"Are they all like that?" Astrid asked.

"Like what?"

"Do they all follow you around?"

"No me personally." Hiccup laughed. "But they'll follow the one they bond to, sure. It's sorta the deal you make with them when you bond with one. They follow you around, help with things like getting places quickly, help lifting stuff and carrying things, and also just be a loyal friend. That last one is probably the one they do best in my opinion. Cause sometimes you just need someone who isn't going to judge you for being you. That's something they do very well."

"They bond to you? What does that mean exactly? I know you've said it before but I don't think I totally understand what that is, or does. Like is it just being friends or is it more than that? Like with you and Toothless?"

"No, no." Hiccup stopped her. "It won't be anything like that. Toothless and I are way beyond just simple bonding. We're mates, we're married and everything that comes with that. Bonding is, to be honest, more than being just a friend. They have a strong sense of family and that's really what bonding is. They want you to be a part of their family. That's not true for all dragons. Plenty prefer to be left alone or just be with their mate and little ones. We have a good number of them here at the moment due to calling everyone here. But I assure that when that's lifted, nearly a third or more of my flock will return to their regular homes. So probably don't pick one of those cause well, I think you understand. Plus to be honest a lot of those species tend to be on the rarer side of populations and mostly just don't want humans around to hurt that population. Although I do think that they also understand that at least I'm trying to help them. Plus Toothless and I have already been going out and checking on them periodically anyway. So no matter what they'll be interacting with me. I don't know about other humans but I do imagine that most of them would be fine as long as I'm there. Either way, you've probably not seen any of them if you haven't gone exploring. And I'll be steering you away from those who live isolated lives."

"How would I know?"

"Like I said, a lot of those isolated species are much lower populations than others. If you see a whole bunch of them, it's probably okay to try and bond to one. That being said I'd probably stay away from the water-based ones unless you really like swimming."

"What do you think I should pick?" Astrid asked.

"Finally broke to my dad's pestering huh?"

"That and apparently all the others have one lined up already and are going to see about bonding with them in the morning. They all said that I should just come ask you about who I should 'bond' with."

"Hmm." Hiccup took a moment to think. "How about in the morning, you and I go around and look at potential matches. Nearly all of my dragons are excited to bond with humans so it'll just come down to who you mesh with. It's not hard, you just have to be willing to do it." Hiccup smiled.

"I suppose I have no choice then. I'll see you in the morning." Astrid huffed. The group went their separate ways for the night.

"Tomorrow's going to be quite interesting." Hiccup chuckled to himself as he sat down. Toothless swooped in just in time for Hiccup to lean against him.

"You think it'll go well? She's been very adamant that this is all a mistake. She doesn't trust you."

"Astrid hasn't ever had to follow. She's a leader like my dad. Strong willed and knows what they want. It's hard to break those kinds of people down."

"But when your father came he saw all this and changed quickly. Why him and not her?"

"I think that's just a maturity and experience kind of thing. He's been through a lot of changes in his life. He's had to learn to move forward with the world unlike his father. He's seen a lot of life and a lot of death. He's been told a lot of truths and lies. He learned who to trust and who not to. Astrid hasn't had that. She has a group that she trusts and just hasn't been through what my dad has."

"I see. And what of you? Where do you fit into that? Could you change?"

"I…I don't know. I'd like to think I could change, but. If it had to do with you guys, I don't know." He whispered. "We've pushed this hard and I don't want to see it all squandered because someone can't see your purpose."

"Not everyone will, you know."

"I know, I just need enough to make sure that you guys will live on in the future."

"Mmm. Time for sleep, you're going to have an interesting day tomorrow."

"I'm hoping it's not." Hiccup chuckles as he falls into his regular spot Toothless provided him.

Hiccup woke up to the regular hustle and bustle of the mountain. People moving around and getting ready to start their days. He got up and started his day as normal. Barely able to step out of his nest before Care landed next to him and Toothless.

"We have guests." He stated simply.

"More humans?" Hiccup asked.

"Not this time. The other alphas are here to speak with you two." Care informed.

"What about?"

"I wasn't given that information, I apologize."

"That's fine, send them up. Thanks." Care bowed to his alphas and left. Soon after the three other alphas sat in front of him and Toothless. Hiccup put on a smile and greeted them. "And what do I owe the pleasure?"

"We bring unfortunate news." The Nightmare alpha said.

"About?"

"You are no longer the only one losing people to our ghostly Bewilderbeast." The Nadder alpha informed.

"How many? Are you sure it was the Bewilderbeast and not just trappers?"

"My flock heard its call. I was able to stop most of them but a few were too far away for me to overpower it." The third hidden voice of the Changewing alpha said sadly.

"You're the furthest from everyone else, so I suppose that makes sense that you'd be targeted." Hiccup started to pace and think.

"Did you see it or anything?" Toothless asked. "It was able to call to your flock, it must have been close enough that someone saw something."

"No one saw anything. It was dark, and it called through a fog. It's call was powerful, it took everything I had to save who I could."

As they were speaking Astrid and Stoick joined the group.

"What's going on son?" Stoick asked.

"This isn't a matter that involves the humans." The Nightmare growled.

"Unfortunately it does." Toothless said. "This will end up being their fight just as much as it is ours."