{Normal POV}

[Drago's Fortress]

Drago Bludvist furiously threw things around, slamming his fist on the desk or into walls while pacing around as Krogan and Johann tried to stay out of his way. Only hours after the raping, Krogan went to see if Hiccup had woken up and found him no longer in the cell. The first thing done was announce that there had been a prisoner escape, as Drago locked the island down and ordered a complete search for the boy. By the end of three days; Hiccup could not be found. Two days following that; it came to Drago's attention that Viggo and Ryker Grimborn were already missing as well when Drago ordered for all workers to report to him so he could find out who let Hiccup go. Viggo and Ryker were not present. After the ships had been accounted for; Drago moved to inventory the next method of transport Hiccup might have had to leave the island; the dragons, and one of the Titan Wing Monstrous Nightmares was gone. Unfortunately, the assumption was easy to make; Viggo and Ryker were the ones to set Hiccup free, and then they all made an escape on the Titan Wing Nightmare. Krogan and Johann were the ones to bravely confront Drago about their suspicions, such was the reason for the man's anger now.

"How could they have possibly gotten the boy out!" Drago raged while Krogan and Johann flinched at his tone.

"We are led to believe that Viggo and Ryker assisted him," Johann put a finger up nervously.

"But how would they have gotten his chains and shackles off!" Drago yelled.

"That might be because Johann here didn't have the boy's shackles and chain put back on after the rapes endured by the men," Krogan informed calmly, trying to save himself from some of the anger. Drago glared at Johann.

"N-Now, Drago. I couldn't have known those two were plotting to break Hiccup out. I mean, the boy was passed out when we walked away, and I assumed that from everything that happened; he wouldn't have been going anywhere soon," Johann defended quickly.

"You also didn't put any guards on him and I warned you Viggo and Ryker were skulking around down there, and had been shocked to find Hiccup locked up," Krogan rolled his eyes. "We should have disposed of them after the Dragon Eye incident,"

"Why would the boy ever work with them, and he was passed out!" Johann stated.

"Perhaps not. Viggo and Ryker would have had no inkling of how to train a dragon to fly them out of there. Hiccup must have woken up and done that himself," Krogan crossed his arms over his chest.

"But why would Hiccup work with them after everything? That doesn't make sense," Johann argued.

"It doesn't need to make sense if Hiccup was desperate enough to get away from here with his only means of escape being two former enemies," Krogan scoffed.

"ENOUGH!" Drago scolded both of them. "By this time now, they've already reached Berk and that scrawny little runt is back with his Night Fury. There is no getting him back, and we're down a Dragon Eye to find the Bewilderbeast," he added angrily, another punch going on the desk.

"But we do know where one is," Krogan offered as Drago looked at him. "The woman's,"

"That thing would never allow the dragons to harm others. I needed my own to raise to defeat hers and become the Alpha," Drago muttered. "The boy was my only chance and those two idiots let him go,"

"All might not be lost, Drago. We may not have a Dragon Eye to find a Bewilderbeast, but we have a boy who would do anything to protect that woman if he knew the truth of who she is," Johann mentioned.

"What are you getting at?" Krogan inquired.

[Berk]

It had been a full month since Viggo and Ryker returned Hiccup home, but only two weeks since Hiccup had started to recall things over the last five years. Viggo and Ryker had both agreed to an alliance with Hiccup to stop Drago's reign. Dagur was also in on this, and currently he was out with Stoick and Spitelout; going around to the other islands to see if anyone else wanted to help. Unfortunately, this left Hiccup in charge as Acting Chief in his father's absence. Toothless faithfully remained by his rider's side during all this, as did Viggo and Ryker. Viggo knew how to be Chief so since Gobber was a bit busy with the forge work, Hiccup inquired to Viggo if the man could lend a hand in some things. Viggo didn't mind assisting, and hopefully Stoick would be back soon; he'd only been gone a week thus far, and they decided to use the ships instead of the dragons, which Hiccup really didn't understand. Among all that, Hiccup was still remembering things in sections, and at random. Initially, this should be a good thing, but for Astrid; she only wondered if Hiccup would recall that they were dating.

Yes, that had been made official when Astrid temporarily lost her sight. After Gothi brought it back; Hiccup and Astrid started a relationship between them. However, it seemed that Hiccup hadn't remembered any of this because anytime Astrid tried to get close to him; he would pull away. Astrid didn't understand it, and truthfully, it hurt a bit. How could Hiccup remember bits and pieces of everything else except them? Astrid had been by Hiccup's side through everything, but now, it was like Hiccup never loved her at all, or at least that he couldn't remember he did. Stormfly squawked lightly and nudged against Astrid to get her attention as she sighed when Hiccup walked by with Toothless, Viggo, and Ryker.

"Hey, you okay?" came Heather's voice from beside Astrid.

"Physically, not emotionally," Astrid closed her eyes.

"It's about Hiccup not remembering you, isn't it?" Heather inquired.

"I just don't understand it. Hiccup can recall every single thing that the twins have broken over the last five years, but not that we love one another?" Astrid looked at her best friend.

"I suppose it is a little strange, but he went through a lot, Astrid," Heather reminded softly.

"And that thing is; he remembers me, just not that we're in love, and dating," Astrid reiterated while looking up to see Hiccup helping a villager with something. "It's like he's completely wiped it out, and that…hurts,"

"Have you tried to re-spark things?" Heather wondered.

"What do you mean?" Astrid questioned.

"Well, Hiccup started remembering things involving Toothless because he knew how to re-create the moment they bonded. What if you attempted to do things that you two used to do after you began dating? Hold and kiss him? Flights together? Stuff like that?" Heather suggested.

"I guess I could give it a shot, but he's busy with the Acting Chief job," Astrid mumbled.

"That doesn't matter; Hiccup always makes time for you, even when you two weren't going out," Heather smiled.

"That's true," Astrid nodded. Yeah, why couldn't she give that a shot? "Thanks, Heather," Astrid smiled as Heather got up and headed off. Astrid sat and pondered now; what could she suggest to Hiccup for them to do that he wouldn't refuse because they'd done it in the past?

Later that day, Astrid managed to find Hiccup without Viggo and Ryker. Honestly, she didn't like that Hiccup and the Grimborn brothers seemed like they were more friends and just temporary allies. Astrid had this sneaking suspicion that as soon as Drago was dealt with; Viggo and Ryker would turn on them once more. Hiccup seemed to trust the two, and in the long run; what could Viggo and Ryker do without the Dragon Eye? And they had destroyed it themselves, so maybe they wouldn't be able to do anything. It wasn't Astrid's concern right now. Hiccup was walking with Toothless through the village as she was flying on Stormfly. Astrid smiled as she had her Nadder land, then she climbed off and moved next to Hiccup.

"Hiccup, hi," Astrid beamed.

"Hey, Astrid," Hiccup greeted.

""How are you?" Astrid inquired gently.

"Bit tired. You?" Hiccup replied.

"I'm okay. Why are you tired; didn't sleep well?" Astrid looked at him while they walked and the dragons followed behind.

"Yeah; nightmares…" Hiccup kept his eyes forward. Astrid frowned; she should have expected that. "So is there something you came to see me for?"

"I, uh, was going to see if you needed any help?" Astrid attempted.

"Not really. Viggo and Ryker helped me with most of the bigger things. I'm just walking through to keep an eye on it all," Hiccup informed.

"O-Oh," Astrid glanced off to the side now. "Can I just walk with you then?"

"I suppose if you really want to," Hiccup shrugged. There was silence between them a moment or two. "Is there something bothering you? You don't typically ever want to be anywhere near me,"

"What do you mean? I love being around you," Astrid stated.

"Since when? Your thing is flying Stormfly, punching Snotlout for his attempts to flirt, scolding the twins, throwing your axe at trees, or hanging with Heather," Hiccup reminded.

"Well, Snotlout and the twins are idiots most of the time, and Heather had to go back to Berserker Island to check on things since Dagur is away. Fishlegs is…Well, I actually don't know what he's doing right now. You're my friend too," Astrid smiled at him.

"You wanted to spend time with me?" Hiccup arched a brow.

"Of course, Hiccup. And since everything in the village is okay right now, do you, maybe, want to take a flight with me?" Astrid questioned as she linked her arm around Hiccup's then intertwined their fingers together. At first, Hiccup flinched and closed his eyes. Astrid looked at him quickly; was he remembering? Hiccup put a hand on his head. "Hiccup?" Finally, Hiccup opened his eyes and took a few deep breaths before pulling his hand away from Astrid's. "Wh-What's wrong?"

"N-Nothing. It's nothing, Astrid. I, uh, I'll catch up with you later. Um, rain check on that flight, okay?" Hiccup backed up and threw his leg over Toothless's saddle.

"Yeah, sure," Astrid said softly, apparently hurt. Toothless took to the sky and Astrid watched them get farther away. Sighing, Astrid got on Stormfly and went in the opposite direction.

Nobody saw Astrid until that evening when dinner was served in the Mead Hall. Hiccup was sitting in his father's place watching everyone else eat, laugh, and talk as if they didn't have a madman coming after them. Hiccup guessed that Stoick might have assured everything was under control, and no one questioned that. Heather had returned and was sitting with the group of friends. Gobber was on Hiccup's left while Viggo and Ryker were to the right side. Toothless was laying on the stone floor behind the four males.

"How did it go with Hiccup today?" Heather asked Astrid.

"I thought we were making progress, but he withdrew and flew off on Toothless," Astrid informed.

"What do you mean?" Heather put her hand on Astrid's shoulder. Astrid sighed and took a deep breath before explaining to her friend about the incident earlier. "Well, maybe he was getting sections of memory involving you two, but they don't make sense yet? Viggo and Ryker both said that it could take time while Hiccup heals from everything,"

"But to completely forget everything about us? I kissed him after the Red Death fight, and after the Thawfest games. Doesn't he remember any of that? Or the kisses we shared after I got blinded for a little bit from that lightning strike?" Astrid looked down.

"Astrid, I know it's not what you want to hear, but Hiccup went through literal hell for a year, and while he got saved; it happened after he was raped for five hours, minus the little time between Drago's doing and then his workers," Fishlegs interjected. "Dealing with that isn't easy. Hiccup could be feeling a mass of things right now, and its overpowering his love for you,"

"Fishlegs is right. Hiccup remembers things in sections, or they come about as random, fragmented memories that don't make sense to him, like I said before. The rapes could be playing a part in why his mind is blocking what he feels for you. Maybe earlier he started to see something, but then the rape came forward, and he ran away because he doesn't want anyone to see him fall apart," Heather tried to comfort her friend. Astrid looked down and sighed with her eyes closed.

"I don't think he'll block it forever; just until he heals from everything. Plus we've got an impending battle with the man who caused everything. Hiccup might not be able to recover until Drago is gone, and he knows he's safe," Fishlegs offered. Astrid nodded to show she understood, but she needed answers, and it looked like she would have to turn to Viggo for them since it was his findings to point to why Hiccup forgot things in the first place.

Astrid waited until Hiccup had gone off on Toothless for the night flight, then she cornered Viggo and Ryker as they exited the Mead Hall.

"I need a word with you," Astrid demanded while blocking their path to continue walking.

"Certainly, Astrid. What seems to be the trouble?" Viggo replied.

"Not here," Astrid told him, then motioned that he and his brother follow her. After ten minutes, they ended up just a little inside the woods. Astrid stopped and faced him now, still angry at herself that she was even coming to Viggo to figure this out. "Why doesn't Hiccup remember that he and I are dating?"

"I'm afraid I don't follow?" Ryker stated.

"It happened before The Edge was destroyed by lava, and we'd found you again. There was a bad storm and a lightning bolt struck in front of me; I got temporarily blinded. All that aside, after Gothi did something to bring my sight back, Hiccup and I kissed and started a romantic relationship. You should know this; you used me against him to give up the Dragon Eye," Astrid reminded.

"Ah, yes. I do recall that incident," Viggo nodded.

"I kissed Hiccup after he woke up from the Red Death fight, and the Thawfest games, plus the multiple times we were living on Dragon's Edge. However, Hiccup…doesn't seem to remember anything love related to him and me, and I figured you might know why that is," Astrid mumbled, hating the fact she was going to Viggo about this matter.

"Why would you think I know?" Viggo asked.

"Because you're the one who knew that Hiccup lost five years of his memory due to everything he endured. Hiccup's been remembering things for two weeks, but…nothing about him and me. I wanted to see if you had any insight? Heather and Fishlegs think it might be because he's still healing," Astrid said.

"I suppose it's possible. As the time continued to pass since the torture ensued; Hiccup will overcome it. I believe Hiccup might be blocking feelings or memories of you, unaware that he is because they could be hurting him," Viggo offered.

"How so? Wouldn't things about us bring…I don't know, a sense of comfort to him since we've helped each other through everything else together?" Astrid wondered.

"In most cases, yes, but you have to remember that Hiccup suffered all he did to protect all of you. I've mentioned this," Viggo remarked.

"Yeah, I know all that. It's because of how we treated him in the past," Astrid huffed.

"Not just the past; you all treated him like he didn't matter after he lost his memories too," Ryker interjected.

"Hiccup is aware that he lost five years after everything that happened, and we determined that he blocked all that to a time when it didn't hurt because he accepted he had nobody and nothing. Hiccup knows all that happened five years ago. However, he also remembers the nine days where he thought he was fifteen, Astrid. And those nine days were spent with everyone, including you, treating exactly how you did five years ago. Ignoring him, paying no mind to what he did, not speaking with him. And when Hiccup started recalling things; he is well assured of what happened during that time," Viggo explained.

"It hurts him to have seen that while he was in that state; nothing changed," Ryker added in.

"So why can he remember whatever it is he does in sections or whatever from everything else, but not that he and I love each other? Is it because he's still hurting and recovering. Fishlegs thinks it's because of the rape," Astrid mentioned.

"And your friend might not be far from the truth, Astrid. Johann got inside Hiccup's head before the rapes occurred, and Hiccup had made himself believe six months before that nobody was coming for him, and he'd be there until he died. However, I have no doubt that while Drago raped Hiccup; he taunted him," Viggo informed.

"Taunted him how?" Astrid inquired.

"In the sense that broke Hiccup into thinking that no one would ever want him after being raped," Ryker looked at her as Astrid's eyes widened.

"Precisely, brother. Being raped is an act all it's own that makes someone feel violated, and hurt. But when you throw in that this man wanted to break Hiccup however he could; you get what Hiccup is dealing with where perhaps he doesn't remember his love for you because Drago made him believe that you wouldn't want him after everything he's been through," Viggo remarked truthfully.

"Th-That's ridiculous! I would stop loving Hiccup because of all this," Astrid exclaimed.

"But you weren't the one who got raped, Astrid," Viggo's comment made Astrid look at him quickly. "Tell me, if you had suffered all Hiccup did, and got raped; would feel that no one would want you because of what happened? Nobody would look at or love you with the scars, knowing you're not innocent anymore?"

"Probably," Astrid nodded.

"That's how Hiccup feels. You might not have seen his body, my dear, but my brother and I did. Granted, we don't judge, and we know what he went through. Drago wanted to break Hiccup; even if that meant making him feel like no one would want him after this. And now, that stays with Hiccup just as Johann's words do about him not meaning anything to anyone. Hiccup now believes that because of those nine days two weeks ago. And the damage to Hiccup's body that shows in scars is a constant reminder of what he suffered, and he will never forget what happened to him either," Ryker shrugged.

"But why does it affect his memories of us?" Astrid questioned.

"Everything associated with you two is likely being blocked out because of what Drago did, and made Hiccup believe. Every time Hiccup might think about you, and his feelings, something Drago inflicted upon him comes forward and he retreats in fear of rejection. As such, his mind has just backed it out. I suspect that Hiccup knows you are his friend, but anything romantic is gone. And unfortunately; it might remain that way until, as Fishlegs said, Hiccup heals or," Ryker informed.

Viggo looked at her now. "Or Hiccup might never remember,"

Astrid bit back, gasping in fear. "Y-You mean that he might…never remember that there was an us?" Astrid asked.

"There is no way to know for sure; you just have to see how it plays out. Right now; Hiccup is still recovering, but once that passes, and he feels safe; he could remember it all. However, there is still a chance that remains blocked out because he's afraid of what you'll think of him if you were to see his body. Overcoming rape is not easy, and it can leave the victim scared of intimacy. Unfortunately, Astrid; you may need to accept that Hiccup will never remember anything between you two other than friendship," Ryker stated.

"Okay, i-is there a chance that he could fall in love with me again? Like how Toothless recreated the bond?" Astrid wondered.

"Starting over, yes, but don't forget while there is half a chance for that, there is also the half that it doesn't happen," Viggo warned. "Hiccup could fall for you, or he's lost all feelings due to what Drago might have told him. You're someone Hiccup cared for when it occurred, and that now could be blocked forever in fear of what you may think of him,"

"And I…can't force him to love me," Astrid looked down. "I-I guess I have to let him go for now and see what happens. Thanks, I think, for explaining to me," then Astrid walked away. Viggo and Ryker watched, then they moved over to Stoick's house as Hiccup was coming down on Toothless for a landing.

Astrid dragged her feet to her own home while thinking about everything the Grimborn brothers said. So Hiccup might never remember that they were in love, and his fear of being judged for what happened to him could prevent him from feeling anything towards her again. It wasn't what she had been hoping to hear, but what else could she do. Astrid couldn't make him remember or force him to love her if he didn't anymore. For now, unless something changed; she had to let go.