Chapter 1:

It had been 6 months since Hiccup and Toothless defeated the Red Death at the Dragon's Nest. Ever since then, life on Berk had never been better. The war with dragons was over and now the Vikings and the dragons could finally live in peace with each other.

The dragons became part of everyday life in Berk. They helped with driving off wild boars that used to be a huge problem and fishing had never resulted in the most bountiful catches before the dragons started helping, although there were still a few minor problems.

The dragons didn't completely get over their 'playfulness'. They still stole some of the fish that was caught. There were still a few petty fights among some dragons, which Toothless normally had to break up, or one of the other four dragons had to. But aside from all of these troubles, people had grown used to their giant friends and have come to terms with living beside them, and through the daily troubles.

On the brighter side, the Berk Dragon Academy was doing extremely well. Hiccup, Astrid, Ruffnut, Tuffnut, Fishlegs and Snotlout were the trainers and did well in coaching the young Vikings about their dragons. Astrid taught the riders about the Deadly Nadder, with her dragon Stormfly. She went in depth about their loyalty to their rider and their continuous grooming. Snotlout coached the riders about the Monstrous Nightmare with his dragon, Hookfang. He taught them about the personality of a Nightmare (although the two of them never seem like the perfect combination with their fighting).

Ruffnut and Tuffnut taught about the Hideous Zippleback, but could hardly get anything done because they started to fight with each other if they didn't agree, and so did Barf and Belch, backing up their riders. And finally there was Fishlegs and his dragon, Meatlug, a Gronckle. The trainees could pick the dragon they would like to learn about after seeing the intro about all of them.

Even though Hiccup was the head of the academy, he let his friends coach about the dragons because they knew them extremely well since they rode them, knew their strengths and weaknesses and how it was to live with them. The young riders could come to Hiccup whenever they wanted and ask anything general about the different kinds of dragons, or even about the Night Fury. Everything was going well for the people of Berk, but soon one of them would have to leave for a while.

Present Time:

The whole village was in a frenzy preparing the ship for a departure to the Atlaka, a major Viking city about 400 miles from Berk. One Viking from Berk was on his way to Atlaka to learn the knowledge of being a chief. A place where he could train and know all the pros and cons of being chief, but it wasn't only a journey of being chief. Stoick, after countless hours, days and weeks, convinced Hiccup to take up arms training, how to fight with swords, axes, archery and survival in the wilderness.

"Come on! Haul those supplies faster! We leave in less than 30 minutes!" Stoick bellowed louder than ever. "For the love Odin Stoick, what's got into ya?" Gobber asked his longtime friend, also helping with the loading of the supplies. "Gobber…Hiccup is finally gonna learn all the necessary skills to be a chief, and a warrior" Stoick said, ecstatic for what's installed for his son.

"Stoick, Hiccup already conquered the dragons, defeated the mother of all dragons, and ended the war, he's accomplished more than any of us combined" Gobber said, defending his forge apprentice.

"I know Gobber, and don't get me wrong, I'm as proud as any father would be of his son, but like I told you, I won't be around forever, and Hiccup needs to learn more about being a leader than a trainer. He needs to get in there, solve conflicts, be a shining light for the people when times get tough, make difficult decisions. He needs to know all the traits it takes to be chief" Stoick answered. Gobber nodded in agreement. No one could argue that Hiccup had to know what it takes to be a leader, otherwise it'll all fall apart.

"By the way where is Hiccup?" Gobber asked looking around. Stoick just face palmed himself, knowing his son could be anywhere on the island. "You can't change some things Stoick" Gobber said and continued in helping the others.

At The Cove

"So, you're really leaving huh?" a blonde Viking asked as she laid on her back on top of the rock that was next to the small lake. "Yeah, but I don't know for how long I'll be gone" a brown-haired Viking said, who was lying next to her.

It was a beautiful day in Berk. The temperature said otherwise (a chilly 5 degrees) but the sun just seemed to put the cold at bay. The fact that the cove was concealed by many trees, and the suns' rays just breaking through the branches made it a bit romantic for the two. Toothless and Stormfly were also there, watching their riders talk, easily knowing what was going on between them.

"The thing is…my dad's right" Hiccup said, starting to get into something. Astrid rolled to her left so she was leaning on him. "I need to learn the traits of being chief, and also hunting, fighting; I can't rely too much on dragons for help" he said, at which point Astrid rolled on top of him and draped her hands over his shoulders and gave his cheek a small peck, to which Hiccup encircled her waist with his arms.

"You're doing the right thing Hiccup. I know going away is tough on you…on all of us…on me…but it's for the best, so you can lead us" Astrid spoke. "Thanks Astrid, you always know what to say" he said as he stared into her beautiful face. Some of her blonde strands were once again covering over her left eye. Hiccup moved those strands away to reveal her blue eye so it could match the other in equal beauty.

"I promise to be back as soon as possible" he said as he leaned in for a kiss. "You better, if you know what's good for you" she half-heartedly threatened, with that smile he loved. "I know better than anyone to make you angry" he said with a chuckle. "Except for Snotlout" he muttered under his breath, earning a giggle from her. "Yeah, when will he learn that I'm with you?" she asked, getting ready for the inevitable. "Never" Hiccup answered and the both of them locked lips with each other.

Her lips were incredibly soft to the touch, so warm, so caring; it's hard to believe that she's one of the toughest of Vikings on the island and yet be like this with Hiccup. She knew Hiccup opened a completely new view on the world for her through his eyes. That first magical ride on Toothless in the night was the moment her true feelings for Hiccup were revealed. She saw that he wasn't a scrawny, weak Viking…actually he could be the strongest of them because he uses his mind over strength, he doesn't want to push people around, show people he's boss, he's just not like that.

After what seemed like an hour, the both of them disengaged from the kiss and he stared into her blue eyes, while she stared into his green. "We better go, otherwise my dad will release the wrath of Thor" Hiccup said. Astrid just rolled her eyes and got up, pulling Hiccup with her. "Coming to see me off?" he asked, getting on Toothless and seeing Astrid already on Stormfly.

"Really, your what kind of girlfriend would I be if I didn't see my boyfriend off?" she asked. "Come on, let's go" he said and the two took off towards the docks.

The Docks

"It's almost time to go" Stoick said as he waited near the gangplank. "Where's Hiccup?" he asked, starting to get annoyed with his son. "Don't get your beard in a twist Stoick, he's over there saying goodbye to his friends and Astrid" Gobber said, pointing with his hook. Stoick looked to on top of the cliff, the same place where Hiccup stood as he prepared to leave with Toothless to find the Dragon's Nest.

"Goodbye guys" Hiccup said as he went through hugs. "See yah Hiccup, be ready to be a man" Snotlout said, giving his friend a handshake and hug. "Learn all you can Hiccup and tell me all about it when you come back" Fishlegs said, incredibly sad to his friend leave for Odin knows how long. "Bye Hiccup, have a good time" Ruff and Tuff both said as they hugged him.

All who was left was Astrid. "Astrid I…" Hiccup started but stopped as Astrid did something he didn't expect. "OW!" he yelled as Astrid punched him in his arm. "What was that for?" he asked, still holding his arm. She really had a good punch. "I won't be able to do that for some time, and this is for the journey" she said and grabbed his shirt and gave him a passionate kiss, also earning 'oooos' from the group.

When she pulled back from the kiss, Hiccup pulled her into a tight hug, Astrid holding him in an even tighter grip. "I'll see you soon" he whispered in her ear. The two of them knew it might be a while before they saw each other any time soon, but they were trying to comfort each other the best they could. "Counting on it" she whispered back. They both pulled back and stared into each other's eyes while holding hands.

"Time to go son" Stoick yelled from the docks. "Bye" Hiccup said quietly as he let go of her hands and took off to the docks to see off his dad before he left. "Too bad you're not coming dad" he said as Stoick hugged his son. "I know, but Ripper will look out for me" he said. "Don't worry sir, I'll make sure Hiccup doesn't get into any trouble" he said, knowing what he was in for.

Ripper was about a year older than Hiccup, who was now 17. The two of them knew each other well enough. "That'll be a twenty-four hour job right?" Hiccup asked. "I know, it'll be a challenge" he said with a smile and boarded the ship.

"Well this is it" Hiccup said to his dad. "Be careful son, and always know, I couldn't have asked for a better son" Stoick said with his hand on Hiccup's shoulder. "Oh no you do, you just didn't get him" Hiccup said jokingly, also earning a laugh from his dad. "Come on Hiccup" Ripper yelled from the deck. "Coming. Bye dad" Hiccup said and got on the ship, with Toothless already waiting on board for him.

As the ship was leaving, Hiccup saw Astrid on the same cliff where they were 6 months ago. She waved after him, and he returned it with a smile. Stormfly was behind her rider all the time, also sad that Toothless would be gone for who knows how long.

"So you ready to be leader?" Ripper asked as he came by Hiccup's side and also looked to see Astrid waving after him. "I don't know…I guess" he simply stated. "Come on, where's the enthusiasm, we're going on an adventure. Who knows what lies for us: pirates, training with some of the best warriors, it'll be quite something" Ripper said, trying to liven Hiccup's mood. "You're right, besides, I bet Astrid would love a new buff Hiccup" he said with a wink and walked away to adjust the mast.

Hiccup blushed under the last comment and looked to the cliff to still see Astrid looking at him. The two of them didn't take their eyes off each other until they were both out of sight for each other.

A/N: This is my first story for HTTYD so tell me what you guys think of it and please review.