The air surrounding the arena was tense as the Gronkle continued to smash against the arenas walls and protective bars. Fishleg's, using the skills he had learned from years worth of trying continued to circle the beast. The Gronkle had already used up three of its six shots. Astrid, Snotlout, Ruffnut and Tuffnut had already defeated their dragons finalizing their graduation from dragon training. Fishlegs was the last to fight and no one was sure whether he would win or lose. He had made a lot of progress in training but was still nowhere near as strong or confident as the other Vikings. The fight had reached its climax with the Gronkle growing frustrated with Fishlegs as he continued to circle the dragon using his hammer and shield to make lots of noise. The Gronkle became carless and used up his last three shots missing Fishlegs completely. Fishlegs then made the finishing move and charged at the disorientated dragon bringing his heavy hammer down on the dragons head multiple times. The dragon twitched then grew still. Fishlegs raised his head, splatters of blood across his face and looked at Stoick. The two men stared at each other until Stoick nodded his head, a smile appearing in the face and the rest of the arena erupted into applause. All five teens had graduated dragon training and had now passed into the rite of adulthood. The rest of the Vikings made their way to the mead hall to celebrate, but the teens lagged behind a bit still in awe of their achievement.

"I can't believe that we've finally done it. We survived dragon training." Ruffnut said in amazement.

"Yeah..." Fishlegs replied whipping the blood of his face.

"It doesn't really matter though, because tomorrow everyone's going to forget that we all just graduated." Snotlout huffed in an annoyed voice.

"Why, what happens tomorrow?" Tuffnut asked.

"I can't believe you forgot." Snotlout deadpanned. There was a moment of silence as Tuffnut tried to remember.

"Hiccup's coming home tomorrow." Astrid said quietly, not even taking her eyes of the mead hall ahead.

"Oh yeah right, I remember now." Tuffnut said. "I wonder how much he's changed."

"I doubt he's changed that much, he is Hiccup after all." Snotlout laughed.

"How long has it been since he left?" Fishlegs asked.

"Seven years." Astrid replied, still not breaking her stride.

(Flashback seven years earlier) No one knew exactly what happened to Hiccup on the day he left. Only that something happened to him during a raid the previous night, everyone assumed that he had caused some trouble as usual, but Stoick refused to tell anyone what had happened. No one saw Hiccup at all during the preparations for his voyage, he stayed locked in his house. It was only just before the ship left that everyone saw Hiccup. He emerged from his house flanked by Gobber and Stoick. Everyone gasped when they saw the state Hiccup was in. He was covered in bandages around his torso and even though they looked fresh, blood was already seeping through. His right leg was in a dried mud caste and he was using a large wooden stick to walk. One of his arms hung limp at his side. He made his way down towards the docks, stumbling a few times before being caught by Gobber or Stoick. Hiccup never removed his gaze from the floor until he boarded the boat. No one ever thought they'd see a nine year old boy in that kind of shape. Gobber and Stoick whispered to each other for a moment before Gobber followed Hiccup onto the boat and they set off. Stoick refused to talk about Hiccup or Gobber and soon everyone forgot, until a few days ago when a carrier pigeon came and delivered a message from Gobber, saying that he and Hiccup were on their way back to Berk. (End flashback)

"Gotta admit, dude got pretty banged up." said Ruffnut, with as much sympathy as she showed in a long time.

"Banged up? dude was almost torn apart." said Tuffnut his face turning green from the sheer thought of it.

"If he hasn't changed much physically then no doubt something like that had to of done something to his mental state and he's gotta have a limp if he had to have a mud cast." Fishlegs said thinking out loud.

"Guys he won't be here until tomorrow so until then let's party." said Snotlout cheered followed by the rest og the gang other than Astrid who rolled her eyes at their childish actions.

The celebration carried on long into the night and most passed out in the mead hall, still holding their mead goblets. That was until a horn was sounded from down by the docks, signaling a ship had been sited on the horizon. Vikings all over the hall groaned nursing their heads. Stoick rouses his head from the table and glanced around the room in confusion. The horn blew again and caused Stoick jump. Recognition dawned on his face and he jumped up.

"Everyone get up their here!" Stoick shouted. More groans from the Viking around the room.

"Everyone their here, get to the docks now!" Stoick ordered. He pushed past everyone and marched down to the docks. Astrid having been responsible the night before was up early at the docks and stood watching the large ship as it came closer. She was deep in thought she couldn't help but think about how much Hiccup had changed. Did he get stronger? did he get taller? Or was he the same old screw-up that was never where he was supposed to be? She was brought out of her daze when Stoick joined her at the docks and was joined shortly by the other Viking teens and half the village. The boat docked and every thing was silent for the moment until Gobber walked off the large boat, well technically he limped because sometime during the last seven years he had lost one of his legs and now walked on what appeared to be a wooden stump. He walked towards Stoick who held out his hand to shake Gobber's hand, but instead of his hand there was a metal hook. Stoick was surprised at first but went along with it.

"Welcome back Gobber." Stoick said happy to see his old friend, or what was left of him.

"It's good to be back." said Gobber

"I trust everything went smoothly." said Stoick

"Yes, Hiccup survived, has received training, and is ready to return."

"Well then let's see him then." Stoick said barely suppressing an excited smile.

"Hiccup!" Gobber shouted. "Get out here and say hello to every one" Everyone was silent as they waited for Hiccup to get off the ship.

A tall figure ran toward the edge of the ship and jumped off surprising every one and landed on his feet with a thud. The man was dressed in a blue Nadder scale tunic with sleeves that looked like strips of its wing webs that were mostly yellow with red and blue rings around the cuffs, green Zippleback scale leggings that looked somewhat wide with orange spines on the backs, and boots made from the same Nadder scales as his tunic. Everyone gasped at the man that was literally wearing two dead dragons. He walked towards Gobber and Stoick and held out his hand which was covered in a thick black glove made the ends of his fingers look sharp and pointy, which couldn't be right. Stoick reached forward showing some slight hesitation, before firmly grasping Hiccups hand and shakes it.

Hiccup raised his head and looked Stoick in the eyes. He turned and looked over the surprised faces of the village. He looked at each of his old 'friends' with indifference. Before turning his gaze back to Stoick.

"It's good to be home."