My apologies for the delay on this chapter, things have not been going great for me lately. My sanity has taken several major blows over the past few months, as evidenced by my last story, and I have had a hard time keeping myself stable enough to write. I am so sorry if this is not the greatest chapter, but I still couldn't find it in me to do more than this. Rest assured, I do intend to revise it when I have the chance. Feel free to leave any feedback that you might have for me.


It had been a week since Hiccup and Toothless had last been seen by the people of Berk when they repelled the Outcast fleet. Following the battle, Astrid had spent much of her time out in the forest, training to become better. She thought back to the fight, trying to figure out what she could have done differently.

She stared down the figure before her, analyzing its weaknesses, but she was coming up blank. Something about this situation felt familiar, but she couldn't quite place the memory. As the gong rang out, she swung her axe at the figure, but there was only air. She spun back, but she saw a flash, the figure drew his sword and sliced through the handle of the axe she was holding. She threw the handle, hoping to surprise him, but he caught it and she felt a sharp pain in her forehead as the wooden rod struck her. Never before had she felt so helpless as she did as she stared at the sword, inches from her throat.

It was during one of these times that she realized how Hiccup must have felt for the past fifteen years—helpless. He had been no match for them, he had even begged for mercy, but they had just carried on beating him. Thinking back, she wondered how he had survived for so long before he snapped, but remembered what he had said about how it had been the last straw when she had snapped at him. She had been the only one keeping him sane for years, he had wanted to be accepted by her so badly, and she had cast him out. Astrid wondered if Hiccup could ever forgive her for what she had done to him.

#

As Alvin stood on the deck of his ship, he could feel the anger building within him at the loss of his hand. He had made his choice—Berk would fall, no matter what it took.

His mind made up, he began to sail.

#

As Dagur stood on Berserker Island, he noticed several ships on the horizon, apparently heading towards his island. As they grew closer, he could make out that they were Outcast ships. The ships were in poor condition, marred with burns and kept afloat by hasty patches.

#

Once the ships docked, Alvin vaulted onto the dock, finding himself before Dagur, the man he was looking for.

"Hello Dagur, it has been a while since we last spoke. I was just passing through and found myself wondering if you knew anything of Berk's current situation."

As the Berserkers around him stepped away, Dagur replied, "It has been quite some time, though I am not sure how you could be just passing by when you are on the other side of the Archipelago. I can't say that I have heard anything new in regards to Berk. Why don't you share what news you have?"

The Outcast replied, "The best warriors on Berk were all defeated in single combat a bit over a month ago by a lone warrior riding a Night Fury. I figured the news would have spread by now."

As Dagur perked up at the mention of a Night Fury, Dagur's men turned to run, but they weren't fast enough. Dagur picked up one of the men, screaming, "Why didn't you tell me that Berk was helpless and that a Night Fury was there?" before throwing the man off the dock and into the water.

Dagur asked Alvin, "I know you well enough to know that you would not share this sort of information freely, so what did you have in mind?"

Alvin cheerfully replied, "I was thinking of an alliance between our tribes to wipe out Berk, and get a chance at killing a Night Fury. I already tried invading, but you can probably see how well that turned out. We were struck by that Night Fury before we got close to the island. I know that the Berserkers are renowned dragon killers, so what do you say about joining me?"

Dagur, unusually cheerful, stated, "I will join you in this conquest, on the condition that I get to kill the Night Fury."

Alvin replied, "That is fine with me, but only if I get to kill its rider."

Both men nodded and shook hands. An alliance had been forged.