Gobber was observing the Rangers training, marking them down as they went through the obstacle course.
Hiccup had proven himself to be an excellent leader, but when it came to physical activities he was a bit of a letdown though considering that you prosthetic leg that was not at all surprising. Ragnar scored pretty average in many fields of the physical training and biggest problem was confidence, but he had proven himself to be quite an adviser for Hiccup and people did this on to him. Snotlout had certainly proven himself to be excellent physically, the only problem was his ego that got in the way of practically everything.
There was no doubt that Fishlegs' expertise in archaeology was a great asset, but he lacked motivation in many areas when it came to physical exercise and would rather buried his head book. Heather was certainly good in athletics and she had speed and grace, but sometimes she was a bit too daring. Now Astrid excelled in practically everything, she continued to push herself and gave a 110% in everything she did, but her biggest problem was socialising.
"Not bad, not bad," said Gobber as he approached the Rangers who were busy catching their breath. "I've made some notes on areas where you need improvement, though I imagine that some of these areas will be extremely difficult for you to fix."
"What can problems can I have?" Snotlout questioned folding his arms. "I've just proven that I'm the best."
Gobber rolled his eyes. "You'll find out later, until then all you deserve a break."
Everyone nodded and saluted, they then went their separate ways, but Gobber stopped Astrid before she went anywhere.
"Lass, you really need to start working with the others," he said.
Astrid looked at him. "Shouldn't you be saying that to Snotlout?"
"And I will, but I get the impression that you are only pretending to work with them," said Gobber suspiciously.
"What gave you that impression?"
"Astrid, I've known you since you were wee girl," Gobber reminded. "I also know that you feel as if it's your duty to redeem your family's honour."
Astrid looked at him fiercely. "It is and I won't let anyone get in my way to redeem it."
"Which is exactly is your problem," Gobber sighed. "I know that you're still not happy that Hiccup had been put in charge of this team."
"I admit that I had doubts, but he has proven himself," she said folding her arms. "And I say I would be lying that I was disappointed that I wasn't given the position, but I'm not gonna let my personal feelings get in the way of a mission."
"And that good, but you should at least try and work with the others," said Gobber.
"I work with Heather," Astrid reminded.
"That's because the two of you are two peas in a pod, but what of Fishlegs and Snotlout?" Gobber asked raising an eyebrow. "And that is not forget Ragnar as well."
"I have immense respect for Ragnar and Fishlegs, if it weren't for the two of them we would not have believed all the equipment needed to battle Drago," said Astrid honestly. "As for Snotlout, I admit that he gets on my nerves, practically all the time, you know as well as I do that our families have not worked well together."
Gobber nodded. "I understand that, but like it or not you are on the same team so I would appreciate it if you try to work together."
Astrid just looked at him, said nothing, and then walked off.
Gobber sighed. "I suppose I should have expected anything less."
Meanwhile in his spaceship, Drago was looking at his generals in order to discuss the next plan of attack and one that would be successful.
"I want a plan and I want it now!" Drago roared.
Ryker stepped forward. "I might have one for you my lord."
"Then let us hear it, Ryker," said Drago tiredly.
"Allow me to introduce to you Flightmare," said Ryker gesturing towards a door.
Then emerging from the doorway was a Dragkon, but this one had a ghostly glow about him in a strange mist was exiting out of his mouth.
"A Dragkon?" said Krogan dubiously. "You cannot be serious."
"I assure you of his loyalty," said Ryker narrowing his eyes. "He has a unique ability that has caused his own people to shun him. Me and my brother found him and offered him a place in our army in order to get revenge on his people and he gladly agreed."
"What is this trick of his?" Drago asked looking intrigued.
"He is able to produce a missed that once inhaled causes his victim to experienced their worst fear," Ryker smiled.
"How long does these effects last?" Johann questioned.
"It depends on the individual, sometimes a day sometimes it could even be a minute, but the point is it will give him an opening to attack and who better to use this ability on then the Rangers?" Ryker asked.
Drago smiled. "Then set him loose on the Rangers, at least it will give us some idea what they fear and fear is a very powerful weapon."
"At once my lord," Ryker bowed.
Astrid was still annoyed with the conversation she had with Gobber and was taking all her frustration out on the punching bag in the training centre.
"You all right?" Hiccup asked as he approached Astrid.
"Fine," she snapped.
"I just want to know what the punching bag did to get such treatment?" Hiccup joked.
Astrid turned on him. "Do you think this is a joke!"
Hiccup held his hands out. "Sorry, I didn't mean to offend."
Astrid took a deep breath. "No, I should be the one that's sorry, and taken all my frustration out on you. It's just, today's the day."
Hiccup nodded." Ah, of course."
Heather was also in the training centre with Ragnar, and the two of them had been sparring, but she stopped when she heard Hiccup and Astrid talking.
"Do you know what they're on about?" she asked curiously.
Ragnar blinked. "Oh, that's right you weren't here 10 years ago?"
Heather was now even more confused. "What happened 10 years ago?"
Ragnar rubbed the back of his head. "This is a bit personal, but seeing as you and Astrid are working together suppose you know the details. Before the city was flying we were still experimenting with the wormhole device and we managed to link to a world.
"Astrid's uncle, Colonel Fred Hofferosn, also known to his men as Fearless Finn, led the expedition force to the unknown world. I am not sure will exactly what happened, mission report are classified even with our clearance, but only a hand for the soldiers came back and Finn wasn't with them."
Heather closed her eyes. "Were she and her uncle close?"
"He was like a second father," said Ragnar placing his hands on his hips.
Heather shook her head in confusion. "I understand that she would be upset, but she seems more angry than upset?"
"Because of rumours started to spill out, the men that returned were frightful privates, they hadn't got a good picture of what happened. Apparently they were dealing with a strange alien, who had the abilities to project fear. Now Fearless Finn had been famous for being, well, fearless, so when rumours spread out of men panicking in fear that…"
"They began to smear Astrid's uncle," said Heather closing her eyes.
"Command try to stomp out these rumours, but it only strengthened them and people began to accept it as truth. As a result the Hofferson name had been blacklisted, most of them found it hard to get work in the military. You won't believe how hard Astrid had to work to get her station, fortunately for her Gobber had been the one to validate her ability. I had a feeling that he knew exactly what happened on the planet, but even if he hadn't he is not the kind of man that give way to rumourmongering."
"Explains why Astrid is so driven," said Heather as she looked at Astrid.
"It also gets worse, because the Jorgensons are always quick to bring up the incident," said Ragnar shaking his head. He then watched as Snotlout entered. "Watch this."
"Hey, Astrid, has many of your family freeze today?" Snotlout smirked.
Astrid gave him a murderous look and Hiccup, wanting to save Snotlout a trip to the hospital, immediately stepped in between the two of them.
"How about we talk about something else, something a bit more cheery," Hiccup advised.
"Too late for that, everyone is talking about the day that the Hoffersons froze," said Snotlout over his shoulder.
Astrid immediately responded by flipping him over her shoulder and then put her boot to his face. "Do you think it's funny Snotlout! Do you think it's funny that my family name has been smeared, because of some idiot rumourmongering!"
"Now you mention it, I don't find it funny," said Snotlout fearfully.
Heather bit her lip. "Don't tell me he does that every year?"
Ragnar nodded. "And every year he finds himself in the hospital, but Snotlout has never been one to care about another's feelings."
"Astrid, he's not worth it," said Hiccup grabbing her arm.
"My head agrees with you, but my gut says that I should toss off the city," Astrid growled as she removed her boot.
Hiccup then looked at Snotlout. "And how long are you going to realise that every year you bring it up every year you land in the hospital?"
"Hey, how am I the bad guy? I mean I'm not the one who started all these rumours," said Snotlout.
"Ranger to the command centre immediately," said Stoick's voice over the intercom.
Astrid looked down at Snotlout. "Lucky for you we're being summoned."
Hiccup and the others wasted no time to get the command centre where Stoick was already watching the scene from the monitor.
"What's the situation?" Hiccup asked.
"Drago has launched another attack and this time opponent is a Dragkon," said Stoick as he turned to face them.
"I thought they were on our side?" Fishlegs frowned.
"This one is on no one side but his own," said Toothless step forward. "His name is Flightmare, and he is extremely dangerous. The mist he produces is able to make his prey witnessed their most terrible fears, leaving them completely helpless. Be careful when you deal with him."
Snotlout smirked at Astrid. "Oh, experiencing a sense of fear on the very same day that your uncle did, must be fate."
"Let's get out there," said Hiccup, before Astrid could say anything. "Ready?"
"Ready?" they all nodded.
"Unleash the dragon within!" they yelled as they swung their fists forwards.
They immediately transformed into their Ranger forms. They then immediately ran off leaving Toothless with Stoick.
"You didn't tell her," said Toothless looking at Stoick.
"No."
"But shouldn't you have—"
"How is in command here me or you?" Stoick snapped.
Toothless fell silent.
Flightmare was in the streets unleashing chaos every which way he went, he had already affected dozens of people with his fear mist and all them were cringing and sweating.
"I love the taste of fear in the morning," he said looking his lips.
"Good, because it's the last thing you going to taste," said Hiccup's voice as he in the Ranges appeared.
Flightmare looked at them. "Rangers, excellent and you should be quite the meal."
"Attack!" Hiccup ordered.
They then immediately moved in and began to engage Flightmare, he quickly struck Heather and Fishlegs knocking them aside. He then quickly blocked Snotlout's fist and pushed him back and ducked in time to avoid Ragnar's kick. However, he wasn't quite fast enough to avoid Astrid uppercut and then Hiccup jumped out of nowhere and then slammed his palms right into him as if he was scratching him.
"You certainly live up to your reputation," he said.
"Flattery will get you nowhere," said Astrid coldly.
"Don't stop him," said Snotlout.
"In fact on your reputation, I'm going to present you with a little gift," he said as he took in a deep breath.
"Watch out!" Hiccup yelled realising what he was about to do.
Flightmare then unleashed his mist which began to head straight towards them. Hiccup quickly shoved Ragnar and Astrid to the ground, but the mist ended up hitting him as well as the others. Almost immediately they lost their Ranger forms began to sweating buckets as they began to cringe.
"What's wrong with them?" Astrid asked looking at Ragnar.
"It's the mist, then reliving their worst fears," said Ragnar.
In Fishlegs' mind he was trapped on a narrow ledge and he was doing everything he could not to fall off it as he was about 50 miles in the air. Heather was experiencing Hiccup and the others falling one by one no matter what she did she ended up making it worse. Hiccup was face-to-face with his father, who was disowning him again and again. Snotlout was standing on a chair screaming his head off as surrounding him were bunch of white rabbits.
"They certainly have delicious fears I could feed upon them forever," said Flightmare looking his lips. "I would try and snare you to win in your nightmares, but I'm too stuffed, but don't worry I'll get you next time."
He then disappeared in a cloud of mist leaving Astrid and Ragnar to deal with their friends.
They wasted no time getting them into the infirmary and Ragnar began to examine them.
"From what I can understand the mist, once it's breathed in affects the subconscious mind and relays images into their conscious mind," said Ragnar showing them the brain charts. "Fortunately whatever is affecting them seems to have a half-life, but there's no telling how long it'll last."
"That's about true with the reports we have on Flightmare," Stoick nodded.
Ragnar looked to the Ranges. "At the moment all I can do is keep them comfortable."
"You mean there's no cure?"
Ragnar shook his head. "The mist has a complex structure to it, it could take me years."
Astrid looked at Toothless. "Flightmare mentioned that he feeds on fear. Could you care to explain what he meant?"
"We don't fully understand it ourselves," said Toothless. "When this power first came into effect we fought that we could use him against Drago and his forces. However, we soon discovered that his power becomes addictive and it begins to eat away at his body. The only way in order to stabilise their bodies to feed off the fear of anyone he affects and once he's full he is unable to produce the mist."
"I'm surprised that is able to get through their suits," said Gobber. "I thought those things are airtight."
"Their helmets are airtight, the suits not so much," said Ragnar. "Apparently the air is thin enough to get through the fabric if it is administered in large doses and judging from what we witness that what they got."
Stoick grimaced. "So, we can expect in to attack again very soon."
Ragnar nodded. "And this time there's only two of us to stop them and even if the other Rangers awake I don't know they will suffer many side effects."
"You better get down to your lab and see if you can't fix the problem," Stoick advised. He then turned and looked at Astrid. "Lieutenant, my office."
Astrid was pondering why the general wanted to see her in his office, she knew that she was now the high-ranking member among the Ranges, but with only two of them now active that seemed a little pointless.
Stoick sat behind his desk and pulled out a file. "I fear that this day would come, but I suppose I was denying the inevitable."
Astrid looked at him confused. "Would you mean, sir?"
"This file contains information of what truly happened your uncle 10 years ago," said Stoick.
You could hear a pin drop with the silence in the room.
Astrid stared at him. "Why you showing it to me now?"
Stoick deep breath. "Because this is not the first time we have encountered this foe, I've only discovered this recently. As you know your uncle was in command of a task force in the early stages of the formation of the city. His mission to scout out coordinates we were able to obtain other planets by use of the wormhole device, one of the first planets they visited they met with a hostile force."
"I know that only a handful of the soldiers came back and gave confused reports," Astrid frowned.
"Actually their report were very concise, I don't know how the rumours manage to spread, but there was nothing I could do to stop them out," said Stoick regretfully. "According to the soldiers they encountered a creature able to entice its foe with fear."
Astrid's eyes widened. "Flightmare? You mean my uncle tangled with Flightmare?"
"That appears to be the case," said Stoick closing his eyes. "He attacked them completely out of nowhere power lies in a good portion of the unit. Finn ordered the rest of the men to retreat while he held the beast off, he sacrificed himself for his men and never once did he show an ounce of fear."
Astrid just sat there. "Why didn't you tell me? For that matter why did you tell everyone of his heroics?"
"Is your first question you didn't have security clearance and as for the second, the rumour had already spread far and wide contradicting it would just make it seem as if we had something to hide and the wormhole project was still in its infancy and we couldn't afford to have it shut down."
Astrid then tightened her fist. "So, the creature that has smudged my family name is now attacking my friends. He is going to regret ever coming here."
"Be careful that anger, it could end up destroying you," Stoick advised.
Astrid glared at him. "You're in no position to tell me how I should feel."
She then walked off and slammed the door behind her leaving Stoick to sit behind his desk wondering if he did the right thing.
In Drago's spaceship, Flightmare had already given his report on his first attack on the city and it was certainly a welcome change in pace.
"So you've managed to take down four the Rangers," said Drago looking impressed. "Yet, I'm a bit disappointed that you weren't able to get all six."
"If six couldn't beat me how can two?" Flightmare asked.
"Do not underestimate them, a wild animal is dangerous when cornered," Drago warned. "As soon as you are able you will go down there and eliminate the rest of the Rangers, properly this time."
"Sir?" Flightmare blinked.
"I want them utterly destroyed, not paralysed," said Drago bluntly. "I do not want to become threats in the near future. Am I understood?"
Flightmare nodded. "If it's your wish my lord."
He then walked off and for moment one could see a twinge of fear in his face.
Drago then turned to Ryker. "Your soldier has certainly accomplished much, though I am curious why he didn't bother to finish the Rangers off."
Ryker looked at him humbly. "It is my fault, Flightmare is a bit of a glutton and likes to play with his food. I should have made my instructions much more plain, but I assure you that he will make the same mistake twice."
"This gives the Rangers an opportunity to counter him," said Krogan as he stepped forward. "His failure will mark you."
Drago then slammed his hand on the armrest of his throne. "Enough of this bickering. The Rangers might very well recover in time, but in the meantime they are undermanned. I want additional forces to accompany Flightmare."
Flightmare was soon on the rampage once again and this time he had brought Drakenoids with him.
"He could have launched an attack at a worse time," said Gobber.
"With only two of us, I'm not sure whether we can repel such an attack," said Ragnar.
"I'll mobilise forces to assist, but I'm not sure how effective they'll be," said Stoick.
"If we take out the head, then the rest should follow," said Astrid.
"Whatever the case we can't just stand around," said Ragnar. "You ready?"
Astrid nodded and the two of them flung their fists forwards.
"Unleash the dragon within!" they yelled.
Immediately they took on their Ranger forms.
They quickly made their way into the streets where they faced Flightmare.
"Look who's come out to play," Flightmare smiled.
"You really think that we would stand idly by while you attack our home?" said Ragnar.
"No, I'm just glad that you showed up is all."
Astrid gritted her teeth from behind her helmet. "I'm going to enjoy making you pay for what you did to my uncle."
Flightmare looked up. "Your uncle?"
"10 years ago you attacked a squad from and my uncle that it," Astrid growled.
"Ah, so you're his niece, I have to say he was quite tough for some reason my mist had no effect on him and since he was no use to me I just got rid of him," said Flightmare dismissively.
Ragnar looked up. "It had no effect on him?"
Flightmare clearly realised his mistake. "Though I have every confidence that it will affect the two of you." His eyes then turned Astrid. "And you're going to end up just like your uncle, helpless by my feet."
Astrid then gave out a battlecry and immediately charged in before Ragnar could stop. Though he really didn't see the need of stopping her as she just charged right through the Drakenoids, swinging her axe, and punching a hole right through their ranks.
Astrid was soon face-to-face with Flightmare and she immediately slammed her axe towards him and he barely had time to dodge it. He then quickly swung his fist at Astrid, but her instincts acted upon their own and she ducked in time and then dealt a hard shoulder to his chest.
Ragnar wanted to assist, but sadly he was delayed as the Drakenoids had regrouped and blocked his path to Astrid. He would have to fight his way through them if he wanted to back up and soon he found himself engaged with combat with them. The problem was he was he was outnumbered and no matter how skilled his fighting ability was, it paled in comparison to the enemy forces.
Ragnar had just taken down one of them when a second managed to get behind him and scratched him in the back. He gritted his teeth and quickly spun around slamming his shield across its face, but he did only hold out for long.
"Open fire!" a voice yelled.
Ragnar turned and found Mala with a squad of soldiers, all of them holding his latest energy weapons. These energy weapons were the same size as an ordinary rifle, but far more powerful and with an internal power source there is no need to reload.
"The general sense as regards," said Mala as she moved into backup Ragnar.
"Your timing is excellent," said Ragnar as he took down a Drakenoid.
Astrid meanwhile was still swinging her axe at Flightmare with immense rage, but she was in such rage that she failed to notice surroundings. She tripped over loose pave stone and nearly lost her balance, but this pause gave Flightmare the opportunity to attack and so he slammed his fist right in her gut.
"Your uncle is a far better fighter than you," he sneered.
Astrid clutched her stomach and it soon dawned on her that she had allowed her anger to get the best of her. Not only that but she charged in there without any backup and left Ragnar completely alone to deal with the Drakenoids, she had completely acted like a first-year cadet and now she was gonna pay the price.
"Now let us see what you fear most," said Flightmare and immediately unleashed his fear mist upon her.
Astrid watched as the ghostly mist covered her body and she waited to experience her greatest fear. However, nothing happened, she was completely fine and still able to move and judging from the look on Flightmare's face he was caught offguard by this sudden realisation as well.
"Impossible," he said unleashed more mist, but it had the same result. "No, not again!"
Astrid had no idea why the mist had no effect on her, but she wasn't going to miss the opportunity. With her mind now clear and focused she then quickly charged out of the mist, Flightmare had been so busy consuming her with the mist that had hit her completely from view and suddenly she charged out of there with axe in hand.
He was far too close to avoid her axe and she slammed it right through his chest and then appeared behind him with her axe stretched out. Flightmare just stood there as the realisation of his defeat sank in.
"Impossible," he said and collapsed and seconds later there was an explosion.
Ragnar and the soldiers had just finished up the last of the Drakenoids and soon met up with Astrid.
"How come you weren't affected by that mist like the other Rangers?" Mala questioned.
"I have no idea," said Astrid honestly.
"I think there can only be one logical explanation," said Ragnar looking at her. "You're completely fearless."
"Come again?" Astrid blinked.
"You have no fear for Flightmare to feed upon and as such you're completely immune to the mist. The same thing must have happened to your uncle, the only reason he was taken down by Flightmare must be because he just didn't have our abilities."
Up in space, Drago had seen the entire battle and was furious.
"Ryker, I suggest that you make on big if you still want a job!" Drago roared.
Ryker nodded. "Firing regenerator!"
A beam of light then shot out of the ship and struck the remains of Flightmare and soon he was towering over the city.
"Get ready to live an utter nightmare!" Flightmare laughed.
"What do we do?" Astrid asked looking at Ragnar. "The others are still out."
"Then it's up to me," said Ragnar and then swung his hand in the air. "Dragon Spirit arise!"
Ragnar then soon transformed into his dragon spirit form and no sooner had he had he immediately transformed into his fighter mode. "Boneknapperzoid: Fighter Mode!"
"Hope you're ready for a beat down," said Ragnar as he took a position around Flightmare.
"You're the one who's going to beat down," Flightmare laughed.
He then quickly moved in to engage Ragnar swinging his claws against Ragnar pushing him back slightly. Ragnar however held his ground and then kicked him back and then used the butt of his club to push him back even further.
"Not from where I'm standing," said Ragnar as he immediately moved in and swung his club.
Flightmare ducked and then slammed a powerful fist right in Ragnar's chest and this time he was able to do some damage. He then swiped him with his claw once more dealing even more damage and he was on the brink of overwhelming Ragnar.
"Let's see if my mist has any effect on you!" Flightmare laughed and immediately unleashed his mist upon Ragnar.
"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Astrid's voice yelled.
Then Astrid flew out of nowhere in her dragon spirit form and placed herself right in front of the missed. She then quickly flapped her wings and created a powerful gust of wind that caused the mist to be blown back at Flightmare.
"No! No!" Flightmare roared as the mist consumed him.
Flightmare just stood there reliving his worst fear, which ironically was Astrid towering over him and he was sweating exponentially.
"Now is your chance," said Astrid looking back at Ragnar.
"Right!" said Ragnar.
Ragnar then immediately moved in began spinning his club over his head. "Dragon Bone Club!"
He then slammed his club right down on Flightmare, who was completely paralysed with fear and completely destroy him.
Up in space, Ryker slowly turned towards Drago, who looked quite steamed.
"Can anyone get rid of these pesky Rangers!" Drago roared furiously.
No one answered, because it was starting to look as if the task was impossible.
Astrid and Ragnar were in the infirmary and they were relieved to see that Hiccup and the others had recovered.
"The moment you defeated Flightmare everyone still under his spell immediately woke up," Stoick informed them.
"That is something I don't want to relive again," said Heather rubbing her head.
Hiccup looked the two of them. "I hear you guys had been pretty busy."
"Well, someone had to do the work," Ragnar shrugged.
Hiccup looked at Astrid. "I heard about your uncle, how do you feel?"
"That a great way to my shoulders," said Astrid.
"You would have made your uncle proud, lass," said Gobber placing a hand on her shoulder.
"He was truly fearless like all of the Hoffersons," said Hiccup as he smiled at Astrid.
"I suppose that some of us took too much in rumour, Snotlout admitted.
"Thanks," said Astrid looking at them all. "But you know that Drago will be furious."
"And we'll be ready for him," Hiccup assured.