An explosion ripped me from my dreams. At first, it seemed to be a part of the nightmares that haunted my nights. But moments later, more explosions ringed through the air. The room around me shook. Toothless started up with a jump and looked around wildly, startled.

"What's happening?"

I shrugged. "Beats me." I threw off the covers and grabbed my prosthetic, tying it on and grabbing my tunic. I ran through the halls, Toothless on my heels. We noticed Valka jumping on Cloudjumper and flying outside. I jumped onto Toothless and followed.

I was greeted with a terrifying sight.

An army of AI, tanks, and machines of all sizes surrounded the sanctuary, firing explosives that hit the metal walls. Friendly AI were being shot down and trapped. My mother was flying around, trying to free them. Cloudjumper was blowing up traps. My father was also among them, his AI, Metalcrusher, flying around trying to help.

We were terribly outnumbered.

I hovered high above, looking for the leader.

Drago.

I spotted a huge figure below, shouting orders. I took a chance and angled Toothless down. The figure turned to me. This man was huge, intimidating, terrifying, what's another word? He stared at me through gleaming eyes.

"So this... THIS is the inventor that they speak of. You are much more pathetic then I envisioned."

I suppressed a growl and moved forward. The man continued.

"I expected a man, not a boy. A one legged boy." He threw back his head and laughed. It was a throaty, horrible noise.

I winced. Toothless tensed behind me, silently begging permission to wipe him from the face of the earth. I held up a hand to calm him. He continued growling anyway, watching the man's every move through dangerously narrowed eyes.

I took a deep breath and moved forward.

Drago held up a hand. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. You have something to lose."

I snorted. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Drago smirked. "I have one of yours. Caught him flying in our territory. Shot him down."

I stopped in surprise and tried desperately not to show it.

Drago noticed anyway. "Ah, so loyal to your friends are you? A very good quality. But an exploitable weakness for fools. Yes, I have him. A short one with brown hair and green eyes? Fierce one. Told me you were going to... "kick my butt." He obviously exaggerated."

I froze.

Richard.

No.

NO.

Rage swept though me, as well as guilt. I shouldn't have been so harsh... not to my best friend.

I pulled out my sword. Several familiar voices reached my ears, and I turned my head to the skies for a moment.

The riders. My friends. All with their AI, flying in and blowing things up. I didn't know how, or why, but I was thankful.

Drago was also distracted by the riders, so I took my chance to attack. All bets were off. Stoick was right. Richard was right. I had to fight to protect. I sliced my sword at Drago. I sliced his arm, and he jumped back with a growl. He pulled out a large pole-arm and began to swing it at me. I dodged, jumping around. An advantage of being small and nimble, I suppose.

"Hiccup!" Toothless leaped forward, sweeping the man over with his tail. I took my chance and leaped on Drago, holding my sword to his throat. He gasped and stared through hatred filled eyes.

I stared for a long moment. I didn't think I could kill him. My hand shook. Drago took his chance and struck me across the chest with his pole-arm. I gasped and fell over, and before I knew it, I was on the receiving end of a stab in the stomach. Toothless let out a furious roar and leaped at Drago. Drago turned and moved into the bulk of his army. He disappeared among the masses of attackers, which were still being rained on by fire from Fish, Ruff, Tuff, mom, dad, and Astrid.

I pulled myself to my feet despite the pain. I stumbled, only to be caught by Toothless. He stared at me through worried eyes. "Hiccup?"

I nodded. "M fine." I mumbled, getting onto his back.

A terrible noise filled the air. A huge monster, an AI, appeared seemingly out of nowhere, it had probably been hidden somehow. It moved toward the sanctuary, crushing things under its feet.

I had to stop that thing.

I guided Toothless into the air. He looked back at me. "Hiccup, you're hurt. This isn't a good idea."

I pushed him forward, despite sudden dizziness and a burning pain in my lower body. "We have to stop that thing."

He nodded and flew forward, despite his obvious fear for me.

That's when I saw him.

Richard was chained to the huge AI by his arms and legs, being held to it's front. He looked terrified and very upset, as well as badly injured. I stared helplessly at him. "No." I breathed. Toothless noticed him at the same time. "How are we going to save him?"

I shook my head.

I didn't know.