Oh hey, look who updated!

I'M SO SORRY GUYS. I LEFT YOU ON THAT AWFUL CLIFFIE. I just haven't had any inspiration to write lately… But here comes season 6! To make up for it , this chapter is probably the longest I've written so far. THANK YOU ALL FOR 115 FOLLOWS! I'm planning on re-writing this story soon, since I'm not very happy with how I wrote it. (That's another reason why it took me so long to get this chapter out).

SHOUTOUTS:

Musical Ninja: Thanks! Oh yeah, I've seen it but haven't gotten to read it yet. I'll definitely put that on my "to read" list!

thepurplewriter333: YES, it has been a while… sorry again! And thanks! I'm probably going to rewrite WLGL because I hate how I wrote the previous chapters. And no more 4 month waits…. Hopefully.

Animalsarepeopletoo: I hope that's a happy scream…? AH yes, Hiccup the magic pencil… I dunno what I was thinking when I wrote that. YES IT'S A THING! Aww, thanks! There's really not enough Hiccup sass in RTTE.

Phieillydinyia: You'll see! *evil grin*

Lovetoread89: Yeah… poor Hiccup. Sadly he's gonna smell like fish guts for a while.

TheDrawingDemon: Thanks! That means a lot!

GriffTalon: I accept the challenge!

Everyone else: Thanks! Yes it's been WAY over a week! I swear I won't wait this long again.

Now, ON TO CHAPTER 11!

Hiccup had to say, the sensation of coming back into consciousness was never a pleasant experience. He had been knocked out more times than he'd prefer, and the process of waking up was always the same. It felt like waking from a horrible nap, one in which he hardly got any rest at all. First, he gradually starts hearing things, though everything is vague and hard to decipher. Second comes a general feeling of clamminess and confusion. Next his sense of awareness comes back, which is usually, in his case, accompanied with pain. For Hiccup, the amount of pain always depended on how he blacked out. If he was knocked out, for instance, waking from unconsciousness was accompanied by a searing headache and an extreme hate of the world.

As Hiccup experienced the oh so pleasant process of waking up, he started to hear voices. As his hearing gradually came into focus, so did the pain. The sharp throbbing in his head and stomach almost made him cry out, but he barely held it in. He didn't want his father to start prodding him to take his medicine, which usually tasted awful-

"Think he's gonna wake up anytime soon?" A deep, tentative voice questioned. Well that wasn't his dad. Hiccup blearily opened his eyes, blinking drowsily. He expected to be met with the sight of his room, but instead was met with the view of total darkness. Perfect. He nearly forgot about his blindness.

"Doubt it, Ryker conked him out pretty good." Another voice replied. Hiccup's confusion was washed away and replaced with an entirely different emotion: fear. Immediately, the after-effects of unconsciousness faded, making Hiccup's head and stomach pound insistently. He couldn't hold back the tiny hiss that escaped his clenched teeth.

"Well, he better soon. Viggo's been looking forward to "talking" with this runt." Both of the voices chuckled- Hiccup assumed they were dragon hunters, and he was in a cell. Great. Hiccup held himself still, to reduce the risk of the hunters noticing him. He was laying on his side, arms still tied behind his back from before. Hiccup thanked Thor for his arm guards, or his wrists would probably be bleeding by now. He would never take advantage of the use of his arms again, after being restrained for- how long has it been?

Astrid would probably know. Hiccup cringed slightly. He missed her terribly. He also missed his father, Toothless, the riders… Thor, he would give anything to hear the twins bicker again.

The sound of heavy footsteps reached Hiccup's ears. The hunters outside immediately shut up, making Hiccup assume whoever was approaching was someone of authority. Someone like-

"Has he woken up yet?" Ryker.

"N-not yet, sir." One of the hunters stammered.

"Well, Viggo's getting impatient. Time to put that water to use." Ryker growled. With the mention of water, Hiccup suddenly was hit with a wave of thirst and hunger. He hadn't eaten in days. The masked man had brought down water occasionally, knowing that he needed water to stay alive, but he hadn't had any food since he was captured. How long ago was that again…? He really needed a sundial.

Hiccup's musings were abruptly stopped when the cell door swung open. He tensed slightly, squeezing his eyes shut and holding his breath. The footsteps abruptly stopped behind him. Hiccup forced himself to relax, trying to appear unconscious. Maybe if they thought he was still knocked out, they'd leave...

A foot nudged his aching stomach, sending a twinge of pain through his whole body. Hiccup forced himself to stay still, holding in the groan of pain he desperately wanted to release. "Yup, he's still out of it."

"Well, time to change that." Something wet and cold suddenly flooded over Hiccup's face, going up his nose and into his mouth. He had no choice but to roll over and cough up his guts. "He's up now boss!" A hunter's voice rang out. Hiccup let his head hit the cold ground with a groan. Apparently, that was what the water was for.

Suddenly, Hiccup found himself being lifted up by the collar of his armor. His head spinning and stomach pounding, Hiccup barely suppressed another groan. Hot, smelly breath washed over his face. Hiccup blinked up, glaring at what he assumed was Ryker.

"Viggo's been waitin' for ya. He's been getting impatient." Hiccup heard the leer in Ryker's voice. "Honestly, I've been getting impatient too." Ryker released the hold on Hiccup's armor. He stumbled, almost falling back to the ground, when two sets of hands grabbed his upper arms. Hiccup found himself being dragged. He tried wrenching his arms out of the hunters' grips, but got nothing more than a few irritated grumbles from them.

Hiccup did everything in his power to make the hunters' job hard- or at least harder. He dragged his feet, kicked at the hunter's legs, and repeatedly shook his arms, trying to wrench them from their grasps. All the while, he protested loudly. "Y'know, couldn't Viggo have sent a letter or something? I know how to read! Does he think I'm illiterate or something? That would be ridiculous, as he calls me a "worthy adversary." I'm pretty sure worthy adversaries can read. Can you read?"

"Shut up!" Ryker grumbled.

"I'll take that as a no." Hiccup shook his arms again, causing the hunters to tighten their grips. "Oh, would you loosen up already? It's not like I'm going anywhere!"

"Cooperate, boy, or more pain will come." Ryker growled.

Hiccup dug his feet into the floor as hard as he could. "Look! I'm being cooperative!" He kicked at the hunter holding his right arm, making the hunter yelp. "Very cooperative!"

Hiccup felt the hunters ascend a staircase and stop in front of what Hiccup assumed was a door. Ryker knocked, the harsh sounds echoing around the hallway. The door sounded like it was made of thick wood.

Said door creaked open, and Hiccup was dragged inside. The door shut behind them. Hiccup glanced around, glaring at everything and nothing at the same time. He knew he couldn't show weakness, and blindness was definitely considered a weakness.

"Ah, Hiccup. We meet at last." Viggo's voice said from a corner. Hiccup sighed heavily, glowering in the direction the voice came from. "I trust you've had a pleasant journey here?"

"Oh, yeah, sure! If you count having fish guts dumped on you, that is. Want a whiff? I'm pretty sure I still smell like it-" Ryker backhanded him across the head, shutting him up. The hunters who previously held his arms let go, leaving Hiccup to stumble slightly. Ryker took hold of his upper arm, dragging over to where he assumed Viggo was.

Hiccup tried kicking at Ryker again, but froze when a callused hand suddenly touched his face. The hand grabbed his chin, then tilted his head up. Hiccup scowled, twisting his wrists in the ropes. "So, I hear from Ryker you're blind." Viggo said thoughtfully.

Hiccup huffed, but didn't reply. "How, may I ask, did it happen?" Viggo released his chin. Hiccup again didn't reply. He had no idea why Viggo was being so… talkative. Hiccup knew he was always talkative, but to ask such a personal question?

Ryker hit Hiccup over the head again, making it throb more. "Respond, boy, or you'll answer to me."

"Lightning." Hiccup muttered, resigned.

"Ah, yes. I've heard of blindness resulting from extreme stimulation of the pupil." Viggo chuckled. "When life gives you lightning, I suppose nothing good can come from it."

"Why am I here?" Hiccup said pointedly. He was sick of Viggo's antics.

"Ah, yes. You've always been straight to the point, Hiccup. That's one of the things that makes you such a worthy adversary." Hiccup hated when Viggo said that.

"Worthy adversary, my butt," Ryker muttered from next to Hiccup where he still gripped his arm.

"Ah, Ryker, you wish you had enough intelligence to equal that of a terrible terror." Viggo stated nonchalantly. The grip on Hiccup's arm tightened considerably, making Hiccup flinch. He tried jerking his arm away, to no avail. He was pretty sure he'd have huge, finger-shaped bruises, but that was probably the least of his concerns at the moment.

"Bring him here, Ryker." Hiccup felt himself being dragged again, then was flung more forcefully than needed into a chair. He attempted to stand, but a hand landed on his shoulder, shoving him down again.

Viggo circled around the chair. "You asked why you were here. I'd think you would have figured it out by now."

Hiccup pretended to think. "Hmm, let me guess. You wanted to paint Ryker pink? No offense, but that's not a very flattering color-" A fist landed on his gut, the air instantly leaving him. Hiccup was pretty sure he heard a few cracks. Hiccup gasped for breath, trying desperately not to scream at the white-hot pain in his chest. He was pretty sure a few ribs were broken- and that was just one punch!

"Wrong answer. Guess again." Viggo sounded amused.

"You-" Hiccup gasped. "-you want me to read to Ryker? I'm- I'm pretty sure he's illiterate." This time, a finger pressed on one of his broken ribs- hard. Hiccup's eyes screwed shut, as he tried desperately not to cry out. A low groan escaped against his consent.

"Careful Ryker, you might kill him." Viggo said idly.

"And that would be a problem why?" The pressure finally left his chest. Hiccup coughed violently, making his ribs hurt worse.

"We need information." Viggo stood in front of Hiccup, whose eyes were still screwed shut. "Plus, a little revenge would be a bonus." Viggo's hand fisted in Hiccup's hair, wrenching his head back. "It's rude to not make eye contact."

Hiccup finally found his voice, though it was more raspy than he'd like. "Like I can see you anyway."

Hiccup heard the metallic sound of someone drawing a knife. Cold metal pressed to his cheek. "Now, I need some information from you. We can do this the easy way, or the hard way." Viggo's voice hardened. "In both you die." The knife pressed harder, leaving a shallow cut near his hairline.

"Now-" A loud boom sounded in the distance. The entire fortress seemed to shake. Hiccup distantly heard whooping, and an echo of 'Snotlout, Snotlout, oi oi oi!'

"Dragon riders!" Hiccup's head jerked up, as he gasped for the breath that left him previously. The riders had actually came for him.

Viggo growled, a sound that was very unusual for his usually composed character. The knife left his cheek. Even through the pounding in his head and chest, Hiccup smirked. "Now what, Viggo?"

Hands gripped his arms again, forcing him to stand. "Your friends are destroying my base." Viggo said darkly. "I suppose I'll have to get my information elsewhere."

Again, a fist hit him on the temple, sending Hiccup wavering in and out of consciousness. He vaguely felt himself being dragged, then felt the welcoming breeze of fresh air. Hiccup inhaled deeply. Shouts and echoes of explosions sounded throughout the air. His eyes closed of their own accord.

"Where do you think he'd be?" Astrid shouted to Stoick over the sounds of the battle below them. Skullcrusher had tracked the scent of Hiccup's pencil to the dragon hunter's base- shocker. The twins were blowing up various ships and catapults, while Snotlout and Hookfang torched the attacking hunters.

"My guess is in a fortress, or someplace secure." Another boom shook the base. Stoick had dropped Toothless off on the ground, who was wreaking havoc of his own. The dragon was furious at the hunters for taking his rider- and Astrid couldn't blame him a bit. She would be taking out her anger on the hunters as well, but she had more important things to do.

"What are we waiting for? Let's go!" Astrid said impatiently. It had been six days and eleven hours- far too long for her liking. She was used to having Hiccup in her life, and hated when he wasn't. She was definitely aware of her feelings for him, there was no point in trying to deny it. Recent events brought everything into perspective. First the bounty was put on Hiccup's head, then a few short weeks later the Submaripper incident occurred. Now Hiccup goes missing again. If she found him, she was going to tell him how she felt. No, not if. When.

"Guys, keep blowing things up! We're going to look for Hiccup." Astrid yelled to the others. Snotlout and Fishlegs nodded, and the twins saluting. They directed their dragons back to the fight, resuming their whooping.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." The voice of Viggo sounded clearly. Astrid whipped her head around, staring at Viggo. He stood on a cliff, clearly having just come out of the large building behind him. He carried a torch, making a pulsing ring of light around him in the darkness.

"Where's Hiccup?" Stoick yelled to the hunter.

"Ah, yes. Straight to the point, just like your son." Viggo smiled unnervingly. "I'm afraid you don't have to look much farther." He brought forth his hand, making a beckoning gesture to something.

In the darkness, Astrid had a hard time seeing what was going on. Another smaller torch bobbed through the darkness. An purpley explosion lit up the night- Toothless's plasma blast- and illuminated Ryker, who was dragging… something. Astrid squinted, trying to make out what the thing was. It looked… vaguely humanoid.

Ryker came to stand next to Viggo, and she could finally see the brothers clearly in the light of the torches. Ryker pulled the something upwards… no, not something. Someone. And not just anyone.

"Hiccup!" Stoick yelled frantically. Astrid was pretty sure her voice had joined his, but in her panic she couldn't be sure. Ryker held Hiccup up, his massive arm holding the rider securely against his chest. Hiccup's head lolled to the side, his body limp. He looked unconscious.

Astrid and Stoick both directed their dragons down toward the Grimborn brothers. They landed with a loud thump about ten feet away from the men. Astrid leapt off Stormfly, who squawked angrily. Stoick dismounted heavily, brandishing his axe. He gave a mighty war cry and started forward, but was stopped as Ryker whipped out a knife, swiftly pressing it against Hiccup's throat.

"Ah ah ah, Stoick! There will be none of that." Viggo said with a wicked grin. Ryker chuckled darkly.

Astrid jolted, almost running forward. "Let him go!" Astrid watched Hiccup anxiously, who started to move. His eyes blinked open drearily, though Astrid knew he still couldn't see. He started to move his head, but froze almost immediately after, no doubt feeling the sharpness of the metal at his neck.

"I'm afraid I can't do that, my dear Astrid." Hiccup tensed at that, eyes darting around. "You see, while I still have him I hold all the cards, do I not?"

"Astrid?" Hiccup's voice rasped tentatively, unseeing eyes searching the darkness desperately for something. Probably her.

"Yes! I'm here!" Astrid cried shakily. Her hands shook in both anger and nervousness. "We're going to get you out of here!"

At Astrid's words Hiccup shifted in Ryker's grip. The hunter then pressed the knife harder into Hiccup's neck, immediately ceasing all his movement. Hiccup's arms were twisted behind his back… probably tied there. Astrid gazed anxiously at Hiccup's tense face. A thin stream of blood trickled down from the fresh cut made on the side of his throat. Blood was still flowing from another cut on his temple, and his face was dirty. His chest heaved rapidly, and he winced at injuries she couldn't see.

"Let him go." Stoick said angrily. Hiccup's eyes shifted to the direction of his father's voice.

"And why should I do that?" Viggo started to pace. "Your riders are wreaking havoc on my carefully constructed base. Why shouldn't I return the favor, when I easily can?" Viggo then gestured to Ryker, who was still holding Hiccup.

Hiccup's eyes narrowed and he jerked in Ryker's grip. "What makes you think you're going to get anything out of this?" Hiccup's level-headedness in situations such as this still surprised Astrid.

Viggo chuckled and turned his gaze to Hiccup. "I don't think I'll get anything out of this. I know I will." He stalked toward his captive, grabbing his chin and directing his head towards Stoick and Astrid. Hiccup winced slightly.

"Don't touch him!" Astrid shrieked. Her fists clenched in fury, longing to hit Viggo and everyone who dared to hurt Hiccup. Stoick tensed similarly beside Astrid.

"My dear Astrid, I believe you're forgetting who has your heir." Viggo turned Hiccup's face back towards himself. Hiccup glared hatefully at the hunter, somehow managing to make direct eye contact with Viggo. The man chuckled and released Hiccup's chin, nodding to Ryker who returned the blade to Hiccup's throat.

"Now," Viggo grinned at Stoick. "I'll be willing to make a deal with you. You leave here with your riders, and your precious Hiccup's death shall be postponed indefinitely."

Stoick's glare was murderous. His massive fists tightened. "Never. Let him go."

"Dad, just go." Hiccup looked in Stoick's direction. "It's not worth it."

Astrid's heart dropped like a stone. "Hiccup, you're worth everything to us. We're not leaving without you!" Astrid was shocked. How could he believe he wasn't worth it to them? To her?

Hiccup shook his head and opened his mouth. Ryker, apparently fed up with their exchange, clamped his free hand over Hiccup's mouth before he had a chance to reply. "Yes. You're leaving without him." Ryker growled to Astrid. Hiccup jerked again, trying to get out of Ryker's grip.

"No, we're not!" Stoick roared, waving his axe at Viggo. "Either you let him go now, or you will regret it."

A flash of uncertainty passed over Ryker's face. He no doubt remembered how Stoick's fist felt against his chin.

Viggo grinned maliciously. "Are you sure?"

"Positive." Stoick growled.

Viggo shrugged. "Suit yourself, then." He nodded to his brother.

Ryker removed the blade from his neck. Hiccup tensed, squeezing his eyes shut. Astrid sucked in a breath, and watched the scene unfold helplessly. Raising the knife in one clean motion, Ryker brought it down again… and sunk it straight into Hiccup's stomach.

Oops.