Hey guys! So sorry for the wait. Took a bit of careful planning and suffered some delays but I'm back now :) Thank you for your patience and enjoy Chapter 7!

As chief, Stoick the Vast stirred before the sun rose, just like always. Yawning majestically, he was loudly making his way down the stairs before he stopped. The atmosphere in the house felt...odd, silent, too eerily silent. Not that Hiccup ever made any noice when he slept, but it just felt..different. "Hiccup?" He called out. He was hoping to be gone before his son awoke, to avoid conversation, but this time something compelled him to check. Just for the sake of it, he thought grumpily. He was never the kind of father who would affectionately wake his son up every morning, but deep down a part of him still cared a little.

The door was slightly ajar. Strange, he thought. He pushed it open, and came face to face with..nothing. No one. The bed was empty. "Aha! For once, Hiccup woke up early! Guess tha' kid is finally shaking his laziness off, eh?" Stoick thought aloud joyfully. He was about to get on his way when he noticed something amiss. Hiccup's table was oddly..clean. Surely, Hiccup had gotten down to tidying his room? Stoick pondered. His hopes were shattered into smithereens as he picked up the single piece of canvas that lay on the bare table.

-

A rumble from Toothless sent Hiccup's head shooting straight up. A sleepless night of preparation had taken a toll on him, as he found himself dozing off involuntarily more often than he would've liked. "Sun just rose..huh?" A glance at the sun gave away. At most, Hiccup calculated, two hours had elapsed since they had departed Berk and flown east. A wave of guilt struck Hiccup. He had been resting while Toothless has been flying for two hour straight!

"How're ya doing, bud?" Hiccup gently patted the black dragon's head. A soft warble assured Hiccup his friend was holding up, but he could observe from the occasional trembles in Toothless' magnificent wings that even he was getting tired. "Alright bud, lets find ourselves a place to take a break." Toothless dipped down and emerged from the thick cloud layer. To their dismay, there was no island in sight. Surely, they had passed a few potential islands, but Hiccup did not wish to remain too near Berk. The further the better, he thought, so no one could find him even if they tried. Would they even try? Hiccup thought bitterly. A large cloud drifted into them and Toothless dove into it, enjoying the moisture and coolness. Moments, even before they emerged, the silhouette of a looming island could be seen. Finally.

-

'To whom should I address my words? Dad? Stoick? Chief? I no longer know. I remember when I was younger, you used to spend so much time with me, chatting with me, always saying how great and strong I will become in future. Yet as time passed, you gave up on me. I see it now. I see that disappointment in your eyes, every time I did something that you weren't pleased about, even though all I ever wanted to do was to help. I see the thoughts going through your thick skull. You must be thinking all the time, "Oh Thor, what sins have I done to deserve such a weak, skinny son? Such a useless heir unworthy of succeeding me, the great Stoick the Vast?"

Well, don't worry, Dad. I'm out of your way now. You won't need to be ashamed of me anymore. The disgrace and village runt will be out of everyone's way. Rejoice, celebrate! I know everyone would. No one has ever appreciated me, nor at the very least showed some kindness. Not even you.

So thanks for keeping alive over the past 15 years, through gritted teeth I do admit you deserve that much credit. But that's all you get, because you and everyone else have made me dead inside. Goodbye forever, Dad. Hope you'll find yourself happier when I'm gone.

-Hiccup, your "son" .'

The mighty hands of the mighty chief, capable of pulverising boulders and dragon skulls, trembled uncontrollably as the canvas slipped from them.

-

Hiccup and Toothless took in the majestic scene before their eyes. It was half the size of Berk, but twice the majesty. The island was simply magnificent. Lush green cover, a sapphire blue lake, a few towering peaks, canyons and gorges, the island almost had it all. The perfect place to rest. Toothless didn't need Hiccup's cue as he spiralled down towards the island's glaringly white beach.

One moment, the black dragon was frolicking delightfully on the soft, fine sand, stretching his sore wings and the next, he was splashing about in the cool blue shallows. Hiccup lazed under a palm tree offering luxurious shade, smiling at his friend, who bounded back up to his side. 5 minutes since contact and they were already in love with this place. A thought struck Hiccup. "Why not make it our new home? What do you say bud?" A hearty warble affirmed his desires. It was probably the best place possible; the island was absolutely elysian and surprisingly seemed uninhabited, which was for the best, at least before Hiccup can ascertain that whichever human civilisation they encounter eventually will be friendly to his dragon companion.

"Home it shall be then." Hiccup thought and smiled dreamily. There was so much they could do on the island! As an inquisitive explorer, discovering uncharted lands and exploring them was simply too exhilarating for Hiccup. For Toothless, Hiccup was sure there would be plenty of wild dragons around, hopefully some would be friendly and approachable enough.

They have discovered the place where they will start anew.

Hope you enjoyed it :) I'm really excited for the many more coming your way! If you have any ideas on where to take this story, I wanna hear it, so do review :D