Chapter 4: The Alchemist

Hiccup swallowed, thinking 'This is crazy! This is crazy! This is crazy!' He and the rest of the dragon riders dove into the whirlpool,vanishing from any line of sight. Snakehead's calculations were correct, there beneath the surface was the Island of the Devil, surrounded by a translucent sphere. Having only seconds of air left, the gang charged through the bubble, only to wind up on dry land.

Tuffnut was literally dumbfounded, "This can't be real."

Snakehead begged to differ, "It's real, Dietrich meant for the island to sink. In order to keep his laboratory hidden and safe, he sunk it and created a blister of air around the entire land mass."

Fishlegs seemed highly optimistic about the series of events, "First it's riding dragons, now it's finding underwater islands. I can only wonder what's next." He smiled and kept his dagger close to his chest, along with his shield.

Snakehead glared at the Thorston girl standing right behind young Fishlegs, "Ruffnut, since you like being around Fishlegs so much, you both can stand guard."

The two started to complain, Ruffnut spouting off, "But I-, I- I don't want to-"

and Fishlegs following suit, "But what if- what if-, I can't -" But it was no use, the two of them were stuck with each other. Fishlegs tried to smile at Ruffnut, only to get an unexpected response, "Oh, don't give me that!" She turned to face the other direction.

The rest of them moved on. "Come on, it's this way." Snakehead gestured to the others to follow him.

"Stop!" Astrid shouted, looking at the other cells.

Hiccup glanced back at her, "What's the matter?"

She continued, "Look at them Hiccup, we can't just leave them here."

Hiccup agreed, "You're right, but there's so many of 'em. There's no way we can fly them out of here."

"You don't have to." Snakehead said, pointing to a distant port where a massive submerging ship lay docked.

Snotlout became confused, "What is that thing?"

"That's Dietrich's pride and joy, a submarine. It's the only one of its kind. It can sail under and above the surface of the water, without requiring wind. It harnesses some unknown power that I've never seen before-"

Tuffnut cut Snakehead off, "Okay, okay I get it! Can we just find her brother and go home?"

"We will, but my sister Lianda is in here somewhere. And after we free the rest of them, this island has to be destroyed."

"What? Why?" Hiccup asked, being somewhat shocked.

"This place wreaks of evil and its many works, and memories that need to be forgotten."

Astrid saw the seriousness in Snakehead's face, "You're talking about your brother aren't you?" He looked away from her. She attempted to enlighten him, "There was nothing you could do."

"You don't understand, this is personal. You have no idea what he's done to me!" Snakehead fell on his knees and once again hung his head.

Hiccup walked up to Snakehead and knelt beside him, "There will be a time for revenge, but not now. Don't let it eat you up. You need to realize that vengeance is not yours to take."

Snakehead stood on his feet, "You're right, but I've already lost my brother. I'm not about to let him take my sister too." He would have continued, if the group had not heard a voice echoing in the distance. It sounded much like someone singing.

Astrid smiled with excitement, "Come on! This way!" The gang ran as fast as kids could run, only to find the real Matthias sitting in a cell singing an old war hymn.

Astrid was overjoyed, "Matthias! It's me, Astrid! Hang on, we'll get you outta there!"

Matthias stopped his singing and looked over to her, "Astrid? Is it really you?"

"It's me. You'll be out in a minute." She began to walk towards his cell.

Matthias reached his hand through the bars, "Wait! Don't! It's a trap!" But he was too late, a rope snatched Astrid's ankle and held her in the air. The others were seized by numerous creatures that flooded the room. The swarm separated to reveal a tall, dark figure. The man looked up at the dangling Viking girl, "Astrid, Astrid, Astrid." he cackled, "He talks about you a little too much, I think. Cut her down." One beast obeyed and cut the rope around her leg, letting her drop to the floor. "Welcome to your new home, children. I am your host, Hans Dietrich. I trust you will all enjoy your stay here. Of course, you really have no choice." He turned to one of his guards, " Bind them, and put them with the boy! I'll have them ready for tests in the morning."

Snakehead tried to free himself, "Let them go Dietrich, they have nothing to do with this!"

"On the contrary, they have everything to do with this. They've trespassed on my property, they've discovered my research, and they've tried to steal my prize possession!" He gestured to Matthias, "But don't worry, I won't kill them like I did your brother."

"You murderous-" He lashed out at Dietrich, only to be struck hard in the stomach and knocked to the ground.

Dietrich laughed, "Poor thing; you tried, you failed, and now your sister will pay for it. For what you've done I should have killed you, but I think instead I'll just make you watch." He hissed wickedly and walked away, "Lock him up!" The creatures heeded his words and shut him in a solitary cell.