Thanks to CHSHiccstrid, Silvolde and CajunBear73 for the feedback!

CB73: Perhaps the dominoes fell last chapter, but this one is where they actually hit the ground. See? I can do it too!

Silvolde: Pretty much the only people Viggo has so far manipulated completly is Thuggory and Cami. But people getting sucked into his realm include Hiccup, Astrid, and a few others...

CHSHiccstrid: Judging from your feedback on my other (not as popular) stories, I'd say you're here for more than this series. Which I truly do greatly appreciate. As to your guess, well, just read on...

Enjoy!

. . . . . . . . . .

"I'm worried about Hiccup."

Valhallarama stilled and turned to Astrid, who was dripping with rain. "You flew through this storm just to come here?"

Astrid sat down on the stone slab that once served as Hiccup's bed. "How bad was Hiccup's memory when he stayed here?"

Valhallarama was quiet for a moment, then sat down against the wall. "When he first arrived, Hiccup's injuries far outweighed his memory problems. But they hindered his healing, and he stayed here far longer than normal recovery." She frowned. "Why do you ask?"

Astrid sighed. "I think he's hallucinating Viggo."

"The Dragon Hunter?"

Astrid nodded. "He's been doing some activities during the night. A way to get his frustration out, I think. That's all it was in the beginning, anyway."

Valhallarama leaned forward. "As the Night Fury?" She watched as Astrid slowly nodded. "Start at the beginning, Lass."

"Okay." Astrid was quiet for a minute. "When he first came back, Hiccup was different. He was harder. He was less tolerant of the Hunters activities. But over time, he became more lax. Like he was taking his frustration out somehow. It was during that time that Fury showed up."

. . . . . . . . . .

Astrid sighed. "According to Mala, there's a new player in this game." She surveyed the faces of the Riders. "A vigilante going by the name Fury."

Snotlout stole a look at Toothless. "As in Night Fury?" He scoffed and turned to Hiccup. "Could you be more obvious?"

"What?" Hiccup shrugged. "The Hunters think Hiccup Haddock is dead. The vigilante Fury must have taken his dragon."

Astrid shook her head. This was something she expected from the still-angry Snotlout or loose battle-axe Thuggory. Not Hiccup. "And what happens when your plan falls apart?"

Hiccup smirked. "Then Fury disappears."

Astrid raised an eyebrow. "You can do that? Just let this go."

He nodded. "I created Fury. I can destroy him too."

. . . . . . . . . .

Astrid looked out of the cave. "He intended Fury to only be a short measure. Something to throw the Hunters off balance while the Riders attacked. But it grew. Word came back that the Hunters were terrified of this new enemy, and then Hiccup got word that a new sect of Hunters were capturing children."

Valhallarama closed her eyes. Drago. "And he went on the attack."

Astrid nodded. "He tore apart those Hunters, asking each of them who their leader was. No one told him, until he threatened to kill one of them."

Valhallarama frowned. "Did he mean it?"

Slowly, Astrid nodded. "I think he did. After every report from our allies of missing children, he withdrew. He was blaming himself, and that only made Fury strike more often."

"Then he found out about Drago Bludvist."

Astrid nodded. "Drago, it turns out, was someone Stoick knew about. So Hiccup spent a week on Berk, pouring over Stoick's notes. Then he came back and ordered the Riders to stay on Viggo's Riders while Fury went after Drago."

Valhallarama looked away. "Hiccup never found Drago, did he?"

"It drove him crazy." Astrid admitted. "He would be up all night, trying to find anything. For months, there was nothing on Drago, no matter how many outposts and kidnappers Hiccup took out." She was quiet for a moment. "And then Viggo happened."

Valhallarama frowned. "What's happening with Viggo?"

Astrid looked down. "Hiccup thinks Viggo stabbed himself in order to escape Outcast Prison. He's been feeding the Bogs information about Drago's Hunters. He's claiming he's changed."

"But he hasn't, has he?"

Astrid shook her head. "No. It's a ploy, just like everything Viggo does. He's trying to get back at Hiccup."

"How?"

Astrid went quiet. "Viggo's begun targeting me. He framed me for something, and now The Bogs are looking for me."

Valhallarama stood. "Do you have somewhere to go?"

Astrid shook her head. "I was just going to find an island and set up camp."

"You can stay here." Valhallarama gestured around. "No one but Hiccup knows where it is, and it will be safe for your dragon. She is already known by the Alpha."

Astrid stared at the ground. "Thank you." She whispered.

Valhallarama smiled. "It's the least I can do for Hiccup." She sat down. "So Viggo's targeting you to get to him?"

Astrid nodded. "I think so."

Valhallarama's smile grew. "Don't you see, Lass?" She watched as Astrid shook her head. "It's because Hiccup still cares about you."

Astrid's eyes widened. "No, it's not that! I-I destroyed that relationship when I lied to him. I-"

Valhallarama chuckled. "He missed you, you know. When he stayed here. Sure, he was angry, but over time, he began to sorely miss what he had lost." She looked at Astrid. "Lass, I see what your deception has done to you. It's been destroying you from within for a while now." She smiled gently. "It's time to forgive yourself."

Astrid closed her eyes. "Everyone keeps telling me that. But I don't deserve forgiveness. Redemption isn't allowed for people like me."

Valhallarama's smile grew. "Lass, none of us deserve forgiveness. Worse men than you have been redeemed. That's the point of it. But Hiccup has chosen to forgive you. If Hiccup could do such a hing, what right do you have to not forgive yourself?"

Astrid slowly nodded. "You're-You're right. I know you're right."

Valhallarama smiled and sat back down. "Then you and he have much to discuss."

. . . . . . . . . .

Hiccup entered the Clubhouse, to find Heather and Snotlout alone, discussing something in whispered tones. Instantly, he was on edge. "Guys?"

The duo turned to him, their faces hardened and Heather took a step forward. "What did you do?"

Hiccup frowned. "What do you mean? I just got back from talking to Camicazi."

Snotlout was trembling with anger. "No, what you did after! On your way back here!"

Hiccup took a step back, hand falling instinctively to Inferno. "I don't know what you're talking about!"

Heather hurled a T-Mail at him. "Just got a message from Mala." She spat. "Fury decimated an entire village, killing everyone there! How could you do that?"

Hiccup's blood froze as he scanned the note. Mala had detailed how the vigilante had shown up to the Tribe of the Whispering Trees, a Tribe that was still dealing with the loss of their Chief, and had brutally murdered everyone. Men, women, and children. Worse, the description of his armour was dead on. "This wasn't me. I was talking to Camicazi, there's no way I could have done both!"

Snotlout shook his head. "I know you've been suffering for a while now, Hiccup, but you are Fury. One of Throk's men watched the attack!"

Hiccup looked up in shock. "I'm telling you, this wasn't me!" He scowled. "Someone's posing as Fury." He put the note down and shook his head. "Viggo has someone wearing armour exactly like mine, and they're killing people." His furious eyes met Heather's. "We need to stop him."

. . . . . . . . . .

"I hate you."

Viggo nodded as Thuggory entered the room. "I am very well aware of that fact." He regarded the man's armour, a perfect copy of Night Fury's. "Did you do it?"

Thuggory clenched his jaw and nodded. "The Tribe of the Whispering Trees has been destroyed. I allowed the witness to escape and spread the word." He looked away. "You'll be able to destroy Fury now."

Viggo smiled. "Good work. You have bought your family another day."

Thuggory looked up, eyes flashing in anger. "And how long before I free them?"

Viggo calmly sat down. "A few more missions. They may not be pleasant, but weigh the worth of everything you hold dear against the lives of what remains of your family."

Slowly, hating every moment, Thuggory sat down opposite Viggo. "What next."

Viggo's smile grew. "I do believe you are familiar with the Dragon Riders?" He watched as Thuggory tensed. "Hiccup Haddock put me in this prison, and I'd like to return the favour."

Thuggory frowned. "You want me to put Hiccup in jail?"

Viggo handed him a note. "No, I want you to find Astrid Hofferson and bring her to Camicazi." He stood. "Love is the perfect prison, leaving those trapped inside unable to leave, unwanting and unwilling to escape. Hiccup Haddock and Astrid Hofferson share those feelings. Remove one from the equation, and the other will spiral out of control." He turned back to Thuggory. "And I want to see just how much Hiccup can take before he shatters."

. . . . . . . . . .

Mala sighed as Camicazi landed on her island. "Did you get the message?"

Cami nodded. "Yes. Our warriors are hunting for Fury right now. After we're done here, I'm going to join them."

Mala sighed. "As regrettable as recent events have been, they have proven to us who our true allies are." She clasped Cami's forearm. "Thank Hiccup Haddock and the Dragon Riders for me."

Cami nodded, keeping her thoughts to herself. "I will." She promised. "I'm headed there anyway."

"Are you?" Mala frowned slightly. "I wasn't aware the Bogs and Dragon Riders worked together."

Cami sighed. "I'm going there to put an end to this. If anyone knows about Fury, the Riders will."

. . . . . . . . . .

"Where are you going?"

Hiccup looked down at the concerned face of Heather. "To find Astrid. All paths are coming together now, and we need all the Riders." He glanced at Toothless. "Let's go, Bud."

"Wait!" Heather watched as the duo launched into the air. "What's the plan?"

Hiccup was silent for a moment. "I need to find whoever's posing as Fury. Camicazi's going to come here, don't tell her anything."

"Hiccup, she can help!"

He shook his head. "She's being manipulated by Viggo. We can't trust her. We handle this ourselves."

With that, he was gone.

Moments after Hiccup and Toothless disappeared, a Stealth Dragon appeared, and Camicazi dismounted. "Well, he was in a rush."

Heather nodded. "Usually is." She faced the intruder. "What do you want, Cami."

"When was the last time you saw Astrid Hofferson?"

Heather narrowed her eyes. "Look, Cami. I'm your friend. So is Hiccup. If you really want to question him, that's your choice, but we'll both tell you the same thing. Astrid is innocent. Viggo is using you."

Cami shifted. "We check every piece of evidence Grimborn sends our way. I did some research. The Heirs to Meathead and the Whispering Trees did die, and no one has found who did it. The Tribe of Murderous did collapse when their Chief died. And now is destroyed thanks to Fury."

"Astrid Hofferson is a loyal warrior of Berk!" Heather shook her head. "She would never betray her own, and she would especially never work for Viggo Grimborn. And there is no proof that Fury is involved!"

Cami was silent for a long moment, then quickly looked over her shoulder. "How is Hiccup these days?"

Anybody else, and Heather would have thought that bringing Hiccup up was a ploy. To try and off balance you. But Cami was a good friend of Hiccup's. "His memory is slowly getting worse." She revealed. "And all of this with Viggo isn't helping anything."

Cami nodded. "I know he and Astrid were close. This can't be easy for him."

Heather scoffed. "What's not easy is having to hear the lies Viggo is handing you. Astrid is everything to Hiccup. You take her in, you will break him."

Cami was silent for a moment, then looked in the direction Hiccup had flown in. "Where exactly did he go?"

Heather shrugged. "I have no idea. He doesn't have to tell me everything."

Camicazi frowned. "He's going to see Astrid, isn't he?" She turned and mounted Sleuther. "That's why we can't find her. Hiccup sent her away, and now is going to her." She laughed into the air and nodded. "Thank you, Heather."

As they flew away, Heather grabbed a Terrible Terror from her bag and started writing. Then she attached the note to the Terror's leg and tossed him in the air. "Go find Astrid!"

. . . . . . . . . .

"I wondered when you would return."

Hiccup removed his mask and sighed. "I'm not in the mood tonight."

"You rarely are." Valhallarama scoffed. "You are far too serious."

Hiccup stared at her. "Viggo is tearing my friends apart while still being locked up! How-how do you expect me to have fun?"

"Well, it's nice to know you still have friends." Valhallarama gestured to the stone bed Hiccup once stayed in. "Take a seat."

Hiccup folded his arms. "I didn't come to chat."

"Take a seat."

Reluctantly, Hiccup sat, glaring at Valhallarama. "I need to find a way to clear Astrid's name. Can you help me or not?"

"I can, but that's not why you're here." Valhallarama looked at him. "Why did you come here?"

Hiccup sighed. "I told her to leave, disappear for a few days until the search for her dies down. I think she came here."

Valhallarama gave nothing away. "And what would happen if she did?"

Hiccup looked down at the stone. "I just need to make sure she's okay."

"Why?" Valhallarama leaned forward. "You once told me she meant nothing to you. That in order to live your life, you had to let her go."

Hiccup looked up. "I was wrong. I need her; I know that."

"Why?"

He was silent for a moment. "Because I love her." He finally admitted. "I'm nothing without her. And-And I know that I messed everything up when I left, that we might never recover from that. But I have to try."

Valhallarama smiled. "You either do, or you don't. There is no try."

"Another riddle. Perfect." Hiccup looked around the chamber. "Where is she?"

"Not here." Valhallarama stood as well. "At least, not currently. I do believe she is off feeding Stormfly, though."

Slowly, Hiccup nodded and sank back down to the stone. "Then I'll wait for her to return. I have to talk to her."

. . . . . . . . . .

I). Oddly enough, when I was writing Valhallarama's speech about forgivness and redemption, I had Viggo in mind. One of the few antagonists I can think of that cause devastating damage, and the heroes mourn his death. He had a Redemption Story in canon, even if that's not mirrored here.

II). Valhallarama returns! As the Yoda of this series, it seems. But she becomes a big part of the remainder of this story. And now everyone can stop thinking she's the mysterious character I've been hinting at. New guesses, please!

III). So, there's a Fake Fury running around, marring Hiccup's name. The bitter irony is that it's someone the Riders would never suspect.

IV). So, Thuggory's after Astrid, Cami's after Hiccup; who are both in Valhallarama's cave, and they are set to have a conversation I've been waiting for (as are all of you, so I hear). All paths are coming together. Next chapter's a good one! (May take some time because I'm still boiling down what exactly happens, and what I'm saving for later. (I almost wrote a section today, and deleted it because the issue it revolves around hadn't happened yet. Whoops. (This is what happens when you write at 2AM. APPRECIATE MY SACRIFICES!)))

Ignore Tired Judge.

Thanks for reading!

Judge