The Stranger

The wind howled as Astrid stood on the cliffside, staring out at the churning sea. Her mind was racing, but her heart remained steadfast. They had faced impossible odds before—dragons, armies, even the end of their way of life—and yet here they stood, prepared to face another. But this was different. This was about Hiccup. 

Behind her, the older dragon riders gathered their faces a blend of determination and concern. Astrid had called upon those she trusted most—her family in all but blood. They had been through so much together, and now they would face the Scourge.

Snotlout, always loud and brash, stood with his arms crossed, his voice filled with a rare seriousness. "I still can't believe Hiccup went off alone. What was he thinking?" He jumped as Astrid gave him the look of death. "I mean we should've gone with him?"

Fishlegs spoke up. "He was thinking of us. Hiccup always puts others first. He knows what's at stake. But now, we have to find him. We have to bring him home."

"He's not dead," Heather said firmly, standing with her arms crossed. Her face was grim, but her voice carried unwavering conviction. "I'd feel it if he was."

Dagur grinned wildly, his hands on his hips. "That's the spirit, Heather! Hiccup's too stubborn to die. We'll drag him back if we have to!"

"I'll drag him first!" Ruffnut piped up. "And make his head hit every stone for making me worry like this. I'm a mother, you know!"

Tuffnut raised a brow. "You are? Couldn't tell. What are you gonna name him?" He rubbed her belly as she smacked her own forehead.

.Astrid smiled faintly at her friends. They were more than ready to fight for Hiccup. As much as their personalities varied, their loyalty and love for him never wavered. She knew they were just as eager to get him back as she was.

"Alright," Astrid said, her voice strong. "We leave at first light. The Scourge will be expecting us, so we have to be careful. We know Hiccup is with them, and we can't afford to be reckless."

"Reckless?" Snotlout scoffed. "Reckless is my middle name!" But his grin faded when Astrid shot him a pointed look.

"This isn't just another mission," Astrid continued. "This is about bringing Hiccup home—and protecting our families. We know where they took him, and we know their forces are strong. But they don't know us. They don't know what we're willing to do to get him back."

As the group exchanged determined glances, Stormfly swooped down from the sky, landing gracefully beside Astrid. She ran her hand down her dragon's neck, feeling the familiar warmth beneath her fingertips. Stormfly had been by her side for years, through every challenge and battle. This would be no different.

"We'll bring him back, Astrid," Fishlegs said softly, stepping beside her. "We always do."

Astrid nodded, but her heart still felt heavy. She couldn't let herself think about what could go wrong. Hiccup needed her, and she would be there for him, just as he had always been there for her.

Meanwhile, far from the coast of Berk, Hiccup woke in a darkened cell, the cold stone beneath him biting into his skin. His head throbbed, and his vision was blurred. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, the weight of his situation came crashing down on him.

He was trapped.

His hands were still bound behind his back, and his legs were shackled to the wall. The damp air clung to his skin, and he could hear the distant sounds of the Scourge moving outside his cell—metal clanging, footsteps echoing down the hall.

Toothless.

His heart lurched as he remembered the net that had captured his dragon, the way they had been separated. He had to find Toothless. But first, he had to free himself.

"You're awake."

The cold voice cut through the darkness, and Hiccup looked up to see Nijal Rune standing at the entrance to his cell. The leader of the Scourge, still clad in his dark armor, watched him with unreadable eyes.

Hiccup gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay calm. "What do you want?"

Nijal stepped forward, his boots echoing off the stone floor. "What I want, Hiccup Haddock, is simple. You. You and your people have stood in the way for far too long. But now, you're alone. And I have what I need to end this."

Hiccup narrowed his eyes. "You won't win. My people will fight back. And when they do, they'll tear you apart."

Nijal chuckled softly, his voice cold. "Perhaps. But by then, it will be too late. You see, I don't need to defeat your people in battle. I only need you."

Hiccup felt a chill run down his spine. "What are you talking about?"

Nijal's expression darkened as he stepped closer. "You're the key to their strength. Without you, they're nothing. Once they see you fall, they'll crumble. And I'll be there to pick up the pieces."

Hiccup's mind raced. He had to think of a way out. But before he could speak, Nijal turned on his heel, leaving him alone in the darkness once more.

On the other side of the uncharted island, Nuffink paced anxiously by the fire. The conversation with Luna still replayed in his mind, her words lingering even as she disappeared into the jungle.

I see a leader who doesn't know his true potential yet.

Her words had struck him deeper than he expected. For so long, he had doubted himself—doubted his ability to live up to the legacy of his father. But Luna had seen something in him, something he wasn't sure he was ready to accept.

StormShadow let out a low growl and shoved Nuffink with his snout, sensing his rider's unease.

"It's okay, Shadow," Nuffink said quietly, patting his dragon's side. "I just… I need to figure this out."

As the fire crackled, he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him. His heart raced as he spun around, expecting Luna to return. But instead, a shadowy figure stepped into the clearing.

"Luna?"

But it wasn't Luna. It was someone else entirely—someone tall, cloaked in darkness, their face obscured by a hood.

"Who are you?" Nuffink demanded, reaching for his axe.

The figure stepped forward, their voice low and chilling. "Your father is in danger."

Nuffink's eyes widened. "What? What do you mean?"

The figure's voice was calm but full of menace. "The Scourge have him. If you don't act soon, he'll be lost forever."

Nuffink's heart pounded in his chest as he took a step back. "How do you know that? Who are you?"

The figure lowered their hood, revealing a face that Nuffink had never seen before. But the look in their eyes was familiar—cold and calculating, like the Scourge leader.

"I am Nijal Rune's sister," she said, her voice sharp. "And I've come to help you."

Nuffink's hand tightened around his axe as he stared at her, unsure of whether to trust her or run. 

The ship sailed smoothly through the moonlit waters, its hull cutting through the sea with surprising ease. Zephyr stood at the bow, the wind pulling at her dark braid as she stared out into the horizon, her thoughts far from the rolling waves. The young dragon riders had been at sea for hours now, and though their destination was still unclear, the urgency in her heart was undeniable. She had to find Nuffink. Her brother's fate was in her hands.

Behind her, the rest of the group—each with their own quirks and personalities—were scattered across the deck. Dax, leaning against the mast with a bored expression, was flicking small stones into the water, while Axel sat cross-legged nearby, tinkering with one of his contraptions—a miniature catapult he'd been obsessively perfecting since they set sail.

"That thing's never gonna work," Dax muttered, not bothering to look up as he lazily tossed another stone overboard.

Axel's eyes narrowed in annoyance, his voice defensive. "You said that last time, and it worked just fine—until someone tried to launch a piece of bread at Juliette."

Juliette, who was nearby adjusting her leather wrist guards, looked up and rolled her eyes. "I don't mind being the target of bad jokes, but next time, aim for someone who actually cares, like Gus."

Dax gave a mock gasp, placing a hand over his heart. "Oh, the cruelty! It cuts so deep." He grinned, tossing another stone. "Not as deep as Axel's terrible inventions, though."

Axel scowled, turning his attention back to the catapult. "Just wait until you need it. You'll be begging me to use this when the time comes."

Zephyr couldn't help but smile at the exchange, but her heart remained heavy. She glanced toward the ship's stern, where Star stood alone, leaning over the railing. She had barely spoken since they left, her usually sharp tongue replaced by a cold silence.

Zephyr made her way toward her, her footsteps soft against the wooden planks. "Star, you okay?" she asked, trying to sound casual but genuinely concerned. 

Star didn't turn around immediately, but when she did, her eyes were hidden beneath the orange strands of her messy hair. "I'm fine," she replied in her usual detached tone, though there was an edge to it. "Just thinking."

"About Nuffink?" Zephyr pressed, leaning against the rail beside her. "We're going to find him. You know that, right?"

Star's lips curled into a half-smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "You've got a lot of faith for someone who doesn't know where she's going."

Zephyr frowned. "We'll figure it out. We have to."

Star's gaze shifted to the horizon, her voice softening. "I hope you're right."

From the center of the ship, a loud clunk echoed through the air as Axel's catapult misfired, sending a small stone bouncing across the deck and nearly hitting Gus, who was playfully wrestling with Jack.

"Hey!" Gus yelled, dodging the rogue projectile with surprising agility. "Watch it, Axel! You almost knocked my teeth out!"

Jack laughed heartily as he released Gus from his grip. "Wouldn't be much of a loss, would it?"

Gus grinned, flashing his teeth dramatically. "These beauties are priceless, thank you very much."

Zephyr shook her head at the playful chaos unfolding around her. "We need to focus, guys," she called out, her voice carrying over the wind. "This isn't just another adventure."

Juliette stepped forward, her expression was soft but serious. "She's right. We don't know what we're up against, and we need to be ready for anything."

Everette, who had been quietly watching from the sidelines, finally spoke up, his voice tentative. "Do we even know where we're going? I mean, there's a lot of ocean out there… and we don't exactly have a map."

Zephyr bit her lip. Everette had a point. They were sailing blindly, chasing shadows in the hope of finding her brother. But they couldn't afford to stop now. Her brother was out there—somewhere.

Suddenly, Shade, who had been sitting atop the crow's nest, silently observing the group, slid down one of the ropes and landed gracefully on the deck. His dark eyes were intense as they met Zephyr's. "We'll find him."

The conviction in his voice sent a chill through Zephyr as it was sudden. Shade rarely spoke, but when he did, people listened. His calm, collected demeanor was a stark contrast to the energy of the others, and it was clear that he wasn't just saying what she wanted to hear. He meant it.

"I think we're close," he added, walking toward the bow of the ship. "There's something… different about the air. We should keep moving north."

Axel looked up from his catapult, finally interested in something other than his invention. "How do you know that? You can't just feel where Nuffink is."

Shade gave him a sidelong glance. "I don't need to explain myself. You'll see."

Axel rolled his eyes but didn't argue further.

Zephyr stepped forward, placing a hand on Shade's shoulder. "Thanks. I trust you." Her words were simple, but they carried the weight of her gratitude. Shade wasn't the type to make wild guesses. If he said they were on the right track, she believed him.

"Look," Zephyr said, turning to address the group. "I know this feels uncertain, but we can't lose hope. Nuffink's counting on us—he's counting on me. And I'm not letting him down."

Dax, still leaning lazily against the mast, gave her a small salute. "Hey, we're with you, Zeph. Just say the word."

Juliette nodded in agreement. "We'll get him back. We always do."

Jack grinned, cracking his knuckles. "And if we have to fight our way through, then so be it!"

"Yeah, after all, I wouldn't mind showing those raiders what this crew is made of," Gus chimed in, his mischievous grin widening.

Everette, still looking uncertain, shifted nervously but gave a small nod. "I just hope we find him soon."

Zephyr exhaled, her resolve solidifying as she looked at each of her companions. "We will."

Several hours later, as the night deepened and most of the group settled down to rest, Zephyr remained at the helm, her mind racing. The gentle creak of the ship and the soft sounds of the waves filled the air, but her thoughts were elsewhere.

Suddenly, a faint cry echoed across the water—distant but unmistakable. Zephyr's heart leaped into her throat as she leaned forward, straining to hear it again.

"Did anyone else hear that?" she called out, her voice sharp.

Axel, who had been dozing nearby, jolted awake. "What? What did you hear?"

Zephyr didn't answer immediately, her eyes fixed on the dark expanse of water ahead. And then, the cry came again—a faint, desperate sound carried on the wind.

It was a dragon's roar. 

But not just any dragon.

"StormShadow," she whispered, her heart pounding.

Nuffink's dragon.

The group rushed to her side, each of them staring wide-eyed into the distance.

"We're close," Zephyr said, her voice full of determination. "He's out there. We have to move now."

The young dragon riders exchanged glances, their earlier doubts replaced with a growing sense of urgency. They had a lead—finally. And they were not going to waste it.

"Raise the sails!" Zephyr ordered, her voice full of command. "We're going after him!"

Nuffink's heart raced as Nijal's sister's words sank in. His father, Hiccup, was in the hands of the Scourge. He stood frozen for a moment, unsure whether to trust her or draw his blade. 

Before he could respond, a voice rang out, sharp and commanding.

"Get away from him!"

Luna came barreling through the trees, her face fierce, eyes blazing. Her twin blades gleamed in the moonlight, cutting through the darkness. Without hesitation, she launched herself at Nijal's sister, closing the distance with swift precision.

Nuffink's eyes widened. "Luna, wait—!"

But Luna was already in motion, her blades a blur as she aimed a deadly strike at Nijal's sister. The dark-clad woman dodged easily, her lips curling into a smug grin as she deflected Luna's next attack with a dagger drawn from her cloak.

"You got nerve, girl," Nijal's sister hissed, her voice laced with amusement. "But you're wasting your time."

Luna wasn't having it. "Nah, you're the one wasting my time!" she shot back, her voice rich with rhythm, sharp with anger. "You think I'm gonna just stand here after what you've done to my tribe, my family, Nuffink? Think again!"

The two women clashed, their blades ringing out through the still night air, sparks flying with each collision. Luna moved with fierce determination, her strikes quick and precise, Nijal's sister found her a force to be reckoned with as she concentrated hard to block her blows.

Nuffink jumped between them, heart pounding. "Luna, stop!" He grabbed Luna's wrist mid-swing, his voice cracking with desperation. "She's not the enemy!"

Luna's dark eyes flared with confusion and frustration. "Not the enemy? Are you serious right now? She's one of them!" She yanked her arm free but didn't strike again. "You trustin' her now?"

"I don't know!" Nuffink admitted, his voice desperate. "But she says the Scourge have my father. If there's any chance she's telling the truth, we can't waste time, fighting her!"

Luna's jaw clenched, her eyes narrowing as she glared at Nijal's sister. "I don't like this one bit, Nuffink. Not. One. Bit."

Nijal's sister brushed her cloak off, shaking her head. "If you're done with your little tantrum, maybe we can focus on what actually matters. The Scourge has Hiccup, and if you want him back, you need me."

Luna scowled. "Need you? Girl, please. You better check yourself. If you had something to do with him getting caught—"

"I didn't," Nijal's sister interrupted coolly. "But my brother did. If you don't trust me, fine. But you're running out of options."

Nuffink opened his mouth to respond when the soft slap of sails and the sound of feet running across the deck reached them. He spun around just in time to see his sister, Zephyr, leading the younger dragon riders off the ship they had anchored nearby. The group scrambled up the beach toward them, all of them armed and ready.

Axel, Dax, Jack, Juliette, Star, Gus, and the others formed a semi-circle behind Zephyr, who strode forward with an air of authority. Her eyes scanned the scene, taking in Luna's tense posture and Nijal's sister standing in the clearing. 

Zephyr's brow furrowed. "Nuffink, what's going on?"

Nuffink turned toward her, breathless. "She says the Scourge has Dad."

Zephyr's eyes hardened as she looked at Nijal's sister. "Isn't she one of them? How are we supposed to believe her?"

"Because I want to stop them just as much as you do," Nijal's sister replied coolly, crossing her arms. "If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead."

Zephyr's hand went to the hilt of her sword, but she didn't draw it. "That's supposed to make us feel better? How about I put you down where you stand for what you did to my village!"

Luna folded her arms, still glaring at Nijal's sister. "Look, I don't trust her, I don't like her, but If your father is really captured he won't live long. Not in Nijals hands. My mother was captured and….Nuffink's right. We don't have time to sit around doubting everybody."

Dax leaned in, muttering to Axel. "This is why I prefer staying in bed. Less drama."

Axel rolled his eyes. "Focus, Dax."

Nijal's sister sighed, clearly growing impatient. "I don't care whether you trust me. The fact is, I know where your father is and you don't, if you kill me, you will have no clue where to look."

Zephyr glanced at Nuffink, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. "Nuffink?"

Nuffink nodded, his expression serious. "We can't afford not to. I mean I am a screw up I know and I'm sorry, To everyone here. But, if there's even a chance she's telling the truth, we have to take it. We can't lose Dad, he's the heart of Berk, We all know that."

Zephyr hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "Fine. But if you try anything, anything at all I swear…"

Nijal's sister smirked. "I know. You'll kill me. Don't worry, I have no interest in dying today."

Luna finally relaxed, though she kept her eye on Nijal's sister. "We better not regret this."

Zephyr nodded. "Everyone, get back to the ship. We're setting sail as soon as possible."

As the young riders began to head toward the ship, Nuffink caught Luna's eye and gave her a small, grateful smile. "Thanks… for having my back."

Luna side-eyed him, a smirk playing on her lips. "Don't get used to it. Next time, maybe try not to need saving."

Nuffink chuckled, feeling a sense of relief wash over him despite the growing storm clouds on the horizon.

" Let's Go Shadow! Huh?"

Shadow snorted and turned his head embarrassed of his rider. He was already on the ship and was being admired by all of Nuffinks friends. Luna chuckled as she passed him by and he groaned with embarrassment and followed close behind. The battle ahead would be their hardest yet, but for now, they had a sliver of hope. As they boarded the ship and sailed off into the night, the wind picked up, carrying with it the weight of what lay ahead—dragons, the Scourge, and the fight to save their father.