Sorry for not being able to update right after Spring Break. With school coming to a close... lots of papers... lots of projects. Had to squeeze some writing in when I could. Hope this chapter makes up for the wait! I tried to make it spicier than I originally planned (lol, never thought I would use the word 'spicier' to describe my writing...).
Oh, and a funny story...
I didn't remember what happened in chapter fifteen so when I pulled up my notes for chapter sixteen I was like, "WHAT IN THE WORLD IS HAPPENING!?"
So then I had to reread a bunch of stuff xD Sad when one can't even remember their own story... Good thing I have all my notes!
Extra hugs and lots of love to Just a Crazy-Man, KaliAnn, Pewter Griffon, Anony mouse101, QuirkyRevelations, Raine Vinyaya, E, Alethea 13, and all the people who reviewed chapters other than chapter fifteen (I would name you but I can't remember who all did the reviews...)
To the guest who told me her name's Astrid: I am well aware her name is Astrid... I called her Astrid for fifteen chapters. But from Meatlug's point of view, I had her kind of mess up Astrid's name because Astrid isn't as important to Meatlug as Fishlegs is. Haha.
To the chapter!
Chapter Sixteen: A Game of Luck
Toothless found a cave entrance and landed. He began the trek into the cold depths, eyes glowing bright and hot with anger and determination. Hiccup was tense upon his back, shoulders bunched lightly and eyes narrowed. The boy calmed his breath, listening to the echoes of the cave and the alighting of claws hitting the ground as the rest of the dragons landed upon the ground behind them to follow. Hiccup ground his teeth for a moment, hissing to himself as he tried to figure out where they needed to go. He could feel Toothless' body beneath him; tight and ready to fight if an enemy dared to show themselves. Hiccup couldn't decipher his own emotions as they headed through the tunnels, uncertain of what exactly they were searching for. His fury was loose, but his anxiety was high, too. He felt accomplishment and pride from their win but he knew that he had to be ready.
"Hear anything, Bud?" Hiccup murmured.
Toothless let out a small whine, then snorted. The dragon paused, raising his head, elongated scales shifting to help him detect sounds and vibrations. His claws clenched, scraping along the ground in a screeching sound before he huffed, growling, eyes narrowing, a snort. The Night Fury began to move again. The dragons behind them all followed without protest or questioning. The men and women upon the backs of many of the dragons also kept their mouths shut, listening, poised for an attack.
Their pace seemed to take eternity to Hiccup. He couldn't figure out why Toothless was moving so slow. He patted his friend's neck lightly, urging him to pick up the pace but Toothless only throated, ignoring him. The dragon picked tunnels carefully and his steps seemed to be just as careful. The dragon whined again as they reached a split in the tunnels. Shifting uneasily, Toothless glanced down the one that arched up, but then stared hard and long into the lower tunnel. He hesitated, thinking, his tail lashed and nearly knocked Fishlegs right off of Meatlug. The Gronckle let out a disapproving hiss, but Toothless hardly paid her mind. He approached the lower tunnel, sniffing.
Hiccup turned his body around to face Astrid, who Hiccup had almost forgotten was riding on the back of Toothless with him. He had been so focused. The female just shrugged, having no idea. Hiccup then turned to Fishlegs, thinking that he would have some sort of answer. Fishlegs seemed nervous before saying, "Toothless doesn't seem sure about which way to go..."
"I wonder why. Can he not hear where the others are?" Astrid questioned softly.
Hiccup bit his bottom lip. He felt a gnawing fear that Toothless could hear exactly where the others were. The problem was that the others were split up... and Toothless wasn't sure which group to track down. Hiccup was pulled from his thoughts when Toothless let out a piercing shriek into the tunnel he was gazing down. The roar echoed off the walls and sides, trailing down into the darkness before vanishing from hearing range, caught in the thickness below. Hiccup turned his body about, checking to be sure that no one had heard them and was going to be on them in a moment. Just what they would need is for the Outcasts and Folk i Isen to have the upper hand... knowing their location.
Nothing, but soon a sound disturbed the air from the deepness of the tunnel that Toothless had roared down to. Hiccup's eyes widened and his heart clenched. He looked over to see Fishlegs' eyes widening, as well, catching on to what they had just heard. It was Hookfang. The Nightmare was down in the tunnel.
Worried for his cousin and the other half of the dragon force that had been with Snotlout and Hoark, Hiccup ordered Toothless to go down without a second thought. He told Fishlegs, and a couple others to follow but for the rest to remain where they were. If they needed help, Toothless would call back up to them for them all to come down and assist. But Hiccup didn't want too many rushing down the tunnel, for it seemed smaller.
Toothless slowed even more than Hiccup thought possible as the tunnel seemed to slip into night. The dragons' breathing were heavy in the air, seeming extra loud in the stillness of the cave. They were pretty far down, Hiccup was aware. Probably as low as the dungeons, but this place was different. There was barely enough light to move without fear of hitting the sides of the tunnels, but Hiccup squinted through the darkness and noticed a couple torches lined up along the walls, unlit. Toothless blew them to life with his fire and, soon, an orange glow took hold of them all. And before them, Hiccup was astonished to see a large wall of rocks. It was a cave in, and Hookfang was trapped on the other side.
Jumping off of Toothless, Hiccup approached the great wall before them. Astrid and Fishlegs came up alongside him, gasping with astonishment at what they were seeing.
"Hookfang?" Astrid finally called, running a hand along a rock. She maneuvered about until she found a large gap big enough for her and Hiccup and get through if they wanted. She bent low and called through it, "Hookfang?"
"Astrid, is that you?" Hoark's voice replied.
Astrid pulled herself up right and gazed over at Hiccup, who pulled a hand to his chin, thinking about what must have happened. He finally came up alongside Astrid and bent low to speak through the small hole to the other side where Hoark and Hookfang were. "Hoark, what's happened? Who all is in there?"
"The whole bit of the dragon force that wasn't with you. Aside from Snotlout, at least. Alvin's Thunderdrum trapped us in here by causing a cave in. The dragons have been working at trying to pull the rocks away, but it's difficult to see and we're worried about causing a bigger cave in. We're all trapped," the Viking man responded, his voice husky, filled with a sort of anguish and annoyance for not being able to escape.
Astrid's face twisted in confusion. "Where's Snotlout?"
"Crawled out that hole that you're talking to me through. Unfortunately, I think Alvin and Hella caught him as he escaped. Not sure what's become of him now."
Hiccup felt his blood run cold and he exchanged a look with Astrid. He knew she was thinking the same thing. Snotlout was probably dead. Alvin had taken Spitelout's life and now probably the boy. Hiccup's fists clenched tight, wondering how much of his family's blood would be spilled before this was all over. He didn't realize just how tight his hands were until Astrid laid one of her own upon his. His green eyes noticed how white his fingers had gone and he released them, the blood flowing back in smoothly, bringing back a more healthy pink tinge.
Hiccup's breath was ragged and visible in the cold air. He stood straight and turned to Toothless and the other dragons and men and women that had come with them. He nodded his head just barely and said, "We have to free Hoark and the others. Lets get these rocks out of the way."
"Hiccup, it might just make things worse. Hoark said they were worried about causing the cave in to get bigger," Astrid protested.
"We have to try. We'll need all the help we can get to stop Alvin and the others. What choice to we have?"
Astrid's lips formed a hard line and she couldn't respond. A sigh escaped her throat and she finally nodded. She joined Hiccup, Fishlegs, and the other men and women off to the side while the dragons approached the great wall of rocks and began to work at it. Hoark instructed the dragons on the other side and the sound of rocks tumbling soon echoed about the cave. Any Nadders - since they don't have much of forearms - worked at protecting their friends from the falling debris. Soon, a gap was forming along the top of the tunnel, big enough for Vikings but not yet for a dragon as big as Hookfang and other Nightmares. So the dragons pressed on, the time ticking by, each moment causing Hiccup and the others to feel more tension building up inside them as they could only hope they would be able to aid everyone else in time.
As soon as they had cleared enough debris, Hoark and the trapped Vikings cheered excitedly, their freedom opened before them. They began to climb out and Hoark rushed up to Hiccup. The man grinned lightly and was about to inquire as to what they were going to do next when a screech hit their ears. Hoark wheeled around and watched with Hiccup, Astrid, Fishlegs, and the others as Hookfang tore through the opening and shot through the cave like a bola tossed into the air. The Nightmare was gone in an instant leaving everyone standing behind rather baffled and uncertain.
"Can I kill him now?" Frosne asked, voice cutting through the air with a vicious poison to it. The man's eyes were narrowed and hauntingly dark, peering out from his pale face that was surrounded by his black hair, which had become tangled and unruly throughout the day. His arms were crossed and he was standing at the edge of the room with a stiff back and tight lips.
Alvin snorted, shaking his head. "You think we're going to end all the fun so soon?"
"You should, before something goes wrong," Hella hissed, teeth clenched, posture similar to that of Frosne's.
"Nothing can go wrong. We have everyone right where we want them," Alvin laughed, throwing his arms out to the side and spinning to gaze upon the Folk i Isen men. By now, only one original outcast aside from Alvin remained.
The men cheered, but were disgruntled. No one would be truly celebratory until Stoick was lying in his own blood and Berk was conquered. So the shouts stopped abruptly, leaving Alvin growling to himself, wanting to relish in his victory but finding not as much support as he had initially hoped. Giving up on the rally, he wheeled to Stoick and Snotlout, who remained on their knees in the center of the room, unchained but with no where to run. Nothing they could do but await their impending doom. Alvin licked his lips excitedly, tasting his salty sweat that coated them. He scratched at his beard, a devious smirk upon his face and dark eyes glinting with the fires of hell.
"I've been waiting for this day," he breathed huskily.
Then he claimed one of the rocks that littered the floor of the cave. He had always been meaning to clear them away, they tripped him up as he walked about, but now he was thankful he had never gotten around to his chores. He bounced the stone in his hand, the sharp edges scratching at his palm, the chill of it's rough surface making him shiver with delight. Then he flung it with all his might at Stoick. The chief didn't know it was coming, failed to react, and it clipped him on the side of the head, knocking off his helmet. The armor splattered to the ground beside Snotlout, who watched it twirl along before it settled to a stop. The boy gulped, thinking he might be a target soon, as well. He shuddered as he recalled the first capture and how Alvin had beat him and Tuffnut with his sheathed sword. Snotlout had all ready had that head injury, the added bruises had made the events all the more painful.
The men caught on to what was being offered and began scooping up rocks and firing them. Stoick noticed the inevitable onslaught about to come his and Snotlout's way. He twisted his body about and shoved Snotlout as far as he could muster just as the first wave of rocks rained down. The boy tumbled away, clear of the bullets that Stoick now took from all directions. His body armor protected him for the most part and his incredibly muscled body could handle the hits well enough. But as the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth wave struck him, he began to wear out. He could no longer attempt dodges. His arms were a bloody mess, crimson dotting about him like a strange piece of artwork as he had raised his arms and hands to defend himself. He roared, snatching up a stone and flinging it back, but couldn't focus with blood smearing his vision and ammo striking him continuously. He heaved, falling down to his hands and knees. It was becoming too much and Snotlout could see that Stoick wouldn't be able to hold out much longer. Once the chief was knocked out.. Frosne would kill him.
From up on the ledges near the roof of the cave, a rumbling roar echoed. Snotlout craned his neck back and noticed Blood Cry and the half of the dragon beasts that hadn't been fighting Hiccup's group. They were watching, eyes bright and shocking. They glinted, but none so much as Blood Cry's. The Thunderdrum still seemed a bit antsy at the same time, however. Snotlout knew it was probably still hoping for revenge against Thornado and the Bone Knapper. The two dragons had been with Snotlout's force and, therefore, were trapped back in the cave with Hookfang and Hoark and the others. Snotlout bit his bottom lip as anger swelled in him. Blood Cry. This was monster that was the reason Hookfang and all were trapped. The reason Alvin was now a dragon rider.
And Snotlout couldn't stand it. Even more than he couldn't stand being useless next to Hiccup.
So Snotlout spat on the ground, blood mixed with his saliva from his busted lip, and cried out at the dragon, "Think you're so mighty? You are sick. You are hurting your own dragon friends! Ones who merely want to live in peace with humans... But Alvin doesn't want peace he only wants death and destruction!"
Death and destruction. Funny how the twins jokingly admired that phrase so often... but now he knew that they, along with himself, probably couldn't despise it more for the time being.
Blood Cry just eyed him with a look of indifference. Clearly the dragon didn't seek out peace. He truly was a beast of evil. Unfortunately for Berk, he had been the perfect dragon for Alvin. How lucky for the Hooligans (sarcasm much). Never had such a convenient thing happened for their enemies as this. Snotlout had never seen luck as playing a part in wars and battles. It took strength and - though he would never admit it - wits to win these sorts of things. Usually. But in this case, Snotlout could truly see how luck had been on Alvin's side that day they met Blood Cry. He wondered if things might have been different if that first Nightmare had befriended Alvin. That creature perhaps hadn't been quite so... devilish. It may have turned against Alvin and aided Berk. But it was too late for wishing for such ideas. The Nightmare was dead, anyways, with thanks to Alvin's lack of patience and brutality.
Snotlout's call did accomplish one thing, though it failed to phase Blood Cry. Alvin raised a hand and ceased the stoning of Snotlout's chief and uncle. The boy glanced over and felt his stomach clench with worry at the sight of a man he had seen as second strongest to his father bunched over, barely holding himself up, seeming as if he might be sick everywhere. Snotlout moaned, it was all over. He just sat there, watching. His injured ankle was beating with the pulsing of his heart. How much longer it would be beating, Snotlout was becoming increasingly aware of. He tried to shift about, get as comfortable as he could manage even with the stinging of pain in his body. He didn't want to die dishonorably, though. He'd throw one last punch if he could.
"You can just shut your yap, kid. Hella, go ahead and dispose of the boy. Stoick can watch the beginning of failure before he, too, is slaughtered," Alvin hissed.
Snotlout was looking death in the face. It was a woman and, by Thor, he had never thought it would be a woman who would kill him. Not that women weren't fierce opponents (Odin knew he feared Astrid), but that's just never how his grand death scene played out in his head. And he had been older... Saving Berk... Maybe killing a dragon (it was before they were friends, okay?). But this was it. The end. No going back. The flash of silver in the flickering of a torch light. Snotlout wished the door that led to the outside ledge was open. Maybe one last glimpse of the outside world. One last chance to see the sea, feel its chilly breeze, taste the air. No time. No chance.
And he never got to say goodbye to Hookfang. But he never got to say goodbye to his father, either. Perhaps he wasn't meant to. Karma for his rudeness, perhaps. Not that he believed in karma, but Fishlegs had spoken of it once. Hm... never get to apologize to Fishlegs for being a bully... or to Hiccup. Or hit on Astrid one more time just for her to punch him or hang out with Ruff and Tuff.
Never prove he could be worth something to his tribe.
So he balled up his fist. He was ready to punch. One last stand before his death. Don't go down without a fight.
Snotlout, Snotlout oi oi oi.
But before the sword could meet his throat there was Hookfang. The Nightmare plucked him from the ground, flipping him up onto his neck before seizing Stoick with his hind legs. Snotlout was caught between disbelief, confusion, and an outpouring of joy. Hookfang was alive. Hookfang was okay. And now he, Snotlout, and Stoick might have a chance of surviving this, too. Snotlout wrapped his fingers around his dragon's horns and crossed his legs underneath the neck of his friend. His ankle cried out in protest but Snotlout didn't care. He could cry over a stupid ankle when this was over.
"Hookfang, the door!" Snotlout ordered.
Alvin let out a shriek of pure rage. It split the air and set the men off. Hella was flabbergasted, her sword having swung at air. Frosne was shouting curses, damning Stoick and Alvin and Snotlout alike. Blood Cry was the first to really react, springing from the ledge and launching at Hookfang.
Hookfang spun to the side, trying his best not to toss Stoick about too much. Snotlout hung on tightly, grimacing, feeling his stomach flip from lack of food. The Nightmare sprung towards the door that led to the outside ledge and shot out a spray of fire. It seeped down the door, melting away the wood. Hookfang shot out into the open air, letting out a earsplitting cry of triumph despite the fact they weren't home free yet. Snotlout couldn't help but hollar, as well, though he knew Blood Cry and the other dragons were in pursuit.
Snotlout had more time to breath. He was alive.
"Where did Hookfang go?" Astrid asked, clambering back onto Toothless.
Hiccup quickly pulled himself onto Toothless in front of her. The Night Fury led the way back to the rest of the group that hadn't come down to free Hoark and the others. The ride back, Hiccup thought quietly to himself. It would make sense if Hookfang had gone to find Snotlout, which meant that there was a chance his cousin could still be alive. But Hiccup could only wonder where his dad was. Where Gobber and Phlegma and the twins were. How had their land army done? Well, he hoped. Horrible, he feared.
Fishlegs was blubbering away something about Nightmares when they were all reunited with the rest of their squad. Hiccup padded Toothless' neck to gain his best friend's attention. The dragon craned his head around, moaning inquiringly. His elongated scales flapped, nervous for his rider. He let out a couple chirps, urging Hiccup to share his thoughts.
But Hiccup wasn't sure what his thoughts were. Normally, he should have some idea right now that would help them all escape this mess or find the others or save the day. But he didn't even know where half of their people were. And he was worried for them. For his father. He didn't want to be too late to save the day. He had almost been too late to save his tribe from the Red Death those many months ago. The stress was beginning to overwhelm him. How could he ever be chief one day? He cared immensely for his tribe. But he couldn't always be the hero they needed. He had messed up once all ready with having to give in to Alvin. How many more times would he mess up? How many more lives would it cost?
"Hiccup stop blaming yourself. And you don't have to play hero all alone. We're all here for you," Astrid's voice cut in from behind him.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Hiccup noticed that Toothless was purring up at him. Hiccup twisted in his seat so that his green eyes found Astrid's blue ones. They were comforting and welcoming. Yet they were fierce and ready. Her nose was stiff puffy, but it didn't stop the determination that burned hotter than a Nadder's fire within her. Meatlug waggled about and Fishlegs was smiling softly, nodding his head while Hoark, who was sitting upon Thornado, was laughing gently, shaking his head.
Hiccup cocked his head at the man but Hoark only said, "You're your father and mother's son, that's for certain. Stubborn, but strong."
Hiccup shook his head, shrugging, chuckling. "Strong is a loose word in my department. But thanks, guys."
"We should get going," Astrid tried to push.
Toothless throated loudly and Hiccup responded, "Yeah, Toothless, thank you to you, as well."
The black dragon tossed his head, showing that's not what it had been trying to convey. He throated again and his elongated scales quivered. Toothless took a couple steps down the tunnel that sloped upwards, setting his paws down carefully. Meatlug and the other dragons all shifted, sensing the sudden awareness. Fishlegs questioned his dragon about what was up, but Hiccup remained quiet, letting Toothless think and listen. The boy went ahead and wrapped his hands around the handle of the saddle, thinking he would need to be prepared. Astrid noticed this and quickly attached her arms around his waist.
Hiccup didn't even have time to enjoy her closeness, because his instincts to be ready proved right.
The sound of a dragon's cry hit their ears and everyone immediately perked. It was Hookfang's cry.
"Lets go!" Hiccup ordered without a moment's hesitation.
Toothless took off, speeding along the floor of the tunnel. The dragon force of Berk, their riders, and the dragons that had converted from Alvin's side to theirs followed behind, keeping close, moving like one huge mass. Growls echoed between dragons as they hyped themselves up, aware that a fight was coming. There were still dragons to convince to their side and men to defeat. This war wouldn't end until one side was down. They had to be sure it wasn't their side.
Exiting the tunnels like lightning, Toothless was airborne with an army of fellow dragons behind him. Hiccup scoured the air, seeking out the Nightmare. When he finally spotted the dragon, he was relieved to see Snotlout riding on top. The bloody mess that dangled from Hookfang's rear claws alerted him, however, and he knew instantly who it was. Face contorting in fury, he spoke over his right shoulder to Astrid.
"I need you to wait down on the beach as a safe point for Hookfang to drop my dad off to. I'll lead the others to stop the dragons following them."
Astrid clearly wanted to protest, but Hiccup steered Toothless down to the beach and she hopped off without questioning. She wasn't much use just as added weight to Toothless and, without Stormfly, she would be more assistance on the ground.
"It's not much, but take my dagger. Just in case," Hiccup breathed, pulling the thing out from its sheath and tossing it down to her. She caught it with ease and then watched Toothless race back up into the air and take the charge towards Blood Cry and the other enemy dragons.
Her blue eyes then found Hookfang and watched his dodging form, watched it as it spun away from Thunderdrum cries and balls of fire. Astrid jumped up and down, screeching out Hookfang's name to get his attention and lead him to the beach to drop off Stoick. The dragon heard, his great head flicking in her direction before he began to maneuver her way. Astrid grinned, but the grin was temporary. She heard a snarling curse echo in the air and glanced up. Alvin was on the ledge way up high, Frosne and Hella flanking him. He began to wave his hands about dramatically and Astrid could tell he was telling his men to get down to the beach.
Astrid glanced down at the little dagger in her hand and pondered the army that was about to come and charge the beach. They needed their ground forces... now.
"What do we do when we get hungry?" Tuffnut questioned into the air. He was lying on his back beside Ruffnut, but was addressing the guards that stood at the entrance of the dungeons. The men were grasping the warning horns close, eyeing the people of Berk as if they might launch at them any moment.
At the question, one of the men blinked, annoyed. Tuffnut had been asking them all sorts of random questioned since Alvin had left them. It was driving the guards nuts. Another man rubbed at his temples, praying to whatever god was listening that the boy would be quiet. They had threatened the kid multiple times, but Tuffnut was not deterred and the men weren't certain if they were actually allowed to kill the boy yet just for his constant talking. So they forced themselves to endure, though one proceeded to bang his head upon a wall with only his helmet protecting him from the concussion he would otherwise give himself.
"You starve," the fourth man sighed.
Tuffnut sat bolt upright, eyes wide. "Starve? I can't starve! You gotta' bring us food, right?"
Though to the men he was being his annoying self, Ruffnut was well aware of the pain that laced Tuffnut's voice. Her brother was confused. He was trying to act normal and he was treating the whole situation as normal but, since he had killed the man who had wounded her, he had started to become too... Tuffnuty... He was trying too hard to act as if everything was all right. But Ruffnut wasn't sure what to say to her conflicted brother, so she just watched him glumly from where she was lying upon the ground. Gobber had brought her a rock to prop her foot up upon. It was uncomfortable, but it eased the pain some as it was harder for her heart to pump the blood towards her injury.
Attempting to cheer him some, Ruffnut declared, "We'll just eat you, Tuff."
"Hey!" Tuffnut fired back, but he didn't even look at her as he said it. He punched at the ground with a loose fist. "You're the one who's all ready partially cut. Be easier to just eat you..."
He mumbled the last bit but Ruffnut caught it. She sighed into the air, feeling numb. By now the pain had just overwhelmed her senses. Her stomach was twisted and knotted, her hands felt clammy and sweaty, and the cave floor beneath her was so cold that she felt she was all ready lying in her grave. She hummed to herself softly, wondering where her parents were. She figured they must have been in the dragon force. It they were in the ground force with them in the cave, surely they would have come to see their ailing son and daughter?
But no one except Gobber or Phlegma really tended to them. The rest of the men and women clumped in groups, whispering, casting nervous glances and eyeing the guards. Clearly they were plotting, which was a big reason why the guards were so nervous and clung so tightly to the horns even despite Tuffnut's constant chatter.
"Can I go to the bathroom?" Tuffnut asked.
The guard banging his head on the wall stopped and said, "Yes."
Tuffnut's eyes widened. Ruffnut groaned, seeing where this conversation was headed all ready. Poor Tuffnut was about to fall for the guard's stupid trick.
"Where is it? Can you lead me?" Tuffnut grinned.
"I said you can got to the bathroom, I didn't say I'd take you to one. Just go where you are."
"Oh," Tuffnut responded. The boy reached for his pants and Ruffnut groaned, unbelieving that he actually had to go bad enough that he would do this right now.
She did her best to turn over, not wanting to watch. It was at that moment that a strange noise echoed in the dungeon. Then a louder, but not quite a cacophony, wail followed after it. She sat up, pushing through the numbness that clung to her body to accept the leaping of hope that sprung into her chest. She began to repeatedly hit Tuffnut with the back of her left hand excitedly, wondering if he knew what the noises were like she did. He was bouncing lightly on his butt, no longer reaching to pull down his pants so she figured he understood. The two glanced in the direction of Gobber, Phlegma, and the other Vikings, but they were all still clumped, whispering and focused on whatever they were doing. Not one of them seemed to even acknowledge the noise that the twins heard.
"Gobber!" Ruffnut called.
He didn't hear.
"Gobber!" Tuffnut tried.
He still didn't hear.
The two, frustrated, both picked up their voices and, in unison, " Gobber!"
"What is it, you kids?" Gobber asked, pulling away and hobbling over to them. The two just grinned at him and he listened, blinking, before a smile began to spread across his face. A laugh escaped his mouth and he nodded excitedly to show the twins that they had done a good job.
Ruffnut and Tuffnut high-fived. Too bad the one time they were genius was the time when none of the other Viking teens were around to witness it.
Gobber easily got the attention of everyone else. The men and women paused, listening. The silencing of their whispering was met with the noises that now flooded the dungeon. Of dragons and men roaring and yelling. It meant that a fight was breaking out. And if Alvin was busy then there would be no way they could stop the Berk ground force from escaping. So the men and women of the Hooligan tribe were grinning. Their eyes were all trained upon the four guards with an eager intensity. The guards shifted nervously. One began to raise the horn to his lips.
Phlegma was on him in an instant. The other three tugged at their swords and axes but Hooligans flooded over them, preventing them from fighting back and giving them no chance. Ruffnut and Tuffnut watched from where they sat, but Tuffnut soon stood, realizing it would be time to leave in a moment. If they were lucky, they would never see this dreaded dungeon again. No more cold walls. No chains and locks and beatings or Dark Pits or outcasts or Alvin or war. They could go home and recover. Ruffnut's foot would heal and Tuffnut would come to accept his first kill. It was just a part of the Viking way. Occupational hazards if you asked Hiccup or Stoick.
Gobber, Phlegma, and a couple other Vikings took the guards' weapons, but most of the army was without any. It was a risk to go to the beach and prepare to fight with nothing to fight with, but Gobber announced to the men and women they didn't have much of a choice. He pointed at Sven and asked the man to gather up Ruffnut. She needed someone to carry her up to the beach and they couldn't leave her down here in the dungeon alone.
Ruffnut allowed herself to be hoisted into the man's arms. She expected Tuffnut would run along beside Sven and her, but the boy slipped through the crowd to reach Gobber. He approached and tugged the man's sleeve, garnering his attention. Gobber looked at him, wide eyed and curious when Tuffnut announced he knew the fastest way out because they had been down in the dungeon before. Gobber was about to shake him off. It was difficult to trust Tuffnut's memory and leadership skills, but the boy insisted. Ruffnut, from Sven's arms, was proud of her brother for stepping up to the plate. Normally they just stood in the back and let Hiccup or Snotlout or Astrid or Fishlegs take charge. But for once, Tuffnut was going to play a role in this.
So the boy took off and the tribe followed. They were about to go into battle without weapons but no one cared. They accepted the risks. They would beat the Folk i Isen and Alvin or die trying. That was the Viking way and it was honorable.
As Sven jogged after the others, trailing in the back, Ruffnut had time to double check her brother, make sure he was really leading the right way. She let herself smile, certain he was correct. Then she saw a door go by. Strange. She had only seen one door on Outcast Island and that was up in the meeting room, the one that led to the outside ledge. She tugged at Sven's beard with a fever and ordered him to go back to it real quick. He seemed uncertain, but eventually complied due to her incessant pulling (which hurt!) and they relocated the door. Sven set Ruffnut down so that he could unlatch it. Once he pushed it open, the two were caught in a moment of disbelief. What luck!
Sven was a fairly quiet guy. Just sort of obediently followed whoever was in charge. But today, he shouted for Gobber in the loudest voice that Ruffnut had ever heard.
Because Gobber had to see this.
Ta-da!
Winding down! Three more chapters, woot!
Uhm... sorry for any spelling/grammar mistakes. I always have some that I miss... I might go back and edit them one day but... yeah xD ((Update: Just edited a couple (including the weird Tuffnut spelling that Pewter pointed out...) Bet I've still missed a bunch. If anyone sees any other major ones, don't be afraid to let me know, I don't mind fixing!))
Read and review, please!
Otherwise, thanks for sticking with me and reading!
Until the next update!
(School ends in two and a half weeks!)
Good luck to everyone who has finals or exams coming up!
Love,
Deyoxis