Author's note: This is one of the most busiest chapters I've written. As well as the longest. Clocking in at 10k words! It was also a lot of fun!
She faced a vast open sea before her. The cold afternoon air stung her face as she whooshed through the air at breakneck speeds. She flew onward, undisturbed. Her brows furrowed. She tried to concentrate on her mission. But feeling freedom, she couldn't help enjoy the moment despite herself.
She guides Thunderhead lower. They bank and fly level with the sea. She looks back, watching in amazement as they kick up a wake from Thunderhead's speed. She lets out a whoop of joy as Thunderhead climbs skyward. He kicked up a spray of water from the ocean as he changed course. Renee reaches out, palm extended she tries to catch the spray mid flight. Thunderhead's wings beat powerfully with each breath.
Once Thunderhead reached a height, he tucks his wings against him and begins to free fall. Enjoying the freedom as much as his rider. He begins to dip and spin playfully in free fall before snapping his wings open. Renee let's out a shout of surprise. She grabs her helmet and holds onto it as she tucks herself against her saddle.
She glances out. In the distance, a disturbance in the waters. The surface churns and swells. She looks on, watching. A scauldron suddenly breaches the waters. Flinging another sea dragon into the air to disorient it. Their hunting strategies like that of an orca hunting seal. She remembers Hiccup's warning. Of flying too near those dragons when they were hungry. She makes a mental note not to fly near the pod and admires them from the distance.
Renee flies for what felt like hours as the minutes rolled by. Still no sign of any ship. She grows frustrated.
"I would think that being in the viking age, you would see a lot of," A shape in the distance catches her attention. Set adrift in the ice flow far ahead. A familiar schooner sails defiantly as it carved through the ice. "Ship!" Renee tucked against Thunderhead and flew onward.
She passed a cluster of sea-stacks on her journey to the schooner. Her attention focussed on the schooner. She did not see the hunting party lurking in the shadows of the sea-stacks. They eye her before they break cover and follow after.
As Renee neared the schooner, she could see the crest on the sail. It was indeed Jet's ship. She had hoped that he would be aboard. Giving her hope that she could retrieve her journal. A shriek behind drew her attention. She looked over her shoulder. Gasping. Tailing after her were five dragon riders. She didn't recognize them from Berk. Leading her to believe they were Du'món riders.
"Alright Thunderhead. Let's put Chief Hiccup's training to good use." She spoke in confidence, tucking herself against her saddle.
They change course. She looks over her shoulder. As she had hoped, the riders followed. She looks forward. Eyeing the sea-stacks she gets an idea. She leads them into a dangerous slalom course. Four follow her in while the fifth falls back and changes course.
She looks on anxiously ahead as they near a narrow arch. With Thunderhead's speed they're quickly approaching it. She puts her faith in Thunderhead as he tucks his wings against him. He dives for it. He spins through the arch and pops out on the other side. A perfect maneuver. Renee clung tightly to the saddle. Gasping. She looks over her shoulder. Watching as three riders crest the arch. One of them hits the ridge and plummets.
A stack topples over ahead of them as they near. Crumbling from the ravages of weather. Thunderhead dives below and comes out on the other side. Avoiding catastrophe. They continue onward as they dip, roll, and dive, performing dangerous maneuvers. The opposing riders can't keep up. They crash, slam, and smash left and right into the jutting island obstacles. Renee lets out a shout as they clear the dangerous terrain. She throws her fists up in the air, victorious as she looks to see that she had lost all four of the riders. But victory is short lived. The fifth dragon rider comes into view and catches up with her.
Renee watches anxiously as Thunderhead kicks up speed. She tried to out maneuver him in open air. But the other rider was on the back of a Monstrous Nightmare. He was faster, but his maneuvering capabilities were slow. He was soon able to catch up to her as he flanked her overhead. He reaches down. Renee ducks against her dragon and flies out of reach. The man growled, but remains persistent.
The rider gains on her again. This time he's able to snatch her. He wraps his arm around her neck and pulls. Renee cries out in fear. She clings onto her saddle. The rider begins to pull away. Renee struggles to hang on but loses grip. And soon, she's dangling off the side of the Nightmare's neck! She tries to shout. But the grip around her neck tightens. Restricting air flow.
"Your uncle demands your audience. Alive. Or dead." The man snarled. His lips curled into a twisted smile as he looked down at her.
"I should thank you for that journal of yours. It's increased our ranks tenfold. And now we know Berk's defenses! Your savage friends won't know what hit them when Ivar attacks!" The man gloated. Laughing with delight at the thought of victory over their enemies.
Renee struggled in his grasp as she choked. Her eyes fell on her sword at her hip. She reached down. Her hand trembled as she stretched out to it. Tears spilled as she gasped and grabbed a hold of her blade. With the strength she could muster, she rammed the pommel into the man's face. He let out a yowl in pain as she was let go. She clung to his saddle as she looked down. Thunderhead flew beneath her. She looked up as the man clutched onto his bleeding nose. Sheathing her blade, she let go.
She landed on Thunderhead, missing her saddle. She clung tightly to him as she struggled to reach her saddle. She shouted in panic as the man grabbed for her again.
"I was going to spare your life. But now I think he'd appreciate seeing you dead." The man snarled. His hand grasped her tunic, yanking her back. Renee reaches into her boot and pulls out her dagger. She lashes out at the rider. He pulls back, avoiding the dagger. Letting her go.
Freed. Renee pushed herself up using Thunderhead's thigh, she climbed back into her saddle. She tucks her dagger back into her boot. She wasn't sure how she was going to lose this rider. He was hot on her trail. And like Edmund, was not going to give up. As they soared onward, Renee spotted a familiar disturbance. An idea began to form.
"I trust you, do you trust me?" She leaned over to the side and looked to her dragon. He glanced back towards her.
"This is the only way." She promised, laying a hand on his neck. She began to steer him towards the churning swells.
As they descend, she began to pray. Hoping which ever deity was listening that they grant her safe passage. She was terrified. Her concerns were more on their survival. The swirling waters grew closer and closer.
"Now, Thunderhead!" She throws her weight into the back of the saddle and pulls the handlebars back. Thunderhead snaps his wings and pivots into the air in a ninety degree climb. Before reaching the seething waters.
Being on a Monstrous Nightmare, the other rider was unable to maneuver in time. A scauldron breached the surface and clamped down on the haunch of his dragon. The Nightmare screams in panic. It unleashes its liquid napalm-like fire in futile attempts to break free. The dragon is dragged into the waters as it struggles against its captor. Its rider leaps from the saddle and into the frigid waters below. He struggles to swim for it but the icy waters slow him down as hypothermia begins to take over. He stopped as another scauldron rose from the depths of the ocean before him. He looked up at it. And for a brief moment, the gigantic predator stared back at him. It soon lowered its head. Jaws opened wide, showing an array of jagged teeth. The man screams in fear as the jaws clamp down on him and drag him under water.
Renee looks back. Watching as both dragon and rider are dragged beneath the surface. A blast of bubbles erupts on the surface, followed by a mass pool of blood. Revealing their fate. Renee exhales sharply, and looks away with a heavy head. She utters a small prayer for the fallen before turning her attention back at the ship. It was an empty vessel set adrift to lure her out.
"Let's head home. We won't find Ivar out here." She spoke to Thunderhead who chirped in response. He was more than eager to return.
Helga returned to the village. Her mind elsewhere. Not being able to be out there with Renee to protect her was frustrating. Helga wasn't even sure if she would be able to come up with a lie to cover her while she was gone. She had hardly noticed Hiccup until she bumped into him. She backed up, freezing in panic.
"Helga, you haven't seen Renee have you?" He looked to her.
She gaped at him, frozen. She wasn't sure what to say. She tightly clenched her mouth shut and shook her head. He sighed heavily.
"If you find her, please. Let her know that I'm looking for her." He asked.
"Is, everything alright?" Helga asked.
"Well," Hiccup stalls. Trying to think of a covering lie. "Let's just say she's, feeling a bit homesick. She's been… cranky lately." Hiccup lied. Forcing a smile. Helga gives him a suspicious stare.
"Hiccup!" Valka interrupts. Both Helga and Hiccup look up towards Valka as she flies in on Cloudjumper. She is flanked by a team of auxiliary riders.
"We've got trouble approaching on the Southern horizon." Valka warns. Hiccup and Toothless exchange glances.
Hiccup approaches the southern most cliff of Berk. He squints as he scans the horizon before pulling his spyglass out.
"Du'món…" Hiccup spoke, recognizing the crest on the largest ship. A flotilla of some forty ships sail clustered nearest the flagship. A war horn sounds in the distance steadily and carries across on the winds to reach the shores of Berk.
The council approaches Hiccup, shocked and dismayed at the sight. Helga quickly catches up to stand beside her uncle. She looks out over the horizon. Gasping at the intimidating sight.
"I hope you've got a plan, Hiccup." Gobber spoke, looking between him and the haunting scene on the horizon.
"Get the elderly and the children to the Meade Hall. Mom, gather every available auxiliary rider and meet with us. Everyone else, be prepared to fight. These strangers won't fight fair. So be on your guard." Hiccup took command.
"Righty-o. You heard him lads!" Gobber turned to spread the orders as the council break. Valka takes off, followed by her team to gather the rest of the riders.
"You ain't an auxiliary rider yet, missy. You're going to the Meade Hall with the others." Spitelout grabbed Helga by the shoulder and began to drag her away.
Helga pouted as she was pulled back. But went compliantly. She gave the sky one final glance. Watching as several riders take wing to regroup with Hiccup and the other riders. She wished she could join the fight. But she had made a promise to stay safe.
Ivar stood at the prow of his ship as Berk came into view. He inhaled deeply as he stared at the formidable settlement before him. It was more than he ever imagined. He was staring at the very source of childhood stories his father spoke of.
"Sir. The scouting party has returned." Jet approached, watching the intimidating man. He stared out at the settlement before them.
"It's magnificent, isn't it? The stuff of legends sits before us. The jewel of the barbaric archipelago." The man was beside himself with joy. Like a child on Christmas morning.
"Sir?" Jet questioned as he neared, looking out at the settlement to see what it was that Ivar saw in the isle before them. All he saw was another, although slightly advanced, primitive settlement.
"All my life I thought they were stories my father told me to pacify my wild behavior. Barbarians that ride atop the devils themselves. Lead by the green eyed monster on the back of a black devil. And now I can finally have revenge." Ivar regaled. Chuckling to himself with joy.
"Has your scouting party returned with my niece?" He turned to look at Jet.
"I'm afraid they returned empty-handed. And… minus one rider. She's changed sir. She's become daring. She led a man to his death." Jet explained, growing worried. He knew how Ivar reacted to bad news if it didn't benefit him somehow. Alarm flashes in Ivar's eyes.
"She's become feral," Ivar scowled. "Have them bring her to me upon capture. ALIVE. I will take care of her myself. Commands still stand. Regroup with the others and await my signal." Ivar commanded.
"Aye, sir." Jet nodded and turned to rejoin the others below. As he crosses the main deck, he glances out once more at the island. They were clearing the waters at a fast pace as they were approaching two goliath monoliths in the bay. Renee's words echoed in his mind. Making him think back on all the lives lost to Ivar's purge. Her words resurfaced. It was more common now as he thought back on those they had senselessly slaughtered. Sighing, he continued his journey to the hold where the other riders awaited command.
"Ready the canons!" Ivar thundered over the war horn as they passed by the two stone monoliths.
"Oh my Thor…" Astrid exclaimed, looking out at the scene before her. The army fleet zeroed in on Berk. What once was thought to be forty ships has doubled in the last hour. The village gathered at the southern cliff. Looking on in shock and worry as the war horn ceased.
The large flagship turned its course and aligned with the isle. A thunderous explosion rocked the bay. In an instant, docked ships explode on impact. Canon slugs shatter ships into millions of splinters. Several more blasts go off in succession. Destroying what's left of the ships. Preventing escape on sea.
"What do we do, Hiccup?" Eret and the others look towards him for guidance.
"Take out as many ships as you can. Do not let them make landfall. Don't get caught." Hiccup took to his saddle, raising his voice loud enough for his horde to hear.
"What about Renee?" Fishlegs asked, realizing she was still absent.
"We will have to fight without her. Stay safe up there." Hiccup looked to his friends as he flipped his helmet down over his head. He then took flight.
They looked around at each other. The devastation they saw at the settlements that morning still fresh on their minds. They knew if they couldn't come out of this one, Berk would bare witness to the same fate.
Astrid sat atop her saddle in silence. Though her fears calm, she still felt as though the child betrayed them and threw them to the wolves. That even as they face their darkest hour, the child still fled. What hurt her the most was that she disappeared right before the ships came into view. Astrid felt as though she had the truth she sought all along. That they were putting their trust into someone they didn't know, only to be abandoned.
"You heard Hiccup. We protect our own." Astrid spoke up.
Ivar paced the forecastle while scanning the skies anxiously. Behind him stood a mounted contraption wrapped in cloth. He watches as dragons take to the sky in a colorful array of beauty and force from the island. They swarm over his ships and begin to strafe them. Destroying them in succession wave after wave with their blasts.
Ivar growls, and turns. He strides across the deck to the mast and begin pulling levers along a switchboard. One by one, trapdoors fall inward exposing the cargo bay. Dragons emerge, carrying on their backs his own men. Ivar watches as Jet emerges from the nearest trapdoor.
"You know what to do!" Ivar ordered through his teeth. He watched as Jet nods in affirmation and took to the sky alongside the others.
"Don't fail me…" He growled. He marches back to the forecastle. He watches as his own riders lock into combat with those from Berk. As long as the dragon riders rode unopposed, his ships would never make it to shore. He would be unable to purge this island.
A banshee like scream builds, drawing Ivar's attention. He watches as a black figure darts through the mass. A ship explodes in a blinding flash of light. Then disappears amidst the chaos once more.
"The black devil himself." Ivar grinned as he grabbed the cloth and threw it off. Revealing a mounted canon.
He takes behind the weapon and begins to scan the skies through the canon's scope. He grins eagerly. Then he sees it. The black figure nears. He hears the familiar banshee wailing as it builds up for another blast. He smirks, shifting his shoulders eagerly.
"I don't think so pal!" A voice calls out from above. Sticky napalm-like fire splashes across the forecastle and up onto the mounted canon. Ivar pulls back in time to see a red blur land on top of the already burning weapon. Hookfang wraps his claws around the weapon, twists, and breaks it free of its mount before taking off. The weapon is thrown into the icy waters before Snotlout rejoins the others. Chanting his victory. Ivar watches, anger seething just below the surface before turning. Passing a fire brigade who worked tirelessly to put out the remaining fires. Plan A failed. If he was to succeed, he would have to lure the devil out of hiding. He would need to go into enemy territory.
"Hey!" Ruff shouts, the twins narrowly missing a dive bombing rider.
"Where'd they all come from!?" Tuff shouts, looking around to see opposing riders clashing with their forces.
With the riders distracted, ships began to dock. Du'món clan members began their ascent onto Berk.
"There's too many! They're already on Berk!" Eret shouted.
"We need to split and head off the invading forces!" Astrid shouted.
"How? They've got us penned in like sheep!" Snotlout shouted.
"Ruff, Tuff. Get them to chase you. Make them mad!" Astrid ordered.
"Oh, I love that idea!" Tuff shouted with glee. Ruff cracked her knuckles.
The riders break. And spread out. The twins fly towards a couple of invaders who eye them suspiciously.
"Hey dear sister," Tuff called out to Ruff in a loud audible voice. "What do you call an outsider flat on his back?"
"I dunno brother. What?" Ruff looked towards him, the pair sharing the same wicked smirk as they look between each other.
"LOSER!" Tuffnut shouted at the invaders. The men scowl and begin to give chase, breaking a hole in ranks large enough for the rest of the riders to break through.
"I can't believe that worked!" Tuff shouted. Watching as the invaders chase after them.
"A little too well!" Ruff replied.
"Time we gas em!" Tuff smirked.
"An excellent idea. Barf. If you will." Ruff gestured to her dragon.
Barf begins to spew gas until a smokescreen is formed behind the riders. Tuff watched, patiently waiting until their tailgaters were in the cloud. A hand signal from Tuff and Belch ignites the gas cloud. Sparking an impressive explosion with the invaders still inside. They're tossed about in the explosion and left dazed. Allowing the twins to break from their pursuit with a victorious shout.
Renee lay against her saddle, deep in thought. A sigh escaped her lips as she picked at a thread. She was disheartened that she couldn't find her uncle. She wanted to prevent tension. But the threat of an attack on Berk was too strong to continue her search.
"This hero gig isn't all it's cracked up to be." She whined. A blast echoed in the distance, catching her attention as she neared Berk. She sat up in her saddle. Alert.
"Thunder…?" She wondered. She looked into the sky. Nothing but clear skies. As she rounded the tallest peak of Berk, she saw it. His flagship in the bay, surrounded by his fleet of a hundred or so cutters. She could see his dragon riders already clashing with Berk's. While his foot soldiers already made landfall.
"Ivar…" She gasped. Her eyes narrowed and began to pick up speed.
Astrid tried to break from the swarm as they began herding them into a corner. Two opposing riders had flown up on her, extending a net between them. They snared both her and Stormfly.
"Hiccup!" Astrid shouted as she tried to free herself amidst Stormfly's panic thrashing.
Before Hiccup could turn to her aid, a dark figure rounded Berk. It rocketed by at a dizzying speed. The figure withdrew their blade and steered their dragon into a barrel roll. As they crest the riders, they sliced through the netting. Freeing both Stormfly and Astrid. Finally freed, Astrid righted Stormfly to rejoin the others. Looking to see who her savior was.
"Was that…" Snotlout watched as the figure made a hard turn before rejoining them.
"Renee?" Hiccup watched. Surprised by her maneuvers.
"Renee Baxter, reporting for duty and awaiting orders!" She spoke obediently. Saluting Hiccup as she held onto her blade with a firm grip. Hiccup smiled beneath his helmet.
"Spread out and disable his riders. I'll confront Ivar." Hiccup ordered.
"Hiccup, wait! He won't listen to reason. I've spent all but two days with the monster. He's not going to sit down and have afternoon tea with you." Renee warned. Worried for her friend.
"I've got to try." Hiccup was hard set on this. He wanted to end this as peaceful as he could, for Renee's sake.
"Please… Be careful. And Hiccup. I'm sorry." She watched on with worry as Hiccup and Toothless climbed higher.
Viktor and Pudge eye the guarded doors of the Meade Hall. Bucket and Ack stood watch, protecting those inside. Crestfallen expressions fell on the boy's faces. They wanted nothing more than to be out there fighting with the others.
"We're auxiliary trainees. We should be out there!" Pudge barked.
"It's not fair." Viktor whined.
"I think I know of an idea on how we can get past the guards." Pudge began to conspire with Viktor as the two huddled. Whispering among themselves. Seeing the two colluding, Helga's brows narrowed.
"I hope you two aren't planning on getting out of here. Chief Hiccup won't like it." Helga approached them. Having seen just how scared Renee was speaking of her uncle had her worried about being out there.
"Don't you want to be out there? To prove your worth to your uncle?" Pudge winked towards Viktor before looking at Helga.
"You know I want to get out there more than ever. But—" She was cut short.
"But what? This isn't because of your love affair with the outsider is it?" Viktor stepped towards Helga. Startling Helga.
"This has nothing to do with that." Helga objected, growing irritable.
"Face it Helga. You've grown soft since the holmgang," Viktor advanced, getting in her face as his voice rose. "The entire village knows you've been romancing the hiccup!" He glanced towards the door. The guards were beginning to look in their direction. He then looked back towards Helga. Her fists were trembling at her sides. He smirks.
"If you don't shut up and get out of my face, I'm going to make you eat those words." Helga warned through tightly clenched teeth. She tried to remain calm. But she couldn't hold her temper for much longer. And Viktor was pushing her patience.
"She brought this war on us! I wouldn't be surprised if Astrid was right about her all along. You know what that would make you? A traitor to your people!" Viktor crossed his arms over his chest and looked at her smugly.
In a flash, he's knocked over backwards to the floor. Helga stands, fist raised. She sneered down at him with seething anger. Pudge backed off, beginning to question the validity of his plan.
"I warned you." Helga hissed. She towered over Viktor who looked up at her.
He grabbed his jaw and moved it. Testing it. He rose to his feet and plowed into her. Helga stumbles back. She dodged his fist left, then right. She socks him across his jaw again. Viktor staggers back. He shakes his head, clearing the daze. He then growls and rushes her. He slams full force into her. The two fall back over a bench and into the crowd of huddled elderly and children. The crowd parts. Younger children hide behind taller adults in fear as they watch the two teens duke it out between them.
"Face it, it's always been about you!" Viktor snarled. Throwing a punch at Helga.
The guards quickly rush in and try to quell the fight. As Bucket tries to reach for Viktor, he's socked by Helga. He stumbles back and into an elder. The elder is pushed into another, more curmudgeon elder.
"Oy! Watch yer feet you ox!" The elder man shouted, throwing a punch at him. His target ducked out of the way, only for him to hit another nearby elder.
"Who you calling an ox you overgrown lawn gnome!" The woman snarled and turned her attention on him upon being struck.
As the guards are breaking up Helga and Viktor, they look up. Exhausted expressions on their faces. The elders had broken out into a frenzied mess of fighting. Viktor smirks to see their plan had worked and grabbed Helga by the wrist. The two sneak by the guards who rush passed them to dispatch the fighting elderly.
"I can't believe that worked!" Viktor excitedly shouted once the three were out of the Meade Hall. He looked to either side of him to see Helga and Pudge staring on with wide eyes. He looked to where they were and saw it for himself.
Du'món invaders were clashing with their warriors. Battle cries and shouts overpower the sounds of metal against metal. Hooligans were being pushed back despite their forces and efforts. Ivar's invaders were quick to disarming them. They worked together like well tuned cogs in a machine. They throw disarmed Hooligans into readily available huts. Where they barricade the doors shut to prevent escape. Those locked in the huts pound without effect on the doors. Trying to escape.
"I think we made a huge mistake…" Viktor whimpered. Feeling his stomach flip over on itself. The three duck down low and crawl their way to a back alley. They tuck in behind debris to hide as Du'món warriors march by.
"What do you mean we?" Helga snarled. Hushing as an invader comes to a stop nearby. Scanning his surroundings before marching off.
"This was your idea. YOU dragged me into this." Helga objected.
"We're getting creamed out here." Pudge grew anxious. Watching in fear as another Hooligan was thrown into a hut.
"I don't understand. Why are they throwing them into huts? What's their end game…?" Pudge questioned, observing their fighting tactics. Helga knew exactly why. Renee had told her their findings. She grew worried.
"Who cares, we need to go back to the Meade Hall. Now!" Viktor whined.
"This was your idea. You wanted to fight in this war? Well there it is!" Helga grabbed Viktor by his shirt collar. She gestured towards the fighting before them. He looked up at her, tears threatening to spill from his eyes as he sniffled sympathetically.
"Just as I thought. All talk. But when the opportunity presents itself. You're a coward." Helga berated him, letting him go.
"We're out here now thanks to you. And now it looks like it's up to us to even the playing field." Helga took command. Seeing that both boys were terrified.
An arrow tip had soon drawn Helga's attention as she crawled over to an abandoned crate. She rummages through it as an idea forms.
"I've got a plan." Helga stated. Pulling rope and an arrow out of the crate, she turned to face her teammates. Presenting them with her finds.
Renee broke free of the swarm and dove for Berk. Looking behind her, she could see that she already collected a couple of riders. They tailed after her, following her every move and begin to close in.
"Two Nadders against one. Not very fair odds. It's time they learned why I named you Thunderhead," She looks to Thunderhead, placing a gentle hand on his neck. "Time to bring the Thunder!" Renee shouts confidently. Thunderhead shook his mighty head and discharged a fearsome roar. He then snapped his wings. Kicking up speed.
Thunderhead begins to change course and snaps into a ninety degree climb. Renee hangs on as she hunches into her saddle. Already anticipating the wild ride in store. Her body sways in time with Thunderhead's powerful muscles as he continues to climb higher.
Renee looked back. Watching as Thunderhead tucks his wings against him. They begin to plummet. Renee is able to see their stunned expressions as she free falls between them on her dragon. A smug smirk crosses her lips as she salutes them in passing. The men snap out of their awe and change their course. They watch as the pair roll, loop, and dive playfully. Almost mocking them with their defiance. When it looks like they would crash into the island, Thunderhead surprises them. He opens his wings and glides on the speed he'd picked up.
Renee let's out an excited whoop as they soar between buildings with ease. Trusting Thunderhead to lead the chase. They make another turn through the village. She could see Du'món invaders backing a group of Hooligans into a corner. She tucked against her saddle and steered Thunderhead lower. She emits a shrill banshee war cry. Thunderhead plows through several men like a bulldozer with his snout. They fall over, giving the vikings the upper hand. She looks back, smiling to see them cheering her on as she passes through.
"Alright, time to lose these guys." She grew more serious.
"Ready?" Helga looked to Viktor and Pudge on either side of her.
"Got the spoiled Yak's milk and rotten eggs?" She asked. Seeing the boys were already carrying a sack filled with loaded water balls.
"It's go time." Helga smirked as she lifted her bow. The boys followed in unison.
They nocked rope tied arrows, drew back, and loosed them. They soared in a majestic arc. Before collectively lodging tight into their targeted roofs on the plaza below. Tied to a sturdy wind vine, the three wrap leather straps over their ropes and take off. Soaring over the fighting below them.
Viktor breaks away from the group and lands on an adjacent roof as Pudge lands opposite him. They hop down like graceful chimpanzees descending the roofs and get into position. Viktor looses another rope tied arrow aimed at the other building Pudge was hiding. Pudge grabs the arrow and quickly lays the rope between the main path. They hunker down and watch as invaders march through, chasing their own through the trap. Soon as Hooligans were safely through the pass, the boys pulled back on the rope once the invaders were on top of it. They watch as they fall over their trap.
"I thought you were suppose to be invaders, but I see you're laying down on the job!" Viktor shouts as the boys hop out from their hiding spot. The men begin to right themselves and turn. Growling to see the two boys mooning them.
"Can't catch us!" Pudge mocked. Patting his backside.
They quickly give chase. The boys flee through the alleys. Luring them through a maze of tight turns and passageways. Pudge narrowly makes it through a tight pathway following Viktor. Struggling at first but manages to get out of reach just in time before a Du'món invader makes a dive for him. The man winds up stuck and shouts curses at the two boys who look back on the other side. They're panting and out of breath and laugh at the struggling outsider. But they continue their journey. They begin to climb a tall building, reaching the rooftop.
"Well?" Helga was already waiting for them.
"Got their attention. They should be coming around any moment trying to catch up with us." Pudge panted. He's exhausted, but he quickly gets into position with the other two on the edge of the roof over looking the path. Loaded water balls in hand, they watch for their tailgaters.
The invaders come around the corner right on cue. They march through, irate at this point. The man that was stuck in the tight path, stood at the helm of the group. He was seething with rage by now as he looked for the back way in. A whistle from above catches his attention. He looks up with a sneer on his lips.
"Oh boys," Helga speaks in a seductive manner. "Looking for us?" She tosses a water ball in the air to catch it.
The man approaches the building and is about to try and climb it, only to have a wave of water balls come down at them. The ammunition pummels the men left and right and explode on impact. They back off. The putrid smell of the concoction too strong for their sensitive noses. One man was already climbing the building. Determined. Helga looks down, seeing their stalker growing closer. She cocks her arm back and throws it down at him. It lands square in the middle of his face and explodes into his eyes and mouth. The man lets out a blood curdling scream as the pain of the smell and taste overpowered him. The group retreats. Screaming as they flee.
"Right in the eyes! Yeah!" Pudge high fives Viktor in victory. Seeing Helga's one hit wonder.
Helga smirks as she watches the men retreating. She was proud of her accomplishments. A familiar shout caught her attention as she looked up. She could see her uncle was struggling against a group of the invaders. He fought hard against them with his ax. But he was overpowered. They disarm him and begin to herd him closer and closer to a hut. Clenching her teeth, Helga slid off the roof with the grace of a skateboarder. Landing roughly, she withdraws her own ax and rushes them.
Ivar docked against the destroyed harbor. And began his ascent up the winding docks. His boots sank into the mud cliffs of Berk as he finally made landfall. He watched as his men fought valiantly against the savages. He turned his attention. Screams of pain could be heard coming over the hill. He frowned upon seeing his men retreating. He reaches out and knocks the man off his feet as he passed by. He landed with a loud thud on his back. He squinted as he looked up. Gasping to see Ivar.
"You're going to let a bunch of heathens scare you off!?" Ivar roared.
"Th-they're using chemical warfare… sir!" The man cried in pain. Struggling to wipe his eyes free of the horrid stench. But it's of no use. He can still smell and taste it.
"Either get back in there, or burn with them!" He threatened.
The man had scooted back and rose to his feet. Swallowing. He turned with his unit and resumed their orders. Ivar watched as his men returned to the fray. As his eyes followed them, he caught glimpse of the great doors in the cliffside. A greedy, toothy grin soon replaced his disapproving scowl. He began to make his ascent up the hill. The sound of an approaching dragon caught his attention. He looked up. His brows narrowed to go with his already sinister grin.
"Ivar. Stop! It doesn't have to be like this." Hiccup called out as he hovered before Ivar. Removing his helmet. He looked the tyrant over and could see exactly why Renee feared this man. By viking standards he was of normal size, but to someone from Renee's time he was a giant.
"We don't want to fight you. But we—" Hiccup is cut off by the sound of Ivar's chuckling. Leaving him to watch the man with concern. Toothless growls in warning. Feeling unease in the man's presence.
"My this is fascinating. The very barbarian that my father spoke of. Doesn't want to fight!" Ivar thundered.
"We will fight you. If we have to." Hiccup replied, brows furrowing.
"I'm merely here to finish off a pest problem." He glances up, watching his niece riding overhead on a dark purple Deadly Nadder. Two of his own riders closing in on her.
"And if I'm to collect a few new dragons to add to my growing army of riders. Then so be it." He calmly stated. Hiccup didn't like the way this sounded.
"Leave Berk and we'll —" Hiccup was knocked out of his saddle with a cry. Toothless was pinned to the ground and struggled against Ivar's strength. Hiccup rolled up against a cluster of rocks as he looked up to see that Ivar pulled out a staff. Maces attached to both ends. Making it a formidable weapon. It held Toothless down.
"Enough talk." Ivar stated, only to stare in surprise. Hiccup rose to his feet and held in his hands a flaming blade.
"Very well then." He rushed at Hiccup.
Ivar attacked first, swinging down on his staff. Hiccup managed to barely parry his attack. Ivar's speed and strength overwhelming his own. He thrust at Hiccup's midsection. Hiccup managed to leap upon a nearby rocky ledge as he found himself on the defense.
"My father use to tell me stories." Ivar climbed the ledge and slashed his weapon at Hiccup who again blocked with his blade.
"Of Odin's barbarian horde." He lifts his staff up, blocking an attack by Hiccup.
"These barbarians rode on the backs of dragons. They kidnapped naughty children and enslaved them for eternity in hel. These heathens were lead by a green eyed monster that commanded a black dragon. Who's eyes pierced your very soul looking into his emerald eyes!" He tried to swipe at Hiccup's feet, but missed again as the nimble viking evaded catastrophe. Only to leave him open for attack. Ivar struck Hiccup in his chest. He fell back with a loud exhale.
"So nice to see all my hard work painted in such a colorful story." Hiccup wheezed. He scrambled back to his feet to avoid another blow from Ivar.
Nearby, Toothless followed anxiously. He wanted to aim a blast at Ivar. But with their weaving back and forth as they exchanged blows. It made it impossible for Toothless to avoid hitting Hiccup. This left the dragon frustrated as he watched his human companion fight on his own.
"I use to be afraid to set foot outside my hut. All those years ago. Because of those stories!" Ivar explained. Swiping several times at Hiccup. He finally knocked Hiccup back onto the ground, pinning him down. Hiccup gasped as his blade rolled out of reach.
"That is, until one day one of you invaded my village. With your dragons you set my village alight! Had it not been for my father trying to save my life. I would not have ended up stuck in some Gods forsake world!" Ivar spat as he towered over Hiccup. His fists white knuckled as he clenched his staff tightly.
"That is why I am going to extinguish every last one of you! In the same exact way you destroyed my village!" He roared, raising his staff. Hiccup looked up, terrified as he held his arm up before him.
Before the tipped staff could come down on Hiccup, it struck something solid. Toothless had put himself between Ivar and Hiccup. His nostrils flare as he hissed warningly.
"Out of my way… devil!" Ivar snarled in return. He gripped his staff and with a mighty blow, launched it like a baseball bat at Toothless. He strikes Toothless upside his jaw. Toothless emits a painful roar. He falls away, but not before knocking the staff out of Ivar's hands with his tail. Ivar watches as it falls out of reach. But his attention soon turns to the now exposed Hiccup. A smirk splits his lips.
"Steady…" Renee leaned forward in her saddle. They were on a collision course with the Meade Hall. The peak came closer into view. Renee leaned further forward into her saddle.
"Now!" She shouted. She pulls back on the saddle. Thunderhead snaps into another ninety degree climb before reaching the peak's base. They whoosh into the sky at lightening speeds. The sounds of distraught dragons reached her as she looked below. The Nadders careened into the sturdy mountain face. Dislodging their riders. Now free, the dragons break for freedom.
Renee looks back down at Berk once more. Ivar's invaders were still overpowering Berk's defending armies. Frowning, she levels Thunderhead and makes a break for what she called home the past month and a half.
Once on land, Renee hopped off and rushed inside. She scooped up her bow, strung it, then grabbed as many arrows as she possibly could hold. She turned to the door. Only to stop in fright.
Hunched in the doorway was one of Ivar's invaders. An ax in his hand and a scowl in his eyes.
"Ivar wants you alive. But after what you did to Jaden, you're coming back in pieces!" The man snarled. Slowly he entered the hut, blocking the exit. In a flash, he rushes at Renee. He swings wildly at her as she struggles to avoid getting hit. The invader knocks over furniture and wall displays. While chasing after Renee through the house. The once organized hut now looked as though a hurricane passed through.
"I had no other choice! He wasn't going to stop!" Renee defended. She tried to make a break for the open door but she's grabbed by her foot. The invader had dove for her and managed to grab her. She loses her bow and her arrows spill out and clatter across the floor before her as she's pulled to the floor. She looks back and gasps. The man held onto her, the ax cocked.
"He was only following orders. And because of you, my brother is dead!" The man snarled. He brought the ax down hard as he could. A metallic twang sang throughout the house. He looked down. Renee had withdrawn her sword and blocked the ax.
"You don't think I've been wracked with guilt after that?" Renee asked. Panting. She tried to pull free, but his grip on her remains firm.
"Because of your choice, I'm going to honor him with mine." The man swung at her again. Again Renee brought up her blade. The blade sounds as though it's singing with every strike she blocks as he pounds against her blade.
Renee is pinned. She can't continue to fend off her attacker. She was wearing thin. An idea began to form as she looked down. She could see it. A gap between his armor that exposed his gut. The same spot Helga was always punching on her. How she could never forget that. Taking a deep breath, she shot her foot into his stomach. His grip slackened on her. She pulled free and scrambled to her feet.
Collecting her longbow and ammunition, she tried to make a break for the door again. The man looked up through gasps as he tried to collect air into his deflated lungs. He staggered to his feet. With ax in hand, he rushed at her and gave chase. Renee had made it to the door. Only to scream in fear when an ax slammed into the frame of the door above her head. Narrowly missing her. She ducked and weaved out of the way as she looked behind her. The man was coughing and wheezing from her blow.
"Ivar was right. You have gone feral." He coughed. Righting himself as he regained his composure. He tugged at his ax. It was stuck tight in the frame. He growled as he began to pull at it. Trying to get it free.
Renee narrowed her eyes as she heard her uncle's name. She lifted her bow and nocked it. Aiming it at the man. She knew that his followers were not going to stop chasing her. They had made it perfectly clear that he wanted her. And they were going to stop at nothing to retrieve her.
"What are you going to do? Kill me with that little toy? My vitals are protected by armor!" The man laughed a wheezing laugh.
"No." Renee spoke as she lifted her bow.
She aimed the arrow at his head which was protected by a face plated helmet. Then down to his neck, chest, and shoulder which were sparsely protected with armor. She then aimed it at his arm still attached to the ax. It was not protected. She drew back. And loosed the arrow.
"Just slow you down long enough to escape." She turned and ran out of the hut as the man was left writhing in pain from the arrow in his upper arm. Hopping into her saddle, she took off for the skies once more.
Helga screamed an unearthly war cry as she charged the man that threatened her uncle's life with his own ax. Hearing her screaming, the invader turned to face her and merely smirked. Before Helga could even swing her ax, she's grabbed from behind by a larger invader. He grabs her ax, preventing her from swinging it.
"What 'ave we here? A little Sheila what thinks she can get an edge in otherwise?" The man laughed as he approached the indisposed Helga.
"Helga? You're suppose to be in the Meade Hall!" Spitelout snarled. Struggling against his captors.
"Ah, so the brute knows her then." He grabbed her by the jaw and gave her a look over. Not liking this, Helga hawked and spat at him. Her saliva landed between his eyes. The invader scowled as he wiped the mucous from his face. His unit laughing at such a sight.
"Throw her in the hut with the others!" The man thundered before turning his attention back to Spitelout.
Helga began to struggle. She watched fearfully as she was carried to a nearby hut. She cries out and kicks uselessly against her captor. Suddenly she's dropped as the man yowls in pain. She lands on the floor hard as she looks up. He's pulling an arrow from his arm. She then looks to the sky. Renee was flying overhead. Loosing arrows where she can to help the Hooligans.
Spitelout watches his captors dodge for cover. Their leader was struck with an arrow in the back of his arm. He smirks, for once approving of her actions. He turns his attention to the invaders and begins to bulldoze through them. Taking back his ax from the writhing invader. He gives an energized shout before rejoining the fight.
"Come on!" Viktor shouted as he grabbed Helga and pulled her to their hideout. A crawl space beneath a building. Pudge was already waiting for them as they joined up.
"We've done all we can. It's up to them now." Pudge spoke.
Out of arrows, Renee returned to the skies once she saw the others regrouping. Their efforts in trying to lose the opposing riders were in vain.
"What do we do now? We can't shake them!" Fishlegs shouted in panic.
"I hate to admit it, but I agree with Fishlegs." Snotlout panted, too exhausted to mock his team mate.
"Even our dragons are wearing out!" Ruff agreed, seeing Barf and Belch starting to tire as they pant.
"I'm wearing out! Look. My butt's asleep." Tuff complained as he shifted in his saddle.
"Can't even tell if I'm still sitting!"
"Your head's asleep!" Ruff barked.
Astrid glanced around, not sure what to do. They were outnumbered two to one. It was beginning to feel like they were going to lose this fight. That's when she saw him. Jet flew high above them all, shouting commands at the enemy riders. He wasn't in the fight at all.
"New plan. Take him out!" Astrid ordered as she flew towards Jet.
"Aww man…" Ruff complained as they followed Astrid into combat.
Renee was about to follow the group. Jet still had her journal. Or, she thought he did. But then she heard Toothless in pain. She pulled back on her saddle as she looked down. There she saw Ivar withdraw it. An all too familiar weapon that she had hoped never to meet in the past.
"Come on Thunderhead!" Renee shouted. Panic in her tone as Thunderhead dipped into a nose dive.
"Go. Go!" She shouted, urging her friend to fly as fast as his wings could carry him.
"What is she…" Astrid pulled back, seeing Renee turning course. The others attacked Jet from all angles, only meeting brute force by both Jet and his dragon in return. She followed Renee's trajectory and saw it. Hiccup was disarmed and cornered by Ivar. Toothless knocked aside, was just now stirring from Ivar's strike.
"Hiccup!" Astrid cried out.
A thunderous explosion rocked the bay. A sound unlike that of canon fire. To vikings, it was as if Thor himself attacked Hiccup who howled in pain. The weapon had pierced his leather armor as red began to stain through. Grabbing at his arm he shielded his wound and scooted back.
Ivar stood firm, scowling at the sight of his niece. She stood in his way of finishing off the viking behind her. He snarled as she sat tall in her saddle, looking down at him with disgust.
"Do you have any respect for history?" She hissed, her hands white knuckled as she gripped the handlebars of her saddle. She shook with rage. Breathing heavily as she stared her uncle down. Renee was disgusted with him. She could hear her friend fidgeting from pain behind her as she grit her teeth in a scowl. Tears threatened to spill.
The others had stopped their fighting as they heard Hiccup screaming in pain. And watched as Renee faced her uncle.
"End this now. Before more innocent people get hurt!" Renee begged. Behind her, Toothless crawled back to Hiccup, nudging him in worry. He turns his focus back to Ivar and resumes his position guarding Hiccup.
"Innocent?" Ivar chuckled. Amazed that his niece would consider such savage creatures worthy of being saved.
"Innocent!" He repeated himself, voice now full of rage as he shouted.
"They weren't so innocent when they raided my village and destroyed everything!" He thundered.
"Because of them, I have lost everything I knew. That is why all vikings must be exterminated!" He boomed furiously. He watched as his niece had trouble calming down her dragon after his outburst. He could see that the dragon was still wild despite allowing a human on its back.
"No viking is innocent." He hissed as he then pulled his gun out from the Nadder's claws and struck Renee with the butt of the gun. Knocking her off her saddle. She landed in front of Toothless with a thud. Thunderhead took to the sky in fright.
"But… These people are not responsible for what happened to you…" Renee begged. She found herself in the beginnings of a panic attack. She struggled to hold it back. To face her fears as she had been taught while her body trembled uncontrollably. Her throat tightened. Making breathing impossible, and talking difficult.
"These are… Good …People." She implored. Looking around her.
"Good…? Then why have you repaid their kindness with treason?" Ivar spoke as he pulled her journal out from his vest. Ivar watched as the other riders and remaining villagers gathered. Renee gasped. Looking up to see her journal in his hands. Helga, Viktor and Pudge pushed their way to the front of the line. Watching on in fear for their teammate. Jet lowered from his position as he watched the stand off go down.
"It's because of her your civilization has fallen!" Ivar held her journal up. Renee looked around, she could hear them whispering among themselves. The riders land, hesitant about retrieving their injured chief.
"No. I didn't mean— I was trying to—" Renee stammered. She couldn't find her words. She was beginning to hyperventilate. Tears collected in her eyes and threatened to spill.
"They've never really accepted you as one of their own. Have they!?" Ivar advanced Renee. She backed up until she braced up against Toothless. She listened in panic as the other vikings were questioning her actions.
"Why defend a group of savages if they haven't fully accepted you?" Ivar demanded, throwing her book at her. She fumbles for it as it bounces off her chest. By now tears were beginning to stream down her cheeks and stung her eyes and healing laceration. She clenched her eyes tightly shut as she clung onto her book like a child would hug a plush toy.
"As I thought. There is no such thing as a GOOD viking." His voice lowered dangerously. He lowered his weapon at her. She looked up. Freezing in fear to find herself staring down the barrel of his gun. She uttered a whimper before cupping her hands over her ears. She curled up into a ball as she closed her eyes shut again.
Before Ivar could pull the trigger to finish his niece off for good, liquid fire rained down over his weapon. Melting it in his hands and making it impossible to touch from the heat. He tossed it to the ground in pain. And watched as it melted and mangled into an unrecognizable shape.
"That's where you're wrong!" Jet announced. He flew in to land between Ivar and the downed vikings.
"All these people ever did was protect their own." He defended as he dismounted his saddle. He stood resolute before Ivar. Blocking Renee from him.
Ivar growled, seeing Jet had shifted his loyalty. He then saw his staff nearby. He lunged for the staff and whipped it across Jet's head. Knocking him across the path where he rolled to a stop, unconscious. Ivar turned and began to approach Renee. He stopped in his tracks when a loud roar had suddenly exploded in the area. The dragons of Berk took to the air, heeding their alpha's call to arms. They surrounded Ivar. Their jaws open and lit with the charging of fire within. Ivar then looked to the origin of the sound. It was the black beast that roared. It crouched over Renee. Protecting both humans from his wrath.
"The alpha…" Ivar's lips split into a twisted smile. In a flash he rushed the beast who was already weakened from his earlier blows. Toothless did not have the stamina to fight back. He found himself pinned down again by Ivar's staff and brute strength once more.
"Unless you want to hurt both the humans, and your alpha. Cease fire!" Ivar thundered. Facing the living wall of force. A moment passed. Then one by one, the light from their gullets dimmed. Seeing this, Ivar grinned. He then whistled for one of his riders.
"Take the alpha back to the ship." Ivar commanded as a rider flew in.
"But what about the purge, sir?" His soldier questioned. Having landed his Monstrous Nightmare before his commander.
"With the alpha, the snake's head is severed from its body. We will have more than enough fire power to take control of New York. And the world. If she loves these savages so much. She can stay with them. Let her know what it was like to grow up in a world that rejected her. As I have." He looked back down at the trembling ball that was his niece.
"Yes sir." His soldier obeyed. Toothless cries out in objection, watching as he's torn away from the humans. Berks dragons begin to follow. Abandoning their riders. Still under Toothless' command. Both vikings are exposed to Ivar. Unprotected. He towers over Renee.
"As for you… You will always be a sniveling coward. Forever a HICCUP." Ivar growled. Watching her tremble like a leaf in his shadow. He looked up. Watching as two teens hold back a female youth. The teen stopped long enough to lock eyes with him. Her aggression melted, to be replaced by fear. He smirked before turning to disembark. Pleased with his victory.
"Plans have changed! We strike New York, TONIGHT!" Ivar thundered. His invading foot soldiers cheer thunderously and begin to retreat in waves. The Hooligans are unsure whether this was a victory, or defeat. Their chief was mortally wounded, and their dragons have abandoned them.
"Toothless!" Hiccup cringed, trying to move. He gasped in pain. Watching as Toothless was carried off. The rider army retreating as they follow. He shielded his wounded arm. It burned as though he were struck by dragon fire. Once Ivar cleared, his friends rushed to his aid. Helping him up to his feet. Amidst the shuffling, Hiccup gasped. His face contorted in agony with each step.
"Get him to Gothi!" Astrid ordered. She looked on, watching their dragons disperse. Following Toothless. Heartbroken.
"Get off me!" Helga shouted. Pulling free of Viktor and Pudge. Quickly she rushes towards Renee. Shocked to see her chief in pain as he was carried passed her. Helga slid down the terrace and rushed to Renee.
"It's okay. I'm here. I'm here." Helga cooed. Pulling the traumatized youth into her arms. She wrapped her arms around her tightly. She looked down at her, concerned. She'd seen Renee in her panic attacks before. But nothing like this. She uttered pained whimpering between gasping for breath. While tears streamed down her cheeks. She repeated I'm sorry over and over. She trembled against Helga who held her tight against her warm body and rocked her gently back and forth. Helga looked up as a shadow cast over them.
"It wasn't your fault." Astrid listened to the whimpering coming from the curled up youth before her. She watched as Helga struggled to calm her strange trance. Even she couldn't stir her attention.
"We've all faced losses. But like you said. We come back fiercer than ever. We fight back!" Astrid watched. Frowning to see not a single attempt to acknowledge her came from Renee. The teen was still trembling and whimpering. Helga looked up at Astrid sympathetic. These were her best speeches she used to help Hiccup recover from a loss. She finally lost her patience.
"This is your final lesson in being brave so listen up, and listen well." Astrid grit her teeth as she pushed Renee with her boot.
"To be brave, you need to stand up for yourself. You need to stand up for what's right. Otherwise you will never break the bonds of tyranny. You will forever remain a coward. Unable to fight the good fight. Or are you going to let you uncle be right?" Astrid barked. She watched on. Renee was still a huddled mess. She growled and turned away. Her concerns now were with Hiccup and the blood loss he'd sustained from such a bizarre weapon.
She hardly noticed Jet stir behind. Having come to from Ivar's blow. He lifted his head and looked over. Seeing Renee a trembling mess in the arms of one of the vikings. He grew concerned.
"Y-you're right…" Renee sniffled. Trying to calm herself down as she stirred in Helga's arms. Astrid stopped in her tracks. A smile crossed her lips.
"All my life I've been a coward. Unable to fight, to survive. To keep what I worked so hard to achieve. I'm terrified of him. But if I don't stand up for myself. I'll always be a doormat." Helga helped Renee to stand on wobbly legs. Relieved that she had come out of her trance.
"It's time I viking up." Renee looked towards Astrid. Helga rose to stand at Renee's side.
"Now you're talking like a true viking." Astrid approved. Turning to face Renee.
"But with Chief Hiccup injured, Toothless and our dragons gone… What can we do?" Renee wiped her tears away and rubbed at her cut. She watched as the dragons of Berk disappeared into the distance, following Ivar.
"We're going to need a plan." Astrid confirmed. The two looked towards Jet who approached them. He held his hand up against his head in pain from Ivar's strike. He had defected from Ivar's commands to protect both Renee and Hiccup. He too was without a dragon. Their gaze fell upon the armor that he wore. They exchanged a shared glance to one another.
"Are you thinking—" Astrid started.
"What I'm thinking?" Renee finished as the two nodded.