Gaining Respect

A battle at sea was always a dangerous thing, perhaps more so than a battle on land. On land there were places to take cover, to form a proper defense and offense but at sea if your ship went down and you weren't close to land you were a goner no matter how great a warrior you were. Mix that with an air fight and you were just asking for trouble. The dragon riders had the advantage, Dagur couldn't deny that and without the Skrill he no longer had the ample fire power to take down that blasted Nightfury without luring it in close. His anger grew at that. How dare Hiccup take what was rightfully his? How dare he take his Skrill, the face of the Berserkers, away from him? It wasn't right. They were brothers. This wasn't the way things were supposed to be.

"Load the cannons! I want that Nightfury!" he yelled at his warriors as he loaded his crossbow. "Bring it down any way necessary but no one…no one touches Hiccup. He's mine."

Of course when your opponents can fly at speeds to fast to follow aiming became a rather large issue. The dragon riders had been doing this a long time. They knew how to dip and dodge and avoid the boulders being hurled at them while still being able to do considerable damage to the Berserker ships. So far they had already sunk one and the surviving Berserkers were swimming to the remaining ships for rescue. Fiver dragons versus more than fifty Berserkers. It was shameful. How could six teenager warriors-to-be out smart and out gun Dagur's armada? He had to do something. He had to turn the tide or face the disrespect of very tribe of the Archipelago and he would not make himself into the laughing stock of their great nation like his father did before him.

He took careful aim, his crossbow cocked and ready to fire as he followed the ebony dragon swoop past his ship and circle for another blow but he did not fire, not yet. He needed to wait, to draw dragon and rider closer. He would not miss, not this time.

"Oh, Hiccup!" he called in a sing-song voice, hoping to goad the young leader of the dragon riders into facing him one on one like he had only weeks earlier. "Time to put you big boy pants on and face me like a man." He pivoted as the Nightfury shot a plasma blast at him, not hitting him but close enough to make him momentarily lose his aim and have to step back. He frowned as the beast fly up into the clouds. Why didn't the dragon just roast him? Why did it act as if it only wanted to knock away his weapons rather than truly fight him? Any other dragon would move in for the kill. It had to be Hiccup's doing.

A high pitch scream alerted him to the Nightfury's rapid descent. Dagur brought the butt of the crossbow back to his shoulder and took careful aim. Right between the dragon's eyes. All he need was one good shot between the Nightfury's eyes and it would be all over. Hiccup would be his. He'd finally make his brother see sense. A chuckled bubbled through him as the dragon came at him, its mouth opening and blue flames glowing as it prepared to fire another plasma blast. His finger tightened around the trigger and he let his breath out slowly. One shot between the eyes. It might damage the skull a little but his father had taught him how to repair such imperfections. The Nightfury would make the perfect trophy and be a great reminder to Hiccup of where his loyalties should lie.

"Toothless, rapid fire and barrel role!" Hiccup yelled at the last possible second causing Dagur's aim to falter and the arrow to fly wild.

"No!" Dagur yelled as he spun around. How…how could Hiccup do that? How did the dragon understand such commands? He stared after the two, his eyes narrowing in annoyance as the young Hooligan heir swooped around on his Nightfury and perched up on the main mast.

"Dagur, we don't need to be doing this," Hiccup called down to him from on top his dragon, looking so superior and almighty on the beast when in reality he was just a small boy pretending to be a hero. "If you'd just listen…"

Dagur snorted as he reloaded the crossbow. "You want to talk, Hiccup? Then get off your pet and come down so we can talk like old friends," Dagur sneered, not believing for a second the younger boy would give up his mount or advantage.

"Eh…no. Sorry, Dagur but as long as you're aiming pointy things at us we'll keep to the skies," Hiccup predictably answered.

Dagur gave a snort and shouldered his weapon. "Alright then, talk. You've got ten seconds. Ten…"

"You've got to be kidding."

"Nine…"

"Dagur…"

"Eight…I'm not hearing much talking."

"For crying out loud!"

"Six…"

"Let's go, bud. Maybe he'll grow up after we sink a few more ships," the little teen told his dragon.

The Nightfury glared down at Dagur and gave a nasty growl before spreading open its wings and taking flight. Dagur had only a moment or two to appreciate its rare beauty before a plasma blast struck just in front of his feet. He gave a yelp and jumped backwards. That one was close and was all dragon. He smirked. The beast didn't like him. Perhaps if he couldn't get Hiccup to fight him then maybe he could make the Nightfury. It was obviously very protective of Hiccup, something he could sort of relate to. This time when he took aim it wasn't at the Nightfury, no the creature would just dodge the arrow as it had each time so far. Nope, this time he targeted Hiccup. Just the younger boy's shoulder or leg – he didn't want to kill his brother after all. No, it he was right the dragon would either try to dodge the shot or block it. He moved carefully with the beast, not following it this time but keeping his aim slightly ahead to ensure his shot was true and then let his arrow fly.

He didn't wait to see if it hit its mark. Quick as a flash he loaded a bola onto the crossbow, took aim again – the foolish animal had dodged to protect its rider and was now within easy firing range – and yelling to his men fired a series of bolas at dragon and rider. The two were so busy trying to correct themselves that the dragon didn't have a chance to dodge or retreat and the bolas hit home, wrapping around its sleek body, tail and muzzle and sending it spinning out of control. Hiccup gave a cry as he was thrown off the beast and went tumbling into the rolling sea. The dragon followed suit, causing a large enough splash to push the ships back from where it impacted.

"Hiccup!" some girl yelled from on top another dragon. She and two boys swooped down with their dragons in an attempt to retrieve Hiccup and his dragon.

"Keep them back," Dagur ordered. He waited a moment, expecting Hiccup to pop out of the sea spitting out water and flailing about like a man about to drown but when that didn't happen an old worry began to nag at the Berserk chief. Hiccup only had one good leg, the other had been replaced by a prosthetic. He had never been a strong swimming but now he may be worse. Taking off his helmet Dagur threw it to his second. Harold caught it just as his younger leader dove into the sea after his prey.

"Dagur!" he yelled but it was too late to stop the young chieftain.

The water was unbelievably cold and the shock of it nearly stole Dagur's breath. He fought to hold his breath and not immediately gasp for air. He gave himself a moment to adjust as he looked around, hoping to see Hiccup under the water. It took a moment of two, the sea vast and every moving. He saw the Nightfury first, the large black mass unmistakable, and there fight to free the beast was Hiccup working fiercely to cut the ropes. Judging by the little bubbles escaping his nose and mouth he was nearly out of oxygen. Dagur swam to him, not afraid of the Nightfury trying to attack him. It was under water and couldn't breathe fire and with its limps tangled it couldn't even claw him.

Hiccup gave a start when Dagur wrapped an arm around his waist and yanked him away from the dragon. With one powerful kick Dagur separated the two and started swimming back to the surface. Hiccup struggled and reached for his mount but as quickly as they were moving to the surface the dragon was sinking to the depths of the sea. Dagur woke the surface first and inhaled a deep breath before pulling Hiccup up as well. The smaller boy was still struggling and the moment he got a lungful of air he tried diving back under.

"No!" Dagur yelled, keeping a firm hold on Hiccup. "Hiccup, enough. Stop!"

"No! Let go! Toothless!" Hiccup yelled, trying to break free. He managed for a brief moment before Dagur grabbed the back of his shirt and shoved him back under for a count of ten before yanking him back out. The boy sputtered water and turned to glare at him.

Dagur glared back. "Stay put," he ordered before calling to Harold and Savage for the hook and line Captain Vorg had installed when they discovered the Skrill. Then dove under the water once more he went to retrieve the blasted Nightfury.

In the seconds it took to shut Hiccup up and grab the line the black dragon had sunk quite a distance. Now Dagur was a good swimmer, it was something he prided himself on ever since he was a little boy. He was able to hold his breath for a long time but by the time he reached the Nightfury he was nearly at his limit. He snagged the hook between the ropes on the beast's back, made sure they were secure and gave a tug to signal his men to pull. Then he swam back just a bit to get a good look at his catch. At first he thought the dragon may have drowned. It lay limply in the water with only a few bubbles coming from its nose. Dagur reached out to touch its head, something he had wanted to do ever since he first laid eyes on it. It was a beautiful creature, unimaginably wonderful. A shame it had to be killed but its skull will make a wonderful helmet.

Just as his hand brushed the animal's head, large bright green eyes snapped open. The eyes dilated then narrowed like a cats as it glared at Dagur with utter hatred before struggling against the ropes. Dagur swam back in surprise and silently laughed at himself. He should have known the off spring of lightning and death would not be so easy to kill.

The line suddenly tightened and the dragon was yanked upward. Dagur grabbed it and allowed his men to pull him and the dragon back to the surface as he stood triumphantly on the beast's back. Once they broke the surface he gave a victorious crow to his men and chuckled darkly. He did it, he caught the Nightfury and…

His eyes lit up when he saw Hiccup floating next to his boat, eyes wide and full of fear for his dragon friend.

"No…" he breathed. He began swimming toward the dragon, his thin arms stretching for the ropes.

Dagur growled in annoyance and jumped back into the water. Hiccup back paddled a bit as the water sloshed around him. When he got himself oriented he tried going back to his dragon but it was too late, it was already being hauled out of the water and onto the boat. Berserkers surrounded it as the other dragon riders made to attempt a rescue.

Hiccup brushed his wet hair out of his eyes as he looked up at the ship and tried to figure a way to get to the Nightfury. He looked flustered and more frighten than Dagur had ever seen him. It angered Dagur. That wasn't a look he liked seeing on Hiccup's face unless it was directed toward him. But it wasn't just fear for the dragon, he suddenly noted as he swam to the younger boy. Hiccup was barely keeping himself above water. He kept sinking and having to fight to get back up. His artificial leg was hampering him but even when Dagur went to help him Hiccup shoved him away.

"Why?" Hiccup yelled at him as he used his arms to keep his head above water. "We don't need to be fighting."

"You lied to me," Dagur said point of fact.

"That's what this is about? Because my father and I tried to keep us from going to war? You're a lunatic!"

"You lied!"

Hiccup gave a little growl and slapped the water in frustration. "Seriously? We're going to argue this out in the middle of the damn ocean?"

Dagur blinked. That was the closest he had ever heard Hiccup come to swearing. It made him smirk. "Why not?" he joked.

Hiccup just stared at him before shaking his head and covering his face. "For the love of Thor! Dagur…I'm serious."

. . .

Up above the dragon riders watched the two argue with curiosity.

"Are they seriously arguing in the middle of the ocean?" Astrid asked in surprise.

"Would seem so," Snotlout answered equally confused.

"You don't think Dagur will drown Hiccup, do you?" Fishlegs asked timidly. He petted Meatlug worriedly.

"Cool," Ruffnut purred as he leaned forward on Barf. "You think we should keep blowing up ships until they make up their minds?"

"Yeah, bet we can take down two more while everyone is preoccupied with them," Tuffnut agreed.

Astrid worried her lower lip, wanting to go to Hiccup and get him and Toothless to safety but as another more familiar boat appeared off port her worry grew. Snotlout spotted it as well.

"Uh…I thought all the Outcasts joined the Berserkers," he asked her, a little confused by the new comer.

Fishlegs pulled out his scoop and took a closer look. "Uhm…this is definitely worse than a rogue Outcast."

"What?" Astrid demanded as she pulled out her own scoop and took a look. "Oh no. Hiccup!" she yelled down to the boys. "HICCUP!"

. . .

"Let Toothless go," Hiccup demanded as he glared at Dagur. It was getting harder and harder for him to tread water. His bad leg was aching right up to the hip.

"Give me my Skrill," Dagur shot back as he swam a little closer.

Hiccup spat out another mouth full of water after accidently going under. "I can't," he spat. He winced as his leg cramped. He needed to get out of the water.

"Can't or won't?"

"Both!" This time when he went under it became too much of a fight to kick his way back up. Nonetheless he held his breath as he tried rubbing the cramp out of his leg. He couldn't keep this up. He needed to get out of the water and get to Toothless before the Berserkers did something horrible to him. A gasp escaped him as a strong arm wrapped around his middle and for a second time Dagur pulled him to the surface. He began coughing uncontrollably and spitting up water.

"Hold on, brother," the older boy whispered and Hiccup wanted to remind him they weren't brothers. They weren't related in any way, form or shape but the salt water had momentarily stolen his voice as he tried to gather his wits.

"If you two are done swimming we've got company," Astrid announced as she and Stormfly swooped down close enough to yell to the boys yet far enough away to not be hit by Berserker weaponry, at least not without them accidentally hitting their leader. She pointed toward the approaching boat.

"Who..?" Dagur asked as he held Hiccup above water.

Hiccup wiped water out of his eyes and tried to focus. He inhaled sharply. "That's not possible."

Dagur's eyes darkened and his hold on Hiccup tightened as he too saw who stood at the bow of the oncoming vessel. "Alvin the Treacherous," he snarled.