Chapter Two
"Alright, time to wake up, Hiccup!" Astrid sang, standing over the sleeping Hiccup and lightly pushing him with her boot. Since they made the decision to strike at the ship, she couldn't help but feel anxious and excited to get some action.
"Ugh, what? Oh. Y-yeah…I guess. That time already?" Hiccup replied, rubbing his eyes to wake up. Looking around, he scanned the starlit sky.
"Give it up, Hiccup. They're probably not getting here until morning." She teased, turning to make sure Stormfly's saddle was still strapped on tight. "Besides, they still have to find this island. They're probably a little off course."
"Maybe." He agreed with a sigh. "Well, since it's just us two, I want you to follow me. At least until we see what their security looks like. We're going to try and see what we can learn from them. Got it?"
"That's it?" She asked, confused at the tactic. "Why not just sink the ship?"
"Because I want to see what records and letters they have. There's a reason why I wanted more than just two of us. While I'm searching the ship, we don't have to worry about an ambush."
"Hiccup, you've got me to watch your back. Remember?" She replied with a genuine smile. Grabbing her axe, she rested it on her shoulder as if to prove she was up to the task. "Unless you really want the twins instead."
"Don't be ridiculous. There's no one else I'd rather have!" He quickly defended. "I just don't want you to be doing it by yourself."
"I won't be. I'll have Stormfly with me." She replied, placing her hand on her hip and smiling at him confidently.
Letting a sheepish smile grow on his face, he nodded in agreement. "Alright, here's what I'm thinking. After we clear the deck of guards and anyone else, Toothless and I are going to check out the captain's cabin."
"While I make sure no one comes in behind you."
"Exactly. After I see if they have anything that hints to where Viggo or the Dragon Eye is, we'll get out and sink the ship. If we have to, we can question the rest of the men."
"Oh, well I guess that makes sense. So much for not having unnecessary risk. Come on!" She jeered with a mischievous smirk.
"Hey! This is necessary!"
"Sure, whatever." She continued to tease. In one bound, she climbed on the saddle.
Hiccup smiled as he watched her. Every day she was becoming more and more beautiful to him; not that she wasn't before! But it seemed that liking her was feeling more and more normal to him, and it felt like she was feeling the same way about him. Shaking his head, he began to climb on Toothless. "You ready, bud? I wish we brought your armor along."
Toothless snorted, growling angrily at the thought of having to wear his armor.
"I know, I know. But it's always better to be safe than sorry. Remember last time we didn't bring your armor?" Hiccup replied while testing the tail to make sure it was working properly.
"Ready, Hiccup?" Astrid called out, walking Stormfly next to him.
"Ready. Let's make this a quick hit." He replied, launching Toothless into the air. Guiding him to fly over the center of the island, it didn't take them long to get to the ship, still anchored in the same bay. Only two guards were patrolling the deck that was littered with cages and crates of supplies, each equipped with a bow and a quiver of dragon root arrows. "Easy…easy bud…" Hiccup whispered, letting him glide silently towards the ship.
Turning to Astrid, he signaled for her to take down the guard on the left side of the ship, while he gestured that he would take the one on the right. Astrid nodded, understanding the plan.
Returning his attention to the ship getting closer and closer, he waited until Toothless had an absolute shot at his guard. "Now!" He shouted.
Toothless fired a plasma blast, striking right where the guard standing.
"Waaggghhh!" The guard screamed, getting blown over the side of the ship.
Hiccup turned to see Stormfly grab the second guard by the shoulders, hefting him up and tossing him over into the ocean. Stormfly then slung a hail of tail spines right where the Hunter had disappeared under the water, ending any chance for him to come back.
Hiccup continued to glide around the ship, watching for the rest of the crew to emerge to find out what was attacking them.
Astrid lined herself up next to him, also keeping an eye out.
"Well, it went pretty smooth." Hiccup whispered, eying the deck warily. "Though I don't know where the rest of the crew is."
"I bet we scared them into hiding. The rest have to be down below. They're probably waiting for us since there's no way they didn't hear Toothless blast that hunter!" Astrid observed, drawing her axe to ready herself. "Should we just sink it to flush them out?"
"Not right now. I want to see what kind of maps they have first. Once I clear out the captain's cabin, we'll finish the job."
"Right, be careful, Hiccup." She replied, looking concerned for the first time. Readying her axe, she and Stormfly began to inspect some cages and patrol around the deck, watching the hatches that led down to the hold of the ship.
"Come on, bud. Let's see what we can find." He whispered, grabbing his sword. Igniting the Nightmare gel, he held it up as he walked up to the door. It had at least three different locks on it, making him wonder what was behind the door. "Does that look…odd, bud?" He asked, looking at Toothless who was sniffing the lock.
Growling, Toothless shook his head, unsure of what to think of the sight.
Grabbing the handle, Hiccup then pulled on it, expecting it to be locked. To his shock, it swung open. "Oooookay…" He gasped out, taking a step back. "Creepy door left unlocked, check. What's in here? A skeleton?"
Sticking his sword in, he let it illuminate the dark room to reveal that it was completely empty! With the exception of a stack of chairs in the corner, as well as a wardrobe next to the doorway. "Nope. It's empty. Of course."
Walking in, he opened up the wardrobe to see if anything was in it, only to fine long strips of white cloths.
Toothless, however, jogged over to the end of the room, sniffing something on the floor.
"What is it, bud? Find something?" He asked, walking over next to him.
Toothless let out a long growl, moving out of the way to reveal a simple trap door.
"Well, let's see how many Hunters are hiding under us. Toothless, when I open the door, fire a plasma blast."
Toothless growled happily, opening his mouth which instantly started to glow purple.
"One. Two. Three! Hrrumph!"
Pulling on it, he felt it give only a little. What he heard after made his heart skip a beat.
Click.
Just as Hiccup pulled up on the door, a loud clang made both him and Toothless jump back. Whirling around, they both gasped as a large, metal door slammed shut out of their exit!
"What the-"
Psssshhh!
Again, spinning around and staring at the trap door, they gasped as they watched purple gas spew from door, flooding the room they were locked in.
"Agh! No! Not again!" He shouted frantically. Gripping the bars that made up his prison, he shouted. "Astrid! Help!"
"Hiccup? Hold on!" Astrid cried out, seeing him locked in the room. Winding up her axe, she slammed it into the door frame, trying to hack it away to get Hiccup an opening.
Feeling the purple gas start to envelop him, he gasped as he saw five Hunters rush behind Astrid. "Be-behind you, Astrid!"
"Wha-agh! Get off!"
Stormfly roared angrily, seeing her rider get grabbed by two Hunters. Bristling her tail with spines, she whipped her tail just after two Dragon Root arrows sank into her neck. "Rawwk!" She screeched, flinging the spines into a cage. Collapsing on the floor, she instantly had a net thrown over her.
"Gah! Stormfly!" Astrid shouted, now in a choke hold. Struggling to pull the arm away from her throat, she could see the room Hiccup was in, was now engulf completely with the purple gas. She could see him struggling to stand, only to fall onto his knees, and then completely on the floor.
"Urgh, she's got some fight, tha's fer sure!" The Hunter grunted, still trying to contain her.
Gritting her teeth, she saw another Hunter try to grab her legs, which she promptly kicked him in the face.
"Gah! My nose!"
"Enough! Stop playing with her and get her knocked out!"
Still trying to scuffle with the Hunters, she was dragged to the purple gas. Feeling multiple hands push her down on the floor next to it, she was forced to breathe it in. Gasping, coughing, and fighting; she instantly felt the effects of the gas. Her world was spinning, and even though she knew she was on the floor, she couldn't tell which way was up.
"Hahah! We got 'em!"
Fighting as much as she could, she slowly gave into the darkness, hearing the echoes of the laughing Hunters.
"Are you sure they said south east?" Snoutlout asked aloud, flying closer to Fishlegs. "So help me if you've been guiding us the wrong way this entire time!"
"That's what the letter said." Fishlegs replied, trying to ignore the annoyed tone in Snotlout's voice. "The ship was heading to an island south east from Dragon's Edge!"
"I'm bored!" Ruffnut whined while holding her head up with her hands, while resting her elbows propped up on Barf's head. "How much further do we have to go?"
"Alas, words always said before madness sets in." Tuffnut began to yell dramatically. "It's only moments before it takes us all!"
"Ugh, will you guys shut up?" Heather growled in annoyance while glaring at the twins and Snotlout. "They said south east, so that's where we're going! I'm sure they would have done something to let us know they changed course!"
"Of course, Heather, you're absolutely right!" Snotlout quickly replied, his entire demeanor changing. Glaring at the twins, he then barked at them. "Where's your spirit? Huh? What about your support?"
Rolling her eyes, she let them argue with each other. Guiding Windshear next to Meatlug, she saw Fishlegs eagerly peering ahead, as if it would help find Hiccup and Astrid sooner.
"So…long night, yeah?" She said aloud, looking forward to show that she was trying to help.
"Oh, uh…yeah. I guess." Fishlegs stammered as he glanced back at her. "I can't imagine they'd be too far now. I mean, can they?"
Heather shrugged in response. "Who knows? We haven't passed any islands lately, so I guess we're due to find one."
Nodding his head, Fishlegs then asked. "How's Windshear holding up?"
"Eh, good. We're used to long flights." She replied with a sheepish grin. "But it looks like Meatlug is starting to get tired."
Fishlegs looked down, seeing that she was right about that. Meatlug's eyes were half open, and was struggling to fly in a straight line. "I don't want to, but the next island we see, we better stay the night and let our dragons rest." He groaned, seeing they probably weren't going to find Hiccup or Astrid that night.
"Like that one?" Snotlout shouted, almost giddy at the sight. Pointing to their right, everyone saw the rocky island. It was small, with only a couple trees and boulders being the largest objects on the tiny island. Snotlout didn't care, he found land and was going. "Come on! Let's go!" He shouted happily, leaving the others behind.
"Wait! Snotl-" Fishlegs tried call out, only to be ignored. The twins were right behind the fleeing Nightmare, not caring for whatever Fishlegs was going to say.
"Hey, come on. It's large enough to stay the night. At the very least, let our dragons rest for a little bit." Heather tried to encourage, knowing Fishlegs was beating himself up for not having control over the situation.
"Yeah, I guess we better set camp." He replied dejectedly, not being comforted by her words "I guess Hiccup and Astrid will have to wait for us."
"Hey, they will. Who knows, may open up to a bigger opportunity for us to strike at Viggo." She suggested optimistically, leading him towards the island "Come on, Meatlug can eat some of those rocks to clear us a spot to camp at."
Fishlegs just nodded, unable to shake the feeling he was letting Hiccup and Astrid down. Again.
"Hiccup." A voice called out in the darkness, sounding like a distorted echo. "Hiccup, wake up."
Slowly, Hiccup stirred. He didn't want to wake up. His head felt like it was pounding like a drum. His limbs felt heavy and unresponsive. Honestly, the only thing he could really move was his hands; specifically his fingers.
"Hiccup, come on! Time to wake up!" The voice called out, sounding more urgent.
"Ugh…five more minutes." He groaned, scrunching his eyes as he tried to ignore the plea. "I can barely move."
"I know, you mutton head! Wake up and you'll see why!" The voice shouted, this time sounding clearer and familiar.
Finally cracking his eyes open, he found himself staring at his lap. He was sitting on something. "Wha…?" He whispered hoarsely, confused at what was happening.
"Wake up!" The voice shouted angrily, frustrated with the speed he was taking to wake up. It sounded close. Like right next to him.
Shaking his head, he looked up to see a closed door in front of him. The voice...it sounded like… "Astrid!" He gasped, realizing who was calling out to him. Then it all hit him. "Gah! Wh-what? What happened?"
"Finally!" She growled, pulling his attention to his right.
Staring at her, he gasped as he saw her tied to a chair. Her arms were securely bound behind her back, with a large amount of rope wrapped around the chair and her chest. Her legs were tied to the two front legs of the chair, keeping them separated and spread.
Glancing down at himself, he quickly found himself in a similar situation, though instead of tying his left leg, the Hunters just pulled off his prosthetic. Even if he was free, he wouldn't be able to get away very quickly. Jerking on his arm, he tried to fight the ropes lashed around his wrists.
"Hiccup! Give it up! I've been trying to get out by myself and I can't even shift my arms." She growled, seeing him try to break free. Twisting uncomfortably, she gave it another fruitless effort to slip out. "We're not going to do it by ourselves."
"Gah! I'm such an idiot!" Hiccup groaned, sitting back against his chair. "I should have known an easy target like this would be too good to be true! I should have just sank the ship!"
"Hey! It was my fault! I pushed you into attacking it." Astrid growled, jerking up on her legs to keep straining the ropes around her ankles. "We're going to have to work together to get out."
"Ugh, right. No point in dwelling on the failure." Hiccup grunted, also trying to jerk up his one tied leg. Looking around the room, he quickly recognized it as the cabin that trapped them on the ship in first place. Sunlight was shining through the windows, which were open and letting a cool sea breeze in. Twisting his arms, he asked. "What do you need me to do?"
"Can you shuffle your chair towards me?" She asked, looking at him with concern "We can try to untie each other that way."
"You might have better luck moving around than me." Hiccup replied, looking over at her. Waving his footless leg, he explained. "I won't be able to shift the chair as efficiently as you."
"They took your leg?!" She cried out, staring at the stump leg. "Just when I thought they couldn't get any lower!" Shaking her head, she grunted as she strained herself. "Hold on, let me see what I can do."
Hiccup watched in earnest as Astrid tried to jump up in her chair. Straining her neck, she kept on trying to scoot it over to him, but the chair refused to budge an inch.
"I'd stop if I were you." A voice called out as the door to their room opened.
Hiccup and Astrid stared at their captor, being a regular looking Hunter with a mustache. Hiccup instantly recognized him as the one that knocked out Astrid. Glaring at him, neither one said anything.
"Viggo warned me about you, Hiccup." The man sneered with a sinister smile. "Said you're crafty. And unpredictable. Well, just so happens that my crew of seven- er, five now, outsmarted you! I was hoping for more of your friends to have been tagging along. But you and your girlfriend will do just fine."
Hiccup and Astrid recoiled back in disgust, though they also slightly blushed at the comment.
"In case you haven't figured it out yet, your chairs are nailed to the deck." The man continued to laud over them. "I took your leg so you can't walk or fly out of here. And if by some chance your dragons escape their cages below deck, your ropes are coated in dragon root. If they so much bite the ropes, they'll be useless to fly away on. Oh, plus the reason why you're locked up in here is in case your friends do try and save you. They'll be looking in the cells below, while you two are stuck up here. Should give us enough time to get them while they're looking in the wrong spot."
Astrid and Hiccup narrowed their eyes, not liking how this Hunter thought of every possible counter. Hiccup though, had a thought that would help them at least buy some time. And by thought, it was really a bluff. "Seems you thought of everything. I'm impressed." He replied, leaning against the ropes around his chest.
"Heh, smart lad you are." The man laughed, walking over to the only closet in the cabin. "Viggo's sure to give me a promotion after delivering you two to him. Perhaps put in charge of a small fleet rather than this little boat."
Ignoring Astrid's confused and angry glare, Hiccup then asked. "Just one question. If you thought of everything, what are you going to do when you find the entire Berk Fleet is chasing you? Have you thought of that?"
The man stopped reaching into the closet. Slowly turning to face the two tied up Dragon Riders with a confused and anxious look, he demanded. "What fleet?!"
"What fleet?" Hiccup replied, recoiling back in surprise. "The fleet that was supposed to meet us on that island! We were scouting out a new island for Berk to build a storage building. Once they realize that we're missing, they'll be sending every ship across the sea! To the west and the north!"
The Hunter glared at him, thinking quickly about what he had done. Then with a crude smile growing on his face, he laughed "Then I guess we'll go south. I'm not under a time limit to bring you two to Viggo. I was just under the orders to appear as a harmless supply ship for you to attack." Turning back to the closet, he pulled out two objects that made both Hiccup and Astrid fidget angrily in their chairs. Stepping back, the hunter held up Hiccup's prosthetic leg and his sword. "Either way, I got what I was looking for. With some bonuses to boot. I think this sword suits me nicely, doesn't it?"
Hiccup could only glare at him, as it was clear he wasn't going to break free from the ropes anytime soon.
Walking towards the window, the Hunter then added with a joking tone. "And if they do find us, well, I guess they'll have to help you walk. You're not flying out of here." The man tossed the leg out and into the ocean, all while smirking at them.
Hiccup stared in anger and helplessness. Now there was no way for him to fly Toothless off the ship. Even if he and Astrid were able to get free.
"You troll butt licking piece of dragon shi-" Astrid shouted, jerking angrily on the ropes holding her back from ripping the Hunter's throat out.
"Now, now." The Hunter lauded. Walking over her, he stroked her hair which made her twitch in anger, being unable to do anything about it. "If you stay here as nice captives, maybe I'll untie your legs. It's going to be a long trip now that we're taking a detour south. Wouldn't want you to get cramps." At that, he laughed out loud and walked out with Hiccup's sword, slamming the door shut.
Hiccup just stared at the door, hearing several latches getting locked and turned. Turning to Astrid, whose face was still red with anger, he flashed a comforting smile. "Well, at least we bought ourselves some time."
"Yeah, for what exactly?!" She barked angrily at him. "To sit tied up on these chairs for a couple weeks longer?"
"For the others to find us." Hiccup replied with his signature, hopeful smile. "Heather and the others were supposed to meet up with us. By now, they'll know something is wrong and will be searching for us. We'll just have to trust them that they'll be able to find us in here, rather than a cell below."
Astrid let out a long, vented sigh, still angry about the entire situation. Especially with Hiccup's foot being tossed into the ocean.
"Besides. You can fly Toothless out of here for me." Hiccup added, twisting his hands to keep on testing the ropes. "I can still ride Stormfly, right?"
Sighing, Astrid shook her head to help continue to vent the frustration. "Yeah. Sure. I guess we can try and do that." Looking down at the ropes around her chest and holding her fast to the chair, she grunted "Still have to get out of these ropes though."
"Grrhh." Hiccup grunted, twisting his tied leg. Using his stub end of his leg, he tried to wedge it in the loop around his other leg in an attempt to loosen it. "Working on it. Come on, it'll be a long trip if we don't make the most of our time."
Sighing, Astrid let a small smile grow on her face. There it was, one of the many things she liked about Hiccup, was that he never gave up; even when it was hopeless and pointless. Seeing him still working on his leg, she quietly replied. "You got it, Hiccup." At that she began to work on loosening the ropes around her chest by moving back and forth, and side to side.
"Whoever gets out last has to clean to the dragon stalls." He jested, flashing a smile at her.
"Deal. Hope you like to scrub floors!" She laughed, still shifting her body around.
At that, even in the hopeless darkness of being prisoners, the two laughed as they raced each other in their attempts to escape; unaware that Hiccup had accidentally guided the ship to another adventure. And adventure that they couldn't have accounted for; even if they were hinted at such an event.
I know it's a slower starting story, but things will and do happen. I have the next chapter almost ready, just need to spend some time polishing and correcting it. I hope you enjoyed it so far! I failed to mention this in the last chapter, but I actually had the first few chapters written back in 2015, though I changed/refined what I had done and made it into an actual story.