Hey everyone
This has to be the longest chapter I've ever done. Hopefully it makes up that it took longer than usual to get it uploaded. I hope you guys really enjoy this Chapter. so many things happen
Just a Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or the world they come from. Just the idea of the story
Smoke spewed from the top of the mountain, nearly blacking the sky above the island. Astrid guided Toothless lower a bit so they won't get caught in the smog while flying high above the island. She carefully looked around to see no lava coming out yet.
Ali was in utter despair. Her whole island home has no protector anymore. Now her home is about to be destroyed. It felt like her whole world is coming to an end, and there is so little she could do.
"My island..." She quietly cries as tears started to fill her eyes.
Sensing her stress, Astrid turned around and comforts her hand in hers. "Don't worry," she said assured. "We're going to find a way to save your island."
Astrid looked down again, hoping to see some form of sign that the people are ok. But she soon saw the village, and people running like chickens with their heads chopped off.
"Why aren't they making it to the boats?" Astrid questions out loud. "Why aren't they leaving?"
"We don't have any ships," Ali answers for her. "We just have small boats for stealth missions. And we don't enough of them for everyone. The people can't leave."
"Ok, that's going to complicate things," Astrid said. She then looks to the mountain, still showing no signs of lava. "But we still have time to come up with a plan. Let's go down and talk to the queen."
Ali and Toothless nod as the dragon began his descend to the ground. The defenders of the wing look up to see Toothless come in. They instantly moved out of the way to let him land. However, as Astrid mounts off, they threw a metal net over Toothless.
"Hey! What?" Astrid shouts as two men came up behind her and pull her arms to her back.
"What are you doing?" Ali asks out loud, only to not have her voice heard by the others. "Stop! Let her go!"
The two men pull Astrid away from Toothless, ignoring the roars of the dragon. She kicks and squirm as much as she can to break away, but it was no use. The men continued until they push her hard to the ground, just below Mala and her iron throne. She wore a face of disgust as Astrid tries to get up without showing any weakness. Thork was near the throne too, with a stern look.
"For a moment I almost believed you," Mala said cold. "But now it seems that my first instinct was right."
"What are you talking about?" Astrid said a little pissed.
"Don't bother to defend yourself," Mala nearly sprang from her throne. "I know what you truly are now. You said that you were a friend to dragons, and yet you lead them to your island so Viggo can snatch them when needed."
"What? No!" Astrid yelled. "If you mean the edge, we-"
"My men saw what your island has done. They saw Viggo walk freely onto your island, and caged every dragon they saw!"
"We didn't know they were on the island. They surprised us and-"
"Silence! I did not give you permission to speak!"
"I can speak as much as I like!" Astrid objects. Soon enough, she sees the whole area around her being circled by men and women in black. "But in case you haven't noticed, we have a mountain behind us, ready to blow at any minute!"
"Yes, thanks to your masters we are all dead!" Mala said, finally rising up in an imitating stance.
"If you mean Viggo and the hunters, they're not my masters," Astrid said. "What happened here?"
"I would think it was quiet obvious," Mala said as she walks down and paces around Astrid. "Hunters came and took on our men. But then a group of hunters came in, led by a man with a flaming sword, and took our great protector."
"A flaming sword?" Astrid questions. But then her eyes shot open upon the realization on who that could possibly be. "Hiccup? He was here?"
"So you know this hunter?" Mala said.
"Yes, yes I do," Astrid said. But then she realized that it might match Mala misunderstanding of her and her allegiance. "But he's not a hunter."
"He took out two of my best men," Mala said. "And he led the other hunters to their prize."
"But he isn't himself," Astrid quickly said. "He was the lost friend I told you about. Viggo did something to him. This isn't his own actions."
"Silence!" Mala yells right into her ear.
Astrid backed away a bit, while keeping her stone face. "Exactly. We're busy arguing while your village is about to be burned to the ground."
"There is nothing that can be done about that," Mala said. "With no ship and no protector, we are all doom. The only relief about this is that you will burn with us."
"That's crazy, just let me and Toothless help you!"
"No!" Mala objects as she grabs her sword. "I will not allow you to leave this island. You betrayed my trust, and you have helped to destroy our village! If you refuse to die with some form shame, then I'll end you myself!"
Mala lunges herself to plunge the sword into Astrid, but the young Viking quickly rolled out of the way.
She quickly looked up to see Mala about slice her head. But Astrid quickly swipe her feet, making Mala fall to the ground.
"Stop this; we don't have time for this!" Astrid pleads, looking up to see the smoke getting darker. "There's still time, we can help you!"
But Mala refused to listen; she got back on her feet and pursued Astrid again. Astrid had no choice but to ready her axe to fight. She uses the hilt of her axe to block the sword before it reaches her. She then used her strength to push Mala away.
But the queen once again race to attack Astrid. The Viking girl readied her weapon to respond.
"STOP!"
Both combatants stopped to see Ali pushing her way to the front. She then raced into the arena, putting herself between Astrid and Mala.
"Get out of the way!" The queen commanded with a harsh voice.
"No!" Ali said, standing firm.
"You dare to challenge my law?" Mala growled.
"Only when it is wrong my queen," Ali said. Her voice was a little shaky, making it obvious that she was more than scared to be here. "I've been to her island, I saw the whole thing. I know for a fact that Astrid is not a hunter. She does everything she can to defend dragons."
"That's impossible," Mala said, shaking her head.
"It's true!" Ali nearly screams. "I saw her attacking the hunters that invaded her island."
"You're wrong!" Thork yells as he steps down to meet them. "I saw it with my own two eyes, so did five other men. The hunters came to the island and started taking the dragons these so call riders brought."
"That's because you only stayed for two minutes," Ali objected. "I've been on that island for days now. I saw Astrid and her friends being captured by the hunters, while one on the night fury came done to save them. And then they went and stopped the hunters from getting away with the dragons."
"Thork, is this true?" Mala asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No!" Thork quickly said with force. "I know what I saw! They've clearly brainwashed her into believing their words!"
"Are you out of your mind Thork," Ali said offended.
"We just discovered she was on or island last night," Astrid said, walking up to join her side. "But, why would you leave her behind anyway?"
"Probably because he's scared," Ali told her, but loud enough for everyone to hear. "He might be fearless in battle, but he is quite the baby when he's in the clinic."
"Shut up!" Thork yelled at her.
"Thork, control yourself," Mala said stern.
"I am telling you the truth, ma'me," Ali said stepping forward towards the queen. "Astrid is our friend; she has the same common cause as we do. She fights to defend dragons."
"Liar!" Thork shouts, slapping Ali hard across the face. It sends her straight to the ground.
"Ali!" Astrid screamed as she kneels down to her friend. A bright red hand print was on her cheek.
"Thork!" Mala warned as she sees him holding his weapon high.
"I will not be swayed!" He yells as he walks towards the two girls. "You will pay for turning one of our own against us! And for every dragon you've enslaved."
Astrid reaches for her axe to be ready to block his assault. But before she could even lift her weapon, a roar came in from behind. But it wasn't the sound of Toothless. She turned around to see the Triple Stryke fly in and roar at Thork. Everyone that was around the dragon instantly backed away. The Stryke readied his stingers and jab them at Thork. He yelled like a child as he dodges them all with great effort. On stinger made him fall back so hard, he landed on some hard rocks, making his back numb with pain.
"What is he doing?" Ali asks as she looks up at the dragon.
The Triple Stryke instantly changed his behaviour and purred at her. He then gave her an apologetic look, his way of saying sorry from before.
"I think he came for you," Astrid quickly concluded. She helped Ali to her feet and places her in front of the dragon.
Ali felt a bit unsure on what to do, so she stuck her hand out to the dragon. In leaned forward and made the bond with her. He then moved closer and nuzzles her. Ali quietly giggled as she rubs his nose and lean her head into his.
Mala stood there, completely shocked at what is happening around her. First of all, two of her people were telling very different stories about Astrid, then they nearly fought each other, and now a dragon came down to defend her.
"You see," Astrid said with a smile. "Dragons and Vikings can work together. They care about us as much as we care about them. Now, for the last time, I'm not with the hunters, I fight against them."
Mala kept changing her glances from her to Ali and the dragon. She still doesn't quite get what kind world Astrid is coming from, but it does seem that she is a friend to dragons.
Soon enough, Toothless breaks free from his net and charges in to Astrid's side. Though he is happy to see she is alright, he turned to growl at Mala once more.
"Hey!"
Everyone instantly looked up to see 6 other dragons circling up above, with 6 dragon riders on them. Some of the people shriek as they saw them. Mala motions her people to move out of the way to let the dragon riders land.
"I told you guys not to come here," Astrid quickly shorted while Stormfly came to nuzzle her.
"We'd figured you could use the support," Fishlegs said looking at the people around him.
Suddenly, a huge rumble form the mountain shook the entire island. Some people lost their balance and fell to the floor.
"And it looks like you could use a little help too," Heather quickly concluded.
"There's nothing you can do," Mala inform them. "Without the great protector, our island will be consumed in lava."
"So what are we waiting for?" Snotlout yells. "Let's get these people out of here!"
"There are no boats," Astrid said. "There is no way for these people to escape."
"Well that puts a damper on that plan," Dagur said.
"Fishlegs, do you have any ideas?" Astrid asks out loud.
"Well..." Fishlegs slurred. He kept looking around to see if there is anything that can help. He notices the houses, the pillars, the statues of dragons, the flags, and the forest that surrounds the island. After some deep thought, he has something that might be crazy enough to work.
"Maybe if we dig a trench deep enough, we could direct the lava away from the village. And we can use the tree trunks and the pillars to create a wall high enough for the splashes of lava to not hit the village."
"We don't have time to start digging," Mala said really nervous.
"We can have it done," Heather said with a determined smile.
Soon, almost all the dragon riders have the same idea in mind. With help from the dragons, they can make a deep trench in no time.
"We can handle making the trench," Astrid tells Mala and her people. "You guys can start taking down the pillars for the wall."
"It won't work," Mala said defeated. "The lava will just continue to flow. It will never stop."
"But that doesn't mean we can just give up like this," Astrid said jumping on Toothless. "This is your home; you can't just give up like this. Now who's with me?!"
All the dragon riders tell in cheer. To Mala's surprise, a lot of her own people cheered too. Astrid was able to relay the people to help and defend their home.
Without needing to tell to, everyone took off to get to work. The people of the village grabbed their axes and swords and began to chop their pillars and any nearby tree down. Even Ali tried to help by pushing the pillars into place, but only with the help of the Triple Stryke. The twins and Snotlout flew their dragons to the forest and burned out all the leaves. Heather then swoops in with Windshear and Stormfly, who uses their spikes to bring the trees down. As much as Dagur wanted to be with Heather, he was with Fishlegs, who were using their gronckles to dig the trench at the base of the mountain, making it lead all the way to the sea.
Astrid was high above, directing everyone, making sure they do their job. Mala was astounded on how this little girl was able to lead not only the riders, but her own people together. She wasn't ready to give in, while Mala called in defeat right at the start. Her perception of Astrid changed as she looks up at the young Viking. She silently asked the gods' forgiveness as she sees Astrid for what she truly is. A fighter and a friend to dragons.
Soon, the sky started to rain ash and the clouds above began to turn black. The time was almost here for the mountain to erupt. The wall was pretty much ready to go, but the trench still needs work. The gronckles made the path to the water, but it still wasn't deep enough. Almost every dragon rider was at that trench, foreign every shot they could until they ran out.
"It's not good Astrid!" Fishlegs called out. "We still need more time!"
Astrid looked around, still unwilling to give up. There has to be a way to save everyone.
"It's no use," Ali said with the Triple Stryke beside her. "Without the great protector, all hope is lost."
'Wait? The great protector?' Astrid thought long and hard about that. Maybe finding that dragon again can give these people some hope again, and it can help protect the village.
"Mala!" Astrid called out. "How long ago did the hunters take the eruptor?"
"Um, about an hour and a half ago," Mala answered.
"What are you getting at?" Heather asks as Windshear lands beside Toothless.
"If the hunters were here not too long ago, then their ship has to be near here as well."
"Ah," Heather said, finally getting it. "If we find the ship, we find the dragon, bring it back here, and it can... It can do what?"
"According to these people, eat the lava," Astrid answered her.
"Great," Heather said enthused as the other dragon riders join them up in a meeting. Ali and Mala also went to join the others.
"Alright," Astrid said. "According to Mala, the hunters made a brute attack to the village, distracting them to get into the cave that had the Eruptodon."
"That probably means that they had a boat on the far side of the island," Fishlegs concluded. "That way they can get here and leave without anyone knowing."
"So they are headed in the north direction," Astrid concluded. "Right around the same spot I found them and was forced to land here. So Snotlout, you and the twins take the North West, while Heather and I take the North East."
"I'll use my horn to signal of we've found anything," Heather said.
"And we can use our signature yell," Tuffnut added.
"We have a signature yell?" Ruffnut questions.
"We do now," her brother replied, he then screamed at the top of his lungs and had his tongue sticking out.
"Just a blast form barf and belch should clue us in," Astrid said while rolling her eyes.
"I want to go with Heather," Dagur objects.
"No," Astrid quickly said. "You and Shattermaster team up with Fishlegs to dig that trench. You guys have the only dragons that can do that."
"But I want to be there to protect my sister!" Dagur said.
Becoming a little frustrated, Heather lashes out at Dagur. "Listen Dagur! This isn't about you or me, it's about them. A true dragon rider is ready to defend anyone in need. If you truly want to be a dragon rider, you will stay to help them."
Dagur growled a bit, letting everyone know that he is piss. But he took a deep breath to calm himself down again. Shattermaster looked at him with worried eyes as he looked at Heather. "For you Heather, I'll stay and help."
Dagur expected no form of gratitude from Heather, but she did nod in his direction, so he counted that as a sign of endearment.
But then he quickly turned to Astrid, "if anything happens to my sister, I'm holding personally responsible."
"Good to know," Astrid said uneasy.
"What about us?" Ali asks.
"You keep trying to sturdy that wall," Astrid ordered. "That is our last line of defence. Also, get buckets of water ready, just in case we need to put out any fire."
"On it!" Ali said as she and the Triple Stryke left.
"Astrid," Mala said looking up to Astrid. "Even if this doesn't work, I just want to formerly apologize for my assumption, and thank you for trying to save us."
"You're welcome," Astrid said with a nod. She then watches Mala leave to join her people in combating the fire.
"Alright dragon riders, let's go!" With one giant push, the dragons left to do their assigned job.
Astrid and Heather flew far away from the island, with strongly gliding beside them. They looked down everywhere until they see two ships down below, with sail marked by the hunters' logo. A number of hunters are on deck, celebrating.
"That's gotta be them," Astrid points out.
Heather reaches out for her horn when Astrid stops her. "Wait!"
"What is it?" Heather asks.
"We know Viggo," Astrid said. "For all we know, these ships could be decoys and the real ships are the other way. We should check first before we blow that horn."
"But we still get to bust a few skulls?" Heather asks.
"Don't we always," Astrid said with a determined smile. She signals Toothless to swoop down and fire on one of the masts. It made a direct hit and broke the sail mast in two. Heather and Windshear make a big gash in the other one.
"Dragon attack!" The men shout as they scramble to get to their weapons. But before any of them can get to them, the dragons will shoot either their fire or their spikes at the hunters.
Toothless sniff something in one of the boats, a scent he is all too familiar with. He leans his head towards the one boat, giving Astrid a semi idea of what he's doing.
"He's sensing something on that ship," Astrid calls out to Heather.
"Me and Windshear will take the other ship than," she replied.
With one swift movement, both dragons swoop down to their boats, while Astrid signals Stormfly to remain in the air. She is to draw the fire of the hunters, and to attack them when they least expect it.
On the ships, both riders are being surrounded by the hunters screaming and charging. The girls quickly dismount and attacked any hunter that dared cross them. The dragons helped out too, whiling their tails and slashing with their claws:
Near her foot, Astrid sees the latch that reaches below deck. She quickly opens it to see a shine of metal inside.
Quickly assuming that it's a cage, she leaps inside.
"What is she doing?" Heather asks as she sees her friend disappear into the ship. Her thought quickly came back to her own battle as Windshear roars a warning. Heather turned to see a sharp, jagged sword come near her face. She rolled backwards to avoid it just in time. She looked up to see the wielder of the sword.
"Ryker," she growled.
"Nice to see you again traitor," the man said with a nasty smirk. "Now I can end you once and for all."
Astrid race down to the floor below deck. When she reached the final step, she sees the shine of metal, in the form of a cage.
But, the cage door was opened, and there was nothing inside. Curiosity got to Astrid as she ventured to the door. Her hand touched the frame of the door. The metal door swung in the wind, making a slight creaking noise. Astrid looked to the door, and sees the key still inside the lock.
"What a bunch of bubbling idiots," she muttered to herself.
But then, she hears a despite cry for Toothless up above. Before she got a chance to turn around, two feet pushed onto her back. Making her fall forward into the cage.
She quickly turned around to see someone towering over her, shutting the cage shut.
"Hiccup?"
"Long time no see Astrid," he said with a smirk.
Ash started to rain heavily on the defenders of the wings. It covered the huts like a thick layer of snow. A black snow. But the people seem to be persistent. They kept trying their best to defend their home. The Triple Stryke was a big help to the people, using its stingers to strike down any strong pillars and stone to build the wall. They also plugged up the hole to the cave so lava wouldn't leak out.
Dagur and Fishlegs had to keep taking breaks from the trench digging, just so their dragons can retake their shot counts. But Dagur's mind was more focused on Heather and how she is doing. He kept resisting the itchy I go after her. He did promise her to stay to help these people.
He just hopes that she is alright.
Mala also hopes that Astrid could honour her determination and save her island and her people. But all she could really do is pray.
Heather squares up against Ryker with all her might, pitting her double axe against Ryker's sword. Her agility is equal to the man's strength. She kept circling around him just to get a good shot, but he always counters it with the edge of his sword.
"Don't you think that I wouldn't remember your moves while you were working for us?" He taunts her.
"You only saw the surface," she said as she twirls her weapon around. She swings it to the feet to sweep them.
But Ryker jumped out of the way just in time. "Missed."
"Naw," she said with a smile. "Just got you closer."
"Closer to what?" Ryker asks before Windshear's tail whips him, making him fly off his ship and into the sea.
"Good girl," Heather comments.
Windshear purrs before her rider runs below deck. It didn't take her long to see a giant dragon in a cage.
It was a beautiful creature. It was almost like a gronckle, with a big jaw and body. But it only had two small legs in front of its big stubby hind legs and a long tail with rocky spikes. Spikes also rose along his back spine. Its skin was as black as coal, with veins like molten lava. The cage was too small for his giant wings to expand, and its small eye shine like rocks with dew.
It sniffs Heather as she approaches the cage. It moaned in pain. Heather took her time to approach the cage, trying to be as cautious as she can be.
"It's alright," she said, approaching the cell and sticking out her hand. The dragon sniffs it, unsure if she is safe.
"I'm a friend." She tries again, a little more gentle.
"I'm going to help you get home."
Astrid stood up as Hiccup started to pace around the cell.
"Hiccup?" She said a little shaken. "I don't understand?"
"Oh, you don't understand?" He mocks with a uneasy smile on his face. "Let's see you are in a cage match, with me. I think it's self-explanatory."
"No," she stumbles as she tries to be on level with him. "I don't understand is why. Why are you doing this?"
"Maybe because it's fun," he said.
She watches his movements, circling around her like a predator to prey. He looks like he was ready to lunge at her at any minute. She also sees a small dagger in his belt, and he was not afraid to use it.
"Listen Hiccup," she said. "I don't want to fight you."
"I don't really think you can," he laughs in a cold tone.
"You know I can fight," she said, "But right now I just want to talk. You know, like the friends we once were."
"Yeah," he said. "We were friends, until I put a good chic in your armor. Or was it when you all gave up on finding me?"
"That's not it at all and you know it," she finally snaps full of emotion. "We looked for you for so long. We'd never give up on you. What did Viggo do to you? What did he do to make you turn against us?"
"What did he do?" He replied. He finally stops pacing around and takes out the dagger. Her twirls it in his hands playfully while looking at Astrid. "He opened my eyes. He showed me that hunters were more powerful than any dragon rider. Think about. He's outsmarted me how many times? With no dragon and no weapon. He was able to beaten us time and time again."
"So what?" She said. "We've also beaten him time and time again. Or did you forget that time with the Buffalord?"
"During my months of captivity, I've seen thugs you wouldn't believe. I've also seen the truth."
"The truth?"
"Yes," he said, flicking his dagger so it's firm in his hand. "Like how this war is pointless, and the hunters will win in the end. So why not join them?"
"Never!" She said with a grunting voice.
"That's what I said too," he said. "But then I started to see what Viggo has accomplished. How many dragons he truly has under his belt. And how he unlocked the secret to the dragon eye."
"What?" She asks in a shock. "How is that possible? The only way to unlock it is-"
"That's what I thought too, but once again, Viggo is one step ahead. Always has."
Hiccup began to creep towards her, making her really uncomfortable. She took a couple of steps back, only to have the metal bars of the cage stop her.
"But it is more than that," she insisted. "Viggo did something to you. He's brainwashed you."
"Brainwashed? Is that what you're going for?" He laughs manically at her. "You really are an idiot. An idiot Viking lass that always thinks with her fists and not with her brain. I'm just seeing the world in a new perspective. Why can't you just accept that I'm the same as I've always been."
"Because the Hiccup I know would never say something like that, or take pleasure in someone else's pain," she yells. "I know you're not yourself. We can help you, we can help you break free."
"I don't need your charitable help!" He yells. "I don't want anything from you, except for your dragons of course. And your life!"
He likes he's to stab her in the stomach. But she quickly grabs his hand to push it away. She was finally able to move away from him, but Hiccup was relentless. He kept lunging his dagger at her, almost hitting its mark.
"But don't you remember all the times we had together? As friends?" She yelled over his grunts. "Like when we started the dragon academy? Or when the Outcasts attacked us? Or even when we came here to the edge? Does any of that mean anything to you?"
A green shine on his eyes made him more focused on his target. "No, it doesn't. It just reminds me of how stupid I was. Back before we made our so called peace with dragons, everyone treated me like nothing. Like I was useless. But now, now I'm part of something bigger, something meaningful. And I am glad I'm in league with them. They gave me my purpose, and I have my job to do."
"Hiccup, please stop!" Astrid shouts in a plea. "I don't want to do this."
"Well I want to do this!" He lunged again towards her, knocking her down to the floor. He then manages to pin her down by sitting on her stomach and raising his dagger high.
"Hiccup..." She pleads.
But Hiccup's eyes were still fixed upon her.
Before he moved his dagger towards her however, he hears a familiar cry. He looked up to see the face of Toothless, nearly crying for his friend.
He looks at his dragon straight in the eye, seeing his reflection in the irises. For a split second, it reminded him of when he first shot down Toothless, and made a forbidden bond with him.
Back...when he and Toothless were friends.
Something struck in him a bit, something that made him lower the weapon a bit.
Astrid saw this little hesitation. Whatever has her friend under Viggo's influence, it's slightly breaking. Maybe if she pushes it a bit, maybe she can help set him free.
"Hiccup," Astrid whispers kindly. "You remember Toothless. He's your best friend. He was very worried about you when you were captured. He wouldn't eat or sleep for days. He cares about you, just like we all are. We want to help you, to bring you home."
Hiccup looks at her than back at Toothless, both nearly in tears. But, he's not sure how to feel. Here he is, standing over one of his friends, ready to kill them. And yet he's...he's...
A slight pain in his head made him feel back a bit. Making him remember whose side he's on. Anything before that is meaningless. This girl and the dragon are his enemies.
"Arg!" He screamed as he focused back to her. "You will do no such thing. Just face it Astrid. Your friend is gone, and he is not coming back!"
He raises his dagger up again and plunges it towards her gut. But Astrid quickly grabbed his hands to stop the weapon from penetrating her skin. She then uses all her might to move the dagger away. But surprisingly, Hiccup has gotten a lot stronger over the missing month and a half. They kept each other in a stand still as Toothless tries to coo his way to Hiccup.
He manages to fit his body inside the trap door, but there wasn't enough room to fully move around.
But as he sees the blade getting closer and closer towards Astrid, he got scared. He would never imagine that he would have to hurt Hiccup in any way, but it's the only thing that might save Astrid.
With all his might, he head butts the cage, making it slightly shake. Not enough to trip the cage, but to rattle it. It made Hiccup lean his body forward, letting one of his hands go for balance. That gave Astrid the chance to direct the dagger's target to the floor. She then punches Hiccup in the jaw to make him tumble off of her. She quickly got back on her feet and ran for the door.
Before Hiccup could get a sense of what is happening, Astrid opened the door to let herself out. She than slam the door and locked it with the key.
She backed away just in time before Hiccup slammed himself into the cage in an attempt to claw her.
He growled at her like a wild animal at her, making her backup in fright. She couldn't stand to see him like this. Whatever Viggo did to him, she could barely recognize him anymore. He's more of an animal now than a man.
Suddenly shouts came from up above. She could guess that the men she knocked out in the fight are coming back to their senses.
But then, a blast from up there made a giant hole in the ceiling. Astrid looked up to see Heather, Windshear, Stormfly, and a new dragon fly up ahead.
"Hurry!" Heather called out. "We haven't got much time!"
"But," Astrid said looking back at Hiccup. There was no way she could leave him, not in this state. But the cage is too big for them to carry, and it will slow them down so they can't save Mala and her people. It was a bitter pill to take, but Astrid realizes that she has to leave Hiccup behind for now. But then she remembers that this ship isn't going anywhere with its mast torn in two. She can go to the village, save it, and then return to Hiccup.
"Come on!" Heather called out again.
Toothless moans, not wanting for leave Hiccup either. Astrid gently pats his head to comfort him. "Don't worry Toothless, we'll come back to get him. We just need to save the island first."
Toothless let's out a regrettable coo as Astrid mounts him.
"Cowards!" Hiccup cried out in anger as he pushes his face trough the bars.
Astrid turned to face her friend, gathering as much of a brave face as she can. "I'll come back for you, I promise."
With one movement of the tail, Toothless took off into the sky to join Heather and the others.
Astrid looks back down, Hiccup's face hidden in the shadows of the ship.
"Don't worry," Heather assured her, "we'll come back for him."
All Astrid could do is nod as she and Heather lead the Eruptodon back to the island.
Together, they led the dragon back to the island; and just in time too. Lava is starting to go up to the brim and spill in small streams.
Heather blew her horn to not only signal Snotlout and the twins to come back, but to give the island a sense of relief. Everyone looked up and cheered at the sign of their great protector has come back.
The Eruptodon got instantly to work, perching on the edge. He lowers his neck and started to eat the lava up. In one gulp the layer of lava already went down a level. Any of the spills made their way to the trenches and roll down to the sea, being harden as the cold water hits the hot lava.
Everyone on the island were able to breathe a huge sigh of relief as they watch the dragon attack the mountain. As the lava begins to lower, he crawls back into the mountain, soon disappearing inside. The smoke from the top started to disappear and the ash stopped coming down.
Everyone cheered with glee as they finally realize that they are all save and sound. They began to race to each other and hug each other. Ali wraps her hands around the Triple Stryke as he nuzzles her with affection.
Mala had the biggest smile on her face, knowing that her people are safe and sound. Thanks to Astrid and her team.
"Thank Thor you guys came," Fishlegs said as he and Dagur joined Astrid and Heather.
Within a few seconds, Snotlout and the Twins joined them.
"Aw man, we didn't get to use our call!" Tuffnut complained.
"Maybe next time," Heather comments annoyed.
"Come on!" Astrid said turning Toothless around. "We found Hiccup on one of the ships. We have to get him."
The riders wasted no time getting into the air and racing to the ship. Unfortunately, when they got there, only one ship was there, the one with a giant hole in its deck. The metal cage inside was wide open, with no one inside.
"No!" Astrid cried out in despair. Once again, she is too late.
She bowed her head down in shame as the other riders feel bad. Their friend is gone again. But they did save a whole island, at the cost of their friend.
"I swear Viggo, you will pay for this!" Astrid bellows hopefully towards the brute.
Hiccup walked around the boat for a while, looking out into the open water. It was lucky for him that Ryker and his men were able to get the second ship working again. They were able to get away before the riders got back.
But still, the action in the cell got him thinking. Why did he hesitate back there? He knows his mission, and his duty, so why did Astrid and Toothless affect him so?
"We had it all plan!"
Hiccup turned to the loud voice of Ryker, who is still wet and full of aggression.
"We captured the Eruptodon, we had victory in our grasp. What went wrong?"
"Besides the obvious," Hiccup comment sarcastically.
"Why didn't you say that the dragon riders would interfere?!" Ryker yelled at him.
"Like I know what goes on with that island nowadays. I told you to prepare for them," Hiccup reminded him. "Besides, I did my part. I took the Eruptodon."
"And yet they are the ones that got away with it," Ryker argued.
"Yes, they did," Hiccup said looking back towards the island and the black smoke. "It seems that Astrid has taking the reigns as leader. She's not good at it though, thinking more out of instinct than strategy. That will be her downfall."
"And thanks to those traitors, they'll know about most our posts," Ryker said, no longer containing his frustration.
"That will also be their downfall," Hiccup said with a smirk. "if they know of our movements, then we can plan for them better."
That gave him a great idea that might put an end to the Riders. He'll have to talk to Viggo about this plan, but he is sure he'll agree with it. He just has to wait for when they fall for his trap.
It was a giant celebration on the island. Everyone is full of joy and glee. They cleaned away all the ash so they have room to roam and to celebrate.
The dragon riders were seated at a big table next to the throne Mala sat in. The defenders' presented plate upon plates of food on the table. They were almost treating the dragon riders like gods. Their dragons were also getting the royal treatment.
"I can get use to this," Snotlout said with pride while putting his feet up.
"Well don't," Heather said annoyed. She then looked to her left, right at her brother. Who is surprising uneasy about this. "What's up with you?"
Dagur looked at her, still feeling queasy. "Um...I'm not sure how to do this...appreciation thing...how should I react?"
"Just be grateful, though that could be hard for you," Heather comments.
Dagur looked at her funny, until Shattermaster licked his face.
"Thank you, all of you," Ali said with glee while the Triple Stryke.
"You did great too, dragon rider," Astrid comments.
Ali gasps a bit in surprise. "A dragon rider? Me? So I'm blessed with a dragon?"
The Triple Stryke licked her cheek, making her lift off the ground with it. She giggled as she rubs his nose.
"This is indeed a remarkable thing," Mala comments.
"Ohhh, what are going to name him?" Ruffnut asks in anticipation.
"Name him?" Ali asks. "Ummm, I'm not sure?"
"You guys didn't give him a name?" Dagur asks.
"Well, we were at a total loss with Hiccup, that we didn't really think of giving him a name at the time," Fishlegs explained.
"I got it!" Tuffnut calls out, "Sleuther!"
Everyone looked at him with a confused face.
"What?" He shrugs, "it's catchy."
The dragon purrs as he nudges Ali.
"Sleuther it is," she shrugs as she and her dragon join the others.
"It would seem we have another protector," Mala comments.
"Dragons are more than protectors," Astrid said. "They are friends."
Mala nods before turning to her. "Astrid, I owe you and the riders an apology. You risked your lives to save our protector and our island. We are indented to you."
"It's no problem," Astrid said. "It was all giant misunderstanding anyway. How Thork by the way?"
"He's still trying to take it all in," Mala said. "Times are certainly changing; some people will have a harder time accepting it. But with some help, we'll endure. Though, he will be sentence to community service."
Astrid smiles, but only for a short time.
"I'm sorry about your friend," Mala comments.
"I was so close to him," Astrid admits. "I know Viggo did something to him to get him to behave like this."
"Viggo's cruelty knows no bounds," Mala said.
"And yet, while we were fighting, he hesitated. Only for a little bit," Astrid continued.
"You mean, whatever is controlling him is breaking?" Fishlegs hoped.
"Maybe," Astrid said.
"If you need of any assistance, the defenders of the wing are at your service," Mala insisted.
"Thank you," Astrid said in appreciation. She looks out to her new allies, giving her hope again that they can bring their friend home.
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