My entourage of dragons and I landed in the dead of night, far away from the nest. We camped in the forest, surrounded by thick bushes. As we had become used to, Toothless wrapped one of his wings around me to keep me warm.
In the cool, clear morning, I had another breakfast of fish. That was really starting to get old. Then, I decided to explore the island.
With Toothless by my side and the other dragons trailing somewhere behind, I walked along, whacking the underbrush out of my way. I found myself standing on a rocky shelf which meets the ocean. There was something on the horizon… Something I couldn't quite make out…
Gasping in horror, I ducked behind some rocks.
Outcast ship.
The Outcasts were a band of the most crude, vile men known to vikings. They had been cast out from Berk and other tribes because of their treachery. In fact, that's what their leader was called: Alvin the Treacherous.
To my dismay, the Outcast ship was heading straight toward the island. I scrambled to a better hiding spot, and Toothless hid with me.
As I spied on the oncoming ship, I contemplated my situation. I couldn't go home, and I didn't know anyone away from Berk, other than passing welcomes during diplomatic events between tribes. I had no friends other than Astrid and the dragons, and my dad was still hunting down the dragons' nest. I still had to save the dragons.
Even with the help of dragons, there was no way I could do it alone. I needed help. And why not from the Outcasts?
After all, I realized, I was one myself.
As the Outcast ship made anchor and Alvin the Treacherous himself came on shore, I stepped out in front of him.
"What's this?" the huge man with a wild beard asked as the men behind him drew their crossbows. "Is this Stoick's little embarrassment?"
Ah, yes, one of my favorite people. I had seen him before, when Stoick was trying to negotiate a peace treaty. The treaty failed, and the two tribes have been at war for many years.
"I- I-I want to join the Outcasts," I said, my heart racing.
"You?" scoffed Alvin. "You're a mere child! What kind of trick is this?
"Not a trick," I said. "Look, look, I've been kicked out, okay? I can't go back, so I may as well go forward."
Alvin's eyes narrowed. "Even if this wasn't a trick, what would make me take you into the greatest fighting force in the archipelago?" He gestured back to his dirty, rag-tag crew.
"Oh, I don't know," I said. "Maybe my inner knowledge of Berk, maybe my, my inside connections, maybe my… Night Fury." I watched as Alvin's eyes widened in fear.
"Toothless, now!" I called. Toothless sprang from the rocks, growling and snarling at Alvin. I climbed on Toothless's back and he reared up, ready to strike, as the other dragons backed him up.
I could see Alvin struggle to remain calm. "The boy has a point," he called to his men. "What say you we let our dragon-riding friend join us?"
None of the men dared argue as they lowered their crossbows. Toothless relaxed a little.
"What exactly do you want, boy?"
"I want to defend the dragons. They aren't the monsters everyone thinks they are."
"Well, I'm not really in a position to argue, am I? I say you're in." I tried not to shudder as Alvin placed his huge hand on my shoulder. "Now, let's talk this out. What do you want us to do?"
"The- the dragons have a nest, somewhere," I said. "I know where it is, but I don't want the people of Berk to know. We need to stop them from finding it, or they'll end up hurt. Or worse."
"And what's in it for us?" Alvin demanded.
"A chance to save dragons, and a chance to hold Berk back," I told him. "I need your tools, your ships, your plans… you need my knowledge, my experience. Do we have a deal?"
Alvin thought about it. "On me word, son!" I cringed at the word son. "Come over to Outcast Island tomorrow night. That will be our first strike to hold Berk away from the dragons." He got back into his ship and pushed off, heading away.