[The scene changes to a boundless sky. Vast. Clear. Crisp. And from it, a black speck rockets across the horizon. The image of unbridled freedom. Tucked into his riding position, Hiccup appears to be part of Toothless. They dip, roll and dive, over a sea teeming with Thunderdrums, pulling off daring manoeuvres with honed refinement, making them seem effortless.]

Toothless gave an excited trill, eyes wide and shining. He turned to look at the strange human beside him. 'That looks like fun!' Histail though… What happened? Had the Queen punished him for something? Toothless tensed, the fear for this… human that he had bonded with overshadowing his excitement. 'What if the Queen found out?'

Toothless curled his tail around his coiled body and stared blankly at the two attached fins, and let out a low whimper.

Stoick stared at the riders face. 'Those eyes…'

Hiccup: Yeah!

Stoick's eyes widened, the puzzle pieces falling into place. 'Hiccup?'

[They jackknife, heading skyward, rolling and tumbling through the ethereal cloud-scapes and joining high-flying Timberjacks as they soar in formation. Hiccup is bound head-to-toe in a snug, aerodynamic flight suit - an asymmetrical, functional design of leather and articulated plates. It has an air of Viking bike leather.]

Gobber couldn't help but be impressed by the craftsmanship of the suit. 'That looks like a little bit of 'iccup flare to me.' He chuckled.

Hiccup: What do you think, bud? Wanna give this another shot?

Astrid narrowed her eyes. That nasally tone only really belonged to one person in the village. She turned to stare at Hiccup from the corner of her eye.

[Toothless grumbles in protest.]

Spitelout frowned. 'What could be so dangerous that even that blasted devil would protest?'

Hiccup: Toothless! It'll be fine.

Snotlout chortled mockingly. "What kind of name is Toothless?"

Head shooting up, Toothless narrowed his eyes. 'That isn't very nice!'

Snorting, Hiccup leant down low to whisper, "Snotlout's not nice, but I guess he can't help that he doesn't have many brain cells."

The pair chortled gently, twin eyes shining happily.

'Maybe dragons aren't so bad after all.'

[With a click of a lever, he locks the pedals in the flared tail position. Hiccup then unhooks himself from the saddle.]

The twins stared at the prosthetic then at each other, the shouted out. "Cool scar!" Tuffnut gave a feral grin. "I wanna lose my leg!"

Ruffnut smirked. "Whatever do you mean? It's a hand you want to lose. Just look at Gobber, he can change his hands at will!"

Ruffnut gestured towards the blacksmith. "If you wanna lose a leg, I won't stop 'ya. But I wanna change from a hammer for a hand to a hook for a hand!"

Gobber briefly shut his eyes and shook his head. 'Losing a limb isn't something to fool around about.' Absentmindedly he rubbed where his prosthetic met his stump, mind beating away the phantom pain of the dragon's teeth ripping into his flesh away with a hammer.

Stoick glanced at the blacksmith sadly.

Hiccup: Ready?

A few of the more daring dragon's leaned forward. What was that curious human going to do?

[Toothless snorts unenthusiastically. Suddenly, Hiccup slides off of Toothless, peeling away from him like a skydiver from a plane, yelling as he plummets. Toothless dives after him. They spiral through the air, face-to-face. Toothless is having fun, despite himself. When he sees the ocean, Hiccup slips his forearms through a pair of tucked leather flaps, and yanks, unfurling sheets of leather as he extends his arms. They catch the wind, snapping like wings, and sending him gliding! Toothless unfolds his wings, too, catching up with Hiccup. The freedom is palpable. Hiccup and Toothless are, for the moment, the same. Feeling the same rush of adrenaline. Independently together. They plunge past cloud formations, splitting apart then crossing paths again.

The dragons trilled longingly, the phantom sensation of the wind sliding along their scales making them ache.

Hiccup: This is amazing!

Hiccup gave a toothy grin, blood simmering excitedly under his skin. That looked like a lot of fun. He turned his head to stare at Toothless, thinking. He couldn't help but stare into the dragon's eyes.

They matched his own.

[A cloud layer washes past, exposing a towering rock formation, dead ahead.]

Terror gripped Stoick in a vice hold, the fear for his (Presumable) son's safety.

Hiccup: No longer amazing! Toothless!

Fishlegs squeaked and covered his eyes, peeking through the gaps of his fingers.

[Hiccup tries to steer himself away, to no avail. Toothless pours on the speed, trying to catch Hiccup as he hurtles toward collision. His locked tail makes manoeuvring difficult. He's unable to pull up at a steep enough angle.]

Hiccup pursed his lips, but stubbornly kept his gaze locked to the screen. He couldn't die so early on in the story… right?

Hiccup: Oh, no! AHH!

Every muscle in Stoick's body was clenched with immense tension, his body rigid as ice. 'Oh Thor and Odin, please no.'

[At the last second, Toothless BLASTS the jagged rocks just ahead of Hiccup, then wraps Hiccup in his wings as they fly through it. The obliterated peak rains down around them. Toothless emerges through the cloud of debris and hurtles into the trees of a neighbouring peak. They tumble down the uneven terrain, coming to rest on a small plateau. Hiccup emerges from the cocoon of Toothless' wings. He switches his prosthetic riding foot to his walking foot and stows his leather wings.]

A collective sigh of relief was released, Stoick's body trembling with the remaining fear for his son's safety, heart hammering against his ribcage.

Hiccup: That really came out of nowhere.

Toothless huffed a rush of air, eyes narrowing. Did his rider have a death wish?

[The sea stack cracks and falls]

Fishlegs grinned at the show of power, desperately wishing he had the book of dragon's or a notebook with him. So this was the legendary offspring of death and lightning itself. A Nightfury. 'How many shots could it fire? How fast? What did it's scales feel like? Were they smooth or rough-'

Fishlegs yelped as he was dragged out of his thoughts by a rough yank on his shirt.

The larger boy looked to see Snotlout gazing at him impassively before gesturing silently to the screen.

Fishlegs huffed but turned to the screen.

[Toothless grumbles]

Spitelout nodded. He never thought he would agree with a dragon of all things, but the creature had a point. It was quite a risky move. He had an idea of who the rider under the helmet was, and he may not be fond of his nephew and all of the destruction that followed him, but he didn't want him to die young.

Hiccup: We gotta work on your solo flying there, bud. That locked-up tail makes for some pretty sloppy rescue manoeuvres, eh?

Stoick shook his head in a frustrated manner. Hiccup was similar to his mother in ways that made Stoick ache. Turning his head, Stoick stared at his son sadly.

Face stony, Hiccup stubbornly kept his eyes glued to the screen, desperately ignoring his father's gaze raking over him.

[Hiccup removes his helmet, revealing a 20 year old Hiccup framed by wild hair, complete with a Viking braid. He walks to the edge of the cliff, taking in the New land.]

Stoick froze, ignoring the gasps and sighs that erupted from his tribe. Hiccup was already so similar to Valka that it hurt to look at him, but this, this was worse. Brown hair that shone a brilliant auburn in the sun. Freckled dotting his pale skin and a small smile that quietly shone a light that could rival the sun. Staring at his son's eyes though drove dagger after dagger into his heart, piercing and whittling away.

Forest green eyes that shone with a light that couldn't be described anything else but determined, but turned dark as a stormy sea when angered.

Astrid on the other hand, couldn't help the faint blush that presented itself on her cheeks. Sure Hiccup wasn't a conventionally 'good looking' person, but he was still considered cute. He currently possessed a toothy grin that rarely presented itself anymore, and shimmering green eyes that reminded Astrid of the stories she used to listen to as a child.

Of rolling hills and tall trees that stretched all the way to Valhalla.

Growling, Astrid shook her head ever so slightly. 'Stupid feelings, Hiccup's useless! He shouldn't be making her feel like this!' Hiccup wasn't a Viking and certainly wasn't good enough to walk around without destroying something.

'Is that his fault though?' A small voice pierced the slightly forced thoughts that clouded her mind.

Grumbling and ignoring Snotlout's pathetic attempts at impressing her again, Astrid ruthlessly beat that thought away.

Hiccup: Oh. Looks like we found another one, bud.

Hiccup perked up, echoed proclamations of how he was going to be an explorer when he grew up bouncing around his head like light through foliage in the forest.

The faint giddiness he would feel whenever he thought about searching the world came back full force, then leaving him again whenever a voice that was all too similar to his fathers reminded him that he was going to be a Viking, that he couldn't waste time on silly day dreams when he had to shoulder Berk and all of its people.

Whenever he was reminded of that, it left him empty and miserable. Something inside of him wistful, longing to feel the clouds and the sun dance around him.

But he was stuck on the ground. The solid earth beneath his feet made him clumsy and long for the sky. For Freedom.

And on Berk, Hiccup felt nothing but caged.

[An annoyed Toothless throws a small pebble at Hiccup's head.]

Toothless snorted in agreeance. 'Yes, don't just ignore the fact that you nearly died!'

A chuckle, then- "I'm sorry"

Toothless froze, then turned to stare at the human-no, Hiccup, eyes wide and startled.

Emerald eyes stared back at him, also wide and startled.

Squashing down the instinct to defend himself, there was something about those eyes that-

Toothless started, the faint memory of back when he was a hatchling, his mother telling him of a legend that a family once had a child that had a body of a human, yet the soul of a dragon. A singular person that would be born at the exact same time that a dragon would hatch, two halves of a whole. Someone who was destined to be bonded to a dragon.

A bond strong enough to break the control of an Alpha.

Not that Toothless ever believed that part of the legend, but… this boy here. His eyes matched his own.

Hiccup: Oh, what? Do you want an apology? Is that why you're pouting, big baby boo? Well... try this on! [Hugs him, tries to wrestle with him] Ya feeling it yet? Huh? Picking up on all of my heartfelt remorse?

Chortles rose up amongst the Berkians. The bond between the two was palpable.

[Toothless playfully dangles him off the edge of a cliff.]

The laughter immediately cut out, growls of "He wouldn't" being mumbled by the Berkians.

Eyes widening, Hiccup slowly processed the worried tones of his tormentors. They were concerned?

Hiccup gave a quiet snort of disbelief. Unless he killed a dragon the Vikings wouldn't care about him at all.

Hiccup: (Groans) Oh, come on. You wouldn't hurt a one legged- AHH!

[Toothless laughs]

A few Gronckles let out chuckles at that. 'What a curious and strange human.'

Hiccup: You're right! You're right! You win! You win!

Snotlout smirked. "Aww, could little Hiccup not take a dragon down?"

Hiccup scowled. "Well I don't see you taking any dragon's down."

Snotlout let a strangled breath, face burning a furious red at the laughter aimed at him.

Fishlegs gave a snigger. "He's got you there."

Snotlout spluttered and floundered for a little while longer, only to shut his mouth with an audible click.

[Toothless falls backwards]

Hiccup: Whoa, whoa, whoa! [Playing with Toothless] He's down! And it's ugly! Dragons and Vikings, enemies again, locked in combat to the bitter-[Toothless pins Hiccup] -URFFF!

Gobber gave a hearty chuckle. "That's ya boy righ' there." He nudged Stoick teasingly.

Stoick scowled half-heartedly, but he couldn't stop the envy welling up in his chest. His son was happier and more open with a Dragon that he had only known for assumedly, five years than with everyone he grew up knowing. More open with his mortal enemy than with his own father.

Even though he didn't show it, that hurt Stoick more than he would like to admit.

[Toothless starts to lick him]

Toothless chortled.

Hiccup: (Groans) Gaaaaagh! You KNOW that doesn't wash out.

Hiccup scowled. "That's gross bud." Toothless gazed at his human innocently.

[Toothless laughs and Hiccup splashes some spit on Toothless' face]

[Hiccup looks around at the new island he discovered and pulls out his map]

"Wow…" Hiccup stared longingly at the raised horizons.

Stoick echoed his son's sentiments.

Hiccup: So what should we name it?

[Toothless chews at his armpit]

Hiccup: "Itchy Armpit" it is. Whaddya reckon, bud? Think we might find a few Timberjacks in those woods? The odd Whispering Death or two in the rocks? Who knows... maybe we'll finally track down another Night Fury. Wouldn't that be something? So, whaddya say? Just keep going?

Toothless cooed sadly. This boy was trying to reunite him with his own kind. The shrieks of his parents as they desperately fended off the hunters echoed in his head, him watching from the shadows as their fires were extinguished permanently had been haunting him for fourteen years.

Toothless let his head flop sadly, eyes downcast. If only he knew.

[Toothless replies 'no']

[A dragon screech catches their attention. Astrid and Stormfly land on the island and enter the scene]

Stormfly focused her attention onto the screen. Why was she and her rider going to meet the flying human?

Snotlout raised an eyebrow. "Why is Astrid going to meet Useless when she could be with me?"

Astrid scowled.

[Toothless runs over excitedly to greet Stormfly]

Toothless cooed.

Hiccup: Afternoon, milady. Where have you been?

Astrid rose an eyebrow through her blush at the nickname.

Astrid: Well, winning races. What else? The real question is... where have YOU been?

"Avoiding my dad."

Stoick flinched. He knew he wasn't the best father, but was his and Hiccup's relationship still strained?

Hiccup: Avoiding my dad.

Spitelout let out a low whistle. 'Looks like nothing much has changed.'

Astrid: Oh, no. What happened now?

Astrid frowned. When did they get so close?

Hiccup: Oh, you're gonna love this. I wake up. The sun's shining. Terrible Terrors are singing on the rooftop. I saunter down to breakfast, thinking all is right with the world and I get: [Imitating Stoick] "Son, we need to talk."

Gobber collapsed into laughter. Turning he smiled cheekily at his apprentice. "Ya imitations 'ave gotten better boyo!"

Hiccup gave a laugh and rubbed the back of his head.

Astrid: [Imitates Hiccup] "Not now, Dad. I've got a whole day of goofing off to get started."

Astrid choked on he spit, Gobber's laughter increasing at her impersonation of Hiccup.

Fishlegs was giggling ad the twins were cackling.

Snotlout was simply sulking at how close his crush and the boy he tormented were so casual with each other.

Hiccup: Okay, first of all, I don't sound like that. What is this character? And second... what is that thing you're going with my shoulders?

Hiccup: A truly flattering impersonation. Anyway he goes: [Imitating Stoick] "You're the pride of Berk, son, and I couldn't be prouder..."

Hiccup snorted. "Yeah right."

Astrid: [Imitates Hiccup talking to his dad] "Aw, thanks, Dad. I'm pretty impressed with myself, too."

Gobber was howling with mirth at that point.

Hiccup: [Laughing] WHEN have I ever done that with my hands?

Hiccup smiled gently at the interaction. It must be nice to finally have someone to laugh and joke around with.

Astrid: You just did!

Astrid stared at her glowing face, the happiness and laughter a foreign look to her.

Hiccup: Okay... just... hold still. It's very serious.

Astrid's mother raised an eyebrow at that. It wasn't every day you had to tell Astrid to be serious.

Hiccup: "You're all grown up, and since no chief could ask for a better successor, I've decided-"

Hiccup choked on his spit as the Berkians made an uproar, disbelief at the fact that Hiccup of all people would be the next chief.

Astrid: [Cuts Hiccup off; excited] TO MAKE YOU CHIEF! Oh, my gods! Hiccup, that's amazing! [Punches him hard in the chest]

[Hiccup's fin pops out. Hiccup grunts and Astrid laughs.]

Hiccup: [winds the fin back into his flight suit] You're gonna wear out the spring coil. The calibration is very sensitive!

Hiccup nodded vigorously at that.

[Toothless and Stormfly come running past chasing each other and knock over Astrid and Hiccup]

Both teens blushed at that.

Hiccup: Yeah, so... this is what I'm dealing with.

Hiccup grimaced.

Astrid: What did you tell him?

Stoick leaned forward.

Hiccup: I didn't. By the time he turned around, I was gone.

The chief leant back with a sigh. Of course Hiccup would run from responsibility once he discovered flight.

Astrid: Well, it's a lot of responsibility. The map will have to wait for sure, and I'll need to fly Toothless, since you'll be too busy...

[Astrid realizes what she just said]

Stoick couldn't help but frown at the downright miserable expression on Hiccup's face.

Hiccup: It's not me, Astrid. All those speeches, and planning, and running the village... that's his thing.

Spitelout frowned. Yes being chief, leading a village and being responsible for so many lives was stressful. Hiccup would only be twenty… Too young to shoulder all that responsibility. He could see where his nephew was coming from.

Astrid: I think you're missing the point. I mean, chief. What an honour. I'd be pretty excited.

Stoick smiled. That Hofferson girl understood.

Hiccup: I'm not like you. You know exactly who you are. You always have. But... I'm still looking. I know that I'm not my father... and I never met my mother... so, what does that make me?

Stoick winced. He knew that Hiccup was curious about the mother he never met, but even thinking about her just hurt, so he never told Hiccup. He pursed his lips. 'Maybe during one of those breaks we can talk.'

[Hiccup sits down and gazes off into space. Astrid sits down beside him and starts braiding his hair]

Snotlout stared at the screen with a pout on his face, but didn't say anything.

Astrid: What you're searching for... isn't out there, Hiccup. [Puts her hand to Hiccup's chest] It's in here. Maybe you just don't see it yet.

Astrid scrunched her nose slightly at the mushy scene. She was going to be a Shield Maiden! She had no time or interest in love.

[Astrid kisses Hiccup's cheek but pulls back with Toothless' spit on her face. Disgusted, she tries to wipe it off.]

The twins sniggered.

Hiccup: Maybe. But, y'know... there is something out there.

Gothi smiled at the two on screen, gently clenching her fist on her staff.

Astrid: Hiccup...

Hiccup frowned.

[He grabs Astrid's chin and points her straight ahead of them, showing her a large cloud of smoke.]

The twin's cheered. "Time for some destruction!" Ruffnut pumped her fist into the air.

Tuffnut grinned. "Explosions!"

The two cackled as the Vikings shook their heads while the dragons watched curiously.

Hiccup smiled.

'Maybe this future and peace with dragons is possible.'

He shared a look with Toothless, the sense of right and belonging in his chest thrumming insistently.