The Dragon Games (HTTYD AU)

Twenty Two - Acid Farming

Hiccup watched the horizon as the yellow glow of sunrise filled the sky. Beside him, Snotlout yawned loudly, stretching. He flexed his biceps and smirked at Astrid. She rolled her eyes.

Snotlout huffed. Both Astrid and Hiccup ignored him.

"Why did we even have to leave so early," Snotlout grumbled, leaning on Hookfang's horns.

Astrid sighed. "The Dragon Games finished yesterday. There won't be anyone now, and there's no point waiting."

Snotlout glared weakly. "We could've left a couple hours later. Unlike you two I don't appreciate going in tired."

"Seems to make you even grumpier," Astrid muttered under her breath.

Hiccup stifled a laugh, before turning more serious. "I don't want to waste time. Alvin put a reward on my capture; this clearly isn't over just because we're banished."

Something flickered across Snotlout's eyes. He looked away. "Whatever. Just get it right this time."

Hiccup turned his attention back to the horizon, here he could just about make out Dragon Games Island. He didn't need a reminder to do better.

He would expose Alvin. He would get them unbanished. He would free the Archipelago.

After a short while, they arrived at the island. Hiccup took a breath as he placed a light step on the sand. It was... weird, coming back here.

Snotlout didn't seem bothered. He jumped from Hookfang, landing heavily. He shook himself, mumbling something about the long flight.

Astrid dismounted Stormfly gracefully, placing a hand on Hiccup's shoulder. "You sure this'll work?"

Hiccup was very much not distracted by her gentle touch. Or the way her gaze was solely on him. Nope.

"Yes. There weren't any changewings trapped down there. It only makes sense if the acid can break the bars."

Astrid smiled at him, so trusting and proud, and Hiccup felt something inside of him flutter.

Focus!

"Alright guys," Hiccup said, petting Toothless. "Into the forest."

Walking alongside their dragons, the trio navigated the familiar woodland with relative ease. Without feeling the need to speak, they walked in silence, the only sounds being the snapping of twigs and crunching of debris underfoot.

Hookfang flared his wings, stretching. He shook himself, his fins shifting from side to side. In response, Stormfly squawked, sniffing at the air.

Astrid placed a hand in Stormfly's side. Toothless roared, taking to the sky and looking down. He grunted, not finding anything.

"Think we're close to the changewings?" Astrid asked, soothing Stormfly.

Hiccup nodded. "Must be. And I can see the cave which I used during the Games, so they'll probably be around."

Toothless landed with a thump, nuzzling Hiccup with his head. "Did you find them, bud?"

Toothless gurgled, head-butting Hiccup's side. Recognising what Toothless wanted, Hiccup mounted him. Astrid and Snotlout followed suit.

They wandered through the forest more cautiously. Toothless' sharp eyes scanned the undergrowth and Stormfly sniffed at the air, trying to determine the particular scent.