Author's Note: Here's the tenth chapter of my story. Hope you all enjoy it. I managed to get this one done earlier than usual.
I don't own How to Train Your Dragon, only Hicca (female Hiccup), Asher (male Astrid), Bones (Boneknapper), Serpentina (Grapple Grounder), Mist (Scauldron), Blazer (Monstrous Nightmare), Etch (Whispering Death), Grabble (Smothering Smokebreath), Melt (titan-wing Changewing), Spinetail (Deadly Nadder), Laval (Fireworm Princess), Glint (Flightmare), Flame (Typhoomerang).
"..." Human p.o.v.
"..." Dragon p.o.v.
'...' Human thought.
'...' Dragon thought.
Hope you all enjoy. Be sure to review. Now on with the chapter.
Chapter 10: A View to a Skrill, Part I
Hicca, Snotlout, and Asher are in a mission to find Bucket and Mulch since they are two days overdue of being gone in a fishing trip.
"We're getting pretty far North." Asher says flying beside Hicca who is riding Bones.
"Bucket and Mulch are two days overdue. We need to keep searching." Hicca says.
"You don't really think they're up here, do you?" Asher asks shivering.
"You can't take the cold, huh, Asher?" Snotlout asks with a smirk on her face.
"No, I just forgot to bring my heated seat like you do."
"That's right. You didn't." Snotlout says chuckling as she snaps her fingers and Hookfang flames up a little. "Ah, toasty." She says as Hookfang warms her up with his body heat.
"Just great. I've be reduced to a heater." Hookfang says but then they all hear distant shouting.
"Looks like they're in trouble. Come on, boy." Hicca says.
"You guy it, Hicca. Let's smash some heads." Bones says
"Berserkers, commandeer this vessel for Dagur the Deranged." Berserker Captain Vorg says as his men charge at Bucket and Mulch.
"Slimy, stinky eel, meet slimy, stinky marauder." Mulch says using an eel as a weapon and knocks a Berserker off the boat.
Bucket has two Berserkers charge at him but he sends them overboard only to have a third strike his bucket with a mace but it doesn't affect him and the Berserker jumps overboard joining the other in the water.
"Take that, you-" Mulch begins to say jumping on a Berserker with Bucket sitting on his face but they then hear a clicking noise as they turn around to see Vorg and four of his men aim crossbows at them.
"Surrender or-" Vorg begins to say but then he and his men dodge spines coming at them.
"Nice shooting, Asher. Snotlout, light 'em up." Hicca says as they swoop down with Snotlout and Hookfang destroying the walking plank while whooping.
"Okay, Bones. It's our turn." Hicca says.
"Take this!" Bones yells using his bone mace-like tail to send the Berserker ship away from the glacier.
"Retreat. Retreat." Vorg orders as they make their retreat.
A while after the Berserkers retreated Hicca, Asher, and Snotlout dismount their dragons and board Bucket and Mulch's boat.
"What happened here?" Hicca asks.
"Well, we thought the Berserkers had hit an iceberg, and so we came into help. They attacked us. Because we saw it." Mulch says squinting his eyes.
"It?" Hicca and Asher ask confused.
Mulch then leads them to were the Berserkers were digging in the ice and spot a figure inside.
"It!" Mulch says pointing his horn at the figure as Hicca rubs the ice to get a clearer look.
"That looks like a…dragon." Hicca says wide eyed.
"Why would Berserkers be trying to dig it out?" Asher asks.
"No idea. But I'm going to find out." Hicca says.
"Oh, great. Now we have to dig it out?" Snotlout asks complaining.
"Actually, I have a much better idea." Hicca says staring at her Boneknapper.
A few minutes later, they manage to dig the dragon out but keep it in an ice block and now fly it back to Berk.
At the academy, the riders were staring at the frozen dragon trying to decide what to do with it.
"Okay, so you found a frozen dragon." Toothless says sniffing at the ice.
"The question is; what do we do with it?" Torch asks.
"I say we smash it." Snotlout says pounding her fist into her palm.
"I say we blast it." Tuffnut says as he and Ruffnut climb on top of the ice.
"I say we blast it, then smash it." Ruffnut says.
"Then blast it again." She and Tuffnut say together.
"Stop saying what I'm saying now!" Tuffnut shouts.
"Yeah, that's certainly one approach." Hicca says as she walks forward.
"Good ma'am, I believe it is actually three approaches, my fine lady." Tuffnut says as he and Ruffnut hop off the ice.
"Let's just get a better look at this thing. Laval, give me a slow burn." Hicca says to her Fireworm Princess.
"With pleasure, Hicca." Laval says and coils around the ice and her body lights up and the ice begins to melt.
"Nicely done, Laval." Hicca says praising her Fireworm Princess.
"Oh, man." Fishlegs says now getting a better look at the dragon inside.
"Is that what I think it is?" Hicca asks.
"I think so, but I've only seen pictures." Fishlegs says.
"Do you realize how huge this could be, Fishlegs?" Hicca asks.
"The word "epic" comes to mind." Fishlegs says.
"I hate it when they get like this." Asher says.
"Don't you just?" Snotlout asks resting her elbow on Asher's shoulder but he shrugs her off.
"I should check the Book of Dragons to be sure about this." Fishlegs says.
"Yeah. Good idea. If we're right, this could be big trouble." Hicca says.
"If someone doesn't start filling me in, I'm getting my axe." Asher says following the girls and their dragons.
"No one touches that ice while we're gone." Hicca says knowing what they were planning to do.
At the Great Hall, tensions rise from the villagers after the incident of Bucket and Mulch with the Berserkers.
"All right. Calm down." Stoick says.
"This is an act of war." Mulch says angrily.
"Don't jump to conclusions about what this attack means." Stoick says trying to keep everyone calm.
"I don't know, Stoick. Seems pretty cut and dried to me. I mean, if you think about it, an attack is an attack. Am I right, people?" Gobber asks getting everyone riled up.
"And thank you, Gobber." Stoick says sarcastically to his friend.
"Always here to help." Gobber says.
"I think I know why Dagur's men attacked Bucket and Mulch." Hicca says walking in with Toothless and Asher.
"Go on, darling." Stoick says to his daughter.
"We got a better look at the dragon Bucket and Mulch found in the ice." Hicca says.
"We found a dragon? Oh, can we keep it? I've always wanted my own dragon, Mulch." Bucket says excitedly.
"Uh, it's a Skrill." Hicca says grimly.
"Oh. I don't want one of those." Bucket says but Mulch elbow him in the gut. "Ow!" He yelps in pain.
"Are you sure about this, darling?" Stoick asks.
"Oh, we are sure." Fishlegs says entering the Great Hall laughing. "Whoo! Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah, Fishlegs." She says giggling and chuckling as everyone stares at her. "Sorry, chief, that happens sometimes when we discover a new dragon. I get a little-" She begins to say.
"Look, it's right here. That is definitely a Skrill." Hicca says taking the Book of Dragons and showing the drawing of the Skrill symbol to everyone.
"And the Skrill is the symbol of…" Asher begins to say.
Meanwhile, on an island Dagur and his tribe were gathered at the main ship that had the symbol of the Skrill on it.
"My brothers, this is an historic day for the Berserker tribe. After many years and many searches, Captain Vorg has found a Skrill." Dagur announces addressing his army as they cheer while raising Vorg's arm. "It is such a great occasion, I'm willing to forgive his failure to bring it to me." He says twisting Vorg's arm causing him to fall to the deck of the ship with a thud. "Get up. For centuries the Skrill has represented our strength, our power, our ferocity. As long as Hicca and her little dragon club have our dragon, we will not rest! We will take the Skrill out of her frail, beautiful, little hands and destroy that Night Fury together!" He says and his men cheer again.
Back on Berk, Stoick, Gobber, Hicca, Toothless, Asher, and Fishlegs exit the Great Hall.
"Legend has it the lightning comes from the Skrill's mouth and thunder from its-well, you know." Gobber says.
"Remind me never to get behind one." Asher says knowing what Gobber meant.
"That's actually inaccurate. According to the Book of Dragons, the Skrill drew lightning from the clouds and then redirected it." Fishlegs informs the group.
"It could use that lightning to hit several targets at once, which is why it was such a feared dragon. Making it a proud member of the Strike Class like Toothless." Hicca says gesturing to her Night Fury.
"You got that right." Toothless says proudly with his head held high.
"It could also store the lightning in its body and use it later." Fishlegs says.
"I've heard enough. We need to get rid of that Skrill or Hicca, you need to tame. It's just the excuse Dagur needs to go to war." Stoick says.
"You all know I love a good fight as much as the next person, but why not just give it to them? It's just a frozen dragon carcass after all." Gobber says.
"Actually, because of their internal body temperature, Skrills can stay safely frozen for decades." Fishlegs says nervously.
"So let me be clear. This dragon may still be alive, and you left Ruffnut, Tuffnut, and Snotlout to guard it?" Stoick asks his daughter as they make their way to the academy.
"Okay, that sounds much worse when you say it. But it's frozen solid in a block of ice. How much damage could it possibly do?" Hicca asks but then a large explosion is seen from the academy.
"You've got to be kidding." Toothless growls running fast towards the academy.
"It's not that bad." Ruffnut says nervously.
"Yeah, maybe Hicca won't even notice." Tuffnut says nervous as well.
"No, she's definitely gonna notice." Snotlout says.
"For sure." Hookfang says as they see the Skrill now free from its icy prison as it roars.
The Skrill was dark grey with purple markings and lighter belly. This incredible creature has large wings and a spiked back and tail. The spikes on the Skrill's back and tail are sharp enough to cut with the slightest abrasion, and it's an excellent flyer. It also appears to have three shark-like gills on its neck. The Skrill posses a crown of spikes on its head which nearly all are the same length except for the center one. The Skrill's crown can also be used to give it expression, as it is able to control them to be pulled back or forward. The Skrill also has three short spines on its chin. Its head slightly resembles that of a Thunderdrum or a Flightmare. The proportion of its head, body, and wings are quite close that of a Flightmare's. It apparently resembles a Night Fury in flight and rivals its speed, being only slightly slower. It's the size of a Deadly Nadder, but incredibly fast, comparing speed to size.
"Yeah, for sure. Definitely." Tuffnut says.
"What did you do?" Toothless ask wide eyed after entering the academy and seeing the now freed Skrill.
"Now calm down." Meatlug says trying to calm the Skrill.
They then surround the Skrill and try to prevent it from escaping but it charges towards the exit knocking Stormfly out of the way.
"Stormfly!" Toothless shouts running over to check on her. "Are you all right, love?" He asks nuzzling her head.
"I'm fine." Stormfly says nuzzling Toothless back.
"I got a plan." Tuffnut says.
"Great. What is it?" Ruffnut asks.
"Blame Snotlout." Tuffnut says making the girl groan as they see the others enter the academy.
"Their fault." Snotlout says quickly pointing at the twins.
"Hey. She stole our plan." Ruffnut says.
"I told you guys to leave it alone." Hicca says sighing.
"It jumped us. Sneaky dragon." Tuffnut says dismounting Barf and Belch with his sister.
"From inside a block of ice?" Hicca asks.
"Uh…very sneaky dragon." Tuffnut says smiling nervously.
"Okay." Hicca says but then hears her father groan. "What is it, daddy?" She asks.
"When I was a lad, my father's father used to sit me on his knee and tell me stories. I thought they were just tales." Stoick says looking up at the night sky.
"Tales about what?" Hicca asks.
"Berserker fleets attacking behind harnessed dragons that brought down lightning from the sky and destroyed everything in their path." Stoick says.
"You don't think the Berserkers could actually control a Skrill?" Hicca asks.
"I didn't think anyone could ride a Night Fury or be able to have dragon blood in their body. We just can't take the chance. If the Berserkers find that Skrill and know some way to control it-" Stoick begins to say.
"We'll find it, daddy. I promise." Hicca says as lightning strikes.
The next day, the gang have been flying in search for the Skrill for hours with no progress.
"Any idea what we do after we find it?" Asher asks.
"We catch it, I tame it, I train it, and I keep it away from Dagur so he doesn't use it against us." Hicca says with determination.
"Oh, yeah. That sounds easy enough." Asher says sarcastically.
"Actually, the Skrill does have some weaknesses. According to the Book of Dragons, it can't redirect any lightning if it's in the water." Fishlegs informs the group.
"That's a start." Hicca says.
"No, a start would be having any clue where this stupid thing is. We've been circling the island for hours, and I'm starving." Snotlout says.
"Snotlout, you just said something unintentionally brilliant." Hicca says.
"Of course I did. What was it again?" Snotlout asks.
"When you wake up in the morning, what's the very first thing you want to do?" Hicca asks the girl.
"Well, usually I have to-" Snotlout begins to say.
"No, after that." Hicca says quickly interrupting the girl before she can finish her sentence.
"Oh. Eat." Snotlout says.
"Exactly. Fishlegs, what is the Skrill's food of choice?" Hicca asks as Fishlegs thinks for a minute before make a left turn heading to a farm.
The riders then arrive at mute sheep rancher, Silent Sven's sheep farm where he mutely explains what happened to his farm and the Skrill.
"And then you fought off the Skrill with your head?" Asher asks not believing him.
"Hey. This guy silent Sven? Remind me not to rustle any more sheep from his farm." Snotlout says but then Silent Sven holds his spear at the girl making her chuckles nervously.
"Uh, he's silent, not deaf." Fishlegs says but Asher pushes Snotlout aside.
"Any idea which way the Skrill went?" Asher asks but then lightning strikes making the rider look up at the sky.
"That way?" Hicca asks as the sheep bleat.
The riders then figure out it's just high above the thunderstorm clouds.
"Shh, it's okay, baby. Nothing's out here. Nothing's gonna get you." Fishlegs says as lightning crashes.
"Hold up, everybody." Hicca says as she sees a figure in the dark clouds.
"It's the Skrill." Toothless growls seeing it through the clouds.
"Okay, now what?" Asher asks.
"Everybody stay back. If the Skrill sees just one dragon, maybe it won't attack." Hicca says as Toothless flies forward but the Skrill flies past them and crosses the paths of the other riders making them all gasp in shock.
Hicca and Toothless manage to catch up to the Skrill and fly beside it and Hicca reads it emotion and can tell its angry and for some reason in pain.
"There, there, fella. You've been asleep a long time, huh? I'm guessing you're pretty cranky and hungry too. But what's hurting you?" Hicca asks reaching out her right hand to touch the dragon but it roars at her as the lightning from the clouds is drawn to it.
"Hicca!" Asher shouts as they fly in to assist.
Hicca sees them coming and moves out of their way but the Skrill unleashes a lightning blast at them making their dragons scatter.
"Asher!" Hicca shouts as they all dodge lightning blasts.
"Aah! Meatlug, drop!" Fishlegs shouts and screams as the Skrill roars and returns to the clouds. "And stop. Wow, that was impressive." She says flying next to Snotlout and Hookfang.
"Sure, if by impressive you mean terrifying!" Snotlout shouts.
"Follow me. I've got an idea. I'm gonna dive through the cloud from above and drive that Skrill down to you guys so we can all drive it into the water." Hicca explains.
"Got it. No, I don't. Sorry. Could we go back to the first part about how you're in the cloud, or is the cloud in you? It's all-it's sort of nebulous for me. Like a cloud in fact!" Tuffnut says as Hicca rubs her forehead.
"Just do what everyone else does." Hicca says.
"And how exactly are we gonna find the Skrill in that cloud?" Asher asks.
"Toothless doesn't need to see to find something, remember?" Hicca asks her crush.
"Does that work in clouds?" Asher asks curiously.
"There's only one way to find out." Hicca says as Toothless flies upward and then dives. "Toothless, now!" She shouts.
"Here goes." Toothless says and uses his echolocation in the cloud which surprisingly work.
"It's working!" Asher says as the early stages of Hicca's plan is becoming successful and is able to push it back into lower airspace.
"Time to give this dragon a bath." Tuffnut says as he, Ruffnut, Barf and Belch fly next to the dragon.
"I'll bet it hates it as much as we do." Ruffnut says as Barf begins to release gas but before Belch can ignite it a flaming arrow does first sending the twins flying backwards on their dragon.
"We're under attack!" Asher shouts as Stormfly dodges a boulder fired at her while Hicca and Toothless avoid arrows slicing through the air.
"Hold on." Meatlug says to her rider seeing arrow coming towards them.
"Whoa!" Fishlegs yelps as Meatlug tosses her into the air to avoid the arrows.
The Skrill then appears behind Snotlout and Hookfang making the girl gulp.
"Oh, no. Hookfang!" Snotlout yells as her Monstrous Nightmare dodges lightning blasts but unfortunately Snotlout gets struck in the head and starts to babble.
"Uh, is that…" Hicca begins to say seeing three ships down below.
"Surprise, surprise, Hicca!" Dagur says loudly chuckling madly. "Now get your dainty beautiful little hands off my Skrill." He says.
"Let's get out of range before they reload." Hicca says and sees Fishlegs and Meatlug fly past her.
"Already ahead of you." Fishlegs says.
"Let's go, sweetie." Hicca says.
"They're running." Vorg says laughing.
"They're regrouping, you idiot. That's it. You're relieved of duty." Dagur says and shoves Vorg off his boat and into the ocean. "My Skrill is glorious. The legend doesn't do it justice. A dragon that can go head to head with Hicca and her Night Fury. And they will all be mine." He says to himself.
They rally near a small island, and the riders notice Snotlout's head is smoking.
"Hey, Snotlout, are you okay?" Hicca asks.
"Ha, she's better than okay. Did you see that lightning bolt to the head?" Tuffnut says.
Snotlout then glares at the boy and opens her mouth but the only thing she can to is blather.
"Tuffnut's right. Better than okay." Asher says almost laughing as Snotlout continues to blather. "And making more sense than usual." He says smiling.
"Oh, this is a dream come true." Hookfang says smiling.
"Okay, she's out of it, so the rest of us will-" Hicca begins to says but Snotlout's blathers interrupt her. "Snotlout, we have no idea what you're saying." She says.
"Sure we do. She said, "I'm perfectly fine."" Tuffnut says and Snotlout blathers, again. "Said it again. I told 'em." He says to her as she blathers and the others stare at Tuffnut. "What? I speak post-lightning Snotlout." He says.
"How many times has this kid been hit by lightning?" Hicca asks.
"Often enough." Tuffnut says and Snotlout blathers. "12-oh, really? 12 times." He says and Snotlout raises her fist and blathers as phrase. "She said, "Enough talk. Dagur's all mine. And Tuffnut is the toughest of us all."" He says but Snotlout blathers at the end. "She implied the last part." He says making Hicca groan.
"Well, you heard the woman, Asher. Take Snotlout and Fishlegs and try to keep the Berserker ships occupied. The twins and I will go after the Skrill. If Dagur gets his hands on it first, we won't stand a chance." Hicca says.
"Be careful. The lightning is attracted to metal, and you two are wearing a lot more of it than the rest of us." Asher says as Hicca stares at her metal foot and Toothless' metal flying gear.
They then take off in their separate groups as Snotlout continues to blather.
Asher and Stormfly make the first move.
"Stormfly, let's rock some boats." Asher says to his main dragon.
"Yes, let's." Stormfly says as she charges forward.
Stormfly then fires her Magnesium Flame at the ships with Hookfang blasting the others causing the men to shout as Snotlout continues to blather while laughing.
"Oh, hello." Fishlegs says.
"And good-bye." Meatlug says as she fires a lava blast causing the Berserkers to scream as they jump overboard.
"Stay on target. She's tricky, that Hicca." Dagur says as he dodges spines shot at him.
Meanwhile, Hicca and the twins arrive at a lightning filled thundercloud.
"Okay, I think I have a way to get the Skrill into the water, but it's super risky." Hicca says.
"You, my friend, are speaking our language." Tuffnut says.
"Basically you're gonna fly blind through the cloud and have Barf let out as much gas as possible. Don't let Belch ignite it until you get to the other side." Hicca explains.
"Feel my heart, because it comes forth and is bursting through my chest." Tuffnut says joyfully.
"Hopefully the blast will drive the Skrill out of the cloud toward Toothless and I, where we can knock it down with a plasma blast." Hicca says.
"That's a lot of gas. You have any idea how big a blast that will be?" Tuffnut asks.
"No." Hicca says.
"Me neither! How awesome is this?" Tuffnut asks as they fly into the cloud whooping while lightning continues to strike.
"That's it. Let loose." Ruffnut says as Barf releases his gas and Belch was about to ignite it.
"Not you, Belch. Not yet." Tuffnut says quickly stopping his dragon head. "Wait for it. Wait for it. Go!" He shouts and Belch lights the gas causing a huge explosion as the twins watch in awe.
"Yeah!" They cheer.
Hicca looks around and spots the Skrill coming through the cloud towards them and manages to get past them as they give chase.
"It's flying back up!" Hicca shouts as Toothless follows. "Okay, sweetie, not too much. Just enough to bring it down." She says and Toothless fires his Plasma Blast but the Skrill fires his lightning blast and when the two meet, it causes a strange explosion. "Okay, that's a new one. Let's see how he handles this." She says as they give chase again and once they were beside the Skrill they exchange attacks getting the same result. "This is bad." She says seeing the Skrill recharging itself and comes after them. "This is worse." She says as Toothless flees from the attacking dragon.
The rest of the riders continue their assault on the Berserkers with Snotlout blathering her catchphrase. Vorg manages to pull himself onto Dagur's command ship and looks to see something in the distance.
"Sir, look." Vorg says.
"Well, well, it doesn't look like my girl will catch my Skrill either." Dagur says.
"Then perhaps we should withdraw, come back for the Skrill another day." Vorg suggests.
"Um, didn't I throw you overboard?" Dagur asks.
"Well, I am an excellent swimmer." Vorg says but Dagur pushes him overboard, again. "Press on." He orders his remaining men.
The Skrill continues to peruse Hicca and Toothless and fire lightning blasts at them.
"Oh, that one made my hair stand up. I think some of it got singed. We need a plan and fast." Hicca says but then sees the Skrill get hit with a fireball.
"Yoo-hoo! Remember us? Gas me, Ruff." Tuffnut says.
"With pleasure." Ruffnut says but as she pulls on Barf's head very little to no gas comes out. "Oh…" She says and then they quickly dodge a lightning blast while shouting.
"Maybe we should take off our metal helmets?" Tuffnut says.
"Or maybe we should grab all the metal we can!" Ruffnut shouts.
"Yeah!" The twins cheer.
The Skrill has a clear shot and fires, but Hicca and Toothless reaches them and fires a plasma blast at the lightning causing it to explode again, the range of the impact devastatingly affects the Skrill, Hicca, and the Twins altogether. Hicca screams as she and Toothless land on Dagur's command ship with a thud.
"Hicca." Dagur says.
"Sorry about your deck." Hicca says and Toothless quickly takes off.
Dagur yells in fury and pushes Vorg, who was trying to climb back onto the ship, back into the ocean. Hicca meets up with the other riders in the sky.
"Did anybody see where the Skrill went?" Hicca asks.
"No." Asher says.
"Sorry." Stormfly says.
"No." Fishlegs says.
"Nope." Meatlug says.
Snotlout blathers and Hookfang shakes his head.
"Anyone see where the twins ended up?" Fishlegs then asks not seeing them anywhere.
Meanwhile, the Twins crashes on a small cliff and they are heavily disoriented. From there, they spot, at first thought was a Berserker ship.
"Oh, great. We do all the work, and the Berserkers get the Skrill anyway." Tuffnut says.
"And that is why we don't work. It accomplishes nothing." Ruffnut says.
"Yeah. Wait a minute. That's not the Berserkers. That's Alvin the Treacherous!" Tuffnut shouts.
Alvin chuckles as his men pull the Skrill onboard the ship.
"Why would Alvin want a Skrill?" Ruffnut asks.
"Why wouldn't he? Did you see that thing? He could take out Berk with it." Tuffnut says.
"Oh, yeah. So we should do something, right?" Ruffnut asks.
"Yes, yes, we should. Okay, I say we follow him." Tuffnut says.
"Okay. And then what?" Ruffnut asks.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Let's not get ahead of ourselves, okay?" Tuffnut asks.
"Yeah. Good point." Ruffnut says.
"Let's get the beast back to Outcast Island. I have big plans for this dragon." Alvin says staring at the Skrill unusually red eyes while unaware of the two dragon riders following him and his men.
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Stay tuned for chapter 11: A View to a Skrill Part 2. I have a plan for the Skrill as well as another surprise that will take place in Dragons: Race to the Edge. A glimpse of what that surprise will be will be revealed in the next chapter. Please be sure to review.