I doubt I'll ever update this quick again, but I had a lot more free time today than I expected x3

Plus, this chapter is a wee bit shorter.

Chapter Two: A Little Convincing

Hiccup wouldn't lie. He wanted to scream. He wanted to scream so loud that his father would hear and come rushing to help. The blade jerked, though, touching his skin and causing pressure along his throat. He sucked in some air, trying to bring his neck in so that it wouldn't get sliced. He heard Alvin laughing throatily in his ear and the man's beard went from tickling his cheek to rubbing it with rough, brittle strands.

"If I'm all you want, let the others go," Hiccup said, managing to put bravery into words he didn't feel brave about.

Alvin pulled away. He was holding Hiccup in front of him and Hiccup was facing towards the cliffside that Ruffnut had nearly perished over. Hiccup couldn't see his attacker, but he could turn his head to look at the others. He did this, but wished he hadn't. They looked petrified, even Astrid. Alvin began to push Hiccup towards them, nearly shoving him down the path. Hiccup stumbled and started to fall into the sword, but the traitor pulled it away and clenched his fist tight around Hiccup's arm. Hiccup stopped short of hitting the ground, his left shoulder nearly yanked out of socket as Alvin held him. The man pulled Hiccup back to his feet and they continued to walk. As they passed Toothless, Alvin moved the sword back across Hiccup's throat.

"Tell your dragon to stay put. If he follows us, one of you isn't going to live," the Viking spat.

Hiccup looked over at Toothless, who whined and lowered his head, moving into a lying down position. He watched Hiccup with wary eyes, searching for something to do that could help his friend but finding nothing. Hiccup smiled at him gently, trying to reassure him with comfort that Hiccup didn't even feel.

"It's okay, bud. Just wait here. We'll be back."

Toothless let out another whine, one that sounded more pained. It made Hiccup's stomach clench and fury welled inside him. Why was he so important to Alvin the Treacherous? He alone had nothing to give the outcasts. No strength, no power, and without Toothless he was just a scrawny boy. Hell if he'd ever actually help Alvin with anything anyways.

"Come along, boys, to the ship," Alvin called to him men.

They all proceeded to move. Astrid and Ruffnut were getting nearly dragged along, much like Hiccup. Fishlegs, Snotlout, and Tuffnut walked side by side, ignoring the tips of the swords that the outsiders attempted to jab at them every once and a while. Hiccup tried to keep with Alvin's desired pace, being pushed along ahead with the sword against his throat. It was hard to move fast enough to not get shoved by Alvin but be slow enough to not walk into the cold, sharp blade.

They went along in silence, following the path that would take them down to the beach where Alvin's ship was. Hiccup found his gaze looking it over, wondering how it was here when Toothless and the other dragons had burned it down a couple weeks ago.

"Eyeing my new ship, eh? Can't you see the fancy new paint and wood? We worked hard on it to make it all beautiful for when we came to pick you up," Alvin laughed, not sounding thrilled at all.

Hiccup chuckled awkwardly. "It's gorgeous. I feel so special."

The sarcasm in his voice earned him a punch upside the head. Hiccup felt like his world was about to sink into darkness, but it didn't. He managed to hold out, though his vision blurred for a couple moments. He was pushed along blindly until everything became clear again. When he managed to glance around, he found himself sitting on the floor of Alvin's ship, his hands bound together behind him. Astrid, Fishlegs, Snotlout, and the twins were in the same position, lined up alongside him against one side of the ship.

"Lets go, men. We've got ground to cover," Alvin ordered, stomping his way up and down the deck as he commanded his small crew.

As the ship finally set off, Hiccup began to feel nauseous. The wild rocking of the boat didn't help as the Isle of Berk began to slowly start shrinking. Hiccup looked up and noticed a black form walking along the edge of the cliff where they had been. A long, sullen wail split the air and Hiccup knew it was Toothless, crying out for him. He was glad Toothless was safe, though, that was what mattered. Now he just had to save himself and the others.

It seemed like an eternity of silence before someone worked up the nerve to speak.

"Why are we getting dragged along into this?" Tuffnut demanded. "We're not the Dragon Conquerers."

Hiccup recalled that Alvin never answered him earlier about that. He looked over at the man, who had obviously heard Tuffnut's question but was choosing to ignore it. Hiccup slammed his prosthetic on the deck to get his attention. Alvin looked over, seemingly bored but attentive.

"You didn't answer me back there earlier about that. Why are you bringing the others? You said it was me you wanted. What are they to you?" he questioned, his voice shaking a bit but he managed to get all the words out.

He put on his best look of determination as the Viking man strode over. Hiccup had to crane his head back to look Alvin in the face. Ironic that white puffy clouds floated along behind him in a vast sea of blue. It was way too nice of a day out to be kidnapped.

"The reason I'm bringing them, Dragon Conquerer, is because I believe it's going to take a little more to persuade you to assist me that just by asking you," Alvin said. His voice was so cold and deadly sounding that Hiccup felt himself a little shaken just from the words. He refused to tear his gaze away, trying to outlast Alvin in the stare off.

The something occurred to him. "What use am I to you anyways?"

Alvin laughed. His bellow must have been a cue to the other men as they all burst into a round of throaty chuckles, though they seemed confused. They hadn't been listening to the conversation, they didn't know what was going on. They just knew that their leader was laughing and that meant that they should probably share the same emotion. As soon as Alvin's laughter trailed to die down, the other men stopped and hurried back to whatever they were working on.

"Why, Dragon Conquerer, you're going to do just that. You're going to help us conquer some dragons. Or better yet, we'd like to ride some dragons."

Alvin had bent down while speaking this, getting up close into Hiccup's face. The angry glint in his eyes made Hiccup wince, but his treacherous breath made the poor boy recoil. Hiccup pushed himself up against the side of the ship, holding his breath and turning away. The rancid smell burned his eyes, too.

Alvin, seeing Hiccup's move as more fear that disgust, grinned and pulled away, turning to check how much further they had to go.

"Hiccup," Astrid hissed from his right. She twisted her body enough to allow her hands, though tied behind her back, to smack him hard on the arm. "Don't act like a baby!"

Hiccup, able to breath again, shook his head and looked over at Astrid. "It wasn't his words that scared me Astrid. The man's breath smells worse than boots on Boot Day."

"Is that even possible?" Snotlout asked, incredulous.

Fishlegs shook his head. "I don't think so."

"Well, it is," Hiccup muttered.

"When I woke up this morning, I was planning on having a good day. Not to almost fall off a cliff and die and not to get captured by Outsiders and die. Either way, I wasn't planning on dying, so, Hiccup, you better have a plan," Ruffnut threatened.

Tuffnut agreed. "Yeah. If the guy's breath is as bad as you say it is, I want to get home before I have to suffer. Screw being Berk's biggest hero. I'm fine just being the other guy. Doesn't put me in sucky situations."

"Thanks, Tuff, you really know how to cheer a guy on," Hiccup moaned, searching his brain for an idea. A plan. Anything. So far he had nothing. There wasn't much they could do while just stuck on Alvin's boat.

The rest of the boat ride about killed them all. Not because Alvin threatened them or anything. No. Because Fishlegs sang to himself in what was supposed to be a quiet, but really wasn't, tone. The large boy's words stumbled over themselves and crashed into each other as he sang nervously, losing tune and never really sounding even decent. Everyone besides Hiccup told him to stop or they would harm him in some way, but that only made Fishlegs worry more and sing even worse.

"Fishlegs," Hiccup finally tried. "Just close your eyes and think of something nice."

The boy nodded and tried it. Soon he was in tears, the water streaming down his face in buckets. "I miss MEATLUG!"

"Or not," Hiccup sighed.

The boat lurched and the teens all went flying to right, crashing into each other before coming to a stop in a heap. They lay there for a moment, groaning in pain where they had been struck by the limbs of each other, unable to catch or stop themselves with their hands tied.

Hiccup was underneath Tuffnut, but that didn't stop Alvin from seizing his right leg and pulling him out, dangling him up in the air like he was nothing. He cried out in surprise before just letting himself hang, unable to kick around to get free. As Alvin released him, he bent forward so as to fall onto his back. Pain jolted through his body and another wave of nausea swept him. Alvin kicked him to his feet and then repeated the earlier process of shoving Hiccup along in the direction he wanted him to go.

Off the boat, Hiccup could see that they definitely weren't on Berk anymore. It was like a tall, grey, dead mountain surrounded by a beach of a similar color. Everything seemed void of life and color. Dark black caves littered the side of the mountain like spots. Smoke billowed out of a couple that glowed with a pale, orange light, signaling some sort of life among the barren landscape. A couple more Vikings were walking around, dirtied and haggard looking. They were all outcasts.

"Get going, Dragon Conquerer," Alvin snapped, his fist slamming in between Hiccup's shoulder blades.

He was sent sprawling forward, the pain relighting itself. He scrambled to his feet as fast as he could manage without his hands before trying to pick his way along to the cave that Alvin wanted him to go. If it wasn't hard enough to walk on sand with two feet, Hiccup wasn't sure how he was managing when the metal of his left fake foot keep sinking hard and fast into the ground. He jerked it back up each time, looking like he was almost limping along.

He heard Snotlout curse angrily while Tuffnut said something about how they would regret touching the world's most deadly weapon. Astrid and Ruffnut just went along quietly while Fishlegs whimpered, tears still decorating his cheeks with a shining gleam.

Deciding that Hiccup went much too slow for his tastes, Alvin wrapped a beefy hand around his arm. He began to yank him along, jerking him forward some with each step while Hiccup hopped on one foot, the other barely having time to hit the ground before he was being pulled forward again. They made their way through a cave. Each little noise made bounced off the walls, echoing through the tunnel like thunder. Water dripped from the ceilings, giving the place a cold, damp chill. They began to ascend and it felt like forever before they reached a room in the upper quarter of the mountain. Alvin hauled Hiccup over to a large door that had been built to separate the room from the outside ledge. Upon opening it, Alvin tossed Hiccup out onto it before striding out himself.

Hiccup had landed on his left arm, the one that Alvin had been dragging him along by. It had grown to such a fiery intensity of agony that he could no longer feel it. Landing on it made it explode with a numbing sensation and Hiccup groaned, rolling onto his stomach and attempting to stand.

Alvin untied his hands and allowed Hiccup's arms to weakly push him to his feet. He wobbled unsteadily for an instant before gaining his footing and looking up at the traitor with narrowed eyes. He was annoyed of this. Did Alvin honestly think that he was going to just give him what he wanted.

Three men brought Astrid, Ruffnut, Tuffnut, Snotlout, and Fishlegs out. They lined them up against the side of the mountain outside the door, holding their rusted swords out to keep any of them from bolting. Astrid's face was hard, her lips a thin line of anger that was pulsing through her body. Snotlout clenched his fists and stood straight, but a gleam in his eyes revealed terror. Tuffnut and Ruffnut did their best to look passive, neither trying to appear phased by the situation. Fishlegs' legs were shaking so badly that his knees nearly made noise as they conked together.

A roar alerted Hiccup to the approaching dragons.

"Ah, right on time," Alvin muttered. He was looking at the sky with a grim expression. He turned to Hiccup. "You better show us how to ride them. Now."

Hiccup threw all his courage into one spot and grabbed it tight, trying to hold onto it. "Make me!"

Alvin looked over and nodded his head. One of the men smirked and then turned to Astrid. He pulled his arm back and then threw his fist against her face. She was sent spinning off to the side before landing with a heavy thud against the ground, unable to catch herself. She bit her lip, clearly trying to keep from crying out. The left side of her face where the man had punched was already deepening to red and swelling some.

If that wasn't enough, the man then turned to Snotlout and grabbed his face, knocking off his helmet. He shoved it back, cracking the boy's head against the mountainside. As he went limp, falling unconscious, Snotlout's body fell to the ground, blood smearing the mountain behind him. Ruffnut and Tuffnut grew terrified at that moment, but only tensed.

"Bring it, Snotbrain!" Tuffnut said, deciding that if he was going down, he wasn't going to go down without a fight.

One of the other men grabbed him and began to drag him and his sister to the edge. He raised them up, dangling them over the air. Tuffnut cried out, kicking wildly and trying to swing himself towards land.

"Not again," Ruffnut hissed, copying her brother.

Hiccup had been still watching Astrid, Snotlout, and Fishlegs. Fishlegs had passed out while Astrid was clearly still awake, but lay still, breathing slowly and recovering as well as she could. Snotlout was out cold, bleeding slowly from the back of his head. The crimson liquid made Hiccup sick and he felt his breathing coming out a little shorter when he saw how serious Alvin was being. Looking over, he saw the man holding he twins, who were panicking, struggling to try and free their hands from their bonds.

"All right stop! I'll teach you," Hiccup shouted, running towards the man holding his friends and tying to pull his arms back.

The man laughed, complying once Alvin nodded at him. Hiccup watched with relief as Ruffnut and Tuffnut were brought back to safety over land. They were herded back to the wall.

Alvin snorted. "Show him what might happen if he doesn't comply."

The man nodded and turned to the twins. Both, though fear was still evident clear across their faces, stood up as straight as they could. The man seemed to contemplate which one to hurt. Once he had chosen, his fist balled and was pulled back before he released it, sending it crushing into Tuffnut's gut. The boy let out a cry and crumpled to the ground, doubled over and gasping for air that had been knocked out of him. Ruffnut bent down but with her hands tied, she wasn't sure what to do. It made Hiccup sick to watch, but at least the were all right.

"Hold on!" Hiccup suddenly said. "Before we begin, at least bandage Snotlout's head. If he keeps bleeding, he could die."

Alvin seemed about to protest, but decided that it would be more suited if all five of the other teens were still alive. He order the third outcast to bandage his head. The man vanished in the cave and returned a couple moments later with a wrap. He bent down and put it around Snotlout's skull, making sure it was good and tight, preventing a further excess of blood flow.

Hiccup felt worry and fear and terror sitting like a stone in his stomach. He gulped down the lump in his throat and looked over at Alvin. His fists clenched and unclenched warily as he watched the Viking man searching the sky for the dragons that were out there. As a monstrous Nightmare came swinging into view, he let out a cry and the creature swooped down, opening its large jaws and ready to shoot fire.

Hiccup panicked, knowing he wasn't able to work with the dragon while it was on the attack mode. He jumped to the side as the dragon shot a sticky spit of fire at them. Alvin sidestepped and watched the ground where he stood scorch black. He roared with anger and looked over at Hiccup.

"Dragon Conquerer! Do something now or face the consequences!"

Hiccup scrambled to his feet, feeling sweat break out along his forehead as he searched the area around him. The Nightmare was circling overhead, its cry piercing the air and sending shivers down the spines of all who heard it. Hiccup looked up at it, biting his bottom lip and trying to figure out how he could get the dragon to land and calm down. It would be so much easier if he had Toothless to help him!

"Dragon Conquerer!" Alvin shouted again, his voice clearly agitated.

Hiccup wheeled to him. "I can't do anything with it flying around above us. I need to get close to it without it blowing fire at my face!"

Alvin seethed, what was visible of his face burning redder than the Nightmare's fire. He reached for his sword, which he had sheathed. Pulling it out, Hiccup heard it slice the air. Alvin turned and made his way towards the Viking teens. He brandished the sword above him, he eyes locking onto Ruffnut.

Ruffnut stood suddenly and seemed to pull courage out from the pits of her being. "Lets make this a fair fight, at least. Let me have a sword. Or do you think this is the only way you can beat me, Barfbag?"

Alvin laughed cruelly, shaking his head at her. He turned her around and broke off her binds. He motioned for one of his men to hand her a sword, which they supplied. He held the sword out to Ruffnut, who took in slowly, seeming wary.

"No, Ruff, let me take him," Astrid said, standing to her feet but having to lean against the mountainside for support. She was woozy, unable to really see clearly and wasn't even looking in the right direction when she addressed Ruffnut.

Ruffnut just shook her head. "I got this, Astrid."

Hiccup felt his body lurch forward like he was going to run forward and stop the fight. He also felt the urge to run to Astrid. He wanted to hold her up, help her stand while she continued to recover from the blow. He wanted to examine the swollen bruise on her face and make it better. She was tough, though, and didn't need him. If he didn't do something, though, Ruffnut would be dead soon.

As Alvin swung at her, Ruffnut turned and fled, causing him to hiss under his breath. He followed her, for she really had nowhere to go out on the ledge. He swung with mighty blows, barely missing her. Each swing made Hiccup more nervous than he was before. Ruffnut could only dodge for so long.

"Stop it, Alvin! Please," he begged.

Alvin turned at him with a wicked glance. "This is what you get for not doing what I told you to, Dragon Conquerer!"

A low growl alerted Hiccup that he was no longer standing off to the side alone. He spun around and saw the Nightmare along the edge, teeth wide open, gleaming in the pale light and looking sharper than Hookfang's. The Nightmare's claws scratched long and deafening against the stones, but the dragon made no move to attack any further. Hiccup felt relief wash him and he turned back to Alvin and Ruffnut.

Ruffnut had lost her sword. She was on her butt, trying to move backwards fast enough to avoid Alvin's blows. He shot for her head and she jerked back. The tip of his sword sliced a deep, long, and jagged cut into her cheek, though, causing her to cry out in surprise and pain. She reached up and pressed her palms hard against the wound, trying to stop the fresh round of blood. It oozed, hot and sticky out between her fingers and dripped down her arm. Alvin raised his sword to do the final blow when Astrid ran over and attempted to punch him.

The girl, though her left eye was almost shut from the swelling, seemed to be seeing and thinking a lot clearer. Well, as clear as one who was brave enough to try and punch a beast of a Viking man out while he held a sword. She stepped back, holding up her fists as a clear sign that she would take him on. She had somehow managed to get out of her bindings, freeing her hands. Alvin was about to turn on her when Hiccup called his name.

The traitor turned around to see that Hiccup had made his way closer to the Nightmare. He lowered his sword, stern gaze watching.

Hiccup let soothing words escape his mouth in a rush. He held his hands up, showing he had no weapons and he meant no harm. He smiled gently, looking the giant creature in the eyes. The Nightmare hissed lightly, but closed its mouth and watched with curiosity. Hiccup came closer and tentativly reached one hand out to the Nightmare's nose. It tensed, but sniffed him before relaxing. Hiccup smiled a bit brighter, placing his hand on the Nightmare's nose beneath the horn. The creature let out a soft sound, something along the lines of purring, and even moved a bit closer to Hiccup, accepting him quickly.

"By Thor," Alvin breathed, then grinned, sheathing his sword.

Hiccup looked back to check and make sure his friends were all right. Snotlout and Fishlegs were still out. Astrid had moved to Ruffnut and was checking her wound. Tuffnut was sitting up straight, though he looked that he might get sick at any moment. Alvin began approaching Hiccup with long strides, but stopped a bit of a ways off, wary of getting too close to the Nightmare.

"See, isn't this better, Dragon Conquerer?" the man sneered. "All it took was a little convincing."

Yep.

Turning out a bit darker than I originally thought.

Whoo!

Reviews?

Love,

Deyoxis