When Snotlout slowly came to, he didn't like his surroundings. It was a dark room with barely any windows. At the center of it was a giant machine he couldn't recognize. But the scariest thing he saw was the evil girl approaching him.
"Dragon rider," she said, "Welcome to Cyclonia."
"Cyclonia?" Snotlout gasped. "Then…" He shouted a short scream. "It's you! You're her!"
Master Cyclonis chuckled. "Of course. Did you see anything else, Dark Ace?"
Snotlout jumped again when he noticed the Dark Ace behind him holding the Aurora Stone.
"There were at least five other riders on four dragons." The Dark Ace explained. "They have a Hideous Zippleback, a Gronkle, a Deadly Nadder, and even a Night Fury."
"A Night Fury, alive?" Cyclonis said. "Interesting."
"The Aurora Stone, my liege." The Dark Ace said presenting the crystal he stole.
"Hold onto it for a little while longer." Cyclonis said as she saw several red dots on her computer screen that had a digital map of the surrounding area around Cyclonia. "We're about to have visitors."
There were dozens of Sky Knights flying their jets toward Cyclonia. Squads from all over Atmos were preparing for a big fight to reclaim the Aurora Stone. But what they didn't expect was one Cyclonian: the Dark Ace. He attached the Aurora Stone to the end of his sword which gave it a major energy surge. He jumped and swung his sword down. The impact created a large explosion that not only pushed the Dark Ace to the wall behind him, but also destroyed the Sky Knights' aircrafts. They were saved by the parachutes, but it was a battle they couldn't win. Even the Dark Ace was surprised.
When he returned to his master, the Dark Ace was almost speechless. Snotlout was trapped in a glass container on top of the strange machine..
"And our guests?" Cyclonis asked.
"I've never seen that much power." The Dark Ace responded admiring the Aurora Stone.
"That, Dark Ace, was nothing." Cyclonis said. "We're about to see the full power of the Aurora Stone unleashed." She took the Aurora Stone and placed it in her machine. It shifted gears and began to sound like it's powering up.
"Uh, what's that sound?" Snotlout asked worryingly.
"This is called a Storm Engine." Cyclonis said. "Imagine a thousand terras wiped clean in a single blow. It's about to happen. In a few hours, this will be the only safe place on Atmos."
"That's definitely scary." Snotlout commented. "But what does any of this have to do with me? You've got your crystal. You don't need me anymore."
"That's where you're wrong, Berkian." Cyclonis responded. "When I heard that someone was able to train dragons and gain their absolute loyalty, it really piqued my interest. Originally, whenever we find a dragon, we chain it to our hunting grounds to be used for later sport. But now, I can imagine my Talons utilizing these dragons and their abilities that our jets couldn't do. We'd be unstoppable. The only problem is, our attempts to control your Monstrous Nightmare so far has failed, so we had to return it to its cage below. I need for you to tell me how it is done."
"Uh… Who, me?" Snotlout asked nervously. "Nah. I usually charge for lessons, but you look a little short."
"I suggest you make up your mind before my Storm Engine finishes warming up." Cyclonis said. "That container you are in in a focusing tool for my storm. So if you don't give me the information I want, then in a few hours, you will be the first to face its wrath."
"Uh… I don't suppose I could have an extension?" Snotlout asked.
The dragon riders flew through the volcanic Wastelands below the terras before finally setting eyes on Cyclonia. They rested their dragons to converse.
"Won't Cyclonis shoot us down as soon as we get too close like she did with the Sky Knights?" Astrid asked.
"I don't think so." Hiccup said. "Think about it. How did they know the Sky Knights were getting close? She must have some kind of alarm system. Maybe they warn her about incoming fighters."
"So we can slip through because we ride on dragons." Fishlegs said.
"Right." Hiccup said. "Here's the plan. Astrid, Fishlegs, you two take your dragons and Barf and Belch through the underground tunnels."
"Hold on." Ruffnut said. "Why do they get to take our dragons?"
"Because you and your brother will have to sneak into the citadel." Hiccup said. "Find a manhole in Sector IV. That'll lead to where Astrid and Fishlegs will go. That'll sneak all your dragons in. Meanwhile, me and Toothless will try to thin out the Cyclonian armada by flying in front of the terra to draw them out. As soon as I'm sure we did a good enough job, we'll fly our way to the front. Once we all meet up, we'll save Snotlout and Hookfang and recover the Aurora Stone."
"Uh, Hiccup," Astrid said, "That's a good plan and all, but what's your plan for Cyclonis? What if we run into her? I hear she's pretty tough."
"Well, I heard that she's secretly a gorgon." Ruffnut said. "A bloodthirsty monster with snakes for hair."
"Her very stare would turn you into stone." Tuffnut continued. "Sounds like a good retirement plan, if I do say so myself."
"Well, that's ten seconds of my life I'll never get back." Hiccup commented. "Look, if we be careful and follow the plan, there's a much bigger chance of avoiding Cyclonis than there is of running into her. Everyone clear on the plan?" Everyone nodded. "Good, just be careful. We only have one shot at this."
And with that, the dragon riders left in different directions. Hiccup turned to this dragon and rubbed his head.
"You ready to do this, bud?" Toothless shook his head. "Yeah, me neither, but when are we ever?" Hiccup saddled on his Night Fury and flapped off.
Getting through the Wastelands was a real show of effort, but it was necessary for Fishlegs and Astrid. They flew in on their dragons with Barf and Belch following hem. Eventually, they managed to get underneath Cyclonia and flew into he open pipes at the bottom.
"This place looks like it's seen better days." Astrid said. "Guess maintenance isn't a priority."
"Well, they are bad guys." Fishlegs said. "I kinda expected that. Now, the sector should be around here somewhere."
A Talon was pacing around a hallway when he heard a strange sound. It was the sound of a cat's meow. It kept repeating until the Talon decided to investigate. He followed the sound to a metal crate. He opened it up, but instead of a cat, he found two twins who quickly pulled him into the crate.
"Meow, scumbag!" Ruffnut said as they roughed him up and knocked him out.
"Classic." Tuffnut said as he got out of the crate with his sister. "Reminds me of Uncle Flint, when he could hear a cat everywhere he went."
"Except the pet store, strangely." Ruffnut continued.
The twins continued to sneak, roll, and creep along the walls, even though there were no Talons there.
Cyclonia was within sight. Hiccup and Toothless prepared for a fight.
"Let's get their attention, bud." Hiccup said.
Toothless shot a plasma blast at the side of the Cyclonian fortress. In a matter of seconds, several Talons flew on their jets toward Hiccup, who prepared for a sky duel with all his enemies.
Ruffnut and Tuffnut continued to comically sneak until they came across an open door. When Tuffnut looked inside, he saw the Storm Engine powered by the Aurora Stone and Snotlout trapped on top of it.
"Hey, look at this!" Tuffnut said as he went inside. "We found them."
"Hey, Snotlout." Ruffnut said. "How's the weather up there?"
"Quit messing around, you muttonheads, and get me out of here!" Snotlout shouted. "This thing is a big storm machine! It's going to destroy all the other terras in Atmos!"
"Okay, just give me a sec." Ruffnut said.
"Hold on." Tuffnut said. "Is this a good idea?"
"How is freeing your friend and disabling a doomsday weapon a bad idea?" Snotlout asked.
"You know, my brother's got a point." Ruffnut said. "Hiccup said if we stray from the path, something bad may happen."
"Guys, it doesn't matter now!" Snotlout said. "Look, just get me out of here and we can grab the stone. We can get this over with now."
The twins looked at each other and then got closer to the machine. Ruffnut stood on her brother's shoulders and gripped her hand on the Aurora Stone. She pulled with all her might, but with no avail.
"So why did Cyclonis want to take you?" Tuffnut asked.
"Obviously, not for your charm." Ruffnut insulted.
"Hey!" Snotlout cried out. "If you must know, Cyclonis thinks I can help her train dragons." Suddenly, he had a scared face.
"Well, she picked the wrong guy for that." Tuffnut said. "You wouldn't know a crystal from a Changewing egg."
"If she needs anyone, it would be Hiccup." Ruffnut said. "He's the guy she'll want to threaten."
"Guys, shut up!" Snotlout said. "Cyclonis is…"
"Right behind you?" a sinister voice asked.
The twins turned around to see the young tyrant standing there. She was with two guards.
"Nice to meet you." Cyclonis said. "And you are…"
"We are… inspectors." Ruffnut lied nervously. "We came to see if your doomsday weapon was up to code."
"Yeah." Tuffnut lied too putting his sister down. "Well, it seems that this machine has a good grip on that power source crystal, although I'd have to chalk up a point for poor structure."
"And those mechanical arm things are too slow for my liking." Ruffnut said. "All in all, I'd give this a four out of ten. I'd recommend a few days of maintenance checking before a trial test."
Suddenly, Cyclonis hovered the two up with her crystal.
"Well, that's ten seconds of my life I'll never get back." Cyclonis said. "Now, before I decide your fate, tell me more about this… Hiccup."
With another Talon blown out of the sky, Hiccup and Toothless knew they were dominating the sky. Suddenly, they saw three familiar jets circling towards them. It's the elites, Snipe, Ravess, and the Dark Ace.
"For the marbles, Toothless." Hiccup said preparing his Night Fury. "Let's go!"
Hiccup and Toothless flew as quick as a flash toward their opposition. It was faster than Snipe and Ravess had expected, but the Dark Ace knew what he was getting into. Ravess armed her bow and aimed an arrow, but Toothless was too fast for her to get a lock on. She then moved to where she believed he was going to be and fired. Toothless caught the arrow with his teeth and passed it to Hiccup.
"Nice gift." Hiccup joked. "It's what I've always wanted. Oops. Not my color. Here you go, big guy."
Hiccup thrusted the arrow at Snipe's engine which blew up on impact. Snipe took the opportunity to jump and parachute away. Toothless then turned to fire another plasma blast at Ravess. It hit her wing which broke off. She followed her brother's lead and opened up her parachute. All that was left was the Dark Ace.
"This time, no mercy." He growled.
"It's now or never, Toothless." Hiccup said.
"How cute. You named it." The Dark Ace mocked. "Get ahold of yourself. Dragons are mindless, savage beasts and to befriend one is borderline insanity."
"The only mindless, savage beast around here is you." Hiccup said. "Here's what happens when me and Toothless work together."
Hiccup jumped off of Toothless looking like he was ready to blast a striking blast with his sword. The Dark Ace was ready to block, but it was just a distraction. Toothless fired a plasma blast at the front of the Dark Ace's aircraft while he was focusing on Hiccup. Toothless was lowering until Hiccup landed back on his back.
Toothless and Hiccup flew under the Dark Ace avoiding his slice. Hiccup raised his sword and pierced the underside of the Dark Ace's ship. That's when the ship began to fail. Hiccup and Toothless flew away while the Dark Ace jumped off and put on his glider. He roared in frustration as his ride fell into the Wastelands below.
"All right, bud." Hiccup said. "That's enough. Let's go in."
Hiccup and Toothless flew right to the hanger where the Dark Ace came from. Once they landed, they were face to face with three Talons.
"Don't worry." Hiccup told his dragon. "We beat the Dark Ace. Three Cyclonians won't make a difference." Suddenly, the door opened revealing at least a dozen and a half more Cyclonians that approached him. "I did not see that coming."
The Cyclonians were ready to attack… but then something rolled in between them. From behind them, someone let a metal ball roll in the middle of the crowd. Even Hiccup was confused. Suddenly, the ball shot out an explosion of lightning that electrocuted the Talons into unconsciousness… except for one. She removed her helmet revealing her purple hair.
"Never thought I'd save a boy and his Night Fury." She said.
"What the…" Hiccup said.
"It's all right. I'm on your side. My name is Starling."
"Starling?" Hiccup asked. "Like Starling of the Interceptors? I've heard of you."
"I've infiltrated Cyclonian ranks to learn more about their master plan." Starling explained. "Cyclonis has built a giant storm generator powered by the Aurora Stone. She's also got three kids prisoner. One hothead and two twins. One of them says she's a girl, but I never would have guessed."
"Snotlout, Ruffnut, and Tuffnut." Hiccup said. "Oh, boy. Listen, Starling, I need a favor from you, but it might be dangerous."
"What do you need?" Starling asked.
"Ugh!" Astrid groaned in frustration. "What's taking them so long?"
"Maybe they mistook sections." Fishlegs said.
Suddenly, they heard engines roaring from across the tunnels. It was revealed to be a group of Raptors weapons in hand.
"Raptors!" Fishlegs gasped. "What do we do?"
The Storm Engine was getting closer and closer to being activated. Snotlout and the twins were stuck in the glass container above it. Meanwhile, Master Cyclonis was still tinkering with it.
"This is a nightmare." Snotlout said. "Having a big storm machine destroy me, and the worst part is, all I have with me are you two."
"Don't worry, Snotty." Tuffnut said. "We'll be here for you."
"And if we make it out of this," Ruffnut said, "I swear we'll return your dad's prized yak head we stole."
"Wait, you stole it?" Snotlout asked. "My dad thought I did!"
Cyclonis was amused, but she was focused on finishing her plan.
"Storms made us," Cyclonis monologue, "Storms tore us apart, and now, storms will help us rebuild… my way."
Suddenly, there was a plasma blast that blew up the door. Toothless leaped into the room with Hiccup on his back.
"Not if I have anything to say about it." Hiccup responded.
"About time, Hiccup!" Snotlout complained.
"So you're the original dragon trainer, Hiccup Haddock." Cyclonis said. "You must tell me your secret."
"Sorry, but you didn't say please." Hiccup said.
Cyclonis reached her hand to her metal staff and brought it to her hand telekinetically. She then removed her robe preparing for a fight.
"Boy, does she need a hobby." Ruffnut commented.
Cyclonis shot a blast out of her staff right when Toothless shot his own. They collided and canceled each other out. All of a sudden…
"STORMFLY, SPINE SHOT!"
Cyclonis dodged when Astrid came from above while her Deadly Nadder launched large needles from her tail. Fishlegs and Meatlug also hovered from above and landed next to the Storm Engine with Barf and Belch right next to him. Finally, Hookfang landed strongly on the ground with Starling riding on the saddle.
"Hey, that's my dragon!" Snotlout shouted.
"Well, isn't this a sight." Cyclonis commented. "Humans and dragons working together to save their precious Atmos. How adorable."
"We'll take care of the witch." Starling said. "You save your friends."
"Got it!" Hiccup said.
The other dragon riders shot their fires at Cyclonis, but she either dodged or blocked them. Meanwhile, Hiccup leaped to join Fishlegs.
"What are we looking at?" Hiccup asked.
"Well, this thing seems pretty sound for a doomsday device." Fishlegs described.
"Don't admire the evil handiwork, fish-face!" Snotlout said. "Just blow this thing up!"
"With you three still inside?" Hiccup asked.
"…Shut up, Hiccup." Snotlout grumbled.
"We'll have to remove the Aurora Stone." Hiccup said as he started to climb. "It'll shut down the machine." He gripped the crystal and gave it a hard pull. Unfortunately, the machine had a tighter hold than Hiccup's strength. "It won't come out."
"HICCUP, LOOK OUT!" Astrid called out.
Hiccup looked and saw the Dark Ace falling down preparing a sword strike. Hiccup jumped out of the way just in time as he and Fishlegs regroups with the others. Now, it was Cyclonis and the Dark Ace standing between them and the weapon.
"You can't win, dragon riders." Cyclonis said. "You'll breathe your fires and flap your dragons' wings, but the end result will be the same. I unleash the full fury of nature, and you… Well, actually I don't really care what happens to you."
Cyclonis turned and flipped a switch which opened up the walls and revealed a red vortex storm. The wind blasted hard in everyone's faces.
"HELP! HELP! HELP!" Snotlout kept screaming.
"I THINK I GOT SOMETHING!" Hiccup shouted. He reached into his bag and pulled out a blue crystal. He tossed it toward the glass container. "TOOTHLESS, NOW!"
Toothless shot a plasma blast that hit the crystal as soon as it made contact with the glass. It blew up and covered the glass in ice.
"NOW, YOU CAN BREAK OUT!" Hiccup shouted.
Snotlout used his fists along with the twins using their heads (literally) to break through the glass. They hopped on their dragons and joined up with the others.
"ALL RIGHT, EVERYONE!" Hiccup shouted. "CYCLONIS JUST GAVE US OPEN AIR, SO LET'S USE IT TO OUR ADVANTAGE! STARLING, WHATEVER HAPPENS, I APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE!"
"FOR WHAT?" Starling asked loudly.
The dragon riders hovered over the open platform and circled around the Storm Engine that was about to start. The dragons shot their fire at Cyclonis and the Dark Ace, but they blocked the attacks.
"YOU CAN'T DEFEAT US WITH CHEAP TRICKS!" Cyclonis shouted.
"WHY NOT?!" Hiccup asked. "IT'S WORKING SO FAR! TOOTHLESS, PLASMA BLAST!"
Suddenly, Toothless shot a blast, but it wasn't aimed at Cyclonis. It was aimed for the Storm Engine, or more accurately, the Aurora Stone. Cyclonis wasn't prepared for that. As soon as the blast hit the stone, it immediately glowed and blew up. Then, the Storm Engine began to break down and break a few tubes.
"NO!" Cyclonis shouted in anger. "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU'VE DONE?!"
"Yeah." Hiccup responded proudly. "I saved the day. Just remember, Cyclonis, we dragon riders stick together. If you mess with one of us, you mess with all of us."
Cyclonis screamed in anger as she quickly pulled out a crystal that she used to blast Toothless. It hit him as soon as the Storm Engine began to blow up knocking Cyclonis and the Dark Ace back. Toothless was a little disoriented from the crystal blast, so Hiccup slipped off of his saddle and started to fall right into the explosion. All his friends began to worry, but Toothless immediately dived down right into the explosion to follow Hiccup. Toothless then escaped the fire carrying Hiccup in his arms. Starling jumped toward the two of them.
"Is he all right?" Starling asked taking a look at Hiccup. But when she saw what happened to his leg, she gasped.
"I think he'll make it," Astrid said, "But we need to get him out of here first! Starling, you're gonna have to pilot Toothless!"
"But I don't know how!" Starling said.
"It's all right." Fishlegs said. "Just make sure his tail wing functions okay!"
Starling placed Hiccup's unconscious body on Toothless' back and hopped on the dragon's saddle. She placed her foot into a pedal that operated the wing. With a good understanding, the dragon riders flew away from Cyclonia before Cyclonis regained her composure.
When Hiccup awoke on Terra Atmosia, he was surprised to not feel his left leg. When he removed the blanket covering him, he could see why. Instead of a flesh limb, his leg was a metal appendage. Toothless came to him and rubbed his head to him.
"Well, I guess we match now." Hiccup said. "Where are the others?"
Toothless lead the limping Hiccup outside where he found something he didn't expect to find, a crowd cheering for him and his dragon-riding friends. He found his friends waiting for him and hugged him. Astrid kissed him on the cheek.
"I'm glad you're okay." Astrid said.
"Like the leg?" Ruffnut asked. "Gobber came over and made it just for you."
"And… the mission?" Hiccup asked.
"Of all the brash, reckless things to do, you destroy the Aurora Stone?!" the councilman asked in frustration. "However, taking into consideration the testimony of Sky Knight Starling, this council concedes it was the proper course of action."
"Council," Starling said, "With all due respect, this team performed admirably in the field just as much as any other Sky Knight squadron. Which is why I'd like to recommend their leader, Hiccup, for position of Sky Knight."
"Really?" Hiccup asked.
"Of course." Starling said. "I hear you want to start a dragon-training academy. You'll need a proper title to have something like that."
"Starling, are you actually supporting this wild idea?" the councilman asked.
"I am." Starling said proudly.
"…The council will take some time to… consider the school." The councilman said. "In the meantime, there is no denying your claim on Hiccup Haddock's grit, so it would be cruel to not officially call him… a Sky Knight."
"Wow." Hiccup said surprised. "Thanks." Toothless leaned his head to rub against his body again.
"And what about us?" Snotlout asked. "We fought in the same fight as Hiccup. Shouldn't we be called Sky Knights too?"
"Not how it works, guys." Hiccup said. "Council, thank you for the title and for considering our academy. Come on, everyone."
And with that, the dragon riders left the great hall with their dragons next to them. While they left, the councilman sneaked in a small smile.
"Good luck, dragon riders." He whispered.
"I'd best be off." Starling told Hiccup and the others.
"You know, Berk is a good, beautiful place." Snotlout said trying to act cool. "I could show you around on my dragon if you'd like."
Starling rolled her eyes and snickered. "You know, I think I'd prefer to have my own dragon."
"What kind of dragon?" Fishlegs asked.
"I'll have to think about it." Starling said. "Thanks, everyone." She hopped on her ship and took off.
"I think she digs me." Snotlout said.
"In your dreams." Ruffnut said.
"So, Hiccup," Astrid said, "What's next?"
"Now… we head back to Terra Berk." Hiccup said. "I've gotta tell my dad. Make no mistake, guys. This changes everything."
Back at Cyclonia, in the ruins of the blown up tower, Master Cyclonis had just finished removing the last of the rubble off of the Dark Ace.
"Master…" he groaned looking ashamed.
"You win some, you lose some. Apparently now, the same goes for you, Dark Ace." Master Cyclonis walked to the edge of her tower to observe the storm surrounding her home. "Don't worry. Atmos is going to learn soon enough that we've got much more in store for it. And as for the dragon riders… they'll PAY for what they've done!"
Author's Note: Thought that if I used one part of the pilot, I'd may as well use the other. I don't know when to work on the next chapter or where to start, but I'm not giving up on it. Any and all comments are welcome.