The Dragon Games (HTTYD AU)

Twenty One - Cousins

The three guards stepped towards Hiccup, almost on sync. He sprinted to the side, rolling under a spear and kicked the nearest guard.

An axe narrowly missed hum. Hiccup jumped back. Grabbing the spear from the fallen guard, he ran forwards. The guard with the axe startled but met his blows, blocking the spear.

Hiccup grunted and swept at the guard's legs. He missed. The last guard darted forwards, swinging his mace. Hiccup knocked it out if the way with his spear.

The two guards approached. Hiccup felt the wooden wall behind him.

Hiccup took a breath. He threw the spear sideways and both guards used their weapons to block it. Hiccup ran to the side, hands landing on the steps. He climbed up.

A hand landed on his shoulder and he was forced back. Hiccup groaned as he fell on the hard floor. The two guards sneered down at him, the third beginning to stir.

"You wouldn't get away that easily," one announced, picking Hiccup up like a twig.

There was a blur of movement. The guard holding Hiccup collapsed. Hiccup fell to the floor with a thud, willing his shaking arms to push him off the floor. Hiccup's breathing was fast and irregular.

"What are you waiting for? Get your dragon!" Snotlout snapped as he knocked out another guard.

Hiccup didn't have time to say anything. He rushed up the steps and onto the deck, Snotlout at his heels.

Toothless roared, straining against the chains. Hookfang attacked the guards on deck as Astrid fought against Dagur on a neighbouring ship.

Hiccup ran to Toothless, pulling at the chains. They didn't budge.

Think, think, think.

Hookfang fired next to him, hitting a guard.

Hiccup's eyes lit up. "Hookfang!"

The dragon's attention landed on him.

"Fire at the winches!" Hiccup hit one with his foot.

Hookfang twisted away from the arrows and blasted. The chains unravelled and Toothless sprang forwards, picking up Hiccup.

"Good to see you pal," Hiccup murmured, turning his focus back to the battle.

Hookfang had grabbed Snotlout and was avoiding the chains. Stormfly was trapped as Toothless was, Astrid struggling to hold back Dagur and free her.

Hiccup narrowed his eyes. He led Toothless around the ships, diving under nets and arrows. A chain whizzed overhead and they ducked.

"Fire!" Hiccup instructed. Toothless barrel-rolled, blasting at the winches tying Stormfly down.

Squawking, she took to the air. Stormfly grabbed Astrid.

"Everyone up!" Hiccup ordered. The dragon riders flew almost vertical, twisting out of the way of chains and arrows.

"This isn't over, Hiccup!" Dagur screeched, blindly throwing weapons upwards in the fog. "I'm going to take you to Alvin and get that reward! You hear me? This isn't the end, brother!"

Hiccup shivered. Between the fog and the darkness of dusk, he could barely see Toothless. He could still hear the clanking of chains and orders being shouted, but soon even the chaos of the Beserkers was too distant to make out.

But Dagur's promise still haunted him.

There was an awkward silence, only broken by Astrid mumbling something to Stormfly. Snotlout flew behind them, looking away.