Ruby was currently in her room writing in her diary, she was making sure to chronicle everything that had just happened.
'Dragon Heart, a powerful source of everlasting magic with limitless potential, Drago can't resist its destructive power and is launching an invasion of Septem to get it. We have to make sure that doesn't happen, we can't let that thing be used for evil. No, I shouldn't say it's a thing, it's the body of our first master Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the First, which is even more reason to keep it safe. Had it not been for his kind heart, Dragon Tail would never had brought us all together, who knows where we'd be.'
"Pretty good stuff there, Ruby," said Hiccup.
"If you keep it up you turn into a real novelist someday," Toothless nodded.
Ruby blinked and turned around and found the two of them standing directly behind her. "I thought you of all people wouldn't break into someone's home!"
"Then perhaps you should lock the door," Hiccup suggested.
"We've been busy trying to evacuate the entire town and we were in the neighbourhood so we decided to drop by," said Toothless.
"Well, I'm glad we were able to evacuate all the citizens at least," said Ruby.
"Still hard to believe that word war," Hiccup sighed. "I'm telling you it's going to be just as bad as the time those dragons attacked the capital."
Ruby nodded remembering the destruction. "Do you really think you will be that bad?"
"Possibly worse."
"You really know how to cheer a girl up," Ruby sighed.
"You want me to lie about our chances?" Hiccup asked.
"No, I know that it's going to be destructive and that we might not be around to see the end of it."
"Oh, I think we will," said Hiccup smiling at her. "We have to all have dreams of the future and Ingeel himself said that we should continue to talk about the future so that we have the strength to get there."
"That is a nice way to look at it," Ruby nodded.
Meanwhile, at Dragon Hills, most of the Astrid was with Merrill and Stormfly, relaxing in the hot springs.
"So do you think it's possible that Jellal and Crime Sorcière will help?" Merrill asked.
"I do since Drago is the enemy I'd say it's almost guaranteed," said Astrid.
"That does make me feel a little bit better," said Merrill.
"Although most of our crew were the ones that destroyed Alfheim Shelter," Stormfly pointed out.
"Well, they've changed."
"Ah, that reminds me of the day I first invited you to join Dragon Tail," said Astrid.
"We're so grateful."
'Which also means that I was the one that dragged them into this life filled with so much fighting. I'm responsible for them, I have to keep them safe the best I can.'
Astrid then rose to her feet hand stepped out of the hot spring.
"Hey, Astrid!" said Merrill as she rose out of the water, next thing Astrid realised she wrapped her arms around her. "This time I'll protect you for all you've done for me."
Astrid couldn't help but smile back and then returned the hug. "I've loved watching you grow to who you are, everyone in the Guild is so very proud of you."
Ragnar was in the Plaza, you just couldn't sleep instead he decided to hang out outside and began eating a bar of chocolate.
"Are you all right?" said a voice behind him.
Ragnar turned and saw Heather approaching him. "I'm good." He then held out the bar chocolate. "What a bite?"
"Thanks," said Heather taking the bar chocolate.
Ragnar smiled at her. "I can always count on having you by my side."
"You know it."
"And if was still alive after this, I'm going to give you my answer." Heather's eyes widened as she looked at him. "But for now let me focus on this."
Heather nodded, her heart or flutter. "Sure."
Ragnar then remembered what Hiccup said about his secret weapon. "Hiccup isn't the only one of us that has a trick up his sleeve. So Drago… Dragrach, we're coming for you both."
Meanwhile, at the Guild Hall, everyone was setting up the surveillance equipment that Speedfist had designed.
"Has your scanner picked up anything yet Speedfist?" Stoick asked.
"There's been no sign of the enemy inside of Septem so far," he informed them.
"That's good to hear, but are you positive we can put up trust in that thing?" Gobber asked.
"I built this Ultra-High-Performance Radar myself you know," Speefdfist reminded him.
"They're coming, that we know, but we don't know from what direction," said Stoick. "Finding out where they plan to launch their assault may mean the difference between life and death."
Then suddenly appearing behind him was Master Hiccup, he had been checking on the rest of the Guild members to see how they were bearing up with the imminent war.
"The most orthodox strategy would be to create a diversion in the North and then the main force coming from the south," he said.
Stoick turned towards him. "First Master?"
"I just checked up on everyone before the battle begins, our Guild certainly seems carefree despite the danger. Their bravery is quite remarkable."
"I think I have a different read on the situation," said Stoick folding his arms. "They're all desperately trying to keep their anxiety at bay so they're spending time with each other to pull their fortitude and lift one another spirits. That is crucial in a time like this, but still, I can't blame them for their fear tonight even I'm afraid of what's to come. However, it is my duty to protect my charges and so I'll do everything within my power to protect them."
Master Hiccup nodded. "You're right."
Then suddenly they felt a breeze of cold wind flowing into the Guild and putting the candles out and it could be felt by everyone in the city.
"It can't be," said master Hiccup.
Stoick turned to Speedfist. "Speedfist, if your contraption working properly or not?"
"Yes, of course, it working," he said looking insulted. "But I don't know if this is magic." He then looked down the screen and saw flashing light approaching them from the north. "How the hell were we not able to see them approaching earlier?"
"All members prepare for battle!" Master Hiccup yelled sending a telepathic message to everyone. "They're coming from the sky approximately 5o full-sized aerial cruises!"
Everyone rushed outside and indeed saw a massive armada approaching them from the north, across the sea.
"There's way too many of them!" Gobber yelled.
"Just one of those suckers is big enough to wipe out the whole Guild!" said Spitelout.
"This is but a tiny fraction of the Empire's full forces," said Stoick.
"No one ever said anything about an aerial attack!" Speedfist yelled.
Standing on the flagship, leading the attack, was Chaghatai Khan who was laughing. "Listen up because I've travelled halfway around the world to do one thing! And that's to pulverise you all into dust!"
"Ring the bell immediately!" Master Hiccup ordered. "It's time, they're coming from the north with 50 aerial cruises."
Without hesitation they immediately rang the bell signalling the attack.
"They're here now," said Hiccup.
"That was fast," said Toothless.
"I don't think I'm ready for this fight you guys," Ruby whimpered.
"Fire!" Chaghatai commanded.
The immediately fired magical missiles directly down onto the Guildhall, but then appearing around the entire city was a magical barrier blocking their attack. Also, both Rubbella and Dogsbreath were watching over him acting as bodyguards.
"What?" said Chaghatai taken completely by surprise.
Within the Temple, Fenris had set up a magical enchantment to protect the entire city. The only downside was that in order to maintain it, he had to stay put.
"Enchantment Activate!" he said.
Chaghatai realised what was happening. "Ah, they conjured up some kind of magic barrier. I'll have to punch through it."
Everyone could see that the barrier was holding against the constant bombardment, though for how long they had no idea.
"So what now?" Stoick asked. "Fenris' spells are powerful, but I'm not sure how long he can holdback this onslaught."
Fenris was already feeling weak.
"You can't give up now, Fenris," said Rubbella.
"I'll lend you some of my magic powers you needed," said Dogsbreath.
"This attack is nothing like we anticipated, how do we fight back?" Gobber asked.
"Stay calm," said Master Hiccup calmly. "I thought it unlikely, but I have considered this. At the moment what we're dealing with is an advanced squad and as luck would have it, this is a much smaller scaled attack than I originally feared." He then immediately turn towards Speedfist. "I need you to relay this message… 'Start Strategy D, Flying Dragons and Trickster commenced the attack!"
Speedfist nodded. "Got it."
Trickster squad comprised of the twins, who were stationed on a hillside that overlooked the city just in front of the Southern Woods.
"This is Trickster, reporting from the Southen Woods," said Ruffnut. "Target is currently too far out of range."
"But we'll be ready for them when they are within range," said Tuffnut.
"I have complete faith in the two of you," said Master Hiccup.
"Yes, sir," the two of them nodded.
Chaghatai was still unleashing a bombardment of magical missiles directly at the barrier.
"So how'd you like?" he smiled. "Just a few more rounds and that shield is gone."
"Chaghatai, sir. Something is coming up quickly," said a soldier.
Four bright lights were heading straight towards them and didn't look like a magical attack.
"What do we have here?" he frowned.
The soldiers on the other airships also saw these bright lights heading towards them.
"That one is moving towards us really fast."
"Evasive manoeuvres!"
It was too late for them, as a blazing red light shot right through the ship and seconds later it exploded.
"Ship number four has been destroyed."
Chaghatai had been taken completely aback by this. "The hell?"
He turned and then discovered that the bright light had in fact been Hiccup, Eret, Merrill and Valka with the Exceed carrying them.
"Say hello to the Flying Dragon Squad," Hiccup smiled.
Chaghatai narrowed his eyes. "It's that guy again."
"Now let's rock," said Eret.
"Right," Merrill nodded.
"They'll regret ever coming here," said Valka.
Immediately the four of them began attacking all the nearby ships, Hiccup and Eret merely smashed right through them while both Merrill and Valka use their magic to create a powerful storm to destroy them.
"Blow them out of the sky!" Chaghatai roared.
Unfortunately, there was easier said than done, they were so small moving so fast that it was all but impossible to get a good clean hit. However, at the same time that prevented them from attacking any more ships.
"Nice moves, Toothless," said Hiccup.
"There's too much enemy fire," said Skullcrusher.
"The twins really need to start shooting," said Stormfly.
"Let's hope they know which end the blast comes out of," said Cloudjumper.
The twins were actually manning an Odin Cannon, in fact, it was the same one that Phantom Lord used against them eight years ago. After the war with Phantom Lord, they scavenge for parts and managed to rebuild the Odin Cannon, which they planned to use against a large scale attack aimed directly at the Guild.
"This is Trickster Unit, magic power charged and ready," said Ruffnut.
"It will take 15 minutes a charge up with every shot, so we have to make this one count," said Tuffnut.
"Odin Cannon, fire!" Ruffnut yelled.
They then fired the Odin Cannon directly at the fleet of ships and aimed directly at the flagship.
In the city the members of Dragon Tail completely stunned, most of them didn't even realise that they had an Odin Cannon at their disposal.
"Wasn't that Phantom Lords?" Heather stared. "When did we get it?"
"Don't know, let's hope it works," said Ragnar.
Chaghatai sadly saw the attack coming. "Nice try, losers!"
He thrust his hand and created a magical barrier around the flagship, protecting it from the blast. However, the attack merely separated and destroyed a good number of ships behind him.
"He broke up the blast," said Ruffnut.
"Yeah, but we still took down a few ships," Tuffnut pointed out.
"He defused the shot from the Odin Cannon?" said Skullcrusher stunned.
Then suddenly and unexpectedly, the bow of the ship was sliced clean off if Chaghatai had been standing a few inches forward he would have been sliced as well.
"The bow has been sliced off!"
Then suddenly a blinding slash of light appeared out of nowhere attacking the soldiers and one by one they fell. Then standing directly behind Chaghatai was Astrid in her Deadly Nadder Armour.
Chaghatai glared at her. "Who do you think you are?"
Astrid then placed him with battle-axe in hand. "I'm the woman that will strike you down."
"You had better beg for mercy you're dealing with Freya, Neil before the Valkyrie Queen," Rubbella smiled.
Hiccup and the others had just seen Astrid's sudden appearance.
"Shouldn't we help her?" Toothless asked.
"I'm afraid we have problems of our own," said Valka pointing down at the ground. "Some of their ships are landing."
"We can leave the rest up Astrid, protecting the city is our priority," said Cloudjumper.
"Yes, she is more equipped to handle the situation," Skullcrusher agreed.
"How my ever going to protect her if she is always protecting me?" Merrill moaned.
"Defeating one of the Twelve would be nearly impossible, even for warrior-like Astrid," said Stoick.
"Yet I have faith in her abilities," said Master Hiccup.
"If we can actually drive back their vanguard, it will be a real shot in the arm for morale," said Speedfist.
Meanwhile, at the temple, Fenris was still maintaining the enchantment, but he was losing magic power quickly.
"What's the problem?" Rubbella asked. "I thought your Enchantment was a perfect defence?"
Fenris smiled up at her. "You should realise that nothing in this world is perfect."
"He's doing the best he possibly can here, but their firepower is too brutal," said Dogsbreath.
"Thanks to our friends in the Flying Dragon and Trickster Squads the enemy forces have been cut in half. Gives me a better chance of maintaining the Enchantment."
Meanwhile, at the Southern Woods, the twins were still waiting for the Odin Cannon to fully recharge for a second shot.
"Can't this thing in charge of any faster?" Tuffnut asked.
"You know it can't," Ruffnut snapped. "But next time will blow that sucker up to smithereens."
At the Northern Coastline, the airships had landed at the beach and the ground forces were now approaching the city. Leading the attack were two of Chaghatai lieutenants, one was a rather bulky man whose eyes were completely covered, he went by the name of Bakel and the other was a slim man who looked more like a desert bandit, who went by the name of Kareem.
"All right man, Berk is right in front of us go and wipe it off the face of the map for good!" Bakel.
"But Captain how are we supposed to get through the enemies Enchantment?" one of his men asked.
"No clue."
"Not a problem," said Kareem. "We have someone to dispel it, he's arrived so the barrier will fall short. To be honest, I feel this overwhelming show of force is a tad bit excessive for such a weak adversarial, but still, I am duty-bound to execute the orders given to me by the commander."
"I wouldn't count us out just yet," said Hiccup as he and the others landed on the ground in front of them.
They immediately attacked the advancing soldiers quickly dispelling them. Hiccup then spun around and placed his hands together forming a plasma orb within his palm.
"Fire Dragon's Plasma Blast!" he yelled unleashing his attack blowing away a good portion of the men.
Bakel merely brushed the flames aside with his arm and then unleashed a magical slashing attack. The attack slammed into Hiccup, but he was able to keep up his stance and withstood the attack.
Astrid meanwhile was still doing battle against Chaghatai on his flagship and he was proving himself to be quite the opponent.
"Spine Shot!" Astrid yelled firing a barrage of spikes from her back directly at him.
However, Chaghatai merely not them aside with his hand. "You really think that lame attack is going to beat me?"
Astrid Sharma then immediately began to glow when then transformed into her Night Fury Armour. She then clutched her sword in her hand and swung it unleashing a magical slashing attack.
"Night Fury: Moon Flash!" she yelled.
Chaghatai jumped out of the way and then appeared behind her. "If you're one of the strongest in your Guild, the rest of them must be pitiful!" He then slammed a sand-covered kick directly at her and she quickly blocked it, though it still had enough power to push her back slightly. "This has to be a joke, right?"
"No one mocks Dragon Tail, you'll pay for that!" she yelled swinging her sword.
Chaghatai merely jumped over her attack and then suddenly a tornado of sand began to surround her.
"More sand?" she said.
"Your weaknesses what are mocking it," he smiled.
Astrid then found herself trapped within a vortex of sand. "What's happening?"
Chaghatai then landed on the ship floor. "You're decaying into dust."
Astrid attempted to switch out her armour, but for some reason, her magic wasn't working. 'My Requip Magic isn't working, but why?'
She then screened as the sound consumed her.
Meanwhile, at the temple, Fenris was still maintaining the barrier, but then he sensed something which causes eyes to widen.
"Fenris, is there something wrong?" Rubbella asked.
"There is… a hole has been opened within the enchantment," he said.
Back at the Guildhall, Speedfist was already aware of the situation.
"There appears to be a breach in the barrier and it's a big one," he informed everyone.
"Does that mean they have someone that nullifies Enchantments?" said Master Hiccup.
The one that had breached the enchantment was Wall and now he was walking down the street with several his men.
"This will prove to be an easy victory indeed," he said.
"Impressive work, Wall, sir," said one of his men.
"Well, be done here in no time."
"They'll learn the strength of the Alvarez Empire, one last lesson before dying," said Wall.
"I sense more magic power," said Stoick. "Could another member of the Twelve have arrived?"
"The enemy has entered Berk!" Master Hiccup informed everyone through telepathy. "Hold them back at all costs!"
"They broke through Fenris' barrier?" said Ragnar stunned.
"They're near the girls' dormitory," said Heather.
"Someone needs to head to the bridge in the Enchantment," said Speedfist and looked down at his monitor for those who are closest to it. "Crap, whose closest. Huh, let me see, Snotlout… Adelaide… get there quickly!"
Meanwhile, at Ruby's apartment, Ruby had just changed her clothes and prepared to join the others.
"I need to go and back them up," she said.
Before she left she picked up Aquarius' broken key. 'Aquarius, please lend me your strength.'
She then immediately heard a noise. 'What was that sound? Something is in here.' She listened closely to the mysterious noise and heard something coming from the bathroom. 'Is coming from the bathroom?'
Ruby carefully made her way to the bathroom to investigate. She pulled back to the curtains and to her shock she discovered Brandish was having a bath in her bathroom. She could also see standing next to her on the edge of the bathroom was Atran.
"Looks like I was right, after all, this was your place," she said.
"You get an A+ from me," said Atran.
Ruby just stood there blankly. 'What in the world?' She then shook her head in disbelief and backed away slowly. "I knew the Drake twelve were coming to Septem, but I wasn't expecting one of them in my bathtub!"
Brandish just looked at her. "I don't know why, but you… you've been running through my mind ever since we met."
Ruby just stood there shaken with sweat pouring over her face.
At the Guildhall, Speedfist was looking down at his screen and discover that there was more bad news coming their way.
"More bad news, now there's another member of the Twelve in Berk," he said.
"Another one?" Stoick stared.
"Three of those monsters in one group?" said Helga stunned. "How are we going to fight back against that?"
"No! This can't be happening!" Speedfist cried.
"Uh-oh, what is it now?" Ingrid asked.
"A massive force of nearly 300 ships is coming in from the west and judging from the magic power signature it has another three of the Twelve! But it's worse than that… There's an identical group coming from the south as well and this one has another three of them."
"They're making an approach from three sides?" Stoick stared in bewilderment.
"No, there's also 1 million soldiers marching from the East with three more of the Twelve. We're completely surrounded, the enemy has left does nowhere to run!"
Everyone was completely shocked it was one thing to attack them from the north, south and west, but the East.
"How are they coming from the East?" Spitelout asked.
"This is no ordinary enemy we're dealing with," said Gobber.
"It's like they're throwing everything they have on us all at once," said Helga.
"This is the worst thing that could happen!" Ingrid cried.
Master Hiccup was in utter shock. 'No matter how I calculated, we have no chance of winning.'