A/N: Many thanks for all the feedback. I guess I already knew there would be a variety of opinions about how this was going. I am happy to answer PMs if you have any pressing questions.

I KNOW Hiccup is extremely out of character: that's the whole point. I love the character of Hiccup because he is so positive, patient, determined and brave. But this is what happens when even that can't cope. He's been through a very traumatic experience and he's dealing with it really really badly. He's become obsessed, his old insecurities have resurfaced and he's not sleeping. He's also hallucinating because of lack of sleep and that really isn't helping. He is losing sight of what's right and wrong….but he still has Toothless so there is still hope. The others are reacting badly as well though they do try in this chapter and have to make a decision about what next. But there are still enough people who care about him to try to help him and prevent a disaster…if they get there in time…

7: Interception

Trader Johann was worried. He had been put in a very difficult position and though he was being asked to help a friend, there were a lot of things that didn't add up.

Of course, the fact that a small dragon-one from Berk-had arrived and persistently followed him around his ship had also been unnerving-until he had seen the note attached to its leg. Master Hiccup had taken great pains to explain about something he termed 'Terror mail'. And while Johann understood the Terror mentioned wasn't meant as a sort of threat but more a reference to the name of the type of small dragon, Johann still didn't feel comfortable with it eyeballing him. Of course, he would always put a brave face on when he visited Berk-because he did like and respect Chief Stoick and young Master Hiccup had saved Johann more than once but he still felt nervous around dragons-especially without one of the Riders around. But the dragon boredly flapped up and landed on top of Johann's head, sticking its leg out and inviting the trader to remove the message. With a sigh, Johann removed the parchment and peered at the runes, recognising Master Hiccup's hand. The young Viking was very direct, wanting to find out any news about the Hunters and a future auction of dragons-and Johann sighed. He dislodged the dragon, lashed the wheel and went below decks to have a sip of the exotic brandy he had acquired on his travels to the south and east.

Why me? Johann thought heavily. He was a pleasant man who generally got along with everyone, never cheated his customers and always treated everyone equably. He even traded with Outcasts and Berserkers before the Treaties but he was generally a man of peace and hated being embroiled in any conflict-though he knew the war between the Hooligans and the Hunters was serious. He had been very frightened when he had been used as a spy to find out about the previous auction because everyone knew the fierce reputation of Viggo Grimborn and no one wanted to cross him. Yet Trader Derek had already told Johann that there was going to be another Dragon Auction on Kaupmadur Island though he had been incredibly miffed that he had been warned away. And so had Trader Bertrand and Trader Graham.

Johann drained his glass and refilled it. They had found the brandy because they had gotten lost on an apparently routine trading run. And though he had enjoyed his wide travels when he had been a younger man, because travel broadened the mind and refilled the chest of anecdotes, much of the travelling had been uncomfortable and dangerous. Johann wasn't a coward but he was cautious and the non-existent navigational skills of his former partner, Erik the Brainless, had landed them in more trouble than he could recall. But this felt worse and very, very wrong-because Kaupmadur Island was a Trader Island-and yet the traders seemed to be excluded. Viggo's auctions were always very secret affairs yet Derek-who wasn't the sharpest axe in the armoury-knew all about it.

Viggo was clearly planning something bad.

The Trader peered across the table and saw the little dragon lick its eye. How does he do that? Johann thought aimlessly. And doesn't it sting? Then he shook his head. He had parchment and pen and knew he owed Master Hiccup a reply…but what could he write? Rumours had reached Johann's ears that the amiable young Dragon Rider had been changed by his encounter with the bounty hunters-most of which had willingly told their tales in various taverns. And all of them agreed that everyone had been hunting Hiccup Haddock-to be taken to Viggo alive for the leader of the Hunters to slay himself. And Hiccup had been treated very harshly by all of them, even though he had resisted all the way. But since…the rumours stated that the Riders had sunk ships, destroyed bases-and killed. Master Hiccup was clearly after revenge for his wounds…and Johann was stuck in the middle.

I wonder if Master Fishlegs…or even Miss Astrid…approves?

But he owed Master Hiccup his life-and he had to trust that the patient, kind young man would do the right thing-by his friends as well as the Hunters. So he scribbled a short note that revealed what he knew about the location and timing of the auction. He swallowed and fastened it to the leg of the small dragon. It chirped, rubbed against his hand and then flapped up through the hatch and into the sky. Johann sighed: he had made his choice. Rising, he drained his glass and then headed for the wheel. He had told Hiccup where the auction was-but there was someone else he needed to speak with.

Urgently, he set course for Berk.

oOo

Hiccup scarcely glanced up as he trudged along to the Clubhouse. Johann's note had given him a jolt because the timescale was pretty short and he had a lot of reconnaissance to complete. Johann had explained the island was difficult to access and it certainly wasn't on most maps so he was determined to run a test run tonight. He sighed and paused, staring into the sunset, the Night Fury walking at his back. Toothless was crooning worriedly at him and he paused to half-turn and rub the proffered nose.

"I know, bud," he murmured. "But if I go tonight, I may end up tired enough to sleep." Toothless nuzzled against his body and he stilled, resting his head against the dragon's. "Yeah-I know I keep you awake too-but whenever I try to rest, I just see…him. I'm sorry, bud," he sighed. "I know it's not much fun for you. You deserve better. And once Viggo is defeated, we can go searching for new dragons-just you and me."

Toothless gave a small warble, licking Hiccup's cheek gently.

"No, I doubt anyone will be with me then-except you…" he murmured and then turned away. "Let's get something to eat-and then we can scout out this island…" Tiredly, he walked along the walkway until he reached the Clubhouse and strode in, barely noticing that the others were all there-until they closed the door behind him.

Instantly, he was on high alert, pupils wide and muscles tense. His head snapped round and breathing accelerated as he faced his friends. Toothless sat in the doorway, watching Hiccup with sad green eyes, as Fishlegs rose and gestured to a seat surrounded by a loose circle of chairs.

"Please-take a seat," the husky young man invited Hiccup and instinctively, the leader of the Riders backed away, his hand hovering by the sword on his hip.

"What in Thor's name is this?" he asked, his tone hard, though the pulse was bounding in his neck.

"Sit down, Hiccup," Heather told him gently. "This is an intervention." He stared at her.

"A…what?' he asked incredulously.

"Please," Fishlegs repeated. "Hiccup. We're your friends. We're all worried about you. At least, hear us out…" Breathing hard, Hiccup's left hand twitched and he almost snatched for his sword but the guy facing him was Fishlegs, a man who almost never got angry and who was genuinely kind and gentle. Toothless was sitting happily behind him and the others were watching him suspiciously. With a conscious effort, he moved his hand away from his sword and walked to the chair, sitting stiffly and staring at his fellow Riders.

"Okay," he said tonelessly. "Fire away." Fishlegs stared at him, his eyes wide and round with shock. To be honest, the Riders were surprised that they had made it this far and they all shared a variety of glances before Fishlegs and Heather took their seats. The Gronckle rider cleared his throat and stared into Hiccup's guarded emerald gaze, the folded arms and expressionless face not encouraging.

"Hiccup," he began, "we are all worried about you…"

"You already said that," Hiccup pointed out dryly.

"…and we know you suffered a terrible ordeal at the hands of those bounty hunters…"

He doesn't know, does he? What will they say if you told them? Would they reject you like the traitor you are?

"…and we all saw how badly you were hurt and that you nearly died when Ryker stabbed you. But we are so worried because you changed after that. You were very mean to us all, when we tried to help you."

"You were especially cruel to Astrid, who did everything you asked her…" Heather began but he jerked to his feet.

"I am NOT discussing Astrid!" he snapped.

"Sit down!" Snotlout said firmly. "You're gonna listen to us for now," For a long moment, the stocky dragon rider looked into his cousin's eyes and Hiccup reluctantly sat down, his arms folded and expression hostile. The only reason why he was still sitting there was because he knew he needed the other Riders to bring Viggo down…and because there was still a corner of him that regretted how he was behaving, even though he had wrestled with his conscience, night after night, crushing every objection because he had the greater good to consider.

"You have been cruel, dismissive and cold to all of us," Snotlout said harshly. "And though we know we mess around, we do it because we are all friends. But you aren't…not any more."

Hiccup stiffened: he couldn't help it.

You see? They've realised just how weak and useless you are!

"H-we came with you because it was fun," Tuff told him. "We're all your friends and we have fought beside each other and saved each other so many times! And we all came to save you when those bounty hunters had you because we are your friends."

"But when you got back, you treated us like…nothing," Ruff said, her voice softer than normal. "You didn't treat us like friends but rather like…idiots."

"You shouted at us and blamed us for doing what we always do-what you always tell us to do!" Fishlegs protested. "Look-we don't mind drilling. We've been drilling for years! And we'll try to do what you want us to-but you're always patient with us-even when the twins are having a joke or Snotlout is ignoring you. But shouting at us for not doing what you want when you don't even tell us what you want is…horrible."

"None of us signed up to be in your personal Dragon Rider army," Snotlout reminded him snarkily. Heather made a shushing gesture.

"We follow you because we want to," she told him. "Because we all believe in what you showed us about dragons: that they are kind, gentle amazing creatures. But you…aren't. Not any more. And on the last raid, you forgot to rescue the dragons. It was only…" She chewed her lip. "The rest of us who remembered the point of the exercise."

You see? You can't trust them. They see through you…

"Hiccup-you are the kindest, most caring and bravest of all of us," Fishlegs said. "You love dragons. But you forgot to rescue them. You left three of our group-two vikings, one dragon-to be killed by the Hunters!"

The auburn-haired Viking blushed then, his eyes downcast: he did feel ashamed, shocked at how his obsession had almost lost him two of his friends and Meatlug, the gentlest of all the dragons. "Yeah…I'm sorry…" he mumbled, his hands clasped tightly. "I-I…"

"Hiccup…we get that you had a horrible time," Snotlout said through gritted teeth. "But…"

"If you are having issues still, talk to us," Ruff said surprisingly. "You've been there for all of us, no matter what happened. You've saved all our lives. Most of us have saved you or helped save you a few times as well. We've been trapped, snowed in, frozen, baked, marooned, blown up…and we always pull through-together."

"I agree with my sis," Tuff added. "H-we know something's happened. You're being someone you're not-and not someone we really like. And I don't think I can trust you right now."

"Me neither," Snotlout added. "Our Hiccup talks to us. He explains his plans. He includes us in the mission. We're not arrow fodder: we're your friends. And if we have to decide to protect our dragons from you, we will!"

"Talk to us, Hiccup!" Heather almost pleaded. "Look-I know all about pain. I spent too long alone, allowing it to fester as I sought revenge on Dagur for the death of my parents. I hurt too many innocents because I was looking for him to kill him. And without you, I would've succeeded-and I would have slain my own brother!" She paused. "It was your determination, your compassion and humanity that stopped me committing a heinous crime." She swallowed. "And he repaid us by saving all our lives." She took a shuddering breath. "You've done the opposite, Hiccup. You've turned from Hiccup into the same heartless, ruthless soldier who would kill us all to complete his quest."

"We miss you sitting and laughing and joking with us!" Ruff admitted.

"I miss you playing Maces and Talons with me-and talking about dragons and helping me decipher the DragonEye notes," Fishlegs sighed.

"I actually miss your spiced fish stew," Snotlout piped up unexpectedly. "You don't join in any of the duties of the Edge any more. When the twins found that Claim Stone and we all agreed to help them in return for all being equal owners of the Edge, you said that the island belonged to all of us. But you're acting like it's all your domain and aren't doing anything any more!"

"We're not going anywhere until you talk to us, Hiccup," Fishlegs said determinedly. "We're your friends-but we can't follow you. Not now."

Hiccup stared round the semicircle of Vikings and dug his hands into his hair, running his fingers through until he met a snag: the small braids that Astrid had made. His eyes snapped open and he had to crush the instinctive response.

"Mutiny?" he murmured. Then he shook his head. "Guys…I know you mean well…"

"Hiccup-this is important," Heather insisted and he nodded.

"I know," he admitted. "Thor-I know. And…you're right. I am struggling because it was horrible being so weak that everyone captured me, that I could never get away…so I had to become stronger. And maybe…maybe I overdid it…and I am sorry, guys…" He swallowed and lifted his emerald eyes, blinking. "But I have to do this. Gods, I will never have a second of peace until I know Viggo and Ryker have paid for what they've done. We have to weaken them, so we have a chance to drive them back." He ran his left hand through his hair again.

"You think we're following you on another crazy mission…" Snotlout grumped angrily but Hiccup stared hard at him.

"He's having another auction," he said abruptly. "Berk is suffering. And taking the gold back would undermine his ability to trade. We can strike a blow back and teach him that we're not weak, that he has failed!"

"But Hiccup…you left some of us to die," Fishlegs told him softly. Chewing his lip, the auburn-haired viking nodded ashamedly.

"And I am so sorry," he said. "I swear I will explain everything once we've finished this mission. I promise." They all looked sceptically at him. He sighed. "I'm just about holding it together," he explained softly, ignoring the menacing chuckle that only he could hear. "If I start concentrating on what happened, I will be worse than useless…" He took a shaking breath, a frisson of fear and shame running through him at even speaking the word that had defined much of his younger life. "I need you to help me. I need my friends to help me. I need…I need to hit that auction, free those dragons and take the gold back!" His emerald eyes looked at them pleadingly. "I need you guys. Please…it's the only way we can be safe…"

"You know where this auction is?" Heather asked suspiciously. He nodded.

"Johann has found out for me," he admitted. "He sent me a Terror. But…but I can't go and reconnoitre because there are still bounty hunters looking for me." He bowed his head. "But all the Traders know." Snotlout looked round and snorted.

"And all six of us will manage to end all of those Hunters on our own?" he scoffed. "Look we're missing our best fighter-and don't pretend you can't bear to talk about her, Hiccup. You were completely shitty to her and it wasn't fair. She reached out to you, over and over and you just crushed her."

"She was leaving anyway," Heather told him sharply. He stared at her, anger and shame warring in his heart. He hadn't known that-but he should have guessed. Astrid was a proud, fearless warrior who had endured more than he could have imagined in order to stay with Hiccup and try to help him. "But Snot has a point. There are so few of us against so many!"

"My Dad has said we can call on the A Team," he said. "And I've already sent for them. But I need you. Berk needs you." he paused. "And I won't let you down. I won't let anything happen to you." The Riders shared a look and the male twin glanced up.

"T? Is he telling the truth? Can we trust him?" he asked the Night Fury. Hiccup gaped at the twin and then his head snapped round to inspect his dragon. Toothless had a distinctly thoughtful look on his face and he looked at his Rider for a long time before-almost reluctantly-he nodded.

"Not exactly a ringing endorsement, brother," Ruff commented. Tuff sighed.

"But I trust T," he sighed. Snotlout nodded, his expression grim.

"Astrid would," he said obviously, staring challengingly into Hiccup's eyes. "She never let us down." Heather nodded.

"We will hold you to our promise," she said. "And if anything happens to a single one of us, Hiccup-every one of us will hunt you down and make you pay for it. We're trusting you with our lives and our dragons. Don't betray that trust." Hiccup rose shakily.

"I won't."

Liar.

"Get some rest," he advised them. "The A Team will arrive later on. And the raid is tomorrow night. We'll need to double up on accommodations…and we'll go over the plan once everyone is here. And again in the morning-until we all know our tasks and the plan backwards, forwards and sideways." He offered a very wan smile and Heather and Fishlegs rose, both resting a hand on his armoured shoulders.

"Glad to have you back," they said genuinely. The twins were grinning but Snotlout was still scowling suspiciously as Hiccup nodded and headed for the door. Toothless helped him push it open and followed him out onto the walkway-until he stopped and rested back against the wall of the nearest hut, breathing hard and staring up at the evening sky. His heart was fluttering in his chest and he could feel a wave of panic rising through his chest which he struggled to crush.

They saw right through you, Ryker sneered at him. You were pathetic. They saw your weakness. They preferred the loser. They don't trust you.

"They will," he sighed, closing his eyes. They will. No matter what it takes.

And then he headed back to his hut, the Night Fury walking protectively this back. Toothless knew that his friend still wasn't right, was still listening to a voice no one else could hear: a voice that tore at Hiccup, piece by piece, that denied him sleep and peace and hope. And Toothless knew that Hiccup had lied but he had protected his human brother anyway. But even he wasn't prepared for the outburst of fury as the door to Hiccup's hut slammed down. Alone in his hut, the young Viking gave a blood-curdling scream of incoherent rage.

"Those godless mutinous treacherous sons of trolls!" he shouted, flinging his sword into the wall and kicking over his stool. "Odin-give me strength! But I need them. Gods, I need them! How pathetic is that? How weak is that? Until I have Viggo and Ryker beaten-and then…it's just us, bud. Beyond that…there's nothing left. No one will ever trust us again."

Toothless crooned and lay down, his ear-flaps back and eyes miserable. The person facing him wasn't the same boy he had befriended in the cove, the small Viking who had spared his life and given him back the ability to fly. And though he looked and smelled the same…he didn't sound the same. And Toothless was worried because he wasn't sure how far he could trust this stranger either.

"They want me to talk," he said in a calmer voice, though there was a sudden edge of despair. His shoulders sagged and his hands trembled. "They think that will help. But we both know it won't."

Because then they will know how despicable you are, Ryker sneered and the young Viking sagged, flinching at the words.

"What hope did I have?" he sighed. "It was the end. I had nothing left to give."

I don't know-you were very helpful, Ryker reminded him. Almost worthy of a Grimborn.

Toothless whimpered and covered his face with his front paws. He could sense his Rider's darkening mood-but the sound managed to snap Hiccup back to the present for a moment. Breathing hard, the Rider stared at him and sighed, still breathing hard, before he ripped out his knife. For a moment he stared at the mournful Night Fury-and then the knife flashed.

Two small auburn braids floated free, dropping discarded to the floor as Hiccup turned back to his plans.