I Love You to the Edge and Back (A How to Train your Dragon Fanfiction)

Chapter Four: It's an Occupational Hazard

"Hiccup!" Astrid called, running over to him once he landed.

"Astrid!" He said, engulfing her in a hug. It was then she noticed the burn on his arm. She pulled back, inspecting the wound.

"Hiccup! What happened?" She asked, pulling his arm towards her. He winced in pain, and pulled his arm back.

"Its nothing," he concluded, rubbing the sore spot.

"It is to something! What. Happened?" Astrid demanded.

"Okay, so we got in a little trouble here. Some hunters were here when I came to burn Johann's booth. So, Toothless and I engaged in battle, and couple burning embers landed on my skin. That's. It," be said, taking her shoulders in his hands.

"Okay, so your alive. What was so urgent that you needed to call us all here?" Stoick asked, getting down to business.

"Okay. Follow me," Hiccup said. Astrid watched as he pulled a lever.

"Hiccup. What are you doing?" Astrid asked, thinking Hiccup had gone nuts. (You know, Tuffnut, Ruffnut, nuts, get it? No? Okay. Back to the story.)

"Just a second. Wait for it. Now," Hiccup said. At his word, a door opened up in the alleyway.

"Do you know how many times I've been here, but never seen this?" Dagur asked. Heather shot him a look, telling him not to remind her he was a Dragon Hunter.

"Yeah. This was put in after you left. It was right after Viggo started working with Krogan," Hiccup explained. Toothless lit the torch that Hiccup was holding.

"Have you explored this yet?" Astrid asked.

"No, I didnt get the chance to," Hiccup said. Before Astrid could reply, he stopped abruptly. "Oh, my, Thor."

"Hiccup, what is it?" Astrid asked, struggling to see over his shoulder.

"This," he said, stepping forward into the open common area. On the wall, was pinned an entire map of the Island of Berk. The roadways were all marked, as well as the armoury.

"Oh my Thor is right," Tuff said, once everyone crowded into the large space. Everything from weapons systems to the dragons that occupy the island are written down. Hiccup just stared, thinking.

"Dad, when did Johann start coming to Berk?" Hiccup asked.

"About the time you were born," Stoick replied.

"Yeah. This looks like twenty years worth of information," Fishlegs said, touching the paper with his hands.

"And look here. Its maps to the different hideouts. Here we are, here's the one for Viggo and Krogan, near Breakneck Bog. Ryker's is here, near the Sea Shocker nesting grounds," Astrid pointed out. "And look. They've positioned Johann's hideout here, nearest to Berk. Ryker's is near the Edge, and Viggo and Krogan's is near, Dragon Island," Astrid said in horror.

"It makes sense, in a weird twisted way. Johann's faction, if you will, of Dragon Hunters have been trained to attack Berk. Ryker's, the Edge. Who knows how many times he's been there. But Viggo and Krogan's, they have been trained to capture Dragon Island," Hiccup said. His finger traced the map where he was talking about.

"Then, is that where they all are?" Heather asked, addressing the dragon in the room.

"Yes. I think so. That's why they didnt pursue me and Toothless when I flew away. Cause they knew that Berk would be destroyed. We need to leave now!" Hiccup said, already on Toothless. The crew flew out, and landed on a Sea Stack.

"How long ago did they leave?" Astrid asked frantically.

"I, I don't know. It would take them about two weeks from here, and they left about a week ago. This is calm weather for the ocean, so maybe their five days in," Hiccup said hopefully.

"But it'll take us how long to defend Berk, Dragon Island, and Dragon's Edge? Even with the A-Team it'd be too much. Besides, they have to defend Berk," Astrid said.

Hiccup threw a rock into the ocean in anguish and fear. "Berk. My father. Your families. All because I couldn't figure it out quick enough?" He asked.

Astrid came over, her hand resting on his shoulder. "Hiccup, we're Vikings. We can do this. You, can do this. They may be trained to fight Berk, but we're trained to defend Berk," Astrid said, gesturing to the team.

"That's it," Hiccup said.

"What's it?" The twins asked in unison.

"The Hunters are trained to fight dragons. Johann's are trained to fight people. Why don't we give them a little surprise?" Hiccup asked.

"C'mon Toothless, faster," Hiccup said, leading a group of dragons toward Berk. The ships carrying half of the major weapons were already positioned near Dragon Island, with the others getting carried by dragons to the Edge.

"Looks looks this will work," Astrid said.

"Just in time, look," Hiccup said, pointing just beyond the fog. You could just barely make out where the ships were.

"Brace yourselves," Hiccup said as the first hit was landed.

"They know Berk isn't very good at long range attacks," Hiccup said, smirking.

"Good thing this isn't Berk," Astrid said, signaling for the dragons to start attacking. Toothless and Stormfly joined in, firing multiple blasts into the ocean, scaring the boat. Toothless tried smiling, but failed miserably.

"C'mon bud. Let's show them how it's done," Hiccup said, mounting Toothless. Toothless roared, and soared into the sky.

"You got it babe!" Astrid shouted as Hiccup took off. She blushed as Stormfly gave her a look. "Hey, you get back to the task at hand," Astrid said. Stormfly squaked, and continued firing.

"Well, that should take care of that," Hiccup said, dismounting Toothless. The couple watched as the ships retreated.

"Let's hope the others have the same result," Astrid said.

"Yeah," Hiccup said, wrapping his arm around Astrid.

After a couple of weeks, a roar was heard overhead, along with the sounds of victorious Vikings. The ships moored into the docks, where Hiccup and Astrid were anxiously waiting.

"Hiccup!" Stoick cried, running down the gangplank. "Where are the others? I've got worried parents on this ship."

"Over there Stoick!" Someone shouted. Sure enough, the group from Dragon Island was coming back. Sounds of relief flooded the docks as Hiccup spotted Berserkers and Riders, all dragons and humans accounted for.

Hiccup turned to Astrid and kissed her. When they were done, she pulled away. "Not that I'm complaining, but, what was that for?" She asked smiling.

"For having confidence in me," he replied. The two then left all the reunions, and went on a hike to the top of Berk, just to be together.