Astrid hissed at the feeling of a moist cloth pressed against her bleeding room. She received a small stare from her caretaker which resolved in her mentally scolding herself for her weakness. She had given up for a moment to look strong for Aiden, but she would never give up long strong for the enemy.
"You may spare yourself some energy if you lean back and relax," Viggo said calmly and pressed the cloth against her wound again. Astrid bit her lip tighter.
"Easy for you to say," She muttered annoyed, her hand clutching Aiden's gently. The boy was sitting in her lap in hope to comfort her mother, but he was also trying to comfort himself since he had never seen such a big gash before. Her hand roamed through his hair to calm him.
"It is, indeed," Viggo hummed as if teasing her. "I am not the one pathetic enough to get hurt after all-
"Pathetic?" Astrid spat at him and Aiden whimpered. "You were the one who set me in that position even though it looked like you knew how to handle the dragon pretty well."
Viggo considered her comment for a moment before he pulled back the cloth and said, "I only know so much, dear," he said although he figured she hate the nickname. "Considering you come from a home packed with tamed dragons, it wouldn't be too absurd if someone wanted to see a dragon trainer in action – for the purpose of learning more, I mean."
Astrid's glare lifted ever so slightly and Viggo went back to treating her leg with poor stitching and bandages. "W-what dragon was it?" She asked, trying not to reveal the fact that they hadn't ever encountered one before though it reminded her a lot of a whispering death.
Viggo looked up at her again and Astrid could feel him read his face, something she rarely appreciated unless it was someone close to her. "It's called The Screaming Death," Viggo explained and Astrid wanted to facepalm. The name was so ironic and simple that she thought for a moment Hiccup had encouraged it. "You could say it's the mother breed of the whispering deaths, though I can hardly see any similarities aside from the feature."
Astrid eyed him. "And that's supposed to mean...?"
Viggo chuckled faintly. "I'm most certain you already know, but I do understand your confusion. The dragon isn't exactly very common – its an alpha to certain dragons and Johann had the wonderful idea to take it away from its home."
Astrid had to roll her eyes. "Well isn't that just the typical villain mission? Capture the mightiest dragon – the one that has the ability to control other dragons, and then use it against everyone that refuses to kneel?"
"Indeed," Viggo nodded and got up when he was done. "And that's where their weakness is. I'll have you know that I do not support Johann's plans-
"Don't need a genius to figure that out," Astrid muttered.
"-because it is foolish of him to rely on merely a dragon alone," Viggo continued, ignoring her remark. "He's weak without it."
"Which is why you want the dragon trained before him?" Astrid said and moved back against the wall to avoid being near the man. "How does that make you anymore different than him? It's just a matter of who's first out – like a race."
Viggo laughed at that. "I didn't for one minute find you foolish enough to believe I was anything compared to him. We are two very different individuals with different aspects in life. He wants to get revenge on Hiccup and take control of the world, which obviously is a very arrogant dream."
"And you?" Astrid asked before he could continue ranting on about Johann's mistake. She was fully aware that the man had his flaws and poor judgement which was why she was more interested in learning about the man standing before her. Johann wasn't their biggest threat although his face was literally painted over everything – Viggo was. Johann knew that too. "What would you do if The Screaming Death was tamable?"
Viggo eyed her. "Are you saying that it is not?"
Astrid glared at her. "That wasn't the question."
"I assume not," Viggo chuckled and walked towards the door. "But the information...I wouldn't trust you with it. You seem to side more with Johann than me, but why am I surprised?" He locked the metal bars behind him. "You have known each other for ages – you know the man despite his sudden change. But you don't know me," he said and eyed her one final time. His eyes soon went up to the roof of the tunnel her cage was placed in when a loose pebble fell from the ceiling. His eyes narrowed.
"And I've decided to keep it that way."
Astrid's eyes tracked his figure as it disappeared into the sunlight outside and the dark silhouette of his body finally disappeared out of sight. Her eyes then slowly moved up to the ceiling. "Aiden?" she cooed to assure him it was safe.
The little boy peeked up from her chest – he had hidden his face in it because of the blood but mostly because of the scary man.
Astrid smiled warmly at him and cupped his cheeks. "We'll be alright," she whispered. "You know why?"
"N-no, mama," Aiden whispered scared, but hopeful. His eyes shone with light despite the dark cave they were trapped in.
"Because we have each other," Astrid smiled and kissed his head. She held him closer and relaxed. "No one will take us apart. I promise you that."
Aiden's eyes lit up a bit more and he immediately hugged her. The comfort in her words were pulling him towards her like a magnet and Astrid was relieved for that. She hadn't broken a promise in so long and she wouldn't start now. Not here. Anywhere else, but here.
Astrid smiled and held him close lovingly. She sighed quietly and started to process everything she knew; Johann and Viggo were both against each other but acting as allies; Viggo wanted The Screaming Death, an alpha that could dig itself through the ground and scream until your eardrums blew up; Johann being secretive about a device-
"DRAGON RIDERS!"
Astrid's head shot up as she heard a blast outside following the announcement of a dragon hunter. Almost right away, she pushed herself up on her good leg and limped over to the cage door in hope to see anything.
The familiar screech echoed outside, and yells followed instantly of terrified Hunters. Smoke covered the entrance and for a moment Astrid thought the worst; that was until she saw Hiccup running through the smoke and towards her.
"Oh, thank Thor," Hiccup breathed out as he ran up to the cage – Toothless hot on his tail. "I'm so glad you're alright-" he stopped himself as he saw the blood in the cell and her bandaged leg.
"Papa!" Aiden squealed and reached for him.
Astrid shook her head and limped away from the door. "I-I'll be fine-just get the door open!" She said and covered Aiden with her body. The boy whimpered and held onto her tightly.
"Bud," Hiccup nodded at him and stepped aside. The Night Fury charged its blast and shot it at the door, but to their surprise it didn't even leave a scratch. Hiccup ran up to it and tried to open it while Astrid went up to try and assist him from the other side.
"I-It must be dragon proofed somehow," Astrid said as she tried to force the lock up. She looked up as Hiccup backed up and stopped.
"I'll go get Gobber!" He said and told Toothless to stay put. Then he ran through the smoke that was starting to clear and disappeared.
Toothless cooed worriedly and pawed the cage with his claws. He tried to bite it and tear it off, but it did nothing but almost flip the cage over.
Aiden whimpered scared and crawled to Astrid's back instead. He hid his face in her hoodie while she held him up by his butt. "Okay...okay..." She said calmly as she tried to figure out a way to get out of there. "If the bars are fire proof, we'll need someone to tear it up," she continued, speaking a bit lower than usually.
Astrid's eyes first lifted from the bars when she saw two shadows outside, one big and one small. She grabbed onto the bars. "Hiccup you need to get the key-
"You mean this?" Johann smirked devilishly and held up said object. He approached her cage with Ryker by his side.
Toothless growled deeply and spread his wings slightly to protect the two, but he wasn't able to react in time to burn the incoming arrow of dragon root. It hit him square in his chest and with a moan, the Night Fury fell down unconscious.
"What did you do to him?!" Astrid yelled and bashed against the bars. She tried to open them up, but it was still stuck like before. When Johann walked past the dragon, she backed off.
"Our plan isn't ruined yet," Johann said and opened the cage with the key. Before Astrid was able to do anything, Ryker went inside and used his strength to overwhelm her. He tied her up roughly with ropes, receiving a helpless punch here and there as he did.
Astrid's eyes widened as Aiden was ripped off her shoulders and into Johann's arms. "Don't you dare-
"Mommy!" Aiden screamed and tried to reach after her, but the trader was already running out towards the exit.
"You better shut up," Ryker hissed in her face and stuffed a dirty cloth in her mouth. Then he threw her over his shoulder and ran after his leader, but much to Astrid's horror he started to run the opposite way of Johann.
Astrid trashed and screamed against the cloth, trying to spit it out but she was unable to due to the size that was straining on her jaw. She looked around helplessly and spotted her friends fighting their own battle against the hundreds of Dragon Hunters docked to the island. Valka was releasing trapped and muzzled dragons one by one while the chief defended her.
She tried to get a word out, a loud shriek – anything. But it was all muffled by the cloth and the growing distance between her and her rescuers. All she could pray for was that Hiccup had seen their son and gone after them instead while she was dragged into another tunnel forcefully.
"Aiden!"
Hiccup's yell echoed through the battlefield, enough to stop the most intense fights and help end them quickly. Valka had just then torn away the last muzzle when she heard his cry. Following the sound, she spotted Hiccup picking up a sword from a dead Dragon Hunter and disappearing into a tunnel.
Valka's eyes went to Stoick's and they both shared the same thought.
"Skullcrusher!" Stoick called and ran towards the tunnel. His dragon bumped away another fighter and shot a blast to finish its target before finally running up to reunite with his rider.
At the same time Valka had called for her Stormcutter but gave him different orders. "Regroup everyone!" She yelled and grabbed her shield just in time to block an arrow from one of the archers up the Quarry side. She looked around anxiously before running through the tunnel her son had just disappeared in.
Skullcrusher ran ahead when the first split came and started to lead them through every hole and tunnel. He recognized his rider's distress and without needing orders he was already chasing down the heir.
But the more they chased after them, the more worried Valka became. The tunnels were going randomly – some were moving down towards the ground and others straight up to another tunnel. They only reminded her of the whispering deaths – the species she would very well prefer not to bump into.
"Hiccup!" Stoick yelled for the third time. He was starting to lose hope despite his proficient dragon, but it was quickly regained as he noticed something laying on the floor. It was a trail of colorful wooden pieces. "What in Odin's beard..."
Skullcrusher sniffed them and soon went completely wild. He ran after the trail and Stoick and Valka had no more time to scratch their heads about it. As the two parents followed, the trail soon lead out towards an exit, and when they arrived outside the first thing that they saw after the blinding sun died down was Hiccup fighting against Johann.
Sword clanged against daggers.
Aiden was laying on the rocks, trying to crawl away from the fight, and Valka didn't hesitate one bit to go after him. She knew he was scared, but she also knew that Johann might use him against Hiccup if he noticed.
Johann's senses perked up as he noticed and he immediately pushed Hiccup away with a stronger blow. He reached for Aiden's arm and grabbed him, but Stoick was already at his side and bashing his head in with his fist. The trader was sent flying back, giving up his grip out of surprise.
"Aiden!" Hiccup yelled and reached for his son right away. He pulled him out of the fight and held him close while the boy sobbed and clutched onto his father. "Shh, shh...You're okay," he assured him with a smile and looked up at his mother. He nodded silently at her and the woman jumped forward to assist the chief.
"Pa-papa, he hurt mama!" Aiden whimpered and hugged onto him, never wanting to let go.
Hiccup nodded and dropped the sword to hold him in both his arms. "I know, I know," He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "But you're okay. You're our smart little boy," he smiled, and Aiden pulled back to look at him. Hiccup moved his hand to his necklace that was nothing but a rope now. "Our clever little boy..."
Aiden sniffed with a small smile. He hugged his father again.
While the two reunited and Hiccup soothed his boy, Stoick and Valka continued to fight the skilled trader. While Valka looked like she was only there for support and to knock him out, Stoick was more than ready to end his life right then and there.
"I wouldn't take you for being the person who had the balls to kidnap my grandchild," Stoick growled with his next blow. Johann jumped back and received a hit in his legs by Valka that made him trip over. Stoick reached down to grab him, but Johann responded right away by slicing for his hand with his dagger.
"I guess you should start respecting my stories, Stoick," Johann hissed back at him and grabbed Valka's staff at the same time as he rolled away. He pushed it back against her and Valka stumbled back with a painful yelp.
The move only angered the chief even more and by then he didn't care whether he was armed, and he wasn't.
He was going to end him.
"Maybe then you would have seen it coming," Johann said and stumbled back up on his legs. "But you were always so rude to cut me off, just like that time at the-
Valka quickly went back into the fight and whenever Stoick wasn't trying to attack, she struck a blow at him with her staff. She also assisted him in blocking attacks by lending him her shield every now and then. The two were magnificent together; they were dancing the fight through with their elegant moves.
"You dared to make me believe you were friendly," Stoick said angrily and ran at him. "You made me allow you free passage to Berk without any controls," he continued and knocked the dagger out of his hand when he tried to stab him. His hands were bleeding from the previous attacks, but he didn't care.
Johann used his other dagger to slice for him in an attempt of keeping distance. "Did you think of me as your friend, Stoick?" Johann had to laugh. "Is that why you are so angered?"
Stoick hissed even more and pretended to attack him from his left, but Johann saw through his lies and responded to his attack on the right. He stabbed his dagger in his arm, piercing through the wristbands.
"Stoick!" Valka yelled and jumped forward. She smacked Johann's hand hard enough for it to crack and let go of the dagger. While the chief stumbled back, she took his place against the now unarmed man.
She was quick to continue her fight, not giving the man a single moment of peace. Her staff swung under his ribs and quickly rotated around in her hands to strike his other side with the opposite end. Thanks to the tags on her staff, she was able to make a small cut along his side, but the man wasn't startled as she had imagined him to be.
"I'm impressed," Johann hissed and blocked the next blow with his good hand. He pulled at it again, but Valka expected it and positioned her legs to keep her balance. She tried to use her power to flip him over, but the man's grip was too sturdy. "Your wife may be a better fighter than you, Stoick."
"It runs in the family," Stoick grunted and went after him again when Valka had made an opening for him. He reached for his head; ready to crack it in his palm when he caught it, but his hopes were crushed when the man dodged his attack and moved a good distance from the duo.
"It was foolish of you," Johann said and held his hand to his chest. He looked around himself for a moment to see his backup had arrived, and so did Valka. "I'm merely a business man, chief. There's nothing else to it, now I advise you to back off or a certain young Shield Maiden will have her throat slit."
Hiccup watched them anxiously. He ran to his father's side and Valka sensed his distress almost right away and therefore backed down.
Valka slowly lowered her staff while Johann rose his good hand to the archers. "Stand down," he said and smirked at the three. "And I will make you a proposal."
The three looked at each other; it was all too familiar; it was all too common what the enemy was after. If it wasn't the dragons, it was-
"Master Hiccup," Johann said and eyed Hiccup. "For Astrid Hofferson."
Hiccup's eyes narrowed. He held Aiden closer until Stoick stepped forward, his arm clutching his wounded.
"No way in Hel," Stoick growled and Johann laughed. "We're not giving up our son for anything-
"Does it look like you are in a position to make the offers here?" Johann said and motioned around them. "There are 20 archers here, carrying poisonous arrows," he said and looked over his shoulder for a moment as two dragon hunters landed their dragons behind him for support. His eyes then went back to Stoick's furious gaze.
"How do we know you're not lying?" Hiccup glared at him. "That Astrid isn't with you or that you already...already took care of that," he said, swallowing thickly. He couldn't imagine it happening because of him. He wouldn't be able to live with himself.
Johann smirked. "As I said," he repeated. "I'm a business man. Trades are what I'm known of and I believe it is a fair trade. You have your son back and now all that's left is your wife."
Hiccup pursed his lips and looked down at Aiden for a moment. He was about to set him down when the familiar sound of a Night Fury echoed in the air and their friends came up from the quarry with their dragons, ready to continue the fight.
The archers immediately targeted the enemy both on ground level and in the sky. When Stoick ripped the dagger out of his arm, Johann immediately backed off and the two dragon riders stepped forward to protect him from his attack.
"I recommend that you think about it, Master Hiccup!" The trader yelled and whistled for his own dragon. Two hunters ran over to him while pulling roughly at his beast. "I give you until sunset!" His voice echoed as he flew away, and the fight continued between the ones who were left behind.
Hiccup looked after him for a moment before he covered Aiden with his hand and made his way towards Toothless. He picked up the sword again. "Don't move," he told his son and held him tighter. Then he started to run through the wildfire.
There were soldiers everywhere – some attempting to retreat while most hunters fought to take down the enemy. After all, the Berkians were outnumbered by both men and dragons. But it didn't go as easily as the Dragon Hunters had thought. The enemy was stronger and smarter and after a while more soldiers were tempted to leave.
Hiccup rode on Toothless' back further up in the air in attempt to get away from the fight and out of harm's reach. He wasn't planning on letting anyone fall here – their quest was almost complete: Aiden was safely in his arms and all they had to do now was get Astrid back and take down the enemy. That was their focus.
"Toothless," Hiccup said and laid his hand on his head. "Call them back."
Toothless cooed and looked up at him for a moment before he turned mid-air to face the island behind them. He flapped his wings to keep them up and soon let out a loud roar.
The dragons below them looked towards him – both enemy and ally, but no one seemed to react. Toothless grunted and tried again, but it ended up with the same outcome.
"What's going on bud?" Hiccup asked confused and watched them. If it wasn't for his recognizable roar, his friends wouldn't have reacted either, but Hiccup was grateful for the fact that they understood his dragon's distress and did their best to regroup with him.
Toothless growled deeply and looked over the island for a moment. His eyes soon went towards the ships that were undocking from the island.
When Hiccup followed his gaze, he soon realized that they were fleeing.
And they were fleeing with Astrid in their grips.
Hiccup was about to order Toothless to fly towards them, but Valka stopped him with her staff. He looked up at her slightly infuriated. "I have to go after them-
Valka's eyes were filled with sympathy. She moved Cloudjumper closer and jumped onto Toothless' back, landing behind her son. Her hand rested on his shoulder. "Not with Aiden," she whispered and held her arms out for him.
Hiccup eyed her for a moment before he kissed Aiden's head and handed him to her. The little boy whimpered and cried in protest. "Papa!" he whimpered and tried to reach for him.
Hiccup smiled sadly and cupped his cheek. "I'll be back later, okay? I need to go find your mother."
Aiden kept whimpering as Valka moved back onto her Stormcutter and held him secured there in her arms.
Stoick moved his dragon closer. "You shouldn't go. This is exactly what Johann wants. We can find another way!"
"Chief is right," Snotlout said worriedly and looked after the ships as they were sailing away quickly. "We can shadow them – make sure that they don't disappear again-
"No," Hiccup shook his head and held onto the handles of Toothless' saddle. He looked around him at his friends and family. "It's a trade – me for Astrid. She's injured and I won't let her stay in their hands for another moment if I can do something for her."
"But we still need to come with you, son," Stoick said a bit harshly. "If they turn against you-
"Then you'll have my back," Hiccup nodded with a small smile. "I'll be fine. Stay a good distance, but close enough in case it goes south. I have to try," he said and steered Toothless to the side. "Let's go bud."
Toothless growled hesitantly, but did as he said. He flapped his wings faster and flew them towards the fleet. When Hiccup looked over his shoulder, he felt as though his heart was going to break. His son had been through more than he could possibly imagine and yet again he was leaving him alone. The only thought that settled him was that the trade would go well and he would be with his mother again, safe and sound.
When they approached the ship, Hiccup pulled back a bit on the saddle to slow him down. They soared above the sails and looked below them, taking in the sight of Johann's armada. It seemed as though the ships were being pulled by dragons – Seashockers to be precise. If they had decided to regroup and reconsider everything, Johann would have been long gone.
"Take us down," Hiccup said and motioned to the biggest ship at the front. Toothless cooed worriedly, but dove down towards it. The soldiers below made room for them and just as they did, Johann and Viggo walked out.
Hiccup cursed silently for not bringing a weapon. He slowly sat up in the saddle and looked around for a moment, analyzing the threat. His eyes went back again to the trader and he almost growled out.
"Where is she?" He asked, trying to seem calm.
Johann looked over at the bulky man standing beside him and nodded at him. He then stepped forward. "You've made a wise choice, Hiccup," he said with a small smile. "Making such a quick decision is impressive."
"I would have preferred to look over it again, if I could," Hiccup admitted. Toothless growled even more at every step the trader took towards them. "But there wasn't any time, as you could guess," he said and motioned to the water below them. "Seashockers, huh?"
"Aren't they magnificent?" Johann hummed proudly as if he had done everything; planned it, caught them, trained them.
"Indeed," Hiccup nodded and looked up at the sky for a moment to see his friends watching closely – they were ready to attack at any moment and Hiccup was relieved of that. "It's a shame you have to take advantage of them like this."
"Well, we can both agree that I am not the only one using dragons to afford a living," Johann laughed and turned slightly as Ryker returned with Astrid.
Toothless' growl went louder as the man pushed her out with a spear. He charged a blast, but Hiccup stopped him right away. "Not now," he said calmly and slowly slid down from his saddle.
Astrid looked at him, the question screaming from her eyes as they got closer to each other. Ryker pushed her forward, knocking her over on her knees and if it hadn't been for the cloth in her mouth she would have definitely made a more noticeable sound from the pain in her leg.
Hiccup glared at Ryker, silently wondering why he had stopped Toothless. He stepped forward with caution and slowly took Astrid in his arms. "Shh..." He hummed with a small smile and took the cloth out. Astrid shook her head violently.
"Don't give yourself up-they need you for-
"Tie him up!" Johann roared at his men and they went towards him and Toothless right away. Hiccup hurried to undo her ropes and moved her towards Stormfly as they brought her up towards the docks.
"Go," Hiccup urged her. "Aiden is with the others," he smiled at her just as they pushed him down against the wooden planks. They tied him up roughly with ropes and Astrid had no other choice but to follow his orders as Stormfly grabbed her by her hoodie and flew off.
Hiccup sighed relieved and finally stopped struggling against their hands. Astrid was finally safe – she was free from the enemy. The thought made him smile. Now, his only mission was to get out of here himself so they could plan a finishing attack. If they could do that, he would be free.
He would pass his trials.
"Get him below deck," Johann ordered Ryker and eyed Viggo. "And keep an eye on your brother. I won't have the same mistake happen again."
Ryker glared at Viggo for a moment before he nodded and grabbed the scrawny Viking. He pushed him towards the stairs while Toothless was shoved down after them. Hiccup had to look over his shoulder every now and then to make sure he stayed calm. They couldn't offer any mistakes either or the worst case scenario was an early death.
For them both.
"You know," Ryker started and shoved him into his cell. Hiccup grunted and Toothless growled through the muzzle. "Love has...always been a problem for fighters. It brings up a horrible distraction and yet at the same time it creates an opportunity of a happy life."
"He doesn't exactly look like a fighter, now does he, brother?" Viggo spat at him and watched as they pushed Toothless into another fire proof cage. "He's not dumb, unlike someone else in this room."
Ryker hissed and turned to him, laying his hand on the handle of his sword. "Are you saying that I'm dumb?"
Viggo rolled his eyes. "No, I'm calling you incomprehensible."
Ryker stared at him for a moment before he slammed Hiccup's cage door shut and locked it. He eyed the prisoners one more time before he went upstairs. "I'm not dumb..." he muttered as he walked away.
"Not the sharpest in the row, huh?" Hiccup almost spat and sat down against the cage door. "I thought your brother was dead."
"He might as well be," Viggo said truthfully, not caring if anyone heard him or not. He leaned back against one of the beams that supported the floor above them and crossed his arms. "The story doesn't change. He's still hungry for leadership. If I'm lucky, he might to the dirty work for me."
"And what dirty work would that be?" Hiccup asked, narrowing his eyes slightly. "Killing Johann?"
Viggo chuckled. "Clever boy."
"And what will you get out of it?" Hiccup glared at him. Even though Johann had turned against them, he didn't wish for it to end in death. "Aside from leadership? The hunters would turn against you-
"Now that's where you turn a bit arrogant, Hiccup," Viggo chuckled and shook his head. Hiccup stared at him. "Around these waters, respect doesn't matter – loyalty doesn't matter," he said as he walked towards his cell. "It's fear that counts."
Toothless hissed even more and tried to break out of his cage.
"Johann is about to do something very reckless," Viggo said and slowly took a whip down from the wall. Hiccup sat up a bit straighter and glared at the weapon. It gave away that he obviously had a horrible past with it. The idea made Viggo smirk. "And knowing you, you would do your very best to stop it."
"I don't even know what you're referring to," Hiccup said, trying to stay calm and brave. He was trying to focus his mind on the fact that his child and soulmate was safe and away from the Viking before him, but it only settled his mind so much.
"Oh, you'll know soon enough," Viggo hummed and held out the whip as footsteps made the stairs creak behind him. Ryker stepped up beside him and grabbed it. "Show him what will happen if he goes against us when we're in control, Brother."
Hiccup's eyes widened as the man stepped into his cage. He looked at Viggo with a small plead, but only caught his evil stare towards Ryker before the first hit came down.
Hiccup bit his bottom lip as tight as he could. Memories flashed through his head and whenever he opened his eyes again to look up, Alvin's figure stood in the corner of his eye; his evil laughter echoing through his head. He tried to close his eyes, but whenever he did, he was reminded of his father back when he was a child; the moments that he would come home drunk after a long day of chiefing and decided to put his pain out on him. But one thing that the experience also reminded him of was who he was fighting for.
He was fighting for Berk; the berk that had changed over the years because he changed it. He was fighting for his family; the family he had created through happy accidents. He was fighting for his friends; his dorky friends that went over mountains and down valleys to get his mood back together. But most importantly; he was fighting for his future with them.
And the only way he knew how to continue fighting was repeating that over and over again in his head, because it made him look stronger and prouder of who he was; who he had become. If there was one thing he had learned from being tortured, it was that the biggest fear of his tormentor was the bravery of the victim.
And bravery was exactly what he would use to defeat them.