This is where the changes really start to take place. I hope you enjoy it.
Chapter Four: Blindsided
"So this new lens won't let you see what image it has, unless you have a specific dragon to light it?" Matt asked, walking with Hiccup towards a watering hole. Having finally travelled to Changewing Island, he was caught up with why they had to travel there in the first place.
Thanks to Astrid venting her anger on a decorative shield, they found a lens for the Dragon Eye. Experimenting with all their dragons, none of them could get the Dragon Eye to work. Even Wasatch's lightning, or Matt's flashlight. The shield that Astrid put her axe through, which released the lens, had a painting of a Changewing. That was why they were hunting a predator that never really showed itself.
"Yeah, now get down!" Astrid hissed, crouching behind some bushes "The sooner we get that stupid acid from the Changewing, the sooner we can find Stormfly.
The others also broke into small groups, all hiding in different bushes to make sure no Changewing would sneak past them to get a drink; ensuring that they would be able to get the acid needed to light the Dragon Eye.
Obeying Astrid's stressed out tone, he crouched down with them. Recently, he never was able to visit with both of them, either one doing miscellaneous tasks, or himself doing something to help them individually. It was nice for a change to have just be the three of them; though the reason could have been better.
"Hey Matt…" Hiccup whispered, peering through the bush they were hiding in "I've been meaning to ask you, but do you have that feeling?"
Matt quickly shook his head, looking over at Hiccup. "No. I haven't felt it since we left The Reaper. Granted, I'm not sure if it's because I was with you guys, or if something is really stalking me."
"I'm surprised Wasatch hasn't caught on. I mean if something is following you, wouldn't he have spotted it? At least known something was nearby?" Hiccup thoughtfully said, stroking his chin as he thought about it.
"Well, once he realizes that something is out there, he acts the same way I do. Cautious and nervous. Just not scared. Honestly, I don't even know why I felt scared. I've had crazier things happen to me than being stalked!" Matt explained "I mean, I don't even know if I am! I might just be seeing things!"
"Well, we'll get to the bottom of it." Hiccup assured, peering through the bushes a second time "As soon as we get Stormfly back."
"I think we have more pressing issues than what's going on with me." Matt whispered, now sitting down "You know, like find out who these Dragon Hunters are, see how big of threat they're going to be, finding Dagur and Darien, helping-" his voice choked a little as he finished "Heather."
"But what about you?" Hiccup asked, turning his head to face Matt.
"What about me? If I am being stalked, hunted even; as long as I'm with you guys, nothing will happen!" He replied with a confident smile.
"Don't hold your breath on that." Astrid cut in, facing Matt "Stuff still seems to happen to us regardless. You of all people know that better than anyone!"
"Heh, I guess I do…" Matt chuckled, moving a branch out of his way. Seeing no evidence of a Changewing, Matt then whispered "Hey Hiccup, while we're waiting for a Changewing, can I tell you something?"
"Of course! What's going on? Other than thinking you're being followed." He replied, raising an eyebrow out of curiosity.
"You remember last week? When we went to Berk to see why Dagur attacked it?" Matt continued to say, looking at Hiccup with a sincere expression.
"Of course. Wasn't like we had a battle or anything the next day!" Hiccup jested, smiling at the memory.
Smiling as well, Matt then said "Do you also remember what your dad had me do there? Patrol the interior of the island? To see if there were any scouts or raiding parties?"
"Yeah…" Hiccup answered, wondering where he was going with the subject.
Astrid knew what Matt was going to tell him, as she was let in on his secret.
"That wasn't what I did." Matt finally confessed "Your dad actually sent me to the cave."
"Why would he do that?" Hiccup asked, looking at Matt curiously "It's closed off isn't it?"
"Heh, that's what I thought too. But I guess he's had Skull Crusher force a way through the rocks. It's cleared out." Matt answered, forcing a small grin on his face.
Shocked, Hiccup stared at him in disbelief. That was something that no one thought to be possible. "And? What did you find? Why did my dad do that?!"
Shrugging, Matt whispered "I really don't know why Hiccup. If I had to guess, it'd be just to let me know that it's still an option."
"Is it?" Astrid asked, looking at him with concern.
Matt just sighed, staring into nothing. Finally after a few moments of silence, he whispered "I don't know yet. If the cave is still open next time I go back, it very well may be an option."
"Wait, it was open?!" Hiccup cried out "You could have gone home?"
Matt nodded, not looking at Hiccup. "Yeah…I could have gone…home. Where ever that is."
Realizing how he might be feeling, Hiccup could just stare at him. After what happened with Darien, he thought that Matt was going to stay with them forever. He planned on it! Now, it seemed that was going to be just a dream of what could have been.
"Are you thinking of going home?" Astrid asked, watching Matt carefully for his reaction.
"Honestly, I don't know." He answered, looking down from her gaze "I just thought I'd let you guys know what I really did."
Astrid knew he was keeping it a secret that he talked to her first. Seeing Matt being torn with what was placed before him, she simply looked away. Everything was so messed up now. Stormfly was taken from her by a group of unknown dragon hunters, Matt was now debating on going back to where he came from, and Dagur was still out there planning who knows what. Shaking her head, she simply peered at the small pond.
Hiccup looked at the ground, soaking in this new information. It seemed whenever something happened, it happened all at once. Looking at Matt, he then said what needed to be said, even though he didn't want to. "Whatever you decide Matt, I'll support you either way."
Matt knew saying that was tough on Hiccup. Something he was grateful for. Letting a natural smile grow on his face, Matt simply said "Thanks Hiccup. I didn't mean to worry you about this right now, 'specially now that we might have a whole new enemy to deal with. And Stormfly missing."
"Not missing, taken!" Astrid growled, looking back at Matt with fire in her eyes.
"Heh, you know. It's good to see you returning to your old self." Matt jested, lightly pushing her in the shoulder "Don't worry guys, I'm staying until we get this dragon hunter problem resolved. One way or another."
"Hopefully the way I want it to go." Astrid breathed out angrily.
Turning to Hiccup, he winked at him and whispered "You know, maybe it'd be better if I attacked these hunters first. Get Stormfly and sink their ships before Astrid gets to them. Might be a little merciful to them!"
Hiccup smiled as Astrid turned and glared at Matt. "I wouldn't bank on that idea Matt. She'd just take it out on you."
Matt's smile quickly disappeared as Astrid quickly added "Oh no. I'd do ten times worse to you if you took away the opportunity for me to get back at them!"
"Heh, you know I was kidding!" Matt replied, shooting her an apologetic smile. Seeing her glare at him, he then whispered "Right?"
Finally, unable to keep the joke going, Astrid finally broke into a wide smile, secretly bringing relief to him. "Thanks Matt. Means a lot that you're willing to stay to help."
"Well, you know. I couldn't leave you guys knowing that you had…well, Snotlout helping you out." Matt chuckled, pointing across the pond to where Snotlout was sitting with his arms folded, muttering about something "Couldn't leave you guys and not feel guilty. Besides that, it's not like I want to leave. I love it here! I'm just torn with what to do."
"Let's think about it when we actually have a chance to think." Hiccup said, putting his hand on Matt's shoulder. Pulling him down a little farther, he then added "Right now, let's keep an eye out for a Changewi-whoa! Look!" he hissed, pointing to a boulder.
Matt peered at the rock, trying to see what Hiccup was pointing to. Then he gasped as he saw an invisible shimmer dart towards a tree. A flash of red appeared as the Changewing readjusted its camouflage. "Holy crap…they really can turn invisible…" He whispered, staring in disbelief. He never really saw one this close before; let alone see it change its skin. Feeling his vest being pulled, he turned to see Astrid motioning him to follow. Hiccup, Fishlegs, and Ruffnut were already crouched and moving along a thicket, staying out of the Changewing's view.
Moving right behind her, Matt turned to see the dragon silently crawl to the edge of the water, scanning its surroundings. Matt hit the ground, falling behind a rock as he saw the Changewing whirl around and stare at his direction. Looking at the others, he motioned them to keep going without him. He didn't want to be the reason that might have scared the Changewing away. Not at this crucial moment.
Seeing what Matt was signaling them to do, Hiccup led the other quietly around another thicket, placing themselves behind the unsuspecting dragon. Seeing it settle down and return its focus to the water, he then whispered "Come on!"
Everyone silently began to sneak up on the dragon. Getting closer, Matt watched them with his heart beating like a machine gun. He honestly thought he would give his hiding spot away if it kept it up. They were so close now, to the point he thought they were ready to jump it.
"Hey! You guys have any luck?" Tuffnut's voice sounded off.
Matt popped his head from his cover, shocked to see Tuffnut standing in front of them.
The Changewing then launched into the air, causing Astrid to shout "Ugh! Tuffnut! We were just about to-"
"Whoa…look at that." Hiccup interrupted, looking up above Tuffnut.
There, flying in a tight circle, was the Changewing. Matt had to walk around a tree to see exactly what happened. Shocked, he saw a rope around the dragon's neck, anchored down to a tree.
"Heh, like I said, see the Changewing. Be the Changewing.'" At that, he posed to in a confident and arrogant manner. No one could get mad though. He successfully captured a Changewing. However he did it.
"Great. Now what?" Matt asked, walking up to the group.
The Changewing seemed to answer him. Roaring angrily, he shot out a large amount of acid at them. The group instantly backed off, jumping out of the way from the acid. Only Snotlout was the slow one, getting a small amount on his helmet.
"AAGGHH!" He screamed, the acid smoking off of his helmet.
The Changewing roared again, this time jerking on the rope. At the pulls and twists, the rope finally snapped, allowing the Changewing to fly away.
"Heh, well that's one way to get the acid." Fishlegs joked, seeing Snotlout in pain.
"Come on, there's a cave over here!" Hiccup urged, trying to guide Snotlout towards it "Let's see what the Dragon Eye can tell us."
Snotlout was about to take off the helmet, only to be stopped by Astrid "Don't! If you take it off, you'll spill it!"
"Grrr! So you just want me to leave it on and let it burn through the helmet?!" Snotlout growled, trying to fight the burning.
"Yeah, actually. I do." Astrid replied, unfazed by the anger in his voice.
"Come on!" Hiccup urged, jogging towards the cave. With the rest of group trailing behind, they jogged into the darkness.
Matt following, stopped at the entrance. Turning around, he stared into a grove of trees. He could hear something. Staring at the trees, he felt his blood freeze as he saw some leaves move slightly, as if something pushed them. Something was in there! Drawing his hatchet, he slowly backed into the cave, keeping his eyes on where he saw the leaves move.
"Gagh!" Snotlout's voice shouted in the cave, a green light illuminating from inside.
"Would just, hold still Snotlout!" Hiccup grunted, as if trying to position something.
"Easy for you to say! You don't have Changewing acid burning through your skull!" He shouted, his voice showing he had zero patience.
"I told you. If we take off the helmet, we'll spill the acid. Now hold still!" Astrid's voice ordered.
Returning his attention to where he saw something move, Matt began to think of the possibilities of things it could have been. Like another Changewing. With Wasatch back where they landed, he didn't really have someone with him, other than the others in the back of the cave. Looking back into the cave, he could hear Hiccup and the others talking, coming up with a plan. Looking back at the grove, he knew what he was going to do. At least for a few more minutes.
"Then we have to hurry!" Astrid called out from the cave, a sense of despair in her voice.
"Yes, please, let's hurry!" Snotlout shouted, a clang echoing from the cave.
"Must've thrown his helmet off." Matt whispered quietly. Turning back to the trees, he gasped at what he saw. Two sharp looking, green eyes staring at him. The creature, dragon, whatever it was; was cloaked by the shade, making it impossible to see what it actually was!
Matt froze, seeing them peer at him. Then, just as fast as he saw them, they disappeared. Paralyzed that he actually saw something, Matt would have stayed there had Hiccup not rested his hand on his shoulder.
"We know where they're going." He announced, looking at Matt with confidence "We have a plan too! Since Dragon Roots don't affect Boulder Class dragons, we're going to have Meatlug get 'shot' by one. Both Fishlegs and Meatlug will be captured, but they'll be able to bust out and find Stormfly where ever they're holding her. What d'ya think? Ready to get Stormfly back?"
Matt still didn't recover, as his body was shaking a little. Astrid noticed, to which she quickly said "What…what's going on? Do you have that feeling again?"
"Not a feeling. I saw it! I saw the dragon!" Matt said, pointing to the grove "I saw its' eyes!"
"What?!" Hiccup gasped, his head whirling to the direction he was pointing "Was it a Changewing?"
"No. Its eyes were different; narrower, almost like they were…sharp." He replied, not taking his eyes off from the shaded grove.
"So, what do we do?" Fishlegs asked, looking at Hiccup with confusion.
"You guys go ahead. Sounds like we're on a time table." Matt suggested, turning to face Hiccup "Give me and Wasatch a few minutes. We're going to check it out real quick."
"Not without us." Hiccup tried to argue, only to be quickly interrupted.
"We'll be fine! I'm not guessing anymore, I know it's here." Matt countered "If we can't find it, we'll be right behind you. I only want to see if it's still here. Maybe figure out why it's following me."
Hiccup didn't want to leave, which made Matt say "Get going. Stormfly's the priority now. Just send Wasatch my way when you head out. 'K?" Turning to Astrid, he then forced a smile "I'll be fine. And I promise I'll be there to help. I just want to check out what's going on."
"Be careful Matt." Astrid said, a worried look on her face "I don't want to have more friends missing."
"You won't. I promise!" Matt assured. Grabbing her, he then spun her around and pushed her forward; forcing her to start walking "Get going! Stormfly's getting farther away!"
"Alright guys, let's get moving." Hiccup ordered, looking at Matt with concern. As everyone started to walk towards where they left their dragons, he turned back to Matt and whispered "Don't do anything that's going to put you in danger. When you're done here, head north. That's where we're heading."
"Will do Hiccup. And just so you know, I could say the same to you. Be careful." Matt quietly said with his usual, comforting smile "Go, I'll be behind you guys shortly."
Nodding, Hiccup turned and began to jog after everyone, leaving Matt.
Seeing them run out of his view, he turned and began to walk towards the grove. Readying his hatchet, he moved some branches out of the way and saw a small trail that led deeper. Honestly, it could hardly be called a trail, but rather a natural path. A path that was littered with dead trees and rocks. It weaved back and forth between trees and other obstacles. Sunlight was only visible in small beams, where the tree cover wasn't as thick. It was dark, and gave an eerie feeling.
Walking slowly through the trees, Matt noticed a single small branch snapped. Kneeling down, he inspected it. Looking to his right, he saw another one, about another ten feet away. They seemed to lead into a rocky gully. Oddly, no foot prints were on the ground, but just some brushed aside leaves. Looking behind him, he could see that he was leaving his own set of footprints just fine. Whatever this was, it didn't want to be followed.
Suddenly a roar sounded behind him. Whirling around with his hatchet raised, he was relieved to see Wasatch poke his head into the grove, wondering where Matt went.
"Can you be any louder?" Matt chuckled, shaking his head. Motioning him to follow, he then added "Come on. Let's see where this leads."
Wasatch growled following his rider. Sniffing the air, he peered around to look for anything out of the ordinary. A Skrill was almost impossible to best while in the air, rivaled only by a Night Fury; but on the ground, it was just as vulnerable as any other dragon; and Wasatch knew it too. Making sure Matt was ok, he then made sure nothing was following them.
"If it is a dragon, it's not leaving any tracks." Matt whispered, following the direction of the broken branches. Walking down into the gully, he saw a pile of rocks stacked on top of each other in the center of it. A beam of light shone down through the branches of the trees, illuminating it. Matt swore he walked onto a movie set just by the way it looked. "Stay boy. This looks like a trap if I was to ever know one." He whispered, eyeing the sides of the gully "Charge up. Just in case."
Wasatch growled, letting lightning roll up and down his back. Backing away from Matt, he too eyed the sides warily, ready to send a bolt of lightning at anything that would show itself.
Matt, grabbing a stick from the ground, he then began to sweep the layer of leaves with it, all while having his hatchet raised with his right hand. If there were traps, he didn't want to be in them if they were going to be tripped. The leaves rustled as he swiped the ground back and forth, moving forward slowly. Though he didn't trip anything, Matt was just as careful as he observed the stack of rocks. Surprised, he saw a torn cloth wedged between the top two rocks. Using his hatchet, he pushed the top rock off. Seeing nothing happen, he then gently grabbed it.
Even though he wanted to take a closer look at it, he forced himself to back up before he did so. Feeling Wasatch behind him, he then lifted it up. It was thin and worn, and had tattered edges as if it were torn. A paled blue line ran through the middle of it, probably part of whatever it was torn from. Flipping it over, he saw something written on it. Sighing, Matt rolled his eyes and began to concentrate on runic lettering.
Since staying with the group, he wasn't only tutored by Hiccup with dragons, or Astrid with fighting; Fishlegs also helped him learn some basic reading and writing skills. Pulling the cloth closer to his face, as if to mentally help him read it, he softly said out loud "I…that one's easy. I…have…ergh…had! Its had. I had…you…friend. I had your friends too."
Matt looked up at the cloth. Staring into the trees all around him, he realized that it wasn't a dragon. It was a person. A person was stalking him; and was wanting to communicate. In a very strange way. Matt couldn't help but feel like he was being watched again, but this time he wasn't scared. Nervous, yes, but scared? Not anymore.
Turning to Wasatch, he then roughly said "Come on. We wasted enough time here." Climbing on, he strapped himself in. Sliding his hatchet into its strap, he also pocketed the cloth. I had your friends too? What was that supposed to mean? Was it a threat? Saying this person had his friends? Or was a statement, a plea even. Shaking his head, he figured if the person following him had meant harm, he would have done it a long time ago.
"Go bud. Let's catch up to Hiccup." He repeated, eying the forest, though not expecting to see anything. Being propelled into the air, he let Wasatch blast at the braches, allowing him to fly through unhindered. Banking to the left, he guided Wasatch towards the north, where Hiccup said they were heading.
Unbeknownst to both him and Wasatch, two pairs of eyes had watched them from behind, perfectly camouflaged in a thicket.
"There they are!" Astrid shouted, pointing her axe down on the five ships. They were built just like The Reaper. Large and long with a single pontoon craft connected to one side. The lead ship, being the biggest, had the dragon hunter's crest painted on the deck and on its three sails.
"Alright guys, let's send them a message that we want Stormfly back!" Hiccup shouted, turning to face the rest of the riders. Looking at Fishlegs, he then shouted "Fishlegs! I'll tell you when I want to start the plan. Got it?"
"Got it Hiccup! We'll be ready!" Fishlegs confirmed, looking at him resolutely.
"Any questions?" Hiccup asked, turning to face the group.
"None! Let's go kick some Dragon Hunter butt!" Tuffnut shouted, raising a fist into the air.
"Follow me!" Hiccup shouted, putting Toothless into a dive "Let's make them think twice about trying to take one of our friends!"
Toothless roared, focusing on the lead ship. The wind whistled past them, creating the eerie sound of an approaching Night Fury. Getting closer, he the shot a plasma blast at the right side of the ship, blasting away at the wood.
"That's the guy who took Stormfly!" Astrid cried out, pointing her axe at a lone man, standing near the bow of the ship. Seeing him look at her, she then shouted "I'm here for my dragon!"
At that, the twins came down on top of the ship, leaving an engulfing fire on the deck. Almost immediately, Hookfang followed, leaving a trail of destruction.
"Fire!" The man shouted, pointing his vicious looking, reverse curved sword at the dragons.
Immediately, the air filled with multiple missiles. From arrows, to crossbow bolts; chains to catapulted boulders.
Hiccup, finishing guiding Toothless in a wide circle, lined up onto the ship. Toothless took aim and fired, hitting one of the ballista launchers, laying out both Dragon Hunters onto the deck. This grabbed the attention of three archers, who immediately lined up along the side of the ship.
"There he is!" One of them cried, drawing back the bow and taking aim. At once, all three fired, all aimed at the center of Toothless' body.
"Gah!" Astrid cried out, swinging her axe and miraculously blocking the arrows for Toothless. Panting at the stress, she then looked at Hiccup with concern, asking "You sure your plan's going to work? That was pretty close!"
Hiccup just turned forward, saying "Fishlegs, you're up!"
Fishlegs, at that point began to shake his arm loosely, as if he was warming up for an event. Staring at the ship, he then whispered "Ok girl…let's give it all we got! Ergaahhh!" Shouting, he put Meatlug into a dive, going straight for the ship. Letting her spill molten rock over the deck, he quickly turned her around to see a hail of arrows. Dodging them, he pulled left and then right. "Oh boy! Oh Thor!" he cried out. Then it happened. An arrow sank into Meatlug's leg. "We're hit! We're hit!"
Meatlug began to flutter down, spinning out of control. Suddenly a chain launcher wrapped around her, pulling her down violently on the deck and throwing Fishlegs off her.
"Oh! Get up girl! Please!" Fishlegs cried out, pulling at the men holding him back.
"Take 'em below and toss 'em in a cell." The big man ordered, glaring at Fishlegs.
Watching them get taken away, and ignoring his new prisoner's shouts, the man turned around just in time to see the Night Fury blast at the deck. He could feel the heat from the explosion, which made him turn slightly away. Looking up, he glared at the Night Fury. "What I could get for that Night Fury…" He whispered, a thousand thoughts running through his head.
Then a sight that took all his attention. A random lightning strike in the middle of the ocean. Confused, he stared into the direction. It was overcast, but the seas were calm. There was no storm nearby. Again, another lightning strike. Then a sight that seemed to grow out of the clouds like a ghost out of the sea. A Skrill. With a rider standing on it! Staring at it in disbelief, the man then roared with laughter "Today is just getting better and better!"
The Skrill seemed to disagree, as it fired a single, large lightning bolt at the ship. The bolt seemed to melt away at the front mast, destroying it.
"Look out!" One of the hunters cried out.
The mast crashed over the side of the ship. Even with all the upgrades to make the ship more dragon resistant, it wasn't built to resist lightning.
"Well, about time you showed up!" Hiccup shouted, leveling out with Matt.
"Yeah, had an interesting experience. What happened so far?" Matt asked looking down at the ship.
"Fishlegs is captured!" Astrid answered "They've been taken aboard!"
"Well, maybe we can help make a hole for them to fly out of!" Matt winked "I know the plan, I heard you when I was in shock."
"Make it real." Hiccup ordered, smiling at Matt's remarks.
Doing a mock salute, he then stood up straight and fell backwards, putting Wasatch into a roll. Crouching, he then let Wasatch let out a fury of small lightning strikes, randomly hitting the deck and Dragon Hunters.
The twins then attacked, going for the back of the ship. This pulled the attention of most of the archers. Aiming at the Zippleback, they were then floored onto the deck as an explosion rocked the pontoon strapped to the side of the ship. Toothless made another successful strike, blowing up one of the ramps connecting the two together.
"Fire!" One of the few men still standing. A catapult launched its boulder, following Toothless.
"Hiccup! Look out!" Matt shouted, staring helplessly as the boulder flew closer to him.
"Hang on Astrid!" Hiccup shouted, as Toothless rolled to dodge the boulder. Too late. Astrid was thrown off the saddle.
"Agh! Hiccup!" She shouted, falling helplessly while staring up at him.
"Come on bud! Dive!" Hiccup roared, which Toothless responded immediately.
Matt did the same, following closely behind Hiccup. "Cover them!" He cried out, watching as Hiccup dove closer to Astrid. Wasatch roared, letting out a single large bolt onto the deck of the ship. Smash! The bolt cut through the wood, and successfully drove off a few of the Hunters, but failed to stop the ones aiming a chain launcher.
Hiccup and Matt stared in horror as a chain wrapped around her waist, pulling her down faster.
"No! Astrid!" Hiccup shouted, watching her fall into the ocean.
"Oh hell no! Not a third time!" Matt roared, pulling Wasatch out of his dive. Leveling off, he made Wasatch make a wide turn. Flying level and only about 15 feet from the ocean, he aimed for the spot where Astrid had disappeared. Pulling the bindings loose, he then ordered Wasatch "Help Hiccup and Toothless!" At that, he pushed himself forward off of the Skrill, flying level with him for only a moment. Then, gravity began to pull him down towards the water. Matt was always athletic, given his time spent snowboarding, wakeboarding, and more importantly, dragon boarding. Maneuvering in the air was never an issue for him, and now was no different. Curving his body only slightly, he put his hands in front of him and dove into the water like hot knife through butter. Smoothly.
The water bubbled around him, making hard to see. After only a few seconds, he saw Astrid below him. The chain still wrapped tightly around her waist. Gritting his teeth, he swam towards her.
Bubbles spluttered out of her mouth as she gasped. Seeing Matt was the last thing she expected.
Ignoring her, he focused on getting the chain off of her. Pulling on it, he then felt it tug on her, pulling her up.
Roaring in the water, Matt gripped the chain and was hoisted with her. With the chain tightening from being pulled on the other end, it was going to be impossible to get out of it. Looking at Astrid's face, he knew what they were going to have to do. When on the deck, fight with all they had. Making sure he had a sure grip on the chain, he watched her, and then himself break the surface.
"Hey! Come on! Let me go!" She shouted, gripping the chain wrapped around her with one hand and her axe in the other.
"Heh, look Ryker! A double catch!" A Hunter shouted, smiling at Matt who held onto the chain.
"You better let us and our friends go!" Matt roared "Before we kick your as-" He was interrupted as both he and Astrid were grabbed and forced onto their knees. They didn't even have a chance to swing a fist.
"Oh, feisty ones, aren't yeh?" The man, apparently named Ryker, observed; raising an eyebrow at them.
Astrid broke from the men that held her down. Raising her axe, she charged Ryker. Watching her close in, he raised his arm guard as she swung her axe down, blocking the strike. Laughing, he then back handed her with a massive swing from his arm, knocking her back into the men that grabbed both her arms.
"I like her spirt." Ryker teased, walking up to her "She'd be a fine prize in the Northern Markets, wouldn't she?"
"Touch her and you die!" Matt roared, fighting the men that held him down.
"I'm not seeing how, lad…" Ryker observed, turning towards Matt.
"Oh, not by me." He replied, a grin forming on his face.
Raising an eyebrow, a lightning bolt smashed into the deck, only feet away from where Ryker stood. Looking up, Ryker glared at the Skrill who was farther than any dragon he'd ever seen attack.
"Trust me. That was a warning shot!" Matt threatened, being forced to stand.
"Should've had him kill meh." Ryker spat out, unfazed by the Skrill. Grabbing Matt's hatchet out of his strap, he then ordered "Throw them in a cell. And keep a crossbow at the boy's head. If the Skrill hits us again. Kill 'im."
"You're gonna be sorry!" Astrid shouted, being dragged by the Hunters that held her. Matt was also fighting the ones that grabbed him. "You're messing with the wrong Vikings!" She continued to rant, finally walking with those holding her arms.
"Well so are yeh…" Ryker replied, eyeing the two new prisoners being marched away.
Matt and Astrid stared at each other as they were marched closer towards the doorway leading into the ship. It went so wrong, so fast. Matt thought he could save her, not realizing he just put everyone in more of a jam because of his recklessness. One of his guards had let go of his right arm, but was holding a crossbow at him, just as Ryker ordered.
Wasatch was still hovering around the ship, angry at seeing Matt held prisoner. But, the hostage situation worked. Wasatch stopped shooting lighting as the Hunter pressed the arrow tip against Matt's temple.
Suddenly the door they were being walked too blew open! Wood splinters were flying everywhere as Stormfly burst through, screeching in anger as she saw Astrid being held.
"Stormfly!" She cried out, relieved to see her beloved dragon again. The shocked guards loosened their grip at the sudden sight. Using that to her advantage, she bolted forward, losing her set of guards.
Matt, swung his boot into the shin of the guard holding the crossbow. The metal plated boot wracked pain on the Hunter's shin bone. Using his free hand, he then reached up and grabbed the crossbow. He then forced the butt end of the crossbow into the Hunter's face, making him let go completely. The other guard reached to grab Matt's arm, only to be knocked down by Stormfly with Astrid on her back.
"You ok?" She asked, looking at Matt with concern.
"Are you kidding? I'm fine!" Matt laughed, whirling around and aiming the crossbow at Ryker.
"Good to hear, now onto the plan!" Astrid shouted, urging Stormfly to charge Ryker. Fishlegs and Meatlug were also with them, ready to help.
"Let's finish this!" Matt laughed, taking aim at Ryker.
Stormfly and Meatlug charged, with Astrid and Fishlegs holding on. Matt, seeing a Hunter draw back a bow to fire, quickly switched targets. Whipping the crossbow around, he squeezed the trigger and shot the Hunter. He didn't hit where he was aiming, as the bolt entered the shoulder of the Hunter. But it did make him let go of the bow!
Looking up, he saw Hiccup and the others diving at them as well, sealing the fate of the battle. Turning to face Ryker, expecting to see terror or anger on his face, was shocked to see him smirking at them.
"Fire!" He roared, laughing.
Two bolas launchers fired, wrapping around Stormfly and Meatlug. A hail of arrows shot at Hiccup, Snotlout, and the twins, pushing them back farther. Matt watched in horror as the twins began to fall out of the sky with Barf and Belch, as did Snotlout and Hookfang.
"Your pathetic tricks won't work on me." Ryker laughed, walking up to Astrid and Fishlegs "I'm a Dragon Hunter! I know that Gronckles are immune to dragon root!"
"Ugh!" Astrid growled, realizing they walked right into his trap! At this point, every Dragon Hunter on the ship had drawn bows or loaded crossbows, and were aimed at the three and the two dragons.
"I used your worthless escape plan to lure your friends closer." Ryker grinned, shaking his head at the thought of his prisoners escaping. At that, the sight of the twins and the Zippleback crashing into the water grabbed his attention. "Pull them out." Ryker ordered.
Matt watched helplessly as a large net was thrown over the side of the ship. Looking at the sky, he saw Hiccup and Toothless towing Hookfang in the sky; and flying away. Wasatch was screeching in a fury, creating a miniature lightning storm in the sky. Regardless of how angry the Skrill was, they were beat. There was no way they could save them.
"Where are our dragons?!" Astrid roared, being shoved by a Hunter into a cell "What did you do with them?!"
"Oh, if I were yeh, I'd worry more about yerselves." Ryker growled, walking up to the group. Looking at Matt, he then said "Yer coming with meh."
"Why?" Astrid shouted, seeing Matt grabbed and pulled away from the group.
"We don't have his dragon." Ryker explained, an evil grin forming on his face "As far as I'm concerned, he's just taking up space."
"More than your fat gut?" Matt growled, glaring at Ryker.
Ryker frowned, glaring at Matt. Pointing to a cell across the hallway from Astrid and the others, he then said "Don't yeh worry…I'll keep yeh close by yer friends. That way they can see yeh die if I decide to end yer pathetic life."
Matt was then thrown roughly in the cell, it being slammed shut behind him. Rolling over to glare at Ryker, he then saw something that horrified him even more. Astrid also saw it, staring in sheer terror.
Walking in-between a few Hunters, was Heather. In her armor that he remembered her by. Her arms were shackled in front of her by what looked like hefty looking cuffs, with a thick iron bar linking the metal cuffs together
"Heather?!" Matt shouted, running to cell door.
Her head whipped over to his direction, shocked and horrified to see him there. Before anyone could say anything, she was then violently shoved forward.
"Keep walking!" Darien's voice cut in, walking through the doorway. Looking to her left, she smiled as she saw Matt. "Oh, its Matt!" Glancing to the other cell, she then cheerfully added "And most of the gang!"
"Surprise!" Dagur laughed, walking into the room "Did you guys miss me?" Turning to Astrid and the others, he continued "What am I saying…of course you did!" Pointing to Darien, he added "Oh, do you know my descendant? Oh, there I go again! Of course you do!" Turning to Matt, he added "I thought you two should have a second date, Matt. Considering how terrible your first one went."
Darien scoffed at Matt's fallen face. "I'm done with him Dagur, he's not my type." Dragging Heather to the cell door, she opened it up and pushed her in, making her fall. "You two have been away from each other for a bit of time now. How about you catch up with each other? At least while you can." Laughing, both she and Dagur left with the Hunters following suit.
Matt was already helping Heather up, making sure she was alright.
"Matt…" She whispered, finally standing up. Looking at him in the eyes, she tried to wipe the tears forming "Is…is it really you?"
"Heather, what happened? How did they get you?" He whispered, pulling her into a tender hug.
Sobbing, Heather couldn't say anything, she just shook her head and laid her head on his shoulder.
Realizing she was overwhelmed, he gently guided her to the wall of their cell and helped her sit down. Trying to comfort his shackled friend, he simply held her and stared over at Astrid's cell, who was looking at them anxiously. Making eye contact with Astrid, he mouthed "We've gotta get out of here."
