'Sup, HTTYD fandom? I think it's been like three years since I updated. These things never happen on purpose. You just fall out of hobbies and phases of your life as you age. But lately, I remembered this time of my life and decided to view this story again. I was mad at myself for that cliff-hanger! That was SO UNFAIR TO YOU ALL AND I APOLOGIZE.

I know that a month or two after I published the last chapter, I wrote a new chapter where I bullet-pointed the rest of the story since I couldn't write it anymore. But for some reason, it didn't publish? I'm really sorry about that. And since the doc has a life of 365 days, it got deleted... oops. I SHOULD'VE WRITTEN IT DOWN SOMEWHERE ELSE.

HONESTY TIME:

I don't remember exactly how I wanted this to end. I never wrote it down anywhere except for some old notebooks and I don't know where they are. I can't even remember what happened in RTTE and the whole thing with Vanaheim and Johann and Krogan... so I can't accurately write another chapter.

WITH THAT SAID:

1st: Hiccup lived! I'm pretty sure Astrid and the other Riders managed to dig him out with the dragons' help. I think I planned for Hiccup to sprain his arm or something minor (but he literally got caught in a cave collapse so how would that work?) so the plot could continue normally with the show. Hiccup and Toothless got a great reunion, and of course, I wanted to add a Hiccstrid kiss. Meanwhile, Hiccup was just like, "Let me go back to sleep, guys" and wanted bread. Silly Hiccup. THIS WAS NOT A DEATH FIC!

2nd: I think I let Johann and Krogan get away because I wanted the plot to continue normally. (The Riders were too busy helping Hiccup to stop them) But I did want Snotlout to punch Johann before that happened. Maybe they tied him up, Snotlout punched him, and then Johann escaped...? No idea about Krogan.

3rd: I found this tiny paragraph of how I wanted the ending to go (I was literally spitballing as I wrote): Ends with Hiccup okay and back at the base. The Riders are ready to look at the last lens. Fishlegs says for him to hurry up, and Hiccup puts it on... then cut to Johann, who's steaming mad at losing Hiccup. He takes his anger out on a small boat in the distance - Gruffnut's. Climbs on board and finds the last lens in the box...laughs. END

THANK YOU ALL SOOOO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE LAST COUPLE YEARS! I still remember all of you and hope everyone is doing okay. I'm doing great! I'm DONE writing fanfiction, however, but wish you all the best. I want to reply to each of your reviews but it is 3:29AM and I should probably go to sleep. I don't know who's left in the HTTYD fandom or if your alerts are still on, but I had such good times with you all! To all the newcomers, you're coming into a great fandom and you're going to have some wonderful stories to read.

I know this might not be the chapter update you hoped for, but it's all I can manage. Hopefully, this'll satisfy you more than the last update.

(and because Fanfiction is picky about only having chapters with authors' notes in them, here ya go below... a final, special, wrap-up scene from the author)

...

ON THE BEACH AT VANAHEIM. AFTER HICCUP HAS BEEN RESCUED AND HAS JUST WOKEN UP.

"We're so happy you're okay, Hiccup," Fishlegs said tearfully.

Hiccup, lying prostrate on the beach, smiled up. "Thanks for everything, guys. I wouldn't be here if not for you."

"Did you seriously light that entire cave with Monstrous Nightmare gel?" Tuff asked.

Sheepishly, he nodded.

Ruff and Tuff exchanged wide-eyed looks of respect. "We've been looking for a triplet for our Twintuition Trio," Ruff said, "seeing that a trio means three and all. Who knew? With your kind of attitude, you could make the cut! What do you say?"

"I think I've done enough reckless things for a lifetime. But thanks for the offer."

Astrid stroked a piece of his hair back. He couldn't tell if there was anger or concern on her face.

"Astrid?" he whispered. "I really put you through it, didn't I?"

She remained silent, only searching his eyes. Her mouth was pursed in thought. He knew that if he wasn't lying half-dead on the beach with a sprained arm, she might hit him for all the worry he'd put her through.

At that moment, Snotlout emerged behind the Riders, looking rather smug. He held up a fist and grinned. "Johann's all tied up near the remainders of the cave," he said. "It makes it hard for him to run away when you beat him up. Really hard."

Ruff and Tuff jumped to their feet, while Fishlegs looked like he might join them.

"You doing alright, Hiccup?" Snotlout asked. A strange tone of kindness had touched his voice.

He realized he probably looked like Helheim. His clothes were torn, there were scratches and bruises all over him, and his eyes were pulled by heavy purple bags. Weakly, he lifted his good arm and made a thumbs up. Snotlout, the twins, and Fishlegs left to go check on Johann. Astrid and Hiccup were left alone - on purpose, it seemed.

"Astrid..." Grimacing, he pushed himself up. By some miracle, he was able to sit. "Talk to me."

"How could you do that? How could you be okay with killing yourself for the Dragon Eye lens?"

Her words, sharp and quick, stabbed right into his heart. He hesitated, looking down. "I'm sorry. Honestly, I wasn't thinking. You know, I was struck by lightning, knocked out, got a concussion, and then forced to stay awake for three days. Or was it four? Or two? I can't remember."

"Okay. I guess you get a pass this time." She touched his shoulder. "But if you even think about trying to sacrifice yourself again, I will personally come down to Valhalla and throw you outside the golden gates myself!"

He jerked back, then laughed. "If I get to see you after I die, then it's a win-win, right?"

"You're ridiculous."

"What's new?"

He sighed and laid back down on the sand, staring up at the sky. How happy he was to see another beautiful blue morning again. "I'm really, really tired, Astrid."

"I'm not letting you sleep till we get back home and have Gothi check you out."

"No time. We have to stop Krogan."

"That can wait till tomorrow," she said. "Heal. Stay with me."

Hiccup's faced scrunched up, making a painful expression. Astrid jerked to attention and grabbed his elbow. "What's wrong? Are you hurting? Do you need anything?"

"Well, there is actually one thing," he sighed.

She tilted her head. "What?"

"I could really use a kiss." He smirked teasingly, and Astrid let out a laugh.

"Oh, you…"

But she leaned down and placed a kiss on his dry, cut-up lips. And it wasn't half-bad for a boy who'd been struck by lightning. Then again, maybe the voltage had changed them both.

...

And then, of course, Hiccup and Toothless have a moment and the Riders go home and stuff. Johann escapes (SHOCKER) and meets up with Krogan, and then he finds Gruffnut's ship and takes his lens. The plot continues just like the show - but Hiccup is a little more beat up this round. :)

ENDDDDDDDDD

It is currently exactly 4AM! I haven't edited this. Hopefully, too many words aren't missing, or you can read between the lines. I'm sorry if the characters are OOC - it has been almost 3 years since I wrote for HTTYD. But I owed you guys some closure. I'M SO SORRY FOR CHAPTER FIVE'S ENDING, WHAT WAS I THINKING?

Goodnight forever, HTTYD fandom, Fanfiction, and Voltage! This will be my final post on this site. I'm praying you all stay safe and keep your heads up.

Thanks for waiting three years for a lazy writer,

-animalsarepeopletoo