The Dragon Games (HTTYD AU)

Twenty - A Familiar Face

Initially, Snotlout wasn't very convinced that going back to Dragon Games Island was a good idea. If they were caught in a populated area or with other Vikings, they would be executed for breaking banishment. And as much as banishment sucked, execution would be worse.

They reached a compromise: they would return for evidence, but only after the Dragon Games ended. There were six days left to wait.

Astrid led the way across the sea, unsatisfied with all the islands they'd found so far, claiming that 'a temporary camp still needs to be up to standard'. Hiccup didn't have a death wish so didn't argue about this.

Grey clouds covered the sky, promising a storm. Hiccup focused his gaze on the horizon. Surely there would have to be an island soon. They flew in silence.

Up ahead, a dense fog covered several sea stacks.

"Can we take a break? Hooky's not doing so well," Snotlout said, as the few remaining flames of Hookfang's fire extinguished. He shivered.

Hiccup nodded. "We'll stop on the sea stacks. There might be an island hidden in the fog."

"I don't like it, Hiccup." Astrid narrowed her eyes at the approaching fog. "We don't know what's in there."

"Only one way to find out," Hiccup replied, petting Toothless.

With a burst of determination, Toothless sped towards the fog. Hookfang flew slowly, staying back. Squawking, Stormfly flew faster, Astrid laughing as they took the lead.

"Oh it's on," Hiccup declared, urging Toothless to go up. They gained height, stalking Stormfly from above. Toothless dived, keeping his wings close to his body. The night fury's signature whistle filled the sky. They angled upwards and their momentum let them gain on Astrid.

They reached the fog. Hiccup squinted as Astrid flew in and vanished.

"Do your thing, bud," Hiccup whispered. Toothless used his odd blasts to navigate the fog, avoiding sea stacks and keeping on Astrid's tail.

Toothless slowed down, eyes alert. He continuously used the odd beams, growing more and more uneasy.

Hiccup glanced around. "What is it?"

Toothless roared quietly, before diving to the side. Hiccup yelped and was almost thrown of his back. Toothless screeched and flew upwards sharply. Hiccup held on tight, looking below.

Something metal shot past them.

"Chains!" Hiccup yelled, urging Toothless to dodge.

They spun in the air, disorientated. Another chain whipped past them. Hiccup led Toothless out of the way.

He miscalculated.

Toothless' wing hit a sea stack and they stumbled. Hiccup screamed as Toothless tried to even his flight. They tumbled towards the water.

Suddenly, they were wrenched backwards. Hiccup looked back and gasped. Metal. He scrambled towards the chain wrapped around Toothless' tail. It pinned his tail fins down.

Toothless flapped his wings desperately. Hiccup gritted his teeth and pushed at the chain. It didn't budge.

A large ship came into view. The sail's emblem had a dragon on it. Hiccup began to regret being so snarky with the foreign visitors to Berk. He focused on the chain.

"Move you stupid thing," Hiccup hissed, pushing the chain down Toothless' tail. It barely budged.

Something flew through the air. A net landed on them, pinning Hiccup and Toothless' wings down. They were dragged onto the ship with a thud.