Hiccup woke up from being shaken by his father. He shooed his father's hands away as he yawned and rubbed his eyes. Hiccup felt that his father has shaken him up a bit roughly especially for someone who was just getting over an illness. Once Hiccup got the sleep out of his eyes and stand up straight, he made eye contact with his father. But something was amiss in Stoick's eyes. It almost seemed to Hiccup that there was worry swirling around in his equally green eyes. Hiccup was curious what was going on in his father's mind.

"Dad, what's wrong?"

Stoick's head became crestfallen for a brief moment. Then he handed the knife to Hiccup.

"Here, son."

Hiccup gripped the knife in his hand and looked at it with indifference. He didn't see what the big deal was about a knife. He looked back at his father.

"What's up with the knife?"

"Look at the signia on the butt of the handle."

Hiccup did as he was instructed and saw the Outcast signia on it. His eyes widened with sincerity and concern.

"The Outcasts? They were here?"

"Yes."

"Well, what happened? Did they ambush the town? How come you didn't wake me? I could have rounded up the dragon trainers and we…"

"They didn't ambush us exactly."

Temporary relief melted in Hiccup's heart.

"Then what's the problem? Did someone die or lose a limb?"

"No. But the Outcasts did come into the night and took one of your friends."

Hiccup gripped the edge of his blanket. He cared for all his friends. He didn't want anything bad to happen to them. He began to worry whose name his father would utter. His mind raced as he anticipated his father's response.

"Who was it?"

"It was Astrid."

Hiccup wondered if he heard his father correctly. Did he just utter Astrid's name? Hiccup could feel his heart sink little by little. He didn't want to believe it.

"Are you sure, dad?"

"I'm positive. Astrid's father had just left the house not too long ago telling me that his wife found the knife stuck in the middle of Astrid's bed. I'm sorry to say this, but it's the truth, Hiccup. The Outcasts kidnapped Astrid. We have no idea when they took her, but the important thing is that we need to track them down and bring Astrid back."

Hiccup squinted his eyes in rage, despair, and determination.

"No, dad. It would be too risky for so many people to save one person. I'll go after the Outcasts and save Astrid."

"No, you won't, Hiccup. You're still sick. I'll go rescue Astrid for you."

"No, dad. I'm feeling much better thanks to Astrid's remedy last night. Besides, Alvin wants me and my knowledge of training dragons. I'm sure the reason why they took Astrid was to lure me to their island."

"That's why I don't want to you to go. I'm sure the Outcasts will be waiting for you when you arrive at the island. That's why I want to go in your place."

"Dad, I'm going to Outcasts Island by myself. I at least owe it to Astrid to come and save her. She helped me get better and I will help her. Plus, I know the island better than you do which will make the rescue that much more efficient. And Astrid and I have both been in the clutches of the Outcasts before. We know what's like there. I'm sure I'll be able to save Astrid and we can come back here on Berk with Toothless. Please, dad, let me go save Astrid."

"All right. I understand how this must be so important to you that you are responsible for Astrid's safety and return to her family. But shouldn't you bring a friend with you?"

"It's not that I wouldn't consider bringing someone with me, but once I free Astrid from Alvin's grip, she and I can work together to escape Outcast Island. Aside from Toothless, Astrid is my most dependable friend."

"What about Fishlegs? He seems pretty knowledgeable about dragons."

"He'd probably too scared to even agree to come with me?"

"What about Snotlout your cousin?"

"Maybe. Despite our differences, he's been quite helpful when we escaped Outcast Island."

"Then why not bring him with you?"

"But he also sees me as a threat."

"What for?"

"He still has feelings for Astrid. Those feelings might conflict with his will to help me save her."

"Oh right."

"Which means I would be left with twins."

"And we know they like destruction and get distracted easily."

"Exactly. That's why I think it would be best if I went alone to save Astrid, dad."

"But what about Gobber?"

"What do you mean?"

"You can't go all alone. You may need a look out."

"I would have to depend on you or Gobber since you guys are great being look outs, but the problem is that you're both so protective of me, dad."

"Then that leaves you with no one."

Hiccup contemplated his situation. He felt responsible that Astrid was the Outcasts hostage, but he realized that his father was right. He would need somebody to help him with his rescue mission. He rubbed his chin with his index finger and thumb for a short while. Then he dropped his hand and looked at his father.

"Dad, maybe I could convince Fishlegs to come with me. At least with him, he would be quitter than Snotlout or the twins. Plus, he could be the lookout. He's always on alert and has some good ideas on how to counter the Outcasts' actions."

"That's good to know, son. But how are you going to make him leave his home? You said it yourself that he might be too scared to go help you save Astrid."

"I'll think of something. I'm pretty sure I could get him to come one way or another."

"Well, good luck, Hiccup."

"Thanks, dad."

Just then, Stoick placed a firm hand on Hiccup's left shoulder.

"Just be sure to come back home alive and well."

"I will, dad."

"Good."

Stoick got up from sitting on Hiccup's bed and went downstairs. Hiccup watched his father leave the room with careful eyes. When he was gone, Hiccup threw the blanket off him and stood up from his bed. He began to pace back and forth with passive anger.

"I knew that Alvin could go to low heights, I'd never imagine he would try to attack me through one of my friends especially Astrid. Before he tried to harm Toothless and keep me locked up. He planted Whispering Deaths under Berk. He's prepared to do anything to get what he wants. But I won't let him. I especially won't let him hurt Astrid. I can't let him. If he did anything bad to her, it would be like locking up Toothless in the locks and chains. Alvin has tangoed with the wrong dragon trainer. This is last straw for him. After this is all over, I'll make sure he and his Outcasts never bother the people of Berk ever again."

Just as Hiccup stopped pacing around the room, Toothless woke up. The Night Fury looked at him with curiosity. Hiccup looked at Toothless and stared into his light green eyes. He approached his faithful companion and patted his head.

"Toothless, you and I will have a very important task on our hands. We're going to save Astrid and defeat the Outcasts once and for all."

Toothless gurgled in understanding. Hiccup gave him a soft smile.

"I knew I could count on you."

Hiccup then walked over to the stairs and went down to the main room with Toothless following behind him. He looked around for his dad, but didn't see him anywhere. Hiccup concluded that he must have gone off to resume his chiefly duties. Hiccup walked to where the battle equipment was kept. Hiccup picked up his multi-purpose gronckle iron shield and looked for something to keep him dry from the rain since he didn't want to get sick again. Hiccup hadn't heard any rain pounding on the ground recently, but he figured it couldn't hurt to be prepared when the rain came back down. Hiccup searched for some type of cloak to keep him warm and dry from the rain. Hiccup didn't see anything on the hooks on the walls. Then he tripped over a lump of charcoal black cloth. He picked it up and saw that it was a hooded cloak that his mother used to wear when she was younger and smaller. Hiccup thought the cloak could keep him warm in more than one way and so he carefully placed it on his body and draped the hood over his head. With his shield in hand, Hiccup urged Toothless to follow him out of the house. When they were outside the skies were dark but free of rain. Hiccup locked the door behind him and Toothless. He looked up at the black clouds.

"Well, at least the rain has stopped for now."

He glanced over at Toothless. "Come on, bud. We're going to Fishlegs' house."

Toothless gave Hiccup a little nod. Hiccup proceeded to walk toward the house of his third closest friend in the whole town. Once they reached the door step, Hiccup knocked on the door.

"Fishlegs!? Are you there?"

Moments later, Fishlegs opened the door to his house. He examined the state Hiccup was in. He looked like he was ready for some sort of mission.

"Uh, yeah Hiccup?"

"Will you help me save Astrid from the Outcasts? I'll need someone to be lookout and help me when I'm in danger and you seem to be the best person for the job.

"The Outcasts have Astrid? How did this happen?!"

Fishlegs, being the nervous type, started to breath heavily. Hiccup placed a firm hand on his left shoulder.

"Fishlegs, calm down."

"How can I calm down? They have Astrid! Do you know how bad that is? It's bad! Besides you, she's the second most important member of our Dragon Academy."

"I know. That's why we need to go save her."

"No. I don't think I can."

"Fishlegs, please. Astrid needs our help. We know what the Outcasts are capable of doing and we don't want anything to happen to Astrid, right?"

"But…"

"Fishlegs, I know you're scared, but think about how good you'll feel about yourself when you help me successfully save Astrid from the Outcasts. If you help me, you'll boost your self-esteem, Astrid will be grateful and I'll be very grateful to have you as a friend."

"Oh….I hate that you make a good argument. But what about the others?"

"It would be too risky. If one of use got separated from the others and get caught by an Outcast then it would complicate our rescue mission. We need to be sneaky."

"Okay. I guess that make sense. But why do you have a cloak on? There's no rain."

"Fishlegs, haven't you noticed the sky? It's not exactly clear and sunny. It's dark and cloudy."

Just then the wind picked up a little. Fishlegs shivered a bit.

"Plus, it's getting a little chilly."

"So, get a cloak. I'll be waiting right here for you."

Fishlegs gestured to the shield.

"But why do you have your shield?"

"I want to ensure that the Outcasts never bother Berk ever again or even other tribes for that matter. We may have to engage in combat with the Outcasts so we need to be prepared. Hopefully, we won't to use our shields, but you can never be too careful. Just go get a cloak and a shield. You might need it later."

"Fine."

Fishlegs retreated back into his house closing the door in front of Hiccup. Moments later, Fishlegs came out of his house with a cloak over his plump shoulders and a shield in his hands.

"Are we gonna go now?"

"Not yet. I need to get my sword first."

"When did you make a sword?"

"Just recently. Fishlegs, go get Meatlug while I head over to the Forge for my sword."

"Um, okay."

While Fishlegs went to get Meatlug, Hiccup and Toothless went to the Forge. Hiccup grabbed his sword and placed it in his belt on his left side. Then he had put his shield on his back and mounted Toothless. Once they were ready for flight, Meatlug and Fishlegs joined them. Hiccup looked at a slightly unsure Fishlegs.

"Are you ready, Fishlegs?"

"I guess so."

"Good. Now let's go save Astrid."

"Um, okay."

Hiccup directed Toothless to turn toward a ledge and two of them lifted off into the sky. Fishlegs and Meatlug followed behind them as fast as they could despite Toothless being infinitely faster than Meatlug. As they flew just a few feet away from Berk, Hiccup remembered all of the times Astrid had been there for him and Toothless when they were in danger or needed help. He hadn't realized it until now, but Astrid had always been loyal to him and he could depend on her just like how he depended on Toothless. Hiccup thought that he wouldn't be able to live with himself if he would let the Outcasts do what they wanted to Astrid. He made sure that he would stop the Outcasts forever. Hiccup had his eyes in a slit focused on what was in front of him. He was determined to save Astrid even if at the cost of his own life.

To Be Continued…