Chapter 9:

Back on Outcast Island, Hiccup heard heavy footsteps coming down the hallway and wondered if they would feed him now. He hadn't eaten or drank anything for a day now, and his rumbling stomach and dry throat were heartily disapproving.

A torch light could be seen lighting up the hallway, and then Alvin came into view, grinning. "Ye ready, Hiccup? The dragons are waiting for ye," he said, taunting him.

Hiccup glared at the Outcast leader, but that didn't stop Alvin from unlocking the cell door, detaching Hiccup's chains from the wall and dragging him to their dragon arena.

Alvin gave Hiccup one last hard push into the arena, then called for his men to crank the door down so Hiccup couldn't escape. When the heavy door had slammed into place, Hiccup heard Alvin chuckle to himself and walk away, probably heading to his special place high above the arena so he could watch Hiccup train the dragons.

Hiccup glanced once at the door keeping him in the arena, which had bars twice the thickness of his entire body, and concluded that he wan't escaping out that way. He turned away and looked at the various dragon pens, wincing at the scars on their skin and how thin they were. He jumped at the sound of a dragon pen door opening behind him, and turned to see what dragon they would make him train. Hiccup peered into the darkness, waiting for the dragon to jump out. He saw nothing, until...

A shadow became a Whispering Death that roared and flew at Hiccup, only to be stopped by Hiccup's outstretched hand with his head turned away and his eyes closed. He was telling the dragon, I'm trusting you with my life. Please trust yours to me.

The Whispering Death paused, and then Hiccup felt it gently put its head into his palm. He cringed slightly and then looked up at the dragon, walking slowly forward. He had come up with a plan in his cell while Alvin was gone: he would train the first dragon Alvin gave him, then fly it out through one of the holes in the arena's ceiling and escape. He kept walking until he was close enough to jump on the dragon's back, which he did, causing the Whispering Death to rear up and start flying in circles around the arena, startled by the sudden weight on its back. Hiccup knew it was never good to startle a dragon, but he'd had no choice if he wanted to surprise Alvin.

Hiccup told the dragon quietly to calm down and that it would be alright in a confident voice, causing it to stop its frantic circling and hover in the middle of the arena. Then Hiccup said, "Ok, bud. Let's get out of here." The Whispering Death seemed to understand Hiccup and started flying upwards, to freedom.

However, before dragon and rider could escape, three bolas came out of nowhere and flew at the pair. Two missed their target, but the last one tangled itself in the dragon's wings, effectively grounding the Whispering Death's as it fell back to Earth, Hiccup gripping its back tightly so as not to fall off. He couldn't believe his plan hadn't worked! And now Hiccup couldn't try it again because Alvin would be careful next time. They finally hit the ground, the Whispering Death roaring at the Outcasts who surrounded it before tunnelling into the rock, leaving a gaping hole. Just before Hiccup could fall into the open space beneath his feet, he felt a big hand grab the back of his tunic and haul him up.

Alvin stared daggers at Hiccup when he set him back on the ground, growling dangerously before yelling, "You think you're smart, eh? No more funny business, Hiccup! Or else." This last part he added in a threatening whisper. Hiccup felt himself cower at the tone, no matter how hard he tried not to. Alvin seemed pleased that he had scared Hiccup because he only punched him in the face twice and kicked him in the stomach once before leaving him clutching his abdomen on the ground, saying over his shoulder, "Lock him up and don't give him food or water for two more days."

At this command, some Outcast men hurried up and dragged Hiccup back to his cell, removing his prosthetic before doing so and kicking him into the dark room. They laughed at their trick, knowing Hiccup couldn't walk without it, and left. Hiccup only curled up in a corner and ignored them, distracting himself from the pain by thinking of Toothless, Astrid, his father and Beck.


A day later, Beck finally arrived on Outcast Island, completely exhausted. She collapsed on the beach, having never felt so tired as she did now. She barely managed to drag her tired body to a nearby cave before falling into a deep sleep.