Astrid had just discovered that they had been robbed just as the end of the smoke from Hiccup's last attack.
"They're getting away!" Drake yelled. "All ships, full speed! Now!"
"But sir, with all due respect we're in shallow waters. If we sail headlong into that smoke, we run the risk of hitting the reef."
"I said full speed ahead!"
"But sir!"
"Do you know what's going to happen if we let those pirates escape from us? This fortress and everybody serves here will become the laughing stock of the Marines! We'll be seen as catastrophic failures."
"We will? You really think so, Lieutenant?"
"I know so, and I'm sure that this will be the last straw for Navarone. Those bigwigs and HQ have been waiting for an excuse to shut us down once and for all! Do you understand me, sailor?"
The Marines just stood there in silence.
"So tell me, are you going to allow that to happen to Navarone?"
"No, sir!"
The Marine then reach for the transponder snail to inform all the other warships. "Attention all ships, full speed ahead! Sail through the Seagate!"
Hiccup and the others were just about to sail through the hole they made in the Seagate, and they could see the sun shining from the smoke.
"If we keep on the straight course we should be out in the open sea no time," said Hiccup.
"We can't leave yet, we need to change course," said Astrid. "Those lousy Marines stole all our gold! We have to get back to the fortress and retrieve it right now!"
"Are you nuts?" Toothless stared.
"Since when have you put the value of gold over the welfare of the crew?" Ragnar blinked.
"Yeah, we almost got killed breaking out of that place!" Snotlout pointed out.
"And here I fall we were the crazy ones?" said Tuffnut looking at his sister.
"Not to mention the most stupid," Ruffnut added.
"I'm not crazy or stupid, will be a laughingstock the pirates everywhere they discover that we got robbed by Marines," Astrid pointed out.
"Astrid we're so close to the hole we may," Hiccup pointed out.
"I know, but we are supposed to be pirates and have you ever heard of pirates leaving gold behind?" Astrid asked. "Whenever the worst thing a pirate would do?"
"Astrid, our safety is number one priority!"
Astrid just stood there, folding her arms glaring at him.
"We can easily steal gold from someone else."
Astrid just continued glaring at him.
"We're not turning around, and that's final!"
Seconds later, they turned around.
"Remind me again who the captain is?" Ragnar asked, folding his arms as he looked at Hiccup.
Snotlout and Chopper were both manning the rudder and were attempting to do a full U-turn.
"Everyone hold on!" Hiccup yelled as they grabbed hold the side of the ship.
It was miraculous that they didn't slam into the bay, though only by a few inches. Now they were heading back through the smoke in the same direction as the warships.
"That's it guys, just keep it up!" Astrid yelled.
Then they started hearing the sound of bells within the smoke, which was coming from the warships.
"Sound the alarm bell, much louder! With all this smoke it's the only way we can avoid collision with our fellowships!"
Fishlegs was listening to the bells cutely.
"Please tell me those aren't what I think they are?" Hiccup asked.
"They're alarm bells," Fishlegs confirmed. "They're used to signal your location to other ships when you're in a fog, and those sound like the coming straight towards us."
"Should we keep her in a rightward course?" Snotlout yelled.
"No left rudder full!" Fishlegs yelled much to the confusion. "If we don't we're going to crash into that big ship that's headed right for us!"
"Right, left rudder full!" said Snotlout as he and Chopper quickly pushed down on the rudder.
Everyone on the deck was slipping and sliding at the ship suddenly changed course.
"We're going to crash!" Fishlegs panicked.
Fortunately, they turned just before they collide with the warship, much to everyone's relief.
"That sure was close," said Astrid.
"How do things look ahead, is the coast clear?" Chopper asked.
Fishlegs then heard more alarm bells coming from the smoke. "Uh-oh."
"That sounds like a lot more than last time," Hiccup noted.
Astrid leaned over the side. "One… two… oh, no there's a whole flotilla of ships bearing down on us!"
"If we keep on this course were dead," said Ragnar.
Snotlout smiled confidently at his mastery of the helm. "So, which way will it be left rudder all right rudder?"
"Left quickly!" Fishlegs yelled. "If we don't we're going to get smashed to pieces!"
Snotlout and Chopper then quickly pulled down on the rudder.
"What's going on out there?" said Chopper.
"I don't know, but let's do what Fishface says," said Snotlout. "As painful it is for me to say that he is the best navigator in the world."
"I don't think that going to make it!" Fishlegs panicked.
They turned just in time to avoid another warship, but they almost collided with the second one. Thankfully Snotlout and Chopper were quick on the rudder, so they were able to avoid all the ships, though it was close.
"We… we made it," said Fishlegs. "Keep heading straight guys!"
"We can't keep sailing blind like this, it's too dangerous here," said Astrid. "We've got to get out of this smoke."
"The moment we do that they'll spot us," said Toothless.
"He's right will be sitting ducks, once we leave this smoke the warships will take aim, and that's goodbye Dragon Riders," Ragnar agreed.
"Does anyone have any better ideas?" Hiccup asked.
"I might have one," said Heather as she stepped forward. "I was able to do a little bit of research, it turns out that this port is used to station quite a lot more troops and warships than it currently does."
"Uh, what does that have to do with anything?" Ruffnut asked.
"Yeah, shouldn't we be more focused on finding a place to hide than focusing on a history lesson?" Tuffnut agreed.
Heather ignored them. "It seems this fortress has been a victim of military downsizing. As a result, many of its areas have been shut down, and there are plenty of avenues docks around the base."
She then handed Fishlegs a map, but most everyone was still rather confused by what she was getting at.
Hiccup, on the other hand, realised what she intended. "That's brilliant. Okay, gang, here's the plan. Were going to hide the Going Tiger in one of these abandoned docks."
"Yeah, and how do you expect us to find these docks in this smoke?" Snotlout asked.
"Just follow Fishlegs' orders and that map," Hiccup ordered.
While the Dragon Riders were busy trying to find an abandoned dock, Drake and his warships had reached the open sea. However, he had his Marines had no idea of the Dragon Riders had doubled back and were rather complexed with the sudden disappearance.
"What the?" Drake stared as he scanned the open horizon. "You there called the cannoneers at the Seagate! Ask if the Dragon Riders ship went through?"
"Yes, sir," said the Marine and immediately contact the cannoneers. "Seagate cannons, this is Drake's flagship calling. Have any of you spotted the Dragon Riders ship?" The cannoneers and reported back that they hadn't. "What? Sir, they say that the only ship has passed through the Seagates is ours."
"Just us?" Drake stared in bewilderment and looked back at the open sea. "Where are they? They could have snuck past the cannoneers' sight unseen and then somehow sailed beyond the horizon in such a short amount of time. No, that would be impossible."
Jonathan was in his office when Drake called informing him of the situation.
"I'm sorry, Commander, but it looks like the pirates escaped, sir," said Drake. "We lost sight of them the moment they hit the open sea. I don't know how to explain it, it's like they completely vanished into thin air."
Jonathan smiled. "Just as I thought."
"Sir?"
"Never mind, you and your men did well, Drake. Now come on back to port, I'll share with you my plan on how we're going to catch the Dragon Riders."
He then placed the receiver down on the transponder snail.
"They haven't gotten away from us just yet," he said. "Nor will they even try while we still have what they most dear in this fortress."
Major Shepherd was still being detained, much to his annoyance.
"Unhand me this instant, or you'll be court-martialed for insulting a superior officer!" he roared.
"You hear that he's going to court-martial us?"
"Drop the act."
Then several Marines rushed into the cell with frantic looks on their faces.
"You two, let that man go!"
Confused the Marines did what they were told and released Shepherd and then the other Marines immediately saluted.
"Please accept our apologies, Major."
Shepherd smirked as the two Marines that had detained him earlier released his shackles. "Finally figured out, huh? That I'm not some mangy pirate, but a Special Inspector. I'm Major Shepherd!"
Jonathan was looking down at the map of the fortress, he had a hunch that the Dragon Riders would hide in one of the abandoned docks, but there were so many it could take days finding them.
"There is Dragon Riders are probably hold up somewhere around here," he said, rubbing his beard. "Well, in that case, that the games continue. All I need to do now is sit back and wait, you'll be yourselves."
Meanwhile, some tired Marines were at the dining hall, they were utterly exhausted and hungry chasing the Dragon Riders all over the fortress.
"Man, searching for those pirates is wearing me out."
"Well, this delicious food should give us some energy and then it's back to searching."
They immediately began to chow down on the food, but they were absolutely furious when it didn't taste anywhere near as nice as the food they had before.
"Wait, this doesn't taste anything like the food from this morning."
"You're right, compared to eats we had this morning this stuff tastes like dirt."
"Hey, just what you cooked trying to pull here! Give us some of the good grub!"
The Marines then began demanding loudly at the chefs to give them the good food, the same food that Ragnar had prepared.
"Jessica, did you hear that?" said Sam looking at her. "The soldiers are complaining about the food. What do we do?"
The soup Chef then approached Jessica. "Jessica, please you have to let us use his recipes."
"No way, how dare you even suggest such a thing in this kitchen?" she said stubbornly.
"Please, hear me out. It's true that he was a pirate, but he was still an excellent cook. His food tantalised the pallets of the soldiers who ate here, isn't that the goal of each and every one of us in the kitchen?"
"The troops loved his cooking, in fact, it is further asking for right now Jessica," said Billy pleasingly.
"So what's going to be?" Tom asked. "Please, say us."
"We're begging you, Jessica," said Sam.
"Please, Jessica!" the cooks pleaded.
They then watched as Jessica made her way towards the stock board and then pinned Ragnar's recipes onto it. Upon seeing this, the cooks smiled as they realise that Jessica had finally given in.
"All right, listen up," she said with her hands on her hips. "We're going to learn how to make food just as delicious and mouthwatering as the pirate's was. But as were today we are going to swallow our pride and uses recipes to feed our troops. And you're right, he was in a pirate when he was working in this kitchen, he was a cook, and he knew the most important thing was to satisfy the people eating his food."
"Jessica!"
"What are you standing around for? We've got men to feed!"
"Yeah!" they cheered and started cooking.
Hiccup at the others meanwhile had managed to reach one of the abandoned docks and to discuss their next move.
"So what do we do now guys?" Snotlout asked.
"If you ask me, I think we should just head back to the gate and make a break for it while we still can," said Toothless.
"You got a point there," said Fishlegs. "The Marines do mean business, it's too bad that we have to leave the gold behind, but as Hiccup said, our lives are more important."
Chopper looked at Hiccup. "You are the Captain Hiccup, what's your opinion?"
"I think first we should discuss this on an empty stomach," said Hiccup. "We've been running around all day without getting a bite to eat."
"Good point," said Ragnar as he rose to his feet. "Give me a second I can whip something up."
"The storerooms look kinda empty," said Snotlout.
"There should be something left to eat around here," said Ragnar as he opened the fridge.
Hiccup then turned to Astrid. "Oka,y Astrid, this is your chance to make your case."
"First off I want to ask all of you if you think it's okay leaving this place without our gold?" Astrid asked, folding her arms.
Toothless, Snotlout, Fishlegs and Chopper all nodded while the others were looking indifferently.
"Then you should keep in mind that splitting up that loot would mean we would all have more gold then we know what to do with," said Astrid. "Just think of all the stuff we could have bought."
"I like the idea of buying stuff," said Ruffnut.
"Me too," said Tuffnut.
"What would you buy?" Chopper asked.
"I know what I would buy, a huge gold statue of myself," said Snotlout proudly.
"Really you want to trade gold for gold?" said Fishlegs rolling his eyes. "A better use of that money would be to buy some new charts."
"And I could do with some new medical books, ones that will teach me all about the latest medical procedures and operations," said Chopper excitedly.
Ragnar began doing his own calculations. "New pots, frying pans, silverware and even after all that there's still plenty left over."
"I could buy a lot of booze," said Toothless.
"Right, but I think most of that money should go to a special lady," said Astrid.
"What special lady?" Snotlout frowned.
"She saying that we need to pay for the repairs for the Going Tiger," said Hiccup.
Astrid nodded. "He's right, I think it's about time we paid her back for all she's done for us."
"Well, come to think of it the Going Tiger has carried us for a long time now hasn't she," said Snotlout rubbing his chin. "Ever since I joined up and left my village in the East Blue."
"We've had so many adventures," Fishlegs smiled. "Lots of good times and made so many memories."
"Hey, don't forget the Going Tiger was also with us when we cross that crazy Reverse Mountain and burst into the Grand Line," Toothless added.
"Don't forget about Sky Island," said Ragnar.
"Yeah, I even risked my life to save it when it was carried down to Upper Yard," said Chopper.
"Yeah, then that mysterious someone fixed the ship for us," said Snotlout. Everyone just gave him questionable looks as he was the only person to ever witness this. "I saw somebody, I swear!"
Hiccup chuckled. "When you think about it this ship has gone through a lot for us."
"Which is exactly why we need to give her some tender loving care," said Astrid.
"Good idea," said Fishlegs.
"The Going Tiger's great repair!" said the twins in unison.
"Then it settled, but since we don't know how much the repairs will be we just have to hold off dividing up the treasure before we do," said Astrid.
Ragnar then placed some food on the table. "Those goons took all the food in the storeroom, but lucky for us they didn't touch the fridge. Here, dig again."
With that everyone began to eat.
"Hiccup has been doing a good job keeping the ship afloat, but we do need someone with professional skills," said Toothless.
"Yeah, Abel did say the same thing," Snotlout agreed.
"It is time that we took the Going Tiger to a real shipyard and get some honest to good shipwrights, to give her the repairs she needs," Ragnar nodded.
"So there are people who conviction better than Hiccup?" Chopper asked.
"Yeah, sometimes when you want a job done its best to go to a professional," Fishlegs nodded.
"I agree, but I think we should take it one step further," said Hiccup. "We don't know how long our journey is going to be, and we can't always count on finding a professional shipwright on any island we come across. I think it would probably best if you could try to recruit a professional shipwright, it would save us a lot of money."
"He's got a point," said Ragnar.
"Yeah, that does sound good to me," said Snotlout.
"I just hope we can find somebody good," said Fishlegs.
"We can cross that bridge when we get to it, but before we do anything else we have to get our gold back," said Astrid.
"Well, do we have any ideas where they might have taken it?" Toothless asked.
"To a vault, I bet," said Snotlout.
"We know that but what we don't know the exact location of the said vault," said Ragnar.
"I would say here," said Heather pointed at the map on the table. "It is just a guess of course, but if I was going to high gold inside of Navarone, this multi-locked storage vault seems like it would be the ideal place."
"That does seem like the most obvious place," Astrid agreed.
"Then what are we waiting for?" said Ruffnut.
"Yeah, let's go and bust that place wide open and get our gold back," said Tuffnut.
"I hate to put a dampener on this, but what about the Going Tiger?" Fishlegs asked. "We can't just leave you here, she'll be spotted eventually."
Hiccup rubbed his chin. "I may have an idea, but I'm going to need some building materials."
"And where you expect us to get those?" Snotlout asked.
"Actually we are already in a dock where ships used to be constructed and repaired," Heather pointed out. "When we sailed in just now I can help but notice an abundance of abandoned material lying around."
"That'll do," said Hiccup.
They then work into the night in order to disguise the Going Tiger as a Navy warship. To do so, they surrounded her with wooden beams and then stuck paper all around it. Once that was done they began painting and enter it looked almost exactly like the warship, but it didn't look too convincing close-up.
"That showed just about do it," said Hiccup. "Now I'm not saying that it will fool them if they get a closer look, but in this darkness and from a distance it looks exactly like the warship."
"Go to admit, I doubt they would have a dream someone would use paper to disguise a ship," Toothless admitted.
"I don't know," said Ragnar looking concerned. "I have my doubts that it will fool anyone for very long."
"What are you talking about, it looks just like the warship," said Tuffnut.
"It sure does," said Ruffnut.
"I say that it'll do the job, now comes the hard part try to find our treasure," said Astrid.