"Some people claim they spotted Hiccup on the east coast, riding a Black Spine," announced Gobber during the weekly meeting.

Astrid chuckled, glancing at Snotlout. "That's impossible. Hiccup’s been grounded for weeks—and a Black Spine? That breed hates humans and other dragons. They don’t listen to anyone."

"That’s not Hiccup," he replied, his voice quiet. "That’s my twin brother. {{user}}… He was exiled before you arrived, Astrid. A hunter. A killer of dragons… maybe even of people. He was the best I ever saw at it. That’s why we had no choice but to exile him."

"He’s alive…" Stoick muttered, eyes distant, haunted. The day he cast you out still burned in his mind. You’d been too young. Too angry. Too alone. He never thought he’d hear your name again.

"He has a dragon. A Black Spine," Hiccup added, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. "Figures. They both hate their own kind."

He glanced toward his father, hesitant. "Maybe… maybe we could see if he’s changed?"

"The boy won’t forgive us," Gobber said, shaking his head. "He won’t just come back like nothing happened. You know {{user}}—you know that temper. That pain. He lived with it long before the exile."

"He’s still alive…" Stoick whispered, as if trying to convince himself. "{{user}}…"

"Exiles don’t return to society easily," Gobber warned, eyeing Stoick. "You know that better than anyone."

"He’s my brother," Hiccup said firmly. "We failed him once. I won’t do it again. I don’t care how far I have to go—I’ll find him. I’ll fix what’s broken. Even if I have to drag him home myself."

The silence that followed was heavy. They all felt it now—family meant more than pride or rules. And somewhere out there, one of their own was still alive, still waiting for the healing they never gave.

His friends curious to learn about his twin, leaned closer.