A/N: Whew! I finally finished another chapter. You guys are really great, and a huge shout out to all of my reviewers. You guys have really inspired me. This wouldn't be half the story it is if it weren't for your suggestions.

Disclaimer: Still don't own HTTYD, although I do own the new OC in this chapter.

Hiccup woke up early the next morning, and gazed around him at the dreary metal cell. He had slept well, but the throbbing in his shoulder had awoken him. Astrid stirred.

"How are you doing?" Hiccup asked.

"Pr' good," she mumbled. They both sat up as quickly as possible, when they heard the doors to the arena being opened. A small boy entered, and walked over to Hiccup and Astrid. Using a small ring of keys, he opened their cell, and entered.

I'm sorry," the boy apologized. "Did I wake you up?"

"No," Hiccup quickly reassured him. "But who are you?"

"My name is Mishap," the boy responded. "I brought you guys some bread, and some fish." Mishap held out his hands offering the teens the food. They accepted eagerly, not forgetting to thank him.

"I also brought water, and something to fix the girl's leg with," Mishap said. "I don't know your name, sorry," he added.

"I'm Astrid," she smiled. "And that's Hiccup," she pointed to her friend.

"I know Hiccup," Mishap exclaimed happily. "Just about everyone knows Hiccup." The younger boy looked at Hiccup. "I wish I could train dragons, just like you do," he frowned. "But my daddy says that first you have to hurt them before they will respect you. I don't like hurting them though, so he said that I can't work with them. Not until I decide I'm ready to start whipping them. But I'll never ever hurt a dragon. They're too pretty, and they can be your best friend. Right Hiccup?"

"Yeah," Hiccup smiled at the young boy. "What did you bring for Astrid's leg?"

"This," he held up a crude splint made from wood. "I stole it from the first aid house." Hiccup grabbed it. He knew what to do, since he had taken a basic first aid class from Gothi. That had been interesting to say the least, but at least Gobber had been there to interpret. Hiccup looked into Astrid's eyes.

"I know," she said, before he spoke. "Just do what you have to do." Two minutes later, Hiccup was finished. Astrid was breathing heavily, and covered in sweat.

"Here, drink," Hiccup handed her the flask of water. She took a long gulp, and handed it back. All three Vikings jumped when the cell door swung open. Alvin stood in the doorway, towering over them.

"What are you doing in 'ere, Mishap?" Alvin hissed.

"I-I just brought them s-some food, a-and s-some water," Mishap was shaking. Alvin grabbed the young boy's arm, and jerked him to a stand. He slapped Mishap's cheek.

"Please don't hurt me, daddy," the boy cried, as a welt arose on his cheek. "I just wanted to help them. I'm sorry daddy. I-I won't do it again," he sniffed.

"Get out of here, and if I ever see you near them again so help me I'll…" he flashed a whip dangerously close to Mishap's face. "You remember how it felt last time, don't you?" he said, still gripping the boy's arm tightly. Mishap nodded, fearfully. "Well, you're older now, so it'll hurt even more. Remember, you get ten lashes for each year. That means this time you'll get eighty lashes." he released the boy's arm, and Mishap ran out of the cell, a tear running down his face. Hiccup was boiling mad. The thought that Mishap had ever been hurt by Alvin, who was his father, to boot… he shook his head.

"I must apologize for my son's behavior," Alvin smiled. "He knows better than to intrude upon my guest's privacy."

"Your son, deserves a better father," Hiccup scowled. Alvin simply threw back his head and laughed.

"Well, time for me to pay a little visit to my dragon," he said. Alvin exited the cell, then went across the arena. An Outcast threw open the door to Shadow's cell, and the dragon came running out. Alvin tried to control the dragon, cracking his whip down on its back, but Shadow was angry. He lashed out with his tail, all but knocking Alvin to the took five Outcasts to drag the dragon back to his cell. Angrily, Alvin stormed across the arena, reentering Hiccup and Astrid's cell. Pulling Hiccup to a stand, he tied the boy's wrists together to the bars of the cell.

"You failed to train that dragon," Alvin seethed. "Tell me, boy, how old are you?"

"Sixteen," Hiccup said.

"Let's see," Alvin thought for a moment. "Sixteen times ten… that's 160. 160 lashes as punishment. That sounds about right to me."

"160 lashes?" Astrid gasped. "Alvin you'll kill him!"

"Would you like to split it with him? That would make it eighty lashes each."

"No, Astrid," Hiccup frowned. "I'll be fine." She knew this was a lie, but at the moment, had no strength to argue with him.

"Okay," she said, forcing the quiver out of her voice. She had barely spoken, when Alvin's whip sliced through the air, making vicious contact with Hiccup's back. It came down a second, and a third time, and she looked away. After thirty lashes, Hiccup stopped keeping track, and started just focusing on breathing, and staying conscious. Again and again the whip fell, until all of Hiccup's back was on fire. Finally, after what seemed like an hour, the whip cracked down a final time, and Alvin cut Hiccup loose. Hiccup fell to the ground, world spinning.

"You're lucky," Alvin whispered. "I stopped at 120." He turned and left the cell, chuckling sinisterly.


Stoick stood at the bow of the ship, as angry winds, and icy rain whipped around him. A huge wave crashed over the side of the boat, almost washing him out to sea. Gobber walked over to his friend.

"Come on," he said. You can't see more that five feet ahead of you in this storm. Besides, you should eat something." Stoick sighed. "I know you're worried about your son, but we'll find him. It won't do you any good to starve yourself."

"You're right, Gobber," Stoick sighed again. "I guess I'll come eat something." Please be all right, he said to himself. I'm coming for you son.

As Always: Review!