Chapter One: An Adventure to Unfold

The water licked against Matt's legs as he let them dangle in the lagoon. With his eyes shut and leaning back against his elbows, he basked in the setting sun and let it warm him as it sank behind the sea. It's been a few months passed since the Darien incident, and now that it was early summer, he couldn't help but enjoy the paradise he was living in.

When he wasn't flying with Hiccup or the others, or helping around at Berk or at Dragon's Edge; he was either loafing around on the deck of his room, building a new wakeboard or snowboard, or testing one of the two. Depending on the season.

Finally opening his eyes, he looked down to see his newest wakeboard strapped to his feet. The one he felt to be the closest to one from his world. Smiling, he turned to see Wasatch staring into the water, eyeing the fish hungrily.

The purple Skrill, with black stripes running along his back, was a sight to behold. Matt was lucky to have him as a friend. In more ways than one. He should have been killed when he first met Wasatch, as he was supposed to be his executor. And the fact that they haven't really met another Skrill before, aside from an experience Hiccup had with one before Matt returned to Berk. He was rare; not only as a dragon, but as a friend as well.

"What d'ya say bud?" Matt asked out loud, stretching his arms "Ready to head back home? Finish our testing for the new board?"

Wasatch growled, standing up on his feet, shaking his head as if to wake himself up. Looking over at Matt, he smiled as he lightly shocked him in the chest.

"Agh! Alright, alright!" Matt laughed, shaking his head and scratching the massive chin "If it holds up better than the last one, I'll let you take me a notch faster. Sound good?"

Wasatch growled happily, flapping his wings and nodding in agreement.

Unraveling a rope off of a rod that was attached to Wasatch's saddle, that was built to tow Matt behind him, he checked his grip on the handle of his improvised ski rope. Nodding in satisfaction, he then shouted "Alright bud, nice and easy to start off with."

Wasatch lifted into the air, gently dragging the rope behind him. Feeling it get taunt, he then accelerated slowly. He knew the drill, he's been doing this with Matt as long as he's built his first wakeboard.

Matt felt himself jolted forward. Making sure the tip of the board was up, he laughed as he coasted along the glass like water. Unfortunately, unlike real wakeboarding, there was no wake from a boat to jump off of. But that mattered little to him. He just enjoyed the ability to coast along the shore line of Dragon's Edge. And he was still able to jump off the waves that were cruising into the shoreline. Carving back and forth in the water, he held the ski rope with one hand and let the other lazily drag along the water.

Seeing Dragon's Edge come into view, he then smiled as he angled the board up a cresting wave. Launching into the air, he quickly spun the board around; doing a simple 360. Landing on the backside of the wave, he shouted out joyfully as he felt the board continue to glide over the water. "Alright bud! Take it up a notch!" He shouted, now gripping the handle with both hands.

Wasatch surged forward, surprising Matt with the amount of speed. Making sure the tip of the board was up, he noticed two shadows fly over him. Looking up, he laughed to see Hiccup and Astrid fly towards the arena.

"Done with their patrol, huh?" Matt said aloud, watching them land. Looking back at Wasatch, he then shouted "Alright boy! Just like we practiced!"

Wasatch roared in acknowledgement, letting lightning run up and down his back. Almost instantly, he stopped midair and let Matt slide past him. Losing speed fast, Matt felt his board begin to sink in the water. Just when he was sure he was going to be swimming, he felt Wasatch grab his arms and lift him into the air.

"Good job bud!" Matt laughed, looking up at his dragon "Could have been a little faster, but hey, you still got me!"

Wasatch looked down at Matt with a scowl, looking at him disapprovingly.

"Just suggesting!" He laughed, shaking his head at the angry dragon. Flying above the arena, he saw the entire gang talking to each other, with a Night Terror in the center of them. Astrid looked angry, yelling at Tuffnut about something.

"Hey Matt!" Hiccup shouted, turning everyone's attention towards the dangling boarder.

"Hiccup!" Matt greeted, smiling down at them "Give me a moment, I'm going to change real quick."

"Better get out of your shorts. See you in a bit!" Hiccup laughed, returning his attention to a fuming Astrid.

Smiling, Matt just relaxed as Wasatch coasted to his room. Stopping feet above the deck, he was then dropped into a shallow pool of water. Letting it splash him, he then quickly pulled his feet out of the homemade bindings that Hiccup helped him build. Stepping out of the pool, he then grabbed the board and checked to make sure the fins weren't damaged. He learned that the hard way the first time Wasatch dropped him with a wakeboard strapped to his feet, hence the reason for the pool of water.

Walking into his room, he let Wasatch run past him and leap onto his stone bed. "You're kidding right?" He laughed, mounting the board next to his other wakeboards and snowboards on the wall "You've been sleeping most of the day!"

Wasatch just ignored him, curling up into a ball. A spikey, electrical ball.

Shaking his head with a wide smile, Matt turned to look out the door. It was already night time, and the air was still warm. "This is paradise…" He whispered, watching two Night Terrors fly past his room. Taking off the wet shorts he wore for swimming, he quickly changed into his blue jeans that he kept. Buckling up the belt, he then slid on a sleeveless leather vest. Dark brown, it was made out of the same leather as his boots, since he didn't want to wear his snowboard boots in the summer.

"Matt?! How long do you need to get ready to fly?" Hiccup's voice shouted with panic.

Whirling around, he saw Hiccup run into his room. "What's going on? Something happen?" He asked, confused at the rushed entrance. Wasatch also looked up, wondering what was going on.

"We just learned that Berk was attacked! They sent us a Terrible Terror mail!" Hiccup quickly answered, worry on his face.

"I'll be ready in two minutes. I have a bag ready to go for reasons like this!" Matt replied, pulling on his boots in record time.

"Thanks…" Hiccup whispered, relieved that Matt was more than willing to help. Not that he doubted it, he just was glad Matt wouldn't whine or complain like the twins or Snotlout. Looking at the rack of wakeboards, he then jested "I'm surprised you still wakeboard. After your little incident last week."

Matt smiled as he looked at the wakeboard next to the one he barely put away. A massive bite mark broke the tail end of the board. "Eh, a shark attack won't keep me out of the water." Reaching for a bracelet that he made, he looked at the three shark teeth strung symmetrically on it. "Got a cool bracelet out of it." Looking at Hiccup with a smirk, he then gestured to his leg "I'm surprised you still ride dragons after your 'little' incident."

Shaking his head, Hiccup laughed and replied "Point taken." Looking at his friend reaching to grab a bag hanging on the wall, he felt a sense of peace and relief. Matt was someone he could always depend on. Not because they were family, but because they became very close friends. He came to rely heavily on him, though he learned that he had to give him some freedom with what he wanted to do himself. The black haired, beard growing snowboarder still had shaggy hair, but not as black. His hair had dark brown highlights, as being out in the sun seemed to lighten his hair a little. Instead of a full facial beard, he only had stubble. His arms were tanning with being outside all the time as well, something that was unique. Hiccup usually just burned when he was out in the sun too long. All the riders actually.

"Ready to go?" Astrid called out, walking around the corner. Both Haddock's turned towards her, smiling as she walked in.

"Just about!" Matt replied, grabbing two hatchets resting on his desk. Sliding the left one into a strap, he playfully tossed the other one up and caught it by the blade. Lightly tossing it up again, he then balanced it on one finger.

"Showoff." Hiccup muttered, rolling his eyes at the demonstration.

"I know." Matt teased, flipping the hatchet. Grabbing the handle in the air, he then slid it into the strap on his right side. "Astrid taught me that. I've been getting tons better!"

"I taught you how to throw it. Not play with it." Astrid corrected, shaking her head "Come on! Let's get going!"

"Right, so what do we know about the attack?" Matt asked, shouldering the bag. Wasatch quickly followed, anxious to hear the news as well.

"Not much, we just know they were attacked." Hiccup answered, jumping on Toothless who was waiting outside for them.

"Dagur's doing?" Matt asked, pulling a few straps on Wasatch's saddle. The rod that held the ski rope then folded over, letting him be able to stand on Wasatch freely. Climbing on, he then strapped himself in.

"I honestly don't know Matt. It didn't say much in it." Hiccup answered, turning Toothless to the south.

"Lead on then. The night's not getting any younger!" Matt said, thinking of the possibilities.


Berk slowly came into view with the morning light. Smoke was rising into the air, making everyone feel a pit in their stomachs. This was serious.

"Whoa…" Matt whispered, seeing smoke arise from buildings "Not good…"

Flying out of the village was Stoick, riding Skull Crusher "Son! I'm glad you're here!" He thundered, stopping in front of the group.

"Who did this? Dagur!?" Hiccup growled, his eyes narrowing.

"It was a hit-and-run attack. Catapults, volleys of fire arrows. Hit a few buildings in town. Astrid, one of them was your parent's house. You should probably head ov-"

Astrid already darted past him, urging Stormfly to fly faster.

Hiccup felt like he got hit in the gut with a war hammer. Watching Astrid dart between buildings, he was about to chase after her when Stoick shouted "Everyone meet up at the square! We'll issue instructions on rebuilding the village."

Hiccup reluctantly followed his dad, wishing he was going to help Astrid. Gliding closer to the square he could see some villagers already lining up.

"Alright, now that the fires are put out…" Stoick began to order, stepping off of Skull Crusher "Sven, you start on the wall repairs. Bucket, you're in charge of roofs."

Hiccup then kicked into leader mode, turning around to face the dragon riders. "Snotlout, Ruff, Tuff, you ferry whatever supplies they need. Fishlegs, you and Meatlug do any heavy lifting. I'll go looking for Dagur."

"Better count me in with Dagur." Matt quickly cut in, his eyes narrowing at the thought.

Hiccup was about to agree, but was interrupted by his dad.

"It was a strange attack son. A single ship." Stoick quickly informed "It fired a few salvos, and then just, turn tail and ran."

"That's not Dagur's style. Why attack at all?" Hiccup asked.

"Good Question…" Stoick said methodically, stroking his beard.

"Guess we can ask him when we find him." Matt suggested, kneeling down on Wasatch.

"Matt. I have a special request for you." Stoick quickly said, walking past Hiccup.

Not wanting to argue with Stoick, and also the fact that he was asking for his help, Matt quickly turned his attention to him.

"Go on son." Stoick urged, motioning him to get going "That goes for all of ya'!" Turning back to Hiccup, he then added "He was headed north. That's your best bet."

"I'll grab you next time Matt. Come on bud, let's go!" He shouted, launching into the air like and arrow.

The rest of the riders also flew off, leaving Matt and Stoick alone.

"What can I help you with chief?" Matt asked, eyeing him curiously. He knew Stoick was also family, but he enjoyed calling him chief.

"Matt. This might be difficult for you to do." Stoick said, making sure they were alone.

"What do you mean?" He asked, raising an eyebrow of concern.

Sighing, Stoick then said "It's not going to make sense right now. But I want you to do this. For you."

"Tell me then! Enough mystery!" Matt exclaimed, getting a little frustrated.

"I want you to go back to your cave. I want you to stay there for a while." Stoick answered, watching Matt's reaction.

"What? Why?!" Matt cried out, confused at the request "I could go help Hiccup and then do that!"

"I'll explain everything when you finish doing this. After you've been there, come find me in a few hours." Stoick instructed.

Matt then spat out angrily "What do you want me to do there?! Sit there with my thumb up my-"

"I want you to think. That's all." Stoick replied, getting angry with Matt "I promise. I'll explain it all when you get back."

"Fine!" Matt growled angrily "Come on bud. Let's go waste our time."

Wasatch launched into the air, leaving Stoick and Skull Crusher watching them. "Just…think…" Stoick whispered, watching fly towards the main mountain.


Astrid let Stormfly handle the landing by herself, stopping in the middle of the arena. The sun was setting, though all day it felt dark.

"Astrid! How's the family?" Hiccup cried out, walking up to her with a worried expression.

"They're ok. Their house…the house I grew up in, is gone." She said quietly, holding herself to help comfort the pain.

"Hey, Astrid, do you need a shoulder to cry on?" Snotlout asked, walking up to her and resting his arm on her shoulder.

Astrid quickly replied by grabbing his arm and spinning him around her. Throwing him into a wall, she put on a small smile as she watched him crash into the stone wall of the arena. Walking towards him, she knelt down where he lay and said "Thanks, Snotlout, I really needed that." Extending her hand to him, she then helped him up.

"Eehhh…You're welcome." He groaned, obviously in pain from the throw "I know my role…"

"Has anyone seen Matt?" Hiccup asked, getting everyone's attention.

"Not since we left the square." Fishlegs replied, walking up to him.

"I thought I saw him fly towards the mountain." Ruffnut said, looking uncaring at the thought.

"What? And you didn't ask what he was doing!?" Hiccup cried out, shocked at the news.

"Why? Was I supposed to?" Ruffnut asked, looking at him with confusion.

"That's where the cave is!" Astrid finished for Hiccup "If he went there, what was he expecting to find?"

"Rubble? Rocks? More rocks?" Tuffnut suggested, getting excited at the game he thought they were playing.

"None of those." Matt's voice called out, causing everyone to turn to see the Skrill land next to Stormfly.

"Matt! There you are!" Hiccup replied loudly with relief.

"Hey Hiccup. Any luck finding Dagur?" Matt asked, smiling at him with curiosity.

Shaking his head, Hiccup answered "Not a trace. He's had at least a day head start. If he keeps it up, he could be heading out of the archipelago."

"Times against us…" Matt whispered, looking down slightly.

"We'll head to Dragon's Edge first thing tomorrow. We'll use that as our base to resume searching for him." Hiccup continued to instruct "Now just go back to your houses and get a good night's sleep."

Everyone turned away and began to mount up on their dragons, except Astrid who was taking a pack off of Stormfly's saddle.

"Wh-where are you guys staying tonight?" Hiccup asked, looking at her with concern.

"I figured Stormfly and I would just bed down here." Astrid replied with an assuring smile.

"Oh! Ah…ah what a coincidence, I was sleeping here too!" Hiccup replied with a crooked smile. Toothless immediately growled, acknowledging what Hiccup was saying.

"Why? You have a warm bed and house?" Astrid asked, looking at him suspiciously.

"Yeah, but, the way my dad snores, sawing logs you know?" Hiccup quickly replied, still having a crooked smile on his face "Toothless and I wouldn't get a wink."

Matt smiled, as he interrupted the conversation "I'll second that. Best night's rest I ever had was out of Hiccup's house."

"Yeah, Meatlug and I were going too as well! You know, for old times' sake." Fishlegs piped in.

"Nuh uh-uh, no one's having a slumber party!" Snotlout quickly cut in "Unless Hookfang and I are in!"

"Better count me in!" Matt said with a wide smile, jumping off of Wasatch "I'm actually wanting a good night's rest before the trip tomorrow."

"Well, if you guys are sure…" Astrid replied, a thankful expression growing on her face.

"Of course we are!" Hiccup replied with a large smile. Matt then walked up and shoulder checked him, causing him to stumble.

Winking at Hiccup, he then said "What you mean to say is, of course you are. You're probably the most excited one! Heh heh…"

"Matt!" Hiccup breathed out loud, blushing a little. Astrid also blushed a little as well, looking away quickly.

"What?" Matt grinned mischievously.

Wanting to change the subject, Hiccup then quickly asked "What did my dad end up having you do?"

Matt shrugged and replied with "Just patrol the inner part of the island. Just in case the attack was a rouse and there were enemy scouts hiding in the mountains."

"Ah, Dagur would do that…" Hiccup agreed, nodding at the answer.

"Blah, blah, blah." Snotlout interrupted "Come on and let's get a fire going! We can talk about some of my great accomplishments!"

"I'll be right with you guys!" Matt laughed, setting his bag down "I have to go report to your dad real quick. He asked me to do so."

"Sounds good! See you in a bit!" Hiccup replied with a smile, pulling a bed roll off of Toothless.


Astrid sat on the stone ground with her knees tucked up in her chest. Her face was that of concern and worry. It was late into the night and everyone was asleep, including Stormfly. For her though, sleep was the last thing on her mind.

"What if they were in the house when it burned down?" She whispered, staring blankly at the ground. It was the question that ran through her head a hundred times that day, and a hundred more times as the night rolled on.

Realizing it was pointless to sit and think about it, she quietly stood up and let the blanket fall to the ground. Grabbing her axe, she began to walk out of the arena. Staring at the ground, she almost missed noticing someone standing on the edge of the cliff, overlooking the ocean. Matt.

Curious, she walked over to him. "Can't sleep either?" she called out.

Surprised, he turned to see her walk closer to him. A small grin appeared on his face in the moonlight, making Astrid feel more like her old self again. Matt had a way with being comforting with no words.

"Nah, never tried to sleep." He answered, looking back at the ocean "There a reason why you can't sleep?"

"Just…a lot on my mind." Astrid confessed, standing next to him and shouldering her axe.

"About your house?" Matt asked, not turning to look at her.

"Yeah…just thinking of what could have happened. If my family was inside when it burned down, or what I could have done if I was here." She replied, looking down at the ground.

"You know that you really wouldn't have changed the outcome that much, right?" Matt suggested, turning to her "I mean, you can't blame yourself for this. None of us were here to defend Berk. And frankly, it was an underhanded move by Dagur."

"I know, it's just…it's confusing." Astrid answered, looking at Matt with concern "If I was here, maybe Dagur wouldn't have gotten away. Maybe I could have put out the fire at the house. Or if my parents were in there, I could have gotten them out."

"That's a lot of ifs." He quickly pointed out, resting his hand on her shoulder "One of those 'ifs' is a theory in of itself! Listen, I don't know if I can put your mind at rest, but believe me when I say that I'm as much to blame for this as you are; if someone's to be blamed. We were all at the Edge, unaware of what was going on. So please, stop pinning this on yourself."

"I know…and I'll try." Astrid agreed again. Looking out at the ocean that was being illuminated by the full moon, she then turned to him with a confused expression "Why are you up any ways? Why didn't you try going to sleep?"

Matt didn't say anything, but just stared off into the distance.

"Matt? Is something wrong?" She pressed, looking at him with concern.

"You know, every few weeks, I don't sleep for a day or two." Matt began to explain, now looking up at the moon that was floating above them "I just sit on either my deck or stand at a cliff like this one. I look for, wait for…her. I just wait to see if Heather is coming back."

Astrid looked at Matt with sadness. He was still torn over her deciding to leave them. Rightfully so. He did so much for her, as she did for him. She was always on his mind, and he wasn't quiet about it either, always trying to push Hiccup into searching for her.

"And that was really brought out today." Matt continued to say, making Astrid raise an eyebrow. Turning to face her, a depressed expression took over the usual happy and carefree face. "Stoick had me go back to the cave. That's what I was really doing today."

Shocked at the revealed secret, she asked "Why? What did he want you do there?"

"Apparently, he's been having Skull Crusher smash rocks and clear the rubble." Matt explained, looking down from Astrid's gaze "He cleared the cave. It's open. I…I could have gone home today."

Astrid gasped, not believing it. She remembered when it was blown up. Collapsed by Darien. Someone who was related to Dagur, and almost killed both her and Matt, after she kidnapped Heather.

"It made me think of what I really want. What I want to have in my life." Matt began to say "I…I really had an internal battle. I want to stay here, as I love it here. I feel like I'm really making a difference helping you guys." Letting out a soft scoff of frustration, he then added "I want to wait for Heather too. I do."

"But?" She asked, wondering where he was going with it.

"I miss my dad." Matt answered simply "I miss him. A lot actually. He's…probably not doing too well either. I mean my mom died a year ago, and now that I'm 'missing', I don't know how he's dealing with life right now. Heh, he probably thinks I'm dead and has a headstone for me."

Astrid didn't say anything. He was going through a tough phase in his life that was giving him two choices. One that he was going to have to make sooner than later.

"I don't know what I'll do." Matt replied, shaking his head "I still need to think about it. Hence, the reason why I'm still up." Turning to Astrid, he then let his usual smile grow on his face "Mind if you keep this between us two? At least for now? I plan on telling Hiccup and the others, I just needed to come to terms with my options; and what will happen with what I choose."

"Of course. My lips are sealed." Astrid quickly assured "But why did you tell me?"

"Because you asked; and I also wanted you to know that you're not the only one struggling with personal issues." Matt answered with a smile. Grabbing her shoulder plate, he then laughed "Everything will be ok! For both of us. All of us!"

"There you go again; your happy, go lucky attitude taking over!" Astrid smiled, shaking her head at Matt.

Smiling, Matt shrugged, saying "Eh, better than being gloomy and depressed." Looking back at the arena, he then suggested "How about we try to get some shuteye. Tomorrow's trip going to be a long one if we don't some rest, considering we didn't really sleep last night."

"Eh, I'd actually like to think for a bit." Astrid quickly answered "I just need to be alone for a little awhile…"

"I totally understand." Matt said with a comforting smile "Trust me, I do." Turning away from her, he then said "Glad we can still talk with each other Astrid. It's good to know I still have someone I can talk to."

"Likewise Matt. Likewise." Astrid answered, watching him disappear into the arena.