Hey, next segment! If you though the last chapter was crazy just wait! Enjoy!

Shout Outs!:

DragonMasterLoki

Haha, yup. Question of the day.

TriskelionForever

Oh, Loki's gonna have a hay day when he gets back. You'll just have to read and see ;) Thanks

Writer's Log Supplemental—18.2 "The Return of Thor Bonecrusher"

Hiccup ran through the maze of valleys, tunnels and crevasses until he came out near the blacksmith's hut. He looked around and saw no one. Some distance away, he could hear a couple people talking amongst themselves but so far it seemed that no one was pursuing him—even though they had to have noticed his absence by now.

He ran out from the crevasse to the side of the smithy. He stayed silent for a moment before looking up, searching for the prison's entrance. There were two bandits standing guard, one with an axe and the other a sword.

His gaze swept across the village. Getting up to the prison would be no problem, getting in then out without raising the alarm—that would be more difficult.

He stayed next to the smithy for several minutes, thinking and planning. Finally, he had a solid enough idea to act upon.

The smithy was dark, long since out of use. Probably since the bandits arrived, if I had to guess.

Hiccup grabbed a few metal rods, some rope, a couple gears and a bag to put it all in. He turned to leave when voices round the corner and a flash of a helmet caught his eye. He ducked quickly and held the bag tightly, trying to prevent it from clanking.

The men apparently did not hear as they stopped and one leaned against the grated door, if the metallic groaning was anything to go by.

"So Loki's loose on the island?"

"Yup."

"Is it really Loki? I've heard tales about him, recently."

"Thor claims he is, so he must be. Though, he looks a lot like the Dragon Rider's leader if you ask me."

There was a long pregnant pause before the first one spoke again.

"Do you, do you think that they might be one and the same?"

There was another long pause and when the other answered it was in a hushed whisper. Hiccup had to strain his ear to hear, truly curious as to what he had to say on the matter.

"I ne'er told anyone this, thought he was mad, but my brother used to work for Viggo—he was once a part of an invasion party on the Rider's island. The invasion failed, though not because the Riders.

"My brother claimed that Loki Odinson stopped them, almost single handedly."

"So?" The first one asked slowly. "Loki is on Midgard, is he really masquerading as the Rider's leader?"

"That's what's interestin' about his story and today's happenin's, he said that Loki claimed the Rider's leader as his chosen."

"What does that mean?" The first one asked with profound confusion.

Hiccup heard feet thumping the ground, becoming softer.

The second one chuckled. "Not sure ma'self, other than he threatened life and limb of the Hunter that harmed him."

"So if they've been seen together…?"

Their voices started to grow distant.

"I'm just as confused as you, though it could ju' be some of his tricks."

Hiccup sighed and stood, shouldering his heavy haul. He did a double take before running to the side of another hut, weaving his way up to the prison from there.

It didn't take Hiccup long to reach it and the two guards were none the wiser. He set the bag down carefully and pulled out the items. He spent nearly five minutes setting up the trap before he was pleased with it.

Trap ready, he walked around the corner—looking as if he didn't have a care in the world. At least, that's what he hoped it looked like.

The pair saw him and paused for a second in surprise.

Hiccup grinned and waved. "Hey guys, you wouldn't happen to where Alvin is being kept, would you?"

One of them growled and gripped his axe, yelling to the other, "get him!"

Hiccup turned and ran, smiling. He darted around the corner and ducked behind a boulder, the two bandits were only a few paces behind him.

The one with a sword rounded the corner first clomped down on flat stone. He didn't hear the soft click it gave, nor did he see the rope pulling taught overhead. The bandit with the axe, however, did and yelled for his partner to stop—but it was too late. Rocks were already falling buried the sword wielder, unconscious from an early blow to the head.

Hiccup mentally sighed, disappointed that the second man wasn't caught in the trap as well, and gripped a spare bar.

The remaining bandit tightened his grip on the axe and stepped forward carefully, watching the stones underfoot for any more traps.

Thus he missed Hiccup silently stepping out from behind the boulder and swinging the bar at his helmeted head.

Both helmet and rod gave a loud clang! and the axe fell a second later, clattering loudly, from slackened hands—the bandit soon followed it.

Hiccup cringed at all the noise that it made, and stood frozen for several moments as he listened. There were no shouts, no alarms blaring, not even a call to check on them. He released a breath and ran into the prison.

He ran down halls that were far too familiar, passing cells that once housed dragons but now stood empty—for the moment. He continued a little farther in, then paused. Footsteps paced the corridor on the other side of the bend.

Hiccup frowned and thought for a moment. He lowered himself to the floor and glanced around the corner. The tunnel split into a Y and on the left path, a lone bandit stood guard. He picked up a small rock and glanced down the tunnel that to the right, he threw it at the wall—where the rocks were loosened.

They clattered to the ground and the pacing from the guard stopped.

Hiccup scooted back down his tunnel a bit more as the bandit walked out and down the other tunnel that the noise came from. While his back was turned, Hiccup darted around the corner.

He walked past several cells, some occupied, but none of the occupants paid him any attention. He paused at a T in the path and looked down the turn. The cell that he'd always been kept in was down that path. But there were no guards so he doubted that Alvin was there.

The tunnel bent and when he looked around the corner, he saw two guards standing in front of a single cell, both with spears. Hiccup smiled, found him…now to get him out.

He didn't have much to work with and he needed to get the keys off of the guard as well. Hiccup frowned, there was no alternative to this situation, not with his time and resources.

He gripped his dagger and flipped it so he was holding the blade then peered out around the corner. Neither bandit was looking in his direction, that would change soon enough.

Silently, he brought his arm back then threw the dagger. All the early morning practice Loki and he did, then all the practice he did alone, paid off as the dagger spun through the air and hit its mark. Burying itself deep into the nearest bandit's hand and spear shaft.

The guard let out a wail, startling his compatriot, and gripped the dagger and his bleeding hand while spouting a string of curses.

Hiccup ran out from around the corner, rod in hand.

The second guard saw him and jabbed the spear at him. He dodged and swung his rod at the guard, grunting/growling as he did so. The guard moved to dodge but the rod still caught him in the shoulder and he fell back against the bars.

Alvin appeared on the other side and roughly grabbed the bandit, yanking him hard against the bars and knocking him out.

Hiccup ducked under the poor swing of the first guard who finally ripped out the dagger; only to yelp in shock as it disappeared and reappeared in Hiccup's hand. Who then swung at him and hit his jaw with the pommel—sending him staggering back into the bars, half conscious.

Alvin reached through and repeated the same process as the first.

Hiccup sheathed the dagger then grabbed the keys off of the guard, releasing Alvin.

Alvin grinned as he walked out. "Sure took your time about gettin' me out."

Hiccup shrugged as he turned. "Don't blame me. Your men only got to the Edge yesterday to ask for help."

Alvin grunted and picked up a spear, the non-bloodied one, and looked around. "Say, where's yer dragon? Gaurdin' tha exit?"

Hiccup chuckled nervously. "Uhh, nope."

Alvin looked down at Hiccup as they both walked back through the tunnels. "With tha others, keepin' them blasted bandits busy?"

"Wrong again." Hiccup laughed quietly then glanced around the corner to see the guard he'd distracted with rocks pacing again.

Alvin rolled his eyes and strode out.

The guard's eyes widened and he started to shout, only to be shut up by a shaft to the head.

Hiccup cringed as the man fell then followed Alvin out.

Alvin looked back at Hiccup. "So, where are they then?"

"Eh-he, back on the Edge?"

Alvin's brow raised. "Ya came alone? Don't seem real smart of ya."

Hiccup's face darkened as he walked past Alvin and growled, "It wasn't by choice."

Alvin frowned. "What does tha' mean?"

Hiccup looked back at him as they reached the exit. "Only that if you see Fishlegs, run the other way."

Alvin balked. "Me! Run from that pudgy excuse of a Viking?!"

They walked around the two guards, still out cold. "He's not exactly Fishlegs right now."

Alvin looked at him blankly.

Hiccup sighed and stopped walking. "Do we have to get into this?"

"Yes." Alvin crossed his arms.

Hiccup rolled his eyes. "We need to get to the wild dragon field; the only dragon we brought flew back to the Edge with Snotlout."

He started walking in that direction when Alvin grabbed his shoulder, looking at him hard.

Hiccup looked up at the sky in frustration. "You men asked for Thor Bonecrusher to help save you. I said no but Snotlout, surprise surprise, ignored me. What is surprising is that Fishlegs ignored me also and they went ahead and hypnotized him into being Bonecrusher again. Well, long story short, Snotlout misspoke during the process and turned Fishlegs into an anti-Thor."

Alvin looked at Hiccup with confusion and some disbelief. "An' why are you here?"

Hiccup looked at him flatly, still greatly annoyed by the whole situation, then huffed. "Fishlegs, or Thor, has it in his head that I'm Loki and insisted that we go on this 'glorious adventure' together."

Alvin chuckled and 'pat' his back. "Well, ya could pass as 'im."

Hiccup grumbled something unintelligible and walked away.

They were halfway to the dragon field when the alarm blared, alerting the island that Alvin had escaped.

Alvin looked up and around a bit before turning to Hiccup. "Terror's outta the bag now. Hope this plan of yer's works."

Hiccup laughed morosely. "Less of a plan and more a last ditch effort to get out of here."

Alvin shrugged. "Same thing with ya."

They reached an outcropping and Hiccup started to clamber over the rocks to get a good vantage point of the field when Alvin grabbed him by the back of his shirt and tossed him up. He yelped then glared at Alvin who just grinned, muttering to himself, "what is with people grabbing me by the back of my shirt?! Thought I'd've outgrown that by now."

Alvin chuckled then asked, "so, any decent dragons today?"

Hiccup looked over the edge then paled, quickly ducking back so that only his eyes and top of his head were visible as he quickly scanned the field. He jumped back down a moment later shaking his head. "No good. Fishlegs—Thor, must have known I'd try leaving this way. The entire place is guarded by bandits."

Alvin frowned. "We could try tha docks. If some of me men were able ta leave they must no' watch it as closely."

"Or didn't. Now that I'm here and you've escaped that's probably changed."

Alvin smirked. "Well we tried things yer way, now we're going ta try 'em my way."

Hiccup's stomach twisted.

"Com'on."

They made it back to the village without incident and began to sneak through it. It seemed that most of the bandits were elsewhere searching for them thus making their trek through the village much easier. Good thing too, Hiccup thought, Alvin isn't the most subtle person there is.

They arrived at the docks and hid behind a hut just above them, observing the bandits below. As expected, or as Hiccup expected, the docks were teeming with the bandits—no doubt far more than what the two Outcasts had to deal with to steal a ship…and probably half the reason that the docks were so guarded.

Hiccup turned to Alvin. "I don't suppose you have a second dock, or an emergency ship somewhere else?"

Alvin looked at him funny. "Course not! Why would I need tha'?"

Hiccup resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Ok, so this won't work either. Our best bet now would be to wait and hide out until the others arrive then-"

"I don' hide!" Alvin said rather loudly.

Hiccup instantly shushed him and glanced towards the bandits—who seemed oblivious. He hung his head and thanked Loki that Alvin was either quieter than he thought or that the bandits were half deaf.

Alvin frowned at him then said, more quietly, "we're no' gonna wait around anymore. Here's tha plan. We're gonna rush 'em and take tha ship there." He pointed to a smaller ship at the edge of the patrols, if they timed it right they might have a chance of pulling it off.

But Hiccup was never one to trust on luck, certainly not with his history of it. With my luck, Thor'll be hiding on that boat waiting for us. "Yeah, or we could-"

"Now!" Alvin hissed, grabbing Hiccup and dragging him along a few steps.

Hiccup grunted, getting seriously annoyed at all the man-handling that was happening today, and followed Alvin.

Alvin had at least timed it right, they slipped aboard when the patrol wasn't looking. He shoved Hiccup towards the steering rod while he released the sail. They started pulling away from the island before the bandits noticed their leave and started shouting and running towards them.

Hiccup gripped the rod and looked at the docks in worry. "Alvin, I don't think we're-"

"We'll be fine!" He shouted with a grin, grabbing an axe from the small collection of weapons on the boat. "Ju' steer us out ta sea."

A bandit jumped onto the boat just before it slid out of reach and Alvin quickly dispatched of him and turned to grin at the bandits on dock.

Hiccup released a breath, not realizing he was holding then laughed softly. "That actually worked."

"Not quite, brother." Hiccup's blood froze as a large hand gripped his arm.

Alvin chuckled, still beaming at the bandits on the dock. "Wha' was tha' 'Iccup?"

He turned and his grin dropped, as did his stance and he gripped the axe tighter.

Five bandits stood on the deck, axes and swords at the ready, and Thor had a death grip on Hiccup's arm with one hand and a sword in the other-the hatch to the bottom deck open. Thor lazily flicked the sword from Hiccup towards Alvin. "I'd give up. Alvin, you're far outmatched and outnumbered."

Let it not be said that Alvin didn't go without a fight. However, the fight had only just begun when the bandits swarmed and pinned Alvin down. Alvin glared at Thor and the bandits, growling in frustration.

Hiccup winced as Thor pulled him ashore.

Thor looked at Hiccup as they dragged Alvin off the boat, the Outcast leader still trying to escape—or at least make things difficult. "You know, brother, I would have expected more finesse from you. That plan was rather brash." He grinned wickedly. "Wanting to be more like me?"

Loki sneered. "Hardly. And it probably would have been, if it was my plan."

Thor shrugged and twisted Loki's arm behind him, making him hiss. Thor smirked. "Well, it was a valiant effort—though entirely in vain."

Loki tried to pull free as Thor bound one of his hands before reaching for the other. "What do you plan to do now? You know that the Riders are coming."

Loki grimaced again as Thor pulled the rope tight before he grinned. "Oh yes, I'm counting on that, and I do believe I know where they'll try and infiltrate us."

Loki glared at him. "Oh really, care to share?"

"Of course." Thor pushed him back up the docks. "Do you remember how you and Alvin infiltrated the island when Dagur took it over?"

Loki's steps faltered.

Thor chuckled. "It seems you do. What a perfect place to lay a trap."

Loki turned his head to look hard at him. "What's your plan then? Just going to leave us all here as you sail away?"

"Possibly." Thor nodded. "But either way, you'll be coming with me, brother. Bad business trusting that you won't get in the way."

They were led back up to the prison and Loki heard several shouts ringing throughout the village—mostly that they'd been caught. He tried thinking of a way out of this situation but, for the moment, came up empty.

Thor carried on, oblivious to Loki's scheming—or aware of it and thinking little of it. "I had hoped, Loki, that you would join me—this does seem like the type scheme you would enjoy. But alas, you once again decided to stand against me—no matter how much you might have enjoyed the excursion."

Loki turned his head back and glared at Thor. "I don't betray my friends, Thor."

Thor frowned at him. "Since when did you become so attached?"

Loki averted his gaze to the floor. "You obviously don't know me then, brother." He practically spat out the last word.

They arrived at the cell that had initially housed Alvin and they shoved him inside once again. Alvin fixed them all with a look that promised a slow death should he ever get free.

Thor turned to the bandits, their former-leader among their numbers. "Are there any other cells, more heavily barred or guarded?" He gripped Loki tighter causing Loki to grimace.

The former-bandit-leader glared at Loki before looking back at Thor and answering with all sincerity—not like he wanted the Rider's leader running loose on the island again. "I'm not sure—not that we've seen. I mean, there's the dragon's cages but they're easier to escape from—even if they are more heavily reinforced."

Thor turned to Alvin and said, "and I don't suppose you would tell us, even if there was."

Alvin chuckled, hands still tied behind his back. "You'd be righ' there!"

Thor pushed Loki into a cell across from Alvin's.

Loki stumbled in, bonds pulling tightly, and turned to look at Thor—about to say something when Thor shoved him hard. So hard he fell backwards and landed on his bound hands. He grunted through clenched teeth. "Really?!"

Thor smirked then bent down and gripped his left leg.

Loki's eyes widened as he felt Thor's hand grasp his upper calf—the only part of the calf he had left. In terror he lashed out, striking Thor hard in cheek with his right foot, and scooted backwards until he hit the wall then sat on his prosthetic.

Thor's face flushed red in anger but he laughed as if Loki had just told a rather funny joke.

Alvin and the bandits watched in fascination or fear, or a mixture of both as Thor stood and walked over to Loki. Alvin watched with pity as well before saying to nobody in particular, "remind me when we win ta kill tha' Snotlout fella. This Thor Bonecrusher is way too much like Dagur ta be healthy."

None of the bandits responded, but several who knew about Dagur before his recent change of heart agreed.

Loki pressed himself up against the wall and stood, aiming to run—anywhere that was away from Thor and the murderous look on his face. His heart beat so fast that it made his legs falter, he looked Thor in the eyes and couldn't decipher the face before him as either Fishlegs or Thor. In that moment it felt like his best friend was about to wail on him—that's what made his feet fail him, allowing Thor to catch him easily.

Thor held Loki by his shirt and grinned; then patted his cheek before pushing him down again. He leaned against Loki's right leg, pinning it to the wall, while untying the prosthetic.

Loki's breaths were a strange combination of quick and deep as he watched Thor stand again.

Thor smiled tauntingly as he waggled the false limb. "Ah, did you think I was going to do something else to you, little brother? Beat you to a pulp maybe?"

Loki didn't answer, only letting his breaths even out.

Thor bent down, picked Loki up and set him on his foot then 'patted' him on the back before leaving. "Just wanted to make sure you didn't run away again before the fun can really begin." He turned to address the bandits. "If I catch any of you hurting, tormenting or harassing Loki, I promise you your death will not be swift—if he causes any trouble I will deal with him." Thor turned to fix Loki with a hard look and he had to suppress and shiver of fear.

Never in his entire life did Loki think he'd ever be scared of Fishlegs like he was right now. If Fishlegs ever grew into the confidence that Thor has, he would be a force to be reckoned with.

Thor turned away from him and continued rather emotionlessly. "But be that as it may, it would be best if Loki did not speak to Alvin—or anyone really. My brother's words are as good as his tricks at escaping undesirable situations."

Thor fixed Loki with one last warning look before leaving, about half the bandits leaving as well—four staying in the immediate vicinity to guard them.

Loki slid down along the wall and sighed softly. He closed his eyes, leaning his head back to rest for a moment. He was so tired. The short nap he got on the flight to Outcast Island accounted for very little, considering he'd only been half-asleep for it and had now been up for well over twenty-four hours—not to mention all the stress that Bonecrusher alone brought…and the adrenaline crash. His body ached as well—having been slammed into and thrown around too much in the last few hours.

He groaned quietly and breathed deeply, slowly, trying to think of a way out of this—to help the others before they got here and became trapped too. He didn't get the chance, however, as exhaustion pulled him under before he could plan even the simplest escape.

The Riders approached Outcast Island in complete darkness, the moon hiding behind layers of clouds.

Astrid rode Toothless to control the fin and Stormfly flew next to them and Meatlug next to her.

The twins flew on her other side and, surprisingly, remained fairly quiet and serious the entire time.

Snotlout flew at the back, also remaining quiet—though, most likely for entirely different reasons.

Tuffnut whispered something to Ruffnut but Astrid ignored them, patting Toothless on the shoulder. "Alright Toothless, you're the only one who knows where the entrance is."

Toothless shook himself then roared down at the island, a moment later he dove and the others followed.

Astrid braced for the cold water but it still shocked her as they glided through it to the entrance. They burst through the water again and into the dank, dark cave—landing on the beach. They spread out a bit looking around but Astrid's gaze was drawn to a loan torch planted in the ground.

She turned to Snotlout and asked quietly, "I thought no one knew we were coming."

Snotlout shrugged, he thought no one knew.

Ruffnut frowned at the torch. "They could just leave a torch burning all the time down here—you know, in case someone needs a quick exit."

Astrid frowned at her, about to retort but Tuffnut spoke first. "Or, they could be looking for Hiccup. You know, he escaped and now they're checking every nook and cranny."

Ruffnut nodded. "True, they would have to check every cranny. By Loki how that boy can hide."

"Sh!" Astrid cut them off, staring down the tunnel. She could have sworn she saw-

Arrows whizzed out and Toothless jumped in the air, Stormfly and Meatlug following.

The twins urged Barf and Belch to leave but were hit with a net before they could get airborne.

The other dragons circled the cave, dodging arrows.

Thor ran out and shouted, "The water! Cover the water! It's their only way out."

Astrid growled as Toothless bucked, avoiding another volley of arrows. "Everybody out!"

Snotlout and Hookfang circled overhead. "No, wait! If I can get close enough, I can clap and—oh boy."

Snotlout's stomach rolled as he became too dizzy from the fast paced circling and leaned over Hookfang to retch. Only to push on his horns and cause him to turn into a stalactite and send them crashing to the ground.

Thor laughed and approached Snotlout. Astrid yelled, prompting Toothless to fire a warning shot at him.

Snotlout looked up at the commotion and saw Thor standing in front of him. "Uh-huh. Three, four, five Thors. Must, clap hands…" He missed, being far too disoriented for hand-eye coordination and slapped himself.

Thor frowned but the twins laughed, Tuffnut saying, "we had an Uncle Dullnut who used to do that. We could watch him for hours."

A volley of arrows was shot at them and he yelped—running back towards Barf and Belch then took off.

Ruffnut sobered up, looking hard at Thor, or more specifically, his belt. She scowled and yelled at Thor. "Where's Hiccup-er-Loki!"

Thor smiled at her. "He's safe, though he won't be helping you anytime soon."

Ruffnut continued to glare at him while Tuffnut frowned. "He isn't helping you, is he? Because if he is, that's very uncool of him."

Thor scoffed. "I know not what you have done to him but I now have to unscramble his mind of your witchery. Friends, ha! Since when has Loki ever stood for that?!"

Astrid glared at him and shouted at Snotlout. "Come on Snotlout, wake him up already!"

Snotlout tried to stand but fell over Hookfang's neck. He pushed himself up to his knees then clapped, once, twice—just before the third clap Thor wrenched his arms apart and held him tightly.

Toothless dodged a bola thrown at them.

Thor tossed an almost unconscious Snotlout over his shoulder and ran for the tunnel, gesturing for the bandits to continue their assault. "Onward, Snotman. Destiny awaits."

Astrid growled in frustration. "Water, now!"

Stormfly dove and Meatlug followed.

Hookfang flamed up and roared at the bandits aiming crossbows at him.

Astrid and Toothless circled overhead. "Leave him, Hookfang! We can't help either of them right now! We'll figure out a different way."

Hookfang snorted then shot flames at the bandits before diving into the water.

She dove after him and the twins followed.

They flew out of the water and into the open night sky, circling the island once before landing near the Outcast's encampment.

Astrid growled/yelled in frustration, slamming her fist onto the saddle.

Toothless turned his head and cooed worriedly.

She slid off and patted his snout before glancing at the twins who were bickering over something and sighed. "We'll figure something out."

*O*

Thor walked down the prison again but with a new prisoner this time. Snotlout laid, draped across his shoulder, unconscious. He chuckled as he opened the cell next to Loki's and hung Snotlout inside, upside-down. "Consider this payback for how annoying you are."

Thor frowned at the Viking though, still confused about something. The girl and him had mentioned a clapping, something to bring Fishlegs back. Again with this Fishlegs! He grabbed some rope then bound Snotlout's hands together. Whatever the clapping was for—until he knew for sure—it would be best to not let him do it.

He walked back out and glanced at the guards who were keeping watch, though not looking at him. He walked over to Loki's cell. He frowned slightly, Loki looked to be asleep. A strange time to sleep. He debated heavily if he should go in and check on him but quickly shook his head to rid himself of that idea.

"No doubt that is his plan of escape. Clever Loki."

Loki didn't stir and Thor turned and walked away. He had more important business to attend to right now—capturing the rest of the Dragon Riders.

*O*

Loki awoke to someone screaming, not like they were being tortured but definitely scared. He opened his eyes slowly, letting them get used to the light, and, even then, didn't bother looking up. He'd know that screaming anywhere.

They must have come while I was sleeping….Stupid! Stupid, stupid Hiccup! Why'd you fall asleep?!

His mental reprimand was interrupted by a shadow blocking the light. He looked up to see Thor standing there smiling.

"Welcome back to the land of the living, brother."

Loki looked at him unimpressed before laying his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. "Came here gloat that you caught Snotlout? Hooray for you. I don't suppose you caught the others, or any of their dragons?"

Thor frowned at him. "I do not understand why you are fighting me Loki. We should be on the same side, think of what we could accomplish—together!"

Loki raised an eyebrow. "Then let me out and we can conquer them, together."

Thor gave a pause, thrown by Loki's sudden change of attitude. "What trickery is this?"

Loki stood, leaning against the back wall casually. "No tricks. But at least if I have a hand in being the conqueror then I can make sure that none of my friends will be hurt or killed."

Thor hummed as he inspected Loki before turning away. "We shall see."

Loki looked out of his cell in the direction that Thor left.

Alvin snorted from his cell, glaring at the one next to Loki's. "I've said it bafore an' I'll say it again, yer friend screams like a girl."

"Hey!" Snotlout shouted before saying in a loud but non-shouting voice. "You're not the one tied up, upside-down!"

Loki rolled his eyes and hopped a bit closer to the door, listening to Thor and the bandits discussing plans.

"-And the hostages?" Thor's voice drifted down the tunnel.

There was a short pause before the former-bandit-leader answered. "We're to toss them overboard. No, uh, loose ends."

Thor hummed in agreement. "Ah, I like the way he thinks. Though, that could prove rather troublesome in procuring Loki's loyalty."

There was a laugh from the former-bandit-leader. "Loki's loyalty?! He's unloyal and untrustworthy as they come!"

Thor grunted and Loki winced, offended for Loki. "Possibly, however his assistance would be invaluable."

The former-bandit-leader scoffed. "I refuse to let the Dragon Riders' leader run loose just because you claim to be his brother! He'll turn on you for them the first chance he gets! Not to mention that my employer might actually kill me if I return with the both of you and him just sauntering in!"

Thor growled but relented. "Alright, but he will not be thrown overboard."

"Fine, you're head on the chopping block."

Loki sighed and sat back down, staring hard at the rock on the opposite side of the cell.

Snotlout chuckled nervously as he asked, "You were kidding, right? About the whole 'I'll be the conqueror' thing?"

Loki's eyes glanced at the door, the best he could do to 'look' at Snotlout. "No."

Snotlout's laugh dropped off into a choke. "So, wait, you would actually-"

Loki cut him off, annoyed at Snotlout's inference as he was trying to think. "I would do what I had to to ensure your guys' safety, never said I'd deliver you to their boss."

"Oh yeah, that's comforting." Snotlout snipped.

Loki started to respond when a guard banged his spear against the cell bars. "No talking from you."

Loki glared at him but said nothing more.

*O*

Astrid sighed as the Outcasts grew restless, shouting at them to bring them Alvin. She didn't say anything, only turning to look at the three, riderless dragon in concern—Toothless the most agitated, pacing in circles and snapping at any one or dragon that tried to offer comfort.

The twins landed, loudly bickering over something that probably wasn't important.

Astrid interrupted them and the Outcasts' cries lowered to a drone. "Did you find them?"

Ruffnut's nose upturned. "Oh yeah, didn't even need Barf and Belch to find them."

Tuffnut gripped his nose and swatted the air. "Oh man are those fish smell-ly, they only get worse the more they've been in the sun."

Ruffnut jabbed her thumb behind them. "They're in some cave on the other side of the island."

Tuffnut nodded, mood resigned. "If we can get past the bandits it's pretty easy to get in, even with the larger dragons."

Astrid nodded then frowned, looking at the twins who were both silent and uncharacteristically calm. "What's up with you two? I don't think I've seen you this normal in... ever."

Ruffnut frowned. "Hiccup's been taken by a friend-"

"-or someone who we thought was a friend." Tuffnut interrupted.

"And they share all their ideals."

"Whatever Hiccup tries to do to escape-"

"-Bonecrusher probably knows about it already."

"Or what if he decides that Loki's too big a threat to him?"

Astrid sighed and glanced at Toothless who paused his pacing long enough to watch the interaction but at the last statement he shot at the ground and resumed. "I don't know either. Thor, Fishlegs, they know all our tactics. I—I don't know what to do—this was always Hiccup's area."

The twins perked up and shared grinned and Tuffnut held up his hands in a pacifying manner. "Okay, so, we had an idea-"

"-here us out 'cause it's kinda crazy-" Ruffnut added.

Astrid opened her mouth to say something but Tuffnut cut her off. "So, we know Toothless is going nuts, right?"

Astrid frowned and crossed her arms at them while Toothless snorted.

"Anyway," Tuffnut continued, "what if we send T here in after them-"

Ruffnut laughed. "I mean, he probably knows the island as well as the rest of the Outcasts-"

"Yes! And we can provide a distraction to let Toothless slip in."

Astrid frowned, it was a rather decent plan—about the only good one they had right now. "Alright, and I have an idea for a distraction."

Astrid jumped onto Stormfly and turned to Toothless, but he was already gone.

*O*

Loki wiggled his hands around in the rope, it would be easy enough to cut through and he could probably trick the guards into unlocking the cell door; however, there was an issue of actually escaping as he was down half a leg.

Snotlout groaned for the umpteenth time and Alvin snapped at him. "Will ya shu' up! It's yer own fault yer in 'ere!"

"You're not stuck upside down! And it's not like I asked for any of this to happen!"

One guard growled, annoyed with both of them. "Both of you shut up."

Loki ignored all of them, looking around his cell for anything that could be a leg replacement. I guess I could always use one of the spears as a crutch…or, Loki forbid, have Snotlout carry me.

Snotlout was becoming increasingly irritated. "I'm sorry, but I don't take orders from you. Shoot, I barely take them from Hic-eh-er-Loki."

Loki gave a short, bitter laugh.

The guards turned towards Snotlout, one looking ready to impale him.

Alvin chuckled as he sat in his cell and watched. "This'll be fun."

"I have to pee," Loki said suddenly, and randomly.

The guards paused and blinked, caught off guard, Snotlout and Alvin were as well.

One of them, the leader if Loki had to guess, walked over to his cell and glared at him. "No ya don't."

Loki nodded. "Yeah, I do. I haven't been since—whenever yesterday night was. I gotta go."

The guard stared at him for a long minute and Loki started back. After a time he raised an eyebrow and the guard sighed. He turned to the others. "One of you help me—don't want him escaping and Thor having our heads."

He unlocked the cell and they both entered.

Loki summoned his dagger and cut the ropes but kept them over his wrists.

One, not the leader, bent down and grabbed his arm.

He was led to the door and at the entrance he wrenched his arm free of the guard's grasp—not having held on that tightly—and punched him in the throat. He stumbled back and the leader shouted for the others.

Loki ducked under the spear swung at him and rolled, the guard's momentum carrying him into the cell, and Loki slammed the door shut with his foot.

Another guard approached, reaching out to tackle him even though he was already on the ground.

Loki turned and gripped the cell, pulling himself up at the last second—the guard ramming headfirst into the door.

The leader was already at the door, grabbing the keys and inserting them to unlock the door.

The last guard ran at Loki and swung with the butt-end of the spear. Loki jumped sideways but the shaft still caught him in the side, throwing him along the door towards the lock.

The leader reached through and grabbed his left arm and pulled him into the door, laughing triumphantly.

Loki flipped the dagger around and jabbed it backwards towards the lock.

The leader yelped, in fear for his hand, and released the key but still—his palm was sliced.

The guard still outside the cell gripped his spear and pointed it at Loki.

Loki grabbed the key from the door and chucked it at the guard's head, he ducked it with a grunt, but gave Loki just enough time to make another jab with the dagger at the hand holding his arm.

The leader released his arm, without getting cut this time, and Loki fell away from the door. The remaining guard jabbed at Loki with the spear shaft and he rolled to avoid it then kicked the guard behind the knee. He fell and Loki grabbed the third guard's fallen spear, swinging it over his chest and connecting with the last guard's helmet.

The guard hit the ground with a grunt and didn't move after that.

Loki laid there for a second and breathed heavily but the leader started shouting immediately.

"Loki's escaped! We need backup, now! How did you idiots not hear the fight?!"

He kept shouting and Loki got to his foot, hopping to the key before grabbing the spear again and hobbling over to Alvin's cell.

Snotlout cried out indignantly. "Hey! I'm your cousin! I should be let out first."

Alvin smirked at Snotlout before yelling. "Hiccup, duck!"

Loki turned the key as Alvin shouted and turned to look behind him but yelled when Alvin swiped his foot from under him.

Not a second later Thor hit the bars where he'd been standing.

Loki rolled away quickly and balanced on one foot, spear still in hand—ready but also acting as a brace momentarily.

Thor stood and growled, annoyed at Loki.

Alvin ran at the door and rammed it open, hitting Thor and throwing him across the tunnel and into Snotlout's cell door.

"Run 'Iccup!" Alvin shouted, blocking Thor's path to Loki with his own girth—unable to do much else with his hands still bound.

"Hiccup!" Snotlout shouted. "Don't you dare leave me here!"

Loki glanced between Alvin and Snotlout.

Thor laughed and grabbed something off his belt, waving it tauntingly. "How do you expect him to run when he can't even walk?"

Loki rebalanced on his foot, still leaning on the spear and continued to look between Alvin, Thor and Snotlout's cage.

Shout's started echoing from down the tunnel.

Loki gripped the spear and took a hopping step towards Alvin.

Alvin turned to snap at him but stopped as he felt the ropes around his wrists loosen.

Thor glared at Loki and he hopped back.

Alvin rubbed his wrists and grinned. "Now it's a fair fight." Then he charged Thor.

Loki hung back but continued to look down the tunnel as the shouts grew louder.

Alvin punched Thor and his hold on the false leg loosed.

Loki saw the prosthetic fall from Thor's hand and hopped forward to grab it but jerked to a halt when Thor kicked it into Snotlout's cell—grinning briefly at Loki.

Loki frowned and hopped back, catching Alvin's look—one that screamed to get out and get help before Thor tackled him and the fist fight resumed. Loki growled before turning and hobbling around the corner, he knew that without his leg, fighting Thor would be next to useless—much less trying to avoid Thor while attempting to free Snotlout.

He heard Snotlout shout at Thor, something about unworthy opponents, but he ignored it—instead focusing on the shouts of the bandits. Most were behind him, but they did have full reign of the tunnel system so they could come from either end.

Loki turned a corner then pressed himself against a rock protrusion. Half a minute later several bandits ran passed. He sighed and continued down the tunnel.

The shouts from the fight had died down, whether that was because they managed to subdue Alvin again or because he was simply too far away to hear anymore—he didn't know.

He looked up from the ground and his footing to see light; bright, natural sunlight. He grinned and ran—quickly hobbled—out of the cave. There was no one outside that he could see so he took it without question and hobbled around the rock strewn land.

As Loki crossed the rock field, he could see that the tunnel had led him to an area by the dock. Several bandits were there, loading the fish onto boats. Looks like they're leaving soon.

Loki hopped back, there was no way he could get through them to a boat, much less sail it single leggedly. He glared at his missing foot before turning around, he'd have to traverse the island and hope he could make it to the Outcast encampment before Thor found him.

*O*

Ruffnut held a white flag as they flew over to the caves the bandits were holding out in. She grinned at Tuffnut. "Who knew Astrid had it in her to Loki someone!?"

Tuffnut smiled broadly as he gripped Belch's horns. "I know, right!? This'll be awesome!"

She looked down and saw the bandits gathering, all looking up at them. "Ready, o brother of mine?"

"Oh yes." He smirked.

Ruffnut waved the flag as they set down, Thor glaring at them, but neither dismounted their dragon—liking the height the Zippleback's long necks gave them. Ruffnut yelled, "hey Thor! We wanna talk!"

"Yeah! You and us got a bone to pick." Tuffnut agreed, serious and arms crossed.

Thor frowned at them, head tilted in a superior manner. "Oh, and what might that be?"

Ruffnut glared at him. "You kidnapped our brother."

Thor's face twisted, confused. "Who, Snotlout?"

Tuffnut scoffed. "What? Ewe, no. H-Loki."

Thor's eyes hardened. "He is not your brother, he is mine—and I will see to him as I see fit."

Ruffnut and Tuffnut shared a look, the former scoffing. "Yeah, sorry. We laid claim to him long before you did."

Tuffnut crossed his arms but shrugged. "I mean, I can see why you want him—he's totally cool, and the pranks he can think of-!"

"-Yeah," Ruffnut nodded, "defiantly some of the best-"

Thor cut them, scowling. "I can see that you are fanatics of my brother, however, he will be remaining with me—that is final."

They frowned before Tuffnut shrugged. "Oh, well, we'll see about that."

Thor frowned, looking at them hard. "And what does that mean?"

Ruffnut grinned and pointed to a cart full of Ice Tailed Pike. "Buddushk!"

On cue—the cart exploded, flaming bits of wood and fish flying everywhere, while several more carts followed it.

Thor's head shot around to a cliff several yards away and glared. Astrid was there, sitting on Stormfly and with Hookfang and Meatlug standing on either side of her. His gaze lingered on Meatlug before snarling and grabbing a sword, intending on running the twins through, but they were already in the air and spewing gas into the tunnel mouth.

"Light 'em up Belch!" Tuffnut shouted with glee.

The ground shook from the explosion and several loose rocks fell from the tunnel's ceiling—providing dragons and Riders the cover they needed to make an escape.

Ruffnut glanced back at the scurrying bandits, trying to salvage fish. "Think that did the trick?"

Astrid looked over to the prison's main entrance but saw no dragon, both guards were still there and alert. "I hope so. Did either of you see Hiccup, Snotlout or Alvin? I hope they weren't in the entrance of the cave."

They shook their heads, Tuffnut adding. "Neither hide nor smell."

Astrid frowned at the expression and Ruffnut clarified. "Outcasts smell worse than a Submaripper. I don't think they've even heard of the bathing concept."

Tuffnut nodded. "Too true sister, too true."

*O*

Thor glared at the retreating Riders. The bandits flipped carts back over and filled them with what they could salvage of the fish.

A bandit came up to him and shook his head. "No sign of Loki yet, sir."

Thor frowned. "He's a one legged, hobbling stick—how is he hard to find? He can't have gone that far."

The bandit shrank in a bit. "We'll double our efforts, Thor."

"See that you do. Loki could do more damage alone and hobbling than all the Riders combined."

The former-bandit leader came up to him, concerned. "We may not have time to find him, we need to leave."

Thor looked at him with one eye, annoyed that the man was trying to give him orders. "We aren't leaving just yet."

The former-leader frowned, explaining. "It's way too dangerous, Thor. Now with the Dragon Riders on to us..."

"Those two, or three, measly Riders?" Thor scoffed. "They caught us off guard—which will not happen again. We lost a bit of bounty in that skirmish. We don't have the requisite amount of fish necessary to appease your leader. And Thor Bonecrusher never does anything by half measures."

He turned to a bandit and ordered. "Send out one more ransom, and make it handsome. They need to make up for the fish the Riders cost us."

The former-bandit leader frowned but said nothing, it wasn't like he could fight Thor Bonecrusher—more like he didn't want to fight him again.

Thor turned to a pair of bandits who paused in picking up fish. "You there!"

They glanced at each other before one asked, unsure, "yes, Thor Bonecrusher, sir?"

"Inform the men looking for Loki to take him to the ship that's full and ready to embark once he's caught—tell them to set sail immediately. I do not trust Loki to be on this island anymore, certainly not with Riders now here.

"And have some men take the other Rider down to the docks and hold him there. We can use him as a shield should the Riders try and stop us from leaving."

One bandit asked, "what of Alvin, sir?"

Thor frowned in thought. "Take him with us for the exchange, we can use him to keep them from trying anything funny again."

They nodded and ran off to complete their orders.

*O*

Loki hobbled back through the rocky field towards the edge of the island. There was a cliff path there that would wrap around to the center of the island. It's not the most preferable route, Loki thought, but it's the only one that doesn't go through the docks or tunnels.

He was more than half-way across the cliff-path and everything was quiet. Well, the island wasn't quiet. Bandits were still shouting from the docks and dragons roared and shrieked on the far side of the island, but he didn't hear the footsteps of bandits or their voices near him.

Not that they couldn't be tracking him silently—Loki hoped not. He tried to walk as silently as possible but unfortunately the spear still clacked against the ground and he didn't have the practice with it as he did with his leg at walking silently.

The cliff-path finally gave way to an uneven, sloping and barren land. Loki smiled as he saw no one in the vicinity. He still kept his joy in check, though, because there were many places among the rocky protrusions that the bandits could hide behind.

He crossed about a fourth of the plain when a thought struck him. If Snotlout returned and the Riders were here as well…then Toothless must be here too! Astrid wouldn't leave him behind. He wouldn't let her. I might not need to get to the Outcasts' encampment.

He looked around, took a few steps more into flat, open ground and cupped his hands around his mouth. Here goes nothing…hopefully Toothless will get to me before the bandits do. He roared, mimicking Toothless' roar almost perfectly.

*O*

Thor's head shot up as a roar echoed across the island. Everything and everyone went still, the constant dragon chatter from the opposite end of the island falling silent.

"It's Loki. Quickly men! Find out where that-"

Thor's words were lost as a second roar echoed the first, only a little bit deeper—a little more draconic. And far closer.

"The dragon of Helheim." Thor hissed.

The former-bandit leader paled slightly. "Was that the Night Fury?"

Thor grunted and nodded his head. "We must find Loki before his beast does or else all is lost."

The former-leader nodded. "I can agree to that…I've heard stories of that pair. None of them good for my line of work."

*O*

Astrid and the twins, mainly Astrid, were discussing possible rescue plans with the temporary Outcast leader.

While she believed that Toothless would get Hiccup out, she wasn't going to place all her hope in him rescuing Alvin and Snotlout as well—especially if Toothless could only barely get Hiccup out. The overprotective dragon—though for good reason—would bring Hiccup back to the encampment at the very least.

The added fact that they received another ransom, using Alvin as the lure, only pushed her belief that Toothless got both Hiccup and Snotlout out.

Their discussion was interrupted by a Night Fury's roar followed a few seconds later by another one.

Tuffnut frowned, looking at his twin. "Uh, I thought T was supposed to have already rescued Hiccup?"

Ruffnut shrugged. "Maybe something happened as they were making their escape. I mean, this is Hiccup we're talking about."

Astrid was already mounted on Stormfly and yelled at them. "Hurry up and get on your dragon! Hiccup's in trouble!"

"Right!" Tuffnut yelled, jumping over Belch's neck, Ruffnut mirroring him.

*O*

Toothless entered the caves without problem since the two guards were distracted by multiple explosions.

He followed Hiccup's trail which was rather easy as it was still fresh and he, like Hiccup, remembered these tunnels too well. As he wove through the tunnels he made a firm resolve to sit on Hiccup whenever Thor was mentioned, if this sort of thing happened too many times his scales were going to lose their luster long before old age.

He arrived at a split and came to a pause, Hiccup's scent came from both directions. He must have doubled back at one point.

Toothless snorted in annoyance and chose the left path. He walked for several minutes before the cave opened to the outside. The scent continued out and he paused again, unsure. This could mean that Hiccup escaped or that it was a previous attempt.

He bent closer to the ground and sniffed, Alvin's scent was there as well, but not Snotlout's. He huffed before deciding to go back and try the other scent first before he went on a possibly wild goose chase.

As he doubled back, activity in the cave seemed to increase, making his trek much harder—though not impossible. After a time he arrived at a trio of cells that reeked with all their scents.

Toothless shook his head before sniffing around. Both Hiccup and Alvin's scents tumbled around like they had been in a fight, and all of them had been trampled over—many times—by other scents from the bandits.

All the scents seemed to split and go different directions however, Hiccup's scent was different here—it lacked its usual metallic smell from his false leg.

Toothless hissed at the implication and took off running with that scent.

It led him out of the caves again and across a rocky field.

He started to cross the field when he heard a roar. His roar. He tossed his head back and answered, running after Hiccup.

Hehe, well, one more chapter for this segment. Leave your thoughts and have a wonderful day!