Night of the Hunters pt. 2
The next morning Hiccup and Toothless were up before the others. They were worried about their friends. Hiccup was working out a plan of how they were getting dragon armor, strong and light enough. Tenor got his from Draconia, which was thousands of miles away. While he was pondering this Toothless and Tenor went fishing.
"Where are they going to find armor material?" Toothless asked.
"I don't know," said Tenor. "Getting it from my source is most likely out of the question since time is of the essence."
"Hiccup will come up with something," said Toothless. "He always does. He never gives up."
"I agree," said Tenor. They managed to catch a few fish. They brought it back to Hiccup, Snotlout and Hookfang. Hiccup was looking at his map. He looked like he'd come up with something. He turned to the two nightly dragons.
"Toothless you're getting your own armor," he said. He put the scroll in his saddlebags.
"Well, this I must see," said Tenor.
"Of course it won't be as nice as yours," said Hiccup.
"No, this is dragon made," Tenor said, admiring his armor fondly. "Now are we going or not?"
"Right, come on guys," said Hiccup, mounting Toothless. "We'll be doing some hard riding." They took off. They flew high over the ocean.
"Where are we going?" Tenor asked.
"You'll see," said Hiccup. They picked up speed.
They flew for miles nonstop. About half way there, Snotlout started getting winey. Hiccup ignored him best he could. He studied his map. Tenor didn't say anything. He was starting to wonder if his comrades had arrived at Dragon's Edge yet. Before long they closed in on several islands.
"Are we there yet?" wined Snotlout.
"No," said Hiccup annoyed. Snotlout moaned.
"Is that the island we're going to?" he asked.
"No," Hiccup snapped.
"How about that one?" said Snotlout, pointing at another island.
"For the last time, n... oh, actually yes that's it," said Hiccup. "My bad." He steered Toothless towards the island and the other two dragons followed. They landed. Snotlout recognized the large holes in the ground.
"Why did you bring us to an island filled with Whispering Deaths?" he asked, panicking.
"Because I knew you'd react like this," said Hiccup. "Besides, this island isn't filled with just Whispering Deaths. Someone else lives here." Right on cue, the ground shook violently. The giant, albino Screaming Death burst out of the ground, roaring loudly.
"The Screaming Death!?" Snotlout shouted. "Great, why don't we just fall over and have him kill us."
"Relax Snotlout," said Hiccup. "We're the ones who reunited him with his mother. Once he gets a good look at us, he'll recognize us and calm down."
"I don't know Hiccup, have you seen yourself lately?" Tenor said doubtfully. "You've changed a lot over the years." Hiccup said nothing, as the Screaming Death came barreling towards them. He didn't seem to be backing down at all.
"You know you may have a point Tenor," said Hiccup. "Retreat." The three dragons took off and the Screaming Death gave chase. They flew up and hid in the dense clouds. The Screaming Death lost them quiet fast.
"So we wait for it to tire out then go home right?" said Snotlout.
"No, we're going back down there," said Hiccup. "There's something in those tunnels that we need. Tenor can you occupy the Screaming Death?"
"Might I remind you the first time we met I was saving you from that thing," said Tenor.
"Okay, just keep him from returning to the tunnels until we're done," said Hiccup. Tenor rolled his eyes.
"Oh fine, but I still want to see those two in their armor," he said. "I'm not missing that for a second." He took off and flew at the Screaming Death. Meanwhile Snotlout and Hiccup flew their dragons into the tunnels. Both dragons flew through the dark tunnels, using Toothless's sonar.
"Did that Screaming Death seem bigger that before?" said Snotlout.
"Yes," said Hiccup. "That's what I was counting on. If he's this big, then he must have shed his skin. So there should be old scales somewhere around here. It'll be perfect for this project." With that they went back to searching. Soon they found a huge pile of white scales the size of a Night Terror. They landed.
"Jackpot," said Hiccup. "We better grab as many of these as possible and get out of here. I don't know how long Tenor can keep him busy."
"That dragon hates us," shouted Snotlout. "He clearly doesn't remember us." Hiccup quickly began gathering up the scales. They heard the Screaming Death outside. It sounded like Tenor was doing his job. But then the sounds got closer. Hiccup got nervous.
"I better go see if Tenor needs help," he said. "You and Hookfang gather these scales and get out of here." Suddenly they turned and saw the Screaming Death right behind him.
"Hiccup!" Snotlout shouted.
"Don't say it," Hiccup interrupted. The albino roared loudly. He was about to attack them, when a Whispering Death got between the albino and the Berkians. Hiccup sighed with relief.
"The Screaming Death might not remember us, but it looks like his mother does," he said. The female dragon smiled at them. The Screaming Death backed off and left. Hiccup petted the Whispering Death, and she purred.
"Now come on we've got to hurry," said Hiccup. With the local dragons out of their way the Berkians gathered all the white scales and flew them up to the surface. When they were finished, Hiccup looked around for Tenor. The hybrid was no where in sight.
"Tenor!?" Hiccup called. "Where are you?" Toothless spotted something dark on the light colored sand. He flew down and landed next to it, followed by Hookfang and Snotlout. Tenor lay unconscious, spreadeagled on the sand. Hiccup dismounted and rushed over to him. Toothless carefully nudged Tenor's head. He didn't move.
"Oh, great," Snotlout winded, sarcastically. "That Screaming Death killed our second best fighter." Tenor suddenly stirred and opened his eyes.
"I heard that Snotlout," he said weakly.
"Tenor, are you okay?" asked Hiccup. Tenor clutched his head, wincing in pain.
"Oooh, my head," he moaned. "And what's that buzzing noise?"
"What happened?" asked Hiccup. Tenor put his paws down, and shook his head.
"That scream has gotten a lot more powerful than last time," he said. "But luckily it doesn't feel like I broke anything." Then Snotlout spotted something small and dark on the sand near Tenor's head.
"Hey isn't that one of your teeth?" he asked pointing. Tenor sat up and felt around in his mouth. He felt a gap in his black teeth.
"Oh, that's unfortunate," he said. "But it'll grow back."
"You think you can still fight?" asked Hiccup. Tenor slowly got to his feet, groaning. He wobbled a bit.
"Uuuh, I think so," he said, clutching his head again. "Everything's still working. I just need to walk it off."
"Okay, you do that while Snotlout and I get to work on the dragon armor," said Hiccup.
"Good plan," Tenor said. He turned and walked off, still wobbling. Toothless joined him.
"I don't think I've seen you get defeated before," he said.
"Yeah well, you didn't see me in my earlier years," Tenor said. He was finally recovering. "That could have gotten worse. For a second I though I was going to regret leaving my dragon healer on Berk." Toothless murmured in agreement.
"Hey, I'm getting my own armor," he said. "So's Hookfang." Tenor beamed.
"It's really going to save your life," he said, admiring his armor again. "Trust me."
"I'm excited," Toothless said. "How do you think the others are doing?" Tenor considered.
"Well, I'm sure they're keeping themselves alive," he said. "Somehow." Toothless suddenly beamed.
"And we get to be their heroes in shining armor," he said valiantly. "I've always fancied that."
"Right you are cousin," said Tenor loudly. "Wow, if only my comrades could see me now." He chuckled. "Now lets go try on your new armor." They turned and went back to the others. Hiccup and Snotlout were still piecing together the scales. Hookfang watched casually. Tenor and Toothless sat next to him.
"How are you doing Tenor?" Hiccup asked.
"Rearing to go Hiccup," Tenor said.
"Great, we're almost done here," said Hiccup. "Thanks for you help."
"You're welcome," Tenor said.
"Sorry you got hurt," said Hiccup.
"I didn't get hurt, just stunned," Tenor clarified. "But thanks anyway." The two riders turned back to their task. The dragons watched silently. Tenor tightened the straps on his armor, making it nice and snug. He watched Snotlout stitching together the white scales.
"Wait, you knit." Tenor said.
"Why do you sound surprised?" Snotlout said annoyed. Tenor picked his teeth with his talon.
"I don't see you as the knitting type." he said, shrugging.
"Well I am, if you excuse me, I need to continue this." Snotlout said annoyed. Tenor made the go ahead gesture.
"Nothing unmanly about knitting," Hookfang reminded him.
"True," Tenor agreed.
Before long the armor was ready. Snotlout put Hookfang in his, and Hiccup put Toothless in his. Tenor watched, very interested. When all was finished Hiccup and Snotlout stood back to admire their work.
"You look good in that cousin," said Tenor. "You too Hooks."
"Thanks Tenor," said Hookfang.
"You think you can track down those hunters?" Hiccup asked Tenor.
"Oh sure," Tenor said. "Ships tend to move very slowly. I can locate them easily."
"Okay, then lead the way," said Hiccup. He and Snotlout mounted their dragons and took off. Tenor led the way back towards the hunters. When they got there they saw the other riders sweeping the deck.
"Okay, lets give this armor a test run," said Hiccup. "Tenor, while we take out the two support ships will you help get those guys out of there." Tenor laughed excitedly.
"I'm going to enjoy this," he said, mischievously. The three dragons dove at the ships. The hunters fired back with arrows and boulders. The dragon armor did its job all too well. The dragons shot the catapults while dodging the the arrows and boulders. Once they were out Tenor landed on the deck as the other riders attacked the hunters. Tenor turned to Astrid.
"Right on time," said Astrid.
"I usually am," Tenor said. "Who's in charge here?"
"His name's Ryker," said Astrid, pointing to the upper deck. Tenor followed her gaze. Dagur and Heather were up there, Tenor focused on the guy in the middle
"Who Baldy?" he asked.
"Yeah," said Astrid. "Heather and Dagur are working for him."
"Excellent," said Tenor, with a wild look in his eye. "I'm really going to enjoy this." Just then several hunters came running at them. Tenor gnashed his teeth and pounced on them, Astrid followed suit. They took all of them out. The other riders had knocked out several already, with air support from Hiccup and Snotlout. Astrid and Tenor were suddenly confronted by Heather.
"Nice of you join us Tenor," she sneered. Tenor winked at her.
"I'll handle this," said Astrid. "You go help the others."
"You got it," said Tenor, his eye on Ryker. He left those two and leapt onto the platform where Ryker stood.
"What are you?" Ryker asked, drawing his sword.
"What's up Baldy?" Tenor said, gnashing his black teeth. Ryker growled.
"You talk," he said.
"Ooooh, I can do far more then that," Tenor said. Quicker than a snake. Tenor snatched a nearby guard, and killed him with a quick bite to the neck with his venomous teeth. He dropped his kill at Ryker's feet. Then he turned and went to help the riders.
They managed to take out the crew of the ship. Then the riders went below to get their dragons. Tenor took off and joined Hiccup and Snotlout in the air. They fired at the other two ships. The dragon armor continued to perform beautifully. Soon the other riders blasted their way out of the ship. The hunters had no chance at stopping them. They joined the three other dragons in the air. They got out of there as fast as they could. They flew in formation and headed back to Dragon's Edge.
"Did I see Dagur on that ship?" said Hiccup. "Is he with the dragon hunters?"
"Not just Dagur," said Ruffnut excitedly.
"Hiccup we have a lot to talk about," said Astrid. "Heather's with them too." Hiccup paused in shocked silence.
"Why?" he asked.
"You said it yourself Dagur's her brother and the only family she's got left," Tenor pointed out. "And family is everything." Hiccup growled in frustration.
"You don't seem that concerned Tenor," said Astrid, suspiciously.
"Look, I haven't known Heather for as long as you guys," Tenor said innocently. "It's dragon instinct to not trust a human you barely know, weather dragon rider or dragon hunter." Somehow he managed to make random hand gestures while staying in mid air. No one had anything to say to that. Fishlegs was admiring Hookfang's armor.
"Screaming Death armor, it makes sense," he said. "Strongest scales of any dragon."
"Don't forget the Red Death," Tenor pointed out. "Her scales were impenetrable."
"But it looks heavy," said Fishlegs, as though Tenor hadn't spoken. "Maybe we could make it out of Gronkle Iron, now that I have the formula."
"Gronkle Iron?" said Tenor, curious.
"It's a new metal we discovered a while back," Hiccup explained. "It's stronger and lighter than regular iron."
"Huh," said Tenor thoughtfully. "Very interesting, very interesting indeed."
They continued onward. Astrid brought Hiccup up on what she and the other riders had found out about the hunters. Tenor kept quiet most of the time. He was looking forward to getting back to Dragon's Edge, and seeing his comrades. He was also looking forward to seeing his rider again.
Soon they reached the outpost. Re and Aurora were waiting beside the stables, dozing off. They were both wearing their armor. Serenity was leaning against Re's side, her hat over her eyes. They woke up as the riders landed.
"Hey Re, Aurora," Hiccup said as he dismounted.
"Hiccup, could that possibly be you?" said Re, looking Hiccup up and down.
"The one and only," said Hiccup.
"Wow, you're all grown up," said Aurora.
"Where've you all been?" Re asked. "We arrived here yesterday, Serenity was the only one here. Well, her and these Night Terrors."
"Little trouble with dragon hunters," said Tenor, as he landed beside his comrades.
"Ah, dragon hunters," said Aurora, with understanding tone. "Our citizens have faced plenty of those." Re looked at Toothless and Hookfang.
"Nice armor," he said.
"Thank you sire," said Hookfang.
"Anyway, how much of this outpost have you seen?" asked Hiccup.
"Just your stables, and Serenity's yurt and hiding place," said Re.
"Well we'll show you the rest of it," said Hiccup. "Then we'll show you the Dragon Eye."
"Dragon Eye?" said Aurora, interested. "Sounds like you've been a busy man."
"Don't worry it's not an actual dragon's eye," Hiccup clarified.
"Oh good," said Re. "Now about that tour." Astrid noticed that Tenor was looking uneasy. As the others walked off, taking Serenity with them, she went up to him.
"What's wrong Tenor?" she asked.
"Heather knows about Serenity," Tenor said. "And she probably told Daur about her."
"Actually she didn't," said Astrid. "She's still on our side. She just wants everyone to think that she joined Dagur so she can help us take them down." This surprised Tenor.
"That's awfully risky," he said. "And sneaky."
"Yes, she's willing to take the risk," said Astrid. "And she doesn't want Hiccup to know yet. He'll try to get her out of it. You think you can keep this secret." Tenor considered.
"All right," he said. "But I wouldn't be surprised if Hiccup worked it out himself."
"Neither would I," agreed Astrid. "You don't have to worry about Serenity, she's safe." Tenor sighed with relief.
"I'm glad of that," he said.
"Now lets go get something to eat," said Astrid. Tenor licked his lips in agreement. They hurried to catch up with the others.
