if they had anything on Basim yet. Two days after their little chat Hiccup had started coming in at least three times a day asking if they had anything yet. He was getting on Altair's last nerve. He understood it yet, but come on, have some patience. Today was different however this time Altair actually had something for him. 

Hiccup entered Altair's room to ask the infamous question that he had been asking all week. This time however before he could even get a breath out Altair told him to sit down. As he did Altair started to share the new information he had found. 

"Hiccup I know you have been wanting to know where Basim has gone for a week now and I am finally able to tell you in full. Some parts of the timeline are still debatable but here it is; He left the castle for Acre a little before the battle started, presumably drugging toothless, he left Acre for Rome. Luckily he didn't know about the guild we have there and they had gotten the message to track him. They managed to track him all the way to Bergen in Norway. Next, apparently he got on a boat with a merchant named Johann. After that we have no idea, a freak storm stopped the assassins from following but they knew he was heading north, towards a group of islands."

Hiccup sat there stunned he hadn't given Johann any thought in so long. After Johann, came the archipelago, then Berk, then his fath- chief, his own cousin that would beat him and through all of that trauma and sadness he ended up on Astrid. After all this time he couldn't forget his childhood crush. He managed to push those thoughts aside. He asked the question that Altair knew was coming when they would inevitably find out the information. Altair didn't know much about Hiccup's past. Only that he hailed from the very place Basim probably was and that he wasn't very liked. 

"Altair let me hunt him. I can make it there in three days with Toothless. I know the area better than any assassin here and I am one of, if not the best here." Hiccup asked with a look basically saying he would go either way

Altair, not being able to argue against his valid points, allowed him to go, wishing him luck.

An hour later Hiccup was on Toothless with everything he needed, extra knives, extra crossbow bolts and cleaning supplies. 

"Going back to Berk bud." Hiccup said to Toothless " Never could call it home, but it was something. I wonder how they will react learning that Hiccup the useless became one of the best assassins. Doesn't matter, even if I end up on Berk I won't be revealing myself to those mindless Vikings." he said with a slight snarl

Toothless warbled at him in a comforting way before focusing on the journey ahead.

Chapter Text

The light shining through Astrid's window wasn't what woke her up. It was the excessive squawking of Stormfly. Astrid loved her to death she truly did, but god she wished Stormfly would let her sleep in sometimes. After a minute of listening to her dragon basically whine at her she decided she better get up so she could help with the ceremony preparations. Today was the two year anniversary of Berk defeating the Red Death. Everyone older than 10 knew the story since they were there. After losing his son, Stoick secluded himself only coming to lead the nearly bi-weekly raids. After three years of this, Fishlegs had suggested using a dragon to guide them to the nest. This led to discovering the alpha dragon. It burned their fleet, crushed parents and destroyed families. Then suddenly the dragons of the hive attacked the alpha, overwhelming her to the point where she fell on the mountain eventually dying from her injuries. After that the dragons and Viking reached an uneasy peace. Most of them aren't friends, but the dragons tolerate the Vikings as long as they are fed. The Vikings on the other hand tolerate the dragons as long as they help with hunting and defense. Astrid and Stormfly were different though, her and a few others her age had done something they had termed bonding. It basically meant her dragon trusted her with her life and Astrid hers, the rest of the Vikings probably could do it but they didn't want to put in the time for something they didn't see enough reward out of. Astrid retold the event of that day in her head, since this year it was her job to retell the story to those that weren't there, Stoick decided it would be prudent to make sure no one ever forgot how they had come to peace. Rethinking the events somehow always brought her to Hiccup, the basically abused blacksmith apprentice that just happened to be their heir. She always recognized what he did for the village with his blacksmithing, though her indifference for him turned to disdain once he started doing better in dragon training. That was years ago and he was their old heir and now she had to focus on the annoying current one; Snotlout. After Hiccup vanished Snotlout replaced him, at first the people were ecstatic "Finally an actual Viking for a heir" they would say. It didn't take them long to realize despite Hiccup shortcomings he was better than the arrogant mutton-head that filled his spot. Snotlout incompetence really shined when he insulted Dagur on his first visit to Berk. That had effectively made another enemy for Berk, adding just another group of people Berk had to defend themselves from. After that it didn't get much better, he accidently destroyed valuable siege equipment, he caused dragons to wreck farms with his drunkenness, and he always avoided tasks he deemed too small for him. Worst of all his flirting with Astrid didn't get better, if anything worse, Astrid unfortunately knew once he became chief he could request any woman on the island, and she knew it would sadly be her. She considered sometimes running south on Stormfly, but she knew it was too cowardly for her, besides if she got caught by either the Outcast's or the Berserker's, well some fates are worse than death. She tried to push those thoughts away as she walked to the center of town to help set up for the ceremony.  

Everyone in the village seated as Stoick got ready to give his speech. To his left on the makeshift stage was his brother Spitelout, to the left of his brother was his son the "popular" heir. To the right of Stoick sat Astrid, next to her her little sister Eva. Both sides represented important house's within the tribe. Stoick started his speech with the popular "My father told me to bang my head on a rock story." Despite how much they had all heard it the story still got the point across. Midway through the speech however, rocks started falling from the sky. Luckily no one was hit but a lot of their defense's were wrecked. Stoick ordered everyone to battle positions, but that's when it happened. from the tree line an entire army of people they couldn't recognize charged them, with them a dragon species no one recognized rode in from the sky surrounding the villagers that were trying to flee. After a couple of minutes the attackers had pushed the Hooligan tribe into the mead hall. Only then did their leaders reveal themselves, sitting at the table near the front of the hall where Stoick and his advisors would usually sit. There were eight of them, some Astrid knew Dagur, Alvin, and Johann? What was he doing with them? The other five she didn't know of though. One was a darker skinned bald man, two of them looked like brothers, one of them was giant, almost as big as Stoick, but looked to be covered in dragon scales. The final one who stood in the center and seemed to be the leader was wearing some black robes, he also had darker skin with a black beard to go with it. Once everyone was quiet the man in the robes stood up to address everyone.

"Hello I am Basim, and me and my allies will need to . . . use your island to conduct our operations. We expect full cooperation from you or there will be severe consequences"

"Screw that and screw you! You can't just roll in here and take our home." Spitelout yelled. He was immediately grabbed by two guards and brought to Basim.

"Here is someone who wants to show you what happens when you don't corporate" 

He then proceeded to flick a blade out of his sleeve and slit Spitelout's throat letting the blood spray all over the nearby crowd, which devastatingly included Snotlout.

"We ask for your full cooperation please and thank you." Before letting his guards take the body away to do whatever the hell they would with it. All Astrid could think in the moment was she was glad Hiccup was gone, because this was going to be hell.

Chapter Text

After Three days of flying Hiccup finally arrived at the archipelago. He decided to start with the southernmost island, which happened to be Outcast island. He flew high in the clouds to avoid being spotted, back in the day Outcast island was rarely subjected to dragon raids so he figured they wouldn't look up. But when he studied the Island he didn't see any people, siege equipment or animals. This was surprising considering the Outcasts prided themselves on their war ability and they liked to flaunt it all in the open. But none? That was unheard of for Hiccup so he took the risk and decided to land. He landed near the port and made his way up to the rest of the village. After an hour of searching he came to a clear conclusion, the entire Island was deserted. Anything and everything not nailed down was taken, which wasn't very much considering they took most of the nails. After that the next closest was Berserker island, the situation was similar as well, everything but the barely standing houses were gone. Berk was next and then a few other Island's including the Bog-Burglar tribe lived. As Hiccup approached Berk he became nervous. Of course he wasn't going to reveal himself to them, but what if they somehow recognized him? What if his hood fell off somehow? Those thoughts were running through his head as he approached the Island. First he saw the sea stacks and decided to land in his old cove so he could come in by the forest. Berk was always much more violent to the dragons so he didn't want to see Toothless. When he landed in the cove he told Toothless to stay as he exited the area. He walked through the forest silently, after so many years it was second nature. About 200 feet from the village he came across a camp of some kind. There were tents, old fire pits and even left behind weapons. One of the weapons caught his eye as it had the Outcasts symbol on it. Another two had the Berserker symbol on it. A few ax's had what looked like a sword going through a dragon's head on it. The final weapon had a symbol he recognized, one that even if he lost his memory he would know it, the symbol of the Templars.

After getting over the initial shock Hiccup began to think. After a bit it came together, Basim had fled here and recruited the Outcast's, Berserker's and whatever this third one was. Then he came here and took over Berk. Hiccup didn't know why Berk but there probably was a reason. As he stood up to continue to Berk he heard a twig snap and ducked behind a tent. As he looked over the side of the tent saw two people come out of the bushes. One he didn't know, just some Berserker guard, the other however was Dagur. Hiccup never liked him, he always treated Hiccup like he was a plaything, nothing more than a toy he could discard once he got bored with it. One guard had an empty cart and when they reached the cart they started grabbing the weapons.

"You know sir" The guard said "I don't really know why you're here, isn't this below you?"

"Well Reginald, this is below me but I can barely stand that guy Drago. He acts all high and mighty just because he has a dragon army. Like wow congrats who cares?" As he rambled on not really grabbing any weapons. Hiccup snuck up behind the guard and assassinated him. 

"Like come on dude screw off. What do you think Reginald? Reginald?" What Dagur saw was a dead guard and a man in black and green robes before he was knocked out. 

Hiccup dragged Dagur back to the cove. Surprisingly he was decently light, though that may just be Hiccup's strength. Due to his lack of rope he had to improvise. When Dagur woke up and found a Night Fury sitting on him, he thought he was about to get eaten. Once Hiccup realized Dagur woke up he walked over and kneeled down by him. 

"Do you know who I am?" Hiccup asked?

"No I don't" Dagur said frantically "Get this dragon off me I am the Chief of-"

"Of the Berserker's, yes I know and don't really care. This is how this will work: you answer my questions, you live. You have three strikes, first two I take off a hand each, final one Toothless eats you, got it?" 

"Yes, Yes I understand." Dagur said actually feeling fear and being powerless for the first time in his life.

"Alright First, how many troops do you have and what tribes are here occupying Berk?"

"There are about 500 troops. Maybe 400 villagers. There are three tribes: Berserkers, Outcasts, and the Dragon Hunters."

"Dragon Hunters? Who are they" Hiccup questioned

"They come from outside the archipelago, they have dedicated their life to dragon hunting. They recruited my tribe and then the Outcasts."

"What did they offer you? Why join them?"

"They had more gold than you could ever imagine. As for why I've had my eye on Berk for a long time." While Dagur was talking he seemed to have calmed down, taking his eyes off Toothless and onto the assassin. It was then he noticed the odd symbol on the hilt of the sword. 

"Hey, hey wait, you're one of those assassin's guys." He said 

"How do you know about us?" Hiccup questioned

"This dude from the south told us." 

"What was his name?"

"Now, now I think we should negotiate a bit here, I have info you want and you have your dragon on me. So how about you let me up and-"

Before he could even finish talking, Hiccup had cut off his left hand scarily fast. Ignoring Dagur's screams, Hiccup moved to the other side of him and warned him.

"Now tell me who or else you will be handless."

"Alright, alright what the hell dude you cut off my fucking hand!" Dagur screamed

"I told you what would happen and you acted like this was a damn negotiation."

"Fine, fine gods damn it. His name was Basim. He warned us people like you were probably coming, he didn't mention the hand chopping."

What about the other leaders?"

"Besides me and Basim there's six. Alvin the treacherous. Then there's the Merchant Johann. The brothers Ryker and Viggo. Another man from south Kogan. Finally there's Drago. He and the last four command the Dragon hunters."

Contemplating what Dagur had told him, thinking of a plan of action, he came up with one. Gesturing for Toothless to let him up he helped Dagur to his feet.

"Well thank you for this information, I will need you to send a message to those occupying Berk."

"Yes yes anything, what's the message" Dagur insisted

"Oh you don't get to know it." Hiccup said, before flicking out his hidden blade and slitting his throat.

After cleaning the blood off his blade, Hiccup headed back to the abandoned camp to grab some rope he saw there. He then headed into Berk for the first time carrying Dagur, he hated it at the time but he was grateful for all the physical exercise Altair made him do. Hiccup hopped up onto a house to overlook the plaza. Then he saw it, his uncle strung up like a dead yak, throat slit with a warning not to cut him down or become like him. Hiccup saw there were a few guards there, making sure no one gave Spitelout the burial he deserved. He never really liked his uncle, he was like the rest of the villagers nasty glares and such. But still everyone deserves a decent burial, even traitorous rats like Basim. Deciding to wait till dark to deal with Dagur, Hiccup went around checking out the rest of the village. Turns out these dragon hunters also used a few dragons, one was bright yellow and periodically shot out amber. There were a few Gronckel's, Deadly Nadder's and one Monstrous Nightmare. A few of them had armor on them and were pulled around with chains as a kind of patrol animal. But most of the dragons there were acting out and in cages. Oddly enough a patrolling Nadder went right by him and didn't even react, Hiccup thought that was either because he smelled like dragon for Toothless or because they just didn't care enough. Either way it would be useful. As he studied the village one thing became clear, the actual villager's were nowhere around. Hiccup checked a few houses but only saw the guards using them. Then he decided to check the mead hall, thinking it might be some kind of command area. He snuck in through a small window near the top of doors and hid up in the rafters. There he found the women of the tribe all huddled together, acting fearful of the guards that were occasionally near them. A few of the guards were checking out some of the women like they were no more than a piece of meat. One of them that Hiccup couldn't remember the name of stood up to go get some water. Before she could get there one of the guards hit her with the handle of his sword yelling at her to sit down. Having seen enough, Hiccup headed to the dragon killing arena, there he found the men of the tribe, all huddled together. Funny enough the guards were in the area above them instead of down among them. As Hiccup was exiting back to the forest to wait till dark, it occurred to him he didn't see Astrid, Stoick or Snotlout among the imprisoned villagers. Pushing that thought aside, he reasoned they probably weren't dead because if they were they also would have been hung up. Though the thought of Astrid thrown off a cliff or put in a shallow grave didn't leave his head for a while.

A few hours later when the only light left was the lanterns in the houses Hiccup acted. He went to where Spitelout's body was hanging and cut him down. He then tied the rope around Dagur's fit and tied him up like Spitelout was. He even slit his throat again to make sure there was some blood there in the morning. Hiccup then took Spitelout's body up to the chief's house to bury it. After finishing up he decided to check out his old room, just to see what it was like. He entered through the window and started looking around, everything looked the same, like over the past five years it had been untouched. After exploring a bit, he went to exit when he heard voices from the main room. 

"Stoick, I don't know what we are going to do. The people are scared and there's nothing we can do." A voice said.

Deciding to investigate, he quietly headed out to the balcony to get an overview of where he thought the conversation was happening. When he looked down he saw the three people missing from earlier. Snotlout was laying against the wall looking absolutely defeated. Astrid and Stoick stood by the fireplace deep in conversation. They hadn't changed much, Astrid was obviously taller and prettier. But she still held hair in the same braid. Stoick looked pretty much the same, but with a few gray hairs amiss the sea of very bright red hair. 

"I know Astrid but there's nothing we can do, not yet anyway, we have to wait for an opportunity to arise."

"But the people are miserable, these invaders have been here for three days and they have already killed one of our own. I also heard they have taken some of the women away, and I promise you they aren't giving them any extra food or water." Astrid retorted.

"Astrid I know it's terrible, but we can't do much from here. I feel like they put us up here just so we could watch our village suffer. That for me is the greatest torture of all." Stoick responded.

The conversation from there ceased. Hiccup sat there for a bit thinking. Remember what Dagur said about nearly 500 enemy's he figured he might as well start somewhere. Going back to his room he grabbed some paper and pencil and wrote out a note; Be smart with these you will know the signal.

He then took some daggers out of his bag. They were bigger than his throwing knives, meant to substitute his hidden blades if they broke, he personally always carried about a dozen or so. Some called him silly since they saw it as a waste of carrying capacity, but those extra knives had saved him more than once. He grabbed three of them and tied rope around them and attached the note to the bundle. He dropped the bundle about three feet from Astrid and Stoick. They jumped  when it landed and looked where he was, he made eye contact before escaping through the window. 

Chapter Text

Astrid had nearly jumped through the roof when the knife bundle landed near her, due to the attackers and what she had heard she was extra jumpy. When it landed she looked up at the balcony, there she saw a man in a black robe. Her first thought was it was Basim, then she realized this man had fairer skin. She only got a good look for a second before he turned around and presumably exited the house through the window in Hiccup's room. She turned and looked at the bundle the stranger dropped, it contained three decent looking daggers and a note. She read the note and then handed it to Stoick to read while she grabbed the knives.

"Maybe this is what we needed between you and me we could take down a good lot of these guard before they catch us, and in that time we could free some people and then-" Astrid started

"Astrid stop." Stoick said fiercely "You and I can't take on 500 people by ourselves. Besides, maybe we should listen to this mystery person. If he was able to sneak up here and give us weapons then he clearly knows what he's doing."

"I refuse to sit around waiting for some random person to act when my tribe is being abused." Astrid yelled

"Astrid, first off quite down before we get caught, second you are doing no one any good going off and getting yourself killed. Go to sleep and we will talk about a game plan tomorrow." Stoick said.

"Fine." Astrid said before storming off to Hiccup's room to sleep. 

The next morning the entire house was awoken with a forceful knock on the door. When Astrid went downstairs Snotlout and Stoick were already there along with five guards.

"We need you down at the plaza, there is a village wide meeting." The guard ordered

Astrid and Stoick shared a glace, this couldn't be good especially if it was the whole village. As they headed down the hill Astrid got a good look at the Plaza. Basim was in the middle of it where Spitelout's body was, next to him were the other leaders of the invaders noticeably missing Dagur. Surrounding them about 10 feet out where some guards keep the villager crowds away from him. Surrounding the crowd was another ring of guards keeping them in. As they were let into the crowd Astrid pushed her way to the front and saw why Dagur was missing. There it was hung up upside-down, neck still dripping a bit of blood into the already forming puddle. Basim waited a few more moments to make sure everyone was there before he began. 

"I would say we have been fair occupiers, I have certainly seen worse. We give you food, water and shelter. And this is how you repay us. By killing one of our leaders." he looked out into the crowd as if awaiting a response. Then he continued, " Obviously we cannot allow this type of behavior, so here's the deal, if the person who did this terrible crime comes forward the rest of the village will be spared. If not, I will pick ten random people to die." He stood there awaiting the 'criminal' to step forward. When no one did within a minute, he started up again. 

"Well alright murderer, you have made your choice. I guess your life is worth that of ten others." He then walked forward and grabbed Astrid, "We will start with this one" Astrid heard the familiar sound of his wrist blade coming out. She stood there trapped awaiting the same fate of Spitelout. But it's blade never came, what did was the whizzing of what sounded like an arrow. Basim let her go and she scrambled back into the crowd she turned to see what happened. Then she saw him, the same man from last night. He was on top of a house overlooking the plaza. Now that she could see him in clearer light, she studied his appearance. His robes were similar to that of Basim's, but also different. This assassin had green undertones and had his hood on hiding his face. 

"Ahh so the murderer does show himself. No Surprise it is a sleazy assassin, Altair sent his best rat to do his dirty work." Basim taunted.

"I need not remind you that you were once one of us Basim, Altair would've come with but he had bigger issues." The assassin responded calmly.

"Oh bigger like his castle being wrecked? How is Toothless anyway, did he appreciate the drugs I gave him?" Basim taunted once more.

That seemed to get to the assassin, because instead of responding he jumped down from the house he was on into the plaza. The sound of the wrist blades sliding out filled the air as the assassin rushed Basim. He expertly eliminated the two guards with a neck snap and blade to the throat. When he reached Basim he stabbed his right blade to his stomach. Basim sadly dodged it by side stepping to the right and swung his own blade at the assassin, who ducked under it. Jumping back the assassin put his blades away and pulled out his sword. Basim did the same and they started fighting. It was clear that Basim was playing mainly defensive, while the assassin was attacking. While it looked like he was winning he often had to back off Basim to fight off the guard or two that tried to attack him from behind. Those few seconds kept Basim in the fight ever so longer. After a couple minutes the assassin was able to knock Basim's sword away and kick him to the ground, sheathing his sword, revealing his left blade the assassin stood over Basim.

"You are a traitor Basim, death is now upon you" He said as he pulled his hand back for the final strike.

"Not quite rat, not quite." Basim said.

Hesitating for a second the assassin was then grabbed by Drago, preventing him from finishing Basim. Dragon then threw him a few feet into the side of a building. As the assassin was recovering from the impact. Basim stood up and walked over to him.

"It seems death will be upon you assassin." He said as he got ready to strike down on him. But as his blade was falling, the assassin kicked Basim's knee causing his sword to miss his head but strike his right arm, giving him a cut down the length of it. As Basim was recovering the assassin stood up and started running in an effort to escape the plaza. He almost made it by jumping up on the side of a house but then was pulled down by Alvin. The assassin then brought Alvin down and delivered a strike from his wrist blades to the large man's neck. Using that opportunity to escape, the assassin got away, losing his main target but getting another. 

Astrid stood there in shock along with the rest of the village. Not only had this man given them a few weapons, he also was skilled and confident enough to attack an entire plaza of armed men and almost got the most important one. After the villagers were released, luckily none of them were executed, probably due to Basim being as shaken as he was, Astrid, Snotlout and Stoick went back to the chief's house. When they got there, Astrid admitted that it would be a good idea to wait for the assassin who had just proven himself skilled. Snotlout still wasn't talking much, given what happened not even a week ago and neither Astrid or Stoick pushed him to. Astrid decided to hide the blade in her shoe for when she would need it and resigned herself to waiting for the assassin's signal.

Chapter Text

Hiccup had managed to escape the guards chasing him by twisting and turning through some alleys. He also distracted them by letting out a Monstrous Nightmare. After he made it back to the cove he started cleaning and bandaging his wound, while all he could think was how stupid he was. He broke one of the main tenets of the brotherhood, he revealed himself before he struck and it almost cost him his life. He sat there spewing in his thoughts while he healed himself. He didn't know what drove him to shoot his crossbow at Basim without making sure his aim was good, the only person at risk was some girl he hadn't seen for years. Oh but you still harbor feelings for her, the traitorous part of his brain said. He had worked on pushing those thoughts away since all it would do was distract him from his mission. But it was hard now, pushing all the memories away, especially considering he was on the very island he was to not think about. I mean when he looked down at the plaza for a second there he saw his younger self, getting beaten by Snotlout and the twins and ignored by everyone else. He also cursed himself for losing control when Basim admitted to drugging Toothless. He loved Toothless, he was the first one to accept him for who he was. He didn't care that he wasn't as buff as the others, all he cared about was that he was fed and cared for. Hiccup knew his arm would take about two days to fully heal, until then he could make a plan. He decided he would watch the village, stepping in only when absolutely needed or to assassinate any of the remaining high value targets. Hiccup had also made a discovery on his way into town. The headquarters for the Basim's forces, which are basically just Templars at this point, was on the armada of ships parked near Berk. Now while Hiccup would've liked to be able to just sneak in and assassinate all of his targets there were two issues. First with the ships so packed together he wouldn't be able to swim under them, his swimming was bad enough without him needing to hold his breath for too long. Next the main flagship was in the middle, so he would have to sneak past nearly 50 ships worth of guards in well lit areas. He did however have a plan: if he could plant some sort of explosive on certain ships he could blow it up and damage a majority of the fleet, maybe enough to get them to move their command center to land. He would plant some on a few ships each day and slowly work his way in. Hiccup's main issue as he didn't bring any explosive's, if he was back in the south he could go back to the fortress and get what he needed. Out here though he needed to adapt. As he was thinking, a few wild dragons landed on the other side of the cove and started drinking some water. Hiccup studied them for a second and then he saw a pair of Zippleback heads start fighting. Then it hit him, after not seeing them for so long he had forgotten about the Zippleback gas explosive capabilities. If he could plant it and then light it somehow he would have the bomb he needed. He only had two problems, no container to hold the gas and no easy way to get the gas into said nonexistent containers. Hiccup thought for a while and something Altair taught him came back to Hiccup. If you find yourself out of something, steal from the enemy, you will eventually steal their life. They won't miss whatever you take. Getting an idea, Hiccup headed into the village.

Hiccup eventually found his containers, Basim's Templars had these metal containers in which they held water. Each man of his army had one on them at all times, but they also had a reserve one in case theirs's got damaged. The village kept their water reserves in the mead hall, the Templars had found it a convenient spot to keep their spare containers. It was hard work moving them all, considering he could only take about a dozen at any time, along with his arm which made climbing hard it took him nearly the whole night to get the 200 he thought he would need. He had a few close run-ins with guards, even had to eliminate two they got in his way. On his last trip out just as he was about to climb up a wall there was a small tug on the bottom of his robes. He swung around expecting a guard, but seeing no one. Feeling the tug again, he looked down to see a small girl. She couldn't of been more than nine or so and she was looking up at him with those wide young child eye's which remind him of himself when he was younger. 

"A-are you the r-robed man?' She asked, tripping over her words in what could be described as a mixture of fear and cautiousness.

Hiccup not fully knowing how to respond answered after blanking for a moment "umm yes I am, if that is what you are calling me. Where are your parents? You should go back to them."

When he said that her eye's somehow widened even more and she started to tear up, but not quite crying. "My daddy and sister were taken from us. My mommy Isn't here right now, the mean men take her away every evening and she always comes back cold and quiet." She admitted.

Hiccup, knowing he needed to get going before was caught, decided to try and give this girl a glimmer of hope, "Hey listen, I will free this island I promise, I will save your dad, your sister and definitely your mother. It will be ok" He said before reaching into his bag and pulling out another dagger. "Here hide this and give it to your mom, don't get caught and please don't stab yourself."

She took the dagger carefully before lightly putting it into her pocket. When she looked up again Hiccup was already gone. 

Hiccup had one problem down and now had to deal with the other issue, getting the Zippleback to breathe gas into the containers without them blowing it up or eating him. He figured that the same strategy that worked on Toothless would work with them. But when he tried to approach them all the present Zippleback did was snap and try to blow him up. After about an hour of trying everything from giving them fish to trying to play with them he sat down in frustration. He started venting to Toothless, really letting it all out.

"I don't know what to do bud, I am starting to feel like the same old useless bow again. I did this with you five years ago. Why can't I do this now? It certainly isn't helping being back here again, I remember all the places I was beaten, all the people who ignored it. And seeing my father, don't get me started, after seven years of age he never cared for me when it was clear I wouldn't be like the other kids. Did he care about my intelligence? My inventions? My interests? No, no and he basically threw that last one off a cliff. I mean after seven he never got me a snoggletog or birthday gift, and just because I didn't want or use any of the various weapons or shields he got me. Like come on "dad" you should know I won't use it."

As Hiccup continued to ramble his grievances, Toothless giving the dragon equivalent of a sigh stood up and walked over to the Zippleback's. After getting their attention with a quick growl, he challenged the head Zippleback. Within seconds he won, countless battles with the brotherhood had made Toothless a very good fighter apparently that translated well to dragon vs dragon combat. After getting them to bow down to him as their new alpha he walked them over to a still rambling Hiccup.

"-and like I just don't get it he always preached "A chief protects his own", but he never protected me. Thanks for listening bud I really needed- oh" Hiccup paused as he realized Toothless had managed to get the Zippleback's to behave without him even noticing. Deciding to not think about how his dragon had kind of blown him off, Hiccup got the Zippleback's to breathe their gas into the containers. They were done relatively quickly, while it was happening Hiccup just stood there with an admiration for his dragon. When they were done Toothless let out another roar and the Zippleback's turn and flew away. After they did, Hiccup turned to him and patted him on the head.

"I guess you can be a sort of Alpha huh bud. Like the Red Death, but better in so many ways. I wonder what happened to her." Push that though aside Hiccup began thinking about how he was going to place these makeshift bombs.

Over the next week after his arm healed Hiccup began planting the bombs on the outer ring of ships. He usually put about four to five bombs on medium sized ships. His goal wasn't necessarily to sink them but cripple them. He had seen that the Templars had brought limited repair facilities or tools, so if the ships were damaged enough then they would be of no use. It took him six days to plant all 200 bombs, he estimated he had covered about 2/3's of the fleet. He had killed about 20 more templars over that week. Unlike Dagur he didn't go through the effort to hang them up, since he had bigger goals in mind. He had managed to plant three bombs on the main flagship just outside the main leaders' cabins hoping to take them out along with their precious fleet. Before he enacted his plan, he slid a note into the chief's house saying that this was not the signal. As night fell him and Toothless took to the sky, ready to rain fury on the Templars.

Chapter Text

When Astrid saw the paper slide under the door she immediately burst outside in an attempt to find this assassin. She had so many questions. Why are you here? Why are you helping? How did Basim know you? How is he a traitor? Who's Toothless? She knew these questions would probably go unanswered but she could hope. She pondered what the note meant. "This is not the signal" she could guess it meant he was about to do something big and didn't want her to act yet, but what was it? She also wanted to thank him for the blade he had gifted her. A few days after his first appearance, two guards had come and dragged her off, probably to have their way with him. She used it on them and escaped. When she was found with the bodies after quickly hiding the blade she told them it was the assassin. They questioned her for a bit longer trying to get any info from her but eventually let her go. When she got back to the house she told Stoick what happened and she was just as relieved as her. Snotlout had started talking again, she attributed it to the assassin's victory giving him hope once more, he of course denied anyone else affecting him. She decided to watch the rooftops for the rest of the day hoping to see the assassin, she had no such luck.

That night she was awoken by a whistle she had not heard for years, that of a Night Fury. She rushed down the stairs and found that Snotlout and Stoick were already outside. That's when she heard it, the first explosion. Looking down at the water she saw purple plasma blasts hitting ships, now normally this would cause a good amount of damage but definitely not to the extent of what it was causing now. It seemed with every single hit the explosion was multiplied by tenfold. Stoick could barely fathom it as well, not so much the explosion, but the fact this assassin also had a Night Fury.

"Not only has this assassin killed Dagur and Alvin, he also is crippling their fleet and he has a Night Fury." Stoick said with such admiration and surprise in his voice.

"I know at this rate we will be able to be freed by the end of the week." Astrid said hopefully.

Since they had more freedom than the rest of the village they headed down to the cliff overlooking the water to get a better look. There among the fire and explosions she saw him, his black robes sticking out among the red and orange flames. She saw him cut down three different men from the back of his dragon. Then she saw him dismount from the dragon and started fighting someone. It looked like it was one of the Grimborn brothers, the older one Ryker. She saw him struggle against his heavy attacks before he managed to side step one and stab him through the head. He then remounted on his dragon and started to fly away, but then Ryker's brother, Viggo ran up to his brother and let out a scream Astrid never thought possible. She saw him through pure rage pick up a piece of burning wood and throw it at the dragon. It landed on the left tail fin and it caught on fire. Oddly enough the dragon didn't even react, the assassin though looked as if he was panicking. He managed to get the dragon high up before it suddenly dove in an uncontrolled fall. The burning part went out as the dragon crashed about 20 feet away. As the assassin dismounted, he urged the dragon along and it ran away to the woods. Astrid ran over to check if the assassin was fine (And to hopefully ask some questions.)

"Are you ok?" She asked, startling him.

"Yes, yes I am fine, but I need to hide before the Templ- er guards swarm us."

He said Hastily. "You can hide with us in the house on top of the hill."

She said, at this point Stoick and Snotlout were alongside them. Stoick agreed and then moved with a quickened pace. When they got to the house the assassin checked out the window, Astrid took a look as well. The fleet was in flames, even the ships that didn't explode were damaged by the ones that were. She also saw guards checking the area. Quickly turning out the lanterns in the front, she and the assassin joined Stoick and Snotlout in the back near the kitchen. "Thank you for your hospitality, once their search's calm down I will make my way out." The assassin said, sitting down at the table. Astrid noticed Stoick stiffened ever so slightly, and she could guess why. The assassin had sat in what used to be Hiccup's old seat, even after all these years the chief still thought of his son, the son he never cared for till the end. Astrid decided that if she wanted to ask questions now would be the time, Snotlout however beat her to it.

"Who are you man? I mean you come out of nowhere, kill like five people like it's nothing then you come in here on a Night Fury like it's nothing." Snotlout asked.

The assassin sat there for a minute as if contemplating what to say. Finally after a minute of awkward silence he answered. "I have an assassin of Altair Ibn La Ahad, I have a mission here, who I am is not important." Not really satisfied with that she started firing off her own questions. "Alright fine, but what is your mission, who is this Altair you speak of, how do you know Basim because you clearly do, where do you come from, and why are you helping?" She took a moment to breathe and waited for him to answer. After a moment he finally did. "My mission is to assassinate the traitor Basim, Altair is the leader of my assassin brotherhood, I worked with Basim before he left us, I hail from the south, and as to why I am helping you?" At this he took a second to think before answering "Well no village, no matter how cruel, should suffer under the rule of the Templars." Astrid, still unhappy with these answers, stood up straight and got in his face anger he had called his village cruel. 

"How could you say that about us? You don't even know us? I will have you know we are very kind and-" Before she could continue the assassin cut her off.

"Is that what Hiccup would say?" At this everyone in the room became stiff, even Astrid stopped in her rant. "Because when he talked about this place he said the people beat him. That his own father barely loved him. That the rest of the village ignored and neglected him." 

At this everyone looked away, too shameful to answer. After a few minutes of silence, Snotlout inquired as to who the Templars were and how they related to this assassin brotherhood and what that even was. Astrid shot him a glare not wanting to hear another word from this stranger who had reminded her of how they treated Hiccup back in the day. The assassin however answered anyway.

"The Templars are the sworn enemies of the assassins. They think if they control the world they can make it a better place for all. They want to do this through complete control and lack of freedom. The assassins have been fighting them for century's maybe longer if you believe the story of our origins. An Assassin brotherhood consists of several assassins and one master assassin, the leader, we conduct. . . missions against the templars in an effort to diminish their control."

It was Stoick's turn to inquire about this information they were being exposed to.

"If you disagree with what these Templars believe in, what do you assassins believe in?" He questioned.

"We believe in freedom on every level. That there should be no oppression. We have a saying: Nothing is true, everything is permitted . Do you know what it means?" At the shake of the heads he continued. "We have several teachings that guide our way of thinking. The three most important are as follows; stay your blade from the flesh of the innocent, hide in plain sight, and never compromise the brotherhood. These are our ways of life, they will lead us to defeat the Templars and clean the world of their disease." 

Before anyone could ask anything else, the assassin looked out the window and went to the door.

"The patrols are light enough for me to leave, for now, if all goes well you will be freed by the end of the week."

With that the assassin who gave more questions than answers left. Leaving the other three confused and wondering about their new ally.

The next morning Astrid once more was awoken once more to the sound of banging on the front door. When she went downstairs, Astrid, Stoick and Snotlout were then escorted out of the house. As they were taken down into the village they joined a large stream of the female villagers, who were also being executed somewhere. They were only walking for a few more minutes before they arrived at their destination; the dragon training arena. There, they were crowded into the arena with the men of the village. Most people rejoiced at being reunited, Astrid herself even found her parents and sister. 

"Eva!" Astrid said upon seeing her sister and running to her. "Are you ok? Did they hurt you?" she asked frantically.

"No nothing at all. But Astrid I saw the robed man!." She said with excitement.

Astrid frowned for a moment before the realization hit her.

"You saw the assassin? What did he say or do?" Astrid asked

"He said not to worry because we were going to be freed. He gave me a dagger to give to mommy." His sister explained.

"A dagger? Does mom still have it?" Astrid asked, slightly confused about why the assassin would give a nine year old a dagger.

"I don't know but-" Before she could continue she was cut off by Basim, who atop the viewing area started speaking.

"I am sure you are all wondering why you are here. Well don't worry all will be fine, we just figured it would be easier to manage you here. Everything will proceed normally." After that he turned and departed. All along the viewing area were about 20-30 guards. As he left Astrid just knew that he was lying. How could all be normal when his fleet was just decimated by a lone man and dragon. He was right though, it would be easier to manage them here. As Astrid looked up once more, she saw a black robe disappear behind the roof of a house. With that Astrid was filled with a sense of hope as she settled with her family and told them what had happened to her in the past few days.

Chapter Text

As Hiccup slinked off the rooftop he felt pure joy. His plan had worked, now that they had moved the Berkians to a single area it would be so much easier to free and arm them. He still needed to work out how to free or arm them but he figured he would work it out. He thought about his interactions with Stoick, Snotlout, and Astrid last night; he figured he didn't tell them anything important. Yes he had told them the assassins main teachings and beliefs but it was one thing to tell someone of those, and another to teach them about them. That is where Hiccup drew the line, they knew the words but not what they meant, one of the main lessons of the brotherhood was to correctly determine what Nothing is true, everything is permitted . He could've sworn he let something slip he didn't mean to. Thinking about those three brought Hiccup back to when he left, as they were leaving they came across the giant dragon he had dubbed the red death. After he escaped, he left, he didn't feel like he could do anything about it. In retrospect now he could've thought of something, but at the time he was feeling a mix of shame and uselessness, so he just left clearly they had either dealt with it or it died. That didn't matter, what did was getting into the mead hall. The reason they had moved everyone to the training arena was simple; Basim was scared. After Hiccup demolished most of his fleet and took out Ryker with ease, Basim apparently thought the Mead hall was a better option. It made sense, one was in one way out and with the hall defenses could be built. The only issue was that Hiccup already knew the way in, so spying or assassinating him would be no issue. 

Hiccup got in the mead hall the same way as always, the window atop the doors. He sat in the rafters and looked for Basim and his fellow Templars. Hiccup wondered if they were even official Templars or if Basim had just paid them off without even telling them what he planned to do. Hiccup wasn't even sure what he was doing here, he guessed the Templars just wanted to set up an outpost in an easy to control area. Or perhaps there was something they wanted here. Either way, there they were, the Templar leaders. They were around a table, Drago, Krogan and Viggo on one side with Basim on the other side, Hiccup noticed Johann was noticeably missing. Hiccup wondered the extent of merchants allegiance, either he was always working for probably Drago, or Basim had paid him off and he had stuck around. 

"Basim when you came to be with your offer it was very enticing, what you didn't mention is that I would lose two of my commanders and hundreds of men." Drago said, clearly unhappy with the developing situation.

"You didn't mention I would lose my brother, he was all the family I had left." Viggo said.

"I was good friends with Johann, he was also our merchant contact, I don't think I need to explain to you how big of a loss it is not to have someone to stealthy grab us resources we can't get ourselves. The three of us are now known among the other tribes as terrorists." Krogan said

"Gentlemen, gentlemen, listen I know it looks grim but we are close to dealing with this assassin I have a pla-" Before he go on he was cut off by Drago

"Oh yes, this "assassin" how does one man take out half of our commanders, an entire fleet and hundreds of men? And to think you said it had to be Berk, and the only reason you have given was the slave labor. If we are going by that then any island would've worked." 

"I will give you your explanation if you let me talk, understand?" Basim looked around expectantly, at the nods he went on "Yes this assassin is skilled, but that is due to two reasons. First he has a Night Fury that would die for him, second he is one of the most intelligent people I have ever met. However there is a weakness to him. I trained him when we were in the brotherhood, so he told me about his old life, his old life on this island. The assassin that has given us hell is Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, the former heir of Berk."

Upon hearing that Hiccup almost fell from his perch, how could he of forgotten that he told Basim of his life? Basim mentioning this also made Hiccup remember what he had accidentally revealed to the three last night. He had told them that he had spoken to Hiccup, he had reacted in anger that Astrid had suggested that Berk was a all wonderful place. Why they didn't ask about Hiccup then, he didn't know. He was glad they didn't because he probably wouldn't of been able to answer. Hiccup was taken from his thoughts as the conversation below went on. 

"I don't care if he is Odin himself" Drago exclaimed "That doesn't explain why we had to come to Berk. And why are you so sure it's him?"

"Well Drago it's simple really. We came to Berk because I knew Hiccup would come, he probably told Altair to send him because he is the only one who knows the area or something like that. For how I know it's him, again simple, obviously due to his skill and weaponry he is a brotherhood assassin not an escaped villager. He knows exactly where to hide and where to hit, and he probably wanted us to set up command in here. So that rules out any other assassin from my old brotherhood."

"Fine that all checks out, but if you knew he wanted us in here why did we come where he wanted us?' Viggo inquired.

"Well we couldn't stay on the ships, poor Johann is a clear example of that horrible way to go being exploded while still in bed. Tell me Drago, who do we have left?"

"Well we start with 550 men. Between the Berserker's and Outcast's that left and the men the assassin killed, that's 200 gone. Another 200 when the fleet was attacked. So that leaves 150 men." 

"Exactly" Basim started again "So we split 100 guarding us and 50 guarding the villagers. Not even Altair could take on 50 men by himself, let alone 150." Basim finished, even from 30 feet above him Hiccup could see the smugness.

"A sound plan, Basim I will admit" Viggo said "But what if he arms the villagers? Then instead of fighting one man we would be fighting hundreds."

"Impossible, there's no way he could get to the weapons. They will be surrounded by the villagers, so even though they are close to the enemy they are also guarded by the 50 men there. And it's not like he can use his Dragon, When Viggo here tossed the flaming wood at it, it took out its fake wing. The dragon has lost flight."

The other three men nodded in agreement at the plan, seemingly happy with it.

Seeing there would be nothing else for him to hear, Hiccup left and went back to Toothless. Figuring anything Basim mentioned wouldn't be in effect till tomorrow, and given it was late afternoon anyway Hiccup turned in for the night.

The next morning Hiccup woke up and went into Berk. There were no patrols except along the route from the mead hall to the training arena. He studied the training arena from afar, the lock on it was simple, the same gate from years ago all he had to do was pull the chain. He however wouldn't be able to do it fast enough before the guards swarmed him. He also had to think of a way to clear the ten or so guards around the giant pile of weapons that he would supply the Berkians with. What Basim said was sadly true, his tail for Toothless was damaged beyond use, however maybe if he ambushed the guards and got Toothless to pull the chain it could be done fast enough. Well he had few other options, and taking out the guards would be better than 50. But he would start with the ones atop the ring. 

Hiccup's final plan was to sneak Toothless in close, then he would sneak atop the training area's viewing place. Eliminate the 20 or so guards up there, next he would ambush the 10 guarding the weapons then hold off any that tried to attack Toothless when he was pulling the chain. Not a terrible plan given the circumstances.

Chapter Text

Astrid woke up the morning after being put in the arena. She had to say, she hated it. It was probably fine when it was just the men, but now that they were cramming nearly 500 people in here? She could barely move and she didn't like how many people were touching her. After the happiness of everyone reuniting with their family's wore off everyone had to figure out how they were going to sleep. That eventually ended up with a nearly three person high stack. Now that she was awake it wasn't much better, she couldn't move, no one could. Well that didn't matter, all she could do was stand there and hope the assassin would be quick about it. Noon was the worst part, with almost no cover and the blistering heat bearing down on them made her miserable. She was so crazy she thought she saw the assassin observing the arena, but when she blinked he was gone.

At about two hours past noon, after they had been given water Astrid looked up at the viewing area and just watched. At one point she saw a guard get dragged off by something. Then he popped up then ducked again. The assassin is here! I need to get people ready! Astrid thought. She started spreading the word for people to get ready. More and more people noticed and watched the assassin as he took out each guard with ruthless efficiency. At this point the entire village was watching in silent awe, not everyone had seen him during his first appearance, only those in the first two rows did. This man before them had to of been the greatest warrior they had seen. Under those robes, most people pictured amazing muscles that could lift a whole boat if he pleased. Just as he finished the last guard and was about to head down Viggo came up the stairs. The two locked eyes for a split second, then the assassin rushed him drawing his sword. He struck Viggo's sword as the two stuck together.

"I know who you are assassin" Viggo taunted. If the assassin was scared no one could tell. 

"Basim told us who you were, you hail from this island, is that why you defend it?" Viggo kept taunting, now people could see the assassin get angry pushing on his sword more.

"Tell me, should I tell them who you are, that you are their former hei-" He was cut off when the assassins left hand came up, stabbing Viggo though the bottom of his head. 

The assassin retracted his blade and sheathed his sword. He turned away leaving everyone wondering. Who had left Berk and joined these assassin's? Of course there were people banished from Berk but those always went to the Outcast's. Astrid's mind went to Hiccup for a split second, she figured it was possible the assassin looked the right age. But she couldn't fathom Hiccup of all people being an assassin. As she was thinking the sound of a skirmish could be heard on the other side of the gate that kept them in. After about a minute she saw something black dart to the chain that controlled the gate. Then it opened, the thing that was keeping them in opened. She was one of the first one's out, the assassin watched as everyone excited then addressed them all.

"There is a pile of weapons here, large enough to supply you. Basim and the rest of his men are here, the mead hall and in-between. Good luck to you." With that he turned to the black animal which turned out to be his Night Fury. With a quick exchange Astrid couldn't understand, the dragon ran off to the few dragons left in the cages. The assassin then too ran off to the mead hall, but the long way around, probably so he could sneak in. Astrid ran to the pile and grabbed her AX.

The fight to the mead hall wasn't too hard. They outnumbered the guards nearly 5 to 1. Even still, with their spears and heavy dragon armor it was definitely slowing the Berkians down. As they approached the mead hall Astrid saw a bunch of guards running out, with them Drago, Krogan and the deviled Basim. Chasing after them was the assassin. Notifying Stoick of this development he left Astrid's father in charge of the main assault while he led about 200 Berkians including Astrid and all the others her age to go assist the assassin. When they arrived they found a few dead guards and the assassin and Basim locked in combat, Dragon and Krogan were sticking back with various wounds across their chest and legs. There were two ships down in the harbor, both had enough space to hold the three invaders' leaders and their current 90 or so guards. Most of the guards were either guarding Drago and Krogan or repelling down a rope to the boats. They didn't seem to be assisting Basim, almost as if he told them to stay back.

"Oh well look it that assassin, your amazing fighters have shown up" Basim Taunted

"They came to witness your death" The assassin said taking a strike at Basim "Can't say I blame them"

"Perhaps they wanted to see their assassin 'hero' die. Though it may be more accurate to call you their heir."

At that gasps went around the Berkians ranks. What did Basim mean by that? How could this assassin be their heir? The only other heir beside Snotlout was Hiccup but he was dead, right?

Basim, noticing their faces smirked, "Seems they are confused Hiccup, why don't they see that face of yours." At that he dashed at the assassin and managed to pull off his hood.

As the hood fell, that auburn mop that Astrid still remembered after all those years started to appear. Then the rest of his features, his ears, his cheekbones, his. . . well everything was Hiccup. It was Hiccup. Hiccup was the assassin. Hiccup had his back to her but she knew it was him, she just knew and Basim was basically confirming it, the other Berk villagers there were also frozen. Basim saw Astrid's stricken face and smirked and pulled out a knife.

"Oh look Hiccup. Your girlfriend is happy to see you again. Shame it will be the last thing she does." Basim said before throwing the knife right at Astrid's head. Hiccup turned and smacked the knife to the ground with his sword. They made eye contact, his face was some combination of fear, regret, and shame. Then, Basim pulled out another dagger and before anyone could warn Hiccup, Basim stabbed it right into Hiccup's right back.  Hiccup fell to the ground, sword still in one hand, he twisted around to Basim and stared up at him. Basim was smiling like a madman.

"Here you die, Hiccup, in front of your village, your parents and everyone you knew." He struck the sword down. Hiccup however used what every strength left and parried it to the side. Then he struck it down on Basim, cutting off his left hand at the Knuckle joints, only leaving the thumb. Basim screamed as he backed up to his guards, dropping his sword. One of the bigger guards grabbed Basim and took him down the rope. The final guards went down the rope, then the ships set off.

At this Hiccup stood up, pulling the dagger out of him with a grunt. Covering the wound and throwing it aside, he whistled and his dragon came.

"Hiccup you can't go after them, you need medical attention." Astrid yelled at him. Hiccup continued unstopped, he spoke some words to his dragon. But all that dragon was doing was pushing Hiccup against the wall of a house forcing him to sit. Hiccup looked up at Astrid once more, then glanced around at everyone, before passing out.

Chapter Text

"There is a pile of weapons here, large enough to supply you. Basim and the rest of his men are here, the mead hall and in-between. Good luck to you." Those are the instructions he gave the freed villager's before he turned to Toothless. 

"Hey bud, I need to free the rest of the dragons, a small blast to the lock should do it." Toothless ran off, to fulfill his task, Hiccup did the same taking the long route to the mead hall. He snuck in the normal way. Basim set up his guards so everyone was facing the door. Hiccup climbed down behind them, only 5 feet from Basim's back ready to plant a blade in him. Then he stepped on the glass of a cup that someone most of dropped. At that Basim glanced behind him, when seeing the assassin, he yelled and ran for the door. Dragon and Krogan had turned to face him, for that he went low and gave Drago a good long cut in the left leg. Then he gave Krogan a cut across the chest, sadly it wasn't deep enough to kill him just make him back off. Hiccup then killed a few guards, one with a hidden blade and two with throwing knives. He then chased them down to a cliff where they were dropping down. He fought Basim, and Basim revealed who he was to the Berkians. Then he tried to kill Astrid with a throwing knife. He had been stabbed because of that choice. He managed to get him back though, a few fingers. As Basim ran down to the ships, Hiccup had wanted Toothless to shoot and sink them. But that useless reptile smelled the blood and didn't do it. The last thing he saw before he passed out was the looks of the Berkians, the looks he would have to address at some point, just not now, now it was time for a nap.

Hiccup shot up in the bed. He looked around rapidly, he didn't know where he was. Was it all a dream? Did I kill Basim?  Am I dead? After frantically looking around, the pain in his side brought him back to reality. Pulling back the blanket he saw his entire right side covered in a blood stained bandage. When he looked closer he noticed it was Gothi's work, after 15 years of going to her at least four times a week he could notice it anywhere. Studying himself he realized he didn't have his assassin robes, or any of his weapons for that matter. All he made was a red tunic and brown pants. Standing up and grunting in pain he realized he still had his boots on. When he checked them though his dagger he kept down there was gone. Now that he had a clear mind, he looked at the room and realized it was his childhood bedroom. Hiccup checked the room once more, but didn't mind any of his stuff. Hiccup opened his door and peaked out of his room. Looking down the hallway he saw nothing, but he did hear voices in other parts of the house.  Heading to the railing he looked down into the area where he first saw Stoick, Snotlout and Astrid. Down there he saw Stoick and Astrid, but there were also the other people his age. Along with them were Gobber and Toothless, who was taking a nap by the window next to the door. 

" I can't believe the lad is still alive." Gobber said "It's been, what five years? And now he comes back some assassin."

"He also has one of the rarest dragons across the archipelago." Fishlegs stated.

"I'm just glad he saved us, from whoever those guys were." Tuffnut said. "Yeah, especially considering how we treated him." Ruffnut added.

"Oh come on, it wasn't that bad." Snotlout said. "All we did was rough him up from time to time."

At that point Hiccup thought it would be prudent to just face this and get it over with. The faster he got his equipment back the faster he could hunt Basim.

"If that was you 'roughing me up', then I would like to know what you beating someone up is." As Hiccup said, at that every head in the room turned to him. He started walking down the stairs, using one hand to steady himself on the rail, while the other held where his wound was.

"When I was six you once tied me up, blindfolded me and dragged me out to the woods and left me. When I was 11 you took the Nadder doll my mother made, the one thing of hers I had left, and burned it. Then you told Stoick that I had done it and the gods was he mad. Then, just a week before we started dragon training, you and the twins beat me, just that you took me behind a house and beat me. So if that is roughing me up then what is a beating to you Snotlout."

Everyone just stood there, staring at him. Snotlout was looking down from shame. Yeah he never treated his cousin well but he never really added up all he did to him. Stoick looked at him with pity, "Son, listen I never-

"Of don't even Stoick you were hardly ever a father to me. I told you about all the things Snotlout did to me, every beating, every insult, every time he hurt me and you did NOTHING. All you told me was to toughen up, and at some point when you realized I wouldn't turn out as big or strong like everyone else you just stopped doing that. The only interactions I ever had with you were when I did something wrong. " Hiccup said, basically seething at this point. Toothless had gotten and went over to his rider, trying to comfort him. Hiccup, however, just told him to go outside. Toothless gave him a pained look before obeying. After calming down Hiccup looked at everyone again, "Listen, I don't want to be here any longer than I have to, so just give me my things so I can continue hunting Basim." 

At this Astrid eyes widened "Hiccup you can't, you have to heal besides, look what happened you almost died!" 

"I got stabbed because I saved you." Hiccup retorted sharply "Nice to know you care about me now, would've been better before I left, but nice to know." At this Astrid looked down in shame once more. Ruff and Tuff also looked guilty, avoiding eye contact with Hiccup. Hiccup, sensing something was up, asked why they looked like they did something bad.

"Well Hiccup, funny story really." Tuff started.

"When you got stabbed and we were moving all your stuff." Ruff went on. 

"Me and Ruff though it would be fun to see how your wrist blade worked." Tuff continued.

"Long story short we broke it, both of them actually." Ruff finished.

Hiccup was flabbergasted, how had these two idiots managed to break them? Sure they weren't invincible but they were still pretty durable. Hiccup once again demanded his things again, this time Astrid went and brought out a chest. Inside were his robes, sword, throwing knives, and his broken hidden blades. When they said broken he thought they meant they jammed it somehow or at the very worst broke the blade. But no, everything was busted, the blade, the part that worked the blade, hell on one of them it was so badly dented he couldn't even put his wrist in it. 

"What the hell did you two do to these? Broken implies repairable, these are completely destroyed." Hiccup said, very mad that his main weapon was now gone.

"Well we wanted to test how strong it was, so we hit it with some sticks, then had our dragons jump on them, finally we threw them around."

Hiccup looked at them, absolutely shocked that they were actually that stupid. Sighing, he figured if he could use the forge he could make new ones, he had made many pairs before of course. 

"Gobber, I need to use the forge so I can make new hidden blades. Do you care?" Hiccup asked, in a tone that suggested Gobber probably shouldn't refuse. 

"Of course laddie go ahead." Gobber said happily. "Just as long as you don't blow up the village," he said, winking.

"Thank you Gobber, I appreciate it." Hiccup said as he put his robes back on, as he did he also put the knives back in their spots.

"So-err Hiccup, I would like to talk to you tonight once you're done with the forge. I want to know where you have been all these years, if you would give me that courtesy, I know I don't deserve it but please?" Stoick asked hopefully. 

"Fine I suppose you earned that, given you bandaged me up." Hiccup said before he left. 

As Hiccup walked to the forge, he heard the whispers of the villager's around him. Everyone had seen him unhooded, they all knew the heir they never wanted returned. Not only that they had freed them, and took a knife for one of them. As Hiccup reached the forge he felt a tug on his robe. Looking down it was the little girl he had given the knife to.

"Hi, mister assassin." The girl said, "Here's your knife, my mommy told me to give it back to you." 

She held the knife up to him. He smiled at her and took it. Giving her his thanks he headed in and got to work.

After several hours Hiccup had managed to remark his hidden blades, they were basically the same as before. It took him longer than it would've back at the fortress because Gobber just didn't have most of the equipment. He did have enough for Hiccup to improvise. Gobber came by and worked on some weapons, he was cheerfully whistling a tune Hiccup had forgotten. Fishlegs also came by, he asked Hiccup about the mechanics of the hidden blade, Hiccup just told him it was an assassin secret. After that he asked Hiccup about who Altair was and Hiccup basically told him what he had told the other three two nights earlier. Astrid came by near the end, she told him she was sorry for what had happened when they were younger. Hiccup said he appreciated it but it was all really too late. At that Astrid got a sad look on her face and left. After he finished the blades Hiccup went to find Toothless. He found Toothless playing with a blue and gold Nadder. Hiccup sat down and let him play for a few minutes before going and grabbing the terror from his bag on Toothless. Hiccup brought it up to the chief's house. When he entered he found Stoick already there in his chair, he was wood carving a duck? when he noticed Hiccup he gave him a wave and went back to carving. Hiccup put the terror down on the table and started writing his letter.

Altair, I have found Basim but I failed to kill him. He recruited a large army but I have managed to assassinate most of their leadership and take out a large number of their fleet. I have also reduced their numbers a significant amount. The Berk people have found who I am, I am not to happy about it but it is what it is. I think if I ask they will let me use it as a base to operate from. I have suffered an injury and in the process of recovering. I hope to set you Basim's head soon.

-Hiccup

After finishing his letter he attached it to the terror and set it off. By Hiccups guess it would reach Masyaf in two days. Hiccup headed back inside and sat across from Stoick, the chief had finished his carving and was looking back at Hiccup.

"Well you wanted to have this talk let's have it" Hiccup said.

"Actually Hiccup I was wondering if you wouldn't mind having this in the mead hall. I feel the entire village should know, you know to dispel any rumors." Stoick explained "Only if you want to though"

Hiccup narrowed his eyes on the man. He didn't really want to face the whole tribe but Stoick did make some good points, besides now if Hiccup asked to use Berk as an operations base he had a bigger bargaining chip.

"Fine under one condition, I have no idea where Basim went and Berk has a steady supply of food, and shelter. I request that I stay during the duration of my time here." Hiccup explained.

"Of course my boy of course." Stoick said enthusiastically. "Now we should get going to the hall, people will be expecting us." 

So they set off, they exchanged no words in their short walk. When they arrived in the hall all the eyes in the building went to them. Everyone tracked them as they went to the head table and sat down. Hiccup looked out across the hall, taking in everyone's looks. He stood up to address the crowd and gave them these rules.

"Alright listen this is how this will work; you each get one question, if you want to ask, put your hand up and I will call on you, I reserve the right to refuse to answer if I feel it to be personal or compromising."

As he sat back down several hands went up. The first he picked was Fenris Thorsten. "Why did you leave?" 

Hiccup sighed knowing this would be a difficult one "I left because I never felt welcome, I was ignored, abused and basically neglected. Then I met my dragon Toothless, I said I shot down a Night Fury but no one believed me I went to kill it but all I saw in him was myself. I used what I learned from Toothless to do better in dragon training. When my final test came I knew I couldn't kill the Nightmare so I left. I found the dragon queen, and escaped her. I don't know what to take care of her but clearly the raids stopped."

The next question he picked was from Phlegma the Fierce, "Where did you go and why are you back?" 

"I went south, as far as Toothless could go, eventually he was too tired and we landed in the far south. There we found the assassin brotherhood. They took us in, trained me as one of their own, treated me better than anyone here did. There was an attack on our fortress, turns out one of us was a traitor. That person was Basim, I came here to kill him and when I am healed I will continue hunting him."

Another question came from Gustav, "Will you be staying on Berk? Will you teach us to be assassins?"

Hiccup frowned, not only was it two questions he also didn't care about either subject. "No I will not be staying, I have no love for this Island and no I will not teach you to be assassins, to be so would compromise the brotherhood."

The next question came from Snotlout himself, Hiccup regretted calling on him the second he opened his mouth, "Tell me useless, have you ever been in a real fight before now? I doubt it considering if you had you wouldn't be here." A few laughs came from around him but most of the mead hall sent dirty looks to him. Hiccup had saved them.

"Well Snotlout, if I was so useless would I have been able to save you? And yes I have been in battles, I have bled for my brotherhood, the people who actually treated me like family, people who actually appreciated my skills." 

"Fine then come down and face me. So these people can see I am the true heir." Snotlout challenged.

Oh so that's what this is about, Hiccup thought , He's insecure. Hiccup jumped down from the head table, and walked towards Snotlout. People cleared a circle around the two people looking at them. Snotlout may be reckless but he was strong, Hiccup however had shown his ability in the field so people weren't sure.

"Whoever draws blood first wins useless, 3, 2, 1, GO!"

Snotlout charged him, Hiccup stood there waiting for him to get close. As Snotlout brought his hammer above his head, Hiccup pulled out his hidden blade. When he swung down Hiccup dodged to the left and slashed Snotlout the length of his forearm. Snotlout screamed as he dropped his hammer on the floor, which landed on his foot. Hiccup on the other hand just made his way back to the table. As he passed Snotlout, his cousin tried to grab his robe, at that Hiccup turned sharply and punched him in the face knocking him out cold. When Hiccup made it back to his seat he looked out at the silent crowd and smirked. "Any other questions?" he asked.

After two hours Hiccup left the mead hall, the questions weren't to bad and he only had to refuse two, those two were basically asking how the assassins operated and what their trainings were, of course he couldn’t reveal that. As he got a breath of fresh air, he thought about Basim, and how when he started hunting him, he wouldn’t escape.

Hiccup was declared medically sound a week later by Gothi. In that week he had been mainly helping with the dragons, he stayed away from most people but he often talked with Astrid. Sometimes she asked too much about the brotherhood and when that happened he just left. That day was the first time he went hunting for Basim, he found nothing but a cold trail, over the next few days he tried the same. One day before he left he got a letter from a terror, it was from Altair. When he opened it, he was shocked. He couldn't believe what he was reading.

Hiccup, I have gotten your letter and I have to say despite your failure to assassinate Basim your destruction of Templar influence in the area is very commendable. I have another thing I am telling you, I will be coming to Berk to discuss a matter that cannot be written over letter. I have sent this a few days after receiving yours as I had a matter to deal with. I should be there in two weeks time, weather permitting.

-Altair ibn la Ahad

Chapter Text

Hiccup had been in Berk for about four weeks now. He didn't interact with most people, he only talked to people that would start a conversation with him and few people did that. After he beat Snotlout in the duel the current heir mainly stayed away from him. Hiccup was staying in the chief's house, from what Astrid could tell he interacted with his father as little as possible. Every day after he was healed he would take off on Toothless and hunt Basim, he would do that for six days straight. But on the seventh he would give himself and Toothless a rest day. On that seventh day he would help with anything dragon related. It was also these days he could be found in the back of mead hall, he never actually drank any mead, when Astrid asked why he said last time he did he couldn't defend himself from some Templars and he was captured. She didn't press the conversation after that, he guessed that's where a lot of his scars that she saw came from. It was also on these days that Astrid's little sister would approach Hiccup in the mead hall. She really liked him and Hiccup for his part took a solid liking to her as well. She was the only one that he really had any patience for. Astrid would often sit there with them and just watch them talk. If Eva asked a question Hiccup would answer unless of course it compromised the brotherhood. Astrid still struggled to understand why he was so secretive about this brotherhood, yes Berk never treated him well, but he lived there for three quarters of his life. Though as soon as the thought came into her head the answer came just as quick, it didn't matter how long he lived there, it mattered how they treated him. She still remembered when they were younger just standing by and letting the other kids bully him. She never did anything because she figured it would be good for him, like everyone else she couldn't see he was just different, and that ultimately drove him away. 

One day Astrid woke up and headed out to do her chores for that day. As she was headed to the dragon stables she went by the cliff that overlooked the docks. There she saw Hiccup? Today wasn't his off day so she was surprised to see him still there. Consider how dedicated he was to hunting Basim. He was just standing there, watching the water. Astrid considered going up and asking him what he was doing, but she figured he wouldn't tell her anyway since it might "compromise the brotherhood". As Astrid went about her day she saw he was still standing there waiting, even in the middle of the day during the blistering heat he was standing there. At three hours past noon the Berk scouts reported a small ship on the horizon, Berk had near constant patrols at this rate due to the last attack. The strange thing was it was just a small ship that bore no insignia. As the ship got closer a crowd had gathered to watch it approach.  They did leave a few feet distance between themselves and Hiccup though he had made it very clear that he didn't like them getting close. The ship docked and a single person disembarked and made their way up to the top of the cliff. When he made it to the cliff, Hiccup immediately bowed to this person. From what Astrid could tell he was just some old man in his 50's that was wearing assassin robes. He was about as tall as Hiccup, maybe an inch shorter. It was only when the old man reached Hiccup did either of them say something.

"Rise assassin, we have plenty to discuss." The old man spoke in an accent Astrid couldn't pin down. 

"Always a pleasure, Grandmaster Altair." Hiccup responded. At this Astrid had a small gasp, realizing this was the Altair that Hiccup always spoke about. Studying the old man closer, she noticed a few more things such as the dagger in his boot or the extra throwing knives over his shoulder. Stoick approached Altair and offered him a hand which Altair took. They exchanged small pleasantries and Altair turned back to Hiccup.

"Hiccup I have come here for a reason, I have an additional task for you here." The master assassin stated.

"Anything grandmaster," Hiccup responded.

"I need you to set up an assassin guild here, there is an artifact here that we must secure." 

Hiccup widened his eyes at that, whatever this artifact was it must be important. Also what was an assassin guild?

"Grandmaster, please reconsider, I do not need other assassins. Most of these people are not fit to be assassins." Hiccup pleaded. 

At this Altair held up a hand, "Hiccup, I once thought I could do everything myself, that led to the dismemberment of one brother and the death of another. And yes this means your stay here will now be permanent."

"Altair," Hiccup started again. "Throughout my life these people have hardly treated me well, and now you expect me to train them in our ways?"

"Hiccup, when I was younger my wife was once a Templar. I spared her life and she is now a woman I love. These people surely have changed, I know you still harbor resentment towards them and it gives you a weakness."

"You know not of what these people did to me Altair, I challenge you to a duel, if I win I kill Basim and leave, if you win I build this guild you want here. First to draw blood wins."

"Hiccup, you know you can't beat me." Altair stated patiently. "No, but I also know I have no intention of staying here for the rest of my life."

At that Hiccup stepped back and drew his sword, Altair did the same and they started fighting. Hiccup was on a fierce and anger driven attack. Altair however was clearly keeping up with Hiccup despite the fact he was almost 30 years older. At one point Hiccup went for a jab and Altair dodged and kicked him to the edge of the cliff. Hiccup turned around just as Altair stuck him with the flat part of his sword. That sent Hiccup over the edge. At the last second Altair grabbed him and held him up.

"Yield" was all he said

"Yes, yes I yield, pull me up." Hiccup said frantically.

Altair pulled him and threw him down to the ground.

"Hiccup, you are one of the best assassin's and I know you will make a good mentor. You have to forgive them though, at least enough to work with them." Altair said, still standing over him.

"Yes grandmaster, I shall build this guild and hunt Basim." Hiccup responded.

"Good, I leave tomorrow the same time I arrived, until then I would like a tour of this fine village."

"Yes grandmaster, do you have anything to unload from your ship?" Hiccup asked. 

"Yes I do actually, I have five sets of hidden blades and robes. That's how many assassins I expect you to be training by the time I get back to Masyaf."

"Understood grandmaster." Hiccup said standing up and heading down to the boat with Altair to grab the robes and weapons. 

Astrid was shocked by the entire interaction. Not only had she watched Hiccup get absolutely wrecked, he would also be training some assassins now? Astrid thought it over as Hiccup and Altair brought the robes and weapons back to where Hiccup was staying. If she became an assassin she would get all the answers she wanted. Besides she would learn a new way of fighting, and this would hopefully show Hiccup she had changed. She watched as Hiccup started giving Altair the tour. Astrid decided to try and eavesdrop on them.

Turns out eavesdropping on a village tour is really boring. They didn't talk about anything interesting, Astrid was hiding in a bush towards the end of the tour. Altair and Hiccup were only about three feet away when they stopped moving.

"Tell me Hiccup, have you put any thought to who your assassins should be?" Altair asked.

Hiccup sighed as he answered, "To be honest not really, I have been racking my brain about the people here but I can't think of many people." 

"Well I think I have one for you Hiccup." Altair stated.

"Oh? Do tell." Hiccup asked.

All of a sudden Altair walked over to the bush Astrid was in and grabbed her by her shirt and pulled her out of it.

"This one has been tailing us the entire tour, and I take it you haven't noticed."

Hiccup shook his head no, while staring daggers at Astrid.

"Well." Altair said while releasing Astrid, "I think she would make a good one if she could move that quietly." 

Hiccup nodded while still staring at Astrid, Astrid for her part shrunk from his stare feeling guilty.

"Anyhow it is time for dinner, I take the mead hall where I can get some food?" Hiccup nodded and Altair set off on his way.

Hiccup and Astrid were still standing there. After a minute Hiccup sighed and gestured for Astrid to walk with him.

"I know you are a good fighter but the assassins do not fight like how you were trained, it will be difficult. Are you sure you want to do it?." Hiccup asked.

"Yes I am sure, I saw the way you fought even though I would've struggled against that many people I want to learn those ways." Astrid answered.

"Alright, I would like you to give me some recommendations on some other people that I can ask to join." Hiccup requested.

"Well sadly you were right, most people are stubborn so they won't listen to your way. But if you recruit the people our age they may listen. The twins and Fishlegs were just fascinated by your gear and Snotlout has been talking non stop about becoming  an assassin just to best you."

"You think I should recruit someone who wants to knock me down a peg?" Hiccup asked her, giving her an odd look. 

"If you train him you will be in control of him, besides I know how he fights he could never best you." Astrid stated.

"Alright I suppose that wouldn't be so bad." Hiccup stated as they entered the mead hall.

The pair went straight to where the group their age was sitting. Hiccup inquired if they wanted to become assassins and after a minute of speaking with themselves they all accepted.

"Wonderful." Hiccup said, "I need your measurements so I can modify the robes to fit you." After agreeing Hiccup got everyone's measurements. After they finished eating, Hiccup showed Altair took Altair to his house. 

The next day after they saw Altair off, Hiccup delivered everyone their robes and told them to meet them at the training arena in an hour with the robes on. When they got there Hiccup was waiting and greeted them.

"Welcome, you are the first members of the Berk assassin guild, your training starts now."

Chapter Text

Hiccup was not happy to say the least. His temporary stay on Berk had just become permanent. Not only that now he had to teach five of these people the way of the assassin. Unfortunately he lost the duel to Altair, he knew he had little chance, Altair had never even been struck during his time as an assassin and Hiccup definitely wouldn't be the first. Regardless he figured the five people he had wouldn't be too bad. Astrid would definitely be his best and probably become his right hand. Fishlegs wasn't as physically adapt but he was smart, besides having someone who can handle the heavy lifting was never bad. The twins were crazy and wild but if they could be taught to use that against the Templars it would be great. Snotlout though, he would be the most difficult, not only was he still sour about the duel he and Hiccup had he also wasn't practically smart. But another one of Altair's teachings came from Hiccup. If you take on an extremely difficult student, all the other ones will be easy in comparison. Hiccup was starting to wonder if Altair always planned to send him out to make his own guild. That was besides the point, the main concern Hiccup had were the robes. Altair had brought five, one of each size. He also brought the cloth that made them and instructions to make them. After reviewing the measurements Hiccup came to an annoying conclusion. Astrid and the twins were the same size so there were two he would have to make. Snotlout managed to have one that fit him, then there was Fishlegs. The largest size Altair gave him didn't even get close, Hiccup had easily spent most of his night making Fishlegs his robe. Many times during that process Hiccup considered just going and assassinating Altair so he wouldn't have to do this. It was a fantasy of course, Hiccup was no damned traitor and Altair had helped him too much. A few hours before dawn Hiccup had finally finished the robes and got some well deserved sleep. He woke up around noon and helped see Altair off. After that he gave the robes to each of his new students and instructed them on where to go. He awaited their arrival and planned a lesson in his head until they arrived. When they did he greeted them and dived right in. 

"What we are learning today is simple. We will learn the assassin's philosophy, the history of our fight with the Templars, basic assassination and blending techniques. Any questions?" Hiccup explained.

"Uh yeah I thought this whole thing was about killing people why are we getting a history lesson?" Snotlout questioned.

"It is to understand why we assassinate these people, and why we don't just go around killing anyone." Hiccup explained. Snotlout quieted down after that, when Hiccup asked if there were anymore questions and got no response he went on.

"Alright we start with the tenants of the creed, our moral philosophy, the things that keep us in check. The first one; Stay your blade from the flesh of the innocent, can anyone tell me what that means?" Hiccup asked. After a second Fishlegs hand shot up.

"Do not harm anyone who doesn't have any involvement with our enemy." Fishlegs answered confidently. "Yes exactly, you should kill exactly three people, Templars, Templar collaborators, and those who have broken our creed." Hiccup explained.

"The next tenant; draw not attention to oneself whenever possible. Who can tell me what this one means?" Fishlegs hand went up again, but so did Astrid's so Hiccup asked her to explain.  

"Be as stealthy as possible, try not to get caught no matter what as it could compromise the mission." Astrid answered. "Yes, correct if you alert any Templars that you are there they will go on full lockdown. And they will know you are an assassin." Hiccup said.

"Well that's dumb." Snotlout pipped up." If you kill them all quick enough they won't be able to warn each other." 

Hiccup frowned at him, "Oh and you plan to fight though everyone Templar, guard soldier or mercenary by yourself? You couldn't even beat me in a one on one. It is better that they don't know where you are." Hiccup explained. Snotlout grumbled to himself as Hiccup went on. "Tenant three; Never compromise the brotherhood, anyone care to guess what this one means?" At this everyone's hand went up, except Snotlout's who was doing his best to grumble to himself. 

"Yes Ruffnut what do you think it means?" Hiccup asked, "It means, like we can never speak of the brotherhood, like because it's a super secret club you know." She answered. Hiccup nodded at her answer and went on, "These tenants are the things that guide us, they are what keep us in check, they make sure we don't go crazy, they make sure we don't become the Templars." As Hiccup ended, Tuffnut put his hand up. "You seem to speak of these Templar dudes a lot, why are they so bad?" He questioned. "Ah a good question Tuffnut, you see us and Templars want the same thing really; true peace. The assassins however want it though freedom and minimal control. The Templars on the other hand want it through complete control and total oversight by leading figures. Our fight with them has been going on for over a thousand years, that is why it is important we eliminate them so the world can be free." Hiccup explained. Everyone nodded at that understanding the point he was making. 

"Alright next I will teach you how to blend in with the people. After I feel you are good with that you will learn the methods of assassinating, tomorrow we will put them in practice."

For the next few hours that's what they learned, the class overall did well. Astrid of course did the best, Fishlegs was always asking why they did it that certain why and Hiccup was more than willing to explain. The twins for their part listened well for once they seemed interested in it, Snotlout for his part was half listening he was still salty about, well everything since Hiccup arrived. After they finished and Hiccup dismissed them he himself went back to the chiefs house, well he supposed it was his now since it would probably be there permanently, at least until he made his own. As he entered he saw Stoick sitting in his chair, as Hiccup was about to head up the stairs Stoick called him to sit down. As Hiccup did Stoick started talking.

"So son I hear your training the others your age to become assassins, didn't think to check with me first?" Stoick started. Hiccup thought about it and realized he completely forgot to get the chief's input on the matter.

"Sorry chief, it slipped my mind, but think about it, I was able to free an entire village by myself in about a week. Think what an entire team of assassins could do." Hiccup reasoned.

"That's fine Hiccup, also me and your leader Altair had a talk earlier this morning." Stoick revealed.

"Oh what was it about?" Hiccup questioned. 

"Well you see-"

*that morning, Stoick's POV*

Stoick walked down the stairs and saw Hiccup asleep at the table with some robes laid out. Stoick also saw Altair sitting at said table inspecting Hiccup's work on the robes.

"Good morning Altair." Stoick greeted the stranger, still apprehensive of the stranger.

"Good morning to you as well chief Stoick" Altair responded.

"Hey listen I was going to go get some food at the mead hall, I would like you to join me, I have some questions for you."

Altair looked up and locked eyes with the chief, "I suppose I could eat, and I will answer your questions unless they compromise the brotherhood."

Stoick had to stop himself from rolling his eyes at the saying he had heard for the 100th time that week, "Yes of course."

The two left and started walking to the mead hall. "Well first I wanted to thank you for taking care of my son while he was with you." Stoick said.

"Of course, I would thank you for giving me one of my best assassins but I feel like the way he got to me was less than ideal." Altair responded.

Stoick gave Altair an odd look. "I don't know what you mean by that." 

"I mean the boy ran away from his home and that's how he ended up with me and the brotherhood. I know why he ran away as he has told me and it was less than ideal. I mean what father would let his son get treated like that."

Stoick had a spike of anger in him but he suppressed it, "Ok sure his upbringing wasn't the greatest and I will say I wasn't the best father, but that is how it is here. We Vikings value strength over all else, it is normal for the smallest one to get roughed up a bit, that is how they grow strong." Stoick explained.

"I guess I can understand that." Altair started. "But there is a difference between roughing them up to teach them and just letting them get beat. Was it your strength that freed your village? No it was Hiccup intelligence that did, a trait of his that If I am not mistaken you suppressed." Altair said. 

Stoick was flabbergasted, how darn this stranger tell him that he was a downright terrible father, "Listen Altair, I don't know what you are trying to imply but Hiccup had a normal upbring for someone like him and-" Stoick was cut off by Altair before he could go on, "If that is a normal up bring for someone like him then you should be ashamed, when he arrived at out fortress he hadn't eaten for three days and passed out the second he landed. After we nursed him back to health he willingly joined us. I personally took over his training. Any time he failed or did something wrong the boy flinched in fear like he was expecting a lashing or to be yelled at, but that is not how you teach someone. You teach them by explaining what they did wrong and how to fix  it. Though that Hiccup became one of my best assassin's. So what I am trying to say Chief is that you were a terrible and downright neglectful father. You let your own son run away because you didn't take the time to nurture his skills because they weren't the ones you wanted him to have. Now look at your relationship with him, you try to call him son but he will only respond with your name, he actively tries to avoid you, the only reason he is staying is because I am having him make a guild here. If you want to show him that you are better you can't just apologize, you have to show him through your actions." Altair said. 

Stoick stood there silently, he still stood there as Altair walked off to the mead hall.

*present time*

Hiccup sat there and listened, after the chief finished he asked a question, "Why are you telling me this?" He questioned.

"I am telling you this because after that I have finally realized the extent of what I did to you when you were younger, or the lack of what I didn't do. Hiccup I know now I am what drove you away, I know I am the one that let Snotlout bully you. You were my son and I can't believe it took me this long to figure that out. I know you don't want to stay on Berk but I am glad you are. I want to try and start over. I know you can never forget what happened but I would like you to try and forgive me. Do you think you could try for your old man, please?"

Stoick was looking at with an expression Hiccup never thought possible on the chief, regret. Hiccup sighed before answering, "You're right, I could never forget what you did. You're also right that it led me to running away like I did. You are finally right that I don't want to stay in Berk, but it seems I don't have a choice." Hiccup looked down before going on." But I suppose It wouldn't be so bad if I tried to forgive everyone, it will definitely take a while but I will put in an effort the village and yourself will put in an effort to show you have changed and make sure no kid ever goes through what I did." Hiccup finished. Stoick nodded at his son's words, agreeing to put in the effort. Hiccup stood up and headed up the stairs, "Goodnight, dad." He said before heading to his room and going to sleep.

Chapter Text

Astrid woke up the next day and headed to the training arena, she was excited because Hiccup had promised they would actually learn how to use their weapons today. All of yesterday they had just spent on the tenants of the creed, which was interesting enough but not really what Astrid wanted to do. Besides all these morals, in Astrid's mind, would just get in the way of completing the mission. Astrid met up with Hiccup as she was going to the arena and inquired about the specifics of today's lesson. 

"Well today Astrid I will have some human dummies set up and we will use those to practice on. I will use them to teach you where to strike, how to strike from and various other things." Hiccup explained. Astrid inwardly sighed and tried to hide her expression. She was hoping that they would just go hunting for Templars and by extension Basim. Hiccup however must have noticed what expression she did give and shook his head at her. 

"Astrid, I know you want to hunt Basim, believe me I do as well. But there is a learning process to this, after this you still have to learn how to move through a crowd undetected, how to move quickly throughout the terrain, how to effectively eavesdrop, how to throw the knives accurately and only then, only after that will we go out and hunt some Templars. That too is part of the training, but once you show me you can stealthily assassinate a Templar, one in a leadership position, then you join the brotherhood. Believe me when I say I didn't just join the brotherhood and start killing, there was a learning process to it. More so for me given my. . . weaknesses at the time." Hiccup said. 

Astrid went over it in her head and figured it made sense, Hiccup knew more than them so she figured for once she couldn't go into something head first, not this time. After they arrived at the training arena they only had to wait a few minutes for everyone to show up. The area had a few straw dummies set up as promised, but it also had a few small wooden towers with more dummies atop them set up. One Hiccup got everyone's attention when he started the lesson.

"Alright everyone, today I will be teaching you where to strike an enemy to eliminate them quickest. The first place is if you are coming from behind, muffle them, then strike them to the neck." As he said this he gave a demonstration. "Next is the same but instead of the neck striking the lungs." A demonstration once more. "Next is if you are coming from the front from the front, first strike them in the stomach, then strike the chest, finally finish them with a strike to the head." Hiccup explained various other ways to use the hidden blade to take down enemies, he also taught them how to take them out from different places. Like hiding spots like bushes or haystacks, after that was how to take down an enemy if you were handing off a ledge, finally jumping on an enemy. After that they learned something Hiccup called a leap of faith, basically he had them jump from various heights into a pile of hay. He insisted that it might save their life some day, but Astrid thought it was just a faster way to end it. They did various other training over the next few days; free running, hiding in a crowd, eavesdropping. Some did better at some stuff than others. At the end of each practice Hiccup would make them recite the assassin's creed till it was ingrained in their minds. 

One day at the mead hall Astrid decided just to ask Hiccup out right, "Alright Hiccup this has been bothering me, why should we follow this creed so closely. Why not take out a few civilians if it means we wipe out the entire Templar order? Why not just rush at the Templars before they can escape? Why not just tell everyone about our fight against them so people would join us?" Asked inquired, almost passing out from talking so fast. Hiccup looked at her and sighed before answering. 

"Astrid, these morals are what set us apart from the Templars, if we didn't have them then we would be the one occupying villages, killing their people, having our way with their women." Hiccup paused before going on, "If we went by your logic Astrid you would be dead." Astrid gasped, "What are you talking about?" she inquired.

"Some assassins interpret the first tenant differently, some choose to see it as limiting them from killing innocents. I and some others however see it as making sure as few innocents die as possible, either by our blade or the Templars. When Basim was trying to escape he threw a knife at you, which I deflected to the ground." Astrid nodded in remembrance, "If you had died it would have broken the creed, or at least my interpretation of it. For saving you I paid the price of an escaped target and a stab wound. That Astrid is why we follow the creed. It makes us better and morally righteous."

Hiccup stood up as he finished, "Rest up after you're done eating, your final test is tomorrow. We will ride to the northern markets." After he left, they all had surprised looks on their faces. The northern markets? That was considered a dangerous place selling everything from people to dragons. Astrid figured it was the best place to kill some bad people though so it made sense on some level. After she finished she went to her home and rested as instructed. 

Chapter Text

Hiccup woke up all of his recruits and took them to the training arena like usual, this time however he told them to bring their dragons. After everyone arrived he explained the plan, "Alright listen up, today we fly to the northern markets, I have found it to be a hotbed for Templar and general criminals. Your task once there will be to locate and assassinate one Templar each in a leadership position. It doesn't matter if they command a fort or just a small unit any leadership will do. However if you find Basim, Drago, or Krogan report back to me. Understood?" At the nod of his students he continued, "It is a day ride there, we fly now. Rest outside the market then your trial starts the next day." He mounted Toothless as did the rest of the students and they flew.

A day later they set up camp in a cave about half a mile from the markets, Hiccup explained to them once more what do, he said he didn't care how they did it as long as they didn't break the creed, "And remember if you see any of the three major Templars report back to me immediately." That was the last thing he said before going to sleep, the other followed him in that soon wanting to be well rested for tomorrow. As Hiccup and his students woke up and started the day they headed into the market, getting atop one of the nearby taverns he pointed in various directions of high Templar activity before sending them off wishing all five luck.

Astrid arrived at a warehouse and watched as she saw someone with the Templar insignia head in. Getting atop of the warehouse and entering through a window he sat on top of carts and listened. "Mister Edmund please I will pay back my debt within two days please have mercy." A man tied to a chair begged, the man in question, the "Mister Edmund" smiled devilishly at him. "You know Hamond, you have been promising that for days, now I may be a busy man, in charge of the port and all. But I always make time for those who owe me." The man smiled before brandishing a knife. The tied up man started to beg again, but Astrid heard all she needed to, he was obviously a Templar considering the symbol on his sword, ring and chain. He was also in charge of something. She jumped down behind him quietly and snuck up behind him. Putting her hand over his mouth she struck him in the Kidney then the lungs. Dropping him to the ground as he had his final moments of life in pain she freed the tied up man. He thanked her profusely before running out, Astrid regarded her now dead target and took his ring as a trophy, Hiccup had Basim's sword so why couldn't she have this?

The Twins had made their way into the hold of a ship, they had done this by hiding in some crates. "Come on Tuff, think about it, it's a ship and a ship has a captain. It makes sense." "Well yes it may, but this is a port with taverns that may have said captain." Tuffnut retorted. "Fine I issue a Thorston challenge, if there is no captain I wear your clothes for a week, if there is you wear mine." Tuff regarded his sister for a moment before agreeing. That's how they found themselves in the hold of the ship. As they left their crate they snuck around the ship for a few minutes before finding the captain's quarters. Sneaking in they found no one there, deciding to look around Tuff went in his chest while Ruff went through the captains desk. Eventually Ruff found a Ring that held the Templar insignia proving they had someone to assassinate. Tuff on the other hand found a letter addressed to the captain. 

Captain Edward

I will be visiting your ship today to inspect the crates of weapons for our cause, while I trust you our leader Drago doesn't. I will be there around noon or so.

May the father of understanding guide us.

Captain Mathews

The twins regarded the letter for a moment, they both needed to assassinate someone and it seemed that captain Mathews would be another target. So they waited in the hold near the weapons and made a plan while they waited. After about half an hour two figures came into the hold. As they were walking Ruffnut stepped out in front of them.

"You two don't happen to be Captain Edward and Mathews do you?" She asked innocently.

The two captains shared a glance before answering with a nod.

"Wonderful,” a voice behind them said." That was Tuffnut who assassinated Edward with a blade to the back of the head. As Mathews turned to look at his fallen comrade, Ruffnut pulled out a knife and threw it straight into his neck. 

"Watch out Butt-elf you almost missed and got me." Tuff exclaimed. 

Ruff rolled her eyes, "Please, I was the second best at the knife throwing I would've been first but Hiccup controlled the wind and made mine miss and Astrid won."

"Come on now Ruff you're just jealous that he doesn't have a crush on you." Tuffnut taunted.

"Well- you know- whatever lets just go we finished our mission, I am keeping these rings though." She said as she grabbed Edwards rings. As she walked away Tuffnut looked at Mathews ring and hummed as he grabbed it, following his sister in her exit.

Fishlegs had made his way into a barracks room near the water and was hiding in a corner behind a few crates. He figured that if he waited long enough an officer would come and sure enough one did, with about four guards. Fishlegs knew he was a Templar the insignia on his chest said that enough. The guards around her also had it though so Fishlegs weren't sure what they were. He figured there were some royale guard, better trained and armed which checked out given their armor. The officer headed into his office with two guards with him and two by the door. Fishlegs sat there thinking of a plan and came up with something. Hiccup had offered them smoke bombs which he was the only one to take them. Due to his husky form he wasn't limited on what to carry so he took everything he could. So he could a vase and threw it by the crates where he was, sure enough one of the guards walked over to investigate. When he was close enough Fishlegs grabbed him and dragged him behind the crates, choking him so he couldn't yell. Fishlegs quickly ended him with a blade to the gap between his helmet and chest piece. The other guard, seeing his friend vanish also walked over, he however was alert with his spear ready. Fishlegs however managed to get over some crates and got behind him, planting his sword in the back of the guards neck. Getting about three smoke bombs ready he knocked on the officer door and opened it at the sound of the officers voice. Opening it a small bit Fishlegs tossed the smoke bombs in and closed the door. AT the sound of coughing he entered again taking out both of the guards. After that he took one look at the still coughing officer and finished him with a hidden blade to the eye. As the smoke cleared Fishlegs saw a letter from Drago on the desk.

To whom to may concern

Me and my fellow leadership will be at the fort today to oversee local operations. I expect everything to be ready by the time we are there. Be on the lookout for any assassins I have had word that one is looking for us for what we did to Berk. If you find any, bring them to the fort so Basim can deal with them. He has a weird obsession with the one with the even weirder name. 

Drago.

Fishlegs pocket the note and looked at his fallen target. On the dead officer he saw a necklace, Ruffnut will love this, maybe now she'll notice me, Fishlegs thought hopefully. After he pocket the necklace and the letter he headed back to Hiccup.

Snotlout was annoyed and tipsy. He hadn't found any Templars worthy of someone like him, the best he had found was some ship captain. He wanted to prove to everyone that Hiccup wasn't the best assassin there, it should be him. He was the heir of Berk, he was the best warrior, aside from his princess of course. Sneaking around like rats wasn't the right way to fight and he would prove that to Hiccup and everyone by killing one of the big three in a proper fight. He had gone to a local tavern after about an hour of looking. When he was there he had drunk a few cups of ale, he had tried to flirt with some dancers by boasting about his assassin abilities. They hadn't given him much interest so he left. After he walked outside he could've sworn he saw Basim and Drago down the street entering the big fort. He ran down the street to get a closer look and realized it was indeed them. Thinking this was his chance to show everyone that Hiccup's assassin way was inferior, he walked out into the street hammer drawn.

"BASIM" Snotlout yelled, the other man turning to face him. "I will kill you for what you did to Berk, you killed my father."

Basim smirked at him, "How you were the child of that loudmouth moron? Makes sense considering your situation." 

At that Snotlout charged at him, the guards around Basim raised their weapons but Basim signaled for them to lower them. Just as Snotlout was swinging the hammer down, Basim side stepped him and struck him in the face. Snotlout fell to the ground and Basim pulled off his hood. 

"You're definitely not Hiccup but you will do. Grab him and we'll make an example to any other assassins."

As Snotlout was being dragged away, he looked up and saw his father. He was looking at Snotlout with the worst scowl Snotlout had seen. Snotlout ducked his head and passed out.

Hiccup was smiling as his student's returned claiming of their accomplishments, he was extra proud of Astrid for saving a man but he knew deep down he would always be more proud of her. The twins returned and he shook his head at their story, it was their typical antics but they got it done so it didn't matter. Fishlegs came back a few minutes later looking even more tired than the rest.

"Hiccup- He -Captured-example" He breathed out huffing and puffing.

"Whoa Fishlegs breath and tell me what happened." After a moment he caught his breath.

"As I was heading I swung by the fort because of a letter I found. When I got there I saw Snotlout engage with Basim, he lost and got dragged inside." Fishlegs explained.

Hiccup's eyes widened, of course Snotlout had why didn't he watch him? Wait he was a grown adult Hiccup shouldn't have to. But he basically acted like a child. Hiccup pushed those thoughts aside before asking Fishlegs which specific fort. After pointing it out Hiccup took off across the rooftops to the fort. He was pretty sure the others gave chase after him but he was faster. When he made it to the houses directly opposite the gates entrance he saw Snotlout inside ready to be hung. Sideling down the roof he loaded a shot in his crossbow and took out one guard. He rolled when he hit the ground, loaded another shot and finished the other guard. There were four by Snotlout but dozens along the wall and further back in the courtyard. Throwing two knives Hiccup dispatched the two guards closest to Snotlout. Jumping on a crate Hiccup took out another with his hidden blade before finishing the last in a quick sword fight. He cut Snotlout down and helped him to his feet and got running. As they were almost to the door he saw the gate coming down to a close. Seeing Snotlout wouldn't make it by himself Hiccup gave him a shove with all his strength and pushed him over the threshold at the expense of his own escape.

"HICCUP" He heard Astrid yell just as she and the others made it to the roof of the houses he was on just a minute ago. The rest of them ran up and got Snotlout. Fishlegs took him away saying something about calling the dragons. Astrid ran up to the gate with the twins sticking back.

"Hiccup you have to get out of there before-"

"Well well well if it isn't the assassin I actually want." Hiccup heard a voice say, turning around he saw it was Basim and about 150 we armed Templar guards. Hiccup knew these types, well armed, trained and loyal to a fault. 

"You know." Basim Taunted, "Your assassin there announced himself in public and rushed me wide open with a hammer, what are you teaching your students Hiccup?"

"Well you know he is the best we got." Hiccup responded sarcastically. 

Basim gave a laugh to that, "Good he can take over after I kill you, guards capture him, end him if you must." Hiccup looked at Astrid one last time before pulling his hood down and drawing his Hidden blades. The first few guards rushed him, Hiccup jumped on the first one, pushed him to the ground. Dodging the ax that came down at him he took one out with a blade to the neck. After that he took out another with a duck and blade to the check. Another ax dodged another kill gain. One tried to swing their sword at him, he grabbed their hands and used their sword to take out another guard, then used their own blade on themselves. Another few rushed him and Hiccup felt himself getting tired he hadn't even taken out ten yet. It was in his moment of weakness he almost missed an ax thrown at he head, in a moment of panic he used his hidden blade to block it. The force of the ax broke the blade and pushed Hiccup to the ground. As he fell he felt arms grab him and pin his arms to his back. He was dragged up and brought to his knees upon Basim. 

"Well hello Hiccup." Basim said with a sneer. "It seems you and your brotherhood end here, you put up a challenge though. Good thing it ends here."

Basim said as he was brought several swords, knives and one very large ax.

"But," He started as he grabbed a dagger, "Might as well have some fun" 

Chapter Text

As Hiccup turned away Astrid ran around the side of the fort looking for a way up. Eventually she found a way up via some wooden posts and cracked stone. The twins were following her closely behind. As they were about to make it to the top a guard looked over the edge and made eye contact with Astrid, before he could do anything she had grabbed him by his armor and heaved him with all her strength over the edge, he body almost hit the twins. She made it to the top of the wall and looked around, in the courtyard she saw Hiccup; he was currently getting tortured by Basim who was surrounded by 100 or so guards. Along the walls with him were about 40 guards who were moving to her position. The twins had made it up as well and were looking around too.

"Astrid, go down and try to help Hiccup." Tuff said.

"Yeah go save your boyfriend we'll be up here." Ruff said with complete seriousness.

"He's not my." Astrid tried to protest before realizing she had more important things to do. She climbed down to the courtyard and drew her ax, ready to go through each and every guard to get to Hiccup. They had let him down once, they couldn't a second time. She charged the first guard and took him easily. She narrowly dodged a blow from her left and used her hidden blade to that one out. Pulling out two knives she took out some more guards. She continued fighting the guards on the ground as the twins worked their way up top. She was getting nervous though, if Hiccup couldn't get through a similar number how could she? She was better at open combat like this but still. Astrid was also getting tired, which was a major problem considering she still had about 90 Templars left. She kept fighting as did the twins, but the guards were endless and Basim kept hurting Hiccup. There were times where she caught short glances of Hiccup, oddly enough those kept her going, knowing he was still alive. Suddenly The guards backed off at a call Basim gave, they all formed a defensive semi circle around Astrid with her back to a corner of the fort. There was a gap where she could see Hiccup and Basim.

"Well this has been fun but it is time i finished this small annoyance. Krogan, would you do the honors?" Basim said.

"Glady." The man said Astrid hadn't seen him before he must have come out of the main fort when she was fighting the guards. Krogan picked up a large ax and walked up to Hiccup. Astrid looked around frantically, both of the twins were locked in a fierce battle with some guards and looked like they still had a few left. Knowing she was his only hope she rushed the defensive line. Jumping on some spears she jumped over the guards head and pulled out her hidden blade she was aiming for Krogan. That's when Krogan did a quick turn and hit her in the stomach with the handle end of the ax, knocking her to the ground. Setting the ax down he grabbed her by her hair in one hand and her own hands in his. 

"Basim, you do the honors I want her to watch." Krogan said creepily.

"How do you suggest I do that? This little rat cut off my fingers." Basim said.

Giving an annoyed sigh Krogan let go of Astrid's hair and grabbed her ax.

"Here use this, it's small enough and it is her weapon. It will be ironic, getting killed by the weapon of his girlfriend. Basim smirked at that, "Yes I guess it would be wouldn't it." 

Basim walked back to Hiccup and readied the ax to split his head open, "Goodbye Hiccup you were an annoying pest." 

As he was swinging the ax down Astrid could swear time slowed, then an explosion happened behind Basim pushing him forward. Looking up, Astrid saw Fishlegs with everyone's dragons. Barf and Belch went to Ruff and Tuff and they got on before they started blowing the place up. Krogan released Astrid's hands in shock. When she realized this she jumped up and slit the man's throat, she looked at him in satisfaction as he clutched his neck and fell to the ground. Then she turned to Hiccup and gasped. Basim was gone, Astrid could see him running to the interior of the fort. While the explosion had caused Basim to miss Hiccup's head, it had pushed him and by extension the ax, onto Hiccup's left leg. He was losing blood fast so Astrid rushed to put pressure on it. Looking around Astrid grabbed the belt off Dragon and Wrapped it around Hiccup's thigh. She knew it wasn't perfect and he needed something else. Looking up she saw Stormfly and called her down. Thinking of a crazy idea she had Stormfly breath fire onto the larger ax until it was red hot. After it was over she breathed in and whispered Hiccup an apology. She then pressed the flat part of the blade against the stump cauterizing the wound. As she did this Hiccup woke up and screamed but she managed to get him to calm down enough to pass out again. After she was done and made sure he was relatively secure she got on Stormfly and put him in her lap before flying off. The other saw her take off and left with her leaving a ruined fort with dozens of Templars dead. 

She flew as fast as she could back to where Toothless was and where Fishlegs left Snotlout. After they had made it there she quickly organized them. Toothless couldn't fly by himself so she got some ropes and tied him up to Hookfang along with Barf and Belch. After she was done with that she led them on the long flight back to Berk.

The flight back took about the same time if not a bit longer. One would think carrying a dragon would be difficult but Toothless made it easy by flapping his wings to lower his weight. When they arrived at Berk it was dark, past midnight, Astrid sent Fishlegs and Snotlout to get Stoick while the twins dealt with the dragons. Astrid took Hiccup to Gothi in the meantime. She knocked on the old woman's door. After a minute she knocked again but a bit harder. The door opened to a groggy and unhappy Gothi.

"Gothi Hiccup needs help, he got into a fight with Basim and-, ok never mind just help him please." Astrid begged.

Gothi took one look at him and when she saw his missing leg she nodded. Gesturing to the nearby table she went to a cabinet and started grabbing medicines. Astrid placed a still unconscious Hiccup on the table, thankfully he was knocked out for most of the flight back only waking up twice. Astrid was lucky enough to be able to get him back to sleep both times. Gothi came back with a few things Astrid recognized, a cleaning salve to avoid infection and some sleeping elixir. First Gothi held Hiccup's mouth open and held him up as she put the elixir down his throat. After the elixir was down his throat Gothi started working on the stump that was now his leg. As she was Stoick bust into the small hut, seeing his son the chief was almost brought to tears but held it in.

"How did this happen? He fights greatly, how was Basim able to take his leg?" The chief asked.

"I'm entirely sure about the lead up, but Hiccup went into a fort to save Snotlout. He got trapped in there with over 100 Templars. He managed to take a few before they knocked him down and captured him. Basim tortured him in the courtyard, that's what the rest of these cuts are, then he was going to split his head in two with my ax before our dragons came and rescued us." Astrid explained. The chief nodded at her before giving her a questioning look.

"How did Basim get your ax." Stoick questioned.

"After the gate closed separating us, me and the twins climbed up the side of the wall. They split off to fight the guards on top of the wall while I went into the courtyard to fight the main group. I killed about 15 or so before they all backed off creating a semicircle around me. There was however a gap that Basim had left so I could see Hiccup die. I rushed through the gap and tried to kill Krogan, who was going to execute Hiccup by the way, but he knocked me down and grabbed me. Then Krogan told Basim to kill Hiccup with my ax, saying it would be 'Ironic'." Astrid said.

"How did Krogan play into this?" Stoick inquired.

"I didn't see him come out, he must have when I was fighting the guards, I think Basim figured he got his fun out of torturing Hiccup so he was going to let Krogan have the honors." Astrid paused before continuing, "He let go of my hands when our dragons showed up. I think he was so surprised he didn't even realize it. I jumped up, slit his throat with my hidden blade, he's dead." Astrid said. Stoick nodded at her not saying anymore. After a few minutes Gothi finished bandaging Hiccup. Writing some runes with her staff she instructed them to give Hiccup rest and apply the cleaning salve once a day. In addition they had to change the bandages every few days. With that Stoick picked Hiccup up and returned to his home. Astrid and the rest of the assassins headed home as well. Astrid opened the door as silent as possible, stopping it just before it squeaked. Walking into the house she walked over to the kitchen and sat down. Suddenly in sync several candles were lit, illuminating the whole room. Astrid stood up drawing her hidden blades, but then her eye adjusted and she saw it was just her family. Her parents and sisters were there, but so was her uncle, two aunts and five cousins, three younger and two older. Astrid sat down with a sigh, "Don't do that I could've killed one of you." She said.

"Who's blood is that? Why were you at Gothi's? Is that blood on your ax? Where did you go?" Her family shot a whole flurry of questions at her. Astrid momentarily panicked by the onslaught of words collected herself.

"Alright alright calm down, one at a time. The blood isn't mine, yes that is blood on my ax, I took Hiccup to Gothi's and I and the other assassins went to the northern markets." Astrid explained. At that least part her family gasped and Astrid internally winced, she forgot that the northern markets were considered a no go zone. Even though they told the chief beforehand that wouldn't matter much to her family.

"Astrid how could you, you know that the northern markets are dangerous, you could have been killed or worse." Her aunt exclaimed. 

"Listen Cus I know you're excited with all this cool assassin stuff but you're an adult you can't be doing things like that you should spend your time being a proper warrior." Her oldest cousin said.

"Astrid I know you think you are a great warrior and yes you are, but those northern folk are a different type you shouldn't have gone." Her uncle scolded. 

Astrid, to be frank, was angry. How dare they treat her like some child, she was an amazing warrior and trained assassin. She couldn't take it, they always treated her like she was ten years younger than she actually was.

"Listen here uncle, I am no little girl, I am an assassin and that is why we went there. And just so you know I saved a man today he was going to get killed but I prevented that." She breathed out. 

One of her younger cousins scoffed, "Oh congrats you killed one guy by sneaking up on him like a rat, how many did you kill like a true warrior." The cousin taunted.

Without missing a beat Astrid answered, "20, at once. And how about I show you what these 'rat' weapons do?" She threatened while letting her left blade fall out. Her entire family flinched at the sound they all remember when Spitelout was killed. 

"How could you use the same weapon that killed Spitelout? Have you no respect for our dead?" Her other aunt asked.

Astrid sighed, "It is not the weapon but the person, to kill like Basim did would be a direct violation of the creed." Astrid said. "I do have good news, I have managed to assassinate one of the main people that captured us, the man named Krogan." 

Her mothers and aunts gasped at the mention of the name. Most of the male Templars had their way with the women of Berk; all women of fighting age were subjected to it. Krogan though, he did it the most, at least ten women a day at most was 20 it was horrible. 

"You really got him." Astrid's mother whispered in a voice that suggested she didn't fully believe it. She had been Krogan's favorite, Hiccup's blade came a day late because after he ramped up his assassinations Krogan had stopped with his "fun".

"Yes mom, I got him. Slit his throat and let him bleed out like a dog." Astrid said.

Her mother stood up and walked to her, standing before her. Then she hugged Astrid tight like she would never let go. "I'm proud of you" Is all her mother said. Astrid hugged her mother back telling her it would be fine. Her mother let go and sat back down. Then her little sister Eva walked up to her, "Astrid, why did you have to take Hiccup to Gothi?"

Astrid eyes widened as she looked for an excuse because she was not about to tell her little sister the person she idolized lost a limb.

"Oh well you know he caught something in the northern markets, nothing too bad. Hey could you go grab me some water so I can clean my robes and weapons?" Her sister beamed at her, they barely let her do anything so she was happy at the opportunity to do something. As she ran off her father gave her a look, "Alright what actually happened it must have been bad if you didn't want her here." Her father asked. Astrid sat down sighing knowing she wouldn't be able to get out of explaining it.

"We were in the northern markets as the final part of our training, long story short I think Snotlout did something he shouldn't have or he got captured. Either way Hiccup went in to rescue him and he got caught by Basim." Astrid paused, she didn't think about how hard it would be to talk about this, "Basim tortured him, not for long but he still hurt Hiccup. He was going to kill him, luckily our dragons showed up and the ax he was going to use missed his head." Astrid breathed in a sharp breath. "But he was knocked forward and cut off the lower part of Hiccup's left leg." Astrid finished. Her family gasped at that, most people in the village had grown to appreciate Hiccup at the minimum or like him at the most. Astrid's family was a part of the latter since they valued fighting ability more than anything. Before anyone could say anything Eva came back with the bucket. Astrid smiled at her sister and took the bucket to her room to clean the robes and weapons. Once she finished that she got in bed and passed out before her head even hit the pillow.

Chapter Text

Hiccup was 11, he was playing with his Nadder doll outside the back of his house. It was one of the few things his mother still had left from his mother and he cherished it. He knew he probably shouldn't have brought it outside in case it got dirty. He was walking around pretending like it was flying when he was pushed to the ground. Turning around he looked up and saw Snotlout and the Twins standing over him. 

"Well, well if it isn't Hiccup the useless," Snotlout sneered. "Look at that he's playing with his little dolly like a five year old girl." Snotlout laughed. 

Hiccup stood up and tried to walk away but was pushed to the ground again, this time though Tuffnut grabbed the Nadder doll. 

"Huh, it's a Deadly Nadder." Tuffnut observed.

Hiccup looked up at him, "Please Tuffnut, my mother made that for me, it's all I have of her." Hiccup begged. A flash of sympathy went across Tuffnut's face and he started to put his hand out to give it back to Hiccup. Then just before it reached Hiccup Snotlout snatched it from Hiccup's hands and held it high so he couldn't reach it. 

"Well hold up now if this is all you have left of your mommy maybe we should keep it somewhere safer." Snotlout said mockingly. He then started walking away in the direction of the main village plaza. There were various torches propped up along the houses to give light and small amounts of heat. Snotlout found one of these torches and put the doll up there, near the fire. 

"See now it is completely safe, as long as it doesn't get knocked into the fire like oops." As he was talking he knocked the doll forward into the flame. The doll caught fire immediately and fell to the ground. Hiccup tried to run to it and attempt to put it out but before he could get there Snotlout landed a punch right to Hiccup's face causing him to fall to the ground. Snotlout then put a foot on Hiccup's chest, keeping him down. He laughed as Hiccup struggled to get up. After a minute Snotlout let him up and Hiccup scrambled to get to his doll, just to find a pile of ashes. He stared at what once was his most prized possession, then without control tears started falling from his eyes.

"Pathetic." Snotlout said, "A Viking should never let that happen and a Viking should never cry." Snotlout sneered as he walked away. Apparently Snotlout told Stoick that Hiccup had destroyed the doll since when he got home that night he got an ear full and then was forbidden to leave the house for a month. 

Hiccup was 15 and training to become an assassin under Basim. He had arrived about two months ago and he was progressing fast. He was already pretty good at throwing a knife and his sword fighting was okay but could definitely be better. However he was extremely good at the practice stealth assassinations and free running. Apparently being light and five foot one was a great build for an assassin. He didn't have many friends though, no one really did but there were groups of other kids that were close knit since they grew up in the brotherhood together. Hiccup was eating his dinner in his room when Basim came in. 

"Hey Hiccup, do you have a moment?" Basim asked.

"Yeah sure, Basim, what's up?" Hiccup asked, for the most part one on one teaching was supposed to be fully professional the entire time. Hiccup didn't know why Basim let the rules be more relaxed when they were in private but he didn't care.

"Listen tomorrow for training, don't go to the arena and report to grandmaster Altair's office instead." Basim said. Hiccup froze at that, when he was on Berk, if he was told to go to his father it was usually a bad thing.

"Did I do something wrong?" Hiccup asked quietly. 

"No no of course not you're doing great. Altair just wants to talk to you." Basim reassured 

"I'm not getting kicked out am I?" Hiccup asked.

"No, of course not. Hiccup he just wants to have a simple talk, that's it."

Hiccup nodded quietly at that, not entirely sure.

The next morning he went to Altair's office, upon entering Altair greeted him cheerfully.

"Good morning Hiccup, please take a seat." Altair said gesturing to one of the chairs. "Now I have heard you have a good bit of black smithing experience, is that correct?" 

"Yes grandmaster, I was a blacksmith apprentice for ten years." Hiccup answered.

Altair frowned at that, "You're only 15 correct?" Altair inquired. Hiccup sensing where his confusion was answered promptly, "Yes grandmaster we do things a bit different in the north. My father wanted to keep me out of trouble, you see."

Altair nodded at that and then started speaking again, "Listen Hiccup you're probably wondering why I wanted you here. My first reason is that I see you have great potential, I have seen your stealth training and you are the best student in that category since me, and you have only been at this for two months. Next, I need your help. I have a new hidden blade design I want to try and I would like you to help me make it. Finally I will be taking over your training personally. Basim is a good teacher but I would like to do this myself, besides I know things they won't teach you officially." Altair explained.

Hiccup's head was reeling from this information Altair wanted his help specifically? He saw potential? He wanted to train him personally? Altair must have seen Hiccup's facial expression because he spoke again, "I know it's a lot of information to take your time to accept but I would like it if you did." Altair said.

Hiccup thought about it before accepting. After that he met with Altair working on the new hidden blades or training. He didn't see much of Basim anymore but the special training was nice, beside now Basim got to go back out in the field. When the blades were finished Hiccup found that these ones didn't need the ring finger to be taken. Even so months later when he finished his training he still took his finger, he owed that much at least to the brotherhood. 

When Hiccup was 20 he was in the heat of the second day of the battle for the assassin fortress. The Templar assault was large even if most of them didn't know what they were fighting about or for whom they still needed to die. While they outnumbered the assassin's by a large margin, the assassin's had plenty of traps and superior training. He was in the midst of battle at that very moment fighting alongside his brothers. Then Hiccup saw that there looked to be a small command post set up by the Templars in an assassin tower that got overrun. Hiccup took off and jumped on some roofs to get to it. Then he jumped and swung into the tower by the window. Immediately he saw three Templar commanders and six guards. He quickly took out three guards, two with knives, one with a crossbow. Tossing a smoke bomb Hiccup reloaded the crossbow and took out two more guards. The final guard he took with a sword into the chest. After that He finished each and every Templar commander in the room. But then after he killed the last one, suddenly every person in the room came back to life with soulless eyes. Each one started mercilessly attacking him, he was able to hold them off for a few seconds before he was getting overwhelmed. Then he was knocked against the fall before he was getting pressed against the wall of the outpost. Each person in the room pressed towards him and Hiccup now saw that each one had the face of Basim. That was what he saw before one of them cut off his leg. Finally one readied their sword and stabbed him in the neck leaving him to choke out what little life was left.

Hiccup sprang up from the nightmare. He looked around frantically trying to find where he was. He realized he was in his room, looking out the window he saw it was light out. He pulled off the covers to get out of bed when he saw it. Part of his leg was missing, in its place was a fake leg. It wasn't a simple wooden peg leg like Goober had, no this was metal with a spring. Hiccup went to stand up but before he did his door opened. Turning to see who was there he saw it was Astrid.

"Oh gods Hiccup you're awake." She exclaimed, rushing over to him. 

"How long have I been out?" Hiccup asked

"Three days, you had a bad fever that scared us for the first two but you got past it. How does the fake leg feel against your stump." She inquired.

Hiccup stood up to test it and said it felt good. After that Astrid ran off and went to grab him some food and water. They ate together for a bit while Astrid filled in any gaps in his memory. 

"After I cauterized the wound we hopped on our dragons and went to get Snotlout and Toothless." Astrid was explaining.

"Wait hold up, how does Snotlout play into this whole thing?" Hiccup inquired.

"You ran into the fortress to save him from getting hanged." Astrid explained.

"How did he end up there in the first place? Also, do you know if you assassinated any Templar leadership?" Hiccup asked

"I am not sure how he ended up there, I think Fishlegs said something about him fighting Basim. To my knowledge he did not assassinate any Templar leadership" Astrid answered. 

Hiccup thought for a moment, he didn't remember much from that day but he remembered the fighting and his torture, "Go get my Fishlegs I will interview him myself. Also inform my father I am awake please, grab the twins as well." Hiccup commanded. Astrid nodded and ran off. A few minutes later Hiccup's assassins with the exception of Snotlout and his father arrived. After his father almost choked him out with his bone crushing hug of his and his assassins greeting him again Hiccup got to the point.

"Fishlegs, Ruffnut, Tuffnut, Astrid. You have proven yourself as true assassins. You have shown that you can sneak in and eliminate targets if need be. You have proven yourself to be true assassins. However there is one more test of loyalty, before grandmaster Altair the hidden blade required a sacrifice, your ring finger. Of course it is not needed anymore but it is a sign of loyalty. Will you sacrifice your finger for the creed?" Hiccup said. 

The other four assassins looked among themselves. They had been a part of this brotherhood for about a quarter of the year and this would make them fully fledged assassins. Astrid stepped forward first and said she would. Then the twins. Finally Fishlegs. Hiccup stood up and drew his dagger, heating it up in the fire that was dwindling. Walking up to Astrid he gave her a smile as she placed her ring finger on the table. Astrid flinched as Hiccup thrusted the knife down but Astrid felt nothing. Hiccup thrusted it the knife down three other times. None of them opened their eyes for a solid minute but when they did they saw their ring finger was still there. Hiccup smiled at them before explaining, "While some mentors would take your finger. All I needed to know was that you would do it. A missing finger is just an announcement of your assassin affiliations." 

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, they would have lost the finger but it was nice to not have to. Then Stoick who had been silent the whole time spoke up, "Hold up, why isn't Snotlout here? Is he not one of you?" Stoick asked.

Hiccup nodded at his fathers question before turning to Fishlegs, "Fishlegs you said something back in the northern markets about Snotlout engaging Basim, retell it please." 

Fishlegs nodded, "As I was heading back after my assassination I saw Snotlout pull out his hammer and yell to Basim. Then after being taunted he charged Basim and was captured." Fishlegs explained.

Hiccup nodded then he glanced at the twins who were looking extremely guilty. "Ruff, Tuff you look like you know something, care to share?" Hiccup inquired.

The twins looked at each other as if they were having a silent conversation before turning back to Hiccup, "Snotlout was bragging about how he was flirting with a bar dancer." Ruff started.

"He said he was bragging to her about his assassin abilities." Tuff went on. 

"He said he told her about his training, methods and weapons." Ruff finished. 

Hiccup's eyes widened. Snotlout not only had disregarded a direct order he also broke two tenants of the creed. 

"Ruff, Tuff go get him now. Do not let him leave." Hiccup ordered. 

"Hiccup, what is going on?" Stoick asked.

"Snotlout has broken two tenants of our creed and gone against a direct order not to engage Basim. Back in Masyaf he would be killed for this." Hiccup said.

Stoick's eyes widened, "Hiccup you can't kill him, he is the heir to Berk." Stoick said.

"It is not as if he is liked. He was informed of this upon joining, he knew the risk." Hiccup snapped back.

"Hiccup you can't, who will take over?" Stoick exclaimed, "I'm not young and will have no other children." 

Hiccup thought for a moment, "He has a sister does he not? That is your new heir." Hiccup said.

"A woman has never led the village before, they may not stand for it." Stoick said.

Hiccup sighed, "I know they might but I can not let him live for his crimes. If I let him live he could go to Basim and tell him all our secrets, he would die." Hiccup said.

Stoick thought for a moment then nodded, "I understand, I do not like it but I understand."

At that moment Snotlout and the twins came into the house. Hiccup looked at the twins and gave a nod that they grabbed Snotlout and made him knell. 

"Hey what the hell are you doing?" Snotlout exclaimed. 

"Snotlout, I have reason to believe you have broken two tenants of our creed. This is unacceptable."

"The creed? I thought those were just guidelines." Snotlout said.

"I have explained many times that they are more than that, that they are there to limit what we do. To make sure we do not go crazy. Your punishment is death."

Snotlout's eyes widened, "What? No, NO you can't, I am the heir." 

"There are others. Goodbye cousin." Hiccup said.

As he said that Hiccup revealed his hidden blade and stabbed it though Snotlout's eye, ending him instantly. Hiccup sighed as he pulled the blade out. He looked at his father who said he would begin funeral and heir transfer preparations. Hiccup looked at his assassin’s, "I need you four to figure out where Basim went, search everywhere, remember what I taught you about interrogation. I will be staying behind to deal with the fallout of Snotlout’s death." Hiccup ordered.

They all nodded before heading out, Astrid stayed behind and looked at Hiccup.

"I'm not happy he's dead, but I'm not terribly sad. If he had lived I would have married him as he gets to choose any unmarried woman he wants." She paused for a moment, "I admire your commitment to the assassins. That was one thing I admired about you when we were younger." She finished. Then she walked up and planted a kiss on his check, then she left leaving a stunned Hiccup alone in the room. 

Chapter Text

Astrid was flying back from the northern markets. She had been sent there by Hiccup on a recon mission to see if she could figure out where Basim or Drago went. So far she hadn't found anything, she thought she had found a solid lead but nothing came of it except more dead Templars. Which wasn't a bad thing but they were easily replaceable so it wasn't as great as it could've been. Astrid had been thinking of Snotlout's execution, despite the fact it had only happened a week ago so much had happened. The village had been outraged once they had heard their heir had died, less because of who he was and more because of what he was. Once Hiccup explained why Snotlout had died the group that were supporters of the assassins had silenced, rationalizing it in their head. The neutral ones, the group that made up most of the village, had been mixed on their response; it greatly depended on their thoughts on Snotlout. Most of that group sided with Hiccup's choice. Finally the minority of the village was the group that was outraged by Snotlout's death. This group was mostly his mother, sister and close friends. They however, only numbered about a dozen so they were no real threat. Hiccup had been working tirelessly to calm the situation down so he hadn't been able to be out for a bit. Astrid was happy that he was getting closer to his father, it made both men happier. Astrid's thoughts often drifted to Hiccup these days, especially since the kiss she gave him. She had always seen Hiccup differently from the rest of the village, she was able to see his usefulness in the forge. A year after he left she was talking to Gobber when he revealed that Hiccup had made her ax that he loved. That was the first thing of many that made her realize Hiccup had done more for the village than they ever did for him. Over the next few years Astrid's thoughts on these matters hadn't changed, just increased. When it was revealed he was back, she just felt something. She didn't know what it was but she knew she liked him. She liked the way he fought, even though it wasn't the Viking way but nothing about Hiccup was. She was just arriving on Berk and got off Stormfly. She looked around and caught a few dirty looks from Thuggory. She rolled her eyes, another one of Snotlout's supporters, she just marked them as irrational lunatics who were angry they lost their way to power. She made her way to the chief's house which was serving as a short-term base of operations for the assassins, at least until something got built. As she was heading there out of the corner of her eye she saw a few others of Snotlout's lackeys watching her. She figured that was an unfair description, given it was really his mom that was the de facto leader. They did nothing but observe her as she entered the house. Looking around she saw no one anywhere, but she heard hushed voices from another room. looking into the kitchen she saw her mentor and her chief standing over a map, backs turned to her. She went back out to the living room and waited. About a minute later there was a slight knock at the window. When Astrid opened it a brown and red Terrible Terror was sitting there. The first thing she saw on it was a letter, after she grabbed it the Terror took off. Looking at the letter she saw it has the assassins seal on it. Astrid thought she probably shouldn't open it. But she had seen these letters before and Hiccup always burned them after reading them and when would she get this chance again? Astrid quietly opened the letter and started reading. 

Hiccup 

I have come across more ancient maps. They are from the ones that came before. They gave me more locations of  pieces of Edan. There is an apple near your location and I want you to retrieve and secure it. It will be your responsibility to make sure the Templars never get their hands on it. Use it responsibly if you must. 

Nothing is true, everything is permitted. -Altair

Astrid reread the letter a few times not fully understanding it. What were pieces of Eden? Who were the ones that came before? What could these pieces do? Before she could ponder further the letter was ripped from her hands and she was pinned to the floor. Hiccup stood over her and looked down with a face of betrayal.

"Why did you read this? How much did you read of this?" Hiccup asked. 

Astrid, figuring there was no point in lying, answered honestly, "I got curious, you always burn these letters and I wanted to know what was in them. I read it a few times but I didn't really understand it." 

Hiccup looked down at her before looking at the letter. When he was done reading it he let off of her. He called Toothless down, who was sleeping upstairs and had him light the fire. After that was done Hiccup looked back at her, then to his father who had been just standing there. He sighed and rubbed his face before looking at them both once more.

"What I tell you must never leave this room. If it does I will kill you and whoever you told understand?" His said this in a tone that suggested he wasn't kidding. Both Astrid and Stoick nodded.

"Thousands of years ago there was this group of humanoids called the Isu, they were highly advanced creating things we could only dream about. They were basically gods in a sense. Then they suddenly died out, we do not know why. However many of their creations were left behind. These ranged from swords, to staffs, to almost anything. Altair believes there are about 50 throughout the world; we refer to them as pieces of Edan. They are extremely powerful, they allow you to make clones of yourself, create illusions, control people, and they have stores of nearly unlimited information. The Templars want them so they can control everyone and fulfill their goals. The assassin's are here to keep them out of Templar hands." 

After Hiccup was done explaining he looked at Astrid, "There is one here, somewhere in the archipelago, and know that you know the truth you will help me find it." 

Astrid merely nodded at this, her mind still reeling from all this new information. It took her a minute before she was able to regain herself. After that she reported her lack of findings to Hiccup and headed home. 

3 months later

The hunt for the piece of Edan had gone okay. That had found clues and puzzles as to where they could be. They had also found information that Basim had fled east and made new allies. Fishlegs and the twin's had been sent there about two months ago and were able to keep up near weekly contact. They were expected in about a week. Hiccup and Astrid had grown closer over these months, they had shared a few more kisses on the check but beyond that not much. The concerning thing was Snotlout's group seemed to be watching her closer each time she got back from a mission there always seemed to be more watching her. One fateful night however everything changed. . .

It had been a long day and Astrid was tired. It was dark when she got back to the village. It was dark, the only illumination being the occasional torch. She made her way back to her home slowly but surely. Suddenly a bag went over her head and something hit her head. 

A few hours later she woke up and looked around. It wasn't clear where she was. Suddenly a voice came from the corner, "Finally you're awake, you and me are going to have a chat." The voice stepped out of the darkness and Astrid saw it was Snotlout's mom.

"Untie me, then we can have a great chat." Astrid taunted.

Snotlout's mom smirked before slapping Astrid across the face. "Tell us everything you know about that rat that killed my baby boy or else you will have a really bad time." Snotlout's mom threatened.

"Go to hell." Astrid said.

Snotlout's mom sighed, "Well you have your chance, boys make her talk." As she was walking up stairs Thuggory and Dogsbreath walked out of the darkness and looked menacingly at her. The only thing Astrid could think was that she hoped Hiccup was good at finding people.

Chapter Text

Hiccup was starting to get worried it was a little past noon and he hadn't seen Astrid. Yes it was her day off but even then she usually reported her findings from her last mission or at least had lunch with him. Hiccup walked around the village for a little while trying to find her. After a while he ended up at Astrid's house. Deciding it was worth a shot he knocked on the door. Astrid's mother opened the door and greeted him before inviting him in. As Hiccup entered he looked around and saw that there were a good amount of Astrid's family members there. Two older cousins, her uncle and of course her dad and sister. Eva jumped up at the sight of Hiccup and went to hug him.

"Hey there Eva, how are you doing?" Hiccup asked. 

"I'm doing okay, my parents won't let me try and be an assassin like you though." she pouted.

Hiccup chuckled at that, "Well that's probably for the better. It is. . . difficult to take a life." Hiccup answered.

Eva looked at him confused, "But you killed the men holding us so easily." She stated.

"Well it does get easier with time, I have had five years to do that. Besides, it also helps when you know they are bad people." 

Eva thought for a second, "Well I guess that makes sense, I still wish they would at least let me train to be one."

"Well." Hiccup started before looking at Astrid's mother, she had a face that Hiccup couldn't really read but he thought it said some like don't make my job harder. "How about you become 15 then we can talk." Hiccup finished.

Eva beamed at the prospect of even having the chance of being an assassin, "Alright just you wait I'll be the best assassin you ever had."

Hiccup laughed again, "Don't let Astrid hear that, she will defend her spot to her last breath."

Hiccup then turned fully to Astrid's parents, "That is part of the reason I am here. I am looking for her and I haven't seen her all day. Is she here?" Hiccup inquired.

Astrid's family whispered among themselves before her father answered, "No we haven't seen her since she left yesterday. We honestly thought she was with you." 

Hiccup frowned at that thinking it over. Where could she be? Hiccup had seen Stormfly earlier still sleeping. Wait, Stormfly was still sleeping? She wouldn't be. Rushing out of the house Hiccup ran to where Astrid kept Stormfly. It was close the her house so it was a short walk. Looking at Stormfly's food pile Hiccup started to dig through it. Finally he found some type of root. He recognized it, dragon root makes dragons sleep for ages. Someone had drugged Stormfly. Hiccup sighed he didn't want to use it here, he would have to explain what it was but he had to. Hiccup activated his eagle sense. He had spoken to Altair about it the first time it happened and Altair explained he had something similar if not a more advanced version. Hiccups was weaker, he could only use it to boost his sense's but it still was better than basic human sense. Following the trail he walked across the village before landing on his destination. Upon seeing where it was he went back to Astrid's home. 

"I would like it if a few of you would guard the outside of the Jorgenson house. Also if one of you could get my father to do the same it would be greatly appreciated." Hiccup said

Astrid's family looked confused but agreed. Hiccup headed to the Jorgenson house. He had been watching it for a while, everyone who opposed him for Snotlout's death had moved in there. Hiccup figured of course it was them. They struck at a surprisingly good time as well, considering there were only two assassin's on the island. Hiccup jumped up onto the roof and silently goes across the other side. Looking down from the roof to where the back door was, Hiccup saw Dogsbreath. Jumping down from the roof Hiccup landed on Dogsbreath pinning him to the ground. Flipping him over and putting his hidden blade to the Dogsbreath throat.

"I know you have Astrid, where is she?" Hiccup demanded. 

"I don't know what you are talking about, murderer." Dogsbreath responded. 

Hiccup sighed and covered Dogsbreath's mouth, "You earned this." Hiccup said before stabbing his other blade in Dogsbreath's leg. The other man's screams were muffled and barely made a sound. 

"Are you ready to talk?" Hiccup asked. With tears in his eyes Dogsbreath nodded.

"Good, is Astrid in the basement?" Hiccup asked. Dogsbreath nodded.

"Is everyone in your little group in there?" Dogsbreath nodded again. 

"Good, you are no longer needed." Hiccup said before putting his blade in Dogsbreath's throat. 

Hiccup stood up over the body before going to the door. He slowly peeked it and saw about six people in the living area. Fully opening the door he walked in and looked around. Every head in the room looked up at Hiccup. Turns out there were about nine people in the room. 

"I'm here for my assassin. Give her to me and I leave." Hiccup stated to the room. Everybody exchanged looks before grabbing their swords, maces, and hammers. 

Hiccup sighed and pulled out some throwing knives, "Well alright then." 

As he said that he threw three knives, two hit their targets in the chest but the third one missed and went out the window. Two rushed Hiccup, the first he took down with his left hidden blade to the throat. The second person that rushed him, Thuggory, was taken down with Hiccup's dagger to the stomach. At that someone swung their sword down on Hiccup which he blocked with the dagger. Hiccup then looked to the right and saw someone rushing with a hammer. Hiccup then redirected the sword he was blocking into the charging opponent. Hiccup then eliminated the original enemy with a hidden blade to the head. Hiccup threw another knife which struck the target in the neck. Suddenly someone grabbed Hiccup from behind holding both of his arms. Hiccup struggled against this person, managing to get his right arm loose. Before he could stab the person holding him however another person rushed him and Hiccup had to stab them instead. But luckily he was able to elbow the person behind him and get free from them. Turning around he saw only one person. Before Hiccup could wonder where that last person went, the one in front of him rushed Hiccup. Hiccup got pushed back against a wall before he was able to eliminate his attack with a dagger through the eye. Just as the attacker was falling to the floor someone grabbed Hiccup and threw him out of the window. Hiccup rolled on the ground for a few feet before stopping himself. Staggering to his feet he looked at the house. At that moment the door busted open and three people stepped out. First was Snotlout's mother Bertha, then Snotlout's sister Orm, Finally was Snotlout's cousin on his other side of the family, Largelout. Each of them had Swords except Snotlout's mother who was wielding a large hammer. 

"First you kill my baby then you murderer the rest of my family and house. What's next? Are you going to kill your own father?" Bertha taunted.

"I killed Snotlout because he broke the creed he swore to uphold. I killed everyone in there because they kidnapped my second in command." Hiccup retorted.

"Oh right I forgot about your whore. I had fun torturing her. She didn't say anything, it wouldn't have mattered though, I would've kept going." Bertha taunted.

Gasps came out from around them. Bertha and her small crew looked around, she had been so focused on Hiccup she didn't see the entire Hofferson family, plus the entire village. Hiccup smiled as the Hofferson family drew their weapons ready to murder the group of three that stood before them. Turning to Astrid's dad Hiccup gave him a simple request, "I don't care about the other two but leave Bertha for me, I would like to finish off the being that spawned my horrible cousin." 

Astrid's dad nodded at that before moving in with the rest of the Hofferson family as they started beating down on the smaller group. Hiccup rushed inside and down the stairs turning the corner he saw her. She was tied down to a chair with rope and she looked horribly beaten. Luckily she still had her robes on so that meant they didn't have their way with her, probably. Her weapons lay on a small table nearby, from a distance they looked undamaged. Hiccup ran up to and cut the ropes with his blade while picking her up. He carried Astrid up the stairs and then outside. As Hiccup exited the building there were gasps from the surrounding people. Hiccup handed Astrid off to her father who went off in the direction of Gothi's. Hiccup turned around and saw Bertha was still alive and she was the only one. She was being restrained by two of Astrid's cousins. Hiccup walked closer to her before stopping. Eva was watching him, seeing what he would do. He turned to her and suggested she go help her father with Astrid. The little girl looked strangely at him before declining, saying that she wanted to stay. Hiccup sighed and nodded. Walking about two feet away from Bertha he told Astrid's cousins to release her. As soon as they did Bertha rushed Hiccup with a left hook. Hiccup however caught it and gave her an uppercut. Before she could recover Hiccup had broken her arm over his knee. Bertha backed up screaming in pain. As she was holding her broken arm with her other hand Hiccup drew his sword and cut off her right hand. Next Hiccup went to the broken window and put some of the broken glass in her mouth and forced her to chew it. After that Hiccup beat her, punch after punch. Kick after kick. Even when she was wheezing on the ground Hiccup kept going at her. Finally after a few minutes of being beaten Hiccup finally kneeled down next to her. He drew out his hidden blade and put it through Bertha's neck. As she was chocking on her blood Hiccup whispered to her, "Shouldn't have fuck with assassin's." That was the last thing Bertha heard before she finally died like the dog she was.

Chapter Text

When Astrid first heard the voices she thought she was going crazy. In all fairness some of them probably were fake considering she had heard her uncle Finn somewhere in there. But she was sure most of them were real. She heard her parents, her sister, the rest of her family, her chief, Gobber translating for Gothi and finally Hiccup. She heard him the most, sometimes he would be their reading to her, other times he was talking to her family, but most of the time it was just him talking straight to her. There was one conversation that was between Hiccup and her parents. 

Hiccup had walked in around what Astrid guessed was morning. He sat down on her left and started reading from a book that he had gotten somewhere. It was about some man named Bayek of Siwa in some place named Egypt. Somewhere around the point where Bayek loses his finger Astrid's parents had walked in. 

"Oh uh hello Mr. and Mrs. Hofferson I uh will be taking my leave then." Hiccup had said.

"We actually wanted to talk to you Hiccup." Her mother responded.

"Oh alright." Hiccup said, sitting back down. 

"We wanted to thank you for getting Astrid out of there. We don't know how you found her that fast but we are glad you did. Gothi said if she had been tortured much longer she probably would've died." Astrid's dad said. 

"She wouldn't have been in that situation if she wasn't an assassin. I directly lead to this." Hiccup responded.

"Hiccup she chose this, she knew the risks associated with it. And I can tell you she is damn proud to be an assassin." Astrid's mother responded.

"Still doesn't make me feel any better. I just keep thinking about what I could've done differently. I knew that the Snotlout supporters were watching my assassins. I should have known they would try something like this." Hiccup responded. 

"Listen Hiccup, you couldn't have known that they would try something like that. It doesn't matter much anyway what's done is done. You have to focus on what is ahead." 

Hiccup stayed silent for a long moment before talking again. 

"You know when I ran away to the assassins I was able to push Berk out of my head for the most part. Everyone and everything about it except for Astrid. She was the one thing I couldn't get out of my head and I could never figure out why. Any time I was away in a city on a mission or just walking through the village I would see a beautiful and lovely woman, yet there was always that one part of my brain that said 'Astrid is better'. Five years I dealt with that and now I'm back here with her in person and I worry at every damn splinter she gets." Hiccup revealed.

Astrid's parents were quiet for a bit before Astrid's father spoke.

"Hiccup there's no easy way to say this but that is how it is going to be. You have made it clear you care for her, you let Basim get away to save her from his knife, you knew her well enough to figure out something was off not even a full day after she got captured, and you made it very clear that you care for her when you went off on Snotlout's mom in front of everything. You however have also decided to bury your feelings for whatever reason. Take this incident to act on them." Astrid's father advised. 

Hiccup made a sound of agreement before trying to make a joke out of it, "Well maybe if she somehow agrees to date me she can take over as heir." 

If Astrid's parents made any acknowledgement of the joke Astrid didn't hear it. After that nothing really memorable happened. Astrid woke up about two days later, she woke up about mid-day. Not even five minutes after she woke up Hiccup was doting on her hand and foot as if she was the assassin god herself. Astrid knew how he felt about her and she knew she felt the same. She however wanted to see how long it took him to do something about it. 

one week later

Astrid was officially annoyed with Hiccup. She was still bed ridden due to her ankle which apparently got broken during her torture, she didn't remember that which probably wasn't good either. But either way Hiccup was being completely stupid. She knew how he felt but she didn't know why he wasn't doing anything about it. Finally she had enough and just decided to confront him the next time he came by.

That time came later that day when Hiccup was bringing her some water. After he did she decided to just get it out. 

"Hiccup, why haven't you kissed me yet?" Astrid asked blatantly. 

Hiccup recoiled from the question and nearly tripped on himself.

"Uh wh- Astrid wh- why would I uh do that?'' Hiccup asked, stuttering over himself. 

''I heard the conversation you had with my parents, and no I will not take over as heir for you." Astrid said.

Hiccup started blankly at her not being able to get his words out.

Astrid went on before he could say something, "You know how you feel, your parents basically gave you their blessing so why haven't you done anything about it?" 

Hiccup looked at her for a moment before sitting down at the end of her bed, "Honestly Astrid I don't know. Every time I try to tell you there's this part of my brain that tells me no one wants a fishbone like me. That you would laugh it off like a joke and move on." Hiccup admitted. "Besides, you got hit on so much by Snotlout when we were younger that I'm worried I would get punched for even asking."

Astrid looked at him for a moment before responding, "Hiccup, I'm not going to laugh at you, much less reject you. I do feel the same way about you, so it would be counterproductive." Astrid said. 

Hiccup looked at her for a moment because talking again, "Well I like you, you like me, what are we to do?" Hiccup inquired with a smile on his face.

Astrid rolled her eyes at him, "I swear I have to do everything." She said before leaning forward and planting a firm kiss on his lips. After a second Hiccup responded, holding her steady by wrapping his arms around her body which she returned. They stayed like that for a minute before coming apart for air, then going back in. They repeated that process several times and were lost in themselves for probably almost until they were snapped out of it by a voice.

"Does this mean you two are getting married?" Hiccup and Astrid's heads both snapped to the source of the voice by the door. Turns out it was Eva, and Hiccup's assassins, and the rest of Astrid's family. 

Hiccup's face turned redder with just about each person he locked eyes with, "How long have you all been watching?" Hiccup asked, a little afraid of the answer. 

"Well first Eva came in and saw you two. Then she ran off to grab Astrid's family. Finally We joined the crowd since we were coming to see Astrid anyway. So probably about five minutes." Tuffnut answered. 

"And you all decided to just watch as we made out for five minutes?" Astrid asked. 

"Well we were going to see how long you two would go at it before you noticed us but your sister wanted to pop the question." Astrid's mother answered. 

For Hiccup and Astrid they found the situation very awkward and unamusing. For everyone else, they found it very fun, and cute. Eva was jumping from excitement at the thought of Hiccup becoming her brother. 

By the next day Astrid was getting back on her feet, with plenty of help from Hiccup of course. To plenty of teasing as well. Stoick was ecstatic when he heard the news and kept boasting about how he was going to have the best daughter-in-law on the island. Hiccup and Astrid did their best to not blush too much at the teasing for that would just lead to more of it. A few days later Astrid was fully recovered and active. She was on one of her patrols when a memory came back to her from two weeks ago. She flew quickly back to Hiccup and burst into the room where he was debriefing with Fishlegs and the twins. They all turned to her and stared at her breathless self before Hiccup asked what was wrong.

"Hiccup, I found it. Or at least I know of a few places it can be." Astrid panted out.

Hiccup's eyes widened at the news before grinning ear to ear. 

"Astrid that is great, with that and our successes in the east we may beat the Templars by the end of the year."

"What did they accomplish in the east?" Astrid asked, gesturing at Fishlegs and the twins.

"They found a treasure trove of information and they got away without anyone seeing them as far as we know. So basically Basim has picked up some new allies. Additional dragon hunters, there are four new ones but three of them are basically high level middle men. The main one we need to focus on is Grimmel. Now this dude is a real piece of work, he hunted the Night Fury's to near extinction. He also has these other dragons called death grippers that he controls using their own venom. Basim apparently also has information on the piece of Edan and will be making his move this way soon." Hiccup explained. 

"Wait hold up, you still haven't told us what these pieces of Edan are Hiccup." Fishlegs said.

"Right sorry, basically really powerful artifacts from the first civilization. These things can do basically anything. Altair's old mentor had one and almost destroyed the brotherhood when he was corrupted by it." Hiccup said.

Turning back to Astrid, Hiccup asked the question all on their mind, "So Astrid where could these pieces of Edan be?" As Hiccup asked this he pulled out a map.

"Well it is one of two places, either this island to the south-west here." She said as she pointed out an icy looking area. "Or, and you are not going to like this, Berserker island."

Chapter Text

Hiccup and Astrid left a day after her revelation. They decided to go to the icy looking area to the south-west first, if it wasn't there then it would be easier to loop east to Berserker island. They had been flying for half a day at that point and Hiccup guessed they were about three quarters of the way there. They were wearing a new type of armor Hiccup recently created. It was made of shed dragon scales. They wore it under their robes but not against their skin. That way it was hidden, but the tunics under the armor prevented it from uncomfortably rubbing against them. They also only had it covering their chest, forearms, shoulders and shins. It was very protective and lightweight but not flexible. Either way it wasn't fully field tested, sure Hiccup had hit a sword against it but that wasn't the same as a battle. Either way Hiccup was confident it would work. 

About an hour later Hiccup and Astrid started to dip below the clouds and look around. In the distance they saw the icy looking islands. But as they got closer Toothless and Stormfly started to act out, eventually forcing Hiccup and Astrid to land. As they dismounted their dragons, Hiccup and Astrid moved into the glacier through a crack in the wall. They however didn't notice the person watching them from a Razorwhip. As Hiccup and Astrid explored the area they noted how many dragons there were inside the glacier. It was also surprisingly warm, but they chalked that up the dragon's body heat. Hiccup turned on his eagle sense to see if it could help with finding the Apple. He didn't see anything about the Apple but he did see that someone had been there.

"Astrid, it looks like someone has been here already." Hiccup informed her. 

"Who are you thinking? Basim or Drago?" Astrid inquired. 

Hiccup thought for a moment before answering, "No I don't think so, it seems only to be two people. Basim and Drago wouldn't trust this to someone without them there. And even then they would probably bring at least an army to collect something this important." 

"Well I guess we should move with caution." Astrid said.

"Agreed." Hiccup responded.

As they proceeded they drew their daggers out in case they got attacked. They moved further into the glacier and they saw more evidence of human activity. A firepit here, what looked like a makeshift kitchen there, and two beds. They went on and found themselves being watched by the dragons. Then suddenly Stormfly and Toothless burst by them and disappeared around the corner. Giving each other a look they readied themselves and made their way forward. When they rounded the corner they saw possibly the most amazing thing ever. A giant white dragon just resting there. It was bigger than anything either of them had seen. It didn't have any wings but it Hiccup figured with its size even if it did it couldn't use them. As they were looking Hiccup heard a small shuffle of feet and felt some pebbles land on his head. Realizing what was happening he pushed Astrid out of the way just as someone landed on her spot with a sword drawn. Hiccup backed up and faced the attacker. Then Hiccup heard a sound behind him and turned to face what looked like a woman with a staff. 

Hiccup put his hands forward, "Listen we don't want to fight, we're just looking for something."

The women scoffed, "Of course, you're just here to take our dragons." 

The woman swung at him with her staff which Hiccup ducked under. Realizing there was no convincing her, Hiccup got ready to fight. To his right Astrid was already engaged with the other attacker. She however had drawn her ax, she was holding her own but her attacker was of pretty equal skill. Blocking a strike from the staff with his dagger, Hiccup activated his hidden blade and made a strike to the women's arm. He would've hit her too if something didn't pull him back and pin him.

"Thank you Cloudjumper." The woman thank kicking the dagger away. Looking up, Hiccup saw a big four winged dragon above him. Astrid seeing what happened was distracted enough for her attacker to kick her. When she fell on the ground a slim, silver dragon came and pinned her down. 

"Now, tell me what Drago wants with this place and why he sent you." The woman asked.

"Listen lady, we don't work for Drago. We are from the Berk assassin brotherhood and are on a mission." Hiccup stated.

"Berk? Oh so your Vikings. Possibly worse. So what, you travel all this way to what? Hunt and kill some exotic dragons?" The women asked with obvious disdain in her force.

"Listen, I don't know the last time you were at Berk but it's changed. We are friends with the dragons now." Astrid said.

The women scoffed, " Vikings don't change, tell me who your families are." 

"Hofferson." Astrid answered.

"Haddock." Hiccup said.

The women froze at that, "Haddock? Hiccup? Is that you?" The woman's voice was trembling. 

"Umm yeah do I know you?" Hiccup asked?

"No you wouldn't, you were just a babe. I am ashamed, a mother shouldn't forget." 

Both dragons let them up and Hiccup stumbled to his feet.

"Mom?" He asked quietly.

"Yes sweetly it's me." Valka said as she pulled her helmet off. As she did Hiccup rushed forward and hugged her, which she returned. Releasing her the first question that came to mind was why didn't she come back.

Valka sighed, "When Cloudjumper took me and brought me here I felt at home. I figured Berk wouldn't change so I stopped trying to convince them and stayed." 

Hiccup felt himself fill with anger, "Really mom? You didn't come back because of that? What about me? Your child you left?" 

Valka felt taken aback from her son's reaction, "Well I assumed you would do fine and all. You were the son of the chief."

Hiccup scoffed, "Well guess what? That didn't stop people from hurting me. It was terrible, I was basically alone, the village fuck up. Hell being the son of the chief made it worse. It was so bad when I met Toothless I left. Flew south and didn't look back."

Valka's eyes were tearing up, "Hiccup I'm sorry. I figured you would get more of your fathers side. Also who's Toothless?"

"He's my dragon. I met him when I was 15, my first real friend." Hiccup said.

Hiccup looked to his right, eyeing his mothers partner that attacked Astrid, "Who is this?" Hiccup asked.

The other woman removed her hood revealing a black braid, "Hello, I am Heather. I used to live in a fishing village before the Berserkers attacked it. I managed to escape and met up with my dragon Windshear" She guested to the Razorwhip. "I met your mother about a year ago and have been helping her since." Heather explained.

Valka turned back to her son, "It's clear why you ran away and I am sorry for letting that happen. But where did you go and why did you come back?"

"I flew south for three days and eventually landed in Masyaf, the home of the assassin brotherhood led by Altair. I lived with them for five years before I was sent back up here by Altair to hunt down a traitor by the name of Basim. I am permanently staying to set up a brotherhood in Berk." Hiccup said.

Valka thought for a moment, "Basim. I have heard that name somewhere, is he working with Drago?" 

"Yes he is. Basim recruited him and his entire organization to his Templar cause. Me and my assassin's have managed to eliminate most of his leadership. The only ones left are Basim, Drago, Grimmel and some high level middle-men." 

Valka was impressed. Her son had done more in less than a year than she had in 20. She wanted to know more about this assassin brotherhood but she figured it wasn't the time. She was about to ask about Drago's location but then the entire glacier rocked. Everyone fell to the floor and even the dragons started to panic. Running out the way they came, everyone looked outside and saw an entire armada. Hundreds of ships and dozens of armored dragons. The ships were shelling the glaciers, trying to bring it down. Everyone jumped onto their dragons and started attacking the landing force. Hiccup and Astrid got halfway through the attacking force before dropping to the ground. They cut through the force person by person, while Valka and Heather provided air support. Hiccup and Astrid came up and faced Drago. 

"Ahh the assassins have come to face me. I figured you cowards would've sent your dragons." Drago said. 

"Ah well you know I wanted to see you up close in person." Hiccup retorted.

Astrid charged Drago and tried to strike him with her ax. Drago blocked with his staff and kicked her away. Hiccup threw two knives at Drago which Drago dodged. At that point the Bewilderbeast had broken out and started engaging the armada. 

"There is your alpha, what a pretty it is." Drago said. "Good thing I got my own." 

Drago yelled back in the direction of his armada. Suddenly another Bewilderbeast burst out of the water and charged Valka's Bewilderbeast. The two alphas clashed for a few moments before Drago's Bewilderbeast stabbed the other one with its tusks. As Valka's Alpha fell, Drago’s Alpha let out a call controlling all of the dragons. With Drago commanding the Dragons though the Bewilderbeast, he ordered Toothless to kill Hiccup. Toothless approached Hiccup slowly and menacingly cornering him. As Toothless and about to send the killing blow Hiccup grabbed his face and redirected the plasma shot towards Drago. The shot hit dead center knocking the large man to the ground. As he was dazed on the ground Astrid ran up on him and finished him with a hidden blade to the throat. With Drago dead the Alpha was to its own devices. Roaring into the air it sniffed around for a bit before getting into the water and swimming away, towards Berserker island.

Chapter Text

The group of four followed the alpha as fast as they could. Despite its size it could swim damn fast. Astrid was still struggling to process that Hiccup's mother was alive. She also struggled to believe that she wouldn't return to Berk for such selfish reasons.  Hiccup was in the process of writing a letter to the rest of the Berk assassin's. Astrid glanced at the other member of their party, the girl that went by Heather. Astrid saw many similarities between herself and Heather. Astrid hoped she would be a good fighter because she had a good feeling that they would need those skills. Astrid pushed those thoughts aside and looked ahead towards their objective. They were headed to Berserker island and it seemed that the Bewilderbeast was as well. But there was a chance that it would change course and go somewhere else, Astrid was hoping that it would, one less thing to worry about. Hiccup must have been thinking the same thing because he told them to speed up and they flew ahead of the alpha. 

They flew for about an hour more before Berserker island came into view. The first thing they saw was a gigantic armada of ships that seemed to be shelling the island. There were however smaller ships that looked like they were boarding the larger ones. On the island itself a massive battle was going on, it looked like hundreds of people were fighting with no specific rhyme or reason. They landed on the edge of the village where there wasn't anyone. As soon as they landed their dragons flew off despite the request of their riders. Jumping up onto the recements of a destroyed house Hiccup looked around.

"It seems Basim's army is also here the apple of Edan. I do not know who this other army is but based on the crests they bear they may be some combination of the old Outcast and Berserker army's." Hiccup said.

"Wait what happened to the Berserker's and Outcast's that they had to combine?" Valka asked.

Barley sparing his mother a glance Hiccup answered, "Long story short, Basim recruited them to occupy Berk, I came to Berk and assassinated Dagur and Alvin, the rest of their forces retreated." Hiccup said. 

Getting down from the house Hiccup turned to the group, "Alright I think I know where the apple is, my guess is that it is inside the mountain. A good bit of the fighting is around that area including what look like the people Fishlegs and the twins described from their mission in the east." 

"But there are at least a hundred people between here and there, not even counting the amount there or inside the mountain. How will we get past them?" Heather asked.

Hiccup turned to her, "We won't be fighting each one, we will sneak around. Follow me and Astrid's lead and you will be fine." 

They started moving through the wreckage of the village, avoiding as many people as possible and assassinating any they could get around. They were about halfway into the village before Astrid saw what looked like some assassin's corner against a wall. Alerting Hiccup to what she saw, the two of them rushed the group and picked away at them from behind. When they got rid of the whole group Astrid looked up to see three people in assassin's robes, it took Astrid a moment to recognize one of them but Hiccup beat her to the punch. 

"Altair? What are you doing here, mentor? How are you here?." Hiccup asked bewildered. 

Altair turned to him, "Your last few letters were concerning to say the least. I feared even with your assassins and your skill Basim would make it to the apple first. I came to assist you. Also my own apple of Edan was acting odd. I don't know how to explain it but it was acting as if it was trying to warn me of something. So I sailed here with some reinforcements, my sons Darim and Sef." Both sons in question nodded their greetings. 

Hiccup gave a slight bow before introducing Heather and Valka. Hiccup also said where he thought the apple was and after checking his eagle visions Altair agreed. The group that wasn't quite double in number but certainly in skill proceeded the rest of the way through the battlefield. They were nearing the entrance when several of the ships blew up with seemingly no cause. Hiccup turned to the rest of the group and told them that the rest of his assassins were there. Moving on to the mountain entrance They fought their way through the group of Basim's guards that were stationed outside. The assassin's of the group made quick work of them while Heather and Valka struggled. Heather was doing ok with a single opponent but if she faced too many she quickly got overwhelmed. Valka on the other hand was capable of holding off many enemies but she would never kill them. That led to her building up a large group of enemies before they were killed by Hiccup and Sef. Hiccup had worked with Altair's sons before and had grown a healthy respect for them. They fought their way to the mountain entrance, even managing to kill the high level middle men. As they were about to enter more explosions went off in the armada. Not only that but the other Bewilderbeast had arrived. Suddenly the top of the mountain started breaking apart raining rocks onto the group. Hiccup saw this coming and managed to push himself, Astrid and Altair into the tunnel entrance. The rest of the group however was trapped outside, they all had avoided the rocks except for Sef. Based on the crack and the scream it seemed like some rocks landed on a part of him. After conversing with Darim it seemed Sef's leg was broken. Hiccup realizing they couldn't do anything to help the others urged them to move on. Thus they did, into the heart of the mountain.

Chapter Text

Hiccup and his group advanced through the tunnel hastily not wanting to risk being crushed. They could hear and feel the rumbling of the native Bewilderbeast rising to face its opponent. Finally they advanced to a large cavern with ice along the walls, the ice however was melting due to the now large hole in the side of it that the Bewilderbeast exited through. Inside the cavern was Basim, Grimmel and three dragon looking creatures Hiccup couldn't identify.

"BASIM." Hiccup called out. "Your pathetic life ends today. Surrender and I might end your swiftly." 

Basim turned to him and smiled, "That is where you are wrong Hiccup. For you see, in mere minutes I will have activated my apple of Edan. After I deal with you I will have this entire archipelago under my control. After that the Templars will bring true peace to the world."

"Complete control is not peace, it is tyranny." Astrid countered.

"That is where you are wrong, little lady. People cannot make these choices so we must make them instead. I cannot expect you to understand, but I assure you it would bring the end to all wars." Basim said.

As they were talking the dragon creatures had turned towards them and were creeping closer. They seem to have some vile strapped to their head with some purple liquid in them. Grimmel gave the group a creepy grin.

"Do you like them? These Deathgrippers have a very potent venom that allows them to control their prey. I have reversed it so I control them." 

As the Deathgrippers got closer Hiccup's group drew their weapons ready to defend themselves. Suddenly a loud whistling sounded through the air and a shot of plasma shot through the opening in the cavern. As the blast hit the left most Deathgripper, Toothless and Stormfly dived through the opening and onto the remaining two. The first one that got hit struggled back to its feet and suddenly flew out of the opening. Before it left Hiccup saw the vile on its head had broken. Hiccup realized that if they broke the canisters the Deathgrippers would leave on their own.

"You two deal with Basim and Grimmel. I know how to get rid of the Deathgrippers." Hiccup said to Astrid and Altair.

The other two nodded at his order and charged Grimmel, who was guarding Basim. Basim was still tinkering with the apple. Rushing to the closest Deathgripper, Hiccup maneuvered around the Deathgripper trying to find an opening. Suddenly he saw it and swung his sword at the canister and broke it. The Deathgripper fumbled around for a second before shaking his head and flying off. The second one was easier, now that Toothless was freed up, he and Stormfly held the Deathgripper down while Hiccup took out its canister. It too flew away. Turning to Altair and Astrid, Hiccup saw they were still tied up with Grimmel. The man was excellently dodging their attacks, Hiccup knew given time Altair and Astrid could kill him by tiring him out. They however didn't have time. So Hiccup got close and behind Grimmel and slashed at the man's calf. As he fell to the floor Astrid planted her ax in the back of his neck, ending him. Giving each other a quick nod they all turned to Basim before all falling to the ground in pain. Basim smiled at them holding the now activated apple of Edan in his hands. 

"You have failed assassin's." Basim said as he walked towards Hiccup, "The world will have true peace, but first we must remove you." The last thing Hiccup saw was Basim's boot before he blacked out. 

The first thing Hiccup realized when he came to was tied up with some rope. His vision was blurry but he could make out Astrid and Altair next to him. Basim suddenly came up next to him and punched Hiccup in the face.

"You damned assassin's never understood our mission. Always claiming that freedom is peace. IT ISN'T. Doesn't matter, you assassin's will be off the map within the decade."

Basim circled around Hiccup before continuing, "You would have made a good Templar Hiccup. You're smart and you know what's right."

"That's why I wouldn't have been a Templar." Hiccup retorted. 

Basim paid him no mind and went behind Hiccup. Hiccup braced for a blade but was surprised when his rope came undone. Jumping up, Hiccup turned and swung a hit at Basim, but Basim used the apples' powers to block them through Hiccup back. As Hiccup was getting back up Basim tossed him his sword. 

"I am going to give you the ability to save either your girlfriend or your mentor. But first you must defeat someone of my choosing." 

Looking around Hiccup was confused, "There is no one else here for me to fight. Unless you are your own champion." Hiccup said. 

Basim chuckled, "This apple can do many things Hiccup. Even show projections of what could have been."

Then before his eyes a man wearing assassin's robes appeared out of thin air. Hiccup could see his face, he could however see the large hammer his new opponent was wielding.

"What is this sorcery?" Hiccup asked.

"This is a projection of what could have happened if you didn't kill your cousin. To my understanding he would've become one of your best assassin's."

Hiccup's eyes widened, no it couldn't be this should be impossible. But before his very eyes the figure pulled down his hood to reveal an older but very clearly Snotlout. 

"Hello cuz, did you miss me?" Snotlout asked. 

"Impossible, I watched you die. I burned you, you shouldn't be here." Hiccup said, shaking.

"I am merely a projection of what could've been. If you didn't kill me I would've been your best assassin. We would have wiped out the Templars and there would be peace. But you didn't even give me a second chance and eliminated me the second you could."

The Snotlout projection started to approach him.

"I am not very happy about that and I feel like returning the favor." 

AT that the Snotlout projection attacked him. Hiccup dodged to the left of the downward swing and went to strike at the exposed back of Snotlout. But then Snotlout swung his left hook which connected with Hiccup's face sending him tumbling back. 

"This Snotlout is quicker and better. He doesn't have the old weaknesses of the original. Would've been great to have, shame you killed him." Basim taunted. 

Snotlout took a few more short swings at Hiccup while advancing on him. Hiccup managed to block these, though with great difficulty. Then one of the hits connected with Hiccup's side. Hiccup stumbled to the side holding his side that he was sure had a few cracked ribs. Snotlout sent a downward swing towards Hiccup that he managed to mostly dodge, his left foot however was definitely shattered. Hiccup then kicked Snotlout in the knee with his good leg causing Snotlout to fall to that knee. Hiccup then followed up with a punch to the face with a left hook. Hiccup then started beating down on Snotlout. Hiccup kept the pressure on throwing punch after punch. Suddenly he was dragged back by someone. At first Hiccup tried to punch or wound them but Hiccup calmed down once he heard it was Fishlegs.

"Hiccup calm down, what the hell is wrong with you? Why were you beating on Astrid?" Fishlegs yelled.

"Astrid? What do you mean? Basim projected Snotlout from the apple and that was what I was fighting." Hiccup explained.

Fishlegs looked at him and shook his head, "Look" he said as he guested to where Snotlout was. And there was Astrid. Hiccup eyes widened at what he had done. He had just beaten up his girlfriend. Hiccup couldn't believe himself. He then realized that Basim didn't use the apple to summon a version of Snotlout that he didn't kill. He just used the apple to make Hiccup see Astrid as the said Snotlout. Probably made Astrid attack him too. Looking over to where he thought Astrid had been, next to Altair, he saw she clearly wasn't there. Altair however was being freed by the twins. Hiccup then turned to look at Basim. He was being attacked by Heather and Valka simultaneously. He was using the apple to block their attacks best he could but he was clearly getting worn down. With Altair and the twins soon to join he would soon be killed. Hiccup however was pissed, he was pissed that Basim betrayed the assassins, pissed that he enslaved Berk and pissed that Basim made him beat his girlfriend. Hiccup stood up, grabbing his sword, he then turned to Fishlegs, "Make sure Astrid is okay." Then, despite his shattered foot he charged Basim, ready to put the traitorous dog down.

Chapter Text

Fishlegs pulled Astrid to the closest wall and put her against it. As he tended her wounds Astrid sat there watching the battle unfold before her. Altair and the twins had joined in the attack on Basim. With those three, Valka, Heather, and finally Darim it was a six on one fight. Under any normal circumstance that would be an incredibly easy fight. This however was far from a normal fight, Basim alone was a skilled fighter but now he had an apple of Edan. With that Basim was managing to hold his own and the fight was stalemating. Hiccup joining however tipped the scales ever so slightly. Even with his injuries his skills definitely balanced out the fight. The battle went on for a couple minutes or so, Astrid was even able to get Fishlegs to go and join the fight. The swords of the assassin's clashed with the single sword of the Templar leader. Basim couldn't spend too much time on one person because if he did he would get cut down by another. He was also limited to light defense only. He couldn't rely on either his sword or the apple, he had to use both. The assassin's were evenly split on his left and right. The group attacking his left had to deal with the apple, while the ones of the right had to deal with his sword. It was a struggle for both sides of the assassins due to the fact that if they weren't careful they would injure one another. They also couldn't easily flank because Basim was to quick on his feet that anytime someone would try there would get a swift yet devastating attack on them allowing him to move. Then, Basim slipped up and Altair was able to land a hit. Then Valka landed another, followed by Tuffnut. Just as it looked like they were about to finish him Basim used the apple to send them all back 20 feet. Some sort of energy started pulsing from the apple and then everyone started levitating into the air. Basim held them there, taunting them.

"You foolish assassins, you nearly had me. But the power of the apple is unbeatable. As I said once I finish you, the world will be for the Templars." 

Basim started laughing as he prepared to finish them all off with the apple, suddenly a loud bang echoed around the chamber and everyone fell to the ground. A puff of smoke was visible near Altair's wrist as Basim clutched his lower stomach, a circle of red visible beneath his hands. Everyone stood shocked, Hiccup who was the first to recover rushed forward with his sword. Attacking Basim, Hiccup took off the rest of his left hand, the apple falling with it. Astrid was surprised he was even able to hold the apple with just a thumb, but she figured that the apple's power might have had something to do with that. Hiccup went on with his assault, slashing at Basim's sides and legs. Eventually the Templar fell to the ground, defeated awaiting death. As Hiccup raised his sword to finish him off, a thought popped into Astrid's head.

"Hiccup, wait." She yelled to him.

Everyone turned to her confused, "Astrid, what should I possibly wait for. We have our enemy right here. He needs to die for his crimes." Hiccup snapped.

"Yes I agree that he should die, just not now. He should be brought to Berk so the village can see him die for his crimes." Astrid explained.

Everyone in the room thought for a moment before nodding to themselves. Hiccup lowered his sword, agreeing but with a condition; "We hold the trial tomorrow afternoon. And I will not heal him beyond keeping him alive till then." Astrid and everyone else agreed to said terms. The group of assassin's got saddled up on their dragons, those who didn't have one got behind those who did. Except for Basim who was to be carried by Stormfly. As they flew back to Berk, Hiccup looked at Berserker island. Most of the Templar fleet was wrecked and it seemed even though the Berserker-Outcast alliance had suffered lots of losses they won the day. The evidence of the Bewilderbeast fight was clear as day but it seemed there was no winner. Hiccup wondered where they had run off to be he figured that was an adventure for another day. 

An hour later they had returned to Berk. As they were landing a crowd gathered around them in the middle of the village. Astrid tossed Basim less than nicely to the ground as she landed. The crowd around him booed and hissed at him, some even approached with weapons. Hiccup jumped down from Toothless and stood in front of Basim. 

"I please ask that you hold your anger till tomorrow. He will be put to death then in front of you all. Until then we need Gothi to help my assassin's." The crowd backed off but two did come to drag Basim off to the training arena and put him in the cages that used to hold dragons. The rest of Hiccup's assassin's went to Gothi's hut and spent most of the day there. Stoick did come by, and almost fainted when he saw Valka. The two set off back to Stoick's house to continue their conversation. Astrid's family also came by to check on her, when they asked how she got her injuries she didn't hesitate to answer that Basim used the apple to hurt her. Technically not wrong but not technically true either, Hiccup would have to remember to thank her later. Eva of course made sure to check up on Hiccup. Hiccup told her an abbreviated version of what happened. At the end of the day Astrid headed home ready to sleep off the long day. After she finished her dinner she was about to head to bed. There was a light knock at the door. Astrid went to answer it and there was Hiccup. Astrid was surprised to say the least. 

"Hey Astrid, I know this is unplanned but my parents are 'reuniting' if you know what I mean." Astrid cringed at that, she had also been the victim of hearing her parents "Bonding". Hiccup then went on, "I was wondering if I could stay the night? It's fine if I can't given what happened and all, I can find another place to-." Before he could finish Astrid rolled her eyes and dragged him inside leading him to her room. When they got there Hiccup took off his armor and found a place on the floor and laid down. Astrid looked at him for a moment before once again rolling her eyes, picking him up and tossing him onto her bed. She then laid down next to him. The two just laid there for a while neither managing to fall asleep.

Hiccup then turned to Astrid, "Listen Astrid, I am so sorry about what happened. I should've known that the apple couldn't show things like that. I should've known that Basim would do something like that. I just should've known it was you." 

It was Astrid's turn to look at him, "Hiccup how could you have known? There was no way that you could've known it was a trick or that it was me. I don't blame you, I blame the bastard that is in the arena that will be dead by tomorrow." She then placed a hand on Hiccup's check. "The wounds we got today will heal, but if you don't let go of this guilt it will infect you for the rest of your life." With that she gave Hiccup a quick kiss on the lips before cuddling close and falling asleep.

An hour later they had returned to Berk. As they were landing a crowd gather around them in the middle of the village. Astrid tossed Basim less then nicely to the ground as she landed. The crowd around him booed and hissed at him, some even approached with weapons. Hiccup jumped down from Toothless and stood in front of Basim. 

"I please ask that you hold your angry till tomorrow. He will be put to death then in front of you all. Until then we need Gothi to help my assassin's." The crowd backed off but two did come to drag Basim off to the training arena and put him in the cages that used to hold dragons. The rest of Hiccup's assassin's went to Gothi's hut and spend most of the day there. Stoick did come by, and almost fainted when he saw Valka. The two set off back to Stoick's house to continue their conversation. Astrid's family also came by to check on her, when they asked how she got her injuries she didn't hesitate to answer that Basim used the apple to hurt her. Technically not wrong but not technically true either, Hiccup would have to remember to thank her later. Eva of course made sure to check up on Hiccup. Hiccup told her an abbreviated version of what happened. At the end of the day Astrid headed home ready to sleep off the long day. After she finished her dinner she was about to head to bed there was a light knock at the door. Astrid went to answer it and there was Hiccup. Astrid was surprised to say the least. 

"Hey Astrid, I know this is unplanned but my parents are, 'reuniting' if you know what I mean." Astrid cringed at that, she had also been the victim of hearing her parents "Bonding". Hiccup then went on, "I was wondering if I could stay the night? Its fine if I can't given what happened and all, I can find another place to-." Before he could finish Astrid rolled her eyes and dragged him inside leading him to her room. When they got there Hiccup took off his armor and found a place on the floor and laid down. Astrid looked at him for a moment before once again rolling her eyes, picking him up and tossing him onto her bed. She then laid down next to him. The two just laid there for a while neither managing to fall asleep.

Hiccup then turned to Astrid, "Listen Astrid, I am so sorry about what happened. I should've known that the apple couldn't show things like that. I should've know that Basim would do something like that. I just should've known it was you." 

It was Astrid's turn to look at him, "Hiccup how could you have known? There was no way that you could've known it was a trick or that it was me. I don't blame you, I blame the bastard that is in the arena that will be dead by tomorrow." She then placed a hand on Hiccup's check. "The wounds we got today will heal, but if you don't let go of this guilt it will infect you for the rest of your life." With that she gave Hiccup a quick kiss on the lips before cuddling close and falling asleep.

Chapter Text

Hiccup awoke the most peaceful he had ever been. Whether that was because he had finally completed his mission, or because he was sleeping next to the most beautiful girl in the world he didn't know. Either way he was content and happy. He tried to no avail to dislodge himself from Astrid so he could escape before her parents realized he was there. It's not that he thought they would kill him, ok they might, he just didn't think they would be too happy to find them in this position. Even though they didn't do anything last night it still wouldn't be a great look. But he didn't think he could get out of Astrid's grasp without waking her. She had a literal iron grip around him. Looking out the window he saw it was still decently early so he decided to just wing it and fell back asleep.

An hour or two later Hiccup was awoken by a couple taps on his shoulder. Opening one eye he glanced up to see Astrid's mother staring right back at him. Turning as much as he could to face her he asked the all important question, "Is this where you murder me?". Astrid's mother looked at him for a moment before rolling her eyes, "No I was coming to wake Astrid up for breakfast. Though we have plenty of food if you would like to join us." She offered. "I would love to. Sadly I don't think I'm going anywhere with Astrid's iron grip on me." Hiccup explained. Astrid's mother merely nodded at that and went over to Astrid's side of the bed. Then he grabbed Astrid's shoulders and violently shook her awake. Astrid sprung up, looking like she was ready to murder someone. When she saw it was just her mother she calmed down. Then she saw Hiccup was also there and turned red at the realization her own mother had caught her in bed with Hiccup. Astrid's mother left the room, and the two got ready. Exiting a few minutes later they both went and sat down at the table. It was only Astrid's parents and sister so there wasn't much conversation. 

Then out of the blue Eva turned and looked at Hiccup, "So did you and Astrid have sex last night?" She asked innocently.

Everyone else at the table sputtered out or choked on what food or drink they had in their mouth. After a moment Astrid's father broke the silence, "Well, I would be lying if I said I wasn't wondering the same. Not that I think you did, just making sure." Astrid turned to her father with a look of shock and horror, "No dad, we didn't have sex. His parents did though." It was now Hiccup's turn to have a face of horror. Then Astrid went on, "Besides when we do have sex for the first time, I imagine the entire village will know." That sent the rest of the family into a fit of coughing and breakfast was pretty quiet for the rest of the morning. 

A couple hours later Hiccup, along with Altair and Astrid headed to the training arena. They knew Basim was too weak to even attempt an escape but they knew he would probably try regardless. When they arrived Hiccup raised the log that held the door in place. Altair and Astrid entered the cell to retrieve Basim. Basim for his part was sitting in the corner unmoving, he had his elbows on his knees and was in rags. But as Astrid got close to grab him off the floor Basim sprung up and tried to punch her. But before his fist even got close Altair punched him and put him back on his ass. Moving in, Hiccup went and tied him up with some rope and dragged him to his feet. The village was empty as they escorted Basim to the great hall. Hiccup had asked Stoick to gather everyone there for Basim's execution. 

"Killing me won't end the Templars' grand plan. My death will me a mere stumble in their great race to true peace." Basim said. "While I may die and this archipelago will be the assassins for now, when the Templars return, they will destroy you rats." 

Hiccup handed Basim off to Altair as he turned to face him, "I cannot guarantee the permanent freedom of this archipelago from the Templar's oppression. But I can guarantee that you will die today, and with you any chance of Templar takeover for decades to come." 

Nothing else was said as they made their way to the mead hall, nothing was said as they entered and escorted Basim to the front. Altair and Astrid both stood behind Basim holding him in place. Stoick was standing on the front and center of the stage. Giving his father a quick nod, Hiccup moved to take his place.

"When I came here a little over half a year ago, I had one mission in mind. To assassinate the traitor Basim. That's it, all I wanted to do was that. I didn't want to integrate with the population, I didn't want to be a mentor of a brotherhood here, and I sure as hell didn't want to train anyone in the brotherhood's ways. As you are all aware I was treated very poorly when I was younger, the worst of which was from my cousin. But, being made to stay here and build a brotherhood has shown me a deeper understanding of the brotherhood's ways. I am now happy to call myself a village of Berk and the mentor of its brotherhood. That understanding and happiness is the only good thing to come out of Basim's actions. He has murdered more people than you could count, assassin or not. He has enslaved many people for his Templar overlords to further his own plans. He, and by extension the soldiers under his command, has violated many of women in this village and probably many more. It is for those reasons," Hiccup paused as he dragged Basim to his knees in front of him, " I sentence Basim Ibn Ishaq to death." With that Hiccup drove his hidden blade into the base of Basim's skull, giving him a quick and painless death much more than what he deserved. As the people of Berk cheered, Hiccup laid Basim's body on its back across the stage. Taking two fingers Hiccup closed both of Basim's eyes, "ارقد بسلام" is all Hiccup said to the body of the Templar. This went unnoticed by all but two people, Altair and Astrid. One who knew of the gesture, and the other who didn't know what the hell Hiccup had done or what he had said.

The celebration of the victory lasted days. Much food and mead were shared across the village. Even Altair and his sons got into the action one of the days, apparently Darim was a natural axe thrower. Altair decided that he and his sons would leave the day after the celebrations ended and that's what they did. As their ship was getting loaded up Hiccup went and found Altair.

"Mentor, is your ship all ready to depart?" Hiccup asked.

"Yes, yes we should be off within the hour." Altair responded.

"Good. good. Mentor, I wanted to thank you for forcing me to be here. I am happier here than I probably would have been if I had stayed in Masyaf." 

Altair smiled at Hiccup, "I know, you were a great assassin before you came here, but I could tell you were still affected by what happened to you here. You were not very good at hiding your grief. I had hoped sending you here would help you get past it. The reason I came to visit to assign you your new task was because I could guess from your letters you hadn't improved. When you challenged me to a duel it all but confirmed it. Because you were able to figure out the deeper value of having a loyal and trusting community behind you, you were able to become an even better assassin then you were. Besides, I have found that having someone, someone you deeply care about, to return to is a great motivation for success."

"Thank you mentor for making me stay, it is the best thing you have done for me. Even better than inducting me into the brotherhood in the first place." 

"Peace upon you Hiccup." Altair responded.

"Peace upon you Mentor." 

20 minutes later Hiccup and Astrid were on a cliff watching Altair sail off back to Masyaf. After a while Astrid turned to Hiccup, "Hiccup can I ask you something?"

"Yeah of course Astrid, what's up?"

"When you executed Basim you laid him out then closed his eyes. Then you said something I could understand. What and why did you do that?" Astrid inquired.

"There is one part of the assassin training I neglected to teach you due to the time constraint. Respect, you respect the kill no matter how bad it was if the situation permits it. Basim was a terrible person, yes, but in the end he was still a person. For what I said, a simple rest in peace was all he needed and deserved." Hiccup explained.

Astrid nodded, accepting the explanation and going back to watching the sunset.

five years later

Hiccup was nervous, he knew he shouldn't be but he was anyway. He had nothing to worry about, it was only his wedding. After dating for so long Hiccup decided five years had been long enough and asked Astrid to marry him. The wedding had been prepared in quick three weeks. Hiccup was getting ready in his house with Fishlegs, his best man, and Stoick. 

"Don't worry son, I felt just as nervous when I had my wedding. Only I had to worry about dragons crashing it." Stoick said.

"Thanks dad, really giving me that confidence boost." Hiccup said sarcastically.

"No problem son." Stoick said. 

Gobber then walked in, "Come on laddie it's time to get out there, won't want your lady thinking you're abandoning her."

Pulling his son to his feet Stoick started pushing his son out of their house, "You heard him son, get out there."

On the other side of things Astrid was just as nervous as her soon to be husband. Her maid of honor was Heather. Over the past five years they had figured out they were more alike than they originally thought and had become close friends. She had become the chief of what remained of the Berserkers and was a strong ally to the assassins, sometimes they even sent a few over to learn the brotherhood's ways and returned assassins themselves.  Eva was her flower girl of course and a year off starting her assassins training. She was more excited that Hiccup would be joining her family than that her sister was getting married. Finally Valka was there, she had volunteered herself to help Astrid.

"You are looking beautiful dear." Valka said.

"Yeah, I hope Hiccup thinks so." Astrid said blushing.

"Oh please, he would think you looked beautiful if you were covered in sores and mud." Eva said.

Astrid swatted at her sister while the over two women chuckled.

"Just remember dear, whatever you do make sure never to be taken away. If you are, do everything you can to make your way back." Valka said.

"I don't think I will be taken but if I am I would fight all I could to get back." Astrid responded.

"I thought the same and yet I was gone for 20 years. You never know what will happen. Just always come back." Valka warned.

Astrid merely nodded. Astrid's mother walked in telling them it was time. And off Astrid went, for the happiest day of her life.

Hiccup was standing at the altar nervously tapping his foot. He was excited to finally marry the girl he had a crush on for so long. Sometimes he wondered if he was dreaming, if Basim actually won that day and this was some in-between life and death fantasy thing. But as Astrid walked up the aisle the only thought in his head was how absolutely gorgeous she was. She was wearing an amazing white dress that fell down to her feet, along with that was an amazing white crown made of Corydalis. When she reached him they held hands, ready to have their union blessed by Gothi. As the old woman approached Hiccup just stared into the eyes of the great woman he was about to be with forever. As Gothi blessed their union Hiccup moved in and planted a soft, long kiss on Astrid's lips. Coming apart from Astrid, Hiccup just smiled at her knowing the rest of his life would be spent well.

Chapter Text

Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third -

Despite being the run of the village, Hiccup as he was ironically named, would go on to be one of the greatest assassins in history. He trained under Altair after running away, but eventually returned home to hunt a traitor. There he established an assassins brotherhood and eventually killed the traitor. He then married the woman he loved and had two kids; Zephyr and Nuffink Haddock. When Hiccup's father passed at age 68 Hiccup became the Berk chief, he split up the duties of Mentor of the brotherhood and chief of the village with his Wife. Hiccup would go on to mentor the Berk brotherhood for 40 years before retiring with his wife at 60. After retiring he split up the duties of mentor and chief between his children, Though considering how Berk and the assassin brotherhood was merging more and more each year he guessed his children wouldn't have to do the same with their kids. He and his wife traveled the world on their dragons for several years before returning to Berk at 66, where he remained before peacefully passing at age 70.

Astrid Haddock, formally Hofferson -

Astrid Hofferson was the strongest warrior of her generation, she was also one of the only ones not to harass Hiccup Haddock in his younger years. When Hiccup first returned to Berk he kept his identity hidden, but was eventually revealed by the traitor he was hunting. When Hiccup started forming his brotherhood Astrid was the one of the first to join and, unsurprisingly, easily his best assassin. After defeating traitor Astrid and Hiccup married and co-led the Berk brotherhood. After their retirement she traveled with her husband across much of the world, mainly including Europe, Africa, mainland Asia and the middle east. Astrid, despite her age, managed to get her and Hiccup out of dozens of scuffles that they got into. The worst time was in Paris where they had a run in with the French Templar grand master. They somehow recognized Hiccup and attacked the pair. In the fight Astrid managed to kill the grandmaster and escape with Hiccup; they never returned to the city again. After they returned to Berk she lived out most of her life with her husband. She passed a couple months after he did, also at age 70.

Zephyr Haddock -

Zephyr Haddock was the oldest and only daughter of Hiccup and Astrid Haddock. She was an extremely accomplished assassin and later the mentor of the Berk brotherhood after he fathers retirement. She led the brotherhood faithly and effectively for about 30 some years before stubbornly retiring at 75 and passing away at 80. She passed down the mentorship to her niece Helga. She was known as a strong leader and was able to spread the Berk brotherhood off into some coastal areas of what is now modern day Norway. With this brotherhood she kept out Templar incursions and even managed to take down the Copenhagen Templar order.  

Nuffink Haddock  -

Nuffink Haddock was the youngest and only son of Hiccup and Astrid Haddock. Growing up in the ways of the brotherhood he also hoped he would be a mentor. He was severely disappointed when he was passed over for his sister. He however was content with being chief of the village and second in command to his sister. He was also key to the construction of assassin brotherhoods along Norway's coast and even personally fought in some battles in said towns against the Templars. In 1307 at the old age of 70 Nuffink headed down to Paris along with several other Berk assassins to assist in the elimination of the Templar headquarters. Though he played mostly an advisor role he was key in the gathering of information, because who would suspect a 70 year old of being a spy? He retired at 75 and passed away at 79. Nuffink did have one child, a girl named Helga who the Mentorship was passed down to.

Stoick Haddock +

Valka Haddock +

Heather Berserker -

Heather Berserker was the only daughter of Oswald the agreeable and was thought to be lost at sea as a baby. She however survived and was adopted by a couple at a fishing island. She lived there until her home was destroyed by Dagur the Deranged. She managed to  escape and later befriended a Razorwhip she named Windshear. For a few years she fought the dragon hunters solo before joining up with Hiccup's mother, Valka. After Basim's defeat she became the Chief of Berserker island and led them well until her death at age 76. She was also considered the mentor of the Berserker assassin brotherhood.

Dagur the Deranged +

Alvin The Treacherous +

The Grimborn Brothers +

Johann The Trader +

Krogan +

Drago Bludvist +

Grimmel +

Basim Ibn Ishaq +

Haddock Family -

Even generations after Hiccup Haddocks passing the Haddock family still leads the Scandinavian brotherhood to this day. Though outsiders may think it is due to family favoritism surprisingly it often is not. Most Haddock generations have two children allowing there to be many choices of who to pass the Mentor ship to. Along with that the parents are often master assassins themselves so their children are able to get advanced training more easily. Even if one child does sub-par to their peers the other one usually surpasses all competition. Often being the most skilled assassins the Haddocks are also more likely to be sent outside of Scandinavian. One example would be in 1512 where the son of the then mentor, Gunnar was ordered by his father to explore the ruins of the Masyaf fortress. Upon exploring the fort for several days, Gunnar found the Library of Altair and inside it an apple of Edan. Immediately returning with the Artifact it was put in a safe location on Berk. That was the other thing, even in the event of them not being mentors only the Haddock family would know where the hidden cave that held the pieces of Edan was on Berk. The Haddock family had several other small trips around the globe from time to time, examples being New York in 1790 and London in 1868.

Assassin Brotherhood +

Templar Order incursions -

While the Templars stayed away from Berk after the resounding defeat of Basim they still tried to sneak their tentacles into Scandinavia. While these operations rarely lasted long they were still able to do heavy damage to the communities they affected. The most successful of these operations was the winter war of 1939. This Templar operation was ordered by the grandmaster Templar Joseph Stalin. This operation managed to take 11% of all Finnish territory. While some incursions were successful the biggest failure was in 1789 when Shay Cormac took an armada of ships and tried to attack Berk directly. However what he failed to anticipate were Berks dragons which they were unprepared for. These dragons decimated the fleet, sinking all ships. The assassin's Mentor at the time, Hamish Haddock, personally led the attack and was the one to assassinate Shay Cormac and take the percussor box.

Scandinavian, formally Berk,  Assassin Brotherhood -

The Berk brotherhood, and later the Scandinavia brotherhood, is infamous among the assassin brotherhood as a whole for being the most successful brotherhood. Though they started out small with just five members after a century of operation they contained nearly 100. Much like Masyaf they integrated closely with the village of Berk itself. Around the year 1350 the village of Berk and the Berk assassin brotherhood essentially became the same thing. This was due to the fact that the village moved away from training their children in the way of basic Viking fighting and more to the way of basic assassin fighting. This made it so even if as teenagers they didn't decided to become fully fledged assassins they were still competent in the ways of the brotherhood. By 1400 this basically formed a system of where in addition to about 200 expert assassins the brotherhood also had an additional 500 novice assassins to call upon. These large numbers of course also included their presence in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. Though this practice of giving basic assassin training to the children wasn't present in the larger cities it was very prevalent in the smaller, more remote villages. They have been the most continuously lasting brotherhood and, due to their many businesses they have created, the richest. While they mainly keep to their region of Scandinavia they are known for sometimes venturing out to help their fellow brotherhoods. The most notable example being in 1307 when Nuffink, despite being 70, and other Berk assassins traveled to Paris and assisted the French brotherhood with eliminating the Templar headquarters forcing the Templars underground. 

Berserker Assassin Brotherhood -

The Berserker brotherhood was in a weird position when it first formed. It wasn't an official assassin guild due to the lack of training its mentor had, but it did have properly trained assassins that lived in it. However around the year 1282 this was resolved when an assassin trained on Berk was sent to calm the tension. This was the Master assassin Eva Hofferson. While she was 65 years old she still had the ability of a 20 year old. Along with her came Daughter Thora. Eva lived there for 25 years as mentor before passing away, this gave the mentorship to her daughter who led for the rest of her life. In 1760 a large Tsunami swept through the archipelago, while Berk was untouched, Berserker island devastated. Most of the island was in ruins and 90% of the population died. The remaining survivors moved away and mostly ended up in Berk.

Dragons -

While the existence of dragons was thought to be fantasy, it is now clear that they were real all along. The assassins that hail from Berk are usually the only ones to have dragons at their disposal. It is however not unheard of for assassins not from Berk to tame a dragon. Dragons were used with much less discretion back in Hiccup's time, but as time went on they were used less and less outside of Berk. They were used whenever any assassins went to far away places. They are still used today, but are deployed very carefully as a wild card sort of weapon.

Chapter Text

As Tom came out of the Animus, he felt a splitting headache. As he sat up, someone handed him a bottle of water which he chugged down. Standing up, his vision was blurry and he was dizzy. Luckily someone was holding him steady. As his vision cleared he looked around and saw his friend. There was Jun who was the first in the animus reliving her ancestor, Shao Jun. Then there was Alex who was after Jun, whose ancestor was Claudia Auditore da Firenze. Finally the second to last person in the animus was D’Angelo who's ancestor was Adewale. Tom took a seat in a nearby chair to think over all he saw. He saw probably the most impactful part of someone's life. But also dragons were real? He had heard the rumors, everyone had but he dismissed them. He wondered if he could convince his mom to let him try and tame one. This was the final part of all of their training. They had been working towards this final part for the last couple years, though this animus section was new. The assassin leadership thought it would be valuable to see how their ancestors operated, besides with the bleeding effect they could get years of experience in a few days. At that moment Olivia Kullerson walked in, while that was technically her last name, she and her son went by Haddock instead. All the kids immediately stood up and bow to their mentor. 

"You kids have finished all your training. You are officially assassins and I expect you to serve the brotherhood well in the upcoming assault."

Tom looked up at that, "Umm mom, what assault?" 

Olivia smiled at her son, "We, along with the Italian and American brotherhoods are preparing an assault on the Abstergo headquarters in Rome. While our fallen brother, Desmon Miles, did assault the headquarters 13 years ago he didn’t conduct a hard enough blow. That is our plan with this assault. If we are successful then the Templars will be reduced to a shadow of themselves." Olivia explained. 

Alex spoke up, "Mentor, while the Rome headquarters is the biggest facility, it isn't the only one. What about the other ones across the world?"

Olivia gave the girl a soft smile, "Yes you are correct in that. However, due to the fact that Rome is the biggest is an advantage against the other facilities. That means that brotherhoods within those countries, or nearby brotherhoods that don't have their own facilities can take them out by themselves."

Alex nodded at this explanation. Olivia looked over the group once more before going on again, "You are a unique group of people, most 18 year old's couldn't even dream about the position you are in. But we are honored you have you in this fight, as you should be honored to be in it. But remember, even if we succeed the Templars will never truly be gone, like how if we fail, the assassins will never truly be beaten."

The whole group nodded at this.

"We move out in three days, rest up till then. Peace upon you."

"Peace upon you mentor" They all responded.

Two months later

They had finally captured the Rome objective. The building was so big and they were so dug in that it had taken that long. It seemed the other groups weren't having much more luck either. They had barely been able to do it discreetly. Good thing the Templars had most of their buildings a good bit out of the cities. They were still close enough that one untimely jogger could come across them. D’Angelo turned out to be a solid combat medic. That was good to have, Alex was great at hacking and was the reason the Templars took so long with their response. Tom and Jun were a solid duo, they could go into a room with 20 people and be able to eliminate them all. They were getting sent to a facility in Tokyo, apparently the Templars there were fighting with some advanced AI.

Six months later

Those AI were no joke, it was like fighting an actual terminator. They had found the only way to take them out was either by hacking or a heavy caliber. Alex had managed to turn a few against the Templars and that held them at a stalemate. It stayed like that for months before the assassins were able to cut off Templar supply lines and starve them out. Even then the AI was still operating. But since they didn't attack if they didn't see you Alex and about a dozen other assassin hackers just worked at them for two months till they were all deactivated.  D’Angelo was forced to fight one hand to and once, he lost his left arm to it, he was able to take it out though.

One year later

They had done it, they had finally won. The last major Templar facility was in the Siberian far east. It had been a long painful battle of freezing temperatures and Templar snipers. Alex had got taken out by a Templar that had snuck for two weeks past assassin lines and set up a position. He also took out three other of the assassin's best hackers. He wounded one more, some whiney one named Shaun or something. Because this was so remote both sides were using more explosive weapons so rockets overhead were a common sight. The assassins had managed to get a few Russian APC's and pushed far into Templar lines and broke the stalemate. Finally after 10 months of fighting in the cold, the assassins breached the underground bunker that was the last Templar stronghold. After two months of especially heavy fighting the assassins had won. After their victory they collected all pieces of Edan and spread them out among the brotherhoods. Though most ended up with the Berk brotherhood.

Ten years later

Tom was sitting on a cliff on Berk reflecting over all he had learned. He had recently finished looking through the memories of all of his Haddock ancestry. And despite that, despite all those people throughout all those years, he still thought Hiccup trumped them all. Because in Tom's mind, if that scared, abused, 15 year old headed in a slightly different direction or never ran away at all, they probably wouldn't be where they are today. The world was at pretty good peace. Sure there were still people of power who were greedy but the brotherhood always dealt with them. In Tom's mind it was all Hiccup's doing, even if he didn't know it all the way back then it was all him, and Tom was damn proud to be a part of that legacy.