On My Own
Author: Nightstar Fury of Nightstar Productions.
Rating: M for Mature.
Disclaimer: I own nothing from Dreamworks HTTYD or Dreamworks Dragons. I also don't own any of the songs I use :p Now that we've established that...We can enjoy the story!
25; Alpha Vs Queen.
Those 3 days were the busiest Berk had ever been preparing to leave for the nest on Hiccup's plan which everyone was questioning if he was even sane. True none of them had ever seen the nest or this queen, by the sound of it she was huge. One human and one dragon couldn't take on a dragon of that size but Hiccup seemed confident he could. Gobber and Hiccup handled weapons in the forge while everyone else on Snotlout's orders were preparing the ships and deciding who was going and staying. They couldn't all go obviously. Hiccup suggested they minimize the possible injuries and only take 5 boats with 10 people on each, then his riders with their dragons. Snotlout didn't disagree, he trusted Hiccup's ideas. Hiccup had sent for 20 of his own riders, and with him, Slyvi, Viggo, Ryker, and his mother, it was 25. With everything ready, Hiccup was on the docks with Snotlout checking over things.
"Hiccup, I want to go too!" Sylvi asked.
"No, it too dangerous babe." Hiccup said firmly.
"Its the same amount of danger for you too! I'm your second in command so I can tell you when you're making a terrible choice. I'll be with Nightstar, I'll be okay." Sylvi argued.
"Syl, you saw this thing. It scared you so much you collapsed in my arms...The difference in me going is that Toothless is immune to that things control...Nightstar is not and I won't take that risk." Hiccup sighed.
"I'll stay out of the way, I just want to be with you...Please..." Sylvi pleaded.
Hiccup groaned out looking to the sky. "Fine. But you stay out of the line of fire. Clear?" Hiccup said. Sylvi smiled wide nodding as she kissed Hiccup's cheek. "Chief Snotlout, are the ships ready?" Hiccup asked.
"They are. Every ship as two catapults, and 4 barrels of weapons. Are your riders ready?" Snotlout asked.
"Always." Hiccup nodded.
"Let us help, we're trained as warriors." Astrid told Hiccup now.
"But not against a dragon like this and you can't ride them yourselves." Hiccup mumbled. "Your call, Snotlout." Hiccup looked to him now.
"Its fine. We've always done things together and that won't change now." Snotlout nodded. "Though I can't speak for Fishlegs and Astrid, they are your tribe members now." He added.
"I guess its fine with me. If we're ready we should get going...The flight will only take an hour by dragon, a few by boat. My riders and I will patrol the area around the ships. When we reach the island, all of you need to be kept quiet. We don't need to alert her we're there until we're ready." Hiccup said.
"Aye sir." His riders replied as Hiccup got on Toothless and opened his tail, Sylvi got on Nightstar and the other rider as well as Hiccup's mother were ready too. There were now 25 riders including Hiccup, and 50 warriors including Stoick, Gobber, and Snotlout.
"Riders, wings up and await formation positions. Snotlout, get the ships sailing and have them form a diamond with your ship in the center of all 4." Hiccup said.
"You heard the man. Gobber, you stay right side of center boat. Stoick you stay left of center. Corey take front of the diamond, and dad you take the back. How tight should we keep it, Hiccup?" Snotlout looked to Hiccup now.
"Keep about 7-8 feet between you that way if we hit any heavy waves your boats won't crash together." Hiccup said to him.
"Got it. We'll float until you give the command to sail." Snotlout nodded. Hiccup checked his numbers again, he had 25 with himself.
"Riders, listen up closely. We are their sky and sea watchers. Audun, Alex, Colden, and Edvin you are arrow and V formation shape leaders. Edvin take Bjorn and Ivar to form the left forward facing arrow ahead of the ship Gobber leads. Alex take Jarl and Kasper to form the right arrow ahead of the ship Stoick leads. Both of you stay slightly head of Corey's ship." Hiccup ordered.
"Aye sir." Alex and Edvin nodded taking the men they were assigned and getting into position with a forward facing arrow.
"Audun take Knut and Lukas to make the V shaped arrow behind Gobber's and Spitelout's ship. Hedvig, take Magnus and Oivind to form the V shaped arrow behind Stoick's and Spitelout's ships." Hiccup said with a hand signal, the two gave a firm nod and headed to their positions. "Ragnar, Sander, Vivmar, Tollak. You 4 take the tops and bottoms of the X. Vera, Ulla, Siv, Lina. You 4 take the insides of the X. Syl...Take the center of the X. Mother, Viggo, Ryker form the diamond around the X. I'll take lead in position 1. Mom you take 2 at the bottom, Viggo take 4 on the left, and Ryker take 3 on the right." Hiccup commanded. It didn't take long for the rest to fall into formation.
The Hooligans on the ships and on land watched how fast Hiccup got them into such a complication formations without even blinking. But they saw why he did it the way he did now. The ships formed a diamond with Snotlout's ship in the center. And above 12 riders formed a rectangle around the ships. 8 riders formed an X inside the square. Then 4 riders including Hiccup formed a diamond around all of them. Then 2 riders on the left and right flew back and forth along the left and right to keep watch on everything in front and in back. They also noticed that Hiccup formed them with strong dragons. It was genius. A way for everyone to be covered no matter the angle. "I'll never understand how you do that off the top of your head." Snotlout stated.
"This is why training with me takes so long. Because its not just riding or bonding. Its battle positions, formations, and all that. Takes way more than just a few weeks to learn. I just combined every formation into one. No one is left unguarded and everyone has eyes on someone else." Hiccup stated.
"I notice you're not using any Zipplebacks lad, any reason why?" Gobber called to him.
"Zipplebacks generally need two riders, one for each head. I would have had to take 8 more riders from Fury Isle to make that happen and I can't leave my island unguarded. Zippleback riders have to be in perfect sync and for an attack this big, its too much risk. Even one second of off timing would be bad..." Hiccup sighed.
"Ah. Well we're ready down here." Snotlout said with a nod.
"Alright, we got a few hours ahead of us before we get there. Stay in formation everyone. Ships set sail West. Riders, lets fly." Hiccup commanded as Toothless launched in the sky to position one of the main diamond and hovered as the ship sails caught the wind and began sailing with Hiccup leading them right to the nest. There was a lot to worry about in this, and all of it rested on Hiccup's shoulders. If this failed, he didn't deserve to be called a chief because he would of condemned 75 people including himself to death. His eyes kept forward and he remained silent the entire flight. His mind on the attack he had planned. Hiccup knew that Toothless could withstand the queen's control but the other 24 dragons he had in the sky with him weren't safe from her. He was beginning to think he should of just done this alone. Hiccup sighed. It was too late to change it now. If his plan failed, he had a back up that no one knew about yet. He hoped it wouldn't come to that. '...I wish you were here right now...I need you.' Hiccup thought sadly thinking of his father, Thurmond.
A gust of wind blew past him, it was warm and embraced him as Hiccup found a smile. "You have the heart of a chief, and the soul of a dragon. Only you can bring our worlds together. That is who you are son." Hiccup heard his father's voice console him. Hiccup nodded firmly. "I'll bring them together father." Hiccup said.
(A Few Hours Later)
They'd been flying 2 ½ hours now, Hiccup could see the Hooligans talking below on the ships, the rest of his riders were silent and staying on guard as he'd trained them to do. This was too serious to take it lightly. Hiccup closed his eyes sighing then opened them again. They were getting closer, Hiccup could feel the temperature in the air changing from cold to warm and that meant they were close to the volcano. "Chief..." Alex said from the left, Hiccup glanced over.
"Yes?" Hiccup replied.
"The chieftess isn't looking so good." Alex replied, Hiccup looked back and saw Sylvi looking half asleep and sick to her stomach. He never should of let her come, he knew it was a bad idea and they were too close to the nest to send her back by herself.
"Edvin. Alex. Single point arrow formation." Hiccup told them. Jarl, Kasper, Ivar, and Bjorn broke their original arrow position and fell in line behind their leaders, Edvin and Alex. Now instead of two arrows on the left and right, it was one big arrow at the front with Edvin and Alex leading. Hiccup fell back beside Sylvi worried for her. "Syl...What's wrong?" Hiccup asked her.
"I'm just tired babe. I'm alright, I promise..." Sylvi replied then brought a hand to her mouth to keep from throwing up.
"No you're not, Syl. Why do you have to be so stubborn..." Hiccup sighed as he flew down to Snotlout's ship and glided along side it. "Snotlout." Hiccup said, Snotlout looked at him now.
"What's up?" Snotlout replied.
"Can Syl and Nightstar set down on your ship until we get there. She's sick and falling asleep, I never should of brought her...But I can't send her back alone or send anyone with her because it'll break formation and we don't need that right now." Hiccup said.
"She sure can. I'll have everyone move back a bit and she can rest at the front." Snotlout nodded.
"Thanks." Hiccup nodded, Snotlout had everyone move back as Hiccup gave Nightstar the command to land on the deck, she listened of course and flew down slowly landing there. Astrid and Ruffnut helped Sylvi off Nightstar who laid down afterwards then Sylvi was placed against her dragon. "Take it easy down there babe. We should be arriving in 20 minutes or so..." Hiccup told her, she nodded with her eyes closed drinking some water as Hiccup sighed again returning to the front. "Alright guys back to 3 man arrowhead on left and right." His riders split off to their previous spots and Hiccup led again. On top of everything else, now he had to worry about Sylvi being sick still and on an island with what he was now calling the Red Death.
(15 Minutes Later)
"Alright, I'm flying head to see how close land is..." Hiccup said, his riders nodded as Hiccup flipped Toothless's tail and shot through the ashy fog to find land. He saw it and gave a nod, he turned around and saw the large group awaiting orders. "Slow the ships down, and form side by side so no one crashes. Land is about ½ mile in the thick fog. You won't be able to see much, keep your voices down." Hiccup said.
"You heard the man. Corey, have your boat go left between Gobber's and mine's. Dad, come up right between Stoick's and mine's." Snotlout ordered. The directors of the ships did as told while Hiccup above assembled his riders accordingly.
"Monstrous Nightmare riders...Wing Blasts!" Hiccup commanded. His 6 Nightmare riders gave the orders to their dragons who hovered and used their wings to blast away the thick fog from sight and there the island sat in plain view for all to see. The volcano smoking slightly, the falling ash around them. The ships pushed onto shore as Hiccup landed quietly, then his riders doing the same. The rider helped get the ships docked on the island, Stoick was beside himself at the sight.
"We've...gone by this place so many times..." Stoick said.
"But you miss it because its covered by fog so you don't assume its an island." Hiccup said, he now faced everyone. "As quietly as you can, start unloading the catapults and boulders for them. Dragon riders, find high points where your dragons can shoot from between those two rocks. Remember to mind your shot and range limits...When we crack this mountain open, all the dragons under her control are going to flee. Do no, I repeat...Do not attack them. They are only fleeing because when that thing wakes up...Ain't no one is gonna wanna be on this island. Syl, I want you to stay hidden with my mother. You're in no condition to be fighting while sick..." Hiccup said to her.
"But..." Sylvi tried to protest
"No, Syl. You're too sick right now. I don't want you or anyone else getting hurt, please...stay hidden with my mother." Hiccup asked. Sylvi sighed nodding as she walked with Valka and their dragons to a safe spot but one they could still see everything. Hiccup began helping unload things and getting into position. This didn't take long, maybe 20 minutes before it was ready. Everyone stood their ground and Hiccup's riders gave him the signal that they were ready.
"On your command, chief Hiccup." Snotlout stepped beside him. Hiccup sighed, this was it. Hiccup raised his hand up as Vikings began to load the catapults with boulders waiting for it. Hiccup took a deep breath, it was now or never. Hiccup closed his hand to a fist and the 10 catapults all released like a domino effect firing towards the mountain. A few weak spots cracked and broke up, other spots just broke the boulders. It was silent a few minutes before a flurry of dragons escaped through the holes and around the back of the mountain, all doing just as Hiccup expected. Fleeing.
"Snotlout." Hiccup said as Snotlout looked at him, "If this gets out of control, take the men to the far side of the island. Lead them anywhere but the ships and I will take care of the rest." Hiccup said calmly. Snotlout's eyes widened a bit.
"Wait...Hold up. What do you mean...'if this gets out of control'?" The young Berk chief asked, Hiccup didn't look at him.
"Just promise me you'll take them to the far side of the island." Hiccup said.
"We set the plan for this, are you saying it won't work?" Snotlout asked quickly. The dragons the emerged from the mountain were out of sight and clear, the ground began to shake as a loud roar emitted from the holes that the catapults made previously. The area fell silent.
"We set a plan, Snotlout...That doesn't guarantee that it will work and if it shouldn't...I will give you the signal. If I do...Take everyone to the far side of the island, and I will take care of the rest. Will you promise me that? And in return, I will promise that no matter what happens...It ends today." Hiccup said firmly to him. Snotlout searched the green eyes of his cousin who understood what Hiccup was saying now, he didn't want too but he nodded to Hiccup and the two both looked back to the mountain which was beginning to crack up the sides and a large head began to make its way up.
"I promise, Hiccup." Snotlout said.
"Thank you." Hiccup replied as he jumped on Toothless's back and opened the tail as the two were ready. The dragon emerged angrily roaring and Hiccup could hear the fear in their voices seeing it.
"Odin help us..." Stoick's eyes widened.
"Beard of Thor...What is that?!" Gobber asked.
"That's the Red Death, the queen of this nest who is responsible for your raids..." Hiccup said. Toothless began growing angrily. "Easy bud...Not yet..." Hiccup calmed his friend. "This is it everyone, battle stations and fire on my command!" Hiccup called out as Toothless launched into the sky while the Red Death roared at them angrily. Catapults were reloaded, and his riders were ready with their dragons. "NOW TOOTHLESS!" Hiccup yelled, Toothless charged a blast and fired it right at the Red Death's face, she shook her head once and Hiccup gave the signal with his hand.
The catapults were fired at her legs making he roar out angrily, she crushed one of the catapults with her large foot. "Thunderdrum riders! Sonic blasts, hit her from all sides!" Hiccup called out. Ragnar, Vivmar, Tollak, and Sanders took up their positions around the Red Death's head and their dragons roared loudly to disorient her. She shook her head trying to escape it and Hiccup grinned. It was working. "Nightmare and Nadder riders, prepare to fire from behind with fire!" His riders did so and the Red Death roared angrily again using her clubbed tail to get them away from her.
"Use the spears for long range attacks!" Snotlout told his men, sure enough they did but they weren't weakening her. They were making her madder and Hiccup noticed it. The Red Death formed a gas in her mouth and fired it all around making the riders have to move quick but they were hit with her tail and crashed down.
"How many injured!?" Hiccup asked quickly.
"4 riders, and 2 dragons..." Audun replied.
"Hiccup, we've lost 6 catapults and we're running out of boulders! That blast took out two ships! I got 12 injured...What's our next move?" Snotlout called to Hiccup now who didn't like this one bit, she was stronger than he anticipated. The dragon unfolded her wings and knocked more of his riders from the sky, his eyes darted left and right before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. He didn't have a choice now.
"Looks like we might need plan B after all bud..." Hiccup sighed softly as he looked towards Snotlout now, their eyes met and Snotlout knew what that meant. "Snotlout!" Hiccup called to him, "Keep your promise to me..." That was the signal, he could see Hiccup's worried, almost saddened but still firm eyes. Snotlout nodded to him understanding what to do.
"FALL BACK!" Snotlout called, they all looked at him now. "You heard me, fall back to the far side of the island!" Snotlout ordered. Though confused they began to get clear of the area as Snotlout looked back at Hiccup worried.
"Riders! Protect the Hooligans!" Hiccup said.
"But what about the queen sir, we can't just run from her!" Viggo exclaimed to his chief. Hiccup closed his eyes narrowing his brows.
"I know. I don't plan too run but all of you will. Now go, protect them. That's an order!" Hiccup commanded firmly. His riders and their dragons began to clear out as well. "Time to show her who the boss is, Toothless...Lets go." Hiccup rubbed his friend's head. Toothless roared out as the two launched into the sky together heading straight up then whipping around and dive-bombing down towards the queen as all of them watched at what he was doing. "DO IT BUD!" Hiccup yelled, Toothless fired a blast at the side of the queen which knocked her right over onto her side as Hiccup and Toothless flew over her and looked back.
"What in the name of Thor is he doing! This wasn't the plan!" Sylvi yelled at Snotlout.
"It was..." Snotlout replied as a few of them looked at him but his eyes were only on Hiccup and Toothless who were watching the Red Death spread her wings and take to the sky after them. "It was Hiccup's back up plan in case the first failed...The plan where he takes her on himself, even if it means giving his life to save us." Snotlout said calmly.
"You think that did it?" Hiccup asked looking back to see her following them through the maze of sea-stacks which they dodged but the queen plowed through like tearing paper. "Well she can fly..." Hiccup said as Toothless snorted and they moved faster. "Alright Toothless...Time to disappear." Hiccup changed the tails position and they headed straight up for the clouds. "Come on bud!" He called. The Red Death followed closely forming the gas in her mouth to fire. "Here it comes!..." Hiccup warned as he and Toothless dodged the blast and vanished into the ashy clouds above. The Red Death reached the darkened clouds and hovered there looking around roaring. The group of Vikings and riders looked up trying to see them but couldn't in the darkness.
They heard the whistling from Toothless then saw a barrage of purple blasts light of the sky and show shadows of the Red Death being hit hard. Above, Toothless was taking shots at the large dragon's wings and back. The Red Death roared out annoyed and fired a lava blast trail of fire all around the darkened clouds in an attempt to hit Toothless and Hiccup. "Watch out!" Hiccup told his dragon as they leaned to avoid but it wasn't in time. Toothless's prosthetic caught fire and began to burn up, Hiccup looked back worried. "Okay...Times up...Lets see if this works..." Hiccup said as they rounded about past the Red Death's face to taunt her. "Come on! That the best you can do!" Toothless took on his blue glow and they headed down in another dive bomb towards the island again.
"Stay with me buddy, we're good. Just a little bit longer..." Hiccup said as Toothless roared with worry almost. "Hold Toothless..." Hiccup said as they broke through the clouds and could be seen by the riders and Vikings now. Hiccup heard the hiss of the gas forming and waited. "NOW!" Hiccup yelled, Toothless whipped around with a blue blast charged and fired it into the Red Death's mouth, she closed her mouth as the fire reversed down her throat. The Red Death put out her wings but the holes from Toothless's previous blasts couldn't slow her decent down towards the ground. Hiccup pulled back as they went past her head as she went plummeting to the island below, face full of fire first. The force made the group duck to avoid being pushed back.
Hiccup and Toothless raced up the dragon's clubbed tail while Toothless's tail was almost completely gone and when Hiccup tried to change their position to avoid the blast coming behind them. Above was a clubbed tail, below an explosion. The tail broke off as they began to lose altitude. "No..." Hiccup said worried seeing the tail at them. "NO!" Too late, they hit and Hiccup fell off Toothless falling unconscious. Toothless whipped around and dove after Hiccup before they both disappeared from the Hooligan's and the rider's sights in the explosion.
"HICCUP!" Sylvi screamed out as her eyes widened in fear.