It all started on an ordinary day at Dragon's Edge, when Hiccup was getting the patrols ready to go. Actually, it was on his patrol, but that doesn't happen just yet. "Snotlout, you go to the west coast with...Hmm...Fishlegs." Both young Vikings groaned, but Hiccup ignored them. He knew they considered themselves enemies, but Snotlout needed a more trustworthy rider to keep him in line, and Fishlegs was actually helped by his arrogant partner to step out of his comfort zone sometimes. Anyway, wasn't everyone Snotlout's enemy, to some extent?

Who should he pair the twins with? They couldn't go alone, and he didn't think Fishlegs could handle both, or the crazier of the two, so he said, "And...take Ruffnut." This should be interesting. "Astrid and I will go east, and take Tuff." Astrid grumbled, but he ignored her as well. Hiccup was sure that he and his most trustworthy rider could handle the muttonheaded twin, although he could be difficult even for them when in the presence of his other half.

He walked over to Toothless and mounted his scaly friend easily, having done so countless times. Astrid was doing the same with Stormfly. He then realized that there was a problem: the twins shared their dragon, and he was sending them in two different directions. I can't believe I'm doing this, he thought, and sighed. "Ruff, figure out a way to control both heads...Tuff, you can come on Toothless with me." The Night Fury growled his disapproval. "I know, bud." he said softly. "It's only one patrol."

As they were flying over the lagoon, Astrid started coughing. "Are you okay?" Hiccup asked anxiously. "I'm...fine." She murmured as she broke into another coughing fit. "ASTRID!", he shrieked, his voice cracking, as she plummeted towards the crystal waters below.