The next days were spent putting out fires both figuratively and literally. It was mostly due to the new dragons wanting places in power and were spending their days challenging the current leaders of each species. Nearly all species were getting a new pecking order somewhere down the line. Hiccup hadn't even thought about that aspect of new dragons joining them.

It also meant that some new additions were getting big headed and coming after Hiccup too. Like they hadn't learned from when Dusty and the old Nightmare talked the young Nightmare out of a bad situation. Quickly Hiccup had a queue of dragons wanting to prove themselves and take his spot. It seemed that dragons were just as stubborn and hard headed as vikings. It also began to concern Toothless.

"It seems that you have a target on your back no matter where we are."

"Yeah I guess so. I didn't even think something like this would happen. But I guess with the way we have everything set up it makes sense. Even if it doesn't provide any sort of advantage."

"So what are you going to do about it?" Toothless wondered. Hiccup chuckled.

"We'll just have to wait and see. Either we ignore it and hope it goes away or make an example of someone and how that all the others get the message."

"That's a dangerous game Hiccup. You could get hurt."

"Yeah well, unfortunately it's really all the choice we have e right now. And I'm not going to have you defend me. You need to keep getting your wing back to normal strength."

"Yes, I know. I could probably make it to Berk right now if you wanted."

"I don't want probables. We're expecting the worst when we're there."

"And yet we're still going."

"At this point I think we have to. With everyone acting like this, I think any advice would be worth it."

"We're going to have to do something before that."

"If I have to make an example of someone for everyone to back off than I will." Hiccup sighed.

"It's hard being the bad guy isn't it?"

"I definitely don't like it."

The days continued to pass and it became an inevitability that Hiccup would have to prove himself. Even to some of those who had previously never questioned his position before. Although many were still with him and some who even told him that they would follow him if he left to start a new group somewhere else. But of course Toothless was his ultimate supporter. Toothless had trained him for this, trained him to fight like an animal and to show his strength against someone who wasn't the Night Fury. Along with his studies he knew every dragons strengths and weaknesses.

The time came when he was talking to his fishing leads about potential new spots that no other groups, dragon or viking, were using. Three spikes flew passed him. A female Deadly Nadder chose that time and place and Hiccup had no way out. As if it was planned Hiccup and the Nadder were surrounded in seconds. There would be many witnesses to what was going to happen.

"Please, don't do this." Hiccup held up his hands. "We need to focus on helping each other not hurting."

"No, what we need is one of our own leading us. Not some throw away, half baked, freak." The Nadder cackled. Hiccup pursed his lips. She jumped at him. Hiccup barely had time to move, feeling her scales brush against his side. She turned around and laughed. "You know what's funny? All the people I talked to have heard that you can fight but no one has seen it. They say that you've trained with those scouts you trust so much. But I bet all that time, all that 'training' they were going soft on you. 'Oh, we don't want to hurt the little newt.'" She whipped her tail around sending spikes at him again. The last spike in the volly grazing his arm, drawing blood. Hiccup gripped his arm and winced. He turned around to see where the spikes went.

"Did anyone get hurt…" He tried to ask as he was knocked down and pinned. She began to stomp on him, cutting up Hiccup's back. She lifted her leg and Hiccup rolled his side and pushed her leg outward making her stomp awkwardly. While she was recovering from the surprise change in footing Hiccup pushed himself back, jumped to his feet and grabbed the Nadder's tail at the base. Digging his nails into her skin he waited. Just as he predicted she spun around trying to find him. Hiccup braced himself and as she spun he ripped out most the remaining spikes from her tail. This also put him right into the Nadder's blind spot.

"Where did…?" She tried to ask. Hiccup grabbed at the horn on her nose and yank her head down. He grabbed one of the spikes lining her crown. As she pulled back up the spikes was torn from her head. The two naturally separated.

"Stop this." He commanded.

"It's too late for that."

"This is your last warning. Please stop." He begged of her. She swung her tail not realizing in the heat of the moment that she had been nearly completely disarmed.

She huffed angrily and jumped at him. That gave Hiccup the opening he wanted. He drew the spikes back and stabbed it into the side of her knee.

She went down, squawking, and screeching. Hiccup walked to the edge of the circle. The nearest dragons moving out of his way.

"You." He crouched down towards a Terrible Terror. "Go get one of the healers for her and anyone who was hit in the crossfire." The Terror raced off right away. Hiccup looked around for a second. He pointed at his two fishing leads. "You two, let go finish our conversation somewhere else." They both nodded and began to follow Hiccup.

Outside Toothless was pushing himself. Flying low in the protective cloud that encircled them. Dodging and weaving through the treacherous terrain of jagged spires. While flying back the beginning of his obstacle course he spotted the old Nightmare, sitting and watching him. Toothless landed next to him. Out of breath.

"I'm sorry to tell you. I'm already taken." He panted. The Nightmare chuckled.

"You're not my type, kid."

"Why are you here?" Toothless asked. No one else had come to watch him since he started his recovery.

"I come with news."

"What's that?"

"Your mate was in a fight."

"And?"

"You don't seem very concerned about that."

"That's because I'm not. Hiccup may never admit it to anyone but he's a killer." Toothless looked out in the direction of Berk. "We may not like to admit it, but even the dumbest of humans are more dangerous than us."

"You believe that?" The Nightmare asked.

"I believe that are hopeful. I believe and seen first hand what that can do to them. Willing to put there lives on the line for even the littlest of things. But that's only the start. There are humans just like Hiccup out there. Much too smart. Dangerous because they can think, not because they can swing and axe."

"Is there something even worse out there, do you think?"

"Not out there."

"Then here? Your talking about Hiccup?"

"Hiccup us terrifying."