Author's Note:
Hello everyone and here is where we really get some action. This one contains another additional scene as I continue to put Snotlout through a lot. Thank you everyone who is reading this and I hope you enjoy this next chapter.
I own nothing.
Chaotic Battle
As the explosion boomed all eyes turned in the direction of the Outcast base to see a huge cloud of smoke billowing from within it…well almost all eyes.
As soon as the explosion had sounded Astrid and Stormfly had shot forwards as if they were powered by coiled springs and headed straight for Snotlout with Hiccup and Hookfang close behind. Dagur had recovered quicker than his men and also darted towards the sack containing his prisoner but Stoick roughly tackled him as he turned his back and they both crashed to the ground.
Some of the enemy had begun to run back in the direction of the base while others had realised what was happing and were charging forward to intercept Hiccup and Astrid or assist their chief, as different men ran three different ways Outcasts and Berserkers ran into each other creating a melee of confusion. It was only increased further when Fishlegs and Meatlug came barrelling through to try and assist their friends and another boom sounded from within the settlement. Suddenly a familiar blue/purple plasma blast impacted near Snotlout throwing the man who was trying to get a hold of the sack into the air and several metres away, Toothless battered his way through the milling Vikings sending them flying left and right as he headed straight for the sack on the ground. Somehow Savage had managed to keep most of his wits and, seeing the approaching dragons, dived forward and grabbed the sack holding Snotlout and ran for the docks carrying it under his arm.
Stoick had a struggling Dagur in a tight hold but he unintentionally loosened his grip when Savage sprinted past carrying his nephew and the Berserker chief took the chance and broke free and ran after his second in command. Several Outcasts blocked the Berkian chief from pursuing and Stoick was forced to engage them in combat. The enemy had now regained their wits and were rallying together, the three dragon riders had been forced to go to Toothless' aid as the Night Fury was beginning to be overwhelmed by sheer numbers and soon dragons and Berkians alike were being hemmed in by Outcasts and Berserkers.
Then green gas poured into the back ranks of the enemy and before they could react it ignited wreaking havoc among them as the twins flew over the explosion they'd created yelling with delight as they did so.
"THIS IS THE BEST DAY EVER!"
"I KNOW!"
A resounding war cry sounded from behind the enemy force as Gobber led the ambush team into the fray throwing them into a panic. Despite the greater numbers of the joint Outcast-Berserker force the Berkian's had greater spirit as well as dragons and soon the battle swung in their favour as their foes began to run this way and that retreating away from the battlefield.
In a relatively short time the battle came to an end as the last of the enemy retreated and Stoick turned his attention back to the ocean to see a ship heading away from the island. He quickly began giving orders, "Hiccup, take the dragons and catch up to that ship but do not engage it, report back to me what's happening on it. The rest of you with me, we'll show them they can't escape the Vikings of Berk upon the open sea!"
There were roars of approval from the Vikings and Hiccup broke away from his reunion with Toothless to remount Hookfang and lead the other riders into the air. Stoick made for the nearest ship with his men close behind him and soon they were powerfully rowing her out in pursuit of Dagur's ship.
Dagur was venting his frustration on his men.
The young chief was furious that his plan had fallen into a chaotic mess and he was striking out left, right and centre at the few men that had come with him bullying them into greater efforts as they rowed away from Outcast Island, "This was supposed to be my first victory and it was ruined by Hiccup and those infuriating Dragon Riders!"
Savage tried to soothe his maniacal leader, "It may not have gone quite as you planned sir but we do still have the boy so maybe we should look at is as more of a minor set-back."
Dagur rewarded his words by punching him in the face yelling as he did so, "There wasn't supposed to be any set-backs!"
Anything else he was going to say was interrupted by another one of his men calling from position at the stern, "Sir there's another ship following us and the Dragon Riders are coming up fast."
Moving quickly Dagur hauled the wriggling sack which imprisoned Snotlout to the rear of the ship. Looping some rope securely around the tied sack top the Berserker chief threw the rest over the ornamental figure head at the stern and knotted it tightly, he then pushed the sack overboard where it hung above the waves. Eyeing his handiwork Dagur gave a pleased smile, "Let's see them attack us now!"
Inside the sack Snotlout had no idea what was going on.
He'd been waiting fearfully in the dark when there was an explosion of noise around him. Shouts and clashing metal indicated a battle but he had no idea who was winning, the blasts of fire were telling him that the dragons were here and there'd been one that sounded very like Toothless' plasma blast very close to him. Then he was swept up by someone and the sounds of battle rapidly faded as whoever it was ran away from the fight, Snotlout struggled wildly against whoever was carrying him because he had no idea who it was. A sudden blow from what felt like a fist struck him in the head causing him to see stars as he gave a muffled yelp through his gag, the blow had dazed him and by the time he recovered he found himself being dumped roughly onto another solid surface. It lurched and he realised that he was now on a ship, most likely being taken away from the battle.
Dagur's voice penetrated into the sack but he couldn't hear exactly what he was saying. Suddenly he was being dragged along and he renewed his struggles throwing in several cries and grunts which the three layer gag rendered un-hearable outside the sack. There was a pause then he was flung through the air and there was a terrifying second where he fell until something sharply halted his descent. The sack swung side to side with Snotlout heaped uncomfortably at the bottom and he guessed that he'd been hung over the ship's side. That fact left a very scary hint as to his possible fate and he wanted nothing more than to escape right now but he stayed still and didn't dare struggle against his bonds. Doing so might snap or loosen the rope keeping him hung above the sea and then he'd be in the ocean bound, gagged and trapped in a sack with no way of keeping himself above water, if that happened then his death was certain.
He yelled through his gag clinging to the possibility that someone, anyone, would hear and get him out of his precarious position. However in his mind he knew that between the cloths in his mouth, the one over it and the sack he was trapped in no one could hear his desperate cries and those on the ship he was hanging from wouldn't care if they could.
Helpless as he was he could do nothing but hope.
Hiccup saw Dagur throw the sack over the stern and leave it hanging there.
He quickly told the other riders to hang back and checked Hookfang from ploughing on and attacking the ship regardless in a desperate bid to rescue his rider. Rapidly taking in who and what was aboard the ship they swung back around to report back to his father. The Berkian ship was rapidly gaining on Dagur's as the Vikings pulled strongly and in unison and Stoick and Toothless were in the prow watching the distance between them and the other ship close. The chief looked up as his son flew alongside the ship on Hookfang's back calling too his father, "They've still got Snotlout and they've hung the sack he's in over their ship's stern, if that falls in then he won't stand a chance. Apart from Dagur and Savage there's only about a dozen of them and they only have close combat weapons."
Stoick nodded and quickly answered, "Good work son. Keep the dragons in the air above our ship and be ready in case you get a chance to swoop in and grab Snotlout. He is top priority."
"Understood dad." Hiccup headed back into the sky to join his fellow riders as Toothless sent a crooning growl after the boy before once again focusing on the ship ahead.
Suddenly the Berserker ship dramatically slowed and turned to face its pursuer with Dagur standing on the prow. Stoick signalled his men to slow their pace and soon the two ships were drifting on the waves facing each other, Stoick called across to the younger chief, "Release Snotlout now Dagur!"
The Berserker called back challengingly, "If you want him then come and get him but if anyone other than you comes anywhere near this ship then my men will kill him before you can do anything!"
"Are you challenging me boy!" Stoick roared out.
"Yes I am old man. Just you and me with no other Viking or dragon interfering. Chief against chief!" Dagur answered.
Stoick simply held his hand out and Gobber handed him an axe and the Chief of Berk twirled it in his hand, "Then I accept your challenge!"
With that he leapt into the other boat and his axe and Dagur's sword clashed.
PS-So we now have a one on one duel between Stoick and Dagur, I'll try to update soon and please let me know what you thought of this chapter.
