Johann was sitting in a tavern with a tankard of mead in his hands. The tavern was full of Dragon Hunters and other scrupulous types, but he remained quiet and kept as he is open.
It was then that he heard to Dragon Hunters talking behind him and he listen to what they were saying with great interest.
"Grimborn auction? What's on the block this time?" a Hunter asked.
"Dragons," said the second Hunter.
"Think what we can do with our own dragons. Its hide alone."
"Only the richest Vikings dare to show up."
"So, how do you know about it?" the Hunter laughed.
The Hunter then grabbed his mouth and glared at him. "Because I have this map." He then removed his hand and reached into his pocket and pulled out a small map. "Got it from a gold baron. Told him I'd let him live if he showed me what it was." The Hunter scoffed. "Idiot."
The other Hunter laughed.
The Hunter with a map then finished his mead and chucked his tankard away. He then looked at the other Hunter with a firmed look. "Don't let that out of your sight."
Johann watched as the Hunter with the map walked away from the table and that's when he saw his chance.
Seconds later he was running for his life out of the tavern with the two Hunters in close pursuit. When the Hunters left the tavern they found that he had vanished, but seconds later Hiccup and Toothless soon passed with Johann riding with them.
"You get, Johann?" Hiccup asked. Johann didn't speak. "Johann!"
"Huh?" said Johann looking at Hiccup. "Oh. Of course."'
He then pulled out the map he took from the Hunters.
Meanwhile, at an unknown island, Viggo was going over his brother with the preparations for the auction. All around them were cages for dragons, prize dragons that they were going to sell to wealthy Vikings.
"Ah! Do you smell that, brother?" Viggo asked taking in a deep sniff.
Ryker sniffed. "Dragon droppings."
Viggo rolled his eyes. "Gold. This auction will not only bring us wealth, but will cement my reputation as the most prolific dealer of dragons, both living and not." He then turned to his brother with a firmed look. "But everything must go off with perfection. How security coming along?"
"Catapults are doubled. Watchtowers are going up. No Riders will spoil the auction," Ryker assured.
Viggo then patted his Ryker's head, much to his annoyance. "See what you can do, when you put your mind to it, big brother?"
Ryker growled.
"Any news our special guest?" Ryker asked.
"Are you sure he's coming?" Ryker frowned.
"Positive. The second you have confirmation of his arrival…"
"I will let you know," Ryker finished.
"Of course you will."
Viggo then looked up to the sky as if he knew someone was watching from above.
In truth, someone was. It was Hiccup, who was looking down at the auction with his spyglasses.
"I see Terrible Terrors and a few crates of Fireworms," said Hiccup. "But where are they hiding all the big dragons?"
Hiccup soon returned to the Edge and began to discuss his findings with the other Riders and Johann.
"Extra ships on the perimeter," said Hiccup looking down at the map. "Guard everywhere. Catapult and watchtowers on the cliffs. Dragon Root arrows launches on every sea stack within a half mile. There's no way in or out. Period."
"Hiccup, Hiccup, Hiccup, think positive," said Tuffnut.
"And how do you suggest I do that?" Hiccup asked.
"Rapid-fire. Mug, half-empty or half-full?"
"Definitely empty."
"Don't waste your time," said Ruffnut.
Hiccup turned his attention back to the matter in hand. "It is, however, the perfect opportunity to put a big dent in Viggo's dragon trade."
"But how?" Astrid asked.
Fishlegs laughed. "Astrid, I'm sure Hiccup has an idea." He then looked to Hiccup hopefully. "You do have an idea, right?"
"Let me guess. Crews riding to the place and announce ourselves," said Snotlout laughing.
"You know, I think we need someone to get close to Viggo," said Hiccup. "Keeping busy while we find the rest of those dragons. Now, it has to be someone Viggo wouldn't suspect, because he's never seen him up close."
He then turned and looked at Snotlout, who was busy picking his nose. He then offered his finger to Hookfang, who then sniffed it and then licked it. Hiccup, Astrid, Ragnar and Heather groaned in disgust at the site.
"You've got to be kidding me," said Astrid.
"Yeah, I think we've just reached the bottom of the barrel," said Ragnar.
"Wait, no, he's the only one who was never captured by Viggo or Ryker. He's the only one they don't know," said Hiccup.
"He's the only one who's clueless enough to actually pull it off," Fishlegs added.
"Ha. Sound like a real winner, Hookfang. Right?" said Snotlout, unaware they were talking about him. "I hate to be caught dead with that guy." It took several seconds to realise they were talking about him. "Wait, what?"
Johann then made his way over to Hiccup with a grim face. "I hate to be the bearer of most unfortunate use, Master Hiccup. Unless you're hiding a pile of gold in the crevices of your tunic, you won't see the dragons let alone bid on them."
Hiccup got an idea.
Hours later, Hiccup was standing in front of his father and Gobber, who were both laughing their heads off, in the Great Hall.
"Oh, sure," Stoick said sarcastically. "Yeah. Take Berk's entire cache of gold."
He and Gobber laughed.
"Here, take it all," Gobber laughed as he removed his hook, pegged leg and tooth and placed them on the table. He and Stoick then looked at Hiccup seriously. "Not funny, Hiccup."
"If you weren't my son, I'd lock you up are right now," said Stoick. "You have no idea what you're suggesting, Hiccup.
"Viggo Grimborn is the most ruthless Viking we've come in contact with," said Hiccup looking at his father firmly. "If we don't do something to disrupt this auction, Viggo will make so much gold, he'll be able to buy an entire armada of dragon-hunting ships and reinforces empire. No dragon will be safe, and eventually, he will set his sights on Berk. And on our dragons."
Stoick then turned and looked at Skullcrusher, who was sleeping peacefully in the corner. He then looked to his son.
"Well?" he said.
"'Well' what?" Hiccup frowned.
"Well, son, I'm assuming you didn't fly all the way here without a plan," said Stoick.
Hiccup nodded.
Hiccup then began to tell his father his plan as they made their way to the arena.
"Hmm. A special convoy, you say?" said Stoick.
"Exactly," said Hiccup.
He then turned to the wooden board and saw Ragnar and Fishlegs poking their heads giving him the thumbs up.
"Going into the auction under an assumed identity," said Stoick.
"Exactly."
"Well, he's gone have to be smart, crafty, quick on his feet, and, most importantly…"
Stoick stopped when he discovered who was going to be the spy. It was Snotlout with his hair painted gold, his clothes painted gold, his helmet painted gold and wearing a fake ruby ring on his finger.
"Not Snotlout!" Stoick finished.
Snotlout then walked up snobbish and clapped his hands together and were nothing happened, he did it again. He then growled at the others.
"I'm clapping," he said in a fake posh voice. "When I clap, that means you two servants serve me!"
Ragnar and Fishlegs then shut the twins towards him and they began to clean his boots.
Stoick growled angrily made his way to the exit.
Hiccup quickly grabbed his arm. "Now, before you shoot this down, and by the way, you have every reason entire archipelago that you should, there's a method to my—" He paused trying to come up with the right word."
"Madness?" Stoick offered.
"Yes," said Hiccup awkwardly. "I need you to trust me on this, Dad. It's foolproof."
Unfortunately it was at that moment that Tuffnut grabbed Snotlout arm and tried to pull his fake ring off.
"'Fool', maybe. 'Proof'? Not quite with you on that," said Stoick. He then saw the firm's expression on Hiccup's face and knew that all too well. "Oh, don't look at me like that, son."
Fortunately Ragnar then walked up to Stoick. "Trust us chief, none of us want Snotlout in the role… especially since he's acting Uber the Obnoxious. But there is logic in what appears to be a Very bad idea," Ragnar stated.
Stoick looked to him and then to Hiccup. He knew deep down in his heart there was nothing that would dissuade his son from consuming on this crazy plan.
He sighed. "Fine, on one condition."
The next day, Gobber wasn't standing of a boat at the dragon auction. Stoick had insisted on having Gobber accompany Snotlout, to make sure he didn't do anything stupid.
"Hear ye, hear ye. They honourable…" Gobber paused to come up with a proper name for Snotlout's character. "Sir Ulgerthorpe."
Snotlout then came walking down the gangplank carrying a chest of Berk's gold.
"Don't just stand there babbling to the peasants," Snotlout snapped. He then shoved the chest into Gobber. "Carry my gold."
Gobber swore to himself once this job was done he was going to have a nice long talk with Snotlout.
They made their way through the harbour and got the attentions acquired a few nasty looking Vikings, but Snotlout acted completely oblivious to this. He then fumbled with a few gold coins and toss them to several Vikings.
"Get yourself a new axe," he said. "You? Get yourself a new tunic."
Once they reached the end of the harbour they came across both Viggo and Ryker, who didn't look entirely please of their presence.
"Sir—" said Viggo with a fixed gaze.
"Ulgerthorpe," said Snotlout. "Learn the name. Live the name. Love the name."
"Of?" Viggo asked raising an eyebrow.
"Does it matter?" said Snotlout gesturing to Gobber.
Gobber then opened the chest to reveal the gold coins in it. Snotlout was about to walk off, but Viggo grabbed his arm firmly.
"There is one thing," he said frowning. "I feel like I know you from somewhere. Do I?"
Snotlout wasn't quite sure how to answer that question.
"My brother asked you a question," said Ryker marching up and grabbed the scruff of his shirt. "Does he know you from somewhere?"
"Wha… Ha!" said Snotlout nervously. "Does he know me from somewhere? "Does he know me from somewhere?" He quickly looked at Gobber. "Hey, does he know me from somewhere?"
"It's none of your beeswax who he is or where you know him or don't know him," said Gobber confidently.
"Beeswax?" Snotlout laughed and shout Ryker away.
He then slapped Gobber across the face twice earning a few gasps from Dragon Hunters and several muttered indignantly. Viggo and Ryker looked at one another, slightly taken aback.
"You do not speak to me," said Snotlout firmly to Gobber, who is narrowing his eyes at him. "Do you understand?"
Gobber was very tempted to steal him with his hook, but his eyes were focused on Viggo and Ryker, who are watching with great interest.
"Do you understand?" Snotlout yelled filing some spit over Gobber's face.
"Yes, Sir Ulgerthorpe," said Gobber wiping the bit off with his hook. "Please accept my humble apologies."
"Try getting good help these days. Boof. Very hard," said Snotlout to Viggo and Ryker. He then walked off. "All right, be a good boy and tip the attendant. Come on."
Gobber sighed.
Ryker reached for his sword, but Viggo stopped him.
"We don't want to refuse the man's money, now, do we?" said Viggo.
Gobber walked past and tossed the coin to Viggo.
A few hours later, Johann showed up and Ryker was still in an angry mood.
"I'd turn it around. You've no business here," said Ryker.
"Says who?" Johann asked nervously.
"You have in the gold nor the constitution to stomach this," Ryker reminded.
"While you certainly speak the truth, Mr. Ryker, I do bring your brother an offering," said Johann.
"What kind of offering?" Ryker asked curiously.
Moments later he was aboard Johann's ship and open the hatch that led to below deck. He looked down into the cargo bay and then turned to his men.
"Get Viggo. He needs to see this," said Ryker.
"You must have misunderstood me, Mr. Ryker. I've simply brought an offering," said Johann. "I'd just as soon offload it and be on my merry way, if it's all the same to you."
"Yeah, well, it's not all the same to me," said Ryker angrily. He looked at his men. "Get Viggo."
"No need, big brother," said a voice.
They turned and saw Viggo walking across the gangplank.
"Mr. Grimborn. What a pleasant surprise," said Johann pleasantly.
Viggo made his way below deck with Ryker and Johann. There he saw several dragons locked-in dragon proof cages.
"As I was endeavouring to explain to your brother, I wanted to present you with these dragons for your auction as a sign of respect," Johann explained. "And as an exchange for future safe passage in my trading lanes. Maybe?"
Viggo gave him an emotionless look as one of the Hunters shoved Johann towards him.
"Trader Johann, perhaps I've judged you a bit harshly," said Viggo. "This is a splendid and most generous gesture."
He then walked over to him and the floorboards creaked.
Underneath the floorboards with the Dragon Riders and Toothless. They had used Johann ship a way to sneak onto the island with their dragons and were now very tense when they heard Viggo above them.
"The downside to an old ship," said Johann. "Not nearly the quality and excellence you have, no doubt, come to expect from the vessels in your fleet. Perhaps when the day comes that you feel the need to part—"
"Shh!" said Viggo raising a finger.
He then flipped his hand and a gold coin appeared he then dropped it into the cracks of the floorboards and heard the coin clunking. This indicated that the floorboards below them were hollow and unusual sign from a trader that visited many Viking colonies.
"The trade has been a bit, shall we say, 'sluggish', lately," said Johann. "My stories eyes empty as a tree following a ring-tailed lemur migration."
He then chuckled nervously.
Viggo then made his way above deck and Johann sighed with relief. However, it was short lived when Viggo came rushing down the steps again and smashed through one of the floorboards. He looked through the hole, but found nothing but darkness. He took a few seconds more to look around, but he saw nothing out of the ordinary except for an empty hold.
When he looked away, Toothless removed his wings that he used to shield the Riders. His wings was so dark that it made it look like the ship was indeed hollow which was relieved to them all.
However, when Viggo made his way back to Johann some dust through the cracks and on top of Tuffnut, who began to sneeze. The old tensed up as Tuffnut tried his best to hold it in, but he couldn't.
Fortunately, Fishlegs places hand over Tuffnut mouth just as he was about to sneeze and Viggo was none the wiser.
"We accept your terms," said Viggo. He then looked up the hatch to his men. "Offload Trader Johann's dragons and place them with the others."
"Aye, sir," said one of the men. "Ready to offload."
When Viggo left the hold, Johann sighed with relief. "My poor heart will surely not withstand any more of these harrowing moments."
Snotlout and Gobber meanwhile were outside Viggo's tent.
"Where is this simpleton?" said Snotlout, still acting as a snobbish Viking, which came quite naturally to him. "Does he make it a practice of disrespecting his best clients like this?"
"You do realise you actually aren't his best client," Gobber pointed out.
"I'm in character, Gobber, so, no. No, I do not realise that," said Snotlout.
They suddenly heard rustling in the bushes and suddenly a very large and lazy dragon emerging out of the bushes. It then waddled over towards a heap of scrap metal began to eat it in seconds later it fell asleep.
It greatly resembled that of a Gronckle, although it have a larger body and wings, its eyes were positioned closer to the snout than to the ears. It also had a larger tail bludgeon and a slightly smaller jaw, but with sharper and smaller teeth compared to Gronckles'.
Gobber recognise it from the Book of Dragons as a Hotburple and he was automatically transfixed upon it.
"Look at that big boy," said Gobber in awe.
The Hotburple had woken up and began eating the scrap metal again and then fell asleep again.
"Ugliest dragon I've ever seen," said Snotlout.
"I think he's magnificent," said Gobber as he hobbled towards the Hotburple.
"Of course you do."
"Hello," said Gobber waving his hook at the Hotburple.
Gobber raised his hand to him and the Hotburple automatically placed his snout upon the palm of his hand and began to purr. Gobber grabbed a piece of scrap metal and gave it him, which he ate happily. Gobber then happily hugged the hulking dragon.
"Out of my way, Grump. Fat beast," said a rude and angry voice.
Gobber looked up to see Ryker kicking the poor dragon. Gobber watched as he walked away, he would have wrung his neck if it wasn't for the fact that they were undercover.
"Do you auction off the ugly, fat one as well?" Gobber enquired.
Ryker laughed. "Who would buy him? Besides, he eat all the scrap iron and as the only dragon that can bite through a dragon-proof cage." He then made his way over to Grump. "Personally, I'd just as soon skin them and eat him. He then leaned down towards Grump and rubbed the dragon. "That fat would be tasty on toast squares with some yak butter. Eh, Grump?"
He then shoved Grump sadistically, much Gobber's annoyance.
"But Viggo likes having him around. Says there's a use for everyone."
Gobber looked at Ryker angrily and took a step towards him. Seeing the tension between the two of them Snotlout spoke up.
"When you two ladies are done blabbing about whatever, I like to do business," said Snotlout. "Is that not what we came for?"
"What, are you waiting for my permission?" Ryker frowned.
"Am waiting for some 'me' time," said Snotlout. "A private place to count my money out of the eyesight or earshot of your goons. Offence intended." He then looked to the tent beside them. "This will do. Come, valet."
Ryker stopped Snotlout before he could enter the tent. "Nobody goes inside Viggo's tent," he said.
Snotlout chuckled. "Very nice. First of all, Sir Ulgerthorpe goes where Sir Ulgerthorpe wants. Second, I need to count my gold. It's not gonna count itself." He then looked angrily at Ryker. "And unless you plan on building me a hut in the next five minutes, I'll do what I want!" He then calmed down. "Of course, I can go somewhere else and you can explain to your brother—"
Ryker grumbled. "Go ahead. Count your coin. But make it quick," he warned and walked off.
Gobber went to pick up the chest and saw Grump snoring peacefully. He felt sympathy for the poor dragon, but he followed Snotlout into the tent.
"Can you believe that barbarian?" said Snotlout as the entered the tent. "The nerve to question my intentions."
"You can drop the act," said Gobber. "We're alone."
"Sir Ulgerthorpe does not kowton to pressure, nor does he break character," said Snotlout. "He lives within. He becomes it."
Gobber narrowed his eyes. "Well, you tell Sir Ulgerthorpe that if he doesn't help Sir Gobber find the manifest, this hook is going to become—" He then raised his hook threateningly at Snotlout.
"All right, fine," said Snotlout shoving the hook away.
Then they began to search the tent for the manifest.
"You know, you could be a better scene partner," said Snotlout, still maintaining his snobbish voice. "It is two-sided. I'm giving for myself and I would appreciate a return on that energy."
Snotlout then found a piece of paper. "Ooh, what's this? Looks important," he said.
Gobber then snatched the paper and blew his nose with it. "Not as important as the auction manifest," he said holding out the manifest out.
Snotlout gave him a blank look.
Gobber sighed. "Manifest, Snotlout. The list of dragons and where they are kept."
"I actually know what a manifest is, Gobber," said Snotlout laughing boisterously.
"All right, time's up," said Ryker voice outside the tent. Gobber quickly hit the manifest behind his back just as Ryker entered the tent with several guards. "And the bidding is about to begin."
They then followed Ryker outside and as they walked towards the auction Gobber tossed the manifest onto the ground where seconds later Hiccup grabbed it.
He and Toothless then quickly hit behind Viggo's turned and looked at the manifest.
Moments later, Fishlegs and the twins began to look for their dragons.
"Now, one we find our dragons, we wait for Hiccup's signal," said Fishlegs as simply as possible to the twins.
"Yeah. Then we release the rest of the dragons," said Tuffnut. "We get it." He then looked his sister. "Is he guy serious?"
They then began wandering through the dragon cages for any sign of their dragons.
"Belch!" Tuffnut whispered.
"Barf!" Ruffnut whispered.
"Shh!" Fishlegs hissed. "Meatlug!"
"Do you hear something?" said a voice.
Fishlegs and the twins quickly hit behind one of the cages just as three Hunters appeared.
"I'm sure I did," said one of the Hunters.
"We're gonna get caught and thrown into a Whispering Death hole," Fishlegs quivered.
"Fishlegs. It's all in your noggin, my man," said Tuffnut.
"If you believe were gonna get caught, we're toast," said Ruffnut.
Unfortunately, the Hunters were one cage away from them and they heard their voices. One of the Hunters gestured to the cage and the other nodded and they turned yelling and raising their swords.
Fishlegs shrieked and covered his eyes.
Then he suddenly heard grunts and groans. He then removed his hands to find Astrid, Ragnar and Heather directly behind the Hunters, who appeared had just kicked them from behind.
"Keep looking!" said Astrid.
"We rest our case," said Tuffnut.
Astrid, Ragnar and Heather dragged the Hunters away so no one would spot them and Fishlegs and the twins kept on looking for their dragons.
Fishlegs remove the tarpaulin over one of the cages to reveal a Speed Stinger but try to sting him.
"Not my Meatlug," Fishlegs shrieked backing away from the Speed Stinger.
He then rushed up towards the twins looking quite frantic. "Right. If I think Astrid, Ragnar and Heather will show up to save us…" He then looked back quivered. "Oh, what do we do have they don't?"
He then noticed the twins had vanished.
"You hide," Tuffnut whispered.
"Where'd he go?" said a Hunter's voice.
"I don't see," said another voice.
Hunters were now patrolling the cages looking for any intruders. Once they've passed, Fishlegs, who had been hiding under a tarpaulin that was covering a cage, came out of hiding.
He watched as Hunters began to move the cages, it became apparent that the auction was about to begin and they still haven't found their dragons.
It was now evening and the auction was about to begin. Viggo was standing on a podium looking at all the buyers with Ryker by his side. Ryker gestured to Snotlout, who was busy talking to a Viking with a hood over his head.
"Are you from around here?" he asked. "Having a little fiesta back on my island after. I can put you on the list."
"Our special guest," said Ryker.
Viggo then stepped forward to look at all the buyers. "Friends, buyers, honoured guests, I believe we have assembled the most unique and comprehensive group of dragons in the archipelago. I think you will agree."
Viggo then remove the tarpaulin of the cage to reveal the twins clinging onto the cage of a Speed Stinger. It appeared that the twins were now paralysed and were unable to remove themselves from the cage.
There was incessant mumbling at the site and Snotlout jumped to his feet at once as did Gobber. He quickly open the chest and began to toss gold coins around.
"I'm making it rain," he said. "It's raining gold."
Unfortunately, no one jumped for the coins and Viggo and Ryker were now glaring at him.
"I knew I recognised him," said Viggo. "He's a Dragon Rider. Seize him. Seize them all!"
Seconds later, Snotlout, Gobber and the twins were surrounded by heavily armed Vikings.
It was now night and Fishlegs deal had not located the dragons. To make things worse the guard were now searching for them, it appeared that someone had blown their cover.
He secretly kept on looking for the dragons and removed the tarpaulin to reveal Stormfly and he soon of the other tarpaulins to reveal the other dragons.
"Stormfly. Skull. Hookfang. Barf and Blech," he said excitedly. He then spotted Meatlug and ran over to a cage. "Meatlug! Oh, I missed you, girl."
Meatlug spewed lava over the cage, but it did not melt. He then turned and saw two hunters charging at him with bolas in their hands.
"I'm not gonna get caught," he said to himself. "I'm not going to get—" He got caught, the bolas wrapped around him. "That doesn't work."
A bola then wrapped around his legs and he toppled over face first in the ground.
Meanwhile, Hiccup had finally found the dragons deep within the islands caverns. All them were locked in the cages and wanted to be free more than anything in the world.
Hiccup rush over to the first page which contained a Quaken and began to fumble with some keys that he took off from a guard. As he was doing as he heard Toothless growling.
Hiccup quickly looked down the corridor and saw large figures heading straight towards them.
"Toothless, make 'em count," said Hiccup as Toothless prepare defy a plasma blast.
However when they got into the light Toothless quickly stopped. For it was three Hunters holding Astrid, Ragnar and Heather captive.
"Sorry, Hiccup," said Heather.
"It's okay, Heather," said Hiccup.
He turned and found more guards down the other end of the corridor. He was trapped.
Moments later he joined the rest of the Riders and Gobber in a cell which was being closed by Viggo himself.
"Assuming this is all Berk's gold, I'm guessing that Berk will take quite the hit on his bottom line," Viggo smiled. "That is most unfortunate. But please know that it's all going to a wonderful cause. As are your dragons."
He then gestured to Toothless, who was bound to a cart and muzzled.
"Toothless!" Hiccup yelled.
"All of them," said Viggo smiling sinisterly. He then made his way over to Toothless, who snarled at him. "This one will fetch a considerable price. Almost a pity to sell him. But I'll get over it." He then looked at Hiccup smirking. "If you're good, I might even let you watch."
Hiccup watched helplessly as Viggo and his men dragged Toothless down the tunnel no doubt to the auction to sell him. Astrid placed a hand on his shoulder to reassure him and then he placed his hand over hers.
"Hiccup, we have to get out of here and stop them selling our dragons," said Fishlegs.
"We will, Fishlegs," Hiccup assured.
"How?"
"This guy's killing me," said Tuffnut to his sister.
"Oh, I'm killing you?" Fishlegs chuckled looking at him.
"Please! Guards! Don't you know who I am?" said Snotlout slamming his hand in the cell door and still putting on his posh snobbish voice.
"He really gets into character, doesn't it?" said Ragnar looking at Heather, who simply nodded.
"Hey, Ulgerthorpe," said Gobber. "They do know who you are. Which is why you are in here with us."
"Okay, grumpy," Snotlout muttered.
Hiccup then began looking at their cell. "Hey, Gobber, what you think these walls are made of?" he asked.
Suddenly Tuffnut slammed his head into the cell wall.
"Huh," said Gobber looking at Tuffnut, who was now lying on the ground.
"It feels like iron ore," said Tuffnut picking himself up. "It's tough to run through."
"You should try it again," Ruffnut suggested.
"You think so?"
"Yes."
Tuffnut then took a running start and head-butted cell wall again.
"Definitely iron ore," said Tuffnut with a dazed expression before toppling over.
Gobber simply shrugged it Hiccup.
Meanwhile the auction, Viggo was going is well underway as he was busy selling a Deadly Nadder.
"Sold, to the Viking with no teeth," said Viggo.
Two Vikings laughed and they soon discover that both of them had no teeth and began hitting one another.
Then several Hunters rolled Toothless onto the podium and many of the buyers gasped. The man wearing the hood took exceptional interest.
"That's right, gentlemen," said Viggo. "Your eyes do not deceive you. A Night Fury. The Night Fury. The only one in existence. The prized centrepiece of any collection. Let us start the bidding at—"
Automatically all the buyers began yelling at once all of them wanting a piece of the Night Fury.
"Get the boy," said Viggo looking at his men. "I want him to remember this moment."
He looked down at Toothless, who growled at him.
Meanwhile in the cells, Gobber was now tossing several chunks of iron ore at the guards. The guards turned and watched him toss another piece.
"Oh? Look out. You might get pebbled to death," said one of them.
Gobber tossed another one.
"Oh, come on. Is that all you got?"
"Give it your best shot," said the other guard raising his axe.
Gobber tossed another one in the guard swung, but missed. The two guards laughed.
However, Gobber heard a familiar roar and smiled. Next second appearing round the corner was Grump, who was eating the iron ore happily.
The two guards turned and looked at the large dragon.
"Oh, it's Grump," said the guard laughing. "Come on."
"Oh no!" yelled a guard sarcastically. "It's the fat, lazy dragon."
The guards laughed.
Grump began chewing the iron ore and then he looked to Gobber, who was giving him a pleading look.
"Help me, Grump. Please? Please, Grump?" he begged.
It was that point that Grump's attitude changed completely, he was now growling angrily at the guards with his wings outstretched. The two guards looked at each other slightly uneasy and slowly backed away from the angry dragon.
"Right. Easy, Grump. Easy."
"Good dragon."
"That's it, Grump. Get them!" said Gobber.
Grump then fired a fire blast at the Hunters. He did at them directly, but did cause their feet to be set a light. Then before they knew what hit them, he whacked his bludgeon-like tail at one of them sending him flying. He then head-butted the second guard tossing him up into the air and struck him with his bludgeon-like tail.
Grump walked past the two now unconscious guards towards the Riders and Gobber's cell. Gobber then placed his hand on top of Grump's snout and he purred happily.
"These are dragon-proof bars," said Fishlegs. "He'll never be able to…" He sobbed when Grump took a large bite out of the cell as if it was a piece of meat. "Ooh! Amazing!"
"Is he ever going to learn?" said Ruffnut looking at her brother.
"None of them will," said Tuffnut.
Meanwhile the auction, the enthusiasm was reaching its peak as everyone bidded on Toothless. Then the hooded Viking held out a large bag of gold coins and the buyers groaned in disappointment.
"Sold!" Viggo announced.
Toothless growled at him.
It was at that point that they saw Hunters were running for their lives as all the dragons they were holding suddenly charged through. The dragons had been locked up in abuse and were now wanting payback destroying everything in sight.
The buyers seen the calamity gone up from his seat and screamed heading straight towards the docks. To Viggo's annoyance that includes the hooded man, who snatched his gold coins back from him and walked off.
Viggo knew exactly who was responsible for this debacle. "Hiccup," he growled.
Then jumping out of flames caused by a Monstrous Nightmare where the Riders.
"Everyone, to your dragons," said Hiccup. "Check the decks of the ships that are leaving."
"We'll find them, Hiccup," Fishlegs assured.
"I the attitude, Fishlegs," said Tuffnut as he and his sister clapped enthusiastically.
Hiccup then saw Toothless on the podium. "Toothless."
The Riders then ran in different directions to find their dragons.
Hiccup looked up at the podium where Ryker stood. "Ryker, it's over," he said.
"Says the one-legged boy with no backup," said Ryker as he drew his sword.
He then jumped off the podium and raised his sword up high straight at Hiccup, but then his sword was blocked by Gobber, who held up a battle-axe.
"Why don't you pick on someone your own size?" said Gobber. Hiccup saw his chance and made his way over to the podium. "Someone like me."
Ryker growled as the two Vikings pushed their weapons to overpower the other. They soon broke apart and began swiping at each other. Gobber blocked the low swing Ryker attempted and the high one.
Ryker placed of his body weight into his sword and pushed Gobber back, as the old Viking held his ground. Gobber then broke apart and began going on the offensive by swinging his axe.
"Is that all you got?" said Gobber.
Gobber pushing back towards the cliffside and then spun and disarmed Ryker with his hook. Ryker swung a first at Gobber, who ducked and allowed Ryker to go past him.
"Come on!" Ryker roared.
The two Vikings then charged at one another, but at the last second Gobber bent down and knocked him off his feet with his hook. He then jumped off the wall and performed a power dive right on top of Ryker.
However, it wasn't enough to take Ryker down as he got back onto his feet. Ryker then charged headfirst into Gobber, who then did the same to him. Ryker tried to head-butt him again.
"Oh, no, you don't," said Gobber and grabbed him and tossed them into the cliff wall.
Hiccup had finally reached the podium and was now attempting to free Toothless from the cart. He then saw Gobber rolling past and slammed into one of the dragon-proof cages.
"You think this might be an opportunity to go after Viggo and get Berk's gold back?" Gobber enquired. "Just a thought."
"Right," said Hiccup. "Sorry."
Hiccup then removed the muzzle around Toothless' mouth and then gave him a good hug. He then looked back at Gobber. "You good?"
Ryker then jumped onto the podium.
"Never been better!" Gobber yelled as he charged at Ryker, wrapped his arms around him and then jumped off the podium.
Once Hiccup had freed Toothless they made their way down to the docks and found Viggo's flagship and Viggo himself with the chest in his arms. The ship was already setting sail.
"I see him, bud," said Hiccup and they flew down towards him.
Viggo looked up and saw Hiccup and Toothless approaching him. He then raised the chest above his head and then tossed it right into the sea.
"No! Toothless, dive!" Hiccup yelled.
Toothless quickly dived into the water and began searching for the chest, which was sinking fast. Hiccup then jumped off Toothless and slammed towards the chest. He grabbed it, but it was far too heavy for him and it was pulling him down as well.
Toothless tried to swim after him, but he wasn't a Tidal Class and could only watch as Hiccup sank to the bottom of the ocean. Hiccup could hold his breath much longer knee felt the chest slipping from his fingers and then suddenly something grabbed him from out of nowhere.
It was then poured out of the sea and he saw that Astrid and Stormfly had saved him just in time. He looked to his side and saw Ragnar and Skull holding onto Toothless, who roared at him happily.
Ragnar then took the chest from Hiccup and he then jumped onto Toothless back and they hovered next the other Riders.
"Where's Gobber?" Astrid asked.
Hiccup pulled out his spyglass and looked at the island which was now burning and dragons were flying out of every direction.
"He was fighting Ryker, but I don't see him," he said.
"There! My valet!" Snotlout yelled, still in his posh and snobbish voice.
There sure enough was Gobber riding on top of Grump laughing triumphantly.
"Where's Ryker?" Hiccup asked.
"Turn tail after old Gobber taught him a thing or two," said Gobber. It was then that they noticed that he was missing his hook and he quickly heard the stump behind his back. "He might have gotten in a few moves of his own."
"So did Viggo," said Ragnar holding out the chest.
Hiccup flew over and some of the chest was for of rocks. "He switched chests on me."
"Well, let's go after him," said Astrid.
"He's long gone," said Hiccup.
"That's a 'chest half-empty' point of view, Hiccup," said Tuffnut.
"Tuff, the chest isn't half-empty. It's totally empty. Of all of Berk's gold."
Astrid looked at the dragons that were flying past, the ones they saved. "It was worth it, Hiccup. Look at all the dragons we saved," she said.
"And I imagine that Viggo has lost some in credibility for not able to keep his dragons under lock and key," Ragnar added.
"I just hope my dad feels the same way," said Hiccup hopelessly.
"I'll take the heat from Stoick, Hiccup," Gobber assured taking the chest from Ragnar. "And we'll get that gold back."
He then grabbed one of the rocks from inside the chest and gave it to Grump, who aided happily. He then saw the faces of both Hiccup and Ragnar.
"What? We shouldn't let it go to waste," said Gobber and then fed Grump another rock. "Besides, this guy needs to eat. Constantly."
With that the Riders flew back home just as the sun began to dawn.
"Look, everyone," said Snotlout, still performing his posh and smugglers voice. "My valet has secured a dragon to call his own. Oh, it's so beautiful."
Gobber then slapped him across the face, twice. "I know it's wrong, but that felt good," said he blissfully.
Snotlout just stared at him as he rubbed his cheek. "The face. The one thing you don't slap."
"Actors," Gobber scoffed.