The Dragon Games (HTTYD AU)

Fourteen - Recruiting

It didn't take long to find and tame enough dragons for everyone to ride their own. Astrid had named the blue deadly nadder Stormfly and Heather had named a razorwhip Windshear. Before long, the trio were heading to Camp Astrid to recruit the other Berkians.

Windshear's silver scales glowed in the sunset. Behind her, several dragons followed. Toothless stretched his wings, head-butting Hiccup's side.

"What is it, bud?" Hiccup patted Toothless' head. Crooning, the dragon glared his wings.

"Someone seems eager for a flight," Astrid commented.

Hiccup grinned. "We'll be leaving soon, don't you worry."

When they reached a clearing, the group stopped. The dragons settled on the grass, squawking and firing harmlessly at each other.

Hiccup scratched the back of his head, turning to Astrid. "So should just you go or-"

"We'll both go, but Heather should probably stay and keep an eye on the dragons." Astrid dismounted Stormfly.

Heather stroked Windshear. "Sounds good to me. Just don't take too long, we really shouldn't waste the cover of darkness or let Alvin make his next move."

Hiccup nodded, following Astrid as she trekked through the woods. Toothless walked behind them, a good distance away so the others at the camp wouldn'thear him. An awkward silence stretched over them. Hyper aware to every crunch of leaves, Hiccup wracked his brain for something to say.

"Nice to be welcomed to Camp Astrid this time," he commented, immediately regretting it.

That wasn't helpful! Why would you even bring that up again?

Astrid rolled her eyes. "More like you're ending the camp, if you think about it."

"Huh. I guess."

They walked the rest of the distance without saying anything. After a short while, they could hear the sounds of laughing.

"Right, I'll go in first," Astrid muttered, not giving a chance for Hiccup to argue and waltzing right in.

Hiding behind a tree, Hiccup watched the camp closely. Progress had slowed drastically without Astrid, but one of the huts seemed complete. The twins were trying to light a fire as Fishlegs gutted several fish. Hiccup couldn't see Snotlout, but he could hear him laughing nearby.

Astrid stepped into the open. "Hey guy-"

"Whoa whoa whoa, where have you been, little missy?" Tuffnut asked, standing up. "I mean, you've been gone for what, an entire day, but say we goof off?"

"Man, the hypocrisy is off the charts," Ruffnut added, crossing her arms.

Snotlout stepped into view. "Don't worry babe, I kept all of them in line while you were gone. Y'know, as your natural second in command."

"Listen, we-"

"That's not true," Fishlegs interrupted, "you were napping most of the time! Either that or yelling at us to do what we were already doing."

"Shut up, Fishface."

"Will you guys stop talking for two seconds?" Astrid snapped.

Hiccup felt a twinge of sympathy. Imagine being the poor person who had to lead these mutton-heads.

"Look, I have a lot to tell you guys. It's going to sound kind of crazy, but I need you all to listen. I explored the caves and-"

"And completely ignored all the work at camp," Tuffnut grumbled.

Astrid shot him a glare. "And I found that this is a dragon nesting site."

Fishlegs gasped. "That's why the dragons wouldn't leave, even after all the past Dragon Games!"

Astrid nodded. "Exactly. Alvin put the Dragon Games here on purpose, so he could use dragons to kill anyone in his way."

"Wait, hold up." Snotlout took a step forwards, pointing with a stick. "Are we supposed to just take your word for it? That's a huge claim."

"I know. In the caves, we found his base, and Alvin threatened us directly."

Ruffnut raised an eyebrow. "Who's 'we'?"

Astrid blinked. "Whoops. Okay, come out Hiccup."

Hiccup sighed, gesturing to Toothless to stay put. He walked into the camp.

"Miss me?" Hiccup mumbled sarcastically.

Snotlout groaned. "Him again?"

"Yes, him again," Astrid said, voice flat. "Hiccup discovered this first, when he tamed the night fury."

The group gasped.

Hiccup whistled and Toothless bounded in, smothering him with dragon slobber.

"And he trained dragons for you too," Astrid added.

Fishlegs glanced nervously at Toothless. "Weren't you yesterday telling us we needed to focus in making dragon traps?"

Hiccup spoke quickly. "She caught me and Toothless together and I showed her that dragons are friends. I'm trying to show you guys too."

Fishlegs looked sceptical. "And you're doing that why, exactly..."

"Because we're all going to Berk. We have to expose Alvin, for all our sakes."

Snotlout laughed. "You're joking, right? We'll be banished."

Hiccup shook his head. "Based on the phrasing, they can only banish us if we land on Berk. We'll stay on our dragons. And if I play my cards right, they shouldn't want to banish us at all."

The entire group seemed sceptical. Well, all except the twins, who had mischievous smiles on their faces. Their expression was clear despite the low light levels of dusk.

Tuffnut swung his arm over Hiccup's shoulder. "So what I'm hearing is we get our own dragons."

Hiccup sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Yes Tuff, you get your own dragon."

The twins cheered.

Ruffnut high-fived Hiccup. "What are we waiting for? There's nothing like a little mischief and exposing our superiors, now is there?"

Snotlout shrugged. "When this plan backfires, I just want to say that I called it."

Hiccup rolled his eyes, stroking Toothless. The group grabbed some supplies and weapons from the camp before swirling hurrying through the forest. By the time they arrived, the sky was pitch black.

"Finally," Heather said. "I was about to fall asleep."

"With this racket?" Astrid pointed to the squawking dragons with an axe.

"Woah," Tuffnut breathed.

In front of them was a crowd of docile dragons, towering over the group.

"Well gang, let's get to know your dragons a bit better," Hiccup announced. "We have a long flight ahead of us."

***

And the gang's all together! Only took, y'know, fourteen chapters.

How do you think people will react on Berk when a large group of teenagers turn up early on dragons?

What do you think Alvin's doing/plotting?

Next part soon 💕