AUTHOR NOTES: From Monday updates will be slow since I have exams and assignments, but I won't give up on this until I finish the third movie (I'm still debating on either ending it on the second movie or third movie),

SUMMARY: The gang has to say goodbye to the dragons but Mildew is happy

The air over Berk was filled with the sound of beating wings and excited chatter as the Dragon Riders took to the skies for their latest flying drill. The dense forest below served as their training ground, a maze of trees and uneven terrain that demanded precision and trust between dragon and rider. Starfire, a vibrant splash of fiery orange hair and purple armor, soared gracefully through the sky atop Inferno, her powerful black dragon. His massive wings cut through the air with ease, and his scales shimmered in the sunlight like obsidian.

Hiccup led the group, calling out instructions to the Riders. "Follow me! Low-level evasive maneuvers! Come on, bud!" Toothless darted through the trees, his sleek body twisting and turning with practiced ease.

Starfire watched with delight, her emerald eyes wide with curiosity. "Inferno, my dearest friend, let us attempt the maneuvering of the evasive nature!" she exclaimed. Inferno rumbled in response, his molten gaze scanning the forest ahead.

As if on cue, Hookfang veered wildly through a thick patch of trees, snapping branches in his wake.

"Hey! What are you doing?!" Snotlout yelled, gripping Hookfang's saddle tightly. "Are you trying to kill me?! We gotta go back! I think you missed a branch! Got it!"

Starfire giggled at the display, leaning forward to pat Inferno's neck. "Let us not create the unnecessary chaos, my friend. I trust in your wisdom."

Hiccup's voiceover continued. "And you have to have an open mind because sometimes, your dragon knows better than you."

Nearby, Astrid urged Stormfly upwards. "Stormfly, up!" But the Nadder ignored her, weaving between the trees instead. A split second later, Astrid spotted the fallen tree Stormfly had avoided. "You were right, Stormfly. It was down. I almost died."

Snotlout rolled his eyes. "Almost died? I would've died!"

Astrid smirked. "That's a good look for you."

Meanwhile, Starfire and Inferno danced through the trees with surprising elegance for such a large dragon. "Oh, how joyous it is to fly with you, Inferno! Your skill is most impressive," Starfire cheered. Inferno roared softly in agreement, his massive wings gliding them smoothly over a low branch.

Hiccup turned back to the group. "Has anyone seen Fishlegs?"

Ruffnut snorted from her perch on Barf and Belch. "I saw him yesterday. Does that count?"

Starfire tilted her head in confusion. "I was unaware we were meant to observe the Fishlegs daily. Is this a custom of Midgardian nature?"

Tuffnut, grinning from behind Ruffnut, chimed in. "Yeah, he's probably off somewhere hiding from all the action. Classic Fishlegs."

《 ️ 》

At the Berk Dragon Training Academy, the Riders gathered around the baby dragon with Torch at its center, excitement buzzing in the air. Inferno stood off to the side, his massive form towering over the scene as his molten eyes observed the humans with an air of quiet superiority. Starfire, her fiery hair catching the sunlight, knelt close to Torch, her hands clasped together in adoration.

Fishlegs was practically vibrating with excitement. "This is so exciting! It's a whole new species!"

Tuffnut squinted at Torch and scratched his head. "Doesn't look like a flaming squirrel to me."

Fishlegs frowned, his enthusiasm momentarily deflated. "We have no idea what it's capable of! There's no telling what it might do."

Tuffnut grinned mischievously, leaning closer to Torch. "Only one way to find out." He pointed at the little dragon. "Flame! Do it!"

Torch tilted his head innocently before leaping onto Tuffnut's face, gnawing enthusiastically on his nose. "AH! Get it off, get it off, get it off!" Tuffnut screamed, flailing his arms. Torch promptly bounced to Ruffnut, biting her nose next.

Ruffnut burst into laughter even as she tried to dislodge the baby dragon. "Oh, that is funny."

"Come on, you guys!" Hiccup groaned, stepping forward. "This is serious! We have to figure out what to do with him. He's hurt!"

Tuffnut blinked in surprise. "He's hurt?"

"He's just really scared. He'll settle down," Hiccup assured them.

Fishlegs interjected, his tone cautious. "Um, new species, remember? We actually don't know what he'll do."

Astrid crossed her arms, glancing at the small dragon. "Well, somebody's got to take him home."

As one, the Riders all stepped back, leaving Hiccup holding the baby dragon.

Starfire clasped her hands together, her voice brimming with excitement. "Oh, might I be the one to keep him?" Her emerald eyes sparkled as she looked between Torch and the group. "He is most delightful, like a tiny bundle of joy with the fiery nature!"

Astrid shook her head before Starfire could get too far in her plea. "No. We don't have space."

Starfire pouted, her lips forming a small frown. "Oh, how it saddens me to hear such a decree," she said, her tone wistful. "I had hoped to provide him with the love and affection he so deserves."

Hiccup sighed. "Well, big guy, here's your somebody."

《 ️ 》

The next day, the group reconvened at the Academy. Torch had settled in somewhat, and Hiccup was determined to learn more about the little dragon.

"All right, Torch. Let's figure out what you are," Hiccup said, setting the dragon down in the training arena.

Fishlegs was beside himself with excitement. "Oh! This is so exciting! Documenting a whole new species... learning all about it!"

Tuffnut wrinkled his nose. "Wait, learning?"

"No thanks," Ruffnut added with a smirk.

As the group conducted various tests, Starfire watched with wide-eyed fascination. She knelt by Inferno, occasionally glancing up at her dragon for his reaction. Inferno simply rumbled, unbothered by the smaller dragon's antics.

When Hiccup brought out the Book of Dragons and revealed that nothing resembling Torch was recorded, Fishlegs gasped dramatically. "We even get to determine what it's called. That is... that is a really big responsibility. I don't know if I'm ready for that."

Torch, meanwhile, seemed oblivious to the conversation as he began spinning in place. The Riders exchanged worried looks, only to gasp as the baby dragon shot into the air, spiraling and leaving a trail of sparks behind him.

"You... are one incredible little dragon!" Hiccup exclaimed, his face lighting up with admiration.

Fishlegs' analytical side immediately took over. "Did you see how he flew? He spun like... like a typhoon!"

Astrid added thoughtfully, "And he came back just like a boomerang."

Snotlout grinned. "Hot-Spinner! Flaming-Combacker!"

"No... Typhoomerang," Fishlegs declared with certainty, his eyes sparkling with pride.

Snotlout squinted. "Typhoomerang...? Nah, I don't get it."

Starfire beamed, her earlier disappointment forgotten as she clapped her hands together. "Oh, such a wondrous name! It is most befitting of a dragon so spirited and unique!"

《 ️ 》

In the training arena, the Riders stood gathered with Torch at the center of attention. The young dragon had taken a particular liking to Starfire, who knelt by his side, her hands gently stroking his warm, amber scales. Torch purred contentedly, leaning into her touch. Starfire smiled, her voice soft and melodic.

"Oh, little one, your affection is most heartwarming. It is as though you see into my very soul with your glowing eyes!"

Torch nuzzled her hand, letting out a soft coo. Inferno, observing from the sidelines, gave a low rumble of approval, his molten gaze fixed on the scene. The bond between Starfire and Torch was evident, the baby dragon drawn to her warm and nurturing nature.

Astrid broke the moment, her tone brisk. "You did the right thing with Toothless, Hiccup. He'll snap out of it."

Snotlout interjected with a smirk. "Yeah, but what if he doesn't? Then you won't have a dragon to ride, and if you don't have a dragon to ride, you can't be the leader of the Dragon Academy! Ha!"

Astrid shot him a look. "Yeah, then I'd take over. Do you really want that?"

Before Snotlout could retort, the twins arrived on Barf and Belch, their expressions alight with mischief.

"You guys would not believe what we just saw," Tuffnut announced dramatically.

Snotlout rolled his eyes. "Excuse me, we're having a power struggle."

"We're not having a power struggle," Hiccup corrected, exasperated.

Ignoring the exchange, Tuffnut continued, "The whole forest. Ultimate destruction."

Ruffnut added with a grin, "It was beautiful. The whole thing was torched."

Hiccup's expression shifted to concern. "Torched? Show me."

The twins eagerly led the group to the woods, where a massive spiral scorch mark marred the earth. The sheer scale of the destruction left everyone momentarily speechless.

"Like we said: ultimate destruction," Ruffnut said, gesturing grandly.

Hiccup crouched to inspect the mark, his tone grim. "We've seen that burn mark before."

"Not this big," Astrid pointed out, her brows furrowed.

Fishlegs, ever the encyclopedia of dragon knowledge, gasped. "You know what this means. Big burn mark—"

"Big Typhoomerang," Hiccup finished.

At that moment, a massive shadow passed overhead. The adult Typhoomerang emerged, its fiery breath scorching the treetops as it flew in an intimidating spiral.

"He looks really mad," Tuffnut observed, though there was a hint of awe in his voice.

Hiccup squinted at the dragon, realization dawning. "Uh, it's not a he. It's a she. That's Torch's mother."

Astrid's eyes widened. "Torch is a baby."

Hiccup nodded, his voice steady despite the tension. "That's what Toothless was trying to tell me."

Fishlegs gulped. "Whoever gets between that mother and this baby is gonna get fried!"

Torch, oblivious to the danger, chirped happily as he was passed like a hot potato from one Rider to another.

"You take it!" Tuffnut said, shoving the baby dragon into Ruffnut's arms.

"I don't want it!" Ruffnut exclaimed, hastily passing him to Snotlout.

Snotlout, panicking, held Torch out at arm's length. "Just leave it, and let's get out of here!" He thrust the baby dragon into Hiccup's hands.

Torch's mother locked eyes on Hiccup, who now held her baby. Her roar shook the forest, and her fiery gaze promised swift retribution.

"Uh-oh," Hiccup muttered, his heart racing. He looked down at Torch. "Now, uh, go home to your mama." He set the baby dragon down and started to back away.

Torch, however, didn't budge, instead toddling closer to Hiccup with a trusting chirp. The Typhoomerang mother let out another roar, flames licking at the forest.

"RUN!" Hiccup shouted to the others. "You guys go that way! I'll lead her back into the forest, away from the village!"

"Hiccup!" Both Astrid and Starfire called after him, worry etched in their voice.

But Hiccup was already sprinting through the woods, Torch's mother in hot pursuit. Dodging trees and leaping over roots, he called out desperately. "Oh, please stop following me! TOOTHLESS!"

He reached the edge of the Cove and jumped, the drop steep and treacherous. A heart-stopping moment passed before Toothless soared up from below, catching Hiccup midair. Together, they re-emerged, Hiccup securely on the Night Fury's back.

The Typhoomerang mother halted, her sharp eyes narrowing as she watched the duo fly off. Below, Torch toddled back toward his mother, letting out a happy squeak.

《 ️ 》

Hiccup returned to the group a short while later, his hair tousled and his expression a mixture of relief and exhaustion. Toothless landed gracefully beside him, his glowing eyes sharp as ever. The other Riders were gathered near the entrance to the woods, their faces still tense from the confrontation with the Typhoomerang mother.

"So, what happened?" Astrid asked, her eyes scanning the skies for any sign of danger.

Hiccup sighed, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I led her back into the forest, away from the village. Torch is safe with his mother now."

The group exchanged a quiet moment of understanding before their gazes turned to the clearing where Torch had been. Torch was nowhere to be seen, and the air was filled with an unexpected stillness.

Starfire, who had been standing a little apart from the others, her eyes focused on the trees, let out a soft sigh. The warmth in her expression had faltered. "I didn't even get a goodbye..." she murmured, her voice laced with sadness.

Inferno, who had been watching from the shadows, gave a low, almost mournful rumble, as if sharing in her loss. Torch had formed a bond with Starfire in such a short time, and though it seemed fleeting, the connection was deep. Starfire's heart felt a pang at the thought of the little dragon flying away with his mother, knowing she might never see him again.

Hiccup approached her, offering a sympathetic smile. "You know, he's in good hands now. His mother will take care of him."

Starfire nodded slowly, but her eyes remained clouded with sadness. "Yes, of course, but it does not make the parting less... sorrowful." She looked down at the ground, lost in thought. "He was so small, yet so full of joy. It is a feeling unlike any other when one sees such happiness in another, and to watch him go... it leaves a void."

Snotlout, who had been mostly quiet, gave a half-hearted shrug. "Eh, don't worry about it too much. It's just a dragon."

"No," Starfire said softly, her voice firm yet gentle, "it is not simply a dragon. It is a soul, and every soul deserves love, even if it is just for a short time."

The group fell silent for a moment, all reflecting on Starfire's words. Torch had left, but the brief bond he'd shared with Starfire would remain in her heart. Even in the absence of his playful chirps and the warmth of his scales, she would carry with her the memories of that fleeting joy.

《 ️ 》

The next morning dawned crisp and clear, with the sunlight glinting off the dragons' scales as the Riders soared high above Berk. Hiccup had called for a group exercise to strengthen the bond between Riders and their dragons. It was a test of trust and faith—a simple yet nerve-wracking activity: the Riders would deliberately fall from their dragons, trusting their partners to swoop in and catch them.

Hiccup, riding Toothless, led the group into a wide, open patch of sky. "Alright, team," he called out, his voice carrying over the wind. "Today, we're going to work on trust. This is all about believing in your dragon. When you jump, they'll catch you. You just have to let go."

Fishlegs, clutching tightly to Meatlug's saddle, was the first to voice his doubts. "I-I don't think I'm ready for this! Can't we start with something... less deadly? Like trust on the ground? Maybe... with snacks?"

Hiccup flew closer, trying to reassure him. "Fishlegs, you've got to trust Meatlug. She's never let you down before. This is how we build that bond. Just lean back and jump!"

Snotlout, already eager to show off, rolled his eyes. "Like this, chicken-legs. WHOO-HOO-HOO-HOO!" He threw himself backward off Hookfang without hesitation. Hookfang, however, seemed momentarily distracted, flying on as though he hadn't noticed his rider's absence.

Tuffnut leaned over Barf and Belch's saddle, watching Snotlout plummet. "So... should we mention something to Hookfang?"

Ruffnut snorted. "Eh, let me sleep on it."

Astrid shouted, "Hookfang! Get him!"

Below, Snotlout was falling fast. "Not feeling the trust right now!" he yelled, flailing his arms as the ground rushed up to meet him.

At the last possible moment, Hookfang swooped in, catching Snotlout just before he hit the ground. Unfortunately, his speed and lack of coordination meant they couldn't avoid a crash landing. The two barreled straight through Mildew's roof, sending shingles and wood flying.

Below, Snotlout flailed as the ground rushed up to meet him. "Not feeling the trust right now!" he yelled, arms flapping as though he could fly himself. At the last possible moment, Hookfang swooped in and caught him. The triumphant rescue quickly turned chaotic as they both crashed through Mildew's roof, leaving a gaping hole.

Snotlout and Hookfang shot back into the air, but the damage was done. Mildew stormed out of his house, shaking his fist at the sky. "You'll pay for this!"

Hiccup winced as he flew closer to assess the situation. "Oh, something tells me we're gonna hear about this…"

《 ️ 》

The sun was already high in the sky, its warm rays filtering through the canopy of Berk's dense forest. Starfire and her dragon, Inferno, moved in perfect harmony as they glided through the trees, practicing their intricate training maneuvers. Inferno's massive, dark wings sliced through the air with precision, while Starfire directed him with her characteristic blend of gentle guidance and sheer enthusiasm.

"Most glorious, Inferno!" Starfire exclaimed, her emerald eyes sparkling with excitement. "You performed the spin of the cork most excellently! Now, let us attempt the dive of daring yet again!"

Inferno responded with a low, rumbling growl of agreement before shooting upward through a break in the trees. Starfire clutched the reins lightly, allowing her dragon the freedom to soar. They rose high above the forest, the world below becoming a patchwork of greens and browns, before Inferno suddenly tucked his wings and plummeted downward in a breathtaking dive.

Starfire let out a delighted laugh as they descended. "Wheeeeee! Truly, this feels like the soaring of the heart!" she cried. At the last possible moment, Inferno flared his wings, pulling up just above the ground in a powerful rush of wind.

Panting slightly from the exhilaration, Starfire patted Inferno's neck. "Well done, my friend. You are the bringer of amazement, as always. Perhaps now we may—" She paused mid-sentence, her gaze falling on the position of the sun. The realization struck her like a thunderbolt. "Oh! The others! We have failed to join them this morning!"

Inferno turned his massive head toward her, his fiery orange eyes blinking in calm understanding. Starfire shook her head, her long red hair cascading over her shoulders. "It seems we have lost ourselves in the joys of practice. We must make haste back to the village at once!"

Without another moment's hesitation, Starfire urged Inferno into the air, his powerful wings sending a gust of leaves spiraling upward. As they flew, Starfire bit her lip, her worry growing with each passing second. "I do hope the friends are not displeased by our tardiness," she murmured to herself. "It was not my intention to neglect our gathering."

The village of Berk soon came into view, bustling with its usual activity. Starfire landed gracefully near the Dragon Training Academy, Inferno's landing causing a small cloud of dust to rise around them. A few villagers glanced over in awe of the massive dragon, but most had grown accustomed to the sight of Starfire and Inferno.

Sliding down from Inferno's back, Starfire looked around for any sign of the Riders. "Hello? Hiccup? Astrid? Snotlout?" Her voice was melodic and hopeful, though tinged with a hint of guilt.

Astrid's voice called out from behind her. "Starfire! There you are. We were starting to wonder if you were okay."

Turning quickly, Starfire placed a hand over her heart in relief. "Oh, Astrid! I am most apologetic for the lateness. Inferno and I became most absorbed in the training of maneuvers. It was not until the sun stood at its peak that I realized our error!"

Astrid gave her a small smile, though her tone was teasing. "Let me guess. Lost track of time?"

Starfire nodded earnestly. "Indeed! I vow to not let this happen again. But tell me, have I missed much of importance?"

"Long story short, Mildew blame the dragons for everyone boots missing so now we're trying to find out who actually took them" Astrid answers. Starfire nods her head but when she realize what Astrid had actually said, she turns to the girl and stares at her.

"Missing boots?"

《 ️ 》

"We're going on night patrol." Hiccup says

The words hung in the cool evening air as the group of Dragon Riders gathered around the massive catapult on Berk. The weight of Mildew's accusations against their dragons still lingered heavily on everyone's minds.

Tuffnut's face lit up at the mention. "Night patrol! I love it! What is it?"

Hiccup shot him a look, already anticipating the chaos his explanation might stir. "It's where we patrol... at night. To keep an eye on the dragons and make sure they don't get blamed for anything else."

Fishlegs raised a cautious hand. "Um, have you cleared this with our parents? Because some of us might not be allowed out after a certain hour."

Snotlout snorted and smirked. "Not allowed? Or afraaaaid?"

Fishlegs puffed out his chest defensively. "Hey! Things happen after dark!"

Hiccup sighed, shaking his head. "Guys! We have to do this. You heard Mildew. He wants the dragons banished."

"Permission to shoot first and ask questions later?" Ruffnut piped up, grinning.

"Permission to skip the questions?" Tuffnut added eagerly.

Hiccup rolled his eyes. "We're just patrolling! No one is shooting anyone!"

"I have a question," Tuffnut shrugged, clearly unimpressed. "What's fun about that?"

Astrid crossed her arms and smirked. "It's not supposed to be fun. It's a 'Hiccup' idea."

Hiccup pointed at her with mock exasperation. "Exactly. What?!"

Starfire, who had been leaning on Inferno with a thoughtful expression, spoke up. "If patrolling during the nighttime shall aid in protecting the dragons from unwarranted suspicion, then it is a task most worthy of our time. Let us proceed with care."

Her earnest yet practical words momentarily quieted the group. Astrid nodded slightly in agreement, while Snotlout rolled his eyes. Hiccup, however, gave a small smile of approval. "Thanks, Starfire. Alright, let's gear up.

《 ️ 》

That evening, the Dragon Riders moved quietly through the village, their patrol underway. Lanterns flickered in the cool night breeze, casting long shadows across Berk's cobblestone streets. Each Rider wore a sash emblazoned with bold letters spelling "D.U.M.B."—the Dragon United Monitoring Brigade. The sashes were Hiccup's idea, though none of them were particularly thrilled about the name.

As Astrid and Starfire approached one of the neighbor's houses, Starfire adjusted her sash, her expression torn between amusement and embarrassment. "This abbreviation... it does not inspire the confidence," she whispered to Astrid, tilting her head curiously.

Astrid sighed and shook her head. "Yeah, tell me about it."

She rapped on the heavy wooden door, standing tall and professional. A moment later, the door creaked open, revealing an older woman with a stern expression.

"Hello, ma'am!" Astrid began brightly, only to falter as she took a closer look. The woman stares but continues munching on her chicken leg. "Ah, umm, ah—ma'am. My name is Astrid and this is Starfire, and we're with the Dragon United Monitoring Brigade."

The woman's eyes narrowed as she read the sash. "D.U.M.B?"

Astrid's forced smile wavered slightly. "Yes. That is correct. Not my idea… But it is easy to remember. If you have any dragon-related problems, contact us. Just cup a hand on either side of your mouth and at the top of your lungs yell..."

Before Astrid could finish, the woman slammed the door shut with a loud thud.

Astrid blinked at the closed door for a moment, then muttered, "DUMB."

Beside her, Starfire frowned slightly, her brows knitting together in disapproval. "That was most unkind," she murmured, her tone tinged with disappointment. "Are we not here to offer the assistance and the goodwill?"

Astrid rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well, goodwill isn't exactly a two-way street around here." She adjusted her sash and turned back toward Starfire. "Let's just move on before we find someone else who also thinks we're 'DUMB.'"

Starfire sighed, her voice soft but determined as she followed. "I hope we shall find at least one who is willing to accept the help we offer. Perhaps this task is not as 'dumb' as they think."

Astrid gave a small chuckle despite herself. "Yeah, maybe." Together, they headed toward the next house.

《 ️ 》

The next morning, the village was in chaos. Villagers gathered around the Great Hall, murmuring in disbelief at the damage caused during the night. Buildings were scorched, and claw marks marred the structures. The devastation was impossible to ignore.

Stoick, his usual stoic expression more severe than usual, surveyed the scene with furrowed brows. "Who could have done such a thing?" he asked, his voice a low rumble.

Fishlegs, eager to share his knowledge, pointed to the claw marks. "Oh, it looks like a dragon to me!"

Hiccup, trying to maintain some semblance of calm, spoke up. "We don't know for sure, Fishlegs..."

Fishlegs was already on a roll. "Sure, we do! Look at these claw marks. It was obviously a Monstrous Nightmare. The spacing of the talons is dead on."

Hiccup's shot glance at him, voice dripped with sarcasm. "Once again, thank you, Fishlegs!"

Fishlegs, totally oblivious to the sarcasm, continued with enthusiasm. ""Oh, stop, it's just basic stuff."

Astrid stepped forward, her face clouded with confusion. "But how could this happen? We had every dragon accounted for at all times! Right, guys?"

Snotlout, ever the skeptic, raised an eyebrow. "When you say, 'at all times,' and 'every dragon,' what exactly do you mean?"

Hiccup slapped his forehead in frustration. "Okay, what happened, Snotlout?"

Snotlout, in his usual style, as nonchalant as ever, explained. "Well, I was detaining a suspect who wasn't showing sufficient respect to the sash." He shot a glare at Gobber.

Gobber, looking unconcerned, grumbled, "I think I showed sufficient respect to a sash that says 'D.U.M.B.'"

Astrid's eyes narrowed in irritation. "We've got to change that name."

Snotlout continued his explanation, oblivious to the growing frustration around him. "Anyways, as I was questioning said suspect, Hookfang may have, and I'm not saying he did, but it is possible he wandered off for a few..."

Ruffnut raised an eyebrow, "Seconds?"

Tuffnut added, "Minutes?"

Snotlout nodded, but then his voice dropped with dramatic emphasis. "Hours."

Tuffnut raised his eyebrows. "Oh, that's way longer than minutes."

Before anyone could process this, Mildew burst into the Great Hall, his voice full of theatrics. "Oh, no, it's true! The Great Hall! So many memories. My three weddings, their three funerals. Oh, the funerals!" His hands were dramatically thrown into the air, and he seemed on the verge of fainting.

Gobber rolled his eyes. "A dragon must have gone on a rampage. I hate to say it, Stoick, but you're going to have to—"

Stoick cut him off, his tone commanding. "I know what has to be done, Gobber."

Mildew, not one to miss an opportunity to voice his opinion, added dramatically, "So do I!"

Stoick took a deep breath, his resolve hardening. "Starting tonight, every night, I want all the dragons put in the Academy under lock and key."

Mildew, his voice thick with disbelief, objected, "What? That's it? Look what they did!"

Hiccup, perplexed and frustrated, shook his head. "This just doesn't make any sense! A dragon wouldn't just come in here and destroy the place! I mean, none of the food was even touched!"

Stoick, seemingly unfazed by the confusion, replied with authority. "I don't know why dragons do what they do, but I'm not going to let them do any more damage."

As the conversation escalated, Mildew began to grow even more agitated, shouting at the top of his lungs. "It's the dragons, I tell you! We've had enough of them! They're nothing but trouble!"

At that moment, Starfire, who had been observing from the sidelines, approached Mildew. Her usual calm demeanor was evident, and despite his hysteria, she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, her voice soft yet reassuring.

"Mildew," she began, her words calm and steady, "your heart is heavy with fear, but your anger will only add more weight to it. The dragons do not wish to harm us. Their actions are not driven by malice, but by instinct and misunderstanding."

Mildew, taken aback by her gentle touch and calm tone, paused. His eyes flickered toward her, confusion still clouding his mind. "You think they don't mean to do this?"

Starfire nodded, her eyes sincere. "Yes, Mildew. The dragons are not our enemies. They are creatures of their own world, and we must seek to understand them, not fear them."

She continued, her words soft but unwavering. "Please, let us not act out of haste and fear. The dragons are part of this village, just as we are. We must find a way to coexist peacefully."

Mildew's face softened, the anger slowly ebbing from his expression. For a brief moment, he seemed to consider her words. "You really think they didn't do this on purpose?" he muttered, his voice less frantic.

Starfire gave him a reassuring smile. "I know that their hearts are not filled with malice, Mildew. Let us find another way to solve this problem together."

For the first time in the conversation, Mildew's expression shifted from outrage to a more thoughtful, contemplative look. But once he heard the sounds of a dragon rawr, his grumpy expression returned."Dragons are horrible and that's that!"

《 ️ 》

The Riders were working together to settle their dragons for the night, securing them safely into their cages in the arena. Starfire stood near the edge of the Arena, her dragon, Inferno, a massive and powerful creature, lying peacefully beside her. She gently patted his scales, her face serene as she spoke to him in a soft voice.

"Rest now, my mighty friend. The night calls for peace, not for battles," she murmured, a warm smile on her face. Inferno let out a low rumble, clearly content in the presence of his rider, his tail flicking lazily behind him.

Fishlegs, attempting to calm Meatlug, began to sing to the dragon in an effort to soothe her into sleep. "Sleep, little Meatlug in your bed, where yummy little boulders dance in your head," he sang, his voice tender as he held a boulder near the dragon. However, Meatlug merely turned away, her eyes wide and unbothered, rejecting the offer.

Fishlegs sighed dramatically. "That usually works! Our whole bedtime routine is upset! She won't even lick my feet, thanks to—"

Snotlout, standing nearby with Hookfang, smirked and crossed his arms. "Watch it, Fishlegs! At least my dragon doesn't need a lullaby and a blanky."

Ruffnut, always quick to add her two cents, glared at Fishlegs. "Actually, it's your fault that all our dragons have to sleep in jail."

Tuffnut, ever the realist, chimed in, "Yeah. You don't see our dragon going on a rampage and wrecking stuff." As if to emphasize his point, Barf and Belch smashed a wooden box, scattering it across the ground. "Well, not any good stuff," Tuffnut added with a shrug.

Starfire, standing with her dragon at the far end of the Arena, tilted her head and sighed, her voice carrying her concern. "I have noticed that many of us are tense this evening." she asked, glancing at the group. Her calm and gentle demeanor was a stark contrast to the chaotic environment surrounding them.

"I don't think a dragon wrecked the Great Hall or stole the boots."' Hiccup comments.

Astrid, who had been observing the conversation, stepped forward, her arms crossed. "None of us wants to believe it either, Hiccup, but you saw the proof," she said, her voice firm as she tried to piece together the puzzle of the previous night's events.

Hiccup, his brows furrowed in confusion, shook his head. "What proof? You saw the footprints, too. They were supposed to be made by a Zippleback, but they were no deeper than mine. Look at these!" He bent down to show the group the shallow prints left in the dirt. "I could lie down in them!"

Fishlegs, ever the analytical thinker, offered a possible explanation. "Well, there could be a lot of reasons why a dragon made shallow footprints."

Ruffnut, never one to miss an opportunity for mischief, smirked. "Like, hello, he was trying to be sneaky?"

Astrid remained unconvinced, her eyes narrowing as she glanced at the dragons. "Alright, well, how do you explain the Great Hall?" she asked, gesturing toward the wreckage that had been left behind.

The dragons, still restless, snapped at each other. Barf and Belch, in their usual playful rivalry, snapped at Hookfang, who flared up in irritation. Snotlout, clearly uninterested in dealing with the situation, turned away. "I'm not the boss of him. He always does that when he gets angry!" he yelled.

Hiccup, frustrated with the lack of cooperation, glared at Snotlout. "Snotlout! Do something about him, please? We're trying to think over here!" he snapped.

Tuffnut, ever the carefree spirit, shrugged. "Yeah, I gave up thinking. Never been happier."

"Seriously, Snotlout!" Hiccup yelled again, his frustration reaching its peak.

Starfire, still standing near her dragon, walked over to the group, her presence calm and composed. She gazed at Hookfang for a moment, then turned her attention back to the Riders. "Perhaps we need to seek the wisdom of patience," she said, her voice soothing yet firm. "Rushing to conclusions may cloud our judgment. We must listen to our hearts and look for the true answer, rather than react from fear or anger."

Her words, as always, held a certain peace to them, and the group paused for a moment, considering her advice. However, before anyone could respond, Hiccup's attention was caught by a particularly large footprint left by Hookfang, which was partially charred. He quickly deduced, "Or goes on a rampage. That's how I can explain the Great Hall!"

"Look at this!" Hiccup exclaimed, pointing to the burned mark on the stone floor. "I've got to tell my dad about this!" With a quick leap, he mounted Toothless and flew off to find Stoick.

The rest of the group remained in the Arena, their thoughts swirling around the strange occurrences of the past night. As they continued securing the dragons for the night, Starfire's calming influence lingered in the air. Even Inferno, beside her, seemed to feel the tension lift as she whispered words of comfort to him.

《 ️ 》

As Stoick's declaration echoed through the square, his booming voice carried a sense of finality that chilled the Dragon Riders to their core. "By the end of the day tomorrow, there will be no more dragons on Berk!" he announced, his face set in an expression of grim resolve. The gathered villagers murmured their agreement, many nodding along, though a few cast uneasy glances toward the Riders and their dragons.

The words hit the Dragon Riders like a thunderbolt. Astrid, Snotlout, Fishlegs, and the twins gasped in unison, their faces a mix of shock and disbelief. Their dragons, standing obediently beside them, shifted uneasily, sensing the tension. Starfire, who stood next to them with Inferno at her side, looked utterly crestfallen. Her usually bright demeanor dimmed as her shoulders slumped and her radiant green eyes glistened with unshed tears.

Mildew, of course, wasted no time taking advantage of the moment. With a smug grin plastered across his face, he leaned forward, his tone dripping with glee. "Oh, what a glorious day that will be! Party at my house!" He turned his sharp gaze to Snotlout, adding with mock sincerity, "And don't forget, boy. Right after you drop off your dragon, you'll be fixing my roof."

Hiccup clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as he tried to keep his emotions in check. "This is wrong…" he muttered, his voice low but filled with conviction.

Astrid sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping as she looked at Hiccup. "I know. It's horrible. It's the worst day of my life…"

"No, Astrid," Hiccup interrupted, his tone sharper now as he turned to her, a spark of determination in his eyes. "Something here doesn't add up."

Fishlegs, visibly heartbroken, wrapped his arms around Meatlug's thick neck, his voice cracking as he whispered, "All I know is I'm losing my dragon."

"For now, yeah," Hiccup said quickly, his mind clearly racing. "But this isn't over. I just need time to fix this."

Snotlout rolled his eyes dramatically, throwing his hands up. "What are you talking about? It's over. Done. Finished."

Ruffnut crossed her arms, mirroring her brother's expression of resignation. "Forget it, it's over."

Tuffnut, ever the echo of his sister, nodded solemnly. "Yeah, forget it."

Starfire finally spoke, her voice soft yet heavy with sorrow. "It pains my heart to see such mistrust of our beloved companions. Have they not brought us joy and aided us in times of great need?" She gently placed a hand on Inferno's side, her dragon lowering his massive head to nuzzle her shoulder as if offering comfort. "To think they will be sent away as though they are no longer our friends... it is most unfair."

Her words hung in the air, laced with emotion. Even the usually brash Snotlout was silent for a moment, casting a sidelong glance at Hookfang, who growled lowly but stayed close.

Hiccup turned to her, his expression softening. "I know, Starfire. It's not fair, and it's not right. That's why we can't give up. If we don't fight for them, no one else will."

《 ️ 》

The following morning, the ship sailed steadily towards Dragon Island, its sails taut against the salty breeze. Above, the Dragon Riders flew in formation, their dragons carrying them for what would be their last journey together for some time. The atmosphere was heavy with unspoken sorrow, each Rider trying to savor their final moments with their loyal companions. Starfire, seated atop Inferno's broad back, kept her face turned away from the others. Tears streamed freely down her cheeks, her hands gripping the reins tightly as if she could hold onto him forever.

When they landed on the coastline, the mood turned somber as the reality of the situation sank in. Each Rider began to say their goodbyes, their words a mixture of gratitude, sadness, and unyielding promises to reunite.

Astrid knelt by Stormfly, stroking her snout gently. "I'm gonna miss you, girl," she said softly, her voice breaking slightly. Stormfly chirped and nudged her shoulder, as if to comfort her.

Fishlegs crouched beside Meatlug, his face red and tear-streaked. "Okay, Meatlug. There's plenty of rocks here if you get hungry… and, uh, remember, no limestone. You know it doesn't agree with you." He pressed his forehead against hers for a moment before standing and walking away, unable to look back as Meatlug curled up sadly.

Snotlout, trying to maintain his bravado, clapped Hookfang on the side. "Be strong, buddy. I know you're gonna miss me—" He was cut off as Hookfang dashed away to chase a seagull, leaving him standing alone. He huffed and crossed his arms. "Okay, fine. He's crying. On the inside."

Hiccup knelt by Toothless, his hands working quickly to remove the saddle. "I'll be back for you. I promise." Toothless whimpered, pressing his forehead against Hiccup's chest. "No, bud. You've gotta stay here and take care of the other dragons. It's gonna be okay. Trust me." He placed the saddle under a nearby rock and stepped back slowly, his heart breaking as Toothless crooned in protest.

Starfire stood apart from the others, her hand resting on Inferno's neck. The massive dragon lowered his head to her level, his amber eyes watching her intently. She sniffled, wiping at her tears, but they wouldn't stop. "Oh, my sweet Inferno," she began, her voice trembling. "You have been my most faithful companion, my guardian in the skies. To leave you here… it wounds my very soul."

Inferno let out a low rumble, nudging her gently with his snout. She buried her face against his scales, her sobs muffled as she whispered, "I will return for you, I swear it. Until then, you must be brave. You must protect the others as you have always protected me."

She finally stepped back, her hands lingering on his scales. "I love you, Inferno," she said, her voice breaking, before turning and walking away. Inferno growled low in his throat, pacing as if he might follow her, but Starfire waved him back, her eyes shimmering with determination even through her tears.

The Riders boarded the ship, and as it began to pull away from the island, they stood silently at the railing, watching their dragons grow smaller and smaller in the distance. Starfire clutched the rail tightly, her tears now silent as the weight of separation settled over her like a heavy cloak. Inferno stood tall on the shoreline, his head raised high, watching until the ship disappeared from view.

As they sailed away, Hiccup broke the silence, his voice thoughtful but firm. "There's something Mildew said that I can't stop thinking about... h-he said, 'See what happens when you leave your dragon to wait outside?' He knew Toothless wasn't with me just before the armory fire."

Astrid turned to him, frowning. "So…?"

Hiccup's brows furrowed in concentration. "So, he lives on the other side of the island. What was he doing in town? And how would he know where we were before the fire?"

Astrid's eyes narrowed as she pieced it together. "You really think he set that fire?"

Hiccup nodded grimly. "I think he did all of it. And I think he did it so my dad would get rid of all the dragons."

Astrid crossed her arms, her expression skeptical but intrigued. "That's a pretty serious accusation. How are you gonna prove it?"

Starfire turned to them, her voice quiet but resolute despite the tears still glistening in her eyes. "If this Mildew has orchestrated such betrayal, then we must unveil his treachery. The truth shall not remain hidden."

Hiccup nodded at her words, his determination renewed. "Then let's find that proof."

《 ️ 》

Later that evening, Astrid's room was quiet, save for the rhythmic sound of her axe being sharpened against a whetstone. She sat cross-legged on the floor, focused on her task, while Starfire lay sprawled on Astrid's bed, her long red hair fanned out like a fiery halo against the pillow. Despite her usual upbeat demeanor, her face was troubled, her brows drawn together in thought.

"I simply cannot fathom this," Starfire began, breaking the silence, her voice soft but tinged with disbelief. She stared up at the wooden ceiling, her hands resting limply on her stomach. "Mildew, of all people, committing such acts of dishonesty. It feels most unlike him."

Astrid paused mid-stroke, the sound of stone on steel halting abruptly. She looked over at Starfire, her lips twisting into a skeptical frown and her eyebrow raised. "Unlike him? Really? Have you met Mildew? He's been trying to get rid of the dragons since, well, can't seriously be surprised."

Starfire turned her head to look at Astrid, her emerald eyes filled with earnestness. "But he has always been kind to me, Astrid. He greets me warmly when we pass, and he once gifted me a loaf of bread from his oven." Her expression softened as if she were picturing the gesture. "It was still warm, and he told me it would pair delightfully with honey."

Astrid rolled her eyes, leaning back against the wall with a scoff. "Yeah, that sounds like Mildew, alright—just sweet enough to trick you. You really think that means he's nice? Starfire, he's been plotting against us and the dragons for ages. I mean, come on, the guy practically cheers every time something bad happens."

Starfire propped herself up on her elbows, head tilted, her green eyes filled with quiet thought, "Perhaps he simply needs the opportunity to know us better, to understand the dragons are not the monsters he believes them to be." She tilted her head thoughtfully. "I think... he just needs a friend."

Astrid blinked, stunned then let out an incredulous laugh, setting her axe aside. "A friend? Starfire, he's been framing our dragons for things they didn't even do! I don't think baking bread for you makes up for planting fake evidence."

Starfire sat up fully now, her hands clasped together in her lap. "I understand your frustration, Astrid, truly I do. But I have seen kindness in Mildew's actions toward me. Perhaps it is buried beneath his anger and distrust, but it is there. I believe it could be brought to the surface with enough patience and care."

Astrid scoffed, leaning back on her hands. "Starfire, that's nice and all, but people don't just change because you smile at them and bake them cookies. Mildew isn't some misunderstood little lamb. He's Mildew. He's been sabotaging us for weeks!"

Starfire's expression softened, and she leaned forward slightly. "But Astrid, you did not like me when we first met."

Astrid froze again, caught off guard. "What? That's not—" She paused, frowning as she realized Starfire was right. "Okay, fine, maybe I wasn't your biggest fan. But that's different. You didn't try to frame dragons and get them banished!"

Starfire smiled gently, her voice filled with warmth. "It is true, our situation was different. But you gave me a chance to show you who I truly am. And now, you are one of my closest friends. Perhaps Mildew simply needs the same opportunity."

Starfire nodded firmly. "Besides, on my home planet, we have a saying: 'The hardest stones may still contain the softest cores.' I wish to believe that Mildew is not beyond redemption."

Astrid shook her head, exhaling a long breath. "I don't know, Starfire. I admire your optimism, but this isn't exactly a fairy tale. People don't just change overnight because you're nice to them."

Starfire's smile returned, brighter this time. "Perhaps not overnight, no. But if no one extends a hand of friendship, how can change ever begin?" She reached out and placed a comforting hand on Astrid's shoulder. "I do not ask that you agree with me, only that you allow me the chance to try."

Astrid gave a small, reluctant smile, her expression softening. "You're crazy Starfire. I just hope you're right about him. For all our sake."

Starfire nodded, her optimism unshaken. "We shall see, my friend. In the meantime, let us not lose hope. For where there is hope, there is the chance for something better."

Astrid leaned back against the wall, watching as Starfire flopped back onto the bed with a content sigh. Though Astrid wasn't convinced about Mildew's capacity for change, she couldn't help but admire Starfire's unwavering belief in the good of others It was a lightness Astrid rarely saw in herself, and in that moment, she found herself hoping Starfire's faith wasn't misplaced.