Hey everyone, I'm back again. I was getting really excited for this new chapter since its the beginning of a great battle, and I thought I would post this to give you a taste. I hope I made it good enough.
Oh, one more thing. Dear Guest reviewer. I understand that my words to you before were less than polite, I appologise, I was having a bad day at the time and wasnt in the best state of mind. You do have many great points about Astrid never really tormenting Hiccup in the movie, but let me raise a few points. I know that in the movie, Hiccup had been gawking at her from the blacksmith's shop, acting like a lovesick puppy, but who wouldnt? Apart from Ruffnut, shes the only eligible female on the whole island (that we know of). And compared to the female twin, she's gorgeous. Just abot any straight male in her age group would be looking at her like that. lol. As for her not tormenting Hiccup after the raid, she didnt exactly help him or side with him either. She doesnt bully him, but she didnt help, in some cases that is just as bad.
As for the next scene which you mentioned, with the nadder, she snapped at him. Yea he had been getting under everyone's feet, but hes clumsy, we all know this. She let her anger get the beter of her, and who wouldnt be upset by that. if someone had yelled at me like that, I would have gotten upset (especally if there is a weapon involved.)
With the scene in the movie where she sees Toothless and tries to save Hiccup, I believe she was just acting on impulse and instincts. And I know that after the whole 'romantic flight' and the Nightmare battle, that she becomes his loyal follower, but after what he showed her, I find it hard to beloeve that she wouldnt. He showed her the world from a new perspective, its a big eye opener for anyone. A similar thing happened in the riders of berk series when Stoick was looking for his own dragon and Hiccup showed him the same thing. Everyone is affected by the thrill of flying.
I porbably dont have enough space to continue talking, or else this A/N is going to end up longer than the chapter. Overall, you do have many good points, but for the sake of my story, she had to be that bit more cold and jealous of him to make him side with Shadow more. I wouldnt have a story if she was exactly as the movie portrayed her, Hiccup needed that extra push to want to be with Shadow, and Astrid being on the other side of the scale was what tipped it in my favour.
Final point: about me not seeming to like Astrid. Shes actually one of my favourite characters, but for the purpose of this story, she couldnt be a major focus point or romantic interest. Yes, she is important as the Black Moons political advantage, but thats about it. She will have a few key moments in the future that decides Berk's and the Black Moon's fate, but Shadow is my key piece on the board. Oh, and as for the whole relationship thing, I for one, find gay couples cute. for me personally... meh, I dont know if that applies to me.
Anyway, on with the show.
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The air was thick with anticipation for the battle to come. Dragons pacing restlessly as they waited for the order to fly towards the enemy. Each and every prince was eager for a fight. Their anticipation and longing to fly into battle could be seen by the way their tails thrashed and flicked back and forth like an agitated cat.
But Shadow held them back, only for a day, so they could make their bodies accustomed to the weight and feel of their armour. Within hours, they had adjusted their flight patterns with the added weight of the iron, and could fly as seamlessly and as perfectly as before. Even Astrid was given training. How to sit and ride in the saddle. She was clumsy and uncoordinated at first, but eventually, she learned to let Midnight fly for her, and learnt to shift her weight accordingly to the twists and turns the dragon took.
As soon as the dawn's light tinged the sky the next morning, they were off. They didn't want to waste any more time as they flew to confront the queen. They were on the clock. Not only did they have to get to Helheim's Gate, and fight the queen, but they also had to return to Dead Mountain before the new moon reclaimed their dragon forms. If all went well, they would be back just in time, with perhaps a day to spare.
The princes flew in a V formation, using the slipstreams created by each other to speed up their flight and reduce their drag. All in all, they were making good time, and only rested for short periods to refresh their bodies. They didn't even stop for food, but instead dived towards the ocean and snatched up whatever fish happened to be near, and ate it as they flew.
To the unexperienced, this nonstop flying method was exhausting, but to the princes, it was just another day of traveling. They were used to it.
Finally, after just over a week and a half of almost nonstop flying, they arrived at Helheim's Gate, the home of the tyrannical Red Death. Now, they could finally rest, and get back the energy they lost from their overly long flight. Come dawn, they would challenge her, and make her bow to them. If she did not, then they would end her rule permanently.
The princes waited until they were ready, then mounted up and prepared to battle. Hiccup strapped on the two saddles, and made sure they were in order. Since he didn't have enough time to make a second good quality one like what Shadow had, Astrid was limited to the crude one he crafted at the Bog Burglars island all those months ago. But since she and Midnight wouldn't be doing any large complex manoeuvres and dangerous stunts, the smaller saddle would suit them just fine for now.
As the princes filled their bellies, Hiccup and Astrid donned on their flight suits. The buckles and straps kept the suit tight around their bodies, and prevented any icy cold air from hitting bare skin, and the iron reinforced armour plates would protect them from any glancing attacks. Hiccup wasn't too sure if they could take a frontal hit, but the plan wasn't to go on a full frontal assault. Their suits were meant for stealth and to defend from glancing blows as they kept to the side of the battle.
Finally, they were ready to confront the queen. And when Astrid and Hiccup donned their full face horned helmets, they were off. With their faced covered by the helms, they looked monstrous. Lower faces covered by what looked like an iron muzzle, specially crafted glass lenses – gifts from the princes with their otherworldly knowledge – to keep the wind out of their eyes, and streamlined steel horns like those of the dragons. They looked just as ferocious as the Black Moons they rode.
The mist surrounding the volcano reduced visibility greatly for the two human riders, but the princes could fly just fine. They navigated their way through the odd shaped sea stacks, past other flying dragons, and deep within the tunnels and caves of the mountain itself. When they reached the innermost cavern, Shadow let out an ear-splitting roar to announce their arrival. The dragons in the cavern screeched in fear and outrage at the sight of the seven princes. One by one, the princes landed on jutting outcrops of stone, right above the lava pit below that was hidden in a thick smog.
Shadow stood proud and tall, as did his brothers and sisters, looking as regal as ever, especially with the iron armour adorning his body. "Zu'u call nau fin jun do daar strunmah, fin Sahqo Dinok, Dovah Thur. Fin Ved Vulonkrein kulaan hind wah tinvaak voth hi." He roared into the depths of the mountain.
The stone beneath their feet trembled. The princes didn't flinch as the earth shook, but Hiccup could feel the terrible weight falling upon the earth trembling in his bones. Something was climbing up out of the lava at the bottom of the mountain.
Out of the thick mist, a gargantuan head emerged, with a maw bigger than anything Hiccup had ever imagined. Teeth the size of pillars, scales that looked as hard as stone, and six furious eyes, belonging to the Red Death herself. She was gargantuan! Hiccup trembled at the sight of the gluttonous creature, shaking like a leaf on Shadow's back. The drake gave a low rumble in his chest to soothe the boy without breaking eye contact with the colossal creature in front of him.
The Red Death growled in communication and greeting, but it wasn't with roars that she spoke. Hiccup almost jumped in terror when he heard a voice inside his head.
I thought I felt a dark presence in my territory. So, the Black scaled shapeshifters have finally reached this part of the world? I was beginning to wonder if your corruption would reach this far North.
Shadow growled in warning. "Un junaar grows alun larger. Un qalos spreads across fin lein."
So I have seen… The gathering of your royal members sent shudders of dark energy through these lands. My subjects could feel it, as can I. You seek to bring your toxic influence close to my own kingdom. You wish to conquer new lands for yourselves, to corrupt the lands with your evil stench!
"Under fin jun rel, mu lost thur do fin lein. Vonun ko fin vokun. Nu, mu hind wah lahney ko drem. Nuz mu los ni growing soft. Mu wont kos aak wah other junaar."
Peace? Ha! Your kind do not know the meaning of the word. You kill and conquer simply because it is in your nature to be conquerors and killers. You may be invisible to the races of man, but your darkened motivations control them like puppets. With your kind, there is never peace, or equality amongst dragon kind. You always seek to be rulers.
"Zu'u los het wah offer aan truce. Mu lost un own growing junaar, nuz hin territory los between un ahrk un muz. Aav voth mu ahrk reap fin rewards do lost mu ol hin allies, uv side wah mu, ahrk mah. Mu hind wah lahney ko drem, nuz mu fen krif fod mu fen." Shadow growled.
The Red Death glared at the drake before her, who dared come into her territory and demanded she bow to him. Her six eyes looked up at the boy seated on the princes back. Her next words were addressed to him.
And what of you boy? You sit astride one of those demons like it is your pet! Where do your loyalties stand? Has this monster managed to corrupt you too?
She paused and thought for a moment, not expecting him to answer, but knowing perfectly well that he understood her, and could answer her questions if he so chose.
I want to ask you a question boy. Just one question, with only two possible answers. The answer you chose will determine if I kill you and these monsters here and now, or hunt them down later. If you side with them, they will die by my claws. If you side against them, I will let you all leave with your lives, and kill you later.
So what say you, little boy… What colour do you bleed? … Do you bleed red? Or do you bleed black?
Hiccup locked eyes with the tyrannical ruler of Helheim's gate, unflinching and unwavering. Shadow's presence soothed his frayed nerves. His blood had been pumping through his veins faster than he could believe, but now, he was calm and cool, ready for the outcome and the backlash that would surely come. What he felt must have been the calm before the storm. He knew what he would do.
Slowly, he slipped his hand to the dagger at his waist and drew it out of its scabbard. Not one part of his body was exposed since his armour covered him entirely, but there was one part it didn't. With his free hand, he removed his full face helmet, letting the Red Death see just how human he really was. But he wast. He brought the dagger to his own neck, and let the razor sharp edge just break through the skin, making him bleed. The colossal dragon's six eyes narrowing in fury at the sight of his pure black blood.
"I bleed black!" Hiccup roared.
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I call upon the ruler of this mountain, the Red Death, Dragon tyrant. The Black Night-Sun (Moon) princes wish to speak with you.
Our kingdom grows ever larger. Our influence spreads across the world
Under the king's rule, we were overlords of the world. Hidden in the shadows. Now, we wish to live in peace. But we are not growing soft. We won't be helpless against other kingdoms.
I am here to offer a truce. We have our own growing kingdom, but your territory is between ours and our people. Join with us and reap the rewards of having us as your allies, or side against us, and fall. We wish to live in peace, but we will fight if we must.