A.N. Alrighty here is the beginning of the next story. It has come to my attention that some people do not like the way that I portrayed the characters. Let it be known that I took a large amount of freedom in the way that I changed their portrayal. This does not reflect the movie in any way shape or form. It simply has use of the characters. I own nothing, and I hope that this meets your expectations. Also criticism is appreciated, but I don't like people snapping at me that I am doing it wrong. Anyway, read and Review.

The village lay in darkness as silence hung over it in a stifling atmosphere. Sentries stood posted with torches and weapons in hand as the rest of the village slept. Charred remains of burnt logs from fires sat with wisps of smoke rising from them.

Suddenly roars, shrieks, and a cacophony of sound shattered the silence. Dragons by the dozen dove and grabbed sheep, yaks, and whole baskets of fish. Villagers woke from their slumber to find another raid. The raids had been happening for as long as could be remembered, but they had started being harder lately. The dragons were more strategic. They would attack randomly, and would work in maneuvers to draw out the Vikings. Almost no Vikings were ever killed, and almost no one could kill a dragon. The dragons stole, and the Vikings had nothing to show for it. Dragons captured were always freed within days, and no one could catch the one doing it.

Stoick watched with satisfaction as four dragons were dragged into the dragon ring to be caged. He would take revenge on the one that had taken his son from him, and the dragons being caged allowed the younger people to get practice. The attack had been swift and there were few injuries. The demon hadn't been there tonight. A masked being that rode a Night Fury was the one that Stoick blamed for the loss of his son, and he would always try anything to get the perceived demon.

Stoick and many other Villagers walked to the great hall. There would be a talk on how to stop the raids, and hopefully kill the rider.

"Stoick!" A viking with a peg leg and a interchangeable hand called. "We're gonna lose all our food a' this rate!"

"Gobber," Stoick said calmly, "We will survive this. We're vikings. We're too stubborn to lay down and die like that." The two got into the hall with the others as they grouped around the table. Stoick took his place at the head and looked out to the vikings.

"Now that we're here," Stoick began. "What are our food stocks like?" Immediately there were grumbles. "They can't be that bad are they?"

"The dragons just took about a quarter of the food we had left," one brave viking stood up. Stoick froze. He could never believe that they would have taken that much in one raid.

"We'll send out more fishing trips," he said. "Less searches for the nest and more for food." Others agreed with this idea.

"We could eat the dragons that we kill," one younger man said. At the cries against it, he immediately stood up. "No think about it. If we kill them and don't use any of it, then it's a waste. Plus, it's no different from hunting a bear or wolves."

"Except wolves don't breath fire!" Another called out. This got agreement from many others.

"What about the Rider?" One older woman asked. "It got worse once the demon got involved. If we get rid of that menace, maybe the raids will be easier for us to defend." These were old ideas. Being creative was not a Vikings strong suit.

A screech cut through the night. "Uncle Stoick!" A young man barged in with his curly horned helmet askew and completely out of breath.

"What is it Snotlout?" Stoick asked.

"He's here!" Snotlout gasped. "He released all the dragons is fighting the guards now!" Stoick and the others wasted no time in rushing towards the arena. They arrived to find the cages empty and a figure with a long staff that had the head of a hammer on top.

The head was two and a half feet long and was a foot in height and width. The staff was six feet long and where the head met the shaft, a dragon encircled the shaft. The figure was tall, but not as tall as Stoick. The figure was not overly muscular, but was rather thin. The mask was without adornment, but covered his head completely. The armor was pitch black and carefully crafted. In the torchlight, they could see a dragon coming full circle and biting it's tail carefully embossed on the center of the chestplate. The arms were covered in two sections of arm protection. One to the upper arm, and a set of gauntlets that tapered into a claw at the tips of each finger. The legs were equally as protected and around its waist was a belt. On the belt were slots that held stones securely. Each one had a strange pair of symbols on it. One symbol was the same on each one, while the other was different.

"I'll kill you you demon!" Stoick shouted as he strode forward.

The figure looked at him and raised one hand while letting the head sink to the floor. The figure spoke in a deep voice that others identified as male. "Rupti Sunt Ignis," he said calmly. His hand began to glow red for a second before a red ring of symbols glowed and fire erupted from the ring. The vikings dove for cover.

One viking charged with a heavy axe at the figure, and the weapon spun into action. With a spin of the weapon, the head of the weapon shattered the axe. The viking stood stunned as he stared at the weapon completely oblivious to the follow up. A blue glow lit up the weapon before the weapon's head slammed into his and he went sprawling. A shriek pierced the air and a dragon landed heavily on the ground before roaring. The dragon was pitch black and bright green eyes regarded them with malice. The figure spun the weapon and said a simple word. "Permuto," and the weapon disappeared and in its place, a stone sat in his palm. He placed the stone on his belt, and mounted the saddle that was on the dragon's back.

Stoick could only watch as the duo took off and flew away. The cage doors like open maws that were deprived of their next meal, and Stoick could not believe that it had been the work of the same personage that they had sought to defeat.

"Everyone back to the great hall!" Stoick called.

"How will we stop this menace?!" One viking called. Many murmured about it and some carefully ran their fingers over their weapons.

"A trap!" One called.

"How?" another said. "We have nothing to bait him with." This shut down that idea.

"Perhaps a sacrifice?" One tentatively asked. "I've heard traders say that it works to protect other villages down south." This got it's own objections because of what it would entail.

"But what would we sacrifice?" One woman called. "The demon probably has everything he could need! The only thing he probably doesn't have is a wife!" Many fell silent at that. Sensing the approval for the idea the woman tried to divert them from it. "But I would never subject any of our children to that! No one should have to be offered up as a way to appease a demon!" Despite this, many were still for this idea. Stoick was disgusted, but this was their only plan at this point.

"Quiet!" He called. Immediately, they quieted. "Who will take the burden?" He asked dejectedly. No one replied. "Fine. We'll draw straws."

Several straws, one for each girl between twelve and twenty five that was not already married, were picked out. Each girl was called to take out one straw. Each that was chosen as safe was relieved. It went without a hitch until Astrid came up to choose. She was pale, and though she had had many marriage offers, all of them had been turned down by her. She reached for the straws and chose one. She pulled and it came out. The one short straw. Her eyes widened as tears threatened to fall. Many were sad for her and others were just relieved that it wasn't them. Stoick caught sight of Astrid's family towards the back and though they were trying to be strong, it was obvious that only her father was not openly crying. Erik had tears streaming down his face as he watched his older sister's despair while his mother quietly sobbed into her hands. Stoick however could not show favor to anyone.

"We thank you for your sacrifice," Stoick said stoically. As he bowed his head to her, the others followed suit. With that, Astrid's fate was sealed.

A black dragon landed on the ground. All around a sea of clouds floated. The rider stepped off the dragon's back and lifted his helmet. Messy auburn hair covered his head and green eyes peered out of the face where freckles sat on his face.

"It's good to be back, right Ravyn?"

"I still don't understand why you help the other dragons Hiccup," The dragon growled.

"You know very well that I want to keep casualties as low as possible, dragon or human," Hiccup reasoned. "And besides. It's fun to keep them guessing." He gave them a smirk.

A howl cut through the air and a pack of wolves began to race towards them. Hiccup stooped down as several leaped at him and began to nuzzle him playfully.

"Hey guys," Hiccup said to the pack.

"Hiccup!" They called. Hiccup had helped one of their pack and had been accepted into their pack. Among the several packs that lived on the island, this one was the dominant one. This was because of a special magic that had existed in their pack. One wolf paced forward. She was black as night and had bright blue eyes.

"Hello Nyte," Hiccup said. The wolf stood up on her hind legs as the wolf pelt fell away to reveal a woman with midnight black hair, blue eyes, and longer canines that peeked out of the top of her mouth. She had a simple tunic and breeches on and her feet were bare. A simple belt wrapped around her waist and held a simple dagger made of silver.

"Good day Hiccup," she said with a smirk. Some other wolves stood up revealing many other human appearances. This was because of their magic. They were werewolves. Capable of changing between wolf and human forms, they were formidable. Not all in their pack were werewolves. There were more wolves than werewolves, but most of them were in this pack. Their pack, the Eastern Stars Pack, had had the highest position for long before Hiccup had come.

These were not the only magical beings that lived their. It had been a motley before Hiccup had arrived. Being a human magic user made him revered and was recognised as almost the ruler of the island. As such, Hiccup had turned it into almost a haven. Escaped spirits that fled their necromancers, enslaved creatures, even some creatures that sought a place to live were welcomed. All disputes were turned towards Hiccup, and he tried his best to sort them out.

"Another island has approached us," Nyte informed him. "It seems to be newly formed and would be a great addition to our territory."

"Is it already ruled?" He asked.

"No," Nyte said with a shake of her head as they walked towards the mountain in the center of the island. "There are only some nymphs and dryads that are there and I believe they would love the thought of protection."

"Then I'll approach them about a merging," Hiccup answered. The two walked towards a small structure at the base of the mountain. There was a hut and a path down into the mountain. Walking into the mountain, they came to a beautiful stone that glowed a bright blue. It was encircled with a blue ring of symbols. Hiccup approached the stone and touched it with his fingertips. Immediately he could feel the island itself. Another island was close and he reached out to it. Another consciousness touched his and he allowed the connection.

It wasn't words that Hiccup felt, but intentions. Islands like these were formed by the creation of a mana stone. Huge accumulations of energy that bound themselves to the islands themselves, giving them flight and ability to sustain life. They were usually anchored to one place unless given direction, or if the island was small enough. Through the mana stone, Hiccup felt the thoughts of a Druid Elder. They were seeking sanctuary which Hiccup offered. He had no malicious intent and was simply offering help.

As long as they followed simple rules, they could join them. They could not interfere in conflicts unless directly asked to or were dragged in by the conflict. They could not go to areas directly forbidden, or the protection that Hiccup offered was null and void. The most important rule was to stay within the natural order of things.

With those rules laid down, he felt affirmation from the Druid Elder. Together they pulled the islands together and fused the two by merging the earth itself together. Hiccup felt the consciousness leave as they finished their business. Hiccup staggered from the huge drain of energy that had come from it. He turned and walked back towards the opening again.

"How'd it go?" Nyte asked.

"They accepted," Hiccup replied. "Same rules apply." He walked towards the hut. It was small and built into the side of the mountain, but it hid the great expanse of the building that was really there. Illusions masked the windows from the outside, but allowed people to look out.

Inside the hut was a simple area that was filled with furs, wood, and some unsmelted ores. At the back was a simple but well crafted set of double doors. Iron rings in the door were used as handles, and these were pulled to open the heavy doors to reveal an ornate hall of stone. Large windows lined the hall on one side that revealed the outside. At the end of the hall was a large set of stairs that opened up to the main dining room that he used when there were guests, and several hallways that opened up to guest rooms. Underneath the stairs was another set that led down into a secret grotto that had beautiful lush vegetation, and a pool of water that seemed to glow. This was where they went. Hiccup dipped his hand in and breathed in as he was revitalised.

"Must you always use the mana well?" Nyte asked.

"It's the fastest way to regain lost energy," Hiccup countered. "Besides, it's peaceful." The two walked back up towards the hut. They bickered goodnaturedly and poked fun at each other, but each held respect for the other.

Outside Toothless was talking to the other wolves about what the Vikings had done at the last raid. Each wolf was held in rapt attention from this story and they listened without moving except for their tails which twitched occasionally. Smiling Hiccup pulled off the rest of his armor and placed it in a protected chest. This was not protected by magic, but by his own booby-traps that he invented.

Now dressed in his simple red tunic, cotton trousers, and leather boots, he pulled out a sword and scabbard which he slung over his back. Along with this, he brought a simple bow with a quiver of arrows. The sword was beautiful. It had a slightly blue tinted blade and the handle was exquisite. It had a small dragon curled around itself in the center and at the hilt a simple symbol marked it as his. The sword was made of a merge of gronckle iron and silver. This made it very powerful against those with magic as well as those without. He walked off towards the woods to hunt

Astrid walked the village streets. She walked without caring. Others gave her looks of sadness, pity, or just sympathy. She hated it. Why did it have to be her? Why did it have to be anyone? Snotlout was even sad, though it was probably just because he couldn't possibly lay claim to her anymore. She kicked a rock. What was she to do?

"You look like you have something on your mind," she heard a voice say. She turned to see the trader sitting in his usual area. He had many items, though most of the weapons he had for sale were gone. "Anything I can help you with?"

"No one can help me," she whispered.

"Then what's the harm in me trying," he responded. "Do you have anything to lose from it?"

"No," she answered quietly. She sat down in front of him.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

"What made you become a trader?" she asked. "Your father? Continuing the family business?"

"Nope, nothing like that," he answered. "My village rejected me. I wasn't what they wanted, so they ignored me. I learned however, that I don't need them. I just need something for myself."

"I wish I could find something like that," she said.

"Well what's stopping you?" He asked.

"My duty," she said. "I have to marry, and I hate it."

"Duty," he scoffed. "That's just a fancy way of saying orders. They say duty, but really they just want you to do something for them. Load of shit if you ask me."

"Do you know anything about duty?" she asked.

"Yeah," he said. "I was supposed to follow in my father's footsteps. When I chose not to, they almost immediately found a replacement. And here's the kicker. They all thought that my replacement would be better than me."

"That sounds rough," Astrid said.

"It's fine. But we're talking about your problems, not mine," he said pulling them back on track.

"I have to marry a demon," she spat.

"Really," he said. "I'm no expert, but I would have put that as a myth. Let me guess, something about virgin sacrifice?"

"Something like that," Astrid admitted.

"Could be worse," he said. "Most other 'Virgin sacrifices' would have someone half your age on an altar before being stabbed with a sharp knife." He snorted. "And they do those way too often."

"You've seen them?" Astrid asked.

"No," he responded darkly. "I book it out of there as fast as I can. Even if I were to try and succeed in saving the person being sacrificed, they'd just grab someone else to do it."

"So what do you suggest?" Astrid said.

"Do whatever the hell you want to do kid," he said with a shrug. "Just make sure you won't regret your decision later." He began to pack up his wares and stood up.

"Thanks for listening to me," Astrid said.

"There's nothing worse than being ignored," he said softly.

At this Astrid froze. The voice had almost sounded just like Hiccup. He was walking away, and Hiccup's blood had been found in the cove. He couldn't be. She looked at the trader, but he never looked back.

Astrid looked at herself in the mirror. Her mother was silently crying while her brother stood with a small sword and tears leaking out of his eyes. She was in the clothes that would seal her fate. The dragons had begun their attack and she was going to be offered up to the rider. Her bridal crown rested on her head and she fought the urge to cry. What could this achieve?

"Astrid," her mother sobbed. "We are so very sorry. We love you so much. I wish that there was something that we could do." She took a deep breath. "Please just forgive us." She managed before breaking down again and crying.

"I don't want you to go," Erik said. "I need my big sis," he said. "I don't want to have to watch you leave."

"Erik," Astrid said as she stooped down to his height. "I have to do this. As much as I hate it, I wouldn't set this fate on anyone else." She reached out and hugged her little brother. "If I can, I will come back and visit or at least send letters." She stood up as the all too familiar shriek of a night fury echoed through the night.

A.N. Here it is! I know you all were waiting on this, and I am sorry that it took so long. Anyway, review please.