No one had any idea what was going on since the first day of Snotlout becoming chief. All they know is Snotlout returned with Hiccup on Toothless looking shocked and unsure of what to do and then Snotlout left Hiccup in charge of whatever this situation was which was a deep concern for everyone. What could be so bad that the new chief was putting it in the hands of whom they considered an outsider. Snotlout mentioned that Hiccup knew the dragons best so was it a dragon problem? Did they know something the rest of the island didn't? Snotlout and Hiccup spent a lot of time in meetings and Snotlout only said it was for the good of the village so they had to trust he was doing right by them right? Hiccup was still on Berk even now 3 days after the ceremony for Snotlout, and everyone was becoming impatient as to what was going on.
Right now, Snotlout and Hiccup were in another meeting. Again. With Sylvi, Hiccup's wife and guards. They didn't like not know what was going on. Within the walls of the great hall, Ryker and Viggo guarded the door while Sylvi, Snotlout, and Hiccup sat at a table together. "Hiccup that is suicide." Snotlout claimed.
"What choice do we have Snotlout? Its that or the raids will never stop. You put me in charge of this...To late to back out now. This is all I can think to do right now...We're running out of time. There was a raid last night, there will be another in a few days. I can only pull them from that things control for so long...It will keep happening if that dragon isn't dealt with." Hiccup sighed.
"How are you so sure this will work...It didn't listen to Toothless when we were there. You have to give me something here..." Snotlout said.
"All I have to give is an idea. I'm sorry I can't give you more but this isn't something my island has to deal with, its yours. You wanted me to do this, and I have hundreds of witnesses to attest to that. This is all I got my friend...Are you going to let me go through with it or do you want to handle it yourself? You said yourself you couldn't handle this..." Hiccup said firmly. Snotlout looked down a minute then closed his eyes.
"Do it. Whatever you have to do, do it..." Snotlout said.
"Then I'll send word to my island right away for back up...After this is over...Peace will return to the Archipelago. When the dragons are free of that thing." Hiccup said standing up. Snotlout nodded as Hiccup grabbed a piece of paper and wrote out a quick note. He headed for the doors and whistled for Sharpshot, his Terrible Terror that handled his communications with for and within Fury Isle. "Take this home boy, give it to Gunnar." Hiccup said, the dragon headed off. He looked back to Snotlout and Sylvi, "Shapshot will get that them in two days, maybe three if he doesn't get held up. In the mean time...Its time to train you and the twins...And I'll start Astrid too."
"Really, right now you want to train?" Snotlout asked.
"Well all we can do is wait right now...Might as well use it constructively." Sylvi added in agreement with her husband. Snotlout stood up nodding. They exited the hall now.
"You should inform them of what's going on..." Hiccup mentioned to his cousin.
"When your riders get here, I'll call a meeting. No use letting them panic the whole time..." Snotlout sighed. "I'll get the twins and Astrid, want Fishlegs too?"
"Nah, he already did what I'm teaching you. Just you 4." Hiccup replied.
"Got it. Where we doing this?" Snotlout questioned and then left the to get Astrid and the twins.
"The beach should suffice." Hiccup said. Snotlout nodded, "Why don't you back to Snotlout's and lay down babe, you look exhausted." Hiccup kissed Sylvi's cheek.
"But I want to watch the training..." Sylvi whined. Hiccup stopped and put his hand to her forehead and cheek.
"You're running a slight fever, go on now. I won't be long. Just getting through dragon wrangling and hopefully bonding today. An hour or two at best." Hiccup told her.
"Okay..." Sylvi grumbled.
"Don't be mad because I care about your health...Viggo." Hiccup said, the younger of the Grimborn brothers faced him now with a slight bow. "Will you please take Sylvi back to the chief's house so she can rest. She's running a bit of a fever and is tired." Hiccup asked.
"Of course chief." Viggo said as he and Sylvi then left returning to Snotlout's house. Hiccup continued walking with Toothless, Ryker, and Blazewing until he reached the beach and relaxed against Toothless, Nightstar was laying beside Toothless too since she barely left his side or Sylvi's. After 10 minutes, Snotlout returned with Astrid, Ruffnut, and Tuffnut as Hiccup got up and cracked his back.
"Go em." Snotlout said motioning behind him.
"Good, alright so all we're going to do today is wrangle some dragons to use and get you bonded. This can be quick or take all day. Depends how long it takes to find you a bonded dragon." Hiccup said.
"We're ready." Astrid smiled.
"Then into the forest we go. Best place to find wild dragons." Hiccup grinned almost. That made them nervous but they knew they could trust him, he had after all trained a Night Fury. Two of them now, he trained Toothless and learned to fly him, and a few weeks ago he was the only one allowed near Nightstar. Ryker brought up the rear of the group while Hiccup led them into the forest, the first dragon they ended up come across was a Monstrous Nightmare that was orange, red and black. "Well first contender right there. Who wants to take a whack at trying to bond with it?" Hiccup asked.
"I-I will. I'm the chief, might as well be me. What do I have to do?" Snotlout asked.
"Well in order to get close to a Nightmare, to any dragon you need to know about it. So what do you know about Nightmares?" Hiccup asked.
"Hostile, rough, cocky, can light themselves on fire..." Tuffnut began naming things off.
"Very good. Like other dragons, they eat fish. I had Ryker round up a basket before we left so why not go get one and we'll take it from there." Hiccup suggested, Snotlout nodded getting a fish from the basket and returning next to Hiccup. "First thing you have to know about approaching a dragon is having no fear. You have to trust them, they can sense if you don't." Hiccup said as he grabbed a fish and waved it in front of the Nightmare to get his attention then brought him closer with his hand out to the dragon's snout but never touching him. "That's it big boy..." Hiccup soothed calmly as the dragon kept his eyes on Hiccup the whole time. When close enough, Hiccup tossed him the fish and he ate it contently before purring and rubbing his face against Hiccup's.
"That's so cool how easily he calmed down..." Ruffnut said.
"Because I showed him I'm not afraid of him, that I trust him. So he knows he doesn't have to fear or not trust me. Come on Snotlout...Your turn." Hiccup told him stepping aside now, and Snotlout stepped forward calmly as he could with the fish out, holding it by its tail. "That's it. Try talking to him, be friendly..." Hiccup encouraged.
"You're a big guy, and look like a leader. We're kind'a alike you and me so maybe...we can work together?" Snotlout said as the Nightmare turned his attention on Snotlout now, eyes still dilated contently.
"Good...Now toss him the fish." Hiccup stated, Snotlout did so and the Nightmare purred again remaining calm. "Now, turn your head, close your eyes, and put your hand out to him. If he presses his nose to your hand then you've bonded with him." Hiccup informed. Snotlout did what Hiccup said and extended his hand palm up once his head was turned and eyes closed. Everyone watched as the Nightmare sniffed his palm then closed his eyes and pressed his nose to the palm. "Well done. This Nightmare is now your bonded dragon, make sure to give him a name too."
"Hookfang." Snotlout said smiling as Hookfang now growled happily and licked the side of Snotlout's face.
"Alright, time to move on..." Hiccup said as they all began walking again through the forest, Hookfang following slightly next to Snotlout and being playful with Blazewing, Ryker's Nightmare. They walked another 15 or so minutes with no luck on finding any dragons. The others were getting tired from all the walking, a sound made Toothless put his ears up and listen closer. "What is it bud? You hear something?" Hiccup put his hand up to stop the others as Toothless listened and nudged his head off to the right. From the trees a blue and yellow Nadder with red on its wings emerged tail up and ready to fire. Toothless growled emitting a blue glow again as the Nadder lowered it's tail and head bowed to him.
"That is still so cool he can glow..." Astrid giggled.
"The power of the alpha. Well now that we've found another dragon...Wait a second...She's from Fury Isle, I remember her because she's a dragon I rescued from another villages kill ring...Stormfly!" Hiccup smiled, the dragon squawked and nuzzled against him happily. "What are you doing here girl?" Hiccup asked. Stormfly squawked again and relaxed.
"She's beautiful..." Astrid said admiring her from where she stood.
"Try to bond with her." Hiccup told her.
"I'll try..." Astrid said getting a fish from the bucket near Ryker remembering what Hiccup had said to Snotlout, she watched Hiccup step back and she took his place in front of Stormfly waving the fish a bit to get her attention. Stormfly's yellow eyes widened happily as she followed the trail of the fish opening her mouth to snatch it but Astrid tossed it to her and she ate it down in two bites. "Hi there, Stormfly...I'm Astrid and you're...beautiful...I bet you're really fast too." Astrid said as the Nadder got a little bashful by lowering her head and turning it to the side.
"Very good, Astrid. Nadder's like to be complimented, they are very sure of themselves. And yes, they have the third fastest speed after Night Furies and Skrills." Hiccup informed her. Astrid smiled, glad she was doing well as she remembered the next part that had to happen. Astrid closed her eyes and turned her head pulling her hand out, almost instantly Stormfly squawked and purred pressed her nose to Astrid's palm. "And now Stormfly is your bonded dragon."
"I think you and me are going to be best friends and make a great team, Stormfly." Astrid smiled wide as Stormfly nuzzled against her cheek happily.
"Lets keep going...Still need to find dragons for Ruff and Tuff." Hiccup stated, with a nod all of them continued walking. This time it didn't take so long to find more dragons since the twins pointed them out.
"Woah, what kinds of dragons are those?" Ruffnut asked. Hiccup looked at where they were pointing.
Those are Hobblegrunts. Part of the stoker class like Hookfang, pretty interesting too. They are sensitive to the mood shifts around them and they can use the crowns on their heads to soothe other dragons or get them revved up for a battle by emitting a vibration sound or changing their colors." Hiccup explained.
"Cool..." The twins said together.
"You wanna give it a shot? Bonding with them?" Hiccup asked, the twins nodded. "Well, lets see if you remember what I said how to get close to them." The twins nodded getting a fish each from the bucket and slowly approaching the two dragons. "One is boy, the other a girl who happens to be just a little shorter than the male." Hiccup informed them. The twins nodded again getting closer holding the fish out in their hands. Surprisingly, the two Hobblegrunts had their attention on the twins pretty quickly. The twins didn't even get to talk to them before they took the fish and nuzzled against Ruffnut's and Tuffnut's faces vibrating a bit as their colors changed. The female changed to yellow and pink with purple spots while the male had blue, purple, with red spots.
"Does...this mean they bonded to us?" Ruffnut asked.
"I'd say so. Got names for them?" Hiccup questioned.
"I'm naming mine Gruff." Tuffnut said smiling, Hiccup nodded as he looked to Ruffnut now.
"Shiftsoother...Because she shifts colors to soothe others..." Ruffnut said calmly.
"That's a great name babe..." Snotlout said smiling, Ruffnut blushed a bit smiling back.
"Good work, all of you. Lets get back to the village and I'll give you facts on them, shot limits and what not." Hiccup smiled. All of them were happy, they all bonded to their dragons easily and they'd only been in the forest about an hour at best. They were still surprised Hiccup was teaching them at all, but they could see he was pretty easy going like he'd always been. They just couldn't see how skilled he was when he was 14 because he was still learning himself. Returning to the village, Hiccup sat them down in the ring which had the cage top off now and told them facts about their dragons. Statistics, abilities, and more. In an hour he had them caught up to Fishlegs's level, Hiccup told Astrid hers would continue on Fury Isle and that his mother would handle training Snotlout and the twins.
"So we know as much as Fishlegs does now?" Tuffnut asked.
"Yes, about your specific dragon. That's as far as Fishlegs has gotten in training before we came here. Your next lesson will dragon calls, then hand signals...I'll have my mother send weekly updates on your progress and I'll come once a month to see it for myself." Hiccup stated.
"Thank you for this, Hiccup...I know with your help, we'll spread peace over the Archipelago between humans and dragons." Snotlout said.
"My pleasure. Now I need to go check on my wife, she wasn't feeling well earlier. You may keep your dragons with you but do not attempt to ride them. Its dangerous if you try to ride before you learn how." Hiccup said.
"Yes sir." They saluted, Hiccup got on Toothless and left the ring with Nightstar, and Ryker on Blazewing following him.
(Snotlout's House)
Hiccup reached the house and dismounted Toothless as the two Night Furies headed behind the house to eat and relax in the stables. Hiccup approached Viggo, "How is she?" He asked.
"Sicker than when you left chief. She says she's very uncomfortable, and cramping a lot. She was throwing up 30 minutes ago then fell asleep." Viggo answered. Hiccup sighed as he nodded then headed upstairs to the guest room to check on her. He peeked in and she was still asleep, he'd wait until she woke up to ask how she was feeling. He went back downstairs and sat on the couch with his eyes closed. Now worrying about Sylvi, there was more on his plate because the biggest issue was the nest and his plan to deal with it but for now all he could do was wait for his riders to come. He could only pray his plan would work.
(5 Days Later)
Sylvi was feeling a little better but still couldn't shake the tiredness or the fever, it wasn't bad only a little but still there. Today his riders should be arriving if they got his letter on time. Sylvi was practicing flying on Nightstar, Hiccup was hovering on Toothless watching her. It was good to see that smile back on her face, he knew she still missed Rosethorn but at least she was back in the saddle. Valka was training Snotlout, Astrid, and the twins in the ring, Fishlegs too since they were all in the same area now. "Babe, riders incoming!" Sylvi snapped Hiccup from his thoughts. Hiccup looked to where she was pointing and saw his riders, he smiled. Finally. Hiccup flew out to meet them.
"Got your message and came as fast as we could chief. What's the situation?" Asked the rider leading the formation.
"I'll explain on the ground. Did you bring what I said too?" Hiccup asked.
"Aye sir. And we have everyone you asked for." The male said.
"Good. Alright, set down for now. I need to get Snotlout..." Hiccup sighed, "You too babe." Sylvi nodded setting down on Nightstar as Hiccup took off to the ring. "Chief Snotlout...My riders are here. It's time." Hiccup told him. Snotlout nodded as Hiccup landed and Snotlout got on Toothless's back.
"What's going on?" Ruffnut asked.
"All of you come to the great hall..." Snotlout said calmly, they nodded as Toothless darted off and Snotlout got everyone's attention from above. "Everyone to the great hall, that's an order." Snotlout called out. Confused and whispering among themselves they put down what they were doing and headed towards the great hall. "I hope your plan works, Hiccup..."
Hiccup kept his eyes forward nodding, 'I hope so too...' Toothless landed outside the hall as Hiccup and Snotlout got off and headed inside to wait for the others to arrive. Toothless went inside with them while people filed in and took their seats at the tables, everyone wanting to know what was going on, why Snotlout would call a meeting in the middle of the day. He and Hiccup both looked incredibly serious, that was never good. They knew something no one else did. After a good 10 minutes, the hall had everyone inside, Sylvi and the other members of the group too. Stoick came in with Valka while Hiccup's riders and guards all sat together as a tribe should. Surprisingly, due to the confusion everyone was already calm.
"Alright so I know everyone is wondering why I called you here...It recently came to chief Hiccup's and mines attention about a potentially dangerous situation that affects us all, and all dragons. As you know, I took an oath to protect this village, the people in it, and also to follow chief Hiccup's example and no longer harm dragons rather find peace with them as he and his village have. This situation is unfortunately out of my control, and expertise...So a week ago, you might all remember that I placed this in chief Hiccup's hands to handle. So I'm going to step aside and let him explain what happened, and what is going to happen." Snotlout announced as he stepped back and looked to Hiccup.
"We don't listen to him, we listen to you!" Someone shouted.
"Yeah, he left us. Why should our village be in his hands!?" Another remarked.
"All of you hush up! I put it in his hands because none of you can deny that given Hiccup found peace with dragons, and runs an island full of them as well his own tribe and village...He knows more about them than we do. He studies them, works with them daily. So when this situation arose...I chose the man I felt best suited to the job, if that man happens to be chief of another village than so be it but it ensures the village is safe. Now that is enough, you will sit down and listen to him. That is an order." Snotlout said firmly. No one else said anything, they just looked at him unsure. "And if anyone talks before he's done...I'll assign double work."
"Thank you, chief Snotlout. I won't make this long, I'm a get right to the point kind of guy. That being said, I remember growing up here and ever hearing a few things but one I'll never forget was Stoick, my former father talking about finding the dragons nest in order to stop the raids and Berk would be safe. And I also remember every single one of those trip failed, ending in injury, loss or boats, supply, and above all disappointment. Can anyone deny this?" Hiccup asked. They shook their heads. "Now...I am also aware that the last nest search ended horribly with 14 people being stranded on my island because of Stoick's terrible decision making." Hiccup said.
"In my defense..." Stoick began. Hiccup and Snotlout glared at him.
"In your defense?! There is no defending you. What you did was not only wrong but stupid, reckless, and dangerous!" Hiccup growled out, Toothless did too. "Yes you used to yell at me and my stupid, dangerous, reckless inventions...Clearly the faults of the son are because of the sins of the father. I was raised by you so all my faults dad are on YOUR hands. Now be quiet. Because not only have become chief of my own tribe with no help from you, but rather a man who took me in when I had nothing, taught me, raised me, listened to me, and above all...loved me. I also did something you didn't." Hiccup grinned.
"And what would that be?" Stoick huffed.
He was going to enjoy this way more than he should. "I found the dragons nest." The entire room went silent as mouths hung open with wide eyes.
"You mean...You've known where it was this whole time!" Stoick yelled.
"No. My wife found it on a flight with Nightstar a week ago, right before Snotlout became chief of Berk. Its why she collapsed in the village, it scared her. Snotlout and I decided we wouldn't say anything because we knew you'd postpone his ceremony in order to find it and attack it. So we kept quiet, until after he was chief. Then he and I took off the next morning afterwards and found it ourselves. And he has placed in in my hands to deal with. So sit down and shut up." Hiccup stated roughly. Stoick knew he couldn't do anything, he wasn't chief anymore. He saw how Hiccup played it now. They knew and hid it so Stoick couldn't make the calls about it.
"Where is is?..." Asked Valka.
"About an hour flight West of Berk. Is shrouded in fog and ash due to the volcano...You never found it by boat because its hidden. Only a dragon can find the island...Now. I know what you're all thinking, attack the nest and be done with it. That's not going to happen. The dragons don't raid because they want too, they raid because they have too. And let me explain what I mean by that." Hiccup took a breath. "We all know how a beehive works yes? Well the dragons nest works the same way, the dragons you get raided by are the workers and they serve a queen. And they don't have a choice. If they don't bring back enough food, she eats them instead. This dragon isn't any kind of dragon you've ever seen. She's massive, with 3 pairs of eyes, and can withstand the heat of the volcano. She sits in the carona of it..." Hiccup said.
The whispers began as people were beginning to understand why Snotlout put Hiccup in charge of this now. "What do we do?..."
"Can't your dragon make her stop? You said all dragons have to obey the alpha..."
"We tried, but she thinks she's the alpha. She didn't listen to Toothless, she nearly killed us. I know this scares all of you but...Your chief put me in charge and I will take care of it. Its why I called my riders here...I have a plan to end this and bring peace to dragons and humans." Hiccup said.
"And what is your master plan?" Sylvi asked.
"There really is only one thing we can do...Distract her long enough to break the control she has on the other dragons...Then...Toothless and I will take her on." Hiccup said.
"That's suicide if this queen is as big as you say!" Valka shouted.
"Mother. Don't start alright...She didn't listen to Toothless because she thinks she's the alpha...Toothless is the alpha and the only way she's going to get that...Is if Toothless beats her and since he can't fly without me...Then he and I will beat her. Toothless is the fastest...And the alpha. The only two who can take her on is he and I...Snotlout put me in charge and this is how I'm doing it. Its already been discussed and agreed upon." Hiccup said firmly.
"And I stand behind him fully. I put him on this because he knows the most about dragons, and his dragon is the alpha. And the rest of us will do what we can but he calls the shots. That's the plan." Snotlout said putting his hand on Hiccup's shoulder.
"Understood chief. Alright, chief Hiccup...What do we do? We'll do all we can." Gobber stated with a nod.
"We start preparing. We attack the queen in 3 days...Get whatever weapons you can, catapults, nets, anything that can be a distraction. We are not harming the smaller dragons, we're setting them free from her. And then then I'm freeing the Archipelago from her. This won't be easy, but I know we can do it, if we work together." Hiccup smiled.
"We're behind you, chief Hiccup and chief Snotlout." The room said together. Hiccup and Snotlout shook hands and smiled. This would finally end the raids and return peace to the Archipelago. They would be ready.