"I can't believe this. We're banished from the village!"

Hiccup was shocked and confused at the realisation he and his mother were not wanted in Edon.

After being dismissed, he went home, fuming. He replayed what the chief said just an hour ago, and it honest strucked him inside.

Banishment, even if it were just temporary sounded bad. Perhaps just as bad as when he was banished from Berk for befriending a Night Fury.

This time, they were banished for the most senseless reason.

Edon knew who he and his mother were; Berkians.

Well, for three hundred years, that is what the Berkians were. Now that Hiccup showed them the truth about dragons, maybe these Berkians could change.

Maybe they will learn to live harmoniously with dragons.

Only time could tell.

It wasn't fair that the Edonians would immediately accuse Hiccup and his mother as dragon killers.

After living on Edon for a while now, shouldn't the Edonians trust them by now?

"I know this seems unfair," Valka began, "but this banishment is temporary. The chief is just shocked that's all. Give him time to think over. He will eventually come to his senses,"

Hiccup silently cursed to himself. He collapsed on a wooden chair opposite Valka.

An exasperated sigh escaped from his lips.

"They should know by now we're not dragon killers," he shook his head angrily; "They should trust us. They should know us better by now. They should have accepted us, no matter where we're from,"

Valka look at her sympathetically. She had to admit, she was angry at the Edonians for doing this.

When she first came here, the people had welcomed her with open arms.

Valka thought she found a tribe who understood her and would accept her no matter what.

Alas, the people were judgemental towards strangers like her, especially strangers who came from a tribe that hunted down dragons.

Valka could understand Edon wanted to defend themselves against threats. But they were being too narrow-minded; much like the Berkians.

"Believe me, Hiccup. I know," Valka lean over, placing a comforting hand over his, "but you can't blame them for being...too cautious. These people do not easily let strangers live among them,"

Hiccup gently let go of his mother's hand. He stood up, running his fingers through his hair in frustration.

"What prove do they need that we're not killers?" he raised his voice, startling Valka, "Mom, we've lived in Edon for a while now. I thought they...I thought they consider us as one of them now," he let out a crestfallen breath, "Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe these people just can't trust us after all,"

Doubt stabbed Hiccup's heart realising this.

Valka opened her mouth to speak. She was cut off when the door flung open, letting in a gust of wind.

"Hiccup, do you have a minute?"

Hiccup whirled around, his green eyes narrowed at the visitor standing at the door- Gunner.

Right now, Hiccup didn't want to talk to Gunner. He was still hurt that one of his best friends would break a promise- to never tell anybody that he was a Berkian.

Hiccup was also certain Runa was part of this. He never thought his friends would hurt him like this.

"How could you, Gunner?" Hiccup stormed to the door, arms crossed. "I thought I trusted you, but I was wrong,"

Gunner nodded silently. He hung his head low in shame.

"I'm sorry. Runa and I were worried about you while you were gone. Then for some stupid reason...I let your secret slip out. I didn't mean to, Hiccup. It was an acci-''

"Accident or not, the whole village knows about ME; about my mother and me being Berkians. I have no idea what's the deal with you people, but it seems the village of Edon despises people who are-''

"I know, I'm sorry," Gunner looked at Hiccup guiltily, "But you know that Runa, Ingrid, Bjorn and I wouldn't see you any different. We don't care where you're from. We know you, Hiccup. We know you're not a dragon killer,"

Hiccup groaned in frustration.

"No, listen," he fixed his gaze on Gunner sternly, "Mom and I are banished because of you. We've lost all trust and respect from the village. We're outcasts now. We can't associate with anyone right now. I shouldn't even be speaking to you, Gunner,"

Gunner's face faltered. He drew a breath.

"Hiccup, I know things are bleak- and I blame myself for being so stupid to let this happen. But give it time. I can try to convince my dad to cancel your banishment,"

Banishment was the most painful experience Hiccup had to face. He was banished once by his own tribe. Now being banished a second time by people who understood him hurts the most.

Hiccup was conflicted. He wasn't a Berkian anymore, but he wasn't an Edonian either.

He didn't know who he was or what he was.

At least Berk, his old home no longer despised him. At least they've welcomed him and were willing to know about dragons.

The most important thing is his father no longer hated him.

If he weren't welcomed on Edon, maybe Hiccup would need to stay in Berk.

Besides, the Berkians probably needed his help learning more about dragons.

"I...I can't do this," Hiccup turned to grab his basket, filling it with supplies, "I need to be alone,"

The others exchanged worried looks as they watched the brunet head out the door.

Hiccup strapped his basket over his back. He climbed onto Toothless' back, letting out a sigh.

Valka rushed forward, her green eyes filled with worry.

"Son! Where are you going?"

Hiccup turned to his mother, frowning.

"Mom, I need to be alone. Please," he replied, adjusting his riding harness

Valka's green eyes widened.

"Are you sure about this?" she asked, lifting a brow.

Hiccup gave an affirm nod, "We're outcasts. Maybe it's best if we get out of here for a while. Maybe you should also stay in the sanctuary. I mean, Edon isn't a safe place for the both of us right now,"

Valka stared at her son's bright green eyes. She knew he was offering an invitation to come back to Berk with him.

Although she enjoyed reuniting with Stoick and seeing Berk again, Valka still felt weary about staying there, even if it were temporary.

Facing all those people again after abandoning the village for so long made her feel overwhelmed.

Trust wasn't something she had with the Berkians.

"Stay safe, son," Valka declared, placing a hand on Hiccup's hands.

Hiccup gave a wan smile, nodding.

Gunnar looked at Hiccup with guilt in his green eyes. He knew what he did was unforgivable.

What's done is done.

It was up to Gunner to mend this mess. He hoped Hiccup would forgive him one day.

With Hiccup gone, things wouldn't be the same without him.

Gunner wanted to speak, but maybe it wasn't a good idea right now.

Hiccup gave one last look at Gunner before he launched into the air.

~

Hiccup had no idea where he was going. He needed time to escape from his cruel, unjust reality that stung him inside.

Anger gnawed inside him as the Edon chieftain's cold words sliced through his heart like a dagger.

His mind lamented over Gunner, about how he unintentionally let his and his mother's identities slip out. Long before Hiccup resided on Edon, he promised to never reveal his identity as a Viking of Berk to any outsiders. It was risky, especially if these outsiders may have some kind of distrust towards Berkians.

After all, Berk was a nemesis to other tribes, not just dragons.

Hiccup's face scrunched in anger. Pain stabbed through his heart that he couldn't breathe.

The brunet threw his fists in the air, letting out an anguish scream. His blood boiled every time he thought about Edon, about Gunner, about everything that happened an hour ago.

A great adrenaline rush rushed through him, making the boy want to cry, scream and throw away all his pain.

Hiccup's hands latched onto his head, his fingers grabbing handfuls of his auburn brown hair. He wanted to rip off his hair out because right now, he was driving through the road to insanity.

Toothless tilt his head at his rider, his green eyes concerned.

A soft croon from the Night Fury snapped Hiccup out of his insanity.

"I'm sorry, bud," he sighed, gently petting his companion's head, "Everything's a mess. The village doesn't want us now that they know who we are. And..." he lets out a breath, "Well, we're banished. Again,"

The Night Fury whimpered, worried about his rider.

Hiccup smiled, his hand caressing Toothless' midnight scales.

"Well, at least I still have you," he wraps his arms around Toothless, hugging him. "I won't let anything happen to you. If Horas or anyone comes after you, I won't let them lay a hand on you. They can never mess around with either of us or else they won't know what's coming," he paused for a moment, "Great. Now I sound like Gunner. Maybe like Snotlout,"

Hiccup shuddered at mentioning Gunner's name. To him, the Edonian chief's son was a traitor, who chose to betray his own friend.

For the last two years, Hiccup had grown to enjoy Gunner's company, and thought he would be trusted.

Maybe he was wrong.

Toothless crooned happily in response. He gave his rider's hands a slobbery kiss, making Hiccup laugh happily.

The two companions continued soaring through the clouds, clueless where they were heading.

Somewhere far from Edon, that's for sure. Somewhere they could escape from their harsh fate; being outcasts of Edon.

Somewhere they can seek freedom and serenity.

At least temporarily.

Hiccup's mind lingered on his mother. He hoped she would be fine without him after everything both of them went through.

But Hiccup needed this; he needed to be alone to clear his head.

Besides, Valka had her home in the dragon sanctuary. Surely, she could reside there temporarily while both of them were temporarily banished from Edon.

Weeks had passed since Hiccup visited the sanctuary. He supposed the dragons may need her, just in case something happened.

Then again, the sanctuary had the Bewilderbeast to protect its inhabitants.

Still, going there was better than staying on Edon.

As the companions continue to soar, Hiccup's mind suddenly focused on the Isle of Berk.

Ever since he returned to Edon, Hiccup couldn't stop thinking about his village; his peers; his mentor, and his father.

Now that his banishment was void, Hiccup was welcomed again.

The village may have accepted him, but the dragon rider was no longer a Berkian. He made Edon his official home now, at least before this whole banishment incident.

For a place that resembled a utopia, Edon was ironically the opposite; a home where trusting outsiders was an issue, and the people there were just as narrow-minded and stubborn as Berkians.

Since he wasn't welcomed on Edon, Hiccup had nowhere to go except Berk; his birthplace.

Surely his father wouldn't mind him staying longer. Heck, Stoick would probably be thrilled.

Besides, the village were probably still adjusting to their new life living with dragons.

They probably need help, and Hiccup was more than happy to.

"Hey, bud, let's say we head to Berk,"

Toothless tilt his head to the side in confusion. His eyes quickly became slits as a snarl comes out of his mouth.

Hiccup knew his dragon's sudden hesitation; he was afraid of facing those humans again. Humans, who had treated him and his fellow dragons wrongly for the past three centuries.

Grudges were common with dragons; but hopefully they didn't last forever.

It was no surprise the Night Fury possessed a strong resentment towards the Berkians. Letting go of their history of blood and violence was almost difficult.

"Look, I know Berk was...horrible to you, especially my Dad," Hiccup said, his gentle words calming down the Night Fury, "but that's changed. And my dad didn't mean to hurt you back at the ring that day. He was...afraid and misunderstood. They were all afraid and misunderstood. Before I met you, I used to believe you guys were terrifying, and I thought the Vikings were right; you guys were beasts. Boy was I wrong," Hiccup chuckled at the thought of his childhood days, "But everything they knew about you guys is wrong. I just hope they'll finally cha-''

An arrow suddenly sliced through the clouds, missing them both.

Another arrow was fired, followed by another.

Toothless dodged the firing arrows, his body rocking uneasily. His rider latched onto him tightly.

Hiccup glanced around frantically, confused.

"Bud, what's happen-'' he quickly ducked his head as an arrow fired over his head, "-ing? Maybe we should turn ba-''

Toothless let out an agitated roar. His body suddenly begins spiralling out of control as he starts to fall lower and lower towards the dark waters.

Hiccup latched onto his dragon, screaming for dear life. He glanced over at Toothless' tail, his eyes widened at the ripped appendage.

"Toothless, your tail!" Hiccup exclaimed, "Oh, no. This is bad. This is really bad. You can't fly without a broken-''

The brunet lets out a yelp as another arrow fired over his head.

The ocean suddenly collided with them.

Hiccup suddenly slipped off his saddle from the hard impact. His body suddenly began sinking deeper into the dark depths below.

The young Viking struggled, growing short of breath.

Quickly, he swam up the surface as fast as his skinny legs could carry him.

Half blinded by the blurry darkness, Hiccup could faintly make out his surroundings.

Everything became dark, like he was swallowed up in a dark, mysterious abyss.

Once he reached the surface, Hiccup sputtered out sea water. He treaded above water, struggling to keep his head up.

The brunet scanned around for signs of his dragon. He became shortness of breath as Hiccup flail his arms, trying to keep his head above water.

He was losing so much energy.

"Toothless!" Hiccup called, his voice raspy, "Where are you...bud?!"

A familiar roar made Hiccup swivel his body around.

There on a large wooden ship were a group of men in familiar armour made of dragon scales.

Also on the ship was Toothless, who was bind by chains as the men pushed the Night Fury into a cage.

The Night Fury snarled at the men, which earned a punch from its leader.

Horas! Hiccup thought with realisation.

Rage grew inside him as he watched Horas manhandled Toothless.

Part of him wanted to swim up there and rescue Toothless. But he couldn't afford to make such a tactless, bold move. Hiccup knew he needed to be strategic about this.

After all, Horas was relentless as well as a cunning dragon hunter. He was capable of anything.

Fatigue stuns his body as Hiccup continued treading through the water. His body was losing so much oxygen and strength that he felt he was going to pass out.

Black dots suddenly appeared in his fading vision.

Numbness took over him as Hiccup's body sunk beneath the waters below.

As his head disappears beneath the waters, a hand latched onto his flailing arm, hauling his weight to the surface.