Hiccup was abruptly shoved downward, his body colliding with the hard, cold deck of the Dragon Hunter ship. Surrounded by the imposing figures of the Berserker tribe, the Hooligan tribe, the Outcasts, and the ruthless Dragon Hunters, he found himself face to face with the infamous leader, Drago Bludvist—the man whose presence felt as chilling as the sea wind slicing through the air. He was forcefully thrust into a damp, cramped cell, his back hitting the wall with a painful thud. Groaning, he sat up, the weight of his prosthetic leg a sudden reminder of how much he had endured. Unlike everything else they'd stripped from him, his dragon-scale clothes remained, a testament to the life he had clung to, even as the walls closed in around him.
He let out a heavy sigh, leaning back against the rough stone wall, waiting for any glimmer of hope amidst the shadows. Time felt suspended until finally, the creaking of the heavy door broke through the silence. To his astonishment, it was Gobber who stepped in, a familiar figure bearing a simple plate of water and bread—prisoner rations that seemed to mock him. Once celebrated as a protector, he was now relegated to a mere captive in a war that threatened to consume everything he loved. Hiccup had left Berk, yearning for freedom, a chance to mediate peace between dragons and humans, but instead, he had unwittingly led a storm of chaos straight to Kumandra, herding enemies into a single battleground.
Gobber placed the meager meal before him, but Hiccup kept his gaze averted, refusing to meet the eyes of the man he once idolized as a father. "Hey... I am sorry for all of this," Gobber said softly, his voice heavy with regret. "You know how stubborn your father gets."
Silence filled the room as Hiccup remained unresponsive, his heart weighed down by the betrayal of those he once considered allies. Gobber pressed on, trying to explain what had spiraled beyond control.
"This wasn't really my idea, son. You know how these people are. They saw someone rescuing dragons as a threat. And when we learned it was you... I was thrilled."
At that, Hiccup finally looked up, curiosity piqued.
"I thought for years that you were killed," Gobber continued, his voice cracking with emotion. "That the Night Fury killed you. I never imagined you both would be trying to help us." Gobber's heart ached as he recalled how Hiccup had saved them all. "You took all the dragons from Berk. It looks like almost the entire Archipelago... For what happened back there, those decisions were made by the Chief. They saw your actions as aggression. And your father... he wasn't going to back down."
"Yeah…" Hiccup finally spoke, his voice heavy with resignation. "I know. I know this isn't just on you, Gobber. But you all attacked my home, imprisoned me... If you think I would join you after all this, you're mistaken. Kumandra is only strong when united. And you've created a common enemy for all five lands."
Gobber nodded, recognizing the futility of trying to sway Hiccup further. With a heavy heart, he moved towards the door. "It's good seeing you again, son…"
Hiccup felt a pang of longing for the companionship they'd shared in the past. "Yeah, you too, Gobber."
"Chew slowly," Gobber cautioned, locking the door behind him as he departed.
Alone once more, Hiccup reached for the loaf of bread, the scent of stale grain filling his senses. As he took a bite, shock rippled through him; nestled within the bread was a small key. His eyes darted toward the heavy door, still securely locked, his heart racing with newfound hope. He quickly pulled the key free, hiding it beneath the hay strewn around him, a glimmer of rebellion igniting within. Gobber had not betrayed him; instead, he had provided a lifeline. With determination building in his chest, Hiccup resolved to do everything in his power to thwart this war, to safeguard the lives of both dragons and humans, before it spiraled irreparably out of control.
Raya and her companions made their way back to Heart, their expressions somber as they carried the remnants of Fang with them. The once-vibrant city now lay wounded, a symbol of the battle's brutality. As they entered the bustling village, the sounds of chaos filled the air; injured villagers were hurriedly escorted toward the infirmary, their pain evident in the grim faces of those aiding them.
Raya's heart pounded faster in her chest as she and her friends approached the magnificent castle that towered over the landscape, its stone walls standing as a bastion of hope amidst the turmoil. They had a pressing need to strategize, to determine their next move in the face of such peril.
Benja caught sight of their return and immediately sensed the unease radiating from his daughter. He moved closer, wrinkling his brow with concern. "Dewdrop? What happened?" he asked gently, his voice steady yet laced with worry.
With a shaky breath, Raya clutched her father tightly, her voice quivering as she spoke. "Ba, they got him," she managed, the words tumbling out as her anxiety surged. "They took Hiccup... they destroyed Fang, and now he's been captured." The weight of her words hung heavy as they faced the harsh reality of their situation, and the fear for Hiccup's safety gripped her heart.
Benja, noting the distress etched across her face, quickly stepped in to reassure her. "We will bring him back, I promise. You have to hold on to hope."
Valka, sensing the depth of Raya's concern, moved closer, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Hiccup will be alright, my dear," she said softly, a warmth spreading from her words. "He has outsmarted the Dragon Hunters countless times before."
"But what about his own people?" Raya's voice quivered with trepidation. "They know him."
"They only recognize the version of him they remember," Benja declared with conviction. "To them, he's just a scrawny, frail young man. But we—everyone here—know the truth. He is far more capable than they give him credit for. He will stop at nothing to return to you, my little Dew Drop."
Just then, a piercing screech filled the air, cutting through the thick tension. They looked up to see Toothless soaring through the sky, his silhouette framed against the fading light. Sisu flew alongside him, their powerful wings beating in unison as they descended, cradling something in their mighty claws.
As they landed, the ground shook slightly beneath their feet, and they released three figures onto the grassy earth below—Snotlout, Ruffnut, and Tuffnut, their expressions a mix of relief and bewilderment, the three of them now prisoners free from their own entanglements.
"What?! Who?! Where?!" Snotlout cried as he backed off, only to run into Toothless. He let out a snarl, causing Snotlout to shriek and try to run off, but was cut off by Tong who stood tall, watching Snotlout bounce off his strong build and fall on the floor. "Who are you people?!"
"The people whose home you've attacked!" Boun stated with a growl. "In fact, Scorch, scorch him!"
Scorch came forward, lighting himself on fire as the dragon prepared to deliver pain to the man who helped attack their home.
"No!" Benja called off the dragon and the young boy. "They are our prisoners in this war. They may hold valuable information on how to rescue Hiccup."
"Can we trust them?" Toothless warbled in worry for his Rider. "They could be lying!"
"If they lie..." Raya then tried to come up with a plausible lie that would get them to comply. "Then we could always just feed them to the Scauldrons in the waters!"
"What?!" Ruffnut cried.
"Please!" Tuffnut pleaded, actually wanting to go through with it. "Can we?!"
"Is he serious?" Pengu asked Toothless.
"Would it be sad to say yes?" Toothless asks.
"Wait! Don't!" Snotlout said. "Please! We don't know anything!"
"Why did you take Hiccup!?" Namaari asked, marching over to be seen as intimidating.
"Well, for one, the Chief probably wants his son back," Ruffnut saw it as obvious.
Raya scoffed. "After the way that you all treated him?"
"Yeah, I don't see that happening," Heather agreed. "And he will never betray his home."
"Uh, technically, he did," Tuffnut said. "Berk is his home."
Raya marched forward, grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, and yanked him up. "Berk may be where he was born... but Kumandra, Heart, this is his home. And if you or your people harmed him..."
"Stoick would never." Ruffnut scoffed. "But Alvin on the other hand..."
"Oh, and don't forget Dagur," Tuffnut agreed with his sister. "He would be more than willing-"
Raya raised her fist to get him to shut up, watching as Tuffnut shrieked in fear. Raya began to become afraid as she then dropped Tuffnut and walked off in fear. Valka sighed as she knew that both sides were right as she approached Benja.
"They are both right. Stoick won't back down and will continue to fight with or without Hiccup by his side. He might attack just so that Hiccup has nothing to stay for." Valka was sorry to say. "I know my husband."
"Husband?" Snotlout asked in surprise. "Wait, are you-"
Boun then whacked Snotlout upside the head to knock him out. "I'm sorry, he has a very punchable face."
"He does, I have to agree," Heather said.
"I will go talk to her," Valka said to Boun, her voice steady as she turned to seek out Raya.
The air was thick with tension, and the distant expanse of Heart lay before them, glistening under a muted sun. Valka felt the oppressive weight of the impending war settle on her shoulders as her gaze swept over the scattered Fang citizens now intermingling within Heart's borders. The thought of them encroaching further was suffocating; if this continued, they could very well consume all the lands, intent on wiping out the dragonkin completely.
"Raya?"
Raya turned abruptly, surprise flickering across her face as she caught sight of Valka striding toward her. "Oh, hi," she replied, her voice a fragile whisper against the cacophony of distant unrest.
"Are you doing alright, dear?" Valka inquired softly, sensing the turmoil swirling within Raya.
"Yes… NO!" Raya's breath quickened, the honesty spilling forth as her fears clawed to the surface. "I— I can't believe this is happening. I managed to navigate through the chaos of the Dragon Gem because I understood Kumandra, the five lands that are woven together by our history. But these enemies? They're a complete unknown. They'll come for us, and Hiccup, the only one who understands them, is being kept from us by them. I… I don't know what to do."
Valka closed the distance between them, her presence a calm refuge amidst the growing storm. "I have some idea of what you are going through," she assured, her tone laced with empathy.
"You do?" A glimmer of surprise danced in Raya's eyes, a flicker of hope igniting within her heart.
"When Stoick first became Chief, I remember the countless nights filled with worry: the shadows of impending war, the grim threat of the Outcasts looming ever closer, and the fear that he might falter in his duties. He often said he feared he might fail and consequently burn Berk to the ground," Valka reminisced, her voice softening as she felt the warmth of old memories rise within her. "But we faced it all together, hand in hand."
She stepped closer, gently resting her hand atop Raya's, offering comfort like a soothing balm. "Stoick and I kept Berk safe through it all. You and Hiccup are in this fight together. So, what do you say we step back into the fray and come up with a plan to bring him home?"
Renewed determination began to fill Raya's spirit, her spine straightening as the flicker of confidence ignited a fire within her. "Yes, let's get him back. We'll show these Dragon Hunters that they shouldn't dare to challenge Kumandra."
A smile blossomed on Valka's face, warm and encouraging. "There we go."
Toothless gazed wistfully at the endless expanse of sky, his heart heavy with concern as he watched the people of Heart extend their kindness to the displaced inhabitants of Fang. They worked tirelessly, erecting colorful tents and offering refuge in the homes of those who had opened their doors to friends in need. The devastation wrought upon Fang at the hands of the Dragon Hunters was a harsh reminder of how fragile their world could be; a community laid to waste by foes they had believed vanquished after the defeat of Krogan.
As Toothless remained lost in thought, a small shape darted toward him. It was Yin, the young Night Fury, who stumbled over in a flurry of excitement, his scales glimmering in the dappled sunlight. He nuzzled against Toothless with a soft sigh, seeking solace. Toothless, feeling a protective instinct surge within him, lowered his head to comfort the young dragon. Yin had already been ensnared by the Dragon Hunters once, and Toothless was resolute in his mission to ensure that the clutches of those malevolent captors would never reclaim him.
Sisu approached, noticing Toothless' distant gaze. "Are you worried about your friend?" she asked gently, her words hanging in the air like the first spark of dawn.
Toothless shot her a knowing look, a mixture of affection and frustration.
"Right, probably not the best question," Sisu conceded, her voice softening as she stepped closer. Yin, catching a glimpse of the fluffy dragon, scampered over, purring in delight. "Hey, Yin," she cooed, her heart warmed by the little dragon's exuberance.
Yin responded with a jubilant screech, bounding around in circles, radiating pure joy.
"If something were to happen to Hiccup…" Sisu began, her voice trailing off, thick with concern.
"Nothing is going to happen to Hiccup," Sisu assured him with determination, her eyes shining with fierce confidence.
"You can't know that," Toothless murmured, his voice laced with worry.
"What I do know is that Hiccup is strong, agile, and incredibly clever. Together with you, you are an unstoppable force," Sisu declared, her tone buoyant. "But more importantly, he can stand on his own. Remember, he made it here without you by his side."
"He at least had you and Raya to support him," Toothless reminded her, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice.
"Well... that's true," Sisu admitted, pausing as she wrestled with her own thoughts. "We were there for him. But I believe he can handle himself. He's faced down a few Dragon Hunters before."
Toothless's gaze intensified, revealing depths of worry. "I meant more of his emotions," he clarified, anguish threading through his words. "When we left Berk, he was shattered. He felt alone, like a ship adrift in a raging storm. I was the only one there to support him. The pain he carried—years of being torn down, mocked, and belittled—still haunts him. They chipped away at his spirit."
He sighed deeply, his eyes drifting once more to the horizon, where soft clouds floated lazily. "I just hope that he can find the strength to stay strong…"
"Toothless!" Raya called, getting the Night Fury's attention. "Come on, we've got a plan to get Hiccup back."
Toothless jumped up and immediately followed after Raya.
That night, Hiccup remained seated on the cold, unforgiving floor of his cell, his thoughts racing as he kept watch on the dimly lit corridor outside. To his astonishment, he noticed Astrid standing guard, her posture tense and alert. A deep bruise marred her cheek, a painful reminder of the confrontation with Raya when she valiantly defended Fang.
Once upon a time, Hiccup would have felt a pang of sympathy for Astrid, especially with the lingering remnants of his crush on her. However, those feelings had been overshadowed by the urgency of his own situation; he couldn't care less about her plight. After all, he was imprisoned by these people, severed from the warmth and comfort of his beloved.
His heart raced at the thought of escape. Hiccup knew Raya well; she was resourceful and determined, and he was certain that she and their friends were plotting a way to rescue him. Perhaps they were even concocting a bold distraction to create chaos, providing him with the perfect opportunity to slip away unnoticed.
All he needed to do was remain patient and bide his time, waiting for the moment when chaos would reign. In that instant of turmoil, he would seize the chance to flee and reclaim his freedom. The anticipation coursed through him, intensifying his resolve as he kept his eyes fixed on the shadows, ready to spring into action when the moment finally arrived.
"Sorry about your face," Hiccup said softly to Astrid, his eyes flickering with a mix of regret and determination. "But in her defense, she was protecting her home from the attack you all launched."
Astrid's gaze remained distant, her focus fixed intently on the shadows beyond the deck, ever watchful for any sign of danger.
"They'll come for me," Hiccup warned, his voice low and urgent, knowing the peril that lurked in the air. "It would be wiser for you to step aside when they arrive. Save yourself the anguish of facing an enraged Night Fury—and my beloved—coming to rescue me."
"You are not going anywhere," Astrid shot back, her voice firm, a fierce determination gleaming in her eyes.
Hiccup let out a resigned sigh, sensing the weight of what was about to unfold—this would cause her more heartache than it would ever cause him. "Suit yourself," he replied, the words heavy on his tongue.
"How could you ally yourself with those dragons?" Astrid's question cut through the tension, startling him with its suddenness. "You were finally beginning to find your place."
"Someone I never wanted to be," Hiccup declared, his voice deepening as he reached for the key to his shackles. He shook the chains, the cold metal clanking against each other, then pressed the key into the lock with resolve. "I was never meant to be a dragon killer—a role you and the others assigned to me. And if I recall correctly, you didn't seem too pleased when I began to achieve something."
Astrid paused, her mouth opening slightly, searching for words that wouldn't come. Silence enveloped them, heavy and fraught.
"I was faking it," Hiccup confessed, his gaze falling to his wrists, still marked by the chains. "All I wanted was to prove that dragons and humans could coexist in harmony. Yet you showed me time and again that you would choose war, no matter the cost."
"You brought an army of dragons into our territory," Astrid reminded him sharply, her voice laced with accusation, tension crackling between them.
"To protect them from you," Hiccup replied, his tone steady. "And to shield you from the harm they could bring. But you're Vikings; you don't need an excuse to go to battle."
"You say that like you aren't one of us," Astrid countered, her brow furrowing.
Just then, a piercing screech tore through the air, sending a chill down Hiccup's spine. He recognized the sound and knew it heralded Toothless's approach. "I am not one of you," he asserted, the conviction ringing clearly in his voice.
The sky above them erupted into a cacophony of chaos, fiery explosions lighting up the darkening clouds as the ship lurched violently beneath their feet. Astrid's brow furrowed in worry, her gaze darting between Hiccup and the tumultuous upper deck, where pandemonium reigned and the air crackled with tension.
"I told you," Hiccup's voice carried a mix of relief and determination, confident that help had truly arrived.
"They're not reckless enough to think they can fight through us all," Astrid asserted, though doubt flickered in her eyes.
"You haven't met Raya," Hiccup replied, a broad grin breaking across his face, hope rekindled in his heart.
Suddenly, above on deck, Raya burst onto the scene, her dragon, Cutter, swooping in low like a thunderbolt. With a fierce resolve, she leaped off her dragon and tackled a Dragon Hunter to the ground, the clash echoing like a drumbeat of defiance. In one fluid motion, she unsheathed her gleaming sword, its blade glinting menacingly in the dim light, and activated the whip function. With a deft flick of her wrist, she ensnared another Hunter, yanking him off balance and sending him tumbling overboard with a cry that mingled with the roar of the wind.
Windshear swooped in swiftly, Heather gripping the reins tightly as they circled the deck, their fierce screeches intermingling with the chaos to provide a protective barrier around Raya. She pulled her hat low, casting shadows across her face, hiding the fierce determination sparkling in her eyes. Fueled by the ferocity of love and the need to rescue the man she cherished, she charged forward on a relentless warpath, a force of nature ready to reclaim what was hers.