So how long has it been since I posted a chapter for this story? I don't even know if this is relevant anymore. But here we are. I've gone through this chapter twice and while I'm not happy about it, this is probably the best it is going to get.
On Berk, the riders were loading supplies into their saddle bags.
Hiccup handed Astrid a pair of daggers. "Okay now remember, gang, we're only taking absolute necessities to Dragon's Edge."
Snotlout laughed from Hookfang's back. "Aw, I guess we're leaving you behind, Fishlegs."
Fishlegs clutched the rocks he was carrying. "Come on, you're better than that, Snotlout." He put the rocks in one of the baskets attached to Meatlug. "Oh, wait, no, you're not."
"He really isn't," Meatlug rumbled. She flapped her wings and tried to take off, the baskets weighing her down.
"Come on, girl, you can do it," Fishlegs encouraged. "Lift with your legs."
"I'm trying!" Meatlug strained.
Hiccup walked over. "Fishlegs," he said exasperated.
"What?" Fishlegs asked. "Berk granite has a nicer finish. And trust me, you want the nicer finish." He tried to push Meatlug into the air.
She broke wind loudly and Fishlegs coughed.
"Sorry, Fishlegs," she said, looking back.
"Point illustrated," he gagged.
There was a loud clang.
"Ow! Not bad," said Tuffnut.
Grim looked over at the twins and saw Ruffnut with a mace and Tuffnut leaning over with his head down.
"That's a two," the male twin said. "Let's do it again."
Ruffnut heaved the mace and hit it square on Tuffnut's helmet.
"Ooh, yeah, three," said Tuffnut. "I still think we can do better."
"Yes, we can!" Ruffnut agreed, swinging the mace.
This time the hit sent Tuffnut's helmet straight up and falling back on his head.
"Uh, yeah, that is a four," he said, staggering around. "Yep, one, two, three, four." He fell down on his back.
"I'll tag it and bag it," said Ruffnut.
"I'll tell you what, if any of you four need any, I'll be right here." His head landed back on the ground.
"I worry about those two," Grim said to Deathshriek.
"I stopped," said Deathshriek.
Grim shot the dragon a look.
"Which one of the usual suspects was out sinking boats on their dragon this morning?" Stoick demanded, marching towards them with Gobber, Mulch, and Bucket. "I have my suspicions."
"Sinking boats?" Hiccup repeated.
"Bucket and Mulch saw the whole thing," said Stoick. "And don't try convincing me that there's anyone else in the archipelago who could pull something like this off! Well? I'm waiting."
Hiccup and Grim looked at the other riders. They shook their heads.
Tuffnut suddenly sat up and started blabbering. "It was me, chief! I couldn't control myself, I had to do it! What's wrong with me? Why do I do things like this? Why don't anybody do anything to stop me? Can't you all see that this is just a desperate cry for help?" He sobbed.
Stoick face-palmed.
Ruffnut walked up to him. "What are you talking about? None of that happened."
Tuffnut stood up and faced her. "I know that, but I always wanted to confess to something. How'd it play? I didn't overdo it, did I?"
"Yeah, I mean overall you seemed grounded, but still was a little hard to believe."
Stoick growled.
"Dad, the truth is we've been together all morning," said Hiccup.
"Even if we went our separate ways, it was only for ten minutes," Grim added. "Not long enough to fly out and come back."
"It couldn't have been one of us attacking the ship," Hiccup finished.
"Well if it wasn't one of you, then I'd say we have a much more serious problem on our hands," said Stoick. He walked away.
"Rogue dragon rider?" Astrid suggested.
"Not good, not good at all," said Fishlegs.
"No, it isn't," agreed Hiccup. "And we need to find out who it is."
The riders set out for where the boat had been attacked. They found it adrift in the ocean. The dragons landed on it.
"Okay, gang, let's spread out," Hiccup ordered.
"I've been thinking about this rogue dragon rider," said Astrid.
"Dagur," Hiccup said.
"It makes sense," said Astrid. "If Dagur has a dragon and is attacking ships, then who's to say we won't be next?"
"Hiccup! You gotta see this!" Fishlegs called.
Fishlegs and Grim were at the side of the ship. Part of the side was taken out.
"Those are some deep gashes," Hiccup said, inspecting the wood.
Grim hummed in agreement. He leaned over the side. "There are claw marks here. It grabbed the side, slid its talons up until it got a hold on the wood and ripped it away."
"Any idea what kind of dragon could do this?" asked Hiccup.
"Sharp Class dragon," Grim replied.
"It has the slashing attack of a Speed Stinger, yet from the depth of the strikes it appears to be as strong as a Typhoomerang," said Fishlegs.
"Whatever it is, it is powerful," said Grim.
Hiccup turned around. "You guys, did you find anything else?" he called to the others.
"This ship has been stripped of everything valuable," said Astrid. She kicked an overturned barrel.
The twins were at the bow, fighting over something.
"Nothing over here," Tuffnut said. "Right, sis?"
"Nope, no thing."
"Zilch, nothing front, behind, or on either side of us."
"You know we can see that, don't you?" Hiccup asked.
"All right, all right, but we get to keep it," said Tuffnut.
"Yeah! Finders keepers," added Ruffnut.
"Losers . . . uh, losers don't get this because it's way too cool for a loser."
"Yeah."
Tuffnut held out a silver spike.
"A barb!" gasped Fishlegs.
"That looks like one of Stormfly's," said Astrid.
"Which means the dragon we're looking for is most likely in the Sharp Class," said Fishlegs. "In fact, I'll bet my Meatlug on it. Good call, Grim."
"What? You bet me?" Meatlug cried, nudging at his arm.
"No, no, don't worry, girl," he said. "It's just an expression. I'd never do that."
Hiccup and Grim went over to take the barb from Tuffnut. Hiccup took it, but Tuffnut wouldn't let go of it.
"Tuff," Hiccup warned.
Before things could devolve into a tug-of-war, Grim grabbed the barb and yanked it out of both their hands. He and Hiccup inspected it.
Hiccup looked at the twins. "Are you guys thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Ooh-ooh! Good game, Hiccup!" Tuffnut said eagerly. "You think of something and we'll try to guess what it is and if we do, we get a prize. All right, think away, my good man. Let the game begin."
"Hmm, let me see," said Snotlout. "I'm thinking you two are mutton heads!"
"Yes, I win!" cheered Tuffnut.
"I was actually thinking if we find the dragon, we find the rider," said Hiccup. He held up the barb. "And I have a pretty good idea of how to find the dragon."
The riders and the dragons with Bucket were in the great hall. Bucket was sitting with Fishlegs describing the dragon he saw that morning.
"Sharp! Did I say that? It's sharp!" cried Bucket in hysterics.
Fishlegs turned around from the drawing. "I know, Bucket! We've gone over that twenty times!" He was getting very frustrated with the Viking.
Grim decided to step in. "Sharp it may be, Bucket, but there are many dragons that have sharp claws and spines. We need more than sharp."
"Well, it's got a very long tail and it could tie itself into a knot – yes," Bucket said, watching Fishlegs draw. "Yes, that's right. And two large wings to slice." He let out a cry of fear and ran from the great hall.
Hiccup turned to Fishlegs. "So?"
"I've never seen anything like this in the Book of Dragons or Bork's papers," said Fishlegs.
The dragon he had drawn was a slender thing covered in spines and having a nose horn that curved back slightly.
"But there's one place we haven't looked yet," said Hiccup.
He fetched the Dragon Eye.
"So, I'm thinking since Stormfly is also a Sharp Class," Hiccup began.
"Her magnesium blast could possibly illuminate some information about this new dragon," finished Fishlegs.
Astrid took her two daggers from her belt and stuck them into a barrel to act as a stand for the Dragon Eye. Hiccup placed it and aimed it at the wall.
"Stormfly, easy now," said Astrid.
Stormfly lowered her head down and formed a small fireball in her mouth.
"Just enough to light the Dragon Eye up," Astrid said, giving her dragon a bit of a cuddle.
The first thing to show on the wall was the Nadder.
"The Deadly Nadder," Fishlegs said, looking at the information. "I must have missed this the first time around. Uh, who's got some chalk? I have to translate it."
"Later, Fishlegs," said Grim, not taking his eyes off the wall.
Hiccup twisted the Dragon Eye for a new projection.
"Speed Stinger! One of my favorites," gushed Fishlegs. "There's always so much more to learn."
"Oh, my Thor," huffed Snotlout.
"I-I know, Fishlegs, I got it," said Hiccup. He turned the Dragon Eye again. "That's it!"
"It's called a Razor Whip," Astrid read.
"Okay, Fishlegs, do your thing," said Hiccup.
Fishlegs took a closer look at the projection. "Okay, Razor Whip: Sharp Class dragon, long spiny barbed tail, very aggressive, very dangerous."
Snotlout laughed derisively. "Yeah, we got that. Give us something new."
Fishlegs turned around. "You want to do this, Snotlout?" he snapped.
"Uh, duh, I would," said Snotlout. He looked at the projection and his expression fell when he realized he didn't understand any of it. "But I'm just, you know, I don't feel like it right now."
"Continuing on," said Fishlegs. He pointed at a part of the projection. "This symbol indicates it can use its tail to wrap around its victim and literally squeeze the life out of them. Unless it's in a hurry, then it just slices you in half."
The twins' faces lit up.
Tuffnut turned to Ruffnut. "Punch me, because I must be -."
Ruffnut landed a solid punch and Tuffnut dropped with a yell.
"Fishlegs, is there anything about this dragon that won't kill us?" asked Astrid.
"How 'bout its eyeballs?" Ruffnut suggested.
"Nope, poisonous tears," replied Fishlegs.
Tuffnut stood up. "Poisonous? I love it!"
"Yep, poison is fantastic," said Hiccup. "Fishlegs, is there anything that might help us locate it?"
Fishlegs began rambling was he was seeing. "Top speed, mating rituals, oral hygiene."
"There." Grim pointed. "Feeding habits."
"What's so great about that?" asked Snotlout.
"If we know what it eats, we can narrow it down to where it eats," said Grim. He smiled. "And it's not just fish. Preferred meal is sea slugs."
"Slugs," repeated Tuffnut, creeped out. "I hate those slimy monsters. They're snails without homes. Giant, homeless snails!"
"We've come across a few islands out there that are just crawling with sea slugs," said Hiccup. "Hopefully our Razor Whip is feeling hungry."
"And hungry for sea slugs," added Astrid, "not Vikings."
The next day they began scouring the islands they knew of with sea slugs.
As they approached the next island, Fishlegs declared, "I have a good feeling about this island."
"That's what you said about the last five islands!" Snotlout shot back.
"Hey, it's not my fault that I'm an optimist," said Fishlegs. "I'm a yak bladder half full kinda guy."
"I don't mean to burst your yak bladder, but has anyone considered what we're gonna do if we actually find this Razor Whip?" asked Astrid.
"We could marry it," Tuffnut suggested with his hands clasped.
"What?" some of the dragons growled in disbelief.
"And what if Dagur's riding it?" asked Astrid.
"Well then Ruffnut can have him," Tuffnut replied gloomily. "I admit, it will be complicated, but I will one day learn to love him as my own."
"Um, Tuffnut?" Astrid began.
"Like a little babe, a child I carry in my arms, but he's too heavy," Tuffnut went on.
Deathshriek looked up at Grim. "Remember when I said I stopped worrying about the twins? I take it back."
"Guys, look! Smoke!" Hiccup cried.
Grim looked forward and a thin ribbon of smoke coming from the island.
"A campfire!" Astrid added.
"This dragon builds campfires?' asked Tuffnut.
Stormfly and Deathshriek flew closer to Toothless.
"Give me the Twins-Serve-A-Purpose speech again quickly," Astrid asked of Hiccup.
"Yeah!" exclaimed Tuffnut. "I never heard that! I only heard the Twins-Are-Mutton-Heads speech, which is also very good."
Hiccup, Grim, and Astrid exchanged looks before Hiccup simply groaned.
"Okay, or you don't have to," said Tuffnut.
They landed at a campsite. The fire had been extinguished in hurry, as there was still smoke coming from it. All around were weapons in barrels and other valuables.
"Could be the loot from the ship," Astrid observed.
Hiccup pointed to a rock with claw marks. "And these gashes look familiar. All right, gang, let's split up and search the island for our rogue rider and his Razor Whip. He can't be far away."
A few of the riders took off.
"Fishlegs, you and Meatlug stay here," Hiccup ordered. "Signal if they come back."
"You got it," Fishlegs said with a casual salute.
Toothless and Deathshriek took off after the others. They split up, each taking a different section of the island.
Invisible, Grim and Deathshriek scoured their portion of the island. They were near silent in the air.
Grim leaned forward so he was close to Deathshriek's ear. "They can't have gone far. The campfire was still smoldering."
Deathshriek grunted in agreement.
Grim hummed in thought. He shifted his weight and urged Deathshriek to ascend.
"Grim?"
"I have a hunch," Grim explained.
Deathshriek gave a dragon smile and climbed faster. Once they were high enough, they looked down at the island.
"The camp was over there," Grim said, looking in the direction. "The rider would have seen us coming and tried to douse the fire and flee." He went quiet.
"Where are the others?" Deathshriek suddenly asked. "We should see someone in the air as high as we are. I don't see Hookfang or Barf and Belch."
Grim looked around, too. "You're right. Something's wrong. We need to find them." He leaned forward and Deathshriek started to dive.
"Toothless, watch out!" Grim heard Hiccup yell in distress.
"That way, Deathshriek!" He turned hard to the left.
They heard the shriek of Toothless's plasma blasts. They were in a ravine, the Razor Whip and rider in front trying to lose Hiccup and Toothless.
Grim steered Deathshriek above them and lifted himself up. Deathshriek turned so they would intercept the Razor Whip.
"Now!"
Grim leapt off of Deathshriek and tackled the rider. Deathshriek hit the Razor Whip broadside and they all tumbled to the bottom of the ravine. They were all stunned, but Grim and Deathshriek recovered first. Deathshriek pounced on the Razor Whip's neck and pinned it, snarling in dominance. Grim grabbed the rider and pulled them to their feet, dragon claws extended and held at their throat.
Toothless landed.
"Good work, Grim! Let's see who our rogue rider is," said Hiccup.
Grim grabbed the hood of the rider and pulled it back. A thick black braid fell out. He yanked down their mask.
Hiccup stared in surprise. "Heather?"
The angry riders gathered around Heather.
"You rolled me into a river!" Snotlout yelled.
"You trapped me in a cave!" Astrid shouted.
"You left me dangling in a tree!" Fishlegs cried.
Astrid added, "And I have to admit, the chicken move? That brought back some memories."
"Guys, now I'm sure Heather has a really good reason for doing what she did. Right?" Hiccup asked, looking at her
"Look," said Heather, "I've been living on my own out here for years and I made more than a few enemies. I didn't want you guys to be involved. I needed to send you back to Berk."
"You couldn't have just, I don't know, said that?" Snotlout asked.
"Would you have listened?" she asked.
"She does have a point," said Astrid. "We're pretty stubborn group."
"I don't listen to anyone!" said Snotlout.
"Heather, whatever problems you have, whatever enemies you've made, we can help," said Hiccup. "You don't have to be out here alone anymore."
"Hiccup, please, just let this go," Heather pleaded.
"We have a base not far from here," said Hiccup. "Why don't you come back with us? Nothing permanent. We'll get you some provisions and catch up. You can see how you like it."
Ruffnut pulled an unconscious Tuffnut up against a tree.
Tuffnut started to come around. The Razor Whip was nose to nose with him. "Whoa. Razor Whip. This is the best dream ever. It's like I can reach out and touch it." He reached out and petted its nose. "I can reach out and touch it!" He got up and started touching the dragon. "Mmm. Cold, scaly. I, Tuffnut Thorston, take thee, Razor Whip, whatever your last name is, insert here, to be my . . . Oh, hey, Heather. And what are you doing in my dream? At my wedding. I didn't put you on my list." He put his hand on her shoulder.
"You're not dreaming, Tuff," said Heather.
"Oh." He looked at dragon. "Well, in that case, Razor Whip attack! Run!" He sprinted off.
Heather turned to Hiccup. "I see nothing has changed."
"Yeah, same story, different year," agreed Hiccup. He looked at Grim. "Well, almost. Let's head over to Dragon's Edge."
"You're not gonna give up, are you?" Heather asked with a smile.
"Not likely," replied Hiccup.
"Okay. Dragon's Edge it is," she said.
Hiccup jumped up on Toothless. "You're gonna love it!"
They went back to the clubhouse.
"Wait, where did you find her?" Tuffnut asked.
"More importantly, can we ride it?" Ruffnut asked, looking at the Razor Whip.
Snotlout got close to Heather. "Did you miss me? I think you did. That's why you threw that tree at me, isn't it? Playing hard to get. Me likey."
Heather and Astrid tripped him and he fell to the ground. They fist bumped and Snotlout groaned.
"Never mind him," said Fishlegs. "How did you train a Razor Whip? It's incredible!"
"Actually, I owe a lot to you guys," said Heather.
"To us?" asked Astrid.
Snotlout picked himself up and straightened his helmet. He put his hands on his hips. "To me. She meant to me," he bragged. "I mean how much more obvious can she be? Ah, women. I totally understand them."
The Razor Whip's tail snapped out and knocked Snotlout down again.
"Okay, great, check you later," Snotlout said from the floor.
The Razor Whip cooed.
"When I found Windshear -," Heather began.
"Awesome name!" Tuffnut interrupted. "I bet you ride like the wind, sheering through it! Get it? I used both of the words in his name to explain why he's called that!"
The others rolled their eyes, an "Oh, gods," coming from Hiccup.
"Anyway, when I found her, she had been hurt in a fight with a Typhoomerang," Heather went on. "Windshear held her own. Didn't you, girl?" She hugged the dragon's muzzle. "But she needed to be nursed back to health and when she was better, I used the training you guys taught me back on Berk. We've become the perfect team. We're unstoppable. I mean, look at her. No one can take us down. And if they try, they'll be sorry for it!"
"Ha, I guess she's pretty cool, but not as cool as this," said Snotlout. "Hookfang, flame up!"
Hookfang jumped up and set himself on fire.
"That's cute," said Heather. "Windshear, tail slice!"
Windshear's tail struck out and poked a bunch of holes in the floor around Snotlout.
"Heh, what's so great about -." Snotlout screamed as he fell through the new hole. He managed to grab a beam instead of falling to the ground below. "Okay, we'll call it a draw."
"Whoa-ho-ho," chuckled Fishlegs. "What else can she do?"
"Windshear's breath can burn the flesh off a human from a hundred feet away," Heather replied.
Snotlout's hand appeared. "You gonna get me out of here?" He was ignored.
"One single blade of her tail is as deadly as the sharpest battle axe," Heather went on.
Snotlout pulled himself up only to yip and fall again when he saw Windshear's spines in front of his face.
The twins ran over to check out Windshear and ask more questions about her from Heather.
"Great having Heather back," Astrid said to Hiccup. "She's so much more . . . intense! Hardcore! I love it!"
"Yeah, yeah," said Hiccup unenthusiastically. "It's great. She's, uh, definitely grown up since the last time we saw her."
"Hiccup, it's been three years," Astrid pointed out. "We were just kids. We've all grown up."
"Yeah, but she was so sweet and she's so . . . I don't know," said Hiccup.
"Edgy? What's wrong with that?" asked Astrid. "I like it."
"Astrid, there's edgy and then there's destroying ships," Hiccup told her. "Which I still need to ask her about."
"Well, do me a favor and wait until after I ask her about her battle axe? I want her to show me how to make one for myself."
Heather was showing off her double ended battle axe to the twins. The twins grabbed their swords and started sparring with her. Ruffnut ended up on the ground and Tuffnut's sword was broken.
"See?" asked Astrid, drawing her sword. "Hardcore." She charged with a battle cry.
Hiccup leaned against Toothless. "I don't suppose you want to talk to her, do you, bud?"
Toothless charged, knocking Hiccup to the ground.
"Yeah, thanks, again, for everything," Hiccup said flatly.
A hand appeared in Hiccup's vision. Grim stood above him to help him up.
"You've been quiet," said Hiccup.
Grim pulled Hiccup to his feet. "I thought it best to stay back and watch. I really don't have much to say. This is the first I've met Heather."
"And your thoughts?" asked Hiccup.
Grim thought before answering. "'Intense' is certainly a word to apply to her, but I have another for her."
"And that is?"
"Arrogant. There is being confident in one's abilities and there is arrogance," said Grim.
"Isn't that a little harsh?" asked Hiccup.
"I was the same once," said Grim. "I learned from my mistakes."
It was late in the afternoon and Heather and Windshear were at the stables. Hiccup and Grim walked up to them.
"Eat up, girl. You're gonna need all your strength for what we've got coming," they heard her say quietly. She petted Windshear's chin.
"Heather, uh, we should probably talk," said Hiccup.
"Sure. About what?" she asked.
"About the ship, the one that you and Windshear destroyed."
"Oh. That ship."
"Heather, what are you doing out there?" Hiccup asked.
Heather finally looked over her shoulder. "I'm just taking care of business, Hiccup. Nothing you need to worry about."
"Yeah, but I do worry about it, Heather," said Hiccup. "If dragons are attacking ships, I worry."
She turned around and crossed her arms. "Look, Hiccup, a lot has happened in the last few years. We're not kids anymore. Everything's changed."
"This isn't you, it can't be," argued Hiccup.
"It is now," said Heather. "The last time you saw me, you . . . never mind. If you want me to leave -."
"I didn't say that," said Hiccup. "Whatever it is you're going through, we can help. All of us. There's always another way."
"You're so sweet." Heather hugged Hiccup. "Thank you, Hiccup. You've always been a great friend to me."
Hiccup sighed.
Heather pulled away. "So, you never did introduce me to dark and brooding here." She motioned to Grim.
"Oh, right. This is Grim Frosti," said Hiccup. "He joined us soon after you left."
"Grim, huh? Sounds very . . . intimidating," said Heather. "Though I do have a hard time believing that a good-looking guy like you can look scary."
Grim gave a little knowing smile. "I have been told I can be quite terrifying when the situation calls for it."
"You have no idea," said Hiccup.
"So how did you meet Hiccup?" she asked.
"We were both captured by the Outcasts," said Grim.
"Grim planned a mass dragon breakout," said Hiccup.
"And Deathshriek and I have been staying with them ever since," Grim went on.
"Grim and Deathshriek have been very helpful with learning about the different types of dragons," added Hiccup. "I'm not sure where we would be without him."
"You sound like quite the asset to the team," said Heather. "Maybe we could trade stories some time."
"Yes, some time," Grim agreed.
Late at night, Heather slipped into the stables and locked up the dragons in their stalls. "Sorry, guys. Nothing personal." She mounted Windshear and flew off. She failed to notice the black form hanging from the roof of the stables.
Toothless opened his wings to reveal Hiccup standing on his front paws. They dropped, turning so Toothless was on his feet and Hiccup landed in the saddle. Grim and Deathshriek became visible, standing at the edge of the stable's platform.
Hiccup patted Toothless. "Okay, bud. Let's get some answers."
They flew after Heather.
The moon was bright and Windshear was reflective, making them easy to follow. They flew for some time before Heather had Windshear land on the stern of a boat offshore of an island. Toothless stayed at the island, landing and gripping onto the side of a cliff. Deathshriek did the same.
Hiccup took out his spyglass and tried to see what was happening on the boat. "Come on, come on, just turn around." He could see Heather with her hood and cowl up, but not the person she was talking to. "Let me see your face."
And as if they heard, the person turned around to unroll the scroll he had taken from his belt.
"Okay. This is getting strange," said Hiccup.
Grim took the spyglass from him to see for himself. He was just as surprised.
Johann.
Heather jumped back onto Windshear and took off, flying right at the brothers.
"Toothless!"
"Hide!" Toothless hid around the cliff.
Grim and Deathshriek flickered out of sight.
Heather and Windshear flew by without seeing them.
"Okay, Johann, let's see what we can get out of you," said Hiccup.
The brothers flew down to Johann's boat.
Johann sat at a table, rubbing his hands together nervously. "I'm sorry, Master Hiccup, but I've been sworn to secrecy. The chief of the Head Hunting Asmat tribe of Papua New Guinea couldn't part these lips."
Hiccup slammed his hands on the table and got in Johann's face. "Really? How about Stoick the Vast of the Hooligan tribe from Berk? Do you know what trade sanctions are, Johann?"
"Two words that should never be used in the same sentence?" Johann retorted smartly.
Toothless growled angrily in Johann's face.
"Right then! Where shall I begin?" Johann asked brightly.
Hiccup sat down across from Johann. "Let's start with why Heather is out attacking ships all by herself."
"I suppose it would have something to do with her entire village, including her own family, being decimated by a rather nasty group of undesirables," Johann answered, eying Toothless as the Night Fury paced behind him. "She's made it her personal mission to avenge her island and her family."
"By sinking and looting ships?"
Toothless put his face in Johann's. "You better tell," he growled.
"She's not looting," said Johann, putting his hands up to block Toothless from touching his face. "She's redistributing back to the victims of those horrible crimes. Every thieving ship Heather attacks means they will get back some of what they lost. Of course, lost loved ones can never be replaced."
"But why? Why now? Why her?" Hiccup asked now getting in Johann's face.
"Many whys, Master Hiccup, none of which I can address at this very moment," said Johann.
Hiccup let his head drop to the table. "Johann, why do we do this?"
"Sorry?"
Hiccup looked at him. "You know you're going to tell me. I know you're going to tell me. So why not save us all the trouble and just . . ."
Toothless leaned in. "Tell us," he threatened.
"I suppose you do have a point," said Johann. "Picture if you will, a brilliant sunny day on the emerald isle of Karantha, when I received a mysterious correspondence from a little boy – yet again they're all -."
Hiccup was at his breaking point, but Grim snapped before him.
A blue and black gloved fist slammed on the table, rattling everything on it. "Johann! Where is Heather going?" Moonlight only intensified the anger of Grim's expression.
Deathshriek gave a loud hiss and Toothless bared his teeth.
Johann gulped. "It's merely not where she's going, Master Grim. It's who she's going after."
Grim moved his fist from the table, wood having cracked and splintered. Grim's voice came out as a controlled whisper. "And Trader Johann, pray tell, who is Heather going after?"
Toothless and Deathshriek flew as fast as they could, dawn breaking and getting brighter.
"This is bad," said Hiccup. "If Heather finds Dagur before we find her . . ."
"Arrogant," Grim said tightly. He had been silent since they left Johann.
A dragon roar sounded across the ocean.
Grim's head jerked up. "Distress call!"
"Let's go!"
They didn't have to go far before seeing the source of the distress call. Windshear was desperately trying to stay in the air even as heavy chains from the boats surrounding them tried to pull them down. Heather was pinned to Windshear's neck, struggling to get free. One of the boats had the Berserker crest on its sails.
"Heather!" shouted Hiccup. "We have to save her!"
Toothless and Deathshriek flew lower to attack. Both dragons let out howls. Below, Grim saw Dagur on the ship with the crest.
"Well look who the dragon flew in!" Dagur said. "Glad you could join us, brother! It wouldn't feel like a family reunion without you! Now, take out that Night Fury!" he shrieked.
Bolas were thrown at them.
"Blast the chains, Toothless, now!" Hiccup ordered.
Toothless fired at the chains holding Windshear. The plasma blast hit, but didn't do anything.
"Dragon proof chains?" He had Toothless circle around.
Dagur laughed. "Nice try, Hiccup. You didn't think I'd make it that easy for you, did you?"
Toothless hovered and Hiccup planned their next move. A bola came flying in their direction and Hiccup had to lean back.
"Whoa! That was too close! Come on, bud!"
They flew in between the ships, making it harder for the Berserkers to hit them. Deathshriek flew in between them and caught up to Toothless.
"The chains may be dragon proof, but what about what they are attached to?" Grim suggested.
Dagur was staring up at Windshear and Heather as the chains were wound up. "Come to Dagur."
"Fire!" ordered Hiccup.
Toothless and Deathshriek started firing at the winches. They were easily destroyed and the chains loosened. Windshear and Heather were free.
On the one ship, Dagur and another Berserker stared at the hole where a winch had been.
Dagur cleared his throat. "Excuse me. What good are dragon proof chains without dragon proof winches?" He shoved the Berseker into the hole.
Windshear whipped around to confront the Berserkers, but Toothless flew in front of her.
"Heather, you can't take on Dagur and his fleet all by yourself," Hiccup told her.
"I'm not by myself. I have Windshear!"
A bola came flying at them, but a blast of blue fire destroyed it.
Heather turned Windshear and came around for an attack on the ships. "I'm too close! I might not get this chance again!"
"But this is suicide!" Hiccup told her.
"I'm willing to do whatever it takes," Heather growled.
Deathshriek caught up to them, flying on the opposite side of Windshear.
Grim glared at her. "And what about Windshear? Are you willing to sacrifice your partner? Or is she only a tool to satisfy your whims?"
Windshear crooned.
Heather hung her head.
"Heather, there will be another time, I promise you," said Hiccup.
Heather growled, but turned Windshear away from the ships.
The three dragons and their riders flew off and back to the Edge.
The flight back was quiet for the first part. Toothless flew on ones side of Windshear and Deathshriek on the other.
"Blasting the winches," Heather said, breaking the silence. "Pretty smart."
Hiccup chuckled. "Yeah, and a little luck never hurts either."
Heather's smile dropped.
"We talked to Johann," Hiccup told her. "He told us Dagur wiped out your village. And your family. I'm sorry."
"Then you know why he has to pay," said Heather.
"I do," said Hiccup. "But you don't have to do this alone."
"I don't know," said Heather. "Seems like I'm destined to be alone. First when I was a little girl, I get separated from my birth family."
"Your birth family?" Hiccup repeated.
"Yes, but I don't remember much," said Heather. "It was so long ago, just a few pictures in my mind. I remember my father's hands. They were rough like sandstone, but so gentle. And I remember the smell of his wooden shield. I don't think I was supposed to play with it, but he let me anyway. And this." She pulled out a carved horn. "He gave me this horn. I don't know if it's supposed to mean something, but whenever I look at it I think of him. I just wish I knew who he was."
They returned to the Edge. Windshear was cornered by the other dragons. Meatlug was roaring angrily while Barf and Belch came up behind her, breathing gas and sparking.
"Enough," said Grim, walking by to go into the clubhouse. "Do not blame Windshear for what her rider did." He gave a nod to the stunned dragon and kept walking.
"You heard Grim! Leave her alone!" Toothless roared.
The other dragons left her alone. Toothless went over and nuzzled her.
"Sorry about them."
"Thanks," said Windshear. "The human speaks like us?"
Toothless bobbed his head.
Inside the clubhouse, Heather was trying to explain herself.
"Look, I'm sorry I locked up your dragons. I just didn't trust that you guys would let me go after Dagur."
The twins looked at each other and hummed the affirmative.
"Trust does need to be earned with people and dragons," said Fishlegs.
"Thanks for understanding, Fishlegs," said Heather.
Fishlegs shyly nodded.
"I don't really trust these guys either, Heather," Snotlout put in.
"You know we can hear you," said Astrid.
"Jealousy is an ugly quality, Astrid, but clearly I understand where it comes from."
Astrid gagged.
Hiccup walked over and put his hand on Heather. "The point is we have your back, Heather. You're one of us."
"Yeah," agreed Fishlegs. "I stocked Windshear's stable with buckets of sea slugs."
Snotlout growled at him. "And I made room for you in my hut," Snotlout told Heather.
Hiccup crossed his arms. "And I made it clear to Snotlout that you would not be staying in his hut."
Snotlout crossed his arms angrily and growled again.
"Even though you were the rogue dragon rider and you sabotaged our dragons and you snuck away in the dark of the night," said Tuffnut. He paused. "Wait a minute. Why do we like you again?"
"I'm truly sorry, Tuffnut," said Heather.
Tuffnut staggered back. "Whoa! That was . . . sincere. What am I supposed to do with that? I'm a little bit flushed and overwhelmed. Little help here? People?"
Ruffnut scoffed. "Help yourself."
"And if you need any help with Windshear –," started Fishlegs, taking a step forward.
Snotlout cut him off and getting in front of him. "Why don't I show you around the Edge? I'm basically chief."
Heather backed up a little. "Thanks, guys, really, I -."
Ruffnut closed in. "Hey, glad you're back. Your dragon rocks."
Astrid pulled Heather away. "Let's go have some girl time."
"Good idea," said Heather.
The two of them took off.
Much later, Hiccup, Grim, and their dragons were alone in the clubhouse. Grim was sitting on a stool, sharpening his dagger. Hiccup was by the fire pit table looking at a map.
Hiccup sighed heavily. "Okay." He turned around to Grim.
Grim blinked.
"I know you have something to say," said Hiccup. "So say it."
"About what? Heather?" asked Grim. He put down his dagger. "Very well. I worry about her. She is blinded by vengeance. I truly believe if we hadn't found her, she and Windshear would be dead."
"Yeah, they were really tied up in those chains," said Hiccup.
"Not just the chains," said Grim. "Even if they had figured out to shoot the winches and freed themselves, you saw how Heather acted once they were free. She was solely focused on going after Dagur. She believes she and Windshear are unstoppable. It is going to be a rude awakening for her when she finds out they are not."
"Then maybe we should find Dagur before she can," said Hiccup. "Capture him and take him back to Outcast Island. Let Alvin deal with him."
Grim hummed. "Perhaps add a stronger curse to him."
Hiccup laughed nervously. "Maybe not that."
"Just a thought," said Grim. He went back to sharpening his dagger.
Hiccup went back to the map.
Toothless sniffed around and started going through Heather's pack that she left there.
Hiccup noticed. "Hey, hey! Would you knock it off, bud, okay?"
"Toothless, leave it," Grim gently scolded.
Toothless lifted his head, the pack stuck on his face.
"Snooping will not gain her trust." Hiccup pulled the pack off. The horn fell out. Hiccup reached down and picked it up. "Huh. Wait a minute. That's Dad's chief seal."
"What?" Grim quickly stood up. "Let me see."
Engraved on the side of the horn was Stoick's chief seal.
"Why would Heather have something with Dad's seal on it?" asked Hiccup.
"I'm sure there are a number of reasons," said Grim. "But it is curious."
"Heather said she was given this by her father," said Hiccup. "If that's true who could her father be but . . ." He stared down at the horn.
Grim put his hand on Hiccup's shoulder. "Let's not jump to conclusions."
"You're right," said Hiccup. "Let's go get answers." He tucked the horn into his belt. "I'm going to Berk. You coming?"
"I'll leave a note for the others," said Grim. "If we catch a good wind, we can be there and back before nightfall."
Grim quickly scribbled a note and left it on the table. The brothers got on their dragons and flew off to Berk.
Hours later they flew over the village.
"Hiccup, Grim!" Gobber flagged them down. "From my lips to Odin's ears!"
Toothless and Deathshriek landed.
"I was just saying I could use you, Toothless, and Deathshriek's help with a pesky flock of wild Nadders that have been driving me batty."
Said Nadders hissed in disapproval.
"Yeah, you heard me," said Gobber. Quietly he added, "You lousy . . ."
"No time, Gobber," Hiccup cut in. "I need to see my dad. It's urgent."
"Oh, in that case, he's in the great hall," Gobber said. "But it's Berk's gripe day, so there may be a bit of a wait."
The riders and dragons walked off.
The Nadders hissed again.
"Uh-huh. Stinky little buggers," Gobber muttered, going off to take care of them.
There was quite the line outside of the great hall.
"We don't have time for this," Hiccup said looking at the line.
"We don't have to," said Grim. "Keep up." Grim started ascending the stairs, ignoring the protests of the villagers.
When they got to the door, Sven was complaining to Stoick.
"Dad!" Hiccup called, running in.
"Hiccup, Grim."
Hiccup held out the horn. "We really need to talk."
"Sven, if you'll excuse us, I believe I have a family matter to attend to," said Stoick.
Sven nodded, holding a lamb in his arms.
Stoick walked him to the door. "I'm sorry, everyone, but there seems to be an emergency I need to attend to. We will continue tomorrow."
The Vikings groaned and walked down the steps.
Stoick closed the door and went back to the riders. Hiccup handed him the horn. Stoick went over to the fire pit table where he could get better light. He inspected the horn.
"Where did you get this?" he asked.
"It's Heather's," Hiccup replied.
Stoick looked at him blankly.
"She's the girl who stole Stormfly a few years back," clarified Hiccup.
"Yes, Heather," said Stoick, turning back to the horn.
"Dad, that horn has your chief seal carve into it," said Hiccup.
"It does."
"Is there something you need to tell me?" Hiccup pressed.
Stoick turned around. "When a chief has a child, Hiccup, that child receives many gifts from all over. Now when you were born, I asked Gobber make the smallest axe he'd ever imagined with a handle tiny enough for a baby to grasp. I wanted you start training the moment you opened your eyes. Thought your mother was going to feed me to the boars." He laughed.
"I remember that axe," said Hiccup.
"Yeah, you used it as a paperweight," Stoick said a little harshly.
Hiccup stammered. "About the horn, Dad, Heather told me her father gave it to her, but it has your seal on it. Dad, is Heather my sister?"
Stoick sighed.
"Most likely not," said Grim. "Gifts are sent from all over to commemorate the birth. But to add the chief's seal to a gift, it would be a way to show allegiance, teach the child different marks though they wouldn't understand them in the cradle. Stoick, you would not have necessarily put your chief seal on your son's axe, would you? But you would certainly put it on a gift you would be sending to another tribe, right? Hiccup, Heather isn't your sister, but she is a chief's daughter."
"You're right, Grim," said Stoick. "And I remember who this horn was for. I gave this to Oswald the Agreeable for his newborn daughter."
"Oswald the Agreeable?" Hiccup repeated.
Realization dawned on the brothers' faces.
"Thanks, Dad! Gotta go!"
They ran out of the great hall with their dragons and flew back to the Edge.
The landed at the stables.
"It's quiet, like there's nobody here," warbled Toothless.
"Heather!" Hiccup called.
No answer.
"Guys?"
Still no answer.
"They're not here," added Toothless.
"Where did everyone go?" Hiccup asked, looking around the deserted Edge.
Toothless sniffed. "Hey, look at this."
Deathshriek and Grim walked over, seeing a map stuck to the door with a dagger. There was a place marked on it with an X and a circle.
"Hiccup," said Grim.
Hiccup walked over and looked at the map. "Oh, no." He pulled the map down. "We need to go after them."
"They could already be there," said Grim, getting on Deathshriek.
"I know," Hiccup said, getting back on Toothless. "And I don't want to think about it."
The dragons took off.
They followed the map and found Dagur's fleet of ships. Some of the riders were flying around. On Dagur's ship were Stormfly and Windshear. Astrid was standing over Dagur while Heather was on top of him with her axe at his throat. Windshear's spiked tail was raised to strike.
Toothless fired a plasma blast across it.
"Stop!" shouted Hiccup.
Toothless and Deathshriek landed on the ship. Hiccup and Grim jumped off their backs.
"Heather, stop!" Hiccup grabbed her arm.
"Move, Hiccup!" snapped Heather.
Hiccup grabbed her shoulder instead. "You don't understand!"
Heather pulled Hiccup hand off. "You told me there would be another time and this is it!"
Dagur struggled to get his hands unbound and spit out his gag. A black and blue boot came down on his chest. Grim stared down darkly at him before turning to Hiccup and Heather's argument.
Hiccup took out the horn. "You told me your father gave you this."
"He did, but what are you doing -?"
"This is my father's chief seal," Hiccup kept going.
Heather recoiled. She took the horn from him. "Stoick's seal is carved in my horn? What are you saying?"
"I'm saying years ago Stoick gave this horn to the chief of the Berserker Tribe, Oswald the Agreeable, as a gift for his newborn daughter," said Hiccup.
"But -."
"You were that newborn, Heather," Hiccup went on. "Oswald the Agreeable is your father and he is also Dagur's father."
Heather broke. "No."
Dagur looked at her and shrugged his shoulders.
"Heather, Dagur is your brother. You can't kill him," said Hiccup.
Heather turned to Astrid. "Astrid."
Astrid stammered, just in as much shock.
A boulder hit the ship and caused it to lurch. More boulders flew overhead.
Astrid ran to the side. "It's the rest of Dagur's ships!"
The other riders were trying to blast the boulders.
"Look out!" Astrid yelled.
A boulder that Hookfang deflected came right at them, hitting the water next to them. The ship swung around hard, throwing everyone off balance and stumbling.
The Berserkers put a gangplank down to cross.
Hiccup turned to Heather. "We got to go!"
Heather didn't move from where she was.
Dagur got up and broke through the ropes around his wrists. He spat the gag out. "I have to admit, you never disappoint, brother. Or maybe you're actually my uncle. Who knows in this crazy world." He laughed manically. He brought his hand across his face and his expression turned to anger. He looked at Heather.
The Berserkers were getting ready to come over.
Astrid got on Stormfly.
"Heather, come on!" called Hiccup.
"Heather, I'm the only family you've got left," said Dagur.
Toothless jumped between them. "Stay away from her."
Grim appeared at her side.
"Join me, sister! Don't fight destiny! I know you feel the Berserker blood flowing through your veins.
Heather got to her feet. She smirked at Dagur. She ran, grabbing her battle axe like she was going to attack. Instead, she jumped over Dagur and landed on Windshear.
"What are you doing?" snapped Dagur.
She glared at him before turning Windshear and taking off.
Grim smirked and took off on Deathshriek.
"Come back, sis!" called Dagur. "Heather the Unhinged has a nice ring to it! No? You'll be back and I will welcome you with open arms!" He turned to the Berserkers who joined him on the ship. "We'll have to wait on that reunion. Pity."
"Hey, Dagur!" Toothless roared and flew right at Dagur.
"What!"
Toothless's tail hit Dagur in the face and he went down.
"I really should have seen that one coming, too," he said.
The dragons fired at the ships.
"All right, gang!" shouted Hiccup. "Back to the Edge!"
Meatlug flew next to them.
"Under the circumstances, I wholeheartedly agree with that plan," said Fishlegs.
The riders gained altitude and flew back to the Edge.
Heather was packing her bags, loading up Windshear.
"Guess you're leaving again," said Astrid. "I thought you were tired of being alone."
"I am," Heather replied quietly.
"Then don't be," said Astrid. "It's safer here. You have support. And I'm here."
Heather sighed. "I know. I just have a lot I have to figure out."
Astrid handed her her battle axe. Heather took it. She got on Windshear.
"Thanks, Astrid. It was nice having a friend again."
Hiccup and Grim joined her. They gave quick nods.
"Let's go, girl," Heather said to Windshear.
Windshear took off and flew into the sunset.
"Hey, I know you guys got pretty close," said Hiccup. "I'm sorry I'm losing a friend."
Astrid put her arm around his shoulder. "But I still have you."
They watched Heather and Windshear until they flew out of sight.
I know I probably could have wrote more with the dragons and Grim and Heather interacting, but I haven't watched Race to the Edge passed its first season. I know Heather is going to pop up again in the future, so I took a chance that they'll have more time together. There are only two more episodes to write for this season and I'm leaning towards having it in one chapter instead of splitting it.
