The Dragon Games (HTTYD AU)

Twenty Five - Alvin's Favourite Dragon

Toothless flew silently through the caverns, following the scent. As the minutes dragged on, Hiccup grew more and more suspicious.

"Why's this dragon so far from the others?" Hiccup thought aloud. "It's not as if it's only just been moved."

Toothless didn't respond, focusing on navigating the caves. Hiccup had long since given up on trying to figure our where they were, as the darkness and seemingly endless caverns creates a maze in the ground.

After a short while, torchlight was visible in the distance. Hiccup's breathing quickened but he tried to silence it. He needed to know what kind of dragon he was dealing with first.

Hiccup urged Toothless to land. The night fury didn't make a sound as he stopped flying, intelligent eyes following Hiccup's every move. With a small smile, Hiccup tried to silently convey how grateful he was that his best friend was here with him.

Dismounting, Hiccup crept along the walls, straining to make out what was ahead. The cave glowed orange in the torchlight. His fingers wrapped around the neck of the jar of changewing acid.

A low grumble echoed through the caverns. Despite how quiet it was, it held an overwhelming sense of power.

Hiccup forced back his nerves and continued. He didn't recognise the dragon growls, but could just about make out the sound of trickling water. An underground stream, perhaps?

Hiccup's brows furrowed. Why would this dragon be kept by the water? Tidal class maybe? But the thunderdrums were with the others...

Hiccup reached the cavern and raised a hand. Toothless paused. Hiccup held his breath and glanced around the corner.

His jaw dropped.

A large, dark grey dragon was chained down to the floor. It was forced to stand in the water. Its crown of spikes had sparks coming off of them.

This... this had to be a skrill.

Hiccup had only seen them in the book of dragons. But he knew how powerful they were. They even matched night furies. And now Alvin had one.

Hiccup grit hid teeth. He had to get it out of here.

He walked into the open. Instantly, the dragon turned to him, snarling. It tried to raise its wings threateningly but the cage limited his motion.

The skrill opened its mouth as if to shoot.

"It's okay!" Hiccup blurted. "I'm here to help."

The skrill continued to snarl. It swished its tail slightly, the barbs razor sharp and imposing.

Hiccup gulped, raising a shaky hand. He took a step forwards. "I'm here to free you."

The skrill titled its head and watched his motions like a hawk, but didn't let up its constant growling. Hiccup relaxed slightly and opened the jar of changewing acid. He melted the lock.

All that was left was the chain on the dragon's feet, which kept it down in the water.

He heard quiet footsteps. "Toothless?"

"Not quite, boy."

Hiccup froze.

No, no, no, no! This couldn't be happening. He was so close!

Heart beating a mile a minute, he turned to face Alvin.

The menacing man looked tired, with dark eye bags. But his eyes had a fury in them and Hiccup had never felt more afraid.

He his the scrolls behind his back.

"Alvin."

"Hiccup."

There was a tense pause. Hiccup resisted the urge to fidget.

"You understand this is the part where I kill you," Alvin stated, voice eerily blank.

Hiccup was breathing fast and thinking faster. "This is the part where you try."

Alvin tutted. "That dragon of yours won't save you this time."

"What have you done to him?" Hiccup was began to panic.

Alvin merely chuckled. "So he is with you. Such loyalty. How touching."

Hiccup twitched involuntarily. He needed a plan. He glanced at the skrill. Maybe if he freed it, it would fight Alvin...

Alvin followed his gaze and sighed dramatically. "This one never seemed to settle. Always putting up such a fuss. Oh well, a little water shut it up."

Alvin managed to leer over the skrill, despite being shorter, a smug smile on his face. Hiccup took a step back. The skrill snarled at Alvin, but hesitantly bowed its head.

"You see? Every dragon has its weakness. Figuring it out is what makes them interesting." Alvin smiled coldly at Hiccup.

At least he doesn't have a weapon on him, Hiccup reasoned, palms sweaty.

Alvin began circling, twisting his hook. Hiccup noticed for perhaps the first time just how sharp it was.

"As much as I love our... little discussions," Alvin said, "I'm afraid I have more important things to be getting to."

Hiccup didn't have a plan yet.

Keep talking.

"Like murder?"

Alvin didn't flinch. "Exactly."

Hiccup glanced into the darkness. Where was Toothless?

Swallowing, he looked at Alvin's hook. Something clicked for the first time. "You're never unarmed. Not with..."

Alvin rolled his eyes. "Obviously."

Hiccup ran out of things to stall with. Alvin lost interest in the conversation. There was a shift in the atmosphere.

Suddenly, Alvin lunged forwards. Hiccup yelped and fell to the side. He rolled. Alvin slashed downwards with his hook.

Hiccup scrambled up. Alvin twisted and cut an arc through the air. Hiccup ducked and returned with a weak punch.

Alvin scoffed and swatted it out of the way. Hiccup gave up on retaliating and sprinted into the darkness.

Alvin was faster.

He was gaining. Hiccup changed direction and Alvin veered to the side, just missing another swipe. Hiccup didn't dare look back.

The darkness stretched before him. The cavern was ending. Hiccup was lost, stuck, trapped.

Alvin emerged from the darkness, his cold, calculating sneer replaced by a furious snarl. "You have escaped me long enough!"

Hiccup's back pressed against the wall. He couldn't see the other passageways in the dark. All he could make out was Alvin's fuming form approaching.

A sliver of purple light listened on Alvin's hook.

Hiccup felt a spark of hope as he raised his hands in surrender. "You win, Alvin."

Alvin almost smiled with warmth. "I know. I always do."

And leaping from the darkness, the night fury attacked.

***

Alvin really seems to love turning up where he isn't wanted.

What do you think Hiccup will do about the skrill?

How would you deal with Alvin in Hiccup's situation?