So in case you didn't here there is going to be a HTTYD holiday special coming this December on NBC that takes place after Hidden World entitled Homecoming. Is it wrong to be as excited as I am? Who cares I'm hyped!
Anyway back to it.
"Grim did what!?"
The following morning Branch called the riders together and explained everything to them, from Grim breaking into his house and threatening his family to his so call proposal. Needless to say the riders were definitely riled up over it, especially Reby.
"Branch you can't seriously be considering excepting Grim's proposal are you? Allowing him to hunt even in his own waters would be catastrophic."
"Who knows how many dragon species he and his men could wipe out if we allow that." Heather added.
Branch had been thinking Grim's offer over all night, he hardly got any sleep because Grim's words was still on his mind. He would never forgive himself if he just allowed Grim to do whatever he wanted in his waters, but at the same time, he still had what happened to Heather's tribe fresh on his mind.
"Heather you know what happened to your tribe, you said it yourself they outnumber us. There was two other chiefs with him from their own tribes. That means at least three armies to deal with combined. When we fought Blood, it was just his men and no more, but this is bigger than that. We are going up against three tribes, all of them heavily armed, even if we had everyone from mine and Raider's tribes fighting there is still a strong chance we will be outnumbered."
"Branch we have never backed down from poachers no matter how dangerous." Reby protested.
"These are not poachers Reby!" Branch fired back. "These tribes have the legal right in their tribe to hunt for dragons as long as they stay within their own waters. As much as I hate to admit it dragon hunting is legal in some tribes. Poachers illegally hunt certain animals regardless of what the law in those countries are, but Grim and his men they are not breaking laws when they hunt in their waters."
"Still don't make it right," Suki replied.
"Well right or not it is their law, and as Chief now of the Troll Tree I have to make decisions based on a legal standpoint for the protection of my tribe. Last thing I want is to break the peace and a war break out between tribes. If I don't accept his proposal I wouldn't just be putting the riders into danger, I would be putting my whole tribe."
"It's not fair though," Reby was starting to tear up at the thought of Branch even considering Grim's offer. "All those dragons he would kill." Reby turned to Poppy. "Please Poppy say something, talk him out of this please!"
"I'm not very fond of the thought of them freely killing dragons either, but Branch is bright, we got to put the safety of our tribe into consideration, if we don't than that means we are putting our desires over the tribe."
"This is ridiculous I can't believe this! I can't believe either of you are even considering…"
"He threatened our entire family Reby, including Scarlett, if you were a mother you would understand..."
"You think I don't care for Scarlett Poppy? She's like a niece to me, but those dragons are my family, and if you mark them for death, you are basically killing one of my own.
"We will not make a decision unless we here from everybody." Branch replied "We are still a team, and whatever we decide, it's going to be a majority vote."
"It's a no for me," Reby replied
"Me too," Heather added.
"Anybody else thought?"
"Come on somebody, think of the dragons."
"Well," Guy Diamond stated "Look you ain't going to like this but I'm going to side with Branch."
"What?" Reby and Heather both gasped "Guy Diamond those monsters will drive those dragons to extinction, and need me to remind you what they did to Heather's tribe, and you are okay with making a deal with them?"
"We've been fighting this war ever since we became dragon riders, I don't want to die before the war with the hunters is over. If that means compromising to where both sides makes a reasonable agreement, than so be it."
"I can't believe this," Reby through her hands up in frustration I just can't believe this."
"Well I for one am not okay with it," Biggie spoke up walking over to Heather and wrapping his arm around her.
"Oh thank Gods Biggie," Heather replied "Someone with some actual common sense."
"Branch if we give in to those murderers than her whole tribe dies for nothing, you can't seriously live with yourself if you just let the hunters get what they want after what they did to Heather's home."
"What happened to Heather is actually why we need to take this compromise," Creek replied "Look I like a good fight as much as the s the next troll but I am still smart enough to know when we are beaten. From what Branch said these trolls have the law on their side. I'm fine blowing poachers to Valhalla because it was just us they were raging war with. But I will never be comfortable putting my entire home at risk."
"Of course you would side with him Creek, you was always the coward of the group."
"What did you just call me Reby!" Creek yelled getting into Reby's face.
"Whoa there is no need to jump to name calling!" Smidge said stepping between the two of them. "Even if the whole idea of us bowing down to those murderers is the dumbest idea I have ever heard in my life and I'm surprised our so called leader would suggest it."
"Well I actually see where he's coming from." Cooper replied "They won't be killing all dragons just hunting those in their territory, ours will be safe. Seems like a fair deal."
"How could you possibly think that's fair?"
Fuzzbert walked over to Reby, Heather, Biggie, and Smidge, hinting he sided with them.
"I would never feel comfortable with allowing them to hunt any dragon, legally or not." Suki replied "I would never forgive myself."
"Let's see," The twins were weighing their options "On one hand it would end the war for good, on the other hand dragons will still be killed. End of war, or continue to blow trolls to hell and risk a early arrival to Valhalla. End of war wins." Satin and Chenille sided with Branch.
"That's seven for the compromise, six against," Branch thought.
"Branch please," Reby cried "Reconsider, these dragons have been your entire life since you discovered Melody!"
Branch sighed "Give me a few minutes to consider both your arguments, then whatever I decide, will be the final option."
"I'm comig with you." Poppy replied but Branch stopped him.
"No Poppy, this is one decision I need to make on my own. Stay here and try to keep the peace. I won't be gone long.
Branch walked to the same hill he always went to when he was struggling over a tough decision or feeling down. No matter what he did his team would be split here, there was no winning option.
"You won't believe how many times I have found you like this Branch." Branch turned around and saw Cloud Guy standing behind him.
"What shall I do Cloud Guy? If I give in then everything I have fought for these past years will mean nothing, Heather's tribe would have died for nothing, grandma would have died for nothing, and gods know how many dragons will die. If I don't give in though I risk the Troll Tree ending up like Heather's tribe."
"Yes, yes, it is a tough decision," Cloud Guy responded scratching his chin. "No matter what you do there will be consequences and not everybody will be happy with you. I can't tell you what to do but I can tell you this, as Chief it is your job to do what is best for your tribe, your going to make some trolls mad along the way but you can't just think about what your heart wants anymore. You knew there was going to have to be sacrifices along the way, the question is what are you going to be willing to sacrifice."
Branch sighed not liking where Cloud Guy was going.
"You never was going to be able to save them all Branch, deep down you know that too."
A single tear fell down Branch's eyes as he knew what he had to do. "Your right."
"Now that doesn't mean you can't counter with your own compromise. They made their offer, now it's your turn to make yours."
"If I have them promise to only hunt the non endangered dragons I can still save the endangered species while keeping the Troll Tree safe."
"Now your acting like a true chief."
"Reby still won't like that though. I risk losing her as a friend if I do this."
"True, she will be mad, but in time her anger will cease, in time you two will see eye to eye again."
Branch sighed he now knew what had to do.
He returned to the other riders, where they all anxiously awaited his decision.
"Here's what we will do, we will give the hunters a compromise of our own. We will tell them that they will only hunt the non endangered dragons or else there will be no deal and we will go to war. No dragon will risk going extinct and we can still keep our tribe safe."
"No Branch, that's not good enough dragon's will still die, I can't believe you are doing this."
"This is my decision Reby, I'm not only your leader but also your chief, you don't have to like it, but I'm sticking with it."
"Well I won't accept it, I will never accept it!" Reby was about to break down into tears. "I can't believe you are just going to throw away everything you fought for all these years!"
"Reby I…"
"No! I don't want to hear no more of your cowardly excuses, you have changed since becoming Chief! And I'm not going to be apart of it anymore! I'm done with this and I'm done with you! I'm going back to Dragons edge permanently and your no longer allowed there!"
"Reby!"
"Don't talk to me Branch!" Reby ran off in tears "Ever again!"
Branch sighed hanging his head low as he watched Reby run off, but she was far from the only one upset at Branch's decision. Heather approached him next, and she looked equally as mad.
"I fought for you Branch for several years, I helped you defeat Blood, I thought you would show your gratitude by helping me get justice for my people, but instead you are just going to cower to them. Reby is right you have changed since coming Chief, you have became a coward. You are letting them get away with murdering my tribe. Your grandmother would be ashamed of the chief you've become. "
Heather then walked off, Biggie followed after her, turning towards Branch and angrily shaking his head in disgust at Branch's choice, soon every troll that sided with Reby and Heather left Branch, only leaving him with the ones that sided with him.
"You going to be okay Branch?" Poppy asked seeing how down Branch looked.
"I just lost the riders Poppy, how can I ever be okay?"
The next day Branch Poppy and the remaining riders met up with Grim. Branch did his best to look strong, even though inside his heart was still breaking from the previous day.
"So Branch," Grim asked "Have you made your decision?"
"I have Grim, and I'm going to offer you a compromise. I will accept your offer on one condition."
"Oh really, and what condition is that?"
"You leave the endangered dragons alone. Only hunt the ones that is not endanger of going extinct. I even have a list of the dragons in your area you are allowed to hunt." Branch handed Grim the list of acceptable dragons to hunt. "I will also be sending a rider your way every week to ensure you are abiding by my demands. You agree and I will leave you alone."
Grim looked at the list and putting on his best act he nodded "Very well, deal." He then shook Branch's hand.
"I will have Creek checking in on you in a week." Branch replied as Grim and his men made their way back to their ships.
"Grim are you really going to accept his demands?" One of Grim's men asked.
"No, in two days we will destroy their breeding facility at Dragon's edge, take their dragons, and leave no survivors. Branch thinks he is in charge, he will soon learn otherwise."