Both Viggo and Valka were very busy for the next week, in addition to Valka's normal duties of taking care of all the dragons of the nest, and Viggo's daily duties assisting the most injured dragons, both of them were hard at work on Viggo's armor and saddle.

Viggo was surprised at Valka's expertise in shaping and cutting the leather, although he realized unless she traded, she would have had to make her own clothing in addition to her own dragon scale armor. While Valka didn't have very many traditional tools, she did possess knives made out razorwhip spines and needles made of dragon teeth, which easily cut through the leather like it was paper. Not to mention many other dragon-based materials such as glue made from dragon saliva, and thanks to a Monstrous Nightmare whom Valka called Mercy, they were able to quickly cure the pieces once they were formed into the proper shapes.

After just a few days of near constant work by Viggo, and also massive help from Valka, they had the base layer of leather complete, other than Viggo's boots, gloves, and a helmet he was still working on, right now the leather pants and shirt would cover his entire body. And the fit was surprisingly good Viggo thought, considering their circumstances, but now it was time for the interesting part.

Viggo had continued collecting as many of Thunderstorm's scales as he could, and in addition, to augment his supply. Valka also provided him with scales from the pod of Seashockers, which they both theorized should have the same protective effect given their own electrical powers.

Viggo was quick to discover though, gluing each individual scale to the leather pieces was quite an arduous task, but also enjoyable. It allowed his mind to focus for once only on what was in front of him, not having to worry about coming up with a scheme or countermeasures. Only focusing on the project right in front of him, usually with Thunderstorm dozing nearby. It was actually a relaxing experience.

In the end, placing the scale layer took about twice as long as making the whole suit itself, but Viggo was nothing if not patient, and persistent. His only surprise was that Valka seemed to be just as eager as him, especially as another week passed, and the suit was nearly complete.

Valka walked into the cave Viggo preferred to work in, holding a sealed jar of something in her hands. Cloudjumper as always was walking just steps behind her. "So Viggo, is it done?"

"Nearly." Viggo was sitting at the small work table Valka had provided him with and then turned with a flourish, revealing in his hands the helmet he had spent the past few days on. It was mostly black scales with purple highlights, but what really made it stand out was the crown of spikes that ringed the back, along with a single spike above the forehead so that it closely resembled a skrill's head.

"Impressive." Valka set her jar on the ground and gently took the helmet in her hands to examine it. "I daresay you'll look just like Thunderstorm." Valka smiled and then paused in confusion for a moment. "What is that over the eyes?"

Viggo took the helmet back. "It's Deathsong amber, hammered thin." Viggo flicked one of the horns on the helmet, and the orange lenses disappeared and then reappeared. "Hiccup once used something similar to protect his eyes from intense light, he was able to stare straight into the rising sun, and even the brightest of dragon fire. I'd like to keep from being blinded again if I can help it, no matter how good of a healer Erik is."

"Well, if it works how you say it will, very impressive, and you even made it retractable?"

"Yes, so I'll only use it when I need it. And to answer your question, yes. This marks it as complete." Viggo motioned over to the floor beside his table where the rest of the suit was laid out, including his gloves and his new pair of boots, also coated in dragon scales.

"Amazing," Valka said as she studied it in detail. "It looks great, but I think there's one more thing it's missing."

"And what is that?" Viggo asked.

"This," Valka tapped the side of her jar. "is Eruptodon saliva. I know the scales should protect you already, but a little extra fire and heat protection couldn't hurt."

"Absolutely, may I ask how you acquired such material?" Viggo asked.

"As I'm sure you can guess, I received it as a gift from the Defenders of the Wing. I haven't visited them in years, but years ago, I helped them with an issue their Great Protector was having, and they gave me this as thanks."

"So do they know much about you?"

"No, other than my name, and Cloudjumper's name, they know nothing about me other than like them I'm a protector of dragons like them."

"Well, that must have been years before I or Hiccup ever dealt with them. I'd never heard of any mention of you by any of them."

"Good." Valka sighed in relief, "Now let's get to work shall we?"

"Indeed we shall." Viggo nodded along.

After another hour of painting the surface of the armor with saliva and then waiting for it to dry. Viggo was more than ready for the moment of truth.

He quickly donned the base layer, and then attached the shoulder pauldrons, chest plate, and the knee and shin guards, along with his boots and gloves. Finally, he placed his helmet over his head, and with the light blockers raised, he walked over to where a small puddle was nearby to take in his reflection. He could feel Valka's eyes on him as he moved.

When he looked at his reflection he felt in ardently proud of himself already. The base layer was made up of solid black scales, except for his torso, which was coated in the same gray scales that covered Thunderstorm's belly in slightly raised ridges. While his gloves, boots, pauldrons, and chest plate were a slightly iridescent purple, along with the battle skirt that covered his upper thighs. While the draconic helmet completed the look, Viggo was also glad he took Valka's advice to add some spikes to his pauldrons. As he moved, he felt some slight stiffness in the joints that were quickly worked out, and everything was staying together so far. He and Valka had agreed on avoiding any metal to lower the risk of being shocked, so all the pieces were connected either by glue or by pins and hooks made from shed dragon teeth.

"My, my Viggo, all you need are wings and a tail and you could be Thunderstorm's twin." Valka laughed.

"Oh I don't know, but I have to admit this turned out better than I could have expected. Thank you for your assistance, and your expertise." Viggo said as he continued to study himself.

"No thanks are necessary. This is for both you and Thunderstorm, you deserve to be able to truly fly together to the fullest."

"Either way, thank you again," Viggo repeated and then turned to Thunderstorm. "So what do you think?"

Thunderstorm slowly walked up to Viggo, gave him a few questioning sniffs, but then gave Viggo his dragon smile and started licking his chest.

"Ok, I hope that means you like it." Viggo laughed and did his best to escape Thunderstorm's lick attack.

"Oh trust me, I'm pretty sure he's just as happy as we are." Valka laughed. "He knows exactly what your armor means for him."

"Don't worry Thunderstorm, we'll be up in the air soon, but first we have one more project to complete."

"Actually Viggo, about that." Valka walked back over to Cloudjumper and Viggo removed his helmet as she removed something tied to Cloudjumper's back that in his excitement, Viggo had failed to notice before now.

She brought it closer and laid it on the ground, and it didn't take him long to figure out what it was. "You made the saddle already?"

"Yes. You've been so glued to your suit, I thought it would be a good surprise. I followed your design as best I could, although I haven't given it to Thunderstorm to try it on yet. What do you think?"

Viggo knelt down, took off his gloves, and ran his hands over the smooth, black leather surface. The design had been simple, largely based on a horse saddle, but also somewhat inspired by Toothless's saddle from what Viggo could remember of it, designed with two small handlebars he could hold onto when needed, and in theory, should allow himself to press low to Thunderstorm's neck for a bit of extra speed when needed. The surface was surprisingly highly polished, but otherwise unadorned except for the stirrup on each side. Viggo wanted to avoid as much danger as possible, so for now at least he figured something more than gravity should be used to attach himself to the saddle while in flight unlike most of the riders' saddles.

"Wow Valka, call me impressed, and thank you. I would have been happy to work on this myself."

"Well, Viggo, I can tell how much you want to get back in the air again. And the same with Thunderstorm, if I could help you along in any way, it was my immense pleasure."

"Then I give you my thanks." Viggo stood up and motioned Thunderstorm closer. "Come on, do you like it?"

Thunderstorm padded close, sniffing it for a moment and then revealing a grin with his sharp teeth, and even more excitement sparking in his eyes. He growled approvingly and then laid himself low to the ground.

"I think that means he's ready to try it on?"

"I think you're right." Valka laughed. "Let's not keep him waiting."

Working together, Valka and Viggo quickly put Thunderstorm's saddle on his neck and secured the strap securely underneath. Valka told him that she had already coated the saddle in Eruptodon saliva, but they hoped it would be fine without a layer of dragon scales, but again instead of using metal for hooks they used fallen dragon teeth to hold everything together.

They let Thunderstorm get used to the weight on the ground first, and then a quick flight by himself through the nest. When he returned to the cliff he was practically bouncing in excitement, constantly nudging Viggo to get on his back already.

"OK, let's do this." Viggo smiled and lowered his helmet on his head, and then got in the saddle for the first time. He hooked his boots into the stirrups and gripped the handlebar he had in the front. Leaning forward slightly he glanced over at Valka who was already standing tall on Cloudjumper's back. They nodded at each other, and then each gave a pat to their respective dragons who each took a running leap up into the air.

Cloudjumper once again led the way through the nest until they hit the open air. Viggo was blinded momentarily by the bright sunlight, so he flicked the switch on his helmet and his lenses slid into place. Granting the world an orange hue, Viggo could still see everything clearly without any harsh glare.

The dragons circled completely around the nest, and Viggo was still in awe of how massive and majestic the countless spikes of ice were. The nest was indeed greater than anything humans could ever hope to achieve. And it was all made by one, amazing dragon.

After they made their first lap, they set out over the frozen sea ice at a greater pace, now that both dragons had warmed up their flight muscles. Both were easily keeping pace with the other, although Cloudjumper was still leading from the front. Valka was looking back at him every so often, possibly to just make sure he was still sitting on his dragon, unlike his first flight.

As they flew Viggo thought over what he was feeling. The saddle was a definite improvement in comfort for himself, and it appeared to be causing no troubles for Thunderstorm either. The handlebars and the gloves were a great decision, as his hands were perfectly fine and he figured it was probably better for Thunderstorm that he didn't have Viggo pulling on his head. He knew that Hiccup and several of the riders steered their dragons more through verbal commands and shifting their body weight in the saddle combined with instinct and trust built up over time rather than steering the dragon by the horns. Viggo thought that would be a much more efficient method. Although at this point he wouldn't dream of trying to steer Thunderstorm. He didn't have anywhere close to enough experience to try to do that right now.

They kept flying for a few minutes until Cloudjumper slowed slightly and flew side by side with Thunderstorm.

"Viggo! How's the saddle?" Valka called out.

"Works like a dream!" Viggo shouted back over the wind. "You should be jealous, or perhaps even make one for Cloudjumper."

"I don't think so. We don't need a silly thing like that." Valka shook her head with laughter. "So we know the saddle works, how about you try out your armor?"

"I think that sounds like a splendid idea." Viggo reached down to gently pat the base of Thunderstorm's neck right behind his head. "Thunderstorm, show me what you can really do."

Thunderstorm roared in response, and out of the corner of his eye, Viggo saw a few sparks flash along his wings, and then Thunderstorm really took off. He started to quickly climb in altitude until in only a few seconds Viggo estimated they were about a thousand feet above Cloudjumper, who had turned his head nearly 180 degrees to watch them flying up above.

Thunderstorm roared once more, and Viggo saw more and more sparks jumping all over Thunderstorm's scales. Viggo took a deep breath. Now was the moment of truth.

Thunderstorm banked into a steep dive, and as they were falling faster and faster, the lightning started to really light up, until Thunderstorm looked like he was covered in lightning from nose to tail. Viggo waited in tense anticipation for the sting of the shock, but nothing was happening to him, he felt completely fine, and even his goggles were doing wonders, he could still see the rapidly approaching frozen ocean perfectly through all the sparks, but they weren't blinding him. So he just held on tight to the handlebars and braced his legs in the stirrups as they got closer and closer.

Thunderstorm roared once again, and at the last second with only about fifty feet between themselves and the frozen ocean, he leveled off, streaking over the surface extremely fast. Viggo ducked himself down behind Thunderstorm's head to try to avoid the wind which was attempting to blow him off the dragon.

Thunderstorm then roared and let loose a powerful lightning blast, striking the frozen ocean with a massive crack. Viggo glanced back, and for the split second look he got, he could see that the place the lightning hit had not only broken through the ice, but a few stunned or dead fish floated up to the surface.

Thunderstorm was in his element now, he kept flying at speeds Viggo couldn't have imagined, it was all he could do to keep holding on, it was like riding a living lightning bolt. Thunderstorm kept choosing targets to take down with his lightning, from random spots in the sea ice to sea stacks, and once an unfortunate sea bird that got too close, which was fired to a crisp and then snapped up in one bite.

Viggo had to keep his head down to avoid the wind, and by the third strike, he realized that the lightning wasn't only traveling across Thunderstorm's scales, but also seamlessly over the surface of his armor. He watched as a spark seemed to travel from Thunderstorm's back, over Viggo's shoulder, and down his arm, and then continue to Thunderstorm's head right before he fired again. This whole time Viggo was feeling nothing. Nothing that is, except for excitement and pride that his plan had worked better than he even imagined. Oh if Hiccup could see him now. Or make that Johann and Krogan for that matter. As Thunderstorm continued to fly, Viggo began to get a feel for how he moved, he couldn't predict everything, but he felt that by watching for the small movements in Thunderstorm's head, he could tell exactly where he was aiming his next shot, or when he was about to turn or perform a complex maneuver. For the first time Viggo was beginning to understand how Hiccup and Valka each seemed to be in perfect sync with their dragons in flight. Viggo decided he would make it his mission to do the same with Thunderstorm someday.

They then circled around the outside of the nest again, going much faster this time, and then finally slowed down when they saw Cloudjumper approaching them.

"Viggo! I hope you aren't charred to a crisp!" Valka called out.

"No more than the usual!" Viggo shouted back to her good-naturedly. "The suit works wonders. I didn't feel a thing, and I think the lighting traveled over me but left me completely fine."

"That is impressive. Looks like you were right."

"Was there ever any doubt?"

"Well, we were watching you at first in case we had to make another rescue," Valka admitted, "although you quickly left us in the dust. I don't think I've ever seen a dragon fly so fast."

Hmm, now that you mention it, I wonder how we'd fair against Toothless in a race. Viggo grinned and thought to himself. Maybe someday. "Well he is a skrill, I believe the legend that they ride lightning bolts is completely true. I don't suppose you'd want to race again?"

"No thank you, both Cloudjumper and I know how that would turn out." Valka laughed. "And you were able to stay on, even with all the fancy flying Thunderstorm performed?" Valka asked, her expression suddenly turning pensive as she studied him, but also seemed to be looking past him into the distance.

"Yes. The saddle is working just as well. What is it Valka?"

"Just an idea I had, let's just say I had more than one reason for assisting you with your suit and saddle."

"I'm assuming it's something you'll need both me and Thunderstorm for?" Viggo asked her, already knowing the answer.

"Yes, let's head back home, I'll fill you in there," Valka said, she then said something to Cloudjumper Viggo couldn't catch and he started leading the way back to the nest, with Thunderstorm easily keeping pace beside him.

When they got back to the nest, Valka lead all four of them back to her own cave, which Viggo had made several visits to in the past few weeks, but only ever under Valka's invitation.

She did have a few scattered pieces of furniture spread around, including a small wooden table, which she unrolled a large, parchment map across. Viggo waited in silent curiosity for her to begin while both Cloudjumper and Thunderstorm raided Valka's supply of fresh fish for a post-flight snack.

"Viggo, you remember how Erik the healer mentioned a crew of dragon trappers had visited Utgard's Gate recently?"

"Yes of course." Viggo nodded.

"Well, since we returned to the nest, I've been on some scouting flights and I believe I located their fort." Valka motioned Viggo closer and pointed at the map. "This is where we are. Valka pointed to an island labeled Home near the center of the map and then pointed to another island quite a way southwest, which Valka had marked with a large red X.

"From what I could see they have about five ships in their dock, each ship can probably hold four to five dragons, and their fort has enough cages for about twenty to thirty dragons."

Viggo nodded his head. "Ah, I see where you're going with this, you want to attack it and free their imprisoned dragons. And you want mine and Thunderstorm's help."

"Yes," Valka nodded. "I have made raids like this on trappers before with my own specially chosen team of dragons, but every mission like this has immense risk, and I can't be with everyone at all times, and wild dragons aren't always the best at following complex instructions. Thunderstorm is of course very powerful on his own, but with you riding and guiding him, I know that together the two of you will be an even greater force against these hunters."

"Yes, I understand completely. Count us in."

"You don't have to do this you know." Valka paused, "but it really would be helpful."

"You don't need to convince me," Viggo told her. "I know my past, and I promise you can trust me to do the right thing from now on. I know I have used my knowledge and skills to harm countless dragons in the past, but now I want to use that same knowledge to help them, and you. I am at your service, just as much as I am at the service of the Alpha." Viggo bowed his head to her.

"Thank you, Viggo, that does mean a lot, and don't worry, I do trust you." Valka placed a hand comfortingly on his shoulder, carefully avoiding the spikes. "I also figured I could use your experience to guide our attack. I'll admit I have never been a natural fighter. I'm much better at stealth and quick escape, only using our firepower when absolutely necessary."

"I understand, and I am proud to be of any assistance I can be. But I do have one question, and if possible a request before we begin battle planning."

"Of course Viggo, what is it?" Valka asked, looking him straight in the eyes.

"In my final stand against Johann's soldiers, I was wielding my sword. Did by chance Thunderstorm bring it when he brought me?"

Valka nodded. "Oh yes, I'm sorry, I completely forgot about that. Yes, he did bring it with you. I hope you forgive me for taking and hiding it from you at first." Valka walked to a battered-looking wooden trunk, dug out some random clothes and blankets she had stored within, and then lifted up the familiar green blade, and in her other hand, Viggo was confident she was holding some of his fuel canisters.

Valka was studying the blade, "So do you want to tell me about this? It looks like no sword I've ever seen."

"Well, it is a unique weapon, and as far as I know there is only one other like it."

"And what is that?"

"Hiccup's sword of course." Viggo laughed, "I daresay he wishes sometimes he was born a dragon himself. He designed a sword that he can light on fire using monstrous nightmare gel."

"Hiccup lights his sword on fire?"

"Yes, and from what I have witnessed, beyond making his blade more dangerous in battle, it also helps him connect with especially aggressive dragons, as if by using the fire, he is showing them he is a dragon as well, or at the very least, a friend."

"And that is why you made this? So it can light on fire too?" Valka studied the strange weapon more closely now.

"Yes, and dare I say, I wanted to improve the design. I created those canisters you are holding as a means of efficiently refueling in the middle of battle, as well as making the blade thinner and out of gronckle iron for increased strength, decreased weight, and providing more surface area for the fire to contact the air. As well, there is a firestone in the hilt itself so that I can light it at will. The channels within the blade allow the nightmare gel to flow around the whole blade, and the channels can also be closed to instantly douse the flames at will. But of course, the biggest improvement I made was adding a compartment in the hilt for a canister of Zippleback gas, which again I can release and spark at will to create a small explosion."

"Really? This sword can do all that?" Valka glanced between him and the sword for a few moments, studying them both intently. "And you made this while you were still a hunter?"

"Indeed I did. Only a fool fails to learn from his opponents, especially when that opponent has tools or tactics that beat his own. As the saying goes sometimes you have to fight fire with fire. Although I never dared reveal it to Johann or Krogan, lest they question my loyalty or something. I never really put it to use until I was trapped in the cave-in with the nightmare."

"Well, Viggo if all you say is true, I can't imagine leading you into battle without such a weapon in your hands. That was what your request was going to be, correct?"

"Indeed. May I?" Viggo held out his hand tentatively.

"Yes, you may." Valka handed the sword to him without any hesitation. "It is clearly your weapon, even if it was inspired by my son, you have made it your own. It is your right."

"Thank you Valka, you won't regret this."

"I haven't had any reason to regret anything when it has come to you so far." Valka smiled at him kindly. "So how about we get down to business in our battle planning?" I want to attack tomorrow night if possible, last I checked their cages were nearly full and they could be moving their prisoners to Drago at any time."

"Certainly, business before pleasure I suppose." Viggo clipped the sword to his suit. He had added a small loop of leather on the outside just for that purpose, and just like everything else, it worked perfectly.

"Yes." Valka walked back over to the map, pulling out more parchment, which looked to be a drawing of the layout of the fortress. "But after we plan, I would be interested in seeing a demonstration."

Viggo smiled back at her. "Glady, if you think I look like a dragon now, you haven't seen anything yet."