Aurora, Hiccup and the other Dragon Riders were engaging the Hunters out in the open sea. They were stopping yet another shipment of dragons.
Astrid was flying right underneath two of them as a Hunter by the net at them.
"Stormfly, twirl!" Astrid yelled and they spun to avoid getting snagged by the net and then fired several spine shots down at the ships.
Hiccup landed on one of the ships and on one of the dragon-proof cages which had a Deadly Nadder trapped inside. Toothless fired a plasma blast burning through the rope freeing the Deadly Nadder.
"Let's go," said Hiccup and soon he joined Astrid. There were making their way to another ship and they saw that Snotlout and the twins were fighting over a cage Changewing.
"Let me handle this," Snotlout yelled at them.
Astrid groaned. "Come on, Stormfly."
Stormfly then fired several spines and the cage knocking off the lock and freeing the Changewing. Snotlout and the twins just looked at one another, shrugged and then took off.
They managed to free all the dragons and were making their escape, but then a chain wrapped itself around Meatlug's hindlegs. Fishlegs tried desperately to fly away from the ship as they were pulled in closer towards it.
"Come on, girl, you can do this," said Fishlegs encouragingly.
A Dragon Hunter then approached and fired two arrows straight at Astrid and Stormfly. Astrid was able to kick one aside, but the second struck her on the leg and she screamed in pain. She pulled the arrow out and placed a hand over her wound.
"A little help!" Fishlegs yelled.
Unfortunately, the Riders were too busy escorting the dragons away from the burning ships to help.
Fishlegs groaned. "Looks like we're on our own. All right, blast it, girl. Now!" Meatlug fired a lava blast at the chain, but it was dragon-proof and the pulled even closer towards the ship. "Go for the winch!"
Meatlug fired a lava blast at the winch knocking the Hunter backwards, but the winch was still intact.
Ryker chuckled evilly as he approached him. "Oh, I'm afraid the chain and winch are both dragon-proof this time."
"But that wood deck isn't," said a voice behind him.
He looked up and saw that Hiccup and Toothless were looking down at him from the mast. Toothless then fired a plasma blast that the deck and Krogen jumped aside just as the plasma blast struck the deck.
The explosion was powerful enough to free the winch from the deck and Fishlegs took this opportunity to fly away. Krogen quickly picked himself up and gave chase, but he missed grabbing fell into the ocean.
Fishlegs cheered as he and Hiccup flew away from the ships as the Hunters fired some arrows at them. Leaving behind a furious Krogen, who slammed his hand into the water.
A few hours later they were back on Berk and Hiccup approached Fishlegs.
"How's she doin'?" he asked looking at Meatlug.
"You know, her feelings are hurt," Fishlegs pointed out. "You guys were cutting it a little too close. Minor wings sprain, but she'll be fine."
Hiccup then noticed that Aurora was Astrid with walking and saw that she was limping, "Are you limping?" Hiccup asked.
"No," said Astrid firmly.
"She got shot in the leg," said Aurora..
"What?" Hiccup stared.
"A Hunter arrow was gonna hit Stormfly, so I blocked it," Astrid explained.
Hiccup stared at her in bewilderment. "With your leg?"
"It's just a fresh wound," Aurora assured. "However, I should bandage it fast, before it gets infected. Viggo! Get my medical stuff!" and Aurora helped Astrid over to her house. Hiccup then turned to the others. "All right, has anyone else been hurt recently? Who didn't tell me?" he asked.
Snotlout and the twins raise their hands, "I got a thing in my eye," said Tuffnut.
Ruffnut leaned over and looked at it. "You mean that tiny little bug?"
"Hey. That bug was on a mission. A mission to be in my eye."
"Oh, gods," Hiccup moaned.
"We all know the risks, Hiccup," said Heather.
"And let's not forget we freed a couple dozen dragons this week," said Astrid as Aurora and Zenna bandaged her leg.
Hiccup couldn't believe this was happening. "Okay, guys, new rule. From now on—"
Suddenly a Terrible Terror landed on his arm with a message strapped to his leg. Curious, Hiccup removed it and read it and the Terrible Terror blew off.
"What is it?" Tuffnut asked excitedly. "Lots of big words? You want me to take a look at that? Yeah, big words are my thing. Or should I say my thingy."
"Talk to us, Hiccup," said Astrid.
Hiccup looked up from the note. "It's from Krogen. He wants to meet."
A few minutes later, they, Stoick, Henna and Edgar were looking over a map of Krogen's meeting point. It was a small island a few miles away from Berk. "He picked a spot in the middle of nowhere," said Astrid pointing at the island which they had circled.
Snotlout laughed. "Trap. That's definitely a trap."
"Aurora, he just wants you out there alone so his men can ambush you," said Stoick.
"Probably, but Krogen will come after us, whether I meet him or not. I'm going." Aurora stated.
"Then we're going with you." Zenna stated. Her parents nodded in agreement.
Aurora soon headed to Krogen's meeting place with Zenna. Henna and Edgar. As they flew over the island they saw the lone Dragon Hunter ship.
"There's Krogen," said Edgar pointing at the centre of the island.
The island was small with very little cover which did not seem like the best place for an ambush, "No place near him for his men to hide," Henna noted.
"I very much doubt he would send the one ship just for us," said Zenna.
"He'd be easy to pick off from here," Heather pointed out.
"I'm gonna go see what wants." Aurora stated. "Keep an eye on that ship for me."
Aurora then headed down towards the island while the others patrolled in the skies keeping a close eye on him, Krogen and his ship. Aurora hovered over a familiar field of flowers, "Blue Oleander, huh?" Aurora landed and folded her wings. Aurora walked through the field of flowers and made her way over to Krogen, who was sitting on a large stone. "Alright Krogen, what do you want?" Aurora questioned.
Krogen smiled up at him. "You came. I'm surprised."
"No, you're not," said Aurora as he walked around him so he was now facing him. "Otherwise, you wouldn't be sitting in a field of flowers that are poisonous to dragons."
"And yet you seem to be immune to their effects." He then looked up at Zenna and her parents, who flew around the island. "I noticed you arrived with your friends."
"Yes... now back to my question? What do you want?" Aurora growled.
"You are a worthy opponent, Aurora." Krogen started. "Almost as good as Viggo and by the way... congrats on the relationship..."
"How do you know about my relationship?" Aurora narrowed her eyes.
"Please, I knew that you two would fall in love from day one when he looked at you in shock. I, on the other hand, don't have time for such ill-mannered relationships.." Krogen replied. "But either way..." He then placed a map on the board with a large red line across it. "I think this map might benefit you."
Krogen then got up while Aurora took the map. Krogen then looked at her, "Until we meet again, Aurora..."
Aurora and the others soon return to Berk and explained the situation to them. They all then looked over Krogen's map.
"This is a very serious-looking map," said Fishlegs.
"Yes... but why would Krogen just give it to you?" Edgar questioned.
"Probably another trick of his.." Henna grumbled.
Might be. But we won't know for sure. So, whatever he wants is going to be right on the edge of the line." She then pointed out the small island that was near the edge of the line. "Here. This is where we start."
The next morning they headed out towards the mysterious island on the map. The island was as big as Berk, but in the centre it had a volcano and judging from the smoke emanating from it was active. Henna, Edgar and Stoick came with them as well for extra protection.
"There it is," said Hiccup looking up from the map.
"There's a village in the clearing to the west," Astrid noted.
Hiccup grabbed his spyglass and saw the village, but he didn't recognize the architecture. The also appear to be a large statue of a dragon standing on two pillars right in its centre.
"Strange-looking buildings," he commented. "Not Viking or Hunter. And check out that statue." He then looked over towards Fishlegs. "Fishlegs, can you make out what kind of dragon that's supposed to be?"
He then shot his spyglass over to Fishlegs, who nearly dropped it. He then placed a design looked at the statue. It had a round body and quite a long tail. Its wings are relatively small and its heads are as big as its bodies. Its front legs are very small compared to its hind legs and they have several big, spiky lobes along their backs and tails.
"Looks like a Boulder class to me. But not one I've seen before," he said.
"I find it unusual that they would build a village at the base of an active volcano," Zenna frowned. "I'm surprised they haven't been buried in lava."
Snotlout chuckled. "Let's go ask 'em," he said and I down towards the village.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Astrid yelled. Snotlout groaned and stopped. "We don't know if they're friend or foe."
"We don't even know what the reaction to dragons will be for Dragon Riders for that matter," Zenna added.
"Let's do a little surveillance first," Edgar suggested.
"Zenna and her father have a point," said Hiccup. "We'll land over in that forest and then try to move in for a closer look."
They then flew down towards the forest and let their dragons and made their way on foot to the village. As they continued on walking Astrid approached the two of them. "That village didn't seem like much. Why wouldn't Krogen want us to find it?"
"I don't know yet," said Hiccup. "I'm just happy to be one step ahead for a change."
"How about we find out what he's hiding before we pat ourselves on the back," Zenna advised.
Snotlout then yawned and the twins turned around to look at him. Then to their bewilderment they found that he had vanished.
"Where did Snotlout go?" Tuffnut asked turning towards his sister. He then noticed that she had vanished as well. "Okay, I'm pretty sure I had a sister when we landed. Or has it merely been me in girls' clothes?"
Then something grabbed him and he vanished as well.
Fishlegs was wondering around as if he had no worries in the world and then he saw blueberry bush. "Oh, blueberries!"
He then reached out for blueberry and seconds later something grabbed him and pulled him into the bush.
Hiccup, Astrid, Zenna, Henna, Edgar, Stoick and Aurora heard the movement of the trees and only saw they were four Dragon Riders short.
"This can't be good," said Zenna.
"I… uh… I have a bad feeling," said Hiccup.
"You want a worst feeling?" said Astrid, who noticed something above them. "Look out."
They looked up and saw several masked men and women above them holding some sort of crossbow.
"Watch it!" Hiccup began. Aurora gasped and was about to spread her wings when something else snatched her, "Aurora!" Zenna gasped.
Their mysterious attackers then by their crossbows and launched several darts at them. Henna and Edgar were quick enough to grab the darts and Hiccup attempted to be diplomatic.
"We come in—"
Unfortunately he was caught short by a dart which struck him in the chest and penetrated his armor. Shortly after Zenna and the others were struck and they collapsed.
"…peace," Hiccup finished weakly before he lost consciousness.
When Hiccup regained consciousness he noticed they want in the forest any more. He then saw that he and the other Riders were bounded and placed somewhere within the village and guarded by mysterious masked figures, the same ones that attacked them.
"What the…" he said slightly confused.
"Great," Astrid groaned.
"Should have seen this coming," said Zenna.
Soon all the other Riders started to regain consciousness and they too were slightly confused.
"Who are these guys?" Snotlout asked.
"And what are they feeding our dragons?" Fishlegs asked.
They turned and saw that a man was actually feeding some sort of fruit to their dragons and they appear to be enjoying it.
"I don't know," said Hiccup. "But I think we're about to find out."
He then got to his feet and looked at them. Soon moving his way through the crowd was a man, probably a few years older than they were, with red hair that was very close to his the top of his head, with it shaven off all around. He wears a green shirt, with black shoulder pads and arm guards, green pants with black boots, and black armour like the rest of his tribe.
He started to walk around them and his eyes focus on the unblinkingly. He then approached Hiccup. "I am Throk," he said.
"Uh…" was all Hiccup could say before Throk grabbed his head and forced him down on his knees.
He then released Hiccup and then turned as did the guards. "All hail, Mala, Queen Defender of the Wing."
All then then placed her hands on the chests and bowed as a very short, blonde haired woman with pale green eyes approached them.
She had bangs parted to the right of her hair. Her outfit was very similar to the rest of her tribe with the exception of being longer and gold lining on her tunic and shoulder guards and the ends on the front had some sort of crest that resembles a dragon statue.
They all positioned themselves that they could get a better look at me could tell from her eyes that she was studying every single one of them with a cold glare. Once she stopped Throk and the rest stood up straight and turned to face them.
"So, these are the Dragon Hunters your men captured, Throk?" she said in a cold commanding voice.
"Yes, my Queen," Throk bowed.
Astrid stared at her. "Hunters? Us? You gotta be kidding."
"We do not hunt dragons," said Hiccup.
Mala narrowed her eyes at them. "Do you take me for a fool? You were sent by Krogen to attack and steal the Great Protector."
They followed her eyes towards the statue above them, clearly it was more than just a statue for them.
"You couldn't be more wrong," said Hiccup.
"Yeah, why would we steal a statue?" said Tuffnut deeply confused. "To pose like it for a long period of time?"
"Silence, girl," Mala glared.
"What? She's the girl," he said gesturing to his sister.
"A lot of people make that mistake when they first meet us," said Ruffnut.
"Look, we don't know who you are or who 'the Great Protector' is, but if your enemies of Krogen, then we have something in common."
"Exactly what the last five sent by Krogen said," said Mala.
"We don't hurt dragons. We honor and respect them."
"So you say, but you shackle them and make them do your bidding," said Mala gesturing to the saddles on their dragons.
"Those are just saddles. We ride dragons."
"Not anymore, you don't. Your dragons are now free."
The man that had been feeding their dragons then waved his arms around. "Go, fly, fly free!"
However, Toothless and the others didn't seem raring to go.
"Go! Be burdened no more," said Mala.
All seven of them just sat there refusing to leave their riders.
"See? Our dragons are loyal to us," said Astrid.
"Especially you, Hookfang," Snotlout smiled. "Way to go, buddy!"
Hookfang then took off, but the other dragons growled at him and he landed back onto the ground.
"Okay, if we're really Dragon Hunters and Flyers, then why wouldn't our dragons leave now that you've 'freed' them?" Hiccup asked. "How do you explain that?"
"Is it not obvious? They no longer think for themselves," said Mala. "But we will change that." She then leaned down and glared at Hiccup. "And you will pay for your crimes against dragons." She then turned her people. "Take them away, Throk. Prepare for a royal trial."
A few minutes later, the ten of them were in a pit sealed with iron bars and guarded by two Defenders. Astrid and Zenna were standing on the twins shoulders to get a better look at their surroundings and hopes for an escape route.
"I'll take the guard on the left," Astrid whispered.
"I'll take the one on the right," said Zenna. "The rest of you, head straight for the dragons while we hold off the others."
"Once you get in the air—"
"Just hold a second," said Hiccup. "We're not going anywhere."
Astrid looked down at him as if he was crazy. "We aren't?"
"These Defenders of the Wing clearly love dragons just like we do," said Hiccup. "And the way they fight, they could be great allies against Krogen."
"Except for the fact that they think we work for Krogen," Snotlout pointed out.
"Which is just a misunderstanding."
"That I would prefer to clear out from the backs of our dragons," said Astrid.
"If we shoot our way out of here, they'll never gonna trust us," said Hiccup.
"Actually, I'm okay with that," said Ruffnut raising her hand.
"I also second the motion," said Tuffnut raising his hand. "There is a motion, right?"
Astrid then kneed him on the head.
"Look, Kogen was willing to give up a lot to keep us away from this island," said Hiccup. "I think it's because he knows these people can help us defeat him. But first we have to earn their trust."
Astrid then jumped off Tuffnut's shoulders and stared at him. "By standing trial?"
"For being Dragon Hunters? Why not? We're innocent, aren't we?"
"Perhaps the true will set us free," said Fishlegs encouragingly.
"We can do this," said Hiccup enthusiastically. "Besides, Aurora is still out there, remember. She's the future Dragon Queen, if anyone can get them to trust us its her."
"All right, Hiccup," Astrid sighed, slightly concerned with what Zenna had said. "I hope you're right about this."
"Me too."
Soon they were all out of the pit and everyone will have gathered at the foot of the statue. Mala was sitting on a throne like chair looking down.
"You stand accused of being Dragon Hunters, subjugators of dragons," Mala began. "Do you deny this?"
Hiccup stepped forward. "Yes."
"But you admit that you bought the dragons to carry you on their backs?"
"We don't force them."
"And that used them to land secretly on our island?"
"Yes," Hiccup admitted. "But you make it sound worse than it was."
"So, you were captured by my men seeking towards our village?"
"'Sneaking' is a strong word."
"And you didn't come heavily armed?"
"Those are for self-defence."
She smiled. "Oh, so you came here expecting a fight?"
"No, you're… You're twisting my words," said Hiccup, who was starting to believe that Ragnar was right about the trial being rigged.
"Okay, that's it," said Tuffnut as he stepped forward. "Time for an expert to step in."
"No, don't!" Astrid pleaded.
"Let him go," said Ruffnut. "He knows what he's doing. He's been on trial more than anyone in Berk. Of course, he's also been convicted more than anyone in Berk. But who cares."
"Well, we're dead," said Zenna.
"Yep. " Henna, Edgar and Stoick stated in agreement.
"Tuffnut Thorston, attorney at things," said Tuffnut as he stood alongside Hiccup.
"Tuffnut," Hiccup warned.
Tuffnut ignored him. "For the defence, your Queen-ness." Mala just smiled, no doubt predicting that were about to go bad for them. "Did we seek your island? Perhaps. Did I eat a coconut?"
"Maybe," Ruffnut called.
"But since when is sneaking around on someone else's property without permission a trespass?" Tuffnut continued.
"For the record, this person does not represent me," said Hiccup.
"Not at all," Ruffnut called.
"And maybe we do make the dragons do whatever we say and we go wherever we go and want to do, where ever we want and carry us on their backs and we obviously keep them in cages and…" Hiccup and the other Riders, minus Ruffnut, who was smiling, knew they were about to be executed. "But does that mean that we 'subjugate' them?"
"Subjugate then we do not," Ruffnut called.
"Yeah, that's kind of what it means," said Astrid.
"It does?" Tuffnut blinked. "That's terrible. Why do we do that?"
"Tuff, I'm begging you. Enough," Hiccup pleaded.
"And take your leader, Hiccup Haddock the Third," Tuffnut continued.
Ruffnut blinked. "There's three of 'em."
"A man who shot down Toothless and crippled him so that he could only fly with Hiccup, subjugating him…" The other Riders notice that the Defenders were starting to get angry and Mala was clenching her fists. Hiccup just faceplamed himself. "Did I use 'subjugating' right? I rest my case, Your Honour."
"Oh, there it is," Hiccup groaned.
"Oh, yeah," said Tuffnut made his way back to the others.
Hiccup then looked at Mala in an effort to explain the situation. "Look, until a few years ago we fought dragons. But since then, we've learned to live in harmony with them. And yes, we ride them, because they allow us to. But the most important thing for you to know about us is that we hate the Dragon Hunters and everything they stand for."
There was a lot of chatter among the Defenders and it looked as if they got the crowd on their side.
Mala then got to her feet. "We are most moved by your sincerity and passion, Hiccup Haddock. Just one question. If you despise Krogen as you say, why are you hold a map written in his hand and carrying his signature?" she asked holding out Krogen's map for all to see.
"Just great," Zenna groaned.
"I find you all guilty," said Mala. "And I sentence you to the same fate that befalls all Dragon Hunters, the Nest!"
The Defenders cheered at the top of their voices. But then..
"WAIT...!"
Aurora came flying down on the back of a Razorwhip dragon and landed in front of Hiccup, "Who are you?" Mala asked.
"I-I'm Aurora and my friends and I are not your enemies." Aurora stated.
"Oh yeah, then why does your friend have a map that belongs to Krogen?" Mala challenged.
"He gave that map to me, saying it would 'benefit' me and by that he probably means he might try to steal what ever dragon is on this island..." Aurora stated.
Mala and Thork looked at each other, "And how do we know you're not a Dragon Hunter or Flyer?" Then little happy chirps were heard and the group looked and saw a familiar family of Furies and a Titan Wing Dramillion heading towards them. "Midnight, Snow, Pouncer, Dart, Ruffrunner, Winter, Snowheart, Crystal, Midnight, Eclipse, Luna, Shadow..!" Aurora called with joy.
The group landed around her and Shadow cooed, nuzzling her with glee. Mala and the Defenders were shocked.
"A Titan Wing Dramillion and a family of Night Furies?" Mala questioned.
"Technically, only Midnight, Eclipse, Luna and Moon are Night Furies. Snow, Snowheart, Crystal and Winter are Light Furies, a close relative to the Night Fury and Pouncer, Dart and Ruffrunner are Night Lights, the hybrid offspring of Midnight and Snow." Aurora explained, surprising the Defenders, Mala and Throk.
"How did you come across these dragons?" Mala asked.
"Well... with Shadow... he saved me when I was taken by dragons for protection and he raised me ever since then." Aurora started. "For Midnight and Snow, I rescued them from Hunters along with Moon, Eclipse, Luna, Winter, Snowheart and Crystal as eggs.
Pouncer, Dart and Ruffrunner were born from Midnight and Snow. I rescued many, many other dragons from Hunters over the years along with Shadow." Aurora explained proudly.
Mala and Throk looked at each other, "And how can we believe you?"
"You better believe her, she's the future Dragon Queen." Tuffnut stated, shocking the Defneders.
"Future Dragon Queen! I thought that was just a myth.." Throk stated.
"Well..." Aurora said as she showed everyone her wings and tail, "It's a fact... hehe..." Shadow cooed at her and nuzzled her face and Aurora rubbed him. "Hmmm... your bond with your dragons is a strong one, Aurora, I'll admit it." Mala stated. "And if you say that you were raised by your dragons, I have no reason to doubt you.. release her friends."
The Defenders nodded before they released Zenna and all the others.
Pouncer and Dart chirped at Mala and Thork, curious at the two. "Hmm... they are cute.." Throk stated with a grin.
"So what dragon would Krogen want to steal from this island...?" Astrid wondered before Midnight and Snow perked up and growled, "What is it?" Aurora asked. Midnight roared at the other dragons and they roared before they followed Midnight and Snow in the sky.
"It must be Krogen, come on!" Aurora exclaimed before she and Shadow flew into the air and the Riders and Defenders followed after them.
They came to the beach and could see a ship sailing away.. with a large Eruptodon on it! "Our Protector!" Mala exclaimed.
"Aurora and her dragons will get it." Astrid stated.
Aurora flew down and fired a plasma blast on the deck, sending some hunters over board. Krogen growled, seeing that Aurora caught him "Fire!"
The Hunters fired nets but the dragons dodged them with ease and blasted the decks. Shadow landed on the deck and fired a magnesium blast at the chains, freeing the Eruptodon. Aurora landed on the deck too. "Alright you, let's get you home.." Aurora then carried the large dragon from the boat to the beach, "Ugh... guh... wow you're heavy... ugh...!" When Aurora placed the dragon on the beach, she flopped to the ground.
"Note to self: NEVER carry an Eruptodon dragon.." she grumbled. The Eruptodon roared as Throk came up to her and rubbed her. "There we go, girl.. its alright..."
Zenna and her parents helped Aurora stand up, "Thank you Aurora." Mala said with a proud smile.
"Your welcome, Queen Mala.." Aurora said
"Please, just Mala.."
Aurora smiled at Mala and the Defenders.
Later that day, Mala addressed the Defenders with Aurora, Shadow and the Fury Family by her side. "It is a good day, a day we shall always remember. The Great Protector has been returned, the village's is safe once more, and the Defenders of the Wing have new allies in our fight against Krogen and the Dragon Hunters and Flyers. Aurora and the Dragon Riders," she said gesturing to the group.
The Defenders cheered and waved at the Dragon Riders, who waved back. Pouncer and Ruffrunner chirped happily before they played in the sand... drawing an image of Mala.
"Haha.. aww.. they drew you.." Astrid cooed at their drawing of her.
Mala couldn't help but chuckle, "They're very unique dragons." Pouncer and Ruffrunner chirped with smiles. "Yes they are.." Aurora grinned at the group.
In the distance, the Sentinel dragon watched with a proud grin, "Well done, Aurora... you will be a great Queen one day... I know it..." the Sentinel said before she flew off into the sky.