About 20 years ago, Hellfire offered his future father-in-law a generous transaction in exchange for marrying his daughter.

"It is truly an honour to be approached by the man many believe will be the next number-one hero in America," said Agatha's father. "I never expected such an offer, fortune and has truly smiled upon us. As you know, the Haddock family has enjoyed a long and celebrated history, which makes my daughter the perfect match for a man of your starters. A top-tier pro needs a fitting bride."

Hellfire remained quiet and looked at his future wife, who sat silently.

'She was the youngest sister of Skullcrusher, though no one knew that at the time. On the surface, the union appeared to be just like any other arranged marriage, but I had an ulterior motive. My goal was simple: to produce the strongest child possible, one who wields powerful flames and has the ability to absorb the thermal energy they produce. This was a mere metapower marriage with our combined powers; producing a child that could surpass Skullcrusher was possible.

'While Stoick was a strong man of integrity, his father was a lesser man and cared more about fame and fortune. True, his son was indeed the number one hero, but Stoick refused to become a public hero and allowed his identity to remain secret. The hero profession was starting after a few years of turmoil and social reforms. As such, it was an unknown profession with massive opportunities.

'Being associated with the number two hero, whose identity was public, was a great way to get fame and fortune, so Agatha's father quickly agreed with my proposal. However, she did have the option to refuse me as she knew exactly what this marriage was, and yet she accepted my intentions and became my wife for the sake of her family.'

The two of them were walking through the park, but Agatha stopped when she noticed some flowers.

"Do you like the flowers?" Spitelout asked as he followed her gaze.

"Yes," she said, smiling. "They are quite beautiful."

'There was no denying there was a strength to her, but that was not surprising considering who her brother was. Regardless, she still looked as if she would shatter at the slightest touch.'

Back in the present, Hellfire just stared at his wife, shocked to see her.

"Agatha, hello," he said, stunned. "Are you… okay?"

"What world would I be?" she said coldly. "That's why I've come here. You aren't the only one suffering because you're not the only one who overlooked our child."

Diablo, meanwhile, was hiding out in the League's old hideout; the burns on his skin now pretty much covered his entire body.

'These are some wicked burns,' he said, looking at his burnt skin. 'I can't feel anything though. Knowing how tough my father is, I doubt he'll die for whatever injuries he racked up. Even if he wanted to be the number one hero, he could not die unceremoniously on the battlefield. I bet he'll do a press conference soon.'

He then smiled broadly. "Can't wait to see his pathetic face. After so long, I get to watch him break. Spitelout, Mom, Scoldlout, Adelaide, Snotlout, when you're crying in hell, be sure and wave."

Then, a tear of blood leaked out of his eye.

Many years ago, Hellfire had tried to train Scorch, but he was growing concerned with the burns showing up on his body.

"Ah, no fair," Scorch complained. "I don't have school today, but we should be doing training together! Come on, Dad, you said you would remember?"

"I've told you already, this time office for your own good," said Spitelout as he put on his jacket.

Scorch narrowed his eyes at him, which made his father uneasy. "I have to go."

Spitelout and Agatha made their way to Central Hospital, where the doctor showed them the results of the tests he had run on Scorch.

"It's unusual," said the doctor. "Your son did inherit a strong variation of your pyrokinesis; that is true. Unfortunately, his body cannot seem to release the excess heat, and it is constantly being stored in his body. In other words, all that formal energy is building up inside him; it will dissipate in time, but if he constantly uses his powers, he will burn himself up.

Also, in terms of designer babies… look, the whole concept is taboo. I would suggest that you stop pursuing it. Regardless, Scorch shouldn't be using his powers. Try to keep them from doing so; I would hate to see the boy burn himself and end up in the emergency room."

Spitelout heard every word the doctor told him, but he hated it and clenched his fist in frustration.

'Scorch, I thought, succeeded Skullcrusher. With flames more powerful than the mind, you should have been the best. How did this happen?'

Scorch was watching TV with Adelaide, who was showing a special on Skullcrusher.

"He saved 62 innocent people yesterday. As long as we have this shining star protecting us…"

"Hey, Adelaide, why do you think Dad won't let me do Meta training any more?" Scorch asked. "So I got some dumb burns, big deal. I'm more than tough enough; I know my body better than anyone, and I say I'm totally fine."

"I agree with Dad," said Adelaide. "I don't like it when you come home looking hurt, really."

Scorch narrowed his eyes. "It was stupid to think that you'd get it. No girl would understand this."

He then walked off frustratingly.

"But I'm worried about you, brother," said Adelaide.

"I've made my decision. I'm going to be better than him, the top hero. You're the one who lit this fire under me, Dad."

In frustration, Spitelout slammed his hand on the ground because Scorch continued using his powers excessively. To that end, he decided to be blunt and tell him to his face that he had no hope of being a hero he had no hope of being a hero.

"No, that's too much," said Agatha. "It's downright cruel; tell him anything else. He only knows what you want from your children; just let him have hope."

"No matter what I say to him, he shows up at the house with new injuries every day. The boy is stubborn, just like his father. This is the only way to make him give up; he has to know. He can't beat Skullcrusher."

Agatha just stared at him.

Another year passed, and Agatha was gifted with another son, something Scorch didn't seem excited about.

Hellfire continued hero work, but no matter what, he couldn't surpass Skullcrusher, and Agatha slowly became more depressed.

Then another year came, and Snotlout was born, and he possessed the powers that Hellfire had longed for within one of his children.

However, this did not stop Scorch as you continued to train on his own.

"You're wrong, Dad. I can be the next number one," he said. "Watch me; my flames are stronger every time I come out here. I've been practising this entire time; I know I can do it. I will surpass Skullcrusher. Wait and see. Just keep your eyes on me, okay."

Spitelout was less than happy that Scorch was training by himself now.

"Damnit!" he yelled. "When we do get this through your head? Have you learned nothing from getting burned over and over again?"

He then grasped his son's shoulders and looked at him in the eyes. "Listen, Scorch, find a new dream to pursue. Go play with Adelaide and Scold. Make friends at school and do stuff with them. There are plenty of things to do with your life besides being a hero."

Agatha and the other children were watching.

"Leave this unattainable goal behind you," Spitelout pleaded.

"The kids at school say they are going to be pros one day," said Scorch with tears in his eyes. "They don't get what it's like for me, but you do. You show me that being the best is what matters."

Scorch's body then began to burn up.

"Scorch, no, you have to calm down," Agatha pleaded.

"You get this, Dad," said Scorch. "It's too late now. I can't unlearn what you taught me. Keep watching, you'll see."

His hair suddenly burst into flames. He knocked his father's hand away and launched himself at his mother and siblings—or, more precisely, at Snotlout.

"Watch me, Hellfire!" he yelled as he swung a hand covered in flames.

Fortunately, Agatha quickly intervened and absorbed the seat from his flames.

"From now on, Snotlout is not allowed anywhere near the other children," said Spitelout firmly to his wife. "I have work, and I can't watch all the time, but that's why we have the help. You don't let Scorch out of your sight."

"He just wants you to pay attention to him," said Agatha.

"I only know the world of heroes, and there's nothing there for him," he said as he turned away.

"So that's it? You're running away?"

Spitelout glared at her.

A few years later, Adelaide was now 12 while Scold was eight, and they approached Scorch.

"Hey, Scorch, come play," said Adelaide, tapping the ball under her arm.

Scorch was now 13 and then joined the others outside.

"It's yours," said Adelaide.

"Got it," said Scorch, but ended up tripping over, and Scold laughed.

"Are you hurt?" Adelaide asked.

Snotlout, who was five years old, watched through the window as his older siblings played.

"Ignore them, boyo," said his father, grabbing his hand and pulling him away. "They live in a different world than the one I'm training you for."

"Whatever you say, Dad," said Snotlout.

Scorch watched with resentment as they walked by, but this time, his resentment was aimed at his father.

Later that night, he tried to have a conversation with Scold.

"You know what?" said Scorch. "I think I had the wrong idea back then. Snotlout isn't the one I should blame. Dad is the person who messed up everything. We're failures to him, so he can pretend that we don't even exist; that's just how it works. Not like he's all that different; a bunch of heroes have kids who they don't want."

Scold groaned as all he wanted to do was get some sleep. "You already told me this about 1 million times. Uh, why don't you go and bother Adelaide instead?"

"No, hold on," said Scorch. "Are you ignoring me too, Scold? Please don't do that; I'm telling you this stuff so that you can understand. You agree, right? Besides, the women in our family are useless."

A few days later, he began to leave the house, and his mother tried to stop them.

"Wait," said Agatha. "Are you planning on going to the mountain again? Why don't you hang out with your classmates?"

"No," said Scorch harshly, pushing her away. "I don't need friends! I'm different from them."

"Scorch, tell me, do you really want to be a hero?" Agatha asked. Scorch turned and looked at her with a fearsome look. "Because it looks like you're suffering simply because you want to please your father. Son, there are many different paths in life. You have countless opportunities; don't spend your life chasing after someone else's dream. I want you to find something that you are actually passionate about—"

"Shut up, Mom!" Scorch snapped. "You don't know anything! Is this one of your self-help books or from Uncle Stoick? I know grammar and grampa are poor; that's why they sold you, right? You had no choice in what your life would be like."

"Son," said Agatha.

Scorch opened the door. "But you did decide to have me. So you're to blame for this, too."

Scorch then made his way to the mountains to practice using his powers. He was unusually small compared to kids his age; when he struck puberty, that all changed, and his flames transformed from red to blue.

"I see," Scorch smiled. "They're extensions of my body. When I get excited, my firepower goes through the roof. Oh, man, I'm incredible. Dad is going to be so surprised when he sees this."

He then began to cry. "Damn, no crying. Why do I always tear up when things go my way?"

Scorch soon returned home to tell his father about his training.

"Dad, you're free the next day; you've got to come to the mountains," said Scorch excitedly to his father.

Spitelout realised something was off and immediately lifted Scorch's shirt, which revealed burn marks.

'New burns,' he said, horrified. 'He's hiding the beneath his clothing now.'

He then looked at him furiously. "Scorch, you're still training?"

"And I got super awesome," he said excitedly. "Make sure you come to watch; I bet I can get to Snotlout's level pretty soon or Skullcrusher's level. No, better and then I'll guess you will have to accept I'm not actually a failure like you thought. After all these years, you'll be happy to have me as your son."

Spitelout took his frustration out on his wife right in front of his other children, slapping her across the face.

"I asked you to do one thing! Just stop him from training!" Spitelout roared.

"I will let you beat up Mommy!" Snotlout yelled, swinging his fist at his father.

Adelaide and Scold just head and turn away, not wanting to see the scene.

"Get out of here, boyo!" Spitelout demanded. "This has nothing to do with you!"

"My options were limited when I was younger, but I chose to marry you out of my own free will," said Agatha. "I thought if I kept a smile on my face, things might work out. I tried my best, but he wouldn't listen."

"He's your problem now! You deal with this!" Spitelout snapped coldly and then grabbed the helm of her shirt. "Be useful for once."

'What you see when you glare at me like that?' she said as she stared terrified at her husband's eyes. 'Please, don't look at me with those horrible eyes. Those eyes.'

It wasn't just Spitelout's eyes that terrified her, but also the ones belonging to her children. Eventually, she had enough and ran away from home.

'It was just too much,' she said. 'In the end, I ran away and lived with my brother. His wife, Valka, who ran the company, spent most of the time away from home, so I ended up raising their son, Hiccup. He was such a delightful child, the polar opposite of Scorch. However, I then heard about Scorch's death, but even after hearing the tragedy, I couldn't face returning home not until years later.'

Back in the present, Agatha was looking at Hellfire.

"Back then, you didn't go to the mountains like you asked," she said.

"I was afraid that if I did, I would let a fire that was already out of control," he admitted, but then shook his head, knowing that he was lying to himself. "No, the real reason is I had no idea what to say. Or how to be Scorch's father."

"I guess we both failed in that sense," said Agatha.

Diablo remembered losing control of his fire and burning himself and half the forest.

"Now that was some impressive heat," he said, smiling. "Well, what did you expect, old man? All you ever taught me was how to burn everything."

By the time Hellfire asked what had happened, it was too late. He did search for him, but all they could find was his broken jawbone.

"If only I had just given up that day," said Hellfire as he reminisced on that fateful day. "But after I killed Scorch, I couldn't go back. The only thing I could focus on was moulding Snotlout to become the hero I can never be myself."

"The more domineering you were, the harder it was to look at you," said Agatha. "And whenever I looked at my children, it was your eyes that started staring back at me."

"Even though I knew we were falling apart, I was too scared to get to the bottom of our pain," Adelaide admitted. "So I try to keep up appearances, ignoring the truth."

"You're the one who put us on this path, and I know you are to blame," said Scold, narrowing his eyes at his father. "But if I had been able to knock some sense into Scorch before he ran up to the mountain, he would have been able to turn into Diablo, and things might have been different between Snotlout and me."

"The responsibility is not yours to bear alone," said Agatha as she held out a flower. "Your heart may be broken, but we're going to help you put it back together because you have no choice but to fight Diablo one day."

Hellfire stared at her. "Agatha… are you sure? How can I…"

Agatha then looked at Snotlout. "Snotlout must have suffered so much more than we did, but he still sees me as his mother even though I abandoned him. He's actually trying to change and has actually become friends with his Hiccup, who he used to torment. He is the true hero of this family."

"Before coming in here, I had a long talk with Mom," said Snotlout in a wheezy voice. "I thought you would be unable to find out how things went down, and I would have to face Diablo by myself. But that's not the case though…" He then held out his hand as his father began crying. "…so whenever you are done crying, you and I will work to stop Scorch together."

"Snot-Snotlout," Hellfire cried.

The door then opened, and Hawks and Best Jeanist entered the room.

"Pardon us," said Hawks. "We were kind and listening to your convo, and since we're in the loop, mindedly join your weird family reunion?"

'Best Jeanist… and Hawks…' Snotlout stared.

"I was discharged from the hospital yesterday and already gathered a bunch of info that's going on," said Hawks.

Agatha immediately lowered her head. "I am deeply ashamed, and I apologise for my son's actions."

This quite took Hawks and Best Jeanist aback.

"That's definitely not the reason why we're here," said Hawks as he began typing frantically. "Seriously, please stop, ma'am."

"I admit that we wanted answers about Diablo, but eavesdropping is sketchy like black-market denim," said Best Jeanist.

Snotlout rolled his eyes. 'What is that even supposed to mean?'

"Knowing the source of his resentment could make things easier," said Best Jeanist. "The more that we know how he managed to survive and why he adopted this Diablo persona, the better. We can speak to the child inside him."

"I have watched a lot of videos over the years, Hellfire," said Hawks. "But I never guessed the tenacity you have in your younger years would make your home so hellish. I've got to admit it's shocking." He then leaned on Snotlout's shoulder as he looked at Agatha. "I met. I'm also surprised to discover that Skullcrusher is, in fact, your older brother, ma'am."

Agatha nodded. "I didn't know it at the time either. I only realised his true identity when I moved in with him after I abandoned my family."

Hawks just looked at them. "I see."

Looking at this family, he couldn't help but think about his own. 'I never got to confront my parents. Instead, I abandoned them; you stood your ground.'

He then looked at Snotlout, smiling behind his mask. "Snotlout… you're one heck of a kid."

"I don't deserve such praise," Snotlout fumed, folding his arms. "The real hero, as far as I'm concerned, is Hiccup. He's the one that got me thinking straight and on the right path."

Hawks nodded and looked at HellfIRE. "Hellfire, the world is going to pieces."

"I know," Hellfire nodded.

"Krogan… Viggo… Diablo… Turid Bladedotter… Spinner… Sceptic… And 132 Liberation Front members escaped, as well as seven Near High-End Red Deaths. At this point, we have no leads and no idea where they may be hiding. In addition to Helheim, six other prisoners were broken into. At least 10,000 prisoners have been released into the wild, causing mayhem and panic.

"There is also no agency calling the shots for us any more. Not that there is a ton of heroes left to organise. Pros are resigning left and right. Many civilians have lost faith in our ability to protect the street, so taking up arms and fighting villains themselves which inevitably leads to collateral damage.

"Currently, the government is requesting aid from rescue teams from other countries. However, with the Safety Commission in shambles, bureaucracy is getting in the way. Everything has gone to crap in just two days, and I second what your wife said. You have no choice but to keep fighting. Of course, we've got your back; responsibility for this can't be put on your shoulders alone, and it's not your family's fault either."

"You would help me?" said Hellfire surprised.

'Even if Diablo was right about the Jorgenson family, things are different now,' said Hawks as he attempted to spread what was left of his wings behind his jacket. 'I want to do what's right and support people who are trying their best to do the same.'

Hawks then held out his hand. "Yep, I propose a team-up between the top three heroes."

"I've already bet my life on Hawks once," said Best Jeanist. "This will be another tricky runway to walk, but we'll prevail."

"Look is standing in front of you," said Hawks. "Don't we make the burden feel a little lighter? Isn't it time to move forward?"

"Yes," Hellfire cried.

"We'll help you," said Scold. "Just until we stop Scorch."

"Right."

"Now, to get down to business," said Hawks. "First, we explain things to the public after Diablo's dramatic speech that unavoidable. I've given some thought to how we go about responding, but there is still a little bit of confusion. What do you know about Skullcrusher's legacy?"

"Oh, yeah," said Adelaide. "A reporter mentioned that too."

As the Jorgensons were making their way into the hospital, a number of reporters began asking them questions, though one of them asked a question that did not directly relate to their family.

"While he was fighting Krogan, Hellfire mentioned something about Skullcrusher's legacy? Do you know what he was talking about?"

"Does it have something to do with Skullcrusher's son?"

"Whatever that means, we need to figure out how it factors into the puzzle," said Hawks.

Hellfire thought returned to the battle when Hiccup mentioned that he was certain that Krogan was after him. He was proven correct as Krogan began chasing him down, but he suspected it was more than just the fact that he was Skullcrusher's son.

"Night Fury," he said.

Ranger stood in front of Hiccup's hospital room with Astrid, Ragnar, Fishlegs, Heather and Speedfist.

"Tuffnut told me he hasn't woken up yet," said Ranger.

"He did go all out during the battle," said Speedfist.

"That's classic Hiccup; he always pushes himself to the extreme when anyone is in danger," Astrid sighed.

"But that's why we like him," Heather smiled.

"Though it would be grateful if he didn't scare us after death," said Ragnar.

"Hey, guys," said Ingrid as she approached them. "Sounds like Clueless is clear to go home now."

"That's excellent news," said Speedfist.

"Are there any updates on Hiccup's recovery yet?" she asked.

"They say that his body is fine, but I'm still worried," said Astrid.

Ragnar then placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hiccup is the most stubborn guy I know; he'll be fine."

Astrid smiled at him.

"Hey, yo," said Hawks as he and Best Jeanist approached them. "We would like a few words with Hiccup Haddock."

"Skullcrusher told us to leave the two of them alone," said Speedfist as he looked at the door.

"He did, huh?" said Hawks. He found this rather suspicious. 'Hellfire said that Krogan was after Hiccup. Looks like this whole legacy thing was circled around Skullcrusher's son. Why take such an interest in the boy?'

Stoick was sitting in Hiccup's bed. Hiccup, who had casts covering his arms and legs, was still out cold.

'I never wanted this to happen to you, son; that's why I hope you would never be a hero. I wish I could stand by your side and help. Just stay strong, you have to for all of us.'