Next Morning - Berk

When Hiccup woke up, he first went straight to Gothi's hut and found out how Merida was doing. Toothless impatiently followed wanting to fly, but Hiccup reassured the Night Fury that they will, he just needs to wait. As Hiccup walked to Gothi's he saw many of the Vikings of Berk eye him and Toothless. Many still didn't like the fact that dragons were living on Berk as well as Hiccup the Useless being a Dragon Rider. But that was fine. He'll just change their minds. Somehow. When Hiccup arrived at the hut, Gothi was preparing breakfast while Merida slept. Gothi wrote something in the dirt and Hiccup smiled after reading it. Despite him being a Dragon Rider, she missed him while he was gone. "Thanks Gothi." Hiccup replied. He took his leave and went on a morning flight with Toothless. In the wind, everything was calm. He was free of the struggles that await him back on the ground. Today he was going to plan a war against Grimmel and free Dunbroch.

Later - Berk

"Grimmel Deathgrippers are the main problem. Once we lure Grimmel away from Dunbroch Castle, we need two Vikings on dragons to take down and inject Eret's darts into them." Hiccup remarked at the war meeting. So many familiar faces were there. Many people on Berk were willing to fight, but when it came t riding dragons, they were hesitant. "Then we lure the remaining Deathgrippers into a trap. Eret and his crew will take out the rest. Then we'll wait until the Deathgripper Venom wears off."

"What about Grimmel and the Dunbroch forces? Surely they will not like the man they think murder their daughter to win." Gobber asked.

"I'll take care of that." Merida answered surprising Hiccup. She should be resting, but the Princess was walking toward the small crowd. Hiccup brushed past the Vikings and ran to Merida. Before he reached her, she pointed her finger at his face. "If you try to keep me here while my home is at war, then you got another thing coming Hiccup." Merida remarked silencing Hiccup as she walked to the table. Hiccup sighed in frustration.

"Okay then. But I want someone with you at all times. I'm not going to let Grimmel take another shot at you." Hiccup replied and Merida was about to open her mouth, but Stoick interrupted.

"I agree with Hiccup. This is your home. Your people. If there is anyone that can get to them, it's you." Stoick remarked and Merida folded her arms.

"Fine." Merida said begrudgingly.

"Okay then. Once the Grimmel is lured out, Merida will fly to her family on Noor and tell her people the truth. Hopefully we won't get killed that way." Hiccup remarked. "Now onto the most important part of this plan. Volunteers for Dragon Riding." Hiccup added and there were groans in the crowd. "Don't worry. I will be with those who volunteer. If something goes wrong, then I'll react better than most people here."

"I'll volunteer." Eret replied and gasps filled the hall.

"Good to have you aboard Dragon Rider." Hiccup remarked with a smirk.

"I volunteer." Astrid added and Hiccup held back both surprise and fear if there were still feelings from his younger years.

"Okay then. Anyone else?" Hiccup asked and the new volunteers were Fishlegs, Gobber, the Twins, Spotlout, Gustav, and a Heather. Now all Hiccup has to do is train them. Then they'll go after Grimmel.

Later - Berk

"Forget everything you know about dragons." Hiccup told the class of Riders. "Forget those you lost to the Raids for a moment. Not all dragons are the same. They only raided Berk to save themselves from the Red Death. Under all the scales and fire, are kind creatures. Once you earn their trust, you will have a friend for life." Hiccup added as Toothless sat next to the Dragon Rider. "Now who wants to be first to train a dragon?"

"I will. Can't be too hard." Snotlout replied as he walked to Hiccup. Hiccup looked towards Sven who was at the gears to release the Monstrous Nightmare. The Rider nodded and Sven pulled the gear down. In an instant, a flaming dragon exited the cage. Snotlout face turned to fear. Hiccup raised the Viking's hand with the palm out.

"Let him come to you." Hiccup said as the Nightmare walked closer. He sniffed Snoutlout's hand and the flames went out. Moments later the dragon put his snout in Snotlout's hand.

"Wow." Snotlout whispered and Hiccup smirked.

"Even the most feared dragons can show peace and kindness. Now, who's next?" Hiccup remarked and he spent the rest of the afternoon getting, the Vikings their own dragon. Of course, there weren't enough dragons in the arena so Eret, Gustav, Gobber, and Heather were left without a dragon. Hiccup walked over to Merida while he let the Vikings bond with their dragons.

"Looks like I was right." Merida greeted and Hiccup chuckled.

"About what?" Hiccup asked.

"That family is important to your Dad." Merida answered and the Rider shook his head.

"Well, I guess I got lucky. Seems to have happened much recently." Hiccup replied and Merida giggled. He looked at the Vikings seeing so much change. Fishlegs and Heather were married, Snotlout and Ruffnut were married with Tuffnut being an uninvited guest, but Hiccup didn't know what Astrid was doing. He avoided her the most. But seeing her with Eret, he knew that they were together. Hiccup was happy, Astrid found something for herself. He didn't know much about Eret, but Astrid is no fool. She did almost catch Hiccup and Toothless once or twice. So Eret must be a good guy.

"Yeah. I hope mum and da don't believe in Grimmel's lies." Merida said with a sad tone. Hiccup held her tight.

"If they do, we'll show them the truth to the lies and bring the bastard down." Hiccup promised and Merida wrapped her arms around him.

Three Days Later - Somewhere Far From Dunbroch

The Dragon Riders dropped the longships with Vikings and supplies onto the island. Hiccup watched from above as the Vikings got off the ships and the other Riders land. Merida placed her and Noor in between the Vikings and the woods where the dragons waited. This was it. Tomorrow, the attack begins and Grimmel will lose. When the Vikings began to make camp, Hiccup and Toothless landed near Merida. Once Hiccup got off the Night Fury, both dragons began to play.

"Ready?" Hiccup asked as Merida inspected her bow.

"Of course I am. Just make sure to get the Deathgrippers out. If Grimmel stays behind, I'll gladly even the score." Merida answered and Hiccup shook his head silently. He hoped Grimmel would be led far away from the Castle. It has too.

Kingdom of Dunbroch

"So you believe Hiccup and his Night Fury left." King Fergus asked Grimmel as he fed his dragon raw meat. Elinor stood next to her husband in silence. Ever since the Hunter delivered the news of Merida's death. Elinor never spoke a word. For years Elinor received bitterness from Merida and when the two bonded during the Bear Incident, Elinor receive love from her daughter. Both understood each other better and all Elinor wanted was for her daughter to be happy. Now all Elinor wanted was for Grimmel to be wrong about all of it.

"Aye. If Hiccup was to strike again, he would have done so. The only possibility is that young Hiccup has run off with what little he has left." Grimmel answered and Elinor thought of what Merida told her. About the dragons and how they truly are. But Elinor had no proof. All she knows is that Merida believed in Hiccup and that she is gone.

Later - Somewhere Far From Dunbroch

Grimmel stood on his airship with the wind blowing past him. The Hunter was heading East in hopes of finding where Hiccup once hid. Hiccup is an intriguing prey yet simple. The boy made a stand and lost his love. Grimmel expected vengeance to strike, but instead, the boy ran. As the Hunter flew through the clouds, he looked down to see a strange sight. To make sure, Grimmel grabbed his spyglass and saw Viking Longships on land surrounded by Vikings and Dragons. Not fighting but camping. Grimmel lowed the spyglass and chuckled. Hiccup must have gotten help. How he was able to get that help is a mystery. But Grimmel turned the airship around and headed back to Dunbroch. Knowing that a grand battle will take place.