{Normal POV}

[Berk; Nine Days Later]

It was difficult for the village to accept Stoick's announcement that Hiccup didn't remember anything of the last five years other than the fact they all mistreated him and Hiccup went about his days believing that he didn't have anything or anybody. Of course, this wasn't entirely true because Gobber was one of the only people Hiccup would joke and laugh around with. If anyone else tried, Hiccup got all shy or quiet in deciding not to upset anyone. Viggo and Ryker were still on Berk, and watching to see how things developed. Gobber had been the one to tell Hiccup that Vikings were trying to have peace with Dragons. This was best explained by Gobber telling Hiccup that it was something his mother had tried to make happen; that she wanted to find another way, so when the dragons that were present on the island were seen to be docile, they let them stay. Thus far, Hiccup seemed to accept that, but he still stayed away from them. Most of Hiccup's days were spent in the forge with Gobber, and the blacksmith revealed that the shop was Hiccup's favorite place to be and he did the work well. Dagur had returned to Berserker Island, but Heather remained behind to see if she could help at all. The dragon riders only went flying when Hiccup was distracted with the forge, they figured it would assist in not freaking him out, which Viggo and Ryker warned them not to do because it could make things worse.

Toothless missed his best friend, and he still kept a watch but from afar. The hardest thing to explain to Hiccup was his left leg missing, however, Hiccup ended up getting a small flash of losing it in some battle. Hiccup didn't recall what the fight was, but he knew he'd lost it. It wasn't a lot of progress, but they were getting somewhere at least. The village went on an average day, doing their own thing and leaving Hiccup be because they didn't want to force him to remember. Viggo and Ryker had been allowed to wander the village, but they couldn't go in any houses, or leave the perimeter that Stoick set, so those to just walked around and remained not far from Hiccup to see if there were any clues in him recalling other things.

"We're nearing two weeks on this," Ryker mentioned.

"Patience, brother," Viggo reminded. "The boy went through quite a bit,"

"You know Drago is plotting his revenge; our murder and to capture Hiccup again," Ryker sighed.

"We're safe here. As Hiccup told Drago; he won't come near the island because he doesn't stand a chance at taking on the dragons here," Viggo informed. "We can worry about all that later; the essential thing that needs to happen is for Hiccup to remember everything,"

"Doesn't seem like much is going on in that," Ryker shrugged.

"It will take time, though, I don't believe it's helping that the village isn't trying to make Hiccup believe anything otherwise," Viggo explained.

"What do you mean?" Ryker inquired.

"Hiccup's mind has reverted back to five years ago when there weren't dragons in their lives except for raids, and that Red Death. The Tribe mistreated Hiccup, ignored him, and made it seem like they didn't care. Hiccup reverted to this after the suffering he endured because this was a time it didn't hurt him," Viggo continued. "Johann did get into Hiccup's head right before the rape by Drago. That's why Hiccup is blocking everything else because Hiccup knows that these people didn't care about him before Toothless, back then, he accepted he would never be a genuine part of this village. To avoid hurt from the torture, this is what has happened; he blocked everything associated with the pain. Is this making sense?"

"I guess. What you're saying is that they're treating him the same way as before, so it won't feel different to him?" Ryker questioned.

"Precisely. How is Hiccup to remember everything that changed if they are treating him as if nothing ever did?" Viggo looked at his elder brother.

"Why haven't you told them?" Ryker wondered.

"I had hoped that they might realize the mistake on their own. Truthfully; it could affect Hiccup even after he recalls everything in the sense he harbors that hurt towards them for still not treating him like a member of the Tribe even if he had lost his memory for a bit," Viggo informed.

"You believe that if they made Hiccup feel he was part of the Tribe; he would remember those feelings and start recalling the last five years in pieces, like he did with the leg?" Ryker glanced at Viggo.

"It's a possibility, but that is for them to figure out. Hiccup would never hate them, but that won't erase the feelings of hurt and abandonment when he was fifteen and then risked his and his dragon's life for them. That will come through again when Hiccup sees they treated him no different while he couldn't remember things after the torture he took to protect them and the dragons," Viggo mentioned.

"So they are doing more damage than repair," Ryker said now with a nod of understanding.

"If you want my honest opinion; I believe the only one who is going to get Hiccup to remember everything is the one who changed it in the first place," Viggo remarked.

"The Night Fury," Ryker's eyes widened a bit.

"Yes. The bond that Hiccup and Toothless formed five years ago, which ended the war, and brought peace. The bond that changed everything. Toothless might be the only one who can break through," Viggo nodded. Little did the Grimborn brothers know that Toothless wasn't far from them and overheard.

They believe that I can help Hiccup remember? Toothless questioned to himself. The dragon supposed it could true; Hiccup and he had a strong bond. However, Toothless getting close to Hiccup was a bit of a chore because he would start panicking. Toothless had seen Hiccup have moments where he had to be seeing some flashes. Hiccup would just stop whatever it was he was doing, then close his eyes. A moment or two later, Hiccup would shake his head and continue working, but he'd hold a look of confusion on his face while trying to analyze whatever it was he saw.

Toothless? We're going flying with the humans, are you coming? Meatlug wondered.

Don't see how I can. Stoick is busy with his Chief duties and I can't fly on my own, remember? Toothless snorted.

Oh, right. Sorry. Barf said. Toothless looked away from them towards Hiccup who was in the forge.

It's fine. I enjoy flying, but it's not the same without Hiccup. Toothless admitted.

I'm sure he'll remember soon, Toothless. You heard what Viggo and Ryker said he went through. Stormfly assured.

And that's what worries me. Hiccup blocks it now; what happens when he does recall everything? How broken will be? Toothless looked down. You heard them; Hiccup might not ever be the one we knew again.

Hiccup will always be Hiccup, Toothless. No matter what happens to him; he'll still get back up and keep fighting for what he believes in. Look at all he endured to protect us, and the humans. It might take a bit, but Hiccup will heal. And I bet it will be your bond with him that makes the most significant difference. Windshear rubbed against Toothless's face.

I hope you're right. Toothless replied. Moments later, the dragons departed with their riders as Toothless moved closer to the forge to sit down outside of it and stare into where Hiccup was working on something. Hiccup happened to look up and see Toothless there.

"Hey, Gobber? Why does this Night Fury keep sitting outside the forge to watch me?" Hiccup asked.

"Maybe he likes ya," Gobber offered.

"Haha," Hiccup laughed sarcastically.

"Well, he doesn't hang around anyone else, laddie," Gobber informed.

"Why doesn't he go flying?" Hiccup questioned.

"Downed dragon, lad. The Night Fury is missing his left tail fin," Gobber stated. "Maybe that's why he hangs around because you don't have your leg and he sees someone like himself?" he suggested. Hiccup decided to take off his apron and look out the window to see the Night Fury without his tail.

"Hiccup, what are you doing?" Stoick asked as Hiccup looked at him next.

"Checking something," Hiccup replied before coming out of the forge to get a better look.

"What's he doing?" Stoick questioned Gobber.

"I suggest leaving it be, Stoick. Hiccup seems to be displaying some curiosity about the dragon, and if I'm not mistaken, that is how things started; did they not?" Viggo said while walking up with Ryker.

"Actually, I have no idea how these two met. I know Hiccup shot him down, and that's how Toothless lost the fin, but everything else; I got nothing. Hiccup never told anyone how he and Toothless became friends," Stoick shrugged.

"Then it would be in the best interest to let this play out," Viggo informed.

"What's going on?" Astrid inquired as they arrived with their dragons.

"Ssh," Ryker put a finger to his lips. Hiccup ended up looking Toothless's tail, then his own leg before giving a signature smile when he got an idea. Hiccup moved back into the forge and started pulling out a bunch of stuff. Nobody understood what Hiccup was doing, but they saw him start cutting fabric, leather, connecting things, weighing it out, hammering it to shape. After a good hour or so, Hiccup held it up as the group was able to see the original tail Toothless had before the fight with Red Death destroyed it. Hiccup moved back outside and to the tail of the Night Fury. Hiccup sat on Toothless's tail, putting the tail on as Toothless looked back at him.

He remembered how to build the first one? Then I wonder… Toothless suddenly grinned as he got into a pounce position then launched into the air with Hiccup still on his tail.

"Woah!" Hiccup yelled out and clung to the tail tightly. Toothless reached a certain height then began to fall.

"Hiccup doesn't remember how to fly him!" Fishlegs squeaked out.

"Leave it be," Viggo put his arm out to stop the group from going after Hiccup. In the air, Hiccup saw the tail he made flapping around in the wind. Hiccup grabbed the and pulled it out as they swooped back around.

"Haha! Yes; it works!" Hiccup cheered. Toothless turned lowered back to the ground as Hiccup got off. "I just gotta make it stay open on its own…" Hiccup panted before going back into the forge.

"Let him figure it out," Ryker told the group.

"This could be how they became friends in the first place. Hiccup giving Toothless his flight back," Viggo added. Not wanting to argue, all they could do was just watch as Hiccup starting getting more thing to work on.

Hours had passed with many more failed attempts to get Toothless into the air, and crashes to the ground while Hiccup kept adding more pieces to the rig. Finally, Hiccup had recreated entirely the first tail he ever built for Toothless. Hiccup had done all this at fifteen to get this dragon back in the air.

"There, that should do it," Hiccup put his hands on his hips. "If I get on your back to test this, are you going to blast me if we crash?" Hiccup asked the dragon. Toothless shook his head to him. Hiccup hesitantly threw his leg over the saddle and locked his left leg in place on the side. "Alright, nice and easy now," Hiccup told Toothless. Without warning, Toothless shot into the air as Hiccup gripped the saddle tightly.

"I get it now. This is how Hiccup learned to fly Toothless, this is how he became a dragon rider by working to get Toothless back into the air after taking his tail when Hiccup shot him down," Astrid said in surprise. "And it's how he got good in training too. All those things we saw during the test runs, he learned it from Toothless," Everyone was watching as Toothless leveled out in the air, then Hiccup began working on changing tail positions to stay in the air and move around. Toothless stuck his tongue out of his mouth and climbed higher, but Hiccup hadn't been prepared for it as his leg came loose and he fell off Toothless; heading for the ground.

"TOOTHLESS!" Hiccup yelled out. Instinctively, Toothless dove down, tucking his wings and got under Hiccup who eased himself back into the seat. Unfortunately, they were headed for obstacles to avoid.

Come on, Hiccup! Remember! Please, remember! Toothless pleaded. Hiccup looked terrified but he held the handles and got a determined look on his face as he pressed the pedal to level Toothless. Hiccup stayed focused as he continued to change the position to avoid everything, then finally, the two landed.

Hiccup panted a few times as he sat up. "You…can fly, just…not without…me. I guess this makes me your rider, and friend?" Hiccup asked as Toothless lifted his neck and licked Hiccup's cheek. "Ew, but you're welcome," Hiccup smiled.

"Does this…mean he remembers?" Snotlout asked.

"No, but this is how they became friends; it's not the bond, though. Something else happened to form that," Viggo stated.

And I know exactly what they're talking about too. Hiccup and I bonded before he made the tail for me, which means if I do the things from the first time…Hiccup and I could re-bond. Toothless said as Hiccup climbed off his back. Hiccup grabbed a fish from the barrel and held it out to him. This is my chance. Toothless thought. Toothless neared the fish and sniffed it, then backed up with a growl. Hiccup flinched a bit as he followed Toothless's eyes to his dagger on the belt. Hiccup reached for it, then tossed it aside as Toothless sat back relaxed. Hiccup held the fish out to him as Toothless got close once more, teeth hidden.

"Huh? Toothless? I could have sworn you had-," Hiccup began as the teeth dropped and Toothless snatched the fish up, eating it in two bites. Hiccup was holding his hands against his chest, having been terrified to lose his fingers in that. "…teeth," he finished his sentence. Toothless got closer as Hiccup backed up and tripped. "No. No, I-I don't have any more," Hiccup said nervously.

Even though there is a whole barrel full next to him? And he said that line-He's starting to remember it! Toothless exclaimed as he began to regurgitate the fish, dropping half into Hiccup's lap. Toothless sat back now, watching him. Hiccup held the fish, not sure what to do with it until Toothless nudged his way. Hiccup looked at the fish, then at Toothless. Hiccup brought the fish up to his mouth.

"Uh," Hiccup drawled out before taking a bite of it.

"That's disgus-," Snotlout started as Ryker clamped a hand over the young Viking's mouth.

"Ssh," Viggo told them. "Toothless knows how they bonded, and I think he's recreating it for Hiccup to make him remember,"

Hiccup held the bite in his mouth. "Mmhm," he tried to smile. Toothless swallowed as Hiccup's eyes widened and then he rolled them. Hiccup swallowed the fish in his mouth, then it nearly came back up and he forced it down again. "Bleh," Hiccup mouthed as he smiled at Toothless. "Happy now?" Toothless gave a gummy smile as Hiccup tried to touch him, but Toothless backed up. "Not there yet, got it," Hiccup sighed as he looked at the dirt a moment before closing his eyes. Afterward, Hiccup grabbed a stick and started doing a drawing of Toothless there as Toothless sat next to him watching.

That's it… Toothless nodded his head before grabbed a bigger stick and drawing a bunch of random lines around Hiccup, which made him stand to get a better look. Toothless stopped across from the work he'd done with a nod of approval. Come on, Hiccup… Toothless looked at his friend. Hiccup started walking the lines, accidentally stepping on one. Toothless growled at him as Hiccup stepped off, then again; another growl. Finally, Hiccup stepped over it as Toothless purred. Hiccup smiled and began following the trail.

"Hey, what did I miss?" Dagur asked as he landed with Sluether.

"Quiet," Viggo told him quickly. Hiccup followed the lines entirely until he stopped, his back against Toothless. Hiccup stepped back and looked at Toothless closely. Hiccup reached his hand out but Toothless growled at him again. Hiccup sighed as he closed his eyes, then turned his head away before reaching his hand out the second time. The area had come to a dead silence as Toothless closed his eyes and leaned into Hiccup's palm. Hiccup's head whipped around and stared at Toothless until the dragon opened his eyes. Hiccup pulled his hand away slowly as Toothless warbled gently, nudging Hiccup's face and licking his cheek again.

Remember me. Please? Toothless pleaded with his eyes. At that moment, Hiccup's eyes widened as he froze. Random images flashed across his mine and Hiccup grabbed his head before hitting his knees and yelling out. Hiccup shook his head back and forth; closing his eyes tightly.

"Son!" Stoick called. Toothless moved in and blocked them from getting any closer. As fast as it began; it was over. Hiccup panted hard with his hands on the ground, bent forward. Toothless went in front of him and cooed lightly, touching his forehead to his riders. Hiccup pushed off the ground and looked up to see Toothless there.

"T-Toothless?" Hiccup asked slowly.

It's me! Yes, it's me, Hiccup! Toothless screeched, nuzzling his friend affectionately. Hiccup looked behind him at everyone, even seeing Viggo and Ryker there. He was…home? Hiccup's eyes widened. HE WAS HOME! Hiccup's bottom lip quivered as tears formed in his eyes. Suddenly, Hiccup threw himself at Toothless, wrapping his arms around his dragon's neck and letting the tears fall from his green eyes.

"Now, see Ryker? I told you the dragon would be the one to make it come back," Viggo informed proudly.

"Yeah, yeah," Ryker rolled his eyes.

"Toothless! I'm so happy to see you bud! I've missed you so much!" Hiccup hugged his friend. Toothless let out what sounded like a sigh of relief as he raised his front paw and embraced Hiccup back. 'I'm home…And I…remember Toothless; my best friend! I remember him,' Hiccup thought, wholly overtaken by the emotions he felt to be home.