Tunnel Vision

Serenity was mounted on Ruby, perched on a hill overlooking the village. She was watching Stoic and the Dragon Riders chase down Gobber to give him a wash. He was putting up a real fight. The riders had to use their dragons in order to corner him in the plaza.
"I won't do it Stoic," he said. "And you can't make me."
"It's for your own good," Stoic bellowed. "Now get in the tub." Hiccup got off Toothless. While the humans herded Gobber towards the tub Toothless snuck behind him and with one swift movement of his head, lifted Gobber into the tub. Stoic pinned him down.
"Hurry up with that water," he bellowed. Fishlegs was at the well pulling up a bucket of water. When it got to the top he grabbed it and threw it on Gobber. However only a few drops of water came out. Everyone stared.
"You're going to have to do better than they," said Stoic annoyed.
"I can't," said Fishlegs. "The well's run dry." Stoic released Gobber and went over to the well, with Hiccup and Toothless following. Stoic lowered another bucket into the hole as deep as the rope would allow. When he brought it back up it was empty.
"We just dug that well," said Hiccup, slightly stunned.
"We'll have to dig a new well," said Stoic. "Until then we'll have to ration water." He walked off. Serenity rode back to her hospital.
"We should check our own well," Ruby suggested.
"Good idea," said Serenity, as they reached the tree. "I get a feeling Stoic is going to be asking me for water." She dismounted and went over to the well that was next to the house. She picked up a large stone and threw it into the well. She heard a loud splash, telling her that the well was full of water.
"We still have water," she told Ruby. Harmony came up next to him.
"I can see why Stoic let you stay," said Ruby. "Not only are you talented, but you have all the luck in the world."
"Is that a good thing?" Serenity asked.
"Yes," said Ruby. Serenity sat in her chair.
"I wonder how Re and Aurora are doing on Dragon Island," said Harmony.
"They're doing well," said Serenity. "The native dragons said so."

Over at the Academy, the riders had gathered with their dragons.
"We need to keep Berk well supplied with water until we can dig a new well," said Hiccup, as he paced in thought. "Tuffnut you and Ruff go to the mountain brooks. Snotlout, you and Astrid go to the Cove and get water from the lake. Fishlegs, you and I are going to find out what happened to the water in that well." After this instruction the riders mounted their dragons and flew off.

Hiccup and Fishlegs flew back to the well. When they got there Fishlegs tied a long rope around Meatlug's belly and handed the other end to Hiccup. Meatlug took off and hovered over the well and slowly lowered Hiccup down the well, with a lantern. Toothless kept running around, all antsy. Meatlug lowered Hiccup deeper and deeper down the well.
"Okay stop right there," Hiccup called up. Meatlug halted. Hiccup was now looking at the line where the water used to be. He felt the bricks under the line.
"It's still wet," he whispered to himself. He looked down the deep, dark shaft. He pulled a small stone from the wall and dropped it. After a few minuets he heard it hit the floor.
"Okay keep going," he called up. Meatlug continued to descend. She spotted a cart full of rocks. Thinking with her stomach she flew towards it, causing the rope to snag on a sharp rock. Hiccup swung around the shaft, he held on for dear life. Suddenly the rope broke and Hiccup fell down the well, screaming.
"Hiccup!" Fishlegs called down the shaft. Toothless took off and dove into the well after his rider. He vanished in seconds. Panicking, Fishlegs ran to get Stoic.

Down in the well Hiccup landed on his back with a loud thud. He got to his feet and brushed the dirt off. He was just checking to make sure he wasn't hurt, when Toothless crash landed beside him. Hiccup hurried to his side.
"Toothless! Are you okay bud?" he asked. Toothless lifted his head licked Hiccup's face to tell him he was okay.
"Hiccup!?" Stoic shouted down the hole.
"We're okay Dad!" Hiccup called back, as Toothless got to his feet.
"Can you fly back up!?" Stoic called.
"No!" Hiccup said. "It's too narrow."
"Then I'll come down there!" said Stoic.
"No, don't!" said Hiccup. "Then all three of us will be stuck down here."
"Well, stay there and we'll find a way to get you back up!" said Stoic.
"Don't worry about it!" said Hiccup. "The water had to go somewhere, besides I have Toothless with me." He and his dragon walked around the cave they were stuck in. They came across a big hole in the wall that lead into a long tunnel.
"I found something!" Hiccup called.
"Well, just be careful son!" said Stoic. "If you need us we'll be on standby." Hiccup lead the way into the tunnel. They were both quiet for a while. The tunnel twisted and turned like a river, smaller tunnels branched off it. Soon they came to a dead end.
"These tunnels go right underneath Berk," said Hiccup. Then he heard a delicate crunch underfoot. He shined his lantern on a broken dragon egg. Toothless growled.
"Toothless can you light up the cave down that way?" Hiccup asked. Toothless shot a plasma blast towards the end of the tunnel. It lit up the tunnel, showing thousands of broken dragon eggs. There were also round tunnels going through the roof, towards the surface. Those tunnels looked familiar.
"Those are Whispering Death tunnels," said Hiccup, darkly. Toothless growled again, snowing his teeth.
"Not not my favorite dragon either," Hiccup continued. He looked around a little more. He came across a wooden crate on the floor, open, and empty. Hiccup took a closer look at the symbol on the crate.
"That's the Outcast crest," he whispered. "They must have put these eggs here, and I don't even want to know who made that." He shined his lantern on a tunnel that had just caught his eye. This tunnel was twice the size of the other Whispering Death tunnels. Suddenly the ground started to tremble violently. Then, without warning, a Whispering Death burst out of the ground, roaring and rotating his teeth. Hiccup got on Toothless and they quickly got out of there. The wild dragon gave chase, and was soon joined by two others. Toothless pumped his wings harder, he used his special sonar to make sure he didn't hit anything. Suddenly one minuet the wild dragons were hot on their tail, and the next they were gone. Hiccup slowed Toothless down and swung him round.
"That's wired," Hiccup said. He steered his dragon back the way they'd come. There was no sign of the Whispering Deaths. However when he looked up he saw three new tunnels heading upwards.
"They're heading towards the town!" Hiccup cried. He steered Toothless into one of the tunnels, heading back towards the surface.

Back on Berk the other riders had returned from gathering water. They were distributing the water when the ground started to shake and rumble. The riders mounted their dragons, who were on edge. Then the three Whispering Deaths burst out of the ground and began to tear the village apart. The riders fought them off the best they could, with some help from the dragonless Vikings. Stoic mounted Thornado and flew to Serenity's Hospital. He found her asleep in her chair, Ruby and Harmony beside her.
"Excuse me Serenity," he said. She woke up.
"Yes? What's going on?" she asked.
"There's three Whispering Deaths attacking," Stoic explained. "I need you to fly to Dragon Island and get that Re." Serenity was on her feet in seconds. She woke Ruby, who was already saddled.
"I'll be right back," she said as she mounted. She clicked the reins and Ruby flew away towards Dragon Island. Stoic rejoined the fight.

Serenity and Ruby approached Dragon Island, while dodging the sea stacks. They landed in front of the big cave made by the Red Death and galloped inside. Re and Aurora were sitting, eating fish, and talking.
"Re," Serenity said.
"Yes?" said Re. "Dose Berk need our help?"
"They're being attacked by young, immature dragons," said Ruby. Re and Aurora jumped to their feet.
"Will you join us Ruby?" Re asked. "We could use your brains."
"We won't hurt the young ones right?" Ruby asked.
"No, of course not," said Aurora. "We'll just play with them a bit."
"Okay then," said Ruby. "What about Serenity?" He looked at her, standing beside him with a blank look on her face.
"She'll be perfectly safe here," Re reassured him. "There are plenty of dragons on this island to keeper company." Serenity stroked his neck.
"I'll be fine," she said. "As long as you come back to me safely."
"Let's get going then," said Re. And Serenity watched as all three dragons flew away in formation. When they were gone she sat next to the fest Re and Aurora had been eating, it was made up food that was imported from Draconia. As she was helping her self, like she did back home, a Skrill entered the cave. He looked around.
"Excuse me ma'am," he said to Serenity. She looked up from her food.
"Can I help you?" she asked.
"Where's the king and queen?" the Skrill asked.
"They just went out," said Serenity.
"When are they back?" the Skrill asked.
"I don't know," said Serenity.
"Oh well," said the Skill. "I'm Flash, by the way."
"Nice to meet you," said Serenity. "Have you been to my hospital?"
"No, but I've heard of it," said Flash. "The dragons tell me it's the finest in the Archipelago. They also tell me you've gotten more space recently."
"Yeah," said Serenity. "Stoic was very generous." Flash nodded.
"Well I better be going now," he said. He turned to go.
"Oh hold on a minuet," said Serenity. "Why don't you stay a while. Ruby flew off with Re and Aurora, so I have no one to talk to." Flash smiled and sat beside Serenity and draped a wing around her shoulders.
"So what were you planning to do for the next few hours?" Flash asked.
"I have no idea," said Serenity with a sigh. "All my crafts and stuff are back at my hospital."
"I heard you're acquainted with a real Night Fury," Flash said. "What's that about?"
"Nothing much," said Serenity. "Toothless is ridden by Hiccup, I just treat any sickness or injury he gets like I do for any dragon."
"I see," said Flash. "What's he like?"
"He has a heart of gold," said Serenity. "I wonder if all the Night Furies are like that."
"Probably not with humans," said Flash. Serenity nodded. She leaned back against Flash's wing.
"I haven't been this bored since I was six," she said.
"Really?" Flash said. "Well I could take you out for a ride."
"A ride where?" Serenity asked, interested.
"Anywhere you want," said Flash. "I haven't had a girl in my life since my mother and sister." Serenity giggled.
"You're very easy to talk to," she said, stroking his snout.
"I used to have a habit of talking to myself," said Flash.
"That's a bit sad, didn't you have any friends?" Serenity asked.
"No, my sister had all the friends," said Flash. Serenity smiled at him.
"When I was younger," she said. "All my friends would take off for the fishing season and leave me in the dust, even just after I lost Ruby."
"That's mean," said Flash.
"Yeah, I didn't have much luck with friends either as a child," said Serenity. "Are we going to fly or what?"
"Ah, yes," said Flash, getting up. "Hop on." Serenity got up and mounted the Skrill.
"You're so strong," she said. "How old are you?"
"I just reached maturity," said Flash. "I'm the youngest in my family." He spread his wings and flew out of the cave.
"This might seem like a random question," said Serenity. "But do you know a Skrill named Bolt or one named Striker?"
"Why?" Flash asked.
"Ever since you started talking I noticed that you're voice sounds familiar," said Serenity. "And I couldn't figure out where I've heard it before until now."
"Bolt is my father," said Flash. "And Striker is my uncle." Serenity smiled and hugged him around the neck.
"What?" Flash asked. "You've met my dad?"
"Yes," said Serenity. "He and you're uncle came to my hospital in its early days. They were really dehydrated and exhausted."
"Oh yeah," exclaimed Flash. "I remember Dad telling me about that. He said he was trying to get home as fast as he could to be there for our hatching. Unfortunately he missed it, we had hatched when he arrived."
"Where was he coming from?" Serenity asked.
"He was coming from Uncle Striker's cave," said Flash. "To see his kids hatch."
"Poor guy," said Serenity. "It's a good thing he stopped by my place."
"I'll say," said Flash. "Thank you for helping him, by the way." He smiled.
"You're welcome," said Serenity. "How is he now?"
"He went to the Dragon Heaven," said Flash. Serenity gave him a sympathetic pat and a smile. Flash returned her smile.
"So, Dad said you have a very pretty singing voice," he said. "Will you sing something for me?"
"Alright," said Serenity. "You fly, I'll sing." Flash picked up the speed. They flew all over the island. Flash beet his wings in tune with each song Serenity sang.

Back on Berk the riders continued to fight of the Whispering Deaths.
Astrid pulled alongside Fishlegs to catch her breath.
"Where did all these Whispering Deaths come form?" she asked panting. "And why are they so much smaller?"
"They must be hatchlings," said Fishlegs.
"Well that's good right?" Astrid asked.
"Actually no," said Fishlegs. "Younger Whispering Deaths don't have full control of their spikes or their jaw mussels." At that moment Hiccup and Toothless flew out if the ground at full speed. They landed in the plaza, next to the forge. Hiccup dismounted.
"Toothless, cover me," he said as he ran inside. Toothless turned around, and came face to face with a Whispering Death. The wild dragon tackled Toothless to the ground. Toothless fought the dragon with all four sets of claws and his teeth. Suddenly the Whispering Death got blinded by a bright light. It screeched in surprise and flew off. The light came from Hiccup's shiny shield. He had shone the reflective light in the wild dragon's face.
"Let's shine a little light on the subject," he said. Once the Whispering Death was gone Hiccup got back on Toothless and they joined the others. Astrid pulled up alongside.
"The Whispering Deaths drained our water," said Hiccup.
"Yeah," said Astrid. "Kind of figured that. We need to drive them away from town."
"That is why I have this," said Hiccup as he swung his shield in front of him to shine reflected light on two Whispering Deaths below. The other riders joined them and they herded the three wild dragons out of the village. When they got to the edge of the town they pulled their dragons to a halt in mid-air and watched the wild dragons fly away.
"They're gone," Tuffnut cried triumphantly.
"I don't think this is over," said Hiccup, darkly.
"Stop being so negative," said Snotlout. However the ground started to rumble and shake. It shook so violently that the dragons could feel it in the air. Suddenly a huge white dragon burst out of the side of the hill. This dragon was massive: it looked like a Whispering Death with a longer snout, bigger teeth and spikes, and big, red eyes. It was five times the size of the riders' dragons. It growled as it flew passed. The riders turned their dragons around. Toothless shot a plasma ball at the white dragon's head. Outraged the dragons whirled around and let out a long, loud, high-pitched roar. The sound hit the smaller dragons causing them to cower in the air.
"It's disorienting the dragons," Astrid cried, trying to keep Stormly steady. Toothless shot another plasma ball at the dragon, hitting it in the snout and causing it to break its spell. It flew off.
"Screening Death!" Tuffnut shouted with excitement. At that moment the Screaming Death was joined by the three smaller Whispering Deaths.
"Snotlout!" Hiccup called. "You and the others work on keeping the Whispering Deaths from attacking the village. I'll work on the Screaming Death." The other rides flew after the smaller dragons and Hiccup and Toothless flew after the Screaming Death. As they came up on the white dragon Hiccup spotted Re and Aurora flying towards them, followed by Ruby. Hiccup and Toothless flew over to them.
"Hello," Hiccup said. "You have good timing."
"We flew as fast as we could," said Aurora.
"Where's Serenity?" Hiccup asked, noticing that Ruby was carrying an empty saddle.
"We left her on Dragon Island," said Re. "She'll be safer there. So what'd we miss?"
"Berk is being attacked by that dragon," said Hiccup, pointing at the Screaming Death.
"How can we help?" Ruby asked.
"First I want to see how it reacts to the light," said Hiccup, cleverly. The white dragon suddenly turned around and charged at them. Hiccup shined the reflected light in the Screaming Death's face. The dragon roared in surprise and ducked out of sight.
"Just what I thought," smirked Hiccup. But then the Screaming Death came charging at them again, only even more outraged.
"It doesn't seem to mind, it seams," said Re, as they ducked to avoid the white dragon
"It must not have that weakness," said Hiccup. "I'll go decoy it, you guys fly behind us and hit it with all you've got."
"Right-o," said Re. Hiccup and Toothless flew at the Screaming Death. The white dragon roared and charged at them. Hiccup clicked the stirrup and Toothless picked up speed, the Screaming Death hot on their tail. Re, Aurora, and Ruby flew after the Screaming Death. Hiccup turned around in the saddle and face the raging dragon. He shined the shield light in its face, the Screaming Death picked up it's speed.
"It's a actually attacked to the light," Hiccup realized out loud. "I guess that can be a weakness too. Toothless, to the sea stacks." Toothless flew in the direction of the sea stacks by the Academy. The Screaming Death followed. Hiccup kept shining his shield light in its face. Toothless weaved in and out of the sea stack with expert grace. The Screaming Death tried to follow but it was harder for it. Then Toothless flew to close to the top of a shorter sea stack. He tripped and fell to the ground, Hiccup was flung off the saddle. He got to his feet and watched as the Screaming Death barreled towards them. Hiccup looked around for his shield, but couldn't find it. Then, out of the blue, the Screaming Death was bombarded by fire blasts from Ruby, the king and queen. The Screaming Death forgot about Hiccup and Toothless and rapidly shot fire balls at the new annoyance. Ruby found Hiccup's shield and flew it back to him. Hiccup mounted Toothless and took off. Hiccup flashed the Screaming Death.
"Let's us its own size against it," Hiccup said to Toothless. The white dragon flew after the Night Fury. Hiccup steered Toothless towards a big, wide sea stack and hovered as close to it as possible. He flashed the Screaming Death with his bright light. The white dragon put on a burst of speed with his jaws open wide. Just when the Screaming Death was about to chomp them, Hiccup and Toothless flew out of the way as quick as a fly. The Screaming Death couldn't pull up in time, so it smacked into the sea stack really hard, causing it to shake. The white dragon fell to the base of the sea stack, severely winded. Rocks fell off the sea stack and onto the dragon's wing, causing it severe pain. It let out a loud, pained roar, and a few minuets later its three Whispering Death cronies came to its aid. The Screaming Death removed the rocks from it wing with a violent swing of its head. It tried to fly to go after Hiccup and Toothless, but his wing was too busted up and he fell back down. Its three cronies had to fly it away supporting it amongst the three of them. Toothless chomped at the bit to go after them.
"Whoa Toothless!" said Hiccup. "It's hurt, let it go." Toothless relaxed and they watched the Screaming Death fly away with its cronies. When it was out of sight Hiccup and Toothless headed back towards home, followed by Ruby and the royal dragons.
"Thanks for your help," Hiccup said to Re.
"You're welcome," said Re.
"How did you avoid that dragon's scream?" Hiccup asked.
"We circled above its head," said Aurora. "We kept moving so the albino would only be able to hit one of us and everyone."
"Albino?" Hiccup asked.
"That's what we Draconians call any animal that's white with red eyes," said Ruby. "Every animal group has had at least one albino, even us dragons."
"Why call it albino?" Hiccup asked. All three dragons shrugged in unison.

They landed in the plaza. Hiccup went to join his fellow riders, Re and Aurora flew back to Dragon Island after telling Ruby they would send a wild dragon back with Serenity. Ruby started to walk back to the apple tree, however as he walked by the well he though he could smell water coming inside it. He went up to the well and looked inside. The well was full once again. Ruby trotted off to tell some one. He found Stoic outside his house grooming Thornado, and Hiccup who was unsaddling Toothless.
"Pardon me sir," Ruby said, humbly.
"Hello Ruby," Stoic bellowed. "What brings you here?"
"I just saw that your well was full of water again," said Ruby. Stoic and Hiccup followed Ruby back to the well. They looked into the shaft and sure enough it was full.
"The Screaming Death's digging must have redirected the water back to our well," said Hiccup. At that moment Gobber walked by. Stoic, Hiccup, and Ruby exchanged a mischievous smirk. Ruby quietly snuck up on Gobber. Then without warning Ruby pounced on him, and pinned him down. Stoic and the riders all worked with Ruby to get Gobber into the now full tub. Ruby excused himself and galloped off back to the hospital. There he found Harmony rolled up and asleep in the tall Dragonnip grass. Ruby smiled and walked quietly up to her. He muzzled her neck lovingly. She purred and smiled in her sleep. She shuffled her wings. Then Ruby laid down next to her and fell asleep also.

A few minuets later Serenity rode in on Flash. The dragon landed and Serenity dismounted.
"Thank you Flash," she said.
"Your welcome Serenity," said Flash.
"Will I see you again?" Serenity asked.
"I guarantee it," said Flash. Serenity smiled and stroked his snout again. She kissed him on the nose. Flash smiled bashfully. Then he turned and took off. Serenity sat in her chair and watched him fly way.