A/N: Alright here we go, this was supposed to be last week's chapter but like I said I got distracted by Helga and what I could do with her. Now we see the results of a more enraged Nadder and the consequences of Henry/Hiccup's strange behavior and all of the accidents that have plagued production. Lots of double meaning in this chapter plus a new point of view that I think will add a bit of depth to this world. Hope you all enjoy!
httydastrid4ever: NOT THE TEA! But yeah, that was my plan with Helga and should give you an idea about how powerful this outside force is if it can control Helga. I will leave you to think about what that force is. Careful with that tea now don't want you getting burned.
gandalfnho: Poor Helga, she is just as much a victim in this as Henry is to all these accidents.
Guest: I'm sorry for not getting to your review last chapter, thought I got to them all. As for who is controlling our poor Helga... Well there is a certain big and mean dragon we have yet to see that we know has some control over others. As for why it wants Henry dead... Well it lost the Nightfury cause him.
CB73: The Nadder's new orders will give the scene an added danger effect I think and make the reactions afterwards more warranted. One cast member in particular reaches a breaking point and nobody can really blame them. This mysterious force certainly put things into motion and now there is a price that must be paid.
Whiskerface: I enjoyed making the difference between Stoick and Steven. I like seeing a supportive father rather than just a distant one. Sharpshot is one of my favorite things about this story and he will be seen around more. Helga was so much fun to write and I have enjoy the arc that I have created for her. Everyone is at a crossroads and soon the consequences are starting to play out. Glad you are enjoying the story!
Hope you all enjoy the chapter and thank you for the lovely reviews. Now there are a lot of POV changes in this chapter, try not to overthink them to hard as I do make them obvious without marking them. If it is too confusing, let me know and I will go back and mark them for future readers.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Mexican ;p
(Wednesday, October 17th, 2018)
"Today is all about ATTACK!" Gobber cried out over the holding pens.
The young Vikings were scrambling in and out of the massive wooden maze that had been constructed. Trying to make sharp cuts and sudden stops in order to avoid the Deadly Nadder. The rain fall from the past few days was making it difficult and already a few had tumbled to the ground.
"Nadder's are quick and light on their feet. Your job is to be quicker and lighter!" Gobber shouted out as he chuckled to himself.
The Nadder had hopped onto the top of the wooden walls and peered down into the corridors of the maze looking for its target. The dragon's eyes were pulsing, its pupils constantly dilating, and it was taking in the scents of the air trying to find a certain human. The rain fall was masking the scents, and everything was muddled together, not to mention the human it was looking for was nowhere to be seen. The dragon hopped off the wooden wall and began to stalk through the maze, determined to find the boy and quiet the voice that was ringing inside its head.
"I want him dead!" The same demonic growl shouted inside the Nadder's head.
The poor dragon shook its head trying to silence the voice. The voice took over though and it enraged the dragon and it let out a low growl and unfurled its deadly spines. Ready to strike and aimed to kill.
On the other side of the arena as the young Vikings ran past him Hiccup was looking up at Gobber trying to get some answers to a question that he had from a couple nights before.
"So, I noticed that the book didn't have anything on a NightFury. Is there another book, or a scroll? Hiccup trailed off, waiting for an answer.
"No one has ever seen a NightFury and lived to tell the tale, now git in there!" Gobber responded, bored with the conversation.
"But how would one sneak up on one, you know in theory?" Hiccup pressed.
"Hiccup! Get in there!" Gobber shouted. Clearly unamused by the questions.
Seeing that Gobber either had no answers or would not give any, Hiccup turned away and went to join the others in tracking down the Nadder. He met up with Astrid who turned to him and gave a short nod, before peering around a corner. Seeing that the Nadder was nowhere in sight both teens made their way across the corridor and to the next wall, being wary of the dragon that was on the hunt.
The Nadder heard a noise coming from one of the corridors and quickly went to investigate. Perhaps it was the human that it was supposed to find. Blurred visions of what the boy should look like flashed in its mind, a small skinny boy with piercing green eyes. No other details were shown, and it greatly enraged the dragon. The Nadder roared out and stalked down the corridor, sniffing the air trying to find what had made the noise. Suddenly something tried to run across the corridor and the Nadder, startled by the sudden movement it unleashed a storm of spines in the direction of the movement.
The sound of its spines hitting wood and metal rang through the corridors as a gasp and shout of fear and shock sounded out.
"I'm really starting to question your teaching methods!" Fishlegs shouted out as he looked down at his shield to see a number of Nadder spines embedded in it.
Gobber chuckled at the remark but otherwise said nothing. The Nadder growled and continued to stalk through the corridor trying to find its target. As the dragon prepared to round a corner a horrific odor filled its nostrils. The Nadder recoiled and tried to see what the source of the stench was. The narrows corridors of the maze were preventing it from turning its head to see and its large snout and horn didn't allow the dragon to see in front of it either.
"Remember all dragons have blind spot. So, look for it, hide in it, and when the moment is right strike!" Gobber called out.
Ruff and Tuff had accidentally stumbled into the Nadder's blind spot and were following the movements of the Nadder to stay out of the sight. Not being able to move forward or back Ruff was closer to Tuff than she would have liked and as a result was forced to take in the scent of his unwashed self.
"Oh my Gods, do you ever bathe?" Ruff gagged.
"Hey if you don't like then go find your own blind spot! Tuff shouted back as he elbowed her.
"How about I give you one!" Ruff shouted back as she headbutted him.
Before their arguing could continue the sound of the dragon chittering caught the twin's attention. Just as the dragon was about to unleash a stream of super-heated fire the twins dove out of the way. The stream of fire flew down the corridors and struck the head of Hiccup's axe, rendering it useless.
"Blind spot yes, deaf spot… not so much." Gobber commented.
The twins ran through the maze dodging the Nadder whenever they could. Hiccup had tossed away the handle of his ruined axe and continued to follow Astrid through the maze. The Nadder was getting more and more agitated and they wanted to stay out of sight until they were ready to strike.
"What's the plan?" Hiccup whispered.
"Short-term plan don't die. Long-term plan, use the maze to sneak behind the Nadder and take it out." Astrid summarized.
"Right, easy then." Hiccup drawled out.
Astrid glared back at him which had Hiccup raising his hands to show he was backing off. Nodding Astrid began to lead them through the maze, listening for the Nadder and trying to stay out of sight. As they neared another section of wall the sound of heavy breathing and footsteps caused both teens to halt their movement and wait.
The sounds grew louder as it approached their portion of the corridor. Hiccup and Astrid were frozen in place, trying to run back and get down the closest corridor was not an option, it was too far. The only choice they had was to stay and fight. Thinking quickly Astrid gave Hiccup her shield and had him duck down in front of her to provide some cover. She readied her axe to throw it at the would-be attacker.
A horn peered around the corner and caused Astrid and Hiccup to tense up, it had to be the dragon. Astrid drew her arm back and prepared, but as the horn continued to move Hiccup was the first to realize that it wasn't a Nadder horn coming around the wall. He stood up and stopped Astrid from hurling her axe down the corridor.
"Astrid wait! It's not the Nadder." Hiccup told her.
Confused as to what Hiccup was talking about, Astrid looked up to see that the horn was attached to a helmet. A helmet that belonged to Snotlout, who was grinning flirtatiously at her.
"I know I am ferocious and fierce as a dragon Astrid, but don't worry I'm all Viking and all yours." He said as he flexed his biceps.
"Not if you were the last Viking on Midgard." Astrid seethed.
"Just give it time, you will soon see how much better of a Viking I am then this dead weight you've been dragging around is." Snotlout said as he motioned to Hiccup.
Hiccup rolled his eyes, used to Snotlout's insults and just not caring anymore. Astrid and Audrey started to shake with anger, she was getting tired of Snotlout and Simon trying to put down Hiccup and Henry. She marched up to him, fully intent on giving him a piece of her mind but was stopped by Hiccup. She looked back at Hiccup who was just shaking his head telling her not to do it. Reluctantly she nodded back but turned to Snotlout and pointed her axe at him.
"When this is all over, I'm going to give you a piece of my mind." Astrid and Audrey threatened the boy.
Snotlout was as thickheaded as they come though and winked at Astrid, taking her threat as innuendo.
"I'll take whatever piece you give me." The boy whispered back.
Astrid nearly buried her axe in Snotlout's skull but the sound of the Nadder growling stole all of their attention. Noticing that it came from behind them they all knelt down and crept to the nearest corner. Astrid peered around and noticed the dragon was sniffing the air and looking down the corridors it passed, searching for them. Waiting for the dragon to look down a corridor Astrid rolled across the corridor to next section of wall and waited for the others. Hiccup was next and did his best to follow Astrid's lead, he didn't account for Snotlout wanting to mess him up.
Just as Hiccup was about to roll across the corridor himself, he felt Snotlout step on his heel which caused Hiccup to stumble forward and land flat on his back. The sound of Hiccup hitting the ground drew the Nadder's attention instantly and it sent the Nadder into a frenzy. The dragon had finally found its target and the voice was now screaming inside its head.
"I WANT HIM DEAD!"
The dragon unleashed a torrent of fire towards Hiccup who just managed to scramble out of the way. Astrid peered around the corner to see where the Nadder was only to find that it was charging down the corridor, she was about to throw her axe at the dragon when she was pushed back by the bulky form of Snotlout.
"Don't worry babe I got this!" He shouted as he tossed his hammer at the dragon.
The dragon stopped and watched as the hammer collided with the wall and nowhere near the Nadder. The dragon laughed at the boy's pathetic attempt to injure it and Astrid just glared at Snotlout who was instantly coming up with excuses.
"What? The sun was in my eyes, do you want me to block out the sun? I mean I could do that, but I don't have the time right now!" Snotlout tried to explain.
"The sun was in your eyes? It's been cloudy all-day you moron!" Astrid shouted at him as she turned to run down the corridor as the Nadder was now charging after her.
Hiccup yanked her back down the corridor and pulled them both into a dead sprint. The Nadder was now chasing after them both though strangely its eyes were narrowed and trained on Hiccup. The two rounded a corner and kept running, while the Nadder crashed into a wall causing the maze to start falling over like trees in a hurricane.
In the chaos of everything Astrid found herself running along the tops of the maze walls and Hiccup was dodging the falling sections and the Nadder down below. Unfortunately, Astrid ran out of walls to run across and was forced to jump down to ground below. In her haste however she didn't see that Hiccup was below her and in mid-fall she found herself screaming his name to get his attention.
"HICCUUUUUUP!" Astrid screamed just as she collided with the boy.
"OOOOH! Love on the battlefield." Tuff cooed from behind a section of fallen wall.
"She can do better." Ruff remarked.
Finding herself laying on Hiccup in a suggestive way Astrid quickly stood up only to see the Nadder charging at her and Hiccup. Thinking fast she went to grab her axe only to find that it was buried in Hiccup's shield. She tried to yank the weapon free but found that it would not come loose.
"Here just let me…" Hiccup tried to get but Astrid was not hearing it.
The Nadder was drawing closer, the voice in its head screaming to end the boy's life. The dragon was so focused on the boy that it didn't even register that there was another human right next to him. The dragon only realized it when it felt a surge of pain race through its jaw and the sound of splintering wood filled its ears. The dragon roared out in pain but found that the voice in its head had gone silent, as though it was never there to begin with. Trying to regain its bearings the dragon looked around and saw the destruction of the collapsed maze and the ruined weapons scattered about. It looked down to see the boy on the ground and the female with an axe in her hands and the remains of the wooden shield that had been destroyed against its skin.
Seeing that it must have had something to do with the destruction around the dragon cooed sadly. Not sure what had happened but knowing that it had been apart of it. The Nadder prided itself on always being in control and never doing anything rash or destructive, but clearly it had. The dragon walked back to its pen, not wanting to see what it had caused but wondering why it had caused such destruction in the first place. Such thoughts only caused the Nadder a headache and once it was back in its pen the dragon went to sleep trying to forget the scene just outside.
Astrid was heaving as she watched the dragon slink off back to its pen. She was scared, angry, confused, and she didn't know which one to feel more of. She turned to Hiccup who was curled up on the ground and rubbing his cheek. She had planted her foot on his face and yanked the shield off of him in order to defend them against the charging Nadder.
She wasn't sure what caused the Nadder to go berserk like that. All she knew was that she looked behind her after she rolled across the corridor and saw Hiccup land flat on his back and then all hell broke loose.
Astrid and Audrey began to meld together as she approached Hiccup and Henry. His strange behavior, his obvious lie the other night, the constant accidents, his continued pleas to forgive him, and yet he insists that he is not doing them on purpose and that she is over reacting.
Was she? Perhaps in the beginning but now, she didn't know what to think all she wanted was one day where everything went according to plan, and nothing went wrong. Apparently, that was too much to ask and her frustrations finally boiled over.
"What is wrong with you?! Are you trying to get us killed?! Can't we have just one day where nothing goes wrong? Why is it that whenever there is an accident you are close by? I get that shit happens, but this is starting to get ridiculous!" Astrid and Audrey shouted at Hiccup and Henry.
Hiccup and Henry were hurt by the accusation. He could see that Astrid and Audrey had finally reached the breaking point. He knew she was having trouble keeping it together, that the continued accidents were eating away at her and reminded her of her uncle and what happened to him. He stood up and dusted himself off and prepared to try and defend himself.
"I'm sorry. Snotlout tripped me up and caused me to fall. You think I like having all of this happen? NO, I don't! I'm getting tired of it too, but someone or something seems to think it is fun to mess with whenever they get the chance. I'm not doing this on purpose!" Hiccup and Henry defended.
"Well figure it out, because if this is a joke then it is getting old!" Both Astrid and Audrey shouted back.
She stalked off, axe still in hand and left the boy there to contemplate what her choice of words actually meant. Did she believe him, he wasn't sure if he believed himself, it didn't help that her words had some truth to them. Every time there was an accident he always seemed to be around. Sighing he went to help with cleaning up the mess that was the wooden maze. All the while hearing Snotlout and the twins make snide remarks at his inherent ability to mess things up. He didn't have long to think about anything before he heard the distinctive voice of Helga call from above, though her voice was wavering and unsure.
"Uhm… SCENE!"
A/N: Poor Henry, Poor Nadder, Poor Audrey... Poor everyone except you Simon, you are a jerk. The Nadder threw everyone for a loop this chapter with its unusual aggression and everyone paid the price. Henry is going to need a lot of help but I'm sure there is a certain black dragon that can help him out with all of this. Audrey has reached a breaking point and doesn't know what to believe anymore. These poor kids have no idea what they are in for. Be sure to leave a review, I love reading them.
(Published 2/19/2020)