In New York, Strider, who went by the hero name Grand and Talia, who went by the hero name Turtle Neck, were making their way through the streets when they received a message over the radio.

"Requesting help from the New York Police Department. A monstrous jailbreak has shown up in Harlem yesterday. Please search for any civilians remaining in the area."

"This shouldn't take on most residents gone out of here early," said Grand.

"Maybe hard to convince the holdout it's still a good idea to evacuate," said Turtle Neck.

"Yeah, probably going to be a bunch of stubborn people who think they're better off protecting themselves," Grand agreed. "Which is why I'll channel Mrs Joke. If we keep it light, they'll see things our way."

"You're delusional," said Turtle Neck.

"Whatever, let's go."

The two of them immediately ran their way to the closest holdout.

However, when they got to the building, the people there weren't too impressed by them.

"First police, then heroes and now they're sending children here for us, huh?" said the group leader. "Get lost. Run along home."

"It's dangerous to stay here, your stockpiles of food and supplies are going to run out before long and then what?" Grand asked. "We've got plenty of resources at Defender High though. Come with us, and we'll hook you up with everything you might need.

"Huh?" the group leader huffed. "You expect us to believe you'll keep us all safe when villains attack there? You're painting a target on that school."

"Didn't need your help when I kicked feeling pumped out of my store and I don't need it now."

"The pros have shown their uselessness. We're taking matters into our own hands to protect this town. We can't trust you with our lives."

"Look, I'm sure that you're capable of holding some petty criminals who are after money or whatever; the guys, the jailbreakers and the Red Deaths, are completely different," said Grand. "We got reports just yesterday that the gang was causing chaos around here. Not thieves, their only purpose was to spread violence. Monsters like that can take down a pro. You don't want to face them. They're barely even human."

"I said we don't put faith in heroes any more, and you're not stupid enough to think you can force us to leave our homes. Right, kid?"

"All I'm saying is we have a lot more training. Let us make your lives easier."

"We fell for that before, and look how great the country is doing today."

"Do you know what the heroes around here did when things started looking bad? They ran off with their tails between their legs."

"It's happening everywhere. The entire city has been abandoned. We gave the pros nothing but support, and this is how they repay us?"

"I'm tired of talking," said the group leader. "Go back to where you came from and tell your bosses that we're not going anywhere."

Grand and Turtle Neck then left the building.

"Well, that didn't go as planned," said Turtle Neck teasing Grand. "Total bomb. You suck at this."

Grand looked immensely frustrated and looked as if he wanted to punch something. "We just need to give them a little persuasion. If I use my powers, I might demolish the building in seconds. We should just drag them out; it's for their own good."

"Tone it down," said Turtle Neck, and then she heard her phone ringing.

"At least the phones are still working," said Grand.

Turtle Neck answered the phone and instantly had a distressed voice on the side.

"Get out of there! He's coming!"

"Huh?"

"We just saw him with our own eyes; he is heading your way fast. Run! We won't make it in time to help you!"

Suddenly, they felt the ground shaking and saw a massive dust cloud. Seconds later, they saw something shooting out of it and landed on top of the building, demolishing it instantly. Then, whatever was shot out of one window before it collapsed.

"Incoming," said Grand.

Whatever it was, they landed on top of the building just above them, and they only saw a brief glimpse. Whoever it was, a giant of a man.

"Whoa, he's big," said Grand.

"Let's go," said a voice and appearing out of the dust was Muscular. "I'm ready to play."

Both Grand and Turtle Neck took up fighting stances.

"It's just you two?" said Muscular, sounding disappointed. "Damn, I'm going to need more. Don't you have some powerful friends?"

"Talia, call Mrs Joke," Grand ordered, looking directly at her. He then instantly drew out a short sword as he faced Muscular. "Tell her we need backup now and then evac civilians."

"What will you do?" Talia asked as she ran off.

"Crush this guy," he said.

Muscular smiled menacingly as his muscle tissue began to cover his body. "Being free feels so good."

The refugees were inside the building when they saw the commotion outside and immediately rushed towards the door.

"That scumbag won't tear up our town any more," said the group leader.

Talia then appeared right in front of them and tried to stop them. "No way! This guy is out for blood! He's a wanted murderer. You don't stand a chance! Run!"

However, they completely ignored her and pushed her aside.

"Move," said their leader. "We don't take orders from you."

"I'm trying to keep you from dying!" she screamed.

Then, suddenly, the entire building was shocked.

"Not good," she said.

Muscular had just managed to pin Grand to the ground and was now crushing him.

"Are you kidding?" said Muscular. "I thought you would make this worthwhile." He then continued to crush Grand as he began to look around. "Don't they say when you see one hero, there are ten more nearby?"

His eyes then turned to the building where he saw Turtle Neck and the refugees. "Ah, what do you know? I've found them."

Grand then placed his hands on Muscular's arm and began to use his powers to vibrate his body.

"It's not going to work," Muscular sneered. "I've got 12,000 layers of muscle fibre acting as armour. A little massage is not going to break through to my actual body."

"Is that so?" said Grand. 'If I let loose at maximum power, I would be able to move for a while, but…' He then increases his power to an absolute maximum, and Muscular feels it: 'Sometimes a man's got to do what he's got to do.'

He then looked up at Muscular with a smile. "The most important thing a hero can have when the world is going to hell around them is fortitude to keep fighting. I'm going to shake your brain right out of your head!"

His powers were certainly enough to demolish the building they were currently on, but Muscular was still standing.

"In that case, I guess it's not a bad idea," he said.

"Watch out, Strider!" Turtle Neck cried.

"Come on, let's save the boy!" said the refugee leader.

"You feel that?" Muscular asked as he began to crush Grand. "It's a blood frenzy!"

He then raised his fist, ready to deal the final blow, but suddenly, something struck him in the back and sent him flying. He crashed into a nearby building, but he quickly recovered and landed on the rooftops.

"Muscular," said Night Fury as he hovered in the air with Grand in his arms. "Who else could cause such destruction."

Muscular smiled. "I recognise that voice. It's you… Hiccup, right? I will never forget you. In fact, I've missed you. I keep on running into these heroes who don't clench my first full blood, but you will. Yes, this is what I need. Don't run off. We'll have a real battle, and so that we're clear, revenge has nothing to do with this. I just want to experience that rush again. You got me addicted to it when we threw down last time."

He then crushed a rock with his bare hands on the side of it in his missing eye socket. "I can't get enough of that feeling."

He then jumped straight at him, but instead of going after him directly, he jumped into the building below.

'Why not jump straight to the roof?' Night Fury frowned.

Muscular then used his strength to rip apart the top of the building, sending it flying straight up at him.

"Let's not hold anything back!" he laughed. "Show me your blood!"

Night Fury quickly fired a plasma blast, destroying the building in the rubble and crashed to the ground.

"What's going on?" said the refugee leader as everyone made their way outside. "I can't see a thing."

Night Fury then landed right in front of Turtle Neck. "There you are."

She immediately rushed over to him and noticed that he was carrying Grand. "Is he okay?"

"He's still alive, though a little beaten up," he said, handing him over to her.

"You're such an idiot," said Turtle Neck.

"I'm sorry I didn't get here soon. You should take him to a doctor quickly," Night Fury advised. "You should also abandon the building. It's not safe. I make sure that nothing else is damaged."

"Got it," said Turtle Neck, looking at him stunned. 'His voice seems very familiar. Just who is he?'

Night Fury then took off.

"Toothless, are there any other reports of villains in the area?" Night Fury asked.

"All clear, but there aren't any pros either," Toothless reported. "Only a small group of Defence High students."

"Other any intact police stations that possess maidens?"

"I'll find out, but you should know that your vitals are just above the red. You haven't been sleeping or eating for quite some time; you're wearing yourself ragged."

"I know, but I can't stop, and is not into I take down Muscular before he causes any more harm."

"Just be careful; you barely survived the first time you faced him."

'Muscular, I haven't forgotten you either,' said Night Fury, narrowing his eyes. 'However, I learned a few tricks since then.'

Night Fury then launched Sharpshot into the sky, who immediately began scanning the area for Muscular. However, seconds later, he received a ping and looked down in time to see Muscular jumping up towards him.

"Where do you think you're going?" he asked.

Night Fury quickly moved around, dodging his blows, and quickly landed at a nearby park. He fired his cables, which wrapped around Muscular's waist and slammed him into the ground.

"Not playing games," said Muscular as he raised his head.

"Tell me where Krogan and Drago Bludvist are hiding," Night Fury demanded. "I know they broke you out."

"Who cares? They told me I should just go wild and do anything I want, which is how I live anyway," he said. "This talking is so boring, like you're dumb tricks. Let's cut to the good stuff. I live for the adrenaline. I want a full-powered brawl just like we had that night. No holding back!"

"Why do you chase after such extremes?" Night Fury asked disgustedly.

"Because I don't want to have any regrets when I finally die."

"Oh yeah, and what would you regret?"

"Not enjoying everything life has to offer to the max."

"You don't think there was another path for you?"

"Nope, not a chance!" he said, expanding his muscles to break free from the cables. "What? You trying to empathise with me? Waste someone else's time with that BS. My heart beats with a thirst for blood and battle. Nothing else in this whole wide world matters!"

'I never found out why they ended up becoming villains,' said Hiccup as he looked at Muscular, who looked undeterred. 'What caused all their anger? If I had known, maybe things would have been different. Krogan killed so many innocent people; he hurt those I cared about.'

He then took a fighting stance. "I wish there was some way to reason with you, but it sounds like this is inevitable."

"Give me your full power, Hiccup!" Muscular roared.

'I have to fight, at least that I can learn something about him,' said Hiccup.

"Where did you turn into a boring guy who just stands around?" Muscular asked.

He got prepared to charge; within several, his muscles suddenly were ripped apart, much to his surprise.

"There are spaces between your muscles," said Night Fury. "Whenever they reach their limits, they peel back and disappear. You want a head-on fight, but you try to trap me at first. Is it because you knew something was wrong with your power? You do realise how strong Strider's power truly was."

"You think you're so clever," said Muscular as he raised his fist.

Night Fury then shot forward with unbelievable speed and, within seconds, closed the distance between them. He then struck him with a single blow and, within moments, appeared directly behind Muscular. That one single blow was enough to knock Muscular out, and he collapsed to the ground.

Two other students from Defender High were rushing over to Grand and Turtle Neck.

"Where are Strider and Talia?" Boomerang Man asked.

"Hey, up there!" said Mr Smith.

They looked up and saw Night Fury carrying Muscular away.

"That's the villain!" said Mr Smith.

Turtle Neck was with Grand as she watched Night Fury fly away.

"I didn't even get a chance to say thank you," she said.

The refugees suddenly showed up with a stretcher.

"Here, use this," said the refugee leader.

They were then gently placed on the stretcher.

"It will make carrying him easier," said the refugee leader.

"Get the car."

Turtle Neck was shocked as she watched them lift him up. "You're helping us?"

"It's not like we want anyone to get hurt or anything," said the refugee leader as he looked at Grand. "I figured the least we can do now is hear you out."

Grand opening his eyes. 'That guy… he was at the licensing exam. But today, he fought like a different person. Was it really the same kid?'

He then lost consciousness again.

Night Fury carried Muscular all the way to the nearest police station, which Toothless marked on his navigational screen.

"Freeze," said a policeman aiming his rifle at him. "What do you want?"

Night Fury raised his arms out calmly. "You have any spared iron maidens?"

"Maidens?" Night Fury then took a step to the right, revealing Muscular. "Wait, that's… one of the escapees."

Night Fury then suddenly took off. "Please restrain him."

"Hold on!"

Night Fury was flying directly over the city, scanning for other disturbances.

"Are there any more villains in the city?" Night Fury asked.

"No, Muscular appears to be the only one, at least for now," Toothless informed him.

He nodded and then contacted his father. "Dad, I'm heading back."

Stoick was waiting beside a very high-tech car, which was his mode of transport during his hero days. He was in an alleyway and saw Night Fury landing in front of him.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I'm good," he said.

"Apart from being extremely tired, you mean," said Toothless.

"I can catch some sleep once I'm certain there is not good to be any more trouble," said Hiccup as he removed his helmet.

"What of your arms and legs?" Stoick asked.

"Fine, thanks to the mid-gauntlets," said Hiccup. "Mom really did outdo herself on these."

"Valka said that their prototypes but they should boost your endurance. First of all, the support item affects your entire body. However, she did warn us that they won't stand against your power at a hundred percent. Do try not to go overboard until your rematch, okay."

Hiccup looked at his left hand and clenched his fist. "I won't."

Stoick's phone rang, and he answered it. "It's me, hey."

"Skullcrusher, good to hear ya," said Hawks. "Just wanted to check in. How's your son?"

"Fine, he is here with me right now," Stoick informed him.

"Hiccup, there's another disturbance nearby," Toothless informed him.

"I've got to go," said Hiccup, putting his helmet back on and then taking off.

"Or at least he was," Stoick sighed.

"Let me guess, he ran off again," Hawks assumed. "He doesn't want any people around if he gets attacked. Pretty brave, actually. He's chosen to isolate and prepare, not the worst idea in the world, but if the people who storm Helheim come at him in full force, it's over for all of us. As Hiccup said, our best chance is to track them down instead. I know it's a hard position for you as a father, but I am glad that you're there to support him."

"What father doesn't support his son?" Stoick asked.

A few days earlier, after Hiccup had regained consciousness, the doctor tended to his wounds and gave him his analysis. Fortunately, despite the warnings he received six months ago, he was still able to use both his arms and legs.

"Let's see, from what I understand, you survived some serious injuries in the past and were told that further trauma could cost you the use of your arms," said the doctor. "Previously, your injuries were caused by small explosions inside your body.

"Fortunately, this time, the power surfaced and escaped. Your scan suggests that you use the arm in your costume to reinforce your physique from the inside out, which is why your limbs weren't completely shattered like before. In short, your injuries are similar, but your frame was more prepared for them this time. Nevertheless, your body won't keep bouncing back. You still need to be careful."

Hiccup at his arms, still a little surprised that he was able to use them. That said when, before, he had only been able to use about 5% of his strength, and of course, now I can use 45% in short bursts.

When the doctor left, Hiccup then looked at his father. "Dad, I need to know why Krogan was after me. It can't be just because I'm your son."

Stoick nodded. "You're right; I should told you this sooner."

He then began to explain everything to Hiccup, who just sat there in silence.

"So if Krogan or Drago get my power, then…"

"Nothing could stop them from dominating the world," Stoick nodded. "I thought I could keep you safe without knowing, hoping to give you a normal life, but clearly, there was a mistake."

"You should have told me."

"Hiccup, I may be a hero, but as a father, my duty is to protect you. I can only hope that you can understand and forgive me someday."

Stoick then informed the three top heroes of Hiccup's decision.

"He's leaving Berk Academy?" said Best Jeanist as he talked to Stoick on the phone. "No, I get it. This works in our favour. He's the only one with the chance to pin down Krogan's whereabouts. In fact, I already planned to design our operation around him. Right, we'll follow at an appropriate distance."

Later that night, Hiccup went to visit his mother, who was in intensive care.

"So Stoick finally told you everything," she said. "I did tell him that after the League of Villains attacked that, you should have been privy to everything, but he still believed that he could protect you from the horrors of this world."

She then looked at him with tearful eyes. "We never wanted any of this for you. I should have killed him on the battlefield once I had the chance to spare you this burden." She then handed Hiccup a pair of mid-gauntlets. "These are prototypes. I had hoped to give you the final product sooner, but these will have to do."

She then placed a hand against his cheek and smiled. "You are a kindhearted boy, Hiccup, and I am so proud of you. However, kindness has no place on the battlefield. Sometimes, you have to kill a person in order to save them. Be sure to remember that."

Hiccup then left the hospital, and that very same day, he began his crusade. Outside, he met up with Hawks, Hellfire, Best Jeanist, and his father, who were all about to team up to put an end to this.

Hiccup was now determined to stop Drago Bludvist no matter what.