Author's note: Well, I did say I was going to try to stick to a monthly upload schedule, but at the worst time possible. Two weeks after I uploaded the last chapter I went away for a week over to the Eastern States of Australia, then I was camping on the weekend after that. So uh, haven't really had much time to give to this story. But this chapter is here now so I hope you can forgive me. Italics are for Valka. Bold italics are for Hiccup. Enjoy!
Narrator's perspective
The large men dragged the body of a tied-up dragon to a nearby cage, a monstrous nightmare. It was limp and no longer struggling; the once bright orange of its skin was dull, its eyes were drooping. The cage door swung open and the men shoved the dragon inside. One of them entered after it and began cutting the ropes around its wings and tail, but leaving the muzzle that kept its jaw shut. The Nightmare didn't move during this process; it stayed limp and barely breathing. Once the trapper was done cutting the ropes, he hopped quickly out of the cage and the door was shut behind him. The dragon curled its tail 'round its face and stilled.
On the other side of the circular building, the Stormcutter was watching the hunters through the bars of her cage. Once the people left down a staircase to the lower levels, her head rested on her paw and she looked into the neighbouring cage.
A scaly black lump lay in the middle, wings folded over head and tail wrapped around body. The Hunters had removed the ropes tying up the Night Fury but had left the muzzle in place, just like they did with the Nightmare. His eyes were open but looking at nothing. But his mind raced with thoughts and emotions, all strung up by the dragon-lady in the next cage. His chest rose and fell, the soft noise of his breathing interrupting his thoughts as his mind went astray.
The dragon-lady sighed, then lifted her head when she heard the roar of a dragon being rolled into the building in a large cage. It seemed to be made of some kind of black rubber with the top of it being completely solid. A wire mesh covered the inside of the cage with a large electrical cable attached to a separate metal wheel that dragged behind the cage. The wheels were also made of the same black rubber and plastic compound and the rolled along the ground silently, a sharp contrast to the dragon that was thrashing around inside.
The beast in question was a black-purply colour with streaks of violet running along the top of its head and down the sides of its body. A crown of spines topped its head, these then continued down the rest of its body, ending at the tail.
Valka instantly recognised the dragon. A Skrill. It was one that she used to care for at a dragon research facility. It had been stolen from its nest by trappers then rescued and brought back to the facility. She had nursed it back to health, then released it into the wild. She had continued to see it flying around from time to time.
It wore no muzzle and the ropes that had held it were singed and lying at the bottom of the cage. The dragon kept roaring to the darkening sky, holding its wings up. But no lightning came down. The rubber-plastic cage prevented it from charging, and the metal mesh immediately channelled the little amount of electricity it was emitting straight into the ground.
The Hunters wheeled the cage to the side of the circular building, then attached chains to the base and top of the cage. They removed the wheels and lowered it to the ground. The Skrill roared again.
By this point Hiccup had looked up to see the events taking place. But as soon as the Hunters had left, he covered his face again.
I cared for that Skrill after it was stolen as a baby, and now its back in captivity. Valka heaved a sigh, eyes down-turning. This is definitely where they keep their most prized dragons. Don't know whether to be honoured or scared.
Hiccup didn't respond to his mother's small talk. Under his wing he rolled his eyes and swept his tail along the cage floor.
Hiccup, I know you're angry. Justifiably so. But I had a job to do that few others would. It's a dangerous land out here. People will kill you just for the fun of it. This place is a prime example. She looked around the building at all the slumped over dragons. Hiccup, please listen. I left you in the hands of your father because I knew he would do a fine job of raising his son. And I have been around, watching you grow. You've become quite the young man. I was there on the day you took Astrid to the leavers dance. My, did she look stunning. And remember the fire alarm? Who do you think gave Tuffnut the idea of pulling the alarm? Admittedly I probably had a bit too much to drink that night.
Hiccup's head shot up, a scowl across his face and he glared at his mother. When did this drinking thing start? Eret told me about the flask you carry around with you. And that night in Grill'd. What was that about? Another patron told me you picked fights there. He said you had an order for all the meat they had, then you got drunk.
Valka's face darkened. Hiccup, a lot has changed since the time you last knew me. Her deep stare softened, but her telepathic voice remained steely. I ordered the meat for the dragons I was caring for. Some of them were very picky and didn't eat the fish I brought them. As for the drinking, I've been doing that for 20 odd years. Well before I knew your father.
And pointing at me and Astrid?
As I said before, I had a bit too much to drink and I wasn't thinking straight. I recognised you so I pointed.
What happened with the police when you were thrown out?
Why, so many questions. She laughed.
Hiccup growled and narrowed his gaze.
I flew away before they found me.
And then trucks that chased us through the woods. What about them?
Valka tilted her head and looked confused. What trucks?
Hiccup returned the expression. Didn't you know. When Astrid returned from her hospital stay after I blasted her, she was told to take daily walks to bring her strength back up. While on one of these walks she collapsed and a seizure. That's when her wings and tail formed. Valka nodded, having already been told this part of the story.
When she woke up an off-road truck was speeding down the track. It didn't stop when it neared us. We ran into the forest and it followed us in. I transformed then carried Astrid into the desert. A few days later Eret kidnapped us from the rock formation we'd made camp at.
Valka turned away from Hiccup and muttered, Viggo, he knows.
What was that?
Viggo knows who you are. That's how you were captured. He's powerful Hiccup and what he'll do I don't know.
Woah, hold on a second. You mean there is a man actively trying to kill me?
Viggo is the leader of the Dragon Hunters. You saw the huge dragon emerging from the water? That's him.
What? How did this happen? And if he's trying to kill me, why am I in this cage?
I don't know why he hasn't killed you yet, but I can explain how all this happened.
Valka told him the story of the Great Chief, the one she told Astrid, about the war and how they got their ability to transform.
But the chief had another son. I think Krogan was his name. He helped his father and younger siblings during the battle against the oncoming tribes. He fought well and slaughtered many foe. But once he learnt the full extent of the abilities, there was no stopping him. The few dragons that remained after the war were controlled by him and they attacked the village. He battled them alongside his siblings again, but once they found out he was responsible for the battle, he was executed. Viggo is the child of that man. He never ages and wont die of natural causes. Krogan gave him this power once he learned to control his own. Viggo seeks vengeance for his father's death, so he kills any direct descendants of his father's younger brother, who was responsible for his death. These direct descendants are called Titan Wings, and you and I are both them. We have abilities more power than any other dragon, with the exception of Viggo. He wants us out of the picture, so we don't interrupt his new dragon trapping industry. He knows I'm one of these Titan Wings but I doubt he knows my real identity.
Hiccup lifted himself to his feet and padded across to the cage wall. He plopped himself down and looked to his mother again.
Wow, that's a lot to take in. What about Astrid, is she a Titan Wing?
I don't know. I think she would be but judging by her incomplete transformation I'd say not at the moment. Maybe at some point we could get her fully transformed if she wanted.
Well. Just hope she and Eret can rescue us.
Narrator's perspective
A buzzing came from the search party director's phone. The caller ID said helicopter #3. He picked it up and placed it to his ear.
"Hello?" he said.
"Yes, we've found something about the missing persons up in the desert. I'm sending over photos now. Check your laptop." The co-pilot said.
The search party director opened his laptop as a message popped up for unread emails. He clicked on it and opened the photos.
"We believe we've found the remainder of the tracks leading away from the temporary base where the pocket-knife was found. We followed them and we have found what we believe to be the place that they were taken to. It's a smaller bunker type structure hidden amount a rock formation. A van with matching tyre prints was found in a concealed garage adjacent to the bunker. A Special Ops team is on the ground searching through the structure. So far it appears to be uninhabited but used recently, within the past day or two. The Special Ops team is starting a vigil, checking if anyone returns." The co-pilot crackled again through the phone.
The director studied the pictures he'd been sent. The bunker contained a single room with two beds near the front and a table and makeshift kitchen near the back.
He continued to look at the images, "Ok, thanks for the update. I'll inform their families immediately."
The director hung up the phone.
He pulled into the driveway of the Hoffersons, bringing his laptop up to the door. He rang the bell and waited for a response.
The door opened and Garret Hofferson stood there.
"Hello sir," the director said, "We have found some more information about the whereabouts of your daughter and her friend.
He opened his laptop and showed them the pictures of the bunker.
"One of the helicopter parties found the continuation of the van tracks that we believe to have kidnapped your child. They lead to a bunker hidden in rock with a concealed garage containing a van that perfectly matches the tracks. These photos were taken by a Spec Ops team on the site. They are staying there awaiting any arrival of the bunker's inhabitants. But that's all we know for the time being. We have to wait and see if anyone returns to the bunker."
Mrs Hofferson was now at the door and listening to the director. "Have you told any of this to Stoick yet?" she asked.
The director closed his laptop.
"Not yet, but I'm one my way there. Good night."
Author's note: Again, I'd like to apologise for my lateness with this chapter. But I hope you enjoyed it and it made up for my lack of time management. Please review and tell me what you think.