Hey peeps. Have a chapter.

Shout-outs! (Btw, thanks to all who take the time to review. ANYONE WHO WRITES A REVIEW GETS A VIRTUAL COOKIE.)

katurdi: Awww! Thanks, I love writing whump. And Krogan... ah yes, that will be interesting. *chuckles sinisterly*

Gray Marie: Yeah, the commentary was pretty fun to write.

Varghul: Thanks! I'm glad you like it!

Dimensional Phaser: I know, right?

Disclaimer: I'm pretty sure I don't own HTTYD... right? I feel like the whole world would know.

Hiccup: No you don't. Just like you don't own me and Toothless.

Toothless: *growls threateningly at Elena*

Elena: Please don't hurt me.

Astrid: YOU KIDNAPPED HICCUP

Elena: Well, yes, but-

Astrid: YOU BROUGHT ALVIN BACK

Elena: I can explain-

Astrid: DIE YOU SON OF A HALF-TROLL-

Elena: I'm not a 'son' of anything, Hofferson.

Astrid: *flushes angrily*

Hiccup: Elena, back away slowly.

Elena: Why...?

Hiccup: No one gets away with that tone with Astrid.

Toothless: *hides*

Chapter Four

Revenge

Hiccup was suddenly aware of how helpless he was right now. He wouldn't be able to do a thing in defense if the men decided they wanted to take out their anger on him; Hel, he probably wouldn't even be able to say a word in protest.

Still glaring bitterly at the Berkian heir, Savage took a step towards him. "You," he hissed, resting a hand on the handle of his axe. "You're lucky Viggo Grimborn wants ya alive and is willing to pay fer ya, or I'd wring your little neck."

Hiccup let out a tiny sigh of relief. For once, he was mildly grateful for the bounty… it was probably the only reason he was alive right now.

"'Course, the poster didn't specify that he was supposed to be unharmed," commented another Outcast.

Savage paused, looking confused. Hiccup could imagine the henchman's mind trying to comprehend the meaning of that statement, and he almost cracked a smile. Almost. The gag kind of prevented that.

Suddenly Savage's face lit up, and Hiccup assumed that meant he had figured it out. "So we don't have to leave him alone?" the Outcast questioned, and Hiccup once again wondered how the man had ever risen to be Alvin's second-in-command. Savage had the approximate intelligence of the twins' pet yak.

The other man grinned. "Nope."

As one the eight Outcasts turned towards their prisoner. Hiccup felt his blood run cold as he realized what was happening. Eyes widening, he shrank back against the side of the boat, no longer caring about showing his fear, only concerned about the beating he was sure to get.

Savage seized Hiccup roughly by the collar and dragged the boy to his feet. Hiccup's heart pounded and he struggled helplessly in the Outcast's grip. "Not so tough without yer Night Fury, are ya?" Savage hissed menacingly. "Now you'll get what's comin' to ya…"

Hiccup knew there was no way out of this. Stiffening, he glared straight into Savage's eyes, silently telling himself, Better me than my friends. They can do whatever they like to me, but I'll still win in the end.

Savage chuckled harshly and flung his prisoner to the ground. As his bruised ribs smashed into the wood planks of the deck, Hiccup felt the air leave his lungs in a rush. Before he had time to recover, however, a booted foot slammed into his exposed stomach.

As he tried in vain to protect himself, blows rained down on him from all directions. He felt ribs snap, hearing the sickening sound of the bones breaking; his arms and legs going limp as the muscles were abused. At some point his gag slipped off and his loud, pained cries, torn from his raw throat, echoed off the water. Tears of pain seeped through his eyelids and he hid his face from view, ashamed of his utter vulnerability.

It seemed to go on for hours, but then a sharp voice rang out across the deck. "Oi! Cut it out!"

Instantly his assailants backed away, and Hiccup was left a gasping, bloody mess on the deck. He drew his knees up to his chest, trembling from head to toe as pain lingered in every part of his body. He felt vaguely grateful for the interruption.

"I leave fer five minutes, and it all goes ta Hel!" grumbled the voice of Alvin.

Five minutes since Alvin had left? The beating had only lasted minutes? Hiccup could've sworn it had been longer than that.

Gods, it hurt. He thought he might have a dislocated elbow from having the joint kicked repeatedly, but he wasn't sure. He felt warm, sticky liquid streaming down his face from a shallow cut below his hairline, and saw that some of the blows to his arms and legs had broken the skin and the cuts were also trickling blood.

"Sorry, sir," replied Savage, and the rest of the Outcasts mumbled their own replies.

"The boy's supposed ta be brought to the Dragon Hunters alive, idiot!" said Alvin, sighing. "I'm surprised 'e 'asn't passed out already. What'd 'e do ta you lot?"

Savage scoffed. "He's humiliated us time and time again, Alvin!" he declared angrily. "He got what 'e deserved."

Silence fell and Hiccup found himself silently pleading Alvin not to let the beating continue. He didn't think he could handle any more. Through blurry eyes, he saw the form of the Outcast looming over him.

Alvin sighed. "I guess yer right, but leave 'im alone. Can't risk 'im not makin' it through the night. Now get back ta work, all of ye."

The Outcasts dispersed, returning to their duties. Hiccup breathed a shaky sigh of relief, then froze as he felt Alvin lift him up. Helpless, he awaited another blow, but then he felt the ropes on his arms loosen and fall to the ground. His cramped muscles screamed in protest as they were finally allowed to move, and Hiccup paused uncertainly, not sure what was happening.

"Can't have yer arms fallin' off, I suppose," Alvin mattered gruffly, forcing Hiccup's wrists in front of his body and tying them once more, all the while ignoring the boy's pained whimper as his injured elbow was aggravated. After a moment he relaxed, leaning against the side of the boat and panting.

Alvin eyed him, then scowled. "Don't cause any more trouble among my men." To emphasize his point he drove his fist into Hiccup's gut. "Got it?"

Hiccup wheezed as he tried to suck air back into his lungs, then took several deep breaths. "…Loud and clear," he rasped.

Then he was alone once more.

Exhaustion swept over him and a few stray tears slid down his cheeks. Hiccup hadn't cried in years, not since before he'd found Toothless, back when Snotlout and the twins had used to bully him. Since then, he'd become the warrior that no one had ever thought he could become. He was strong, powerful. For Thor's sake, he rode a Night Fury! It shouldn't have been so easy for him to break.

But he was alone.

His friends weren't here; they didn't even know where he was or why he had been taken. If any of the other riders were here right now, they would be supporting him. Comforting him.

He mentally scolded himself- Remember why you didn't say anything. They're safe now, and no one will lay a hand on them.

He curled into himself, lying huddled in his corner. Eventually, he gave in to his exhaustion.

Sorry y'all... I had to do it...

Astrid: YOU DID WHAT?!

Toothless: *growls*

Stoick: HOW DARE YOU

Fishlegs: Meatlug, get her!

Snotlout: Hookfang, make 'er pay!

Ruff and Tuff: BLOW HER TO HELHEIM!

Heather: *charges screaming at the top of her lungs*

Hiccup: I... I don't even know what to say.

Elena: Please don't hurt me. *flees*

Astrid: GET BACK HERE YOU LITTLE-

Hiccup: Astrid, no- *sighs* And she's gone

Toothless: *snarls*

Stoick: That's right Toothless. She does deserve it.

Elena: *screams in distance*