Journey: Part VI

RUFFNUT

I screamed way too late.

The thing had already dragged me out of my hut and onto the grass outside, when I finally found my voice. Honestly, it's kinda weird that this is what I'm thinking about right now. Focus, stupid brain…

I looked toward my legs. They were wrapped up in something white and spiky, like a snake… it was covering my leggings completely. The spikes had a little red also…they really reminded me of something…

I follow the snakelike thing around and around my legs, then up, then sorta sideways, then up and up and up…and up and up and up…and up and up and up…"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

TUFFNUT

"There!"

I moved Death Ride closer to the Sick Bay. That's where Ruff last was…hmmm…

"Check behind!"

I jerked up. Who said that? Oh wait. I forgot about Astrid. I've kinda been tuning her out. Her threats aren't really interesting after the sixth time. I wave to her, to show I understood.

Wait, what? Death Ride is already moving to the other side of the hut. Wow! He can understand human speech? Really?

No Slitherwings. They've left. That's weird.

Oh wait. That's probably because Ruff is right there…and a…the…Screaming Death?

The dragon of my dreams and nightmares…alongside the Lycanwing and Death Song in terms of deadliness and awesomeness…

We are dead. We are so dead.

ASTRID

I can't scream anymore. Looking at this monster, glaring at us with Ruff struggling mutely below…we're goners. We can't fight this size of a monster the way we're injured. I'm really tired after my Slitherwing fight. I can tell; my reactions are just a hair slower, muscles just a tiny bit weaker…that fall took a lot out of me. Maybe...this is the end. The Screaming Death will destroy the island-with us on it.

SNOTLOUT

I can tell there's danger outside. If my eyes are closed, it can't see me. I'm staying put.

HICCUP

What's that noise?

I struggle, trying to shake it off…go back to sleep…

"HICCUP!"

I jolt awake…and peer right into the face of Fishlegs.

I'm too stunned to speak. A hundred thousand thoughts cram my head, and not one of them seem right to say right now.

"Hiccup, I know you have some questions, but we need to talk. The Screaming Death outside has got Ruffnut—"

I find my voice. "Screaming Death?"

"YES! SCREAMING DEATH! Anyway, I need you to do this for me…"

PERCUTIEN AURORA

Whitespine. Rapid flame bursts. Cannot outfly. Must protect Aurora and Aurora's friend. Only option: Throw off Aurora and Aurora's friend. Find new rider. Searching for new rider…

Found. Half stade away. Very athletic. Very skilled.

Action started.

TUFFNUT

"AAAAAAH!"
What's wrong with Death Ride?

ASTRID

"AAAAAAH!"

Stupid dragon.

THOR BONECRUSHER

The Screaming Death shall face his greatest opponent yet! All those who oppose Thor Bonecrusher shall snap like twigs! All I need is a good dragon to ride...

Ha ha! Perfect! The horrible one called Death Ride!

This will be written in the sagas of old: the great Thor Bonecrusher, astride the dragon with eyes of flame!

I can't wait to get started.

RUFFNUT

Wait a sec...is that...Fishlegs?

The tail shifts suddenly, and it is suddenly around my chest. I can feel it tightening...slowly...

The world is blinking on and off, in and out...I can barely breathe...

"Hurry...up...you...mutton...head..." is all I can mutter, before the world turns to black.

The JOURNEY shall finally conclude when we return.