A.N. I am starting this fanfiction for those who like a badass Hiccup. It will probably have a sequel. I don't know yet. Anyway, read and review.

Hiccup watched from the window as the Vikings began to clean up after a raid. He was ten and due to his short stature, could only barely see out the window. He watched as burly vikings hefted heavy pieces of wood and stone away from the wreckages of the destroyed homes. Winter was coming and the dragons kept taking more and more food. Hiccup sighed and watched as his father directed the others and helped where he could. Hiccup wished that he could help, but it wasn't going to happen. He was smaller than any of the others his age and though he was very intelligent, he was still physically weaker than any of the others. Even Gothi, who was getting on in age, was able to help by healing and curing the sick.

"Hey runt!" a voice called before smacking Hiccup in the back of the head. Hiccup turned to see his cousin Snotlout with an ugly sneer on his face. "What you looking at?"

"Nothing," answered Hiccup.

"Didn't look like nothing," Snotlout replied. "Here, let me help you." Snotlout quickly lifted Hiccup and dangled him out of the open window. "There! Now you can see better."

"Snotlout," Hiccup begged. "Please don't do this. Let me back in." Snotlout pretended to consider and waited. A howl cut through the air and Snotlout turned back.

"Fine," Snotlout said. "I'll let you go."

"No wait!" Hiccup said before he was dropped. He fell a good ten feet and into a wheelbarrow full of hay. As he flailed for a few seconds, he heard laughter. He emerged to see the laughing faces of the twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut. They were commonly Snotlout's lackeys, and always wanted in when it was time to pick on Hiccup. Hiccup's eyes brimmed with tears and quickly he pulled himself out and ran for the only haven he knew.

He sprinted into the forge and slammed the door. He sat down and tried not to cry, but a few tears slipped out. "Hey laddie," a man with a long mustache and a missing leg and arm asked. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing Gobber," Hiccup replied quickly while wiping his eyes.

"No, something's definitely troubling you lad," Gobber countered. "I'm here for you, but I can only help if you let me."

"It's just the other kids," Hiccup rationalised. "I'm fine."

Gobber looked at him, but decided not to push it. "Fine laddie, but remember, I'm always going to be here for you."

"Thanks Gobber," Hiccup said with a small smile. He stood up and began to watch Gobber as he worked.

"You know," Gobber began. "If you wanted, you could be my apprentice." He continued working on a small axe. "I'll need help sooner or later, and I would prefer someone who has at least a little bit of sense to be my apprentice."

"Really?" Hiccup asked. He was feeling much better now, but was also very tentative. "You want me to be your apprentice?"

"Well I certainly don't want either of the twins!" Gobber exclaimed. "I'd lose what hair I have left!" He laughed and Hiccup soon joined in.

"I'd like that," Hiccup answered.

"Good!" Gobber exclaimed. "Here, take this axe down to the Hofferson's home. It's for their girl Astrid. This here is your first task."

"A-a-astrid?" Hiccup asked, his face now pale.

"Yeah, Astrid," Gobber answered. "Now get to it!" Gobber gave a smirk. "You'll need to talk to her sooner or later if you're going to work in the forge."

Hiccup took a deep breath and carefully carried the carefully crafted axe. He struggled under the weight, but he continued. Finally he reached the door of the Hofferson household. He knocked and waited. As the door opened, he saw the kind face a woman that he assumed to be Astrid's mother. "I was told by Gobber to bring this axe," Hiccup mumbled.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't hear that," the woman said. "Is that Astrid's axe?" Hiccup nodded. "Why thank you. Astrid has been waiting for this. Tell Gobber thank you for me." She turned around and walked back inside and closed the door. Hiccup let out a breath that he hadn't realised he was holding. He quickly ran all the way back to the forge and let out a small chuckle.

"Well Lad," Gobber asked. "How did it go?"

"Good!" Hiccup exclaimed. "I was really worried, but nothing bad happened."

"Well then!" Gobber chuckled. "How about we begin teaching you then. I'll tell your father that you'll be my apprentice, and we'll call it good!"

Hiccup strolled down to the docks. Traders had come in a large group for once and the docks were completely filled with various boats. Hiccup had saved up money for a while from doing extra chores. Well the chores that people would trust him with. Hiccup watched in awe as the many vendors each pulled out their products. Finally at the back, Hiccup saw a stand that was filled with books. Many kinds of books and scrolls filled the many shelves. Hiccup walked up to the vendor and tried to see over the counter. Finding his view blocked, Hiccup quickly pulled over an empty crate to stand on. Hiccup looked in awe and saw a short gnarled old man carefully organising the books.

"Well, who is this?" The man asked with a tired voice. "Not many people come to purchase my goods." He stretched and yawned. "Probably for the best as this is my last voyage. Well, what do you want?"

"Um, what books do you have?" Hiccup asked quietly.

"Well," the man began. "I have many books. Some are full of stories of magic, others explain the world as we know it."

Hiccup looked around and saw a few that caught his eye. "What is that one?" Hiccup asked, pointing to a light brown book that had a catapult diagram on the cover.

"That one?" The man looked surprised. "That's a book on engineering and the creation of machines. Rather expensive."

Hiccup looked some more. "And that one?" He asked. He was pointing at a deep green book that had a diagram of a person.

"That one's also expensive. It's a book on the human body, filled with healing methods and various fighting styles and exercises," the vendor explained.

Hiccup looked again and saw a thick, deep purple book. It was easily four inches thick, and had some gold embossing on the cover. It seemed to stand out among the rest of the books. "What about that one?"

"That one?" the vendor asked. "I don't know. I can't open it. It's almost a bad luck charm for me. I haven't been able to sell a book since I picked it up."

"How much for the three?" Hiccup asked.

"If you're going to take that one, with the other two, then I'd take a few pieces of silver for them. Honestly. I'd give you that one for free," the vendor said.

Hiccup quickly dug in his pocket for his money and pulled out a handful of silver coins. The vendor immediately had his attention on him. "Is this enough?" Hiccup asked.

"Sure," the Vendor conceded. He handed the three books to Hiccup and Hiccup stumbled under the weight. While the two more expensive books were only about two inches thick each and were only about a foot long and maybe a hands width in width, the one book that was almost free was easily a foot and a half long and eight inches wide with four inches in thickness. Hiccup struggled under the weight and carefully began the long walk back to his house.

As he walked he saw some other villagers purchasing leather or wood that was from other countries. Hiccup continued walking even though others looked at him weird. Then again, the stack of books was rather large for a small kid like him. Suddenly he tripped and dropped the books. He heard laughter ring out and he turned to see Snotlout.

"Hello useless!" Snotlout called. "Going to do some heavy reading? Maybe you shouldn't pick up books that weigh more than you do!" He continued laughing as Hiccup picked up his books and began walking again. No one would care about Snotlout's bullying, and Hiccup couldn't stop him. Hiccup didn't stop walking until he had gotten to his home. He carefully placed the books in his room and sat down on his chair that was much too big.

"Why wasn't the vendor able to open this book?" Wondered Hiccup. He moved the other books to the side and pulled the gargantuan book towards him. He looked at the cover. The gold embossing formed several figures. Some he recognised like a dragon, while others, like a beast with six arms, were unfamiliar. He looked at the pages and saw six tabs. He carefully lifted the cover. It turned easily. Hiccup flipped the cover a few times.

"I thought he said he couldn't open it," Hiccup muttered. He began to read.

Congratulations reader. If you were able to open this book, then you are a possible candidate for learning "Magic". Although that is not what it actually is, it's what most call it. In the learning of this, you must have the aptitude and ability for it. This requires mental and physical strength as using "Magic" takes quite the toll on the body. This book is divided into six sections and each will only be able to be opened when you have gained sufficient strength to learn them. Each section is one "Order of Magic". Each of these is divided into circles. The sections are; Runes, Relics and Talismans, Natural Magic, Arcane or High Magic, and Bonds/Contracts. The first one is Runes and is the most basic form of magic. However, before learning Runes, you must learn more of the basics of this art. The following pages in this section will prepare you for the power that you attempt to use.

"What?" Hiccup asked himself. The book was only able to be opened by certain people? That was… different. He turned the page and saw only a blank page. He searched the page and saw nothing. He turned to the next page.

As you saw, the previous page was blank. This is because it is a test page. To determine if you are physically and mentally capable of learning the next pages. To determine what sections you can study, place your right hand on the blank pages and wait for a few seconds. Then the pages will fill with text that explains what you can learn.

Hiccup turned back to the blank page and placed his hand on the page. He waited for a few seconds, then a sharp pain, almost like getting stuck with a needle, pierced his hand. Hiccup gritted his teeth and pulled his hand away. He looked at his hand, but no injury was present. He turned back to the book and froze. Writing was emerging on the pages.

Name: Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third

Mental strength: Above average

Physical strength: Weak

Characteristics: Left hand dominant, four feet tall exactly, weighs fifty five pounds.

Recommended order of magic: None.

Possible orders of magic to learn: None

Verdict: While your mental strength is high enough, your body is incapable of taking the toll of spellwork. Either work to strengthen your body, or wait for a few more years so that you may use this book.

"Damn," Hiccup cursed. He quickly read through the next few pages, which explained the test and how the book was now connected to him and so no other could use it until he died. Hiccup, now frustrated beyond belief, closed the book and turned towards the other two books he had. He opened the green book and began to read. Inside were diagrams on how the body worked, how to help heal and cure sickness, and various ways of training the body to take more than thought humanly possible. Hiccup read through the whole book that night.

Hiccup ran through the forest, leaping over fallen logs, and dodging trees. He had been working on getting stronger for a few months, and he was already gaining some lean muscles. The work in the forge had helped too. By working with the heavy weapons, he had gained some muscle in his arms as well. However, he also had to act much weaker than normal. He wanted people to like him for who he was, not just because he conformed to their standards. Hiccup skidded down a steep hill and continued running. He jumped off a rock and began to leap onto strough boughs, using them to continue his run through the trees. Finally he leaped out and grabbed the rope that he had hung their before. Using it to swing out, he let it go positioning him directly above a hollowed trunk that had been worn smooth. Sliding through the long trunk, Hiccup laughed. If anyone saw him, they would have been surprised. Sliding out of the trunk, Hiccup stopped. He simply watched as the sea glistened in the sunrise. Hiccup smiled. He loved to see the sunrise. Especially when there weren't any dragons. Hiccup quickly turned back and ran back to the village.

An axe embedded itself inches in front of his nose without warning and Hiccup smashed into it. Hiccup collapsed, cradling his broken nose. He carefully straightened it and checked for blood. Thankfully, it wasn't bleeding, but having to straighten his nose wasn't pleasant.

"You okay?" a voice asked. Hiccup turned to see Astrid, completely ready for the day and busy pulling her axe out of the tree. Hiccup immediately knew that he was screwed. He had been running at full speed. If anyone began to question his "Uselessness", then his secret would be out.

"Yeah," Hiccup grumbled. "Just perfect. Just ran into your damn axe. You could have killed me."

"Well," Astrid said, a bit taken back. "I didn't, and besides, why are you out here?"

"Oh, just wandering," Hiccup said with as much of a straight face he could muster.

"At full sprint?" Astrid asked with a smirk. "Sure you were."

"Yes," Hiccup drawled. "Now, if you'll excuse me," he continued as he began to walk back towards the village. Even if she didn't believe him, he was still "Useless" to anyone else. Who would believe her?

Hiccup walked into the forge and walked into the back room. Designs for weapons littered the desk and part of the floor. He had designed catapults for the defences and with Gobber's help, and everyone else's, installed them around the island. He picked up his favorite design and looked at it. He couldn't use conventional weapons and so had turned to inventing his own. The design was like a bow, but on a much larger scale. The bow was also turned sideways and had a mechanism to pull back the shaft. The projectile that would work with this machine would have to be at least four feet long. They would be absolutely destructive. Any dragon that was even glanced by one of these would be down and injured. A direct hit would kill. Hiccup had tried to build one on a smaller scale, but the wood that they had readily available wasn't suitable for this project. It was much too stiff and wouldn't bend like a bow.

"Hey Useless!" Snotlout called. "Get out here!" Hiccup grimaced and grudgingly walked outside. "We're going to play a game!" Snotlout said with a nasty smirk. Hiccup froze and stared. "It's hide and seek." His smirk got even meaner if that was possible. "You know the rules."

Hiccup turned and ran. He just needed to be hidden for an hour. If he was found, then he'd end up with at least a few bruises if not more. He had about thirty seconds to hide. If Snotlout can count that high. If the twins got involved, then he was dead. They knew every hiding spot ever known.

"Hey twerp!" Ruffnut called out. "You've got about ten seconds before Snotlout gives up on counting. Better start running. Not that it'll do you any good."

"Where is he?" Snotlout asked. "I thought you knew every hiding spot!" He yelled at Tuffnut.

"Just because I know where they are doesn't mean I'm going to tell you. I need some places to hide where you won't be able to rat me out." Tuffnut said in a rare burst of reason. "And even if he manages to be in one of those, he'd never tell on us because he knows what would happen," Tuffnut continued with a nasty smirk.

Unbeknownst to them, Hiccup was directly above them, about forty feet up, and on a branch that barely was holding his weight. He looked down at the two and saw Ruffnut walk up. He carefully let himself breathe hoping not to fall.

"Hey dimwit," Ruffnut said to her brother.

"Bride of Grendel," Tuffnut answered.

"Shut up both of you!" Snotlout hissed. "Ruff, did you find him?"

"Nope!" Ruffnut said completely straight faced. "How long has it been?"

"Almost an hour," Tuffnut answered. "He might actually win this one."

"Then we'll change the time to two hours if he wins," Snotlout said.

"Isn't that cheating?" Tuffnut asked.

"No, it's just changing the rules," Snotlout replied.

Tuffnut looked confused. But he didn't argue. Hiccup knew he was in a losing battle. If he won, then he'd never be able to get out of a beating. He thought hard. Then he did the only thing he could think of. He let go. Screaming, he fell from the branch and hit a few more branches on the way down before hitting the ground. He struggled for breath while the others looked on. Finally catching his breath, he shakily stood up.

"Well Useless," Snotlout said with his usual smirk, though it looked forced. "How was the fall?" He gave a nod to Tuff. Hiccup felt Tuff hold his arms as he struggled feebly. "Well, you already got a beating from the tree, so I'll make this punishment short." Snotlout punch Hiccup hard in the gut and Hiccup got the breath knocked out of him again. Tuffnut let him go and Hiccup crumpled to the floor. The others walked away to leave Hiccup in the woods.

"Damn you," Hiccup spat after a few minutes. "I'll find a way to make you quit. I'll make sure that I won't be hurt by the likes of you any more than I have to."

A.N. Okay, so Hiccup's a little vindictive, but hey, he needs some kind of drive to help him out. Sorry if you think that's a little harsh, but I think that if Hiccup's gonna be a badass, he needs some drive. Anyway, thanks for the reading, please review.