Hiccup narrowed his eyes intently. Something wasn't right.
[They fly towards it to investigate it. They fly through the burnt forest until they reach the ocean and see a large and piercing structure of ice, with large protruding spiky icicles.]
Some dragon's shifted uneasily. Their instincts were screaming 'Alpha'
It couldn't be an Alpha though. Right?
Hiccup: (To Astrid) Stay close.
Breath catching, Astrid stared dumbfounded at the screen. Hiccup was meant to be a runt, not a leader. That was simply how life… was.
'But does it have to be?' A small voice of doubt that she had previously beaten down wormed its way back into her mind. Slowly and small enough of a movement that it wasn't noticeable. All of this future watching stuff was making her skull ache.
[They fly around the ice, looking at all the ruined things caught in it, including ships, boats, and the remains of a wooden fort.]
Toothless let his tail curl slightly around Hiccup's ankle, warmth radiating off the boy in waves.
Hiccup: What happened here?
[Toothless finds a pair of enormous footprints in the mud and makes a stressed sound.]
Fishlegs whimpered. 'That is one big footprint.'
Hiccup: Easy, bud.
Astrid: Hiccup!
Stoick tensed at the alarmed tone in the Hofferson's usually calm and collected voice. 'What could easily make her that alarmed?'
Eret: Fire!
Gasps left multiple Vikings mouths. Ruffnut however, stare at the screen, eyes wide and mouth slightly open.
Hiccup: Astrid! Look out!
Snotlout scowled slightly.
[A net is thrown at Toothless but catches Stormfly instead.]
Astrid: HICCUP!
Ruffnut and Tuffnut grinned at the concern in Astrid's usually firm tone. "Ah dear Astrid-", Tuffnut began, one hand on his chest and another stretched out. Ruffnut picked up where her brother left off. "Is that concern we hear in your voice?" Both had matching grins.
Astrid scowled.
[She slips from Stormfly and falls towards the ground. Toothless catches her]
Toothless gave a smug trill as Stormfly tossed him a glare, her eyes shining with annoyance.
[Dragon hunters try to trap Stormfly. She escapes the net and throws spikes.]
Eret: Watch the tail! Tie those legs up!
Stormfly gave an indignant squawk, eyes burning holes into the screen. How dare this human treat her like a common animal!
[Toothless flies past, and Eret looks at him in wonder]
Toothless gave a low growl at the screen, body hunching protectively. He didn't like the way that Human looked at him. 'So greedy'
Eret: Is that what I think it is?
Stoick's hands clenched into tight fists, knuckles growing white from the pressure. He didn't like the way that that man looked at his son and his… dragon. He may not like the fact that his son was closer to a dragon, his sworn enemy than his own father, but…
They evidently had a strong, unique bond. During that freefall (Stoick shuddered at the thought.) the amount of trust between the two had been tangible. Hiccup had sported a smile larger and brighter than Stoick could remember seeing.
And wasn't that a punch to the gut? What kind of father would let himself become so distant from his own son that he couldn't recall a single smile?
Stoick frowned into his fist.
Hiccup: STOP!
Teeny: Get out of the way!
Astrid growled.
Astrid: STORMFLY!
Astrid's scowl quickly vanished. She was concerned over a dragon?
Ug: Whoa, watch out!
[Toothless, Hiccup and Astrid land]
Both Dragon's and Vikings alike leaned forward.
Astrid: What are you doing?
[Hiccup opens Inferno, while Astrid grabs a stick]
Gobber leaned back with an impressed whistle while the others gave awed sighs, the twin's cheering at the flame sword. "Imagine all the destruction you can make with a sword like that!"
Gobber nodded. 'How does it work?' He'd seen similar sketches plastered in Hiccup's 'study' in the back of the forge.
Eret: Back again? Soil my britches... that is a Night Fury. Thought they were all gone for good. Looks like our luck's had a turn for the better, lads! Don't think Drago has one of those in his dragon army.
Toothless growled. 'I don't think so.'
Astrid: Dragon army?
Stoick gave a small, indiscernible gulp. If Drago was building an army, they would be sent straight to Valhalla.
Hiccup: Look, we don't want any trouble.
Spitelout gave a small snort. "Sorry lad, but with your luck trouble follows you around everywhere."
Hiccup scowled and crossed his arms, tuning out the sniggers from the other villagers, mainly the twins and Snotlout.
Eret: Ha! You should've thought of that before you stole all of our dragons and blasted our fort to bits!
Snotlout gave a scoff, though it lacked a little malice. "If Useless didn't do it, then who did?"
His question sparked murmurs of concern. What kind of Dragon could cause that kind of damage?
Teeny: Yeah, look at it!
Hiccup: Wait...
Astrid: What are you talking about?
That's what Astrid wanted to know.
Hiccup: You think we did this?
Hiccup frowned. 'Why would we cause that kind of damage then deny it if it could lead to a war? Something just doesn't add up…' He absentmindedly bit his lip.
Eret: Dragon trapping is hard enough work as it is, without do-gooder dragon riders sneaking in to rescue them.
Hiccup: What do-gooder- there are other dragon riders?
Hiccup leaned forward. 'There were other dragon riders… how long were they friends with Dragons, and could they help us?'
Eret: You mean, other than your thieving friend from last night? You tell me. You may have an ice-spitting dragon on your side, but we still have a quota to fill. How do you suppose we explain this mess to Drago Bludvist?
Stoick let out a choked breath, staring at the screen with wide eyes. For the first time in years, Stoick felt fear.
Hiccup: Drago what-fist? Does anything you say make sense?
Stoick gave a small shudder, ignoring Gobber's inquisitive stare, instead choosing to pray to any god that would listen. If Hiccup was anything like his mother he try and negotiate peace between Drago and dragons. 'Oh Thor please, please don't do anything reckless Hiccup'
Teeny: He's expecting a new shipment of dragons for his army by tomorrow.
No-Name: And Drago don't take well to excuses.
Spitelout licked his lips and gave a small grimace. He knew what Drago was like. Insane and ruthless. Hiccup wouldn't stand a chance. He glanced at his nephew out of the corner of his eye. The boy was staring at the screen with a startling intensity, eyes blazing intelligently.
Eret: This is what he gave me last time I showed up empty-handed.
[Shows a scar on his shoulder from under his shirt]
A few Vikings flinched at the scarred skin. Fishlegs gave a small gulp. 'That looks like it was made from a branding iron.'
Eret: He promised to be far less understanding in the future.
Hiccup: Look, we don't know anything about a dragon thief, or an ice-spitting dragon,
Gobber stared at the screen with a small frown. 'Hiccup's plannin' something isn't he?'
[Eret nods to his men hidden behind Hiccup and Astrid]
Astrid clenched her fist.
Hiccup: Or your lunatic boss and his dragon army, okay? Just give us back our dragon and we'll go, Strange-Hostile-Person-Whom-We've-Never-Met.
Gobber chuckled. Hiccup certainly hadn't changed much in the sarcasm department.
Eret: Oh, where are my manners? I'm Eret. Son of Eret. Finest dragon trapper alive. After all, it's not just anyone who can capture a Night Fury.
Toothless glared at the image of Eret, eyes blazing. 'As if!' A few other Dragon's gave croons of agreement.
Ruffnut on the other hand gave a swoon, hands clasped to her chest. 'A perfect name to fit a perfect man.' Her dreamy expression wasn't lost by her brother.
Tuffnut let out a small groan. 'Oh for the love of Loki she's in love.'
[Toothless roars]
Hiccup: And this is Toothless. He says we're going. Now.
Stoick would've laughed if what was happening wasn't so serious.
Eret: [Laughs] Heh. They all say that. RUSH 'EM, LADS!
Astrid glared at the screen. Rushing someone while outnumbered was a cowardly thing to do.
[The hidden dragon trappers attack. Toothless fires at a large icicle that falls on the dragon trappers and keeps them back. They shout and jump away.]
All occupants Vikings and Dragon's alike leaned forward in anticipation.
Ug: Oh, Watch out!
The twins gave unanimous cheers, smirks accompanied by fists in the air. Snotlout smirked.
[Hiccup pulls out Inferno and cuts the net off of Stormfly.]
Astrid: Stormfly! C'mon, go! Go!
The Vikings were on the edge of their seats, some more than others
[Astrid barely manages to escape on Stormfly, with Toothless and Hiccup following]
Eret: YOU WILL NEVER HOLD ON TO THOSE DRAGONS, YOU HEAR ME?! DRAGO IS COMING FOR THEM ALL!
Stoick clenched his fists harder than could ever remember, his joints silently groaning under his strength in protest. 'Please Hiccup, don't do anything your mother would do.'
[Scene changes to Berk. The rest of the teens are flying around.]
Fishlegs: Come on, Meatlug! Woohoo!
Fishlegs stared at the screen with his eyes narrowed, how intelligent was Meatlug, was her defence any different to other Gronckles?
Ruffnut: Yahoo!
[Snotlout flies near Gothi's hut, scaring her Terrible Terrors. Once they land he flies past again.]
Snotlout let out a snicker.
[Gothi grunts and shakes her fist at them]
Gothi shot a glare at Snotlout, frail hand tightly grasping her staff, a small scowl on her face.
Snotlout: Ha-ha!
Stoick: (To villager) Hey, how are you?
Stoick: (To another villager) Beautiful day.
Stoick: [To Spitelout] Hello, Spitelout, great game today.
Spitelout shook his head with a small scowl.
[Stoick nearly bumps into another villager]
A few Dragons chuckled at Berk's Alpha, his stumble rather humorous.
Stoick: Oh, sorry, Mrs. Ack.
[Gobber is at his smithy doing dentist work on a Zippleback]
"Hey! Lookie there! It's me!" Hiccup gave a snort. "We have eyes Gobber, we can see your meathead from a mile away"
"Oh yeah ya sure you little fishbone?"
Stoick: (To Gobber) Any sign of him?
Gobber: Ah, he's probably flown off the edge of the world by now. You sure you want that kid running the village? You can still delay your retirement.
Hiccup let out a heavy breath, smiling faintly at Toothless's small comforting purr. "Thanks for the vote of confidence Gobber."
Gobber gave a toothy grin, "No problem!"
Stoick: Oh, he's ready. You'll see.
Hiccup gave a dramatic mock gasp. "Oh my! Another person that believes in me that isn't Gobber! A once thought extinct species!"
Stoick gave a small flinch.
[Hiccup and Astrid arrive on their dragons]
Stoick: Haha! There he is! (To Gobber, proving his point) Huh? The pride of Berk!
Hiccup gave a small snort. 'As if'
Gobber: Who finally decided to show up for work. Yay.
Hiccup: Sorry. Got held up.
Hiccup: Hey, Dad, could I have a word?
Hiccup gave an irritated sigh, knowing his father, he was going to completely ignore his
Stoick: Something you're itching to tell me?
Toothless gave a small snort. 'Yep, just not the thing you're expecting, silly old Alpha.'
Hiccup: Not quite the itch you're thinking of, but yes.
Toothless stared discretely at the fishbone of a human beside him, eyes wide with shock.
Stoick: Good man! Now, lesson one. A chief's first duty is to his people. So... (Calling out to villagers waiting for their saddles to be made) Forty-one?
Stoick: Forty-
Hiccup sighed. 'Called it.' Snotlout sent him a pitied look. Yes he may act like a jerk, but he knew what it felt like for your father figure to ignore you. It hurt.
Hiccup: Could we just talk in private for-
Gobber sighed. By the looks of things, nothing had changed the dynamic between Hiccup and Stoick. He would often listen to Hiccup rant to him in impressively accurate imitations of his father, and how
Starkard: That's me! That's me! I'm next! I was ahead of you!
Hiccup: If we could just talk-
A scowl curled at Stoick's lips, risking a glance at his son, Stoick examined his face. Lips twisted into a half-grimace, nose wrinkled and eyes downcast, auburn hair proving to be the perfect curtain to hide behind. By the looks of things, Hiccup wasn't surprised by this, was probably expecting it.
Looking back to the screen, Stoick desperately tried to ignore the guilt rearing its ugly head in his chest, an invisible fist clenching itself around his throat.
'I'm so sorry Val.'
Starkard: Excuse me, I've been here all day! Okay, I want one of those high seaters, with lots of spikes and big stowage compartment.
Stoick: Absolutely! You got it, sir!
Hiccup: Dad, this is actually a little more important than building saddles.
Stoick: Ah-ah! Lesson two. No task is too small when it comes to serving your people.
Stoick nodded, your people always came first.
'And look where that got you and your son.' A small voice whispered.
Hiccup: Dad.
Stoick: Oh, excuse us, Grump.
Hiccup: Look can we just talk?
Hiccup groaned. "Not gonna work future me, why are you even trying?"
Toothless gave a small croon.
Gobber: Grump! You let the forge die down again!
Gobber stared curiously at the screen. 'So I have a dragon as well 'eh?'
[Grump lights the blacksmith on fire. Hiccup screams and Gobber groans before pouring water onto the fire.]
Grump snickered from the back of the room, small bursts of fire escaping his jaws. A few dragons leaned back in annoyance.
Gobber: That's it, Grump. You're going up for adoption!
A few villagers chuckled at that.
Stoick: One of these. And this...
Hiccup: DAD-
Astrid stared with wide eyes at the screen. Her parents never really ignored her, even when they were angry with her. 'Is this normal for him? Crying out for his dad to listen to him?'
Stoick: There you go! Go on. Have away.
Spitelout shook his head. 'Stoick's always been a meathead.'
Hiccup: But, seriously, I really need to tell you about this new land we came across.
Gobber: Another one?!
Spitelouts eyebrows jumped up. 'Just how many islands did the boyo discover? Based on the maps must've been quite a few.'
Fishlegs: Any new dragons?
The twins rolled their eyes. "Typical Fishlegs," Ruffnut began.
"The mind always on Dragons" Tuffnut finished.
Hiccup: We didn't stick around to find out. These folks weren't particularly friendly.
Hiccup snorted. "That's a bit of an understatement. I'm pretty sure we've left out the death threats and attempted kidnapping."
Astrid smirked.
Gobber: Oh, really? Your Night Fury and Deadly Nadder didn't bring them cheering to the rooftops?
Hiccup: No, this was different. Not the standard run-for-the hills hoo-ha I've come to enjoy. These guys were trappers. Dragon trappers.
Fishlegs whimpered. "And d-don't forget Drago Bludvist."
Astrid: You should've seen their fort. All blown apart and stuck in giant spikes of ice. It was weird.
Ruffnut snorted. "Weird? That's how you describe a fort that had been blown to smithereens by what we assume was a giant ice spitting dragon?"
Astrid smirked. "Well I don't see you describing it any differently."
Hiccup: I've never seen anything like it. And worst of all, they thought we did it!
A few other villagers winced. Something that destructive could easily lead to a war. A bloody war.
Gobber: Y'know, you two are gonna get yourselves in SERIOUS trouble one of these days. Not everyone appreciates this way of life.
A few murmurs of agreement rippled through the Vikings. They may have changed, but it doesn't mean everyone would agree with them.
Stoick: Gobber's right, son. Best we keep to our own. Besides, you'll have more important uses for your time. [Turns on mechanical saw] Once we make the big announcement!
Hiccup: [Turns off saw] They are building a dragon army. Or-or at least the guy they work for is. Ah, "Dargo Bloody Fist" or something.
Stoick sighed. 'Only Hiccup could mess up the name of one of the most dangerous Vikings in the archipelago.'
[Stoick's expression grows serious. He and Gobber exchange glances.]
Tuffnut: I'll bloody his fist with my face if he tries to take my dragon!
Fishlegs gave a sigh. "That doesn't even make sense."
Ruffnut: Or mine!
Spitelout sighed.
Tuffnut: You're such a moron.
Fishlegs: A beautiful moron.
Fishlegs blushed.
Snotlout: Yeah...
Snotlout gagged.
[Ruffnut groans in disgust]
Stoick: (suddenly serious and alarmed) Bludvist? Drago Bludvist?
Hiccup: Uh yeah. Wait. You know him?
Stoick shuddered. 'Something like that'
[Inside the Dragon Hangar]
Stoick: GROUND ALL DRAGONS!
Astrid stared with wide eyes. 'What could have scared the chief this much?'
Hiccup: What? Why?!
Snotlout crossed his arms. 'That's what I want to know.'
Stoick: SEAL THE GATES! LOWER THE STORM DOORS!
Hiccup: Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait! What is happening?
Gobber: You heard the man! Lock it down!
Hiccup stared. 'Gobber's in on this to?'
Stoick: No DRAGON or VIKING sets foot off this island until I give the word!
Spitelout grimaced, but didn't voice his protests like the other Vikings curious murmurs.
Hiccup: Because some guy you knew is stirring up trouble in some faraway land?
Stoick clenched his eyes. 'Oh Hiccup, if only you knew.'
Stoick: Because Drago Bludvist is a madman. Without conscience or mercy. And if he's built a dragon army... gods help us all.
Stoick: Get them into their pens!
Stormfly gave an indignant snort. 'Pens! Honestly, they treat us like animals!'
Meatlug gave Stormfly a little nudge. 'By the looks of the stables though, these pens are to cater to our needs, not to just contain us like in those rings.'
Stormfly eyed her companion. 'If you're so sure.'
Hoark: Aye, Stoick!
Stoick: Quickly!
Hiccup: Then let's ride back out there. We'll follow those trappers to Drago and talk some sense into him.
Stoick shook his head sadly. 'Oh Hiccup you're just like your mother, just wanting peace. Even when it isn't possible.'
Stoick: No. We fortify the island.
Hiccup stared at the screen. 'If this Drago Bludvist guy is able to scare dad, he must be pretty bad. But if I managed to convince Berk to be friends with Dragons, maybe I can do it with him as well?'
Hiccup: It's our duty to keep the peace!
Stoick: Peace is over, Hiccup. I must prepare you for war.
Stoick sighed. Yes, he knew Hiccup would have to go to war one day, but he couldn't help but want to pro long that for his child. Hiccup was still so small.
Hiccup: War? Dad, if Drago's coming for our dragons, we can't wait around for him to get here. Let's go find him and change his mind.
Spitelout looked back at Hiccup and shook his head firmly. "Sorry Hiccup, but with Drago peace just 'aint possible."
Hiccup stared back stubbornly.
Stoick: Some minds won't be changed, Hiccup. Berk is what you need to worry about. A chief protects his own.
Stoick: SECURE THE STABLE! LATCH EVERY STALL!
Astrid: Hiccup, don't!
Stoick clenched his fists. 'Oh Hiccup, please don't do what I think you're going to do.'
Hiccup: I have to.
Gobber sighed. 'Like Mother like Son.'
[Hiccup kisses Astrid's cheek]
Astrid gave a small blush, looking down at her clenched hands.
Stoick: THIS WAY! QUICKLY!
[Hiccup and Toothless blast past, heading for the exit.]
Stoick dropped his head into his palms, hair falling into messy strands. 'Gods-dammit Hiccup'
Stoick: HICCUP!
Spitelout would've snickered if the situation wasn't so serious.
[They try to fly through one door, but it seals shut.]
Hiccup: Come on!
Hiccup gave a small victory smile to himself.
[Toothless spins around and dives through the gap in the second lowering storm door.]
Stoick: Hiccup!
[Astrid and Stormfly blow past Stoick and slip through the storm door before it shuts, leaving Stoick fuming.]
Astrid stared at the screen. 'I followed him?'
Stoick gave a loud groan. "Hiccup."
Hiccup gave a nervous chuckle. 'Heh, I'm in danger.'
Toothless crooned pityingly.