The sun was going down as Hiccup and Stormfly reached Dragon Hunter Island. Everything down below was the same as he'd ever known, only for the exception that there was way fewer guards posted.
''Viggo mustn't have much enemies for his guard to be so low.'' he commented, circling above. A movement from the middle of the isle suddenly caught his attention, and Hiccup noticed Viggo walking in his tent while Ryker left. Two guards were posted on either side of the entrance and Hiccup frowned in satisfaction. ''That should be easy. Common, Stormfly.''
The first stars glowed bright against the marine-blue background, making it perfect for Hiccup to shift to action. He dived down, about to take out both guards at once to then make his entrance and convince Viggo to trust him, but he soon recalled Viggo was the same as when he first met him. He couldn't just break in the tent and be a threat to his eyes. He needed to see him as an ally.
Hiccup folded back at the last second before the guards noticed them approaching and directed the dragon towards a group of hunters up ahead.
…
Viggo was arranging his pieces in the crate of his game, Maces and Talons, when his brother entered the tent.
''Everything in order, big brother?'' demanded Viggo, concerned why his second in command was back so soon.
''There was an intruder on the island.'' reported Ryker dryly, lifting his chin. ''Shall I dispose of him? He doesn't look like much if you ask me.''
Viggo turned to his brother, reaching both hands to his back. ''Never judge something you don't understand, Ryker. It might take years, but someday you might recognize that it's the smallest things that take up the most room…'' he said, approaching his brother. The second in command narrowed his eyes but kept his mouth shut. ''Bring him to me. Then I'll decide of his fate.''
Ryker snorted and exited the tent, walking up to his two soldiers holding the boy still by his arms.
''This is your lucky day…'' growled Ryker as he passed his prisoner.
Hiccup glared back. He'd never liked Ryker anyway. He didn't care on which side he was on.
A sudden push in the back made him stumble forward and Hiccup was brought in the tent. He was thrown to the dusty ground and Hiccup turned his head around to watch them leave with Ryker. Quietly sighing in relief, Hiccup picked himself up and turned his eyes on the man behind a desk with his back at him. This part of the plan had worked, but there was yet to come.
''Viggo.'' he said, advancing a little. ''We need to talk.''
But Viggo's only reply was a hum. ''Strange,'' he said. ''Every time someone enters this place, they quiver in fear at my feet…'' The man slowly turned around, facing the young Viking boy that looked at him straight in the eyes. ''And I don't believe we've met.''
''We have. Or, we never did—but I know, Viggo.'' declared Hiccup, slamming his fist against the wooden table with the Maces and Talons game set on a corner. The hunter's unconsciousness was torturing him. ''I know everything.''
Viggo only chuckled, circling the desk to stand before the boy he'd just met. ''And what would 'everything' entail?'' he asked, a dark tone embarking to his voice.
Hiccup frowned, green eyes digging into brown, and said, ''The King of Dragons.''
Viggo's eyes suddenly widened, obviously feeling threatened. Hiccup realized at this moment that just diving down with Stormfly would've been as efficient in the end. But there was no backing down now.
''I know you're working for Johann.'' he continued, ready to face the hunter's wrath to his knowledge of this never spoken information.
''What?'' snarled Viggo, gritting his teeth.
''I need you to listen to me…'' tried Hiccup, trying to stay calm when he saw the man reaching for his dagger on the desk behind him. ''I know—''
But Viggo refused to let him finish. With no warning, he swung his blade at the boy, missing him by an inch.
''I know Johann pays you to take part of the project.'' he added, watching for another swing of the blade. ''You think it benefits you, but you're wrong. It doesn't happen that way."
Viggo circled the boy, discreetly trapping him between him and the desk. Hiccup understood that he had ticked him off very quickly. ''How do you know all this?'' he demanded, clearly frustrated of not having seen this coming. He waved his dagger menacingly, a side Hiccup had never seen. He had always known him for his strategies.
''I know it because I was your adversary in Maces and Talons.'' answered Hiccup, receiving a shocked expression from the man. Viggo had stated that he was a worthy opponent on their first battle, and probably his only one. "I've lived this, but I messed everything up. And now, I'm stuck in the past, and believe it or not, you and I worked together to try to stop Johann.''
Viggo's gaze dropped to the ground and then to Hiccup, making Hiccup believe he was considering for a bried moment. With a quick move too fast for Hiccup to react, he managed to pin the youngster to the desk, pressing his forearm to his chest while holding his weapon up, ready to bring it down. But the movement of the table caused a piece in the Maces and Talons crate to fall—the Viking chief, specifically. Viggo stared at the game piece for a moment, reconsidering the stranger's story.
Viggo slowly backed off, his eyes closed to slits. ''Why on Earth would I ally with my opponent at Maces and Talons..?'' he wondered.
''Because I was a Dragon Rider, Viggo.'' said Hiccup, rubbing his bruised shoulder he'd hit against the table. ''You and I were a reflection of each other. You asked for my help once. Now I'm asking for yours.''
''But then if I ally with my opponent, that makes me the traitor.'' thought Viggo, shifting his gaze to Hiccup. ''And the traitor-''
''Always dies in the end.'' finished Hiccup, hoping all of this would be convincing enough.
''This is madness.'' whispered the hunter.
''Trust me. I know.'' commented Hiccup, looking down at his old clothes.
Viggo looked at the boy curiously. ''You seem to know a lot of things.''
A roar Hiccup recognized all too well echoed from outside. He sped out without hesitating and looked up to find Singetails circling over the island, Flyers on their backs.
''No, no, no!'' almost shouted Hiccup, holding his ground. ''W-we need to hurry.''
''It doesn't matter, now.'' said Viggo, exiting the tent behind him. He watched the creatures fly around, regret in his voice. ''I fear it's too late. The search has begun.''
Hiccup turned around to face the hunter. ''The search?'' he repeated, confused. ''Search for what? Why would they even come here?''
''I hold knowledge of an ancient artifact that will tell the location of the King of Dragons.'' informed Viggo, his eyes fixed on the dragons above.
''The Dragon Eye?'' asked Hiccup, his eyes growing wide.
''You know about this as well, I suppose?'' asked the hunter chief, cocking an eyebrow. ''It has belonged to my tribe for centuries, but was lost, long ago.''
Hiccup needn't to hear the rest. He knew exactly what to do now. If there was any chance to avoid total destruction, he needed to act on the spot.
If Johann didn't hold the Dragon Eye yet, that meant he could never find the King of Dragons. If they got to it before Johann and destroyed it, then they could end this war before it ever started.
''I have a plan.'' said Hiccup, gesturing for Stormfly who had been hiding in the trees to come closer. ''We need to get to the Ship Graveyard.''
When he thought about it, at this time in his other life, they were battling Outcasts as Dragon Riders. The simple fact that there were Dragon Riders prevented Johann from progressing with his plans. But because of their absence, Krogan had showed up earlier than invited and Johann already had a whole army of Flyers and Hunters.
He climbed on the Deadly Nadder, offering a hand for Viggo to join him. He saw the man hesitating for a second, but grabbed Hiccup's hand anyway. Rethinking about it, Hiccup had a hard time to believe Viggo had been easier to persuade than the Defenders of the Wings, which barely made sense to his mind.
They soared over the island, being as careful as possible to avoid being seen by the Flyers.
''Why do you want to go to this Ship Graveyard?'' asked Viggo, trying to understand. ''There's nothing but death there.''
''Because that's where the Dragon Eye is.'' said Hiccup over his shoulder while keeping his eyes focused up ahead. ''If it's key to finding the King of Dragons, then we need to destroy it.''
''So, if you really are from another future,'' dared ask Viggo, looking down at the ground far below. ''What happens to me?''
But Hiccup didn't have time to answer as a blast was suddenly fired too close to his liking. Stormfly readjusted, squawking madly at her attacker. Hiccup looked up to see a Singetail hovering high above, obviously aware of their presence.
''We need to get out of here!'' shouted Hiccup, tightening his grip to the dragon's shoulders. He'd forgotten Stormfly wasn't actually the same Stormfly he knew. She did not have her years of experience and recalled she was wild just a day ago.
Never seeing it coming, a Singetail dived from above to stand in the way of the escaping Deadly Nadder and its riders. Hiccup gasped as he made eye-contact with its flyer.
''Johann.'' growled Hiccup, gritting his teeth. He wasn't going to let him destroy everything and everyone he loved when there was something he could do about it. He was a Dragon Rider, the only thing able to stand in his way.
''Traitor.'' growled Johann, narrowing his eyes menacingly at the hunter.
''Get out of here, dragon!'' ordered Viggo as he watched the Singetail prepare its fire. He was a traitor now and there was no turning back.
Stormfly was ready to escape when suddenly; a red Titan Singetail with a Flyer dived for them at full speed, slamming into the Nadder.
Stormfly roared her pain and, unable to keep flying any longer, fell from the sky, crashing on the forest floor below. Her riders were knocked off her back and a cloud of dust formed around them. The two Singetails hovered above, roaring angrily.
Hiccup coughed and pulled his leg free from the dragon's deadweight, grunting at the effort. He felt dizzy, but he noticed the two dragons that had knocked them out of the sky land beside them.
Viggo crawled from under the dragon's wing, pulling himself to his feet to face his new enemies. Johann and Krogan circled him with absolutely no interest for the boy standing beside the downed dragon.
''After everything you gave, you would flee on our final stage?'' said Johann, pulling on the chains of his dragon for it to fire.
Viggo balled his fists, ready for the heat. ''So that's how it's gonna be.'' he growled, believing his destiny to be different. But he stayed anyway, turning to Hiccup. ''Go! Get out of here. They want me, not you.''
Hiccup lifted Stormfly's head, encouraging her to get up. ''We can help!'' he called once the dragon was on her feet again. ''I'm not leaving you!''
''Get to that graveyard!'' he ordered, pointing in direction of the exit. ''I'll hold them off until you're through.''
Hiccup felt his heart break. It was a second time Viggo gave his life so he could defeat Johann and Krogan. He just hoped the outcomes would be the same as well…
Without wasting any more time, he mounted the Nadder and took off in direction of the location of the Dragon Eye.