Chapter Nine: A Pyrrhic Turnaround
It was a quiet, serene night on the Isla of Berk. The sky was clear of clouds, allowing a perfect view of the night sky in all its wonder. The temperature was unusually warm, a brisk forty degrees Fahrenheit, the warmest Berk ever got in the year! Truly this was a night for romantic interludes, moonlight walks on the beach…
"HOW THE F%#$ DID YOU GET HERE?!" demanded Ameilianus of Snotlout in an outraged tone. Previously, Ameilianus had just gloated about his plans to the entire village of Berk, along with the invading Outcasts and Bezerkers. After which, he proposed Hiccup and his people join his 'Nova Roma' to which Hiccup and all the Berkians refused. About to order their deaths, Ameilianus was interrupted by Snotlout's unexpected arrival, which should have been impossible because Ameilianus cast Snotlout adrift just the other night. And now we join the ensuing confrontation…
"Easy. Hookfang here," stated Snotlout while petting his dragon's head, "flew over and found me! We raced back here to find…well, this! Now we're gonna bring you down!" With this confident statement, Hookfang perform a loop and blasted the guards away from the Berkians. With that, the riders raced to their dragons and joined Snotlout in the sky, while the other Vikings raced to grab what weapons they could.
Ameilianus looked on the unfolding scene with horror and disgust! His plans were being foiled by the meathead of Berk! "Marlene!" shouted Ameilianus, signaling the hidden archer on the roof of the Great Hall. Marlene brought out her long bow and took aim with a flaming arrow…and launching it at the armory! A massive explosion ripped through the armory, destroying all the weapons…again!
"Not again! Anotha batch of perfect good killing implements cut down before their time!"(1) bemoaned Gobber, upset to see another batch of weapons were destroyed before they could be used. Unfortunately, there was a more serious problem…Ameilianus was not lying about rigging the village with bombs!
"Astrid, keep that archer distracted!" commanded Hiccup, while Toothless was hassling the Roman centurions with plasma shots. Astrid and Stormfly immediately went to the task by firing spike shots at Marlene! Marlene, however, with well-trained Hearing, dodged out of the way and fired here flaming arrow at Stormfly, who also managed to dodge the shot as well. Giving a small smile, Marlene began leaping from roof to roof, no doubt trying to light the other bombs!
"Oh no you don't!" stated Astrid, mostly to herself, before she and Stormfly went off in pursuit. Truth be told, Astrid had never liked Marlene, always snooping around…even going so far as to peep every time Astrid bathed! Weird right! Anyway, Astrid and Stormfly pursued Marlene closely as she leapt towards the bonfire that was the armory for some reason…
"You're gonna need a lot more than arrows to bring down my dragon!" challenged Astrid as Marlene stopped. Rather than perturbed, Marlene smiled and reached into a pouch, pulling out a strange orb. Lighting it with the fire from the armory, Marlene tossed the orb at Astrid and Stormfly, who dodged it…only to be knocked out of the sky by a tremendous explosion! Rolling to recover from the rough dismount, Astrid sat–up only to be met by Marlene's dagger!
"Like that!" retorted Marlene in a playful tone. Elsewhere, the battle was turning against Ameilianus' forces! Between the rested dragons and the furious, though weaponless, Vikings, Ameilianus' motely forces were having a hard time working together to stop the inhabitants of Berk! Looking around, Ameilianus saw a desperate gamble and decided to take it…
"YOU TWO!" commanded Ameilianus as he approached Dagur and Alvin, who he had recently betrayed, "I need you to coordinate the Outcasts and the Bezerkers! Savage can't do both!"
Momentarily shocked at the gall Ameilianus was showing in asking them for help, Alvin put on a smirk and said, "And why should I help you? In case you forgot, you just backstabbed me not a moment earlier!"
Dagur decided to get in on the taunting by retort, "And you stole my men before that! What say we let Berk mop the floor with your traitorous face?!"
Knowing full well that they would not be willing to help him, Ameilianus counterpointed in an angry tone, "Here's what will happen if you don't help me: Either Berk wins and you spend the rest of your lives rotting away in cells…or I win, and I nail you both to the Cliffside as dragon bait!"
Taking a moment to process this, and getting over the shock of Ameilianus' death threat, the pair of tyrants came to one horrible conclusion: he was right! Even if Berk won, they would have to spend the rest of their days in prison! For Dagur, it would be the greatest dishonor in history! For Alvin, it would be the final nail in the age-old argument between him and Stoick…with Stoick as the victor! There really was no other option for them!
"So…what is your plan now?!" asked Dagur in a snarky tone. Hey just because he was now working with Ameilianus did not mean he had to like it!
"Marlene will set off the rest of the explosive…they are designed to start a chain reaction if enough of them go off! The Berkians will have to divide their forces between saving their village and fighting us!" declared Ameilianus confident the plan will work!
"And you really believe that will be enough to…re-conquer Berk?" asked Alvin skeptically of the plans success in that regard.
"No…this is about getting away…and leaving a big enough mark to haunt their nightmares forever!" exclaimed Ameilianus in a manically tone, "I already have a copy of the Manual and soon, enough dragons to start my own little army! But theses fools will pay for my humiliation!"
"NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!" shouted Hiccup as he and Toothless dived bombed the would-be tyrants. The trio rolled out of the way of the dragon and Ameilianus rushed off to his troops, but not before giving Dagur and Alvin a pair of lite torches, made from the burning armory.
"Get your men to light up the huts! The fire will set off the bombs! After that, get to the ships!" commanded Ameilianus, which Alvin and Dagur reluctantly followed.
"Everyone, keep them from setting off the bombs! Riders, watch your fire! We don't wanna do their jobs for them!" ordered Hiccup before going after Ameilianus. This limited the dragon riders, but not by much. The twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut used Belch's gas the help disorient the enemy forces, though being sure to keep it away from the fires. Meatlug was knock over enemy troops with sheer brute strength, under Fishlegs coordination. Snotlout, however, was facing some difficulties…
"GET OFF ME YOU OVER SIZED RAT!" yelled Snotlout as Caligula clawed at him and scrambled all over him. Yes, Caligula had decided that this was the perfect time to enact his revenge against Snotlout! The fact that it also distracted Hookfang from the fight, causing him to fly erratically (thus unable to help in the fight), was merely a bonus.
Astrid stared down her foe, will Marlene was giving a sly grin at her new prize! Astrid grabbed a piece of timber and threw it in Marlene's face, forcing her back a step! Immediately looking around, Astrid grabbed a half decent sword on the ground and charged at Marlene, only to be intercepted by Marlene's dagger! Reaching back to her quiver, Marlene pulled out a short sword and swung it at Astrid, who pulled back just in time to only receive a nick in her right hip! Reaching down to check her injury, Astrid glared at Marlene, who only smiled and flipped her dagger into a reverse grip and waited for Astrid's next move!
Back with Snotlout, Caligula was proving relentless in his assault! Finally, though, Snotlout managed to grab the cat by the tail and threw it off! Thankful for the breather, he turned Hookfang back to the battle…only to see Caligula had raced up to the roof of one of the huts and was about to jump back on Snotlout! "You have got to be kidding me!" Snotlout exclaimed, just as the crazy cat leapt back onto his face!
Meanwhile, Hiccup and Toothless had finally been able to catch up with Ameilianus…who somehow got his hands on one of the old dragon snare bolo launchers! Surprised and unable to dodge, Toothless was wrapped up in the snare, while Hiccup was thrown off his saddle, to land right at Ameilianus' feet! "You know Hiccup," casually spoke Ameilianus, "we truly are not so different!"
"Really, then why don't you enlighten me cause I just don't see it!" retorted Hiccup as he got to his feet, a little surprised Ameilianus had not drawn a weapon on him.
"We both use our minds to shape the world around, not try to muscle through it as…others have done." said Ameilianus, his distaste for the 'others' eminent in his tone, "You through the dragons, I though my weapons and tactics. There is no reason we shouldn't be allies Hiccup!"
"Oh, other than the fact that you are working with Berk's sworn enemies and are now trying to blow up Berk!" exclaimed Hiccup in a sarcastic tone.
"Really, Hiccup, think of the big picture! I don't intend on keep those…barbarians…in my service any longer than necessary! You and I…we could remold the world in our image! No more wars! No more ignorance! Through us the world will know a Golden Age like never before! So what do you say Hiccup?! Let's put our past troubles behind us and work as brothers to usher in this new dawn!" Ameilianus finished dramatically, while reaching out with his hand to accept Hiccup's in friendship.
Hiccup stared at Ameilianus' hand for a moment, thinking on what Ameilianus said. Finally, he made his decision, "No deal Ameilianus! It doesn't matter how bad the world really is, you can't force people follow a certain creed! That's what causes all the war and suffering you claim to be trying to prevent! So I can safely say that you will not be receiving help from either myself or anyone else in Berk!"
Ameilianus' gaze turned hard after Hiccup was finished speaking, and quick as lightning, he pulled out a spatha(2) and held it at Hiccup's throat. "I truly wish you could see reason, Hiccup." stated Ameilianus calmly, as if taking a life was nothing new to him, "You and I…we could have been great together. Still, it really is a minor inconvenience. I have the Dragon Manual and I believe I can convince Alvin and Dagur to hand over their own dragon training tips. You have cost me only a few months at most. Goodbye, Hiccup."
Just as Ameilianus drew back the sword to slice off Hiccup's head, a plasma shot knocked the sword out of his hands! Looking behind Hiccup, Ameilianus saw Toothless had somehow gotten himself out of the snare! "I taught Toothless how to get out of those snares months ago." explained Hiccup, causing Ameilianus to turn toward Hiccup, who had a smirk on his face, "You're not the only one to who can plan ahead you know."
Ameilianus roared with rage as he tackled Hiccup to the ground and began punching him! Surprised by this uncharacteristic turn in behavior, Hiccup took a few to the face before remembering the hand to hand training he had with the other riders. Although Hiccup was not physically stronger than Ameilianus, he was trickier especially in the enraged state Ameilianus was in. Slipping out between Ameilianus' legs, Hiccup turned and kicked Ameilianus in the back, before jumping on Toothless and pointing Toothless at the prone Ameilianus.
Meanwhile, back with Astrid, she was having significantly more trouble with Marlene. Using her dagger to parry Astrid's strike with the sword, while skillfully striking back with her own sword, Marlene was giving Astrid a 'death by a thousand cuts!' For while Astrid was able to keep the thrust and sweeps from being lethal, Astrid was starting to get tired from the battle and the blood loss! It all seemed all over until…
BOOM! Stormfly had sent a shot which sent Marlene off her feet! Astrid quickly rushed in and kicked away Marlene's sword and daggers before point her own sword at Marlene's head! "It's over Marlene! Come quietly, and I might just let you keep an arm!" declared Astridin triumph.
Marlene just chuckled and said, "You don't get do ya, cutey! I'M JUST A DISTRACTION! Right now, Ameilianus is about to set off the bombs while you and all your tribes distracted!" exclaimed Marlene, before setting off a smoke bomb. By the time Stormfly could clear up the smoke, Marlene was gone along with her weapons! Knowing she had to find Hiccup, Astrid jumped into Stormfly's saddle and flew-off!
At the same time, Snotlout was still dealing with a truly obsessed cat! Struggling to both control Hookfang and get rid of Caligula, whole huts were smashed up by Snotlout's erratic flying! Having enough and willing to take his enemy with him, Snotlout maneuvered Hookfang over the bonfire that was the armory! "See you in Valhalla you mangy rat!" cried Snotlout as he jumped from Hookfang with Caligula in tow!
Luckily, Astrid and Stormfly were passing by at that exact moment! Snotlout dropped in right behind Astrid, who looked back puzzled at what had land in her saddle. Caligula, on the other hand, had let go off Snotlout during the fall, causing the fiendish feline to continue plummeting into the flames! "Good riddance!" said Snotlout, secretly relieved that Astrid had caught him.
"What was that about?!" asked Astrid not entirely sure of what just happened.
"Just an old score settled!" declared Snotlout, trying to play it cool, "SO what do we do now?"
Astrid looked around seeing that the Bezerkers, Outcasts, and Romans were in full retreat to the docks…except Alvin, Dagur, and Ameilianus! "We need to go help Hiccup! Something big is about to happened!" explained Astrid. With that, Snotlout, jumped back onto Hookfang and together they rode off in the last know direction of Hiccup! Meanwhile, from the burning ruins of the armory, a charred paw reached out from the fire…
Ameilianus was currently face to face with an angry Night Fury, barely held back by its rider! "It's over Ameilianus! You've got no more tricks left to play!" demanded Hiccup, still angry at the earlier conversation. Ameilianus, however, did not seem at all affected by the situation he was in. He simply turned his gaze onto Hiccup as if waiting for something.
"Well," prompted Ameilianus, "let's get this over with."
"What?!" asked Hiccup, not sure what Ameilianus was talking about.
"This is the part of the story where the hero applies the finishing blow to the villain, is it not?" asked Ameilianus as if it was the most obvious idea in the world. Upon seeing Hiccup's shocked expression, Ameilianus smirked and decided to press the issue, "You've never killed anyone before, have you? I mean, aside from the Red Death, but you've never killed a person before! HAHAHAHAHA! That is just too funny!"
"I really don't think you're in a position to be making fun of me." stated Hiccup, Toothless looking equally annoyed at the enemy's enjoyment.
Wiping a tear from his eye from laughing, Ameilianus calmed down and with a confident smirk said, "I hope you're not under the impression that your…jail could possibly hold me! Even if I don't figure out a way to escape, my parents, the leaders of Londinium, would send a fleet to get me back! You saw how much damage one of our ships can do…imagine a hundred! Berk would never stand a chance!"
Ameilianus decided to let Hiccup process this thought before continuing, "You know…my father had a saying: the greatest leaders need three qualities; wisdom, vision…and strength! You have wisdom and vision; you are the only one who could have started the taming of dragons! But the one thing you lack is strength…not physical strength, but the strength to do what is necessary! You spare your enemies, hoping they will see the error of their ways! HA! You could have finished Alvin in your first encounter and saved yourself a world of trouble…but instead you ran, WELL NOT THIS TIME!"
Ameilianus jumped to his feet, walking over to Hiccup and Toothless, who moved back to keep Ameilianus out of arm's reach. Standing straight, with a haughty look on his face, Ameilianus declared, "I will never leave Berk in peace! You stand as a threat to my new empire! So to save yourself and Berk any future problems from me…you're gonna have to kill me!"
Hiccup stood, shocked at Ameilianus' dare! Truthfully, Ameilianus was right: Hiccup tried everything humanly possible to avoid killing someone, especially when they couldn't defend themselves! Those situation always brought him back to when Toothless and he first met, when he had decided not to kill the dragon! But now…Ameilianus had shown himself to a serious threat to not just Berk, but to the world! He stared down at Toothless hoping for some reassurance or advice, with Toothless looking right back, seemingly saying without actually speaking; Whatever you decide, I'll support.
Sighing, Hiccup composed himself for a moment. Then he stared back at Ameilianus with a hardened look, while Ameilianus still wore a confident smirk, daring Hiccup to deliver the final blow! Though subtle clues lost to an observer, Hiccup had Toothless prepare a plasma shot…aimed directly at Ameilianus!
"Come on! You know you have to! Come on!" challenged Ameilianus, no fear of death in his eyes! Toothless readied his shot while Hiccup looked on, his uncertainty growing! "Come on! Do it! DO IT! DO IT!" With that final challenge and a roar from Hiccup, Toothless fired his shot…above Ameilianus' head! Hiccup had given a pull at Toothless' reigns at the last second, causing the shot to pass within inches of Ameilianus!
Rather than cowering or even flinching, Ameilianus stood his ground and stared at Hiccup…and laughed uproariously! Calming down, Ameilianus had only one word to say to Hiccup: "Coward!" And with that signal Alvin and Dagur appear and retrained Hiccup and Toothless, with Alvin putting a hood over Toothless' mouth and Dagur simply bear-hugging Hiccup!
With his would be executioners restrained, Ameilianus calmly walked up to Hiccup and said, "I knew you couldn't do it! It's just…not in your nature! But don't worry, I don't killing you today!"
A surprised expression was worn by Ameilianus' impromptu audience before he further explained, "You're just too…interesting, Hiccup! I could kill you right now and save myself a lot of future trouble, but then…I lose a chance to become a legend! What would Scipio be without Hannibal! Caesar without Boudicca! Oh you and I…we still have so many fights left ahead!"
Walking around as he talked, Ameilianus spotted a stray piece of wood from Toothless' near miss. It was still alight with flame…a blue flame! Picking up the makeshift torch, Ameilianus smiled and said, "But first…a light something to remember me by!" And with a mighty throw, Ameilianus threw the torch…in Faust's makeshift lab!
BOOM! The lab exploded almost as soon as the torch made contact with the floor! The explosion knocked back all of the witnesses back four feet and sent flaming shrapnel everywhere! And what's worst…every place the shrapnel touch set off a similar explosion, setting the whole village on fire! Ameilianus and his accomplices immediately got up and ran towards the dock but not before Ameilianus called back, "We'll meet again Hiccup! Sooner than you think!"
Hiccup looked at the fleeing villains, than at the raging fire. Seeing Snotlout and Astrid heading his way, he got on Toothless…and flew towards the arriving riders. He gave them orders to help put out the fire (which they followed reluctantly), while he went to look for Fishlegs and the Twins. Together, Hiccup, the riders, and the villagers were able to put out the inferno. Stoick and the other Vikings helped clear some of the debris and look for survivors.
In the end, the damage to the village was extensive, but truthfully only slight more than a dragon attack in the past. Few villagers were harmed and no one was killed. In the end the biggest damage was the fact that the perpetrators got away scot-free. Hiccup knew, however, that this was not the last they would here from Ameilianus. Oh no, this was just the Beginning!
Disclaimer: I don't own DreamWorks Dragons franchise or the book series it is based off of. Hope you didn't get too impatient during the wait. Just want to be sure of the quality of the story. Though the end might be a little rushed. Also a reminder for those who forget, this is a T-rated story, meaning there is bound to be strong language and bloodshed. I try to make the curse words unreadable to protect sensibility, but they are needed for the feel of the story. Anyway, I only have the epilogue left and then I can rest and start a new story! Please read and review, I do like to hear from you!
1 Reference to the episode "In Dragons We Trust" where Mildew destroyed the armory to frame Toothless and get rid of the dragons.
2 A Roman sword, longer than a gladius, used during the later Roman Empire before its fall.