A/N: Okay, so as it turns out I was a tad bit off with my schedule. Next time will be the battle, Pinky Promise. I started this chapter on Wednesday and finally had some time to continue working on it today. As I was working on it I figured that we needed a bit of a speech to rally the troops, some shameless shipping between our favorite couple, and a bit of a nod that this will all be recorded. So find a comfortable position and let me know if by the end you think Henry's speech would have you ready to take on the Queen.
Whiskerface: Hello yourself fine reader! I'm glad you are enjoying the story and watching Henry grow into a leader and discover his hidden skills. Hope you continue to enjoy the story.
gandalfnho: Sharpshot is a sneaky bugger isn't he. A lovely sequence it will make and there are sure to be a few injuries when dealing with the Queen.
Guest: The Storm continues to build as we get closer to the battle with the Queen. There will be plenty of questions as the world slowly finds out about the Queen and her tyrannical reign. Henry is riding a bit high right now (Pun very much intended), so he might not have thought everything through as well as he should have. This will be just a stand alone story no sequels are planned for this story.
CB73: I love the term Dragon-Cam! I just picture a bunch of adorable camera harness' on all the tiny dragons. We need Dragon-Cam! Simon is getting on about as well as you would expect with his Dragon. I have a feeling Simon will get the shock of a life-time when he sees the Queen. When they all see the Queen no one will ever forget her.
Thanks for all the lovely reviews, again sorry about the slight misdirection with my schedule. But next time I promise the battle!
Your Friendly Neighborhood Mexican ;p
(Monday, November 12th, 2018)
The village was a rush with activity. Everyone was frantically running back and forth; the saddles were given a quick once over and the platforms were sturdy enough to transport people and equipment. In addition to the saddles and platforms, a number of bows, and hundreds of arrows had been created as well. Catapults from the film had been repurposed and loaded up as well.
Some quick-thinking prop designers had come up with the idea to put the cast members in their costumes as it doubled as some light armor and would offer some protection. Donned in their 'armor' the cast attached cables and ropes to the saddles of their Dragons, which in turn were attached to the wooden platforms. They were being loaded with weapons and the catapults, as well as a few brave crew members who wanted to help in the ensuing battle.
Henry watched from high above, hovering on Toothless as everyone else gave heartfelt speeches to friends, co-workers, and the occasional loved one. It looked just like every movie he had seen before. It felt cheesy and ironic, but it was the literal calm before the storm. He laughed, so enthralled he was with the scenery he didn't hear the flapping of Nadder wings come up beside him.
"Just going to hang out up here after giving that amazing speech and getting everyone to train Dragons." Audrey quipped.
Henry felt the air leave him for a brief moment as he turned to his friend. She was in her dark blue leggings, red plated and spiked skirt, fur boots, arm wraps, metal shoulder guards, and her tunic of various shades of green and blue. Her hair was braided and held in place by a kransen. Her trusted doubled sided axe on her back, she looked more like a Valkyrie than anything else.
"Wow." Henry gasped out, his mouth being slightly gaped.
"You should close your mouth, might catch bugs up here." Audrey remarked.
He quickly closed his mouth and turned his head to avoid his blush being spotted. Audrey laughed at the boy's apparent embarrassment and flew closer to him.
"You better not be getting all nervous on me now." She jibed as she threw him a stern glance.
"M-m-me nervous? Please, we're only about to go fight a Dragon Queen the size of the village, they put a 15 year old boy in charge of the war party and I have a beautiful and deadly Valkyrie trying to pump me up." Henry said quickly.
Realizing the last thing he said he clamped his hands over his mouth and turned away from Audrey. Audrey in turn felt her own heart quicken and her eyes go wide, she had never heard such an unguarded statement from Henry before.
"Henry?" She asked softly.
Henry sighed out, realizing he had been caught. He looked down and saw everyone still saying their goodbyes and keep safe speeches. Figuring that imminent death or serious injury was at hand he decided to sod it all and go all in.
"I'm scared Audrey. Scared of the plan, scared of the Queen, scared of being hurt, scared for my dad, for Helga, the Dragons. But most of all I'm scared for you." He began.
"Me?" Audrey replied, clearly confused.
"Yes, you. I know it might seem ridiculous to be scared for you. You are fearless, have already looked death in the face and come out on top. Beauty that could only be matched by a Goddess, you don't run, you don't take any shit, and aren't afraid to give it back." Henry continued, though he turned his gaze to meet her eyes.
She was stunned into silence and if she had realized it, she would scorn herself. She had raised her had to her chest like that of a damsel in distress at Henry's heartfelt confession.
"I like you Audrey, more than I know how to express. You have been everything to me this entire time and I can't thank you enough." Henry poured out.
"This will be the most dangerous thing we have ever done, and I can't bear the thought of anything happening you. So please, if things start going seriously wrong. Promise me you'll look out for yourself, my dad, and Toothless. Please." Henry pleaded with her.
Audrey was frozen in place, moved beyond words by Henry's speech and confession. Sure, there had been fleeting moments on set where she felt something with Henry. A connection or a spark of…something. She didn't know what it was and at the time didn't care, still mad and preoccupied with the odd behavior that was being shown. The Nadder that she was on flew closer to the boy and the NightFury, sensing that a moment was taking place.
As she regained her senses, in true Audrey fashion, and with her new proximity to Henry. She punched him in the shoulder, hard.
"Really?!" Henry shouted as he rubbed his shoulder.
"I bear myself to you and I get punched. I can understand if you don't feel the same but damn." He grumbled as he rubbed his arm.
"You idiot." She whispered, as before she could stop herself. She kissed him on the cheek.
Time froze as Henry felt the warmth of her lips on his cheek. His eyes widened, his faced turned red, and his heart quickened to a blistering pace. She pulled back in an instant, but the feeling of her lips was seared onto Henry's skin.
"Just promise me nothing goes wrong." Audrey remarked and flew down to the others gathering in the center.
Henry smiled as he deafly brought his hand to this cheek. He would have loved to cherish the moment but Toothless had other ideas and let out a deep rumble that felt and sounded like he was laughing. Henry rolled his eyes and swatted the NightFury.
"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up you overgrown tadpole." Henry quipped as he directed Toothless down to others.
As Henry flew down, he heard a tiny trill come from behind him. He turned his head to see Sharpshot with his camera rig following him.
"Sharpshot did you just record all that?" Henry asked in horror.
The Terror flew up to the boy and nuzzled him greatly. Groaning out he gifted the Terror some chin scratches and watched as he flew off. Shaking his head Henry flew down and hovered just above the center of town. Everyone looked up at the faint whistle of the NightFury and saw Henry hovering above them. He looked every bit the heroic champion that everyone had heard about in myth's and seen in movies. To everyone's great surprise the boy then stood up on the back of Toothless and prepared to address them.
Thinking back on all the movies he had seen and the myth's he had read, Henry knew he needed to give one last rally to inspire the troops. Just another added pressure that they boy had taken upon himself. With a deep inhale he addressed the troops.
"Today we rid the world of a tyrannical Queen. For too long she has played with the minds of our dragons. Too long she has played with Helga's mind. Now she has her eyes set on mine!" Henry shouted, his voice carrying on the wind.
"NO LONGER! Today we face the monster that is knocking on our door! Today we bring the fight to her!" Henry shouted, his voice gaining fire and conviction. While throughout the crowd murmurs of agreement began to spread.
"She sits inside her mountain, laughing at us, thinking she is well protected. That we would not dare try and oppose her. I know that some of you may doubt the reality of my claim, how enormous this Queen truly is. Believe me, this Dragon, this monster, this Queen…is nothing short of the Harbinger of the Apocalypse." Henry explained, his voice getting low and serious. Murmurs of worry and gasps of horror filled the crowd.
"But we will show her what it means to mess with those of the modern world. Show her what it means to play with our minds and corrupt our friends. Today we show her what it means to have the world brought down around her!" Henry shouted, his voice getting louder and more confident by the moment.
"Today we are cancelling the Apocalypse!" He shouted in one last triumphant voice.
A deaf moment of silence filled the air, Henry worried that his speech had done nothing more the dissuade the minds of those he was trying to bolster, began to slump. But was stopped by the enormous uproar of the people below him. confidence swelled within him as the crowd in unison began to chant.
"DOWN WITH THE QUEEN!"
Henry caught glimpses of his father and Audrey, both were beaming with pride and joining in with the crowd. With a swell of courage, he instructed Toothless to slowly turn broadside so they could take off at the drop of a dime. Henry thought back to a gloriously epic speech in a movie he saw and figured in would fit well here too.
"Ready your weapons and load up on supplies. The Gods are watching us and tonight they dine with us!" He roared, followed by Toothless shooting a fireball into the air.
He sat down in the saddle and rocketed into the sky. The roar of the crowd grew behind him as everyone had hooked the ropes onto the Dragons and were in the air in seconds. Flying towards the greatest fight they would ever know.
A/N: So movies and Video games that I drew inspiration from for the speech; Pacific Rim, 300, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Assassin's Creed. The Queen makes her return next chapter and everyone is in for the shock of a lifetime. Please leave a review as you can I read them all.
Published 05/23/2020