"Snotlout Snotlout oi oi oi!"

The Monstrous Nightmare came in for a crash landing, sliding into the village with all the grace of a yak stampede. Hiccup sighed as the burly boy was flung from his dragon and landed in a trough.

"Snotlout, how's the edge?" he asked in an annoyed tenure as he helped his cousin out of the dragon water.

"Relax, Hiccup, everything's fine! Dagger is repairing the huts and stuff with some of the Wing Maidens. The few dragons that were lodging there are fine, Hookfang checked."

"What about his mate?"

"Lady Hookfang and the eggs are holed up in a crevice, totally safe!"

Hiccup chuckled "well that's a relief. Alright, could you do me a favor and round up some wild boars? The dragon infirmary needs some for stew."

Snotlout sighed "Fine whatever. But I'm not doing it for you."

Hiccup shrugged and sent the bigger boy off, then took a stroll around the village.

The wind had seriously damaged the majority of the huts, and the dragon perches were toast, some of them having fallen on the totaled huts. The forge was collapsed, and what remained of the feeding stations were scattered all over. Terrors were everywhere, scrapping over the scraps that had gotten scattered all around. There were sheep loose everywhere, chickens seeking refuge anywhere they could, and yaks just chilling on top of tree piles, under their shelters, or even hanging by their horns on trees.

"What a mess." the chief groaned. "Thor, I hope the academy is in better shape than this place. Oh...speaking of which...Hey there, Spitter!"

The blue tiny dragon scratched under his chin and accepted the hands that picked him up, removing his letter and putting a different one in, helping him take off by throwing him gently into the air. On a new mssion, the Terror made a beeline back to the academy, the promise of a herring already on his tiny mind.

The Chief read over the report from the Headmaster and sighed in relief.

"Good news, Hiccup?" Gobber asked, thunking the young viking on the back "Good thing, because I don't have any of that. Try washing out dragon vomit from yer skivvies, then call me!"

"Ew...also, the academy reports minimal damage and zero casualties. I call that a good report."

"Don't get me wrong, that's all well and good, Chief, but you really should get busy checking on things here, before worryin' about stuff out there." Gobber said wisely "Your people need you, Hiccup. I know it's been hard...dealing with things. But remember what Stoic always said, 'A chief's duty-"

"Is to his people. I know, Gobber. The academy is my responsibility too though, and some of 'my people' are there. Plus, the future of Dragon Riding is also in my hands, as well as the future of the peace between dragon and viking."

"Sounds like a real head scratcher, not going to lie." Gobber said, using his hook to scratch his chin "But listen to the advice of an old friend of the family, lad. Don't try too hard to control things. Fate has a way of giding that may seem as crazy as a rot-brained yak, but at least it's an interesting way!"

Hiccup smiled "Thanks Gobber. It's just...sometimes.."

"Aye. But he's watchin ya. Odin can't keep him from seeing you become the man he knows you can be. So just keep being you, an' try to remember his pride in ya."

"I will. Well, looks like I better get busy." the chief groaned as the Thorstons set several sheep on fire "Oh COME ON! Ruff, Tuff...seriously?!"

Gobber watched the young viking run to curb the twins' wonton destruction, a smile on his face as he fell into a fond memory of when Stoic the Vast was first starting out as chief. The older pegleg gazed up at the statue of the former chief and his best friend, a fond tone entering his voice as he mused silently,

"He really is like you, Stoic...Lot skinnier, but his heart is there, like yours. He'll do just fine, old friend, just like you wanted."

The School is a big place, so if you want, send me your Viking to fill it up! I will, of course, give credit where credit is due. Just PM me with details like name, looks and a brief summary of their personality, and they'll make appearances throughout the story!

Happy training!