Astrid called a meeting at the arena that late night after her talk with Hiccup. She was determined to get that cure from Viggo and save Hiccup's life; there was no doubt about that. But they couldn't go in, dragon blazing. This was a more delicate mission...
Every rider had an assigned job, and were trusted to do it right. Fishlegs wasn't sure about this. Like he had said, going in battle without Hiccup would be foolish. He was their leader. Even though Astrid was pretty good at leadership, they still had a missing rider, making their team incomplete.
But regardless of that fact, they all followed, for it was their friend's and leader's life they were talking about. No one here let a teammate down.
...
Hiccup was left alone on Dragon' Edge that night with Toothless and Dagur locked up in the stables.
Still unable to sleep, Hiccup got out of bed, and sat on the chair to his desk, feeling like drawing some sketches of his buddy since there wasn't much he could do at the time. He knew he had to rest, but his state didn't improved at all and was getting quite bored.
Toothless, who was curved in a ball on his bed, almost sleeping, lifted up his head, looking at his rider getting up, wondering what he was up to. He was given the job to watch after him by Astrid, who had left an hour or so ago, and he wouldn't break that promise he made her. He got out of his own lava bed, walking up to Hiccup, sitting to his desk, drawing like he often did before. He watched his hand move, tracing black charcoal lines on the paper. His big green eyes followed the movement of his hand, finding it very interesting as he usually did.
Hiccup gave a small laugh as he continued on that way for some time, Toothless' heavy head resting above his own.
...
Astrid and the gang flew in direction of Viggo's base, for that was their destination. The voyage had been unbelievably quick, probably because she'd been thinking all the way... What if it's not the cure that's around Viggo's neck? What if Dagur lied? What if they didn't make it in time?
She shook her head, trying to stop thinking about all that and focused on the task in hands.
As the clouds faded away, the island came in sight. They did this once, and there was no reason they couldn't do it again. So without another minute lost, the gang power dived, towards the forest where they knew no guard would wander in.
As soon as their dragon's feet touched the ground, they all hopped off, grabbing their weapon of choice.
''You guys wait here until I give the signal... As soon as I do, you go in blasting to get as much of the Hunters' attention as possible, giving me a way out when I get the cure.'' Astrid directed.
''But how are you gonna find it?'' Fishlegs asked, concerned about her.
''Dagur said Viggo has it,'' she said, ''I won't need to find him, he'll find me.''
The riders looked at each other, worried that this insane plan might not work at the end, which probably won't...
Without losing another second, she ran in a random direction, not worried about guards finding her 'cause she could handle those guys easily. As long as she had her axe...
She went off where Viggo's tent was, expecting him to be waiting for her there, with the cure. So towards the center of the island she ran, her axe in a hand, never leaving her side. She didn't bring Stormfly, ordered her dragon to stay hidden, not taking the chance of getting her caught again. No way.
...
Astrid really expected the man to be there, but as she pushed the dragon skin to get a look inside the tent, it was empty.
Just to be sure, she entered, searching if Viggo could've have left it inside here.
''I've been expecting you, dear...'' Viggo's calm voice purred from behind her. Astrid spun around, grabbing her axe with both hands as he saw him standing in the exit, ready for battle. ''Calm now... no need to get aggressive, I'm not here to fight...''
''Then hand me over the cure to that horrible thing you put in Hiccup's blood,'' she snapped, twirling her axe in her hands in a threatening way. ''Haven't you hurt him enough?''
''Oh, I've hurt him?'' Viggo said as if offended. ''No he hurt himself.''
''Give it to me or I'll make you do...'' Astrid ordered, already sick of the man.
''Spicy one, aren't you? Fine. I'll give it to you, if you give me the Dragon Eye back.''
''Sorry... Didn't bring it with me.''
Viggo glared, humming thoughtfully. ''In that case, surrender, or, well, hopefully you're smart enough to figure out the rest...''
''No one is surrendering.'' she snapped.
''Then I guess you leave me no choice.'' he sighed an unsheathed his sword.
...
The rest of the party hidden in the forest were starting to grow concern when there was still no sign of Astrid or signal that said it was time.
''Cou-cou! Cou-cou!'' Snotlout shouted, cupping his mouth.
''What are you doing?'' Fishlegs wondered, looking up at him as he was standing up on Hookfang's nose.
''Duh..! That's our signal.''
''Guys, how many times did Astrid tell you, she gives the signal.''
''Speaking of which,'' Tuffnut stated, ''Shouldn't we have received one by now?''