It was another calm day on the seas surrounding Berk, which means the awaited ship will arrive at a quicker pace. But that was still to wait. It was still dark as night for early hours in the morning, but that a ray of light began peaking over the horizon, signaling the dawn of a new day. Little by little, more rays began piercing the dark sky, the sun spreading its warmth for the people of Berk, given it was zero degrees out. Such weather as this couldn't be more perfect for the return of the Chief's son Hiccup Haddock who had been away for almost one and a half years, exploring the Viking cities, honing his warrior skills and gaining valuable knowledge along his journey. Finally all that would be coming to an end once he reaches the shores of Berk.

Below Deck

Toothless had an early start to the day, and was on the top deck, waiting for the other Vikings and his rider and best friend, Hiccup, to wake up. He waited for what felt like hours but soon the deck was filled activity, and all in preparation for when they docked. These were the same Vikings who also left Berk with Hiccup and Ripper to Atlaka for Hiccup's training. Stoick had assigned them for Hiccup's protection but in truth they felt like it was a vacation. Hiccup surprisingly didn't cause any 'accidents' on the trip there…well…none that put the whole ship at risk anyway. And in Atlaka, Hiccup was Ripper's responsibility so they had it relatively easy. But they were sure glad to be home, back to their wives and children for some catching up.

Toothless had yet to see his master come up, but when he saw Ripper gesture to down below when he came up, Toothless knew he had to wake Hiccup. With two quick jumps, careful not to hurt or disrupt anyone from their tasks, Toothless was below deck, which he was able to squeeze through.

Hiccup should have listened to Ripper's advice about getting an early sleep. He was too groggy to move a muscle and the sun shining through the round window didn't help either. "Is it morning already?" he grumbled to himself and pulled the fur cover over his head to make a temporary dark world for him to sleep. He was only able to enjoy a few seconds of his 'extra' sleep before he heard the playful growling of his dragon, and by the sound of it, Toothless was right on top of him. "Come on bud, just five more minutes" Hiccup said without removing the cover from his head.

Toothless made a huff in disagreement and pulled the cover off of Hiccup, who was immediately blinded by the sunlight penetrating his room. "Toothless!" he yelled but only to see the dragon holding the cover in his mouth and those big eyes, which made him look almost adorable. Hiccup just smiled at his dragon's playfulness. "Ok, I'm up" he said as he grabbed his prosthetic leg and fixed it on. He got up slowly, his dragon watching him closely in case something happened. He put on his coat, fixed his belt which now had a place for a sword, he put on his boots. Toothless was getting impatient and made it evident with slight growls and gestures to the main deck. "Go ahead bud, I'll catch up" Hiccup said, with which Toothless gladly responded and darted upwards, leaving a small path of destruction in his wake.

Hiccup just chuckled to himself. For a 25 foot long, one of the world's most dangerous dragons, he seemed like a puppy. Within the next few seconds Hiccup was above deck to be greeted by preparations for when they dock at Berk. "Glad to see you're finally up" Ripper said nice and loudly, excitement evident in his voice to be coming back home. "Well I wouldn't miss this day for anything in the world" Hiccup said, matching Ripper's enthusiasm…to lesser extent. There was a strong breeze towards the island, the masts had full sails to gain every speed they could. "Berk should be within sight within the next few minutes, prepare to see your girlfriend" Ripper teased.

"That is if she doesn't kill me" Hiccup said jokingly, but still hoping she didn't kill him for obvious reasons. "So what's the first thing you're gonna do once we get back?" Hiccup asked, trying to strike up a conversation until Berk was in sight. "First I'm gonna run off the ship and kiss the ground and thank Oden for being back, second I'd like to get a good jug of mead and third watch Astrid throw you off a cliff or something" Ripper said. "You are never gonna let me hear the end of it aren't you?" Hiccup asked. That whole business of Astrid killing him was getting on his nerves.

"Don't lose your prosthetic Hic, she won't kill you…injure you for sure…but not kill ya" Ripper said. He knew Astrid wouldn't kill him but injuring him was definitely on the plate. "Great" Hiccup said, not too thrilled by what Ripper is suggesting. "Look, don't worry about that now, we're not even…BERK IN SIGHT!" they heard the foreman yell. When they looked to port they saw the towering semi-mountain of Berk. "Scratch that. Better think of something fast" Ripper said before going to help steer the ship.

Berk

It was another usual day at the Berk Dragon Academy. Today's class was composed of children no older than nine. For them it was more demonstrations and lessons about the dragons instead of riding them and experiencing it first-hand. That was only possible when they reached the age of ten. "Today's class was about general facts about the dragons. All the five riders were there for today's class with 20 students.

"So class, today we are going to learn about the dragons' weaknesses and strengths" Astrid said, standing in front of the young bunch with Stormfly beside her and the other four riders and their dragons with them behind her. "So what can anyone tell me about the Deadly Nadder?" she asked. "Ooh, it loves to groom itself" a young girl said, noticing Stormfly tending to something under her wing. "Good, anything else?" Astrid asked. "They are extremely loyal to their rider" a young boy said. "Excellent. Going in further to that they will do anything to protect their rider…" she said but was cut off. "You know Astrid, I would also do anything to protect you" Snotlout said putting his arm around Astrid's shoulders.

"Class this would be a good demonstration. Stormfly!" Astrid called, and as soon as she said that Stormfly let loose her spikes at Snotlout who was smacked against the wall of the arena. "What was that for?" he asked, not able to pull out the spikes which had his clothes impaled to the wall. "I was just demonstrating to the class what a Nadder does when it feels its master is threatened" she said with a smug smile, while most of the students laughed at Snotlout. "Too bad she missed his body" Tuffnut said. "Yeah, that would have been a real mess" his twin Ruffnut said. Those twins didn't really mean it but they were always bent on seeing and causing trouble. But Snotlout wasn't going to let it end there. "Hookfang, show what happens when you mess with the rider of a Monstrous Nightmare" he yelled back, and just as his dragon was about to send a fireball at Stormfly…

"Enough Snotlout, that was just a demonstration" Stoick said coming into the arena with Gobber behind him. "Ok ya lil' younglings, time to scamper off back home" he said and the children soon left after saying their thanks to Astrid and goodbyes to the Chief. "How was today's lesson Astrid?" Stoick asked after everyone had left. "It was productive, they also got a few rides around the arena on the dragons, so they can get a sense of dragons they would want in the future" she explained. "I just wanted to say what an excellent job all of you are doing. Hadn't been easy when Hiccup left but all of you have brought this Academy to its heights" the Chief said, praising them for their work.

"Thanks a lot Chief, now can someone get me down from here" Snotlout asked who was still hanging on the wall. "It can wait Snot" Astrid replied, enjoying this. "So why are you here sir?" Fishlegs asked. "Well I wanted to come by and tell the Academy's old head master will be returning today" he said with a smile. "Hiccup's coming BACK!" they all yelled with smiles…except for Snotlout. "Yes! Finally we get to see him again. I can't wait to hear about his journey, what he found, especially what he learned…ooh, if he brought any samples" Fishlegs said with joy.

"Great, better say bye to the peace and quiet here" Snotlout said, not excited at all that his cousin is coming back. "What's the matter Snot, afraid of competition?" Tuffnut asked, also glancing at Astrid who was speaking with the Chief and not aware of their conversation. "Pff…are you kidding me, that fish bone…that's completely not true" Snotlout said, doubtful is cousin could pull off anything with the girls on Berk especially Astrid…even though she preferred Hiccup over the rest of the guys. "Anyway, what do you think they're talking about?" Fishlegs asked, as Astrid and Stoick continued their conversation. "Probably marriage with Hiccup" Tuff said earning a punch from Snotlout. "Not funny" he stated simply.

"Well guys I have something for us to do" Astrid said coming up to the group. "And what is that?" Ruff asked. "You all will be flying your dragons in a formation for welcoming the ship back and guide it in" Astrid explained. "Wait, there's no plan or anything?" Fishlegs asked. "It's just basically flying with the ship and guiding it in to Berk, simple as that" Astrid said. "Then why aren't you flying with us?" Snotlout asked, which everyone wanted to know. "Because Stoick needs me to do something right now and I won't make it in time ok?" she said, making it clear that she wasn't going to be there and this had to be done well.

"Ok Astrid, we'll get right on it" Snotlout said with a smile, but hoping to get some sort of reward and was gesturing to a hug. "Gotta go, bye guys" Astrid said as she got on her dragon and flew away. But as soon as she was out, she gave herself a pat on the back for that performance. Not the part of guiding the ship in but why she couldn't go with it. She didn't want to see Hiccup that soon because she was in truth, extremely mad at him and wanted to do something dreadful to him. But at the same time she was glad he was back…only that she could throw him off a cliff anyway. "Be back as soon possible, yeah right Hiccup" she said, but her thoughts were interrupted when "…SHIP ON THE HORIZON!" she heard below and when she looked she saw the same ship that left the docks one and a half years ago. "Prepare yourself Hiccup" she said and flew to her house.

Back On the Ship

Hiccup couldn't believe it. One and a half years later he was returning back home. Every second that went by of him staring at the island seemed like an eternity. He yearned to get back on his home turf. But he needn't have to worry as the island grew bigger and bigger, indicating they were getting closer and closer. Not much had changed, the buildings were the same, the sky behind was beginning to form dark grey clouds, which was meant for the season of winter on this island.

He focused his attention on the docks, where he saw a crowd of people beginning to gather. He turned to Toothless who was now by his side, also excited of being back. "Well bud, we're finally home" he said petting his Toothless' snout. Just then they heard the familiar roars of dragons above, and when Hiccup looked up saw Hookfang, Barf and Belch, and Meatlug flying in circles above them.

"Welcome Back Hiccup!" Fishlegs yelled from above. "Finally came back did ya?" Tuff said. Hiccup just chuckled at seeing his friends again. He would get a better look at them once they dock. "Welcome back fishbone" Snotlout said. Hiccup just gave an annoyed smile. His cousin was never going to change. Just to speed things up, some of the men on the ship tossed an end of rope to the dragons so that they could pull them faster back to shore. With the three dragons both pulling the ship, they reached shore within a few seconds.

"Make way, make way for the crew!" Stoick bellowed as the gangplank from the ship touched the docks. The men from the crew rushed over with their belongings into the arms of their families, with tears of joy. Ripper was the next to come off with his sack. Like he said as he got off he kissed the dock from where they had set off and thanked Oden for returning. "Ripper!" Stoick yelled as he gave him a death hug. "Nice…t-to…see you…too…s-sir" he said through Stoick's grip, and he was losing consciousness as well. Stoick realized what he was doing and quickly let go of the young lad. Ripper gasped for breath as soon he was let go. "So…where's my son?" Stoick asked looking at the ship.

"Should be on his way" he said, still recovering from the lack of air. Then they heard 'oohs' and 'wows' coming in front of them and when Stoick looked up he couldn't believe his eyes. There stood his son, who was now 18 years of age now. He looked nothing like he did one and a half years ago. He grown taller, at least two to three inches, he was still thin anyone could tell by his shirt that he had toned arms, his hair had grown a bit longer and he had some facial hair. Boy did Stoick and his son have some catching up to do.

The crowd swarmed Hiccup, just like when he was number one in dragon training. All of them were amazed at how much Hiccup had changed. "Hiccup!" he heard someone yell his name and didn't have to look before he was taken in a massive bear hug, enough to literally squeeze the life out of you. "Dad" Hiccup managed to squeeze out. "Nice to see you again son" Stoick said, finally letting him go. Stoick hardly ever showed this kind of emotion in public but he was seeing his son after all. "Oh dad, it's so good to be back" Hiccup said, slinging his sack over his shoulder.

"How much have you changed. I'm not even sure you're the real Hiccup" he said. "Yeah well I've been getting that a lot" Hiccup replied. "And there's the old lizard" Stoick said seeing Toothless come up to them. "My you two have grown quite a lot. How does it feel to be back in Berk?" Stoick asked. "It feels great dad, but I'd like to see my friends before I can really catch up with you" Hiccup said, hoping that he didn't offend his father.

"Not at all son, I'm just glad you're back. But make sure to say hi to Gobber alright?" his father asked. He knew as well that Gobber was like a second father to Hiccup and he was his mentor after all and was his assistant in the forge. "Why would I want to miss more teasing from Gobber dad?" Hiccup asked with his semi-amused tone and a play along smile. Stoick smiled at his son's sarcasm and left to attend his chief duties. Soon after his dad left Hiccup was swarmed by his old friends.

"Nice to see you again Hiccup" Fishlegs said giving him big hug. "Hey Fishlegs, how's the academy, found any new dragons or new behaviors?" Hiccup asked, knowing how much Fishlegs enjoyed facts and learning new things about dragons. "Getting there, haven't been many new dragons since that Whispering Death that showed up" he said. "So Hiccup plunder any villages, fought any pirates, any new kinds of destruction?" the twins asked. "Pirates yes, plundering no, and no destruction" Hiccup answered. "But by the looks of it you guys haven't been busy or lost your touch" Hiccup said gesturing around to the peaceful village. "I told you we were losing our edge" Ruffnut said hitting Tuff in the face. "Hey don't look at me, you're the one who comes up with the ideas" he said rubbing his nose.

Hiccup laughed at seeing the two twins going at each other again. Nothing much had changed. "You are definitely not Hiccup" he heard an all too familiar voice behind him. "Hey Snotlout" he said turning around to see his bully of a cousin. "How you've been?" he asked, trying to make small talk. "Well everything was going great until today" he said but it was hard to say if it was a joking tone or a serious or in between. "Listen Snotlout" Hiccup started but was interrupted. "No Hiccup, you listen to me…even though you're different physically you'll still be the same scrawny fishbone Viking you always were and I'll keep beating you at everything" Snotlout said with a smug face. "Ok Snotlout you made your point you're better than me" Hiccup said, not liking where this was going.

"Actually just to prove it…" Snotlout went through a full hook with his right hand but it stopped. He looked up to see Hiccup holding his fist in his hand. He had blocked it with ease! Hiccup did not have an amused expression on his face. It was more of a look of disappointment. After seeing the shocked face of his cousin he let go of his fist which had a hand mark around it. "Why can't you let that go Snotlout, we're cousins" Hiccup said. Snotlout completely ignored what happened earlier and trudged off followed by Hookfang. "Looks like you really did grow up Hiccup" Fishlegs said.

"I just hope Snotlout moves past this rivalry" Hiccup said, truly worried about his cousin. It then occurred to him that he had seen everyone except for Astrid. "Guys, have you seen Astrid?" he asked. They all glanced at each other and shook their heads. "She told us that Stoick had her do something, whatever that is" Tuff said. "Well I'm gonna go look for her, it was nice seeing you guys, we have a lot of catching up to do" he yelled as he ran into the heart of the village, more specifically to the forge.

Village of Berk

Everything had settled down since their return and most of the crew were now walking with friends and family, surely telling tales of their adventure and life away from Berk, and all the new wonders and new people they met and saw. After I find her I have to catch up with everyone Hiccup thought. As got closer to the forge, which at the same time was the medical station for dragons, Hiccup saw Gobber working on a Gronckle's teeth. "Well are ya gonna jus' stand there or help me boy" Gobber said without turning.

"Nah, I think I'll leave you to it" he said. "It's good to see you again Gobber, looks like Oden had taken it easy on you" Hiccup said, seeing Gobber didn't age much. "Yeah well when ye' are working on dragons every single day, it keeps ye' young" he said. Hiccup listened to Gobber's rambling about life while looking around the old forge. Nothing had changed at. Weapons were still in their usual places, except for the tools Gobber used. "But enough of me, I'd like to hear about you Hiccup" he said, snapping him out of his thoughts. "I'm sorry what?" Hiccup asked, ashamed that he hadn't been listening. Gobber just made a sly smile. "Thinking about someone are we?" he asked. Hiccup blushed a bit at this.

"If you want to know where she is I think she flew on Stormfly into the forest" he said, gesturing to the area of the cove. "Alright thanks Gobber. I'll tell you and dad everything at dinner" he said and went to find Toothless. "Oh that boy is in for it" Gobber said to himself seeing Hiccup run off.

Forest of Berk

Hiccup was now high above the sky on Toothless above the forest that surrounded Berk looking for Astrid. "Keep your eyes out for her bud" he said looking down trying to pick her out. But then when they were exactly over the cove he saw a Deadly Nadder with a young girl standing in front of the small lake. "Down bud" Hiccup said and within a few seconds they were on the ground with Hiccup quickly getting off and Toothless walking over to Stormfly who really wanted to get a nice seat for what was about to happen.

Astrid had heard them land and Hiccup walking to her, but his pace got slower and slower when she didn't turn around. Who would turn around when your supposed boyfriend ups and leaves you for one and a half years and saying 'I'll be back as soon as possible'. Hiccup had to make up for that time and she wouldn't make it easy for him.

"Hey A-Astrid. How have you been?" he asked walking to her ever so slowly, that now he was within an arm's length of her. That got Astrid's temper boiling. "Really, how have you been?" she mimicked his voice and right now facing him. "That's all you have to say for leaving me for one and a half years! she yelled. Hiccup was now on dangerous water. Nothing was more worse than a mad Hofferson.

"Astrid I'm sorr…" he didn't get to finish as he received a vicious right hook in the face from her. Hiccup fell to the ground with a loud thud, clearly in shock from what just happened. "Sorry isn't going to cut it with me Hiccup!" she yelled. He was now on his back on the ground and her standing over him. "I thought about you every single day since you were gone, and at least hoping for you write to me or something but no! I don't hear or see anything you've written to me and you come back here expecting me just to take you back!?" she asked, thinking or knowing that's what he expected.

"Astrid, it's not what you think?" he said trying to get up but she kept him down. "Then what is it Hiccup, training, fun, adventure…what was it that you couldn't even write a small letter that at least said 'I love you' on it. Tell me" she said. She was right. Hiccup didn't even think of writing a letter back but he could bring up the excuse of training every single day, having classes that went for the entire day for each day of those one and a half years. But he knew better than to bring them up with Astrid. Or he would bring them up some other time when the fight was over.

"Well?!" she asked again, still not getting a response. Hiccup just looked down, knowing he was guilty and didn't answer back. Astrid sighed hopelessly. She took out her axe and dropped it on his groin and it bounced back up into her hand. This earned a huge groan from Hiccup and 'Why would you do that?'

"That was for not sending me a letter. And furthermore, know that I'm not saying a single word to you for leaving me" she said. She then hopped on Stormfly, who was next to Toothless and saw the whole thing unfold, and left.

Toothless walked up to his rider who was still holding his groin and on the ground. "Well I think I would have preferred if she threw me off a cliff" he said. But he was deeply sad and he knew this was his fault but he would explain his reasons later on because now he had to win her back and do it fast.

A/N: Hey guys, thanks to the readers who are reading this and please review also and it's just gonna get more intense from here on out.