In the past few years, Astrid has met a lot of people. Most of them were chiefs of their islands. Some were commoners. And she can remember a lot of their names and faces. But never has she seen Viggo and Ryker Grimborn. They don't look familiar to Astrid at all. But she can tell that they are dangerous people. She just wishes she was free from this cage because she would love to punch Viggo's smug look right off his face.

"What do you want with us," Astrid says, glaring at Viggo.

"Believe it or not, you all are very important to me at the moment." He says calmly. "And I know that you have left your island, desperately seeking answers you were promised. Although it seems that that has not happened. But trust me when I say that I can give you those answers."

Snotlout walks forward, glaring harshly at Viggo, though it doesn't seem to deter the latter, not that Astrid expected it to. "Oh yeah? And why would we trust you? You kidnapped us and you are being all mysterious. And we don't even know you."

"Yeah," Tuffnut pipes in, "And how do you know what we were doing out here in the first place? Kinda suspicious if you ask me..." He says as he strokes an imaginary beard.

"I agree, brother. It is all very suspicious," Ruffnut says, giving Tuffnut a contemplating look.

Viggo frowns at them, his patience seems to be waning. "I understand that we didn't meet under the best of circumstances, and I take full blame for it. But understand that everything I am doing is completely necessary for the good of the archipelago. And you five just so happen to be very important to my plan," Viggo sighs and a malicious gleam shines in his eyes. Astrid feels a chill run down her spine.

Viggo turns to Ryker and he gives him a gesture. Ryker nods and he walks out of the room. Viggo turns back to the teens. "Now, for your cooperation, I am willing to tell you everything that you have come so far to know." Astrid narrows her eyes at Viggo. She knows she shouldn't trust him. He has made it very obvious why they can't. She dreads what he could possibly make them do.

"I hope you are aware of an assassin that has been targeting chiefs. And I am more than glad to admit that I am the one who had found him and trained him to be how he is today. But you may be thinking: what reason would you have that would cause me to send an assassin to chiefs on local islands?" Viggo says, a smug look on his face.

Ruffnut interrupts Viggo before he can start talking again, "Because you're a psychopath?"

"Don't you mean a sociopath?" Snotlout corrects.

Tuffnut turns to Snotlout, frowning, "No Snotface. A sociopath is a person who is typically diagnosed as being antisocial. They disregard all feelings of others, have no remorse or shame, and are manipulative. They are often thought to have little to no conscience; they do, however, have a conscience, but it's very weak.

"On the other hand, a psychopath is also diagnosed with being antisocial. And unlike a sociopath with a weak conscience, a psychopath has no conscience. They are often a pathological liar, have superficial charm, cunning and manipulative, lack remorse and guilt, and are very callous. And they also have a very violent social and physical behavior."

"You are very wise, brother," Ruffnut proudly states.

"Thank you, sister."

"Enough!" Viggo shouts, silencing any further comment. Astrid swears to Thor that she can see a vain about to pop from Viggo's forehead in anger. She smirks, amused.

Viggo takes a second to compose himself before he speaks, "As I was saying. I sent my assassin to those islands when I caught word that the chiefs had allied themselves with Berk. It had occurred to me that the more allies Berk gained, the more powerful they would become. So I sought to end this reign of power.

"However, a few days ago, I had sent my assassin to take care of Dagur the Deranged. He has always threatened my work and I. And with how unpredictable he was; I thought I would finally be able to take him out." Viggo's eyes light up in anger, "But my assassin failed me. He failed at killing that fool.

"So every time my assassin got compromised or became too independent, I would forcefully wipe him. He forgets who he was before I found him and he only remembers who he is now: an assassin that follows my every order and won't hesitate to kill. But something has changed. And I don't know how to fix it."

Ryker walks back into the room, a tall and lean figure in black leather armor following behind him. A mask covers the bottom portion of his face and a hood is pulled over his head, blocking the upper part of his face. Astrid doesn't need an introduction to know that that is the infamous assassin.

Viggo smirks at the Rider's dumbfounded expressions. "I assume you all can guess who this man is," He says, gesturing to the assassin. "I found a scrawny boy on a pathetic island five years ago. I saw potential in him that I knew nobody cared to see in him. So I took him from the island and trained him to be an assassin. He has proved his worth and I know I can trust him to get any job done without fail. But he proved me wrong when he let Dagur live. So I sent him back out to finish the job, but he disappointed me yet again. I started questioning his loyalty in me and everything we are doing.

"I had also gotten word from a loyal companion, and he told me that you five were residing on Berserker island. Seeing an opportunity to move on with my plan, I took it and ordered my companion to bring you here. I knew I could use you to help prove my assassin's loyalty to me, but after the recent wiping, I learned some valuable information." He smirks as he looks over the worried dragon riders.

"But before I say what that valuable piece of information is, I think it's best to reintroduce to you an old friend." He turns to the assassin, who hasn't moved an inch since he entered the room and lowered the hood and mask.

They all gasps when they see who was hiding behind the mask. Astrid feels her heart stop as she stares into Hiccup's empty eyes. They are still as beautiful as they were five years ago, although, she notices that one eye is significantly cloudier than the other. She takes in all the scars, the one taking over half his face makes already forming tears well up in her eyes. Astrid walks closer to the cage doors, reaching out to Hiccup, desperately hoping for him to smile his dorky yet adorable smile at her. But his blank expression doesn't change.

"Hiccup," Snotlout says, voice shaking. From that one word alone, Astrid can tell that he is choking up.

"Is that really Hiccup?" Fishlegs chokes out. Astrid emphasizes with him, feeling as if this is all a dream.

All she knew of Hiccup after the fight with the Red Death is that he sacrificed himself for a village who didn't except him as one of their own. And with the little time she spent with him on friendly terms, she felt things for him that she never thought she could feel for anyone. And it scared her. But what scared her most is when they thought Hiccup dead, and Astrid would never get a second chance with him.

Astrid is broken out of her thoughts by Snotlout shoving himself up to the cage door, fury coursing through his veins. "What in Thor's name did you do to my cousin?" He bellows at Viggo. Astrid thinks the others can relate in saying that she is beyond surprised by how angered Snotlout is from seeing Hiccup in Viggo's grasp.

Snotlout had never cared about Hiccup when they were little. He was his main antagonizer throughout their childhood and into their teen years. And Snotlout may have confronted his actions towards Hiccup to Astrid, but Astrid never thought that Snotlout would ever become so infuriated over someone harming Hiccup.

Viggo doesn't startle at Snotlout's outburst; he only grins in response, "Calm yourself, Snotlout. I only did what was strictly necessary. And breaking his strong will was absolutely necessary for my plan to succeed." Viggo walks away from Hiccup and closer to the cage. Astrid prays to Thor for Viggo to take two more steps so she can throttle the man.

"I eventually was able to get him to the point where he would bend at will, but something still held him back from completely snapping. And until recently, I didn't know what it was," Viggo turns to look at Astrid; she glares back at him, "But now I know.

"It's you, Astrid."

Astrid's face turns red in anger. "If you think for a second that I'll-" Viggo halts her by holding up his hand.

"Now now, none of that. I haven't finished. And I think it would be wise if you let me speak," Nobody says anything, knowing it wouldn't help their situation, "I know that if I were to leave you alone with your dear friend Hiccup, you would try to break through to him. Draw him back to your side. But unfortunately, you are too late. But to move forward, I need something of you. And you will comply if you know what is good for you, Hiccup, and his pet dragon."

Toothless.

He is still alive.

"I know how much Hiccup means to each and every one of you. Especially you Astrid. And that's why we have to break this connection." Astrid hates the implication in his voice; whatever comes next could potentially break them all down.

"But I'll give you all a choice. Because of your bond, Astrid will fight against Hiccup. If you are the last one standing, then you and you're friends can go free. But you will live with the guilt of killing the one you love most.

"Or if Hiccup bests you, then the rest of your friends will be killed, along with his pet." He says 'pet' as if it disgusts him. Well, Viggo disgusts Astrid and she would love nothing more than to sock him right in his face.

Viggo continues before anyone can interrupt, "You can not save Hiccup. He is too far gone now. But you can still save yourselves."