Part 21 Not Over Yet!

Inside Hiccup's hut, Viggo was still holding Hiccup to keep him from breathing until the lines on his leg were completely gone. The boy had done very well in controlling his urge to breath until the last few lines were finally disappearing. He wiggled but wrapped both of his arms around his chest over Viggo's arm so he didn't pull the hand off of his face and breath. The pain from his cut was no longer enough to keep his mind occupied and the pressure in his head and chest was just too great. His body needed air but he knew if the lines weren't gone that would be one of his last breaths. After six minutes he couldn't hold himself back.

Viggo was barely able to hold the boy from ripping his hand away. He had to grab one of Hiccup's wrists with one hand and try to hold the other arm down too. He looked down at the leg and was pleased to see it was nearly over. "Just another couple of minutes and we will know. Just hold on, Hiccup! Please!"

Hiccup nodded and closed his eyes to try to calm himself. Hearing that they were so close seemed to hold back to urges a bit and he stopped forcefully trying to rip the hand away. However, his body was on fire and his lungs and head fell like they would burst so he couldn't completely stop himself from struggling. Just then the three injured team members arrived and walked inside. They saw Hiccup struggling and what looked like Viggo suffocating him.

Spitelout and Tuff pulled out weapons right away and the older man growled, "Let that boy GO!"

"Drop him!" Tuff looked angry but was also tracking his sister across the room, partially shadowing her.

Ruff hobbled over to try to pull his hand away from Hiccup's face. Just as she got there Hiccup raised a hand to stop her and shook his head. Ruff looked confused, "Hiccup, are you ok? What's going on?"

Hiccup nodded and the others lowered their weapons. Viggo answered her question, "He is nearly finished with this part. While I hold him, you can watch his leg. When the black lines completely disappear and are gone for a full twenty count tell me."

Ruff looked scared at Hiccup again as his struggling became less passionate. He was losing the fight and the lines hadn't gone yet. She waved her hands in front of his face, "HICCUP! HEY! Look at me! Look! You have to hold on! PLEASE HICCUP!"

Viggo looked concerned also and into the boy's ear, "Hiccup, please! You MUST stay with us. You are so close! You can't give in now. Fight it, boy!"

Tuff ran over, followed closely by Spitelout and they both stared at the lines on his leg. Spitelout asked, "Do they need to be totally gone?"

Viggo nodded trying to look down, "Yes, totally gone."

Spitelout knelt next to the bed and watched for the desired change. He seemed to be trying to speed it up by talking to it, "Come on! Nearly there! Nearly there! That's it! Almost! Almost! YES! They are totally gone now!"

Viggo looked down to inspect the wound. The lines were actually gone, "Good, now slow count to twenty and we will see if it worked."

Tuff looked at him in dismay, "You said, 'this step' not 'the last step'. I thought you said that was the last step. If he made it through this he was clear."

Viggo shrugged, "It is the last step of the cure but we still need to see if it worked and that he can breathe normally again after. The wait can take another couple of hours and we may need to repeat this again if he isn't fully recovered." Hiccup struggled so valiantly that Viggo truly hoped it was finally over but didn't believe the boy to be that lucky. "I am impressed that Hiccup seemed to know his body well enough he could tell if things aren't right. He should be able to tell them himself shortly after if he feels cured."

A sound outside made Tuff and Viggo look up to see Astrid and Toothless land, followed shortly by Fishlegs and Gothi.

Fishlegs asked, "Is the battle over already?"

Astrid shook her head and pointed north, "No, but we've shot down all the Flyers and without their air support the ships seem to be retreating. The others are trying to free as many dragons as they can. I just couldn't stay away at this last step. I need to be here with Hiccup. Did you find the other two teams?"

Fishlegs looked sad, "No, I met Gothi on the way and we came home to see if they returned to the Edge. I flew by the Clubhouse and it's empty, so IF they are here they are with Hiccup and Viggo." The three looked at Hiccup's hut and rushed inside.

Fishlegs saw some members of the missing teams and breathed a sigh of relief until he looked at Viggo holding Hiccup. Astrid looked angry but Fishlegs held her back, "This is the final step! OH GODS, PLEASE let this work!" Gothi stood beside him looking hopeful also but

Astrid ran over to sit next to the twins in front of Hiccup. She looked scared when he didn't notice her. "Why isn't he awake?"

Ruff answered, "He's running out of air. He was alert until just now."

Spitelout was still counting and wanted to rip that hand away from Hiccup but knew he couldn't. The boy was getting weaker by the second and wasn't moving at all know. He just lay in Viggo's arms his head back on Viggo's shoulder and his eyes were just slits. The man could see Hiccup was fading fast and now lost consciousness. He finished counting and sat up looking at Viggo, "TWENTY! That's twenty! Let him go!"

Viggo waited an extra few seconds just to be sure. This minute the boy was still alive, the next he could be dead. He actually didn't want to let go but he knew Hiccup needed air or he would be dead anyway. He put his head against Hiccups and closed his eyes for a second, "Please let this have worked!" Viggo released his arm around Hiccup's chest and slowly peeled the hand away from his face. Everyone else was waiting with their hands clenched or on their faces to keep from screaming themselves. Hiccup was so weak he didn't react and they all looked scared.

Ruff fell to her knees in front of her friend and grabbed his shoulders, "HICCUP! You can breath now!"

Fishlegs ran over and fell down in front of his best friend, "HICCUP! PLEASE!"

Astrid leaned forward and whispered to him, "Hiccup... breath... for me, please."

He still didn't react, then Gothi hobbled over and put her small gnarled hand against the boy's back and pushed forward hard and quick to force any air left out of his lungs. It worked and Hiccup's eyes flew open and he sucked a large breath in! He looked around and pulled in another one that made him start coughing.

Spitelout pointed at the table, "He hasn't breathed in a while his throat is dry! He needs water! Quickly!"

Tuff grabbed a mug of water and put it to his leader's lips, "Here, sip this Hiccup. Carefully!"

Hiccup felt the water against his lips and his shaking hands came up quickly to grasp the mug and pulled it towards his face. Hiccup drank every last drop and pulled the mug away to take a breath. "That..." His voice squeak from disuse, he swallowed and tried again. "That tasted like the best water I've ever drunk."

Ruff and Tuff laughed at his joke and both lunged forward to hug him. All this time Viggo and Spitelout had been watching Hiccup's leg to be sure the lines weren't coming back. When he coughed one started to return, but after the water calmed his throat it disappeared again. Spitelout looked at Viggo in concern and Viggo looked unsure.

"How do you feel? Any burning? Can you take a deep breath? Does your head hurt at all?" Viggo asked many questions but kept a close watch on the boy's bloodshot green eyes. They only had a small window to see if this worked, he had to be sure.

Astrid looked up at Viggo, "Is he alright?"

Viggo looked between the boy's eyes and leg and shook his head, "I can't be sure yet. There is a period of time it can still return."

Fishlegs nodded to Astrid and she tried very hard to hide her fear. This had been the longest two days of her life and she was really hoping it was finally over. "How long is the period?"

Viggo looked at Fishlegs to answer, "A couple of hours, maybe." Toothless made a lamented sound that Astrid and the others had to agree with. Hiccup and Astrid both reached for the distressed dragon to try to calm him.

Astrid looked down and just took Hiccup's hand for reassurance that he was still with them for now anyway, "OK, a couple of hours. We've gone this long we can go a little longer. Do you need anything?"

Hiccup smiled down at her, "I'm good right now, I..." He was distracted by more dragons landing outside. The others turned around and saw the rest of the group returning.

Stoick walked inside looking right at Hiccup with obviously questioning eyes. The same eyes were seen in the rest of the returning group. Snotlout saw the bandage on his father's shoulder and ran over to him, "Dad?". He saw Ruff was also hurt and asked with his eyes if she was ok. She nodded but he still didn't dare breath.

Dagur asked what they all needed to know, "Is he cured?"

Astrid stood to address them, "We won't know for another two hours."

Stoick took a deep breath and nodded his understanding, "Right then, everyone but Hiccup, on your dragons now. We need backup."

Astrid looked surprised, "When I left the ships were leaving. What happened?"

Heather answered her, "The ships were leaving to regroup and come back with an ultimatum."

Fishlegs looked worried, "What ultimatum?"

Dagur answered with clear anger in his voice, "They've taken Gustav, Sven, Bucket, and Mulch and are going to kill them."

Hiccup looked around the room and moved to stand up but stumbled on weak legs, "We have to save them?"

Fishlegs grabbing him quickly, "Easy Hiccup! I've got you. Please sit."

Hiccup was half hanging off of Fishlegs when he asked, "What do they want in exchange for them?"

Astrid pushed and Viggo pulled Hiccup back down. She glared at him, "Stay!" Then looked back at Dagur, obviously wondering the same thing.

Dagur looked at Hiccup, "They want Hiccup's body. To prove to everyone their biggest enemy is really dead."

Hiccup saw everyone turn to look at him but he didn't show any fear, he knew what to do. "They want me? They can have me."

Everyone said NO! at the same time.

Astrid shook her head in denial, "No, Hiccup, you can't give up."

Hiccup smiled up at her, "I'm not giving up. They would have just killed our people when they took them if they didn't want something. The normal 48-hour window for this poison hasn't passed yet. They think I'm still alive but about to die soon. We can use that to our advantage."

Gobber moved closer to really look at Hiccup, "You mean to bluff them, while we slip in and save our people?"

"Yes." He looked at Viggo, "That far into the stages I should be mostly unconscious by now." Viggo nodded and Hiccup turned back to the group. "I've already been through that, I can fake it. While they are excited about watching me die soon you can get our people out of there."

Astrid put her hand out and waved it hard to the right shaking her head, "NO WAY! You don't even know if you're cured yet. You can't go taking risks like this until you're sure you're alright. What if you relapse?"

Stoick stepped forward and put his hand on his son's shoulder, "She's right. We need to keep you safe until we know for sure."

Dagur agreed, "Besides if the poison isn't out of your system yet you can't risk flying there."

"I won't be flying there, they will send one of those ships here to pick me up," Hiccup shot back, having already thought this out.

Viggo stepped forward with his arms crossed and a finger in the air, "If I may intercede?"

Hiccup waved to the others and nodded to their guest, "Yes, Viggo, what do you think?"

Viggo nodded his thanks to Hiccup and faced the group, "At the risk of making myself even more unpopular with this group, I have to agree that Hiccup's plan has merit. Seeing as I was once one of those people I can tell you they are salivating at the chance to get the leader of the Dragon Riders in their hands. Dagur can attest that prisoners are not treated well, so your people are in great danger either way."

Stoick faced the man and asked, "You know how these next two hours will go, can Hiccup actually do this safely?"

"Hiccup has the advantage of being alert right now. As we have already covered, almost none of those infected with this poison have ever lived. The ones who did were Hunters and it was kept a secret. They don't know I came here to administer the cure. As far as they know, Hiccup will be dead soon. They may try to hurt him for fun, but I doubt they would bother. As Hiccup said he has already been through that stage and can recreate the screams of an attack perfectly. They will be so busy cheering they won't be paying attention to their prisoners, giving you the time to rescue your people."

They all turned with a start when they heard the sound of a Singetail blast into the air outside. Hiccup looked at them, "That will be Krogan coming to see if we are following through with our deal. Which means he and Johann are out there off-shore. I'm telling you, I can do this."

Krogan yelled from outside, "My ship is at your docks waiting, Dragon Riders. Are we doing this exchange or am I killing this one right in front of you?" Everyone ran outside to see Krogan holding a barely conscious Sven, who was covered in cuts and bruises.

Snotlout yelled with his fist in the air, "Let him go, you snake!"

Krogan smiled at the display of anger he saw in the Riders below him, "Give me my prize and you can have them all back."

Gobber shook his hook at the vile man, "You're not getting that boy, monster!"

Krogan became very serious and glared at the Riders, "Very well." He pulled out a rope from behind, looped it over Sven's head and pushed the bald man off of the red Titan.

The Riders ran under Sven but Krogran kept him just out of there reach as he wiggled at the end of the rope. They could hear him choking and saw him clawing at his neck trying to release the rope as it slowly killed him.

Astrid screamed, "Stormfly!" The dragon ran to her and she climbed on ready to fly. Snotlout, Stoick, Gobber, Dagur and Heather were quickly on their dragons also.

Krogan had the line tied to his dragon and brandished a crossbow to take aim at Sven, "Just one of you gets into the air and your feeble friend will be spared a slow hanging with a quick bolt to the heart before you ever reach me." The Riders all stopped and dismounted but continued glaring at Krogan.

Inside the hut, Hiccup was already dressed and looked at Fishlegs pleading for his help, "Please Fishlegs, we don't have a choice. We have to do what he says or they will kill our friends."

Fishlegs was torn, "But if we do what they want they could kill you!"

Hiccup nodded, "Yes, they could, but I've already said my good-byes and if me dying there saves four lives I'm fine with that. Just get them out and leave me there."

Dagur ran back in, "I don't like this plan either but we have to do something. Hiccup, you're supposed to be too weak to move by now, I'll carry you out so Krogran can see you."

Fishlegs quickly drew some dark lines on Hiccup's leg resembling the ones previously there, just in case they looked at his wound. Dagur picked Hiccup up and they walked to the door and he shouted, "STOP!"

Everyone turned to see Hiccup being carried. He was playing his role so perfectly that some of them might have believed he had relapsed. Hiccup straightened up as much as he remembered he could and looked at Krogran, "Let him down... and I... I'll board... your ship."

Krogan looked pleased but pointed, "Your friend doesn't have long enough for you to walk the boy down, traitor. One of you fly him to the deck of my ship and I'll release this rope. Snotman, since you're already back on your dragon you can do it!"

Gobber stood in front of Hookfang, "You are not going to toy with him while he dies! Leave him to die in peace!"

Krogan smiled again now that he saw his prize, "Oh I can't do that. You see I have a lot of men very excited to hear his screams before the poison lights him up like a bonfire and we watch him burn alive. Then I plan to mount his corpse on the side of my ship to show it off until it falls apart and crumbles into the ocean. Of course, I'll remove the head to keep as a souvenir first." He got serious again and pointed down at the docks, "NOW! Fly him to my ship!"

As Dagur walked over to Snotlout he whispered, "I don't like this but I trust you have a plan. Once we have the other three we'll give a signal you can't miss and Toothless and Astrid will fly in a get you out."

Hiccup didn't move but whispered back, "I'll be waiting for it."

Dagur handed Hiccup over to Snotlout, who grasped him tightly and took off. As he flew down he whispered, "Please be careful, Hiccup. Just be ready and we'll get you back."

Hiccup spoke quietly, "Snotlout listen to me, please. Like I told Fishlegs, I've already said my good-byes. If you have to choose between getting them to safety and coming back for me I want you all to just go!"

Snotlout closed his eyes. He knew Hiccup was right but couldn't stand that though, "Hiccup we can't leave you to be murdered by those monsters."

They were nearly at the ship now and there was a metal cage sitting over red coals waiting to put Hiccup in. He sucked in a breath seeing it and then spoke again, "Please, it's what I want. Just get everyone out of here alive. I'm putting you in charge of this mission since I know my Dad, Astrid, Gobber and Dagur will be too distracted to think straight. Work with Fishlegs, you two compliment each other well."

Snotlout should feel honoured that Hiccup trusted him with a mission as important and as a rescue but the idea of flying away from his friend scared him too much. He knew Hiccup was right and finally nodded, "Alright, I promise to make them all leave if we can't get to you or they kill you first."

Hiccup breathed in relief, "Thank you, my friend?"

They landed on the deck of the large ship and a Hunter came over with his arms out to collect Hiccup, "Give him over, we have a nice warm cage waiting for him to speed up that burn that coming." The others on deck laughed, but Snotlout passed Hiccup over and quickly flew away.

One the way back up he felt a tear slip down his face knowing that might be the last time he will ever speak to Hiccup again. "I promise I'll take care of them."

Back on top, they saw the handoff and Astrid yelled, "There! You have him, now let Sven go! And where are our other three Riders?"

Krogan looked pleased and actually did cut the rope letting the nearly unconscious man fall into the arms of his team. "They are spread among my other ships. I had to be sure you honoured your deal before releasing them. They are enjoying my men's... hospitality. Once the boy is dead we will give them back."

Spitelout shouted and waved his fist, "That wasn't the deal! You get Hiccup and you release our people!"

Krogan turned his dragon north to rejoin his fleet, "The plan changed. Don't make me change it further by sending them back to you in pieces." He flew off and they could see the ship had already left the docks and was heading north also.

Fishlegs looked terrified as Snotlout and Hookfang landed, "What did we just do?"

Astrid looked at Stoick and Gobber who were trying desperately to maintain their composure. She then steadied her voice and answered, "We did what our leader told us to do. It's up to us to get our people out and get him back before this two-hour window is up."

Fishlegs, Dagur, and Snotlout all looked at each knowing that Hiccup had told them the same thing while they were alone with him. Dagur was the only one strong enough to speak, "We need to try yes, but the important thing is to get our people back."

Astrid looked shocked, "What are you saying? We have to rescue Hiccup too."

Fishlegs lowered his head but responded, "He's already said his good-byes and wants us to rescue our team and if we can't get to him safely..."

Snotlout finished, "He wants us to leave him. He put me and Fishlegs in charge to make sure you all follow his wishes. This is one order I plan to follow perfectly." Snotlout was shaking inside but outside he looked perfectly determined.

Stoick straightened up and nodded, "My son has made his wishes known and we will follow them. We get in, get our people and rescue Hiccup if it won't endanger the rest of us."

Astrid looked hard to the Chief and over to Gobber who looked distraught but was standing tall beside his oldest friend. He saw he looked at him and nodded.

Astrid swallowed and stood up straight, "Alright, we have a rescue to plan. Krogan said our people aren't together so we need to find them. This will take longer but we can do it."

The whole group walked back, Spitelout and Tuffnut holding Sven with his dragon following close behind.

&&$$##^^ ((**))

I know! I'm mean! I said I would be back to normal posting 2 weeks ago. Sorry!

Look on the bright side, you have one now and there is more action coming soon. :) :)