This story is going to deviate from the movie at a very common point. A single, small decision by another prompts Hiccup to change everything. Standard disclaimer: I own nothing.

To answer some of the feedback, don't worry, dear guests, I have plans for Astrid.

To Djberneman, I guess I failed to get the point across that Astrid did not set the fire. The anti-dragon contingent in the village is just too large to simply rule over, even though the number of active radicals that could set fire to the barn is small. Astrid herself was in the village looking for the chief as it was her job to draw attention to the nightmare that was out of its pen. She didn't know that someone else had set the fire, which only started as the teens were walking up, which is why she and Mildew were arguing at the end. I'll have to try and do better.

Also, thanks to dragonguest, Transformers 0, MattAShine, biancaruth, Brenne, and Charminghex99.

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"… so then Snotlout says, 'Why else do you think I brought it here?' Can you believe it?" Hiccup finished, his father laughing, nearly spraying a mouthful of food across the table. Hiccup laughed with him as they sat in their home over their evening meal.

"Well, you can't go too easy on 'em, that's for sure." Stoic advised. "They may be your friends, but they are still Vikings at their core. Stubborn." He took another bite of his roll.

"Tell me about it." Hiccup said, eating a little, before leaning on his elbow and looking at his father again. "You know, this really is nice."

His father glanced up from his plate, "What is?" he asked absently.

"Us. Here. Together. Talking like this." Hiccup replied. "I remember when you returned last time and you thought I was doing so well learning how to kill dragons, and you said, 'This finally gives us something to talk about.' And now, here we are. I mean, I know teaching a class isn't really the same as taking care of a whole village, but I'm starting to see things from your point of view and, you know, it really does give us something to talk about."

"Oh, yeah?" Stoic kept his eyes on his plate. "Well, it's good training for you. You'll be chief, someday, you know." He smiled, his cheeks turning slightly pink. Talking about such things was embarrassing, but his son was right. It was nice to be able to sit and share your day with each other and knowing that they understood. Stoic's knife suddenly stalled, hovering over his meat as a thought struck him. He looked at his son, one skeptical eyebrow raised, "Why do I get the feeling I'm being set up for something?"

"Wha, what? I-I don't know what you mean." Hiccup said, shoving an oversized bit of bread in his mouth.

"This is 'the honey and the hatchet,' isn't it? So? Come on. Out with it."

Hiccup sighed, knowing he was caught. "How do you feel about camping, Dad?"

"Camping?" Stoic echoed. "Why, that's a fine idea. Just you and me, roughing it for a few days; we could get in some fishing, practice your archery, maybe even hunt a bit. I'm sure I can find the time…"

"It wouldn't be just us, dad. The other guys in my class would be there as well."

"Oh," Stoic said, slightly disappointed. "An excursion, then. Nothing wrong with that. I'm sure there's thing we can do…"

"…And the dragons."

Stoic put down his fork and knife and pushed his plate away, "Son," he began in a very serious tone, "up till now, I've given you my full support. At the same time, I never hid from you how I really feel about those dragons. They should never be out of their pens."

"I know, and I do appreciate your support, really. More than you know. But we have been working with these dragons for a couple of weeks now and I think they are ready. It's time for the next step."

"What 'next step'?"

"Dad, we can't keep them penned up forever. Think about it. They are going through a basket of fish a day, each. That's five baskets less from the storehouse for the winter. We can't do that indefinitely. Sooner or later, they are going to have to start earning their keep."

This was not a position that Stoic expected from Hiccup, "What are you saying?" Wait, five? There are only four dragons in the arena; a terrible terror couldn't go through that much fish, right? Well, some of the other dragons were pretty big. Stoic let the matter drop.

"One of my goals is to make the dragons part of our village. That way…" Hiccup added hastily, cutting his father off before he could be interupted, "…when the time comes for the dragons to fight for us, they won't be fighting just because we say so, they will be defending their home."

"Provided they don't turn on us and side with the other dragons."

"And that is exactly why making this their home is so important.I'll admit, this camping trip is going to be something of a test. We've pretty much reached the limit of what we can do inside a closed pen. I have to be sure that the dragons and riders will work together outside the arena, but we need someplace far enough from the village to make sure everyone is comfortable."

"Uh-huh." Stoic sighed as he mulled it over. "I don't like the idea, but I find it hard to argue with you. You can go."

Hiccup continued to look at him, "Wh-when can you make some time?"

"Me? You have my permission and you have your dragons; you don't need me there."

"Yeah, we do. I want you to come with us, Dad. Then you can see, first-hand, how good of a job we are doing. Plus, it won't all be about the dragons. We can spend some time together, just you and me. How's that?"

"You just made that last part up."

"Maybe," Hiccup said with a crooked grin, "Does it matter? It's still a promise. Come on, Dad. Not only is it good that the villagers see that we are together on this, but it'll be fun. I promise."

Stoic still hesitated, "I don't know. I mean there is still a lot of chiefin' to do and I can't just leave it undone."

It didn't escape Hiccup that his father was backing out of his earlier statement of making time for him. So, he had to sweeten the deal, "I'll tell you what, I'll make it up to you. I think it's time I told you some more of what I know." Hiccup said in earnest. "You won't regret it."

So it was that Hiccup informed his students of their camping trip this coming weekend. The news was received with joyous enthusiasm that even the dragons picked up on. Fishlegs was the only one against it, since he wasn't really the camping type. It wasn't until he found out the dragons were going along that he thought it couldn't happen soon enough.

The day came and everyone was packed and ready. Stoic waited outside the arena gates as the teens went in for their dragons. There was a crowd of Vikings watching from a distance as well. Among them were Astrid and few others of the anti-dragon crowd, though Astrid was the only one that appeared armed.

Stoic noticed that agitated state his son was in. "Don't worry so much," he said. "No one will dare do anything right in front of me."

"It's not that." Hiccup said. "Well, ok, it's not just that. I mean, these dragons have been penned up for a while. They could behave unpredictably once they are out."

"Oh? And where is all that dragon trust you've been talking about, eh?"

"Yeah, heh." Hiccup turned serious as he spoke, "Dad, I need you to promise me you won't pull your weapon until after I'm proven wrong."

"You told me not to bring any weapons along this weekend," Stoic countered, to which, Hiccup just looked at him flatly in the eye. They stared for a few seconds and Hiccup cocked an eyebrow. Unfortunately, it didn't have quite the same impact as when his father did it to him.

"I know you have one. Just don't pull it, ok?"

"You said it yourself that the dragons might be unpredictable."

"Promise."

"Nothin' doin', Son. If I see something I don't like, I won't hesitate to defend us. That's something I _can_ promise you."

Hiccup sighed. The other teens were coming up the ramp with their dragons, talking animatedly to their dragons to keep their focus on them. As soon as the last dragon was out, they all appeared to share a look, then spread their wings and took off. "Hookfang!" "Meatlug, where are you going?" "No, Stabitha, don't go." "Barf, Belch, come back!"

Stoic and Hiccup watched the dragons leave, the big man putting his arm around his son's shoulders in consolation. Hiccup felt a bit disappointed, a small spark of hope was still alive in him, but was overshadowed by the evidence of the dragon's departure. He didn't look up again until his father's hand twitched and started to tense up on his shoulder.

"They're turning around," Stoic said. Indeed they were, flying in a loose formation, the dragons were wheeling back around. Stoic removed his hand, "They're coming in low," he said in a tense voice.

"Easy, Dad. A little trust, please?" Hiccup turned to the teens. "Guys, spread out, give them room to land." Hiccup noticed his father spread his feet apart, lowering his center preparing himself for what came next, an intense look in his eye.

But the dragons pulled up short and landed, lowering their heads to be nuzzled by their relieved riders. Stoic relaxed, taking his hand out from under his cloak, "Oh, I see. Your goal is to try and give me a heart attack this weekend, eh?"

Hiccup gave his dad a crooked smile, "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

Tuffnut was nearly in tears as he threw his arms around his nadder, "I missed you so much." "She wasn't gone that long, dufus." "As far as females in my life goes, she's got you beat, claws down." Stabitha turned and laughed, seemingly at Ruffnut. "Hey, I think I got the better deal, here. Two great guys for getting rid of you." Barf and Belch bobbed their heads and barked an agreement. "Oh, yeah…?"

Hiccup walked away from his father to follow as he stepped directly between the twins, "Guys, you are teaching your dragons bad habits. Look at them." He motioned to the nadder and zipplebck who were squared off aggressively hissing at each other. "Now, calm them down and let's get moving. We can set up camp and get some training in before nightfall."

Stoic watched his son handle the situation and his approval showed in his smile. "Sorry, Hiccup." "Sorry, Hiccup." The twins said as they went to their respective dragons. "Sorry, Hiccup," came the nasally mocking voice from Snotlout's direction. Stoic turned his head to look at the boy's only to find him studying the cloud formations with intense, if slightly nervous, interest.

With Hiccup and Stoic leading the way, the procession of riders and dragons walked out of the village. Hiccup noticed Astrid watching them leave, though she stood well apart from the others. She could find them in the woods, if she wanted to, but he really didn't think anyone was foolish enough try anything with both the dragons and the chief around. No, this was his weekend and he planned to make the most of it.

They walked mostly for the chief's benefit, but also because they really hadn't really worked on flying, except for Fishlegs and Meatlug who could fly small circles inside the arena. The other's wingspans were simply too large for the confined space. The week prior to this trip, Hiccup had his students build their own saddles. Now, they had a chance to actually use them. Once the group was safely outside the village Hiccup called out. "Alright, just as we planned; Fishlegs, Meatlug, go!"

The rotund gronkle rose into the air and flew passed the Haddocks. Stoic flinched and reached his hand behind his back as the wind from the rapidly beating wings hit him. The pair landed about thirty paces ahead of them and Fishlegs gave a cheer before complimenting Meatlug. Stoic looked down to see his son giving him a stern look, glancing at the chief's hidden hand and shaking his head.

When Stoic pulled his hand out and they got a little closer to Fishlegs, Hiccup called out again, "Tuffnut, Stabitha, go!" Stoic flinched again as the nadder soared passed, though he kept his hand in full view this time. He looked down in annoyance at his son, who simply smiled back. Tuffnut directed his dragon to land about ten feet beyond Fishlegs where he bent over and hugged his nadder after a cheer.

Ten more steps and again, Hiccup called out, "Ruffnut, Barf and Belch, go!" He was slightly more concerned when it came to Ruffnut's saddle. She was seated on the shoulders and between the necks of her dragon with a collar with a hand-grip around each neck. Despite her view being blocked most of the time, she insisted she can't play favorites by sitting behind one of the heads where she could see better. Stoic didn't flinch this time as the trio flew past but his annoyance was still obvious as the zippleback nearly clipped his shoulder as Ruffnut cheering the entire time.

"I suppose there is a point to all of this." He growled at his son.

"This is just some low flying maneuvering so they can get used to the idea of being off the ground and to get used to the saddles. I don't want their first flying experience to be high enough to fall to their death if they suddenly panic." Hiccup explained calmly as Ruffnut landed ten feet beyond Tuffnut.

"Uh-huh. And why do I feel like I'm suddenly one of your students?"

"Oh, come on, Dad. Would I do that to you?" Stoic simply leveled a stare at Hiccup did his best to ignore. "And even if, on the off chance, you were a student of mine, you're not going to tell me you're too old to learn something new, are you?"

"Old?!" Stoic nearly shouted, "I'll have you know I'm not nearly that old."

"Snotlout, Hookfang, go!"

This time Stoic ducked and nearly drew his hidden weapon and even Hiccup nearly dove for the ground as a flaming nightmare flew barely overhead. Snotlout was laughing as he passed but his laughter turned to shouts of pain as he jumped off his flaming lizard and landed among the ferns.

"And speaking of people who never learn…" Hiccup said as he broke into a run with Stoic right behind him. "Snotlout? You ok?"

The teen was scooting along the damp earth to extinguish his smoldering buttocks, saying "Ow. Ow. Ow," with each scoot. "What do you think?! That flaming lizard almost roasted me!" Hookfang landed next to them looking unconcerned with his rider's plight. "Stupid dragon."

"Well, mount up again and see if you can make it to the front without falling off this time." Snotlout glared at him and grumbled to himself the entire time as he mounted Hookfang and took off again.

For the rest of the hike, as the father-son pair approached the rider and dragon, they would leapfrog to the front, keeping low and in full view of their trainer and their chief. Finally, they reached their campsite, a grass covered cliff overlooking the ocean. Before setting up, Hiccup quizzed them on the performance of their saddles and any other issues they might have had, which they didn't. As they all started to set up their tents, Hiccup excused himself and headed into the woods. Stoic stopped him long enough to hand him a small shovel and reminded him to be careful of which leaves he used. Hiccup almost protested but took the shovel after a moment's hesitation.

Still just short of sundown, the camp was set up the teens were eating some rations around the campfire waiting for Hiccup to return. It seemed to be taking a while which left Snotlout time to vent his frustration to everyone whether they wanted to hear it or not.

"Look, all I'm sayin' is, why do we even listen to Hiccup? Why is he the one calling the shots?"

Stoic decided to stay quiet. As much has he wanted to defend his son's position and his own decision to put Hiccup in charge, he wondered what the other teens thought of his son.

"Because his knowledge of dragons is almost intuitive," Fishlegs said. "It's like he knows what they are thinking and what they truly want."

"Because he's crazy." Ruffnut said with admiration practically dripping from her words, though only her brother missed it.

"Yeah," Tuffnut continued. "But in a good way, not like Uncle Wingnut." He and Ruffnut shared a mutual shiver down their back at some unpleasant shared memory.

When they didn't elaborate further, Stoic spoke, interrupting what Snotlout was about to say, "What do you mean, Ruffnut, about being crazy in a good way?"

Holding her fish in the fire, Ruffnut looked a bit uncomfortable being put on the spot. "Well, I mean he makes it look good. Like, confident. When he's around dragons, it's like he knew there was never anything to be afraid of in the first place."

"That isn't to say he isn't cautious." Fishlegs interjected. "He never just charged in without weighing the consequences first. He always had our safety in mind. Even…"

"Blah, blah, blah," Snotlout cut him off. "My point is he's leading the dragon training class and he doesn't even have his own dragon. How far can he really go with this dragon training, anyway?"

Stoic had had enough of the boy's attitude, "I put him in charge because he won the dragon training. He showed me the competence it takes to handle dragons and don't forget …" Stoic picked up his head and looked around trying to identify a familiar sound on the wind. "NIGHT FURY! GET DOWN!"

He jumped across the fire, sweeping both of the twins together with one large arm, grabbed Snotlout by the collar with the other hand and threw them all at Fishlegs and tried to cover them with his massive body. The black shadow screamed passed but didn't fire. Something hit the ground off to his right. Looking over, Stoic saw his small hand shovel embedded in the ground. Memories and clues started to fall into place. "Impossible."

The black dragon circled back but slower so it didn't have its trademark whistle as it approached. Instead a different sound came from it, "…oohoo, yeAH-BAbyyyy…," as it flew overhead and out over the cliff.

"Hiccup?" Stoic got up from the teens and ran over to the cliff's edge. The teens followed and looked on with awe. "No way." "Awesome." "He got a night fury?" "That is so cool." Even the dragons stood behind their riders as they watched the spectacle. Out in the open sky beyond the rocky cliff, the black dragon and its rider pulled impossibly tight turns and loops and spins and Stoic was sure the night fury would shake his son off its back. The dragon pulled into a vertical assent, pumping its wings to climb ever higher. To their collective horror, the dragon and rider separated and began plummeting to their doom. Side by side, the dragon and rider seemed to share a grisly fate until they came together and pulled out of the dive at the last moment in a spray of seawater and were heading directly towards the base of the cliff. Having built up so much speed, everyone wondered if the pair would be able to turn in time or smash themselves on the rocks below. As Hiccup disappeared from view, the group moved closer to the cliff to look down only to have their collective noses nearly taken off as the fury rocketed passed them from below. The surprise appearance knocked all the teens on their butts as Stoic fumbled with his helmet, having jumped back so fast he nearly left it behind.

As Hiccup and his dragon lost momentum and began to glide in their direction, the teens and their chief looked on in wonder.

"Awesome." Ruffnut said to no one in particular. "That was so totally and completely awesome." Her eyes never lost their star struck dazzle. "I need to change my panties."

The chapter was simply getting too long. I had to cut it off at some point.