Last Auction Heroes
Serenity sat in the clubhouse waiting for water to boil so she could make dinner for the riders. They were all working to get information about Viggo's dragon auction. Hiccup was determined to find it and shut it down. He was having Trader Johann get the information from the dragon hunters.
When the water was boiling, Serenity put in the three lobsters Tenor had caught. She put the lid on the pot, and sat back down to wait some more. Just then a blue Hermes Dragon flew in and landed on the chair's armrest.
"I have a message from the king and queen," he said. Serenity removed the scroll from the dragon's horn and unrolled it. She read it to herself.
Serenity, and Tenor,
We are working on a big project that will soon require both of you. I'm pretty sure this is something Viggo won't see coming. I will not disclose the details here, incase this message is intercepted. I will send word when the project is ready to be tested. It should be ready in about a week or two.
Wishing you well,
❤️ Re and Aurora.
Serenity instantly became curious. She was also pretty excited to find out what Re was doing. She folded the letter up and put it in her pocket to show to Tenor later.
"You are dismissed," she said to the Hermes Dragon, which took off at once. Serenity turned back to her cooking.
Tenor was flying back towards Dragon's Edge along side Toothless, with Hiccup and Trader Johann on his back. Johann managed to get a map showing the location of the auction. Hiccup was satisfied with the outcome.
They landed back at the Edge, just as Serenity was finishing up her cooking. She cut up the lobsters and pulled out the meat.
"Hey Serenity," said Hiccup. "Is dinner ready?"
"Just about," said Serenity. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the letter from Re and Aurora, and handed it to Tenor. He took it and read it silently.
"Oh, terrific," he said. "Re's finally making plans to reenter the fight. I can't wait to see what he's working on."
"He's working on something?" asked Hiccup.
"Yes, but he's keeping it a secret," Tenor said. "He says it'll be ready in a week or so." Serenity finished putting the lobster meat on a platter and put the shells in a bucket.
"Dinner's ready," she said. "I'm going to give these shells to the dragons." She picked up the bucket and left.
The riders gathered in the clubhouse for dinner and to look over the stolen map. Serenity went to the stables were the dragons were resting. They looked up when she entered.
"I brought you some lobster shells," she said.
"Oh, yum," said Stormfly. "Thanks Serenity." Serenity handed out the lobster shells, being sure to save them from for Toothless and Tenor.
When she was finished, she went back up to the clubhouse. The riders were already halfway through the lobster meat and were looking at the map. Serenity gave the last of the shells to the two black dragons. She put the empty bucket in the corner and sat in her chair. Hiccup was making plans to go scout the island where the dragon auction was being held. He was going to head back out when dinner was over.
When the lobster was all eaten and Serenity cleared everything up. Hiccup mounted Toothless and took off, Tenor followed to provide an extra pair of eyes. They flew towards the island following the map.
It took a good several hours to reach the island. When they got there, they stay well out of sight. Below there were several hunters and dragons in cages. There was also a small amphitheater with a stage in front of the benches. Ships were anchored in the harbor, with a few empty cages on their decks. Hiccup pulled out his spyglass and looked though it. Tenor circled around watching out for anyone looking up at them.
"I can see some Speed Stingers and a few Terrible Terrors," said Hiccup. "But where are they keeping the big dragons?"
"Underground somewhere?" Tenor suggested. "I can also see a lot of defenses." Hiccup looked around and indeed saw catapults by the dozens, a long with thousands of sling shots, net slingers, dragonroot arrow launchers, and giant crossbows loaded with harpoons.
"Looks like Viggo's ready for you," Tenor said.
"We need to get back and tell the others," said Hiccup. They turned around and flew back to the Edge.
They told the other riders what they'd seen. Hiccup marked all the weapons on the map.
"Ships lining every parameter, guards everywhere," he said. "Catapults and watchtowers on the sea stacks, dragonroot arrow launchers on every sea stack within a half mile. There'r no way in or out."
"Yeah Viggo's defiantly ready for you," Tenor remarked. "From the air anyways."
"We're going to need someone to get close to Viggo, someone he won't suspect because he's never seen him up close."
"I'll do it," Tenor boasted.
"Tenor, you're a dragon," Astrid pointed out. "You would kind of give us away." Tenor frowned but didn't say anything. Hiccup meanwhile, was looking at Snotlout. The others followed his gaze.
"Hiccup are you sure about this?" asked Astrid.
"It makes sense," said Hiccup. "He's the only one who hasn't been captured by Viggo, the only one he wouldn't suspect to be a rider."
"He's also the only own dump enough to do it," said Fishlegs.
"Sounds like a real winner, eh Hookfang," said Snotlout stupidly. But then he realized who they were talking about. "Wait, what?" Tenor snickered. Then Trader Johan joined the conversation.
"I hate to be the barer of most unfortunate news," he said. "But unless you've got a pile of gold hidden in that tunic, you won't get to see the dragons, let alone bid on them." Hiccup scratched his chin, deep in thought. He turned to Tenor.
"Tenor, where is Re based?" he asked.
"Berk," said Tenor. "On the opposite side of the island from the village. Why?"
"You think he would spare us some gold?" Hiccup asked. Tenor thought a moment.
"He might," he said. "He may need that gold for his project."
"I should go ask him anyway," Hiccup said. "With any luck, he'll get it back by the end of the day." Tenor nodded.
"Ok," he said.
The riders got on their dragons and took off, after telling Serenity they'd be late for dinner. They headed for Berk. On they way, Hiccup explained his plan in more detail. He'd packed a disguise for Snotlout, now all he needed was a trunk full of gold. He hoped Re would see reason.
When they reached Berk, the rest of the riders headed for the old arena, while Hiccup and Tenor looked for Re. They found him in the plaza heading for the blacksmith. Aurora was nowhere to be seen. Re looked up when Hiccup landed Toothless in front of him.
"Hey Re, I need to ask a favor of you," Hiccup said.
"Yes?" Re said. "What is it you need?"
"We're planning to hit Viggo's dragon auction," Hiccup said. "I plan to do this by sending in Snotlout undercover as a buyer, he will provide a distraction while we free the dragons. But in order to do that, we need gold. I was wondering if you had some we could borrow." Re sat on his haunches, and considered.
"Normally I would give it to you without a second thought," he said. "Since I find little value in gold. However, I am needing the gold I brought from home for my project."
"I don't actually plan on giving it to Viggo," Hiccup explained. "I just plan on using it as part of Snotlout's disguise." Re thought for a moment.
"What are you working on anyway?" Toothless asked.
"You'll see when we finish," Re said. He looked at Hiccup again. "Wait here."
"Actually can you meet us at the arena?" Hiccup asked.
"Yeah, sure," Re agreed. "I have a few things to take care of first." He spread his wings and took off.
Re flew to the large cave where his fellow Draconians were working on the mysterious project. He glided to a large ledge that was overlooking the construction. Aurora was looking at blue prints of it. She glanced up when Re landed.
"Did you get the materials?" she asked.
"Not yet," Re said. "Something else has come up." Aurora looked disapproving.
"I know this isn't an easy thing to do, but we're starting to fall behind schedule," she said. "We're supposed to be conducting test runs in a week."
"Yes, I understand," Re said. "But Hiccup has returned and has confronted me about a mission. He plans to infiltrate Viggo's dragon auction, by sending in Snotlout undercover, and to do that he needs gold." Aurora looked surprised.
"That's risky," she said. "We're putting everything into this project, what if we don't get the gold back?"
"We have plenty at home," Re said.
"True," Aurora said. She turned a grabbed a large chest from a shelf-like ledge. She set it down in front of Re. "I hope he knows what he's doing."
"So do I," Re agreed. He grasped the chest in his talons and took off.
He flew to the arena where the riders were gathered. Hiccup had brought Stoic in and told him everything. Stoic was skeptical of the plan, and Hiccup didn't blame him. Re landed and entered the arena. He set the chest down in front of Hiccup.
"Thanks Re," Hiccup said.
"You better free those dragons," Re said, his voice was very serious. "For all our sakes."
"You have my word Re," Hiccup promised. He took the chest and handed to Snotlout, who was dressed in a gold helmet and gold belt. He was suddenly acting like a stereotypical rich person. Stoic insisted on having Gobber tag along with Snotlout, for extra precaution. Re flew back to his project.
"What's he working on that he has to keep so secret?" asked Hookfang.
"He'll tell us when he's ready," said Tenor. "I don't even know what he's building."
Snotlout and Gobber got on one of Berk's ships and headed for the auction, following a copy of the map. The rest of the riders got on Trader Johan's ship and hid in his smuggler's deck, the riders' dragons locked in cages. Tenor dove into the water, and swam alongside the ship, keeping perfect pace with it.
When they reached the waters around the auction island, the two ships headed for the harbor. The guards let them pass. The anchored on separate piers. Hiccup and the other riders, minus Snotlout, waited in the smuggler's deck. Toothless was the only dragon hiding among them. Hiccup figured his dark scales would prove useful.
They soon heard Viggo and Ryker enter the ship, Trader Johann whimpering after them. Viggo walked up and down the deck, not saying much. He was no doubt examining the four caged dragons. Suddenly his boot snagged on a loose floor board. He paused and seemed to tense up.
"Ah, the result of an old ship," Johann said. "Not the high standards you come to expect from your fleet." Viggo said nothing and pulled out a gold coin. He dropped it through a crack in the floor, and heard it hit the floor of the hidden deck.
"Business has been slow," said Johann timidly. Viggo relaxed a bit.
"We accept your terms," he said, he then turned to the other hunters. "Unload Trader Johann's dragons and put them with the others." He walked up the stairs to the upper deck. But just as the hunters started to move, Viggo came running back down the stairs. He went right to the far corner and stomped on the trapped door to the smuggler's deck, knocking it into the deck. He then looked into the deck, but saw nothing but darkness. Finding nothing, he stood back up and faced the others. Inside the smuggler's deck Toothless uncovered the riders. He'd used his large wings and dark scales to hide them. They soon heard Viggo and the hunters leaving, taking the caged dragons with them.
Tenor found a secure place to crawl onto the shore. He scurried from shadow to shadow, following the caged dragons. He climbed rocks and trees, staying well hidden. He soon spotted Snotlout and Gobber near Viggo's tent. Snotlout was looking way more smug than usual. Gobber meanwhile, was stroking the snout of a large, Gronkle-looking dragon. It was munching on a pile of scrap metal. Tenor moved on, still following the caged dragons.
They were put with other larger dragons. All the cages were covered in tarps. Their riders arrived shortly afterwords. Tenor scurried back to where Snotlout and Gobber were. When he reached the clearing, they were no longer outside. But Tenor could hear them arguing inside the large tent. Ryker was standing outside with some other hunters. After about three minuets Ryker entered the tent. They all came back out, single file. Tenor saw Gobber drop something on the ground, and Hiccup darted out of the bushes to grab it. When everyone was out of sight, Tenor glided back over to the caged dragons to check on the other riders. They were searching through the cages, looking for their dragons. So far everything was going according to plan.
Night soon fell. Tenor snuck around the island until he spotted Hiccup and Toothles, hiding in dense shrubs. Hiccup was reading a scroll. Tenor jumped to the ground and scurried over. Hiccup turned around.
"Oh, Tenor it's you," he said.
"Things seem to be going swimmingly," Tenor said.
"Good, I know where they're keeping the larger dragons," Hiccup said. "They're in an underground cave."
"Called it," Tenor said. "You need help?"
"No, we've got it covered," Hiccup said. "You should go keep an eye on that auction." Tenor nodded. He scurried out of sight.
He went over to the small amphitheater where a small crowd was gathered. A tarp covered cage was rolled onto the stage, Viggo and Ryker stood beside it. Tenor spotted a few more cages near the amphitheater. He snuck over to them, and killed the two hunters guarding them. He removed the tarp off one of the cages. He found a Changwing in the cage, muzzled. She grunted in surprise when she saw Tenor, he shushed her. He then removed the other tarps. There were three Nadders, and a Speed Stinger. Tenor opened their cages.
"Go, as quietly as you can," he said. "Stay out of sight." The wild dragons nodded and hurried off. Tenor turned his attention back to the auction. Suddenly he heard a rustling behind him. He spun around, growling. But it turned out to be the Gronkle-like dragon Gobber was admiring earlier.
"Oh, it's you," Tenor said.
"I did not mean to startle you, dark one," the other dragon said, sleepily.
"What's your name?" Tenor asked.
"They call me Grump," the other dragon said. "What do they call you?"
"Tenor," Tenor said. He turned back to the auction. It seemed to have been delayed. Tenor's animal instincts blared. "I'm getting a funny feeling Grump. Come on if you're coming." He spread his wings and took off. The darkness of the night made it much easier for Tenor sneak around. He circled the area, keeping his eyes open. He could hear Grump fluttering behind him, not really trying to keep up.
Suddenly Tenor spotted a few hunters dragging Snotlout, Gobber, Fishlegs, and the Twins towards a cave. Tenor sighed. He followed them towards the cave. He and Grump landed on a ledge overlooking the entrance. There were two hunters guarding the entrance. Viggo and Ryker entered the cave.
"You know dark one," said Grump. "I've become quite attached to that horned human with the hook."
"Gobber?" Tenor said, not taking his eyes off the cave.
"Is that his name?" Grump asked.
"Yeah," Tenor said. "He's going to be in there as well I imagine." Grump suddenly looked slightly concerned.
"You mean locked up like the rest of our kind?" he asked.
"Yes," said Tenor.
"That should not be allowed," Grump said. "We should do something."
"We will," Tenor said. "In a minuet, now hush up." They both fell silent as they watched the cave entrance.
After a few minuets Viggo and Ryker came out, flanked by more hunters. Tenor was quick to notice that Viggo had the chest of gold from Re under his arm. Tenor shook his head.
"Hiccup, you're doomed," he said quietly. When the hunters were out of sight, the two dragons jumped to the ground. Tenor looked out at the two guards.
"Would you let me go in first dark one?" Grump asked. "To find this Gobber."
"You sure?" Tenor asked.
"Yes," Grump said.
"Ok, but let me take out those guards first," Tenor said. Grump nodded lazily. Tenor prowled closer to the guards. When he was close enough he pounced on them, and killed them with one bite each. Grump came out to join him.
"You have one deadly bite, don't you dark one," he said.
"You can go in now," Tenor said. "If there are more guards in there, I'll take care of them." Grump nodded and waddled into the cave. Tenor crawled in after him, on the ceiling.
They went down the corridor. Grump looked for the riders. They met a few more guards, Tenor took them out like a killer shadow. Suddenly Grump saw a rock being thrown in his direction. He went over and ate it. Another rock landed in front of him, and he ate that one. This continued until Grump spotted all the riders in a large cell. Gobber was front and center. Two more guards stood in front of the cell, armed.
"Oh, no it's the fat, lazy dragon," one said, laughing. Grump paid no attention and focused on Gobber.
"Help me Grump, please," Gobber said, smiling. Grump took a fighting stance, growling. The hunters looked stunned at this. They readied their weapons, and. Grump stalked towards them. They suddenly heard something drop from the ceiling behind them. They spun round to see Tenor, snarling at them, and gnashing his black teeth. The two dragons attacked them. Tenor killed one and Grump knocked the other out with his tail. With the danger out of the way, the two dragons turned to the cell.
"How did you all get captured?" Tenor asked, looking amused.
"Not funny Tenor," said Astrid.
"And was that Re's gold I saw Viggo leaving with?" Tenor asked.
"Yes it was," Hiccup said. "And if you get us out of here, we can get it back and save our dragons. They're about to be sold." Grump came up beside Tenor.
"I've got this dark one," he said. He clamped his teeth on the bars of the cell, and lifted it away as easily as moving a small tree. The riders were pretty impressed.
"Thanks guys," Hiccup said. Both Tenor and Grump exchanged a smile.
The riders didn't hesitate in releasing all the caged dragons. They also looked for their dragons. They didn't see them at all. But they were successful in releasing the other dragons. They ran a muck, setting the camp ablaze. Once all those dragons were released the riders focused more on finding their own dragons.
"Look for your dragons, search the decks of the outgoing ships," Hiccup said. "I'm going to find Viggo and get Re's gold back." They split up. Hiccup mounted Tenor and headed for the amphitheater. The hunters and buyers were running all over the place, trying to escape the outraged dragons. Toothless was strapped to a wheeled cart on the stage. Ryker was in front of him. He drew his sword.
"This ends now Ryker," Hiccup roared. Ryker sneered.
"Says the one legged boy with no back up," he said. He jumped off the stage, his sword ready, but was suddenly blocked by Gobber.
"Why don't you pick on someone your own size," Gobber said. While they battled, Tenor assisted Gobber, Hiccup jumped onto the stage and released Toothless. He gave his dragon a warm hug.
"Hiccup," Gobber called. "This might be a good time to go after Viggo, and get Re's gold back." Hiccup said nothing, but mounted his dragon and took off.
They spotted Viggo on the deck of a fleeing ship, the chest under his arm. When Viggo spotted Hiccup he threw the chest into the water.
"No!" Hiccup cried. "Toothless dive." Toothless quickly obeyed and dived into the water. Hiccup spotted the chest and swam down after it. His lungs burned for air, and his left leg was getting sore from the weight of his metal foot. But he swam on. He managed to snag the chest with his fingertips, but found it was too heavy to carry back to the surface. Refusing to let go, Hiccup found himself being dragged deeper into the water. The pressure closed in around his head and his lungs could fight no more. But just as he was about to pass out, he fell strong talons snag him and carry him and the chest towards the surface.
They broke through the surface and flew above the water. Hiccup blinked and looked up to see that he was clutched in Stormfly's talons. Astrid smiled down at him. A few feet away Tenor hovered, clutching Toothless in his talons. Hiccup tossed the chest to Fishlegs as Stormfly set him back in the saddle. Tenor released his hold and they two of them hovered with the others.
"Where's Gobber?" Hiccup asked Tenor.
"He was fighting Ryker," Tenor said. "He told me to come help you guys." They glanced back towards the island, which was up in flames. Dragons were flying in all directions, and among them was Grump with Gobber on his back.
"What happened to Ryker?" Hiccup asked.
"Turned tail and ran after Gobber taught him a thing or two," Gobber boasted. He looked pleased with himself.
"Um Hiccup," said Fishlegs. They all looked at him. He'd opened the chest and found no gold. He tossed Hiccup a rock, and Hiccup realized what had happened.
"Viggo switched chests on me," he said.
"Then let's go after him," said Astrid.
"It's too late, he's long gone," said Hiccup, slightly shaky. "Re needed that gold."
"Don't worry about it Hiccup," Tenor said. "Re values the lives of his fellow dragons far more than gold. I'll tell him for you. He won't be happy about it at first, but he'll appreciate that you've rescued all these dragons."
"Thanks Tenor," Hiccup said. "And thanks for your help back there." Tenor gave a humble smile.
"Couldn't have done it without me new friend here," he said, gesturing to Grump. Gobber beamed and tossed the rocks in the chest into the dragon's mouth.
Mission accomplished, the riders turned and headed back home as the sun came up.