How to Pick Your Dragon

It was two weeks after Alvin had invaded Berk and in those two weeks Berk had two other problems. One was a rouge dragon had been attacking their fishing boats leaving them destroyed and taking their food supply, the other? Stoick didn't want to listen to his children who'd been trying desperately to tell him how useful it be to get a dragon of his own.

So yet again they'd flown down to the docks to once again see their father return with yet another battered and burned boat with another whole catch lost. Though Una secretly didn't mind the loss of some fish. She personally wish they'd something more to eat then a diet made up of nothing but fish, chicken, cabbage and bread.

Her brothers tended to agree that you quickly got sick to death eating the same food again and again without ever a break and nothing new to add variety, though they weren't here to complain about needing some new food for their diet. They're here once again to try and tell their father it was time to saddle up and fly.

"Well, that rouge dragon got the best of us again. That the second boat this week alone he's destroyed!" Gobber pointed out yet again the obvious to which Stoick moaned.

"Thanks for reminding me, Gobber. Like I need you to keep tally of that. We now have lost four and half boats and six catches of fish thanks to that dragon. If we could've gotten there sooner we might have been able to save both the boat and the fish," he snorted with frustration.

"Well, Dad you know what we've been telling you does make sense, doesn't it?" piped up Hiccup from the back and he groaned. "Not again. Do I have to hear this yet again?" he asked looking at his kids who just carried on with the same arguments they'd for the last two weeks.

"Come on, Dad? Does it make any logical sense to you? Since it make perfect sense in every which way! I mean we all ride dragons and so does Mom and look how well it works for us! We get plenty done and make much better time in any case then traveling by foot or taking a boat," Boden yet again emphasized the logical side of the argument.

"You know Daddy we are telling the truth. It does make a lot of sense and think about it in this sense as well, Daddy. Besides getting things done more rapidly and more efficiently we'd all bond better if you had a dragon too.

Then we all could go flying and play together, don't you think that be great too? If you had a dragon as well for that reason? To finally be part of what makes the rest of us so happy?" his daughter asked him trying to make her blue eyes as big as possible hoping that get him to listen.

Unfortunately their father didn't seem to listen to any of their words but to Gobber despite his words were their words! "You know the kids all have excellent points, Stoick. If you're on a dragon you could protect Berk from all kinds of threats, even Alvin."

"Yes that what we've been saying…" Hiccup started to say but he was cut off by his father addressing Gobber. "You right Gobber. Alvin knows we got dragons and will be back. And if he kidnapped the kids once he's likely to do it again."

"If you had a dragon and were in command of them you could do anything and everything, Stoick. Protect the island, get everything done quicker and then the kids wouldn't be in any danger.

Not to mention you look damn near as god as possible on a proud flying fire breathing dragon of your own."

"That all sounds appealing and it be nice to join the family on outings."

"Did Daddy listen to us at all? Or does he only listen to Gobber?" hissed Una out of the corner of her mouth indignantly to her older brothers.

"I guess so, sis, but Hiccup do you think Dad honestly doesn't think we can possibly protect ourselves at all? Or we're just always helpless?" Boden asked incredulously as their father continued to talk with Gobber who was still stealing all their words.

"I think it's probably yes on both accounts. Yes he's only listening to Gobber and yes he probably does think we couldn't defend ourselves at all. And a No as in no he's not listening to us." Hiccup answered in his own disappointed voice.

He was even more disappointed when their father suddenly looked at them asking for flying lessons and he retorted in a sarcastic tone with his arms crossed, "I don't know shouldn't we ask Gobber?"

Then Gobber who obviously didn't get it was sarcasm or a rhetorical question at all answered "I don't have a preference but sooner is always better."

That's when Hiccup, Boden and Una all smacked their foreheads at the same time and groaned and their father and Gobber looked at them oddly not getting why they just did that.

The next morning they're all gathered on one of the highest peaks with all the family's dragons and the kids were steadying themselves to be teachers to their father.

Their mother on the other hand? She was standing off to the side with a concerned but amused look etched upon her beautiful features and clutching her dragon staff tightly. She told them at breakfast that she was leaving the training completely to them nevertheless be standing by to aid the wounded. They're not sure what she meant by that. In reply she'd simply rolled her eyes and simply said, "You'll see before the day is done."

Taking a few deep calming breaths it begun. "Okay, Dad before we actually get to the actual flying on a dragon we need to go over the basic fundamental principles of what dragon riding is about," Hiccup was starting to say when his father rudely cut him off.

"I didn't come here to get a lecture, son. I came here to learn to fly dragons. And what is this nonsense about fundamentals? I'm the chief! How can dragon riding be any different then running the village as chief?"

His children looked very taken aback and their eyes turned towards their mothers who gave them a knowing look as if to say. "This is why I'm not doing this and this only start of the trouble."

"Dad!" Hiccup tried to say a bit louder to get heard. "Dragon training and riding one and being a chief are two vastly different things. Completely opposite. They are nothing alike. The first and foremost thing to even begin training a dragon is they must be able to trust you. Not you as a Chief but you as a Friend. There must be a bond. You must feel this bond within in you!"

"There are other aspects of a dragon and human relationship that must be taken into account for it to be a healthy and equal relationship, Dad! As an empath I cannot implore enough on you how important the golden rule is when it comes to a Rider and their dragon!"

"Golden Rule?"

"Stoick! The Golden Rule is treat others how you wish to be treated. Geez how do you not know that one?" Valka asked in annoyed tone from behind him again rolling her eyes and shaking her head.

"Mom is right Dad!" Boden stated firmly trying his father's attention hopefully back to what he was trying to emphases. "And it's no different with dragons! They've the same mental, emotional and spiritual capacity that a human possess. So they deserve to be treated with the same amount of respect and dignity of a human for they're just as sentient as humans.

They have hearts, minds and souls! All these things must be treated with respect and compassion and always taken into account. So the golden rule must be followed and it a two way relationship. You get what you give. You disrespect the dragon they'll disrespect you. You show them love and loyalty they show it back. Do you understand?" he finished in a slightly out of breath tone so his mother swooped in with some berry juice for him to drink.

Now Una was facing down her daddy and though she was the tiniest she wasn't gonna be seen as the softest her voice was loud and clear. "This isn't like owning a pet Daddy. Dragons are not pets. They are friends, family. When you find your destined dragon it will feel like how….how when you and Mommy met!

It's like the bond of true love! It's a deep powerful bond that has no words to describe it other than it like finding the other half that makes you whole. And you become one being. You feel each other thoughts, feelings, pains and pleasures. That's how deep that bond its.

Your hearts beat in sync and your souls are intertwined. Therefore a human and dragon relationship is not like a master and his pet; rather it's about finding your soul friend, a friend with a bond you can't put into proper words; nevertheless know you can't live without, and know you'll be with them during the course of your life and even in death till all the Nine Realms come to an end!" Una finished in a rather dramatic way which left her family impressed.

Now that they'd said all they could about what the fundamental principles of dragon riding and dragon rider relationships were they at least hoped their father understood.

Sadly it seemed for nothing and they felt everything fell on deaf ears when they asked him to touch each of their dragons in turn to see if he felt the bond. All their father said was "They're just dry and scaly. So can I get on one of them to start the actual flying lessons now?" he seemed rather impatient.

They felt hurt and dishearten looking at their mother who smiled understandingly. Like she knew Stoick wouldn't listen or get what they're saying. She climbed on to Cloudjumper and everyone got on their dragons with Stoick getting on Toothless for his first flying lesson.

"Okay, Dad. Take it nice and easy. Just give him a little nudge to tell him you want to take offffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff!" as they went up faster than a bolt of lightning.

"What did Daddy do?!" Una asked as her brother and daddy where now a mile in the sky.

"I think your father's nudge, Una more like when a yak kicks you in the butt if you annoy it. C'mon lets go save your brother and Toothless!" their mother sighed as they took off towards the sea stakes where. Stoick obviously not listening to the terrified screaming teenager behind his massive bulk, was knocking his dragon around like it was a rag doll.

"LEFT! NO DAD THE OTHER LEFT! ARE YOU GONNA BLAME THAT ON TOOTHLESS TOO DAD?! INCOMING! OH ODIN!" Hiccup was screaming as he hung on for dear life with his eyes shut tightly after hitting five sea stakes.

It didn't seem Stoick could hear his panic-stricken son behind him and didn't let Toothless try and take control back who was in lot of pain from both Stoick's rough handling and forcing him into crashing.

Finally they're coming in for a crash landing on a beach. Stoick and Hiccup where thrown before the actual crash and Valka had done a spectacular display of acrobatic moves to rescue her son so he wasn't harmed and Cloudjumper managed to save Toothless from further harm. No-one had bothered to save Stoick though and he ended up hitting a stone wall dazed for a few moments.

Hiccup was so pale with his eyes closed tightly he was actual in a fetal position thinking he was dead for a few moments till his mom whispered to him. "It's alright, Hiccup, you're safe now. And Cloudjumper got Toothless. Your both safe, sweetheart. Its, alright,' and she kissed his forehead while hugging him tightly.

It was only then Hiccup realized he truly wasn't dead and his mom really did have him. His father was still dazed and his brother and sister had rushed over to check on their brother. So Boden and Una heard what Hiccup said but Stoick didn't.

"Thank you for saving me, Mommy. I thought Dad was gonna kill us both!" Hiccup cried in a trembling voice as she hugged his trembling body close.

Now Hiccup was a 15 year old teenager and hadn't called his mom "Mommy" since he was about 7 years old. Then again after what he'd just barely lived through if you're scared to death like a child and your mommy does save you? You'd call her mommy too after something like that. Moms are not "Mom" in near-death experiences, there "Mommy" then.

Valka really was Mommy all day to both her children and the dragons seeing as she and Cloudjumper had to again and again save everyone from Stoick's thick-headedness and foolhardiness from unmistakably not heeding to what his children had told him before they started.

She protected her children from certain death that day at least five times and Cloudjumper saved his nephews and niece as he saw them that many times because that how many times they crashed all over the place.

Finally everyone had had enough of being beaten, battered and nearly dying. For that reason Valka told Stoick before he got everyone murdered they're going home and this time they take the scenic route and he'd pay attention this time on how it was done!

So she'd him sit in the backseat of Cloudjumper and made unquestionable sure he was paying close attention as they took the scenic route home. One by one the children demonstrated how to not only fly a dragon properly, but also the special bond and how it would work well for his job as chief.

Toothless demonstrated for Chiefing it worked well after catching Ruff and Tuff yak tipping. Stardust helped with getting rid of some boars and Nightrainbow and Una closed the evening by taking everyone above the clouds to see the most amazing sight and view the sun setting on Berk.

"I've seen every inch of Berk. I've climbed its hills and swam it waters. But I've never seen it like this."

"It's beautiful from up here, isn't it Stoick? Imagine what it be like if we as a family could be up here together enjoying views like this all the time? Or playing or something?" Valka proposed to her husband as they held hands.

"This is truly amazing to see all of Berk and its people safe and know my family is safe. It's a good feeling. I love this feeling. So many feelings from way up here," he whispered into his wife's ear and she smiled.

"Yes, a sense of freedom, a sense of wonder and so many more when you find your dragon that shares your heart and soul. Come time to get the wounded to bed," breaking her husband out of his revere as they came in for a landing at home and she hopped off and helped the children inside for the night to tend to their wounds.

Stoick on the other hand stay outside for a few minutes lost in the new feelings and eyeing the sore dragons in an odd way.

The kids slept late the next day still recovering from their injuries from the day before and their mother was just changing their bandages when they heard something they didn't recognized come from outside.

"What was that noise? It sounded almost like a house falling in!" Boden exclaimed as his mother was finishing putting brace together for his sprained wrist.

"I'm getting a very sinking feeling I know what it is, Boden and I don't think anyone gonna be happy today. C'mon!" Hiccup cried as they hobbled to the doorway as they're still badly bruised with sprains and cuts and all of them looked up shocked and a bit angry as yes Stoick had stolen Toothless and was working him to death and still beating him up from flying him improperly.

And they saw the Riders were shocked and disturbed by it as they saw they stop in the middle of the chores to watch the spectacle, a painful spectacle that lasted throughout the day.

Stoick may've called borrowing his children called it stealing but he stole Toothless from sunup to noon before the injured Night Fury could do no more so he took Stardust and she gave out at four and then Nightrainbow to sundown.

And since all the children themselves were battered as their dragons with their mother caring for them they couldn't protest the theft of their dragons. In fact they're so beaten up, Valka had asked Astrid to come over to help her with giving Boden and Una their lessons.

"Well, Una, you're very good at adding and subtracting. Boden you're doing well with basic multiplication and division as well. So your math scores are okay," Astrid was saying as she was going over their math test Valka had come up with.

"Alright, that's encouraging to hear isn't it?" Hiccup asked towards his siblings who nodded and knowing what they wanted to know before they could ask it he turned to Astrid, "How they do on their spelling test?"

"Boden misspelled five words and Una' six. So about the same and it was the same words they misspelled. The only word Una misspelled that Boden didn't was Typhoomrangs, but as that's a new dragon species I can understand that. As the spelling test was to spell the names of known dragon species we've seen."

"Did we do better on other test, Astrid? Like geography, history and knowing the facts of Berk?" inquired Boden hopefully.

"Both of you did well with the maps and knowing your geography terms, so you passed with flying colors there. You know the dates and how to tell time very well. And your history and knowledge of Berk is well. So I say your schooling is coming along over all well. Your mom and big brother are good teachers."

"Thank you, Astrid. Mommy and BBBFF work very hard on our education! Still I wish Daddy listen to his own laws and know stealing isn't right! He stole all our dragons and we couldn't stop them because we all were well…"

"I understand, Una. I mean your mom wouldn't have asked me to fill in as your teacher today if you all weren't battle worn. So if you need your dad off your dragons why don't you just give him the old honey and hatchet tomorrow?"

Look at each other blankly she sighed and explain. "You tell him something he wants to hear that the honey and then you hit him on the head with something he doesn't that's the hatchet."

"Why does your advice always involve weapons, Astrid?" Hiccup asked her and she simple shrugged and smiled. "It's just what my Uncle Finn told me when I was a little girl."

And then Hiccup's powers activated at that and they all saw the precious memory of Astrid's heart showing her first hearing this advice and how much it meant to her before it died away.

"Sorry! I can't control it always. Sometimes it actives on its own when something is thinking about a golden memory and I'm just around!"

"It's okay, Hiccup it was nice to share that with everyone."

"Well, we'll try it tomorrow, but can you help us over to the Anquetils house while Dad is passed out? We need to do something very quickly before we give him the honey and hatchet." Hiccup informed her.

"Okay. Do you need me to carry Boden or Una or both?"

"I'll carry Boden I can manage that. Give Una a piggyback ride and let's get this done under the cloak of night!" and he got his brother on his back and she took his sister and they made their way to the Anquetils.

They didn't even get to the house before Dotta Anquetil came out of the door hurrying over to them. "Oh, you three look worst then I thought! Stormy sent me a message you'd be seeking my family help tonight. But she didn't mention you look like a herd of yak ran you over!" the middle age woman with fading blond said as she shook her head in dismay.

Taking Una from Astrid she ushered them inside where she'd a light snack and hot drink waiting for all of them almost as if she knew they're coming. In a way she did.

"Thanks for having a snack waiting for us. Mom didn't have much time make dinner between taking care of us and trying to get the schoolwork made."

"Not to mention getting ready to scold your father I take it. Man a great chief but should've listen to you three better yesterday. I can say for sure the villagers of the past are both laughing at him and feeling pity for you three and the dragons."

"How do you know that? I mean I get your family is blessed too but not sure how," Astrid asked as she drank the refreshing berry juice and at the bread with berry baked into it.

"The people of the Anquetil bloodline have always as we put be spiritual gifted, Astrid. But don't let it get around. We already have that ass Mildew mocking Hiccup, Boden and Una's blessing from the Gods we don't need him mocking us.

Not when they'll bite him in the ass at the perfect moment. Though gifts my family has always had its what we call inner knowing, an ability to know things without knowing how, able to speak to the other side, sense evil, immune to evil influence and expel evil influence others and we suspect but haven't proven yet open portals to the other side. We also somehow can sense what the dragons are saying just not on par with Boden.

Therefore it's a little like all of their gifts just not on par. On the other hand we strongly believe they've just begun to tap would will ultimately be something far stronger and unimaginable when they unleashed their full potential and reach their zenith. My family looks forward to that day for you Hiccup and your siblings."

"We hope that day comes, Dotta. We at least have in common like how your family is stronger together my siblings and I are together. Though we don't seem to need to find special crystal you call sister stones like you and your late sister Firestorm and Skullette and Firefang did."

"Well we all uses our gifts differently. Still I believe that's why our families are such good friends. We are very much alike in so many ways. Special gifts, similar beliefs and we all possess great love and compassion and knows what actually matters in life and death."

"It's still a shame what happened to your sister and her husband before we could end the war. We still feel bad about that Dotta," Boden confesses and she smiled knowingly.

"Don't fret, Boden. My husband Braggret and I don't hold ill will towards you family and the dragons. Neither do my daughter or niece. And I know sister and her husband Dragonfang in Valhalla never hated the dragons either.

We talked about with our own gifts after you three got rid of the Red Death and they already understood dragons we're doing what they needed to do to live like we do.

The only sad part really is losing family and how Berk no longer has two of its dream teams. My husband lost his best friend and they're best friends, almost brothers and Dragonfang was the best carpenter Berk ever had and as my husband best with construction. Together everything they built together stood up to even the most hellish dragon fire. It's sad that's gone now.

And myself? I lost a sister and Berk lost its best animal caretaker and healer and without her sometimes it's hard for me to keep up with my orders as best seamstress on Berk.

As for Skullette and Firefang? Firefang lost her parents and my daughter her aunt and uncle. Still we all do our best. Now they're upstairs practicing their gifts but you can go ask them for their help with hiding your dragons now. As I know that's what you want."

"Thanks, Dotta for both you're hospitably and just being a family friend. We'll do our best to return in kind." Hiccup promised and smiled back at him.

So they ran up to the second floor to the bedrooms and found the cousins who saw themselves as sisters. Skullette with her two different eyes and Firefang with her sandy blond hair with scarlet tips.

"Oh hey Hiccup! Nice to see you and the whole brood! What can we do you for?" asked Skullette as she went to wash up by her pretty painted wash basin.

"We need your help as do our dragons," he started to explain and Firefang cut him off.

"Your dad stole your dragons today so you need us to take them deep into the old Sanctuary tomorrow so he can find and abuse them again?"

"Yes! Was that your powers telling you or simply logic?" Hiccup asked and they turned and replied. 'Logic this time. He caused such a ruckus today we figured you be knocking before midnight tonight to seek our help. Let's get going! Night won't last forever!" Skullette replied with a playful voice and they took off.

The next morning the kids after they'd had a hearty breakfast that their mother had done her best to make for them long before their father woke up gave them enough courage to try Astrid's advice.

"Where are all the dragons? I've looked all over the house and can't find one dragon! Where are they?" he asked clueless.

"Um we are not sure, Dad. But you look great, Dad! Did you do something with your beard?" Hiccup tried and Boden and Una were about to add some other flatteries when their father raised his hand to cut them off.

"Okay no more honey just give me the hatchet please."

"Wow, he's good," whispered Boden to Una who whispered back, "Or maybe flattery doesn't work so well with some people."

"Okay, Dad it's like this you can't keep taking our dragons. They are OURS. You have to find your own."

"Yes, honey and please find one who can handle you as well. Neither I nor the Anquetils feel like being nursemaids again to the sick and injured. Not after what your lack of listening did to both your own children and their dragons," Valka added staring her husband down with an irate expression in her blue eyes that caused him to cringe.

"Okay fair points all around. So find me one. A dragon as good as all of yours and that can handle me. That shouldn't be hard for the Heads of the Berk Dragon Training Academy or their mother, should it?"

"I'm staying strictly out of this, Stoick. I'm only here if you jeopardize the children or the dragons' lives for a second time, however the training falls to the children and you listening to them for a change." Valka stated firmly.

"How about we get to the arena and just see if the dragons there match up to me? And not have a fight over breakfast at eight in the morning?" he tried to defuse the situation calmly.

"Your breakfast is on the table with a large mug of warm yak milk I added an extra kick of surprise to with a surprise flavor of the day. I've been experimenting again so perhaps Gobber can stop complaining about my lousy cooking. After you eat we'll see if we can find you a dragon," she said before turning to the kids.

"Kids it's safe to get your dragons and go set things up in the arena but take your time. We'll be there in about 45 minutes."

"Okay, Mom. We'll do our best," Hiccup replied though Boden muttered under his breath which his mother caught. "But this still gonna be a disaster."

"Boden watch your tongue and if you keep up the disrespect you know I'll have to punish you. You don't want that do you?" she whispered as she gave him a sharp look.

He got a scared look at his face and shook his head. "No Mom I don't want to be punished. We'll get things ready in the arena. Let's go bro and sis! Now!" and they scampered with their mother smiling.

Valka didn't believe in displacing her child by physical force so she wasn't one to spank or hit her children. Sure she embarrassed them if they did their chores is a half ass manner. On the other hand you didn't die from embarrassment.

Her punishments were more creative and less harmful but nevertheless still a punishment.

For example she told them if they ever tried poison of any kind like alcohol gambling or anything she declared poison, their punishment would be stuck rowing a boat on an empty stomach on choppy water for a whole day.

Or if they did really break something not on accident she force them to make five copies from sunup to sundown to replace it.

So basically a punishment to fit the crime in a creative but not directly physically harmful way.

They'd all gotten time outs and written lines before yes but for a more serious punishment those are what they'd knew she'd do to them if they really step over the line.

Though even before their father got there to the arena they already knew how this would play out. They know the Riders and their dragon well enough and their own father and knew none of them were a match.

After all Nightmares set your pants on fire as Snotlout showed enough time. Astrid was a proud warrior like Stormfly but the spines were too sensitive, the twins and their dragon? Self-explanatory and Fishlegs and Meatlug were way too motherly.

So it was no surprise to them their father wasn't happy with any of their friends' dragons and they pointed out the fact their dragons were as far they knew were one of kind and like their mother's the only ones on Berk.

He was getting frustrated and his face was getting red as his beard when Gobber hoppled in "Stoick another boat getting attack by that rouge dragon again!"

"We've got to get their right away!" and he was looking at his family dragon and Valka sighed and helped him on Cloudjumper but made it clear she was driving and they took off as a family to deal with this.

They head off about two and half miles off shore where Bucket and Mulch were under attack by something and then bursting from the water was a bright blue dragon attacking with a sonic roar.

"Wow! I don't believe it! It's a Thunderdrum! They say it gets it power from Thor itself!" Hiccup called out over the wind.

"Um….T.H.U.N.D.E.R.D.R.U.M, right, Mommy? I think I missed the second R on my spelling test yesterday. It has two "R" right?" called out Una to her mommy who was mildly surprised her daughter was thinking of schoolwork now.

"Yes, honey it's spelled with two R. Boden, sweetheart are you picking up any thoughts or feelings or we flying blind?" called out their mother who didn't want to jump in blind.

"Well it's a male and he's very determined at what he is doing. But all his other thoughts he might be having right now are just blocked out by his sole determination to get those fish. His only thoughts are getting the food.

I'm sorry I can't get what other things he might be thinking or feeling or snippets of memories since it's all blocked out by the sheer determination he's got for doing what's doing at the moment," her son replied to her inquire as helpful as he could be.

Stoick meanwhile was less concerned about the exchanges his younger children were having with their mother and instead yelled at his eldest to have his dragon fire a warning shot.

Hiccup complied though he felt they should proceed with caution still he'd Toothless fire a warning shot before they landed ready to escort Bucket and Mulch home before the Thunderdrum returned.

And yet before they could even get the words out of their mouths that Thunderdrum snatched up Stoick and took him under the water. "Daddy!" screamed Una in a panic and Valka had to stop her from jumping overboard since she barely knew how to swim.

Instead they're looking and looking and then were shocked when the dragon and Stoick slammed on the deck and Stoick was yelling in elation. "He's a fighter! He's got spunk!" and threw a net on top of it pinning it to the ground.

"This is the one! I've found my dragon! So when do we get to the rest of the training so I can fly him?" and everyone was left trying to pick up their jaws and Valka almost dropped her daughter she was so shocked.

Well after getting Bucket and Mulch back to Berk and getting a muzzle on the Thunderdrum and apologizing to him for it the kids were more than a little apprehensive.

Valka was more than ready to swoop in and save the children as she already in the arena as was Skullette and Firefang with dozens of bandages and ice standing by for when this went horrible wrong.

Stoick had laughed and said it was unnecessary after all he'd found a dragon who could handle him. His wife retorted could he handle the dragon, plus he still had to bond with the dragon. She'd only believe the children weren't in danger when she saw it with her own eyes.

Again the children repeated once more then fundamentals of dragon training, riding and what a rider and dragon relationship was. And tried to have him think of important relationships to him to help understand how to approach the dragon.

Valka realized they'd asked him when they told him think of the dragon like his best friend how he'd met his best friend because he put Hiccup in a headlock.

"Oh Gods no. I can't believe he act it out! Well actually I can," as Hiccup was gasping with Boden and Una trying to help him breath.

"What? What as that about?" asked the sisters to Valka and she told them. "Stoick met Gobber at our wedding when I was taking a breather from the dancing. Gobber had already too much to drink and well made a pass at me. Stoick saw it and put him in a headlock and told him "That's my wife your talking too you one legged lout!"

The sisters exchanged surprised looks and then asked Valka seriously. "Is this your reason for calling drinking poison? Since our family has a similar reason for calling it poison as well."

"One of many reasons, yes. Gobber can be pleasant and acceptable most of time when he's sober but drunk? He's beyond foolish. And right now it's my husband whose the fool as you can see," she said gesturing how he had clearly not listened again to his children and punched the Thunderdrum and was wrestling with it.

"Okay we'd better save Hiccup and the others before he blasts them by mistake. Wind Dancer you and I'll get Boden. Firefang you and Airclaw get Una and Valka get Hiccup!"

Which they did get in the nick of time because again of Stoick's foolishness the arena was a disaster as he flew out of it after nearly destroying it.

"Mom?" Hiccup said as he sat in front of his mom and she ruffled his hair some.

"Yes, Hiccup?" she asked in a tired voice.

"I don't think Dad ever gonna train a dragon and I think this is hopeless. He's always had trouble listening, but we are truly wasting our breath here."

"I'm starting to think you're right, honey. I'm starting to think your right. C'mon let's go find your father. Chances are if we find Gobber we'll find your father."

"I wonder if the dragon okay." Boden wanted to know from sitting on Wind Dancer with Skullette.

"I hope Daddy doesn't kill it or even himself in the process. I love Daddy very much but this does seem hopeless," as Firefang gave her a hug and kissed her head and they flew off to find Gobber.

Gobber was finishing some dental work on a Gronckle and hadn't seen Stoick but they didn't have to wait long till the battered, but nonetheless cheerful Chief showed up.

His family hurried over to him asking what happened even if it was obvious. He confirmed their theory the dragon threw him off and flew off and when they pointed it out was because he was fighting him and not treating him with respect or compassion he rebuffed with he loved it and all three kids stated firmly he obviously did not.

Stoick waved off his family and said they could stand there all day arguing or they could go get his dragon and everyone was once again shocked and then the sisters just asked aloud.

"Is the Chief always this oblivious? Is he always in this much denial?" Skullette really wanted to know.

"Yeah no-one can be that thickheaded can they?" Firefang said in disbelief.

"My husband is very stubborn, strong-willed and not one to easily admit his mistakes. He's got many good qualities then again just as many flaws as well, girls. On the other hand, I'm afraid to admit that yes he can be at times flat out like this in denial of the truth.

This isn't the first time in our marriage something been smack dab in his face and he refuses to see it. Now to you wish to help or not? Since he's gonna drag the other riders into looking for the dragon."

"Well help for the sake of the dragon and your kids, Valka," Skullette answered and Firefang added, "After all Hiccup, Boden and Una are like siblings to us too. Not just friends but like our own siblings as well."

Valka smiled and whispered to them, "Don't let them know I told you this but they all consider you both sisters as well. Not just friends and allies but sisters as well. Now let's go before Stoick kills them or the dragons!"

It was true Stoick did rope the other Riders into finding the dragon. So the Anquetils went with the Twins north, Valka went Snotlout west and Astrid and Fishlegs went east. While Stoick and kids headed south.

Trying yet again in what they felt was now futile they tried to tell their dad how to bond and work with the dragon if they found him. Suddenly Hiccup felt something tugging him a certain direction.

"Toothless head south by southeast towards the water. Someone in trouble I can feel it," he instructed his dragon to which his father first seemed a little annoyed.

"Hiccup we're looking for my dragon."

"Dad, I can sense when someone in trouble because their heart calls out to mine and I can feel that. I can't ignore that call if someone in trouble. We help someone in trouble. We'll worry about the dragon later!"

"Besides Dad I think we may find your dragon this way. I'm sensing a dragon presence in the direction Hiccup's feeling the call for help. Ow."

"Something wrong, Boden?" Hiccup called out concerningly as they got closer to the source he felt the call for help.

"It's my right arm. It hurts like it was burned or something. But that's impossible, I don't know how else to describe it, bro. Other then I feel like my right arm has large burn in it."

"Hey I think I see the Thunderdrum over there by that small cave!" cried Una as they landed and their dad took out a hammer. "Daddy don't!" cried his daughter then they noticed a purple Thunderdrum with a burn that made a hole through its right wing!

"Holy smokes! I think I just got a new power!" cried Boden in shock and Hiccup said it for him. "Look like it little brother. It seems if you're in close proximity to a sick or injury dragon your body mimics their symptoms or injuries. But how did he get hurt?"

Una suddenly stumbled backwards into Hiccup's arms and he asked her if she was alright. "I'm alright but as soon as you said that I got the answer. I was look at the Thunderdrum which is a she by the way and I got the answer.

She and the Thunderdrum Daddy's trying to train? She's his little sister and they're out swimming minding their own business and ran into trouble with a pod of Scauldrons.

The Scauldrons were busy hunting a school of migrating fish which they thought these two Thunderdrums were trying to steal from them. A fight broke out and Daddy's Thunderdrum tried to protect his little sister and he managed to beat them back but she took two blast of scalding water to her wing which burned right it.

They barely made it too shore and so he's been trying to feed her and keep her alive. He's like you Hiccup. He's being a good big brother."

Stoick was taken aback hearing what his kids' abilities were telling him about this dragon and who the other dragon was. He then made his orders clear, "Go get the others and have Gobber get ready. I'll stay here and protect them till you get back."

"But we can't just leave you here alone Dad!" Hiccup started to say when his father glared him and said firmly "GO!" and without another word they left.

Stoick then slowly approached the still muzzled dragon and tried to calmly talk to him. "I want to help you and your sister. I understand wanting to protect your family. Those were my kids. I love them and want to protect them. Let me help you protect your family please," as he tried to reach out his hand but the Thunderdrum still wasn't ready to trust this man.

However then a pack of bloodthirsty boars came and Stoick said, "They smell your sister's blood, well they're not gonna get her at all," and with that he picked up his hammer and started swinging.

Seeing this and soon joining the fight to protect his little sister it went well till they realized only together could they save his little sister, so this time when Stoick stuck his palm out they touched and finally Stoick felt the bond.

Ripping off the muzzle he climbed on and then the Thunderdrum let off his biggest and best sonic blast and Stoick said in delight "Look at us we're bonded."

That's when everyone else showed up and asked what the hell happened. "Oh we battle some boars and then bonded. You know with dragons it's about trust and respect. You know they're friends and family."

"So you were actually listening to us?!" his kids screamed at him.

"Yes I listen."

"So about we get Stormy back to Gobber? Is that a good name you approve of for your sister? Stormy? It was my mother's nickname. It's that okay with you?" Firefang asked the Thunderdrum who gave a smile to show he approved of the name.

"Let's hurry and get her back. My arm's hurting again!" Boden told them and hurried Stormy back to Gobber who went right to work getting Stoick's new dragon little sister all better.

A few days later the family was trying to teach Stoick a new game now that he and the Thunderdrum got the basic of flying together done. It was called Dragon Air Tag.

Which is simply like the game of tag done on a dragon. Stoick was It and then he had to try and tag another member of his family who were laughing gleefully showing off their dragon flying skills and the family was happier than ever to be bonded together both with each other and their dragons.