Chapter 2:
With a small growl, the silhouette in front of Hiccup and Toothless advances into the cave. Spikes drag across the ground in a rhythmic scratching, similar to a Razorwhip walking on ice; the attacker moves forward to boy and dragon.
"Toothless.." Hiccup trails off squinting his eyes as he stares forward through the blackness to the dragon.
It hisses lowly the piercing purplish dark blue eyes glowing in the blackness as the moves towards the dragon and Hiccup. The two back away from the advancing dragon as it steps over the spot the Monstrous Nightmare gel used to be, smashing the last embers beneath is large claw with a deep growl of anger.
Toothless, equally angered at the dragon destroying Hiccup and he's only source of warmth returns the low growl.
Hiccup stares at the two before slowly moving forward towards the dragon, left hand raised up to appear as no threat to the angry dragon in front of them. "You're a Energy Freeze." Hiccup realizes his eyes widening even more. At the words he speaks a small puff of steam breaks into the open air causing the Energy Freeze to hiss lower, eyes narrowing into dangerously thin slits.
Toothless growls at Hiccup and starts to move forward trying desperately to get the stubborn heir of Berk to back away from the Energy Freeze before it goes crazy and slices him in half or something similar. Hiccup, ignores Toothless; focused intently on the dragon, "I'm not going to hurt you." Hiccup promises quietly the puff of steam making it to open air again.
The Energy Freeze hisses again, this time deeper and more threatening, a silent promise of death and beyond that he is going to cause bodily harm. Unfazed and used to such growls, Hiccup moves forward again, prosthetic making a soft ting as it moves across the ground.
The Energy Freeze tilts its head slightly as if debating whether or not Hiccup is lying. Then very slowly the Energy Freeze moves it's head forward towards Hiccup's outstretched hand, keeping eye contact with the Haddock as Toothless watches them both the way a dragon watches over her young. Eyes mostly on Hiccup, but still careful to track the Energy Freeze's every move or breath.
When the dragon's head and Hiccup's freezing hand are a few centimeters from each other, the Energy Freeze leaps forward with speed unmatched by all but a Speed Stinger or Toothless it slams its long fangs into Hiccup's neck causing him to cry out at the sudden movement and pain.
Toothless roars in anger and starts to move forward to leap onto Hiccup's attacker but one quick swipe of the Energy Freeze's long spiked tail causes him to go tumbling to the ground sliding across the ice and smashing into a wall. The force of the slide blurs Toothless's vision and he looks up trying to force his sight to clear.
Hiccup's eyes are wide with pain and fear as the Energy Freeze slowly withdraws his fangs from his neck. Hiccup tumbles backwards hitting the ground with a soft thud as his limbs refuse to work. The Energy Freeze moves forward delighted at it's win but still furious at Hiccup and Toothless for having something it'll never have: Heat.
The Energy Freeze lives in a cold climate, unable to feel any heat but can sense it and is furious at everything for having any. When it senses heat within it's presence, it's only goal is to destroy it.
The long blue white dragon moves forward slamming four thick claws onto Hiccup's chest applying more and more pressure until as Toothless tries desperately to clear the pounding of his head he hears Hiccup let out a blood curling scream and a snap penetrates the air.
Enrage fills Toothless and he see's red.
With swift speed and relying solely on his hearing, Toothless leaps towards the source of scream and tackles their opponent away from Hiccup.
Hiccup takes in several gasping breaths curling inward around his chest instinctively though his body feels numb. The Haddock's eyes close tightly in pain as Toothless swipes at the icy dragon.
The very touch of the dragon was enough to send shivers down Toothless's already near frost bitten spine. But he pushes forward green eyes angry and furious meeting the dark blue ones of his opponent. The Energy Freeze whacks Toothless across the face with it's spiked tail the frozen ice shards stinging painfully even against his thick scales.
Toothless swipes at the dragon with his claws managing to hit the crown extending up from the Energy Freeze's head. The dragon lets out a pained shriek before taking in a deep breath and releasing a heavy gust of wind from it's mouth.
Expecting fire instead of the wind Toothless stumbles backwards nearly crashing into Hiccup's defenseless form. Trying to keep the attacking dragon's focus of his best friend, Toothless fires a well aimed plasma blast at the Energy Freeze and it smacks it in the face causing the heavy gusts of wind to stop.
The Energy Freeze lets out an inhuman scream as the blast hits it's face the dragon shrieking and writhing before it whips around and races from the tunnel towards the black of the night quickly disappearing. Toothless releases several gasping breaths watching the Energy Freeze fly away the red rim around his vision clearing his thoughts turning to the one thing and one thing only: Hiccup.
Whipping around the jet black dragon races over towards the curled Haddock nuding his back softly. Hiccup groans in response to his nudge but doesn't shift or do anything to answer Toothless's call assuring him -even if it is a lie- that is is alright.
It scares Toothless admittedly, he shoves harder against his rider's back and Hiccup just moans again. With a regretful coo Toothless curls around his rider bringing his wing over him as a blanket trying to keep what little chill he can from Hiccup. Toothless lays his head down next to his rider's; his hot breath releasing a small puff of steam into the air and ruffling Hiccup's hair.
Toothless keeps his eyes open ears perked listening for anything else that will pose a threat to Hiccup or himself. Toothless takes in a deep inhale of the chilled air his lungs starting to hurt from how deeply the chill has rests within them. But even with his thick scales and inner flames, Toothless is cold, Hiccup, he decides must feel worse. The small Viking really hadn't been wearing winter clothing, his long sleeves aren't going to be enough to block the freezing cold that has settled in the air.
Hiccup groans softly and Toothless curls tighter around his rider, licking the Vikings head. Hiccup groans again louder this time and Toothless catches the smell of something he hates seeing: Hiccup's blood.
The red liquid is leaking from the two puncture wounds on his neck and Toothless's eyes narrow as he looks up at the entrance of the cave growling softly in anger at the Energy Freeze's actions before leaning forward and licking the blood away from Hiccup's neck. Hiccup flinches but otherwise remains in his half conscious state. Toothless growls before curling around his rider again, stance angry, eyes sorrowful.
000o000
Windshear and the other dragons sail through the air with ease heading towards the boats the dragon riders eyes narrowed dangerously as they stare out at the ships sailing forward containing their purpose for being here: Hiccup, Toothless, and Stormfly.
Astrid grabs her axe from off her back, Heather flying Windshear with one hand as she does the same. The other riders lean into their saddles except Fishlegs who tightens his grip on Meatlug's ears.
"Alright guys! We've got one shot at this!" Astrid yells to her friends and Snotlout makes a hand mouth mimicking her.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah: We know." Snotlout says in heavy irritation and rolls his eyes slightly, "Geese Astrid, sometimes you're worse than Hiccup."
"Snotlout focus."
The riders dive forward towards the boats quietly stalking them for several seconds. Viggo stands on the top deck, hands clasped behind his back, Astrid nor any of the other riders can get a good look at the man's face but the way he's holding himself rings of success and satisfaction. Ryker stands next to his brother the two siblings overseeing everything in the cold weather, a light snowfall beginning to fall, seeing it, Heather groans softly, "Great."
Astrid grips Heather's shoulder with her left hand, right curling around the hilt of her axe, "Remember the plan." Astrid commands and the other riders nod Tuffnut pausing afterwards.
Windshear leaps towards the boats in complete stealth, Meatlug and Hookfang following. "Wait. What was the plan again?" Tuffnut asks and Ruffnut pauses eyes wide; she clearly knows as much as her brother does.
"Dunno, let's ask her." She says and they both turn to question Astrid but see, "Oh, she's gone."
Snotlout and Hookfang glide through the air the Jorgenson yelling out several things to catch the Dragon Hunter's attention. Easily earning his desire; arrows begin to fire up towards the Jorgenson.
"OVER HERE!" Fishlegs shouts and throws his arms up waving. The Hunter's turn their weapons to fire back at the Ingerman boy and he lowers his hands gripping his Gronckle's ears tightly, "Oh Thor."
"Hey bad aim!" Tuffnut shouts and Viggo finally lifts his attention upwards towards the sky at the riders. Tuffnut's leaning against Belch's horn smirking, "See cause you have bad aim-you haven't hit us yet!" He bursts into laughter, "Get it? No, well I'll explain later, my sense of humor can be quite complex, GAS ME RUFF!"
"With pleasure."
The Zippleback releases a stream of the green gas towards the Hunters and Viggo and his brother leap out of the way to avoid the flames.
Astrid and Heather creep across a boat axes at the ready, Windshear perches on the side of the vessel as the two girls take out their attack, the twins fire wall on their boat provided the cover needed for them to slip on unnoticed.
Astrid pulls open the latch the trap door and jumps into the bottom deck, Heather doing the same behind here, "See if you can get any sign of Hiccup; I'll grab Stormfly and meet you in a few." Astrid says and Heather nods the two splitting ways.
Astrid moves down the hallways, for once glad of the constant booming above her, with the other riders attacking the boats they're little to know men within the halls and when Astrid does come across one or two, a quick axe over the head does the trick.
After less than five minutes, Astrid reaches the cell with her dragon, exactly where they'd left her. "Stormfly!" Astrid calls cheerily and races forward putting her hand through the bars. The Deadly Nadder squawks happily and Astrid pulls her hand back taking her axe into both hands, "Hang on girl, I'll get you out of there."
"I really wouldn't be so sure of that my dear," Viggo's voice calls out behind her before she feels the cold metal of a blade placed against her neck. Astrid freezes eyes furious as her famous death glare plays across her face. "That dragon, like yourself isn't going anywhere."
Dragon Hunters behind her move forward and rip the axe from her grasp tossing it several feet to the side. She's twisted around ropes quickly wound across the struggling Hofferson's arms.
Heather is shoved towards the girl, also tied soon followed by Fishlegs, Snotlout and the twins. Astrid curses softly and Viggo sheathes his sword nothing short of beaming.
"You and your small group of dragons played right into my hands, to be honest I expected more." Viggo says grasping Astrid's chin forcing her to look up at him. Ripping her head away from the man and growling softly Astrid's muscles tense like a cat preparing to leap onto their well hunted prey.
"Sorry Astrid." Heather says as their shoved forward walking through the hallways towards a cell.
"It's okay." Astrid says in a low tone, "Did you find him?"
"No." Heather admits and Astrid's lips purse tightly, "I found a cell with a knocked out guard, I-I couldn't get a good look before I was ambushed."
"Where is he then?" Astrid murmurs quietly and the riders are all aggressively shoved into a cell the door slamming shut.
"I really wouldn't worry about your friend, he's been much help." Viggo says and smiles slightly. "It is unfortunate of his stubbornness, it was a shame to lose him, but I'll get over it."
Astrid's eyes widen at the message, the other riders taking in sharp breaths or gasping.
"You didn't." Astrid breathes.
Viggo smiles almost politely in answer turning to meet eyes fully with his opponent"I did. Hiccup fought well, lasted longer than most others- but he played his final round of Maces and Talons, the game is now over."
Air has a hard time entering Astrid's lungs before her knees give out and she collapses into a sitting position head bowed in grief. "I'll be back soon, you'll be most helpful for helping us with our new dragons." Viggo says and walks off the large group of Hunter's leaving the shocked riders to their anger and grief.
000o000
"You know he's not actually dead, right?" Ryker asks finally the silence between he and his brother broken. The two Grimborns sit on either side of Viggo's desk, the younger of the two staring down at a Maces and Talons's board.
"Of course." Viggo answers moving a piece forward.
Ryker raises an eyebrow unimpressed.
"You see big brother, it's all a mind game, without a leader the riders will collapse. Even if they think he's dead when he is not."
"I..don't understand."
"Of course you don't. What I mean, is: In order to cripple your opponent, you don't beat them or do bodily harm, when they give up in their head, then you've one. And that, big brother is what I'm doing; once we have the Energy Freeze then you can do to those riders whatever you please."
Ryker smirks.