I do not own How to Train Your Dragon, Tangled, or anything. Dreamworks and Disney, respectively, own them.

Cassandra stretched this morning after waking up. Her back was killing her, but that was to be expected when she saw no mattress on the bed frame. The only things soft were the pillows and blanket.

"Better get ready for the day," She muttered under her breath as she did stretches.

She took one step out of the hut she was staying at. It belonged to Berk's best healer, Gothi. She was an elderly woman with a mighty swing who spoke in writing. But the one thing that stood out, right now, was that her hit was built on top of a tall hill, overlooking everything.

To Gothi, the steps weren't much of a hassle, especially considering she flew by a bucket carried by many small dragons called Terrible Terrors.

Cassandra resisted staying here, but a swift smack on the head from Gothi, who wrote down that the girl needed some supervision before being discharged with a bill of health.

"Right," Cassandra groaned. "I forgot where I was."

Looking from the edge, she saw the people of Berk running about. Some were tending to dragons, with others fixing and building the structures around town. Children ran around playing with dragon and Viking dolls, with little metal bits attached as spines or weapons. Even the dragons were seen accompanying everyone they could, whether holding up supplies or just lazing about.

Cassandra took note of how the reptiles seemingly blended in with everything. It wasn't hard for them as there were depictions of dragons everywhere. Even the sheep were dressed as dragons.

The girl made a mental note to ask about that.

"Strange," She thought out loud as she walked around.

The girl walked down the seemingly rocky steps and made her way to the Great Hall for some food. She looked up and noticed Viking statues at the entrance, a detail she didn't care to spot yesterday. One of them was more detailed than others, depicting what she believed to be a past chief. She thought about how great he must have been to have a stature like that, as some dragon-riding Vikings were doing maintenance on the stone sculpture.

Walking into the Great Hall, Cassandra saw the room was overflowing with people and dragons.

They were all eating, drinking, and pushing each other around for room or sport. The place was every bit Viking as Cassandra had once read of. Every man, woman, and some children carried a weapon, but anyone who fought used their fists. However, the girl caught a few slapping each other silly with surgeons.

I think I'll stay away from fish. The dark-haired girl thought as she went to get some food.

Cassandra dipped a bow into some soup but dropped it when she saw a baby dragon bathing inside. While the tiny creature was content in its "swimming area," that didn't mean the meal could be safe to eat.

"Maybe I'll just have something...solid," Cassandra muttered to herself.

She managed to find some bread and mutton, though it was a fight getting over to the tables. And sitting alone wasn't an option. The place was packed with some Vikings as some accidentally jabbed their elbows in Cassandra as she ate. The girl wondered if she should have grabbed his bludgeon and whacked him on the head. But, she was too tired for such things. Right now, all she wanted was food.

After breakfast, the girl walked out in a huff. She could understand that Vikings are a rowdy bunch, but that didn't mean having a bowl of the soup of the day landing on her. Using a towel she packed, she had wiped off the meal and made her way down to the blacksmith, hoping for a better weapon.

There she saw the dragon riders from yesterday, gearing up in their dragon scale armor. The girl was mesmerized by the detail and sleek designs. Maybe if she stayed here long enough, she would be able to craft some of her own. Who knows?

But right now, she had to find her father, wherever he may be.

She then saw the Viking chief adorning himself in the same armor. He looked as if he was going with the riders. She frowned as she approached them.

"Where do you think you're going?" Cassandra asked.

"With the riders," Hiccup said, putting the helmet on. "We're gonna find some clues and hopefully some answers."

"But you're the chief," Cassandra said like it was the most obvious thing.

"Yes.

"And your people are fine with your absence?"

"Well, like you said, I'm the chief. So no one can stop me when I do things. Especially going out into the skies and finding out why a foreign ship would be attacked but barely any survivors or bodies laying around. So it's fine."

Cassandra wasn't convinced with such a weak argument. Walking over, the girl grabbed the chief, gaining the attention of the other riders. Astrid reached for her axe as the others took a few steps back. They knew better to give the girl space.

"You're telling me, your entire tribe—" Cassandra gestured to everyone around "—is fine with you leaving just like that?"

The Vikings looked at each other. That was the first time anyone asked that question, word for word. While the chief was bound to protect and lead his people, Vikings had a more laid-back system than the strict regiment the monarchs back home knew.

"Relax, I have Spitelout in charge while I'm away," Hiccup replied. All that got him was a raised brow from the girl, who didn't know the Viking but wasn't too convinced. "It's fine. Spitelout's done this before."

"And he won't try to usurp your throne?" Cass snarked.

The rest of the riders joined Hiccup as he laughed. Astrid was holding herself together, leaning on her dragon, Stormfly. Fishlegs and Snotlout traded barbs about someone doing such an act, much less Spitelout., and how they would fail. The Twins added on as they held each other up, ruminating about the possibilities. Their laughed died down, and they saw Cassandra giving them a deadpan face.

"Oh wait, you were serious?" Snotlout asked, confused.

Fishlegs hummed to himself as he studied Cassandra. A sharp glee from the girl quickly dissuaded him and had him back to triple-checking his gear.

"Look, we don't do that here. I've been Chief for over a year now, and the only time someone has raised anything against me were during enemy raids," Hiccup said, still amused by the thought of how, after everything he has done as chief, someone would set a coup against him. "Besides, I have done so during my time as chief, and no one has said anything about it."

"Besides, to have a coup would mean having to fight us. And were the best of Berk," Astrid said, twirling her axe. The other riders followed with weapons of their own with manic grins. Even Gobber, the blacksmith, raised his weapon. Though he and a few other Vikings inside were too busy with orders to comment.

"See? We've done this sort of thing before. It all works out," Hiccup said, but Cassandra didn't look satisfied.

"Well, I'm going with you," Cassandra said.

The riders stopped again. Snotlout, annoyed by this, just dropped his belongings and decided to wait things out before anything else. His intuition told him things could take a while, and he never doubted it even when he was wrong.

"I don't think that's a good idea. Right now, you need rest," Hiccup said. Astrid looked to Cassandra, nodding her head.

"No, what I need is to find my father, and I'm not going to do it by waiting here," Cassandra said in a tone that made it clear that she was insisting on coming. "So, who am I going with?"

The riders stared at the girl while Eret made a beeline out the door. After yesterday's introduction, he was certain being around the girl right now was instant death, a fate he'd rather avoid right now—especially given her attitude.

"Wow, he ran out faster than expected," Tuffnut commented.

"Yeah. I thought for sure he'd be at least one hut away after Cassandra asked about riding with one of us," Ruffnut added.

The twin-minded duo laughed, unaware of Cassandra stalking near them. Astrid noticed this, as did Fishlegs and Snotlout. All three reached for a weapon as Hiccup signaled his arm out to stop them. While a violent outburst was not uncommon, heck, there was at least one fight per day, be it with bludgeons or fish, he didn't want to have a fight break out just yet.

The twins' laughter died down obliviously as they noted Cassandra in front of them.

"What?" Ruffnut asked.

"Don't call me that," Cassandra said sternly.

The twins, along with the other riders, rose a brow at that. She introduced herself as such.

"Listen, Cassandra—"

"Cass," the new girl said, interrupting Ruffnut.

"Huh?"

"I don't like being called Cassandra." The girl's eyes, while not red with fury, showed her annoyance. The same was with her facial and body language.

"Fine, but for the record, you could have said that earlier. Like, at the Great Hall yesterday," Tuffnut replied.

"Did it matter?" Cass snarked.

"Considering you're armed and obviously very annoyed, yes," Ruffnut answered.

While the twins were crazy and emphasized that description to a new level, they weren't idiots. Something everyone in the room agreed. Cassandra, in her embarrassment, blushed and walked back to Hiccup, signaling the others to sheath their weapons.

"Look, Cass, we're not sure you can be trusted to fly with one of us yet," Hiccup said.

"Doesn't mean I'm not needed," The dark-haired woman said, looking insulted.

"Maybe, but you also need to be able to not threaten us when you're mad," Hiccup pointed out.

Cassandra frowned and sent him a serious look.

"Alright," she answered. The chief sighed in relief as he went back to his gear. "Then teach me how to fly a dragon. I'll find my father myself."

Hiccup glanced at his friends. Astrid and Snotlout looked at each other, agreeing on something, a rare occurrence in Berkian history. Fishlegs looked back at Hiccup, who was sighing. Snotlout commented on how he was right about taking so long. The twins just watched, wondering when they could leave and blow something up.

"I can't just teach you how to train yourself a dragon. Too dangerous for others to find out. Plus, that would need more trust from both the dragons and us," Hiccup replied.

"Well, then I'm coming with you."

"Absolutely not," Hiccup ordered.

"And why not?"

"Because, like I said, we can't exactly trust you with much, and who's to say you won't take a knife to our throats like you did with Eret?" Hiccup asked, pointing to Eret with his thumb.

"Please don't bring me into this," Eret asked politely. He was still scared of Cassandra, and it wasn't because of the knife.

"Eret! Where did you come from!?" Tuffnut asked, surprised.

"Came through the door. I noticed none of you were suited up yet. Plus, I forgot my helmet," Eret answered.

Hiccup shuffled his hair with one hand as he walked up to Cassandra. His voice was stern and authoritative.

"You are not coming with us, and that's final," Hiccup said, putting his foot down.

If there was one Cassandra grew to enjoy, it was dragon-riding—especially since the creatures did not attack her. The cold air was seemingly refreshing. Though the girl wished she had dragon scale armor like the rest of the riders. However, she was content riding on Stormfly with Astrid. It was decided the shield maiden could handle Cassandra the best.

Glancing at the various designs made the girl wonder about making some of her own. There were certainly enough dragons for the spare scales. And they were all gathered at the blacksmith from what she's seen. Plus, she could sew. How hard could it be? Though mostly, she wanted something like Toothless's scales. A dark color that she found sleek.

Staring at Toothless, Cassandra noticed the chief glancing back. While he wore a helmet, she knew what he was thinking.

Hiccup grumbled as he rode Toothless. Unable to believe the situation as Tuffnut and Ruffnut flew closer to him.

"Tough break, H," Tuffnut said. "I mean, it seems every time you put your foot down well..."

"Tuffnut," Hiccup groaned.

"If you look at his history, it was obvious this was going to happen," Ruffnut commented. "I mean, every time he tried putting his foot down with Astrid, it ended in the same result."

"Ruffnut."

"I mean, it seems to me that Hiccup does not have much persuasion with women."

"I concur, dear sister. After all—"

"Enough!" Hiccup ordered. He turned to Casandra, who was wearing a wider smile now. She couldn't hide her joy for the moment. However, she might have been thinking about cutting the chief some slack and looked to the sky, saying nothing.

Hiccup let things be as he flew on Toothless.

"Seriously, who doesn't listen to the chief when he makes an order?" The Viking chief whispered to his dragon, who gave a noise of understanding.

The flight continued as Cassandra kept silent with a smile. While the riders didn't know if it was out of smugness, the girl was actually happy right now. The moment in the air felt like freedom, adventure, and everything else she wanted. Even with her father missing, part of her was lifted higher than the cloud in bliss she hadn't felt in years.

The whole trip could have been like this if Astrid didn't try talking to Cassandra.

"So...you and your dad...can you say anything about your home?" Astrid asked.

Cassandra was silent, dead silent. Her face was of surprise and paled a bit. Any words that came out were too quiet to hear.

"What was that?" Astrid asked as the others, sans Hiccup, flew closer to hear better.

"We traveled from a distant land," Cassandra spoke in a normal yet vague tone.

"Can you tell us anything else?"

Cassandra was silent as some of the riders stared. Astrid prepared herself mentally as the silence dragged on.

"Just that," Cassandra replied bluntly. Home was not a subject she gave away freely. If she even called it home anymore. That got Astrid frowning.

"Hey, if you're gonna fly with us, the least you could do is talk. You don't have to give everything away, you know," the shieldmaiden said, keeping a somewhat calm tone.

Cassandra frowned at that. While Astrid was right, home was a bit of a sore spot for her right now. And for people she only met yesterday, there was not enough trust for her to share that info yet.

"Yeah! Well, I didn't ask about your life story, so leave mine alone!" Cassandra snapped back.

The two females glared at each other as the other riders looked at one another. Stormfly warbled to the dragons, who groaned back. This was going to be a long, silent flight. Hiccup wondered if it was the right choice to let Astrid fly Cassandra, making a mental note about who would take her on the ride back.

The hunter's base was on an island rich in resources. It was a lush green setting with a few lakes inside. Wild dragons seemed to occupy the far side, not wanting to leave their homes, while at the same time, thinking they could handle themselves. OR they were protecting their home. It was hard to tell with dragons sometimes. The riders looked to the grounds, wondering about the hunter's purpose for them and dreading the answer.

"They haven't noticed us yet. Let's land over there," Astrid suggested.

"Good idea. We'll set up a plan of attack and strike," Hiccup ordered as he signaled the others to follow.

The riders landed and moved to a denser part of the greenery, allowing themselves to stay hidden as hunters made their sporting rounds. While some had walked by and commented about what to do with the dragons they killed, the riders ambushed them easily. Tying them up, Hiccup pulled out his sword, Inferno, a flaming weapon of his design. With the Vikings and dragons surrounding them, the captives spilled everything they knew before Snotlout knocked them out with a hammer.

"Alright then. Let's sneak around take them by surprise— aaand who took Inferno?" Hiccup said, glancing at his empty hand, realizing his weapon was gone.

He turned to the usual pranksters of the group, the twins, but they pointed at their new "friend," who was inspecting the flaming weapons, her curiosity outweighing her common sense.

Cassandra was in awe at the weapon, smiling as she held it. She had been unable to resist the temptation of inspecting the object. Such weapons were only in her dreams, and now she saw one for the first time and was holding it. She looked to her side to see the chief glaring at her. Her smile held nervous innocence with some devious intent as she spoke.

"So...uh, Hiccup? This flaming sword. Where did you get it?" Cassandra asked.

"I invented it."

"Can you make another?"

"Not at the moment."

"Then, can you repay me with one?"

"I'd have to think about it, provided you don't take Inferno from me again."

Cassandra gave a small nervous smile.

Astrid rolled her eyes as she gave the riders a smirk. It was probably the first time they saw the new girl smile. It was pleasant from the usual sternness she projected.

"We done?" Hiccup asked with his hand out.

Cassandra handed back Inferno as she drew out the short sword. She looked at it funny then at the hunter base. Never had she felt so unprepared in her life, but she'd figure something out. She usually does.

"Ok, then time for the plan," Hiccup turned to everyone.

"Great, cause I have been dying to blow something up," Tuffnut commented as he and his sister headbutted each other.

"Oh gods," Hiccup groaned. "Anyway, listen up."

It took a while, but I finally got this chapter done. Next chapter, we get to see the riders and Cass in action, and hopefully, get a clue to the whereabouts of her father.

Special Thanks! to Flower Princess11 for all her help!

Reviews:

Invader Johnny. Indeed and it seems she's given Eret some trauma as well.

RonaldM40196867: Not really. I've read a bit of their culture, and while we don't know everything(given that Vikings weren't big on writing) Viking culture might have some cultural influences. They had stuff like a concept of manliness, honor, and the stories of their gods painted the deities more like beings who acted than the forces of nature described in Greek Mythology.

Jebest4781: Thanks!

130388: And that's today. Hope you enjoyed.