Hello dear readers, firstly I like to point out that I have altered the last chapter. Thanks to some reviews I discovered that I missed a portion of the doubt, which I have added now.
Secondly, since they split a two-parter into two different seasons I feel more comfortable that I won't do Defenders of the Wing until the next season comes out. This is so that I don't mess up the story.
I hope you understand.
It was a nice beautiful day and the Riders were practising an ambush they were planning on Viggo's ships. Below them they had rowboats prepared to act as Dragon Hunter ships.
"Three, two, one!" Hiccup yelled.
Hiccup then drop the two jars he was carrying of Monstrous Nightmare gel. Toothless fired a plasma blast at the jars causing a massive explosion that struck the target on one of the rowboats.
Astrid then did the same with Stormfly, as did Ragnar and Skull. However, Snotlout and the twins were not as accurate as they were and so there shots missed the targets.
Hiccup soon landed on a sea stack where he had set up sundial and looked down to read the time. He then turned his head at the twins landed behind him.
"Slow and inaccurate," he said. "That's quite a combo."
"It was also our parents' nicknames for us," said Tuffnut. "My nickname was 'Slow', which I thought was inaccurate."
"Viggo doesn't know we found his shipyard, yet," Hiccup reminded firmly. "We'll only have one chance and knocking out his fleet. We have to get it right."
Later that day, Hiccup returned to the Edge and to his hut. It had been a long day and he was like to ride down for a few hours.
"Come on, bud," said Hiccup yawning as he dismounted Toothless. "Let's get some shut-eye before dinner."
When he opened the door however, he found someone was already inside. It was Dagur and he was staring transfixed at Inferno, which was set ablaze.
"This is cool," he said.
Hiccup yelled in surprise.
"Brother!" Dagur yelled cheerfully as he swung Inferno unconsciously. "Wait, where you going? It's me. Where's my hug?"
Hiccup quickly backed away, not wanting to be burned by Inferno. Dagur soon realised why Hiccup was backing away from him so suddenly.
"Oh, sorry," he said pulling Inferno back. He then tried to figure out how to un-ignited. "Uh, how do you turn this thing off?"
Hiccup quickly shut the door, not wanting the other Riders discover that Dagur was in their base.
"Give me that," said Hiccup snatching Inferno away from him.
"I've seen you've been keeping busy," said Dagur. He then smiled at Toothless, who simply snarled at him. "Hey, come on, Toothless. Where's the love, man?"
Hiccup sat down in his chest and Toothless blew Inferno out. Once he placed the blade down he looked at Dagur, with a mixed expression.
"What the Thor are you doing here?" Hiccup asked.
"Heather. I haven't seen a trace of her," said Dagur. "It's so… frustrating."
"Yeah, I'll bet," said Hiccup.
"I've gotta have a dragon," Dagur announced.
Hiccup jumped up and stared at him. "What?"
"To find Heather, I need to cover more ground faster," said Dagur. "Dragony fast!"
"Yeah, I don't think so," said Hiccup and walked away.
"Hiccup!" said Dagur grabbing his arm. "You and Toothless owe me. I saved your lives."
"You also try to kill us," Hiccup reminded shoving his arm out of the way.
"Did I really? I think maybe in here, I never really wanted to," he said placing a hand over his heart.
"Oh, gods," said Hiccup shaking his head. "I… I can't train you to ride a dragon."
"Why not?" Dagur asked.
"I… don't have the time," said Hiccup scratching the back of his head, it wasn't a complete lie he had been really busy planning the attack on Viggo's shipyards.
"Oh. You're too busy. I get it. Sorry. Guess I'll be going," said Dagur. "First maybe I'll, you know, take a scroll around the base. See if you are old friends. Make a few apologies."
Hiccup quickly stopped him before he reached the door. The last thing he wanted was for Dagur to wonder around the base, partly so he did discover their plans on attacking Viggo's shipyards, but mostly he did one of discover that Heather had been right under his nose the whole time. He was entirely sure what Heather's reaction would be and was afraid for her safety and the safety of everyone around them.
"Uh… No, no, no, no. You can't," he said quickly.
"Why not?" Dagur asked.
"Because, uh, you've got to be up early tomorrow…" said Hiccup, not believing what he was saying, "uh… to start your training."
"Are you serious?" Dagur stared. "But I thought—"
"Okay, we'll meet first thing in the morning on the far side of the island," said Hiccup, not wishing to explain his quick change of heart. "That's where the best wild dragons are. Actually, you should go right there now and camp out for the night."
The two of them just looked at each other in silence the next thing Hiccup realised, Dagur pulled him into a massive bear hug.
"Great idea," he said excitedly not realising he was crushing Hiccup's ribs. "Thank you, Hiccup. Thank you."
"Don't mention it," Hiccup wheezed.
"You're so small and cuddly," said Dagur.
Hiccup forgot how awkward it had been to talk with Dagur when he was so friendly and quickly broke apart from him.
"Please never say that again," said Hiccup, wishing he could forget those words. "Uh, so, I'll see you later." Dagur then made his way outside. "Remember, on the far, far side of the island."
Dagur nodded and closed the door and Hiccup walked over his bed. He now needed to lie down more than ever as he figured out what he'd gotten himself into.
It was later night and the other Riders were busy having dinner and Tuffnut was telling one of his jokes to the others.
"But somebody better explain how yak stew got into my pants," said Tuffnut.
They all laughed.
It was then that Hiccup entered and he too began to laugh, but it was very hollow.
"Hey, uh, speaking of soggy pants, you ever wonder what happened to Dagur's and his crazy pants?" said Hiccup.
That ruin the mood almost right away as every one of them stared at Hiccup.
"Uh… no," said Snotlout.
"And for the record, I don't think his pants were that crazy," said Ruffnut.
"What brings Dagur up, anyway?" Fishlegs frowned.
"Nothing," said Hiccup quickly. "But since we're on the subject of Dagur now, uh, you ever wonder why he helped Heather escape from Viggo?"
"Probably is a distraction so he can get away himself," Astrid offered.
"Or he could just want to get back at Viggo for using him as a henchman," Ragnar suggested.
"Maybe," said Hiccup. "I don't know. But what if it was actually the first step of a path towards a new life?"
"A 'new life'? Dagur?" Heather yelled in fury slamming her fist on the table. She then began to brush the dust off her twin-bladed axe. "A dragon doesn't change its markings, Hiccup."
"Uh, technically…" Fishlegs said tentatively.
"Except for a Changewing, yes, I know."
"And a…"
"You get the point!" Heather snapped.
"Right. You're probably right. But then again, uh…" said Hiccup trying to choose his words carefully. "Remember how we for that Alvin couldn't change and now he is our ally."
"My father wasn't crazy," said Ragnar and Hiccup raise an eyebrow. "Okay, maybe he was a bit crazy, but not as crazy as Dagur. Besides, he only did those things to get back at Stoick. Dagur did all the things he did because it was fun."
"Okay, fair enough," said Hiccup trying to find a better example, "who would've thought my father, Stoick the Vast, would ever ride a dragon?"
"Don't tell you're comparing your father to Dagur now," Ragnar stared.
"Of course not," said Hiccup quickly. "But you never know. Next time we see Dagur…"
"I'll split the father-killer in two!" Heather yelled getting to her feet and slammed her twin-bladed axe into the table holding the meat.
Everyone just stared at her slightly uneasy.
"Yep. Okay. I think we get your point," said Hiccup, breaking the silence.
"I better go. I have island patrol tonight," said Heather.
Hiccup had actually forgotten that. "Uh… actually, I'll take that. I have a way more important mission for you."
"You do?" Heather stared.
"Of course I do," said Hiccup as he tried to come up with one. "It's, uh, one final recon mission to check out our target. You and Snotlout."
Heather and Snotlout looked at each other then back to Hiccup frowning.
"What are you talking about?" Snotlout frowned. "We went last time."
Hiccup had forgotten that as well. "I know. That's why I'm sending you again. To be on the lookout for any last-minute changes."
"That sort of makes sense," Heather frowned.
"And you should leave tonight," said Hiccup.
"Tonight? But I haven't even packed yet," said Snotlout. "Argh! It's gonna take a whole day to get out there."
Heather stared at Hiccup slightly amused. "Jeez, Hiccup, are you trying to get rid of us?" she asked.
"Yes," he said and quickly realised his mistake. "No. No! That's crazy. Why would I…"
Heather looked at him even more amused now. "I'm kidding, Hiccup. Relax," she said, trying to hold back a laugher. "Come on, Snotlout. Soon we leave, the sooner we get back."
They watched as Heather and Snotlout left.
"Take your time," he called to them. He then noticed the puzzled looks at Astrid and Ragnar were giving him an added, "And by that I mean 'be safe'."
At first light, Hiccup flew to the far side of the island to meet up with Dagur. To say that Dagur was excited to see them, would have been an understatement.
"Finally!" said the mad berserker as he ran up to them. "Not mad, just excited."
"Yeah, I can see that," said Hiccup.
"Then thinking about what dragon I should ride," said Dagur. "Something that makes a statement. You don't have any Skrills hanging around, do you?"
The last thing Hiccup wanted was for Dagur to ride around on a Skrill. "What? No," he said.
"Well, oppose I could just settle for a Night Fury," said Dagur looking down at Toothless. "Not the same 'zhush' as a Skrill, I could get by."
"Sorry, he's one-of-a-kind," said Hiccup.
"How about a Razorwhip? Like Heather's?"
"Dagur, I already picked out a dragon for you," said Hiccup. "You're gonna love it."
He then whistled and at once the bushes began to wrestle as something large headed towards them.
"He's awesome, right? And dangerous?" Dagur asked excitedly. "Bigelow only pick out a name. 'Shattermaster'."
Then jumping out of the bushes was a green scaled Gronckle that stopped a foot away from Dagur out with its tongue hanging out affectionately.
"Is, uh… is that my dragon's breakfast?" Dagur asked hopefully.
"No, this is Shattermaster," said Hiccup as Shattermaster looked at Dagur excitedly. "The perfect dragon for you. Stable, easy to ride."
"Yeah, uh, I am not riding that dragon," said Dagur.
"Then you're not riding any dragon," said Hiccup firmly.
"It's beneath me," said Dagur crossing his arms.
"Not yet. Prove to me that you can even get on it," said Hiccup.
Dagur looked at Shattermaster with a fixed stare. "Easy."
However, it proved not to be easy. When he tried to jump on top of Shattermaster, the Gronckle simply moved out of the way and he landed face first on the dirt.
"I got this…" said Dagur jumping onto his feet. He then began to chase down the Gronckle, apparently for they were playing. "Get back here!"
"Dagur, no!" Hiccup yelled.
Too late, Dagur jumped onto Shattermaster's tail and immediately he swatted him up into the air and slammed his bludgeon-like tail down on top of him and sent him flying over the edge of the island.
"Are you okay?" Hiccup asked looking over the edge.
"You made your point, Hiccup," Dagur wheezed, holding onto a tree branch. "We'll do it your way."
Once they rescued Dagur, Hiccup began to teach in the proper way of training a dragon. Dagur held out his hand and placed it on Shattermaster's snout, who then relaxed by his touch.
Then he began to teach him how to fly Shattermaster. He soon discover that Hiccup and the other Riders made it look easy, because he and Shattermaster kept on flying around in circles.
"Here we go," said Dagur as he tried to keep control. "Come on, Shattermaster. Turn! Turn!"
Once Dagur finally got hold of actually flying Shattermaster, he flew side-by-side with Hiccup. He then looked down to the ground and lost his nerve and placed his hand over one of Shattermaster's wings.
Next second he screamed as they plummeted towards the ground. Fortunately, Hiccup and Toothless caught them before they got anywhere near to the ground.
"Tanks, T!" said Dagur looking at Toothless.
"Maybe we should try something a more down to earth," Hiccup suggested.
They soon flew at ground level began to do some evasive manoeuvres in the forest. Though, Dagur was having as much trouble as he did higher in the sky.
"You're trying to steer him too much," said Hiccup. "You need to trust your dragon, Dagur. He doesn't want to hit the trees any more than you do."
"If you say so!" Dagur yelled. "Let's see what you've got for speed."
He then nudged Shattermaster, too hard and he shot forwards.
Hiccup could foresee a problem. "Slow down, you're not ready for—"
Too late, Dagur slammed in a tree and bounced off it and slammed right into Hiccup and Toothless. Once Dagur got himself up he looked apologetically at Hiccup.
"Bad Dagur, bad!" he yelled. "I'm sorry, Hiccup."
"You're trying to do too much too soon," said Hiccup. Hiccup then noticed his prosthetic leg was bent and removed it. "Great. I can't fly Toothless like this."
"Gimme it," said Dagur taking the leg from Hiccup, before he could stop him. "I can straighten it out."
Hiccup had a sudden case of déjà vu, because he remembered Snotlout doing exactly the same four years ago.
"No, no, no, no!" he yelled.
Too late, Dagur snapped the leg in two.
"Oops," he said. He then presented the pieces to Hiccup. "Here you go."
"It's okay," Hiccup sighed. "I have a spare back at my hurt. I'll take your dragon in the back as soon as I can."
"Okay," said Dagur.
Dagur then helped Hiccup to Shattermaster and once he was mounted Hiccup looked back at Dagur. "Now you stay right here. Don't go anywhere. Don't do anything. All right?" he said firmly.
He then looked up at Toothless. "Toothless, keep an eye on him."
Dagur then watched as Hiccup took off on Shattermaster. Once it was a safe distance away he turned to Toothless, who gave them a very questionable look.
"So, any ideas on how to pass the time?" he asked.
Toothless did a dragon's equivalent of a giggle.
Seconds later the two of them were up in the air flying and Dagur was really enjoying himself.
"Come on, T," he said and dived down into the forest. "Whoa! We're best friends now!"
However, he placed a hand on Toothless' wing, who suddenly came to a stop throwing Dagur right off him. He went straight through a bush and landed hard on the ground.
"Why'd you do me like that, bud?" he questioned.
Then suddenly saw an act right to his face and looked up and found the owner of a very angry Astrid and the other Dragon Riders. Fishlegs was holding the pieces of Hiccup's leg.
"What have you done with Hiccup?" Fishlegs demanded.
An hour later, Dagur was tied up and dragged to the Edge. Astrid had just kicked him in the butt to force him into the arena. He had been trying to tell them that Hiccup was perfectly fine, but they didn't believe a single word he said.
"The sooner you tell us where Hiccup is, the easier it'll go on you," said Astrid warningly.
"And you better tell us the truth," said Ragnar.
"I'm telling you, he's here," said Dagur. "Getting a spare leg."
"Sure he is," said Tuffnut as he and his sister walked around Dagur with sceptical looks. "I've had enough of these lies. Either you start singing like a canary or we do."
Dagur just stared at him and then suddenly the twins began singing, quite terribly, like a canary. It was so excruciating that Fishlegs covered his ears, and Astrid and Ragnar grimaced. They were so busy recovering from the eardrums that they had noticed that Hiccup was approaching them directly behind the twins.
"And it only gets worse," said Tuffnut and he pointed straight at Hiccup with his thumb. "Ask Hiccup."
Realising what he had just said, the twins turned around and just stared at Hiccup, who was standing directly behind them.
"Hiccup!" Fishlegs yelled with relief.
Astrid and Ragnar pushed past Dagur and approached Hiccup with very questionable looks.
"You're alive," said Tuffnut excitedly. He then frowned. "Wait. You're alive?"
"What's going on here?" Astrid asked.
"Like to know this myself," said Ragnar.
"Dagur says you're buddies now and you're teaching him how to ride a dragon," said Astrid pressing a finger against his chest with every word.
Hiccup laughed nervously and placed his finger on top of hers. "Yeah, it's a funny story, actually," he admitted.
He later led them to the clubhouse and began to explain everything, from how he met Dagur, how he saved him and Toothless and all the way to how he rode Toothless.
"Then I flew away in one direction and he sailed the other," Hiccup finished.
Astrid, Ragnar Fishlegs, and the twins just stared at him.
"So, Dagur save your life?" Astrid blinked.
"And Toothless," said Ragnar incredulously.
"Yeah. Pretty much," said Hiccup looking at them awkwardly.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Astrid asked.
"Yeah, why didn't you tell 'em, brother?" Dagur asked curiously.
"Because I was unsure how you would feel about it," said Hiccup. He then looked at the blank faces. "'Cause I wasn't sure how I felt about it."
"To be fair, I have done some pretty questionable things," said Dagur.
"Questionable?" Fishlegs spat. "Trying to kill it is not questionable."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. He save you. I get that," said Tuffnut. "But why you teaching him how to ride a dragon?"
"I'm looking for Heather," said Dagur.
The twins smiled at one another as did Astrid, Ragnar and Fishlegs, who could understand why Hiccup wanted to keep this secret.
"Yes, and the sooner I teach him how to fly, the sooner he can leave to go find her, wherever she might be," said Hiccup.
Astrid, Ragnar and Fishlegs just gave him blank faces.
"Dagur, have we got some good news for you," said Ruffnut suddenly.
"Yes, yes, we do," said Hiccup quickly and dragged Fishlegs towards Dagur. "Fishlegs, here's our best Gronckle trainer in the world. He can help improve your flying."
"Aww. Thanks, Hiccup," Fishlegs smiled.
The twins tried to get Dagur attention, in an attempt to tell about Heather.
"Maybe you should go train him," said Hiccup encouragingly. "Now!"
Fishlegs nodded. "Ooh. Yes, right away," he said.
He then dragged Dagur away as the twins kept on trying to get his attention.
"I want to know everything," said Dagur. He then slammed a hand on Fishlegs shoulder. "Everything!"
"Okay," said Fishlegs awkwardly. "Where to begin? The Gronckle…"
"No!" Ruffnut yelled trying to get Dagur's attention. "Wait, wait, wait!"
"Look towards me!" Tuffnut yelled as he to try to get Dagur's attention.
Astrid and Ragnar quickly grabbed the twins and pull them away from Dagur.
Hiccup just sighed. He started to wonder how he got himself into the sort of situations.
Later in his hat, he was looking down at the model of Viggo's shipyard to plan their attack with Astrid and Ragnar.
"Eight ships being worked on at once," he said. "If we hit them in one coordinated strike, we could cripple Viggo's fleet."
"Could we talk about the Rumblehorn in the room, please?" said Astrid. "Dagur, here?"
"Yeah, it is a little disconcerting," said Ragnar.
"I know. I know," said Hiccup. "But he seems like he's really trying to change."
"You don't think it strange that he showed up here right as we're about to hit Viggo's shipyard?" Astrid frowned.
"You two want there," said Hiccup. "He could turn me over to Viggo's men, but… he helped us escape."
Astrid crossed her arms. "Did he? Or is that what they wanted you to think, so they could put a spy among us?"
Hiccup looked at Ragnar, who had been silent for quite some time. "What do you think?"
"Well, my father change when he lost everything and apparently being alone has a way of bringing clarity into one's mind," Ragnar frowned. "I didn't tell you this, because I thought you'd call me crazy, but I had a vision and Dagur was in it." Hiccup and Astrid looked at him. "I saw him riding a Gronckle against several Dragon Hunter ships."
"It doesn't really prove anything," said Astrid. "Even you admit that your visions aren't hundred percent accurate. For all we know he is rushing towards the Dragon Hunter ships to warn them about us."
"I know, but maybe we should try and given the benefit of the doubt," said Ragnar.
Hiccup nodded and looked at Astrid. "I agree with Rag," he said. Astrid was about open her mouth, but he raised a hand silencer. "Look, I'm not blind to the risks, Astrid. Why do you think I gave him the slowest, least dangerous dragon I could find?" He then rested a hand on the table. "It's… It's just that…"
"What?" Astrid asked.
"When the chips were down and I thought the Hunters had me for sure, Toothless let Dagur write him to save me. If Toothless trusts him, then I have to trust him, too."
"Well… I hope you and Toothless are right about Dagur," said Astrid. "For all our sakes."
"We can at least keep an eye on him while he's here and make sure he doesn't find any sensitive information about us," said Ragnar.
"Agreed," said Hiccup getting up. "We should check on how he and Fishlegs are doing."
Astrid nodded. "And let's make sure he doesn't discover what we're planning," she said and tossed a blanket over the shipyard model.
While they walked way they failed to notice that one of the ships had fallen off the table landing on the ground in plain sight.
A few minutes later they were on their dragons and flew up to meet up with Fishlegs and Dagur.
"Fishlegs, how's your student?" Hiccup asked they hovered beside Fishlegs.
Fishlegs pointed.
Next second they heard Dagur maniacal laughter and looked up to see him flying Shattermaster a lot better than before.
"He is a fast learner!" said Fishlegs.
"I have an excellent teacher!" said Dagur.
"Oh, stop it, you," said Fishlegs blushing slightly.
Astrid groaned in disgust.
"Look at this move he came up with," said Fishlegs. "Remember the Gronckle Drop? Well, watch this."
Fishlegs then grabbed a firm hold on Meatlug and they flew upwards.
"Three, two, one," they counted simultaneously.
They then flipped upside down and plummeted straight towards the ground.
"Oh, Fishlegs!" Dagur laughed excitedly.
Then at the last second they flipped back up straight, just as they touch the water, and high-fived each other. They then soared upwards to meet up with Hiccup, Astrid and Ragnar.
"That was insane!" said Hiccup.
"I know!" said Fishlegs.
"Though not surprising, considering who came up with it," said Ragnar.
"Good point," Dagur shrugged.
"We call it the 'Inverted Gronckle Drop'," said Fishlegs. "We could really use it on our next mission."
Hiccup quickly shook his head and Fishlegs closed his mouth. "Ah. I think that have training for you two," he said.
"But there's hours of daylight left," Dagur complained. "I have so much to learn!"
"Oh, you're still training," Astrid smirked. "With me."
"Uh, he is?" said Hiccup, looking slightly unnerved.
"Relax, Hiccup," said Dagur. "She obviously doesn't trust me and wants to check me out for herself."
"Oh, hey, he's not as dumb as he looks," said Astrid, looking slightly surprised.
"And she's trying to provoke me," Dagur added laughing. "But it won't work."
"I am the sea, calm and wide
My sense of peace comes from inside."
Astrid then turned and looked at the others. "Seriously?"
"Try not to hurt him," said Hiccup.
"Or kill him," Ragnar added as they left.
"No promises," said Astrid crossing her arms.
Dagur smiled at her nervously.
It was evening now and they had just landed on one of the sea stacks of Dragon's Edge. Dagur landed perfectly on the sea stack, much to her surprise.
"That wasn't horrible," she admitted.
"How 'not horrible'?" Dagur asked.
"Probably better than Snotlout could have done it."
"Thanks."
There was then a very awkward silence between the two of them.
"Use loops to keep the sun behind you and in your enemy's eyes," Astrid advised. "You be harder to hit."
"Right!" Dagur nodded. "I saw you do that last time you were defending the Edge against…" He quickly came to a stop when he saw Astrid, who had her eyes narrowed at him. "Too soon?"
"We should head back," said Astrid.
The two of them then headed straight back to the Edge. They were quiet as they flew back towards the Edge and Dagur could sense that Astrid was no trusting him quite yet.
"I am really trying to change, Astrid," said Dagur.
"Hiccup think so. Ragnar is giving you the benefit of the doubt. But if this is an act, if you betray us, or Heather, I will personally make you pay," Astrid warned clenching her hands around her saddle.
Stormfly could sense the hostility from Astrid and growled at Dagur and Shattermaster growled back.
"Aww. It's okay, fella," said Dagur calmly. "She's just trying to make a point."
"He was ready to defend you after one day," Astrid said looking quite impressed. "Pretty impressive bonding."
Dagur smiled, but then Astrid flew in closer and leaned her head towards him in a threatening manner. "But seriously, turn on us and I will send you to Valhalla myself."
Later that night, Dagur was in the clubhouse having an unusual conversation with the twins and Chicken. Hiccup, Astrid and Ragnar were watching from a distance.
"This is the 'Reverse Tuffnut'," said Tuffnut holding Chicken out on her side. "This is the 'Double Twist Tuffnut'." He then moved Chicken side to side. "And my personal favourite," He then began shaking Chicken up and down, "the 'Tuffnut Surprise'. Dinner and a show."
Suddenly an egg popped out of Chicken and Dagur caught it.
"Did you name all these moves yourself?" Dagur asked.
"Maybe."
Astrid and Ragnar looked to Hiccup.
"I can tell Dagur about Heather?" Astrid asked.
"Or vice versa?" Ragnar added.
"How can I? You heard last night," said Hiccup. "She clearly isn't ready to see."
"Well, then get him off the Edge. She could be back any minute," said Astrid.
"She's right, and trust me if she finds Dagur here she will be even more ferocious than a Monstrous Nightmare," said Ragnar.
"Yes, I know. Why do you think I'm teaching him how to fly?" Hiccup asked. "I figure we've got until about sundown tomorrow to get him out of here."
"Get who out of here?" said a voice.
The three of them turned horrifyingly as Heather and Snotlout entered the clubhouse.
"We raced back," said Snotlout.
"Uh. I think I know who lost," said Hiccup.
"Oh, boy," said Ragnar.
Heather then noticed Dagur and glared at him. "You!" she snarled.
Dagur turned and raised his hand out in surprise. "Sister!" he yelled.
Heather then grabbed her twin bladed axe charged at Dagur with hatred in her eyes. Dagur just simply walked over to her with his arms outstretched.
"Heather, no!" Hiccup yelled.
Tuffnut covered Chicken's eyes, not wanting her to see Dagur being disembowelled.
Dagur suddenly realise that Heather was not pleased to see him and closes eyes. Fortunately, Heather calmed down enough with her blade inches away from his face and pulled the blade away.
"I get a hug is out of the question?" Dagur guessed.
Heather then punched him in the face.
After Ragnar tended to Dagur they all crowded around the clubhouse with Dagur on one side and Heather on the other.
"Hiccup Haddock, I cannot believe you kept my Heather from me," said Dagur looking at Hiccup disappointedly. "I was so worried. What she alive? Was she dead?"
"Oh, please. Drop the act," Heather spat. She then glared at Hiccup. "And you! Bad you were consorting with my mortal enemy."
"I think that means they're dating," Tuffnut whispered to a sister.
"Ha! Does Ragnar know?" she whispered back.
Heather then stormed up to Hiccup looking furious. "But then you teach him how to ride dragons?" She then grabbed the scruff of his armour. "Have you lost your mind?"
Hiccup pulled Heather's hand away from him. "Heather, he saved my life."
"I don't care!" Heather yelled. "You can't trust him. You think it's a coincidence that he shows up before this mission? It's a setup, Hiccup. Can't you see that?"
"To be fair, that was my first thought, too," said Astrid placing a hand on her shoulder.
"He sent me adrift at the child," Heather reminded and marched up to Dagur glaring at him. "He killed our father, for Thor's sake. He tried to each of us multiple times."
"Most, if not all, of those things are true, but I am trying to change, sister," said Dagur honestly.
Heather then grabbed his shoulder and pointed her twin-bladed axe at his throat. "Don't ever call me that, spy," she snarled.
"I'm not a spy," said Dagur moving the blade away from his throat. "I don't know how I could possibly prove that. I guess you're just gonna have to take my word for it."
He then looked at the blank faces of all the Dragon Riders.
"Yes, I don't think I would take it, either, if I were you," he admitted. "So, thank you for the hospitality, but I think Shattermaster and I should go. Good day."
Dagur then made his way to the door.
"Oh, come on," Hiccup groaned. "Dagur, Dagur."
"I said 'good day'," he sobbed and walked outside.
"Was he crying?" Snotlout stared.
"Yeah! Tears of laughter, at us," Heather snarled.
"I should probably talk to him before he goes," said Hiccup and made his way outside.
Ragnar then looked at the other Riders. "Would you mind if you can leave us in private?"
Astrid looked at him and nodded, she then guided the twins and Snotlout out of the clubhouse. Once they were sure they were alone Heather quickly turned on Ragnar.
"I can't believe you!" she yelled. "You all people should know how I feel?"
"I do," said Ragnar calmly. "But need I remind you that my father changed when he lost everything."
"You cannot honestly say you forgave him?" Heather stared. "He killed your mother!"
Ragnar nodded. "I will never forgive him for killing my mother, but I learn to accept and as my father. Heather, believe me when I say that you should give him a chance, if you don't you'll regret it for the rest of your life."
Heather looked at him with a furious look on her face and then stormed off without even uttering a word to him.
Meanwhile, Dagur had wandered over to Hiccup's hut and then he saw model ship on the floor. Curious, he made his way over to the table and removed the sheet and found a model shipyard.
Hiccup then entered staring at him. "What are you doing?" he asked.
"Everyone kept dropping hints about some big mission," said Dagur. "I thought I should take a look. Heather may hate me, but I do not want her to fly into any suicide missions."
"It's a shipyard," said Hiccup walking over to him. "Viggo is retrofitting his ships. Enlarging the cells for bigger dragons, it looks like."
Dagur frowned. "Hmm. Remarkably undefended."
"It's very remote," said Hiccup. "Deep behind his lines and shrouded in fog."
Dagur frowned again. "Hmm. Seems a little too easy."
"We've kept an eye on it for weeks. Viggo doesn't defend it because he doesn't think we know about it."
"Let me guess, coordinated attack, using the sea stacks for cover, but staying up out of arrow range?"
"Something like that."
"You're too gullible, Hiccup. That's your problem," said Hiccup. "I should know. I tricked you plenty of times."
"Yeah, well, I'm still here," Hiccup pointed out.
Astrid then entered his hut. "Hiccup, what did Dagur…"
She stopped when she saw Dagur standing over the shipyard model. She then pulled out two daggers and charged straight at him.
"Astrid, stop!" Hiccup yelled.
Astrid stopped, but not before placing the two daggers and across formation right underneath his throat.
"So, you are a spy!" Astrid glared.
Dagur pushed the daggers away with the model ship in his hand. "Relax, Blondie. I was just trying to talk some sense into your boy Hiccup, here."
Astrid turned to Hiccup. "We can't let him go now. He's seen the plan."
"I know," Hiccup nodded.
"Fine. Lock me up," Dagur offered. "Then go do your mission." He then placed the model ship down and glared at Hiccup. "But know this, Hiccup. If anything happens to Heather, I'll hold you personally responsible."
Dagur was then taken to the stables with his hands tied and was placed in the stable holding Shattermaster, who was happily busy eating rocks. He only stopped when Dagur entered, stuck out his tongue and wiggled his tail.
"That should hold you," said Astrid shutting the door behind him.
"We'll figure out what to do with you when we get back," said Hiccup.
"I have some ideas," said Heather holding out her twin-bladed axe.
"Easy, he technically hasn't done anything to endanger us yet," said Ragnar calmly.
"He will given the chance," Heather snarled.
"Just one question, Hiccup," said Dagur. "Why attack now? To the number of ships about shipyard just happen to go up?"
Hiccup stared at him. "Uh—Yes. From eight to twelve."
"Of course they did!" Dagur yelled. "Because eight ships weren't enough to draw you in. Use your brain, Hiccup."
"I am, and you know what?" said Hiccup crossing his arms. "It's telling me not to trust you."
Hiccup, Astrid and Heather left without uttering a word to Dagur. Ragnar just simply shrugged it Dagur, indicating that he half believed him and then follow the others. This left him with the twins.
Tuffnut looked at Chicken. "You're on guard duty, Chicken," he said. "Keep an eye on this guy."
Chicken then flew down to the floor and Dagur just simply stared at her as she pecked the ground and clucked away.
The next morning, the Riders were preparing for their mission. Hiccup, was stunning have some misgivings about the mission.
"Dagur couldn't be right about the mission being too easy, could he?" Hiccup asked.
"I am inclined to believe him," said Ragnar. "He did bring up some good points, I still find it hard to believe that Viggo would leave the shipyards undefended, even if it was in a remote location."
"We've been watching those shipyards for weeks," Astrid reminded the two boys. "We haven't seen anything out of the ordinary."
"Dagur is still working for Viggo," said Heather firmly. "He was just trying to keep us from attacking his master. He's a liar and a spy."
Hiccup and Ragnar looked at one another, it was clear the two of them were in two minds about the mission and Dagur.
However before either of them could speak, Chicken appeared running up to Tuffnut clucking madly.
"What's that, Chicken?" Tuffnut asked. Chicken clucked at him frantically. "Buck! Buck! Buck?" Chicken continued on clucking and seem to be making some sort of gesture and then fell to the ground. "Dagur has escaped?"
"I told you," Heather growled at Hiccup and Ragnar.
They quickly made their way to the stables and found that Dagur had indeed escaped. It appeared that he had used Shattermaster to burn away in the wall and flew out.
"Shattermaster broke him out," said Hiccup.
"You have to admit, he really has bonded with his dragon well," said Fishlegs. He then noticed Hiccup, Ragnar and Heather giving him looks. "I'm just saying."
They quickly ran outside with the other riders had only mounted their dragons.
"Wings up, gang. We have to hit the shipyard before Dagur had a chance to give away our plan," said Hiccup mounting Toothless.
They quickly took off into the sky.
Hours later they soon reached the shipyard area. They hovered in mid-air scanning the area.
"Anyone see Dagur? Maybe we beat him here," said Hiccup.
"There he is," Astrid pointed.
Hiccup look forward and indeed saw Dagur and Shattermaster ahead of them.
"Okay, here's the…" However, before Hiccup could finish Heather zoomed forwards charging straight at Dagur with hatred in her eyes, "plan."
Heather slowly gained on Dagur. "This is your last betrayal, Dagur," she snarled.
Heather then several shots straight at Dagur, but he managed to dodge them in time. He then flew upwards into the sun, blinding Heather and he reappeared behind her.
Heather growled and swung Windshear around to strike him with her tail. However, Dagur simply dodged it.
"You can't lose me that easily," she said.
She then began to chase Dagur through the sea stacks and eventually came face-to-face with him in the clearing. However he simply patted Shattermaster and they performed the Inverted Gronckle Drop, and fell into the fog which surprised her.
Dagur then sneaked up towards Heather below Windshear and slammed Shattermaster's tale into her. Heather suddenly felt a downward drop, but they were able to drift over to a sea stack and saw that Windshear was panting and she reassured her.
She then noticed Dagur flying straight towards the shipyards.
"What do we do?" Astrid asked.
"Even when he warns them they'll still need time to react," said Hiccup. "We have to hit the shipyard now!"
They then flew down towards the shipyards.
The Hunters on the ships were busy talking and that when they noticed Dagur overhead.
"Ahoy, in the shipyards," Dagur cried. "I have a message for Viggo. Tell them Dagur the Deranged says hello."
Then Shattermaster began to spew live on top of one of the ships and overpower Monstrous Nightmare gel, which caused a massive explosion. Then suddenly a huge net, I was made to camouflage the sea stack dropped revealing a port with dozens of Hunters with crossbows, which then began to fire bolts at Dagur.
"Yep. Trap," said Dagur smiling.
Then suddenly another net dropped revealing a Dragon Hunter ship.
"Fire!" the captain yelled.
A Hunter then fired a cannibal with flaming boulder straight at Dagur, who merely dodged it.
By this time the Dragon Riders had reached the shipyard and saw the fire all around it. Hiccup gave them the signal to stop.
"What is he think he's doing?" Snotluot stared.
"Proving he was right," said Hiccup. "That it was a trap all along."
Dagur began spewing live on another ship directly over another barrel of Monstrous Nightmare gel cause in another explosion. He then tossed several daggers at another ship, disarming a Hunter's crossbow and slicing for a rope that was connected to a large net of barrels which then fell upon the two Dragon Hunters.
However, an exploding boulder knocked him off course and several Hunters began to fire bolts directly at him. Fortunately, he was able to dodge the bolts and had to dodge another flaming boulder which crashed right through a sea stack he was hiding behind.
Shattermaster growled at the Hunters and Dagur patted him encouragingly. "Come on, Shattermaster! Let's show 'em what a real Rider and his dragon can do!"
He then drew out several daggers and they charge straight at the Hunters ships and disappeared in the smoke yelling a battlecry. The Riders could only watch as they heard explosions emanating from the smoke and were unable to see what happened to Rider and dragon.
"It's just like my vision!" Ragnar stared at the chaos.
"Come on!" Hiccup yelled. "We have to do something!"
Hiccup was about charging there, but Astrid stopped him. "Hiccup, don't. He's gone. There's nothing we can do," she said.
Realising there was nothing they could do they flew back towards the Edge with looks of guilt on their faces.
Back at the Edge, Hiccup put model ships and the model of the shipyard away.
"This is my fault," said Hiccup. "I should've listened to him."
"He knew it was a trap and he still flew right in," said Astrid.
"We never saw him hit the water, so maybe… maybe…" said Snotlout encouragingly.
"Yeah, maybe," said Ruffnut.
"After what happened with Alvin, I still stick firm to my belief," said Ragnar closing his eyes. "Never count someone dead until you see their body right in front of your eyes."
"I will never forget his noble sacrifice," said Fishlegs.
"You think my brothers sacrifice himself?" said Heather. "Not with his ego. He thought he could make it."
Hiccup looked at her.
"What? Heather frowned.
"I just never heard you calling Dagur 'brother' before," said Hiccup.
Heather looked stunned herself and pulled her hood over her head. "I need some sleep."
The Riders watched as she left.
When Heather returned to Astrid's hut, she found a note on her bed. She frowned and picked it up and saw that it was Dagur's handwriting. She then began to wonder outside as she read the letter, which said:
Heather,
If you're reading this, I guess that's bad news for me. Sorry, but I couldn't let Hiccup fly you into a trap. Tell our little brother that if he really wants to hurt Viggo, hit his next dragon auction. It moves around, but if he turns over enough rocks, some worm will tell him where it is.
One other thing. I didn't kill our father. When he disappeared, I let people believe that, so they would think I was tough enough to be chief. I did a lot of things I'm sorry for, but I couldn't rest in peace knowing you thought I did that. Be safe.
Your brother, Dagur
When Heather finished reading it, she pulled her down and tears trickled down her face as the storm clouds above broke and rain fell from the heavens.
She then sent someone behind then turned to find Ragnar standing there. At once she flung herself at him and wrapped her arms around him and he did the same with her.
"You are right," she sobbed into a shirt. "I should have given him a chance."
Ragnar could do the only thing he could and rubbed his hand against her, knowing that she had just suffered a great loss.