Disclaimer: I do not own How to Train Your Dragon. All rights belong to Cressida Cowell, Dreamworks, & Cartoon Network. Author's notes below

Chapter 1:

The wind whipped through his hair; the cold chill hardly noticeable as the man lay on the back of his night fury. Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third groaned in frustration, reaching up to pull his flight mask down across his face.

"Well bud, that was the best day so far, wasn't it?"

Toothless warbled in sarcastic agreement, rolling his eyes in the same way his rider had done so many times before. The last month had been rough for them both. Berk's young chief was just swamped with requests, having to oversee the village reconstruction and other chiefly duties required of him while Toothless was constantly swarmed by the hatchling dragons with rather annoying and pathetic attempts to impress or upstage their alpha.

Hiccup sighed, absent mindedly adjusting Toothless's fin.

"At least we had a bit of help…"

Valka and her dragon Cloudjumper were incredibly helpful in lightning both of their loads.

"I was the wife of a chief and Cloudjumper was the Bewilderbeast's right-hand dragon. I see no problem in helping." Valka had replied when her son had asked for help. "Why don't you take the afternoon off. You have been working nonstop for weeks. A nice long flight would do you both some good."

So here Hiccup was flying Toothless around the archipelago by himself. Astrid was fighting a small cold at home, Fishlegs was busier cataloging their new draconian residents, and the twins and Snoutlout were not company he personally enjoyed alone. They had been flying for a while now, the sky was darkening and the sun beginning to dip below the horizon.

"Hey Toothless, one more lap around Dragon Island before heading home?"

The Night Fury nodded but was quickly distracted, his ear flaps going rigged as he noticed something strange.

"What is it bud?" Hiccup asked, noticing the change in his dragon.

His answer came in the form of a powerful wind suddenly ripping through the area. The dragon and his rider struggled to stay in control as they were buffeted by a sudden freak storm. Lightning occasionally came close to striking them if not for some quick reflexes from years of experience.

"Woah that came out of nowhere! Quickly Toothless, let's head back to Berk!"

Hiccup felt adrenaline rushing through his veins. He hoped that he could get back in time and warn the villagers to seek shelter in the great hall or the arena. The town was still in no condition for people to safely stay in their homes. Beneath him, Toothless roared in frustration as he tried to turn back, the growing vortex of wind and rain slowing him down.

"Do you hear that?!"

A strange grinding noise filled the air, punctuated by what sounded like a ringing gong. The sound seemed to be coming from the very air surrounding them. Unable to find its source, Hiccup looked below.

"Toothless, there!" He yelled, seeing the glimmer of the village fires.

Toothless, seeing the same, dived forward, both hoping to land quickly. Both had not noticed the sound growing louder.

"Almost there! We…AH!" Hiccup felt something large slam into them, knocking him off Toothless. The last thing he heard was the worried screech of his friend before being swallowed by darkness.

-HTTYD-

"Stay out of my way, I'm winning this thing."

Astrid glared at the boy before shoving him aside. This was her chance to prove herself the village prodigy, not some walking twig of an heir. The gronkle was hovering around the other end of the arena, the crowd cheering on in anticipation.

"Good, please. By all means!"

Hiccup adjusted his helmet and glanced up to the crowd, finding his father's stern yet proud look. A wave of guilt ripped through him as he turned his attention to the dragon he was supposed to fight. The dragon turned and spotted him, readjusting her swing before flying forward toward him. Hiccup gulped as the flying beast got closer, quickly noting Astrid's war cry a distance off.

He was about to take out the dragon nip from his pocket when a flash of light and a loud thud caught everyone's attention. Even the dragon paused, confused at the sudden appearance of a leather-armored man in the middle of the arena.

"Ow my back…"

The man slowly stood up, allowing everyone to see more. He was thin, dressed in layers of leather with his face obscured by a mask. However, the most distinct feature was the metal prosthetic on his left leg. The villagers were too stunned by the man's abrupt appearance to react.

"Where am I….woah there!"

The gronkle was the first to recover, growling at the new arrival before launching a wad of lava at him. He sidestepped her attack easily, raising his hands up.

"Woah girl! It's me! Watch where you're firing!"

The dragon paused a moment before firing another blast. Again the man dodged quickly, waving hands in a calming gesture. When the dragon did not relent, he sprinted up to her, pulling something out of his pocket.

-Older Hiccup POV-

Hiccup waved the dragon nip in front of Meatlug, confused as to why she was attacking him. The dragon caught a few whiffs before dropping to the ground in a mild daze.

"Sorry girl, don't know why you so angry. I would blame dragon root if you weren't…" he started before noticing his surroundings. "…immune."

"WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"

The shout sent a chill through his spine, the voice recognizable. But how? Hiccup turned, barely noticing a surprised teenager with an axe too large for him. However, the source of the voice came from above the lanky boy; a large figure looming against the bars of the arena.

"I WILL ASK YOU ONE MORE TIME! WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT BUSINESS DO YOU HAVE WITH BERK?!"

Hiccup stuttered, unable to break eye contact. Stoick the Vast glared at him with narrow eyes, daring him to make a move.

"D…Dad? How…how are you alive?!"

Author's Notes: Very first HTTYD fanfiction. Taking a slightly different approach to the whole "Experienced!Hiccup" saves Berk from dragons plot. Don't expect consistent updates from me. Read & Review please!