Hiccup watched through the cracks as the sun set, darkening his cage once more. He'd grown used to the darkness. It was welcoming most nights, because just below him was the kitchen and the cook would be setting fire to a small hearth soon. The heat would rise, warming Hiccup up as he lay on the floor. The warmth soothed his pain and helped remind him of home.

He looked at the tonic he'd secretly been given last night. It said it was for pain relief, but he didn't trust it. He didn't trust any of the tonics he'd been given. He could handle pain all on his own as far as he was concerned. Besides, why bother giving him something that eases his suffering if they're just going to kill him in the end? It didn't matter if he led them to the Hidden World or not, his time with the Hunters ended in death.

The last shreds of light disappeared from the cracks, leaving the room pitch black. Hiccup shuffled over to the spot just above where the hearth was and waited for the cook to light it.

Just as he got into a semi-comfortable position, the boat shook. Above and below him, he could hear screams and orders being shouted. He couldn't make out what was being said, but he could have sworn someone said "Dragon".

He crawled over to the hull and did his best to peer out one of the cracks, hoping to be able to see what was happening. He strained to listen as well. After what felt like an eternity, he could have sworn he heard-

"Toothless," Hiccup muttered in awe. Before he had a chance to understand what was fully happening, the boat shook once more, throwing him across the cage.

As he was getting his bearings, the door to his cage was flung open. "Come on! We need to get you out of here!"

Hiccup heard the person shouting at him, but couldn't quite grasp what was being said. His head throbbed from being flung and hitting the wall. "Wha-What?"

"No time for questions," the mystery person said as they hastily unshackled Hiccup's leg from its chain. "We have to go!"

Hiccup finally understood. He was being rescued. This person was helping him get to Toothless. With the person's help, he managed to stand up. He looked over at his rescuer and realized it was Jorn, the Healer who had been tending to him on and off for the past however long he'd been their prisoner.

Together they made their way through the ship. No one paid them any mind. As far as the other Hunters could tell, Jorn was moving him to the lifeboats so that Skade wouldn't lose his prisoner in case the ship sunk.

"Why are you doing this?" Hiccup weakly asked.

"I'm a Healer," Jorn answered. "My job is to heal your wounds, not inflict them. I'm not going to stand by and watch you die because Skade is on a power trip." He helped Hiccup climb the stairs that led to the top deck.

Once on top, Hiccup took a second to inhale the fresh air and stare up at the night sky. He didn't think he'd ever see the stars and moon again. Above him and Jorn was Toothless, who was blasting away at the ship and any Hunters that got caught in his line of fire.

"Toothless," Hiccup called out, his voice hoarse from lack of use and liquids. He couldn't shout above the commotion.

"TOOTHLESS," Jorn shouted, getting the Night Fury's attention. He looked over at Hiccup who gave him a small nod of appreciation.

The dragon stopped his attack long enough to look down at his human. He roared in anger at the sight of him in his current state. He dove down and landed in front of Hiccup and the Hunter standing next to him. He readied his plasma blast to kill the Hunter.

"No, Toothless," Hiccup managed. "He's good. ... Helping."

Toothless listened to his friend and aimed his blast downward through all four levels. Between the force of this current blast and the damage he'd already caused, the ship started to sink. He looked back up at Hiccup, who offered him a weak smile, just before he let out a scream of anguish, falling over in the process.

Jorn already holding on to Hiccup, did his best to ease the fall, and managed to get a good look at the knife that had suddenly appeared in the young chief's shoulder blade. He turned around and saw Skade, standing on the platform above them.

"WHY!?" Jorn screamed.

"His usefulness had expired," Skade answered. "I have no more need of him, now that the Night Fury is here. This dragon will lead me to the rest of his kind."

Toothless let out a roar of defiance, before aiming a powerful plasma blast at Skade. The villain didn't have time to dodge and was blasted several yards into the water.

Jorn carefully rolled Hiccup over to his side, checking to make sure the younger man was still alive. "Come on, Hiccup. Not now. Not after everything, you've been through. You can't die here. You have a tribe that needs you."

After what felt like an eternity, he felt Hiccup's pulse. It was weak, but it was there. He carefully picked up the young man and carried him over to Toothless. Gingerly, he placed him on the dragon's back and stepped away.

Toothless didn't take off and gestured for the healer to get on. He was coming with, whether he liked it or not. There was no time to argue this, more than half the ship had already sunk. It was now or never.

Realizing he had no choice, Jorn climbed on, holding onto Hiccup's limp form as the three of them took to the skies.

Toothless knew that New Berk was too far away. He needed to get Hiccup help, quickly. And he knew just where to go. Where he was headed was home to two tribes that had blended together. Both allies to Hiccup. Berserker Island.

He flew as fast as he was able to. Exhaustion was starting to take its toll. He hadn't stopped to sleep, much less eat, since he had left the Hidden World. Even then, he had spent the better part of two days pacing his cave.

The sooner he got to Berserker Island, the better.

In less than an hour, the island had come into sight. Just off the shore was a longship out on patrol. Toothless knew he couldn't make much farther and dove towards the boat. Giving the Vikings aboard little time to react.

He let out a roar as his legs collapsed under him. He wearily watched and listened as Jorn talked to the Berserkers, pleading for aid.

"We mean you know harm," Jorn stated as he carefully climbed off of Toothless. "We've just been in battle, and this man is hurt. I'm a healer, but I have no supplies with me. Please help us."

Toothless watched as the men moved around him, feeling as they took Hiccup off of his back. Listening as Jorn asked for whatever supplies they had on hand. He heard another shout for them to head back to the island and to fire the signal for aid.

One of the Berserkers helping got a good look at the injured man and did a double take. "It's Chief Hiccup Haddock. Signal for Dagur as well." He looked back at Hiccup then at Jorn. "How? I thought the Berkians moved islands."

"I don't know about that," Jorn admitted. "All I know is that he's spent the past month being tortured for information on the dragons' whereabouts. Toothless just rescued us a few hours ago."

Dagur stood on the docks next to his wife and village healer, watching the patrol ship come in.

"What do you think happened?" Dagur asked, looking at his wife.

Mala shook her head. "I don't know, whatever it is, it can't be good if they want you here."

The Chief of the Berserker tribe just nodded and folded his arm over his chest. They would just have to wait and see.

Within five minutes, the boat was close enough for verbal communication.

"What's going on?" Dagur ordered.

"It's Chief Haddock, sir," one of the shipmen answered. "And his dragon. Both are in need of assistance. It's quite bad."

Dagur's arms fell to his sides as he stared at the ship. "Brother," was all he could manage, his voice a harsh whisper. He watched as the boat fully docked and set the plank out. Two of his people and a strange man stepped off the boat, carrying the younger chief on a stretcher. Behind them was Toothless, who was swaying heavily from side to side.

He looked over at the stranger, hoping for some answers. "Who are you? What happened to my brother? Why is Toothless here? Who did this? Why isn't he back on New Berk safe and sound?"

"Jorn," Jorn replied. "I'll answer the rest of your questions in due time, but first I must tend to Hiccup. He's been badly wounded. Where can we take him?"

"Eldrick is the village Healer," Dagur answered. "Eldrick, take them to my house. It's closer and already has supplies there for you. I'll send someone to grab the rest of your stuff from your place."

"Yes, sir," Eldrick agreed. "Follow me." He motioned for the men to follow him.

Toothless collapsed in front of Mala and Dagur, unable to take another step forward. Mala carefully knelt down next to the tired dragon, gently petting his head while examining him.

"No visible injuries that I can see," Mala noted. "But he's clearly exhausted, possibly hungry as well." She looked at one of the dockhands walking by and pointed at him. "You there, bring me a barrel of fish and some sagefruit."

"Will he be okay?" Dagur asked.

"With time and rest, I believe so," Mala assured. "You do not have to stay here. Go be with Hiccup Haddock. He is surrounded by people he does not know, jostling him around as they tend to his wounds. A familiar presence will bring him comfort, even if he is unconscious. I am safe here."

As if to prove her point, Toothless purred in contentment as he laid his head on her lap. Dagur kissed the top of her forehead and took off, running towards their home.

Author's Note: Okay full honesty, I had originally planned on having Viggo save Hiccup. Like having him somehow survive and hide out in the Northern Markets in disguise. He'd overhear some of the Hunters talking about having Hiccup imprisoned on their ship. Then he'd sneak on and save Hiccup. But I kept hitting a wall so I went back and changed it so that Toothless rescued Hiccup. Having it be Toothless made it easier to bring Dagur in, something I had always planned on.

Now the surprises aren't done yet. Neither is the whump. So stay tuned.

Until next time