Now that all the emotional stuff has gone down, lets see what Hiccup and Toothless intend to do.

Hiccup and I sit on the cliffside, me rubbing my right palm where my new gem has grown in. While I marvel at the blue memory stone in my hand, he's busy drawing new schematics for the 'Thunder Spear.' The Skrill gem has been cooperative, but Hiccup has yet to find a proper way to safely use her.

"So to be safe, I'll insert the copper wire through a ceramic tube so that only the exposed copper tips emit a burst of lightning. I'd rather use silver; she did find that material easier to work with, but I don't have enough to use it reliably. Maybe- no. We can't just steal the material. We'll have to find suitable resources. Copper will have to do. But what if the copper wire gets overheated? Then we'll have no choice but to use silver." Hiccup switches from thought-speech to vocal-speech. "Ugh!" Hiccup flops down onto the grass. "We just don't have the resources to make a proper Thunder Spear!"

I reach over and pick up the journal to examine the illustrations of the weapon. "You do realize that harnessing the power of Thor will not be an easy task, right?"

Hiccup continues to explain out loud while I flip through the pages. "It's not about harnessing the lightning. It's about using it without getting hurt. If I wanted to, I could place the Skrill gem on one end of a spear and stab my victims. But that could only be used once, plus the lightning could strike me. I'm trying to make a reusable weapon that only zaps the guy in front of me." I flip to the earlier pages of his journal, where drawings of a two-pronged sword take up most of the page. Apparently, it would not work because the target would need to be pierced with both blades. I don't know why, but Hiccup does. So because of this, he started working on a spear instead.

"Maybe you could request some silver from Gobber, or your Dad when he gets back." I close the journal and hand it back to Hiccup. As he takes back his journal, I spy something in the distance. It almost looks like-

"Hey, Astrid! Whatcha doin' out here with Hiccup!?" We turn around to see Ruffnut and Tuffnut, both of whom are looking rather worn out. I put on my glove while Hiccup hides his journal. (Don't want them getting any ideas.)

"Ruff, Tuff." Hiccup greets the twins. "Great job in dragon training, your opponent was devastatingly crushed today." There is a hint of mockery in his tone, but the twins don't pick up on it.

"We never attacked the dragon, though." Tuffnut looks confused.

"Yeah, we only fought each other." Ruffnut smirks as though it was the goal of this morning's training.

"I know." Hiccup says it so matter-of-factly, it takes a moment for me to get the joke. But when I do, a strangled giggle comes out of my mouth before I can cover it.

Ruffnut hears it, however. "What's so-" she pauses, suddenly getting the joke. Ironically enough, so does Tuffnut. But they are not amused.

"We don't appreciate jokes made at our expense." She glares at Hiccup.

Hiccup, in an unusual fashion, keeps going. "Don't make it so easy and maybe I won't."

Tuffnut scowls and walks towards Hiccup. "Now listen here, use-" Tuffnut doesn't get to say any more before Hiccup, along with a sudden gust of wind, sends the blond boy sprawling.

Hiccup puts his arm around Tuffnut's neck in a vicious chokehold. "Call me useless. I dare you." Tuffnut, of course, isn't stupid enough to use that particular trigger word.

But he is stupid enough to keep talking. "Well, look who finally grew a-" he doesn't say anymore as Hiccup tightens his chokehold and Tuffnut goes limp. He's still breathing, (am I thankful for that? Not sure) so Ruffnut can't avenge the death of her brother.

"You got my brother to shut up." Why is she staring at Hiccup like that? "I don't know whether to avenge him or congratulate you."

Before the situation can become awkward, (well, more awkward) I point out what I saw earlier before the twins distracted me. "Hey, look, is that a ship?"

Hiccup rolls off Tuffnut and climbs to his shades his eyes and looks toward the horizon. It takes a moment for him to spot the ship in the distance. "You're right." Hiccup starts smiling. "They're alive." He releases a breath.

Ruffnut squints at the tiny ship bobbing in the ocean. "Are we sure that's one of our ships?"

Now that she mentions it, when I look again, the ship in question appears to have a blank sail. The three ships that left Berk all had some kind of motif of slain dragons sewn onto them. Could it be an enemy ship? "Let's let the villagers know. Hopefully, it is the expedition returning. But if not, we should prepare."

Thankfully it is Dad, along with the villagers (well, most of them) who went on the expedition. But I am already aware of this. Because I, meaning Tannski, helped get them that very ship. But nobody else knows this. Astrid and Ruffnut assume I'm just hopeful (I think.) We do not get a chance to tell the villagers before the signal for a sighted ship goes out. This leads to everyone going down to the docks. Some to help the survivors, others to find out who survived.

Usually, returns from yet another fruitless search for the location of the nest are a dreary affair. Mostly people doing headcounts. But this one is different. For one thing, the boat is overcrowded with Vikings. Not just that, but they're not drowning in despair. Some are even smiling, if not outright giddy.

Dad, however, is not smiling. He looks rather pensive, probably irritated by the actions taken in the recent past.

Gobber's quick to bring my father back to reality. "Well, I trust ye found the nest a' least?"

Unfortunately, reality is… well... reality. "Not even close."

"Oh, excellent." I'd say Gobber is being sarcastic, but he sounds too upbeat. He's waiting to tell dad about my recent success.

"I hope you've had a little more success than me." There's the opening Gobber is waiting for.

"Well, if by success you mean that your parenting troubles are over with, then, yes." Dad looks at Gobber with concern.

Gobber, I love you, but motivational speeches aren't the only thing you need to work on.

Before I can show myself and explain Gobber's misleading of the situation, several villagers come to congratulate my father. Hopefully, they, will ensure the correction.

"Congratulations, Stoick!" Well, that statement needs clarification.

"Everyone is so relieved." Not what I meant.

"Out with the old and in with the new, right?!" Okay, maybe he'll get the right idea now.

"No one will miss that old nuisance!" That doesn't help. Now he thinks for sure something happened.

"The village is throwing a party to celebrate!" … I guess they might celebrate my disappearance.

Before Dad can truly believe I've left the village, I make my way down to the docks to help unload cargo. "Hey, Dad. Glad to see you back." I find one large chest from the pile and try to lift it, but it's too heavy.

Luckily I'm not alone. "Let me help you with that." Astrid grabs the trunk's other side and we carry it up to the storage.

"Thanks, Astrid." As we make our way up the hill, I can't help but overhear Gobber telling my dad how well I've done in training.

But Dad interrupts Gobber in the middle of his rambling. "As happy as I am to hear of my son's victories, my friend, there are more pressing matters to discuss." He looks around, making sure nobody can eavesdrop on him. (I enhance my hearing, so Dad doesn't suspect me of eavesdropping.) "Meet me in the forge at sunset."

I know he's likely to seek Gobber's counsel on Tannski. But Astrid doesn't know that. "What do you think happened?" Astrid projects to me.

"If I were to hazard a guess, either Dad has found the nest or has given up the search. Either way, something needs to be kept secret based on everyone's secretive behavior." I point out certain individuals who are acting very suspicious, and by that, I mean most of those who returned seem to be expecting a battle.

"Whatever happens, we'll be ready for it."

I look towards Astrid. "Gods I hope so," I say out loud.

I'm leaning against the forge facing the ocean.

The sun has long since set, but the view is not where my attention lies. I'm too busy focusing on the forge behind me, hoping to overhear the impending conversation between Stoick and Gobber. Hiccup is already in there, so he may become privy to the conversation. However, he might get kicked out, so I'll remain out here just in case.

I hear the heavier footsteps of Stoick entering the forge. I also hear Hiccup trying to clean up his workspace. "Dad! You're back. Gobber's in the other room, so-"

Hiccup is quickly cut off by Stoick. "He'll be here momentarily. But before he gets here, there's something we need to talk about."

"Th-there is?" I hear Hiccup's heart beat faster.

"You've been keeping secrets." Oh no.

"I- uh, I-I have?" Hiccup, get back under control this instant!

"Just how long did you think you could hide it from me?" He knows! How?! Does anyone else know about our memory stones?

Hiccup continues in vain. "I don't know what you're…"

"Nothing happens on this island without me hearing about it." Hiccup stutters briefly before Stoick continues, "So, let's talk about that dragon."

I can just feel the dread flowing off Hiccup. "Oh, gods. Dad, I'm so sorry, I just didn't know how to-" Hiccup's half-formed apology falters into silence as he realizes his father is laughing. Not a mocking laugh, mind you. A bellowing laugh coming straight up from his belly. Hiccup shares a few gasping laughs full of relief. "You're not… upset?"

"What?!" I can hear the smile in his voice. "I was hoping for this!"

"Uh…" Hiccup sounds confused. "You were?" I doubt Stoick has learned about our memory stones, but I still need a moment to let the built-up tension flow out of me safely.

"And believe me it only gets better! Just wait until you spill a Nadder's guts for the first time." Okay, why did that thought make me nauseous just now? "And mount your first Gronckle head on a spear? What a feeling!" There's a thump as Hiccup is sent flying into the wall by his overjoyed father. "You really had me going there, son." There's a brief burst of joy when Hiccup hears Stoick call him son in such a proud tone. "All those years of the worst Viking Berk has ever seen!" Hiccup's joy is quashed, replaced with a sense of irony, and I can't blame him. "Odin, it was rough. I almost gave up on you, and all the while you were holding out on me! Thor almighty!" I hear Stoick pull up a chair. "With you doing so well in the ring, we finally have something to talk about." There's a pregnant pause. I certainly wouldn't need a memory stone to feel the awkward tension between the two. Stoick continues the conversation. "Oh, well, I brought you something." There's the sound of metal and Hiccup receiving something. "To keep you safe in the ring."

Hiccup finally finds his words. "Wow, thanks." What did Stoick give him?

Stoick continues, "Your mother would have wanted you to have it. It's half of her breastplate."

… What? What did Stoick just give Hiccup? There's a tinkling sound when Stoick taps what I think is his helmet. "Matching set. Keeps her close, y'know."

Before the awkward moment can continue, Gobber enters the forge. "Hello? Stoick, you wanted to see me?"

I can hear Hiccup awkwardly edging toward the door. "I should get to bed."

Stoick stops him, though. "You should,stay and hear this, Hiccup. I want to hear your opinion." Hiccup sits back down while Gobber finds a seat. "I've got good news and bad news. The bad news is dragon training will have to be delayed."

Gobber reacts louder than Hiccup. "Why? The recruits are doin' great. Your boy here may get the chance to kill the Monstrous Nightmare if Astrid doesn't find a way to outclass him soon." While I appreciate the praise, I doubt Hiccup or I can accept such an honor anymore. Especially if you consider the vibes Hiccup is unconsciously projecting.

Stoick continues, "The good news is we managed to secure a guide who will lead us to the nest."

"...What?" Gobber says. "Well, that's excellent! Is that why dragon training is being delayed? So they can join us to take down the nest? Oh, this is a great chance to be alive, Hiccup. You'll be there to lead the attack on the nest. I'm so excited for you, Hiccup!"

After Gobber calms down, Hiccup takes time to ask some questions. "Who exactly is it that's going to spearhead this latest expedition?"

Stoick sighs, almost as if he's preparing to lift some huge weight off his shoulders. "The individual willing to guide us to the nest is a dragon fusion."

...What?

Hiccup quickly and calmly continues. "Okay, first: what kind of dragon? Two: why would a dragon be willing to lead us to the nest?

Stoick takes a moment to compose himself. "This dragon, which was able to speak our tongue, called its mixed-breed a Shade Fury. But named himself Tannski."

Wait. This dragon, capable of human speech, who must be part Night Fury, is willing to lead a bunch of bloodthirsty Vikings to the home of our enemies?

"But more importantly, this dragon told me of a way to take out the individual who may just be the cause of this whole war."

Gobber speaks up. "Wha...? How?"

"Tannski told me a weapon capable of harnessing lightning would be able to disperse dragon fusions. This Queen, who is the reason for the raiding, is a fusion of several large dragons."

"Well, why can't we just fight her off? With a few catapults-"

"Gobber," Stoick interrupts his friend. "This dragon is supposedly as big as our entire village. Catapults won't be enough."

I gasp. The Queen is that big? I thought she'd be large, but not big enough to crush our whole village with bodyweight alone.

But besides that. A fusion containing a Night Fury and something else. Human perhaps? Who is willing to lead our tribe to the nest in hopes of ending the war. To do so, he hints at a way to defeat the Queen with a lightning-infused weapon that Hiccup just happens to be working on in secret. Looks like Hiccup and I are going to have a little chat later.

My internal monologue is interrupted by a flock of dragons descending on the village. A raid has just begun.

So Astrid now suspects Hiccup of the truth. but she cant confront him now, because a raid has begun.

Soulinvoker: Glad you enjoy the story, you seem to be the only one who enjoyed the previous chapter.