Two Days Later

Hiccup was working in the Forge alongside Gobber and Gustav. The plan was to help Gobber and hideout. If someone sees him, Gobber would tell them that Hiccup was just a sailor who Astrid rescued and was working here until he can get a new ship. But for him to get a new boat from Berk, he'll have to wait for Stoick. So for now Hiccup is helping in the Forge. He could tell that Gobber enjoyed having Hiccup around again. As Hiccup was finishing with a basic sword, Astrid entered the Forge. Gobber greeted her and she waved at Hiccup.

"Fishlegs will be bringing the Book of Dragons tonight." Astrid reported and Hiccup smiled. Now he has the chance to show Berk that dragons aren't monsters, but creatures trying to survive and can care.

"Good." Gobber replied as he inspected Hiccup's blade. "Any sign of Stoick?"

"Not yet." Astrid answered and Gobber showed nervousness.

"What is it Gobber?" Hiccup asked as he put Hiccup's blade back down.

"Stoick's ships should have been back by now." Gobber answered and Hiccup knew something was up. "Are you sure the Nest is gone?"

"I saw it with my own eyes. The Red Death is dead." Hiccup remarked as he tap a crate with his peg leg. "Still have the scar."

"I still don't know how you and a few Vikings you meet managed to slay the Beast." Gustav added.

"The plan was to force it out of the nest. It didn't end as expected." Hiccup replied as he grabbed his journal of Dragons.

"Either way, if the Nest is gone then the war is won. Too bad we only discovered it years later." Gobber added followed by a laugh and Hiccup smiled.


One Day Later

Astrid was watching out for the Berk fleet. Hiccup, Gobber, and Fishlegs were updating the Book of Dragons in secret. Some of the villagers tried to ask her who the man helping Gobber was, but she answered with the same lie. A sailor she rescued. No one took it seriously, but she didn't care. For now, it was the truth. But once Stoick gets back, the truth of who the man was, is going to go out. Hopefully Hiccup's plan will be a success. If not, then Berk won't stand a chance against what's coming.


Two Weeks Later

Hiccup entered the Cove where he once trained Toothless. It was so long ago, but he wasn't visiting it for the memories. He was here for a rendevous. Heather organized it so that Hiccup could stay informed of what was happening back on the Edge. Last week, Heather reported to him directly, this week he has no idea who was coming. As he waited in the cove, he remembered touching Toothless's head. How he was able to ride the Night Fury. He knows the major historical events that happened here and soon Berk will know. He sat on a rock and remember the feeling of flight. The rush of the wind, the softness of the clouds, how amazing the world looked. He missed flying on Toothless, but he had a mission for now. When he heard the flapping of wings, Hiccup looked up to see a Deadly Nadder. He instantly recognizes it as Skyler, Luta Makson's dragon. When they landed, Hiccup stood up. "What's the news on Drago?"

"Valka raided a Dragon Trapper fort, C Team responded to a Hunter attack, and Gunni got a new dragon." Luta reported and Hiccup was surprised Gunni was able to get a new dragon so soon.

"What kind of Dragon?" Hiccup asked.

"A Snifflehunch. He rescued it after raiding a Hunter Ship." Luta answered and Hiccup knew that the dragon would be a loyal friend for Gunni, if he likes it or not.

"What about Drago's Army?" Hiccup asked and Luta handed him a scoll.

"Drago's Trappers are being force to go further South and his warships are getting closer to the Edge." Luta reported as Hiccup opened the scroll. It showed sightings of Drago's forces. He expected that the Defenders of the Wing will face the first ships.

"How are the Defenders doing with defenses?"

"Mala is having them build traps, trenches, and barricades throughout the woods to try and force the landings to the South of the island." Luta reported as Hiccup put the scroll in his satchel. "And Yri designed a new warship for our allies who don't want to fly."

"Like the Defenders." Hiccup remarked as Luta handed Hiccup a small book with the designs in them.

"Yeah." Luta said as Hiccup put the book in the satchel

"Is that all?" Hiccup asked.

"Heather might have sunk a Berserker ship and captured the crew." Luta answered hiding her expression and Hiccup was shock, but not surprised at Heather's reaction.

"Are they secured?"

"Yes, but its only a matter of time until the Berserkers try to locate that ship and find the Edge." Luta remarked and Hiccup knew that the Riders can't afford fighting three armies.

"Send word to Dagur. I want to meet with him in seven days. He did acknowledge that Heather was his sister and family is important for everyone, even a Berserker. He might be able to change sides or at the very least think that riding Dragons is crazy and do it out of the craziness." Hiccup ordered and Luta nodded before flying off on her Nadder. Hiccup headed back to the village to tell them, that he needs to leave soon to deal with some business for his Alliance.


Elsewhere

When Stoick saw Astrid's ship docked on Berk, he smiled. Astrid would only have come back if she found Hiccup. The only question is if she found him alive or dead. This was Stoick's longest journey by far. He found the Nest, but it was abandoned, then he searched for answers, and was coming home with a new Allie as well as news the Cheif was surprised to hear of. He still couldn't believe that Drago was close to arising an army of Dragons and another faction of Vikings who ride on the beasts. As the ships docked, Stoick's new Allie stepped to his side.

"So this is Berk. I expected more." Viggo Grimborn remarked and Stoick scoffed.

"What Berk lacks, we make up for in fury and blades." Stoick replied as he got off the ship. Gobber was the first to greet the Cheif. Gobber seemed happy and Stoick knew that his son was home.

"I got good news Cheif." Gobber remarked.

"Is he home?" Stoick asked keeping his emotions in check and Gobber nodded.

"No one knows he's back yet except for Astrid, me, the twins, Fishlegs, Gustav, and now you." Gobber answered counting his fingers and Stoick smiled holding back his laughter of joy.

"Who are we talking about?" Viggo asked behind Stoick.

"Long story. But this Gobber. The Blacksmith and my best advisor. Gobber this is Viggo Grimborn. A Dragon Hunter." Stoick replied introducing the two.

"Oh a Dragon hunter. Guess you been around the world." Gobber remarked.

"Yes, me and my brother made a great wealth in the Dragon Trade despite recent Dragon Riders." Viggo replied and the Blacksmith raised an eyebrow.

"Dragon Riders?" Gobber asked.

"Where is he?" Stoick asked the Blacksmith who turned back to the Cheif.

"Either at the Forge or walking in the woods." Gobber answered and the Cheif rushed off. He passed the Berkians who asked about the stranger and Stoick was thrilled. When he reached the Forge, Gustav was sharpening an ax. The boy stood at attention immediately.

"Sir." Gustav said and Stoick gave a short chuckle.

"Is he here?" Stoick asked.

"No Cheif." Gustav answered.

"When he gets here, send him home and Gustav."

"Yes sir?" Gustav asked with concern.

"Good job." he said before leaving to his hut.


Astrid rushed into the woods to meet with Hiccup and tell him that Stoick has finally arrived. The time has come. He needs to convince Stoick that the Dragons aren't blind monsters and that Hiccup's way was the best way to survive what's coming. When she reached the cove, a Deadly Nadder flew away. She slid between the rocks and found Hiccup. "What you're doing out here?"

"Stoick's back." Astrid answered and Hiccup turned pale. After all these years he was about to see his father again. She grabbed his hand and looked into his eyes. "You can do this."

"Thanks." Hiccup replied softly and the two walked back to the village. Astrid could tell Hiccup was a nervous wreck, but he kept his composure. When they finally reached the Village, Astrid pushed him towards the Forge where Stoick may be waiting. But when they got there, only Gustav was there sharpening an ax.

"Where's Stoick?" Astrid asked and the boy turned towards them.

"He said to tell Hiccup to head home." Gustav answered with a smile and Hiccup sighed. "Good luck."

"Thanks." Hiccup replied before a moment of silence. "How did he look?"

"Happy." Gustav answered and Astrid caught a smile on Hiccup's face.

"Thank you Gustav." Astrid said before pushing Hiccup out of the Forge. The two walked towards Stoick's hut where Hiccup once lived. When they reach the door, Hiccup stared at the hut. "You ready?"

"No, but I don't have much choice." Hiccup said opening the door.


When Hiccup opened the door, he half expected an ax to be thrown, but he walked in to see Stoick standing up from his chair. Hiccup closed the door leaving Astrid outside. The two Vikings were silent for a moment, but Stoick walked towards Hiccup. The Rider wasn't expecting to be back here, but when Astrid found him, everything changed and now he was facing them. When Stoick stood inches away, Hiccup expected something. But what surprised her was a hug. "I thought I lost you." Stoick said and Hiccup hugged back. The two just stood there hugging the other for a few minutes before letting go. "Where have you been all this time?"

"I was trying to find myself." Hiccup answered as they walked over to the chairs. "Here I was Hiccup the Useless, Disaster, Clutz, and son of the Cheif."

"But why just leave. You were a day away from killing your first dragon." Stoick asked as they sat down and Hiccup prepared his half truth.

"I can't kill a dragon." Hiccup said with a sigh. "Remembered when I said I shot down a Night Fury?"

"Yes." Stoick replied.

"Well I found it and I did shot it down, but it escaped the bolas." Hiccup said keeping the fact that he saved Toothless out. "I tracked it down to a cove where it was waiting for its wounds to heal."

"Why didn't you tell anyone?" Stoick asked leaning closer, confused.

"Would you have believed me?" Hiccup asked and Stoick agreed.

"So what happened?"

"I studied the Dragon and used its secrets to survive Dragon Training." Hiccup answered and Stoick leaned back in his chair.

"So you didn't feel that you deserved the honor of killing a dragon?"

"Yes." Hiccup replied and Stoick nodded.

"Hiccup. You learned how to survive the dragons and you did it your way. Sure it is different, but in times of war, one must find new ways of fighting and you found your way of fighting." Stoick remarked. "It just took us too long to see that."

"Yeah, I noticed my Bola Launchers on the cliffs." Hiccup added trying to forget how many dragons were dead to his invention. The two were silent for a few moments. "So what do we do now?"

"Well first we reveal to Berk that you are alive, then we shall have a feast to celebrate and you can tell us of your adventures." Stoick said as he stood up. "You better get to the Great Hall. I'll get the villagers."

"Yeah." Hiccup remarked as Stoick left. Now the Rider was going to be tested. A test he can't afford to lose.