Author's Note: *Mentally adding the cantaloupe*...NO WAY! So you guys know that Oswald disappeared right? If not sorry for the spoiler, anyway, in HTTYD 2 Stoick said there was a great gathering of Cheiftians (Oswald is a chief) and Drago Bludvist attacked burning the hall to the ground, Stoick being the only one to escape alive. I'm thinking, Oswald went to that meeting but didn't tell Dagur or anyone where he was going (I dont know why, maybe to stop them from going with him?) and never returned from that incident forcing Dagur to fake his father's death and take the role as cheif. Yeah, just a theory...:)

Disclaimer: I own nothing but Haedryin!

Enjoy!


Episode 8: Stryke Out

Two dragons circle each other in a ring on a island. A man stands at the top, known by the name of Straggler. The two dragons attack each other as Straggler narrates, "This dragon fight is one for the ages! The teeal trap takes a crushing blow to the head from the abstract. Which lasts?!" Straggler asks.

The small amount of bored Vikings look at him with glazed, bored eyes."Yeah whatever." A man says and Straggler's face falls.

"Ah, madam, Rika ms." Straggler greets as the Dragon Hunter walks up to him, "Always a pleasure to have you join us." Straggler assures.

Rika looks Straggler in the eyes, distasteful but filled with purpose, she glares at him harshly a Straggler removes a bag of gold and hands it to the woman. Rika rips it from his grasp, looking inside brown eyes hard she looks up at Straggler, "This is not the amount we agreed on." She says lowly.

"Ms. Rika, we've done well together in our fighting enterprize, but now with your champion dragon, the fights are over before they start." Straggler says putting a hand on Rika's shoulder. The Grimborne scowls at him and Straggler snaps his hand away, finishing his statement, "No one will pay for a fight that ends in five minutes." Straggler glances over at a man as he pulls a lever releasing the champion dragon, the Vikings watching, yawn.

"I see your point." Rika says and Straggler looks at her, "But if I were you, I'd find a solution to turn this around." Rika says and looking at the dragon fight before spinning around her ponytail whipping through the air. A coin flies through the air landing in Straggler's hand. "Your cut." Rika informs. Straggler stares at the coin then glares at Rika's back.

"Ugh, I hate that girl."

0000o0000

Toothless zooms through the air, gliding across the water, Snotlout and Hookfang on my left. "The Dragon Hunter base is just up ahead. "Snotlout reports.

I nod, "Okay, now remember approach with caution. They might be expecting us." I say and Snotlout snorts.

"Iyn, Iyn, this is the easiest mission ever. We fly in blast the Hunters, then be home in time for lunch, boom." Snotlout says and I bite my lip. Viggo isn't that stupid, he wouldn't leave a base like this unguarded.

"Well I appreciate the enthusiasm I-" I start.

"Come on Hookfang!" Snotlout shouts and the Monstrous Nightmare dives forward. I sigh in annoyance before patting Toothless's side. He shoots forward after the optimistic Jorgensen and her dragon.

Toothless lands and I jump from his back as Snotlout walk forward. She hides against a rock drawing her sword before she walks out into the abandoned beach. I stare at it confusion. What happened to the Hunters quote on quote "crawling all over it" "There's no one here, it's abandoned." I say and Snotlout doesn't look back at me.

"This place was crawling with Dragon Hunters this morning, somethings wrong." Snotlout says. Way to state the obvious.

"Did you see anything else, "I ask walking up next to my cousin, "any dragons?" I ask.

"Well...no." Snotlout admits. Toothless growls suddenly and I look back at him before meeting eyes with Snotlout.

"Maybe, there is something wrong." I say and a dragon roar breaks through the air startling me. I snap my gaze forward looking at the entrance of a cave before the sound breaks out again. "Yeah, really wrong." I add before racing forward Toothless following.

I step into the cave lighting crackling in between my fingers. I stare down at the stairs. Why are there stairs in a cave? I purse my lips before walking down them, "You know, I think we've seen way too much of this place already, maybe it's time to head back, what do you think Hookfang?" Snotlout asks and Hookfang shoves at her back.

I look up at her, "Oh come on Snotlout, this was your idea." I groan.

"Yes, but that was before the blood curling dragon screams." Snotlout says and another one breaks through the air.

I race down the rest of the steps entering into a room, full of dragon cages similar to Outcast Island prisons. I walk forward looking at a cell with a Razorwhip before Snotlout yelps. I turn my attention to her and see a Speed Stinger retreat into the darkness of a cell. "So, Haedryin, question. How are we going to free all these victories and wild dragons without being oh, I don't know, EATEN ALIVE!?" Snotlout shouts.

I walk forward lifting my hand up, the lighting snapping giving a soft light, "There's got to be a switch or lever, somewhere." I say and walk forward more Toothless at my side. "Once we get them free we'll just wait them out." I explain I turn, "Anything?"

"Yup." Snotlout says and pulls down on a lever. I yelp as I see a bar wall falling to the ground I race forward, Toothless running and we both hit the bars as they smash into the ground.

"Snotlout!" I yell putting my hands onto the bars summoning ice. It spreads across the metal but it's new and won't break as easily.

"Hang on! I'll get you out of there!" Snotlout yells and tugs up. Purple gas files into the room and I cough the mist, without my permission entering my lungs. "What is this!?" Snotlout yells towards me. Gas.

Really. Thanks Snotlout!

Snotlout tugs on the lever pulling and tugging on it several times. I lift up a hand to cover my mouth before turning to Toothless, "Okay bud, time to go!" I shout. Toothless fires at the ice but the bars don't break. No, no, no! My vision blurs and I smash my fist against the bars lighting jumps across them. I cough my limbs going sluggish but I push against the bars pounding against them with my fists. BREAK!

My hands slip drowsiness feeling me. I slide from the bars onto my heel I hear Snotlout run forward on the other side of the bars, "Haedryin, Toothless!" She yells. Unconsciousness threatens to take over me and I look up at my cousin forcing my heavy eyelids to stay open. "Go! Get help!" I yell and Snotlout stares at me for a second before she races forward. My eyes slip shut and I am unconscious before my head hits the ground.

…..

"What! They're gone!" Snotlout yells as she, Hookfang and the other riders race into the cavern, filled with empty cages. "They were right here I swear! Hookfang back me up!" Snotlout commands and the Monstrous Nightmare growls in agreement.

Tuffnut walks forward, and puts a hand on Snotlout's shoulder, "There, there Snotlout. I'm sure Stoick will forgive you for losing his one and only child." Tuffnut says and Snotlout looks back at him glaring.

"Not helping!" She shouts.

"Hey focus! We have to find them." Asher says.

Fishlegs grabs something off the ground and lifts it up, "Sea slugs." She says and walks forward.

"What does that mean?" Snotlout asks and Fishlegs tosses the slug to Hookfang who eats it without question.

"Well Snotlout it means those dragons were lured here with food, then gassed with knockout gas, what do you think it means?" Fishlegs asks and Snotlout glares at her.

"But why bother knocking them out? The dragons were already captured." Asher says and Heeth walks forward.

"To keep the dragons pacified to make them easier to transport." Heeth answers.

Snotlout's face, if possible, falls even more, "So Haedryin and Toothless are now being taken to Thor knows where and we have no way of finding them!" Snotlout shouts.

"Do not fret, we will find the missing Snow Queen and one Toothless Night Fury." Tuffnut assures Ruffnut jumps up next to her both of them grinning.

"Yes that is right, Snotlout, my brother and I are experts in the delicate and fine arts of detection, "Ruffnut starts.

"Interrogation, "Tuffnut adds.

"And infiltration." Ruffnut finishes.

"We are, "Tuffnut says and both twins putting their backs to each other as they say in sync: "Thorsten and Thorsten, sleuths extraordinaire."

"Best detectives on Berk. "Tuffnut says.

"Well, really the only detectives on Berk." Ruffnut points out.

"Shh, they don't know that." Tuffnut says before he falls to his knees, crawling around for a second, he lifts up Meatlug's claw, "Nope, nothing here, but, bleh, the smell." Tuffnut says moving past Meatlug who sends him a dirty look.

Ruffnut scratches her head as Tuffnut leaps to his feet, pacing back and forth, "Uh Tuff?" Heeth asks.

"It's all very suspicious." Ruffnut says clearly ignoring Heeth.

"If we-" Heeth starts.

"Heeth, I got this. "Tuffnut answers and Heeth looks to the side his whole demorar radiating annoyance. "The Dragon Hunters have taken Haedryin and Toothless somewhere nefarious." Tuffnut says.

"Guys-" Heeth starts again.

"Not now, Heeth, I'm in detective mode. We have to find where Haeadryin Haddock and Toothless Night Fury have been taken. We need-" Tuffnut's sentence is cut short as Heeth, patience snapped slams his hand over the Thorstens mouth.

"Someone with inside knowledge of the Dragon Hunter ports." Heeth says and Tuffnut perks up.

"Someone with inside knowledge of the Dragon Hunter ports." Tuffnut repeats.

"Someone like, Heeth!" Ruffnut says snapping her fingers, "Thank you Thorsten." She says and Tuffnut nods.

"You're welcome Thorsten."

Heeth sighs heavily, rolls his eyes and removes his hand from Tuffnut's mouth, "Follow me."

000o000

"Toothless!" I shout snapping my eyes open and jerking forward into a sitting position. My eyes widen. I have no idea where I am. I scan my surroundings, several dragons are chained to the wall and we're all trapped in what looks like a dragon cage similar to a arena. Toothless growls and relief floods through me. I turn my head and put a hand on Toothless who is now next to me's head. Frost spreads across it and I stare down at my free fingers. Who ever our captors are must have no idea about my powers.

Toothless hums softly looking at his left foreleg chained to a wall. I look down at my own foot and see a thick chain wrapped a little above the heel, it's frosted over like any metal that touches me. I tug on the chain for a second before getting to my feet. "Where are we?" I ask softly looking at the sleeping dragons. A dragon roars in pain and I race over to the gate watching as a Speed Stinger races from view.

I glare out at the dragons as I hear laughter a furious scowl playing across my face, "Dragon fights." I spit. "We have got to get out of here." I say darkly and Toothless growls in agreement.

The door clicks and I turn around as several men step into the room, the Deadly Nadder perks up and the man slams his sword down on the ground, the dragon backing off. "Thats right, you smelly beasts, you know who the boss is." The man says. You vapid idiots. I scowl at him so deeply Asher's famous death glare would look like a cheery smile to. Seeing it, the man's eyes widen slightly at the promise of death held in my gaze, "Who is she?" He asks tone of voice suggesting he's not sure he wants to know.

"Dunno, she was with the Night Fury." The second man answers.

"Oh, I've heard about her. She's a friend to dragons." The first man says. Do they seriously think I can't speak norse?! Sure well your at it, please, please lay out your entire plan to me as well. Sense you seem so dedicated to speaking like I'm not here. "Good, then maybe she'll be useful." The man says and Toothless hisses deeply as I take up a defensive stance. "I've got a very special event planned for her dragon." The man says and I force my shocked face to return to the scowl. "Don't you worry my friend, I'll let you watch." The man points his sword in my direction, "Don't touch that mussel." He snarls and leaves the room slamming it with a thick, heavy, clang.

I clench my fists tightly every part of me wanting to rebel and rip the mussel of Toothless dancing on it several times but I don't know what will happen beyond something not particularly great. I turn as a thick accented voice rings through the arena, "Ladies and gentlemen, get ready. Tomorrow, two new dragons enter the ring in a battle royale! Only one dragon will leave victorious, will it be; the Razorwhip, or the Night Fury?"

My heart sinks to my feet and I look over at Toothless.

The crowd breaks into excited murmurs and Toothless hisses. I share a look with him and rest my forehead against the bars of the doors before turning and look back at the dragons walking forward with my hands outstretched. The Deadly Nadder growls and I back up to Toothless glancing at the Monstrous Nightmare as it lights aflame. Toothless growls softly and I lift out a hand to him, "It's okay, they can't help it. They're starving, injured and scared." I say softly and turn to the blue Gronckle.

"How about you?" I ask and she growls backing to the wall. I move back to the cage door and slide down the bars and sit down wrapping my arms around my knees. Toothless curls up next to me, resting his head by my feet. I don't know what to do, if I break us out of this prison with my powers we won't make it very far with the guards.

If I do nothing, we could be here for a long time, I'm not even sure what blasted island we're on anyway. I groan softly and let my head drop onto my knees my bangs pushing against my forehead. Toothless shoves against my legs and I turn my head slightly looking at him. I rest a hand on Toothless's forehead a song flashing through my head, my mother's soft voice calming with it. I lift my head up humming before softly singing the words; "I'll swim and sail on savage seas, with ne'er fear of drowning..."

000o000

"That's one of the main Dragon Hunter trading ports these Hunters will know where Haedryin and Toothless have been taken." Heeth says pointing forward early the next morning at a isle with a major dock spread out around it.

The riders dive forward and Windshear grabs a Hunter with her tail wrapping it tightly around him, "Where is the Night Fury?" He demands and the Hunter gives no answer, "Hmm, very well." Heeth pat's Windshear's neck and the Razorwhip happily tosses him into the ocean.

Fishlegs and Meatlug fly up to a watchtower and Fishlegs looks at the men on it, "Excuse me, can any of you tell me where the Night Fury has been taken?" Fishlegs asks. They, in response grab their crossbows and fire up at her. Meatlug dives out of the way and Fishlegs blinks rapidly. "Guess not."

Snotlout and Hookfang chase a Dragon Hunter up to a tree and Snotlout smiles sweetly at him, "Hi, I'm looking for a one-legged Snow Queen and a Night Fury,"Snotlout starts then darkens her tone, "tell me where they are." She snarls. The man lifts up a crossbow aiming it, Snotlout sighs as if that is the most boring thing she has seen all day. "Hookfang." The Monstrous Nightmare fires at the weapon and it's destroyed into a thick pile of black ash at the Hunter's feet.

"I'm not telling you anything." The man spits.

The twins, suddenly there land and both dismount their dragon, "Leave this to us, Snotmaster." Tuffnut says and the two siblings move forward.

"H.H.P are on the case." Ruffnut assures.

"H.H.P. What is that even supposed to mean?" Snotlout asks with a bored tone.

"Headryin Haddock protector, duh." Tuffnut answers.

…..

Ruffnut stares the Dragon Hunter down her eyes narrowed as she frowns, "Alright Dragon Hunter, we can do this the easy way, or the hard way." She assures and the man purses his lips shaking his head back and forth.

Ruffnut grins, the pleased look on her face startling the man slightly. She cracks her neck and sits up grabbing a axe from who knows where bouncing it on her hand. After a second she whirls around and slams it down on the desk ."TELL ME WHERE HAEDRYIN AND TOOTHLESS HAVE BEEN TAKEN! WHERE!?" Ruffnut shouts.

"Hey, wait a minute, it's my turn to be bad Viking." Tuffnut says and Ruffnut sighs walking over to him.

"Can we talk about this later, you're kind of ruining my vibe here." Ruffnut says and gestures towards the man.

"No. We should talk about this now." Tuffnut says and folds his arms angrily.

"Tuff," Ruffnut hiss groans, "not in front of the suspect."

They both look over at the man, "If not now, then when?" Tuffnut asks looking Ruffnut in the eye.

"Okay fine. You wanna do this here, right now. You're always bad Viking, I'm always good Viking someone else should have a chance to be bad Viking!" Ruffnut explains with an angry huff.

"Hey, you were bad Viking last time." Tuffnut argues both remembering when they'd interrogated Gothi tied to a tree.

"No, you threatened the suspect with Macy and I offered the suspect freshly baked bread from mom." Ruffnut correts.

"That's not how I remember it." Tuffnut says.

"Every time, Tuff. You do this every time." Ruffnut says and backs up grabbing her spear from off her back, her brother echoing her, "You take my interrogations and ruin them." Ruffnut says and the two prepare to battle before Snotlout shoves open the tent flap.

"Hey, have you two muttonheads gotten any information out of this guy yet?" She demands.

"He was just about to crack, but someone ruined it." Ruffnut says clenching her fist tightly.

"Oh pa-lease. He was never going to spill the beans the way you were grilling him, you shouldn't be grilling beans anyway. It's weird." Tuffnut says and snotlout grips the bridge of her nose groaning.

"Ugh, why do we trust you two with anything?" The Jorgenson moans.

"I'll get him to talk, just watch." Tuffnut says and turns walking towards the man and leaning close to him. "Where have you taken-" He starts but the tent flap opens, "-oh come on." Tuffnut groans.

Asher walks into the small space, "Another Hunter just gave up where Haedryin and Toothless are being held, come on let's go." Asher says and turns walking away from the tent.

"What? Are you serious!?" Tuffnut demands in frustration. "I was this close-"

"Were not." Ruffnut says.

"I was."

"Were not."

"Yes I was."

"Were not."

"He was going to be spilling and grillin'!"

"Would you two just go!" Snotlout shouts and all three leave the tent.

"He was going to grill and spill those beans." Tuffnut says. The Dragon Hunter backs up on his chair and leaves the tent. Later the same man races across the beaches to a fellow Dragon Hunter.

"We've got to warn Rika, the dragon riders are to attack the dragon fights." The man says and lifts up a piece of paper. The other man takes it from him and ties it to a Terror's leg releasing it to the wind.

Asher, Snotlout and Fishlegs all sit on their dragon's backs the three dragons resting against a seastack's side. "So the twins didn't get any information out of that guy?" Fishlegs asks.

"What do you think? Of course they didn't." Snotlout says.

"Well we would have if somebody whose name rhymes with gasher hadn't interrupted us." Tuffnut says and Ruffnut scowls looking back at him.

"Or if someone had just let me do the interrogation in the first place." Ruffnut says and the two Thorsten's helmets smash together as they death glare each other.

"Ruff, Tuff be quiet." Asher hisses and lifts up his hand looking over the side of the seastack. "Now!" He shouts as at Terrible Terror dives past them all. The five dragons pull away from the sea stack skimming over the ocean. Ruffnut looks at her brother.

"If my detective senses are correct I would say that Asher lied to that Hunter got him to send a Terrible Terror and we're going to follow it." Ruffnut says and Asher smirks deeply looking forward at the green dragon ahead of them. "Nice job." Ruffnut adds.

"In the sleuthing business we call this tailing." Tuffnut says and looks over at Snotlout with a smirk.

"In the idiot business we call this the twins." Snotlout returns.

"And business is booming." Tuffnut finishes.

000o000

Clank clink, clank clink, clank click.

I move slowly across the floor the chain wrapped around my foot dragging across the floor with every step. The Gronckle I'm advancing on growls and backs up to the wall before licking it longingly. My heart sinks and I stare down at my foot before getting down on one knee and detaching my prosthetic. I lift it up and pound against the wall several times grunting before ripping apart a piece of a broken rock.

I attach my peg leg with one hand as I lift up the rock with the other to the Gronckle, "Mmm, a delicious rock." I say and lift the rock out to her. She stares at my fingers longingly before moving forward and licking it from my fingers chewing it, "Yeah, good girl." I soothe and she backs up slightly. "Okay let's try this." I say and lift up my hand. The Gronckle growls and backs off and I purse my lips lowering my arm. "Well it's a start." I mutter.

The lock of the door jingles before the door is thrown open several Dragon Hunters walking in with purpose. I rise to my feet and back up slowly to Toothless watching them wrestle a Razorwhip in a cage. The leader turns and looks me directly in the eyes smirking, "Now get the Night Fury."

The two Dragon Hunters move forward but I throw my hands out infront of Toothless moving in front of him, "You stay away from him!" I snarl darkly. The Dragon Hunter looks at me unimpressed before he grabs my shoulder and shoves me to the ground with ease. I hit the stone with a yelp and Toothless growls lowly as the men grab either side of his neck and wrestle him forward into a cage.

I stagger to my feet and start to advance forward to the men but the leader grabs my shoulder, his finger retract as if he's been burned and I glower at him darkly, "What is wrong with you!?" He demands holding his forearm as his fingers freeze over. He stares at it in shock, surprise then anger and grabs my shoulder again shoving me behind him and I smash against the wall. I outcry softly as my head smacks into the stone and Toothless growls lowly at the men. The leader walks past me shaking his hand ice bits falling to the floor, "You keep 'im feisty. I like that."

He walks past me and the doors swing open closing behind him with a soft thud. I peel away from the wall rubbing the back of my head as a pulsing headache blurs my vision. One of the Dragon Hunters still in the room with us snorts softly, "You know, Straggler's right about that crowd, listen to them roar."

I bite my tongue tightly and look over at the doors as the leader or I guess, Straggler speaks, "Ladies and gentlemen. I bring you tonight for the first time in the ring a NIGHT FURY!" Cheers break up through the crowd and the two men move forward taking Toothless and the Razorwhip with them.

No, no, no. I can't let them do this, this is a battle to the death.

"And the most vicious dragon this side of Changewing Island; The Razorwhip!" Straggler shouts and walks off from the arena as two long chains pull up the cages. I bite my lower lip so heavily I taste blood but I keep applying pressure. I move forward to the bars and grip them tightly my fingers curling around the green metal.

Toothless and the Razorwhip circle each other before the Razorwhip snaps his tail forward and slashes Toothless across the talon leaping into the air and sailing across him. Toothless stares down at his talon before his eyes thin to slits and he races forward leaping off the wall and tackling the Razorwhip to the ground.

"Toothless DON'T!" I shout towards him ice spreading across the bats in my 's gaze flickers to me giving the Razorwhip an advantage and he shoves Toothless off of him wrapping his thin long tail across Toothless's neck. No, no, no, no! The green metal breaks off into my hands causing my hands to jerk downwards with surprise and I look at the metal before I stare at the hole it formed.

Anyone slightly bigger than me wouldn't have fit, but I am still a runt and extremely determined. I grab the edge of the wood and swing through the hole spinning several times and land on my feet with my hands out to help me keep balance a snapping sound ringing through the air but I don't give it light of day. Toothless gives a panicked roar in my direction as if telling me to back off. I can't.

I won't let him die.

I race forward towards the dragon ignoring the heavy shocked gasps and murmurs that I'm mad. Oh, I am mad, I am very mad and it's a good thing for that or this would never work. I reach the Razorwhip and throw out my hands a blast of ice smashing it in the chest. Toothless flies from his tails grasp and fires upwards the green cage slamming down on the Razorwhip.

I take in a breath and look up at the audience as they break into cheers and stop Straggler's murderous glare at me. Toothless hisses softly and I back up towards him my eyes widening with surprise as a hand slams down on my shoulder. I rip away from their grip and look back at him and the Dragon Hunter glares at me he reaches forward and shoves something into my neck and a strangled cry escapes my lips before the world blurs and I fall backwards my consciousness leaving to it's own world.

….

Something nudges my arm and I hardly take it into account my body wanting to return to the blissful unawareness of unconsciousness. It nudges harder and my brain draws itself to my body memories flashing through my head. The fight, Toothless.

Toothless.

I jerk into a sitting position the dragon's name on my lips before I see his face inches from mine, pupils widened a relieved look flashing through them. "Toothless." I whisper my voice hoarse. I scan him and he shoves into my chest purring happily the mussel rubs against my arm and I reach out my fingers to touch him but tear my fingers back with horror staring at them.

Wrapped around my entire hand to my near elbow is thick metal gloves, they're little hitches to move my fingers but their tight and make me feel the need to hyperventilate. Toothless pulls back his eyes sorrowful and places pressure on his talon limping slightly. I shake my head to clear my thoughts and curl the metal gloves inward staring down at Toothless's talon.

The gash from the Razorwhip is between scabbed over and bleeding heavily. "Toothless." I murmur and sit up grabbing his talon with my hands. He growls softly, not angry growl just answering to my word. I stare around my for a second before I grab on of the uneven edges of my tunic that reach my knees and rip it off wrapping it around Toothless's talon. "I'm sorry Toothless." I murmur and the door is shoved open light flooding into the room.

"To the victor goes the spoils." Straggler says as he enters the room. He tosses three fish to Toothless and I grab one tossing it behind us both as Toothless growls lowly. I rise to my feet clenching my hands tightly the metal biting into my skin.

"Alright he fight for you, made you a nice fortune now you need to let us out of here." I say and he snorts.

"And why would I do that?" He asks and I scowl at him, "When word gets out that I have a Night Fury, Vikings will come from all over to see it fight. Night Fury, meet your next opponent: The Triple Stryke!" Straggler says and me and Toothless both look over as the door to the opposing side a purple yellow dragon leaping out and roaring angrily.

000o000

The twins chase after the Terrible Terror they've been following for a day now and Tuffnut's hand grips the middle snatching it with him, "Gotcha." He says and Barf and Belch sail upwards to Asher where Tuffnut hands him the note.

Asher scans it quickly his eyes widening, "Dragon fights? Haedryin and Toothless have been taken to dragon fights down there." Asher says.

"Forcing dragons to fight each other? That's inhuman." Fishlegs growls.

"And people will go nuts when they find out it's a Night Fury that's fighting." Heeth adds.

"Why are we even discussing this?" Snotlout says panic over the last three days making her want to go in there herself and happily tackle everyone in sight until she gets her cousin safely on Dragon's Edge again, "Haedryin and Toothless need us. Ergo we go. As in; dragons blazing." Snotlout says and Heeth shakes his head.

"We can't do that Snotlout you saw that chained dome, there's no way we can get in there." Heeth says.

"So what do we do?" Fishlegs asks.

"We'll use our superior slothing skills." Tuffnut answers.

"Uh, no offense, but your sleuthing skills have not gotten us very far." Fishlegs says.

"Don't worry, Fishlegs, remember, we're masters of infiltration." Tuffnut assure the Zippleback diving down towards the island.

"Oh this is going to end bad." Snotlout groans.

000o000

Come on, please take it.

I lift up a fish to the Monstrous Nightmare the dragon staring at it for a while before it takes it from my hands and spits it out a few seconds later with a wave of fire. I duck to the side and one of Snotlout's many disasters with Hookfang flashes through my head, "I-I've seen this before." I mutter and "Hold on," I say and lift up the fish again letting the Monstrous Nightmare sniff it, "Alright call me old fashioned but I'd prefer to not lose another limb." I say and reach forward ripping the gone bad tooth from the dragon's mouth.

It stares at me, licks the spot and I uncover from my defense position tossing the fish to the side, "That was the problem." I say and lift up the fish again and the Monstrous Nightmare snatches it from my grasp without a second thought chewing then swallowing and rubbing against my chest I laugh softly and don't touch her with the metal over my hands.

I move away from the Monstrous Nightmare in front of the Deadly Nadder. It hisses softly and I lift up my hands inwardly cursing as I spot the metal sparking across my hands. "It's okay, I'm just going to find the blind spot and.." I lift up my hands and scratch under the dragon's chin. It doesn't flinch at the touch of the metal but rather leans into it. "See I'm not going to hurt you." I promise.

I turn and look up at the doors as their thrown open the Razorwhip lead by spear point inside. Straggler looks at me then at the dragon, "Make sure you lock that maniacal tight. A Razorwhip tail can cut through anything." Straggler says and the Dragon Hunter wraps it around the spike covered dragon backing away slowly.

I stare at the green metal my fingers curling into fists.

000o000

"Welcome, welcome." Straggler greets as the Vikings walk across his decks consisting of Outcasts, Meatheads and other Viking from around the Archipelago. "Great fight tonight, great fight." Straggler says to an Outcast that walks past him.

Rika moves in front of the man and stares around at the crowd, "Well this is promising." She notes.

"I have a new challenger for the Triple Stryke a most formidable opponent." Straggler assures the Grimborne.

"What kind of dragon?" Rika asks and Straggler smirks.

"You shall see."

000o000

The twins move forward towards the Dragon Hunters and Tuffnut looks back at his sister,"Infiltration plan number thirty four. Got that?" Tuffnut asks.

"Thirty four, copy that." Ruffnut repeats.

"Gentlemen, we are Thorsten and Thorsten." Tuffnut says and the brother and sister rest their backs to each other as Ruffnut adds: "Sleuths extraordinaire."

"We've been tailing a suspect who is very dangerous, if you help us good man, a hefty reward will be coming your way." Tuffnut says and moves towards the men.

"Mhmm, reward you say?" One hums.

Ruffnut moves forward and spits on the ground twisting a twig in her mouth as she scowls at the two men hands hand on her hip, helmet turned so the horns are facing in front of her. "Oh yeah, large amounts of mackerel my friends." Tuffnut assures and Ruffnut shoves him to the side.

"Why are you on my path way kids? You think you got the spunk?" Ruffnut asks and Tuffnut grabs her arm pulling her back.

"Um, what are you doing?" Tuffnut hisses.

"Uh, infiltration plan number thirty four." Ruffnut answers and smirks, "And it's working."

"Ruffnut, that's plan forty three." Tuffnut says.

"Nah, I'm pretty sure it's thirty four." Ruffnut says and pulls the twig from her mouth and Tuffnut frowns.

"You and I need to have a discussion about our numbering system." Tuffnut turns and looks back at the two Dragon Hunters, "She's right about that, you think that you've got the nerve to be in our passage way." Tuffnut says voice switching to a faint fake accent. Ruffnut whacks her forehead.

"Uh, no, you can go through." The first man says and the two move forward. "But we want those bricks first."

Tuffnut smirks, "Sure, they're right over here." He says and points up as Barf and Belch holding two rocks drop them down on the Dragon Hunters head knocking them unconscious.

000o000

"Leave him alone!" I shout and throw myself in front of Toothless arms outstretched. The man stares at me for a second before he grabs my shoulder shoving me to the side.

I hit the ground with an oof before a sword point is thrust at my throat. "You try and mess up this battle, I'll run you through." He says and I look up at him glaring.

"I, make no promises." I growl. The man looks down at me, eyes hard, gaze cold. He slams his sword down and my hands fly to my cheek as the cut starts to bleed.

"You leave this fight by itself, or more than your face with be bleeding." He growls. He whips around and storms off as Toothless is dragged onto the crate, promises of death leaving his throat.

The door slams and I sit up slowly rubbing my metal gloves across my cheek. It stings, but not as much as knowing I've failed Toothless. The brace around my ankle feels colder and I look down as ice starts to spread across it. Way to go, Iyn, you're going to get yourself, and Toothless killed because of your arrogance. Conceal, don't feel. Conceal, don't feel, DON'T FEEL!

000o000

"Ladies and gentlemen this is the main event! The reigning champion the Triple Stryke against the newcomer, the Night Fury!" Straggler says and cheers break through the crowd watching the green cages get pulled off of the dragon.

"The Night Fury!" Rika shouts and looks at Straggler, "Stop the fight we need that dragon alive!"

Straggler looks over at her, "Do you want a roiet on your hands? I'm not stopping anything listen to that crowd!" Straggler says and Rika scowls at him.

"Where's the girl?" She snarls.

"Oh you don't have to worry about her-" Straggler starts but Rika grabs the man by the throat lifting him above the ground.

"If the Triple Stryke kills that Night Fury, I kill you." Rika says and tosses the man onto the wood looking over at the fight. Straggler looks up scowling.

"Oh, I really hate that girl."

Toothless and the Triple Stryke both leap off of their crates, the Triple Stryke taking a swipe at the jet black dragon with it's tail. Toothless dives out of the way and pulls back as one of the tails slams onto the ground breaking into three separate tails. Toothless pulls away from the dragon and leaps into the air hovering as best he can with half a tail.

He fires a blast at the dragon and it looks back up at him roaring.

000o000

Asher and Heeth run side by side their dragons right behind them. Several Dragon Hunters leap forward blocking their path and both dragon riders grab their axes from off their backs and with equally murderous war cries race forward.

000o000

Toothless shoves the Triple Stryke off of him from where they'd been rolling over each other and Toothless smashes the dragon into the wall. The Triple Stryke hisses before it leaps forward into the air grabbing Toothless in a firm choking grip with it's tail.

Rika gives Straggler a warning look and they both look back at the fight.

The Triple Stryke growls lowly at Toothless and the dragon's stare each other down before Toothless's tail snaps out and he smashes the dragon across the forehead both of them going down.

000o000

Heeth slams into a Dragon Hunter as Asher whacks another with his axe spinning the blade he ducks a blow to his head and swings his axe cutting the Dragon Hunter's axe handle down the middle, "Stormfly!" He calls back to his dragon and she dives forward smashing the Dragon Hunter in the chest and he's thrown back.

A archer stands on a cage and chuckles as he lifts up his bow to aim but it's tosses from the side as Hookfang's jaw rams into him, "Snotlout!" Snotlout cheers.

000o000

A soft nudge draws me from my death curl. I lift up my head from where my knees are tucked next to my chest as I make myself as small as possible. The Razorwhip nudges my head again and licks my face but I don't give it a smile or anything.

I jump as the doors are smashed against Toothless and the Triple Stryke pulling away from the metal and leaping after each other in the ring again. Toothless.

I can't give up.

"There's only one way Toothless is going to survive this." I say and the Razorwhip nods blue eyes staring into mine before he lifts his tail in front of me the green metal bar showing. I lean forward on my knees and grab the bar with both hands summoning ice onto the metal. The edges of the metal gloves frost over nothing happening to the green metal.

I clench my jaw in frustration looking over as Toothless is thrown behind a crate after being smashed by the Triple Stryke, he rises to his feet, eyes narrowed to thin slits, red rage. I turn my attention back to the manacle. "Come on, come on," I mutter before a heavy clang once again pulls my attention away from the dragon.

A Dragon Hunter smashes against the side of the door before he falls to the ground my heart leaping to my chest in relief at the one that takes his place. "Haedryin! YES!" Asher shouts and I get to my feet.

"Asher." I breathe in relief and there's a second before the entire door is smashed to the ground and Asher runs over it in a quick sprint and tackles me in a tight hug.

"Thank Thor you're okay." He says and pulls back staring me in the eyes his gaze flickering down to the smeared blood across my cheek his eyes widening.

"I'm fine." I assure and pull away from him looking back at the arena, "It's Toothless I'm worried about. We gotta hurry."

Heeth looks at me then at the Razorwhip, "Tail slice." He commands Windshear and she does so without a second thought. The two Razorwhip's walk towards the other dragons and slice across the chains as I feel Asher's gaze on me.

"Your highness.." He starts and grabs my forearm fingers twitching and lifts up the metal glove frosting over.

"It's nothing." I say quickly.

"You can't get it off." Asher notes quietly and I tense before nodding. Asher grabs his axe with his other hand and carefully digs the weapon into the tight metal and it gives falling to the floor with a clang. The dragons move up behind me and Asher removes my hand. I place my fingers on my other hand and less than a second passes before the metal hisses and explodes at my feet.

"Come on," I say and move forward towards the doors lifting my hands up and firing at them, the wood explodes outwards ice and snow spitting everywhere lighting spitting off it. I move to the entrance of the door. "This ends now."

The dragons race past me towards the Dragon Hunters happily tackling everyone in sight. Toothless and the Triple Stryke among them. The Razorwhip dives forward and grabs Straggler with his long tail and hisses dropping the man onto the floor.

I move forward as the Triple Stryke raises it's tail up to give a final blow but Toothless roars at him causing the dragon to back down. I lean down next to the man and smile sweetly lifting up my glowing palms, "I would get out of here if I were you." I say and he leaps to his feet racing away from me without a question.

Toothless nudges my side and I rest my hands on him instinctively before gripping his scales in a happy tight grip. "I'm glad you're okay, bud." I whisper and he coos in response.

Rika looks at us, sword held in her grip as she backs away slightly. A blast fires onto the crowd and they scramble away Rika retreating to wherever Straggler went. "Justice get your justice here, get it well it's hot!" Snotlout yells and Meatlug, Barf, Belch and Hookfang all dive forward attacking every man nearby happily.

Hookfang and Meatlug dive forward each grabbing the metal enclosure and pulling it up and off of the arena, the Razorwhip, Gronckle and Deadly Nadder all take off without a glance back but the Triple Stryke stays at my side. "Come on, go, you're free." I say smiling and wave my hands towards the sky.

Fishlegs and Meatlug land, "He's been in captivity for too long Iyn, he-he doesn't know how to be free." Fishlegs says and Toothless growls at him nudging his side slightly the Triple Stryke growls back at him before leaping into the air.

"YES!" I cry and swing my fist forward. I release a breath and turn back to Toothless, "Come on guys let's go home."

Close to ten minutes later after tracking Toothless's saddle and tailfin down we sail through the air the Triple Stryke leading us forward. "It's good to have you back," Asher calls down towards me and I look up, "I was really worried, my queen."

"Ha, ha, well I wasn't worried for a second." Snotlout assures.

"Suuure you weren't." Fishlegs says and I look back at her, "Asher would have killed you if we hadn't found Haedryin."

Snotlout laughs and I feel the urge to join her as I realize Fishlegs is right and I have high doubts he would have even felt guilty for it afterwards. "Shut it Fishface." Snotlout commands angrily.

The Triple Stryke loops through the air and I smile, "Look at the magnificent creature. So dangerous, so deadly, I shall name him, Sleuther." Tuffnut says and Sleuther dives over my head smiling down at me. I return the smile with one of my own.

"Iyn, I think he wants to come back with us." Fishlegs says and Sleuther sticks out his tongue, Toothless echoing him. I laugh.

"Sleuther, I think you'll like the Edge." I assure and smile brightly.


Author's Note: Please review!