Toothless and Stormfly fired to the ground, avoiding hitting Viggo held captive by the Flyers.

''Flyers!'' called Krogan to his men as he watched the two Riders flying away and take their shots again. He mounted his Singetail and took off in a heartbeat, racing after the Night Fury while growling low under his breath.

Hiccup twisted around to face the man, hatred in his eyes and returned to look forward, pulling on the handles to have his dragon double back. Toothless showed his teeth to the Flyer and prepared his purple flames.

''Hiccup, don't!'' called Astrid, her bangs dangling before her eyes as she watched her leader take aim at Krogan, no pity for the enemy this time. Krogan was the monster in this story, and as much as Hiccup dug to find something in the man that would prove to him he had some heart, all he saw was a merciless creature that killed first and asked questions later. This man had walked down a dark path for too long and he believed there was no hope left for him. He'd tortured him and threatened his friends' lives time and time again, more than all of the enemies he'd faced combined. At that moment, only wishing Krogan had never set foot on this Earth, Hiccup shouted, ''Fire, bud!'' with his green eyes taking a dark shade as he stared straight ahead at the Flyer.

The bright blast traveled through the air and in that moment, everything seemed to be in slow motion. Everything was going perfectly until a shiny object twirled in the air, a sharp whistle following behind a heavy blade and the plasma blast never reached its target as it exploded against Astrid's battle-ax, shattering it completely.

But the waves of energy still knocked Krogan out of the sky, his Singetail not quick enough to record every action of its adversaries. The Flyer fell from the sky and crashed on the ground not too far below, keeping him alive. He met the dusty ground with a sickening thud and the Flyers that remained to hold Viggo down backed off as the Night Fury and Deadly Nadder landed close by, widening their wings at their enemies menacingly.

''Hiccup,'' called Viggo, now free from the Flyers' grasps. He reached the hurting boy and Toothless growled warningly at the man. ''You came back. Why?''

''I had to, Viggo.'' replied Hiccup, shutting his eyes at the spasms from his middle. ''And I'm glad I did.''

They turned their eyes to the Flyer lying on the ground who grunted at the pain in his body from the crash. He pulled himself up with difficulty and eyed the trio confusingly, his dragon and army gone.

''You traitor.'' was all he could say at that moment, pointing at Viggo accusingly. ''Look what you have done! You think your little game pieces will save you now that your tribe knows on who's side you're on?!''

''Actually,'' commented Viggo, stillness as he spoke. ''I do. You see, in Maces and Talons, there is either black or white. You must choose your side. But unfortunately, grey can appear so easily. The traitor dies at the end of the game, Krogan. And there are two traitors in this story.''

Hiccup and Astrid exchanged an anxious gaze and understood by Viggo's message destined to them as well that their role here was over. Viggo had Krogan all to himself, and there was no more to add to that. Viggo turned to face the rider and nodded darkly. Hiccup nodded back, glaring at Krogan for what he believed would be the last time before patting his dragon's head as a quiet command to take off. Toothless narrowed his eyes to the Flyer before him once last time and gave a great burst of his wings, taking him high in the morning sky with Astrid and Stormfly hot on their heels.

Hiccup turned around one last time to face Dragon Hunter Island. He had to say, he was satisfied of the ending of all this. Krogan would get what he deserved at last. Now Hiccup could focus on getting back home, his best warrior smiling proudly at him.

…

''So, wait,'' said Snotlout, holding his hand up to stop Hiccup as he told them all what happened back on Viggo's island. The whole story this time. ''You, Hiccup Haddock the Third, leader of the Dragon Riders, defender of all dragon species, lied to his whole team to protect the guy who kills and hunts those said dragons, because he was afraid they couldn't take in the fact that a magical friendship bloomed between them?''

''Yeah!'' added Tuffnut, throwing an arm in the air in revolt. ''That is so unfair! Wait, which side are we on, again?''

Ruffnut only shrugged and brought her hands to her hips. ''I don't even know what's going on. I mean, no one ever fills us in anyway. So unfair.''

There was a pause where Tuffnut seemed like he was thinking and he soon returned on punching the air. ''Like I was saying, so unfair!''

''I can't believe you hid this from us, Hiccup.'' said Fishlegs, hurt in his voice. ''Even though I do understand your worries, we're your team.''

''Fishlegs is right, Hiccup.'' said Astrid, joining her leader's side. She placed her hand on his shoulder as a sign of support. ''We're a team. You said it yourself when you found out about me and Heather. Even if you think it's for the best of your team. You made me see that. Now it's our turn.''

''I know." apologized Hiccup, letting his eyes drop to the ground. He'd finally gotten something appropriate to wear to replace his tunic, too large though so they could see some of the stitches from his chest. ''I'm sorry I let you guys down.''

''It's okay, Hiccup.'' reassured Fishlegs, somehow bad for making his leader feel bad. ''What matters is that you're alive, and none of us could be happier—''

''Happier that Hiccup escapes the claws of death once again!'' finished Snotlout, throwing his arms in the air. He actually sounded mad and his teammates were very generous with glares. He snickered uncomfortably, raising his hands innocently. ''Kidding.''

''What about Johann?'' asked Fishlegs, curious as he recalled the map. Hiccup was supposed to ask the merchant about it that night he got ambushed. ''Did you find out anything as why Johann didn't tell us earlier about it?''

''Yes.'' replied Hiccup, searching the floorboards to recall what the trader had said exactly. ''Something about it being wrong or something.''

''Why, here's a question.'' came in Ruffnut, a finger raised as she entered the conversation, her brother following behind. ''How would Johann know that? Mmh? More questioning every time…''

The other Riders shared a look of confusion, but somewhat took the time to think about it.

''Something's off.'' thought Hiccup out loud as he stroked his chin.

''What are you thinking?'' asked Astrid, curiously.

''Johann said the locations were all wrong. But like the twins said, how would he know that?'' explained Hiccup, getting to his feet as he made gestures of his hands. ''Johann's not crazy enough to go venture out there all by himself, is he?''

''Johann?'' echoed Snotlout, his arms crossed. ''Haha, that coward can't even fight off one lousy Terrible Terror. He's afraid of everything!''

''You're right, Snotlout.'' said Hiccup, sighing. He grabbed the map from the table and unrolled to reveal scribbles. He stared down at it, his eyes narrowing at the paper as if he was silently ordering it to tell him the truth. He lifted his eyes to his teammates who looked up at him expectantly. ''And that's why we're gonna check them out and find out once and for all.''

In that moment of doubt concerning the merchant, images of possible lies flashed in Hiccup's mind and besides the map was a one he still couldn't think how to find out. The blurry picture of the single chair below deck when he was taken there by Krogan hovered before the rider's eyes and Hiccup's gaze hardened as he played his memories of Trader Johann's role that night.