Hey everyone

Once again, I am so sorry the update is so long, but life happens first. And because today is my birthday, I had alot of free time on my hands to finally finish writing this chapter. I thank you all for your patience and your support. Please enjoy the chapter.

Just a Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or the world they come from. Just the idea of the story

The eruptodon flew as fast as his wings could take him, making a beeline for the mountain. Heather steadied herself on top of Windshear to hopefully create less drag. She has to make it to that dragon, if not; the entire island will be doomed.

"Heather!"

Heather looked down to see Snotlout, Fishlegs and the twin flying up to meet her.

"What's going on?" Fishlegs asks in a loud voice.

"The deal was a trap," Heather quickly explains. "If don't stop this dragon, it's going to reactivate the volcano."

"And that's bad. Right?" Tuffnut questioned.

"Yes! It's very bad!" Snotlout yells.

"Just checking," Tuffnut replied.

Heather rolled her eyes before looking back at the fleet of ships. Some of them are sailing towards the island. She can only guess that Viggo has figured out her trick.

"Fishlegs, you come with me to stop the eruptodon," she said with authority. "Snot, Ruff, Tuff, defend the island from the ships."

"Meaning we can blow them up?" Ruffnut asks.

"Yes!" Heather replied sharply. She then watches the dragons take off in the other direction, hopefully to stop the ships.

Heather than turned her attention to Fishlegs. "Any ideas on how we can stop it?"

"I've got nothing," he replied. "All I know that it eats lava, that's all I got."

"Ok," Heather said, quickly thinking of a plan on the slide. "Let's try to cut it off."

Windshear and Meatlug dive down to get ahead of the eruptodon, and then swoop up in its path. But the dragon was clever; he dove down the same way to get around them. Windshear thought ahead though, and dove down too to block it. Just when Heather thought she's got this, the eruptodon picked up some surprising speed and head butt right into Windshear's chest.

"Whoa!" Heather said as the impact pushed her off of the saddle a bit.

"Heather!" Fishlegs cried out.

Heather managed to grab hold of the saddle with her hand and pushes herself back on. But the eruptodon made its way around and was heading back towards the volcano.

"Oh no," Heather sighs as she looks out.

Suddenly, a huge fire ball came into the dragon's path, surprising the eruptodon to a halt.

Heather looked up to see Skullcrusher, along with Stoick and Mala.

"We need to get this dragon contained!" Stoick ordered with a roar.

Heather and Fishlegs quickly nod as their dragons fly towards the dragon. With Skullcrusher guarding the front, and the other two at the back, it seems they've surrounded the great protector.

"Do your thing Mala," Stoick said.

Mala nods as she tries to steady herself on the rubblehorn. She reaches out her hand to the dragon, trying to calm it.

"Great protector!" She called out. "Please, let us take you home."

The dragon scuffs at her and then roars in her face. As she was drew back bewildered, the dragon charged again, making Skullcrusher move out of the way.

"It's no use," Mala said, sitting back down and looking at her dragon going towards the volcano. "It's in a feeding frenzy, there's no stopping it now."

"We have to try!" Heather yells before she, Fishlegs, Stoick, Mala, and their dragons race off towards the volcano. "If we don't, we may not have a home anymore."

Hookfang races to drop Snotlout off at the harpoon. Thanks to the preparations earlier, Snotlout had a number of weapons at his disposal.

"Alright, let's see who is first," he said to himself as he looks through the scope. On one ship, he can see Dagur and his dragon still battling a number of hunters. So Snotlout took aim at a ship nearby. He smiles as he fires off the trigger, launching the harpoon. It landed right into the mast, breaking it in two.

"Alright!" He cheered as Hookfang helps load the next one.

Nearby, the twins flew right down to the shore, dodging the arrows as they went. They were able to gas down a number of ships, and then sparking them up in a huge explosion.

"Yeah!" Ruffnut cheered

"That's what I'm talking about!" Tuffnut said, high giving his sister.

But as they fly towards the ships at the harbor, they failed to notice a couple of ships, entering on the side beach.

"Let's get them," Ryker said as he jumps off the boat and onto the sand. Gripping his weapon tight, and having murderous plans.

"Now we end this!" Hiccup declares as he lunges at Astrid.

Thinking quickly, she grabs her axe from her side and uses it to block Hiccup's attack. But there was only so much that an axe can do against a dagger. So she has to keep using the - and not the blades themselves. She can't afford to accidentally hurt Hiccup.

But while Hiccup seemed to be focused on her, Toothless saw his opportunity. As much as he doesn't want to hurt Hiccup, he has no choice to save Astrid. Using his tail, he whacks Hiccup on his side, making him fly away for a bit.

"Arg!" He cringes as he hits the floor hard.

Astrid took heavy breathes as she looks down on her friend.

"Hiccup," she said quietly before he rushes back to his feet. He once again charges at her with the dagger, but it was more careless than last time. Using his momentum against him, she grabs his arms and pushed him away from her.

This causes him to trip and fall forward a bit.

"Hiccup," Astrid tried again, hopefully to get him to listen to her.

But as he turns, he growls viciously like an animal.

But Astrid tries to keep her composure as she tries to steady him. "Please, listen to me. The changewing is gone; we can help you break free-"

"I don't need your help," Hiccup responds, his voice barely recognizable, "I just need you to die!"

He lunges at her again, making her back away. But this time he nearly collapses to the floor, breathing heavily while glaring at her.

Astrid can only guess the time in the cell has taking its toll on him. His muscles tensed up as he tries to stand again.

He then attacked her again, trying to slice her with the dagger. But Astrid was able to move and block his every attempt. Even Toothless was there to help. Usually head butting or tail whipping him away.

But everyone Hiccup went down, he came back up again. More fired then the last time. And more reckless and determined too.

Astrid became scared, not for her sake but for Hiccup's. He's clearly loosing any common sense and relying more on instinct. Almost like a dragon. She has to try to stop it, and fast.

"Toothless!" She calls out.

The dragon seemed to get her idea and charges at Hiccup from the side. So when he turned to look surprise, Toothless grabs him by the shirt and flings him to the wall. His back hurt upon impact, and causes him to tumble to the ground. Letting go of the dagger in the process.

Astrid was finally able to catch her breath for a bit as she watches her friend struggle to get up. He was hurting, bad. It was time to end this.

"Hiccup, please," she nearly pleas. "Don't do this to yourself. You're hurt. We can help-"

"SHUT UP!" He yells with a primal force behind his voice. "Just shut up. I don't want your pity or your help. I just want you...to be gone forever!"

Astrid became taken back and shocked at what she saw. Hiccup's eyes, they nearly became pure jade with no iris. She can only guess it was the Changewing's doing. While dead, it still has a hold of him and the effect is still there. Letting the rage build up inside of him, ready to lash out. Almost like a dragon that Viggo has caged.

Hiccup grabs the dagger again, and charges towards her. But as Astrid was ready to defend, Hiccup surprised her by letting the dagger go and grabbing her hands that held the axe. He then proceeds to crush her hands, making her scream a bit, loosening her grip. With enough force, he makes her throw away the axe and then head butts her.

Astrid stubble back, slightly dizzy. But as she looks up, she sees that now he has her axe, and is planning on using it against her.

As he charges at her, Toothless came to her reduce by firing a plasma blast at Hiccup, sending him flying back and breaking the door.

Toothless immediately regrets doing that, but it was the only way to save Hiccup.

But Astrid knows Hiccup won't give up that easily. Grabbing the dagger, Astrid follows him outside.

"What is that?" Gobber shouts as he points to a dragon in the sky, heading towards their location.

Ali looked at the creature, and nearly became as white as a ghost. "That's the great protector!"

"The great what?" Gobber asks.

"Our beloved dragon that helps protects our village," she answers.

"Then what's it doing here?" Gobbets asks her in an obvious tone.

"I don't know?" Ali asks before jumping on Sleuther. Gobber did the same with Grump as they fly towards the eruptodon. Luckily they didn't have to travel too high as the dragon was beginning its decent towards the volcano.

"What's it doing?" Gobber asks out loud.

"We need to stop that dragon!"

The two of them turned to see almost all the other dragon riders and Mala race towards them.

"My queen," Ali calls out, "what's going on?"

"If we don't stop the great defender, it'll reactivate the volcano and will destroy the entire island!" Mala answers quickly.

"On it!" Ali replies as she signals Sleuther to fly down towards the dragon. She then positions him in front of the dragon, and uses his tail to hopefully freighting it enough to back off. The eruptodon was still as persistent as ever. It charged at Ali and her dragon, making them move out of the way out of the fright of Ali.

"Why didn't you stop it?" Heather asks her.

"I'm sorry," she said in fright. "I panicked, and I didn't want to hurt it. I'm sorry my queen."

"It's alright," Mala replied.

"I don't think it's quite alright," Fishlegs said, pointing to the eruptodon. It has reached the base of the volcano and started eating the rocky base. Almost immediately, the entire island rumbled in reaction. Cries and roars can be heard in almost every direction.

"The dragons, they can sense the disturbance," Fishlegs said out loud.

"But I doubt they know what to do about it," Heather adds. "We have to stop this dragon, before it destroys the island, and the dragons along with it."

"Let me try again," Mala insisted. Stoick nods and has Skullcrusher fly near it. The eruptodon payed no mind to her as it continued to eat.

Mala nervously raises her hand to touch it. "Great protector, listen to me. If you eat this lava, you'll destroy this island. And the dragons here will perish. Please, let us take you home where you can eat as much as you want and-"

The eruptodon turned and roared in her face, making her nearly fall over from the force.

"Are you alright?" Stoick asks as he helps her up.

Mala was too shocked to answer him. Instead she looks at her great protector, resuming his route towards the volcano. Almost with each bite, making the island rumble.

"What are we going to do?" She asks fearfully.

Astrid steps through the hole and onto the deck. There she saw Hiccup desperately standing with the axe in his hands. The moon shinny on his back made his outline seem unnatural and vicious.

Without any time to waste, Astrid charges at him, preparing to pin him down. But as she ran to him, he swings the axe upwards to her face. She dodges in time, and grabs him tight, with his arms locked by his side.

But Hiccup had gain a lot of strength while he was a captive. He broke apart Astrid's grip and send her back a few inches. He then swings the axe down hard towards her, but hit the wood next to her feet instead. With a giant tug, he got the axe loose, but made a hole in the floor.

Toothless tries his best to get into the fight, but the hole in the door was too small to fit his entire body into. He would blast open a bigger hole, but it child also rip the platform apart too. His best chance is to rip the wood on the door with his bare teeth. So he begins doing that, and chucking the pieces behind him. He just hopes he can get to Astrid and Hiccup in time.

Meanwhile, the two Vikings still battle each other like tigers. When one was on the offense, the other uses defensive tactics. But there was only so much Astrid could do with a simple dagger. Hiccup clearly had more practice with it then she ever did. Best she could use it for is to faking an attack. When she points the weapon one way, she would lunge and punch the other way.

But Hiccup was smart; he was able to think of all her moves almost in an instant. And because he had the larger weapon, he had more opportunities to attack then Astrid ever could.

He even managed to back Astrid up to edge of the best platform, something she wasn't expecting. She looked back almost in fright, knowing the last step will be her last. She looked at Hiccup's crazed face as he lifts up her axe.

"Hiccup, don't!" She called out. Toothless even roared in fear.

But it was on deaf ears as Hiccup holds the axe high to his head.

Suddenly, something quick and sharp flew right by and took the axe right out of Hiccup's hands.

"Arg!" Hiccup cringe as he turns to see a weak Stormfly hobbling her way towards Astrid.

"Stormfly!" Astrid said relieved.

Stormfly quietly purred until she nearly collapses on the floor. Toothless finally was able to clear enough away from the hole to squeeze through and made his way to the nadder.

Hiccup growled as he attempts to grab the axe. But Astrid grabbed it before he ever could. With one swift movement, she tosses the axe over the side of the platform, letting it drop onto the island's floor. And leaving the dagger as the only weapon.

Hiccup grew more and more enrage. He looked up at Astrid with sweat in his brow. Astrid walked towards him cautiously, with the dagger still in her hand.

He is sure she's going to use it to force him back into the cage. Or even to kill him. Probably not that last bit, but it was clear she has the power for now.

"Now maybe we can finally talk," she said with a straight face.

Hiccup shuffled back, trying to think of anything to get him out of this situation. "You and I have nothing to say," he barks to her. "You're my enemy and I will never listen to you!"

He then uses all his might to lunge at her to get the dagger. But she easily steps away, making him fall forward instead.

Astrid watches as he gets up, reminding herself not to get too close. But part of her is scared. Almost for every minute, the man that resembled her friend is drifting further and further from her.

"You think, a few choice words, and a sappy look would make me return to the riders...to you?" Hiccup growled while glaring at her. "I don't think so. I'm a hunter, no friends, no family, mainly a weapon against anyone that stood in my way! So you can cage me all you want, I will always escape. And I won't stop till you and the rest of your dragon riders are dead! Face it Astrid, I will never stop."

For the first time, Astrid can believe him. Something about his voice was furious and cruel. It was clearly someone she didn't recognize.

As much as she wishes that it can't believe it, as much as she keeps denying it, maybe her friend is truly gone.

"No," she said almost shaking. With one movement, she threw the dagger away from her, and near Hiccup.

He looked at the weapon stunned, and to her surprised. Astrid bares almost no emotion, except for the water that glistens in her eyes. Toothless and Stormfly couldn't believe their eyes. When they try to get closer to her Astrid shoos them away with a hand movement, making them back away.

As Hiccup's hand tries to go for the dagger, his eyes were locked on Astrid. "What? What are you-?" He said totally stunned.

"I...can't keep doing this," she replies almost trembling. Hiccup kept looking to her, never seeing the mighty Astrid this weak. Her eyes were almost dead, and her body was still as a rock. She showed little to no emotions, except for hopelessness. "Maybe, you're right. Maybe, the Hiccup I know is gone. May...maybe I was just foolish enough to believe. But, I...I... I just don't know anymore."

"Glad you can finally see the truth," Hiccup smirked as his hand grabs the dagger. He rose to his feet and face Astrid. "So we can finally finish it, a fight to the death."

Toothless and Stormfly coo in objection, but Astrid just stood there.

"No," she replied. "I'm not going to fight any more."

To Hiccup's surprise, she raises her arms out, inviting him to her.

"What are you-?"

"If you truly are a hunter, here's your prey."

Hiccup gasps in shock, as well as the dragons. They look at Astrid, with a face of both sorrow and defeat.

Hiccup almost couldn't take that in. He actually had to step back out of impact. Astrid, the brave and mighty, is giving up? No, no, that's not her at all!

"Are you seriously crazy?" He said, trying to calm this with a chuckle. "You-you just would lay down your life now!? Why?! After all the fights we've had, and those talks about stupid friendship, WHY NOW?! Why would you pick now of all times to give up?"

"I don't know," she shrugs. "Maybe because I know that I can't keep going. I have fought so hard, telling myself to just keep believing. That maybe he can return to me. But I was wrong. I'm sorry. And fighting you for my life, when my life has no more meaning, it's just going to far."

"No more meaning in your life?" Hiccup puzzled. "What do you mean by that? Your life is full meaning-"

"No it doesn't! Not if it doesn't have you in it!" Astrid screamed that so loud, she thought she scared the trees.

It did scared Hiccup through, who was on pause. A million thoughts raced through his head, none of them making sense to him. There was Astrid, giving herself up to him to kill. He should be happy that he can finally remove his biggest obstacle. And if so, then why does he feel stun, terrible? But it's so simple, one slice and she'll be gone. It's so easily a small child could take her down. So, why this now?

Finally, he manages to find his voice again. "You're a fool! Those words mean nothing to me. You and I have nothing in common anymore. I'm a hunter! You're a dragon rider!"

"You're right," Astrid said, finally letting her arms drop to her sides. "But, we were a great team. We helped each other, and we were able to build each other through our lowest lows, and our highest highs. But, I guess it doesn't matter now."

"No, it doesn't," Hiccup responded with a growl. He then prepared to charge at Astrid as the dragons roar to protest.

Astrid closed her eyes and bowed her head. "Well, if you really are a hunter, do what you must. But I cannot live in a world fighting against the one I most care about."

A single tear began to fall on Astrid's cheek as Hiccup lunges at her again. But instead of stick in the dagger, he knocks her down, hitting hard on the floor. Satisfied, he climbs over her, readying the dagger.

Stormfly roars and tries to get over to protect her rider, but the venom in the arrow still has an effect on her. And Toothless wasn't helping. In fact, he was getting in her way. As much Hiccup is still the enemy, he is still very loyal to his best friend.

Hiccup looked down at Astrid, he face clear from her bangs and any loose hair. Her eyes remain close as she prepared for the end.

'This is it,' Hiccup thought with a creepy smile. 'After this, there will be no more doubt. I am a hunter. I am loyal to the cause. I hunt every dragon, and kill all that stand in my way. And nothing will change that!'

He raises his dagger high above his and plunges towards Astrid's chest. The dragons moan in fright as they witness this event.

'STOP!'

Hiccup's hand suddenly halts its descent, merely inches away from the raising chest. His eyes shot wide, his breath became heavy, and his whole face was drenching in sweat.

'Why?' He wondered to himself. 'Why did I stop?'

He tries to move his hand to push the dagger into her skin, into her heart. But it wouldn't move an inch. His hand became stone, hard and numb as one too.

Hiccup narrowed his brow to try to obtain control over his hand, but it was not working. It was like it was fighting back, against him. It will not go anywhere near her.

This made Hiccup both angry and confused. His head started pounding as he looks down. He was so close, the dagger is right there. So then why...why can't he do it? He has every right to kill her, she even gave him an opening. So then why? Why can't he kill her?!

Astrid dared to open her eyes, to see what was happening. But all she saw was the dagger, and a confused Hiccup. While the hand holding the dagger remained still, his entire body was trembling.

Finally, his hand started to move away from the body, dropping the dagger to the side. It made a loud clang, which hurt nearly everyone's ears.

Hiccup slummed backward, shuffling himself away from Astrid. She rises up on her elbows to get a better look at Hiccup. But he stared at her with fear in his eyes. The light of the moon made her stronger then she appeared before. More radiant too. Almost like a beautiful Valkyrie that Odin had sent. Something he wasn't prepared for.

But, a minute ago, she looked the same as ever, and he was ready to kill her. Now...now...he doesn't know what to do. Should he pick up the dagger again? Finally kill her? But, what if he hesitates again? Could he really... Could he kill his best friend?

'No,' he thought as his head pounds like a drum. 'She's not my friend. She's my enemy. She's a dragon rider. And I'm...I'm..."

He clutches his head with one hand as flashes began playing. Moments when he and Astrid flew together towards the sun. The days when they've battled hunters, and the nights they watched the stars. Even when she was caught with the Scourge of Odin came into his mind. But why now?

'I can't imagine a world without you either.'

Those words echoed in his head, almost making him scream in pain. The bright light disappeared in his eyes, leaving them with a jade iris.

"Hiccup..." Astrid quietly said as she rose up to her knees.

"Stay away from me!" Hiccup yells as he quickly got back on his feet and ran away from her.

But Toothless quickly took off and blocked his exit. Hiccup growled, hoping to intimidate him to move. But the dragon opened its wings to block Hiccup's meaning of exit. But it also didn't look threatening at all. Instead, it looked at Hiccup with wide eyes, and a sad gummy mouth.

It made Hiccup's mind click back to when he had to say goodbye to Toothless after Mildew banned the dragons. Hiccup doesn't know why, but he felt his heart skipping a beat.

He also looked at Toothless's eyes, seeing his own reflection. It maybe the first time he's really looked at himself thoroughly. All the shredded clothes, the wild hair, and the cruel face, they all belonged to him.

But, that wasn't him. It can't be him.

"Wha-?" Was all he could say after his throat went dry. His head pain became a hard pound as he was forcing himself to look. Look hard at the man in the reflection. Almost just like when he first met Toothless. That was when he knew he was never going to be a killer. So...what is he now?

The questions started to pain his head like needles, making him grunt in pain as he squeezes his head. He found himself loosing strength in the knees and collapsing on them.

Toothless pulled in his wings and walks to his distress friend. Leaning his head in to comfort Hiccup if needed. But Hiccup was in too much pain to notice.

Astrid finally got up on her feet to look at the scene before her. She wondered why Hiccup did stop his attack before delivering the final blow.

Then, Ali's talk came back to her. 'Anger can be shown, but true hate is something you have to feel in your core. And looking at Hiccup's eyes, it shows no hate Meaning, that I would think that it might be impossible for him to actually kill anyone, anyone he truly cares about anyway."

Astrid gasps at that realization. Hiccup tried as he might, but he can't truly kill a friend. Then that still means that her friend is in there, and fighting back right now. He needs help now, comfort. She begins to walk towards him.

"Well isn't this a touching scene."

Astrid quickly turned to see Ryker and a couple of men surrounding Stormfly. Her face turned sour as she stood there. Toothless immediately became aggressive as he growls at them. As for Hiccup, his head was too in pain to even notice their presence.

Ryker stalked forward and picked up the dagger off the floor. He played with the blade with his finger while looking at Astrid.

"Well, it looks like you're out of luck," he said playfully.

Astrid grunts as she eyes Stormfly, still in a bit of a daze from the arrow. She clearly can't fight all these hunters at once. And Astrid is completely unarmed to do anything.

Ryker smiles evilly as he walks up to Astrid. "I gotta say, you've made my brother really mad."

"Is that a problem?" She said in her own mock tone. "I mean after all, he did kill the dragon we agreed upon. Then threaten our island with the eruptodon."

"I know," Ryker reply. "But disassembling the dragon eye is an act of war for us."

"We've been at war for a long time, and now you declare it?" Astrid shouts angrily. "You declared war the moment you took our friend!"

"Speaking of which, we want our hunter back," Ryker said as he unsheathes his giant sword. "And your pay will be your life."

"Not going to happen," Astrid said, sifting her stance into a fighting pose. While she may be weapon less, she can still fight.

"Sir?" A hunter shouts out.

Ryker holds his weapon towards the other hunters. "Stay with the dragon! I'll take care of her."

Astrid's eyes dart around the area, trying to find anything that can help her out. But she's got nothing. Ryker has all the weapons, and the man power. Toothless might help her, but he's busy with Hiccup and keeping an eye on Stormfly. So she's basically on her own, to take down this maniac.

Before she could even think of a strategy, Ryker ran towards her with his sword ready to kill. As he thrusts it at her though, she was able to roll out of the way. Being quick on her feet, she's able to doge all the attacks that Ryker has thrown at her. Right now, dodging is all she can do at the moment. Until she comes up with a plan, this is the only thing that's working.

Back at Toothless, the dragon kept eyeing back and forth between Astrid's fight, and the hunters guardian Stormfly. Near him, Hiccup was still grunting in pain, clutching his head and looking down at the ground. He seems to be ok, but Astrid and Stormfly are needed now.

Thinking quickly, Toothless fires a plasma shot in the air, just above the hunters. Naturally, the hunters look up and became partly blinded. That gave Toothless his chance to attack. First, he charged at the hunters with arrows, making sure they're blasted to Valhalla. Then with his tail, he seats the others off the platform. He kept going until all the hunters are gone, and Stormfly is safe.

Meanwhile, Hiccup continue to feel the aching pain in his head. Making his body jerk left and right as the pounding became harder and faster. He grunts almost turned into screams as he lets one arm drop, making his nails dig into the floor, scratching the wood with his fingernails.

Inside his mind, memories have been flashing with a sting of pain. Memories of his life on Berk, on the edge, with his friends and family, everything Viggo has told him to let go. But now those memories have been fighting back inside his mind, and giving a terrible headache. With each memory. He didn't know which ones are real and which ones aren't. Almost every one of them had a hint of green light, trying to make them fade.

But some memories were so strong that they cause the most pain. Memories like when he first met Toothless that day in the woods, and the second time in the cove. Then the memory of that romantic flight with Astrid came up, and they traveled to the dragon nest. Even memories of his father with Thornader, and Snotlout screwing up with training enter his head. Fishlegs and him bonding over the boom of dragons appear once or twice. And even the twins and their mischief antics came into view.

'Why?' He nearly shouts in his head. 'Why am I thinking about them now!? They're my enemy now! They...they're...they're my family...my friends...my past...I'm...not...no! I am a dragon...a dragon...no...I'm not..."

"Ahh!"

Hiccup took a break from his pain to look up. He sees Astrid on the ground with a small cut on her arm, and Ryker holding a sword with a hint of blood on the edge.

Ryker chuckles loud and cold as he steps towards her. She tries her best to back away, but one glance behind made her realizes she has reached the edge of the platform. There was nowhere to run or get away.

"Looks like you're out of ideas," Ryker smirks as he reaches down and grabs her by the neck. Astrid reached out to push him away, but he outclasses her in strength and height. With one hand, he lifts her up while cutting off her air supply. Toothless and Stormfly roar at Ryker and prepares to fire.

"I wouldn't do that," Ryker warned as he holds his sword towards Astrid's stomach.

Both dragon instantly stood down and backed away.

Ryker chuckles as he turns to Astrid, "not like you'll fare any better." He then moves to extend his hand over the side, holding Astrid over the edge.

She gasps as she looks down, then she looks back at Ryker's sickening grin.

"With your death, the dragon riders will be finished!" He declares as he holds her out further.

As Astrid nearly prays for a miracle, she spots the dagger he took earlier. Using what little strength she had. She reaches for it and stabs Ryker on the side.

"Agh!" He yells as he flinches, pulling her back on to the platform. His grip on her neck finally loosens enough for her to escape. But first, she needs more air in her lungs. She breathes heavily as she moves away from the edge.

But then she feels a heavy foot on her back, pushing her to the ground.

"No more games!" Ryker yells in anger. He then raises his sword high to deliver the final strike.

Toothless and Stormfly began to charge at the hunter to stop him from killing her. But to their surprise, someone at the corner of their eyes charged at Ryker and pushes him away.

"What?!" Ryker yelled as he looks down to see his attacker, Hiccup.

"No!" He yells as he fully pushes Ryker away. But in doing so, he pushes Ryker over the edge of the platform.

Ryker's screams echo in the area as he fell fast until they stopped with a sound of a crack. Hiccup looked over the side, and saw Ryker motionless a few feet on the hard ground. His head showing redness and his face as white as stone.

With the rush of adrenaline over, a sudden pit of fear sank in. He's...he's killed Ryker!

Astrid leaned up to see Hiccup skimming over, wondering what's going on. Then, the memory of what he did flash over her. He saved her.

But then, her eyes became confuse as she hears whimpering sounds coming from him. She quietly walks up, and became shock to see tears falling down his cheeks.

"What have I done? What have I done?!" He said while clutching his head.

Astrid slowly sits beside him, carefully wrapping an arm around him and pulling him close. Trying to portray a caring mother to a crying child. "You-"

"Shut up!" Hiccup yells, his horror voice mix in with pain. "I...I..."

"You did what you want to," Astrid said, holding him tight to her. Toothless left Stormfly to go and finally comfort Hiccup. He nuzzles his head close to Hiccup's chest, and purred sweetly.

Hiccup looked at the ones surrounding him though his watery eyes. His heart beating out of his chest, while his head continue to ache. He should kill them while they're close and have their guard down. So...why can't he do it? Instead of them, he's killed Ryker! His fellow hunter...no, that was his enemy.

He looks up, seeing Astrid's face trying to be as relax as possible. He then turn to see Toothless, gently nuzzling his chest. His enemies...no...These people are surrounding him with compassion. Something he's haven't felt in a long time.

"Hiccup?"

He turned to see Astrid's worried, yet soft face. She then smiles; she smiled so genuine that all the pain she's enduring seemed like nothing.

"What are you?" He asks quietly.

"Shhhh," she said leaning her head closer so he can cry on her. Hiccup felt a little silly at first, but then it felt comfortable, and safe. Even the warm touch of Toothless was soothing.

"Listen," she said in a quiet voice. "I can't even imagine what this might feel like to you. But I'm right here for you. And so is Toothless. We are both here for you."

Hiccup squint as the year became heavy. They began to flow without ever stopping. At this moment, he's at his weakest. His body finally gave in and pretty much collapse on Astrid. His tears soak her shirt, and they would not stop.

"I... I... I feel so lost and alone..." He said with almost a dry throat.

"I know," Astrid response as she places a hand in his tangled hair. "But, we've been through everything together. You don't think we can get through this? Hiccup, you have me, no matter what. Okay?"

Her words began to sink into his head, making it ache more. But at the same time, more and more memories began to pour in.

"Whatever that means, whatever you want it to mean. I am there for you. And so is Toothless, your father, everyone. We are all here for you. I can't imagine a life without you."

Those words struck Hiccup like a bolt of lightning. Memories came flooding in like a tidal wave. The green light in his head slowly felt numb and began disappearing. The thoughts and memories that came with it disappear, and the warm light of reality filled the void. Along with the faces of his friends and family. They smile as they offer their hands towards Hiccup, welcoming him. For the first time in months, he smiles wide as he embraces that light.

"As...tried..."

Astrid eyes shot wide when she heard Hiccup say that. She uses her hands to push him back a bit to get a good look at him. On the ground below her, she saw a small puddle of green liquid near Hiccup's legs. As she turns his face towards her, she notices that his face became softer than what she's used to.

And when he opened his eyes, they were warm and green. Just like they were before.

"Hiccup?" Astrid gasps.

When Hiccup fully opened his eyes, he looked at her as if he slept for months. Like he came back from the dead. "Astrid?" He spoke in a soft voice.

Tears came streaming down Astrid's face. She couldn't believe it. Her friend is back. "Hiccup!" She cries as she hugs him tight.

Toothless also became flossed with joy and relief. He began jumping up and down and started licking Hiccup.

Hiccup giggles as he pets his best buddy's head. "Hey bud," he said. "It's good to see you too."

Astrid smiles as she watches Hiccup become his old self again. But as he looks out to the ships still in the harbor, and the dead Ryker below him, reality slapped him really hard. He then looked at Astrid and all her battle scars; he instantly fell back to a state of despair.

"Hiccup?" Astrid said while cupping his cheek with her hand. "Do you...remember it all?"

"Only bits and pieces," he replies. "But enough to get a general idea. I... I did some horrible stuff. Didn't I?"

"Nothing you can't fix," she reply.

As they stare at each other deeply, a rumble broke the mood. Everyone look up to see the volcano spewing smoke.

"The eruptodon!" Astrid cries out. "It'll reactivate the volcano!"

Hiccup then use his sleeve to wipe any water still on his face and stood up. "Well then, we'll have to find a way to stop it."

Astrid smiles as she stands up too. Looking at Stormfly, she was still in no shape to fight. So she'll have to be left behind until she can shake off the root's effect. So both Hiccup and Astrid mount on Toothless and headed towards the volcano.

Astrid gently hugs Hiccup as they travel, happy to have her friend return to her side.

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