Welcome back to the new and final version of Hidden Secrets, now called The Future I Forged (title thanks to Nightstar Fury). I originally was going to wait to get 10 chapters written, but I feel that you guys have been waiting long enough, so here's the first chapter of the new version–though it's pretty much the same as the original, with a few things reworded and stuff.

Disclaimer: I do not own How to Train Your Dragon, that belongs to the correct people. I do own my OCs, (Katja, Kelda, Brendan, Lucas, Ariadne, and other minors), my friend Nightstar Fury owns (Frode, Freida, Signy, Soren, Brynjar, Vera, Hertha) and has been kind enough to let me use them.

Chapter One

(Haddock House, Isle of Berk – March 9th, 2018, 6:45 am)

Eighteen-year-old Hiccup Haddock glared at his parents. What started as a normal morning quickly escalated to another one of the Haddocks' daily arguments: Hiccup wanting to go to college outside of the Barbaric Archipelago. His parents did not see the reason why he could not continue his schooling on Berk.

"Are you freaking kidding me? This is a full ride scholarship to the Rio de Janeiro Dragon Academy college!" Hiccup cried. He got the College Acceptance Letter yesterday in the mail but was hesitant on even showing his parents. After seeing them come home exhausted he decided to wait. Now, he was thinking it was a bad idea.

His mother, Valka, the head Dragon Veterinarian for Draconia Hospital, had a long shift and he didn't want to put it on her. His father, Stoick, the Mayor of Berk Isle, also had a long workday and Hiccup didn't feel the need to push it onto his parents. But come morning and well this is where they are.

"You have no need to go there," his father, a large man standing at six-foot-three, broad and vast with reddish-brown hair and green eyes, glared at his son.

Valka, a tall skinny woman with auburn hair and blue eyes, sighed, "Hiccup, it's for your own good." She started but was cut off by Hiccup.

Hiccup was very close to snapping at his parents, "My own good?!" he exclaimed. "How is not leaving Berk my own good?!"

Hiccup glared at his parents and without waiting for them to answer his question, he grabbed his backpack and stormed out the back door. His parents' dragons, Cloudjumper, a Stormcutter, and Thornado, a Thunderdrum, looked up from their stables to see Hiccup storming out of the house, along with their owners running and calling after him. Hiccup did not stop.

Ignoring his parents' calls, Hiccup walked straight into the forest behind his house. When he was a child his parents told him to stay away, saying it wasn't safe. Ah! If only they knew, that the forest was where he met his secret Bonded Dragon, Toothless, a male Night Fury. No one knew about Toothless; Hiccup keeps him a secret from everyone, including his parents and longtime best friends. Toothless followed Hiccup everywhere, even to school. He stayed in the shadows of the forests, but he was always listening for his Bonded Person.

There were downsides to him keeping Toothless a secret. He had to sneak out just to fly him, which was hard enough when his parents wouldn't let him go outside when it was dark, even on a weekend. He was only allowed to stay out late and after dark when his friends bonded to their dragons and if he took either Cloudjumper or Thornado with him. But, even with Cloudjumper, it was hard for him to escape into the Forest, though, he did manage.

Last week, on February 29th, Hiccup turned 18, making him the legal adult age in the Barbaric Archipelago. Even after turning 18, his parents continued to control his life. With this morning's argument, he's made up his mind. He's leaving after graduation and that's it. He had some money saved up, from working at with his godfather at his business, Gobber's Garage. Heck, working with his godfather was the only work he had. His parents wouldn't even let him get a job at the fast-food restaurant/diner Berkys.

Hiccup shook his head erasing the thoughts. He was still going with his plan to leave after graduation but had a few things to figure out still. Pulling his phone out, he checked the time, 6:50 am, giving him 40 minutes before school started. Looking around he saw that he was near where he kept Toothless hidden. He didn't think and turned and headed to the area.

In the secluded area, a black dragon crept out from a rocky cave. Its big green eyes looked around and when they landed on Hiccup, the dragon bounded down to them. Hiccup's annoyed face instantly changed seeing his dragon. "Toothless, hey!" Hiccup cried, before crying out as his dragon bowl him over. "Oof! Toothless!"

Toothless, as his given name, gave a toothless smile at his Human.

Hiccup sighed but smiled, "Bud. You're crazy, but I love you for that." Toothless moved off Hiccup and sat behind him, allowing Hiccup to lay behind him. With Toothless in his current position, Hiccup took the moment to check out his tail fin.

Three years ago, Hiccup bonded to Toothless in the general area. He had left home after an argument with his parents, again, and needed time to cool off. His parents had left for work, so he was left to go into the forest and not worry about his parents. Hiccup ended up walking to the general area of the forest and came across Toothless trapped in a trap. A normal person probably would have stared at Toothless in awes, Hiccup didn't. He was more focus on the trap and instantly went to try to free him. Long story short, Hiccup freed Toothless and ended up with the dragon roaring in his face and then running off. It was then Hiccup realizes that the dragon he freed was a Night Fury. One of the rarest dragons in the world. Though, any dragon from the Strike-class was rare. Hiccup went back the next day and found a path where the dragon had run through the forest. His curiosity got the best of him and he followed it. He came to this area–a cove–and found Toothless trying to fly around. It was then he also noticed the lack of a left tail fin, probably taken off from the trap. When Hiccup got closer, Toothless' eyes landed on him, initiating the bonding process. Toothless was still weak due to the trap, so Hiccup took the time to heal him which helped them bond even more. Once Toothless was healed, Hiccup decided to try to get him flying again; it took time and trial and error, but he managed and created a rig allowing Hiccup to ride and control Toothless' tailfin.

Toothless sensed Hiccup being off and cooed at him, nosing him.

It shook Hiccup out of his thoughts, "Sorry boy, I'm just pissed at my parent, again." He sighed, he didn't want to tell Toothless about it, he's heard it at least a hundred times. Hiccup pulled his phone out and saw he had ten minutes until class. "Come on, I'm going to be late for school if we don't leave now. What the hell am I saying. I'm Bonded to a Night Fury...that no one knows about..."

. . .

(Berk High School – 07:15 am)

Hiccup road Toothless, hoping the flight would keep him happy for a while. Normally, the flight from the "Cove" to the school probably would have taken five minutes, but the pair decided to go slow and take a long way. Hiccup had Toothless stop at the edge of the forest and then climbed off. "See you after school, bud," Toothless gave a gummy smile before darting back into the darker parts of the forest.

Once he could no longer see his dragon, Hiccup made his way into the school's Dragon Training section. The dragon training program was what Berk famous really, and it was thanks to Hiccup's ancestor, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III when he ended the fearsome dragon war with his dragon. Unfortunately, the name and type of dragon Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III had, became lost in time. Also, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III was one of the Viking Chiefs of Berk. During a project on family history, Hiccup did some research on his family and found some pictures that looked very similar to Toothless, making him take a speculated guess that his dragon was a Night Fury. He found many symbols in journals of his ancestor that looked like a Night Fury, but Hiccup wouldn't say what he thought without more information.

Entering the stables, Hiccup walked passed the other stalls seeing various students' dragons. He also found his cousins and friends' dragons. A blue spiked head stuck out just as Hiccup came near, surprising him before realizing it was just Stormfly. Stormfly is a female Deadly Nadder and belonged to his friend–who he'd been dating since Christmas–Astrid Hofferson. The Nadder nuzzled him, seeing if he had treats, which he normally carried.

"No treats. Astrid would have my head," Hiccup chuckled. "I gotta go. See you later girl," he gave her one more pat before making his way into the school. Walking into the school, he found his friends in their usual hangout spot, near the gym. "Hey guys," he said.

"Hey," his cousin Snotlout Jorgenson said. Snotlout was the son of his mother's older brother, Spitelout. He had a younger sister named Adelaide, and she was in her junior year. Her bonded dragon is a female Razorwhip named Spearwind. Snotlout's bonded dragon is a male Monstrous Nightmare named Hookfang, who loved to set Snotlout's pants on fire, which got the entire gang and most of the school to laugh.

While Hiccup didn't have a dragon in his friends' eyes, they still went to him for help on dragons. He was the most knowledgeable out of all of them; Hiccup was one of the few people to be able to calm Hookfang down. Snotlout could too when the Stoker class wasn't angry at his rider. They bonded in the summer before the ninth grade.

Next to Snotlout stood the twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut Thorston; both waved at Hiccup along with Fishlegs Ingerman and his childhood best friend Astrid Hofferson smiled at him. Hiccup had been friends with Astrid since she, her parents, and uncle and aunt moved to Berk when she was a toddler. They met in kindergarten when Astrid needed a green crayon, and he was the only one who had a decent one. Though they started out disliking each other–who wouldn't at their age–but soon became friends after finding out they both loved dragons. Since they bonded, she and Stormfly have been inseparable.

Despite being a close friend now, Hiccup didn't officially become friends with them until the fifth grade. Hiccup got bullied by the twins and Snotlout, but they stopped after stepping up to protect him from their elementary school's biggest bully. Since then, the group has been rather close.

Ruffnut and Tuffnut shared a male Hideous Zippleback named Barf and Belch. Just like their bonded riders, the Zippleback liked to make things explode, though the twins were careful where they did it. Last time they did something huge, their parents got so mad that they couldn't ride Barf and Belch for a month. That got the Zippleback into a minor depression. Now, Ruffnut makes sure what they do it on the safe side. Though, half the time Hiccup feels like he's babysitting them. Like Snotlout and Astrid, the twins bonded to their dragon in the summer before the ninth grade. Hiccup wasn't even sure how they managed to bond.

Fishlegs Ingerman, on the other hand, was one of the calmer members of the group. He and Hiccup got along well enough to rant about dragons and do random things dragon-related. His bonded dragon is a female Gronkle named Meatlug. Out of everyone, Fishlegs bonded to his dragon first, since Meatlug was the hatchling of his father's working Gronkle, Roxas. Fishlegs was in third grade of elementary school when he bonded to Meatlug.

"Hey Hiccup," Astrid said with a smile. Her smiled vanished when she noticed his forced smile. "Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, had an argument with my parents, no biggie," he shrugged. Before Astrid could question him, the first bell rang. Hiccup sighed but said nothing as he turned and headed to his first class of the day, Gym. Astrid stared after him, wondering what the argument was.

Where Hiccup had Gym for first, Astrid and Ruffnut had Biology, Snotlout and Tuffnut were in History and Fishlegs was in AP Math. Along with not having Gym class with one of his friends, he had Graphic Arts alone; he was the only artistic one of the group. He does share AP English with Astrid and Fishlegs and the only class he shares with all his friends, is sixth period Dragon Training, though he was more of an assistant since he didn't have a Bonded Dragon. Hiccup didn't like having gym first, but he got it over and done with. Middle School and up to tenth-grade gym were torture for him. He got bullied because of his small size, but once his growth spurt came in junior year, the bullying stopped. The downside, girls started going up to him and asking him out, even though he had no interest. No one really stood out to him.

. . .

(Cafeteria, Berk High School – 11:32 pm)

Arriving at his usual table, he found his friends talking about college and what classes they wanted to take at Berk University the coming fall. This was going to be a long lunch. Originally, Hiccup had agreed with going to college to Berk University, but that was back when they were in the fifth grade, almost seven years ago. But, since he met and Bonded with Toothless, his desires changed; he wants to go out and explore, and maybe find another Night Fury for Toothless.

His desires to leave Berk only continued when he started getting acceptance letters from colleges outside the Archipelago. He already got a few from the surrounding islands, Archi Isle University, and Hysteria Island University were two of them; he also got a letter from Caldera Cay College. Caldera Cay was only two hours from Berk, by a dragon, so it's possible he could go there. He had the two other islands' acceptance letters in his backpack along with a few that were very far out, that he knew his parents would never let him to. The acceptance letter he got yesterday from the Rio de Janeiro Dragon Academy College was sitting in his backpack along with the two Archipelago Letters and two others, all of which he hadn't shown his friends.

Entering the cafeteria, Hiccup could see Astrid sitting with their friends; he turned away, refusing to look at her. Their earlier argument was fresh on his mind.

[Flashback]

"How can I wanting to leave be a problem?!" Hiccup exclaimed. He and Astrid were standing in the hallway, their first class just ended and the two were standing outside their shared English 12 class. They had four minutes before class started and they ended up starting an argument.

Astrid huffed, "Why do you want to leave when you have a perfect life here! We have everything!"

Hiccup glared at her, "Maybe I want more! Is that too much to ask?!" Astrid didn't answer. "Fine, if you won't support my dream of going to explore, we're done." Before the blonde could respond, Hiccup turned and walked into the classroom. When she entered at the bell, he refused to look at her and took a seat in the far back.

[End Flashback]

Hiccup was thrown out of his flashback by Ruffnut. "Hey Hiccup," she said smiling as he was walking by the table.

"Sup Hic," Ruffnut's twin brother, Tuffnut, said.

Hiccup's cousin, Snotlout, waved but said nothing. Hiccup was stuck with what to do, but in the end, decided to sit. He sat as far as he could away from Astrid, next to Fishlegs. Astrid was sitting on the other side, next to the Twins and Snotlout.

"Hey," Hiccup said.

"Any plans for after graduation?" Fishlegs asked. Hiccup inwardly sighed, happy that someone else asked the question and it was not him.

"Go to Berk University," Astrid said immediately with a smile. "I'm going to enter their Dragon Racing courses so I can become a Dragon Racer, like Dad and Uncle Finn," While hers and Hiccup's argument did hurt her, she didn't want the others to know, at least, not yet.

Astrid's Uncle Finn was one of Berk's best Dragon Racers but was starting to do fewer races now. He and his Deadly Nadder, Shardstorm, are legends around Berk. Her father, Grant, was also a racer in his earlier years but retired when his dragon, Amberstorm, broke her wing. Grant was now Berk Isle's Chief of Police. Her mother, Inga, and aunt, Alvina, worked in the same field, and worked at Berk General Hospital, as doctors, Inga for adults and Alvina while children. Astrid hopes to join in, continuing the Hofferson family of Dragon Racers with Stormfly, one of Amberstorm's children.

"We haven't fully decided yet, either help Mom and Dad with the business or do Dragon Racing in the Doubles,"' Tuffnut said.

"I'm going to Berk University and entering the Research and Caring classes," Fishlegs said. "I'm not sure which route to take just yet."

"Snotlout, what about you?" Ruffnut asked.

"I'll probably go to Berk University, get some credits anyway, and continue working as a trainer at the health center," Snotlout said. "Maybe after, I'll go into Dragon Racing, not sure yet."

As his friends talked, Hiccup kept to himself, fiddling with one of the college acceptance letters in his hands, under the table. "What about you Hiccup?" Fishlegs asked.

Hiccup opened his mouth but was cut off by Astrid. "Why bother asking? His parents won't let him leave; he'll go to Berk University like us. If anything, he'll probably take classes to be a researcher,"

The others gave looks to Astrid, but only Ruffnut spoke. "Why don't you let Hiccup answer," she said.

Hiccup glared at Astrid, who looked down. "To answer Fishlegs, I will not be attending Berk University."

Hiccup instantly got stares and surprised looks. "W-what? What do you mean?" Astrid asked, getting her voice back, but not looking into Hiccup's eyes.

Hiccup could tell there was more she wanted to say, but following their earlier argument, said nothing. He sighed, "I'm not going to Berk University because I don't want to. I haven't told you guys, but I've gotten college acceptance letters from all over the world. This one from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil came yesterday," He put the letter from Rio de Janeiro on the table, followed by the others he carried. "Also gotten letters from the Ontario Royal Dragon Academy, the Rome Dragon Academy. I also got a few from the other islands Caldera Cay and Hysteria Universiteit have sent me letters,"

"Woah," Ruffnut said. They all knew how smart Hiccup was, all but two of his classes were Advanced Placement.

"The colleges are also giving me full-ride scholarships," Hiccup added, empathizing the ending.

"But we promised we'd all go to Berk University together..." Astrid whispered.

The auburn-haired teen sighed, "Astrid, we made that pact when we were in the fourth grade, a time where we didn't even need to talk about college. And also, we've grown up, and desires change, like mine." he said, giving her a slight glare.

Fishlegs opened his mouth to speak but didn't get a chance as the PA system went off, alerting everyone of an upcoming announcement. The cafeteria immediately went silent.

"Will Hiccup Haddock please come to the Main Office? Hiccup Haddock to the Main Office, thank you."

All the students turned to the gangs' table where Hiccup was sitting, but he was confused as well. "Well, better see what they want," he shrugged, putting the acceptance letters back into his backpack. Grabbing his things, he left the table and headed out. Once he was out, talking started back up. Astrid looked at her friends, they were all confused, did Hiccup do something? Astrid's eyes were still on the door he had gone through, and she was both worried and curious. Did Hiccup do something to bother the staff? She knew Hiccup had a streak in being sarcastic at times, but he was always careful, or she hoped he was.

. . .

Opening the door into the front office, Hiccup found Mrs. Becker, one of the school secretaries, sitting at her desk. "I uh was called down?"

The woman smiled, "Yes, Mrs. Grayson wants to see you in her office,"

Hiccup paled a bit, being called to Berk High's headmistress' office was usually a bad sign, "I, uh, I'm not in trouble, am I?"

Mrs. Becker chuckled, "No. She wants to talk to you about something. You can head on back," she said pointing down the hallway behind her.

"Uh, okay..." Hiccup was still confused about why he was wanted by the principal. He walked down the hallway and soon came to a door with name header: Headmistress Anastasia Grayson. Taking a deep breath, he knocked.

"Come on," Headmistress Grayson called, not long after.

"Uh, you wanted to see me, Mrs. Grayson?" Hiccup asked entering the room, baffled he was here.

"Yes, I did," Anastasia Grayson, Headmistress of Berk High School, was a young woman, not even in her thirties yet, with chestnut-brown hair and blue eyes. "And no, you are not in trouble," she smiled noticing Hiccup's tense body position.

"Oh, thank Odin, I thought I was," Hiccup said taking a seat across from her desk.

"No, you are one of the best students." Mrs. Grayson said, "Anyway, a question for you, have you heard about Dragon Life?"

Hiccup stared at her in shock, "Who hasn't?" he said. "They are one of the best-known programs that travel and tries to help the wild dragon population. Sad, that they haven't found a Night Fury." He said as casual as possible.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Grayson caught on. "Hiccup you do realize that I know about your friend."

Hiccup paled, "Uh what are you talking about?" he asked.

She smiled, "Hiccup, I know about the Night Fury. You aren't the only one who leaves late."

Hiccup's mouth dropped. "I... What?" He thought he was careful! He told his friends he'd catch up with them at one of their houses after school and go into the forest to get Toothless and ride there. But Mrs. Grayson knew?!

"You don't have to worry about hiding him. No one else knows and I understand why you keep him hidden. While I normally would say continue hiding, I think this is a good reason for you to bring him out. Dragon Life is co-working with high schools in Archipelago, offering internships to students picked." Anastasia explained.

"They are...?" Hiccup asked totally in shock. He'd always wanted to join Dragon Life, but his overprotective parents kept him away.

"Yes. And you are chosen to represent Berk High School," now that threw Hiccup off.

"Excuse me, but what?!" Hiccup explained nearly jumping out of his seat. "You mean to tell me, that one of the greatest Dragon Protection and Research groups, the Dragon Life, wants me to join them?"

"That's it in a nutshell," Anastasia shrugged her shoulders. "Though it's more I told the program about you,"

"I...uh...wow. But, wait, surely someone else is better? Like Astrid! She's the best racer on the team!" Hiccup said. Plus, I know as a fact my parents would never let me go.

"Perhaps," Anastasia said calmly. "Miss Hofferson is the best racer; her anger issues do not work." Hiccup nodded at that; Astrid's anger issues were a problem. "And, she gets too competitive and Dragon Life is not looking for that. They need someone who is willing to stay quiet for a long time, and Miss Hofferson is not that. Also, you have the best grades, and you know a lot more about the dragon species as proven by your latest essay in Dragon Classification 101."

Hiccup thought back to his essay; he wasn't sure about it since he was using information, he got from studying Toothless, and anything else, he found wasn't concrete. However, he had been able to gather some information thanks to his ancestor, Chief Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III.

"Really?" Hiccup was still in shock.

Anastasia nodded, "If you accept, you will join five other students to go with Dragon Life and study the dragons."

This could be my one chance to leave Berk! But then again... "Can I think about it?" Hiccup asked.

"Of course. I'll give you until the end of the seventh period. I'll need an answer by then," she said and pulled a piece of paper out and quickly wrote something on it, "Give this to whoever your teacher is so you can return here," she said and signed it.

"Thank you," Hiccup said taking the paper. "I'll have an answer before the end of the seventh period today," Hiccup said and made his way out.

. . .

I'm chosen to join Dragon Life. Oh, Odin, that's a dream I've always wanted to do. Hiccup thought as he made his way to his Dragon Training class. He had heard the bell ring while talking to Mrs. Grayson. This would make me bring Toothless out but, it can prove that Night Furies aren't extinct and maybe there are more out there, just in hiding. I need to make a choice by Study Hall...I know I want to do this but, there could be consequences too.

Hiccup continued to think about the offer throughout his final two classes. He had to stop thinking when he was called to answer a question. He pushed it to the back of his mind until seventh.

However, Astrid was noticing Hiccup being out of it during Dragon Training. What did the office staff want? Was he in trouble?

Astrid finally had enough of Hiccup zoning out and asked him in their shared Study Hall class. "Hiccup," she said walking to his desk noticing him not pull anything out, only a small piece of paper.

"Hmm?" Hiccup asked, not looking up.

"Why were you called down?" Astrid demanded.

Hiccup looked up and noticed his friends crowding his desk. He glanced to the front to not see the teacher and the other students were busy doing either their work or talking to friends. He sighed. "It does not concern you,"

"Yes, it does!" Astrid said, a bit upset at what Hiccup said.

"Why does it matter to any of you?" Hiccup inquired now, with a raised eyebrow. Especially Astrid, considering what happened earlier that morning.

"Because we're friends! We made all these plans together, and now suddenly; you wanna leave the island or whatever," Snotlout stated.

"Yeah! Why would you want to leave? Berk has everything you could ever–," Astrid started.

"No! It doesn't!" Hiccup yelled, taking them and the rest of the class by surprise. The room went quiet as everyone looked towards them in curiosity. "All this island has for me are people who constantly want to hold me back! Like my parents, and all of you for example! I want to get out there with the excitement of new things and places. I want an adventure!" Hiccup's eyes lit up in a way they had never seen before. "I want to see the world. Maybe find a Night Fury. Who the heck knows!? But what I do realize is that I can't do any of that on Berk," he said calmer.

"Hiccup," Fishlegs began, seeing how passionate Hiccup was about his desires. He never was able to voice his thoughts, as Astrid spoke first.

"Well, that's too bad, Hiccup because your parents are never going to let you leave. So, you might as well just forget it and prepare to graduate here, then move on to college with us," Astrid huffed; Ruffnut, Tuffnut, and Snotlout agreeing with her by nodding their heads firmly. "Suck it up and be done with it,"

Hiccup's eyes widened a bit as something Astrid said just sparked a new fire within him. Hiccup thought about the offer he received earlier, then he just nodded and smiled. "You're right, Astrid. You are absolutely right," he said before getting to his feet.

"I-I am?" Astrid blinked; a bit bewildered by Hiccup's response. She didn't get an answer as Hiccup began packing up his things.

"Yep! I'm so done with it! My parents will never let me leave, so I'm just gonna do it!" Hiccup exclaimed as their eyes widened a little. "I'm eighteen, why the hell do I need their permission!? Thank you, Astrid, for helping me to make my choice. I want an adventure, and I know how to get it. I'm gonna get off this island and away from everyone trying to hold me back. So, you know, I'm gonna suck it up and be done with it; precisely as you said I should!" Hiccup squeezed by the confused group and headed to the front where their teacher, was standing. He quickly gave the note Mrs. Grayson gave him to the teacher and then was out of the room.

. . .

"Mrs. Grayson?" Hiccup asked opening her office door.

"Oh, Hiccup, come in. Did you make your choice?" she asked as Hiccup sat across from her.

"I did," he took a deep breathe, "And I accept the offer to travel with Dragon Life."