Drago's Revenge
By Eagle Alchemist
On an island high up in the northern waters he made his plans. This time he would succeed. He didn't need the Bewilderbeast any longer. It had no power anymore. That made it useless to him. However his plans didn't require any dragons at all. No. That was a mine field he wouldn't dare walk upon again. It was so simple, he was certain it couldn't fail. This had taken many a year to organise, and now it was time to act. Setting sail with a small crew, Drago Bludvist was ready to put phase one into play. After which it wouldn't be long before that runt was in his clutches. The so called Dragon Master would pay for what he'd done all those years ago.
He would pay dearly.
000
"They were headed north, following the Cod to the winter feeding grounds." Gobber explained "But they should have been back days ago."
"Alright, we'll head north and fan out to cover more ground." Hiccup said to the group.
"Staying within calling distance should work fine Hiccup." Fishlegs said "That way we should have no trouble finding them."
"I agree. About a half mile between each of us should work fine. Okay gang lets mount up." Hiccup rolled up the map.
As they left the house Kitta and her friends arrived. Bringing supplies from the academy. With their saddlebags packed and the search grid organised the riders got ready to head out.
"Don't worry about the village dad, we're got the defences ready just in case." Kitta said.
"I'm not worried sweetie." He smiled "Just try not to get in over your head while your acting chief."
"Hiccup she'll be fine. She has your mom and Gobber to help with the people and her friends for everything else." Astrid rolled her eyes.
"I know, I know. I just don't want her to feel too overwhelmed like I did my first time."
"She's not you Hiccup. I have faith our daughter can handle this just fine. Right Kitta?" Astrid smiled at her.
"You bet mom." Kitta grinned.
"We'll be back soon okay." Hiccup said before they took to the sky.
Hiccup, Astrid, Fishlegs, Snotlout, Ruffnutt and Tuffnutt disappeared into the horizon. A small pang of fear gripped Kitta's insides. She couldn't explain it, but she had a bad feeling about the rescue expedition. She just hoped she was wrong.
000
Two days into the search and things had gone very wrong indeed. Firstly the twins got separated from the group and were hopelessly lost in an area they didn't know. Between complaining and bickering, they achieved little. Snotlout and Fishlegs had been tasked with finding Ruff and Tuff. Of course that was going about as well as making a dragon stand close to an Eel. They argued on where to look first. Amongst other petty and pointless things. Hiccup and Astrid continued to search for the missing fishing boat. Upon spotting a boat anchored off an island, they had gone in for a closer look and fallen into Drago's trap. His men had waited till the riders dismounted before striking. Catching the couple and their dragons off guard. Easy targets. Now they were tied up beside Bucket and Mulch, Toothless and Stormfly caged nearby. Left alone for a while Hiccup made sure the men were okay.
"We're sorry about this chief. We had no idea anyone lived this far north." Mulch explained.
"Don't worry about it. Clearly he's been planning this a long time." Hiccup told the men.
"Sure seems that way." Mulch replied.
"Obviously he's still holding a grudge over his defeat all those years ago." Astrid added.
"Yeah. I haven't seen his Bewilderbeast though. Have you guys seen it?" Hiccup asked.
"What does it look like again?" Bucket asked.
"No we haven't seen any dragons at all." Mulch offered "Just his men, a mass of weapons and some very unappetising food."
"Well I suppose that's a positive then."
"Yeah, but what if he plans to try and control Toothless as the new Alpha instead?" Astrid suggested.
"There's no way that would happen." Hiccup insisted "Toothless would never bend to Drago's will alone."
"Let's hope your right."
"I'm right. I'm certain of it." Hiccup said.
Drago suddenly appeared looking all too pleased with himself. He stopped before his prisoners and let the silence hang a moment. He had a new false arm and a belt that looked to be made of dragon teeth. He sneered at Hiccup.
"It's been many years. But your still as pathetic as you were back then." He said with disgust.
"I disagree Drago. After all you're the one hiding all the way up here. Do you see me doing that?" Hiccup retorted smartly.
"Quiet!" Drago barked "I will have my vengeance over you and your pitiful friends. My men are hunting them right now. There will be no escape. With you gone, I shall concur Berk for my own. Without their chief, your people are helpless."
"So your doing all this to try and take Berk for your own. Again." Astrid said sharply.
"Without you and that Night Fury, no one will stand in my way." Drago began to laugh.
"Sorry to disappoint, but that won't be happening." Hiccup said confidently.
"You think your tribe can fight without you? Hahahaha! How foolish you are!" He laughed.
"Actually your the foolish one."
Drago stopped laughing and stared at Hiccup in astonishment.
"What!?"
"Do you really think I would leave Berk without an acting chief?"
"Your lying." Drago accused.
"Am I?" Hiccup challenged "Tell you what, send out one of your men to check if I'm bluffing or not."
"And alert your village to my presence?" Drago laughed again "You think your childish mind games will work on me. But your wrong. I'll not be fooled so easily."
Hiccup met Drago's steely glare. There was something even more menacing this time in those eyes, Hiccup noted. He tried not to let on how uneasy it made him. A soldier jogged up and whispered something to his leader. The devious grin spread over Drago's face. Hiccup swallowed hard. Hoping against hope that the grin wasn't because his friends had been caught. His fear was realised when Snotlout and the twins were dragged over and tossed on the ground by him.
"You see? There is no escape this time." Drago boasted.
Leaving the group to their thoughts he went to organise his troops for the impending attack on Berk. Completely unaware of one rider and the warning he carried. Fishlegs and Meatlug flew as fast as they could toward home. He just hoped they would make it in time to warn the village before Drago got there.
000
Daily tasks on Berk were moving along smoothly. Kitta was finding it a breeze to be acting chief, as the village all but ran itself. She hadn't needed to do too much. Currently she was relaxing with Gem as they watched over the village from a high point. The breeze was lovely and the scent of baking bread drifted on the air. Scrap was with some of the younger kids playing and enjoying the attention. Kitta thought to herself, if this was how it was to be chief she could handle it. Someday. But it seemed her idyllic view of being chief was about to come to a crashing halt. Meatlug set down close by and Fishlegs hurried over in a panic.
"Kitta! Oh Gods! Hiccup! The twins!" He barely got those words out through his panicked breathing.
"Okay. Alright. Just take a few deep breaths and then try again Mr Ingerman." Kitta told him as she stood.
A couple hasty breaths later he tried again.
"Hiccup and the others! Captured! Drago has them! Planning an attack!" He blurted at speed.
"Drago? As in the guy responsible for my grandpa's death?" She asked in shock.
"The very same." Fishlegs replied.
Kitta's hands fisted tightly and her face curled into a grimace. She'd had that bad feeling hadn't she. Like a premonition of sorts. Now her worst fears had come to life. Her parents had been taken. The village was at risk. The people would look to her for what to do. She had to think like a leader. But that was hard when her heart was that of a daughter wanting to save her folks. When word got out it would cause an uproar. Kitta had to think fast.
"Find my grandma and Gobber. Have them meet me at the Great Hall. I'll round up my friends." She said.
"On it." Fishlegs headed off.
Once all the key people were gathered, Kitta laid out her plan. Fishlegs would guide her, Brock and Brett to where Drago was hiding. Hilda, Gilda and Gus were to take point on defending Berk with the junior riders. Gobber and Valka were to keep the people calm and rally all able bodied folk to arms for extra defence. This way Berk would be protected and she could go save her parents too.
This was a huge test for her. Both as a leader and as a dragon rider. Valka couldn't stop the feeling of pride at how Kitta was handling things. Like a true chief. Even Gobber was impressed. Kitta seemed to have a better grasp on things than her father had when the village looked to him for answers, the day Dagur took Stoic hostage.
"Alright. Everybody understand their tasks?" She asked the group.
"It's a well thought out plan." Valka said.
"We've got it covered." Gus added.
"Go save your parents lass. We won't go down so easily." Gobber told her.
"Okay. Guys, lets head out." Kitta lead the way.
000
"That's a hell of a lot of soldiers and ships." Brett commented.
"Yeah. Definitely looks to me like he plans to try and concur Berk." Brock added.
"Didn't he try that once before?"
"He did. But the chief sent him packing."
"My dad and Toothless sent him packing Brock." Kitta interjected "And it could have cost my father his life."
"I heard about that. His dragon went all super powerful and beat back the Bewilderbeast." Brett recalled the tale he'd been told.
"Why do you suppose he didn't do the same to free them all this time?"
"Not sure. I know last time it happened because he was protecting my dad."
The three were laying atop an ice shelf. Each with their own spy glass re-engineered by Kitta. They were out of sight of the enemy for now and that gave them the element of surprise. Fishlegs was deeper into the rocky crevasses, keeping the dragons calm and out of sight. He anxiously waited for the teens to return from their reconnoitre. A faint noise caught his ears and each of the dragons were suddenly on alert. The ground began to shake and Fishlegs realised he knew that sound. That creepy whisper. It could be only one thing...a Whispering Death. The teens arrived in time to see the dragon burst through the ground, showering rubble everywhere.
"Oh no!" Fishlegs gasped.
"We gotta keep our dragons from fighting!" Brock said "Otherwise those goons will be alerted to our presence."
Brock and Brett tried to calm their dragons. Meatlug went on the defensive with Gem. But the Whispering Death didn't seem to attack. It simply looked at everyone one at a time. When it's gazed landed on Kitta, she realised she'd seen this dragon before. Though it had been months since the incident with Dagur, she could never forget. Holding out her hand just as her father would, the dragon touched it's snout to her palm. Brock and Brett were astonished. Fishlegs however knew exactly what it meant.
"What...just happened?" Brett asked.
"Beats me pal." Brock replied.
"That's right you weren't there that day so you never saw it."
"Saw what?" The boys asked in unison.
"The way Kitta trained eight wild dragons to help her battle Dagur." Fishlegs answered.
The two watched in amazement.
"It's good to see you Razor." Kitta said sweetly "I'm glad your doing so well."
"Do you think he might help again Kitta?"
"Maybe Mr Ingerman." Kitta looked back at Razor "What so ya say? Will you help us save my folks and give a bad guy a beat down?"
A soft roar was her answer. The very same type he'd given the last time she'd asked for help.
"That's a yes."
"Great. So now we have five dragons. Think it'll be enough?" Brett asked sceptically.
"He does have a point babe."
"I know." Then Kitta got an idea "What if we did have more dragons?"
"How are we gonna pull that off?" Brett said, earning a smack on the arm from Brock "What!?"
"Don't be so quick to jump in. Kitta wouldn't have said it if she didn't have an idea."
"I do have an idea. Razor? Do you know where any of the other dragons from before went?"
Again the soft roar.
"Think you can find them and bring them here for me?"
The same response. After giving her thanks, Razor dove into the ground and vanished. The small group settled around a camp fire. They discussed long into the night, until they finally came up with a plan. It was a risky one but Kitta was willing to put herself in the line of fire, literally, to save her parents. None of them really slept at all. Minds racing with all the 'what ifs' and variables of the battle ahead.
000
Drago's fleet was almost ready to set sail. Hiccup and the others had watched in dismay as hoards of weapons had been loaded. Astrid and her husband shared a worried look. How would Kitta stand up against this? She wasn't quite up to this level of leadership. Yet. The twins and Snotlout had complained a lot since being captured. Mostly blaming each other for their current situation. Drago left them to it. They'd been given no food or water, neither had their dragons. Even if by some miracle they got free, they couldn't fight at full strength. Drago approached the group, smirking triumphantly.
"Enjoy your final moments. For this is to be your grave." He told them.
A few stunned gasps were heard.
"You won't win Drago." Hiccup insisted, trying to bluff.
"Hahahaha! You and your dragon's cannot stop me this time. No one will stand in my way!" He bellowed the last line earning cheers from his men.
Hiccup grimaced. The was serious. Not only was his village in danger, but so was his daughter. She'd never win against Drago. He wasn't easily defeated like Dagur. Drago turned and walked toward his ships barking out the order to prepare to set sail for Berk. The low rumbling and ground tremors stopped him. Each soldier sounded worried. With a huge cracking sound a Whispering Death burst forth and plastered the area by Drago with spines. A blast of fire created a dividing line between Drago's army and the Berkians. Just as Drago gave the order to kill the dragon, his men were blown off their feet by a Thunderdrum. Hiccup and the group were stunned. Then the two dragons did something that got Hiccup wondering. They combined their attacks. The ships were hit by a shower of spines, shot with twice the force. The Thunderdrum's sonic blast pushing them faster and harder.
"Bring them down!" Drago yelled.
Dozens of Bolas were thrown, narrowly missing the targets. As soldiers prepared catapults they were attacked from behind. Huge lava blasts. Drago's men never saw it coming. Before they could recover a huge Timberjack swooped low and used it's sharp wings to cut the masts of every ship. Drago was fuming. He ordered archers to fire. Two seconds after the order was given they were frozen in place by the mist of a Flightmare.
"What's the matter with you! Fight! Kill them all!" Drago yelled.
A group of soldiers took aim at the Timberjack. The arrows flew but never reached their target as the Thunderdrum blasted them back. Out of nowhere a Snafflefang bowled over dozens of men. A Groncle landed near the group. Meatlug. Fishlegs got to work freeing everyone. As the fire line died down Drago saw his prisoners about to escape. He wouldn't have that. Grabbing a nearby long sword he sprinted toward them. They had no time to react. Only Meatlug was free to fight but Drago dodged her blasts. He closed the distance to Hiccup. And was blasted backwards by a plasma blast. As he shook his head he heard a familiar high pitched sound. But the Night Fury was still caged. So how, who, what was that?
"Give it up Drago. Your out gunned."
"Grrrr! Who are you!" He demanded.
As the smoke cleared he was greeted by a sight that instilled fear into the huge man. A white Night Fury, surrounded by the dragons who had attacked his soldiers and ships. Like they were obeying the girl on the back of the white dragon.
"Me? I'm your worst nightmare." Kitta replied "I'm here to take you down. Permanently."
"Impossible! Don't you know who I am!?"
"Sure I do. Your the man who tried to kill my father and murdered my grandfather. And for those acts, I will never forgive. Your time has come Drago. Time to pay the price."
Everyone gasped anew. What had happened to Kitta? Where had the sweet girl gone? Would she really kill Drago? Gem landed and Kitta got off. She faced Drago. He advanced over confident at defeating this child. Kitta moved forward grabbing a discarded sword along the way. Blades glinted and the ring of clashing metal rang through the air. Drago was stronger but Kitta was determined. She used her agility to her advantage, side stepping with ease and making the larger man look a fool. Her time training with her mother was paying off.
Drago may have more power behind his swings but she countered that like a pro. They sparred for so long it seemed the fight would never end. Till Kitta pulled a move Hiccup recognised. She backed him up, never letting him get a blow in and then Gem got behind him flipping him into the air. He landed hard. His false arm fell off and he lost his sword. Kitta was now stood over him, her blade at his throat.
"Stop!" Hiccup called out panicked.
"Why? Did he stop when he ordered grandpa killed? Did he even pause for a moment to wonder if it was necessary? Or if you deserved the same? Did he dad!?"
"Kitta please..." Hiccup carefully moved closer "This isn't the way to solve things. The past is just that. The past. We can't change what happened. But sweetie we can choose the paths we take."
"If I don't finish this, he'll just come after us again. This has to end!" Kitta insisted.
"And if he does we'll just defend our home and show him we won't fall." Hiccup reached her and gently placed his hand upon hers on the sword handle "Kitta, please lower the sword. Lets go home. His ships are out of commission, his soldiers on the run. He's not a threat anymore."
Kitta's hand trembled. The sword wavered. Then it slipped from her grasp and clattered on the ground. Hiccup pulled her close. Drago was shocked for a moment. Then he saw an opportunity. For such a big man he moved fast. With all the hatred in his soul he swung for Hiccup and Kitta. Hiccup tried to turn his daughter away and place himself in the path. The blade stopped mere centimetres from his arm. A stunned expression upon Drago's face. He couldn't move. Swiftly Hiccup got Kitta away, Gem and Toothless getting between them and Drago.
The Flightmare had misted him. Saving their lives.
Astrid quickly went to her husband and daughter to check they were both alright. By the time the Flightmare's mist wore off Drago was tied up and unable to move. It seemed he hadn't been liked by his men as with Drago restrained they now turned on him. Hiccup and the others felt that would be punishment enough. To have to answer to the men he'd bullied. Watching their enemy being dragged away while still attempting to order the soldiers, the group could finally breath a sigh of relief.
"I have to ask..." Tuffnutt said"...how'd you get those dragons to help?"
Said dragons were close by as if waiting for instructions. Everyone looked at him bemused. Ruffnutt punched him.
"Really? That's all you can think to say?" She berated her twin.
"What? I was curious." He replied.
Brock came to Kitta. He said nothing. Just put his arm around her. She leaned into him. Hiccup felt relieved he'd been able to prevent his daughter doing something she would regret for the rest of her life. As everyone prepared to head home, Ruffnutt had to remind her brother they'd seen those dragons before. Deciding this time to take Razor, Banshee, Ash and Thyra with them to live on Berk and help defend the village. They all mounted their dragons and started for home. With the sun beginning to set the nine riders and twelve dragons flew silently back to Berk.
000
Returning from a flight around the island to check all was well, Hiccup noticed Gem and her ever growing young on the beach. The Luna Fury appeared to be teaching her young offspring a few important survival skills. Toothless called to them as he landed. Letting his best friend do his fatherly duties Hiccup looked around for Kitta. It didn't take him long to locate her. She was sitting on a high rock and staring out over the ocean. After climbing up he joined her, the pair sat silently for a while. Just the sounds of the water lapping the rocks and the Fury family in the background. It was a calm time. Peaceful even. But Hiccup knew things had been hard for his daughter since she almost took another life. Kitta had been quiet and withdrawn. Brock and Brett had been taking care of academy business. At home she hardly ate and spent most of her time either in her room or out with Gem. Both Hiccup and Astrid were concerned. But as always, Hiccup knew for certain she would talk when she was ready. He just had to be patient with her. Something that was about to pay off.
"Dad, are you and mom disappointed with me?" Kitta asked softly.
"No Kitta. We're not."
"But I tried to..."
"Stop." He placed a hand on hers "You didn't go through with it. You listened when I told you it wasn't the right thing to do."
"Dad I honestly felt I could have though." Kitta frowned "I hated him so bad. For what he'd done to grandpa Stoic and what he tried to do to you. And now he tried again with you and mom. I just...wanted to stop him. Make him pay for what he did."
Hiccup sighed and drew her into a loving hug. He could feel the tension in her body and he wanted so much to wipe it away. Kitta could feel the love in her fathers hold and it began to crack the wall she'd erected after that day they fought Drago.
"Sweetie I know how much you wanted to make things right. You just let the anger take over for a moment." He explained "I've been there myself. Knowing what is the right course of action isn't always easy, but we have each other and those close to us who can help us see the right path."
Watery emerald eyes looked up at him and he felt that almighty tug of wanting to protect his child. But she wasn't so small anymore. She could take care of herself, but it seemed sometimes she still needed a hug from her father. Likely her mother too. It was just that Hiccup was always the better parent at talking and listening.
"Am I a horrible person for wanting to take the life of another?"
"No. No, no. Don't even think like that." Hiccup squeezed her tight "You are a wonderful person and your mother and I are so proud of you."
"You are?" She blinked away more tears.
"Yes. Kitta your our daughter and we will always love you and you never cease to make us proud." Then he chuckled "Even if some of your plans resulted in a mess. No matter what Kitta we are proud to call you our daughter."
Kitta smiled a bit. She hugged Hiccup tightly. Nobody could ask for better parents. She now realised just how lucky she was. Even after almost making a terrible choice, her parents still loved her. That meant the weight of the last few days was shed and Kitta could finally move onward with confidence. They and her extended family would be her guides. So she would never make that choice ever. The one that would ruin her and fill her with regret.
They sat quietly a while longer. Till Toothless called out. The Fury family were ready to head home. Climbing down and getting on their dragons, father and daughter headed for home. Four baby Night Fury's flanking them, the sun dropping on the horizon. The family bond...all the stronger.
The End