The Beginning of the End
The trip back to the edge was a happy one. Hiccup felt a sense of accomplishment, although he knew it came with a cost. Vigo was gone, dead. Yet, something was nagging him. Snotlout had chided him, and said he should just enjoy the victory. Unfortunately that wasn't the way Hiccup worked. Astrid must have noticed his worried face, because she flew over, concern etched in her features.
"Hiccup, what's wrong? We won the battle! Vigo will never hurt us or the dragons again."
"I know," Hiccup said, trying to sound cheerful. "It's just that… it feels like the battle isn't over yet." Astrid thought about that for a moment, biting her lip.
"I don't know, maybe I'm just being paranoid," Hiccup said. Astrid looked at him sympathetically.
"We've been through alot in the past few months. It's understandable that you have doubts. But the dragon hunters really can't function without Vigo. He was like their 're nothing without their leader." Hiccup nodded, pushing away his worries. Astrid was probably right. There wasn't anything to worry about.
"So, do you want to go back to the edge now?" Astrid asked.
"As tempting as that sounds," Hiccup began regretfully. "We really should get to Berk, and talk to my dad." Astrid nodded in agreement.
"Hey gang," Hiccup called. "I know you're tired, but we need to get back to Berk first. We can rest there for the night." After the battle, they'd spent an hour with Mala and the tribe, celebrating their victory. Mala had been very grateful, and had once again welcomed them to the island anytime. Vigo had done much harm to their tribe as well, stealing the eruptodon, a vital dragon to their survival. Stop it, he told himself. The dragon hunters are gone now. Vigo is gone. Now just enjoy the victory.
The ocean looked more like a graveyard at this point. Wooden planks were floating around, with debris covering the surface of the sea. Vigo's body was still on the ship, the deadly nadder spike driven deep into his chest. The dragon hunters were huddling in a scared mass on one boat. Their Leader was gone. Vigo had been the strategist. The others just followed his orders.
"What are we going to do now?" One of the hunters asked in despair.
"Shut your whining," another snapped.
"Enough!" a bold voice commanded. The hunters turned their fearful gazes upon the person.
"Vigo's death was necessary. He cared too much about the game. My father needed to die to ensure the survival of the dragon hunters. From now on, I am your leader."
"Erik, your father made it clear that Elliot was to succeed him. He never said anything about you."
"Well, you don't see Elliot anywhere do you? No. After Hiccup killed him, the throne went to me." Erik smiled, a plan already forming in his mind. He had all the same planning skills as Vigo, but he knew how to use them. Vigo could have killed Hiccup. Instead he chose to savor his victory and wait. Erik wouldn't be that foolish.
"The dragon riders killed my father. We will have our revenge. And we will also take out the dragon population as a whole! This is where we stand!" Erik yelled.
He jumped onto a large wooden crate, so he was higher than everyone else.
"We will win. But victory does not come easy. It will take time. Luckily, our trade is still largely intact. Hiccup didn't do as much damage as he may have thought. We will rebuild our stock. I want dragons ready for sale by next week." The hunters really had no choice. Elliot was dead, and Erik was now their leader.
"Alright, get to work." While his men were working on rebuilding their trade, Erik would study the dragon riders.
Astrid knew she hadn't really eased Hiccup's worry. She knew that he felt responsible for the damage Vigo had done. Until he could forgive himself, he was going to worry. Astrid understood him completely. She also knew that things like this took time, and effort. But, now that she and Hiccup were in a romantic relationship, maybe they could slowly work through it. Life was messy, but if you had the right person, it was totally worth it.
Astrid had seen the good in Hiccup a long time ago. Ever since he had introduced her to Toothless. She had been a fool not to see it earlier, but in her defense, Hiccup simply hadn't seemed normal in viking standards. But gradually, Astrid began to see the kind, intelligent, and caring person underneath. Now, she hoped they could have a shot at something she knew would be incredible.
"Astrid, do you really think the dragon hunters are gone?" Fishlegs asked, timidly. It wasn't just Hiccup who was having doubts.
"Of course they're gone Fishface," Snotlout retorted. "Did you not see Vigo flop over dead? And the fact that we blew their entire fleet of ships to smithereens." Snotlout rolled his eyes, and fixed his hair.
"It was probably because of me and Hookfang's awesomeness. We sent the dragon hunters running in their boots."
"Yeah," Astrid put in. "That high pitched squeal could freak anyone out. So could the 'Hold me Hookfang' you yelled a few times." Snotlout tried to find a comeback, but couldn't, so he flew to the left, pointing his nose in the air. Astrid grinned, then turned back to Fishlegs.
"Hiccup was thinking the same thing. But the hunters are worthless without a leader. And no one else in their group was qualified. Not even Riker, and he's the best out of the bunch." Fishlegs took this in, nodded, and moved away. He seemed content with her answer. They all knew that there would be trouble ahead. Life wasn't perfect. But what they didn't know was that it would strike so soon, and so close to home. This new threat could do more damage than a whole army of Berserkers.
Hello everyone. This is sort of a sequel/continuation of my story "Adventures of the Edge." But this story has it's own plotline, and new villain. Hiccstrid is a thing, and they are dating in this story. Please review.