First: I AM SO SORRY FOR THE LONG BREAK! A slight update for those who don't follow my stories, since that's where I put all my updates: I had a very long break because I had exams and I am pleased to say I graduated High School. However, I didn't have the motivation to write after that because…I'm lazy. So, this is the story I mentioned in one of my stories. I have been working on it for quite a while.
I am still working on a new chapter for the Troublemakers fanfiction so, don't worry. I haven't abandoned it. I'm just slightly out of ideas but I am definitely planning on continuing because I enjoy it and people really seem to like those fics.
No need for a story summary. The title says enough. :p
RETURN OF THE RED DEATH
Chapter 1:
"This is Berk. Where summer is like winter and Winter is even more devastating. This Island has known countless battles. The war with dragons, the Berserkers and just a month ago the war with the dragon hunters to name a few. Now we have a very rare moment of peace. Or as much peace as an Island full of Vikings can get."
Hiccup felt the cold sting his hands as he flew to the very familiar island of Berk. He huddled closer to Toothless, taking in the warmth his reptilian friend provided. Berk was always cold, and he couldn't be more grateful that he had Toothless with him.
As he flew closer to the Academy, once the old dragon killing arena, he could hear his betrothed desperately trying to get the dragon riders to listen to what she was saying.
"We can't get rusty Guys. There is always danger out there. If it comes, we need to be prepared." Astrid Said.
Snotlout was running around the Academy, once the old dragon killing arena because he had somehow managed to set his clothes on fire. Hookfang was making a noise that closely resembled laughing, suggesting that he did it on purpose. Snotlout had been trying to flirt with Ruffnut and obviously, it didn't end Well.
Meanwhile, Fishlegs was still trying to flirt with Ruffnut, like Snotlout had attempted. Ruff didn't look very pleased with it and Tuffnut was looking disapprovingly at Fishlegs, shaking his head slowly.
Poor Astrid had been trying to get their attention for hours and it wasn't working.
Hiccup and Toothless flew into the Academy, landing in the entrance. "There you are," Astrid said in relief. "Did you know your father has been looking for you all morning?"
"Yes, that's Why I have been actively avoiding him." Hiccup replied. It was true that Stoick had been looking for Hiccup that morning. Hiccup typically had run off the second he heard his father was looking for him. Ever since Hiccup had come back from the edge and Stoick had recovered from his injuries he had been talking about retiring early. This meant Hiccup would have to become Chief early and that would cause his daily schedule to become packed. So, no more travelling, as the chief had to be present at all times in case of emergencies. He could feel the fear tying a knot his stomach just by thinking about it.
"And I see what you have been trying to accomplish all day. They don't listen, do they?" He Said with a slight smirk.
"I will never understand how you put up with them." She Said, pinching the bridge of her nose. "The headache I'm developing is a probably better company than they are."
Hiccup let out a small chuckle as he approached the group. "Guys, you can take the day off."
Astrid gaped in confusion and her fists tightened in irritation as they ran out of the arena, Fishlegs and Snotlout fighting to get to Ruffnut first.
"Hiccup, I've been trying to get them to train the entire day. They need to know these drills, or they will get rusty. And when another threat comes our way they won't be prepared."
"And I have been trying to tell you to let them go this morning. Wasn't it you who told me that what was it- Ah 'there does come a point when they need time to regroup. To forget about being soldiers and just be people.'" He replied, remembering exactly when she had said that to him.
He expected them to work just as hard as he did, forgetting that they were not like him. That day, Astrid had reminded him of that and now he always remembered those words.
Astrid sighed as she grabbed his hand and pulled him closer. "You're right. Maybe they do deserve to get a bit of rest." She gave him a quick kiss.
"How about we go for a flight?" Hiccup asked her.
"That sounds like a Great idea." She replied as they walked out together. Their dragons followed them closely.
"There you are."
The two looked up to see Stoick standing right in front of them. And the knot in Hiccup's stomach returned.
"Hi chief" Astrid Said politely.
"As always, you can call me Stoick. You're betrothed to my Son after all." He Said with a slight twinkle of happiness in his eyes.
When Hiccup told his father about his betrothal he had expected his father to be mad for not telling him earlier. However, Stoick immediately saw Astrid as a member of the Haddock family. He frequently mentioned their betrothal in everyday conversations. Astrid still had trouble getting used to calling him Stoick instead of the usual formal Chief title.
"Hey, dad. Astrid and I were just going for a flight." He Said as he tried to move past his enormous father. Unfortunately for him, Stoick grabbed his arm.
"No more running now. I have been looking for you all morning. But that's not Why I came looking for you now. There are guests for you."
"Guests? Who?" Hiccup furrowed his brow in confusion.
"Heather, Dagur and Mala arrived just a few minutes ago. They are in the Great hall, specifically asking for you. It seemed important."
Hiccup and Astrid mounted their dragons and flew to the Great Hall. The minute they entered, they saw Dagur, Mala and Heather sitting at one of the tables. The now opened door let in light from the outside into the windowless building. Dagur and Mala were kissing, and Heather was standing next to them awkwardly.
"There you are. We've been waiting for you." Heather said, moving to hug Astrid.
"Brother!" Dagur yelled from his spot.
"Not like we're not happy to see you, but what are you doing here?" Asked Astrid.
"Well, there have been very strange things happening around Berserker Island. Dragons have been mysteriously disappearing. And Fog has been sighted, making it hard for ships to travel to Some places." Heather explained.
"Dragons disappearing?" Hiccup asked curiously.
"Mostly wild ones. Some Islands near Berserker Island used to have dragons living there but when I last checked they were Almost deserted." She added.
"Do you think it might be because of the King of dragons?" Astrid asked Hiccup. "It is living under the Island, so it might be an explanation."
"Possibly. But I doubt it. Dragons are disappearing now, But the King of dragons has been there for a very long time. Why would this happen now?" He wondered out loud.
"Maybe Dragon hunters?" Astrid suggested.
"I doubt it. It's like they just vanished. There were no signs of dragon hunters on those islands." Heather said.
"Then how about we go check the area around those islands?" Hiccup suggested. Heather and Astrid nodded in agreement.
Dagur jumped up. "Finally, some action! I hope we run into some dragon hunters." He said as they all left the Great Hall.
"We'll leave in the morning. Astrid, can you inform the others?" he asked. Astrid nodded.
"I'm on it. If they decide to act like they did earlier, I will be more than happy to show them my kind of communication." She said as she walked out.
"Please don't kill them!" he called after her, chuckling to himself.
"No promises!"
"I still don't get why we have to check this out. I mean, dragons disappear. Cool, they're flying reptiles. They move around." Snotlout whined as they got closer to their destination. "They probably just got bored and decided it was time to move."
"Dragons don't always move. They usually stay around the island they chose as their home." Hiccup said. "I explained that to you before."
"Never mind Hiccup. He's not even listening. As always." Astrid said.
And Astrid was right. Hiccup turned around and Snotlout was picking his nose. Hiccup resisted the urge to gag.
"I think I see the Island." Astrid suddenly Said. Hiccup grabbed his spyglass and glared through it at the Island that was indeed appearing in the distance.
They landed their dragons on the Island But everything was quiet. No dragon in sight. This would be normal in other areas But in the Archipelago, it was rare nowadays to see one Island without dragons, ever since No one in the Archipelago hunted them anymore.
"I don't know how it's possible" Fishlegs commented. "It should be full of dragons here. There is enough water, plenty of fish and No possible predators for as far as I've seen."
"Why would they just leave?" Hiccup wondered out loud as he walked around the clearing they had landed in. Then he saw something move in the corner of his Eye. It was a single terrible terror flying off.
Astrid had seen it too, obviously. "Let's follow it." She Said, immediately acting as she jumped on Stormfly and flew off.
They followed the dragon for a while. It seemed to be heading west. Suddenly a dark coloured fog showed in front of them. It was impossible to see beyond it.
They halted in front of the fog. "What is this? I've never seen anything like it." Fishlegs wondered, flipping through his dragon cards for information.
"I don't know, but we have to go through it," Hiccup Said as he and Toothless flew through the mist, motioning the others to follow him.
For a while, it was all foggy and impossible to see where they were even going. Hiccup Almost decided to turn back.
But then they saw it.
An Island. It wasn't big, but it looked like a Giant volcano. Dragons were swarming around the top like bees.
"Well...I like surprises, but this is a bit over the top, isn't it?" Dagur Said dryly.
Tuffnut shrugged. "Go big or go home I'd say."
They flew forward and Hovered above the island, close to the swarm of dragons until suddenly someone called from down below.
"Riders!" The voice of a woman called. They only saw her silhouette. They landed close to her, remaining wary.
Hiccup approached the woman first, gesturing to the others to stay back.
He could now see the woman more clearly. She had Grey hair which was braided back and ended into a ponytail. She seemed quite old.
"Who are you?" Hiccup asked the woman.
The woman looked distressed and seemed to be on the edge of bursting into tears. "My name is Gunhild. I shipwrecked here a short while ago."
"A shipwreck?" Heather asked. He reminded himself that Heather used that excuse when they were fifteen, so of course, she was wary.
"Yes. My people were sailors. We didn't have an Island, you see. We just travelled with our Armada. But we were attacked by dragons...I was the only survivor." She Said, a slight crack in her voice. She spoke with a low adjective, but somehow it was calming, and it sounded so genuine.
"I'm sorry. We could bring you to Berserker Island, or Berk? You could live there."
"No. I didn't call you asking for charity. I wanted to warn you. In this volcano rests a terrible Dragon. It is vile and cruel, and it has the ability to control other dragons."
"A dragon controlling other dragons? Cool!" Tuffnut shouted. The others glared at him. "...not cool? Everyone's a critic." He sighed.
"...the Red Death..." Hiccup breathed.
Might have a bit of a spelling issue. I'm not English, sue me XD
If you want to blame someone for the spelling, blame Grammarly. That's the app I'm using to control my grammar and spelling so…oops.
Chapter 2 coming soon!
