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"I would never harm such a magnificent creature."
The words swirled around in Hiccup's subconscious for a moment. Never would he ever have expected Viggo to say something like that. He was visibly taken aback by it all. Though it had surprised him at the time, Hiccup hadn't exactly trusted nor believed Viggo's word when he'd said such a thing about the Skrill. And yet here he was again, saying the same thing about Toothless, almost word for word. It didn't feel right, he couldn't make horns or tails of it. Viggo could very well be acting, this could all be part of the plan. But at the same time, something felt so genuine about his words. This was backed up in Hiccup's mind by the fact that the Skrill was following next to Viggo in much the same way Toothless did with him.
"When Johann and Krogan left me for dead a Monstrous Nightmare saved me," Viggo explained in a pained voice, "I've spent my whole life hunting dragons, killing them, and I've come to respect them as equals. You taught me that, Hiccup. That's the final irony, I suppose."
Hiccup didn't have the time to absorb Viggo's words. It all happened in a few moments. Viggo took a few steps forward, then keeled over, collapsing onto a desk in an attempt to hold himself up. Four arrows were embedded in his back.
"Viggo!" Hiccup cried, racing over to the scarred viking.
"Oh, this is it for me," Viggo groaned, "The end of the game."
"Viggo," Hiccup breathed, ducking under his arm in order to support him. He'd done this before, when he'd rescued Viggo from the burning stables, but this was different. Back then, he hadn't needed as much support - he could stand on his own, at least. Viggo at present was almost dangling off of him. Hiccup had never seen him so weak. He could hear his uneven breathing, he could smell the blood dripping from Viggo's back. Viggo coughed, wincing from the pain that shot through his body just from such a simple reflex. For a brief moment, Hiccup saw Viggo's face, and he could see the agony he was in. He wasn't baring his usual glare or signature sly smirk. No, now pain was written across his face in black ink, an unnerving glimse into what Viggo was experiencing. What disturbed Hiccup the most, however, was how quickly the fear in Viggo's eyes faded into acceptance.
The pair looked up as they heard a shout. Johann's men had located them. Hiccup looked down as he felt Viggo shift, and he watched the taller man find his feet. His pained expression was gone, masked behind a grimace - he supposed it was a grimace of determination.
"Go," Viggo said as he swapped the gas canister in his Inferno, "I'll hold them off until you're out."
Hiccup almost considered it, but shook that thought off.
"No, I'm not gonna leave you," Hiccup replied, holding out a hand to stop the scarred viking.
"My dear Hiccup, you're more ruthless than you realise," Viggo said, reaching out to grasp Hiccup's hand. He felt something press into his palm.
"I know you'll defeat Krogan and Johann," Viggo continued, pointing his Inferno towards the entrance, "Now go!"
Hiccup looked down at his palm. The item he now held was a game piece: the Accomplice, a physical representation of Viggo. He gave Viggo a broken smile. A new respect for Viggo bloomed within his chest like a bud finally finding sunlight. Viggo was offering up his life for Hiccup. There was a sort of peaceful look in his eyes, as if knowing that his dear Hiccup would be safe was all he needed to quell his fears of death. His dear Hiccup.
"And while I cannot put myself directly in your shoes, I can most surely empathize with your... situation."
This would never do.
"No, Viggo," Hiccup once more took Viggo's hand, "I'm not leaving you here. I'm not letting anyone sacrifice themself for us. Not now, not again, not ever. Not you. We will make it out, Viggo, together."
"Hiccup," Viggo objected, but was interrupted by the Skrill pushing Viggo closer to Toothless. She was clearly worried for Viggo's safety. Hiccup leapt into Toothless's saddle and extended his arm to Viggo, who hesitantly took it and sat down behind Hiccup.
"I'm nothing but dead weight. You don't need to do this," Viggo muttered as the Skrill nuzzled against Toothless.
"Yes I do. I can't lose you." Hiccup replied.
He turned to the Skrill.
"Will you help us?" Hiccup asked the electric dragon. She roared in reponse.
"Be safe, dragon," Viggo said, stroking the Skrill's face.
"Let's go, bud," Hiccup muttered to Toothless, and then they were off, running, then soaring through the tunnels. Hiccup would get Viggo out of here no matter what.