Hey guys! TWO updates today! :D Yay! :D If you're lucky, and if I don't get a migraine today, I think I'll post a third chapter, too...y'know, for cliffhanger's sake. XD XD XD Seriously though, I love you guys. ;) Shout-outs:

Animals Rule: Good ideas! :D I might use them in the future! :D

CoverGirl7210: Thanks! :D Yeah, I think I'm going to write a Hiccup/Stoick story. :) And you make a valid point! :) I thought about that a lot while writing this piece, actually, and this is my conclusion: Hiccup wouldn't go to Alvin about Barreck because Barreck had run away. Barreck didn't and wouldn't go back to his father even if Hiccup tried to make him. And since Barreck is a hiccup, it makes sense why Alvin would shun him. And Hiccup is also focused on getting the Dragon Eye, and saving Barreck's friend before it's too late. So, that's my answer. :D You had a very good question! :D Thanks! :D

Dimensional Girl: Yes he did! :D Go Hiccstrid! :D

ShadowSpirit020: Yep! Ain't no one get through Hiccup like that. Least of all Barreck. Let's see how this goes down! :D :D :D And I think I'll do that; have Hiccup and Stoick main and then a subplot of Astrid and the gang doing something else. :) Sounds good to me! :D Thanks for the review! :D

Guest (#1): You shall learn...sooooooon. :D

SilverGhostWolf: I love father/son bonding. I wish there was more of it in RttE. :) Thanks for the review! :D

RiderOfNight: Great idea! :D I think I should definitely do more one-shots (or two-shots) centering around what-ifs for RttE episodes! :D I saw your review on "Ouch!", and I think I should definitely write some! :D Like in the episode with the Skrill, what if Hiccup was shot, or in "Snow Way Out", what if Heather didn't throw off the archer...brilliant ideas! :D I should write more Ouch! one-shots centering around those. :D Thanks for the review! :D

LunarCatNinja: Yeah, Astrid knows something isn't right. Go Astrid! :D

Galaxy-Mitsuko-Pegasus: Yep, Astrid knows better than to let Barreck trick her. Now Barreck's gotten her suspicious. :D

Guest (#2): Thanks! :D

wikelia: AIN'T NO ONE BREAK UP HICCSTRID. AIN'T NO ONE. :D

HappyPup1: This won't be like "Heather Report" at all, I promise. ;)

"FISHLEGS!" Snotlout shouted angrily, storming into Fishlegs' hut. "FISHLEGS, I'D LIKE TO HAVE A WORD WITH YOU!"

Fishlegs, quickly, raced into the room. Snotlout was standing there with his arms crossed tightly over his chest. Fishlegs looked at him, clearly confused. "What, Snotlout?" Fishlegs asked.

"You!" snapped Snotlout angrily, jabbing a finger in Fishlegs' face. "You stole my favorite axe!"

"What? No I didn't!" Fishlegs protested, stepping backwards, away from Snotlout's outstretched, accusing finger. "Why would I take your axe?"

"Oh, I don't know," said Snotlout sarcastically, withdrawing his finger to twirl around his head, "maybe because you want to prove just how much of a burden you think I am! You want the other riders to somehow think I'm not good enough for them! You're trying to make them kick me off the team!"

Meatlug, who had been sleeping, jarred awake, and she lumbered towards Fishlegs, standing at his side protectively. Fishlegs looked to her, and then back to Snotlout.

"I would never do that!" said Fishlegs, feeling torn between hurt and offended, because he honestly didn't know what he could have done to make Snotlout so angry in the first place.. "I'm your friend, Snotlout!"

"You were my friend," growled Snotlout.

It was perfect timing; Astrid and Hiccup ran through the door, their dragons hot on their heels. Snotlout and Fishlegs looked to them as they entered, and both of them looked relieved for different reasons.

"Hiccup!" said Snotlout, and he pointed his accusing finger at Fishlegs again. "Fishface stole my axe!"

"I wouldn't touch your axe!" said Fishlegs desperately. "Hiccup, tell him! You know I wouldn't!"

"Snotlout, where is this coming from?" Hiccup said; beside him, Astrid crossed her arms, axe strapped to her back. "You know Fishlegs wouldn't!"

"He did!" said Snotlout. "I'm sure he did! He's trying to get me kicked out of the group, but I know what he's trying to do, and he won't outsmart me!"

"What in the name of Thor!?" Hiccup said. "Wh-What, Snotlout, what!?"

"Did you actually see Fishlegs steal your axe, Snotlout?" Astrid said, glaring angrily.

Snotlout lifted his finger and opened his mouth, just to drop that same finger and click his jaw shut. "No," he said.

"See?" said Hiccup. "There you go! Rightfully, anyone could have taken your axe. One of the twins could have taken it!"

"Or," said Astrid, "no one stole it at all. I'm pretty sure I saw your axe in the Clubhouse earlier this morning, Snotlout. Remember? Yesterday you were trying to sharpen it so you could spar with Barreck."

"Oh…" said Snotlout quietly. "Right...fine." He turned and stormed off, pushing his way between Astrid and Hiccup. He slammed the door behind him; his stomps could still be heard until he mounted Hookfang and soared off.

Astrid and Hiccup turned back to Fishlegs, who looked terrified. "What was that all about?" Hiccup asked.

"I don't know," Fishlegs said. "He just ran in here and started accusing me...it's not going to get better, Hiccup."

"What could make Snotlout like that?" said Astrid in confusion. "I know he's normally not the kindest person in the world, but for him to do this is just uncharacteristic of him."

"You're right," said Hiccup. "Look, we'll call a meeting tonight and finish up the plans for our attack on Viggo's base. Barreck gave me a number on Ryker's armada."

This perked Fishlegs up instantly. "Really?" he said. "How many?"

"Not enough to take us out when we attack," said Astrid. "But we're still going to need a plan. We're going to start marking off all possible places and eliminate them accordingly until we have a good idea as to where Ryker's keeping Barreck's friend and the Dragon Eye."

"That sounds great!" said Fishlegs excitedly, beaming. "Have you guys already built the map?"

"Part of it," said Hiccup. "We were coming to see if you felt up to helping us finish up. We can't do anything else until that map is finished."

"Sure!" said Fishlegs. "I'll be glad to help! But, Hiccup…" He looked uncertain again, and he twiddled his fingers. "What about Snotlout?" he said quietly. "Do you have any idea why he's being like this?"

"I don't," Hiccup admitted. "Not yet. Come on, let's go work on that map, and we can call the meeting at nightfall."

…

Ruffnut and Tuffnut were in the forest with Barf and Belch. Neither of them were quite sure why exactly they were there - it happened quite often with them. They started walking, and when they stopped, they didn't know for how long they had been walking or where they had walked to.

Ruffnut looked over at her brother, wanting to say something, but not knowing what to say that wouldn't end up with Tuffnut getting angry with her. "Tuff," she finally said, quietly, "if something I said bothered you, you shouldn't shut up. I want to know. I mean, it's not like I mean anything when I insult you. You know that, right?"

Tuffnut didn't answer.

"Tuffnut, you're more important to me than anything else," said Ruffnut. "You know that, don't you? And you're always insulting me, so it's not like you don't get me back!"

Tuffnut still didn't say anything.

Ruffnut, trying to be lighthearted about the situation, reached over and punched him lightly on the shoulder. "Come on!" she said. "Tell me, bro! Or you can insult me right back and we'll call it even, alright? You're kind of scaring me with all your moping and droning. It's worse than Beorn Boar's death."

"I never minded it when you insulted me to my face," said Tuffnut.

"Well, good!" said Ruffnut. "Then what's wrong? Was it something someone else said? 'Cause if it was…" And she slammed her fist into her open palm for emphasis.

Tuffnut shook his head. "I said I didn't mind it when you insulted me to my face," said Tuffnut. "Because then, I knew you were joking. But...when you say it to someone else when I'm not around…"

Ruffnut blinked at him. "What?" she said. "When have I ever insulted you without you being there to insult you? Where's the fun in insulting someone if they're not around to hear it?"

"I don't know," said Tuffnut. "Why don't you ask yourself that question? You're obviously much more knowledgable than me!"

"Is that what's bothering you?" said Ruffnut, and this time, she was angry. "Are you angry because you think I'm smarter than you? We agreed on it when we were seven, we're both idiots!"

"Yes," said Tuffnut, "but which of us is the idiot idiot?"

"I don't know what you mean!" said Ruffnut. "You're my brother, Tuffnut! I'd never insult you and actually mean it!"

"Oh, you're sure about that?" said Tuffnut.

Neither of them had the chance to say anything else; a Terrible Terror suddenly dropped in from the sky, two pieces of parchment clutched in either of its talons. Tuffnut took one, and Ruffnut took the other, opened it, and silently read it to themselves.

"Um, I can't read everything it says," said Ruffnut, lowering the note, "but basically, I think Hiccup wants us to meet him at the Clubhouse later on."

"I know that," said Tuffnut, lowering his note. "Despire popular opinion, I'm not stupid."

Ruffnut looked at him, torn between saying something and staying quiet.

Finally, at long last, she decided.

She would stay silent until whatever was bothering Tuffnut blew over.

Because talking to him certainly wasn't helping matters at all.

Without knowing what else to do, she turned and mounted Barf, and after a moment, Tuffnut turned and mounted Belch. Neither of them said anything. The Zippleback, confused at its riders' silence when they were usually so obnoxious, spread his wings and took to the sky, flying back towards the Clubhouse.

…

"Hey, Barreck," said Snotlout, approaching Barreck. The two of them were in the forest, Barreck with his sword and Snotlout with his newly found axe which Fishlegs had most certainly not stolen.

"Hello, Snotlout," said Barreck, turning with a smile in Snotlout's direction. "How goes the plans to vanquish the dragon hunters?"

"Well, as far as I know, they're going good," said Snotlout, "but Hiccup's called a meeting in the Clubhouse at sundown. He wants us both to be there."

"Of course," said Barreck, bowing his head and sheathing his sword. "I owe a lot to you and your friends for agreeing to help me. My friend means a lot to me. He's all I have."

"Yeah," said Snotlout, "sure, no problem. Come on, let's go."

He and Barreck headed towards the Clubhouse, Ruffnut and Tuffnut heading in from above, and Hiccup, Astrid, and Fishlegs already there.