A/N: This is an original chapter, so this is a little more interesting.
Chapter 29: The Scream Team
It was just another day on Dragon's Edge, with the normal Thorston Twin crazy and even the potential Dragon Hunter mission right around the corner.
But strangely enough it was relatively peaceful, not that Raeda was complaining as she enjoyed the peace and quiet by painting the Dragons of the island and ones she'd already seen.
She was currently painting a picture of Smidvarg as the small white Dragon stood very still while she worked. "And done!" She said with a smile, "Alright, you can come and take a look!"
Smidvarg flew over and looked at the painting.
'Looks great!' He squawked before flying off.
"You're welcome!" Raeda called as she then moved her paintings over to her other ones. She had paintings of not only the Riders' Dragons but also the Night Terrors, Changewings, the Skrill, Seashockers and many other species.
Raeda smiled at her work as she noted every dragon she drew, "Looks like I did every species we've met so far, While not only rescuing them from the hunters but also helping to protect their territory from their natural enemies." She said while shuddering from her last experience. "That Cavern Crasher was on a whole other level of nasty." She added, really grossed out by that egg eating dragon.
Just then, Sparkfire then appeared as she squawked at Raeda, who was chuckling at her dragon. "Okay, okay, Sparkfire. We can go flying now. I'll grab some chicken for you." She said as she went and grabbed her things for the flight as she then had a thought. "Maybe I should ask the Haddock Twins to join, it has been a while since it was just the three of us hanging out together." She said, having a thought as she turned to her dragon. "Come on, girl. Let's go see if Hiccup and Hicca are available." She said with a smile.
'That's a great idea!' Sparkfire squawked in excitement as Raeda mounted her dragon as they flew towards the clubhouse.
Once they landed, Raeda slid off of Sparkfire and walked in as she heard Hicca and Hiccup talking.
"Hey guys, wanna hang-" Raeda then stopped mid-sentence when she saw the Haddock Twins talking to Astrid.
"From what Henry told us, these are the possible locations Viggo and the Hunters should be." Hiccup said as he pointed to many islands that are marked with the Dragon Hunter's logo on them, showing which outposts the Hunters set up.
"And you know, I feel like I've seen some of these islands before." Hicca said, pointing to one of the smaller islands. "And last I checked, no Hunters are on these ones, or even any dragon nest there, from what Henry said. Most have some vegetation and herbs that are great for my medical supplies, but so far, nothing that shows a sign of Hunter activity." She added.
"Henry did say this map was from when he was still with the Hunters before he went rogue, so this might be a little outdated." Astrid added, since Henry left the Hunters long ago so he might not know how much they grew since he last checked.
"Even still, these are the best we got from Henry. And our best chance at finding Viggo." Hiccup pointed out.
"Hey uh, guys?" The three then turned to Raeda as she walked in. "Are you talking about strategy or something?"
"Oh hey Raeda. Yeah we're just trying to figure out where's the most likely we'll find Viggo." Hicca answered.
"Now that Viggo has the Dragon Eye, and has been quiet for a while, we have to find him and figure out how to stop him and get the Dragon Eye back." Hiccup explained. "Henry gave us one of his old maps that he managed to save that showed many Hunters' outposts they've established, but most of these islands have been recently abandoned so it's hard to tell which ones the Hunters still use." He added.
"We've pretty much ruled out some of the islands for potential outposts but there are still more out there." Astrid explains as she gestures to the map, which had red X's to label them as not Dragon Hunters' outposts.
"We know where Viggo's island is but even he knows not to keep his precious items in his home turf." Hicca added as she gestured to Viggo's Dragon Hunter's main base on the map. "And we know he moves around in any of his ships and travels from island to island, and not to mention how well fortified it is." She stated.
"Oh, well that does sound important but if you wanna take a break me and Sparkfire were just gonna go out for a flight and-" Raeda offers before Hiccup holds up his hand.
"We can't now, Raeda. We're this close to finding Viggo that we can't stop now." Hiccup said as he, Hicca and Astrid focused on the map.
"You go on without us, Raeda. Have fun on your flight." Hicca said to Raeda.
"Don't worry, if we need you, we'll send you a Terror mail." Astrid promised as they turned around back to the maps.
Raeda stared at her best friends before giving Astrid a frown, "Yeah, sure you will." She said before walking out.
(Linebreak)
Sometime later, Raeda and Sparkfire are at a pond on another island close to the Edge as Sparkfire drinks some water while Raeda looks at her reflection.
Raeda sighs with a frown as she speaks. "Ever since Astrid stopped hanging out with them I've been Hiccup and Hicca's best friend, but now that they're back together it's like I'm just second rate to them." She said to herself. "We started hanging out less, we hardly speak, and we barely ever have time together anymore. But strangely enough they do have time for Astrid." She added as she looked at Sparkfire. "What do you think, girl? Am I not enough anymore?" She asked her dragon.
Sparkfire looked at Raeda as she squawked and nuzzled her. 'Of course you are enough, Raeda. You are special.' She squawked.
Raeda giggled and rubbed Sparkfire's chin, "Thanks girl, at least you have time for me." She said to her dragon with a small smile as Sparkfire purred. "Maybe a little fly around the ocean will cheer me up." She said to herself as she mounted Sparkfire and took to the sky as they flew off.
Meanwhile back on the Edge, the Haddock Twins and Astrid are still going through the map as Astrid marked off another island.
"Well, that's another island off the list." Astrid sighed.
"There's gotta be a clue to where Viggo is somewhere." Hiccup persisted.
Hicca then noticed something about one of the islands, "Wait, Hiccup, isn't that Island where we found the…" She trailed off as she pointed to an island that was home to one particular dragon.
Hiccup looked at what island his sister was pointing at as he gave a wide eye stare. "It is." He said in shock.
"What is it?" Astrid asked them in confusion.
Hiccup and Hicca turned to Astrid as they each were having a thoughtful expression. "I know the Hunters have a thing for rare dragons but, you don't really think they'd try and pick a fight with him, do you?" Hicca asked.
"I wanna say yes but after seeing how they managed to capture Snow Wraiths, Skrills, the Flightmare and even Typhoomerangs, getting a dragon like that may not be as crazy as we think." Hiccup admitted.
"Good point." Hicca said, seeing her brother's point.
"Hey, Haddocks, mind explaining to me what dragon you two are talking about?" Astrid asked them, wanting to know what Hiccup and Hicca were saying.
The Haddock Twins looked at Astrid grimly as Hicca then pointed to the island she and her brother were talking about. Astrid took a closer look at the island before she widened her eyes in recognition.
"Oh Thor." Astrid gasped.
"Now let's jump to conclusions. We don't know for sure the Hunters will go after the-" Hicca was then interrupted as Raeda flew, looking frantic.
"Guys! We've got a major problem!" Raeda exclaimed.
Hiccup then raised his hand to calm her down, "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Slow down Raeda. What did you see?" He asked her.
"Sparkfire and I were flying around the ocean for a while and then we saw a bunch of Dragon Hunters' ships." She explained before looking worried, "Heading straight for, 'You know who's' island." She said, not wanting to say the same.
The Haddock Twins and Astrid looked at each other in shock. "They're actually going for it." Hicca said.
"Viggo's really upping his game if he's heading for that dragon." Astrid said in shock.
"Well then, we can't let him get to it. If he does, he'll be impossible to face." Hiccup pointed out in worried.
Then Fishlegs, Snotlout, Henry and the Thorston Twins came in, "So guys, you find anything on those maps?" Henry asked.
"We did. And we found a clue that might help us find your father. And Raeda helped us confirm our thoughts." Hicca said while pointing at Raeda.
"Well, where are we going to knock some Hunters' heads?" Snotlout asked eagerly as they didn't answer but Hiccup pointed to the island they pointed earlier, which made the others, minus Henry, give a surprise and grim expression. "Oh no, nonono! There is no way I'm going back there! We got lucky with that guy the last time we were on that island!" He frantically said in panic.
"I don't think we have a choice, Snotlout." Hiccup said.
"Knowing Viggo, he'd be crazy not pass up a dragon that only hatches every 100 years or so." Astrid pointed out, knowing Viggo would take any opportunity to claim a dragon.
"And we may not see eye to eye with that dragon, but even he doesn't deserve the fate of the Dragon Hunters." Hicca added.
"And we've all seen what he's capable of, if the Dragon Hunters get their hands on him, there will be no stopping them." Fishlegs added.
"So does that mean what I think it means?" Tuffnut asked hopefully.
"It appears so. my dear brother." Ruffnut said with a smirk.
(Linebreak)
A little bit later, the Dragon Riders are flying across the ocean as the Thorston Twins yelled out.
"Back to Screaming Death Island!" The Thorston Twins cheered in excitement.
"So, you've actually met the Screaming Death before?" Henry asked as he rode on Lockjaw.
"Yeah. And trust us, it was not a pleasant experience." Hicca answered.
"It was a miracle we even stopped it the first time." Raeda mentioned, "And every time we do, he keeps coming back like Snotlout obsessed with Astrid."
"Hey!" Snotlout retorted.
"Yeah, and each time it does, the Screaming Death just gets bigger and nastier." Astrid added.
"Uh, how big are we talking about?" Henry questioned.
"Big enough to eat an entire island and still be hungry." Fishlegs answered as he shuddered at that memory.
"And the last time we saw him, he was even bigger when we went to his island to pick up some of his scales he shedded to make our first dragon armor when we went and rescued our friends from the Hunters." Hicca said.
"And now, for some reason Thor knows why, we're flying back there to save the giant white dragon who tried to kill us multiple times from the same hunters who have also tried to kill us multiple times." Snotlout complained.
"Because we're not like that, Snotlout. We never leave dragons in danger, friendly or not." Hiccup pointed out.
"Ah. I still don't like it." Snotlout groaned.
"Well, suck it up. Because Screaming Death Island is straight ahead." Hicca called out as she pointed ahead as they saw Screaming Death Island in the distance.
"So can I ask the big question we're all thinking about right now?" Tuffnut asked.
"No." Hiccup quickly said, but Tuffnut asked anyway.
"Why do we even need to help the Screaming Death? That dragon is so big, it can eat those Hunters as if they are bite sizes. Which will be so cool!" Tuffnut said in excitement.
"Plus why would the hunters even need the Screaming Death?" Ruffnut added, "A dragon that's dangerous and awesome can't just be used for rugs and belts." She stated.
Raeda then thought of what the Thorston Twins just said as they now get it. "You know, they do make a good point. Which is shocking." She said while looking at the Thorston Twins strangely. "I mean we all know how tough the Screaming Death is, so it would suicide for the Hunters to even try capturing it."
"Well, we'll never know. But we will find out once we get there." Hiccup stated as the Riders flew straight towards Screaming Death Island.
They soon made landfall and dismounted from their dragons, "Ahh, Screaming Death Island, lovely place to visit." Fishlegs said before frowning, "Before the screaming and the death happen, of course." He said in a dull tone.
"All right, gang, let's split up and cover ground for any hunters." Hiccup said. "But watch out, some of the Whispering Deaths, and obviously the Screaming Death, are wild here. So watch your step for any Whispering Death holes." He quickly added.
"And if you see any hunters, don't engage them until the others show up." Hicca told them.
"Maybe to be on the safe side we shouldn't be alone?" Raeda asked. "We should travel with partners to watch each other's backs." She added, secretly hoping she could be paired up with her or Hiccup.
The Haddock Twins thought of what Raeda said as they nodded. "Good idea, Raeda. We'll pair up." Hicca said in agreement.
"Astrid, you're with me." Hiccup said as Astrid nodded. "Fishlegs, you're with Ruff and Tuff."
"What? Why do I get the Thorston Twins? Hicca said pairs." Fishlegs pointed out.
"Because we need you to watch over the Thorston Twins to make sure they don't try feeding themselves to the Screaming Death or any Whispering Deaths." Hiccup explained. "Unless you prefer you and Meatlug find the Screaming Death yourselves."
"Thorston Twins' sitting it is!" Fishlegs said quickly, preferring not to be alone with the Screaming Death, again.
"Good, then Henry you're with me and Raeda you're with Snotlout." Hicca said with a smile.
"Wait. Why do I get Snotlout?" Raeda asked in surprise. "He's a muttonhead." She added.
"I heard that!" Snotlout yelled in annoyance.
"Because, Raeda. Snotlout barely survived the Screaming Death when it showed up near Berk the third time. He was lucky that Hookfang and Alvin managed to get him out of there." Hicca pointed out.
"So to be clear, I get the muttonhead, Fishlegs gets the Thorston Twins, you get the guy with Dragon Hunter inside knowledge and Hiccup gets princess over there." Raeda said, jerking a hand at Astrid who raised a brow at Raeda's tone.
"Uh, that's a pretty harsh summary of it all." Hiccup said while feeling surprised by Raeda's tone.
"Fine. Come on Snotlout." Raeda said as she stormed away while grabbing Snotlout's arm.
"Ow! Hey, watch the muscles." Snotlout said as he was dragged away with Raeda.
Sparkfire and Hookfang looked at each other. 'This could end badly right?' Hookfang asked.
'Knowing Snotlout, definitely.' Sparkfire answered as the two followed their riders.
The rest of the Riders looked at the direction they went to in surprise.
"Was it just me, or did our cool-headed Raeda seem mad all of a sudden?" Ruffnut asked in surprise.
"I think she was mad, dear sister. And this is rare for Raeda to even get mad." Tuffnut added, "And may I be so bold as to say that it was our dear Astrid that Raeda focused such madlyness." He added.
"Yeah. Raeda seemed more mad at me than at being partnered up with Snotlout. Which is saying a lot." Astrid said in surprise.
"I've never seen Raeda get so mad before." Hiccup said as he turned to his sister. "Have you?" He asked.
"I only saw her get mad if one of her arts were ruined, but never this upset." Hicca said while feeling concerned about Raeda.
"Well hopefully, she can keep it under control before it gets her, Snotlout, Sparkfire and Hookfang in a Dragon proof cage or literally in the jaws of death." Henry said.
"Uh, are we talking about Whispering or Screaming?" Tuffnut asked.
"Oh for the love of, let's just go!" Hiccup said in annoyance as the Dragon Riders split up with their partners to find either the Screaming Death or Dragon Hunters. Not noticing a pair of eyes spying at them from one of the tunnels before slipping back inside.
(Linebreak)
Raeda was currently stomping across the beach while Snotlout walked behind her with Sparkfire and Hookfang beside her. Snotlout was smart enough to see the anger coming off of Raeda and wisely chose not to say anything or it would end just like it would with an angry Astrid, maybe even worse.
Raeda meanwhile starts grumbling to herself with each stomp. "Oh look at me, I'm Astrid Hofferson, I've got amazing fighting skills and the hots for the future chief of Berk but I'm too stubborn to admit it!" She mocked Astrid's voice. "While also taking his sister away from her best friend, who hardly notices her anymore and I take any time with them away from her!"
Snotlout then leaned over to Hookfang, "Wouldn't wanna be Astrid right now." He said quietly.
But apparently wasn't quiet enough, "What was that about Astrid?!" Raeda demanded as Snotlout yelped.
"Nothing!" Snotlout quickly said in panic. "I wasn't talking about anything!" He quickly added.
Raeda just groaned and kept walking, "Honestly, would it kill Hiccup and Hicca to not be with Astrid for 5 minutes?!" She asked, "I mean seriously, what does she have that I don't have?!" She questioned angrily as she kicked a rock as it hit a small tree, which caused a branch to snap right off.
Snotlout, Sparkfire and Hookfang looked at Raeda in shock as they just stood there looking at her as Raeda turned to them. "Go on, tell me! What does Astrid have that I don't?!" She ordered with her hands on her hips.
Hookfang then bumped Snotlout forward, telling him to say it. Snotlout gulps and twiddles his fingers, "Uh, she, uh has umm…Blonde hair?" He squeaked with a nervous smile.
Raeda then gave a frustrated groan as she then leaned against a tree as she sat down.
Snotlout slowly walked towards her nervously as he spoke cautiously. "Uh… Do you want to talk about it, Raeda?" He asked quietly.
Raeda just sighs, "Snotlout, do you remember how before the Dragon wars ended I was the only one Hiccup and Hicca had as friends?" She asked.
"Yeah. Before they became famous when they were secretly with Toothless and Midnight while learning more about dragons." Snotlout answered, remembering that time. "Why?" He asked.
Raeda sighs as she looks down. "It's just that, ever since the Dragon War ended and Astrid became Hicca and Hiccup's friend again, they hardly have time to hang out with me and only have a short quick chat with each other whenever we come in contact." She started as she stood up again and walked in front of a large hole, "Even when we're on missions it is always Astrid they trust to charge or share secrets with While I'm just left in the dark and alone." She added.
"Hey, they keep secrets from me too." Snotlout mentions as Raeda gave him a look, "Sorry, not helpful." He apologized.
"But even still, it was always me and the Haddock Twins, but now it's just them and Astrid." Raeda said as Snotlout looked behind her and gasped. "I know, I didn't want to believe it either but now it's like I don't matter to them anymore." Raeda said not seeing what was behind her.
"Um, Rae?" Snotlout said nervously.
"I mean, I'm just as good in a fight as Astrid, with or without my dragon and we both ride the exact same Dragon!" Raeda gripped, gesturing to Sparkfire who along with Hookfang was backing away in fear.
"Rae?" Snoutlout said again as a shadow fell over them.
"We even spare each other on equal footings! So what is it that Astrid has that makes my best friends hang out with her over me?!" Raeda questioned.
"Raeda!" Snotlout yelled out in panic.
"WHAT?!" Raeda yelled at Snotlout as she glared at him. She then heard a familiar growl behind her as her angry expression turned to dread, "The Screaming Death is right behind me, isn't he?" She guessed in a dread tone as Snotlout nodded his head fearfully.
Raeda turned around as she saw the Screaming Death flying behind her as he glared down at the two riders and their dragons, while the Screaming Death looked so much bigger than the last time they saw him.
"Um, long time no see?" Raeda said with a nervous smile before the Screaming Death answered with a loud roar.
(Linebreak)
Hiccup and Astrid whipped their heads around when they heard the familiar roar, "Well at least we know the Screaming Death is home." Hiccup commented before they heard a high pitch scream.
Astrid was able to recognize it, "And he just found Snotlout and Raeda!" She said.
"Come on!" Hiccup said as they and their dragons ran to where they heard the scream.
(Linebreak)
Snotlout screamed while waving his arms widely as the giant white dragon chased him, Raeda, Hookfang and Sparkfire across the beach.
"I really wish we never came back here!" Snotlout shouted in panic.
"Trust me, the Screaming Death feels the same!" Raeda yelled out as they dodged its fireballs. "You know, if the Hunters actually think they can take this guy down, then they're crazy!"
"Oh, that I agree for sure!" Snotlout yelled out.
"Let's find the others and regroup before Screamy here starts making a snack out of us and our dragons-" Raeda started, but was cut off when she and Snotlout fell into a Whisper Death hole screaming as they're dragons jumped in to save them and the Screaming Death flew past them.
"I HATE THIS ISLAND!" Snotlout yelled as his voice echoed through the hole.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile the other riders regrouped, "Anyone see Raeda and Snotlout?" Hiccup asked.
"Or the Screaming Death?" Hicca added.
"No. No signs of them or the Screaming Death." Fishlegs answered. "Which is surprising since we're talking about a 500 foot long dragon."
"Well I got good news," Ruffnut called out with a smile.
"Like what, Ruff?" Hicca asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I just found the Dragon Hunters." Ruffnut answered while pointing straight at the bushes in front of them.
The Riders were surprised by this as they turned and saw the Dragon Hunters coming out of the trees and bushes as they all aimed their arrows at them as their dragons stood in defensive stances in front of their riders.
Then walking up to in front of them is none other than Viggo Grimborn and his brother Ryker. "Viggo!" Hiccup said.
"My dear Hiccup, how wonderful to see you again." Viggo said with a smile.
"Father! Should've known you were showing your ugly face here!" Henry said as he glared at his father and uncle.
"Now, now Henry. There's no need for insults, we're simply here on business." Viggo told him, "Business will go much smoother once we have our prize."
"The Screaming Death." Hicca said.
"Hehe. Good luck with that. That dragon is much bigger than anything you and your hunters can throw at it." Tuffnut taunted.
"Not to mention its skin is impervious to dragon root arrows if Raeda, Hicca, Hiccup and Snotloud made armors from its shedded scales." Ruffnut added.
"All the more reason we need it." Ryker answered, "Do you know how valuable Screaming Death scales are? In fact, it wasn't until I saw your armor that I realized there's one around here."
"How were you even able to find this island?" Astrid questioned.
"Astrid my dear, you seemed to be so focused on how the Screaming Death and the Whispering Death are so different, you fail to realize what makes them so similar." Viggo said, "Both require the same living conditions and nutrients to survive."
"All you had to do was find an island where you knew Whispering Deaths lived but had to be much bigger to sustain the Screaming Death." Henry said as his eyes widened.
"Precisely my boy." Viggo said with a smirk as Henry glared at him.
"Viggo, trust me when I say the Screaming Death is more than you and your hunters can handle, just get off this island before he decides to make you 'the hunted'." Hiccup tells him.
Viggo just gave Hiccup a chuckle as he walked towards him. "Oh, Hiccup. I think we are more than capable to handling one Dragon." He said as he turned his back and walked off as the Hunters kept their aim at the Dragon Riders, not letting them or their dragons move a muscle. "And in case you haven't realized it yet, you're in no position to offer advice."
The Riders gave each other uncertain looks, realizing they were trapped and seeing that Viggo won't listen to them.
"I hope Snotlout and Raeda are doing better than we are." Hicca whispered.
(Linebreak)
"I hope the others are doing better than we are." Raeda said as they wandered through the Screaming Death or Whispering Death tunnels as there were many holes around them.
"Ugh, what I'd give for directions down here." Snotlout complained.
Raeda sighed, "Just keep walking Snotlout, there's gotta be an exit around here somewhere and we got to find it before someone finds out," She then heard a growl and the two turned and saw a Whispering Death heading straight for them, "We're in their home!"
The Whispering Death flew towards them faster and faster as Snotlout ducked down and Raeda stood battle ready while Hookfang lit himself up and Sparkfire readied her tail spines. But then the Whispering Death stopped in front of them as Raeda looked at it in confusion.
It was then that she realized who this was, "Wait, you're the Screaming Death's mom." She said as the Whispering Death growled in confirmation, "Well it's good to see you again ma'am but we got a problem."
"Uh yeah, your boy, the big white one, just tried to kill us and there are some guys coming here to take his skin." Snotlout said as he stood up and dusted himself off, "But don't worry, we're here to help."
Raeda then rolled her eyes and looked at the Whispering Death, "Anyway, we need to get back to the surface, think you can help us?" She asked and the Whispering Death answered by flying off, "Okay then, follow that Whispering Death!" She said as she jumped onto Sparkfire and took off.
"Five thousand pounds of flaming muscle coming in hot!" Snotlout declared as he and Hookfang followed her.
(Linebreak)
Back on the surface, the Dragon Riders are still surrounded by the hunters, "It would be in your best interest to surrender my dear Hiccup, as you can see my maces out number your talons." Viggo boasted before they felt the ground shake.
Then erupting from the sand behind them was the Mother Whispering Death, causing the Hunters to scatter and then Hookfang and Sparkfire flew out too.
"Sorry we're late!" Raeda smirked.
"We had to take a little detour underground!" Snotlout added with a smirk as well.
"You were saying?" Henry smirked at his father.
"More riders!" Ryker said with gritted teeth. "Hunters, fire at will!" He called out.
"To your dragons, now!" Hicca said as they quickly mounted and took flight.
The Hunters tried to shoot one of the riders, but the Mother Whispering Death whipped its tail at them as they were knocked back and then it tunneled underground, causing the hunters to lose their footing.
"Let's wrap this up quickly, before the Screaming Death comes back." Astrid said as she saw the hunters taking aim, "Stormfly-"
"Out of the way Hofferson!" Raeda said as she and Sparkfire zipped past them, "Sparkfire, spines!" She yelled as Sparkfire shot her spine shots at the hunters.
But the Hunters dodged and then shot Barf and Belch, "Oh man!" Tuffnut said.
"We're going down!" Ruffnut added as they fell.
"Ruff and Tuff are down!" Henry yelled out as the Thorston Twins and their dragon had a net thrown over them.
"Don't bunch up, the less of us they shoot down the better." Hiccup called out as the riders spread out so that they wouldn't be easy targets.
Then the hunters then shot their net catapult as they caught Fishlegs and Meatlug. "Guys! We're down!" Fishlegs called out as he and Meatlug were dragged down to the ground.
"Hiccup this mission isn't going well!" Hicca said as she dodged more arrows.
"I know, but we can't leave not while the Screaming Death and its family are in danger!" Hiccup retorted before turning to Astrid, "Astrid cover me while I-"
"Hiccup! Astrid isn't the only one here who can cover you!" Raeda shouted as she glared at Astrid.
Hiccup then tried to calm her down, "I never said she was Raeda but I need you too-"
Raeda then interrupted him, "Just sit by and let her kiss up to you two?! No! I'm done being second rate to this would-be friend of yours!" She yelled, pointing at the surprised Hofferson girl, "This time, I'll prove why I deserve both of your attention!" She then had Sparkfire dive straight down towards the Hunters.
"Raeda no!" Hicca called out.
Viggo smirked and then signaled his men and then they fired a large boulder at Raeda, sending her and Sparkfire flying towardsHookfang and Snotlout.
"Oh Thor!" Was all Snotlout could say before the girls crashed into him and Hookfang and they landed in the forest.
"Raeda! Snotlout!" Hiccup said before he and the remaining riders and the Whispering Death mother were brought down.
Viggo then smirked, "Not quite the victory I had planned but it will do nicely." He said, "Take these riders back to the ship, and load the Whispering Death while you're at it."
"And what about the Screaming Death?" Ryker asked as the Hunters caged the riders and dragons.
"Don't worry about it. I have a feeling that it might come to us." Viggo said as he smirked down at the Mother Whispering Death as she struggled to break free.
(Linebreak)
Somewhere in the forest, Hookfang and Sparkfire layed on the floor as they groaned from the crash.
Snotlout and Raeda are next to them as they were on the ground as they came to and sat up.
"Oohh, did anyone get the name of the Gronkle?" Snotlout groaned as he rubbed his head.
Raeda rubbed her head as she got her bearings before she saw her dragon on the ground. "Sparkfire!" She cried out as she came to her dragon as she gave her a gentle touch. "I'm so sorry, girl. I shouldn't have just dived in like that." She apologized to her dragon.
'It's alright.' Sparkfire squawked as she tried to stand but then she shifted her wing and shrieked in pain.
Raeda then looked at her wing, "Oh no, your wing." She looked at it and pressed her lips together, "It's definitely broken."
She then heard roaring and looked towards the Dragon Hunter Ship where the other riders and the dragons were being loaded. "Alright, Snotlout, get Hookfang ready to fly and then we go down there and rescue the others."
"Um, one small problem Rae." Snotlout said as she turned to him and was shocked to see Hookfang was running around, acting like a baby dragon, "Hookfang might've taken a blow to the head." He said sheepishly.
Raeda then gave a frustrated scream as she grabbed her head with both hands as she paced back and forth. "Great! Just great! Our friends are captured, the Mother Whispering Death is caught, Sparkfire's wing is injured, and now Hookfang is acting like he's a baby dragon! And now for all I know Astrid's already come with a plan to escape and Hiccup and Hicca start trusting her even more!" She yelled out.
"Really, we're trapped on Screaming Death Island, all by ourselves with our dragons in no shape to fight if the Screaming Death comes back and that's what you're worried about?!" Snotlout asked in disbelief. "Raeda! Ever since we first landed here, you've been complaining about Astrid more than I do about Hiccup! And that's a lot coming from me!" He yelled out.
Raeda then glared, "You don't know what it feels like to be forgotten by the only two people who care about the real you!" She yelled.
"You really think they're the only ones who don't care that you'd rather be a geeky painter than an awesome butt kicking warrior?!" Snotlout retorted, which caused him to realize what he just said as he covered his mouth.
Raeda looked at Snotlout in shock at what he just said. "What did you just say?" She asked in surprise.
Snotlout tried to deny what he said but just sighs in defeat as he spoke. "If you ever tell the twins this, I'll deny it but, I've always thought your paintings were pretty cool and that you are as great a painter as you are a warrior." He admitted, "Honestly, I don't blame Hicca and Hiccup bragging about you when you show your latest gallery to them."
"They brag about me?" Raeda asked in surprise.
"Oh you have no idea." Snotlout said in exasperation, "Point is, you shouldn't be comparing yourself to Astrid, especially since Hiccup and Hicca talk about you just as much."
Raeda looked down in surprise by Snotlout's words as she was processing on how her behavior cost them their friends and their dragons to get injured while also feeling bad for how she acted to Astrid and the Haddock Twins when she didn't know that Hiccup and Hicca still think about her.
"Snotlout? I've been a total muttonhead." Raeda said as she covered her face.
Snotlout just chuckled and grinned, "Heh, welcome to the club." He said before turning to her, "But you know the best part about being a muttonhead?"
"What?" Raeda asked rhetorically.
"Ya always get chance to fix your muttonheaded move." Snotlout with a small smile. "Trust me, I did it tons of times before and always fix them."
Raeda blinked, never seeing this side of Snotlout before. She then smiled and pulled a surprised Snotlout into a hug, "Thanks Snotlout, I needed that." She said with a small smile.
Snotlout blinked in surprise at Raeda's sudden hug as he slowly returned it. "Uh, anytime, Rae." He managed to say in surprise.
Raeda then pulled away with a confident smile, "Alright, let's find a way to rescue our friends and the Whispering Death before something else happens." She said before the two heard a loud roar and then looked up to see the Screaming Death above them, "Oh, yak dung."
"Raeda." Snotlout whimpered.
"Don't say it, Snotlout." Raeda warned as the Screaming Death roared again and dove towards them.
Snotlout then made a fearful chuckle, "We're gonna die." He said. "And no mom to save us this time." He added.
The Screaming Death dove closer to them as Snotlout covered his eyes bracing for impact. Raeda darted her eyes wondering what to do and then she got a crazy idea. A really really crazy idea.
She then stood her ground, waited until the Screaming Death got closer and then, "STOP!" She yelled so loudly that the Screaming Death stopped dead in his tracks in surprise.
Snotlout looked at Raeda in shock and surprise at her loud voice. "Raeda…" He muttered in surprise as Raeda stepped closer to the Screaming Death while glaring directly at his eyes while she held her hand out.
"LOOK HERE YOU OVERGROWN SNAKE, I DON'T CARE IF YOU WANNA EAT US! I DON'T CARE IF YOU WANNA BURN US ALIVE! RIGHT NOW MY FRIENDS AND YOUR MOTHER ARE ON THAT SHIP, GETTING FURTHER AND FURTHER AWAY AS WE SPEAK!" Raeda yelled, pointing to the Hunter's Ship that was sailing away. "MAYBE IF YOU WEREN'T SO BUSY WITH FEEDING YOUR FACE YOU COULD'VE DONE SOMETHING MORE TO HELP HER! SO IF YOU WANNA GET YOUR MOTHER BACK STOP THINKING ABOUT YOURSELF FOR ONE MINUTE AND HELP UP FIGHT THOSE HUNTERS AND RESCUE OUR FRIENDS!"
The Screaming Death looked towards the ship before back at the girl, Raeda continued glaring at him while her hand was getting closer and closer to his nose. Raeda then pressed her palm over his nostrils as he closed his eyes and rumbled peacefully. Snotlout and Sparkfire looked awed at this, while Hookfang was panting like a dog.
Raeda then smiled, "There we go." She said as she lowered her hand from his snout and turned to Snotlout, who was still awestruck, with a smirk.
"You…Screaming…Just…" Snotlout mumbled before gesturing to his head exploding.
Raeda then laughed, "Thank you for your kind words Jorgenson." She said as she crossed her arms, "Now I hope you're ready for a rescue mission, cause I've got a pretty wild plan."
Snotlout glanced at the Screaming Death and then back at the still smirking Raeda before he realized what her plan was, "Oh no." He said.
(Linebreak)
At the Hunters' ship, the riders are still trapped in cages while they are separated from their dragons as they all sit down on the floorboard.
"Never thought we would be trapped in here again." Tuffnut said in a dull tone.
"Yeah. And this time, Hicca and Hiccup are here while Raeda and Snotlout are still out there. And we've Henry too." Ruffnut added.
"Thanks for clearing that out, Ruff and Tuff." Hicca sarcastically said.
"Anytime." Tuffnut said obliviously.
"Look, we're not down for the count just yet." Hiccup assured, "Raeda and Snotlout are still out there, I'm sure they've got a plan all figured out."
"Uh, hate to break it to you, Hiccup, but Raeda's not been acting like herself lately." Fishlegs pointed out.
"Let's just face it, Snotlout is, Snotlout." Henry added.
Hiccup tried to rebut but found he couldn't, "Okay, I see your point." He admitted.
"I'm just surprised that Raeda thinks that she's second rate." Astrid said in surprise after what Raeda just said to her.
"After hearing that from her, I can understand that." Henry expressed before turning to the Haddock Twins, "I mean, when was the last time you two actually spent time with her like you used to?" He asked them.
Hiccup and Hicca looked at each other in surprise at Henry's question as they thought about it for a moment before they gave a guilty expression. "Now that we think about it, we haven't been giving Raeda as much attention as we should." Hicca said with a frown.
"We've been so busy focusing on Viggo's operation with Astrid helping us, we didn't give enough attention to Raeda." Hiccup added with a frown as well, feeling bad for neglecting their best friend.
Astrid then came to him with a smile, "Sometimes the things that drive us can make us forget about what's really important." She said, referring to how she was more focused on restoring her family's honor than her friendship with the Haddock twins. "And even I have to admit, I was holding you both from Raeda for a while that I didn't even notice until she snapped at me. But I know that Raeda will forgive you for it."
"Nice to know one of us is so hopeful." Hiccup said before turning to the others, "For now, all we can do is try find a way out our-"
He was then interrupted when something caused the entire ship to tremble, knocking them all off their feet.
"What was that?!" Henry asked.
"Battle stations!" A Hunter called out to his men as they were running around to get to their stations.
"What's got those guys in a hurry?" Ruffnut asked.
Just then, the Dragon Riders heard a familiar scream as they covered their ears. They then see the Whispering Death mother roar back, almost as if she was answering a call.
"The Screaming Death is coming." Hicca said in dread.
"Oh dear." Fishlegs shriek in fear.
"Awesome!" Tuffnut cheered as the others gave him a look, "Less awesome." He corrected himself.
"If the Screaming Death takes out this ship to free his mother, he might take us out too!" Astrid exclaimed.
"Or worse, my dad might actually capture it!" Henry added.
"All the more reason to get out of here, now!" Hiccup cried out as the gang searched for a way out.
(Linebreak)
"YAHOO, HAHAHA!" Raeda cheered as she and Snotlout rode on the head of the Screaming Death as it flew over the fleet.
"This is totally crazy! And totally awesome!" Snotlout exclaims with a wide grin as he watches the Screaming Death take out the ships, "That's right! Raelout! Raelout! Oi-Oi-Oi!" He chanted as Raeda laughed.
The Screaming Death roared as he dived down and caught a hunters' ship in his mouth as he snapped it in two while some of the hunters managed to dive into the ocean before their ship broke while the Screaming Death then shot his fireballs at them as it took out multiple ships at once.
The Dragon Hunters tried to fight back, but their nets and catapults are either too small or not strong enough. They even tried to shoot their dragon root arrows at him, but like the Riders said, his skin was just too thick.
"You hunters should've known to never mess with a Screaming Death!" Raeda yelled out.
On the main ship, Viggo and Ryker saw the Screaming Death taking out many support ships while Ryker looked on in shock.
"When those riders said that it was big, they weren't kidding!" Ryker said in shock at the Screaming Death's size.
Viggo however just glared, "Aim for its wings! Remember a downed dragon is a dead dragon." He stated.
Ryker nodded as he turned to his men. "Men! Concentrate all fire on that Screaming Death's wings!" He yelled out.
The Hunters reloaded their weapons as they aimed straight at the Screaming Death's wings, but the Dragon was a lot slippier than they thought as the Screaming Death dodge each one and gave out a loud scream, which caused the Hunters to dropped their weapons as they covered their ears, including Viggo and Ryker as they fell to their knees as they tried to block out the sound.
"That's the way, Screamy! Now drop us off on that ship and we'll rescue our friends and your mother while handling the rest of the fleet." Raeda said.
The Screaming Death roared in response as he lowered himself to Viggo's ship as Snotlout and Raeda mounted off and ran to the inside of the ship, as Snotlout snatched a key from a guard, and saw their friends and their dragons in cages, as well as the Whispering Death Mother.
"Guys!" Raeda cheered as she rushed over to the cage.
"Raeda, Snotlout! Thank Thor you're here." Hiccup said in relief.
"You gotta get us out of here quick! The Screaming Death is here!" Fishlegs said frantically.
"Oh, we know. We brought him here." Snotlout said casually as he unlocked the cage.
"You what?!" Astrid exclaimed.
"No time to explain, let's just grab our dragons and go!" Raeda said as they moved to the other cells and freed their dragons and the Whispering Death.
Once they mounted up, the deck of the ship blew off as Toothless and Midnight flew up first with Hiccup and Hicca on them while the other riders followed on their dragons and the Whispering Death Mother, with Raeda riding with Astrid and Snotlout riding with Henry.
They then heard a roar of distress and saw the Screaming Death was then caught in a bunch of chains as the Hunters were pulling it down. "No! We have to help him guys!" Raeda said to the Haddock Twins.
"No need to tell us twice!" Hiccup said as everyone focused their firepower on the chains but didn't make a scratch, "What?!" He gasped in surprise.
"The Chains must be made from Dragon-Proof metal!" Hicca said as the Screaming Death was getting closer and closer to the oceans.
Raeda then noticed the winches pulling the chains and got an idea, "Hiccup, the winches." She pointed as Hiccup realized it too.
"Rae, you're a genius!" Hiccup said as they all focused their firepower on the winches, and destroyed them. Once they were broken, the Screaming Death was able to break free.
The riders all cheered as the Screaming Death finished off the rest of the fleet before it saw its mother, flew over to her and they shared a nuzzle. It then turned to Raeda still riding on Stormfly.
"Uh oh." Astrid said in worry as Raeda placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry, we're cool." Raeda said as she turned to the Screaming Death with a smile as it nodded to her. "Come on, let's get these two to a new island and Sparkfire and Hookfang off their old one." She said to the others as they flew back to Screaming Death Island.
"Nice, rescue there guys." Hiccup commented.
"Wait, how did you get here so fast without Sparkfire and Hookfang?" Hicca asked in curiosity.
"We hitchhiked with a new friend." Snotlout said as he and Raeda gave a smile to the Screaming Death.
The others stared at the two in shock, "W-wait, you mean, you actually trained the Screaming Death?!" Fishlegs said in shock.
"Whoa." Tuffnut gasped.
"How-how did you two manage that?!" Hiccup asked in surprise and shock.
Snotlout then jerked a thumb at Raeda. "Thank Raeda's big bad dragon voice." He said.
"Apparently, Screaming Deaths respects authority and no fear." Raeda said with a proud smile while the others looked at her in shock.
"Wow! That's amazing! This is something to put into the Book of Dragons about Screaming Deaths!" Fishlegs exclaimed in awe.
"Wow, Raeda, that's amazing!" Hicca said in awed as she gave Raeda a smile.
"Thanks, and Hicca, I'm sorry for how I acted." Raeda said as she rubbed the back of her head, "I was just so upset we didn't hang out as much as we did as kids that I just wasn't thinking straight."
"That's okay, Raeda. And we're sorry too for not giving you much attention." Hicca said while giving Raeda a forgiving smile.
"Yeah. You're our best friend when Berk thought me and Hicca were lame and felt like outcasts." Hiccup pointed out. "You are always there for us when we need you, and you always cheer us up when we're down and always believe in us." He added.
"We should've given you more attention after all you've done." Hicca said. "But that changes from now on."
"Thanks guys." Raeda said with a smile, before she turned to Astrid, "And I'm sorry for what I said to you earlier, Astrid. I was just jealous of you getting all the attention from the Haddock Twins." She apologized to her fellow Nadder rider.
"Don't worry, honestly I would be pretty jealous too if I saw my best friends hanging out with someone other than me." Astrid said with a smile at Raeda.
"Like how you were jealous of the Haddock Twins on their first day of Dragon Training when they suddenly got better and became more famous than you?" Raeda recalled with a playful smile and a laugh.
Astrid let out a little laugh too. "Um, guys?" Henry suddenly spoke up, "Why is Hookfang chasing his own tail?" He asked with a raised brow as he watched the Monstrous Nightmare running around in circles.
Snotlout then spoke. "Let's just say Hooky got a few knocks to the head." He said as he hit his helmet to prove a point before turning back to his dragon. "Sheesh, doesn't he ever get dizzy?!"
The Dragon Riders gave a small laugh as Hicca nursed Sparkfire's wing and made sure Hookfang doesn't have a concussion.
(Linebreak)
Once Sparkfire and Hookfang were patched up, the Riders, with some help from the Screaming Death,brought them back to the Edge and in return they helped the Screaming Death and his mother find a new island that was well hidden from the hunters so that they could live in peace.
Now Raeda was in her hut, working on her latest painting: The Screaming Death and his mother. She then smiled as she finished the final detail. "Another beautiful work of art." She said to herself as she hung her newest painting on the wall with the others, "And now I don't have to worry about losing my best friends anymore."
She then took out another piece of paper and her pen to start another picture when heard talking outside as she looked outside and saw Snotlout telling the Thorston Twins about their adventure with the Screaming Death, "And then I was all like, 'Raelout, Raelout! Oi, oi, oi!'" He recited.
Raeda chuckled, finding it funny how it was Snotlout who helped her realize the truth, "Maybe he's not so much of Muttonhead after all." She commented with a smile. She then heard herself scribbling on paper and then was shocked to see she made a picture of Snotlout. "What the?! When did I-? Why did I-?"
She then looked back at Snotlout, who was still flexing, and back at her drawing as she got a crazy idea why she drew this. She blushed and then shook her head, "No way. Snotlout Jorgenson?! As if!" She said to herself before putting the picture back inside.
"Hey Rae!" Rae jumped and hid the picture under the other blank papers as she turned to see Hicca on Midnight's back, "Midnight and I were just gonna get some more supplies, wanna come?" She asked.
Raeda smiled and rushed over to her, "Thought you'd never ask." She said as she mounted behind Hicca on Midnight as the Night Fury took off and flew away from the Edge.