Hey all! Here it is! The grand finale... The thing you have all been waiting for... Let the battle with the Red Death commence!

Draconic king: For your ch. 31 review: Not gonna lie, it kinda turned me on too while I was writing it...lol. This chapter was inspired by one of my favourite songs: Dare You To Scream by Cauterize, and it is supposed to have a sick sort of sexual vibe, almost as if it is some sort of sadistic sex game that ends in death. I am glad that came across to at least one person ;P Can't go wrong with a little bit of pleasurable revenge... Nevermind the fact that it likely would have kinda turned on some of the spectators too, despite their horror, which would make the whole event even more unsettling for them. Making them even more afraid of Hiccup. Not many people can make murder sexy...

For your ch. 32 review: I agree! So many stories involve the good girl bringing the bad guy back to the light side, but is that REALLY who Astrid is?.. What if the girl doesn't want to tame the beast? What if she decides that she wants to unleash her inner monster as well. You don't have to be good to do the right thing... After all, the world isn't split into good people and death eaters. We all have both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part you choose to act on ;) (unrelated note: HOLY FUCK IT'S HAPPENING!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHH!!!!)

OechsnerC: Thanks again :)

CB73: I couldn't have put it better myself. Hiccup put up with arrogance, attitude, insults, and stupidity without raising a hand in return. What he does not put up with, is abuse of power and those that prey on others for personal gain or pleasure. I feel that many woman, and plenty of men too (because most of them really are good), would definitely agree with Bertha's stance towards the punishment of Stormheart. As well as with her feelings towards Bloodheart and Hiccup. She respects his actions greatly, and now all of Berk has also gained a healthy fearful respect of the 'dark rider', because it is now pretty clear to everyone that he is not really Hiccup Haddock anymore. At least not the one they remember or thought that they knew. Thank goodness that Ruffnut and Gothi are always there to help out and put things in perspective. After this battle is over, Astrid and Hiccup are going to need to have a very long talk...

Rainnnn: Yes, there was a definite need for a dialogue chapter to clear the air between those two before they all ride off to battle. I imagine that when things slow down, they will have their talk, and Astrid will probably accept his past as she has accepted his present. Though as more and more is revealed in the second book, there will very likely be more angst to go alongside it... Yes, Stoick's part is quite sad. Hiccup has not yet revealed that he's leaving, because deep down, he's still just that little boy that is afraid of hurting or failing his father. Hiccup can't stay, but Stoick doesn't know that yet. Still, all will be clear in time.

As for Valka, there were so many times while I was writing this that I tried to fit her in. Arriving with Minden, or showing up to help with the final battle, but it just never seemed to feel right. Valka is a coward. She has run away from everything for well over 20 years and she's not about to change her mind on a whim now. In the movies, she doesn't believe Hiccup that Berk has changed, and she never intended to go back with him. She wanted him to stay with her so that they could keep running away together. It isn't until Stoick comes along and begs her back that she finally agrees, but I'm still not entirely certain that she would have followed through with that promise if Drago hadn't killed the alpha and stolen all the dragons from the nest, and Stoick hadn't fucking died! Grrr! *weeping messy angry tears*

So, in summary... No, Valka will not ride in on her dragons, help save the day, and gain some hero points in this one. She gets a few honourable mentions throughout the chapters since we saw her, but honestly, I wanted my readers to think about her as much as Hiccup does. Which, quite frankly, ranges from very rarely to not at all. The fact that she was introduced, and then pretty much forgotten about for the remainder of this story, is on purpose, as that is exactly what Hiccup has done with her.

Sorry, there's my rant for the day... She does show up a lot more in the second one, and not too far in either. She got introduced in this one because I wanted to spend the next story focusing more on Astrid's development, and the evolution of their relationship, rather than on Hiccup finding out his dead-beat mom is still alive. When she comes back into the scene, Hiccup will likely be as disinterested in her goings-on as he has been for the last 2 1/2 years since he met her. He doesn't hate her. He just can't be bothered with a mother that walked away from him. Sadly, this is roughly the same relationship I had with my own father for many years. We are better now, but at the time, I had no interest in chasing him down and forcing him to be a better father, and I can say from experience that it is going to take something drastic to turn that ship of mutual neglect around. As well as some substantial effort on Valka's part, since Hiccup was not the one that abandonned her. Although, Astrid will eventually find out about and meet Valka too. I wonder how she'll take it... Holy Thor, that was a long response! I guess ya'll know how I still feel about Valka...lol

_

Hiccup stood by Toothless in the village square early the next morning. Ilweran and Minden were also there with their dragons while Stormfly waited impatiently for Astrid. He had to give the Vikings credit. Human alcohol was not strong to him and Ilweran, as compared to the liquors and potions on Alfheim. It was more than strong enough for the humans though. Yet the troops were still up early and loading themselves onto the ships.

Suddenly Astrid threw her arms around him from behind. He had heard her coming, but pretended to act surprised anyways. He was just glad that they were talking again. She'd had him worried yesterday. Had he managed to drive her away so soon? If she was that upset at seeing him kill one person that had definitely deserved it...

Last night at the feast had soothed his nerves somewhat. Then he'd had to worry all over again once he'd watched her return home with her family. As much as he would have loved to have spent last night with her, it was for the best. She would be leaving this realm soon. In all the chaos, they hadn't told her family yet. They didn't know it, but they needed this time with her to say goodbye. He and Astrid would have eternity together, after all.

"Finally awake are you?" Hiccup asked teasingly. She huffed at him in mock scorn.

"You know that I've been up for hours. I met all of the riders at the academy and made sure their dragons were completely ready to go. They should be arriving here soon enough. Heather is going to join Eret's group as Windshear is in no shape to fly." With this she let him go and went over to greet Stormfly warmly.

After everyone was assembled, they set off. Aside from Toothless and Tintallë, all the rest of the dragons were squeezed on board the ships. Stoick's idea, since they would need to save their strength for the coming fight. Unfortunately the two bonded dragons were much too large to ride with the others. This left Hiccup and Ilweran to either glide slowly and patiently above the armada. Or scout ahead a ways before sitting and waiting for the ships to catch up. It reminded Hiccup drearily of his days marching with the Roman Army into Judea.

When they were only a few leagues out from Helheim's Gate, Hiccup alerted Ilweran to his plan. He would fly ahead and use magic to remove the mist from the area. That way the armada would have clear sailing right to the island.

"I would normally suggest keeping the cover of fog, but I think it is safe to assume that she will be expecting us. You are right. It would be better to have a clear heading instead of waiting for the queen's troops to ambush us along the way." Ilweran agreed with a thoughtful rub of his chin. "Would you like my assistance?"

"No, that is alright. Stay with the ships in case anything happens. It will not take long and it should not be very difficult for me." Ilweran grinned and nodded his understanding as Hiccup turned Toothless to leave. Astrid calling to him before he could get away. He swooped down to the ship first and quietly relayed his plan to her. Watching as the spark of excitement kindled in her eyes at the prospect of witnessing more magic.

Sighing in resignation at the slower speed, he motioned for her to come along. He should have known that she would jump at the opportunity. Honestly, he didn't reallly mind that much that they would have to fly at Stormfly's pace. He did always feel better when Astrid was with him rather than apart. Once her and Stormfly were airborne, the four of them took off towards the Gate.

*

As they arrived at the edge of the fog bank, Astrid looked around in concern. "Are you really able to get rid of this much fog with magic?" Smiling at her, Hiccup reached up and drew one of his swords from its sheath.

"Just watch" he told her, grinning slyly as he held the sword out in front of him. Then raising his voice slightly he said, "Vailë!" Astrid stared in awe as the blue line and engravings along the blade illuminated brightly with the strange blue-purple and green dancing light that she had seen once before. Just as she was about to ask him what that word meant, she felt a gust of wind whip at her hair. The gale grew steadily stronger as the mists in front of them began to shift. Suddenly melting away to reveal the jagged shards of rock protruding from the ocean that guarded the volcano at its centre.

"How in Helheim did you do that?" Astrid exclaimed as the wind died down again as suddenly as it had started. Hiccup shrugged nonchalantly as he replaced the now dark sword.

"Cala can influence certain aspects of the weather. Both of my swords can actually, just in different ways." Seeing her shock, he added, "I would prefer it if you did not mention that little morsel of information to anyone else. The abilities of my weapons are generally a closely guarded secret and this is a particularly powerful one." Astrid found herself still struggling to process what she had just seen with her own eyes. It seemed impossible.

"Umm, does Ilweran know about this little trick of yours?" She decided to ask, wondering if that's why Hiccup had left the other man behind. Instead he surprised her by nodding.

"He has seen me use the ability a few times, but he respects my friendship enough to keep it quiet. His sword bears some impressive enchantments of its own that I have kept my silence about. It is the way with riders. One day when you are ready to forge your own weapon, you will imbue it with abilities of your choosing as well." He turned in his saddle to peer at something in the distance, then swivelled back to her. "That is a conversation for another day though. The ships are approaching and we should probably return to them."

Astrid swung around on instinct, but she couldn't see anything on the horizon. Then she remembered the shocking difference between his vision and hers. Though the memory did bring back her thoughts from that day. As they flew back towards the armada she decided to ask him the question that had been burning in her mind since accompanying them in that race. She had only ever met two bonded riders, but they both had very similar features.

"Hiccup, do all bonded riders look like you and Ilweran?" He turned to her in surprise before laughing out loud at this. She couldn't see what was so funny. At her expression, Hiccup sobered immediately.

"Sorry, I just did not expect you to arrive at that conclusion so soon. I certainly did not. They had to explain it to me at headquarters and I still did not really believe it until a couple of years later. The short answer, I guess, is yes." Astrid wasn't sure how she felt about this. Hiccup, Ilweran, and Minden were all shockingly beautiful, and she had frequently caught herself trying to envision how she might look as an elf, but was she really okay with her appearance being altered by her relationship with Stormfly?

Feeling her sudden distress, Stormfly croaked softly at her. "The bond magic will change both of us, and I don't think we have a say in the matter, but it is not so bad little hatchling. I will grow bigger and stronger, just like Toothless and Tintallë, and you will grow taller and stronger as well. We will remain a perfectly matching pair of formidable warriors, you and I. Not that you aren't already perfect just the way you are, my sister. However when it does change you, you must already know that you will be so beautiful, your mate will never be able to take his eyes off of you." Astrid couldn't help a chuckle at her dragon's incredible vanity and continually mothering tone.

Despite her offspring leaving the nest every year, Stormfly had never been able to shake her mother-hen tendencies. Despite being battle sisters, Stormfly rarely referred to her as anything other than 'hatchling' or 'little one'. According to the nadder, it was because Astrid was not much bigger than a fledgling dragon herself. Now Stormfly was reassuring her about her beauty, the same way that a mother would. Astrid had always wanted a sister, and now it felt like she had suddenly acquired an overly protective older one that babied her terribly. It was absolutely adorable.

Though if Astrid was honest, she had to admit that Stormfly was right. She had actually already come to the same vain conclusion about her eventual appearance. Despite the fact that she had never much cared about her looks, Astrid was still self-aware enough to know what men thought of her. Once the elven features took over, she was confident in the fact that she would be at least as heart-stoppingly beautiful as Minden. The thought brought a slightly wistful smile to her face. Seeing her lightened mood, Hiccup continued.

"After a long enough time, the bond magic will cause you to take on a more elven appearance. It is usually a very gradual thing. As for Ilweran, he was born looking the way he does. Though he does become more elf than human with each passing year since his bonding. Soon he will be just as infertile as I am, as the immortality gradually turns every part of his body into a hostile environment in order to repel disease and decay. Ultimately freezing him in time, though he pretty much is already..."

"Wait," she cut him off suddenly. Realizing for the first time exactly what his words meant. "That means that I will become infertile too, doesn't it? It won't simply be that our bodies are incompatible to produce children together. Even once I'm an elf as well, we still won't be able to have children because I will become completely barren. Won't I?" There was no real surprise or hurt in her tone. Somehow, as she had fantasized about becoming an elf, a small part of her had already begun to suspect what the cost of it would be. The knowledge was not nearly as upsetting as it might have been before now. Still, she needed him to confirm it, just so that she knew for sure.

He met her eyes with a sympathetic look in his own. "Yes Astrid. Eventually, you will be just as frozen as I am. The Order told me that I was infertile immediately after the bonding, but thanks to Ilweran, we know that is not entirely the truth. Humans are not like the other races. We are not born immortal, so our bodies must, essentially, be converted. Over time, the bond magic and immortality together will completely rearrange your biology until you are a sterile near-elf; frozen in place with a body that destroys every foreign invader, including sperm and any potential fetus."

"True elves are simply born barren, as are the other eternal races, so they do not understand that we are different. Ilweran has never told the Order about Minden's existence, so they remain ignorant of our uniqueness in that respect. There have also been so few human Riders that there is no way of knowing how soon the infertility will take root in us. Nor is it known whether the time frame is different for men and women. As far as I know, no human riders, aside from Ilweran, have apparently ever bothered to test it in remembered history. I admit that it is not an overly pleasant thought, but it is unfortunately inevitable."

She nodded her understanding as she sighed into the breeze. Stormfly cooing softly at her. "I guess I sort of figured that out already. It's just so much worse to hear it said out loud, you know..."

He gave her an apologetic shrug before continuing. "I know, but you could probably still make beautiful babies with Ilweran right now if you want. If you ask him nicely enough, that is," he offered with a smirk. Holding his hands up in surrender at the dangerous look she gave him.

"I was kidding, Astrid! Geeze! Just trying to ease the tension of the moment..." He shot her his lopsided smirk, and she found herself biting back a laugh. "Anyways... On that awkward note, I look the way I do because of a ritual that I performed while forging my swords. It was a very unique type of magic that has never been used in such a way before, and is rarely used at all for that fact. It greatly accelerated that same transformation from human to elf."

He must have seen the question on her face, or in my mind, she thought with a jolt, quickly throwing her mental shields back up. She often forgot to shield her thoughts since it was not a skill she was used to having. He smiled benignly at her as he answered. "No, I will not tell you what that ritual was. Suffice it to say that my swords were unusually expensive. Even for legendary weapons."

For a brief moment she contemplated asking him if the sword ritual was what had given him his night fury characteristics. Then she promptly changed her mind. Thankful that she had her mental shields up now so that he would not see that particular thought. Right before a battle with a gigantic alpha dragon was not really the best time to ask your lover how he became a monster, after all. Instead, she simply rolled her eyes dramatically at him, causing him to bark out another laugh.

*

They had only been back at the ships for a short time before the armada came in sight of the rock pillars. None of the Hooligans commented on the lack of fog, likely blaming it on something to do with the queen. The first vessels had barely passed through the Gate when Hiccup caught sight of the approaching swarm. Pointing it out to Ilweran, he asked "what do you think? Are they fleeing like last time? Or are they her new welcoming party?"

Ilweran smiled grimly at him. "Well, I suppose we should probably go find out instead of waiting for them to arrive." Then he raised his voice and shouted down to the riders on the decks. "We have guests coming this way. Time to mount up." After a quick glance towards the volcano with the mass moving away from it, they all promptly sprung into action.

Hiccup swooped down by the vessel carrying his father and Gobber. "We are going to try and run them off before they can reach the ships. Do not stop. Get to the island and get everything set up. We do not have time to hesitate. She will already know that we are here." Stoick nodded resolutely and Gobber saluted him proudly before he flew off. Hopefully they would pass along the message. Then he and Ilweran took point to lead the charge against the wild dragons. Astrid and Minden would take over once they had reached the nest proper.

It soon became clear that his initial suspicions were accurate. The queen had indeed tightened her hold over her minions. They would not be fleeing this time. At least he was confident that none of the riders would deliberately hurt these dragons if they could avoid it. As the two sides met in no-man's land over the fingers of jagged stone, it was chaos. The riders tried to stay in formation, but the wild dragons attacked from all sides and greatly outnumbered them.

Breaking apart into smaller groups, those dragons with riders worked to disable those without. Clashing talons and teeth in violent air tussles over roiling ocean and stone shards. If anyone fell now, it would be to their death.

"Get them into the water!" Hiccup shouted over the growls and screeches. The riders immediately began to follow his order. He watched, pleased, as Snotlout swooped down over a wild zippleback that was about to attack one of the other riders. His usually disobedient nightmare, Hookfang grabbing the tail of the smaller dragon and pulling back before spewing a short burst of flame at its wings. The poor beast faltered as it was hit and dropped like a stone into the waiting waters below. Astrid was using Stormfly's spines and flame sparingly, preferring to startle the attackers out of the sky where possible.

Toothless and Tintallë soared through the melee, grabbing multiple dragons at once and tossing them into the water while firing small bursts of flame at others. Bonded dragons of their size had a nearly infinite shot limit and so they did not need to be as careful as the rest. More and more dragons ended up in the water. The ones that managed to escape the waves and rocks quickly fled out to the open ocean and away. It was working.

Looking around, Hiccup saw that the armada had managed to make it to the island. They were now racing to get the equipment over to the beach. Trying to set up the ballista and divide into their teams before the Red Death could make her appearance. Figuring they might as well take the full battle to the island, he called to the other riders and motioned for them to make for the nest.

As they drew close to the collapsed volcano, a monstrous roar bellowed out of it. Hiccup could almost feel his very bones rattling inside his body with the strength of her fury. The small figures on the beach faltered for only a moment before resolutely quickening their pace.

"This is it brother!" He said to Ilweran as the two dragons glided in close to each other. In the customary way of the riders, the two men leaned forward and clasped hands. Left hand to the other's left forearm as they placed their right hands over their own hearts. It was a symbol of respect and camaraderie that meant you would fight for your brothers and sisters until your last breath.

An expectant smile spread across Ilweran's face. "That it is, brother! Once we beat this bitch, we can finally go home!" With a wide grin of his own, Hiccup laughed his agreement before directing Toothless towards Astrid and Stormfly.

*

As they neared the beach and the queen let out her bellow of rage, more of the wild dragons turned tail and fled. Gazing after them she felt a small shudder run up her spine. Astrid hated to think what would happen to them if the queen survived this.

"Then we must make sure we kill her for their sake as much as our own" came Stormfly's reassuring voice in her mind.

"And we shall" Astrid told her savagely. Stormfly squawked her agreement and shook her regal crown. There were substantially fewer wild dragons pursuing them now, but still enough to cause a distraction from their main target. Hiccup, of course, had planned for this. The soldiers on the beach were equipped with long bows and dragon root tipped arrows. Their orders were to shoot down, but not kill, as many of the wild dragons as they could to assist the riders.

Looking around for Hiccup, Astrid saw he and Ilweran clasping hands in that same strange way they had after the council meeting. Then Ilweran flew off towards the troops on the beach and Hiccup guided Toothless over to her and Stormfly. When he reached her, Astrid inquired about the handshake. He explained that it was a customary rider salute and he guided her through it. As she went to release his arm, he instead pulled her in closer and kissed her hard. Breaking away as he said "It is your show now! Be safe. I love you," and flew off before she could answer.

She was too stunned to move for a moment. He had told her he loved her... He'd never said that before... Ever! She knew that he did of course, but hearing the words was just so much bigger... Stormfly, getting sucked in to the same emotional storm through the bond, chirped happily at her sister.

"I know, little one. Talk about timing," she chuckled, and Astrid gave a choked laugh in return. Too lost in her shock, she didn't notice the wild nightmare bearing down on them from behind. Suddenly a green tipped arrow whizzed past her face, striking the dragon in the shoulder. Her and Stormfly turned in time to see it plunge into the waiting ocean. Its body overwhelmed by the dragon root concentration. Sighing with relief she turned her eyes to the beach. There was her father with his bow still held aloft, pointing in her direction.

Offering him a wave of thanks as Stormfly squawked her gratitude, they watched as more arrows were loosed by other soldiers. More wild dragons dropping to the sea. Those remaining faltered in their flight to hover just beyond archer range. Seizing her chance, she took off to round up the dragon riders. Meeting up with Minden along the way as the two girls waited for everyone else to fall in line.

Once the riders were in position, she signalled to Hiccup where he was hovering on Toothless nearest to the volcano. Ilweran gave his signal from down at the beach and soon after, she saw Eret's signal from the cliffs above. She watched as Hiccup held up his arm for a moment before bringing his other hand down to rest the palm on Toothless' head. At his touch, the huge night fury let out a very recognizable screech that rang across the island. It was just as Hiccup had predicted.

At the sound of her nemesis, the queen roared again and began to rise from her mountain. Astrid could see the soldiers on the ground stumble as the island shook, but Hiccup kept his arm raised to make them wait. Only once the queen's whole body was free of the protective shelter of rock did he drop his arm to launch the attack. Astrid and Minden spurred their mounts forward. The others following suit as they dove headlong towards the queen from her blind spots.

The spines on Stormfly's tail began to lift in preparation as the nadder croaked viciously, "I'm back, and I'm out for blood, you evil hag!" The tone of her battle sister's voice causing a feral grin to bloom on Astrid's face as she pressed herself down tight to Stormfly's saddle...

*

Her six beady eyes, now healed, zeroed in on the black dragon closest to her. Hiccup smiled widely as he hovered in front of her. She needed to stay focused on him for as long as possible. Resisting the urge to look up and check for Astrid and the other riders, he simply reached out with his mind.

"Hello foul bitch. Did you miss me? How are the wings healing up?" Her eyes narrowed in menace as a deep growl built in her throat. "Good, she remembers us" he said to Toothless, causing his blood brother to give a throaty chuckle. Suddenly a bright burst of dragon fire erupted from just behind her crest as a barrage of flaming nadder spikes rained in from the sides. He smiled proudly as Astrid and Stormfly expertly took out two of her six eyes with a single shot.

The dragon riders cycled through their attacks. No dragon staying inside her strike zone any longer than necessary. The nightmares igniting the nadder spikes before they struck the queen. Allowing them to burn into her hide and release their poison. Changewing acid melting scales off as zippleback explosions expanded the wounds. Gronkles dropping their lava bombs down onto her from above.

She roared in rage and began to swing her head around, trying to seize the smaller dragons. Her focus shifting away from the night fury and his rider. He took this as the cue for the beach and cliff troops. Signalling to Ilweran and Eret, he and Toothless turned and headed back to the ground. Joining Ilweran, he watched as the first of the dragon root coated ballista bolts were fired. Their aim true.

Striking the monster in her forelegs and sinking deep into the flesh of the knee joints. She bellowed again and made to strike at the soldiers before her. Only to be hit by a hailstorm of dragon root tipped arrows falling from the cliffs above her. Burying themselves in the thin, fleshy membranes of her disabled wings and around the still open and rotting wounds of her wing joints. As she began to turn and face the new attackers, the next round of bolts were launched into her hind legs.

It was a good thing he had told them to moor the armada on the side of the island instead of on the beach. The ships were relatively hidden behind an outcropping of ledges and sea stacks. The queen did not see them to torch them. Leaving her to focus all of her rage on the multiple attacks instead of a still and undefended target. Any small advantage was a benefit against this monster.

Hiccup could see the dragon root beginning to take affect. Her legs were unsteady beneath her. Her movements becoming uncoordinated and sluggish as she tried to take out the cliffs with her bludgeon tail. More bolts were fired into her legs, distracting her. Panicking, she turned back to the ballista crews and began to build up for a fire attack. The riders above swooped back in for another assault and the queen raised her huge head to spew the flames into the sky instead. The riders scattering out of the way of the fire storm on Minden's signal.

Bolt after bolt embedded in her legs and chest as arrows continued to rain down from above. Finally, her legs gave out and she collapsed to the beach. The combination of dragon root and nadder poison had done its work. She was as weakened physically as they could hope her to be. The ground crews began to roll in the giant bola launcher, readying for the finale. The queen let out a frantic bellow.

Soon those wild dragons that had not fled were charging back into the battle. Choosing to dive in for attacks to the archers on the ledges instead of trying their luck with the riders again. The riders attempted to fly to their rescue, but the queen had other plans. Though he had been expecting it, Hiccup was still shocked by the brute force of her mental attack.

The riders faltered for a only a moment before Hiccup and Ilweran, along with their dragons, combined their powers to shield all of the others. He could feel her attacks like many tiny cuts from a blade as she attempted to extend her control to include those dragons that had riders. It was exactly as his brother had predicted. When she realized that she was being blocked from taking control of the whole flock, she began to focus on more strategic targets. Mainly he and Ilweran since they were the ones blocking her; as well as Astrid and Minden as they led the charge. Though she continued to reach out with her mind, looking for any opening in their defences and seeking any dragon that may have slipped beyond their protection.

As she went for their dragons, her focused attack was much more painful than the previous one. Clearly she had no intention of letting them best her this time around. The two men struggled to shield the four main dragons as well as keep up a broad protection over the rest. It was mentally and physically draining for the Riders and their dragons. This was why they had been forced to sit out the fight. Any distraction now could cause them to lose their precarious grip on their shields. A low growl was issuing from Toothless as he watched the battle before him.

Still, he knew why it had to be done. He could feel the shards of her attack trying to cut away at his walls, as well as the walls of the others. Both he and Tintallë could feel their brothers' pain as they single-handedly withstood the vicious assault meant for multiple opponents. While he and Tintallë hated being completely useless on the ground, their Riders needed them. Meanwhile the troops continued to battle her and her minions. Trying to get her into position for the launcher to do its job. Completely unaware of the fierce war that was raging between the two bonded riders and the massively powerful queen. Enraged as they continued to thwart her, she began to build another fire storm and swing her massive club-like tail around.

It was as she released her flame that Hiccup felt a shift in his mind. The near constant flow of painful energy from the queen's attack suddenly ebbed. He could feel Toothless' worry through their link. There's no way this is over, Hiccup thought. The queen let out a bellow of rage and swung her club tail at Astrid and Minden as they made the final pass. Dodging the bludgeon with ease, Stormfly released the last of her spines as Bori lit them with the last of her flame. Their aim was perfect, and the spikes plunged into the gullet of the queen just as the gases were beginning to amass in her throat.

Unfortunately, though her tail had missed Astrid and Minden, the twins on their zippleback were not so lucky. They were knocked off course by the huge club. Sending them careening towards the massive bola launcher set to deploy from the beach. The Vikings around it had it raised to position and were getting ready to release it, as the queen turned her head towards the device.

The bola was designed for the queen. It was too big and too heavy for a regular dragon to withstand, never mind a human. It would likely kill the twins and their zippleback instantly. Noticing this at the last minute, Hiccup grabbed two of his stilettos and launched them at the machine. One hitting the hoist spring with enough force to dislodge it as the other one hit the release mechanism a moment later.

The Vikings manning it looked around in shock for barely a heartbeat, before hurrying to get clear when they noticed the zippleback baring down on them. The bola harmlessly deploying into the ground mere moments before the twins crashed into the launcher. They and their dragon standing up and shaking themselves off, before cheering and high-fiving as their dragon butted its own heads together. Hiccup allowed a brief chuckle at the sight before turning his attention back to the queen. Without the bola, she simply spat out the flaming gasses and glared at them. Then it hit him. The pain was nearly blinding as she sent her mental daggers directly at the four riders instead.

He had allowed his own shields to drop slightly as he blocked her from all the others. Then he had been further distracted by the twins. Now he was paying dearly for that brief lapse in focus. Though he never would have guessed that she would dare try to control the riders themselves. He clutched convulsively at his head, desperately fighting for control of his own mind as he heard Ilweran curse beside him. All he could think as the darkness began to close in was that Astrid would never be strong enough to fight this without him.

Raising his eyes in horror, he watched her screaming in pain as she clutched blindly at the saddle in a futile attempt to stay on her panicked dragon. The axe strapped to her back glowing brightly as the magic struggled to shield her from a danger that was not physical. The queen, sensing her victory, was turning her great head towards the blue nadder as the rider on the hobblegrunt fell from the sky.

*

Astrid had felt the brush of the evil beast's consciousness. She had briefly shared Stormfly's pain as the monster tried to invade her mind. Then as suddenly as it had started, the pain had stopped. Looking around at her fellow riders, she saw the confusion on most everyone's face. Why had their dragons apparently seemed to lose control of their bodies for a brief moment? Only Minden met her gaze with the same knowing fear. Thank Thor for Hiccup and Ilweran. How powerful they must be, to be able to protect every one of the riders...

Still, it was an eerie feeling that sent a chill straight to her bones. "Let's finish this quickly, hatchling, before she has too much time to attack their minds. I'm not sure how long they can hold her at bay," Stormfly said quietly. A slightly nervous tremor in her voice. Nodding her agreement, Astrid signalled to the others that it was time.

She and Minden prepared to launch another attack while dodging the queen's huge cloud of fire. Amidst the torrent of flames they dived in low and from the side, taking out the last remaining eye on their side of the beast. Borealis swooping in right afterwards to blast a fireball into the now empty socket. All they needed to do now was get her jaws in range of the bola launcher and then they could end this.

The queen began to scream out in rage. Following them with her huge maw open and her tail swinging as she began to build another fire storm. Performing a graceful twisting loop, Stormfly effortlessly avoided the dangerous club and took aim. Launching the last of her spines directly into the queens throat. Borealis lighting them just before they reached the monster. She watched in satisfaction as the gases in the queen's mouth were set alight. Turning to look towards the bola launcher on the ground, just in time to watch the twins smash into it. She watched them as they got to their feet and celebrated, all while she silently raged at them.

What in Thor's name were they supposed to do without the bola? Toothless and Tintallë were busy blocking the queen's mental attack and Stormfly was out of spines and fire, and she couldn't be the only one! Astrid cursed to herself angrily. Then her head exploded. She couldn't tell up from down. Her whole body seized up as her vision went black. It felt as if there were knives hacking away at her brain, trying to cut her away from her body and cleave her into pieces. It was excruciating, terrifying, and completely inescapable.

She tried to fight against it. Tried desperately to remember what Hiccup had taught her about shielding herself. Gods I was so stupid! Hiccup had warned her that this might happen! She had been so busy physically fighting the queen that she had completely forgotten to maintain any sort of mental defences.

Clinging precariously to Stormfly's saddle with dead hands; she could tell that she was screaming, but she couldn't hear it. There was no sound here. No sight. No smell. Only agony existed inside this endless void of darkness and pain. She felt as if she was already dead, but without any of the pleasant release that she had expected from the oblivion.

She could vaguely feel her dragon's distress as the nadder struggled to find some way to help her rider. It was too late though. Surely there was nothing left to save, and soon Stormfly would be dead too. Astrid already felt as if she was nothing but a mess of bleeding shards. "Hiccup, help me!" She found herself crying out with what small portion of her sanity she had left. It was silly. She knew that the others had to be lost in the same place she was.

Suddenly she felt a warmth blossoming inside of the cold and empty shell that was all that was left of her now. A glowing, cleansing thing that started small, but bloomed quickly. As she began to find herself with the help of this light, she realized that it was glowing a brilliant emerald green. She knew that colour! It was one she would recognize anywhere! Right now it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

It was Hiccup. Somehow, he had found her here. He was bringing her back...

Along with the overwhelming relief, she felt a sudden and unexpected flood of vindictive glee. If she had a voice here, she would be laughing out loud. If she knew her mate as well as she was starting to, then there was only one guarantee from this moment forward. The queen was going to regret this...

_

Another terrible cliffhanger for you guys to curse me for, but honestly... did you ever really believe that I would give you the whole meal deal in one go?! I'm simply not that kind. This is the grand finale, after all. Gotta drag out the suspense...lol

Question for you guys while you wait impatiently for the next update: What do you think is going to happen now that the plan has failed and the queen attacked the Riders (Astrid in particular)? Do you think Astrid's final statement of the chapter is an accurate enough assumption?..