=Normal POV=

{Thursday, June 16, 2022-9:30 pm}

(Berk; Haddock Manor)

The conversation heard was something that scared and worried everyone in the room when Viggo placed a call to Krogan Hunters, one of Drago Bludvist's second in commands to try and get a location for where he was at, and if Hiccup was there too. What got overheard was Hiccup in the middle of a beat down, but apparently even while chained up, sick, and weak; he knocked someone out for threatening to hurt Astrid and Runa. It seemed Hiccup's fiery spirit was still active or was until Johann choked him into an unconscious state, and might have killed him if Krogan hadn't stepped in to remind Johann that Drago would kill them if Hiccup ended up dead before he arrived. At one point, Gobber had to put his hand over Valka's mouth to keep her from sobbing or demanding that they leave her son alone.

All anyone gathered from the call is that Hiccup was confident he would be rescued and didn't care what they did to him, but he would not give up. That was some relief, but who knew the shape Hiccup was in after two days with these people. Also, Hiccup was chained up and being kept in some kind of cellar of a warehouse in the town of Dragon Hunter. Thankfully, Viggo and Ryker's infiltration into Drago's organization allowed them access to things that the police and ABI would never have found without their help. And now, Viggo and Ryker had been assigned to watch Hiccup overnight, as such; they had the exact address of where Hiccup was being kept. Relief swept over many people, but of course, not everyone was out of the woods yet. Hiccup was still captive and needed to be rescued immediately.

"You know where my son is! Go get him!" Valka finally demanded to Viggo and Ryker.

"It's not that simple, Mrs. Haddock," Ryker informed.

"My brother speaks the truth, unfortunately. Knowing the location means nothing when there are workers there; we've only been assigned to watch Hiccup overnight," Viggo stated.

"What that means is that even with them having access to Hiccup, doesn't mean they can get him out with everyone around," Spitelout rubbed between his eyes.

"Why are they going to get Drago tonight if he's not due back until tomorrow?" Eret decided to ask.

"One theory is that Johann and Krogan have been reporting to him about Hiccup's status as a prisoner. Hiccup did manage to send a distress text, and it's clear he's not giving them an easy time. Perhaps Drago is returning this evening to kill Hiccup tonight," Ryker shrugged.

"THEN GO GET HIM!" Valka ordered.

"Val, shut up!" Alvin sighed. "We can't just storm the place. For all we know Drago ordered for Hiccup to be killed if any cops show up. And we know now that Hiccup is being kept chained up in a basement of a warehouse on the docks in Dragon Hunter,"

"Alvin is right; this is not a bust in operation," Hoark rubbed his chin a bit. "But we do have you two," he pointed to Viggo and Ryker. "Alright, here's what we're going to do to ensure Hiccup is rescued safely. Viggo and Ryker will arrive on their own and report by text message how many people are there, and what type of security methods are present. One of them needs to get access to Hiccup and see the state he is in before we do anything else,"

"And once one of us is with Hiccup to protect him; ABI and police can storm the building, or we can tell them the safest route to get Hiccup out," Viggo nodded.

"Do it then…" Stoick gave a head nod of approval.

"Alright, let's move. We don't know what kind of time we have before Drago arrives back in the Archipelago. Krogan does fly a dragon, and he could be picking Drago up that way, which we all know is faster than plane or ship," Ryker reminded. "Ready brother?"

"Let's go save the boss," Viggo replied. "Be present in Dragon Hunter, but do not move in on the warehouse until we have access to Hiccup," he added.

"We'll be waiting," Spitelout said. Viggo and Ryker headed out of the Ballroom doors, and Viggo gave a whistle as his Monstrous Nightmare, Frelser, descended and the two brothers mounted up and headed North.

"Let's give them a head start, then we can follow," Hoark insisted. "Everyone get ready,"

"Yes, sir!" police and ABI agents replied. Astrid had her hands clasped together, praying that everything went alright in the rescue. Hiccup had been found, and soon, he would be home again.

. . .

{10:15 pm}

(Dragon Hunter; Dock A-2, Warehouse # 5)

Viggo and Ryker arrived and set down as they were met by Johann outside the warehouse entrance. Hoark was leading his team and police to Dragon Hunter, and positioned themselves close, but wouldn't move in until they had to go ahead from Viggo or Ryker.

"Drago will be here in twenty minutes. You are to make sure that boy stays locked up until Drago arrives; we've ensured he's awake because that's what Drago wants," Johann informed.

"Got it. Where's he at?" Ryker asked.

"Come," Johann motioned for them to follow. Once inside the warehouse, Johann took them towards; then he pulled a lever a floor panel began to rise up revealing the lower level. Two workers provided a ladder down as Johann brought them into the basement. Laying slumped on the floor, barely conscious from another beating, and still chained to the wall was Hiccup.

"Doesn't seem like he'll be giving much trouble," Viggo remarked.

"Likely not, but don't take your eyes off him. The boy is clever and full of tricks," Johann stated. "I'm staying behind to oversee work getting done, but Krogan is going to retrieve Drago,"

"Understood," Viggo nodded. Johann left as Ryker and Viggo followed out and checked around before going Viggo moved back down.

"This just got a whole lot harder…" Ryker whispered as he kept watch for anyone coming near.

"No, we just need to adjust the plan a bit," Viggo said as he moved over to Hiccup and crouched before him.

"Took you…long enough," Hiccup mumbled weakly.

"My apologies, boss. There were problems getting your family to trust us," Ryker said.

"Astrid spoke on our behalf, and we called Krogan to find out where you were," Viggo enlightened as Hiccup got help sitting upright.

"Just…get me out of here," Hiccup panted. "I really don't know if I can take any more beatings…"

"Not to worry. ABI has the place surrounded, and just waiting to move in once we remove you safely," Viggo assured. Hiccup managed a nod as he coughed and nearly threw up. "What's wrong?"

"A migraine and overall sick since Tuesday night…" Hiccup mumbled as Viggo worked to pick the locks on the chains around his wrists.

"They won't budge…Ryker, what's going on up there?" Viggo asked.

"Too many people to bring him up and out," Ryker reported.

"We need a distraction," Viggo sighed "And to get these chains off,"

"We'll take care of it," Hoark said in Viggo's earpiece. Not more than two minutes later, Johann was shouting orders to keep the police back.

"He's coming this way…" Ryker warned.

"Kn-Knock me…Out…" Hiccup told Viggo.

"What?" Viggo asked.

"Knock me unconscious, throw me over your shoulder and get me out by telling Johann that you're moving me to avoid ABI and Police from finding me here," Hiccup stated.

"Hiccup, you can't take any more abuse," Viggo reminded.

"I'll be okay…Just do it. Johann has orders to kill me if anyone comes to rescue me; this is the only way. Now, do it. I don't pay you to disobey orders…" Hiccup grumbled.

"Johann, kill the boy! Police and ABI have entered!" Krogan called.

"Sorry, Hiccup…" Viggo said apologetically before socking him in the gut hard. Hiccup's body went limp as he fell unconscious. Johann jumped down with a gun in his hand.

"What are you doing?" Johann demanded quickly.

"Drago wants to kill him, right? Let Viggo, and I take the boy out and hide, so the authorities don't find him," Ryker said.

"I have orders to kill him now," Johann remarked.

"And take the fun out of a slow death?" Viggo asked as Johann paused. "Tell us how to sneak him out, and we'll hide until this passes," he added.

"Fine," Johann closed his eyes.

"Ryker, now!" Viggo ordered. Johann looked quickly as Ryker rushed in and punched Johann unconscious, leaving him lying there. After that, Ryker and Viggo worked together to snap the chain connected to the wall. It left Hiccup still shackled, but at least they could move him now. Ryker took Hiccup over his shoulder as Viggo and Ryker climbed out to see the chaos in the warehouse.

"We'll take care of this; get him out of here and home," Hoark ordered.

"Done. Johann is in the cellar," Viggo reported; then he and Ryker headed outside to get on Frelser and return to Haddock Manor.

. . .

{11:05 pm}

(Berk; Haddock Manor)

The flight back was long as they didn't feel a need to rush anymore. Hiccup was safe with them, and on his way home. Frelser landed in the backyard as Viggo patted the Nightmare's neck and jumped down; then helped Ryker hold Hiccup as the two carefully carried him inside the home where Valka was in a fury of hysterics.

"My baby…Oh, my baby boy…What have they done to you?!" Valka sobbed as Ryker and Viggo got Hiccup on the couch. "Why are these chains on him still?!"

"We didn't have time to work the locks with everything going on," Ryker sighed as Viggo knelt down and began to finagle with the chains once more. After about three minutes; there was a click, and the chains collapsed to the floor. Ryker used his knife to deal with the ropes that were under the shackles. Viggo and Ryker moved back a bit as Valka hurried in with Stoick. Hiccup had cuts, bruises, split lip, and that was just on his face. There was no telling how bad it was beneath the clothes; there was no telling what Hiccup went through in the beatings. "We should take him to the hospital; he's still unconscious from before,"

"Actually…He was awake when we got to him," Viggo stated. "Hiccup told us to knock him out for the escape, to play it off that we were removing him before the cops came,"

"He'll be up soon," Ryker said. As if on queue; Hiccup began to stir a bit and make small noises.

"Hiccup?" Valka said quickly with tears in her eyes. Hiccup groaned a bit as he turned his head side to side and finally opened his eyes slowly, blinking to focus and look around. Hiccup saw that he was back home in the Great Room; then looking to his left, he saw his parents, Gobber, uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, and girlfriend. "M-Mom?"

"Yes. Yes; it's me, baby. Oh, thank the Gods you're awake…" Valka cried a bit. Hiccup put a hand on his forehead as he slowly forced himself to sit up, trying to ignore the pain his entire body was in.

"Stay down, son," Stoick offered. Hiccup shook his head as Viggo and Ryker moved in to help him out.

"Thanks, guys," Hiccup said. "I owe you one,"

"I'd say we're even," Viggo informed. "You saved us a while back, and now we've saved you,"

"Guess that does make us even," Hiccup stated. "I'll send you your final payment by bank, and I guess that's the end of business between us,"

"Well, the job isn't over yet," Ryker reminded.

"You two have done more than enough; I can't ask you to continue risking yourselves after this. You have both have daughters to be around for," Hiccup reminded.

"As do you, my friend. You have your daughter, girlfriend, family, and friends who love and need you as well. Yet, you still risked yourself to protect them from a very dangerous, psychotic man who wants to start the second dragon/human war. If you have to bear the burden of being a target for stopping all this; then we will as well. You don't have to ask us to do anything. You have our loyalty and friendship for life, Hiccup Haddock. Whatever you need; we're only a phone call away," Viggo stated with a smile as Ryker nodded.

"I appreciate that, and I expect you know that you can call me for anything as well," Hiccup smiled a bit. Viggo offered his hand as Hiccup connected his; then did the same with Ryker's hand.

"That being established…What's next, boss?" Ryker asked. Hiccup thought about it for a moment.

"Nothing else gets done!" Hoark stated firmly upon entering. "Hiccup, we just got you out of a dangerous situation; do not put yourself back in! I forbid it and if I have to arrest you to see it through; I will!" Hoark snapped his fingers as two agents got Hiccup's hands behind his back and cuffed him.

"Release him!" Stoick ordered.

"Your son interfered in an ABI top priority investigation, Mayor Haddock," Hoark reminded.

"Dad…It's fine," Hiccup said softly. "I know what I did was wrong. I kept secrets, I lied about things, and I endangered my life doing it…If Hoark wants to arrest me; then I won't fight him…But before you take me, Agent Haggard…Can I ask you something?"

"What?" Hoark asked.

"Who actually got more of the work done here?" Hiccup stared at Hoark, who went to say something, but then stopped. "You efforts are noted, Agent Hoark, and I understand this situation is ABI top priority, but what did you accomplish in this venture? Your entire bureau has been searching for Drago and trying to nail him for an arrest for Thor only knows how long, and you haven't made a dent until I intervened," Hiccup asked.

"We were doing fine; these things take time, Hiccup," Hoark informed.

"How much more time did you need?" Hiccup forced himself to stand up before the man. "Astrid's parents were killed in November of 2021. She became an instant target in January, and only then did you tie her assault cases to your Drago one because of Krogan trying to kidnap her. I became her bodyguard until you got this squared away, but how far have you gotten without my intervention? I called Viggo and Ryker the night I left the station after meeting you and told them to infiltrate and get information about what Drago was after, and to protect Astrid from a distance on the off chance I wasn't around,"

"Hiccup, you're not an officer or agent; you can't just insert-," Hoark began.

"How much of Drago did you know about, aside from the madman-wants to take over the world bit?" Hiccup asked calmly. Hoark put a finger up. "Did you know Drago planted that Red Death on Dragon Island years ago when he lost to Colden Hofferson in the first election for Mayorship? Did you know that Colden was secretly working on locating an ancient artifact known as the Dragon Eye and kept all his work and maps in a sealed safe that was hidden in the Mayor's office in a small trap door in a closet under a patch of rug. A safe that could only be opened with two matching silver keys?" he pushed.

Hiccup moved next to Astrid and lifted her pendant. "Two keys that no one would suspect is a heart-shaped pendant worn by Colden's only daughter that happened to open up as a locket, and then the two hearts apart fit the lock to open said safe. How about that Drago wanted the Dragon Eye to locate a Bewilderbeast; the King of Dragons, an Alpha species to thrust the world into Dragon War Two with him as the supreme ruler. Tell me, Agent Hoark, did you know any of that?"

"No…" Hoark answered truthfully.

"And you never thought to put people in the inside undercover to discover his plans to take over?" Hiccup asked.

"It was a consideration," Hoark replied.

"So instead of going with that idea; you continued to just stay in your office and wait for tips or whatever while Astrid was Drago's target. Sorry, Agent Haggard, but I couldn't sit by and do nothing while Astrid's life and the lives of everyone else on this island were at stake. I know what I did is illegal, and if you want to arrest me for it, go ahead, but don't forget that Drago is still out there and as long as he is…Nobody is safe. Now, you can lock me up for interfering, or you can let me finish this, and we'll work together while I still have the upper hand,"

All eyes were on Hoark now, wondering if he'd arrest Hiccup. Finally, the man sighed as he moved behind Hiccup and uncuffed him. "No more secrets, Mr. Haddock. I will award credit where it's due; you did get farther in your efforts over just a few months than myself, and the ABI did in years. You are a brave, selfless, intelligent young man; we could use young agents like you as part of the team," Hoark said. "I want to know everything since this began, and you will leave nothing out,"

"I will tell you everything, just let me finish this up first," Hiccup informed.

"No, we all finish this. Our force and your brains," Spitelout stated. "Where do we go from here; you have mine and the departments full support,"

"Mine and the ABI's as well," Hoark nodded. Hiccup faced Viggo and Ryker now.

"Orders?" the two asked. Hiccup thought for a moment.

"You two ever figure out why Drago left the Archipelago this past week?" Hiccup inquired.

"Unfortunately, no. We knew it had to do with another effort to take over," Viggo informed.

"Not the update I was hoping for. Alright; this is what we're gonna do. You two are gonna go back in and see what you can find out. Anything at all to give his location or what his plan is. Scope it out first, make sure your cover wasn't blown. If it's not safe, return to me," Hiccup said.

"Done," Viggo nodded.

"You defeated Red Death and destroyed the Dragon Eye…What can he possibly still do?" Ryker pushed.

"If Drago were giving up and didn't want to get caught; he wouldn't risk coming back to the Archipelago after all this. Trust me…He got desperate enough to kidnap me after two of his plans failed because I stopped them. That means he wanted me gone to carry out something else so I couldn't get in the way. I'm sure he's still gunning for me, but regardless; Drago's planning something, and we need to know what," Hiccup reminded.

"Consider it done, boss," Viggo and Ryker both said before quickly hurrying outside to mount Frelser and fly off.

"With that out of the way, which I'll expect updates on…" Hoark said as Hiccup nodded. "Before anything else…Are you alright? Do you need to go to the hospital? When is the last time you ate or had something to drink?"

"Don't worry about me," Hiccup insisted. "I will be okay. I've been sick since Tuesday afternoon anyway, so I haven't had much of an appetite. I didn't trust anything those people gave me, and the smell of food made me throw up, so I haven't eaten in two days. I stuck to water when it was available," he informed.

"I think it's time you tell me everything about your involvement," Hoark sighed.

"I think it's time we let the boy get a shower and proper night's sleep," Alvin interjected. "Come on, Hoark; he was chained to a wall in a basement for two days, and had the shit beat out of him for refusing to do whatever it was they wanted. I think he's earned the rest of tonight and tomorrow to recuperate; he is still sick," the man pushed.

"A-And graduation is on Saturday," Astrid piped up.

"I suppose given the circumstances I can allow a little more time before an explanation. Very well…Monday the 20th, Hiccup; I expect you in my office to discuss things," Hoark said.

"Aye, sir," Hiccup yawned a little. Hoark rounded up his team, and they were all gone by 11:45 pm. Spitelout ordered for his officers to clean things up, return them to the station; then head home to rest.

"You need to rest now, son," Valka said softly. "Go on up to bed," she offered.

"We'll help him out," Thuggory offered. The group of friends helped Hiccup get to the elevator, so he didn't have to climb the stairs. Once in Hiccup's room, Hiccup went right for his daughter to snuggle her a bit while the rest sat around to give him his space because, after this, Hiccup would likely take a shower and get some much needed sleep. Of course, all anyone sitting in the room could think and know without a doubt is that this wasn't over yet.