Heyy. So sorry I didn't publish yesterday, been kinda busy with work, time-consuming projects, school, The Mandalorian finale, sleeping, and crying (very busy as you can see). I almost forgot to publish again today, but anyway, enjoy chapter 26 (?idk where we're at anymore). Also, I know y'all want to hear about Hiccup, and idk why I parted his chapters so much, i think i struggled with these chapters when I wrote them. But don't worry about him he's fine (i think).

Enjoy!

As much as Astrid had hoped her idea would serve to ease her teammates' minds, it did not. Faith – hope – was no longer a strategy option like they'd used so many times in the past. It was no longer an option to leave their chances of success up to faith. The Riders were quickly divided over this plan to go in individually. A lot of their planned missions had been flown in groups, always team-playing. The only missions they'd flown alone were improvised and Astrid could clearly see it was putting her friends out of their comfort zone. All except Heather, of course. The rebellious Berserker had been on her own for long enough to play alone. Astrid was almost certain she was far more comfortable with this idea than having to fly in formation.

A map of the Dragon Hunter base had been drawn on the yellowed sheets covering the center table where Queen Mala, Throk and other members of their council discussed matters, whether it be simply about their village's improvements or regarding war matters such as this one. The island was very detailed with every report of their reconnaissance flights from the last few months before Viggo Grimborn decided to step on their own island and poison their leader. The shieldmaiden stood over it, examining every trace of charcoal while the arguments played in the background. Snotlout and Fishlegs were at each other's throats. Even though Astrid was only half listening to them, she recognized Fishlegs was trying to make a point as to why she was right while Snotlout defended his argument as to why it wasn't. The short Viking kept on insulting the Gronckle rider every chance he got and the twins certainly weren't helping settle the atmosphere by excitedly suggesting violent acts.

"Enough!" she shouted, slamming her hands on the table, quieting the two Riders down. Fishlegs withdrew shamefully while Snotlout held her gaze challengingly. She could easily guess he wasn't over everything that had happened back at the Edge. "This is no time for discussion. We need to act now or we could lose Hiccup forever."

"Okay, so what's your plan?" asked Snotlout. His question sounded much more like a mockery than genuine curiosity, and it was pushing her buttons. But she ignored it and moved forward.

"We'll advance South and engage their forces in a full-forward assault – ambush them before they even know what's going on," she explained, ignoring Snotlout's disapproving eye-roll. Most of them seemed eager to listen to her plan, attentively leaning forward over the map of their enemies' territory. At that point, Astrid was wondering if Snotlout was merely disagreeing with her out of spite.

"Oh, that's a great plan," he said, turning away crossly. "But you forgot the part of 'there are way more people'!"

"That's why we'll circle back to the Northern side of the island," replied Astrid, accepting his challenge. "If Viggo is in fact expecting us, he'll move his troops on the south side, where we'll originally be coming from. We'll duck their defenses, and only then do we spark it up into a flame."

"Are you trying to get us killed?" demanded Snotlout to which Astrid blinked. His frown hadn't eased at all since he'd abandoned his debate with Fishlegs. Astrid started to wonder if he even wanted to be part of this mission. "We had to retreat from our own base because of their numbers. Now this?"

"I don't know," said Dagur in a sing-song, dragging everyone's attention on the Berserker chief for a second or two. His grin was large as he punched his fist into his palm. "Could be fun.!"

"Well, I agree with Astrid's plan," said Heather, uncrossing her arms and taking a step forward. "We're running out of time and this is the best option."

"We don't know what we're up against..!" counterattacked Snotlout, coming up to the raven-haired girl, his usual flirtations completely absent. "Krogan and his Flyers drove us from Dragon's Edge without much of a struggle. How is this going to be any different?"

The Riders, along with the two Berserkers and Defenders of the Wing exchanged glances, searching for a clue on how to respond. Astrid bit her lip back before responding to his obvious lack of faith and trust.

"A few of Hiccup's plans seemed reckless too," said Astrid, pointing her finger down authoritatively at the wooden table. "But they worked."

"Yeah, but Hiccup is usually here to lead the attack," said Snotlout, making Astrid bare her teeth for the first time since they'd arrived to Caldera Cay. "A full-forward attack, will leave us too exposed!"

The rest of the group exchanged uncertain glances again, feeling torn between the two opposite opinions.

Astrid didn't hesitate one more moment and harshly grabbed Snotlout by the upper arm, half leading him, half dragging him outside before swinging the door shut behind them, ignoring the confused and surprised gazes of her friends. The door shut with a loud bang, leaving them to the glare of a bright moon instead of the warm glow of torches lighting up the inside of the building.

"Snotlout," she managed to say without hissing, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves. She'd never reach out to him and be on the same page by fighting fire with fire. "It would help if you eased their minds and yours."

"What, you mean coax them into following another one of those suicide missions?" he said, crossing his arms as if to show that he wasn't open for discussion. "We're flying straight into a Snapper trap and you know it."

"Look, we don't have a choice," she said, widening her arms as if she was ready to say anything to make him cooperate. "I know this mission may be different from what we're used to but it has to be done. Do you really wanna lose everything we've been fighting for, including Hiccup?"

Snotlout's eyes held hers for a few seconds before dropping to the ground in surrender, a heavy sigh escaping his mouth as if admitting defeat.

"Snotlout," she said, the name coming out softer than she'd intended. She couldn't recall any other time she'd spoken his name with such empathy for she usually held close to none for Snotlout, being the way he was. "Look, I know this is difficult, trust me. What Viggo made Hiccup do to us, is far from fair. But in times of war, fairness is rarely part of the deal. I know we're a fractured team, and I know it's gonna take a lot of time and a lot of practice to earn each other's trust back. I know there's no possible way we can make it by flying a good old-fashioned rescue mission, especially not as a team. We'll get there, someday. But for the time being, we're better off solo. Do you understand where I'm coming from?"

"Yeah, I get it," admitted Snotlout, his eyes still glued to his boots.

Astrid released a sigh she didn't realize she'd been holding, glad they could finally come to terms and move forward.

"But I'm not coming along on this one," he added and Astrid's hopes sunk right back to the bottom of the pit in her stomach.

"What? But you have to!" she insisted, but the Nightmare rider had already turned his back on her, heading back to his own quarters. "Snotlout!"

But he wouldn't hear it, walking away from what was left of a team, and what was left of so-called 'trust'.