As soon as the dark Viking's hand fell, an orange glow began to appear from the ships. It started at the first on the left corner of the first line, spreading to the second, then the third and soon over the others like a wave. Looking closer, Hiccup could see they were nothing good. Compact balls of brush and foliage, as well as other burnable materials were bound into a ball and set ablaze. They were currently set upon large catapults, which sat on the deck of each of the ships. Toothless roared, as the first one was let loose. It streamed overhead like a comet, the light reflecting on Hiccup's face, as his eyes followed it across the sky.
"Toothless!"
The dragon turned sharply, darting forward as Hiccup quickly grabbed ahold and jumped on. The second he was in and his controlling leg was in place, the nightfury was off into the air.
"You won't be able to stop em all" called the Viking after him.
He did not look back, focusing on the ball of flame heading towards the village. Toothless opened his mouth, a blue blast of flame shooting off into the sky at the ball. It hit, causing the projectile to loose momentum and its course. It exploded into pieces, falling to the ground below. Hiccup pulled on the saddle.
"We have to stop them"
Toothless narrowed his eyes, sweeping out over the water. A few more of the flaming balls were launched, Toothless swerving to avoid them. He sent his own flame at them as a counter, dropping them into the water below. Swooping in, his next attack was aimed at the catapult which was launching them. Some of the Vikings dived out of the way as the attack hit and the catapult went up in flames. Hiccup glanced back at the ship to see the men attempting to put out the flames. The two took out a few more of the catapults, before Hiccup pulled Toothless back. Looking out over the water and the mass of ships, his heart was racing.
This all seemed surreal, a dream. The front ships which had been damaged, were beginning to move in towards the shore. There was no way Hiccup and Toothless could take out all of the catapults, along with stopping the ships and the men. They needed help and the village needed to know. Risking leaving now when there were still catapults were dangerous, but letting the village go on alone with no warning as enemies snuck up on them was worse.
"We have to warn them" he said, looking down at Toothless.
Pulling on the saddle though, the Nightfury seemed to resist a bit, giving a frustrated roar.
"I know you want to stop them" Hiccup sighed, "but right now warning our friends and the village first is more important."
With an annoyed roar and firing off one more shot, the dragon turned and rocketed back towards civilization. A few of the balls of fire flew overhead, making contact with various parts of the city, one actually making contact with a house. Toothless landed, as the noise brought out the party goers.
"What in the name of Thor is going on?" Stoick asked his son, looking up to see the fire raining down from overhead.
"Dad!" Hiccup said trying to get his attention, "we're under attack-"
"Blast it!" said Spitelout walking up, "I bet it's those damn Outcasts."
Many of the villager's began to talk at once, hearing this comment. Hiccup looked from one person to another, jumping a bit as one of the ship's attacks hit a line of trees not too far away. He glanced, looking at the large blackened ball burning away. The entire village would be torched at this rate.
"Dad listen to me" he said turning back, he had to make them listen, "it's not the Outcasts."
"Then who the bloody hell is it?" Spitelout glared at him a bit, "we don't have time to sit around here jabbin as we're being bombarded."
"Enough" Stoick boomed, looking cross at Spitelout. When his gaze returned to his son, it softened only a fraction, "speak."
"There was a Viking with Alvin, he wasn't a part of the Outcasts and now he's here…their flags are like ours dad" he added a bit, the worry from before creeping up on him again.
Stoick's expression turned to one of surprise at his son's words, he immediately turned to the villager's.
"Prepare for battle, we show them no mercy. Any man or woman unable to fight, take the elderly and the children to the caves and stay there" he turned, walking off.
Hiccup had to almost run, in order to keep up with his father's strides. Toothless following by his side, his eyes darting around at the sound of the attack and the possibility of enemies.
"Hiccup go to the caves" his father said in a stern and slightly cold voice.
Hiccup narrowed his eyes a bit, the way his father was acting, "you know them…don't you."
Stoick glanced at his son, pausing for a brief moment, "I want you and your friends in the cave, take your dragons and stay there. I do not want to see a single one of you in this fight…do I make myself clear?"
Hiccup stood his ground a bit, "you need our help, the dragon's help-"
"What I need" his father said, "is for you and the others to be safe and protect the caves. Now go."
He refused to listen to another word, turning off to go. People ran past all over the place, the orange glow of fire getting more noticeable and widespread. Hiccup's heart felt like it was torn in many ways. This was his fault, listening to his father, disobeying his father…he wanted to help, but he had been specifically ordered by the chief as well to go to the caves. Toothless gave a slight wine, nudging at his hand.
"I know buddy…" Hiccup whispered, placing his hand on top of the dragon's head.
He turned away from the sight, climbing onto the Toothless.
"Lets go"
Toothless shot off into the air once more, now the two were heading towards the mountains and caves. He did not look back, even though it took everything he had, for fear that if he did, he would have never been able to leave.