Okay guys. I have two things to apologize for: 1. for this update taking so long. and 2 this update being super short.

The last time I was updated was a week before I graduated high school. So yes, I did have all summer to update but at the same time I didn't because I was at work 10 hours a day. Not kidding. I was really uninspired. I had no motivation to write. The other day I just decided I wanted to get something done, so I did. The story is going to take a much darker turn now.

This chapter is shorter, but next chapter should be much longer for obvious reasons after you get to the end of this. Thank you all for your support and sticking with me through this. Please stay with me as I learn to manage my time between work and college, okay?

I love you guys!

Disclaimer: Not mineee.

-Ash

Chapter 13

I woke up from an extremely uncomfortable cot placed in the middle of the holding cell I was stuck in. Yup, they put me in a cell. I'm a prisoner. What is happening right now!? I stared at the ceiling and allowed myself to get lost in my thoughts. I prayed that Astrid and Toothless got to safety. I couldn't bear the thought of them being hurt…or worse. I felt awful, I didn't know what they were planning to do to me. I just know that I have to play this as safe as possible.

I nearly jumped out of my skin as my cell door slid open. The guard stared me down, "You're coming with me, kid."

Great. Just great.

"He what!?"

"He wants to tame a dragon…" My father explained to the agents.

The large man sneered, "That's impossible! How could he have any chance of surviving?"

"That idiot obviously has a death wish." One of the armored men argued.

"I know it's not an ideal situation, but let him plead his case and get it over with. As soon as the dragon tries to snatch at him, we tranquilize it, prove they are unsafe, then we're all clear for the go ahead." My father reasoned.

I made an attempt to chime in, "Um, if I could say something…"

"No!" They all screeched at me. I could've sworn I felt the mist and the wind blow my hair from their intensity.

I rose from my chair, "Yes actually, I will say something." I felt the fire begin to bubble in my stomach. While standing my ground, I spoke, "Listen, I know you don't believe me." There was a chorus of agreement, "And I know you think I'm stupid." The men nodded once again. I sucked in a breath of irritation, "But I am willing to do whatever it takes for you guys to understand. I have done a tremendous amount of research on dragons; I know them like the back of my hand. You have to let you see that these creatures aren't always violent. They are like any other animal on the planet. The dragon can be tamed."

My father rubbed his temple in frustration, "Okay. So say we do take the time to let you prove your little theory. How will we go about it?"

One of the men gave a snarl, "If the boy wants to prove it so bad, why don't we just put him in the ring with a vicious one."

"Wait, why does it have to be vicious!?" I asked hastily.

Another armed fellow grinned, "You want to prove your point, don't you?"

My eyes bulged from my skull as I immediately realized what they were up to. I straightened my posture, "You think I'm going to be dragon food. You're gonna use me as a test dummy, right? That's pretty cruel, but then again, after seeing how you treat the dragons, why am I surprised?" Their faces began to look uneasy and I shrugged, "What? Don't want to hear what else I have to say? You know that if I die, your project isn't in vain and some nuisance boy is gone." I cleared my throat and eyed my father, "What about you, dad? Am I of any relevance to you?"

My father turned his head in shame, "I told you that this was more than you bargained for."

I snorted, "Wow. You care more about this than about your own son."

He shot an annoyed glance in my direction, "Son, you can change your mind. You can use your dragon knowledge to help us here. No one has to get hurt."

I hissed in sarcasm, "Oops, sorry. There's just something stopping me from committing animal cruelty."

"You don't know a damn thing about how these beasts act! Fine, you want to throw your lot in with the man eating creatures? You're not a Haddock! You're not my son!" My father bellowed.

My body tingled and began to grow numb. I knew I was right and they would all see. I had to keep talking though, I've already buried myself this deep. I opened my mouth and said the words I knew would cut him the most, "Funny. I've never felt like your son to begin with." I turned my attention back to the other side of the room so that I didn't have to see my father's face. I gave them a nod, "Well gentlemen, I'll see you in the arena." I started towards the door, "Oh and by the way, if the dragon does start to attack me and you don't intervene… I believe that makes you murderers." I headed back towards my holding cell. Even the guards were too stunned to chase me down…

I stood in front of the arena door, my palms were so clammy I could nearly feel sweat running between the creases of my fingers. This was awful. I had no plan. They were basically throwing me into the middle of an arena with this dragon. Dad said that they would have an array of weapons for me to select from. This was nuts! It's like I'm going into battle. That isn't what I'm here for though. This was for Toothless.

I pressed my forehead to the cool, metallic door in front of me with a sigh. I ran my moist hands down the metal in an attempt to get rid of the perspiration. Suddenly, there was a poke on my shoulder and I spun around on my heel to face a certain familiar blonde.

"Astrid? How the hell did you get here?!" I exclaimed in surprise.

The blonde smiled, "Fishlegs told me where you'd be."

I was taken aback, "What!? Is he allowed to do that? Wait… how'd he even know I was here?"

She shrugged, "I don't think he's allowed to, but he was told from the other organization members. He figured I was involved somehow considering our reputation at school."

My eyes widened at her, "What'd you tell him?"

Astrid snorted at me with a smirk, "Don't look so worried, do you think I'm an idiot? I told him that you had delusions about dragons being real."

"Great," I gave a shrug and smacked my arms to my sides, "Now the guy thinks I'm crazy."

"Well, obviously not. He told me that you were right, but I'm not supposed to know. So shhh." She said as she pressed a finger to her lips.

I swung my arms in irritation, "Wow, I can't believe he'd do something like that. I also can't believe he'd give up the fact that dragons are real so easily to you. I've been asking him questions for months about dragons, but he didn't tell me crap. Thanks Franklin, I see how it is."

She rolled her eyes, "Oh calm down, prima donna. So what's your plan?"

"Well, not to get bitten, eaten, or killed first off. Then hopefully prove to all of these frightening guys with electric weapons that dragons can be tamed."

Astrid crossed her arms in irritation, "So basically, you don't have a plan."

"Not a damn clue." I replied with a grin.

She sighed, "That's promising."

I gazed at the arena bars, "What other choice do I have Astrid? How am I going to do anything when no one believes in me!?"

Astrid grabbed a hold onto my shoulder, "That's how it used to be Hiccup, but I believe in you. You can always rely on me to be here for you. I know you can do this. Toothless needs to you do this. And you need to do this for yourself too. This means everything."

I released a shallow breath, "You're right."

"I know."

I snorted at her, "Thanks."

We suddenly heard footsteps in the distance and Astrid whipped her head towards me, "I have to go. Good luck. I believe in you."

I gave her a hesitant nod as she began to sprint down the hall in the opposite direction. I gulped down the knot in my throat as the large, masked man approached me. He smirked, "Ready, shrimp?"

"As ready as anyone would be, I guess?" I replied with a shrug.

His face grew into a slimy sneer, "I'd watch that smart mouth if I were you. It's time to get in." The guard yanked the lever and it slammed open with a thunk, I sucked in a breath, knowing that this could be the end of my fifteen years on this earth.

I gradually began to step through the door; unfortunately the humongous jerk had other plans and shoved me into the arena.

Cheering erupted and I was stunned to see at least a hundred spectators before me. I felt my brow twitch with irritation as I found my dad in the crowd. As the deafening shouts dissipated, I called up to my father.

"I didn't know this was a sporting event!"

He merely shook his head. I didn't even deserve a response, apparently.

Suddenly a voice sounded over the intercom, "Attention ladies and gentlemen! You're all here to witness this young man tame a furious dragon! Are you ready!?"

The crowd of employees chanted in response. How many people worked here anyway? Was this guy trying to be sarcastic? No one believed I could do it!

There was a loud crash as the gigantic door swung open. I felt my heart begin to pound as the dragon stepped out of it's cage.