A/N: Okay, so why did Dreamworks change Toothless's shot limit? In HTTYD and HTTYD 2 its 10-12 shots. So in RTTE DOB and ROB, why is it 6?
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Chapter 16: Battle Of The Red Death
I stare at the ice covered arena, the shift my gaze down to myself. I changed into my flight vest. I turn as I hear footsteps. "If you're planning on getting eaten, I would definitely go with the Gronckle." Fishlegs says.
Asher steps into the arena after them and gives me a half smile. By my request he had gathered all the other teens. I'm sure how he got them within a few feet of me, I went gone a little crazy after they captured Toothless. Of course this is Asher, he probably looked at them right and they ran here.
Ruffnut pushes her way to the front and stalks up to me sliding on the ice, "You we're wise to seek help from the world's most dangerous weapon. It's me." Ruffnut says. Snotlout shoves her away and she lands on the ice it makes a cracking noise.
"I love this plan!" Snotlout says enthusiastically.
I look at her in confusion, "I didn't-" I start, I but stop when Tuffnut leans in close to me.
"You're crazy." He says. "I like that."
Asher pulls him away from the horn on his helmet and I give him a grateful look, "So what is the plan?" He asks. I grin and look at Ruffnut and Tuffnut who are lying on the ice and then up at Asher again.
I lift up my hands my fingers curling with the pressure as I slowly start to raise the ice. Ruffnut and Tuffnut are lifted for a second before they fall off, hitting the ground with identical grunts. The ice on the ground lifts into the air and I swing a hand around and gather the spikes from the walls and create a huge snowflake. I rip my hands apart and it bursts into tiny snowflakes joining the snowfall falling heavily on us.
I wipe my hands together and look around me, Fishlegs blinks and Ruffnut and Tuffnut look at each other before bashing their head together in celebration. Ummm...okay.
I look up at Asher, "Okay so who wants to go first?" I ask. The twins hands shoot up into the air. They look at each other and glare.
"I said it first!" Ruffnut says.
Tuffnut rolls his eyes and pushes his sister, "No! I did!" He yells.
I shoot a wave of ice in between the bickering siblings, they look at the ice in shock."I just got disowned, my greatest secret has been revealed, my best friend is sailing to his death. So for two seconds, stop it!" I say. I shoot a glare in their direction before I grab both twins arms and pull them to their feet. They stare at me and I turn around and walk to the Zippleback cage. Everyone backs away slowly.
"What are you doing?" Asher asks.
I put a hand out to the cages handle, "Training dragons." I answer.
I slam my hand down on the lever, the gate opens and I look inside the Zippleback is sitting in the corner. It looks up as I walk inside. I release a breath and slowly reach out a hand to touch it. Before I can both heads look at me, they hiss in sync and I slowly outstretch a hand to him. The Zippleback looks at the hand and then very slowly both heads reach down to touch it.
"Thank you." I breathe so softy it sounds like an exhale of air.
I rub my hand along the dragon's heads. The Zippleback purrs and my touch leaves small frost patterns. I lead the dragon out into the falling snow. Ruffnut and Tuffnuts' jaws are agape. "So I was thinking you two share him." I say. The twins nod and walk over to it, the Zippleback draws away slightly and I put out a hand to stop it, "It's okay." I sooth.
I grab Ruffnuts hand and place it against a head and then do the same with Tuffnuts' hand. The dragon leans into their touch I back away.
It doesn't snap at them. Alright, success!
I smile at the rest of the teens before I do the same thing to the Deadly Nadder and Asher, and Fishlegs and the Gronckle. I walk over to the Monstrous Nightmares cage and take in a deep breath to calm my nerves.
This time, Toothless wont be here to protect me.
I open the gate and I step into the dark cell. The Nightmares eyes glow in the dark its gaze fixed on me. I lean down to his level where he's curled up in a ball of misery. "Hey," I whisper. The dragon looks at me and I smile softly before I outstretch a hand to it. The Nightmare watches my hand then he slowly gets to his feet. I back away and it follows me, to the thickening snow.
I back up slowly and I can feel the Nightmares heavy, hot breath on my palm, it stings but I force myself to not cringe, flinch or even grimace. I slow to a stop and grab Snotlout's palm,"Wait! What are you-" She starts her voice gaining several octaves.
"Relax, It's going to be fine." I assure and replace her hand with mine. Snotlout's hand reaches out and she touches the Nightmares snout. Something I don't think I'll ever be able to do, the dragon can light itself on fire, its hot. I would be sick for days afterwards.
I walk away and Snotlout gives a squeak of fear, "Where are you going!" She demands.
I grin and place my hands together and watch as a ice rope grew in between my palms. I look up at the teens, "You're going to want something to hold onto." I promise. I toss the rope to Asher who catches it and walks over to the Nadder. I create another and throw it to Fishlegs. She catches it and walks over to the Gronckle.
The twins already on their dragon hold onto the horns of the Zippleback start bickering. I ignore them and hand the final rope to Snotlout. She takes it and starts to tie it to her Monstrous Nightmare. I look around at everyone. Snotlout grabs a shield and Fishlegs grabs a hammer, "We're going against a dragon the size of a mountain." She says when I start to shake my head.
How do they even know that?
"Asher told us." Fishlegs answers to my confused look.
The twins stop fighting and also grab shields, "Well that changes things." Tuffnut says.
Asher jumps onto the Nadder without grabbing a weapon or shield. He holds out a hand to me and I take it, "You drive." He says. I nod and pick up the ice rope. Everyone mounts their dragons and I'm impressed when the Nightmare doesn't even flinch as Snotlout gets onto him. I gently pat the side of the Nadder's head and she takes off into the sky. I wave a hand to the other dragons and they take flight and start to follow.
…
When we reach dragon island a few hours later, the huge mountain is already out and the remains of fleet is on fire or gone. "No," I breathe as I stare at the burning ships. I know they wouldn't take Toothless off of the ships, why would they? There's no reason they should.
There's shouts and I can hear dad and Gobber. I look back at the teens, "Fire at the head!" I command they do as I request. There's a blast as their dragons' fire makes contact with the head.
"Ruff, Tuff watch your backs! Fishlegs move!" I yell. The girl and her Gronckle jump fly up and we flew out of range and in the sight line of dad and Gobber who were small figures on the island.
"Look! We're on dragons!" Ruffnut yells.
"Yeah! All of us are on dragons!" Tuffnut says.
"I just said that you idiot!" Ruffnut shouts.
I ignore the twins and look at Fishlegs, "Fishlegs break it down!" I yell and shift the Nadder.
She stares at it her eyes squinted, "Okay, heavily armored skull and tail made for bashing and crashing, stay away from both. Small eyes large nostrils, on relies on hearing and smell." She concludes. Making a mental note to stay away from the tail I nod.
"Okay, 'lout 'legs, hang in it's blind spot, make some noise, keep in confused." I tell them both girls nod and take off in that direction. I look at the twins, "Ruff, Tuff, see it if has a shot limit." I say they give me confused looks, I sigh, "Make it mad." I explain. Asher snorts at this and Ruffnut grins.
"That's my specialty." She promises.
"Since when? Everyone knows I'm more irritating." Tuffnut says and flips upside down making annoying noises.
I groan,"Just do what I told you, I'll be back as soon as I can." I say.
"Don't worry, we got this." Tuffnut says, I pull the Nadder away.
"Well that just instills me with confidence." I mutter. Asher laughs and I lead the Nadder over the burning ships. I know the fire could kill me much faster than a normal person but Toothless is counting on me. He trusts me.
I scan the burning ships the smoke and fire obscuring my vision. I stare at it harder before I spot a small speck of black.
Toothless.
"There!" I cry and let out a breath of relief, I steer the Nadder to the deck and I slowly stand switchng places with Asher.
I jump from the Nadder's back and land on the deck of the burning ship, in my feet. Waving my hand behind me to stop the fire for a little I turn to Asher, "Go help the others!" I yell, he nods and takes off away from my vision. I turn back to Toothless and rip the mussel from his mouth, "Hang on. Hang on!" I say. Toothless looks at me and then the fire behind me. He knows how much fire effects me as much as I do.
Its worth it. Toothless will be safe.
I reach over and slam my burned palms onto the chains. Frost covers the chains instantly and it spreads along the wood to the other side, fires licking at my clothing making me dizzy but I stare at the chain in concentration. Little more, little more. If I can get it cold enough it will explode. A shadow looms over both of us and I whirl around in shock before the huge foot of the dragon slams down on the deck. It snaps down the middle and me and Toothless are tossed into the water.
I land in it with a splash, forcing the panic of drowning to the side I turn around and shove my way through the water to Toothless. The heavy chains on him are making him sink like an anchor. I reach him and rest a hand on his head before I reach my fingers forward for the chain, I grasp it and my fingers leave ice.
Break! Break! Break!
My lungs scream and I tug at the chain in desperation feeling what little energy that wasn't zapped away from the fire leave me. My lungs scream and my breath slips out like I've been kicked.
I am drowning.
Water rushes in where air used to be and I close my eyes. I'm sorry Toothless. My hand lets go of the chain, and I feel myself starting to slip away.
A force grabs my shirt and drags me to the surface. I'm placed on the rocky beach and I open my eyes, coughing up water forcing my eyes open to see as dad jumps back into the water. I cough and take in a deep breath before I stand and wait, water drips from my clothing, frosting, then freezing.
A few seconds later with an explosion of sea water, Toothless bursts from the water and sets dad down before he lands on the rock shaking off water. He turns to me and jerks his head and the message is clear, come on.
I grin and tuck my long bangs behind one ear and rush up to him. "You go it, bud." I say. I jump onto his back and strap connect the ice cords hanging from my belt to Toothless's saddle. I see dad move from the corner of my eye but dont look at him. Focusing on the giant dragon.
A hand grabs my own and I flinch, before looking at the person and see dad has my hand in his own, "Haedryin, I'm sorry….For, for everything." He says.
I shrug, "Yeah, me too."
He looks up at me his green eyes filled with regret, "You don't have to go up there." He says.
I smirk, "We're Vikings, it's an occupational hazard." I say.
We exchange smiles.
He grows serious again, "I'm proud to call you my daughter." He says and lets me go.
I lift my burned hand up and look at him, "Thanks, dad." I say. Daughter. I am his daughter.
Toothless shifts impatiently beneath me and I grab the handles and he takes off into the air. Toothless's wings pump powerfully, and we start to fly around for a second so Toothless can dry off. A wet dragon head can't light it's fire. "She's up!" Asher yells. "Get Snotlout out of there." Asher commands. I glance and see Snotlout on top of the monster's head, the twins argue before Snotlout jumps onto the Zippleback's neck and the twins rush off.
"I can't believe that worked!" Tuffnut calls.
Asher and his Nadder fly by the mouth as the dragon takes a deep inhale. Asher and his Nadder start to get dragged back. Toothless races at them and a whistling noise echoes in the air. A sound that used to bring terror to me, now, its relief and freedom. Toothless fires a blast and it smashes into the large dragon's head. The Nadder's flight falters and Asher is tossed from the saddle.
He screams as he falls through the air and Toothless picks up speed, he reaches Asher's falling body and I look down at the wings but can't see him,"Did you get him?" I ask. Toothless ducks his head down and grunts and affirmative. I give a sigh of relief and Toothless sets Asher down.
Asher, slightly breathless says, "Go."
We circle around the Vikings and I look at the huge dragon scanning it. My eyes widen, "That thing has wings!" I realize I pat Toothless on the side of the head, "Okay, let's see if she can use them." Toothless turns and we plummet. Wind blows in my ears and the now familiar whistle of his plasma blast is heard. Toothless fires and the entire dragon tips over, smashing into the ground.
For a second it just sits there. Then the dragon lifts up a huge, tattered and torn wing. It flaps them and It slowly gains air I grip the handles tighter,"Well she can fly." I say.
Is that really a good thing?
Toothless dives into a valley of sea stacks and I look back at the huge dragon. It's snaps at us, but cant reach us. It give a frustrated roar before it starts breaking through the sea stacks in hot pursuit.
I look around us and spot the thick black heavy snow clouds. I grin and click the tail fin, "Toothless, time to disappear." I say and Toothless takes in a sharp steep climb into the clouds. We soar up and I hear the sound of the gas then the spark and I pull Toothless to the side,"Here it comes!" I warn. The fire shoots past us and we rocket higher into the sky. Toothless disappears instantly in the blackness of the of the clouds. The huge dragon gives roars of confusion and frustration.
The upper hand. Finally.
I pat Toothless on the side of his head and frost spreads up the side of his head, "Aim for the wings," I murmur to him. Toothless gives a firm nod and builds up a plasma blast. He fires it at the left wing and then he dives in close to it. What are you doing? Toothless leans slight again and I get the message.
Removing one hand from the saddle I tilt left and open my fingers a soft blue illuminating from my hands as I freeze the wing joint.
Toothless pulls up and we disappear as quickly as we had appeared.
Dive, blast, freeze, pull up.
We continue this pattern until Toothless has one shot left.
I grip the handle tighter as I hear the big dragons roar furiously. A huge fireball spreads through the clouds and I look back at it in horror, "Watch out!" I yell. Toothless pulls away but his tail still gets licked by the flame.
The prosthetic lights aflame, burning merrily. I look back at it and let out a breath through my nose. "Okay, times up." I say and watch the flame as it eats the tail happily for a second before I turn forward, "Let's see if this works."
Toothless turns around and we race to the dragon, "Come on! That the best you can do?!" I taunt. Toothless roars and dices bt it's face just to be irritating. The dragon reaches up but cannot snatch us from the air. Toothless's pulls his wings in towards his sides into a dive and I hear the older dragons wings creak the ice not liking the movement. It turns around and starts chase after us. I click the tail and Toothless growls uneasily. "We're good, just a little bit longer."
The dragon takes an inhale and I close my eyes, "Hold Toothless," I whisper and listen, for the spark.
Snip snap.
I rip my eyes open, "NOW!" I yell. Toothless flips around and fires a blast into the dragon's mouth. The green gas ignites and all six eyes of the dragon widen with shock. It tries to spread it's wings but they're frozen in place. The wind rips the weakened wings from Toothless's blast and they tear open. Toothless dives in through one of the holes and we reach the back of the dragon.
The older dragon smashes into the ground and a huge fireball erupts around us. Toothless and I start to navigate through the tall spikes much like we had the sea stacks until a horrible snapping noise catches my attention I snap my head around and see as the prosthetic tail flies off into the fire
No!
"No," I breathe. I whip my head around and see the huge tail in front of us, my eyes widen as Toothless hits the giant spikes off the tail.
I'm thrown from the saddle and pure terror races through me as I fall backwards, falling to a red death.
I stare up at the Night Fury. He flips around and roars something that sounds exactly like my name.
Fire bites into my back and I lose consciousness as the fire swallows me whole.
A/N: :D
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