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And also warning to anyone that cannot handle any darker themes (aka torture scene) so please take that into account.
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Hiccup's POV
"Any ideas?" I asked.
"I'll tell you when I get one, but from my five second look at the place, this prison is pretty well built."
"Maybe if we can get free of these chains, we can jump Dagur or whoever he sends in here and escape." I suggested.
Ironclad started to search the area around him. "Perhaps...see if you can find anything sharp or maybe a blunt object."
I moved around, my muscles crying out from the soreness but I pushed through. There were no loose rocks or anything big enough to attempt trying to break the cuffs he and Ironclad were in.
"Found anything?" I asked.
Ironclad turned back to me and shook his head. "Dagur made sure to try and keep this place free of anything that we could use."
"So unless we figure out a use for a few loose pebbles, we're screwed."
"Pretty much. At least as far as I can tell."
"Is there anything in that armor you can use? Some hidden knife or lock picking tools?" I asked.
"No, I already checked. My hidden dagger apparently wasn't as hidden as I thought. It's gone." he said, sighing. "What about you?"
"I had a knife on the forearm, but that's gone too. My capsules full of Zippleback gas and Nightmare saliva are gone too."
"Darn, we really are out at sea without a oar, aren't we?" Ironclad said, shaking his head.
"Yup" I said sighing.
"When do you think Dagur is going to come back?" he asked, looking at the cell door.
"No way to know. Even if I knew how much time has past Dagur is unpredictable. He could make us wait for days or be back here in a few hours."
"You know he is going to want to know our secrets." Ironclad said. "And I highly doubt we're going to end up sitting around the fire braiding each other's hair and gossiping."
"So be prepared for the worst. Got it" I replied.
"More than that. We can't let him know the secrets of dragons training and riding." Ironclad said.
"But he has Dahlia, won't he go to her we we refuse to talk?" I questioned.
"She is proud, and I have a feeling her and Dagur's relationship won't end nicely." Ironclad said.
"You've never talked about her before... Who is she?" I asked.
"It's a long story..." Ironclad said.
I cocked an eyebrow and Ironclad shook his head laughing slightly. "Alright. But it starts a long time ago..."
I nodded and shifted my legs to keep them from cramping.
"It was a few years ago." Ironclad began. "I was going around, doing every job I could get my hands on if I wasn't flying or on my island."
"Yeah, everything you were doing before you met me." I added.
"So there was one village I heard this big mercenary job was up for grabs. Some chief wanted a man captured and was offering a lot of gold." Ironclad continued. "SO I flew there and when I was talking with the chief this..girl came into the hall. She proclaimed she wanted the job and I was ready to fight her for it. But the chief said he would pay whoever captured the man first."
"And that girl was Dahlia" I said.
"Correct" Ironclad said with a nod. "So I was a little overconfident and thought I could beat this girl. I mean, she probably had a small boat or something and I had Black Ice!"
"But she has that Moon Hunter Dragon" I added.
"Luna." Ironclad finished. "So you can imagine my shock when I saw her hop on her dragon and fly off."
"Is that why she hates you? Did you get the money and beat her?" I asked.
"No, it is because when we were competing she became obsessed with me."
"Obsessed how?" I said slowly.
"She saw me as and I quote 'An acceptable mate. Who is the only male that comes close to her skills.'" Ironclad said, shaking his head.
"She loved you!?" I exclaimed.
"No, she wanted to posses me. She is greedy and heartless. I don't know if her heart can love."
"So what exactly happened?"
"Well, we found the man at the same time and fought. I think that is when Dahlia decided she wanted to have me. As we fought I decided to cut a deal. We both take the man back and split the profit. She agreed and we collected the reward money. I foolishly thought that was the end of my dealings with her. But I was wrong."
"So when did things turn south?"
"I accidentally went to her tribe. She was too feared to be cast out and with a Moon Hunter by her side not many challenged her decision to stay on the island." he said. "I was surprised to see her there and I carried on with my business. But she thought this was a sign I wanted to be with her."
"And when she talked with you about it..."
"Talked is an understatement. She proclaimed that I would be her mate and our offspring would be the greatest dragon riders to ever live."
"And you weren't thrilled about the idea?" I said with a slight smirk on my face.
"I told her plain out I held no affections for her. She didn't take it well." Ironclad said, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Really? I never would have guessed." I said sarcastically.
Ironclad only glared at me. "As I was saying, she didn't take it well. She started ranting about how I humiliated her in front of her whole tribe and I wanted to see her downfall to secure my place as a mercenary and the greatest dragon rider in the archipelago."
"A little over dramatic, isn't she?"
"I wish she was a little over dramatic" Ironclad said, rubbing his eyes. "She vowed that her blade would taste my blood and challenged me to a duel."
"Did you win?" I asked.
"No, I refused to fight her and asked her to drop this whole thing." Ironclad said, then pausing for a beat. "She didn't take that well either."
"So I took off with Black Ice, she tracked me for years, trying to find me and take her revenge...I didn't realize she was still chasing me until a few months ago." he said.
"A few months...that means.."I said and he nodded. "Yes. It was when me and Calypso got engaged."
"So a woman who wanted to be with you found you...betrothed..." I said.
"Correct." Ironclad said.
"Then why didn't we ever hear about her? We could have helped you two!" I exclaimed.
"She found me and Calypso in a..." Ironclad cleared his throat. "Compromising position."
I raised my eyebrow and Ironclad only glared at me. "As I was saying, she didn't take it well and confronted us. I was lucky both our weapons were close by. I was able to fight her while Black Ice held Luna back. It was late at night, so no one was awake to hear the fight in the first place. Me and Calypso beat her and she took off, cursing me and Calypso. We decided not to tell anyone because well..."
"I understand. If you told people about Dahlia attacking both of you, you two would need to do a lot of explaining."
"Well I kept a watch out for her ever since then, paying a few spies and cashing in a few favors to try and keep up with her and see if she was planning anything. But she disappeared a few weeks ago and I haven't heard anything from my contacts."
"She was with Dagur, that alone would have kept her location a secret."
"I understand that now, but it only makes this situation worse." he said.
"But what if we can play on her and Dagur's distrust of one another? Turn them against each other and use it to our advantage." I suggested.
"That may work, but only if we speak to both of them. But if I know Dahlia, she already distrusts Dagur and perhaps plans on stabbing him in the back already."
"So try and play them against each other...at least now we have some kind of plan." I said. "What do you think they are doing on Berk?"
"Knowing the Riders they are probably getting ready to come and rescue us." Ironclad said.
"I just hope they don't try something stupid and blindly charge to try and take on Dagur" I said.
"But they will be worried about us." Ironclad stated. "I mean...you went through this only a short time ago..."
I instantly stiffened at his words, remembering when Corey kidnapped Astrid. I barley ate or slept during that time. I only thought and worried about Astrid.
And now she was in the exact position I was in.
"She's smart. Yes she is a passionate person and warrior, but she won't let her emotions completely take control and cloud her judgement." I said.
"She is something" Ironclad commented.
I chuckled and shook my head. "I told you about the time she met Toothless, right?"
"She freaked out, you captured her, took her on a flight, and accidentally saw the Queen."
I rolled my eyes. "Thank you or summing that up"
Ironclad only laughed. "I remember when you told Calypso about her. She wanted to fly to Berk right then and there and met Astrid."
"Astrid and her would have been friends, I would like to think..." he said.
"Astrid has already told me that she is sorry she never met her, and from what she knows, thinks they would have become great friends." I said, trying to console him.
"She has made it easier...to talk about Calypso." Ironclad said, dropping his head.
"No one expects you to ever become fully recovered. But I am glad to hear your pain has been eased."
"Well that is going to have to change." a cruel voice said. I turned to see Dagur stride into our cell with a wicked grin on his face. I instantly tensed and I saw Ironclad do the same.
"How are you liking the room Hiccup? Ironclad?" he asked.
"Its fabulous" I said sarcastically while rolling my eyes.
"Good. Because I only want to make sure you both are comfortable." he said.
"Well I would be a lot more comfortable if my fist was in your face, Dagur" Ironclad sneered.
Dagur tisked and wagged his finger. "Ironclad, you need to work on those manners of yours."
"Whatever you want from us Dagur, you aren't going to get it." I snapped.
Dagur's eyes turned dark, even darker and filled with more madness than usual. "I think I can change that."
Toothless's POV
I waited in the cove for Stormfly and Black Ice to return. I soon heard the beating of wings and looked to the skies. Stormfly landed with a Hotburple.
"Hello Grump." I said.
"Toothless, this Deadly Nadder told me your rider is in danger?" he said.
"Yes. And I need your help." I said, bowing my head.
"Your rider helped me, without any thought or wanting something in return. I will aid you." he said, laying on the ground.
"Good, we leave once the sun disappears from the sky." I said.
"I will take my rest then. That flight was a little tiring." he said, closing his eyes and falling asleep.
"You want this dragon to help us?" Stormfly asked.
"He is loyal, and the only one I can think of who is close enough to even help us."
"I trust your judgement, Toothless. But I must leave now to find my rider." she said.
"Of course" I replied.
Stormfly took off and as she flew away Black Ice landed with a Rumblehorn beside him.
"Toothless. I heard from this Star Chaser your rider is in grave danger as he has been captured." he said.
"Yes, Skullcrusher. He has been captured." I replied.
"Well then, were is he? Or do you require me to track down the vile ones?" he snorted.
"We leave as soon as the sun disappears, and we do know where he is. But we may need your help tracking once we reach the island."
"Very well." he said. "Your rider was helpful and kind to me. I will help you save him." he said.
"Thank you" I replied and Skullcrusher took notice of Grump.
"If you can wake him once it is time, and fly to the village not far from here. It will be appreciated." I said.
Skullcrusher nodded and I looked at Black Ice who nodded. We both took off to fly into the village.
Astrid's POV
Everyone had gathered near the tower. Helga had gathered a lot of healing supplies and was loading up her dragon with them. Ari was twirling her blade in her hands, a scowl on her face. Many of the others were sharpening their weapons or loading supplies on their dragons.
Ora was standing beside me as we waited. Stoick and Gobber then came up to speak with us.
"Is everything ready?" Stoick asked.
"Yes" I replied. "We are ready, once the sun is gone from the sky we leave."
"Good." Stoick said. "Me and Gobber will be joining you."
"What?!" I exclaimed.
"My son is in danger. I will not sit by while others risk their lives to save him." he said.
"Hiccup was my apprentice once. I'm going too" Gobber said.
"We can use the help, Astrid." Ora said.
"Okay, but we need to decide who you will be riding with" I said, looking out at the riders.
As I did, Toothless and Black Ice landed. Toothless was at my side at an instant.
"Rather protective of you, isn't he?" Gobber commented.
"He is Hiccup's best friend. I know he wants to see me safe, just as Hiccup would want." I said, petting him.
Stormfly then chirped beside me and I scratched her. "Don't worry girl ,you are still my dragon."
"Well then, we can ride on Toothless and Black Ice." Stoick said. Black Ice heard this and growled slightly at Gobber and Stoick.
"I don't think he wants you to ride him." Gobber said.
"He will." Ora commanded and Black Ice glared at her before nodded.
"I can ride on Black Ice with you Stoick. Gobber can ride on Toothless."
"Umm..Alone?" Gobber questioned.
"He's right" I said. "But trust Black Ice to take care of Ora and Stoick, and Toothless will take care of you Gobber. But you can ride with someone else if you wish."
Gobber nodded quickly in agreement.
"I'll take him," Ari volunteered and Gobber agreed.
"It is almost time." Ora said.
"Okay," I said, then clearing my throat.
"Everyone!" I yelled. "Get ready, saddle up and be ready to take off!"
Everyone nodded and started getting on their dragons. Ora strode over to Black Ice and climbed on top of him.
Stoick eyed Black Ice but before he could walk over two dragons landed. One was rust colored and was rather fat. While the other was a mix between blood red and green, with sharp horns.
"What in Thor's name!" Stoick exclaimed.
I looked at Toothless who only nodded.
"I-I think they are going to help us?" I said.
Toothless nodded again.
"They are" I said, with more confidence in my voice.
"Wait..that is a Hotburple and a Rumblehorn!" Heith said. "The Rumblehorn is one of the best tracker dragons out there!"
"Then we can use him once we reach Dagur." Ora said.
I nodded and hopped up on Stormfly. And Gobber followed Ari's lead while Stoick took his place with Ora on Black Ice.
"Okay everyone!" I shouted. "Let's fly!"
Everyone took off. We were high in the sky as we started flying towards Dagur's island.
I took a deep breath as I steadied myself.
"Hold on Hiccup" I whispered.
Hiccup's POV
Pain.
Astrid.
Toothless.
Pain once more.
Those were the only thoughts that were running through my mind as Dagur whipped me once more and I choked back a scream. I couldn't fully contain my emotions though, as one sole tear slid down my face and I cursed myself for allowing it to do so. The only thing controlling myself was thinking about the two most important people in the whole world to me.
Astrid and Toothless.
If I couldn't be strong enough for myself, I had to be for them.
"Had enough Hiccup?" Dagur taunted.
"I-" I breathed out. "I won't tell you a-a thing Dagur"
"Tell me Hiccup! Tell me how you can talk with those dragons!" he roared.
My arms were burning. My back was ablaze.
Dagur had me chained up from the top of the cell. My arms painfully raised above my head, and my feet barley touching the floor. I felt a few drops of blood fall from my back and his the stone floor.
"Just tell me Hiccup, and the pain will stop." he said, in what appeared to be a kind tone, but instead hid a dark one.
"Never" I defied and Dagur whipped me once more.
I held back any scream or reaction. I wouldn't give Dagur the satisfaction. I couldn't see Ironclad but I knew he was behind me. Dagur had decided to try and break me first, and told Ironclad anything he said that didn't please him would be met with a punishment. A punishment he would inflict upon me.
"Hm...your stubbornness is going to get you killed Hiccup."
"Rot in Hell, Dagur." I snapped, which was met with one more crack of the whip.
"It seems I won't be getting anywhere with you today. I think I'll come back tomorrow, and see if you've changed your mind." Dagur sneered and I heard him snap his fingers. I was lowered to the ground and my feet couldn't keep me up. I collapsed on the ground and couldn't find any strength left within myself.
"Only water, and minimal at that" Dagur ordered his men. And with that he left the cell. I was lying face down on the cold, hard floor when I felt someone gingerly touch my side.
"Hiccup?" I heard Ironclad say. I only groaned.
"Come on, I need to clean these wounds." he said, gently moving me as I moaned.
I heard a slight rip and felt relief on my back.
"What did you do?"
"I used some of the water and my own tunic. It will help your wounds." he said, applying more of the cold relief to my back.
"But- we need to save the water."
"It won't do us any good if I leave you like this." he said, his tone not allowing any more arguing.
"When- when Dagur first asked us about- talking with the-the dragons..." I said, trailing off.
"You want to know how I have the connection I do with Black Ice." he finished.
"You said it was some ritual thing that I wasn't ready for..."
"You aren't" he said.
"But why is it so dangerous if I try?"
"You wouldn't survive."
"But why? Why is it so dangerous?" I questioned.
Ironclad sighed. "I'll tell you think Hiccup, but you need to swear to me that you will not go through with this.. at least not until you know you both are ready."
"I swear" I said.
"It was a few years after I had met Black Ice. We were close, and we had already bonded like you and Toothless."
"Yeah, we mixed our blood by slicing my hand and part of his claw." I said.
"And that already has tied you to Toothless in an almost unbreakable connection. But the ritual I had to go through is much different."
"So how did you decided or even figure out about this bonding ritual?" I asked.
"Once I could understand Black Ice we were more connected than ever. It was a few years after that he told me about this. He said it was very risky, and he didn't want to put my life in danger. But he said it was the next step in the relationship between a dragon and his rider."
"Is it that dangerous?" I asked.
"You have no idea." Ironclad said, shaking his head.
"It all begins with finding a lot of rare ingredients. It took us weeks just to gather everything! But once we did, Black Ice took me to this abandoned island and instructed me to brew this strange tea drink with all the ingredients we had gathered."
"How is that apart of the ritual?"
"Shush!" Ironclad said.
"It is everything. Black Ice warned me of its effects before I drank it. It was supposed to...to unlock this side of both of us..and release something within us..." he said.
"I don't understand." I said.
"There is something about that combination of ingredients. Because it contains dragon root, it releases the most aggressive and powerful side of ourselves. Once we both drank it...I felt...it was...like I was looking upon myself without being able to control my actions."
"What happened?"
Ironclad dabbed at my wounds. "Me and Black Ice fought. For hours we battled each other, fighting for dominance. We looked like crazed animals until we both collapsed. At that point we had a vision-like dream. It was every memory I had ever had, and every one of Black Ice's memories. Once we woke up, we both fully understood each other and the ritual was complete."
"That sounds..intense" I said.
"It was, and is. You need to understand Hiccup, that it unlocked a part of me that I never want to see again. It is an insane thing for anyone to try in the first place, even if they are ready."
"But you did. When will me and Toothless be ready?"
"The way I see it, you both have a way to go until you reach the level where this is an option for the two of you. The ritual will either have Toothless kill you or... Never mind you will be the one to die if it fails".
I frowned. "I resent that."
"No offense Hiccup, but I barely survived my fight. I know you are a good fighter, but I don't think you would be able to survive if you attempt it before you are ready."
"But how does this ritual deepen the connection? Can you sense where the other is?" I asked.
Ironclad laughed. "No, it isn't that. It is only that I can understand Black Ice much more clearly now. I can almost hear him in my own head from time to time."
"So what is required for the tea-thing?" I asked.
"It requires a few rare ingredients like dragon root, and the petals of a rare dragon flower that only blooms every blue moon. Even then, you need to have a drop of blood from both the rider and the dragon, and the mixture must be heated by dragon fire."
"And you drank that? Willingly?"
"You and Toothless will do the same thing, and besides I've tasted worse things in my life."
"Thank you, Ironclad." I said after a slight pause.
"For telling you?" he asked.
"For also taking care of me. You are a great friend and I am thanking the gods I crashed on that island during that storm."
"You're welcome Hiccup. And I'm glad Black Ice didn't fry you or your dragon on that day." he said.
I laughed slightly, even though it hurt my chest, as Ironclad continued to treat my wounds.
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