In a secluded corner of the great hall, the original Dragon Riders gathered around a large wooden table, its surface scarred by years of use. The room was dimly lit by flickering candles, casting long shadows on the walls. Hiccup, at the head of the table, leaned forward with his hands clasped tightly, his jaw set in a grim line. He had called this meeting, but now that it was happening, he wished he hadn't. Astrid sat beside him, her posture rigid, her eyes flicking between the faces of her old comrades—Snotlout, Fishlegs, Ruffnut, and Tuffnut. All of them had aged, their faces lined with experience and battle, but the bond they shared was as strong as ever.
"Are we really doing this, Hiccup?" Snotlout broke the silence, his voice laced with impatience. "Because it sounds like we're talking about running away from a fight. What are we gonna do to talk them to death? Because we tried that before and it didn't end well, remember?"
"We're not running away," Hiccup replied, his voice steady but tinged with fatigue and a bit of agitation. "We're preparing for the worst-case scenario or any scenario for that matter. We can't afford to rush into this. The Scourge is unlike anything we've faced before they are already out there destroying entire tribes. If they get their hands on something as powerful as a dragon….."
Fishlegs, who had been quiet up until now, spoke up, his brow furrowed in concern. "Hiccup, I understand your caution, but Snotlout has a point. If The Scourge attacks Berk, we might not have the luxury of time. I mean everyone else didn't, and their gone Hiccup. We've faced dragons, warlords, and even Drago, but this… this is different. The Scourge could wipe us out before we even have a chance to fight back."
"And what about the dragons?" Ruffnut added, her voice uncharacteristically serious. "We trained them, fought alongside them. They're our friends, our family. Are we just supposed to leave them out of this? Do you think they will stand by and stay out of this Hiccup?"
Hiccup's gaze hardened as he met Ruffnut's eyes. "The dragons are safe where they are. Bringing them into this fight risks everything we've built—the peace, the sanctuary, the trust between humans and dragons. I'm not willing to gamble with their lives."
"And what about our lives?" Tuffnut chimed in, his usually lighthearted tone now grave. "Are we just supposed to sit back and hope for the best? Because last I checked, that's not how we do things around here. I mean it's been a while since I checked but you know what I'm saying."
Astrid leaned forward, her voice calm but firm. "Hiccup's right. This isn't just about us anymore. It's about the future—about what kind of world we want to leave behind. We can't afford to make the same mistakes all over again. Some of our most formidable foes became almost unstoppable with dragons! They are already strong. Do we really want to risk making them unstoppable?!"
Snotlout scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "This isn't about mistakes. This is about survival. We've got a chance to stop The Scourge before they destroy everything we love, we have the advantage while they don't have a dragon yet, and you want to do nothing? Keep them hidden and destroy Berk?"
Hiccup slammed his fist on the table, silencing the room. "Enough! I didn't call this meeting to argue. I called it because I need you all to understand what's at stake. We're facing an enemy that could destroy Berk as it is, we have enough experience and tactics to fight back, and we have to be smart about how we fight back. The dragons stay out of this. That's final."
The room fell into a tense silence, each rider grappling with their own thoughts and emotions. They had trusted Hiccup's judgment before, but this time, the stakes felt higher, the risks greater. And yet, despite the tension, there was an unspoken agreement—a loyalty to their leader and friend that kept them from pushing back any further. So without further argument they left silently.
Astrid placed a hand on Hiccup's arm, her touch gentle but grounding. "We'll figure this out, Hiccup. Are..you ok?"
Hiccup nodded, though the weight of the decision still pressed heavily on his shoulders. "I'm fine, We'll need to reinforce Berk's defenses and prepare for the worst. But no matter what happens, the dragons stay where they are."
The wind swept through the cliffs of Berk, carrying the salty scent of the sea and the distant calls of seabirds. Berk had weathered many storms over the years, yet there was something different about the atmosphere now—an undercurrent of unease that weighed heavily on the village. Houses, rebuilt and reinforced, clung to the rocky landscape like stubborn barnacles, and the great hall loomed in the distance, its once vibrant aura now tinged with quiet tension.
Nuffink Haddock, son of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, stood at the edge of a cliff, his gaze fixed on the vast expanse of the ocean. His hands rested on the hilt of a makeshift wooden sword, its surface marred by the marks of countless battles—imaginary foes, fallen trees, and rocks that stood in for enemies. The young warrior was tall and broad-shouldered, with the beginnings of a man framing his determined face. His blond hair, tousled by the wind, fell into his sharp green eyes, but he didn't bother brushing it aside. It looked good on him anyway.
The wind carried the faint sound of voices from the village, but Nuffink's thoughts were elsewhere, tangled in thoughts of stories of a time when dragons roamed Berk, majestic and powerful. He remembered the thrill of meeting Toothless and his offspring as a child, the awe he felt as he stood in the presence of the Night Fury. Although those memories were still a blur he couldn't forget those massive green eyes. They were so majestic. Those memories were distant now, buried beneath his father's decision to hide the dragons from the world, to protect them and Berk from the mistakes of the past. The world is just not ready, he said.
Behind him, the sound of footsteps crunched on the gravel, drawing Nuffink from his inner thoughts. He didn't need to turn to know who it was; the footsteps were light but deliberate, as they always were.
"Brooding again, little brother?" Zephyr's voice was a mix of teasing and concern as she approached. She stopped beside him, her auburn hair tied back in a braid, her posture relaxed but ready. Zephyr, though not as tall as Nuffink, had a presence about her that commanded attention. Her eyes, a striking blue like their mother's, were sharp and observant, always calculating, always planning.
"Not brooding," Nuffink replied with a smirk, though there was a heaviness in his tone. "Thinking."
Zephyr rolled her eyes, a gesture that was both familiar and comforting. "Thinking, brooding—same difference. You've been out here all morning. What's eating at you?"
Nuffink sighed, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. "It's just…I feel like, we're sitting ducks, Zeph. Dad's got us preparing for a war, but he refuses to use our greatest advantage. The dragons could turn the tide in our favor, but he won't even consider it."
Zephyr's expression softened as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "You know why, Nuff. The last time dragons and humans fought together, it nearly ended in disaster. They used Toothless to kill our grandfather, people were abusing the use of them becoming too powerful, Dad's just trying to protect them—and us. He doesn't want history to repeat itself."
"But we're not those people," Nuffink argued, his voice rising with frustration. "We're not afraid of dragons, nor do I have the thought that we, the people of Berk, would abuse them. They grew up with them! We know them and respect them. We could do better—we would do better."
Zephyr was quiet for a moment, her gaze distant. "Maybe you're right. But Dad's decision isn't just about the past. It's about trust. It's about hiding them, and keeping them safe while protecting ourselves. I mean, they can't all stay here in Berk. If we bring dragons into this fight, we risk everything—peace, safety, the future Dad's worked so hard to build."
Nuffink turned to face her, his green eyes blazing with determination. "We're already risking everything. The Scourge won't stop until everything is burned to the ground until Berk is ashes. They had conquered three other tribes already, and even the berserkers couldn't stand a chance. That is why Dagars daughter is coming here! We can't win this fight without the dragons. You know that as well as I do."
Zephyr opened her mouth to respond and a bull horn sounded off that sent a shiver down their spines. They exchanged a glance, both recognizing the sign of Hiccup's decision.
Without another word, they sprinted back toward the village, their hearts pounding in their chests. As they neared the outskirts, they could see villagers gathering in the square, their faces etched with worry and confusion. Hiccup stood before the gathered crowd in the village square, his heart heavy with the decision he was about to announce. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the stone buildings and illuminating the worried faces of the villagers. Beside him, Astrid remained a steady presence, her eyes scanning the crowd, gauging their reactions even before he spoke.
Clearing his throat, Hiccup took a step forward. "People of Berk," he began, his voice carrying the weight of authority and responsibility, "we are facing a threat unlike any we've encountered before. The Scourge is on our doorstep, and they are ruthless, powerful, and merciless. But I have made a decision—one that I believe is in the best interest of our village and our future."
A murmur spread through the crowd, nervous whispers as people exchanged glances, unsure of what was coming. Hiccup held up his hand for silence, and the village quieted, all eyes on him.
"I know some of you believe that we should use the dragons to defend Berk," Hiccup continued, his gaze briefly flicking to Nuffink, who stood near the front of the crowd, his jaw clenched in defiance. "But I've decided that we will not bring the dragons into this fight. We will defend Berk with our strength, our skills, and our resolve."
There was a pause, a moment where it seemed the entire village held its breath. Then, voices began to rise in protest.
"Are you serious, Hiccup?" one villager shouted, his tone incredulous. "The dragons are our best hope!"
"You're putting our lives at risk!" another voice cried out, echoing the fear that had gripped the village since the news of The Scourge's approach.
Hiccup remained resolute, though the dissent stung. "I understand your concerns," he said, raising his voice to be heard over the growing unrest. "But bringing dragons into this fight risks everything we've worked so hard to build. The peace we've established, the trust we've earned—it could all be undone in a single moment. The power of the dragons can be used to make these tyrants unstoppable. I'm not willing to gamble with that."
The crowd quieted again, though the tension in the air was palpable. There was a long pause before one of the elders, a grizzled man named Eirik, stepped forward.
"We've trusted you before, Hiccup," Eirik said, his voice rough but steady. "And you've led us well. If you believe this is the right course, then we'll stand by you."
A few others nodded in agreement, though it was clear not everyone was convinced. But the murmur of dissent gradually faded, replaced by a reluctant acceptance.
Nuffink, however, was far from accepting. His fists clenched at his sides, anger simmering beneath the surface. He felt as though his father had once again chosen the dragons over the lives of their people, over the lives of his own family. Unable to stand it any longer, Nuffink turned and stormed off, ignoring the concerned looks of his sister and friends as he disappeared into the woods.
The forest was dark and quiet, the trees towering above like silent sentinels. Nuffink's breath came in heavy pants as he swung his twin axes at a large tree, the blades sinking into the wood with a satisfying thunk. He was strong, and his strikes were powerful, but his mind was clouded with frustration and anger, making his movements wild and unrefined.
"Why can't he see it?" Nuffink muttered to himself between swings. "Why won't he listen? We need the dragons. He's too blind to see that."
He swung again, this time putting all his weight into the blow. The axe lodged deep into the tree, and for a moment, Nuffink struggled to pull it free. As he yanked on the handle, his foot slipped, and he stumbled backward, crashing into a nearby bush.
Before he could recover, a low growl emanated from the shadows. Nuffink froze, his heart pounding in his chest. Slowly, he turned his head to see two glowing yellow eyes staring at him from the darkness. A massive, wolf-like dragon, its body covered in dark, bristling fur, emerged from the underbrush—the LycanWing. It approached slowly instilling fear into him. Nuffink's eyes widened in shock and fear as the beast stepped closer, its growl growing louder, more menacing. In his panic, Nuffink swung one of his axes at the dragon, the blade grazing its shoulder and drawing a thin line of blood.
The LycanWing snarled, its eyes narrowing in pain and anger. Before Nuffink could react, the dragon lunged at him, knocking the axe from his hand and pinning him to the ground. Its powerful jaws snapped inches from his face, and Nuffink could feel the heat of its breath on his skin. For a moment, he thought it was over—that he had made a fatal mistake. But instead of delivering a killing blow, the LycanWing lifted him off the ground with its massive claws and took to the sky. The sudden rush of air took Nuffink's breath away as the dragon soared higher and higher, carrying him far above the treetops. The village lights below became distant flickers, and Nuffink's panic began to give way to a strange sense of exhilaration. He had never flown like this—so wild, so untamed. But before he could fully grasp what was happening, the LycanWing dipped suddenly, descending rapidly toward Berk.
The moonlight filtered through the small window of Hiccup and Astrid's room, casting a soft glow on the wooden walls. Hiccup sat on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands, deep in thought. Astrid, already changed into her night clothes, sat beside him, her hand resting gently on his back.
"You did the right thing," Astrid said softly, her voice filled with the quiet strength that Hiccup had always admired. "The village needed to hear it from you just like you said it. You are right, we would be risking a lot bringing them back here."
Hiccup sighed, lifting his head to look at her. "I know. But I can't help feeling like I've let them down. Like I've let Nuffink down."
Astrid shook her head, brushing a strand of hair from his face. "Nuffink is just headstrong, just like you were if i recall." She laughed a little as she reminisced on memories they had together as he rubbed his face. "But, he'll come around. He just needs time to understand."
Hiccup leaned into her touch, grateful for her support, but the weight of his decision still pressed heavily on his heart. "I just… I want to keep everyone safe. I want to protect Berk, the dragons, and our family. But I feel like every choice I make is the wrong one."
Astrid smiled softly, her eyes filled with love and understanding. "You're doing the best you can, Hiccup. And you're not alone. We'll get through this—together."
Before Hiccup could respond, a distant, guttural roar echoed through the night, sending a chill down their spines. Astrid's eyes widened as she looked toward the window. "What was that?"
Hiccup was already on his feet, his instincts kicking in. "I'm going to check it out. Stay here."
Astrid nodded, but there was a determined look in her eyes that told him she wouldn't be far behind. As Hiccup stepped outside, he scanned the village, searching for the source of the noise. The square was quiet, the villagers all tucked away in their homes for the night. But something felt off.
Suddenly, there was a thud on the roof above him, followed by the sound of scrambling feet. Hiccup looked up just in time to see Nuffink rolling off the edge of the roof, landing on the ground below in a tremendous amount of pain. The boy stood up quickly, brushing dirt from his clothes with a smirk that was far too reminiscent of his mother.
"Hi, Dad," Nuffink said, his voice casual despite the wildness of his appearance. "H..how's it going?"
Hiccup crossed his arms, his expression stern. "Nuffink, what are you doing out here? And what happened to you?"
Nuffink shrugged, trying to play it off as nothing. "Just out for a little late-night training. No big deal."
Hiccup's eyes narrowed. "You snuck out of the house in the middle of the night, after I specifically told you to stay put at these times. This is serious, Nuffink."
Nuffink's smirk faltered, and he shifted uncomfortably under his father's gaze. "I'm not a kid anymore, Dad. I can take care of myself."
"You're still my responsibility," Hiccup replied, his tone firm. "And that means you follow the rules. Now, get inside and go to bed. We'll talk about this in the morning."
Nuffink's frustration boiled over, and he glared at his father. "You're always treating me like a child! I'm ready to fight and do everything I can for my village, unlike you!"
Hiccup watched as his son stormed off toward their house, his anger echoing in the night. Once Nuffink was inside, Hiccup stood alone in the quiet village square, the weight of his son's words heavy on his heart.
He looked up at the sky, the stars twinkling above as he pondered the question that had been gnawing at him since the beginning of all this. "What would you do, Dad?" he whispered, his voice carried away by the wind. "What would you do if you were here?"
It was then that he was enlightened and he smiled, listening to the distant waves as they crashed upon Berk's cliffs.
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