Before I start, I just want to tell you about a writer who I am beta-ing for. Loving The Strange is writing a HiJack story and is getting way less than he/she deserves. His/her story is really good and I definitely recommend you read it. Anyway, here's the next chapter!

Added to The Team

My father dragged me into the Great Hall and slammed the doors shut behind us. I was pushed away as he began to pace, his mind clouded. The sound of the doors resonated in the deserted room and the tension grew. "I should have know," my father grumbled. "I should have seen the signs."

"Dad," I tried even though my word fell on deaf ears.

"We had a deal!" he all but shouted.

I helplessly tried to explain everything through my stuttering. "I know we did. But that was before all this and it's all so messed up..."

Dad stomped over to me, anger boiling in his eyes. "So everything in the ring. It was all a trick? A lie?"

"I know. I screwed up. I should have told you before now. Just take this out on me, be mad at me but whatever you do, just please don't hurt Toothless." I stepped forward slightly as if to try and make my statement (almost plea) clear.

This, however, seemed to just make him madder. "The dragon?!" he exclaimed. "That's what you're worried about? Not the people it almost killed?"

"He was just protecting me! He's not dangerous!"

The fury boiled. "They've killed hundreds of us!"

"And we've killed thousands of them!" I countered. My father seemed only slightly taken aback. "They defend themselves, that's it! They raid us because if they don't bring enough food, their lives are lost. Snatched literally out of thin air! It's this thing on their island, Dad. I don't know what it is. I just-" I immediately stopped, seeing the look of shock on Dad's face.

I had said too much. He huffed as he stepped back. "Their island?" he repeated then pointed an accusing finger at me. "So you've been to the nest." Without waiting for a reply, he yelled, "How did you find it?!"

"I didn't. Toothless did. It's like only a dragon can find it." I stared at my father's glaring face. And soon, after a few moments, the wheels turned in his head and an idea popped up. I suddenly realized what he wanted to do. He headed for the doorway.

"No, Dad!" I protested as I chased after him. "It isn't what you think. You don't know what you want to go up against! It's something the size of a mountain with jaws that could eat the fleet in two bites, maybe less." I grabbed him by the arm, my attempts giving no result as he continued to walk ahead.

"Dad please! This is a battle that you can't win!" Still nothing. I groaned but tried once more. "No. Dad... For once in your life, would you please just listen to me?!" That got a reaction, but not one I was hoping for. He pushed me off of him, none to gently. I staggered back, stunned at his action.

The sudden hostility was almost suffocating. "You've thrown your lot in with them," he growled. "You're not a Viking. You are not my daughter." Without a second glance, he left, the door swinging behind them. I collapsed entirely, the energy leaving me in an instant while tears threatened to fall.

Now, I wasn't sure how long I'd been lying there but I wasn't sure I cared. I hardly registered someone walking carefully into the Great Hall and quietly shutting the doors behind them. "Hali..." a soft voice whispered.

I looked up. I had curled in on myself with my head buried in my arms. I blinked rapidly to just barely see Ashter kneeling in front of me, his eyes shining with worry. I whimpered as he pulled me into his arms. He rested his chin on my head, patiently rocking me back and forth while I completely broke down. He whispered comforting words in my ear, not entirely certain whether they made any difference.

He didn't tell me "it's okay" or "it'll be alright" because frankly I knew it wasn't. However, he did lift my chin up enough to have me look up at him. "They're sailing off soon," he whispered gently. "Do you want to see Toothless before...?" I nodded weakly and that was enough for him. He slowly lifted me off the ground then put me on my feet.

I wiped away any remnant of tears on my face. Ashter gave me a comforting smile as he led me out of the Great Hall and to one of the cliff-side perches. There were multiple beaten down catapults bundled up, ready to be sailed off along with the Vikings.

Then I spotted my dragon. Toothless was chained to a palette, muzzled, and restrained with a hefty neck ring. It wasn't hard to spot the exhaustion in his eyes.

Toothless... I though weakly, hoping he could hear me. Thankfully he did. He looked up at me and sadness instantly filled his eyes. I'll get you out of this. I promise.

Just be careful, love, he responded before he was loaded aboard the ship. Dad called something out that I couldn't hear. He looked around and locked eyes with me. I wasn't sure on what I saw though I slowly shook my head in warning. He broke the stare, ignoring my last warning. He growled something to Toothless.

Ashter came up behind me and rested his hand on my shoulder as the ships set sail for Helheim's Gate once more. We just watched silently as the boats went farther and farther away until we could no longer see them. Ashter turned to me, something questioning in his gaze.

"What are you thinking?" he asked.

I closed my eyes for a moment. Then, opening them, I returned his stare. "I'm thinking that I can find a way to fix this."

"And what exactly is that?"

"Something stupid and crazy..." With a smirk, I took off, Ashter following right behind me. Soon his pace was matched with mine as we ran into the village. "I need you to gather Fishlegs, Snotlout, Ruffnut and Tuffnut and meet me in the arena. And make sure they're unarmed."

Without questioning my ridiculous plan, he gave me a nod and ran off to gather the other teens. I headed to the arena. To set up my plan though, I needed to gain the dragons' trust. But to do that, I needed the cages open. Just as I was loosening the cage bolts on the other cages besides the Monstrous Nightmare's, I heard Toothless' voice once again.

Hali, don't ask just listen, he told me and I froze in my tracks.

Gobber's voice tuned in first. ...but some, not me, are wondering if there is in fact a plan at all, what it might be?

Then my father's voice came in next. Find the nest and take it.

How did I know he would say that, I wondered as Toothless cut them off. I rubbed the side of my head in frustration. This plan had to be done fast because I didn't want to know what happened if it didn't.

Ack! Hali, I need to go. Whatever you're going to do, please be careful, Toothless said, ending off the conversation. I exhaled then started raising the bolts on the cage of the Monstrous Nightmare since that dragon was most familiar to me out of the four.

"If you're planning on getting eaten, I suggest going with the Gronckle," Fishleg's voice sounded behind me along with the scuffing of footsteps. I turned to see the other recruits, watching me with crossed arms. Tuffnut stepped forward, scowling.

"You were wise to seek help from the world's most deadly weapon," he said. "It's me."

I stuttered as Snotlout pushed him out of the way, a smirk on her face. "I love this plan," she told me happily, pumping her fists in the air.

"I didn't..." I tried but she was shoved away by Ruffnut who slugged me in the shoulder with a smile. I looked to Ashter as he was soon in front of me with Ruffnut shoved away as well.

He put his hands on his hips. "So?" he asked. "What is the plan?" I smiled at them then turned to the Monstrous Nightmare's cage. I slowly pulled it open.

Hurry! Toothless shouted. We're nearing the nest! So it'd be nice if you hurried up with the dragon training! I nodded shortly as I thought, I'm not even going to ask how you know what I'm doing. And I am hurrying!

I peered my head in the cage whispering, "Come on out. We won't hurt you. I promise." I stepped back, giving the dragon room to look. Then he started coming towards me and I put a hand out. The dragon's snout was inches from my hand so I started leading him out. His focus was on me and not on the baffled teens which I counted as a good thing.

I heard gasps as the dragon seemed to be calmer by the minute, just staring at me. I took a glance behind me to see Ashter keeping Snotlout from picking up a spear. I slowed to a stop beside my cousin and reached for her hand.

"Wait, what are you..." she protested.

"Relax," I told her soothingly. I urged her hand towards the dragon's snout. "It's okay." Then I placed her hand where mine was. The dragon snorted but nonetheless stayed calm. Snotlout started chuckling. It seemed she was both amazed and terrified. I started walking towards a supply box and this action was not lost on my cousin.

"Where are you going?!" Her eyes darted from me to the dragon but she kept her hand in place.

I picked up a bundle of rope. "You're going to need something to help you hold on. Come on out guys!" I added the last part in dragon-tongue. The recruits eyed each other skeptically then looked around. They were faced with a Nadder, a Gronckle, and a Zippleback all staring at the teens expectantly. I smirked at my gaping friends. They were in for a surprise.

And so are you guys in the next chapter! I personally am really looking forward to the next one so I hope you all are too. See y'all there!