BOOM

There was a moment of calm, before chaos broke out. Blaze lunged at the hunters, releasing a long stream of fire. Hiccup took this time to break free. The guards' attention had lapsed while the nightmare attacked, leaving Hiccup with precious time. He kicked out, and used his smaller stature to slip between the three burly men. They grabbed for him, but he was already several feet away.

"Astrid!" Hiccup called out, dodging another attack. She swung her axe into the thigh of one of the hunters, leaving him to hobble away. She leaped upwards, landing heavily on one of the hunters, leaving his gasping on the ground.

"Hiccup," she said, finally making it over to him. "We have to beat them quickly," Astrid said, swinging at a hunter that got too close. Hiccup nodded in agreement.

"We have to use the dragons. Where's Stormfly?" Astrid pointed to where the nadder was flinging spikes at hunters from the air.

"Here, take this," Astrid said, thrusting a sword at him. Hiccup grabbed it a moment too late. He felt a brutal blow force his body to the ground, and pushing his face into the dirt. He struggled viciously, trying to fend off his attacker. But it was hopeless. His attacker had to weigh at least 300 pounds.

"Hello dragon rider," the hunter hissed, slamming his elbow into Hiccup's back. Hiccup gasped, as the air was driven from his body. He could see the forest fading… his chest heaving for breath. He gasped a little longer, before going limp on the forest floor.

Toothless gripped at the cage with his teeth, wrenching at the bars. He only succeeded in making his mouth bleed. He'd heard Hiccup's cry of pain even from where he was, and was trying desperately to get out. He growled, forcing one of his paws through the bars. He tried to claw his way out, but the bars were unbreakable.

The sound of scraping alerted him that another dragon was moving in their cage. Toothless glanced up, and saw the skrill was also trying to break free.

You heard Hiccup as well? Toothless asked. Nightwhisper nodded, clawing at his cage. Toothless studied his cage harder, searching for a weakness. Then, he saw it. The key lock. It would be impossible to fire at from inside but… An idea popped into the night fury's head.

Stay back, Toothless commanded. Nightwhisper backed up in his cage. Toothless narrowed his eyes, judging his target. He only got one chance at this. He aimed at the center of the key hole, and fire once. His plasma blast ripped at the lock, almost destroying it. He'd found the weakness of the cage. It would just take teamwork to get them open.

Nightwhisper shoved at the door, and it gave way, letting the skrill out free. He shot up into the sky, disappearing. Toothless growled softly. But before he could begin to doubt Nightwhisper, a lightning bolt slammed into his keyhole, forcing open the door. Toothless broke free with a roar, shooting up into the sky. But something made him pause. He heard the sounds of battle, and it sounded like the riders needed help.

Nightwhisper! We need to get the other dragons out! Nightwhisper turned around, and immediately started blasting cages. Toothless did the same, freeing the dozens of trapped dragons. Nightwhisper tried rounding the dragons up to go to the riders, but for the most part, they didn't listen.

Toothless was beginning to panic. His master was in real danger. He let loose a ear shattering roar, firing a light blue plasma blast in the air. Toothless looked at his back in surprise. It was slightly glowing a neon blue. He watched as it faded again. But it was enough. The dragons followed him as he went back to the battle.

Astrid gasped as her right leg was cut. She stumbled to the ground, pressing her fingers to the wound. Stormfly tried to reach her, but the nadder was being forced back by hunters. A hunter approached Astrid, ready to end everything. He swung down with his sword, just as Astrid rolled. The sword actually cut some of her hair, but missed her flesh by just inches. She continued rolling, before jumping upwards. She could still fight. The cut was long and shallow, but not really serious.

"Help!" Astrid looked around to see Snotlout surrounded by seven hunters. He had a mace, but the odds of him making it out alive… not good. Astrid raced over, picking up a discarded sword on her way. She thrust once, and a hunter crumpled to her feet. But then the rest turned on her. She felt another stinging cut on her torso, as she didn't quite dodge a sword blow. Snotlout brought his mace down on one hunter's head, who fell against a nearby tree. Astrid swung her sword skillfully, taking down hunter after hunter.

But whenever she struck one, another just seemed to take their place. And she was getting injured as well. She gasped as a mace spike gouged her arm.

"Astrid!" Hiccup yelled, throwing his sword above her head. It plowed right into a hunter, preparing to strike a surprise attack. Astrid looked back at Hiccup, whose eyes were wide with horror. With the three of them, they could somewhat defend themselves, but what they really needed were dragons.

Hiccup glanced around the battlefield, desperation rising in him. Barf and Belch were being backed up against the cliff, simply overwhelmed. Meatlug was out of shots, and she was protecting Fishlegs with her body. But not even a gronkle could take so many blows, and she was weakening fast. Hookfang's fire was quickly running out, as he kept torching hunters. He turned to talk to Astrid, but realized she was gone. He heard her cry out, which made his blood chill. Snotlout pointed to where the love of his life was currently struggling in Erik's arms. He flipped her over, more powerful than the slim blonde.

"ASTRID!" Hiccup yelled, springing across the grass. He saw red, and almost ran his half brother over. But Erik was too quick, and grabbed Astrid again, pressing his sword to her throat.

"Please, I'll do anything," Hiccup pleaded. Astrid shook her head, gasping at the sword bit into her throat. Erik looked regretful, like he didn't want to do it. But, then his features hardened, and he prepared to slit her throat.

A purple blast came from overhead, knocking Erik clear across the field. Hiccup looked up, and saw the dozens of dragons streaking across the sky. Toothless was leading them, unleashing a fury of attacks on the hunters.

The dragons were here.

Whew, that was really fun to write. Sorry about the delay

Next time… As the battle rages, Hiccup realizes the potential in Erik, and decides to try and help his half brother.

You guys are amazing. R&R

NightLightning21