Stoick's blood ran cold when he heard it. The sound definitely came from Toothless. Something must be wrong with his boy. He ran as fast as he could in the direction the sound came from.

He bounded up the stairs and saw Hiccup, sitting up and smiling, scratching Toothless under the chin. The feeling of dread in Stoick's stomach quickly turned to relief.

Stoick knocked on the wall to let them know he was there. Hiccup turned his head toward him and smiled.

"So, decided to rejoin the world of the living?" Stoick asked jokingly.

Hiccup grinned. "Valhalla wouldn't know what to do with all…this," he said, gesturing to himself. Stoick laughed half-heartedly.

"Is the village ok? And Anika?" Hiccup questioned. "What about the dragons that attacked us?."

Stoick sat himself on Hiccup's bed. "Some fatalities; Dagmar, Axe-hook, and Baghorn. We will be having the funeral soon. "He paused for a moment before continuing. 'Village is otherwise fine. A few burned houses and a few injured Vikings. Anika is also fine. Astrid dropped her off before heading back out to you. Good thing she did too, you were in bad shape.

As for the other dragons, we avoided fatalities where we could. Not all of them were lucky. But they all fled when they saw Toothless." Stoick gave Toothless a scratch on the head before continuing. "You should have seen it Hiccup, the show he put on. He started roaring and firing into the sky, and all the other Berk dragons joined in. All the commotion sent the other dragons fleeing with their tails between their legs!"

Despite the heavy atmosphere, both Hiccup and Stoick started laughing. "Did you terrify them, bud?" asked Hiccup. Toothless responded by dropping onto his back and looking at them with his tongue sticking out."

Stoick wiped away a tear, and then his face became serious once more. "So what about the leader dragon?"

"It was definitely a Song Slicer," responded Hiccup. "It's gone now."

Stoick raised an eyebrow. "You mean you killed it?" Hiccup nodded dejectedly. "I'm sorry, son. I know you don't like killing them." He put his arm around him. "But I want you to know that I'm proud. You've saved the village, yet again."

"Thanks Dad."

"And you didn't even lose a leg this time!"

"Lo, they do call for me, they bid for me to take my place among them," chanted Stoick, readying his bow. "In the halls of Valhalla, where the brave shall live forever." He released his firey arrow towards the boats floating away. His arrow was followed by dozens of others, showering the boats and engulfing them in flames. Some occupied by his fellow Vikings, and some were occupied by dragons; both enemy and ally. The dragons all let out a flame as well.

The Vikings all bent their heads and stayed silent, listening to the sounds of the flames, as the boats floated further away into the horizon. Hiccup leaned quite heavily on Toothless. He was in a lot of pain, but had insisted on attending the services.

Toothless let out a mournful cry, and the other dragons followed suit. The cries echoed across the archipelago.

"Shall we go again, Bud?" asked Hiccup. Toothless responded with enthusiastic sounding noises. Hiccup bent closer to Toothless' head, to make them more aerodynamic, as Toothless ascended at a near vertical angle. When they had gone high enough, Toothless spread his wings right out and arched his back. They started to fall back down.

Hiccup clenched his teeth a little. Free fall manoeuvres like this one still gave him anxiety, but he was getting better. He had a feeling it might never fully go away, but it wasn't incapacitating like it used to be, so he could live with it.

Toothless started spinning, doing backward somersaults through the air as they descended. He could feel his boy's terror, he knew how much he still didn't like it, but was proud of him for pushing through his fear.

As they approached the ocean surface, Toothless spread his wings and they transitioned into a glide, just skimming the water. They drew near to the many rock formations that stood like silent guardians of Berk. Hiccup adjusted the pedal and urged Toothless to go faster. They flew through the rocks, dodging and diving with ease.

When they had cleared the rocks, they started to fly upwards.

"Hey! Hiccup!" came a voice. Hiccup turned his head and saw Astrid and Stormfly, speeding towards him. He waved in return. He and Toothless slowed down to let the other two catch up.

"So, first time out flying since the Song Slicer?" asked Astrid.

Hiccup nodded. "Yeah, Gothi finally gave me the all clear, and Dad would not let me fly until she did." He gave Toothless an affectionate pat on the head. "It didn't help that Toothless was on my father's side."

"Not often you hear about the soft side of Stoick the Vast," replied Astrid. "Oh hear his name and tremble!" She said, lowering her tone and puffing out her chest in her best tough Viking impression. They both laughed. "So, how are you feeling?" she inquired when their laughter had died down..

"Still a little sore and stiff," replied Hiccup. "But definitely better."

"And the nightmares?"

Hiccup raised his eyebrows. "How did you-…?"

"Fishlegs told me," answered Astrid.

Hiccup sighed. "I still get them, but they aren't as often as before. Gothi isn't sure they'll ever completely go away."

Astrid nodded sympathetically. "Well if you ever want to talk I'm here."

Hiccup smiled at her. "Thanks Astrid."

.:Hey Alpha:. said Stormfly.

:Shut up: said Toothless.

:I haven't seen you around for a while:

:Hiccup wasn't well.:

:So the Alpha has a weakness?: Toothless didn't respond. :It was a good idea, I'll give you that: said Stormfly. :You sure scared them:

:Thanks for joining in:

:As long as I don't have to call you master: retorted Stormfly.

"Ok, so now that you're better, does that mean we can start academy activities again?" asked Astrid.

Hiccup laughed. "Of course."

Astrid pumped her fist in the air. "Thank Thor!" she exclaimed. "Do you know how bored I've been?"

"That bad?"

Astrid glared at him. "I was forced to learn proper sewing Hiccup. Sewing!" she winked, and he laughed again.

"Well, if it will keep you from learning useful skills," retorted Hiccup.

"Defending Berk on dragons is a useful skill," countered Astrid. "Race you to the arena!" With that, Astrid sped off back in the direction of Berk.

"Cheater!" Hiccup yelled back. "Come on Toothless!" Toothless made a happy growl as the two of them raced off.

So there we have it! It's complete! Thank you to everyone who has stuck with me this long, I hope you liked it!