A/N: I'd like to thank johnnylee619 for a scene in this chapter. Anyway, I know you've all been waiting for this chapter, so here it is and I hope you guys enjoy it.

The Next Day

A ship was getting ready to depart the shores of Sharkslane. It was just a trade journey but it would be carrying an extra business to their farthest destination in the east. The previous day consisted of Ripper telling everyone about his and Hiccup's life ever since they found this place and when Hiccup left. Now they were out on a quest to get him back...the only catch was one of them was going to find him.

"Sorry for the extra passenger Algor, but this is a serious matter since it has to do with Hiccuo" Treeroot spoke with the capting of the ship that Astrid would be travelling on. "Don't mention it Treeroot, I'd be 'appy to help ya' find the boy" he said shaking the chief's hand and walking onto the deck of the ship. Treeroot turned back and looked to see the group of Hooligans arrive. They had to get an early start to the trip in hopes of finding him sooner.

They stopped just in front of the docks as Astrid made sure she had everything she needed. "Alright Astrid...remember the plan...look for any recent leads about Hiccup's whereabouts before heading to the place...just to make sure...and then bring him back to us. I don't care what it takes...find a way to bring him back" Stoick said, almost in a pleading voice that people rarely heard.

"I'm sorry chief but he can't do that" Ripper said. He had come see the ship off and give Astrid a few pointers on how she should counter Hiccup.

"And why not?" Stoick asked, not believing what Ripper was telling him.

"Look at us Stoick.." he said gesturing to himself and the teens behind him. "We're no longer kids and neither is he. He is an adult just like the rest of us. If he wants to come back...that's his choice...the only other way is kidnapping him". He turned his gazed to Astrid, to see that she was also listening to what he had to say, "And Astrid, this is just a warning to you, but be careful. You have done enough damage to Hiccup already, all of it emotional, and I highly doubt that even with your skill, you can find him at that place."

"Oh please, how hard is it to find that fishbone?!" asked Snotlout.

"First off...don't ever, ever, call him fishbone again...and second...Astrid, because you're going to get him back... you're different. Hiccup loved you and I still believe he does. He has matured so much and so have his skills, enough that it rivals yours...I know this for sure because me and Hiccup sparred a few times. Since I know him the best, I can tell you that if he wants to be found, he'll let you, but if he doesn't, he's testing to see if you can find him" he explained.

Ripper then walked up to Astrid, face to face, eye to eye; dead-lock, "That was my first warning and here is my second and you better listen good." The gaze in his eyes were terrifying, terrifying enough for Astrid Hofferson to listen, "By some luck, that you manage to screw things up again...hurt Hiccup, even more than he already is, then I swear to Oden that I will hunt you down for all the suffering you have caused him and I will make you pay," his voice was serious. His whisper was the most frightening promise that could ever be heard of. Astrid shook her head up and down as a nod, panicking on the inside.

"Good, now with that settled, it's time to go..." he said and gestured to the ship with his hand.

Astrid walked up to the gangplank but before she got on she looked at the others. "Don't worry chief, I'll bring Hiccup back" she said and got on board. An hour later, the ship was sailing to meet the rising sun in the east.

"I'll get you back Hiccup, one way or another" Astrid said as she leaned on the railing of the ship.

Astrid's POV - 5 Days Later

The captain of the ship told me they were reaching their final destination in their trading run before heading back to Sharkslane, and I guess this was the stop I get off at. The crew had been relatively nice to me, though some kept their distance from me and I saw the disappointed looks on their faces. Guess they heard the story of how Hiccup was treated in the past...and by all of us. This got me thinking, there were these Vikings, our neighbour and they accepted Hiccup's change and had become friends with the dragons. Why hadn't we accepted him? Was it just because of our past and our pride? Did we want him gone because he was...he was Hiccup the Useless? Was it because were afraid of change? I bet all them were reasons in their own way...and I would get them all out there when I find Hiccup.

Our destination was in sight. It was a small Viking settlement on the borders of the continent and one of the few I believe. "Alright Ms. Hofferson, this is where you'll be getting off" I heard the captain say. I looked back at the village...part one of my journey was done.

The ship docked within a few hours and I grabbed my stuff which was just basically my axe, some coins to buy anything I need and some food and water in my satchel. "Take care" I heard the captain say and gave him my thanks and went off into the village to get any clues on where Hiccup or this mysterious land was.

The village she was in was small. "I think it's called The Last Frontier" I said to myself because this was the last village on the eastern side of Viking territory and beyond that...was the continent with more...different...communities. It was a small village so that meant it was tight-knit village which meant there was a greater chance at success about finding out about Hiccup. I saw they had an Inn and that's the place you normally go to hear rumours.

I opened the door to see tables with food on them, some rooms for people to sleep in and at the far end a counter with some Vikings sitting on the seats and drinking merrily. I saw the bartender and that was a good place to start as any.

"Mornin' lass...you new around here?" he asked while wiping the inside of a mug.

"Yeah...just arrived here today, I was wondering if you could help me with something" I asked.

"Sure thin'...so whadya' need?" he asked putting the mug and down and looking at me.

"I want to know if you know of...and this might sound crazy...someone riding a dragon?" I asked, hoping he didn't think I was crazy.

"Ah...you mean that fellow riding the Night Fury...yeah I've seen him...thought I'd gone crazy at first but when he landed and got off...by Thor was I amazed" he said, refilling a drink for another customer. When he said that I knew I hit gold.

"So does here live here?" I asked, my voice getting too excited. "Wait, why am I getting excited? I'm just going and getting him back" I said to myself.

"No he doesn't, he jus' comes here to get food and drink and then he leaves on that Night Fury of his. From what I see, likes to keep to himself...not much of a talker" the man said.

"Ok this is good. Now I know Hiccup comes here but how often?"..."How often does he come here?" I asked.

"Every two weeks lass...and you jus' missed him. He came here yesterday" he said. "I mentally cursed myself. Just by one day I missed him...OH the gods hate me" I said to myself while shaking my head.

"Did you see where he was heading?" I asked. The only objective now was to get as much detail about his whereabouts, then start the search.

"He heads into the mountains east of 'ere...but we can't go there cause it's only accessible by dragon" he said. "Great, now where am I going to get a dragon?" This search just became a lot harder. "Thank you" I said before leaving.

I walked out of the Inn, and I saw a path that led directly into the mountains, but figured it only led so far before it ended at the base of the mountain in the distance. "Well here goes nothing" I said starting down the path into the thick forest.

Night Time

I had been hiking up the path all day...well the path ended probably about five hours ago and I just kept making my way through the forest to the base of the mountain. However it was getting too dark for me to continue so I set up a small camp, set up a fire and set some leaves on the ground for me to sleep in, and I dug into my meal which I packed. While I was eating I was thinking how much Hiccup might have changed. "He might have put on more muscle...no that won't be possible...he was too scrawny when he left to change that much" I said aloud, not that there was anyone to hear me. "His facial appearance might have changed...again, maybe he's grown...but" I stopped as I realized if I did find him, what was I going to say.

It's been so long, and from what I remember...he hates all of us...for the way he was treated in Berk...he was treated as an Outcast. And that would have stuck with him all this time. There's no telling what he'll do if he sees me. I should be ready...for anything.

Crack. I stood up and immediately held my axe in my hands. "Who's there?" I held. I could hear the bushes rustling and I looked in the direction of where the noise came. "Show yourself!" I yelled as I held my axe up, ready to strike. That's when I saw three pairs of eyes open from the bush. They were small, round beady eyes with large pupils. I didn't know any animal that had eyes like those, well that I know of. I could tell they were moving about, even trying to push the other in front of the other. I looked back at the cooking fish on the spit above the fire. "They must have been attracted by the food" I thought. But then one of them fell out of the bush right in front of me and I couldn't believe my eyes.

"A baby dragon" I said aloud. It was blue in colour and had spiked coming from the back of its head. "A Deadly Nadder baby" I finished off. Then two of the other baby dragons came out and eyed the fish I had. But I knew this couldn't be good...if there were baby dragons around, the mother couldn't be far away. I still had my axe in my hand, in case something happened, but these were just babies...they were playing with each other right in front of me. I then realized they must have been attracted by the fish that I was cooking. I already had one, so I guess I really didn't need that one. I took it off the flames and threw it near the dragons, who immediately came at it and split it up for the three of them. I looked on as they fed themselves...and I had to admit...they looked extremely cute..."Wait, what am I saying, they're dragons who'll grow up and end up killing me" I convinced myself. But I couldn't help myself stop smiling when I saw that they were rough-housing with each other. Any kind of baby...albeit dragon babies were cute.

I decided now would be a good time to get some rest, and as I was laying down I saw the dragons scamper off from where they came. At least I won't have problem with mama dragon...I soon closed my eyes for a nice peaceful sleep.

"Squak!" I heard. I bet it had not been three minutes since I closed my eyes. I immediately shot up and I saw the three baby dragons run from the bush and up to me and hid behind my legs. When I looked up I saw why they ran...there were seven wolves right in front of me. I looked back to the dragons and I never saw any kind of dragon this scared, they were trying to hide behind me. I looked back at the wolves and saw them advancing ever so closer. Since the dragons ran back here, I'd be next after them...so I took out my axe and got into a battle position.

The wolves stopped their advancing and sized me up. To them it was just more food, but I wouldn't be going down without a fight. I decided to make the first move. "Rah!" I yelled and charged them my axe ready to come down. They all scattered. One of them lunged at me but I ducked out of the way. A wolf ran at me but I quickly punched it in the face sending it to the ground. I then saw two wolves cornering the baby dragons. I don't know what I felt, but I had to protect those dragons, so I threw my axe at the wolves, one of it hitting the wolf right in the side. It howled in pain as it went down. I charged to the wolf and grabbed my axe from its side and got in front of the dragons. One down, six to go, but I knew it was only a matter of time before...

The wolves scattered as a blast of fire came their way. I looked up to see a blue Deadly Nadder land and start attacking the wolves. It unleashed the spikes in its tails at the wolves, hitting three of them in their paws and it shot another blast of fire at them. The wolves knew they couldn't take on a fully grown dragon and ran off into the woods. The dragon let out one final roar at them before folding its wings and looking at me. The baby dragons rushed from behind me and up to the dragon. The Deadly Nadder crooned its head down and nuzzled its babies. "I guess that's the mama dragon" I said as I watched the reunion. The mother dragon then looked up and at me and moved towards me. I knew if I attacked it, I wouldn't stand a chance, and there wouldn't be a point in running now because it would catch me.

It was now right in front of me and it was looking at my axe. I remember Ripper telling me that dragons don't like it when people are holding weapons, it just makes them nervous as we are without weapons. So I looked down at my axe then back at the dragon. "I can't believe I'm doing this" I said and I dropped my axe on the ground and kicked it away from me. The dragon looked at the axe that was kicked away then back at me, but I noticed the change in its eyes. It changed from dilated pupils to normal. I guess it doesn't see me as a threat anymore.

Then as if on instinct, I stuck my hand out, something I saw Ripper do with the Nightmare in the ring five years ago. The dragon looked at my hand before putting its head near it. I was so scared about what might happen that I closed my eyes and then...I felt the scales on my palm. When I opened my eyes I saw the dragon had his snout placed against my arm. Then it began making a shrill noise and nuzzled against my hand. "So this is what it feels like" I said. I hadn't felt something like this in a long time. It was like a bond had been formed when we touched each other. I then saw the baby Nadders run up to me and also wanted my attention, and I reached down and petted them. It felt so strange yet so good touching them. I had never been so close to dragons in this way.

I then remembered my task at hand. I was supposed to get Hiccup back and the only way to reach the land he was in was by dragon. I looked at the Nadder that was looking at me and then at the mountain behind me. "Looks like I found my dragon" I said as I let the dragon nuzzle me more...and to my surprise I liked it...getting attention from her. "You know what...I think I like you two" I said rubbing her chin...something that I saw Ripper do with his dragon. That's when my mind clicked and I had to get back on the mission.

"I might understand me...but I need to get over that mountain to find someone" I said pointing to the mountain. The dragon looked up and squaked. I think it knew what I wanted or who I wanted to see. She knelt down so I could get on her. I then heard her hatchlings making noises as well. I couldn't leave them alone, not with those wolves still in the area, and I bet neither did their mother. So I gathered up the baby dragons and placed them in front of me so I could keep an eye on them. After we got settled on the dragon's back, she took off.

The rush of the wind was so sudden and being on the back of a dragon...it's something that people never experience, and riding on one, looking at the world below you...you feel alone...it feels calm, like you're the only one in the world up here, and that was exactly how Hiccup felt. I realized it now. He risked his life for Toothless because he was the only living being, other than Ripper who accepted him...with his flaws and all...but he accepted him and became his friend. Now I was determined to get to Hiccup and apologize for everything that I had done to him.

Flying on a dragon was how could I put it?...Incredible, Breathtaking, Fast...there are so many words but I can't find the words to describe it. It's like you know what the feeling is, but there's nothing to explain about it. The dragon took me high above now that I could see the village lights in the distance and it didn't take long for us to cross over the mountain. Beyond that was just forest and I didn't know where to begin, but the dragon kept flying in a path...I think she knows I want to see Hiccup and she probably knows where he is.

It didn't take long for the dragon to start descending again. She had probably been in the air for ten or fifteen minutes before she began slowing down. At first the sudden change in speed and sudden drop knocked the air out of me and not going to lie, did scare at me first, but now we were nearing the ground. She soon landed and I got off, rubbing her neck and thanking her for the trip. She then pointed her head in the direction and nudged me forward. I looked back at the dragon and she again gestured her head in the direction she wanted me to go...almost as if she knew where Hiccup was.

I looked in the direction she wanted me to go and this was a first...I was going to follow a dragon's order. Since I didn't know anywhere to go, I figured the dragon knew better and so I went in that direction. I turned around for a moment to see that the dragon was walking off with her hatchlings behind her. I looked back ahead of me and continued on.

I was walking for about thirty minutes before I reached a narrow gorge and the path led directly through it. I looked on both sides at the top to make sure there wasn't anything bad waiting and I continued on. When I reached the end, the sight before me took my breath away. It was like the Cove back on Berk, but much, much bigger...and in the middle I saw a large mansion, with smoke coming from the chimney indicating someone was home and I only saw one light through a window.

"I guess I found you Hiccup" I said, proud that I had accomplished my goal.

"Yes you did" I heard a voice say and then...blackness.