Hiccup and the others soon returned back to friendly Earth Kingdom land, but Hiccup was anything but relaxed. He was fidgeting uncontrollably which was starting to annoy Snotlout.

"Will you start fidgeting, giving me a migraine," Snotlout snapped. "And what is the problem with you anyway?"

"In case you forgot, Avatar Maaike told me that I'm supposed to master all four elements before comet arrives," said Hiccup rubbing the back of his head.

"Yeah, you pretty much mastered Fire Bending and that only took you 35 years, I'm sure you can master three elements by next summer," said Snotlout. Astrid immediately blew by him and punched him on the shoulder. "What? I was only trying to cheer him up."

Ragnar then flew up to Hiccup. "Hiccup, you've already started to learn Air Bending and we have a Water and Earth Bender with us."

Hiccup rubbed his forehead. "I know, but I'm not confident whether I can master them in time. We're still weeks away from the North Pole."

Heather then looked at him gently. "Calm down, it's going to be okay. Like Ragnar said, I can at least teach you the basics of Water Bending." She then looked down. "But only to find a good source of water first."


They immediately flew down towards the valley with a raging waterfall next to it. The dragons certainly enjoyed themselves that they began splashing into the water.

"Yeah, let's join in!" Ruffnut cried.

"Right behind you!" Tuffnut yelled.

They immediately stripped down to their shorts and jumped into the lagoon.

Hiccup looked at Heather. "We best get started with that Water Bending."

"And what are we're supposed to do?" Snotlout asked folding his arms.

Hiccup gestured to the twins. "I say they've got a pretty good idea."

Snotlout shrugged and immediately rushed in to join the twins.

"I'll have a look in the woods," said Fishlegs as he made his way to the forest. "I might find a new flora that I've never seen before."

Astrid merely just sat down on a rock and began sharpening her axe. "I'll just sit here."

Ragnar just sat down cross-legged. "And I'll be busy meditating."


Eret had managed to meet up with his ship and they were now far away from Empire controlled territory. Eret was busy practising his Fire Bending with his Lieutenants when suddenly the ship turned course much to their surprise.

Caught so much offguard that they hit straight into the rigging. "Someone is changing our course."


He immediately went towards the bridge and immediately approached the helmsman.

"What is the meaning of this mutiny?" Eret roared. "No one told you to change course!"

"Actually someone did," said Bjorn's voice. Eret turned and found his uncle playing against a few of the crew members at Maces and Talons. "I assure you, it is a matter of utmost importance, Eret."

Eret looked at him dubiously. "Is it something to do with the Avatar?"

"Even more urgent, it seems I, I have lost my Dragon Rider piece," said Bjorn as he moved another piece on the board.

"Piece?" Eret stared.

Bjorn then moved yet another piece on the board. "For Maces and Talons. Most people think that the Dragon Rider piece is insignificant, but it is essential for the unusual strategy that I implore."

Eret looked at him in outrage. "You changed our course for a stupid game piece?"

Bjorn sighed. "See, like most people, you underestimate its value. Just give me 10 minutes to check the merchants on this important call. Hopefully they'll have the piece in stock and I can get on with my life."

It took every bit of self-control that Eret had not to burst into flames. Instead he unleashed a burst of fire from his mouth causing smoke to cover the entire bridge.

Bjorn merely smiled. "I'm lucky to have such an understanding nephew."


At the lagoon, Hiccup and Heather were just starting his first Water Bending lesson.

"The art of Water Bending is to be calm and patient, to go with the flow," said Heather.

Hiccup sighed. "I was afraid you'd say that."

Heather blinked. "Why?"

"Because what is his polar opposite," Ragnar explained. "You see each one of the elements is the polar opposite of one another. Fire Bending, as I understand it, is discipline and control which is in fact the polar opposite of the calm and gentle manoeuvre of Water Bending."

Hiccup nodded. "It's very likely that I won't be able to do any form of bending right away."

Heather looked the back of the head. "I know very little about Water Bending, I mean unlike the rest of you Benders I never had a master."

Astrid lowered her axe and looked at Heather. "Heather I know it's going to be hard, but you're the only one here who can help him."

Heather sighed. "Then let's start with a very basic move, this one took me months to perfect." She then immediately faced the lagoon began to move her hands back and forth and the water began to move in and out water. "Push and forth and pull the lot like this. The key is to get the rest movement right."

Hiccup got to his feet and began to move the water, or at least try. When he did it nothing happened much to his annoyance.

"Remember you have to go with the flow, don't just force it," said Heather.

Hiccup nodded and then tried again and still nothing happened. "I knew this would happen."

"You need to be patient," said Ragnar. "Remember the patient part of it is no different from Air Bending and you had no problem with that."

Hiccup shook his head. "That was different, there was a form of discipline to it. With Water Bending is more carefree."

Heather placed a hand on his shoulder. "Look it took me months to even begin to grasp Water Bending, but with my help I'm sure you be able to do it in no time."


Ragnar and Astrid continue to watch as they continue to train and half an hour later Fishlegs returned from the forest.

"How's it going?" he asked.

Ragnar looked at him. "It's been about half an hour and Hiccup hasn't even managed to get the water to move."

Fishlegs winced. "Is that good or bad?"

"Considering that he is Bending his polar opposite, we all know it was not going to be a piece of cake," said Ragnar as he turned back to Hiccup. "Though I don't think that any small comfort to Hiccup."

Hiccup was still trying to get the rest movement right and despite Heather showing him countless times he was unable to get the grasp.

"No, you can't just think about it," Heather sighed. "You need to feel it. Just focus on the flow of water and picture the waves moving."

Hiccup took a deep breath and began to move his wrists and this time he was finally able to get the waves to move.

"I've done it," he said triumphantly.

Heather smiled. "Well done, it took me two months to learn that."

"True," Hiccup nodded. "Though you had to learn it yourself, I'm fortunate enough to have a good teacher."

Heather smiled. "Thanks."

"So, what's next?" Hiccup asked.

"This is a more difficult move, I call it Streaming the Water."

They then watched as Heather lifted water from the lagoon and began to move it around with her wrists.

"Now this is a lot harder than moving water back and forth," she said as she began moving the water in a majestic manner. "However the principles are the same, just focus on my wrist movement."

Hiccup took a deep breath and raised hands out right, he then managed to lift a ball of water. He then slowly began to move the water around it, though it was more gingerly that Heather.

"Good, you're being too cautious," said Heather. "Focus your breathing and remember that Water Bending is all in the wrist movement."

Hiccup did his best, but he was unable to hold the ball of water and it burst. "Argh, I'm just not getting it."

Ragnar sighed as he stood up. "Hiccup, you can't expect to master Water Bending on your first lesson. You have any fully mastered Air Bending, you need to relax or else you will never master Water Bending."

"I know, I know," said Hiccup rubbing his forehead. "It's just that Maaike's warning is seriously messing with me."

Astrid then placed a hand on his shoulder. "Hiccup, no matter what happens with going to be with you all the way."

Hiccup nodded and looked at Heather. "Shall we do it again?"

Heather nodded. "Okay, but this time you need to relax and pretend that you're moving down a river by yourself. Let your energy flowed down you and don't worry of the consequences."

Hiccup lifted his hands once more and managed to lift a ball of water. He took a deep breath and calmed his mind as he began to move his wrists. This time the water was moving in a not so gingerly fashion and then returned it into the lagoon.

Heather nodded. "Excellent form. Now I've only got this one other move, but I haven't fully mastered it myself." She then focused upon the lagoon. "The idea is to form a big powerful wave."

She then lifted her hands into the air and immediately water began to rise, but then there was a popping sound and the water fell back into the lagoon.

Ragnar then approached Heather and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Perhaps you should take your own advice. Just remember not to force the move and go with the flow."

Heather nodded and raised her hands once again. This time the water pretty much shot out from the water and landed right over Snotlout, the twins and the dragons.

"Oops," said Ragnar.

Snotlout and the twins poked their heads out of the water as they were nearly drowned from the wave.

"Are you trying to drown us?" Snotlout yelled.

"I don't know, I found it exciting," said Ruffnut.

"Yeah, I saw my life flashed in front of my eyes," said Tuffnut. He then looked at his sister. "You still only a birthday present!"

"Maybe we should put Water Bending training on hold," said Hiccup looking at the others.

"Especially considering that our suppliers are floating down the river," Astrid noted.

They all turned and saw that indeed the supplies were swimming down the river and disappeared from sight.

Heather looked the back of her head awkwardly. "Sorry."

"I'm sure we can find a place to replace all this stuff," said Ragnar calmly.

"Stupid Heather and her stupid Water Bending," Snotlout grumbled.


They were able to find a port with a marketplace, but it wasn't exactly the most civilised market had ever been. In fact more than half the people looked more like thugs than anything else and while everyone else was deeply concerned, the twins found the entire place interesting.

Hiccup looked at how much money they had left. "By my last count we got three copper pieces left from the money Spitelout gave us. We need to spend it wisely."

"Make that two copper pieces," said Tuffnut.

"We couldn't say no to this whistle," said Ruffnut as he presented a whistle.

The whistle resembled that of a Hideous Zippleback, a dangerous Fire Dragon. It had two heads and two tales, one head was able to breathe gas and the other it ignited which would lead to an end massive explosion.

Ruffnut immediately blew the whistle but they heard no sound.

"It doesn't even work you muttonhead," Snotlout glared.

"Okay, so with that debacle we're left with two copper pieces," said Hiccup looking at the two copper pieces from his satchel. He then looked at the twins. "And next time make sure that we have a good secure strongbox."

The venture through the market trying to their surprise when they walked near the harbour.

"Earth Nation! Fire Nation! Water Nation! So long as bargains are your inclination, you're welcome here!" a roguish looking man called. "Don't be shy, calm and buy."

He then saw Hiccup and the others and immediately ran towards them. "You there, I can see from your clothing that your world travelling types. Perhaps I could interest you in some exotic curios."

Naturally the twins were naturally drawn to the man.

"Sure," they said. They then looked at one another and then back to the man. "What are curios?"

The man blinked. "I'm not entirely sure, but we've had got them."

He immediately grabbed the two of them and drag them onto his ship and without little choice Hiccup and the others soon joined them.


The contents of the ship were certainly eye grabbing and they looked like they came from different parts of the world.

"That's an Air Nomads staff if I'm not mistaken," said a voice in a dark room. Then emerging from the room was a shifty looking black haired man with a parrot on his shoulder and a cutlass strapped to his side. "That is were quite a lot of coin if you were to sell it to me."

"Sorry, but the staff is not for sale," said Ragnar strongly.

Snotlout immediately stared at him. "Are you crazy? We'd be rich."

Ragnar turned on him. "My mother gave me this staff, if you think I'm going to sell it willy-nilly you got another thing coming."

Snotlout immediately backed away from him. "Okay, keep a lousy word."

Heather then saw something that caught her eye. It was a scroll bearing the Water Tribe symbol when she unfolded it she discovered it contained a list of Water Bending techniques.

"Look at this, Hiccup," Heather beam gesturing Hiccup to come over. "It's a Water Bending scroll. Check out these crazy moves."

Hiccup looked at the Captain. "Where did you get a Water Bending scroll?"

The Captain immediately pulled the scroll away from them. "Let's just say that I've got it up north. At a most reasonable price, free."

"You mean you stole it," said Astrid folding her arms.

The Captain replaced the scroll back into it holder. "I'm a legitimate businessman, young lady."

Astrid folding her arms. "You'll sea loving traders, with suspicious acquired merchandise and you got a pet parrot. That all the signs of pirates."

The Captain shrugged. "We'll agree to disagree."

The Captain's first mate merely smiled. "We nearly prefer to be called high-risk traders."

Fishlegs gulped.

Heather remembered they only had two copper pieces and those he had a feeling that it wouldn't be enough, she had to try and acquire the scroll.

"So, how much for the traded scroll?" Heather asked looking at the Captain.

"I've already got a buyer, a nobleman in the Earth Kingdom," he said and then leaned towards her. "Unless of course you kids have… 200 hundred gold pieces on you right now."

Hiccup sighed and pulled Heather towards him. "Heather, I know how bad the one that scroll, but have very much doubt we can haggle for something that expensive with only two copper pieces."

Heather sighed. "Suppose you're right."

Hiccup then made his way over to Astrid, who was busy examining their weapons.

"Enough a bunch of lowdown pirates, they've got a good weapons collection," she admitted.

Hiccup looked at her. "I think we should get out of here, I mean were unlikely to buy anything here with two copper pieces."

Astrid sighed. "Fair enough and we need to use that money in order to get some well needed supplies."

Heather then approached them. "So how about we go someplace where no one will give us weird looks?"


Everyone agreed and made their way off the boat.

"Well, now was a complete waste of time," said Snotlout.

"Let's say we cannot find our supplies in a more legitimate store," said Ragnar.

"Personally I feel a lot better once we get away from here," said Heather.

"Hey, you!" the first mate yelled. "Get back here!"

Ragnar sighed as he turned. "For the last time the staff is not for sale."

However when they turned around they discover that every single pirates on the boat was now jumping down from it with weapons drawn.

"Call it a hunch, but I don't think these pirates don't want to trade," said Heather backing away slowly.

They immediately ran in the pirates began to give chase.

"Get back here!"

Three of the pirates chased after them down an alleyway, but the first mate stopped a group of them.

"This way, we'll cut them off," he said pointing down a number alleyway.

Quickly Hiccup and the others turned round the corner and Heather then did some water onto the ground and then froze it. One of the pilots immediately slid on the ice and crashed into a store.

Around the corner of the same old man that try to sell cabbages at Omnitakle was moving his cart. He immediately panicked when the twins bumped into his cart knocking a few cabbages over, which immediately caught. The same thing happened when Heather and Astrid went by and that was quickly followed by Snotlout and Hiccup.

Ragnar on the other hand pretty much jumped over the cart, but he quickly turned and unleashed a powerful gust of wind directly at the cart. To the cabbage salesman follow the cart was sent flying right into the pirates.

"My cabbages!" he cried. "This place is worse than Omnitakle!"

For brief moment it looks like that they had managed to lose the pirates, but then suddenly appearing round the corner was the first mate and his men. They quickly turned around and immediately turned round the corner only to discover that it was a dead end.

"Now," said the first mate looking at them. "Who gets to taste the steel of my blade first?"

"Nobody," said Hiccup. He then looked at Snotlout. "Snotlout now!"

Snotlout immediately slammed his hands on the ground creating a massive dust cloud hiding them from view. The pirates immediately charged towards the dust, but only to find that they had vanished.

Upon closer inspection, the first mate discovered a hole within the ground. It became abundantly clear that Snotlout created it in order for them to get away and then as quickly as it appeared it was sealed behind them.


It took some effort but they finally were able to get back to the lagoon and were promptly worn out.

"Well, that was a complete waste of time," Snotlout grumbled.

Ragnar frowned. "I just don't understand why they were chasing us?"

"I think I can answer that," said Heather and she immediately held out the same Water Bending Scroll she had looked at on the pirates boat.

"No way," Hiccup stared.

Ragnar immediately marched up. "No wonder they were trying to hack us up, you stole their Water Bending scroll."

"I prefer to think of it as high-risk trading," said Heather folding her arms.

Astrid laughed. "Good one, Heather."

Heather then looked at Ragnar. "Ragnar where do you think they got it? They stole it from a Water Bender."

Snotlout looked angry. "I can't believe you put our lives in danger so that you could learn some stupid fancy splashes!"

Heather narrowed her eyes. "These are real Water Bending forms, you know how crucial it is for Hiccup to learn Water Bending."

"Stupid scroll. Stupid Water Bending," Snotlout grumbled as he walked away.

Hiccup sighed. "What's done is done, we have it we might as well learn from it."


Eret had docked his ship and the same port that Hiccup and the others had visited. It took longer than 10 minutes for Bjorn to find the missing piece he needed and he still hasn't found it.

"I've checked all the shots at this peer," he said to his nephew. "Not a Dragon Rider piece in the entire marketplace."

"It was good to know that this trip was a complete waste of time for everybody!" Eret roared.

Bjorn looked at him. "Quite the contrary, I always say the only thing better than finding something you are looking for…" Then suddenly walking past them were the soldiers carrying that array of items that Bjorn had bought, "finding something you weren't looking for at a great bargain."

Eret then saw that among the items was a tuba. "You bought a tuba?"

"For music night on the ship," Bjorn explained. He then rubbed his chin as he walked away. "Now if only we had a flute."

He then saw the pirates ship along the pier.

"Oh, this looks promising," he said.


They immediately went inside instead of finding a flute or a Dragon Rider piece, Bjorn's attention was immediately grabbed by a creepy stone statue with Ruby eyes.

"Ooh, that is handsome," he said beaming and looked at Eret. "Wouldn't that look magnificent in the galley?"

The First Mate was talking to the Captain, both looking frustrated.

"We lost the Water Tribes girl and the monk she was travelling with," he explained. "That kid they had with them was an Earth Bender."

Eret was immediately intrigued because those descriptions matched Heather, Ragnar and Snotlout.

"This monk did he have an arrow on his head?" he asked.


Elsewhere in the lagoon, Hiccup and Heather were examining the Water Bending scroll and the moves that were engraved upon it.

"I just want to try this one move first and then it's all yours," she said to Hiccup gesturing to the second move on the bottom. She then handed him the scroll to hold it up. "Here hold it open for me."

She immediately backed away from lagoon and practice the hand movements.

"The Single Water Whip, looks doable," she said.

She immediately raised a length of water from the lagoon and began to move her hands in the same manner as depicted on the scroll. However, it was a bit flimsy and when she tried to whip it, it whipped her instead.

Snotlout laughed. "The only thing this entertainment is missing is some free food."

Ragnar looked gravely concerned. "Is Hiccup supposed to be learning Water Bending or is it you?"

Heather turned on him. "Hiccup will get his turn once I figure out the Water Whip. Besides, how much do you think he can fare without need teaching him?"

Heather then once again tried to perform the move, but the water went out of control and struck Snotlout knocking him off the rock he was sitting on.

Ragnar chuckled. "You're right, this is good entertainment."

Snotlout narrowed his eyes. "Shut up, Ragnar."

Heather was now yelling in frustration. "Why can't I learn this stupid move?"

Ragnar then looked at her. "Because you're letting your frustration cloud your vision. I believe that once you relax a little you learn the move. Plus I think that you need to shift your way through the senses."

Heather looked at him annoyed. "How does an Air Bending know anything about Water Bending?"

Ragnar looked at her. "Heather, I understand that you feel like a burden, but that is not true."

"Oh, it's true," said Ruffnut.

Tuffnut nodded. "Yeah, her she's supposed to be a Water Bending and yet she barely knows anything about it herself."

Heather looked at them angrily, but Hiccup quickly approached not wanting her to unleash her bath upon the twins.

"I think what Ragnar is trying to say, is that you shouldn't try and rush for perfection," said Hiccup placing a hand on her shoulder. "Look not all of us learned a move the first time either. Not to mention you don't have anyone teaching you when you're going wrong."

Heather took a deep breath. "Thanks guys." She then picked up the scroll and handed it back to Hiccup. "I think you're right, maybe a little break from Water Bending will help."


At the marketplace the pirates were now sailing down the river with Eret and his men, who were on the boat.

The Captain looked at Eret. "Shouldn't we start to search the words?"

Eret sighed. "We don't need a staff. They stole a Water Bending scroll, right?"

The Captain nodded.

"Then they'll be on the water," said Eret simply.


It was night and everyone was asleep, all except for Heather. She had been unable to fall asleep as a fixation on the scroll was eating away at her mind.

She got out of her sleeping bag and went through Hiccup's satchel and took the Water Bending scroll. She then quietly made her way out of the campsite, but came face-to-face with Windshear, who looked at her.

"Sorry, girl, but I need to do this alone," she said rubbing the dragon's head. "You go back to sleep."

She then made her way back towards the lagoon then tried once again to learn the Water Whip, with very limited success. She kept on flailing her arms around in frustration which was not helping one bit.

"Shoot!" she yelled glaring at the water. "Come on water, work with me here!"

She then tried to bend the water yet again only to strike herself yet again. Unfortunately not too far away was Eret and the Captain and they could hear her close by.

"Stupid scroll!" she yelled.

Eret and the Captain looked at one another.

Heather was unaware that they were closing in on and continue to try and bend the water.

"Okay Heather, shift your weight through the stances," she said only to find the water not obeying her commands.

She was immediately brought out of her thoughts when she heard the sound of a mechanism close by. She peered through the bushes and to her horror she found Fire Empire barge parked at the beach.

She immediately ran in order to inform the others, but then collided with the pirates, who then promptly grabbed her.

"No! Let go of me!" she yelled.

She then bend the water and struck the pirates across the face with it and immediately ran for it only to collide with Eret.

"I'll save you from the pirates," he said with a smirk.


Heather soon found herself tied to a tree surrounded by both Empire soldiers and pirates.

"Tell me where he is and I won't hurt you or your friends," Eret promised.

"Go jump into the river!" Heather snapped.

Eret took a deep breath and looked at her calmly. "Try and understand, I need to capture him in order to restore something I lost, my honour." Heather immediately looked away from him and then he leaned towards her ear. "Perhaps in exchange, I can restore something you lost."

He then held out Heather's necklace. "My mother's necklace." She then watched as Eret walked away. "How did you get that?"

"I didn't steal it if that's what you're wondering," said Eret he then narrowed his eyes. "Tell me where he is!"

"No!" Heather snapped.

The Captain immediately approached Eret. "Enough of this, necklace garbage. You promise to the scroll."

Eret held out the scroll and then promptly held a precariously explained he produced from his other hand. "I wonder how much this is worse."

The pirates immediately gasped.

"A lot not apparently," Eret smirked. He then looked at him seriously. "Now you'll find what I want and you get this back and everyone goes home happy. Searched words for scrawny auburn head boy and meet back here."

Captain narrowed his eyes at him. "Fine."

He then turned to his men and made his way into the forest.


The next morning, Ragnar was the first one to wake up and the first one to notice that Heather was gone.

"Oh, don't tell me," said Ragnar as he immediately looked into Hiccup's satchel. "Of course she did."

It was at that point that everyone began to awake.

"What's the problem?" Hiccup yawned.

"She took the scroll," Ragnar sighed.

"Who took the scroll?" Snotlout frowned.

Ruffnut gave him an emotionless expression. "Heather, duh! She obviously took the scroll in order to learn some Water Bending."

Tuffnut shook his head. "Poor Heather, she cannot seem to realise that she has no need to prove herself and believes that she is a burden."

Everyone just stared at them with blank looks.

Snotlout folded his arms. "Well it only into a matter of time before she—"

It was at that point that something wrapped itself around his legs and with one good pull he found himself face first in the dirt. They looked up and saw that it was one of the pirates being counted yesterday, spinning a cable around his head.

Immediately everyone grabbed their weapons and took fighting stances. Astrid was the first one to engage the pirate raising her axe and yelling.

Ragnar could sense something behind them and saw another pirate holding a pair of crossbows and noticed that the bolts were tied to a net. The pirate fired a net, Ragnar tried to counter it with a burst of air, but it was moving too fast and he found himself completely wrapped in the net.

Snotlout picked himself up and began to raise his hands into the air lifting a couple of boulders. However before you the chance to toss them another pirate struck him in the back of the head, knocking him unconscious.

Hiccup immediately began to fire fireballs in the pirates began to surround, but then several cables wrap themselves around his arms and legs preventing him from moving. Astrid began to engage the pirate and appear to have the upper hand until he ducked his blade into the ground and tossed a bit of dirt into her eyes blinding. With that done he was easily able to overpower and soon the same thing could be said for the twins.

"Got them!" said one of the pirates.

"Let's go," said another.

They then began to drag their captives away.


It was dawn when they brought them in front of Eret.

"Nice work," said Eret as he pulled out the scroll.

Hiccup and the others were trying to get out of their bonds, but the knots around Astrid, Ragnar, Fishlegs and the twins were just too tough. Hiccup was unable to melt the metal chains on his arms and Snotlout was completely immobilised.

Heather looked at them apologetically. "This is all my fault, guys."

Ragnar shook his head. "No, Heather it isn't."

"Yeah, it kind of its," said Bjorn.

"Give me the boy," said Eret.

"You give us the scroll," said the Captain.

Snotlout snorted. "You are really going to hand over the Avatar for a stupid piece of parchment?"

"Don't listen to him, he's trying to turn us against each other," said Eret.

"No, he just talks before he thinks," Astrid glared.

Captain then looked at Hiccup. "You mean it he is the Avatar."

"Sure is," said Tuffnut.

"Why else would be with a Fire Bender?" Ruffnut asked.

"Yeah, he'll sell a lot more the black market than that fancy scroll," Snotlout nodded.

"Shut your mouth you idiot!" Eret roared.

"Good luck with that," Astrid sighed. "We been trying to shut him up since he joined us."

"Personally I gave up trying on day one," Ragnar shrugged.

"Guys, I don't think this is the time to argue about Snotlout's big mouth," said Hiccup nodding towards the pirates and Eret's men.

"You've gotta admit be a much more lucrative business deal if they kept you and sold you to the Emperor," said Ruffnut shrugged.

"Yeah, he would pay them oodles of coin for you," Tuffnut nodded in agreement. "I mean these guys will be set for life."

The Captain looked at Eret. "Keep the scroll, wakened by a hundred for what we would get handing over the kid."

The pirates then began to walk away which infuriated Eret to no end.

"You'll regret breaking and deal with me," he glared.

Then he and two of his Fire Benders fired a fire blast towards them. The pirates immediately jumped out of the way and the first mate charged towards them and throwing several smoke grenades completely covering Eret and the Fire Benders before jumping into the smoke himself.

The soldiers then began to move in towards Hiccup and the others, but then blocking their path with the pirates and then they tossed several smoke grenades onto the ground. The soldier starts before they reached the smoke cloud, but then they were dragged in by the pirates.

Soon everyone is fighting blind within the smoke, but Astrid managed to use the spill the soldier to cut her bonds. She then jumped out of the smoke and saw her axe amongst with the other stuff. She immediately retreated and rushed over towards Heather and cut the rope tying her to the tree.

"You all right?" Astrid asked.

Heather nodded. "I'm sorry for dragging us into this mess."

"We can discuss this later, we need to help the others," said Astrid gesturing to the smoke.

They immediately ran into the smoke began to join the fight.

Ragnar was wandering through the smoke trying to find the others. He then sensed something close by and dodged just in time to avoid a knife. Thankfully the knife missed, but it was able to slice the ropes tying his hands together.

Hiccup then suddenly back into him. "Fancy meeting you here."

"Never a dull moment," said Ragnar as he dodged a spear.

Hiccup then quickly use the spear in order to slice the chains that bound his hands.

Eret had somehow been pushed out of the smoke screen, he then strapped the scroll to the back of his belt. Then he saw something of the corner of his eye and ducked just in time to avoid the sword from the Captain.

The two of them took fighting stances and Eret thrusted his hand forward and unleashing a fireball. The Captain was able to dodge it and then used his sword to block Eret's kick which he used in order to unleash fire. He then thrusted his sword forward, but Eret blocked it with his gauntlets and then performed a fiery back fist.

The Captain was able to dodge the flames and grabbed Eret's hands. Now the two of them were looking directly at one another and then a pirate used his cable to snag the scroll from his belt. However, before he could grab it Astrid appeared out of nowhere and grabbed it.

The pirate immediately began to chase after her and then tackled her to the ground. This caused her to release the grip she had on the scroll and it fell right into the smoke screen where everyone was still fighting.

"Oh, Thor. Oh, Thor," Fishlegs panicked as he tried to get far away from the fighting as possible. Then a blade fell directly in front of him and he immediately used it in order to cut the rope around his wrists. "Hiccup? Ragnar? Are you there?

"Just follow our voices," said Hiccup.

"Where? I can't find you!" Fishlegs cried.

"We're right here!" Ragnar yelled.

He then used his Air Bending to push back the smoke, which turned out to be a mistake. Hiccup and Ragnar then found themselves completely surrounded by pirates and soldiers. A split second later Ragnar drew the smoke back in.

"Uh, we'll find you," said Hiccup.

The twins had also managed to free from their bonds and were carrying this still chained Snotlout away from the smoke. A few seconds later Hiccup, Ragnar and Fishlegs emerged from the smoke.

"Run!" Hiccup cried.

"Easy for you to say!" Snotlout cried as he began hopping after them. "You're not chained up!"

Hiccup groaned and immediately used his Fire Bending in the form of a blowtorch in order to cut the chains around him. "Happy now?"

Snotlout shrugged. "A little."

They then saw that Heather and Astrid, who unsurprisingly managed to take out the pirates that tackled her, were now trying to push the pirate's boat into the water.

"Astrid? Heather? You're okay," said Hiccup relieved.

"Help us get this boat back into the water so we can get out of here," said Astrid.

"This thing weighs a ton," said Heather.

All of them immediately help to assist the girls, but even with the eight of them they weren't able to push it into the water.

"It's no use," said Ragnar.

An idea then letting Hiccup's head. "I've got an idea."

A few seconds later both he and Heather began to bend the water in order to create waves. It took a few tries but eventually they were able to get the boat into the water.


Eret and the captain were still fighting completely unaware of what was happening. Then Bjorn grabbed Eret's shoulder and the captain's wrist and pushed them back.

"Are you so busy fighting that you can't see that your own ship has set sail?" said Bjorn looking at the captain.

Eret turned on his uncle. "We don't have time for one of your proverbs, uncle."

"It isn't a proverb," Bjorn pointed.

They turned and saw Hiccup and the others were sailing away on the pirates ship.

"Blistering barnacles!" the captain gasped and imminently ran after his own ship.

Eret laughed at his dismay, but stopped instantly when he saw the other pirates had stolen his boat.

"Hey! That's my boat!" he yelled and chased after them.

Bjorn rubbed his chin. "Maybe it should be a proverb."

"Come on, uncle!"


In the pirate's ship, Snotlout saw the pirates were gaining on them.

"Can't this thing move any faster!" he yelled looking at Astrid, who was steering.

"Hey, this thing wasn't made by the Empire!" she snapped.

The boat then appeared alongside them and one by one the pirates began to board them.

The twins grabbed a couple of swords and stared to engaged them. Snotlout, who was useless on a wood ship, grabbed an axe and went to assist.

Astrid looked at Fishlegs. "Take the wheel," she said realising her grip.

Fishlegs stared at her. "What? Me?"

"Yes, you," she snapped and drew her axe.

Heather then saw two pirates approaching her, but Hiccup lifted his hands and water sored out of the river and stuck the pirates. One was knocked of the ship, but the other managed to stay one, he then drew his blade and advanced towards Heather.

See that she had little choice, she concentrated and began to bend the water of the ship. She then appended to perform the Water Whip and this time it actually worked. The pirate was stuck by the water and fell of the boat.

Ragnar smiled at her. "Hey, you did the Water Whip."

Heather smiled back. "I couldn't have down it without your help."

Fishlegs looked at them with a panicked look. "Do you think you can help deal with these pirates?" he asked as the first mate began to wrestle with him. "I'm a little out of my element here."

A bully looking pirate then grabbed Fishlegs and tossed him onto the deck right on top of the others.

Ragnar then rushed towards them and before the first mate realised what happened, he unleashed a large bust of air sending him flying. The other pirate tried to grab him, but Ragnar was too fast and got behind him. He then spun his hands over his hand trapping the pirate in a vortex and then sent him flying of the ship.

Ragnar then jumped down to make sure the others were okay, but Hiccup and Heather spotted something ahead of them. They were sailing towards a ranging waterfall.

"Great just perfect," Hiccup groaned.

He then saw the first mate had drew his sword and was making his way towards Tuffnut.

Tuffnut then pulled out his whistle and blew it. Of course there was no sound and the pirate continued to advance towards them. Astrid then dealt him a quick jab in the side and kicked him overboard.

Astrid then glared at the twins. "What are you two muttonheads doing? In case you've forgotten we're about to go over a waterfall."

Hiccup saw they were getting closer to the waterfall and turned to Heather. "Heather, we've gotta stop the current."

Heather nodded. "We'll need to push and pull the water together."

Hiccup and Heather then began to push and pull their arms forwards and backs. They began to pull the water back stopping them from falling down the waterfall and turned the ship sideways.

"It's working!" Fishlegs cried looking over the side. "It's slowing down!"

"We're doing it," Heather smilled.

Snotlout, however, was looking on the other side of the ship and saw Eret's boat heading towards them. "But we've got another problem!"

There was no way they could stop the boat and it collided into them. The impact cased Hiccup and Heather to lose their constriction and they began to go over the waterfall.

They then began screaming as they fell of the ship, but then falling out of nowhere was a Hideous Zippleback and leaded onto of it. The ship and boat, however weren't as luck and were completely destroyed when they went over the waterfall.

Tuffnut held out the whistle and smiled. "I knew this whistle was good for something."

"And we've got our own dragon," Ruffnut smiled.

Snotlout rolled his eyes. "Great two more mouths to feed."

Ragnar shook his head and looked at the twins, who now riding on each other dragon's heads. "So what are you calling them?"

"Barf," said Ruffnut.

"And Belch," said Tuffnut.


Eret soon reached the edge of the waterfall and saw his destroyed boat.

"My boat!" he yelled.

Bjorn finally caught up to him and laughed. "Eret… you're really going to get a kick out of this." He then reached into his sleeve and pulled out a marble Maces and Talons piece. "The Maces and Talons piece was in my sleeve the whole time!"

Eret was breathing heavily and in anger he took the piece and tossed it over the waterfall. It eventually landed onto of the first mate as he and the other pirates floated down the river.


Hiccup and the others managed to get back to their campsite and were soon in the air on their dragons.

Heather looked at the others with an apologetic look. "Guys, I owe you an apology. I just felt so useless that my pride got the better of me. I put us all in danger and I'm sorry."

Ragnar flew close to Heather and smiled. "Heather, we're here for you and nothing is ever going to change that."

Heather smiled back. "I just wish we still had the scroll."

"You mean this scroll," said Fishlegs holding out the scroll.

Hiccup stared at him. "Where did you get that."

"It fell on top of my head," said Fishlegs rubbing his head. He then gave it to Heather. "Just promise me we're not going to steal anymore."

"Not unless their pirates," Heather chuckled.

Astrid laughed. "Good on Heather."

They then continued to fly over the clouds and continued their journey.