{Normal POV}

[Drago's Fortress; Six Months Later]

Hiccup had been a prisoner for six long months since that day he refused to train dragons for an army that was meant to conquer humans. The first day and night were spent in the cell with his wrists held by Gronckle Iron shackles, and the same with a lock on his right leg that was bolted to the wall. The next afternoon is when things changed quickly. The man behind Hiccup's capture arrived, and Hiccup got to meet him face to face. Drago Bludvist. This man was darker skinned with black hair, on the larger side and he had a fake arm too. As Hiccup learned, Drago lost his family to dragons as a boy, and he vowed to rise above the fear. Hiccup didn't buy it because there was a time Vikings feared dragons too until Hiccup rose above the fear and befriended a Night Fury, now, there is peace because of it. However, Hiccup discovered that Drago wanted revenge on people too; those who thought he was crazy and laughed at him. Hiccup learned that Drago didn't want to conquer dragons; he wanted to conquer people with dragons. To make people follow him, and get rid of those who don't.

~Flashback~

One night in the cell hadn't been horrible. Hiccup was given regularly scheduled meals, a blanket, pillow, pad to sleep on. There was also a spot on the far side of the cell where he could use the bathroom, and wash up. Hiccup, though, knew better than to expect this all the time. As soon as this Drago arrived; it would change because wouldn't agree to train the dragons for some army. Hiccup knew it was afternoon time as he was just sitting in the cell quietly. Seven days now that he'd been away from home, and he wondered if the riders and his father were any closer to finding him.

"Krogan, sir," the guard saluted to Krogan when he walked in front of the cell. Hiccup glanced up to see the man, but made no effort to talk or move.

"Bring him," Krogan ordered. A guard unlocked the cell, and came in to unchain Hiccup from the wall, then drag him to his feet by a firm yank of the arm.

"Come on! On your feet, boy!" the guard demanded. Hiccup didn't say anything; he just rolled his eyes in irritation while being led out as Krogan just turned heel and began walking. The two guards held Hiccup by his arms, following.

Ten minutes later, Hiccup was standing behind Krogan as they reached a door. Krogan knocked and stepped back.

"What?" came a rough voice.

"I've got the kid," Krogan responded.

"Enter," the voice informed. Krogan opened the door and walked in, then the guards shoved Hiccup in as well.

"Hey! You don't gotta push; I can walk on my own," Hiccup glared.

"Be quiet," the guard remarked.

"Make me," Hiccup scoffed.

"As soon as we're given the okay to start beating you; we will," and with that, the door was closed leaving Hiccup in the room with Krogan, Johann, and the man he assumed was Drago.

"So you must be Drago," Hiccup remarked.

"And you must be the famous Dragon Master that Johann has told me all about," Drago stood.

"Wouldn't go with famous, but well known. And I prefer Dragon Rider if its all the same to you," Hiccup rolled his eyes. Krogan smacked him upside the head. "I swear if you do that one more time, then I'm going to let Toothless incinerate you to nothing more than a scorch mark," he added coldly.

"Yeah, you keep thinking that," Krogan crossed his arms over his chest calmly.

"Now, Krogan; let's not be that way. I'm happy to release the boy as long as he gives me what I want," Drago said.

"Not happening," Hiccup informed.

"Listen, Hiccup," Drago started.

"No. You listen to me, Drago. I am not going to train dragons for you," Hiccup glared.

"I don't want to have to hurt you, son," Drago tried.

"I'm not your son," Hiccup cut him off. "Hurt me all you want, but I won't do it,"

"You're a stubborn one," Krogan stated.

"I get it from my old man," Hiccup retorted.

"Look, we wouldn't even need you if the first plan hadn't fallen through. Save yourself the torture, Hiccup, and just train the dragons," Johann stepped forward.

"No. I don't care what you put me through; I will never train dragons for you to use in an army to conquer others. So like I said yesterday to the traitor," Hiccup nudged his head in Johann's direction. "I refuse,"

"I'm sure we can reach some sort of agreement on this matter. Come now, there must be something you've always wanted. I can make it happen," Drago offered.

"Yeah, there is; peace for all. Dragons and Humans," Hiccup said.

"Surely you would settle for a price," Krogan looked at him.

"You can't put a price on peace, but I wouldn't expect you to know that," Hiccup grinned.

"What if I promise to leave your island alone?" Drago asked.

"No deal," Hiccup shook his head. "There is NOTHING you could offer me to make me agree, Drago. Get that through your head. Either kill me or let me go because I will not help you. I won't train the dragons to conquer people after I nearly died to restore peace between the two. I will not let you start another war. So do your worst, but my answer is no,"

Drago sighed. "Have it your way then. Johann, give the order. Let's see how much he can withstand before he breaks,"

~End Flashback~

From that day, everything had gone wrong. Hiccup endured endless amounts of torture to make him give in, but he wouldn't. No matter what they had done to Hiccup; he would not agree to train dragons for them. Every day was something different to try and break Hiccup, and it never happened. Drago thought it was admirable in the beginning, but now, he found it to be an annoyance that through beatings, depriving him of meals and sleep, whippings, all of it; Hiccup refused to do as he was told.

Drago slammed his fist down on the desk angrily as Johann and Krogan stepped back. "You did not tell me this kid would be THIS stubborn, Johann,"

"I honestly didn't know, Drago," Johann responded quickly.

"Six months, and he still refuses through all we've done! I want him training those dragons!" Drago demanded.

"Perhaps we just need to kick it up a bit more. We've taken it easy on him," Krogan offered.

"Yeah. You haven't issued any of your harsher methods of torture," Johann backed the claim up. Drago stared out the window now.

"Then it's time I start. You know what to do next," Drago faced them with a smirk.

"Yes, Drago," Krogan and Johann nodded, then left the office to give the order.

"Let's see how you do now, boy," Drago chuckled darkly.

Hiccup didn't care what they did to him; he would not give in, and he wouldn't break. The torture started off as just a few beatings each day, and Hiccup could handle that regardless of the pain he was in afterward; this went on for about four weeks before Drago decided to start taking away the amount of food Hiccup got to eat to make him hungry. Eventually, it turned into taking whole meals away and starving Hiccup until he was on the brink of death, but Drago never let it go that far since killing Hiccup was pointless if they needed him to train the dragons. Also, Drago took Hiccup to moments where he got dehydrated and sick. Through all that over two months, Hiccup refused. At that point, Hiccup had been with them three months total, but didn't give up. Drago started ordering more torturous methods.

Forcing Hiccup to work long days with no breaks, whippings, group beatings, sleep deprivation, and more leading up to where they were now at six months, but Hiccup wouldn't agree to train the dragons. Hell, Drago even tried to throw Hiccup into a ring against angry dragons, and see if Hiccup would use his skills to save his own skin, but no such luck. Hiccup would take whatever the dragons did, but wouldn't train them. Continuously, Hiccup held on to his sarcasm, playing it off like no big deal. Of course, this annoyed Drago to no end that none of what he was doing had been working. Hiccup hated what was going on, and he knew it would be easier to give in, but he couldn't or it risked humans and dragons, so Hiccup would hold on and keep refusing. Perhaps at some point; these people would give up and just let him go.

"Guard switch," said a man walking up. "Your cover is coming," Hiccup was barely awake; the last round of torture had him pretty exhausted. Typically, the sessions would go on until Hiccup broke, which didn't happen, or he passed out and they threw him back into his cell chained up.

"Where are those two?!" yelled another.

"You know they are never on time," sighed the second guard. Hiccup closed his eyes, pleading for the aching to stop.

"So, the kid still hasn't broken?" remarked the man who had walked up, and was staring into the cell at Hiccup's figure laying on the rocky floor.

"He's got spirit; I'll give him that," scoffed another guard.

"Drago isn't gonna deal with it much longer, and we all know what he's capable of doing," stated a third voice.

"We're here," came a voice that Hiccup knew all too well.

"Took you long enough, Viggo and Ryker. You're watching him through the night," the man huffed. Ryker was alive?! They were both here?! Hiccup could not believe this, and yet, maybe he could.

"Watching who?" Ryker asked in an uninterested tone.

"Drago's dragon trainer when he finally breaks," after that, the others walked away as Viggo and Ryker looked into the cell; their eyes widened.

"Hiccup?" the Grimborn brothers said in disbelief.

[Berk]

Months of searching, and there was nothing to show for it. In and outside the Archipelago boundaries the riders tried to locate their fearless dragon riding leader, but they couldn't. The other islands took boats out, asking around, but still nothing. Stoick was falling apart and Toothless miserable; a certain sadness had fallen over the village knowing each search ended with nothing at all.

"Stoick; it's time to face facts," Spitelout advised.

"No. I refuse to accept it," Stoick shook his head.

"Six months, Stoick," Gobber interjected calmly while putting his good hand on Stoick's shoulder. "I know it hurts, but I don't think there is anything more we can do," It started at four months that people were beginning to believe Hiccup was gone for good, but Stoick continued to push for the searches. The other islands stopped two weeks ago, and the riders were exhausted from all the trips back and forth, going in all directions to find their friend.

"I can't stop, Gobber. I have to save my son," Stoick closed his eyes.

"Stoick, we can't save him if we don't know where he is, or who even took him. Sure, we have our theories that it could be Viggo seeking revenge, but we can't find him or that Krogan guy anywhere," Spitelout tried to reason with the Berk Chief.

"In all honestly, Stoick, and I know you don't want to consider it," Alvin began.

"Hiccup might not even still be alive," Gobber said.

"Don't say that!" Stoick boomed. The teenagers winced at their Chief's anger, even Heather who had come along with Dagur.

"Stoick, you have to consider the-," Ander started.

"No! I don't! Hiccup is alive; I know he is! My boy is a fighter! Hiccup survived Red Death, and the Dragon Hunters-," Stoick reminded.

"Because he had his friends! And Toothless! Hiccup was taken away from Berk right under our noses, Chief, and he doesn't have his dragon or the other riders this time!" Spitelout yelled as Stoick froze. "I know Hiccup is a fighter, but if he didn't do whatever these people wanted him for, you have to know that they would have killed him,"

"Easy, Jorgenson," Gobber glared as Spitelout backed off. "Stoick. Listen to and look at me, my friend," Stoick looked at Gobber with tears in his eyes. "We all know that Hiccup is every bit of boar-headed and stubborn as you; he's smart, a quick thinker, and stronger than he looks. However, Spitelout is right," Stoick turned his head. "If Hiccup was taken for a purpose and he doesn't or didn't do what they wanted; he could have been killed. Now, I'm not saying Hiccup is dead, but I'm not confirming he's alive either. If Hiccup is okay; I pray that he finds a way to escape and make it back to us. For us, though, we can't keep issuing search parties. Harsh Winter is coming, and it's not safe for the riders to be out there, or the ships. Maybe when it warms up we can try again, but right now; we've got to stop,"

There was silence in the Mead Hall now, all eyes on Stoick after what Gobber said to him. Stoick finally unclenched his fists before lowering his head, then began walking away. "You're asking me to give up finding him,"

"Stoick, you know I want to find my brother more than anything, but your people need their Chief. Nobody is giving up, we're just putting it on hold," Dagur informed.

"Fine. Berk resumes the searches as soon as Winter breaks," Stoick left the building. Everyone sighed, casting glances at one another.

"You know if Hiccup ends up dying because we stopped that Stoick will never forgive us?" Norbert informed.

"What more can we do? There is no trail to follow," Mogadon stated. "Not even the dragons can find him. Wherever Hiccup is; he's hidden well," Toothless closed his eyes while laying on the stone floor of the Mead Hall.

Toothless? Are you okay? Meatlug wondered as she nudged her head to Toothless.

How can I be when my rider is missing and I'm useless to find him? Toothless retorted.

It's not your fault. Hookfang offered.

I should have gone with him that night. Hiccup expressed his concerns about Viggo still being alive, and the humans just brushed it off. Now, Hiccup is gone and everyone is giving up the search. Toothless growled. The Vikings heard it and looked at the Night Fury sadly.

"I take it Toothless isn't so accepting of the news?" Fishlegs sighed.

"You know how protective that dragon is over Hiccup," Alvin mentioned.

"You think he suspects Hiccup is still alive?" Snotlout wondered. Toothless lifted his head and glared.

HE IS! Toothless roared.

"Hey, chill, Toothless," Snotlout remarked.

"In all seriousness, though, what are the chances? Viggo was ruthless, and willing to kill me to get the Dragon Eye back. Hiccup destroyed that, so if Viggo is behind this; he probably had Hiccup kidnapped and killed him," Astrid shrugged. "I don't want to believe it any more than the rest of you, but it's been half a year, and we've got nothing to show for the searches,"

"What happens if Hiccup is dead? What will happen to Toothless?" Ruffnut asked. "I mean, who would get him?"

Nobody! Only Hiccup can ride me! Toothless glared.

"Toothless belongs to Hiccup, kids. Dead or alive; Toothless won't go to anyone because you all know he won't allow it. Stoick would be the closest person he might accept because they'd bond over losing Hiccup, but you can forget the idea of getting him," Gobber stated calmly.

Least he gets it. Hiccup is alive, I know he is. It's our bond. Toothless relaxed a little.

I hope you're right, Toothless. We won't give up on Hiccup. Stormfly assured as the other dragons nodded in agreement and remained close to Toothless. The Viking sighed; this was it for now. The search for Hiccup was officially off until Summer.

[Drago's Fortress; Prison Hold]

The Grimborn brothers had turned to peer into the cell and see an auburn-haired teenager laying down, curled up a little, and chained to the call with his wrists shackled in front of him. It was shocking; why would Hiccup be here?

"Hiccup?" Viggo asked calmly.

"Why am I not surprised to find you two here working with Drago too?" Hiccup managed as he forced himself to sit up and lean against the wall, while cringing a bit from the bruising on his right side.

"What are you doing here?" Ryker inquired.

"Let's see; I'm chained to a wall and shackled in a cell. What do you think I'm doing here?" Hiccup retorted coldly. "I'm his prisoner!"

"Hiccup, what does Drago want with you?" Viggo tried.

Hiccup glared. "Why do you care? You wanna know so bad, go ask him yourself,"

"We aren't exactly on good terms with him at the moment," Ryker crossed his arms over his chest.

"That ain't my problem," Hiccup turned his head, then sighed. "If you must know; I was kidnapped from Berk by bounty hunters six months ago and brought here. Drago wants me to train his dragons, and I won't, so he's decided to lock me up and continuously torture me until I break and do as he says," he informed. "I suppose I can thank you for this,"

"Why? We had nothing to do with it," Ryker remarked.

"Like I'm going to believe that. I've never heard of this Drago guy before, so how does he know me and that I train dragons? Had to be you two, Krogan, or Johann," Hiccup scoffed.

"It was Johann when Krogan failed to deliver the Dragon Eye to Drago," Viggo informed. Hiccup looked at them now, still wary of believing a word they say.

"I'm assuming this is because I threw it in the volcano that you somehow survived, though, it doesn't appear to have been too kind," Hiccup mentioned about Viggo's slightly scarred up face from where he was burned. "So Krogan and Johann work for Drago, and what? Krogan was supposed to steal the Dragon Eye from you to make Drago's dragon army?" he asked.

"Something like-," Ryker shrugged.

"Why are you two down here?" Krogan demanded.

"We were assigned to watch him," Viggo stated in a hateful tone that didn't go unnoticed to Hiccup.

"Get lost. You're not permitted to be here because you can't be trusted not to interfere a second time and ruin another plan," Krogan ordered. Hiccup watched them walked away quickly. Since when did Viggo or Ryker take orders from someone else? Were they here by choice or forced like Hiccup was. What did Krogan mean that they would ruin another plan? Is that what Ryker meant when he said that they weren't on good terms with Drago? Maybe Viggo and Ryker didn't have anything to do with this; they said it was Johann when Krogan failed in delivering the Dragon Eye. Hiccup didn't understand, but he wanted too. Unfortunately, the only two people who might be able to assist were the Grimborn brothers, and as Hiccup just learned; they weren't allowed near Hiccup for whatever reason. "As for you; I hope you didn't hold on this long because you think you're getting rescued?"

"They'll come for me, and you're gonna be sorry when they do," Hiccup retorted.

"Face it, kid; it's been six months and none of your riders have even made it close to this base. In fact; I received word not long ago that they've given up the searches for you, assuming you're dead," Krogan taunted.

"You're lying. My father and dragon would stop at nothing to find me, so would my friends!" Hiccup yelled.

"Am I? If that's true, then why haven't they arrived yet? We're not that far from Berk, only six days away Southeast by ship. Should that not be faster with dragons? Ones who can track exceptionally well such as the Nadder and Rumblehorn?" Krogan informed. Hiccup tried to hold his composure, but Krogan saw it fall as Hiccup did wonder the same thing for only a moment. "Nobody is coming for you, Hiccup. It seems that while you'd go out of your way and get tortured for them; they won't do the same for you. Think about that for a while," Krogan walked away as two new guards came and took their place in front of the cell.

'It's not true; they'll come. I-I know they will,' Hiccup thought. However, there was a voice in his head that he couldn't ignore, and it was what Krogan had said to him.

We're not that far from Berk, only six days away Southeast by ship. Should that not be faster with dragons? Ones who can track exceptionally well such as the Nadder and Rumblehorn?

Hiccup raised his knees and draped his arms on the caps while lowering his head. Krogan was right; Stormfly or Skullcrusher could have picked up his scent miles away if they had gotten close enough. Had they given up looking for him because it had been so long? Hiccup didn't want to believe it, but else did he have? Six months, and nothing at all to show that they came out this far to find him. Hiccup closed his eyes as it began to set it; acceptance that he might be here until he dies, and nobody was coming for him.