How to Train Your Dragon (animation)/Fanfic Recs

Proof that the remaining 10% is worth flying for here:

These are recommendations made by Tropers for How to Train Your Dragon Fan Fics, all of which have to be signed to stay on the page. Feel free to add a fanfic of your own to the list, but remember to use the template found here.

You can also add to the current recommendations if you want. Refrain from posting Conversation in the Main Page though; that goes in the discussion page.

Authors and Websites
How to Train Your Dragon Live Journal Community by Various Contributors
 * Recommended by J Blaze
 * Comments: A fairly active, as of this writing, community devoted to the How to Train Your Dragon fandom. Helpfully sorted by character and type of fanwork via the nifty links in the sidebar. Features lots of projects, both oneshots and chapters fics, from a variety of authors, including some gifted artists as well. Beware the tagging, for some fic falls decidedly into the Not Safe for Work category.

Rift-Raft
 * Recommended by Saphruikan
 * Comments: An exceptional writer of various one-shots and two multichapter stories. Rift-Raft's one-shots are usually horror and very, very chilling, but there are happy ones too. Seriously worth every second of your time.

General Fics
''Stories focused on the family and the friendly relationships of the cast. Plot-focused stories or light day-in-the-life stories. Pretty much anything that isn't focused on romance.''

A Downed Dragon is a Dead Dragon by almne
 * Recommended by J Blaze
 * Synopsis: Post movie, NOT A DEATHFIC. Hiccup and Toothless are invincible in the air. But if they lost their prosthetics, how strong would they be?
 * Comments: This is the first ever fic of this movie I read, and it got me convinced that there's some talent in this fandom, just from it alone. Grittier and more political than the movie, almne delves into what the question of what a war-like people like the Vikings would do with access to fire-breathing and flying weaponry. She also pays close attention to Hiccup's handicap, yet still manages to have him be an active protagonist when he's completely disabled. Very in-character, and reads just like a sequel to the movie.

The Dragon Journals by Contralissimo (currently WIP)
 * Recommended by Jesajew
 * Synopsis: Penny for a dragon's thoughts? The movie as chronicled by the beasties themselves.
 * Comments: There are quite a few "the movie through Toothless's POV" fics in this fandom, and tons of general dragon POV fics, but this fic sets itself apart by really playing up the Humans Through Alien Eyes potential in that premise, with great results. The dragons' simple, inhuman(but still highly intelligent) thought processes are very interesting to read.

Storm Riders by Hicc
 * Recommended by Pointblank90
 * Synopsis: The earth has been reduced to a post-apocalyptic wasteland. How will 6 young people survive in this harsh environment, and what adventures await?
 * Comments: A rare and fine example of a well played Setting Update and Recycled in Space fic. Captain Harrison "Hiccup" Horrendous Haddock the III is the son of General Stoick Haddock in this Gundam-esque story wherein Hiccup and the gang learn to commandeer Dynamic Ranged Assault Grade Ordinance Neutralizing Systems (Powered Armor type suits.) Well, It Makes Sense in Context.

To Soar into the Sunset: A Night Fury's Odd Memoir by Fjord Mustang
 * Recommended by Jesajew
 * Synopsis: HTTYD with a Robert Heinlein twist. Not AU. A skilled flying warrior is shot down on a spy mission. Trapped and unable to fly, his one hope for survival and success is to attempt communication with the alien who shot him down. Can they be allies?
 * Comments: Yes, another "the movie through Toothless's eyes fic", but...well, read the synopsis. This clever, snarkily-narrated epic adds so much to the original story that you could almost forget it's a retelling, but still ties in nicely with the movie's plot. (Also, secret agent!Toothless. That should be enough to make you want to read this.)

Hitchups by The Antic Repartee (completed)
 * Recommended by Smash Genesis
 * Synopsis: Hiccup didn't see the point in stopping Astrid as she ran off towards his village—towards his father—with his most desperately protected secret. He was leaving anyway. Deviates from movie. Borderline bromantic-comedy.
 * Comments: Well, this is certainly an interesting idea. As a "what-if" scenario, the what-if here is "What if the thing that caused the last third of the movie to happen the way it did didn't happen, but instead, just the opposite?" And at first, it actually feels like it could be the end of the movie. Unfortunately, this feeling dissipates when Hiccup's hot guardian angel comes in and he develops a crush on her and finds out that both his destiny and Toothless' are coming to fruition and they will end the war between humans and dragons. I guess this is cannon, but it still feels out of place for HTTYD. Still a great fic, where everyone is very much in character. Worth your time.
 * Has a trope page.

Helheim's Gate by Inquisitive Tea
 * Recommended by Jonshine
 * Synopsis: Something is wrong with Toothless. Hiccup will go to Hel and back to fix it. Told with a twist on Norse mythology.
 * Comments: Well written, a piece rather on the 'serious' side, and delving into Norse mythology. Complete. Has an equally good sequel, The Only Good Fight

I Hear Him Scream by Rift-Raft (currently WIP)
 * Recommended by Symphonic Gryphon
 * Synopsis: Hiccup is the first Viking to shoot down a Night Fury. Unfortunately for him, it has terrible consequences. Dragon!Hiccup.
 * Comments: There aren't many good 'Hiccup turns into a dragon' fanfictions out there, so this one was a surprise. Among other things, it's serious, it has thorough, in-depth character development, and the sheer amount of thought put into each detail makes it an incredibly great read. To make it even better, it takes place in the first scene of the movie; so, when the deed is actually done, Hiccup is immediately exiled. Simply put, it's a very well-written piece that is well worth your time.

Vestige by Contralissimo (currently WIP)
 * Recommended by daazihopper
 * Synopsis: Post-movie. After a long hunting exercise with Spitelout, Hiccup & co. return to find Berk deserted...but not empty. Can they survive long enough to find their tribe? T for violence, scariness, booze, mortality. It's gonna get ugly...
 * Comments: Just how it sounds, the six teens and Spitelout suddenly find themselves in a fight for their lives while trying to solve the mystery of what happened to Berk. A rare example of brilliantly-executed Darker and Edgier. But while the plot is bleak and the suspense will pull you in like a black hole, there is still a fair amount of charm and humor dropped in to balance things out, to beautiful success. And even in the most far-flung and unexpected circumstances, everyone is still magnificently in-character. The story is incredibly well-written, and it reads like a dream. Definitely worth a look!

Cursed by Angelus-alvus
 * Recommended by Not JM Keynes
 * Synopsis: AU. When the Vikings first came to the island of Berk, they killed almost all dragons that lived there, however, one of them made sure to leave a parting gift to the viking leader.
 * Comments: A rather decent HTTYD fic. The writer is kind of simplist (the author uses English as a second language) but the fic manages to be entertaining because the author explores more the differences and similarities between humans and dragons, the result is that the secondary human characters are Demoted to Extra, while dragon OCs are abundant, but they are well developed. Hiccup's journey stars when he has seven years so his character develops different from the movie. Again, it is a very interesting reading, if you'd like to see things from the dragons' POV.

''Dragonoid by Dearing
 * Recommended by Kaoru Sailor Z
 * Synopsis: A Sci-fi remake of the film. It's been three hundred years, but we haven't forgotten the day the Dragonoids came. Now humanity has been reduced to a few pockets of civilisation, struggling to survive. But for the people of The Dome, the war will continue.
 * Comments: There are a number of remakes of the film in fanfic and some are modern portrayals of the said film. It's very well-written with a certain flare but still retained the spirit of the movie. It's in a break until the author finished the story, that is when the story is going to be updated. It includes... Mecha, I tell you. Humongous Mecha.

Shipping Fics
Stories focused on the romantic relationships between the cast.

Of Hills and Bluebells by Enchantable
 * Recommended by J Blaze
 * Pairing(s): Hiccup/Astrid
 * Synopsis: Hiccup has a little trouble making it up the hill to his house, fortunately Astrid's there to help and the two of them get a moment to be, well, viking teenagers who saved the world.
 * Comments: Fluffy fic adding depth to the romance we see on-screen between Hiccup and Astrid. A nice juxtaposition of the fast and tense pace of the movie with a slow and languid character-driven fic where teenagers just get to be teenagers. Very emotionally evocative. Enchantable sets a high bar for shipping fics in this fandom.

Crash Courses in Marriage by Funk-tastic
 * Recommended by Eegah
 * Pairing(s): Hiccup/Astrid
 * Synopsis: In a year since the events of the film, Hiccup and Astrid's relationship hasn't advanced past that kiss. Until their fathers arrange their betrothal, and they're both suddenly thrust into married life.
 * Comments: Funny and sweet in equal measure, with great portrayals of Astrid's family. The author is also very knowledgable about Viking customs, giving the story a comparatively real world grounding that really works. Some fairly explicit sexual stuff, but it all comes naturally from the story.
 * Funny, really funny. Somme moments are awkward and crispy, it's just bringing a smile to the reader. Sure, the chapters are short, and there is not enough mention of dragons, but it's enjoyable.

What You Meant To Me by P3MF Alpha 4-Richter
 * Recommended by Minato
 * Synopsis: Toothless is feeling conflictions between her nature and her friendship with Hiccup, and wonders if he would agree to a deeper bond of forbidden friendship.
 * Pairings: Hiccup/(Female!)Toothless
 * Comments: an unusual Rule 63 ship, the story keeps Hiccup in character, keeping his snarky way of speaking. The story is filled with endearing fluff between Hiccup and Toothless, along with progressively making the both of them fall in love at a believable pace, keeping the general bond of friendship between the two throughout the fic. While there are a few M-rated scenes between Hiccup and Toothless, the story goes to lengths to keep it as natural as possible. Along with entertaining references and mythology gags in the story, it is definitely worth a read.

Irritation, Hatred, and Something Else by Backroads
 * Recommended by Much Ado About Nonny
 * Pairings: Ruffnut/Fishlegs, Hiccup/Astrid
 * Synopsis: Arranged marriages are common occurrences in Berk. Does that mean it's a good idea to pair up Ruffnut and Fishlegs?
 * Comments: This unusual pairing makes for a really interesting story. Very in character, alternating between hilarious and sweet.

Talking in her Sleep, and the sequel When In Rome by Determamfidd
 * Recommended by Fiwen 9430
 * Pairings: Hiccup/Astrid, and in the sequel Ruffnut/Fishlegs
 * Synopsis: Hiccup's been away for six months. When he finally comes home, he's... well, maybe Astrid and Ruffnut shouldn't be blamed for their reactions. And they're not the only ones... The first story focusses on the relationship between Hiccup and Astrid, which is threatened by others who have taken a fancy to Hiccup. In the sequel Hiccup is kidnapped by people who want his dragon training knowledge for themselves.
 * Comments: The first fic is genuinely sweet, everyone is in character and there is quite a bit of tension behind the fluff. The second is pretty epic and more plot-focussed, and features Hiccup ending up as a slave in Rome while several others from Berk set out to rescue him. There are a few M rated scenes between Astrid and Hiccup here and there in both, but they fit naturally into the story. It is clear that the author has done a fair bit of research on customs, geography and history. Both definitely worth a look.

Oneshots
Forgive by Luki Dimension
 * Recommended by J Blaze
 * Synopsis: A thoughtless comment made by Snotlout makes Hiccup doubt the friendship he has with Toothless.
 * Comments: Poignant, reflective piece about the nature of Hiccup's relationship with Toothless and whether or not a friendship  is real or not. Cute and utterly in-character.

Designated Driver by General Zoi
 * Recommended by J Blaze
 * Synopsis: Drunk!Ruffnut and drunk!Toothless try their level best to annoy Astrid to death.
 * Comments: Vikings love their liquor. It's only proper that Viking dragons do too. Features an absolutely hysterical drunk!Toothless being "celebrated" by the village for his contribution to the battle. General Zoi's interpretation of Ruffnut—which arguably just takes her characterization in the movie to the logical, and amusing, extremes—really steals the show.