[So, a month has past now. Bunch of training and lots of nightmares for Hiccup.]

Hofferson ship

Hiccup released the axe fast. The weapon spinning through the air before lodging itself within target. Hiccup smiled. "You're a fast learner Hiccup. I wasn't able to learn the axe in the same amount of time you have." Hiccup smirked as Astrid's comment. The whole month had been him training, working in the forge or reading. At one point, Astrid and he had a talk.

'Hiccup. Can we talk?' Hiccup placed the book he was reading down. Glancing up, he smiled. 'Sure Astrid, what did you want to talk about?" Astrid scratched the back of her neck. 'Well, over the past two weeks. My mother has been talking to me about you, how similar we are in ways, and how you're most likely going to turn out as the best warrior among us.'

Hiccup raised an eyebrow. 'Your mother wanted you to talk to me didn't she?' Astrid bit her lower lip. 'In a way, yes. But more so, I decided to come and talk to you by my own accord.' Hiccup gave a small nod. 'Ok, so.' Astrid sighed. 'Hiccup, I came to talk about you. You've changed already, you've started to be... less shy, you're breaking out of your shell.' Hiccup chuckled. 'And is that a bad thing?'

Astrid widen her eyes. 'No! It's not a bad thing, it's a good thing. You can finally show those who physically abuse you what it's like to be bullied. Teach Snoutlout a few lessons.' Hiccup listened as Astrid listed off many things he could do now. 'I can see your point Astrid, but I'm worried about what my father will think.' Astrid slowly walked over to him. Placing a hand upon his left shoulder. 'Hiccup, your father doesn't care how you look. He cares about what you can do. He's never cared how you look. If anything, it reminds him of your mother. And it's most likely a good thing.'

Hiccup nodded. 'Ok. So, he wouldn't care if I'm still thin?' Astrid shook her head. 'No, he wouldn't. You've changed, just my mother talking about you, how you were treated, how you mental condition is. It all filled me with guilt. Guilt that I might've helped worsen that condition.' Hiccup sighed. 'Astrid, you never worsened my mental condition. You were what kept me sane for all those years.' Astrid nodded. 'And it's a good thing to. Cause when we get back, we're both joining Dragon Training right away. My parents are going to put in a favour. I beat you'll pass the others. Perhaps even me!' Hiccup chuckled. 'I guess. I'll see what my father's like when we get back. For now, I wish to continue learning about the crossbow.' Astrid nodded, leaving Hiccup to his devices.

Hiccup smirked at the memory. "Well, what can I say. I learn fast, it's how I was able to surpass Gobber in blacksmithing. I'll most likely surpass my father in terms of Chief work and the others in Dragon Training." Astrid chuckled. "Alright you, let's just get our things packed. My parents said well be back at Berk by midday." Hiccup nodded. Retrieving the axe and turning round.

Berk

Gobber eyed the letter from Hoffersons Retreat. "Well, I'd better make sure the gang knows that two more people will be joining Dragon Training late." Gobber slowly stood up, heading outside. He made his way to the great hall.

Inside, the gang sat around the Book of Dragons. "Still attempting to figure out who wrote that note there?" The gang nodded, Snoutlout eyeing him for help. "Don't expect me to say who it is. I mean, I know who it is. But I'm not exactly at the liberty to say who it is." Snoutlout sighed. "So why are you here Gobber?" Asked Tuffnut.

"Well, I'm glad you asked. Hiccup and the Hoffersons are coming back today. And well, they've asked me to open up two spots. One for Hiccup, the other for Astrid." Gobber watched the gang closely before leaving.

Snoutlout looked at the others and then spoke. "You think they spent a whole month attempting to train Hiccup in the art of fighting which he's completely useless at?" The others glanced around. Tuff soon replied. "Maybe, it'd be funny to find out that Astrid was taken along only for the whole thing to be a waste."

The gang laughed. "Well, I think Hiccup's most likely changed. You know the Hoffersons. They're strict and all when to training with weapons. Hiccup might've become good at using weapons." Snoutlout sighed. "Fishface, my cousins good at making the weapons, not so good at using them in combat. And his entire body wouldn't be that useful in a fight either."

A shrugging of shoulders from Fishlegs indicated that he didn't care what Snoutlout had to say.

Time passed quickly and soon the Hoffersons ship was spotted on the horizon. The gang slowly made their way to the dock. Standing by a pillar of wood, Snoutlout smirked. "You think he's changed much at all Fishlegs, cause we're about to find out." The ship slowly docked and Astrid leapt off. Walking forward, her parents behind her. But no sign of Hiccup.

Snoutlout then spoke. "Must be too shy to show his face from his failed training." An axe was quickly imbedded in the pillar next to Snoutlout's face. He glanced quickly to see that Astrid's axe was on her back. With a gulp, Snoutlout turned to see Hiccup land on the docks. Eyeing him closely. Snoutlout widen his eyes. "Same body, but deadly aim. Should've expected that when training with the Hoffersons."

Gobber laughed. "Hiccup, welcome home. And I see you've changed. No more people bullying you about being useless." Hiccup smirked. "No, there will be no more bullying. As Snoutlout has just found out by the axe imbedded in the wood next to his head." People chuckled. And smiled at seeing Hiccup changed. "Same body, but completely different. Your father will be proud when he gets back."

Hiccup smiled. Following Gobber up to the forge. "So, I take it you'll be leaving me to fight alongside your father?" Hiccup nodded. "Well, is there anything I can do for you before you go lad." Hiccup walked up to Gobber. "No, but thanks for being there for me. I'll be at my home, dusting off an old axe." Gobber smiled. Watching him as he left.

The next day got off with a great start. After being caught up with everything going on. Hiccup and Astrid walked down into the arena. The rest of the gang stood. Waiting for them. Gobber then spoke. "Well, today, we'll be facing the Hideous Zippleback. Tell me the most important fact about this devil?" Fishlegs started to ramble on about the dragon. Hiccup glared at him. Fishlegs froze in fear before shutting his mouth.

"One head breaths a flammable gas, the other breaths sparks to ignite it." Gobber nodded before heading to a cage. "Get yourselves those buckets and move into teams of two. Fishlegs and Ruffnut, Tuffnut and Snoutlout, Hiccup and Astrid." Snoutlout eyed Hiccup as he brought a bucket of water for Astrid. 'It should be me doing that, not him.'

"Alright, dragons out." A green gas quickly filled the air. Hiccup narrowed his eyes. He spent his time reading up on every dragon he could in his spare time. Going over the Book of Dragons again and again. As a shape moved closer to them. Hiccup held his bucket closely. Eyeing as two green heads popped out from the green gas. "Now, which one of you breaths sparks?"

Hiccup was answered as the left head breathed out gas. Moving quickly, Hiccup winked at Astrid before charging at the dragon. Astrid stood back, watching as Hiccup kept the bucket stable. Within seconds, he was close enough to the dragon and let the buckets contents out. The Zipplebacks right head was covered in water. The dragon roared before moving in for an attack. Hiccup anticipated this and rolled to the side, losing the bucket before grabbing the axe upon his back.

Standing back, Hiccup grasped the axe tightly. Watching the dragon closely, he started counting. From the corner of his eye, he saw Snoutlout charge at the dragon. The dragon was quick to turn. Hiccup closed his eyes before he opened them again. Running forward, Hiccup grabbed hold of the dragons wing and used the base of his axe's handle to cause the Zippleback confusion.

Gobber watched in awe as Hiccup fought against the Zippleback. He watched as Snoutlout slowly got closer to Astrid before the dragon started to back up to it's cage. He quickly moved, locking the dragon back in it's cage before turning to see Snoutlout attempting to wrap an arm around Astrid. An axe quickly cut Snoutlout off. The blade hitting the ground as Hiccup walked forward.

"Snoutlout, I know Astrids told you she isn't interested in you. So don't make her get the tribes heir or chief involved. Cause I promise you this cousin, I won't go lightly on you." Snoutlout nodded as Astrid smiled. Snoutlout slowly walked away. Muttering under his breath. Any respect he held for Hiccup before hand was all but lost.

That afternoon. Gobber headed down to the docks with the rest of the village to meet Stoick. As Stoick landed upon the wood. He glanced around. "Not back yet?" Gobber rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah, got back yesterday. And um, you might want to be mighty proud of your son. Fought the Zippleback by himself and forced it back into it's cage." Stoick froze. 'They did it, they actually did it. They turned Hiccup into a warrior.'

"Where is he now?" Gobber bit his lip. "In the forest, training with Astrid. You know, Valka's axe won't be collecting dust anymore?" Stoick smiled. He felt proud for Hiccup. "Well, I'll see him tonight then." Gobber sighed. "If a raid doesn't happen. But regardless, You won't be needing him indoors anymore. He'll be fine by himself outside." Stoick nodded. Heading off to the great hall.

Hiccup and Astrid's talk happened two weeks from last chapter. This chapter is four weeks later.

The gang is still attempting to figure out who wrote the note in the Book of Dragons.

Snoutlout's growing jealous of Hiccup. That and the fact that he's defending Astrid from him is a recipe for disaster.