Hiccup held on tight as Toothless galloped through the trees, equally as fast on the ground as in the air. The young Rider stared right ahead, the clearing of the plaza starting to come into sight. Not long ago, he'd been running away from the battle and sought cover in the woods. He'd felt weak and useless. But with his Night Fury, feeling the dragon's strength underneath him, Hiccup could not feel stronger having his buddy back.
"Come on, Toothless," said Hiccup, leaning forward. "We're almost there."
It was until something above his head caught his attention and Hiccup looked up to see a flash of silver. A quick glimpse of metal-like wings had Hiccup bring Toothless to an abrupt stop. The Night Fury cooed in confusion at his rider, eyeing him from the corner of his eye.
"Are you seeing this too, bud?" asked Hiccup, scanning the canopy of trees for more movement. Sure enough, the sharp wingbeats confirmed Hiccup's suspicions and all he could do was smile in relief. "Let's go!"
The dragon roared sharply and took off once more, following the silhouettes soaring above their heads. Toothless jumped over the bushes separating the town from the wilderness and stopped on the edge, overlooking at the army of Wingmaidens coming in to join the fight. They came down like arrows, showing no mercy to the Hunters as they ran for their lives, back to their ships.
"Razorwhip, baby!" yelled Snotlout from the air. Hookfang roared and set a few Hunters aflame before they could retreat back to the docks.
"Hiccup!" called out Astrid and Hiccup looked up to see Astrid hovering with Stormfly. "We got more company!"
Hiccup followed her gesture and narrowed his eyes to see two approaching fleets coming from different directions, both with different colors.
"Hiccup, do you think it could be?" asked Astrid but Hiccup's face had already lightened up.
"Of course!" he said, quickly noticing the spiked ships covered with bones and skulls belonging to none other than the Outcast tribe and the carefully designed vessels of the Defenders of the Wing. "Viggo must've seen this coming. Of course he wouldn't hope that the Berserker tribe itself could manage with Krogan's double army. He must have sent some Terror Mails, hoping they'd get here in time."
"Well, as much as I'm relieved to see them, they're a bit late to the party," said Astrid, avoiding a random Dragon Root arrow before returning to hovering next to Hiccup and Toothless.
"This isn't over Astrid," said Hiccup, barely loud enough for her to hear. "Not while Krogan still commands an army." He turned back to her, gesturing to the ships. "Go see if you can blast some of those ships, grant safe passage to our newcomers."
Astrid nodded and flew for the fleet, no questions asked. Hiccup leaned over on Toothless, his eyes scanning the battlefield with a deadly glare. "Alright, bud. Let's go take care of Krogan. Once and for all."
Toothless reared and shot across the battlefield, avoiding every blow of sword, ax, and mace from the soldiers of both sides. Toothless took the opportunity to show his gratitude and smacked a few Hunters in the face while passing by. Berserkers didn't hesitate to jump on the next enemy Viking as Hiccup and Toothless disappeared in the crowd.
"The Great Hall, bud!" said Hiccup and Toothless powerfully climbed on the small hill of rubbish that Krogan had mercilessly brought down with his mighty Titan.
The Night Fury stood on the top, turning around to see the battle raging on. Berserker soldiers were completely outnumbered against the Hunters. The Singetails that had been circling above slowly reduced in numbers as Atali and her Wingmaidens removed the Flyers from their mounts and freed the dragons from their chains. He watched Astrid as she set a few ships aflame, allowing the two arriving fleets to dock without arrows and catapults firing down at them. Hiccup trusted the tides would turn soon since he had his own mission in mind.
"Let's find Viggo and Krogan," said Hiccup, patting his dragon's neck. "I have a feeling they're not too far away."
…
Viggo wasn't able to last much longer. Krogan was too strong, too skilled. He didn't stand much of a chance against the merciless Flyer now. Krogan brought down his ax again and Viggo barely blocked it, collapsing on the ground before receiving a kick in the guts. The ex-Hunter rolled onto his back, grunting at the pain. He was too close to the edge of the cliff now. If Krogan decided to throw him over the edge, he was done for. Krogan lowered his weapon down against Viggo's throat, the cold blade kissing his skin. Despite his situation, Viggo locked his gaze with the Flyer, letting him know how much hatred he felt toward him before allowing his expression to relax, letting his head drop to the ground. Exhaustion overwhelmed him and even if Viggo could find an escape, he doubted he'd take it.
"Goodbye, old friend," said Krogan, lifting his ax above his shoulder, ready to swing it down and let it sink into Viggo's flesh.
"Just get on with it," growled Viggo, glaring up at him with tired eyes.
Krogan smiled wickedly, taking way too much pleasure with this and as he lifted the heavy blade above his head, time seemed to slow down. Sounds faded away, every little noise becoming absorbed by the space around them. A long shadow stretched above the two men, the black shape of the unholy offspring of lightning and death itself spreading its wings from the very edge of the cliff. The loud and high-pitch roar drowned every sound as its toxic green eyes narrowed down on them, freezing Krogan where he stood.
Hiccup took the opportunity of Krogan's inaction. Already crouched on Toothless back, the Rider threw himself at the merciless Dragon Flyer. He flew over Viggo and at that moment, the world returned to its usual speed and Hiccup body-slammed Krogan away from the ex-Hunter. Both bodies hit the ground with a sickening thud. Hiccup slid a bit further, no thanks to the mud and was quick enough on his feet to stand back up before Krogan.
Viggo pulled himself up while assisting the scene, holding his middle loosely. Everything had happened so fast, he wasn't sure it had been real or not. But the proof lay right before him as Hiccup rushed to him. The shadow Toothless had cast was long gone and the ex-Hunter twisted around to see the Night Fury rushing into battle riderless.
"Quick, you gotta get out of here," said Hiccup in a hurry, offering his hand for Viggo to grab.
"No, we need to take care of Krogan," argued Viggo, his expression darkening. He pulled himself up with the Rider's help and took a moment to find his balance. He met Krogan's gaze as the Flyer regained his ground, his weapon a short distance away after Hiccup had knocked him down. "And we need to take care of him now."
Krogan chuckled quietly, cracking his knuckles as he stared dead eye with both the ex-Hunter and Rider. "You're not as easy to kill as I thought you'd be, I see," said Krogan, lifting his chin high. "What they say is true. What doesn't kill you does make you stronger."
"Afraid it's gonna be a fair fight?" replied Hiccup, standing his ground, hands balled into fists.
Krogan laughed, shaking his head sideways before looking up again. "It's not gonna be as fair as you think," he said and with no warning, the Flyer charged.
I can't wait for Snoggletog so I can eat, sleep, repeat.
That's all I have to say.
See yah!
Rain