Thanks to FanWriter02, Guest, dragonboy111, phieillydinyia and Smoe05 for the feedback!

Guest: If you guys keep giving me prompts, it could go on for quite a while. I have a few story arcs planned for the future.

dragonboy111: Nope. Hiccup doesn't get much of a break from the torture. But, he will recover. Maybe. It's all up to the muse!

I know that I said that chapter 40 wouldn't be a cliffhanger, and it might not be. It's still in the works.

Smoe05: got some more references in here for you! And yes, Tuff would like a thermal sweater.

Enjoy!

Hiccup smiled at the gathered Riders. Well, almost all of them. Snotlout was getting on his nerves with his incessant flirting with Astrid. It was all she could do to not bash his face in. It was all Hiccup could do to not do that either.

Since Viggo had decided to kidnap both Hiccup and Astrid, and ruin Hiccup's thought process, they had decided to declare war on Viggo and the Dragon Hunters. Well, more accurately, Viggo declared war on them.

Hiccup grinned. "Anyone want to guess why I gathered you here today?"

Snotlout looked cheeky. "Uh… is it because the war's over and you're sending us home?"

Astrid sighed in exasperation. "That's exactly it, Snotlout. War's over. We won. Turns out, you're the big hero; we're going to hold a parade in your honour. I get to fly the float. And Heather here is in CHARGE OF CONFETTI!"

He grinned at her. "I'm no stranger to sarcasm, babe."

Now Astrid was livid. "Shut your mouth or else I'll have Tuffnut slit your throat while you're asleep."

Tuff grinned. "Oh, I'd do it, too."

Hiccup groaned. "Oh, gods. Ok, listen everyone; we have a location on Viggo. Astrid and I are going to scout it out, while the rest of you hang back in case we get into trouble."

Snotlout couldn't resist. "And if you get into trouble and die, I can take over the Dragon Riders, right?"

Astrid sighed. "Tuff, I want you to poison Snotlout's next meal."

Hiccup sighed. "Guys, focus. We are leaving in a few hours. This window is small. If we fail here, we might not get another chance at taking down Viggo." He looked distant for a second. "He's going to pay for what he's done."

Astrid touched his elbow. "Hicc?"

He looked around, momentarily confused. "Sorry. I lost focus for a minute. We need to prepare, guys. Let's go."

"Hiccup, I don't want you to go on this mission."

"Astrid, it's not up for debate. I have to see this thing through."

She sighed. "What if it's a trap? We might lose you for nothing! I can't-I won't-let that happen. We've come too far to lose you now."

Hiccup looked at her. "You've done a lot for me these past few weeks, and I'm grateful for it. That's why I love you. But if I don't see Viggo, defeated, it won't and will never be over for me. I need to be a part of this. I have to be a part of this."

Astrid groaned. "I'm not going to be able to talk you out of this, will I?"

He grinned. "Sorry. No." Hiccup frowned. "Now, chances are I won't be able to do anything because of him, so I will be relying on you, Astrid. If it gets to be too much, get us out of there."

"But, the mission-"

Hiccup looked at her fondly. "The mission isn't worth your life. I'd rather lose this fight than lose you."

Astrid smiled, and was leaning in for a kiss, when Ruffnut walked in.

"Hey, H. We need you to-OH MY THOR! What are you two doing?"

Both Hiccup and Astrid jumped away from each other. "Nothing!"

Ruff sighed. "Sure looked like something! Almost as bad as Fishlegs and Heather."

Hiccup spun around. "What did you say about Heather?"

She chuckled. "Wow. You are jumpy. Nothing is going with Heather. Calm down, H."

Astrid was checking up on their defences with Heather when it happened. The one thing she feared.

They were inspecting the Night Terrors when Toothless's emergency plasma blast shone through the sky. They were on Dragon's Edge, so that could only mean…

"Hiccup." Astrid breathed. She and Heather raced to Hiccup's hut, where they found him, unconscious on the floor.

Astrid knelt beside him, feeling desperately for a pulse. It was there, he was alive.

Quickly, she sprang into action. "Heather, get the medicine Gothi gave you last time you were on Berk." She looked at the rest of the Riders. "The mission is on hold. Go back to your huts. Too many people will hamper us."

Heather ran back in as the others were heading out. "I have the kit."

Astrid nodded. "Good. I don't know how much time we'll have." She rested her hand on Hiccup's forehead. "Come on, Hiccup. Stay with us. C'mon."

Hiccup slowly opened his eyes and blinked slowly. Where was he? Who was he?

A familiar voice sounded beside him. "Hey. How're you feeling?"

He turned to find a blonde teen sitting beside him, looking worried. She seemed familiar. Hiccup searched his memory for where he would have seen such a beautiful face before. After a moment, it came to him.

Hiccup smiled. "Astrid."

Astrid sighed in relief. "You had us worried for quite a while." She frowned, wondering why it took him a moment to come up with her name. "What's your name?"

He thought for a moment. "Hiccup. Hiccup Haddock."

OK. That's good. "Do you remember what happened?"

Hiccup frowned. "I saw… an enemy? Someone wanted to hurt us." A moment later, the name came to him. "Viggo."

He shuddered as a sea of memories flooded over him. "A-Astrid. I think I'm going to rest for a bit. I'm just tired, really tired."

Astrid stood. "I'm going to stay here, keep you company. OK?"

Hiccup nodded "Thanks. I appreciate it."

Astrid smiled sadly and kissed his forehead. "I'm here for you, Hiccup. I'll never leave you."

Man, emotional ending is emotional.

Poor Hiccup. What is that, the second time he lost his memory? I betcha Snotlout had something to do with it...

I can't wait for Viggo to pay for his mistakes. Do NOT mess with my Hiccstrid! AURGH!

Ok, I'm calm. That was the muse talking. He does that sometimes.

Thanks for reading!