Disclaimer: I don't own httyd

AN: Jornamber: I'm a computer programmer. Surprised? Many people are. By the way, I'm touched that you like my story…

Vika: I am proud. I'm just mad at myself for being a lazy fuck XD

Arc: The Retrieval

Days Until Wedding: 25 days

Additional AN: I'll be making the following 7 days as a kind of montage.

"Do You Think She'll Get Mad"

-Seven days before departure-

The day after Thuggory left, Hiccup was already starting on making some major upgrades for his arm. He even enlisted the help of Astrid because one of his adjustments required him to remove his hand and he needed the extra hand. She asked why he needed to cut his own hand but Hiccup told her that it was a surprise.

While Astrid was busy melting some metal, Hiccup worked on his hand. It still amazed him how is hand can still function even though it was disconnected from his body. He made a mental note to thank Acne one day when his hand would save his life.

He also needed to thank Thuggory for the idea. He was the one who inspired Hiccup to make this particular upgrade. If Thuggory didn't tell him the story then he might not have thought of adding it to his hand.

When Hiccup was finally done in working with his arm, he and Astrid spent the rest of the day trying to think of other additions to his arm. Astrid joked about making his biceps thicker but Hiccup thought it was a great idea so they melted some more metal and spent the time waiting for it by keeping each other company.

Later, Gobber arrived and told some embarrassing stories about Hiccup when he was still a child. At first, Hiccup was embarrassed but a little bit later; he realized that Gobber removed some tension for the following days to come.

-Six days before departure-

The next day was spent just like the last one. The only difference was that Astrid was not there to help him. It was now less than a month before their wedding and she was required to learn how to be a wife. Obviously she hated it but Hiccup convinced her otherwise.

Hiccup used this opportunity to forge some rings for their wedding. He knew that he was going to be late for his own wedding that was why he was making the rings earlier than tradition. He bought the most expensive metal he could find in the market and also bought the biggest shining rock (diamond) he could find. Sure it caused him most of his savings but she was worth it. Infact, he even bought her a pair of spiked knuckles. She would definitely love them.

The rest of the day was spent in forging the rings because he was making them as complicated as much as possible.

-Four days before departure-

The last two days was spent goofing off. Stoick ordered him to take two days off because he needed to rest for the following days to come. He spent the day playing with Astrid and their dragons. Hiccup felt bad ignoring Toothless for days so he made up for it by flying for hours. He even spent the night sleeping with him in the stables even though Astrid and Stoick was mad at him for it.

He made sure Toothless was prepared enough for their trip. He needed to be in top condition because they didn't know what they'll face in the great unknown.

-Three days before departure-

The next day, Hiccup heard of a rumor about Ruffnut and Fishlegs. Apparently, Ruffnut's father, Roughface, caught them doing it. Hiccup shivered from the sheer image of it and refused to continue imagining about them doing it.

When he visited Astrid, he asked if she had additional news about Ruffnut and Fishlegs. She told him that Ruffnut said that their parents were having a private discussion that she had no idea about. Hiccup had a hunch though, so did Astrid. It was only a matter of time before their little group would finally disband.

When Hiccup was in the forge, he was surely surprised when Fishlegs suddenly barged in and started having his usual panic attack. Hiccup was able to calm him down but he didn't know when he would act up again. Fishlegs explained to him that his and Ruffnut's parents made an arranged marriage for them but Ruffnut was not happy about it.

She didn't like it because she didn't want to be treated like a pampy whampy wife. She didn't blame Fishlegs though. They knew the consequences but decided to go through with it.

Hiccup told him to play it cool. It may sound absurd at first but he would learn to love it like he and Astrid did. He knew that Fishlegs was the type to crumble in pressure that was why he gave him some advice about girls. He told him that girls were unpredictable and he needed to be prepared for anything. Fishlegs understood a little bit but he still needed to spend some more time with Ruffnut before he could confidently say he was ready to be wed with her.

-Day of departure-

It was time. Hiccup was putting some of his supplies on pouches around Toothless's harness. He was nervous. There was a possibility that he would die out there. He wasn't going to risk in taking someone with him. It was better if he was alone.

He sighed. He wondered if he was whether going to tell Astrid or not. He promised her that he would return before the wedding but was that even possible at this point?

"Hiccup"

Hiccup turned around and saw Stoick, Astrid, Grudge and Gobber standing behind him, their hands behind their backs.

"Before you go son, there's something I need to give you" he revealed the object behind him. It was a helmet in the shape of Toothless's head. It was a pitch black full face helmet. Around where his face would fit in were makeshift teeth that were colored silver.

Hiccup was touched. He looked at his father and smiled

"Thanks dad. How did you make this?"

"Oh I didn't make it. She did" he pointed to a blushing Astrid

"You made this?" he asked, astonished

"Actually" Gobber interjected "She made de whole set"

"Set? What set?" Hiccup blinked

Gobber realized too late and when he turned towards the others, they were giving him deadpan looks "Hehe… oops?"

Astrid sighed and revealed the armor she was holding "I made this while in secret for weeks. Here you go"

Astrid gave him the chest armor which was also pitch black. It looked like it could stab someone. Along the edges were some kinds of scales and when Hiccup touched them they actually pierced his skin.

Gobber was holding the one for his arms while Grudge was holding the pants. Both were also pitch black.

All in all, Hiccup looked like nobody they'd ever seen before. When he wore the armor, it was like he was a different person.

Astrid looked appreciatively at Astrid and gave her a hug.

"I promise, I will return before our wedding" he said seriously and gave her a kiss

When Astrid pulled away, she was smiling sadly and hugged him tightly

"Don't give promises. There's a possibility for it to be broken."

Hiccup nodded sadly. She knew. She knew that there was a chance for him to die.

"Well… Time for me to go…"

He mounted Toothless and because of his armor, it was like he wasn't there. The armor camouflaged him. If they were to travel at night, they would be invisible.

Hiccup gave them a determined nod and flew off with Toothless, while feeling like it was the last time he was going to see them.

AN: And thus the adventure of Toothless and Hiccup begins! Huzzah! Oops… wrong era…

Enjoy and Review!