It literally took me one night to write this.
ONE NIGHT!
Chapters usually take a week or more but this? It's all because of you. It's all because of your comments and I couldn't thank you enough for giving me all this motivation.
Enjoy this chapter! :3...
Heavy storm.
Rain.
Just like the one a few days ago. Only this time it was different. Because this time, Hiccup and the others weren't running away. They were going back. They weren't the hunted, they were the hunters. And their pray was inside that castle, like a mouse inside a trap.
"Okay so...this is going to be easy.The only thing is, that we have to find a way in, without being noticed by the guards...aanndd...the Nephene soldiers and...yeah, and the hunters that are going guarding the woods outside the palace...Also, Drago Bludvist is on his way to kill us all." Hiccup concluded.
"You forgot the stuff. I mean...one of them could definitely give us away to Calder as long as he is the King now."
"Thank you Tuffnut, anything else I need to worry about?"
"Hmmm...nope. That's pretty much it."
Hiccup exhaled in frustration. This was getting even more complicated.
"So let me get this straight..." Snotlout said. "You want us to somehow get past the hunters that are scanning the area with their horses, looking for...who? hmmm let me think, oh yeah! US! Then you want us to sneak inside the palace, without the guards noticing us...which can only happen by magic since they are guarding EVERY single entrance in the whole place. Am I forgetting anything?"
"The Nephene soldiers inside the castle!" Tuffnut shouted.
"Riiiight...also Drago Bludvist might be already here waiting for us. Who knows? Do we know anything really? No! We just plan things just because we can, right?"
"Oh like YOU have a better plan?" Camikazi slaped his nose, which made a loud "ouch!" come out of him.
" 'm J' st saynn..." he said with a bleeding nose.
"Well whatever it is that we do we need to do it now. And we need to move fast. One of the hunters could notice us if we keep hiding in these woods." Dagur pointed out.
"And what about our parents?" Heather asked making everyone fall silent.
"Guys...I hate to be the one who asks this out loud first but...how do we know they're even...alive?" Dagur said hesitantly.
Heather gasped.
"W-what? No! No way! Why would you say that!"
"I'm not saying it's true sister." Dagur held Heather's shoulders to calm her. "I'm just saying...we don't know what Calder did to them."
"I don't think he would kill them." Astrid said. "If he wanted them dead he would have executed them already, not throw then in the dungeons."
"I agree." Said Hiccup. "I'm sure they're fine, we just need to find them."
"Oh great! So, say we find them and set them free. Then what?" Ruffnut asked.
"Then I find Calder. And put an end to all of this."
...
The King's private office.
A silent place.
Too large to be considered an office but too small to be a library. This is the room where the King keeps all his documents and files. His paperwork and plans. The place where he and only he can enter.
Calder was sitting on the big chair that was behind the King's desk. He was having trouble with getting comfortable as Stoick's chair was made especially for him, and was a huge size for Calder's skinny body.
Before managing to find a comfortable position he heared a knock on the door.
"Come in!"
The office door slammed open and the Grimmborn brothers walked inside with extreme confort.
"Calder! Ah! It's so good to see our plan has gone as we thought!"
"My plan...AND it's King Calder or Your Majesty from now on."
The two of them looked at each other but decided to obey.
"Yes, your Majesty."
"Good. Now take a seat. I wanted to talk to you about something."
They both sat down and gulped. They didn't trust Calder. Yes sure he was their master at the plan and they've worked with him multiple times but they didn't trust him. They knew who he was. They knew that sooner or later, he would betray them too. At least Viggo knew. He was the smartest from the two of them. Ryker had the big muscles.
A few moments of silence passed with them waiting for him to say something but he didn't talk.
"So...what did you want us for Cal- uhh King Calder?"
"Patience Prince Viggo. We're waiting for another...guest to arrive."
Just then, there was a knock on the door again and Eret walked in. When he saw the Grimmborn brothers he frowned.
"Uhh...you asked to see me my King? Is this a bad time?"
"No no Eret...please sit. I wanted to see all of you."
After Eret took a seat between them, Calder sat on his chair behind the desk, facing the three of them.
"You must be wondering why I brought you all here."
The three of them nodded and he smiled.
"Well...you see the thing is that thanks to the tree of you I am sitting where I'm sitting right now. Without your help, my plan would never work."
Ryker put a smile on his proud face. But Viggo and Eret weren't buying it. Something in Calder's smile told them that this wasn't just a thank you meeting.
"...but... unfortunately... something... happened... recently that wasn't on the plan... Something that might ruin everything, something that can make all the work I put effort into, fall apart. Something that can make years and YEARS of planning and living in the shadows of other Kings get lost forever!!!"
He shouted loud enough for the entire hall to listen.
The three of them froze. They never saw him this mad.
"W-what happened?"
"What happened you ask Ryker?...Well...What happened, is that Stoick's bastard and the rest of his stupid royal friends escaped!!!"
His leg kicked a small table and broke it in half, sending thousands of small wooden pieces scattered across the floor.
A few moments of silence passed until he threw his hands on the desk in front of them, making them jump.
"My guards are everywhere. Securing this whole place. Their cages were locked and the keys were well hidden and safe from their reach. There was no way in hell that they would escape unless someone would help them."
Eret swallowed.
"It might have been their parents your Majesty." Viggo said. " I mean...who else would help those rats escape?"
"Their parents were busy with me at the time. We were all having a...talk...in the throne room, perfect timing I would say for then to escape without me noticing."
Eret's palms were sweating. He felt like he was going to faint. This is it. He was going to die. Calder would suspect him more than the other's and kill him right there.
"So...the question I am asking is simple..."
It was okay. He didn't mind dying.
He would do it for her.
Even though she hated him, at least she was now safe. She was somewhere west from Berk far away from there.
Far away from him.
At least he did one thing in his life. At least he would die knowing that she wasn't hurt. And maybe one day she would forgive him for what he did.
"...which one of the three of you did it?"
Silence.
None of them dared to speak.
"Come on now...I don't have all day...do you know how stressful it is to be the King? Just confess and be done with it already!"
"M-my King..." Ryker spoke. "W-why do you think it's one of us? I mean...why would we betray you? Don't you trust us after everything we've done for you?"
Viggo threw his widden eyes on his brother as a warning to close his mouth before getting himself killed.
"Smart people trust no one. You know what they say to keep your friends close but your enemies closer?" Calder got up from his chair and started to walk towards them around the desk.
When he reached Ryker he pulled out a knife, making the three of them froze in place.
"What are you Prince Ryker?" he said holding the knife close to his neck.
"My Enemy? Or my friend?"
Ryker didn't answer. He didn't know what to say. He couldn't speak. Frozen in fear and not knowing what to do he closed his eyes and waited for the knife to cut his throat.
Eret panicked. Calder was about to kill an innocent man. Eret was the guilty one, but now someone else was about to pay the prize for him.
What should he do? Should he say something? Should he confess the truth and save him? But it would cost him his own head. It was either him or his life.
But the again... Could he live knowing that someone innocent died for him? Would Camikazi ever forgive him? Would he ever forgive himself?
"It was me!"
Ryker felt the cold knife blade backing away from his exposed neck.
Pheww...that was close.
His eyes snapped open and a huge relief as an exhale came out of his mouth. A breath he was holding for too long. But then he realized that someone else had confessed for him, and saved his life.
"It was me! I did it...I freed the prisoners."
Calder walked over to the man who just confessed his crime.
"Wow..." Calder laughed. "Now that's a plot twist. I didn't expect such a betrayal from you...Prince Viggo."
...
"Oh come on!" Astrid screamed in frustration.
"Astrid please, this is our best chance to-"
"Why do I have to go with them? Please Hiccup why can't you just put Snotlout with these two muttonheads?"
"Because paring a muttonhead with other two muttonheads is not a very good plan." Hiccup squeezed her shoulder to help her relax but she only growled.
"And why do I need to be the one who-"
"Astrid trust me, I wouldn't be doing this unless it was absolutely necessary. I need you to keep an eye on them to make sure they don't mess anything up."
"Great! So I'm a babysitter." she crossed her arms and looked away.
Hiccup rubbed the back of his neck and laughed.
"Babysiter? Oh come on...the twins aren't that bad."
A few feet away from them, Ruffnut and Tuffnut were trying to fit 3 apples into Tuffnut's mouth.
"Man this is so awesome! Come on! you can fit another one bro!"
"Hmfhhhmmm..."
Astrid gave Hiccup an unamused "you were saying?" look making him give her a nervous smile.
"Okay look, you can punish me for making you do this later. How about that?"
"Later as in...after we take the castle and save the kingdom?" she rolled her eyes.
"If we're not already dead by then." He smiled rubbing her palms with his thumbs. "Come on. Don't be grumpy on me. Let me see that beautiful smile that I love-"
Astrid took out her tongue out at him and he laughed.
"Ooohhh that's very mature for a Princess like you M'Lady."
"Oh I'll show you how mature I can be when this is over."
Hiccup sighed.
"Thank you. Just make sure they give the signal." he said.
"Yeah yeah...don't thank me yet, I just hope you're right about this, COME ON MUTTONHEADS! WE'RE MOVING!" She said while walking towards the twins.
"Hmmmfffhhhh!" Tuffnut made a sound with his mouth full of apples.
"My dear brother says that our plan needs to wait until we break the record."
"Oh what record now?" Astrid rolled her eyes at them.
"Blaaaaahhhhh..." Tuffnut spit out everything he had on his mouth. "A world record! We've been trying to do this since we've been at the farm!"
"Hey! What if there was a book, filled with all the records around the world!"
"Oh my God yes sister! And we would call it..."
The twins looked at each other and screamed the same thing.
"THE THORNTON BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS!"
Astrid facepalmed and grabed both of them by their neck collars.
"God help me..." she started to drag them while she was walking away.
Hiccup laughed as he watched them disappear.
This will work.
This has to work.
The plan was well thought through. Everyone's roles were based on their different abilities and qualities so that it's as suitable for them as possible. Every one had a specific task.
First, they needed to get inside tha castle without anyone noticing. Which means...a distraction. And who is the best when it comes to gathering attention in one place? The Thorston twins.
The problem was, that they would most likely goof around and ruin the plan without anyone watching over them. And who's better at scaring the twins and keeping them in order than Astrid?
Dagur and Snotlout were the muscles. Their tasks would obviously include fighting and kicking ass.
Heather was the kind one. No one that has a heart can possibly say no to her. Taking advantage of her kindness would definitely help convincing a few mouths to remain silent.
And of course, just like in every fairytale, the Prince has to slay the Dragon. In this case, Hiccup must get to Calder without anyone suspecting him. Calder would most likely be in the throne room, which is heavily armed and protected. Fighting their way inside would be impossible. So the other solution was to sneak in...disguised.
"Alright gang. The first part of the plan has already started. Heather-"
"I get the horses to the stables and disguise as a maid."
"Good and convince the stuff to help us. Dagur, Snotlout, after Astrid's signal you-"
"We burst into the dungeons, kick some Nephene ass and free our parents. Got it."
And what is the perfect disguise for Hiccup to wear into a Castle full of Nephene soldiers? Nephene armour.
And who would be better at manipulating a guard into taking of his armour?
"Do you mind giving me a hand?" This thing is heavy!" Camikazi appeared a few meters away from them, carrying a heavy armour that belonged to a Nephebe soldier.
"Leave it to me babe, this is a job for a Manooofffff!!!" Snotlout took the armour from her hands but it was so heavy that made him fall to the ground.
"Woooww...Cami! How did you-"
"Steal that? Come on! Making men take their clothes of is my specialty. You guys are all so easy."
"Did he hurt you?" Hiccup asked and layed a hand on her shoulder.
"No. I left him unconscious before he could do anything that was over the line."
"How did you carry this thing, all this way here, alone, with those tiny arms??" Snotlout got up without picking up the armour.
"Guys, we don't have much time. The clock is ticking." Hiccup said. " Dagur, Snotlout, go to your positions and wait for Astrid's signal."
"How will you and Cami get inside?" Asked Dagur.
"From the door."
...
"Viggo..." Ryker looked at his brother with pleading eyes. "Don't do this."
"It's okay brother. I made a crime and I must pay."
"No you didn't! He is lying! He is lying so that you won't kill him! Viggo tell him that you're lying!"
"Enough!" Calder shouted. "I've had enough of this nonsense! If you don't tell me who to kill I'll pick one myself!"
The three of them remained silent until Eret spoke.
"Your Majesty..." His voice was trembling. "May I remind you something you seem to have forgotten about?"
"And what is that son of Eret?"
"There are other people in this castle who could have done it. The stuff, some of the servants are still loyal to the former King and Prince. And they have direct access to the royal stables without anyone noticing them. That must be how they got to their horses."
Then, Calder smiled. He got the answer that he needed.
"Oh don't say? hmm...go on son of Eret. I want to hear your theory."
"I'm just saying that...we have been loyal to you when other's haven't so...maybe suspecting one of us isn't very...wise."
A few torturing moments of silence passed until Calder sat back on his chair.
"Ryker, Viggo, you're free to go."
What? Why would he let them free like that? And why not let Eret too?
The Grimmborn brothers exited the office and closed the door behind them, leaving Eret alone with Calder.
"You know son of Eret...I like you more than those two idiots."
"Th-Thank you S-Sir."
"You know why? Because you're just too smart for them."
"I...I don't think that-"
"You know what they say about smart people?"
"N-No sir."
Calder had an evil smirk on his face. He slowly got up from the huge office chair and leaned close to whisper into Eret's ear.
"Those are the best liars."
His eyes widened.
"I...Sir I..."
"Tell me son of Eret..." Eret saw him holding his knife behind his back. "How exactly did you know that the prisoners escaped from the royal stables? Because I don't remember saying anything about horses."
And then... everything happened too fast.
Almost in a split second before Calder got to push his knife into him, Eret threw his chair at him, sending him into the wall.
Calder's back crashed between the wall and the heavy chair as Eret managed to run towards ther door.
But seconds before he reached the door handle, Calder kicked the chair towards him tackling him to the ground. As Eret struggled to get up on his feet, Calder charged at him aiming for his shoulder with his knife. But Eret dodged it quickly and in a swift move he crawled between Calder's feet and got up behind him.
Without losing any time, Eret grabbed a heavy candlestick and blocked Calder's next attack with it.
Now they were both pushing with all their forse against each other. Knife on candlestick. With the blade being awfully close to Eret's chest.
"Oh that's a shame son of Eret." Calder said while he was pacing. "I had big plans for you. You could become rich!"
"Aahhhh!" Eret screamed as his hands were getting tired of pushing against him, and the blade was now inches apart from his chest.
"And all of this for what? A girl that doesn't give a damn about you!"
"SHUT UP!!! YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!"
"It's so sad, really! How do you feel now, knowing that you'll die for a princess that will never care for a prick like you?"
"AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!" Eret kicked Calder's knee making him lose balance. As he fell he dropped his knife.
That was a chance he took to run towards the door.
When Calder managed to grab the knife and get on his feet, Eret was already gone.
...
Heather was leading all their horses to the royal stables.
Her anxiety reaching the highest levels.
It's okay... Everything will go according to the plan.
She kept walking, shaking at every step she took. What if someone sees her? What if someone recognises her? What if they drop her into that awful dark cell again?
It's okay Heather. You can' do this. Hiccup is relying on you. Berk is relying on you.
What if she lets them down? What if she ruins the whole plan? What if she does something stupid?
No. Hiccup thought this plan over. It's a good plan, he knows what he's doing. There was no way anyone would-
"Hey you!" She heared a male voice behind her and she froze in place.
"Who are you and what are you doing with these horses?"
She turned around to see two Nephene guards approach her.
"I- I-" her voice was cracking. She didn't know what to say.
"I said, where are you taking them?" the guard said lowering his huge buffed up body to be face to face with her.
"I- T-To the r-royal s-stables..."
The two guards shared a look.
"I haven't seen you around here. Are you new?"
"No I have definitely seen her. Her face is too familiar."
Then she panicked.
"I have been in this castle for a few months. I have orders to deliver these horses at the royal stables."
They weren't buying it.
Shit.
"Oh don't say!" One of the guards laughed. " So you just happen to deliver 1..2..3...8 horses huh? How many are the missing Princes and Princesses? Oh right...8! Well look at that! What a coincidence!"
She had to think of an excuse quickly or everything would be lost.
"I- I don't know-"
"Don't play dumb on us girl. Come on. Let's take you to see the King-"
"Finally you're here!" a male voice said behind her. "I have been waiting all day!"
Heather turned around to see...
"Fishlegs?"
The guards looked confused.
"Oh thank you two kind sirs that you found her. I have been waiting for her to deliver those horses."
"You know this girl servant?"
"She's new. Still learning the job. She was supposed to bring me 8 new horses since the others were stolen. Special King's orders." Fishlegs grabed Heather's arm and started to drag her inside the stables, along with the horses. "Thank you so much for your help though! I'll be sure to report your devotion to the kingdom to King Calder!" he said while closing the stable doors behind him, leaving the guards confused.
Then he turned to her.
"Gods Heather! What are you doing here? Those guys almost-"
"Fishlegs! Oh thank you thank you thank you! You really saved me!" She wraped her arms around him making him blush.
"Oh! Meh...it was nothing I only did my duty. Now do you mind explaining to me what are you doing?"
"We have a plan."
"We?"
"Hiccup and the others. They're all here. We're taking the palace tonight."
Fishlegs rubbed the back of his head as he was settling the horses into the stables.
"Oh boy...this is good timing. You came right in time for the wedding."
"What wedding?"
"Calder is forcing Queen Eira to marry him. That's his cue for becoming the King of Berk. He also made King Stoick sign some contracts that say he's giving him the throne."
"That's awful! That snake! Uh! How do you know all this?"
"I was there the whole time. While they were signing the contract I was filling Calder's glass with wine. No one in this castle ever suspects me. I'm just the guy who delivers food and drinks. And it's a good thing Calder has an adiction towards drinking while working."
"Then we need to act fast!"
"I'm with you. What's the plan?"
...
Astrid and the twins were stealthy.
Now they were walking inside the dark dungeon tunnels, trying to be as silent as possible.
"Oh my god I can't wait for the KABOOM!"
"Shhhhhhh! Tuffnut! You're gonna ruin our cover!" Astrid tried to whisper but she was so angry that it came out more like a growl.
"Oh stop being so bossy! Your attitude was different back when you wanted us to do our tricks."
"I hate your stupid tricks but...this time we need them for the plan to work so...I can't believe I'm saying this but we rely on you."
"Of course you are! The famous Thorston tricks never fail."
"Yeah! We're like...trick experts! Kaboom!"
"Shhhh! Shut up! You will kaboom when we hear those guards closingthe doors."
"Fine just...let me know when it's time cause-"
"Be quiet!"
"How are we supposed to hear over her yelling?"
Astrid rolled her eyes and buried her face in her hands. She did not sign up for this. Teaming up with those two was definitely worse than she thought.
The things I do for you Hiccup. This plan better work for your own good.
Just then, she heared the loud *click* on the main doors closing. That was the time to give the signal. This is it.
"Now Tuffnut!"
"Finally!!!!" Tuffnut said and light up a match.
Then he let it fall on the ground and follow a long line of fire fuel that was shaped on the floor, until it reached the walls that were filled with thorston exolosives.
And then...
"FIRE IN THE HAAAAALLLL!!!"
KABOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMM
A huge explosion brought the entire wall into pieces.
"WOOOHOOOO!" Ruffnut screamed."THAT'S THE SIGNAL!"
Before the guards could even realize what was happening, Dagur and Snotlot rushed in from the hole that was created.
"Surprise!!!!" Snotlout screamed before knocking two soldiers to the ground.
"Finally! I thought you would never give the signal!" Dagur said while fighting too.
"Next time YOU team up with THEM!" Astrid joined the fight, knocking down three soldiers at once.
"Excuse me! We did the most epic explosion, which was at the same time the- AAAHHHHH!" Ruffnut dodged another attack. "...most epic entrance in the whole history!"
While they were fighting, Tuffnut grabbed the keys and unlocked the cells, letting the Kings and Queens free to join the fight.
"How did you even get inside the castle?" Queen Mala said while fighting too.
"Oh it was easy-peasy. Once I broke into a cage with deadly poisonous snakes!" Tuffnut said and dodged another attack.
"Why would you even- Uh! Forget it...why am I even asking? RRRAAAHHHH!" Astrid screamed.
"They all kept fighting together until all the soldiers were down.
Just then, the parents found the time to hug their kids. It was so heartwarming watching them into eachother's arms. Relieved. Knowing that they are alive. For now.
"Where's Hiccup?" King Stoick asked.
"And Camikazi?" Queen Bertha said.
"They're sneaking in from the main doors in disguise. They're after Calder."
"Are you all alright? Did Calder hurt any of you?" Dagur asked.
"Hurt us? Pleaseee...he couldn't lay a hand on a Jorgenson like me." Spitelout flexed his bicep.
"Did you see me Dad? What I did back there was... pretty cool huh?" Snotlout asked. "Are you proud?"
"What took you so long boy? I was wondering when you would come and rescue us."
Snotlout was wearing an expression of disappointment.
"Yeah we...we uh..."
"Where's Queen Eira?" Astrid interrupted them.
Stoick's fists clenched.
"That snake took her! He even made me sign the contracts and I...I couldn't do anything while everyone's lives were on the line! And now it's too late."
"I...I don't understand, what does he want to do with the Queen?"
Stoick's eyes moved from the floor to Astrid.
"Marry her."
...
5k words!
I did it! Uh! I'm so proud of myself!
I told you this one would be longer, didn't I? I always keep my promises my friends.Don't forget to leave your thoughts and of check out my edit on Instagram!