Hiccup's POV

"So let me get this straight, you were besties with Freya in navigation class years ago."

"Yep."

"And this was before we stopped the war with dragons."

"Yep."

"And someone we can maybe trust thinks that maybe someone who wants to kill all of us might know a potential solution to this condition."

"Yeah, that's about it."

I sighed. The chances didn't look good, but a chance to save Fanghook couldn't be ignored. Toothless crooned slightly, nuzzling my hand. Relaxing, I patted his head, before looking back up at Gustav.

"Do you think we can trust her, Gustav? Honestly, please," I asked.

Instantly his gaze dropped from mine to the floor. When he did glance up, his eyes held fear.

"I know it might feel like betrayal to your friend, but we have to be careful here. You didn't know she was a Grimborn, then. For all we know she could be with Ryker. People change," I pressed.

Gustav shuffled slightly. "I know, Hiccup. But I don't think she is. I mean, maybe it could be a trap, but why would she do that?"

"Let's be theoretical for a moment, here. Presuming she is in fact working with Ryker, what would she do? She would damage our resoures, give him the Dragon Eye 'by accident'," I did the quotation marks, "and then lure us into a trap."

Gustav looked horrified.

I continued. "The fact that she knew you is the cherry on top. A false sence of security, if you like." Pausing, I looked at Gustav. He seemed shocked - maybe even a little confused. Sure, my logic probably could've been just coincidence, but it's unlikely.

"Maybe, Hiccup. But she was my best friend, when I didn't have many. Too busy pretending to be Snotlout. I don't... she wouldn't betray us like that..."

"I hope not. Let's get back to Berk, find some more dragon nip, and try to find a solution to Fanghook's 'instinct'."

Nodding, Gustav hopped onto Fanghook, stroking his dry scales lovingly. Without another word, we took off for Berk.

While we flew, Gustav slightly behind me, I couldn't help but wonder. What exactly had happened to Fanghook? Clearly this had gone on before Freya was here, so she coudn't have poisoned him. If she was telling the truth, then maybe it was some sort of 'alpha' instinct? Could it be that male nightmares challenge their alpha when coming of age to be sure the pack is the strongest it can be?

As if understanding my thoughts, Toothless purred slightly. Having defeated the Red Death, and being a night fury, Toothless was respected and followed by most of the dragons on Berk. But he couldn't fly.

Fanghook is a large monstrous nightmare, with incredible firepower, who had trained for years. If this instinct kicked in, his actions would be quick and fury-filled.

A battle with these two would surely be brutal.

I hope my logic is wrong.

*

"Aaarrgh!" someone yelled to our right. Gustav and I turned, touching down on the land near my hut.

"That no-good scrawny daughter of a half-troll rat-eating urrgh!" Astrid shouted, hurling an axe into the ground.

"Woah woah woah Astrid!"

She breathed heaily before glaring at me.

I slid off Toothless. "What happened?"

Her face contorted with anger. "Snotlout and Fishlegs are missing - and Freya and her cloak have vanished!"

I felt sick.

Beside me, Gustav paled. "You don't mean that she could - y'know - one by one?"

Yanking her axe from the ground, Astrid sighed. "Yes. Everyone needs to be on high alert until we catch her. I sent a terror mail to Heather about it as well," she explained.

I clenched my fists. How could I have been so stupid? Of course she was trying to trick us! Why would Ryker want to imprison us anyway? Except for Toothless, he had hundreds of dragons like ours; he would rather kill us and be done with it.

Anger boiled in my veins. We gave her a chance and this is what happens.

Wait. If Fishlegs and Snotlout are just 'missing' they could still be alive, out there and needed help.

"We have to search for them! What if they're alive?"

Nodding, Astrid called for Stormfly.

"We better get started then."

Gustav was frozen, his jaw clenched.

"I'm going to rally up the A-team. Meet you up there," he called as he flew off.

He didn't look back.

*

"Snotlout!"

"Fishlegs!"

"Guys?"

I groaned, laying flat on Toothless' back. By now it was late noon, the sun preparing to set, but there had been no trace of anyone.

Sighing, I sat up.

There was no point in just lying down - that wouldn't help.

Cold spray nipped at my skin as we flew. Toothless' sharp eyes scanned the waves beneath us for any trace of them, yet came out naught. Frustrated, I stared at the horizon.

There were a small pack of dragons coming towards us. Maybe four, or five?

"Let's get a closer look bud," I whispered. Grunting in agreement, Toothless gained altitude. Grabbing my spyglass, I could just make out some shapes.

There was a gronkle, a large dragon, and three smaller ones behind, all flying towards us. Most of them were red.

Hope sparked in my chest. What if it was them?

With a burst of speed, we reached the group very quickly.

"Hey Hiccup!" Fishlegs called.

"Fishlegs? Snotlout? Thank the gods that you're here!"

"Yeah, why wouldn't we be?" Snotlout asked, pushing forwards.

Relief flooded over me as if a dam had just been opened.

"Wait - where's Freya? And her cloak? And why are there three changewings following you?"

"I'm here!" she called, but I couldn't see where. "On one of the changewings. Let me just-" there was a short scuffle before she was visible.

Knowing that everyone was here and seemingly unharmed, my worry disipated. It was replaced by anger and disappointment.

"Care to explain where you guys went? And oh I don't know, why there are three very agressive and dangerous dragons following you?!"

Snotlout whistled quietly. Fishlegs made some rough hand jestures as words failed him. Freya sighed.

"Fishlegs wanted me to show him how I tamed Swiftstrike," she explained calmly. "I use my cloak and show the dragons that we aren't so different."

I made sure to not forgot how to train changewings.

Freya continued, "We brought some back to see if acid made anything new in the Dragon Eye Two."

I groaned, glancing at Fishlegs. "And you didn't think to tell me? Or anyone where you were going? Instead you two-" I glared at Snotlout," just disappear, laeving us to assume that Freya had killed you?!"

There was a stony silence.

Looking like she'd been shot, Freya froze.

"Just get back to Berk and explain to my father, I'm going to go call off the search. And don't do somthing like this again," I threatened as I shot off.

My emotions were a jumbled mess. I'd forgotten how stressful dealing with the Dragon Hunters and leading the Riders could be.

Fishlegs and Snotlout were completely unharmed - which was great news. We knew where Freya was, so she wasn't as much of a looming threat. However, there was still a sting of betrayal. Why hadn't they told anyone? Anyone at all?

But I was also curious. Now there were trained changewings on Berk, which could lead to something new in the Dragon Eye!

Cold grabbed my gut. Freya had trained them. They would listen to her. If she was with Ryker, then all it would take is a moment and all of Berk would be under fire! Not to mention she could easily slip out.

The risks were too great.

But I had to give her the benefit of the doubt.

*

It didn't take long for the good news to spread.

Gustav, in particular, looked elated. His faith had been restored, and was now flying on my flank. Curiostiy had gotten the better of us: we needed to know if the changewing acid led anything knew in the Dragon Eye.

"I knew it Hiccup! Of course she didn't attack them! And now we might find some sort of changewing breeding ground, or maybe a titan-wing island!"

Smirking slightly, I glanced at Gustav. "True, true. I never thought you would ever, ahem, 'geek out'."

His cheeks redened. "Well, I have to do something with my spare time, y'know..."

I paused. This seemed very out of character - or at least, until rather recently.

"How's Fanghook?" I asked, immediately regretting it as I killed the mood.

Gustav's face fell. "Um, alright. He's settled a bit, but whatever it is hasn't gone. Let's speed up and get to the Great Hall quicker," he rushed, flying faster.

Pushing away any guilt, I followed.

As we reached the Great Hall, we could hear voices inside. Silently, we pushed open the doors and walked inside.

It was busy All the Dragon Riders we're here, as well as several familiar visiting Berserkers and some I didn't immediately recognise. There were also Heather's applicants. Everyone was watching, whispering, as Freya - wide eyed - stroked one of the changewings at the front.

"Ah, Hiccup! Get over here boy!" Gobber called, waving his metal hook in my direction.

Forcing a surprised fake smile, I walked through the crowd.

"We were just waiting for ye, Fishlegs here was certain that you had to see anything it projected first."

"Thanks," I whispered, but in the quiet everyone heard.

"O-okay, I'm going to ask him to prepare to make acid but not fire," Freya stuttered.

I couldn't help but stare. This was the first time I had seen Freya vulnerable or afraid - maybe public speaking was a weak point? Pushing the random thoughts to the back of my mind, I nodded.

Instantly an eery green glow illuminated the scene. The Dragon Eye Two shone, white marks projected onto the wall.

There was ancient script surrounding a large changewing in the middle. Smaller ones could be seen around the edges, but the one in the centre had eyes that seemed to follow. This was new, and I looked at Fishlegs grinning.

Fishlegs 'hm'ed slightly. The air was thick as we all watched his eyes widen and focus. After a moment , he cleared his throat.

"I think that this is describing some sort of special ability changewings possess. Based on the eyes and rough translations, I believe that..." he paused, as if stuck on phrasing.

"You believe that-" I pressed.

"That this is the secret to changewing hypnosis."

Everyone stiffened.

Eyes narrowing, Freya stepped forwards. "Hey, that's Swiftstrike in the middle!"

***

Future plot points coming forwards... can you predict what's going to happen?

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