Author's note: I may come back later and edit parts in this chapter.
"To fight Ivar without the risk of injury from his weapons. We're going to need armor." Astrid spoke. She and Renee followed Gobber back to the forge.
"How long do you think it will take to manufacture armor from recycled iron?" Astrid asked. Gobber counted the estimated time on his remaining fingers.
"Five. Maybe six hours. But without dragon fire to fuel the forge. More than that." He admitted with an apologetic shrug of his shoulders.
"Think we can lower that if we get more help?" Astrid asked. Villagers began showing up behind them. Hearing that Astrid had a plan.
"It's worth a try!" Gobber laughed heartily, seeing the help coming forward.
"Were there any ships left?" Astrid turned to anyone passing by.
"They all sustained damage. But there's one that survived with minor damage. We can get it fixed by morning." Spitelout replied.
"Good. Get some men on that." Astrid ordered as Spitelout nodded and departed.
Everyone worked well into the night. While Astrid and Renee sorted out their plans with Jet. The others were busy toiling away in the forge to build armor. Renee dropped by to ensure that they knew what to craft. They were going to need armor to protect their vitals from the guns of her time. And Gronkle iron was the strongest substance they currently had to shield bullets. With no Gronkles at their disposal to make fresh iron. They had to recycle weapons, shields, and other various iron objects to fill the order.
In the midst of preparing, the riders couldn't help but get excited at the thought of going back into battle. They missed their dragon companions and wanted them back by their side. Renee also missed Thunderhead most of all. Sure he was a pain in her rear end, but after what they've been through he was family at this point.
Renee soon found herself in the middle of a water bucket fight between the twins. It started life as a prank but soon escalated as the other riders got involved. Gobber's shouting had put an end to the horseplay.
In the end, she found herself being another one of the guys. The twins showed her their way of banging heads against each other's helmet. Renee made the mistake of exchanging her own knowledge of fist bumping. Which the twins took to punching each others fist violently. They showed her their gratitude by slamming their heads into hers. Which caused her to fall over from recoil.
"Renee?" A soft voice spoke up above their laughing as Renee was pulled back to her feet. Renee turned to face Helga as she approached.
"So… I guess with your uncle invading your village. You'll be going home?" Helga asked softly.
"I guess." Renee spoke. She had wanted to go home. But ever since she and Helga grew closer. She began to question where she belonged.
"But what about us? Me? Am I not important?" Helga demanded.
"I… uh." Renee stammered. Flushing. She looked around, noticing the twins were watching them.
"Can you uh… Excuse us? This is private." Renee forced a smile before escorting Helga to the back of the forge.
Astrid watched from the distance as laughter filled the forge. She grew worried for Hiccup. He lost quite a bit of blood from that bizarre weapon. She glanced back, hearing Jet approaching. Jet walked down the steep stairs, avoiding being shoved aside by aggressive civilians. He held a bar of ice against his throbbing head. He looked up. Spotting Astrid. Slowly, he approached her to watch the action going on in the forge below. He watched as Renee was being helped back up to her feet. She was laughing along with the others. And looked happy. Jet smiled to see her cheerful.
"It's amazing how far she's come." Jet observed. Watching as Renee was pulled aside by the same viking girl he'd seen with her earlier. He then glanced over to Astrid who looked concerned.
"The bullet was a through and through. It didn't hit any major arteries. Hiccup will recover." He promised. Understanding her fears.
"She just… Threw herself between Hiccup and her uncle. Protecting him with her life." Astrid then spoke. Still bewildered by what she had seen. She looked over to Jet. His armor smeared with drying blood from performing quick field surgery.
"There's a brave warrior in her waiting to come out. She just needs to discover it for herself." Jet said. Watching as Renee and the viking teen left the forge. He then watched as they were beginning to finish the armor as more was being completed.
"Looks like they'll be ready soon." Jet spoke.
Astrid watched as Jet passed her, heading to the forge to see the work for himself. Leaving her alone with her thoughts.
Jet watched as the two teens met at the back of the forge. He snuck up quietly on the two. Pressing his back up against the forge, he listened in on them.
Renee had sighed in relief once she was sure they were alone.
"You are important to me. But I don't belong here." Renee continued. Worried she would upset Helga. Helga was already on the verge of being upset. She could tell from the tone in her voice. She then looked up at her. An idea forming. Probably a stupid one. But it was spur of the moment. And worth the shot.
"Come with me! My home is a new adventure waiting for the both of us!" Renee stated. Pulling Helga's hands into hers. Helga looked at her, conflicted.
"I don't know. My uncle. Dragon training… I'd be giving up a lot." Helga looked away.
"I know it's a stupid idea. But I can't imagine life without you." Renee looked up at Helga with pleading eyes.
"I… I don't…" Helga pulled away. Overwhelmed by the thought of leaving Berk. The only place she'd ever considered a home. And the thought that she would have to give up Renee. She retreated.
Renee stared. Startled by Helga's retreat. She watched as Helga ran around the corner. She fell back against the forge. Sighing. Fearing the worst.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid!" Renee cursed herself.
"That was a loaded question." Jet spoke up. Renee jumped hearing him. She watched as he rounded the corner to join her.
"How much of that did you hear?" Renee asked.
"Enough. What if she does come with you? You said it yourself. Where's the respect for history? What if your actions erase someone of importance from our time?" Jet looked down at her. He watched as she fidgeted under pressure. Tears began building in the corner of her eyes before she rest against the forge again.
"I don't care if she's George Washington's ancestor. Or someone no one's ever heard of." Renee pouted.
"Aren't you being selfish?" Jet asked.
"I can't imagine a life without her. I use to think that true love was an empty Disney promise. But after getting to know her. I've learned it's real. It can happen. Jet! Haven't you ever been in love?" She turned to face him. Frustrated.
"I was in love once. But I had to give her up," Jet sighed as he leaned back against the forge. "What if this girl decides to stay? You're going to have to give her up. You don't belong here." Jet looked down at her.
Renee looked away. A tear rolled down her cheek. She reached up and rubbed it away. Feeling it sting her healing cut.
"I know it's hard. And it's going to be hard. But sometimes true love means having to give them up so they will be happy." Jet lectured.
"I've… got to pack my things." Renee choked back tears as she stormed passed Jet.
Jet watched her leave. He then pulled her journal out from his belt and looked at it. He had retrieved it when she left it behind on the embankment.
"I'll return it to her later." He sighed to himself before pulling away from the forge. Tucking it back into his belt, he returned to the forge to inspect the progress on the armor.
By dawn's first light, everyone was fitted and ready to disembark. A familiar sound stopped them in their tracks. Hiccup was at the docks. Valka at his side in case he needed help.
"Hiccup?" Astrid asked, looking towards him.
"I'm coming with you." He announced. His injured arm hung against him in a makeshift sling of leather buckskin strapping.
"But you're injured." Renee objected, coming to stand beside Astrid.
"I've already had this argument with mom. Toothless is in trouble. He needs me. There is nothing you can't say to change my mind." Hiccup argued, standing resolute. Fighting back the numbing pain in his arm.
Renee and Astrid exchange glances between one another before nodding.
"That's why we made an extra set of armor. I already knew you'd be too stubborn for your own good to stay behind." Astrid explained as she and Renee held up pieces of armor that were made to fit Hiccup. Hiccup smiled.
"We won't make it to Ivar in time. We're going to need help." He said as he boarded.
Renee watched as Hiccup boarded and looked back to the docks. She could see the village had turned out to see them off. She felt her heart sink, not seeing Helga. Sucking in her hurt pride, she turned to follow Hiccup.
"Wait!" A familiar voice calls out over the crowd. Renee stopped and looked back.
"I'm coming too!" Helga pushes her way through the crowd. A duffle bag slung over her shoulder and her ax strapped to her back.
She rushes down the docks. But before she could clear the slip to leap onto the repaired boat, she's grabbed by Spitelout and held back.
"Their fight doesn't concern you missy. You're safer here." He ordered.
"No," Helga pulled out of his grip and faced him. She took note from Renee and faced her own uncle. Spitelout glared down at her. "I'm going with them. With her. I love her. It took me all night to find my answer. And I'll stand by it." Helga argued.
"If you think I'm going to let you go off with —" He was stopped short.
"That's another thing. Uncle. You never let me prove myself because it's 'too dangerous'. I had to have this same argument with you when I wanted to be on an auxiliary team like you." She argued. Hearing the argument peaking, The riders turned to the scene. Jet looked on. Seeing that Helga had made up her mind to join them. He was relieved for Renee's sake. But at what cost?
"I did not promise your mother on her deathbed to protect you just so you would follow the hiccup to your death!" Spitelout thundered.
"Dad." Snotlout spoke up. Spitelout turned to face his son, his brows furrowing into a scowl.
"Helga's right. You never let her prove herself. She's stronger than you think. She can hold her own. If she's made up her mind to follow Tiny-Hiccup, let her." Snotlout approached to stand beside Renee. "You're not going to stop her or hold her back." Snotlout said. Renee looked up at Snotlout, before looking towards Spitelout. Growing concerned.
"You're certain…?" Spitelout breathed in deep. Defeated.
"This is what you want?" Spitelout looked to Helga. Helga nods.
"Then I can't stop you." Spitelout gave in. He held his head low in defeat. Helga rushed up to him, wrapping her arms around him in a hug.
"I'll be fine. I've got Renee and Jet to protect me." Helga promised. The large man tenderly leaned over and returned the hug with his small niece before the two parted.
"Come on squirt." Snotlout nodded to Helga to board. Helga turned and raced across the slip. In a single leap, she scaled damaged planks and landed in the boat. She proceeded to rush into Renee's arms. Renee was surprised by Helga's show of force that she was almost knocked off her feet. Renee was elated. She found herself burying her face into the crook of Helga's neck.
"Take care of her, Renee." Spitelout spoke. Renee looked up upon hearing Spitelout call her by name. She smiled, relieved to hear he finally recognized her.
"You have my word sir." Renee swore. Saluting him. Helga soon pulled away from their lingering embrace and turned to look over at her uncle one final time. He dips his head respectfully towards the two. They turn to join the others.
"Welcome to our dysfunctional family." Jet smiled. Helga looked to Jet in awe as they passed to join Hiccup.
Renee and Helga rush over to the edge of boat and look down. They watch as Hiccup summoned a submaripper from the depths.
"We rescued him from Viggo years ago. He's faster than the sailing winds and will get us there in no time." Hiccup reassured with a smile.
Immediately they prepared to disembark. Dropping chains into the ocean at the prow of their ship, the submaripper grips them with its massive maw. They soon set off.
As Hiccup promised. They caught up with Ivar's fleet in no time with the aid of the Submaripper. Renee stood at the helm of the ship with Helga at her side, watching as Ivar's fleet came into view. Berk's dragons circled over the fleet, making for a breathtaking sight. A familiar squawk echoed overhead. Renee looked up. Thunderhead came soaring in for a landing on the deck of their ship.
"I thought you were lost to Ivar." She rushed up to Thunderhead, relieved. She hugged his jaw.
"He's a juvenile, remember? He doesn't listen to the alpha." Hiccup interrupted. Watching as the two reunited. Glad they at least had one dragon on their side. Renee giggled as Thunderhead brushed his beak against her. Pushing her back.
"Looks like our plans just changed." Hiccup spoke. A thoughtful spark lit his eyes. He looked at Thunderhead as he approached.
"Think he can carry me to Toothless?" Hiccup asked. He reached out, holding his hand before Thunderhead's snout.
"I'm sure he can." Renee said with pride as she looked at her partner. Watching as he pressed his snout into Hiccup's extended palm.
"Then this is what we're going to do." Hiccup began. Their planning was cut short when a loud shriek pierced the area.
A large, lithe dragon had taken to the air. Its short wings beat powerfully to keep its long slender body aloft. Chains could be seen attached to the great beast and heard rattling. Announcing that it had been anchored to the flagship. Another piercing shriek echoed throughout the open ocean. Sounding very similar to an ear piercing explosion of a sonic boom as the roar pierces through the barrier of reality. Forcing everyone to clasp their hands over their ears. A swirling vortex opened up to the vision of a frightening and alien world at its epicenter.
"Is that…?" Astrid began, unable to finish. They watched as their dragons disappear through the portal. At the helm, they could see Toothless leading them through. Ivar defiantly on his back.
"By the roots of Yggdrasil…" Snotlout spoke, breathless. The others looked into the portal. Seeing a vision of tall buildings that stretched to the skyline like sea-stacks. Lights sprinkled the ground like stars twinkling in the night sky.
"Toothless!" Hiccup shouted, worried for his best friend. He watched as Toothless disappeared through the portal.
"Okay no time for quick planning. We get you to Toothless and get your dragons back here as fast as we can. My world is not use to seeing living dragons. This could cause chaos and panic." Renee stated as she hopped into her saddle.
"Wait, what about me?" Helga asked as she approached.
"Stay here and help them. I'll come back to retrieve you when this is all over." Renee promised as she held her forearm down to Helga. Helga hesitated, looking at her extended arm.
"Stay safe out there." Helga agreed, pressing her forearm against Renee's. Renee nodded affirmatively. Behind her, Astrid aided Hiccup into her saddle. With Hiccup loaded up behind Renee, Astrid turned to her.
"Bring him back to me. Please." Astrid begged, laying her hand against Renee's knee. Renee nodded before taking to the air for the open portal.
Hiccup shouted in surprise as they dove through the portal and into Renee's world. The sights and smells strong to him as he held on tight. Buildings stretched out to touch the sky, bigger and much taller than any sea-stack he's ever seen back home. Where it was daylight in his home world. The sun had set in the new world. His eyes readjusted to the new lighting.
"You live here?!" Hiccup shouted as he clung to her shoulders.
"This is only the tip of the iceberg!" Renee replied with a laugh as they neared a familiar statue.
Hiccup looked up, gasping to see a realistic carved face staring out at them with a scowl. Frozen in time. Renee looked over, also amazed as they rounded the inspiring monolith. In her left arm she held a slab. Carved on this slab, alien writing he'd never seen before. In her right, she held up a torch. A great crown rested on her head. Light from the pedestal illuminated the statue in an awe inspiring glow.
"That's Lady Liberty. She was gifted to us from the French. She stands as a defiant warning to tyranny. That we will not stand idly down. We will stand tall. Fight back! And tonight. We shall ride into the bowels of battle, and emerge victorious!" Renee spoke with pride booming in her tone. Hiccup broke his trance like staring and looked towards her. Smiling with pride to hear her rallying speech. It gave him enough courage to know they could and will pull through the oncoming battle.
Renee looked around as they neared the harbor. It didn't take long to spot a swarm of dragons swirling around the tallest building in the city. Her uncle had Toothless under his command and was on his back.
"With your injured arm, you can't use your flight suit. You've only got one shot at this. So make it count!" Renee looked over her shoulder to Hiccup who nodded in agreement. She then steered Thunderhead towards the building.
As they neared, they found themselves under attack by Du'món riders. They had set up a parameter to protect Ivar. Their orders were to protect him at all costs from any opposing threat. That included them.
"We got company. Hang on tight!" Renee shouted. She then turned into a nosedive. They broke into a high flying chase throughout the city.
With two warriors dead on her tail, she dove for the streets of New York. Hiccup wailed. Losing his grip, he grabbed on tight to Renee. He looked on in surprise at the massive metal beasts that lined the streets below as they came into view. He was taken for the ride of his life. He was impressed with how far Renee had come. They made hair pin turns, weaving in and out of buildings to try and shake their pursuers.
"They're closing in!" Hiccup warned as they took their chase through an open street.
"No they aren't…" Renee held on tightly to her saddle as she leaned forward.
"Duck!" She shouted at Hiccup. Quickly he leaned forward. They dove beneath a traffic light and climbed higher into the sky. Leaving behind the sound of screeching brakes and angry honking. Hiccup looked back at their pursuers. One of their tailgaters didn't have a chance. He was knocked off his saddle. Colliding with the traffic light. The second rider never once acknowledged his fellow rider's plight. He continued on with the chase.
Their chase continued as they tried to shake the last of the dragon riders. Their game of cat and mouse soon took them through Time Square. Hiccup marveled at the bright flashing lights ahead of them that turned night into day. People filled the streets below, far many than he could count. Certainly far more than the population of Berk. Many stopped to look up, aiming their phones up to capture the action above them. Others took for cover, wailing in fear. Renee then flew before a massive building. She glanced up, watching in fear to see that it was broadcasting live news feed on a giant screen. The explosive sight of a helicopter shot down greeted her. Before the footage flipped over onto THEM. Hiccup looked on in startled wonder to see them on the large screen. As though it were a reflection in a crystal clear pool.
"We have to get back before Ivar kills anymore people." Renee barked as she withdrew her sword.
"Hold on tight back there." She banked and made a sharp turn as they cleared the building. Thunderhead knocked a mounted camera as he pushed off the building for support to turn.
"It's time to play a game I like to call chicken." Renee held her blade tight. She looked out ahead of her. The opposing rider also withdrew his blade.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing? Hiccup asked nervously. He wrapped his arms around her waist tight. Minding his wound. He watched as the other rider drew closer and closer. Neither rider backed down from their perilous path.
"Now, Thunderhead!" Renee shouted as they went into a barrel roll. Hiccup wailed behind her as his grip tightened. Renee screamed her banshee war cry as they rolled into the arc. She reached out to the rider below them at the height of her arc. With a swipe of her arm, the pommel hit the rider. He was knocked from his saddle. The man plummeted, only to crash on the roof of a police vehicle as it pulled into place. Its sirens blaring. Only to be silenced as the body smashed into it. Hiccup looked back. Amazed at what had just happened. He watched as the rider was peeled off the roof and taken into custody by the local authority.
"Let's get you back to Toothless!" Renee looked back to Hiccup as she sheathed her blade.
They soon returned back to Ivar and his swarm as they approached the building. What remained of Ivar's dragon riders expanded the sector. Keeping any authorities from approaching. Renee watched, biting her lower lip as another helicopter exploded that dared near. She was at least relieved it wasn't Toothless being forced to attack. She tried to get Hiccup as close as she could to him. They only had one shot at this. She looked over to Ivar who snarled at her presence. Her brows narrowed defiantly in reply.
Ivar watched as they approached on the back of a dragon. Angered that she had survived two of his rider's advancement. Growling he pressed his staff against Toothless' head.
"Toothless!" Hiccup shouted, catching his best friend's attention as they flew closer. Toothless whined as the staff pressed painfully against his head. He looked towards Hiccup for help.
"It's okay. I'm here bud. I'm here." Hiccup grabbed a hold of Renee's shoulder tightly with his good hand. He balanced himself on the back of the saddle. He inched his way to the edge of the saddle carefully. Preparing to leap.
"Fire!" Ivar commanded. He pressed down harder with his staff, only for Toothless to narrow his eyes in contempt. In a flash, he snatched Ivar's staff with his mouth. And with his mighty strength, he hurled Ivar off his back. The tyrant broke his fall. Landing heavily on the roof of the nearby building. He looked back, snarling.
"Now Hiccup!" Renee shouted. Hiccup dove off the saddle as Toothless drops out of the sky. Unable to keep aloft with no one in charge of his tail prosthetic.
"Come on…" Renee breathed, praying they make it. Watching as they free fell for what felt like miles. Hiccup finally reconnected with his saddle mid air before they impact the streets. They cleared the street below and skyrocketed past terrified onlookers. Heading back for the alien sky above.
"I've got ya bud!" Hiccup shouted, affectionately rubbing Toothless' head. Holding tightly to his saddle.
"We need to disable his riders before you can get your dragons home!" Renee shouted.
"Two against eight. Think we can do this?" Hiccup asked. Insecure. The odds were against them. He shifted his shoulder. His wound began to bite back uncomfortably from the stress of reconnecting with Toothless.
"It'll be a walk through the woods for us." Renee nodded confidently.
Seeing her confidence, Hiccup nodded and the two broke away. They dive bomb the riders. Luring them away from their posts. Leading them higher into the air and away from Ivar.
They fly into battle. Ivar's warriors begin to amass and charge at the lone dragon riders. Renee glances over to Hiccup, watching as he withdrew his blade. It extended and locked into place as it ignited. He scowled at the oncoming riders.
She gulped. It was now or never. She had tried to avoid slicing another human being with her blade for the longest time. It all came down to this moment. She inhaled deep. Withdrawing her blade once more, she shot a determined stare. This was the one thing she couldn't cower away from. She would enter this fight a child. And emerge a warrior.
Hiccup was already launching an impressive attack. Striking those who dared advanced. Men fell left and right from their saddles. Wounded by his wicked blade.
Renee wailed, narrowly avoiding a fire blast from an opposing rider. Thunderhead retaliated. He reared back in mid air and, with a flick of his prehensile tail. Barbs launched, stitching into the rider. The rider ceased movement. He slumped forward in his saddle. With no movement or rider to command him, the dragon retreated.
Renee had stared on in shock at what she had seen. Thunderhead had KILLED a man to protect her. She felt guilt taking over.
An oncoming blade drew Renee back to reality.
"Here we are again. Facing down once more. Only this time, I'm going to finish what I started!" The rider spoke up.
She launched her blade up, stopping the other rider's blade from striking her. Renee looked up to see it was the invader from before. His shoulder wrapped tight from her attack. She locked eyes with the rider. The world seemed to disappear around her and her opponent. Renee focussed on trying to survive. She was unaware that the rider pushed her closer and closer to the Empire State Building.
Static began to build in the air. Lightening flashed and danced in the distance. Announcing the arrival of a storm.
Renee struggled. She had fought on land. But she had no experience fighting in the air. She kept a defensive front. Knowing no other way. The other rider snarled as he bared down on her, pounding his blade against hers. She wailed in fright as she lost concentration. She grabbed her arm as she pulled back. Blood pooled through her torn shirt sleeve.
"First I'm going to end you. Then I'm going to end your friends. One. By. One." The man promised. Renee looked up. He had cocked his blade back. Fear flooded her senses. She froze. Worry about Helga crossed her mind. Then instinct kicked in. In a streak, she slashed her blade at him as she screamed. The man looked at her. Shock in his eyes. She had slashed his throat. He coughed, blood pooling forth from his throat. His body then slid off the saddle before he plummeted to the streets below.
Renee pulled back, watching on in fear to see that she had finally done it. She had killed someone. She trembled and swallowed. She looked down at her illuminated blade, the crimson color of blood smeared on its edge. It had finally tasted blood.
Pain suddenly racked her side. She was knocked out of her saddle and rolled to a stop. Her sword rolled out of reach. She gasped. She looked out to her sword ahead of her. Her vision blurred. She winced, and tried to clear her daze. Slowly she inched her way to reach her sword. Reaching her hand out, she gripped it. A foot came down on her hand, crushing it. Renee yowled in pain and let go of her hilt. She looked up to the owner of the foot. Gasping to see her uncle towering over her. A scowl on his face. In a blur, she was kicked away from her sword.
Hiccup fought against several oncoming riders. He would block, then slice into them with his blade. Sending them retreating in pain. He was down to one opposing rider. A scream had caught his attention. He looked back towards the building. He could see Renee in trouble. She was overpowered by her uncle.
Bright light suddenly distracted him. Hiccup covered his eyes as Toothless shook his head in agitation. The light source came from a spot light below. Four had been moved in to illuminate the scene above. Now that the riders had been dispensed, and Ivar distracted. Authorities had blocked off a five mile radius to protect civilians. This also included evacuating nearby buildings.
Pain coursed through him. The rider struck Hiccup's wounded arm. He slumped over in his saddle, cradling his arm. He growled through the pain and rose. In lightening fast speed, he blocked another oncoming attack. Once, twice, three times he deflected the rider's advances. The rider cocked his blade, readying a fourth attack. Hiccup lashed out, digging the blade across his chest and through his armor. The rider gurgled in pain as blood bubbled from his lips. He slumped over and slid off his saddle, falling to the streets below.
"That's the last of them… Take them home bud." Hiccup patted his dragon friend, looking up towards the swarm. Toothless snorted an excited 'yes' before rising to the air. Now at the helm of the swarm. Toothless emits a piercing roar. The dragons snap to attention and begin to disembark.
One by one, Berk's dragons began returning to the portal. But not before lightning strikes the spire of the building. The dragons Ivar collected, had broken away from the swarm. Fearing the storm. They take off in all directions in panic. Seeking shelter. Hiccup strikes out to go after them. But a panicked shriek draws him back. He looks back to the building.
"We'll get them later." Hiccup promised as they rushed in to help Renee.
Renee tried to get up. But each try, Ivar sent his foot into her side. Kicking her aside like a soccer ball.
"I should have killed you when I had the chance!" Ivar thundered. He cocked his staff.
Renee looked up. She rolled away before the mace head came down on her. She scrambled to her feet, clutching her side, and hurried to her discarded blade. Ivar becomes enraged and begins to swing blindly at her. Renee tucks and rushes for her blade. The staff catches her by her ankle as she somersaults. She was flipped onto her back. She looked over to her sword, her chest rising and falling violently. She reached for it desperately.
The maced staff comes down on her. She grabbed her sword and raised it up. Blocking the staff.
Helga sighed as she watched the portal vigilantly. Both Hiccup and Renee had been absent for the last hour. She was beginning to worry as the sun began to rise higher in the sky. She picked at a splinter in the wood as she leaned against the railing.
"They've been gone a long time… You think they're alright?" Helga asked as she heard Snotlout approach.
"You're forgetting who's out there. Hiccup's faced worse than this. And still came out victorious. You've just, gotta have faith." Snotlout said. Looking up at the portal and its ominous guard. He gulps.
Helga sighed, shaking her head. She knew her cousin meant well. But even she could see he was holding back his own fear. She looked back to the portal. Watching. Hoping to see any sign. A familiar shape emerges from the portal. Followed by another. Then a swarm begins to trickle through.
"Look! The dragons! They're returning!" Helga shouted. The group watches anxiously.
"They did it!" Astrid shouted with joy. Watching as their dragons come into view.
"Meatlug!" Fishlegs shouts with joy as his dragon comes in for a landing. Huffing out of breath with her tongue lopped out the side of her mouth. He throws himself at her and hugs her.
"I thought we had a deal, Hookfang!" Snotlout barked, shaking his finger at his dragon who landed. Hookfang leered at Snotlout and without warning, clamps his jaws around him.
"I missed you too." Snotlout muffled through his dragon's teeth as he patted Hookfang's jaws.
Jet watched the happy reunions all around him. He could see that these vikings cared greatly for their companions like family. He was beginning to feel loneliness for his own dragon as he crossed the deck of the ship. He then looked up, watching as his dragon had come in for a landing. He smiled as his dragon brushed its head into him.
"I'm sorry." He said with relief, stroking his Nightmare's jaws.
"Alright, we need to take out the rest of Ivar's army before they can regroup with Ivar!" Jet ordered as he hopped into his saddle after his brief reunion.
"But what about the others?" Fishlegs questioned as he climbed atop Meatlug.
"Hiccup's fine. We need to ensure these guys don't get over there and help Ivar." Astrid agreed. She took to the air on Stormfly and immediately began attacking the ships. Preventing remaining warriors from escaping.
"Aim for the ships!" Jet ordered as he too followed into attack.
"Wait, what about me?" Helga asked, running to catch up with Snotlout who pulled himself from Hookfang's jaws.
"Unh-unh. Without a dragon, you're staying here. Dad would kill me if you got hurt on my watch." He climbed into his saddle.
"But Renee said—" Helga began.
"No. I'll retrieve you when it's over." Snotlout promised as he flew into battle.
Helga sighed in defeat as she watched the riders attacking the enemy fleet in the distance. She resumed her bored position against the railing.
Renee struggled against Ivar's force. The man, despite being seven foot taller than her, was a power house. He pounded into her blade. Almost knocking it out of her hand as she struggled to hold her blade up to block.
Renee rose to her feet. She forced herself to lock eyes with Ivar despite her fear. Ivar began pushing Renee towards the edge of the roof. Lightning struck the spire again as Ivar knocked Renee down against the edge of the roof. Her head dangled over the side precariously. She glanced to the side. Gulping to see how high up they were. She then looked up at the monster before her. She was struggling to hold her blade against his staff.
Ivar's strength was too much for Renee. He pins the staff against her chest. He ripped the strip of iron armor from her neck. He then began to push her own blade against her throat. Her eyes dilated in fear. She cried out. She could feel her blade beginning to dig into her skin. Ivar was emotionless as he bared down on her. He showed no sign of remorse as she cried in panic.
A blinding blast struck the ledge near by. Sending Ivar stumbling back. Renee cried out in fear as she rolled away. The familiar ballistics wailing filled the air. Several more blasts tack the ground, keeping Ivar from advancing Renee.
"You again!" Ivar snarled. Looking up, he watched a familiar figure land on the ledge of the building.
"Renee is one of us. You attack her, you're attacking Berk." Hiccup declared. Toothless shot another warning blast before him. Causing Ivar to back away.
Ivar growled, turning his anger on Hiccup. Sneering, he charges. Dodging another blast from Toothless. In no time he reached them. He swung, catching Toothless by the forelimb and knocked them both from the ledge. Both dragon and rider separate from the violent attack. Toothless slams against the base of the spire and collapses. Injured. Hiccup screams in pain, landing hard on his wounded shoulder.
Toothless stirs, hearing Hiccup in pain. He looks up, seeing Ivar towering over him. He stabs the staff through piping and wedges it in place. Pinning Toothless and rendering him immobile. Ivar then turns his attention on the downed savage behind him.
Renee rushed towards Hiccup. She pulled him into her arms. Trying to protect him from her uncle. She watched in fear as he advanced them. He removed a new rifle from his back.
"You put up a valiant effort. But know that your effort was futile. His reign of terror ends… NOW!" He promised. Renee held on tight to Hiccup. Putting herself between Ivar. Doing her best to shield Hiccup from a direct blow. Behind them, Toothless' cries of frustration could be heard. Struggling against the staff. He flopped and thrashed. Only to barely shift it. He was pinned to the ground.
Over Ivar's fleet, the riders had their hands full. They put up a full frontal assault against the warriors. Jet barked commands and warnings as their eyes and ears, leading them to victory. He was Ivar's tactician and having him on their side was an advantage. Left and right, warriors dropped from their dragons and were collected.
"Quickly! Secure them so they can't escape!" Jet ordered as he dove at another warrior and knocked her from her saddle.
"Who does this guy think he is?" Snotlout asked as he passed Astrid.
"The guy tried to destroy Berk, and now he's ordering us like he's Hiccup?" He huffed.
"Quit complaining Snotlout. We're winning!" Ruff shouted as they flew by.
"Don't tell me you're jealous?" Tuff teased as the twins dipped and soared after the falling warrior. He and Ruff were tasked with catching any falling riders with a net.
"Of course not! Just… Questioning why he thinks he's in charge. That's all!" Snotlout objected.
"What do you know?!" He turned his attention on Hookfang who gurgled arguably towards him.
Astrid chuckled to herself as she listened to her friends arguing like always. She was about to chase after a stray rider when she heard it. Hiccup's blood curdling scream. She stopped mid flight and glanced back towards the portal.
"No…" Astrid gasped. She redirected Stormfly.
"Where's she going?" Tuff asked, watching as Astrid broke off from them.
In a flash, Astrid had disappeared through the portal and into the alien world.