Author's note: How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World has already been released in Australia, so I went to go see it. I won't give away any spoilers, but I will say the ending has genuinely affected me emotionally. By no means am I saying the ending was bad (It was probably the best ending the series could be given), but it was incredibly bittersweet and has left me feeling quite sad (Due to the actual ending and the fact that it is the last movie in the most incredible franchise ever). However, I've heard rumours that sometime this year there'll be a new Netflix series called Dragons: Rescue Riders, so we've got that to look forward to (I've also heard that this series will be aimed at a younger audience, but that still won't stop me from watching it).
Getting back to this story, I'm planning on this chapter being the first part of 2/3/4 chapters (depending on length), then after that there'll be one more where I'll sort of conclude the story. So not long!
Narrator's perspective
Eret kept sweeping his gaze over the town below, keeping a eye out for anyone that tried to follow them. Astrid sat a-top his back and was tasked with looking for a vehicle they could 'borrow'.
The sun was well below the horizon at this time so the only available light came from the street lamps. But this helped illuminate cars and trucks that dotted the sides of the roads. They landed in an alleyway between two houses and Astrid dismounted. Eret turned back to human form then gestured for Astrid to follow him as he moved to the roadside, careful to keep to the shadows.
Eret pointed towards a Jeep sitting out the front of someone's house. The plastic covering of the cabin was rolled up so entrance into the car was easy. They checked the typical spots to keep a set of keys, under the seat, in the glovebox and behind the sun visor above the windscreen. Nothing.
Eret grunted in frustration then opened the door and walked 'round to the bonnet, pulling the clips open and lifting the sheet of metal.
"What are you doing Eret? I doubt the keys will be in there." Astrid said, exiting the car and walking over to him.
"Just a little something me and my military mates used to play around with. These Jeeps were a favourite of the army, so when we wanted to use one to have a little fun we had to get it starting ourselves."
He reached down deeper in to the engine bay. "Got it." He lifted his hand out, in it was a plain black cable. "Astrid, come 'ere. Wrap you hand around this and melt the plastic, but don't vaporise it, that gas is poisonous."
Astrid placed one hand around the wire and started to heat up her hand. The plastic quickly turned to mush. Eret took the exposed wire and connected it to the starter motor. He then grabbed the timing belt and pulled it hard. The engine started humming and spitting out black fumes, but it kept running.
"Nice work Eret. Now I just hope it has enough fuel to get back to the bunker."
Eret climbed into the driver's seat while Astrid sat in the passengers, her wings obstructing her from fully sitting back in the chair. Eret revved the engine and spun the car around, momentarily forgetting that they needed to be silent.
'Round the corner of the street and onto the main-road that extended to the edge of the town. From there on it was dirt trails North to the bunker.
No cars were on the streets, the occupants sleeping blissfully unaware of the two fugitives driving in a stolen car just outside their houses.
As Astrid and Eret made their way down the street, a faint rumbling sound was heard from the other side of the block they were just passing. They blue and red lights followed, illuminating the adjacent houses as a police car came around the bend. It was driving straight for them!
"Eret, you might want to drive a little faster." Astrid nudged Eret as she looked back to see the police vehicle turning onto the main-road. It was starting to close the distance.
A voice over a loudspeaker came from the vehicle.
"Pull over or we will use the force necessary to do so."
"Head down Astrid, we're gonna get a bit faster."
Eret slammed his foot onto the accelerator and they sped off down the road. Nearing the dirt trail Eret pulled a right-hander onto another smaller side street, then took another turn back in the direction they were originally heading.
"How do you know the town so well?" Astrid looked back to Eret after making sure the police weren't behind them.
"I've been here many times. Mostly just Valka asking me to make sure that Hiccup was safe and away from the Hunters." Eret swerved to avoid a large rock. "Viggo, their leader, wants to create a world where there are no dragons. Valka told you the story of the Viking chief and his two children," Astrid nodded, "Well, he had a third. That son betrayed the tribe and was executed for his crimes. Viggo is the child of that man. He's a Titan Wing, and from what Valka has told me, Hiccup is one as well."
They heard the sirens again along with the sound of a helicopter flying full speed towards them. Eret took a quick glance back, seeing the bright search light of the helicopter following them and closing in. The headlights of a 4x4 appeared below the helicopter, it to joining the chase.
"Astrid, look in the glove-box, see if you can find anything for navigating." Eret shouted as he revved the engine and took a sharp turn left.
Astrid barely stayed in her seat, holding on to the low door. Once they stopped turning Astrid opened the glove-box and pulled out everything. CDs, tissues, pocket-knife, and "AH-HA!" Astrid called, pulling out a compass.
"Perfect." Eret replied once he'd looked back at the approaching vehicles.
Astrid took the pocket-knife and strapped it around her waist.
"Astrid, which way is North-East?!" Eret shouted of the loud hum of the helicopter.
"That way!" Astrid pointed after checking the compass. Eret turned right and picked up speed.
The loudspeaker spoke again, only this time coming from the helicopter. "This is your final warning. Stop and exit peacefully."
Eret ignored the warning and tried to go faster, but the accelerator was bottomed-out. The 4x4 was now less than 10 metres behind, tearing across the desert shrubbery. A black gadget holding a yellow net appeared out the front. The 4x4 was within reaching distance when the net was pushed onto one of the rear wheels.
The wheel became entangled and the engine stalled, pulling the duo's car to a standstill. Black-clad offices filed out the chasing vehicle and pointed a gun each at the stolen car.
"Come out with your hand beside your heads!" An officer called.
"Astrid, we can't run now. From the looks of things those guns aren't filled with tranqs." Eret whispered.
Eret opened his door of the car and placed his hands by his head. Astrid reluctantly copied.
Two officers lowered their guns and walked forwards with handcuffs. Eret lowered his arms and the cuffs were placed around them. He glanced over at Astrid to do the same. She didn't.
The officer with her handcuffs reached up and pulled her hands down. "It'll be easier if you co-operated ma'am. You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if, when questioned, you do not mention information that you later rely on in court."
The respective officers pulled Astrid and Eret back to the 4x4, helicopter hovering overheard with search beam directly on them.
The police team opened the rear doors to the vehicle and pushed the duo inside. One man pulled out a large metal clip and used it to mount the handcuffs to the van. He climbed out the back and re-entered the cabin.
"Looks like our time is up. Let's just hope they believe our story." Eret said, eyes slowly rising to meet Astrid's.
"So you're saying that there's an immortal dragon-man who has captured and is probably going to kill your friend and his mother. And that that friend and mother can turn into dragons." The chief inspector said.
"Yes. Look if you don't believe us just look at the fact that this girl had wings and a tail and the ability to set her hands on fire. And if I had the space I'd show you that I can turn into a dragon." Eret said, trying to stand up but his chained handcuffs pulling him down.
"Well, you've been caught in a stolen car and have been ordered to pay fines for the damages causes to that vehicle. Once that's been payed then we can discuss these so called Hunters." The chief said.
"Well as you can probably see, we don't have any money on us. Let us have a call each and we can arrange to have the money paid to the owner. Ok?" Astrid asked.
"That is within your rights. But those calls will be supervised." The chief inspector stood and left the cold room.
He returned a couple minutes later with a landline phone. The man bent down and plugged it into a jack in the wall. Standing back up he addressed the other occupants of the room.
"I'll remove your cuffs, but hers stay on." He said to Eret, gesturing towards Astrid.
Eret held out his hands, the officer put the key in and turned. The cuffs fell away. Eret rubbed his wrists, feeling the blood rush back to his fingers.
The chief inspector left the room, closing and locking the door behind him.
Eret walked over to the phone and picked up the handset. "Astrid, do you wanna call you parents first?"
Astrid nodded and told Eret the number to call. The phone started to buzz then the voice of Garret came over the handset. Eret held the phone to Astrid's ear as she spoke.
"Hi dad, it's me. Um, could you come down to the police station. I need a bit of help with some, uh, finances."
"Astrid, why are you at the police station? I thought you were still in the hospital!" Garret's voice boomed through the phone.
"Um, about that. Look, if you can come down here that'd be great."
"Astrid. You should know better than to run in with the law."
"I know that dad but I need to help Hiccup. In order to do that I need to pay part of a fine. Please dad, just come down to the station." Astrid hung up. She gave the phone to Eret. "Your turn. Don't know who you're going to call."
"You wouldn't happen to know Stoick's number?" Eret asked. Astrid nodded.
"Just thinking, if you told him Hiccup has been captured along with Valka then I'm assuming he'll want to rescue them. And if he helps us pay this fine then that would speed up the process of rescuing his son and wife." Astrid nodded again.
Eret held out the phone and Astrid typed in Stoick's mobile number. It buzzed and Stoick picked up.
"Yes, who is this?" Stoick asked from the other end.
"Hey Stoick this is Eret. Astrid told me that she told you how Hiccup and Valka had been captured. Well, I need to ask you a favour. Its one that will hopefully result in them being rescued."
"Alright, I'm listening."
Stoick and Astrid's parents arrived at the police station after about half-an-hour, Astrid's parents looking rather annoyed. An officer led them to the room where Astrid and Eret were being held.
"Astrid! What did you do to get yourself in here?!" Garret shouted.
"We broke out of the hospital and stole a car. And now we need to pay a large fine." Eret said bluntly.
"What?! I'm not paying a penny to help you! YOU KIDNAPPED MY DAUGHTER AND KEPT HER HIDDEN FOR WEEKS!" Garret yelled; several guards looked up to see what the commotion was.
"Calm down honey." Astrid mother placated.
Garret walked down the hallway and into the reception. Astrid's mother sighed and followed.
"Stoick, you wouldn't happen to be able to help us, would you? If you do we'd be out of here and could help the police rescue Hiccup and Valka." Astrid bargained.
Stoick sighed, "How much is the fine?"
"Too much if you ask me." Eret said from the corner of the holding room.
"I didn't ask you."
The chief inspector walked out his office and around the corner, "$5000. We will accept credit or debit."
Stoick sighed again and pulled out his card. Before he could insert the card the inspector looked down at the machine.
"Huh, well bring that number down to $2500, halfs been payed already."
Astrid's mother walked up to them from the reception. "We've payed some. Took a bit of convincing before Garret agreed."
Stoick looked back to the inspector.
"If you'd like to make payment now sir, insert the card into the reader."
The machine buzzed and printed a receipt. The inspector handed it to Stoick.
"Now that that's been finished, how about we talk about these people you claim have been captured." The inspector said, leaning next to the holding room door.
Author's note: Hope you like this one. Took me a bit longer to right with me feeling a little sad about this franchise. But re-watching Race to the Edge has helped. Anyway, hope you enjoyed. Next chapter should contain a little more of Hiccup and Valka. Please review and tell me what you think.