Hiccup watched as the food for the feast was put out on the tables in the Great Hall. It was for the return of the Vikings, but it was about to be for Hiccup's return. He went to the back and waited in the corner as the village arrived in the Hall. He spotted Astrid with her parents. He wanted to wave, but he refused. As the last of the Vikings walked in, they spotted Hiccup and began to whisper amongst themselves wondering who he was. The Rider just waited for his father. When Stoick arrived he wasn't alone. Gobber was to his right and Viggo was to his left. The sight of Viggo made Hiccup's stomach turn. The war between Riders and Hunters has come to Berk and despite Hiccup's efforts, it appeared as if they were siding with the Hunters. When Viggo spotted Hiccup, the Rider look directly at the Hunter. Viggo smiled as Stoick greeted the Viking warriors on by on while he got to his table. Viggo and Gobber took a seat while Stoick gathered Berk's attention.
"Attention everyone I got plenty of good news to tell." Stoick yelled clapping his hands together. "First is that the Dragons Nest has been gone for years now and we just found what remains." he said and the crowd cheered. "Second is that we have a new Allie, Viggo Grimbone and his Dragon Hunters." Stoick added and Viggo stood up with light cheers. "And finally for the greatest news of all. One of our own has returned home. Welcome the Pride of Berk, my son, Hiccup Haddock!" Hiccup walked up to Stoick's side while the villagers stood up clapping, cheering, and some were joyfully singing. For a moment Hiccup didn't feel like a screw up. He felt like a Viking. A feeling that was soon extinguished. "Today we celebrate his safe return! Tomorrow my son will kill the Monstrous Nightmare!"
Berk cheered as the feast began. Vikings rushed towards Hiccup asking him questions about his journey. Kids asked how Hiccup got his peg leg and he told them the lie. He found some Vikings who were planning on forcing the massive Dragon known as the Red Death out of the Nest and send it far away, but the Monstrous Nightmare Gel barrels did nothing but annoy the dragon. What happened next turned into a heated battle. Hiccup saved a friend of his after the dragon fired a pillar of flames at them. But Hiccup lost his leg and soon blacked out. After he woke back up sometime later, he learned that his Allies were saved by a Night Fury. Some were in shock that a dragon would have helped the Vikings, but Hiccup had no reason to lie about such things.
Then he told them of his Alliance and war against Drago Bludvist. At the mention of the name, Hiccup saw Stoick and Gobber eye each other and pay attention to the stories. Something was going on. He told of how he led warriors against Drago's forces in successful raids and battles. The Berk warriors gathered nodded, impressed with Hiccup's new skills. Then he told them about Johann's betrayal and Hiccup's battle against him. But added that he was able to intercept one of his ships and chase Johann leaving Berserker Island. A battle began and Hiccup won. Berk was surprised at Johann's betrayal, but it started to make sense with ambushes and dragon troubles that Johann got Berk into. When the feast and cheers started to cool down, the Great Hall started to clear out. As Hiccup and Stoick walked back home, Viggo caught up to them. "Chief Stoick, may I speak with Hiccup for a moment? I would like to know more of Drago's movements to see if both are forces accidentally engaged each other because of Drago's Dragon Trappers."
"Of course." Stoick answered and Hiccup held back his expression. "I'll see you back home son."
"Okay, see you later dad." Hiccup said and when Stoick was gone and no Viking was around, the Dragon Rider turned to the Dragon Hunter.
"Hiccup Haddock." Viggo remarked with a chuckle at the end. "Who would have known."
"What you want Viggo?" Hiccup asked sharply.
"I want Drago gone same as you."
"Except you want all Dragons to be dead." Hiccup added.
"Not true. I want some alive to be hunted and reproduce the next generation of dragons for the next generation of Hunters." Viggo remarked.
"What do you want?" Hiccup asked knowing that Viggo could have exposed him.
"I want you and your Riders to join me. Together we can break Drago's forces. If you do this then I'll help you get out of killing that dragon." Viggo answered and Hiccup clenched his fist.
"I will never work with you." Hiccup replied and Viggo smiled.
"You have until the morning to decide and I suggest you take it." Viggo said before walking away. Hiccup hurried to his home only to be dragged behind a stature. He saw that it was Astrid.
"What is Viggo doing here?" Astrid asked.
"I don't know, but now I'm being blackmailed by Viggo." Hiccup said leaning on the statue.
"What is he wanting?"
"For me to work with his Hunters." Hiccup answered.
"And that is a big no." Astrid added and the Rider nodded. "So what now?"
"Tomorrow I will either let a dragon live, but die by Berkian blades or kill a dragon which would kill me." Hiccup said rubbing his chin.
"Maybe we can rescue the dragons?" Astrid suggested and Hiccup smirked.
"Look who is suggesting rescuing dragons now." Hiccup remarked and Astrid punched his arm. The Rider rubbed the sore spot.
"Shut up." Astrid ordered and the two were silent. Their choices were limited, but he was starting to have an idea form in his head.
"I have a plan." Hiccup said before rushing off.
"What is it?" Astrid yelled.
"Wait until tomorrow!" he answered as he ran home. When he reached the hut, Hiccup opened the door to see Stoick stroking the fire. The Rider closed the door and walked towards his dad.
"Is it true?" Stoick asked and Hiccup was silent. "Is it true that Drago is building a Dragon Army?"
"Yes. I lost a few friends to his Dragons." Hiccup answered as Stoick sat in his chair.
"I met Drago years ago." Stoick said and Hiccup was right that something was going on between the Chief and Drago. Perfect. "I was at a meeting with other Chieftains discussing the war with the dragons when a man from a strange landed entered. He carried no weapon and wore a cloak of Dragon scales. He said that he alone could control the Dragons and that he alone can keep us safe. But we would have to bow to him. We laughed and he wrapped himself in the cloak and cried out 'then see how well you do without me!'. Then the ceiling burst into flames and from it, armored Dragons descended burning the Hall to the ground. I was the only one to escape."
"That was years ago. We're better equipped and Berk isn't alone in this fight." Hiccup replied sitting next to his father. "The Alliance I formed is fighting Drago's forces. We encountered a few Dragons, but we are holding strong. If you let me go back, I'll get some men, equipment, and my inventions and bring them to Berk."
"How long is a trip to and back?" Stoick asked.
"A week to and back." Hiccup answered and the Chief rubbed his chin despite the large beard.
"I guess we'll have to postpone your Dragon Kill until a later time. First, we need to focus on Drago's Army." Stoick said and Hiccup smiled.
Next Morning
"Settle down, settle down!" Stoick yelled in the Great Hall. Astrid watched as Hiccup ate his breakfast next to Viggo. She could tell that Hiccup disliked the fact he was next to the Hunter. But he kept his cool despite sitting next to his foe. "Now that I have your attention, I have something of great importance to discuss!"
"If it's the boy's big day then we'll be there!" Spitelout yelled and the Viking laughed as did Stoick.
"No, unfortunately, it has to do with Drago Bludvist." Stoick replied and there were whispers in the Hall. Some Vikings didn't believe that a man could force Dragons into submission while others understood the seriousness of the situation. "I met Drago years ago with other Chiefs. He wanted us to bow down to him. We laughed and he unleashed armored dragons on us. I alone survived." Stoick said with a soft tone. "Which is why the killing will be postponed until Drago is defeated once and for all." Stoick added which was met with complaints for Berk was waiting for this day for years. Hiccup stood up and Stoick nodded at his son.
"I know all of you want to see me kill this dragon, but Drago has a fleet of warships larger than any ship docked in Berk. He outnumbers us ten to one. Recently he tried to get his hands on the King of Dragons. The Alpha. A Bewilderbeast. If he gets that dragon he won't need others to trap dragons. All he needs is the Alpha." Hiccup said as the Vikings whispered among themselves.
"So we find it and kill it!" Tuffnut yelled and the Vikings cheered.
"No. The Bewilderbest is bigger than the Red Death and more powerful." Hiccup answered and the Hall went silent knowing that the Red Death was more powerful than anything Berk had. "We need gather our forces to launch an assault on Drago's Fleet. Then we stand a chance."
"So what do we need?" Stoick asked and Hiccup smiled.
"We need weapons and new ships." Hiccup answered as he pulled out the small book and handed it to Gobber. "My friend Yri designed a ship for our forces. We don't have the dockyard to build it due to Drago's relentless assaults, but if Berk can upgrade their docks we can build it."
"This is an impressive design." Gobber noted.
"We need to work together and use new tactics to win this war." Hiccup said knowing that Viggo was watching him closely. The Hall cheered in agreement and Astrid joined them. When the meeting was over and soon breakfast was as well. Hiccup talked to Fishlegs then the Twins and other Berkians. When he reached Astrid, Viggo and most of the Vikings were out of the hall.
"Good speech and good job buying yourself time." Astrid said.
"Thanks, but that is just the beginning. I still got to get the Dragon in the arena free." Hiccup replied as he handed Astrid a piece of parchment. "This is where I want you to meet me in one week."
"The other side of Berk?" Astrid asked confused.
"Yep. Just part of the plan. Trust me." Hiccup said with a smirk.
"Says the Dragon Rider." Astrid whispered with a smirk as Hiccup walked out.
Later That Day
As Hiccup was loading a ship he saw Viggo walking towards him. The Rider stood straight seeing his foe. Hiccup knew he was running out of time so he was prepared for a fight of words with the Hunter. "I have to admit young Haddock, I am impressed with you buying time for yourself."
"Thanks." Hiccup replied as the Rider grabbed a crate of yak jerky.
"So you are going to go back to the Edge and what? Get Dragons to teach Berk how to ride them?" Viggo asked mocking the Rider as he put the crate of jerky on the boat.
"I won't tell you Viggo." Hiccup said as he untied the ship from the dock.
"Know this Hiccup. Our battle isn't going to stop at the Edge. Sooner or later our little war is coming here. To Berk. And when it does, it will be destroyed. Unless we join forces Hiccup." Viggo remarked and Hiccup held back his anger.
"Viggo. You and I. We will never be Allies." Hiccup answered as his ship started to sail off. He watched as Viggo smiled. He was going to be alone on Berk and Astrid had to discrete the Hunter in secret. Hiccup just hopes Berk can change their minds on Dragons.
