The great hall was packed with Berkian warriors. As Gobber witness, around the chief were every head of family clans supporting the Haddock House.

Ingerman clan was known for hunting down dragons, used them for the dragon-slaying training the younger Vikings participate. As much as the house of Ingerman were strategists to slay or take down the large creatures, they are known for the intelligence for the information of each dragon's class, abilities and weaknesses. The patriarch was Fishlegs' father Clawjaws Ingerman but after his death five years ago, his wife and Fishlegs' mother Gro Ingerman became the matriarch of the house. Despite the lack of muscle, the woman speaks for logical reasoning.

Thorston clan has been rumored the first generation was blessed by almighty Thor, the god of Thunder. House of Thorston was family clan of warriors who, alongside with previous Haddock chiefs, fought in a war against other Viking tribes and Berserkers. They brought their name in honor when they had slain the dragons. The clan currently has two leaders; Hardshell and Sharpscale Thorston. Hardshell was a tall, bulky man with blond hair and matching colored beard braided down to his belly. He was a typical warmonger but in his house, he cannot win his wife Sharpscale, the true big shot of the family who has a brain used for the brawl in battle.

Jorgenson clan is the closest to Haddock family due to the current head's cousin Valka was married to Stoick the Vast. In the years of first generations, Jorgen the Brute founded Berk with the first chief of Haddock, Hakon, appointed Jorgen as one of the founding contributors of Hooligan tribe. Current head of family, Spitelout is father of Snotlout and like his son, he was proud and arrogant but he strives to be a great supporter of Stoick the Vast. Although he is dismayed that the chief appointed Hilde as heiress to the chieftain, he did not voice his objection.

Hofferson clan was one of the houses of Berk's founding contributors. In one of the famous legends written in the village, Hoffer, their first generation, journeyed to the cave of the very dangerous dragon that abducted his bride and rescued her after slaying the creature. Anders Hofferson lost his brother Finn during the battle with one dragon named Flightmare, posthumously gained "Frozen Finn Hofferson" in dishonor. Both Anders and his wife Ingrid concerned for their son Asgard who solely focused on bringing the honor back to his family name he shuts away from people.

"Either we finish them, or they'll finish us! It's the only way we'll be rid of them," Stoick the Vast tapped the map location of their archipelago before stabbing his dagger at mist, or clouds conceal the cave of dragons behind, "If we find the nest and destroy it, the dragons will leave. They'll find another home. One more search, before the ice sets in."

"Those ships never come back…!" One Viking exclaimed.

"We're Vikings… it's an occupational hazard," the chief of the tribe stated, "now, who's with me?"

Most Vikings seemed hesitant. Some muttered excuses of their planned absence whether their weapons were worn out, or need to take care of the livestock. Stoick sighed. He didn't really expect anything. It was a life-risking quest, finding the Dragon's Nest. To 'persuade' some of them otherwise, the leader of Hooligan tribe continued.

"Alright, those who stay will look after Hilde."

And all of the hands sprung up.

"TO THE SHIP!"

"I'm with you, Stoick!"

"Ye, that's more like it…" The chief nodded as they were all dismissed.

Gobber let out light sigh, wiped his jaw after drinking mead.

"Well, I'll go pack my undies." The smith stood up.

"No, I need you to stay here and train the new recruits." Stoick stated.

"Oh, good," Gobber shrugged, sarcasm evident in his gesture, "and while I'm doing that, Hilde can man the forge; tons of sharp weapons, all time to herself… what could go possibly wrong?"

The Great Hall now was only had two men left as Stoick sat down, shoulders sagged.

"What am I going to do with her…" the Chief sighed.

"Here's what you can do. Put her in training," Gobber suggested, "with the others."

"…I'm serious." Stoick looked at his old friend sternly.

"So am I."

"She'd be killed before you let the first dragon out of its cage!" Stoick nearly exclaimed.

His old friend and Hilde's godfather Gobber rolled his eyes. Ever since Stoick's wife Valka was abducted away and possibly killed by the dragon, the chief has been overbearing, well—overprotective—of his only daughter. True, she doesn't seem to have potential of slaying dragons, but partially she have been sheltered and never been trained to defend herself.

"Oh, you don't know that!" Gobber shook his head.

"I do know that." Stoick countered.

"No, you don't."

"Yes, I do."

"No, you don't!" Gobber stated, pointed his prosthetic hook at him.

"Gobber, you know what she's like…," Stoick strolled towards the pillar by Gobber, "from the time she could crawl, she's been… different! She doesn't listen, she has the attention span of sparrow. I took her to the fishing once and she went to hunt for… for trolls!"

"Trolls EXIST! The steal your socks, but only the left ones. What's with that?"

Taking a hint from Stoick's unamused and stern look, Gobber took deep breath.

"You can't stop her, Stoick. She's fifteen years old and you know that is the year young vikings are having their few steps close to adulthood. You can only prepare her."

The chief sat down, feeling hopeless. Hilde was not like him, nor her mother. In fact, she wasn't like the other young viking girls or shield maidens in Berk. Hilde may have gotten a friend from bog Burglar Tribe. Her friend was chief's daughter as well, yet the Bog Burglar girl was strong and more warrior-like. All Hilde ever do were what Vikings find it 'un-viking'; studying languages, reading, researching legends she finds questionable, and crafting works.

"I know it LOOKS hopeless, but the truth is you won't always be around to protect her forever! We all age and when we depart, what will she do? Hilde has to learn to defend herself. She's going to get out there again, she's probably out there now." Gobber added with serious look on his face.

As much as Stoick was hesitant to admit, he knew his friend was right. His little girl needs to protect herself when he's away. Hilde was no longer the little child once waddling towards her father. If his wife Valka was here, she'd have agree with Gobber's words.

Within the deep woods, Hilde crossed out yet next mark of the map she drew on her journal in frustration. Most locations were marked in X as she still couldn't find the dragon she caught. Growled, she scribbled the page before shut the journal close.

"Oh, the gods must hate me…," she groaned, hand on her face, "Some people lose their knife or mug. Not me, I managed to lose a goddamn dragon!"

Believing the dragon might have escaped, she continued to fume until the broken tree caught her attention. A tree that has broken, SLICED, in half. Directing her gaze towards where the half was collapsed, she saw the path dug all towards the edge by the boulders. As if something, beasts or…dragon had crashed through it. Cautious and curious, Hilde stepped in and began to walk towards the boulders. Taking a peek above, her eyes widen to see the black dragon wrapped around with the bola net. A Night Fury, no doubt. She caught it.

"Oh wow… I, I did it…! I did it, this fixes everything…! YES!" Hilde almost squealed in joy and excitement as she approached closer, "I have brought down this mighty beast…!"

As the Night Fury let out a groan, she took her steps back in surprise. By the boulders, she slowly held out a dagger from her vest pocket. Walking towards the downed dragon, she took deep breath. This was it. She caught the infamous Night Fury. All she had to do next was kill it, taking out its heart and prove to her father with it. She's a viking. Daughter of Hooligan Chief. That would be enough to prove that she isn't a runt, a screwup of the village.

Hilde was ready as she raised her dagger, eyes shut. Hearing a low crooning, her eyes met the Night Fury's. A pair of green eyes, black pupil slit they were gazing on her. But it wasn't filled with hate, nor pain like that corrupted Whispering Death she killed before. She swore she had seen fear at first but the next was out of defeat. It was allowing her to finish off its life. Almost as how Hilde gave up on herself to prove everyone of what she can be. Doubt began to fill her heart again. Would her life be different even if she killed the dragon? Would everyone, her father, Gobber, the others, even Asgard, believe she had slain it? Exhaled with misery and guilt, she nearly dropped her dagger as her arms slumped to her sides.

"I did this…," the auburn haired girl muttered, "I can't…"

Before she would attempt to leave the helpless creature alone, she looked around the forest in case no one else was around. Gazing back at the Night Fury, dread filled what if this dragon can turn into the Cursed Ripper. Any dragons can turn into a corrupted being of hate and pain if their hearts were filled with them, transforming into vicious, vengeful devil. Sympathy and concern filled her heart as she imagined the same fate Night Fury would go through if she left him be. It could not only rot everything the parasitic dragon touch, but being a damned creature can slowly kill the host. Glanced at her dagger, she did what she thought it was best to do.

The Night Fury's eyes widen in surprise as he heard a shard cutting ropes. The girl was setting it free. The dragon remained motionless until she cut the last rope, then was lunged back on a boulder by Night Fury as its giant paw held her down. Hilde gasped by the sudden movement, frozen as she expected the dragon to either attack or kill her.

"Odd girl…"

Her eyes looked up at the very eyes of the voice belonged to. Night Fury didn't look hostile, nor aggressive as his pupils slightly expanded. He sniffed close to her face, crooning and growling in wonder why she spared him. This dragon did not look as what all Vikings described the reptilian beings as. Anyone would find her insane or traitorous to think that way but…

This Night Fury was no bloodthirsty demon.

But an intelligent, gentle creature.

Hilde's eyes sparkled by this revelation. She remained still as the dragon retreated himself and attempted to flew away far. He spared her life. Her legs were numb and powerless to move. Her hearts racing fast as countless emotions overwhelmed her. Finally exhaled her breath, her body was limp, energy drained from her body as she was utterly exhausted from the very recent occasion.

Hours went by, the sun was setting. Her head throbbed from the shocking discovery that has plagued in her mind. 'Should I tell this to others?' Hilde wondered but shook her head immediately. She must keep it secret for a while but if someone must know, she wanted to tell her close friend from Bog burglar tribe; Karina. Her first and only friend she has whom she share her stories and secrets with.

'I need to contact with her soon…' Hilde forced herself up and began to walk her way back to the village.

Ignoring insults and backstabbing words from young Vikings, she walked pass Asgard who was surrounded by his 'fangirls'. Hilde decided to not look at them. She glanced at the years ago, what she received were their beatings and hurtful words. She often asked for help, but Asgard didn't budge or just walk away. And she understood why. He never wanted to intervene and get his already busy life irritating because of a village screwup couldn't protect herself. Not even bothering to say hello to Asgard, Hilde made her way home.

Opening the large door slowly, she saw her father Stoick sitting by the fireplace, tapping the small steel hammer on the edge of the shield, reforming the shape. Hilde quietly made her way to the stairs, climbing it until she was stopped in a midway when her name was called out.

"Dad, uhh…," Hilde's eyes wandering everywhere but him until she stood and faced him as she needs to tell him of her change of decision, "I, I have to talk to you…"

Putting the gadgets down, Stoick stood from the chair and turned to his daughter.

"I need to speak with ye, lassie."

Both stood still, until they spoke in same time.

"I've decided not to kill dragons," Hilde said as Stoick announced, "I've decided to put ye in a dragon training."

They paused, glanced at one another.

"Oh, err… ye go first." Stoick said.

"No, dad, your first…" Hilde gestured her arms to him.

"Alright," her father took a deep breath, "Ye get yer wish, Hilde. Dragon Training. Ye start in a morning."

"Oh, I…I should have gone first…," Hilde rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly, "I've been thinking over this, we have like MANY vikings slaying dragons but do we have enough who can be bakers? Or home repairing vikings….?"

But what she earned was a large axe on her hands given by her father. Hilde knew what it means. When the young Vikings had to train in coming of their age, they would carry one of the weapons belonged to their family, or their parents, to symbolize their link of their family clans and that soon their generations would come as they would fight for their tribe.

"Dad, I… I can't kill dragons." She stuttered.

"But you will have to. This is serious, Hilde," Stoick lifted the huge axe effortlessly, "When you carry this axe you carry all of us with you."

She nearly stumbled as he gave her back the axe, but she managed to stood.

"Which means you walk like us, talk like us, and think like us. You will someday become a chief of the tribe."

"Unless I get married and the husband takes the spot." Hilde countered in as-a-matter-of-fact tone.

"…Well, there's no argument about that. But nonetheless, no more of… this." He gestured at her entirely.

"You just gestured to all of me…" She rolled her eyes.

"Deal?" Her father inquired.

'This conversation feels very one-sided,' she thought bitterly before she hesitantly replied, "…deal."

Stoick nodded, gathering his supplies in his basket.

"Good. Train hard. I'll be back," Putting a helmet on his head, he opened the door before shutting it, "probably."

Hilde gazed at the closed door, still holding the axe given by her father. Eyes closed in frustration. It was always the same. Ever since as child, watching Stoick leave the house leaving her sheltered and waiting for his return. But behind that door, she constantly have been facing more than a loneliness; self-doubt, self-resentment, and ostracized by her peers, her people.

"And I'll be here… maybe."

Next day, Hilde went on her way to Dragon Slaying Arena, where the other peers were. Gobber was there by the cage door, opening it up.

"Welcome to the Dragon Training!" The smith, the mentor announced.

Asgard entered first, between him was Snotlout and the twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut. Behind the four was Fishlegs. The blond twins seemed to be excited as Fishlegs looked around, anxious. The arena had five huge steel doors locked as each contained the dragons they will train to slay. The walls above was caged fence heavily secured or in case the dragon attempt to escape.

"No turning back…" Asgard stated to himself. This would be his first step to bring back his family name honor. He's soon to be the head of Hofferson, carrying the burden his family name, a house of hero and one of the founders of the tribe. He would never allow himself to bring further disgrace, nor failure.

"I hope I get some serious burns~!" Tuffnut grinned.

"I'm hoping for some mauling," Ruffnut smirked, "like on my shoulder or lower back..~!"

"Yeah, it's only fun if you get a scar out of it." The fit blonde boy remarked.

"No kidding, right?" Hilde rolled her eyes in sarcasm as the other peers looked back at her, "pain, love it."

"Oh, great. Who let HER in?" Tuffnut almost snarled, gestured his spear at her.

"Let's get started, lads," Gobber called, "the recruit who does best, will win the honor of killing their first dragon in front of the entire village."

"Hilde already killed a Night Fury, so does that disqualify her or…~?" Snotlout snickered as the twins laughed. Tuffnut proceeded the conversation, "Can I be transferred to the class with cool Vikings?"

Hilde proceeded to ignore, either oblivious or not bothering to notice Fishlegs' sympathetic expression. She knew better it wasn't HIS fault to choose to catch up with "cooler" or more better Viking peers than the other who share same interests with himself.

"Behind these doors are a few of the species you will learn how to fight," Gobber began, "Deadly Nadder…"

"Speed; 8, Armor; 16." Fishlegs muttered in anticipation next to Hilde who can hear voice of dragons inside the doors.

"Let me out!" The voice, belonged to the Nadder screeched.

"The Hideous Zippleback…" Gobber gestured to the second door.

"Plus 11 stealth times two…!" Fishlegs continued.

"Get us outta here!" Two voices of Zipplebacks roared, Hilde winced by small amount of headache which she tried to ignore.

"The Monstrous Nightmare."

"Firepower; 15…!"

"Filthy Vikings! GO TO HEL!" Monstrous Nightmare hissed.

"The Terrible Terror."

"Attack; 8, Venom; 12." Fishlegs nearly squealed.

"REVENGE!" The juvenile voice of Terror screamed.

"WOULD YOU STOP THAT?!" Both Hilde and Gobber yelled, in which Fishlegs paused as the dragons stopped screaming.

Hilde noticed odd looks she received from the teens, then pretended she didn't yell and looked away.

"And, the Gronckle." Gobber finished.

"Jaw strength; 8…" Fishlegs whispered to Hilde.

"I'm STARVING!" The low, alto tone of female Gronckle growled.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, WAIT…! Aren't you gonna teach us first?" Snotlout stepped out, anxiety and fear shown from his expression as Hilde inwardly facepalmed.

"I believe in learning on the job~." The smith grinned, pulling the lever down.

The pair of iron door burst open as the wooden locks were carried out from the steel cuffs, revealing the massive female Gronckle dragon. Her body almost equalled the size of her head. Spikes from the back, her tail looked like a mace. All teens scattered as the overweighted dragon hit herself on a wall, but continued to fly as she crunched the rock with her mouth, gluttonous.

"Today is about survival," Gobber announced, "If you get blasted, you're dead!"

'Unless her mouth is stuffed with those rocks…' Hilde snarked in her mind.

"Quick, What's the first thing you're going to need?!" Their mentor questioned.

"A doctor." She replied sarcastically.

"Plus 5 speed?" Fishlegs answered hesitantly.

"A shield!" Asgard stated.

"Shield, go," Gobber instructed as his students went to retrieve their shields, "Your most important piece of equipment is your shield. If you must make a choice between a sword or a shield; take the shield!"

Hilde took the average one as most gotten a well-decorated ones. She almost facepalmed to see the twins argue over one.

"Get your hands off my shield!" Tuffnut scowled.

"There're, like, millions of shields!" Ruffnut hissed angrily.

"Take that one. It has flowers on it, girls like flowers." The older of the twin said dismissively, only to get his head hit by the shield snatched away.

"Oops, now this one has a blood on it." Ruffnut teased.

"GOT YOU!" Gronckle blasted her fire at their shield, caused the twins to collapse.

"Tuff, Ruff, you're out," The smith said, "Those shields are good for another thing! Noise, make lots of it to throw off the dragon's aim!"

The remaining four students did as they were told, slamming their weapon against their shield, making the sounds as the dragon shook her head, confused and disoriented. Gronckle let out a frustrated growl.

"All dragons have a limited number of shots. How many does a Gronckle have?" Gobber inquired again.

"Five…?" Snotlout answered, unsure.

"No, six!" Fishlegs replied confidently, his shield up in enthusiasm.

"Six, that's one for each of you!" Gobber added.

Then, Gronckle fired at Fishlegs' shield, disarming him and caused the burly boy to run around in fear as Gobber called out a second dropout of the day. Snotlout was sucking up on Asgard as usual, obviously since the blonde boy has been confirmed to be the next elite Viking as Hilde's cousin wishes to be like him, or at least being a second-in-command to get credits. However, as the arrogant Jorgenson's shield was blasted while Asgard dodged it swiftly, Snotlout ran off in fright as well leaving just Asgard and Hilde as remained students.

"So…, I guess it's just you and me…?" Hilde asked sheepishly.

"No, just you." Asgard responded as he somersault to the different direction.

Hilde flinched as her shield was blasted by Gronckle's fire.

"I'm still starving…!" The dragon scowled.

"Ever think of diet…?" Hilde managed to comment before the dragon's eyes widen before curiously yet angrily charged at her as the girl ran as fast as she could.

"Hilde!" Gobber watched her run then cornered by the Gronckle.

Hilde was trapped and nowhere to escape. Before the dragon can breath a fire, Gobber was in time to pull the Gronckle back as she blasted fire on a wall close to Hilde.

"And that's six! Go back to bed, ye overgrown sausage!" The smith dragged the upset, overweighted dragon back to the cafe before pulled up the lever, locked the door.

Hilde managed to stand up, still a little bit frightened from nearly get burned just a minute ago.

"Ye'll get another chance, don't ye worry," Gobber assured to the other teenagers, "remember, dragon will always… ALWAYS, go for the kill."

The auburn-haired girl turned her gaze at the burnt wall, Gobber's words stuck in her mind then remembered her last encounter with the Night Fury.

'… so why didn't you…?' She wondered, thinking of the black-scaled dragon.