5: Break

"I can't believe he made us do this!" Fishlegs complained, stroking Meatlug and feeding the Gronckle some black granite-one of her favourite snacks. "We've been building new defences and drilling for the last week. Poor Meatlug's wings are dropping off. In fact, she so tired she's been sleep-flying again."

"Yeah, we had to clear up the lava and repair the holes in the floor when she burns through it as she drools," Ruff grumbled, lathering fish oil into her braids. Everyone was carefully sitting at the far side of the Clubhouse from her.

"And he really has some sort of grudge against Hookie and me," Snotlout complained.

"Well, you do keep getting set on fire and flying out of formation," Heather pointed out. Hiccup had chased her down when she had finally returned to the Edge and had quietly apologised, explaining what he meant and his sorrow at upsetting her. Grudgingly, she had forgiven him, though she couldn't understand why he keep insisting she partnered him in all exercises. In fact, she was feeling very embarrassed by it since she knew it was upsetting Astrid more and more, though the blonde would-be Shield Maiden was doing her best to hide it.

"I'm a free spirit and utterly awesome!" Snotlout protested.

"At incinerating yourself!" Ruff sniggered.

"Hey! I heard that!" Snotlout protested.

"So did the Chicken!" Tuff added. "And you are even worse at the drills than my sister!"

"Hey!"

"Guys," Fishlegs sighed. "Same dragon, remember?"

"I really don't think he does," Heather muttered to him.

"And there's another drill tomorrow," Snotlout moaned. "And I'm the enemy!"

"Type casting," Tuff sniggered.

"You take that back, mutton-head!"

"Hey! No one calls my mutton-headed brother a mutton-head except me!" Ruff snapped, rising to stand by her twin. In seconds, the three were a pile of fists flying and insults bouncing off the walls.

"Are they always like this?" Heather asked incredulously. Somehow, she had imagined they could at least be slightly adult some of the time. Fishlegs shook his head.

"Pretty much," he said heavily. "Have you seen Astrid? She can usually get them under control…"

"She's out training with her axe," Heather sighed.

"And he still hasn't spoken to her?" Fishlegs asked her worriedly.

"Only to assign her duties or criticise her," the raven-haired girl told him sadly, sipping her apple tea. "And she really doesn't understand why he's treating her like this."

"None of us do," Fishlegs replied in a concerned voice. "Or why he has changed so completely to us all."

oOo

Astrid had been training with her axe for a couple of hours after their latest not very successful drill, taking her frustrations out on whatever unfortunate trees got in her way. No matter how harshly Hiccup criticised her-and she was prepared to admit that she could always improve her skills, though she knew her standards hadn't slipped one bit-she was poised, strong and accurate, every blow and cut precise and deadly. She knew something was horribly wrong, that he was being unfair-but he wouldn't talk to her. He wouldn't say anything, taking food from the Clubhouse and eating in his hut, isolating himself away from the group and planning, always planning.

Finally, sweaty and exhausted, she headed back to the arena, deciding to do a little throwing practice before she bathed and went back to her hut. But as she arrived at the arena, someone else was already there; a familiar, tall lanky shape, sheathed in the bulky, aggressive black armour and wielding a sword was more balance and skill that she had seen previously. As she watched, he executed swift and accurate blows on the target, then pulled back, reset his position and executed again. Finally, as he dropped to a knee, he slashed and cut the target in half. Astrid stared, then rested her axe by her side and folded her arms. As he clambered to his feet, he turned-to see Astrid watching. He started, his emerald eyes widening-and then he drew back.

"How long have you been watching?" he asked her shortly.

"Long enough," Astrid told him calmly, admiring his balanced movements, far more precise and measured than her dorkish friend. "Your father has been tutoring you, hasn't he?" His eyes flicked up to inspect her and he nodded curtly.

"He is an excellent swordsman," he reminded her tonelessly. "Is there a reason why you're here?" She started at his unfriendly tone, her eyes widening in hurt but she pressed her lips tightly together.

"I was here to practice," she admitted quietly, "but while you're here, I need to ask you something." He sighed and turned back to her, his face carefully neutral. "What the Hel am I supposed to have done wrong, Hiccup?" she demanded. He frowned and stared at her, the gaze cold and remote, so unlike the generous, kind, enthusiastic, gently dorkish and brilliant boy she cared for.

"What do you mean?" he asked her. She advanced abruptly.

"I mean-I was sent away from you to bring the others back here," she said shortly. "I repaired the defences as you wanted. That you suddenly decide that you want things different is not for me to know-or guess! You could have sent a Terror if it was so Thor-damned important! Instead, you constantly make me partner Snotlout, you never speak to me, you actively avoid being with us. You are harsh and critical about everything and doubly to me. So what have I done to you, Hiccup?"

We used to spend so much time together. I miss you. Gods, I miss you.

His eyes lingered on her face for a long moment and then he turned away.

"You're not good enough," he told her bluntly. "You have lost your edge. You won't take the ruthless action required…" Her fists clenched and she glared at him, all her frustration boiling over.

"Lost my edge?" she hissed dangerously. "And why is that, I wonder? I was the best warrior-and the best at fighting dragons, Hiccup! I was prepared to turn you in to be outcast as a traitor for befriending Toothless! How was that not taking ruthless action? But you kidnapped me and forced me to see the truth about dragons. When your Final Exam went wrong, I went in there with you to help get you out. I stood by your side through everything, through your disgrace and outcasting, through training the dragons and you almost dying and losing your leg! If I have lost my edge, it's because you always stopped me. You always sought the peaceful solution. You never fired first. You wanted to talk rather than fight. And you hated killing. You never went for the kill. So I had to stop and crush my instincts because that was who you are-and I cared for you and didn't want to disappoint you. You are my friend, Hiccup-and the fact you won't fly with me when we always flew together each day, that you won't talk or laugh with me…that you ignore my existence…it hurts. And you don't even have the Gods-damned courage to tell me what's wrong!"

"Are you jealous?" he asked softly, his eyes narrowing.

"No, I'm furious!" she shouted. "You don't treat friends like this, Hiccup. You don't suddenly decide that someone you seemed to care for, that you spend so much time with every single day, wasn't good enough when they always had been. If you are a friend, if you care for someone, you talk to them, you explain, you sort it out!"

"I have," he told her shortly. "I've partnered you with Snotlout."

"And you know that won't work, don't you?" she sneered back.

"Are you refusing to obey my orders?" he challenged her softly. She shook her head, unable to read anything on his carefully neutral face.

"Only when they are totally insane!" she snapped. "But I tell you now, using Snotlout how you plan in the drill won't work. He'll showboat and mess everything up."

"No, he won't," Hiccup said coldly. "I'll ground him if he does. But the next drill isn't a drill: it's a mission. And Snotlout will obey because even he isn't stupid enough to deliberately get everyone killed." She stared at him.

"So what's the target?' she asked interestedly but he gave her such cold stare she shivered and frowned.

"You'll be told when necessary," he said abruptly, sheathing his sword and walking past her. "You'll be notified when there's a briefing."

"You haven't answered me!" she shouted after him. "I don't buy the 'not good enough' yak dung, Hiccup! I'm better than you ever will be. So tell me-or are you so gutless you can't even share what's on your mind?"

He froze then, his shoulders stiffening under his pauldrons.

"You're not what I need any more, Astrid," he said coldly. "Accept it-because it isn't changing. I'm sorry-but you're clinging onto a Hiccup who no longer exists!" And with that he walked out, leaving her to take a suddenly shaky breath, her eyes inexplicably burning with utter despair. He couldn't have made it plainer: the boy she cared for-the boy she loved-wanted nothing more to do with her.

And Astrid still didn't have a clue what she had done wrong to lose him.

oOo

Hiccup said nothing to the team and though Astrid knew he was taking them on a live mission, she wasn't sure what to say-because she knew nothing. So she watched him with resentment in her eyes and a broken heart as he flew alongside Heather and exchanged more than a few words with her while she was stuck with Snotlout spouting off about how fed up he was and how Hiccup was always underestimating Snotlout's Odin-given talents… She rolled her eyes.

"Then why don't you tell him?" she snapped. He visibly paled.

"Um…I mean…nah…I'm so awesome I don't need to tell anyone…" he said swiftly, trying to cover up. Turning away, Astrid stared stolidly ahead, her eyes focussed on the horizon, seeking signs of the Hunters' ships because she couldn't bear to see Hiccup chatting to Heather. And it was starting to affect her friendship with the girl as well-because Astrid was jealous, no matter how much she told herself that Heather wasn't interested in Hiccup that way. And Heather was very embarrassed but wouldn't reveal what Hiccup would speak to her about, further fuelling Astrid's anger and isolation. So she was the first one to see…

"HUNTER SHIPS AHEAD!" she shouted, pointing. Hiccup instantly snatched his spyglass out and stared.

"Good," he breathed. "Positions! Snot, Astrid-left flank. Twins, Fishlegs-to the right. Heather and I will go straight through for the largest ship. Soar high first and then accelerate as you attack. Positions!"

Snotlout gave a whoop as he took Hookfang higher. "This is what I'm talking about," he shouted smugly. "Come on, babe-fly with a real man and we can kick some Hunter butt!" Astrid gripped Stomfly's saddle and leaned forward, watching Hiccup and Heather pull ahead and lead the attack. She glanced at Snotlout but he was already grinning and shouting orders at Hookfang-and then arrows started zipping around them. Astrid shouted a warning and dinked sideways, lying low over her dragon as they accelerated down.

And then they heard the whine and explosion of a plasma blast as Toothless attacked with immense force. The mast of the central ship shattered and the ship shook int he water. Snotlout gave a huge whoop and poured flames down on the left hand ship and Astrid attacked the Hunters manning the ballistas and bows.

"Take the left, Snot, and keep them busy," she ordered, stitching another violet of spines across the deck. The Hunters were ducking for cover as they soared down and Stormfly slammed them aside. Without hesitating, Astrid charged down the stairs and slammed the two guards aside with her axe, then raced to the cages, dragging the doors open and shooing the distressed imprisoned dragons out. It was only when she released the last one that she emerged, findings Snotlout whooping around and showboating-as she had feared-while the twins and Fishlegs were struggling. Leaping aboard the Deadly Nadder, Astrid took off and headed rapidly for the other ship, taking out the men working the winch for the dragon-proof chains wrapped around Meatlug. As soon as the pull was released, she flew up, ripping the winch straight off the deck of the ship. The twins whooped and exploded half of the hull.

"Awesome!" Tuff screamed.

"Get those dragons free!" Astrid shouted as Snotlout whooped and barrel-rolled, attacking the central ship. Hiccup's head snapped up, emerald eyes narrowing under the mask as he saw his cousin disobeying his orders-as Astrid had warned you, he reminded himself grimly. The twins were all over the place as well, blowing up everything in sight at random. Astrid had freed her dragons, saved Fishlegs and was trying to call the others to order.

"Get back to your position!" he yelled at her and her head snapped round. Her eyes widened and then she wordlessly turned away.

"Come on, Stormfly," she shouted, soaring up and holding position above the left hand ship. Toothless fired again and the central ship shuddered, listing. Heather was on the deck, freeing dragons when a Hunter grabbed her. Hiccup was soaring up and with a shocked look, Astrid flipped the Nadder round, launching a singe spine shot that impaled the Hunter. He dropped Heather immediately and she stared up in shock, nodding a silent thanks as Hiccup leapt from Toothless and located the Captain.

"Free the dragons," he ordered curtly, then grabbed the Captain, his sword in his hand. The man gave a scornful laugh.

"Who are you supposed to be?" he sneered. "The Masked Rider?" Without even pausing, Hiccup drove the point of his sword hard into the man's side and held him still as he screamed and tried to jerk away. Toothless growled and the Hunter Captain froze as Hiccup flipped his face mask up.

"No," he hissed. 'Hiccup Haddock. And you're only being spared to take a message to Viggo and Ryker." He leaned closer and twisted the point of the sword in the man' side and was rewarded by a pained cry. "Tell them, I"m coming for them. I want Viggo to regret even imagining he could get rid of me by killing me. So I am going to sink every Thor-damned ship and free every Thor-damned dragon until Viggo is begging to surrender!" Then he pushed the man back and he collapsed onto his back, clutching at his bleeding side. The twins flew by, whooping and blowing up the side of the adjacent ship-until he saw what was happening. Suddenly silent, they flew back on to the crunch and splinter of tearing wood. Staring coldly at the helpless Captain for a long moment, Hiccup flipped his mask down and leapt back onto the Night Fury. Without waiting, Toothless backwinged up and covered the deck until Heather was clear.

"Sink the other ships!" Hiccup ordered and Astrid stared at him but Snotlout didn't hesitate, flaming at their ship and blasting a hole in the side. Shaking her head, Astrid flipped Stormfly round and blasted out the stern, seeing the water begin to rush into the stricken ship and hoping the crew had time to get away. The twins and Fishlegs were looping pass after pass on their ship until it began to dive backwards under the waves while Hiccup stood point over his ship. For a long moment, he stared at the deck, then leaned forward.

"Do it, bud," he breathed and the Night Fury's throat filled with purple plasma, the whine building and building-and then he fired. The blast punched straight through the deck-and down through the hull. The ship immediately began to sink as everyone stared at him.

"You said you were going to spare him!" Fishlegs pointed out in a shocked voice. Hiccup gave a small smile under his mask.

"I lied," he said grimly. "If he survives, he can carry my message. If not-there are always other ships…and other Captains…"

But as they flew back towards the Edge, everyone was sharing worried looks. The ruthless, unprovoked way he had stabbed the Hunter Captain-and then condemned the crew to drown was the opposite of their friend…and the Riders were wondering who Hiccup had become. And if he was prepared to go so far without hesitation…what would he do next-and expect them to do for him?

oOo

It was late and even the Night Patrol had gotten in but one person on the Edge was still awake: in the quiet and dark of his room, Hiccup was staring at the ceiling, memorising every single grain of the planks and knot in the wood. Sleep eluded him-as it had every night since he was snatched from Ryker's hands. Eventually, knowing he was miles from sleep, he slowly say up, the patchwork blanket sliding down his body. He had shed the armour, his boot and prosthetic and was lying in his tunic and leggings, his complete leg pulled up to rest his knee against his chest, his other leg curled under body. He gave a sigh and stared into the darkness.

"They don't understand," he breathed, his fingers drifting across his neck, where the hardness from the bruising was still discernible.

Of course not, Ryker said coldly. They're mindless fools. They don't listen. They don't have to guts to do what has to be done.

Hiccup's breaths accelerated and he wrapped his arms desperately around his body. Toothless cracked a bleary green eye open a sliver, seeing his Rider rigid with fear, pressed back against the headboard of his bed, his eyes staring wildly into the empty darkness. It happened most nights, though this seemed more intense than usual-so the Night Fury pricked his ears and listened carefully to his Rider as he tried to respond to his invisible tormentor.

"You won't get your hands on them," he breathed. "They are stronger than you."

And what about that girl of yours? Or your father? How will they cope when we send the Bounty Hunters after them? How will you cope when we return the girl's dead body to you?

"She's nothing to me," Hiccup breathed, his voice shaking slightly. "I'm stronger than that."

Liar. You are weak. I've looked into your eyes as I held you down. I've seen the fear.

"I'm coming for you, Ryker," he said in a low voice. "I won't stop. You started this war. You attacked us. You set men to kill me. But I will end it."

Didn't you enjoy what we did. Hiccup Haddock? I enjoyed your screams. I enjoyed your blood. And when you try to avenge yourself, I will enjoy watching you slaughtered. Maybe we'll kill your friends and your dragons and keep you alive with the knowledge of your failure. Of your weakness.

I am not weak!" Hiccup shouted, eyes blazing with anger. "No one will ever capture me like a beast again! I. Am. Not. Weak!"

And yet I'm still free and I know what happened, what you said, Hiccup. What you gave up.

Hiccup covered his face, his shoulders shuddering with dry sobs.

"No," he whispered brokenly. "I only gave up myself. And you…"

You're mine-whenever I come for you, Hiccup Haddock. And when we meet again, you will die.