The Battle of the Red Death
The plan was, largely, Toothless's idea: The Riders of Berk would hang back, while the bulk of the Viking host drew the Red Death out and worked to weaken it. Then the Riders were to take over, with continued ground- assistance from the larger Berk host. Then Hiccup and Toothless would strike the final blow.
When everything was ready, Stoick gave the signal, and the catapults went to work. Several dozen boulders slammed into the section of cliff wall that Toothless had said was the weakest. Sure enough, the single volley weakened then broke through the section of wall.
An instant later, dragons began to pour through the breach. Toothless roared something up to them, and some circled back; landing on ledges, out of the way. Others continued to fly up, and away.
Then they heard the roar, and any question of the existence of the Red Deaths left the minds of the gathered warriors… It was a simple truth: No other species of dragon could roar like that.
Then the side of the cliff exploded outwards, and the Red Death appeared. No comparison would have done the creature justice: its clawed feet were larger than the Viking boats; its jaws were big enough to crush a catapult – Proven fact. The Viking lines broke, as the warriors rushed to their fallback positions.
Then the riders and their dragons shot forward; followed by the other wild- dragons that had heeded Toothless's call. Together, they attacked the Red Death: A deadly combination of strategic combat, and pure instinct… For the first time in history, Vikings and dragons were fighting together.
The Red Death was powerful, however; before long, it felled enough of the remaining wild- dragons that the rest fled, leaving the five with riders.
They had made their mark, though: the Red Death had begun to breathe fire more sparingly, as though it was nearing its shot- limit. When the Red Death saw Toothless, its eyes bulged: It opened its wings, and rose into the air.
By now, Snotlout, Fishlegs, Ruff, Tuff, and their dragons had had to withdraw. Astrid soon joined them, having narrowly avoided being eaten by the Red Death, and falling to her death… Saved from fates both by their friendly, neighborhood Night Fury and Rider. Astrid reluctantly accepted that her part in this battle was over, and joined the others; who watched from the ground.
Meanwhile, Hiccup and Toothless had risen into the dark clouds over the Nest; followed closely by the Red Death. Now, all that could be seen were the flashes of Toothless's plasma- blasts. A feeling of fear gripped the watchers, as they realized that Toothless would have now reached his shot- limit.
A moment later, Hiccup and Toothless shot out of the clouds; veering towards an undamaged part of the nest, and shortly followed by the Red Death. Even as they watched, the Red Death released the cloud of red gas; which it would than ignite to breathe fire...
Then they heard Hiccup shout, "NOW!" The Night Fury spun, and shot one last plasma- blast; igniting the giant's own gassy breath, and propelling it backwards, setting its owner's insides on fire.
A moment later, the Red Death slammed into the ground – vanishing in a massive explosion... but there was no sign of Hiccup and Toothless.
Twenty minutes later,
They found the Night Fury standing next to Hiccup, who lay unconscious. Seeing them, the Night Fury said, 'The Red Death's tail managed to clip us as we made our descent. It broke the straps of Hiccup's saddle, and he fell. – I managed to catch him, but it was a rough landing... He'll be fine, but he needs rest.'
Stoick nodded, "Then let's get back to Berk: Hiccup will be more comfortable in his own bed."
To be continued…