DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters from the HTTYD series or any of the ideas to the plots. My ideas are inspired by a collective of stories that I have come across. But I am always open for any ideas that could help with the story. I might also mess up with some details but I will try my best for the story. Without a further ado I will let you get on with the reading, enjoy!

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Italics: Flashbacks, dreams, or reading

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Astrid woke up to the sound of movement and she slowly opened her eyes to see Hiccup moving around the room.

"You're up early," Astrid noted as she slowly sat up and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.

"Well we got quite a trip ahead of us," Hiccup told her and she looked out to see the sun was just starting to rise above the horizon.

"Where are we headed," Astrid asked as she stood up from the bed.

"That is going to be a secret," he told her with a smirk on his face. Astrid just shook her head as she heard a noise coming towards them and she saw Toothless bouncing around excitedly. "I know bud, just give me a second," Hiccup told the Night Fury but the dragon still had an excited look on his face.

"What's got him so excited," Astrid asked with an amused looked on her face.

"Well I promised him he could go out on his own today," Hiccup told her as he pulled some contraption out of a chest. Astrid watched with curiosity as Hiccup walked over to Toothless's tail and took off a section of his tail wing. She gasped as she realized that the dragon only had one fin on his tail.

"What did that to him," Astrid asked as Hiccup stashed the makeshift tail back into the chest.

"Well funny enough," Hiccup said as he rubbed the back of his neck, "I actually did that to him, or better said something I made did that to him."

"The night you said you shot down the Night Fury, that was Toothless," Astrid asked, finally making the connection.

"Yep, I found him all tied up in the woods," Hiccup told her. "Took a lot of tinkering and practice but eventually we managed to make it work."

"How does it work then," Astrid asked as Hiccup walked back over to Toothless with the other tail fin.

"With the normal fin, I use a pedal to control it," Hiccup told her as he tightened several straps for the fin. "But with this fin, Toothless doesn't need me to control it so he can fly solo."

"And you're fine with that," Astrid asked him with a raised eyebrow.

"At first I wasn't, but now I realize he's got a life of his own and he should be able to go out on his own if he chooses to," Hiccup told her. "Alright bud, we will catch up with you later," Hiccup told Toothless and the dragon nodded with excitement. He stormed down the tunnel and Astrid walked over to the window to see him fly out into the open sky. "We should get going to," Hiccup told her and she looked back to see holding a pack out to her.

"Thanks," Astrid said with a nod and they both put their packs on their backs. Hiccup walked past Astrid and she followed him out of the main room. Hiccup picked up a large stick and tested it on the ground.

Satisfied with it he kept the stick and used it as a walking stick. The two carefully made their way down the mountain side and walked in silence. Astrid enjoyed the silence and the soft breeze that was blowing across her face. A sudden noise caught her attention and she stopped as she saw a Deadly Nadder step into their path.

"It's alright," Hiccup reassured her as he looked back at her. She was hesitant still as she watched Hiccup walk towards the Deadly Nadder with a calm posture. She could tell that he was thinking of something and her suspicions were confirmed as he motioned for her to walk over to him. Astrid shook her head and Hiccup slowly walked back over to her. "Trust me," he told her and he brought his hand around her shoulder, leading her closer to the Deadly Nadder. He stopped her just in front of the dragon and then moved in front of her.

He took her hand in his and then slowly rose it up higher until her arm was level. He then straightened out her hand and then stepped to the side. "Let her come to you," Hiccup told her and then he moved further to the side. Astrid wanted to protest but she couldn't find her voice as she watched the dragon in front of her. She looked at the Deadly Nadder and it seemed that the dragon was inspecting her now. The dragon took a step closer to Astrid and she closed her eyes, expecting it to turn bad. Her expectations were not met as Astrid felt a warmth breath on her hand, and then she felt a scale like pattern touch her hand. She slowly opened her eyes and saw that the Deadly Nadder now rested its nose against her hand. "Really takes the 'Deadly' part out of Deadly Nadder doesn't it," Hiccup asked as he stepped back into Astrid's view. Astrid couldn't manage to speak as she was overcame by confusion.

"How could we be so wrong about them," Astrid asked as she watched the dragon in front of her.

"It's easy to make assumptions when you only see one side of something," Hiccup told her as he reached underneath the dragon's chin. The Deadly Nadder hummed happily as Hiccup scratched and Astrid was amazed at the sight. After a few seconds the Deadly Nadder stepped forward and stretched its wings out. Hiccup took a step back and Astrid did the same thing as she watched the dragon. It seemed like the dragon looked back at Astrid and it almost looked like it was smiling at her. The Deadly Nadder then flew into the air and Astrid smiled as she watched it go.

"Wow," was all Astrid could manage to say as she looked back at Hiccup who was smiling at her.

"Quite a site to watch isn't it," Hiccup asked and Astrid nodded as she looked back into the sky.

"You think we will see her again," Astrid asked him and Hiccup nodded softly,

"I'm sure of it," he told her. "You see, it's not the rider that picks the dragon, it's the dragon that picks the rider."

"What do you mean," Astrid asked as they continued to walk along the roughly cut out trail.

"Dragons pick a rider that has a similar personality to their own," Hiccup explained, "Once they find a rider they like, they'll stick with that one for life." Astrid simply nodded, wondering how Hiccup came across all of his knowledge of dragons.

"How do you know all of this," Astrid asked him and she heard him let out a sigh.

"I've met some people that share similar views of mine," Hiccup told her.

"Why didn't you stay with them," Astrid asked as she looked over at him and she saw a sad look on his face.

"I couldn't," Hiccup said with a shrug of his shoulders and then he laughed softly. "Funny enough I think I couldn't leave Berk completely, despite everything that happened."

"What kept you from leaving," Astrid asked, trying to pry more and more out Hiccup.

"I don't know," Hiccup admitted, "It just didn't feel right to just leave a place I called home, even though it wasn't the best home." Astrid nodded, feeling that Hiccup was holding something back from her but he didn't share anything else. "We're here," Hiccup said, breaking the silence between the two. Astrid looked around but didn't see anything besides a large hill with several rocks jutting out from it.

"What exactly is here," Astrid asked as she looked over at Hiccup with a confused look. Hiccup chuckled and then held up a finger as he walked a little bit in front of her. Astrid watched as he removed something from a pouch at his side and he rose it to his mouth. Astrid realized it was some type of flute as he started to blow into and played a soft melody. He played the melody for a few seconds and then stepped back. Astrid opened her mouth to ask what he was doing but stopped when she heard a low rumble nearby. The rumble grew louder and she instinctively jumped behind Hiccup.

The familiar noise of wings beating filled the air and Astrid watched as hundreds of dragons rose into the air. The dragons circled into the air and then slowly glided down to the hill below.

"This is the dragon's breeding nest," Hiccup finally told her as he looked back towards her. Astrid was left speechless again as she saw all the dragons in front of her. "Come on," Hiccup told her as he started to walk forward but Astrid became nervous again. Hiccup turned around and saw this and then walked back towards her. "They won't hurt you I promise," he reassured her and she slowly nodded. He took her hand and then slowly led her to the dragons, slightly easing her nerves. Obviously it won't be that bad she thought to herself, she just didn't know how she would adjust to this new experience.

Hiccup chuckled softly as he watched Astrid watch the dragons in front of her. It was close to midday now and the two decided to rest for a bit. Toothless had also joined them and was napping in the shade of an overhanging rock.

"It just doesn't feel real," Astrid said as she just shook her head. "I can't believe that we could be so wrong about them, we don't even think about them having their own lives."

"You were trying to survive," Hiccup told her as he put his hands behind his head. "Times are getting tough for everyone and for the dragons," Hiccup added.

"What do you mean," Astrid asked,

"Food is getting hard to come across for the dragons," Hiccup explained. "A good portion of them stuck to the ocean but that's running dry day by day. The only source they have left now is the villages and it turns into a bloodbath."

"Sounds like you've seen a lot," Astrid noted and Hiccup slowly nodded,

"You don't even know a percent of it."

"How can I help," Astrid asked and Hiccup looked at her with raised eyebrows.

"What do you mean help," Hiccup asked her.

"With what you do for the dragons," Astrid further explained, "How can I help you."

"You're willing to completely turn on the classic viking mentality and help me help the dragons," Hiccup asked.

"Well you've shown me they aren't all bad," Astrid admitted, "Besides I'm not on Berk anymore." Hiccup nodded as he thought of her proposal and how it would turn out. With a sigh Hiccup reached over to his pack and then pulled out a bundle of blankets. He handed the bundle to Astrid who was watching him with a curious look.

"What's this," Astrid asked as she looked down at the bundle,

"Look at it for yourself," Hiccup told her. Astrid hesitated for a second before she pulled at the bundle and pulled out what seemed like a short wooden staff.

She examined the gift before her thumb grazed over a button and she accidentally pressed it. She gasped as two blades of metal popped out of the staff and realized it was an axe. "I remembered how you favored your axe," Hiccup told her. "Figured you would want one and especially since you want to help me. It's made out of Gronckle iron, similar to my sword, easy to conceal but without the fire."

"I don't know what to say," Astrid told him and he let out a chuckle.

"Well a thank you would do," Hiccup said jokingly and he earned a punch in the shoulder. "That works as well," Hiccup added as Astrid stood up and tested the weapon in her hands. "How does it feel," Hiccup asked as Astrid flipped it around in her hands and swung the weapon around.

"Really well balanced," Astrid said as she continued to test it out,

"When did you do this."

"The first night you were here actually," Hiccup told her and she nodded as she concealed the blades.

"Let's test those skills then," Hiccup told her as he slowly stood up and she looked at him with a curious look.

"What," Astrid asked as Hiccup pulled out four sticks that he carved out from a tree.

"Those fighting skills of yours," Hiccup said, "Let's see if those are just for show." He then tossed the stick at Astrid and she caught them in one hand. "With sticks," Astrid asked as she cocked an eyebrow,

"Doesn't sound like much of a challenge."

"Let's see what you got then if it's so easy," Hiccup taunted. Astrid fell for it as she set down the axe and then gripped the sticks tightly. Hiccup smirked as he stood calmly and watched as Astrid stood in a fighting stance. "You can have the first move milady," Hiccup told her. She remained silent as she slowly circled him and Hiccup calmly followed her with his eyes. She then rushed at Hiccup, aiming for his knees as she moved. Hiccup carefully blocked the strike with one stick and then struck out at her wrists with the other. She yelped in pain and both of the sticks clattered to the ground as she stepped back.

Hiccup smirked as he watched her and then kicked the sticks back to her. She bent down to pick them up and then got back into a fighting stance again. Hiccup could tell that Astrid was being more critical now and was watching him carefully. Hiccup remained relaxed as she walked towards him and then she lunged at him. Astrid swung at his neck and midsection, both of which Hiccup blocked with ease. He then quickly moved forward and struck out Astrid's forearms, again causing her to drop the sticks. Astrid grumbled again as Hiccup kicked the sticks back to her again. "You move too fast," Hiccup told her, "And your stance is too tense. You need to be more relaxed, I can tell everyone move you're going to make even when you're still thinking of it." Astrid paused for a moment and then nodded as she slowly relaxed her stance and took in Hiccup's advice. The two continued like this for some time, Hiccup making comments and then Astrid taking in the advice.

About an hour had passed when Hiccup finally called off their little sparring session. Hiccup could tell Astrid was exhausted as she slowly laid down in the shade. Hiccup went over to his pack and pulled out a canteen and then tossed it over to Astrid. She took it gratefully and then Hiccup took off his sweat soaked shirt and changed into a fresh one. He took the canteen back from Astrid as he laid down close to her and he saw her watching him. "What's on your mind," Hiccup asked as he closed the canteen. Astrid didn't say anything at first and Hiccup shifted so that he was facing her.

"I know it's not my place," Astrid said slowly, "But how did you get all those scars." Hiccup let out a sigh as he slowly nodded and then looked back out towards the sky. He knew that Astrid still thought of the few scars that she saw and was eventually going to ask about them, he just didn't know if he could answer her.

"You don't have to tell me," Astrid reassured him, but he shook his head,

"No you have a right to know. Obviously you know that what I do is an occupational hazard and it comes with its injuries. When I first started to get involved in the raids, I was trying to fight my way out everything. That's why I'm trying to show you Astrid," Hiccup added as he looked over at her with a serious look. "You can try to fight and I'm sure you'll win most of them, but what happens when you lose." Hiccup slowly lifted up his shirt and revealed a long scar that ran along Hiccup's ribcage. "This is what happens when you lose, luckily I didn't lose that bad but it showed me something. I didn't need to fight, I just needed to survive, just like how the dragons live. I still get hurt and get scars, but I continue to live." He paused as he let out a sigh and looked ahead of him now. "Life isn't that easy though," he admitted, "I've seen some things and done some things I wish I could forget but I can't. If you want to help me with what I do, then you have to be ready for everything. You could get blood on your hands and that doesn't wash off, so are you willing to have that on your conscience."

Astrid paused for a moment and Hiccup could see that she was debating it over in her head.

"I'm willing to do what it takes," Astrid finally said with a nod of her head but Hiccup wanted to be sure.

"Are you sure," Hiccup asked, "You would be going against everything you thought you knew and what vikings stand for. I need to know that you are with me on this, because my life and Toothless's life is in your hands now." Astrid waited for a moment and then she looked at Hiccup with a determined look.

"I'm with you," she said with a confident voice, "My village showed that they were willing to turn on me, so now I can make my own choices for my own life." Hiccup nodded a satisfied smile on his face as he heard her say that.

"Good, at least we are on the same page now," he said. He then slowly stood up and cracked his bed as he stretched. "I guess we should head back," he added as he looked towards the sky.

"The walk back doesn't sound too fun," Astrid commented as she slowly stood up and a cheeky smile made its way on Hiccup's face.

"Were not going to walk back," he told her and Astrid had a confused look on her face as he turned around.

"What do you mean," Astrid asked and then her face dropped when she saw his smile. "Hiccup, no," she said as she shook her head, "No way."

"Astrid if you are going to help me, you need to be able to ride a dragon," Hiccup told her. "No better chance than right now," he added as Toothless slowly woke up and then stretched. He walked over to Toothless and jumped into the saddle and turned back to Astrid. Her arms were crossed across her chest but Hiccup wasn't backing down either. He shifted forward in the saddle and waited for her. He heard her let out a sigh and he looked over to see her walking towards the two.

He held out his hand to her which she took as she lifted herself up onto Toothless and adjusted on the saddle. Toothless walked forward and Hiccup felt Astrid shift nervously behind him. He patted Toothless on the side and then he crouched down as Toothless did the same. The Night Fury shot into the air and Hiccup heard Astrid let out a sharp yelp as Toothless gained altitude. Hiccup felt something latch onto his torso and he looked down to see Astrid's arms wrapped around his chest. He chuckled slightly as Toothless continued to climb until they were just above the clouds and then the dragon leveled out. "Astrid," Hiccup called out to her but she didn't say anything to him, "Astrid you can look around now," he added. He felt Astrid slowly lift her head off of his back but she still gripped his chest. He heard her gasp as she looked at the sight around her. "It's beautiful," she said and Hiccup nodded in agreement as he looked at the scenery. They passed over patches of clouds and looked around at the open blue sky above them.

Toothless slowly dived down and Hiccup smiled as he looked down at the island below. Shimmering blue water surrounding an island full of life and nature. Toothless continued to lower himself towards the mountain and eventually they entered the hideout. The Night Fury landed softly on the ground and waited for the two to disembark. "Well how was that," Hiccup asked as he turned around to Astrid. He yelped as he received a punch in the shoulder and he looked at Astrid with a confused look. "What the hell was that for," Hiccup asked her,

"That was for scarring me on the flight," she told him. She then quickly stepped forward and kissed him on the cheek.

"And that was for everything else," she said nervously as she entered the cave and left the other two. Hiccup stood there dumbfounded as he watched her go and he looked over at Toothless for an answer. The dragon just shrugged and then walked into the cave as well, leaving a confused Hiccup to himself. Hiccup shook his head and then walked into the cave as well, wondering how much more his and Astrid's relationship would progress.

Ayo, it's me, hopefully everyone enjoyed the chapter, sorry if it seemed a bit outlandish and choppy at points, I was kinda stuck on details and what to add. Hopefully there won't be too many chapters like that but I won't make any promises. I would also like to thank one review specifically:

The Guest Account that mentioned Persephone: Thank you for saying the name of the story. I remember the story but not the actual name of it and I hate when I forget the names of stuff like that. I do realize how similar it is and I am not trying to copy it if it seems like it. Although it is very heavy in terms of inspiring ideas and such.

Sorry if that bit seemed weird, just wanted to add that bit. I can respond to reviews I just wanted to get that point across. For those who don't know the story it's Persephone by sunflowerb. I am rereading it and really enjoy it and it does transfer some ideas into what I might do. I will try my best not to outright copy it so hopefully nobody will be mad at that fact. Also in terms of updates I may be able to put out stuff faster because I am no longer doing sports in the spring for a bit. I broke my ankle so I'm pretty much stuck at my house when I'm not at school. But again no promises but I'm pretty sure I will have more time. As always if you have any comments, questions, and/or reviews please leave them as they are always helpful and peace out!