Chapter 45: Saving Shattermaster
Mala and Throk were in the Northern Markets to buy more weapons for the Defenders. Soon they approached one of the iron masons and examined the weapons he had on display.
Throk examined the creative weapons and nodded approvingly. "This batch will be acceptable if you'll be so kind as to box them up for us," he said looking at the mason.
"I'm sorry, but those weapons are spoken for," said the iron mason, who didn't look at them as he was busy sharpening an ax.
"All right, then we'll take these," said Throk gesturing to another crate.
"As I said, spoken for."
Throk was now starting to get annoyed.
"Spoken for by who, Iron Mason?" Mala asked curiously.
"Pay him," a voice said behind them. The two of them turned and a Hunter grabbed the crates much to their surprise. "Or don't. Doesn't matter."
The Hunter was about to leave, but Throk placed himself in front of him and narrowed his eyes. The Hunter growled and dropped the correct and drew one of the swords inside pointing it at Throk. Throk in retaliation drew his ax and Mala drew her and instantly the Hunters in the surrounding area drew their weapons as well.
"Hunters," A cloaked figure said who approached them, which is actually Krogan in his cloak but Mala and Throk don't know that. "Have you all taken leave of your senses?" He then took a bludgeon from the crate. "On your knees before Queen Mala."
Krogan then whacked the Hunter, who took the crate, with a bludgeon in the knee forcing him onto his knees. Mala and Throk were surprised by this gesture and of the cloaked figure.
"My apologies." The Stranger said, looking at the two of them. "They are simple Hunters. Not known for their strength of mind." He then looked at the Hunter he struck. "Now go before you get us killed." The Hunters began to leave reluctantly and Mala and Throk stared at the cloaked figure. "You're lucky I came along when I did. This is no longer a safe place for you."
The cloaked figure then turned around the corner and vanished leaving the two of them completely bewildered.
(Linebreak)
A few days later, Mala had brought the Riders to the island to inform them of the incident.
"So, this hooded stranger, he risked his own life to save you?" Hiccup asked.
"If it weren't for him, who knows what would've happened." said Mala scratching Toothless on the head while patting Midnight.
"And you've bought weapons on this island before?" Hicca asked.
Mala nodded. "Yes, for many years."
"It never used to be like that," Heather frowned. "That island was always a peaceful place to trade."
"She's right, it's called the Northern Markets." Henry nodded. "It's become a lot more dangerous ever since the Hunters have been coming there. Father has been getting more weapons and trading dragons there than in any other market Island."
"Hicca, Heather, we should go see what those Hunters are up to," Hiccup said before he turned to Mala. "Thank you for filling us in, Mala. It was good you sent for us."
"Actually, I summon you for another reason completely," Mala said honestly.
"Really? What is it?" Hicca asked in curiosity.
Before Mala could answer, then suddenly the Thorston twins came rushing out of the bushes.
"Hiccup. You are not gonna believe this." Tuffnut said panting. He then looked up at Mala. "Hiya, Queen. Looking good. Black is definitely working for you."
Mala merely narrowed her eyes.
"This may be the greatest day ever," said Ruffnut excitedly.
"No, it is the greatest day ever," said Tuffnut. "I mean, except for the first time I wrestled with a boar. Whoa! That was spectacular, or the second time I wrestled with a boar."
"All right, out with it," said Astrid impatiently.
"Easy, A. This is too good to just blurt out." Tuffnut said. He then took a deep breath. "The village is setting up for some big crazy looking to-do."
"So?" Astrid asked again slowly.
"We asked a couple of the natives, 'What's the deal?'" Ruffnut said. "And you know what they said?"
"Probably something like 'It's none of your business,'" Hiccup guessed.
"Many of them said that, at first," Tuffnut admitted. "But then, they said it was for…" He then waved his hand dramatically. "The Trials."
"Wait, it's that time already?" Henry asked in surprise.
"The what?" Heather stared in confusion.
"The Trials are a series of tests of strength, speed, wits and courage that determine the new king Defender of the Wing. They're challenges that involve fire, poisonous reptiles, volcanoes. Basically, any dangerous thing that causes a grisly, painful death." Henry explained as the Riders shuddered.
"How lucky are we?" Ruffnut asked, barely containing her excitement.
"So, Mala, who is the sucker?" Tuffnut asked.
Snotlout then emerges out of the bushes looking utterly terrified. "Hiccup, Hicca. We have to get out of here. Pronto… Oh!" He stopped when he saw Mala and laughed nervously. "Hey, babe. How's it going? I was just thinking of you. Looking forward to watching me die a horrible gruesome death?" He then looked at his cousins. "Did you know about this?"
"Wait, these Trials are for you Snotlout?!" Raeda exclaimed in shock as Snotlout nodded fearfully.
Hiccup looked at Mala. "Mala, will you please excuse us?"
"Of course," Mala nodded and left them.
Snotlout looked at the Haddock twins. "I'm not swimming across some lava pool just so I can become a king."
"No, no, no. It's not just a lava pool anymore." Tuffnut said.
"It's not?" Snotlout blinked.
"No. It's way better." Tuffnut said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You see, there's no way Snotlout could survive what they've got planned. He simply doesn't possess any of the physical or mental prowess to successfully complete these trials. In fact, I don't even think he knows what prowess means."
Snotlout glared at him. "Oh, yeah, really? Is that what you think?" He asked.
"Oh, it's a fact." Ruffnut said. "We've done the calculations. And they all add up to you looking like this."
She then pulled out of parchment with an image of Snotlout's dismounted body which clearly the Thorston twins had drawn.
"All right, that's it!" said Snotlout furiously. "We're staying! You all better start practicing your bow, 'cause you're looking at the future king, baby!" He shouted as he walked off towards the direction of the village.
Raeda facepalmed herself. "Why can't those two muttonheads stop pressing Snotlout's buttons?" She asked herself.
"Great," Hiccup groaned. "All right, look. Hicca, Heather and I have to go check on something in the Northern Markets. "
"So we need the rest of you to stay here and help Astrid and Raeda make sure Snotlout doesn't get himself killed." Hicca added.
The three of them mounted their dragons and took off.
"What'd she say?" Ruffnut frowned.
"Make sure Snotlout gets killed," Tuffnut said with a smirk.
"Copy that." Ruffnut said with a smile.
Raeda then slapped the two Thorstons on the back of their heads as it knocked their helmets off, "She said 'doesn't', make sure Snotlout 'doesn't' get killed!" She told them before slapping their heads again.
"Ow!" Tuffnut yelled as he and Ruffnut rubbed their heads as they put their helmets back on. "Alright! Alright." He groaned.
"Buzzkill." Ruffnut grumbled.
Raeda sighs. "Let's make sure Snotlout's pride doesn't get the best of him in the challenges." She said as she and the other riders went off to make sure Snotlout doesn't get himself killed. "And that he doesn't actually pass." She mumbled to herself, knowing that if Snotlout passed the Trials, he'd be the king of Defenders of the Wing's island and Mala's husband.
(Linebreak)
Hiccup, Hicca and Heather soon reached the Northern Markets and got changed into outfits the Defenders of the Wing led them. They were wearing the same black clothing and masks the Defenders of the Wing wore, but their dragons looked concerned.
"Perfect. No one'll know it's you," said Heather as they pulled on their masks and hoods.
"Let's just hope they don't look at your leg," Hicca said.
They then started to make their way down towards the markets, but Toothless and Midnight started to follow them.
"No, guys." Hiccup said, holding his hands out. "Three strangers with hoods is one thing. But three strangers with hoods and two Night Furies and one Razorwhip, that might not be so stealthy."
"So it's best you two and Windshear stay here and out of sight until we get back." Hicca added.
Their dragons didn't seem too happy with the plan, but reluctantly stayed.
Soon the three of them reached the market and found the place crawling with Hunters.
"That's a lot of Hunters," Hiccup said. "Whoever that hooded stranger was, he's right. It's not safe here." He told the girls.
"Then how about we try not to draw too much attention." Hicca said, noticing the Hunters were eyeing them.
"Whoa, whoa, wait." Hiccup halted them, coming to a stop. He then pointed out a stand. "There. That must be the iron mason Mala was talking about."
They started to make their way over towards the stand and examined the weapons within the crates. Then a Hunter approached them and snagged the arrow Hiccup was holding.
"These weapons are spoken for," The Huntersaid threateningly.
"Okay, yeah, well, I was just browsing, so, uh, no problem," Hiccup assured.
The Hunter then looked down at his leg and recognized the design.
Hicca then subtly gestured Hiccup's leg to Heather.
Heather understood the gesture and grabbed Hiccup. "Let's go. Clearly none of these are for sale."Sshe said.
"Let's try and find another iron mason." Hicca added as they walked off.
The Hunter then looked at two of his men and nodded at them. They then started to make their way towards the three young Dragon Riders, but just as the Hunters drew their weapons a plasma blast shot out of the bushes and struck an applecart. The explosion knocked the Hunters back as the Haddock twins and Heather noticed the Hunters.
Hiccup and Hicca turned around and saw Toothless' head sticking out of the bushes and everyone in the market was running away screaming. "So much for stealth." Hicca said.
"We need to get out of here before someone sees our dragons," said Hiccup looking at his sister and Heather.
They then heard groans and turned in time to see hunters pushing their way across the screaming crowd towards them with their weapons drawn.
"I think it's time for us to leave." Heather said as the three of them then made a dash towards the bushes as Midnight appeared behind the bushes and provided another plasma blast knocking them backwards. The Hunter leader looked around for the three of them, but could only see muscles in the bushes and knew that they had got away and plunged his sword into an apple in anger.
(Linebreak)
The Haddock twins and Heather managed to reach the outskirts of the market and were panting hard.
"You okay?" Hiccup asked, looking at the two of them.
"Just peachy." Hicca panted for breath with a thumbs up and Heather nodded.
They started to make their way around the edge and that's when Heather noticed a hooded figure talking to several Hunters.
"Did you hear the one about the hunter and his dull ax?" The hooded figure asked.
Heather took a closer look at the hooded figure and saw several markings on his outstretched forearm and recognised them. They were clearly names with one of them scratched out by a red line. Her eyes widened a bit.
The Haddock twins noticed and approached her.
"What's the matter?" Hiccup asked.
"You look like you've seen a ghost, Heather." Hicca said.
Heather shook her head and looked at the two of them. "Nothing, I thought I'd just—"
They then heard a very familiar crackling laughter which had a hint of crazy about it. They looked down at the port and saw the hooded figure removing his hood and revealed himself to be none other than Dagur the Deranged. He then pushed one of the Hunters of the port, "Ha! Overboard!" He said as they all laughed.
Hiccup couldn't believe his eyes. "That's impossible. We-we all saw—"
"And we also thought Henry died with him but he survived." Hicca reminded, "And did we seriously forget about who we're talking about?"
"Hicca's right, Hiccup," Heather told the Haddock Boy. "That's definitely Dagur standing down there."
"And, from the looks of it, he's working with the Dragon Hunters again." Hiccup noted.
They watched as Dagur outstretched hand to the Hunter he pushed overboard, but quickly removed his hand causing the under the ball back into the water and making the Hunters laugh.
The three of them had removed the hood and Heather was looking utterly furious as she drew her ax.
"I should have trusted my instincts," Heather snarled. "Dagur will always be a dirty, disgusting, lying—"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, hang on," Hiccup said. "Uh, Heather, I can't let you do this."
"Yeah, you can't just think about killing Dagur again, not after what that brought last time." Hicca reminds Heather of the last time she tried to kill Dagur out of anger.
Heather stared at them. "Hiccup, Hicca, I—" She tried to argue.
"Would you just listen to us, please?" Hiccup pleaded. "Dagur and Henry risked their lives to save ours. All of ours." He reminded her. "Why would Dagur do that? Just go right back to the Dragon Hunters?"
"He's right, and you yourself said Dagur did that because he loved you." Hicca added.
"He's Dagur," Heather said, looking at the two of them. "Since when does anything he does make sense?"
"Good point." Hicca admittedly said, knowing Dagur really doesn't make sense all the time. "Don't forget you promised me that if Dagur survived, you'd be the sister you should've been to him." She pointed out
"And, if you attack him now you expose both of us and our dragons." Hiccup pointed out. "Is that what you want?" He asked.
"And we still need to know why the Hunters are here as well." Hicca said. "And I'm willing to bet he's the cloaked figure that saved Mala and Throk. Why would he do that?"
Heather sighed, knowing the two of them were right and realizing what she was about to do.
"Look, we all want to get to the bottom of this, as much as you do, minus the 'death by double-headed ax' part," said Hiccup. "We need to get Dagur alone and find out what he's doing here. There has to be some kind of explanation."
"All right. I'll play it your way." Heather said, putting her ax away. "I at least want an explanation from Dagur."
"Thank you, Heather. I know this isn't easy." Hiccup said
"We'll find out why Dagur is here without exposing us." Hicca added.
With that the three of them left the area as they began to plan the next move,
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile, on the Defender of the Wing's island everyone was gathered around the lava pool for Snotlout's first trial. He was stretching his legs preparing to run across the lava which in itself was suicide and Throk appeared with the Eruptodon.
"Wow." Ruffnut said in amazement. "I guess even dragons love a good fiery demise." She commented.
"I don't think he's here to watch." Astrid said.
"I think he's part of the Trial." Raeda added.
They were right as the Eruptodon then fired several lava blasts into the lava which quickly solidified. Now Snotlout had a path of red-hot rocks covered with lava to cross.
"That's his first test," Astrid continued.
"And that dragon really is smart when it comes to trails." Raeda commented.
"There's no way Snotlout can eat all those rocks," said Tuffnut.
"No," Ruffnut agreed.
"He's not gonna eat them," said Fishlegs. "He's gonna walk across them."
"All he has to do is run across the lava on those hot rocks, without turning back or getting roasted." Henry explained.
"Oh, totally different death, but entertaining nonetheless," Tuffnut said.
"The minute he starts to scream, you two and Barf and Belch pull him out or Snotlout's fiery demise is on your heads." Astrid ordered.
"And I'll be the one to make that happen if you two ignore it." Raeda threatened.
"Eh, I'm good with that." Tuffnut said as he and his sister mounted their dragons. "Are you, sister?"
"I'll work through it," said Ruffnut. They then flew up into the air. "Gustav is always a good backup."
The twins position themselves over the lava pool and Snotlout prepares to do his run.
"All right. You guys ready for some hot coal action?" Snotlout said, stretching his muscles. "Well here it comes. Snotlout!" He yelled as rushed onto the hot rocks. Astrid, Read, Henry and Fishlegs winced as they could only imagine the pain he was suffering while Raeda gave a worried expression.
Spectacularly, Snotlout somehow managed to cross the rocks, but the souls of its boots had been completely burned away, revealing his toes.
The Defenders of the Wing cheered at his success and Mala smiled at him. The twins then landed behind him completely amazed.
"Wow. Snotters." Tuffnut said, open mouthed. "Tell me that was as painful as it looked."
"Didn't feel a thing." Snotlout said, smiling though he was wincing at his burnt souls.
Henry, Astrid and Fishlegs looked at each other in a little surprised but worried expression as Snotlout just got lucky in this first trial. Raeda however looked astonished by what the Jorgenson boy did.
'Snotlout just did something that I don't think Hiccup or Hicca would do. That was actually very brave.' Raeda thought as she was pretty impressed by how Snotlout just walked across lava rocks and managed to get out with just his shoes.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile, at the Northern Market, the Haddock twins and Heather were trying to figure out what Dagur was up to. Unfortunately, they were having a tough time trying to find any sign of him and met up in an alley.
"Any sign of him?" Hiccup asked.
"No sign of him, yet." Hicca said as Heather shook their heads.
"I should've taken care of him when I had the chance," Heather growled angrily.
"Oh, we have to disagree with you there." said Hiccup.
"Yeah. Seriously, Heather. Why keep this stupid vendetta?" Hicca asked, "Dagur confirmed that he didn't kill your father, which was the main reason why you were angry." She pointed out.
"How can you both say that, when Dagur has something that makes him even more dangerous?" Heather asked.
Hiccup frowned. "More dangerous? What could possibly…" He stopped when he realized what Heather was getting at. "Oh, his own dragon. Right."
"If that was the case, then what happened to Shattermaster?" Hicca asked them since they haven't seen Dagur's Gronckle. "We still don't know what happened after the battle since he and Henry got separated." She added. "I suggest that we don't jump to conclusions until we find out what really is going on."
Then they heard a growl behind them.
"Whoa. What the…" Hiccup stares in surprise. Then they saw their dragons turning round the corner and Toothless was dragging Dagur, who was now wearing rags, with them as Midnight gave him a lick, still appreciating him for saving her mate.
"Ew! What are you doing?" Dagur yelled as Toothless placed him in front of them.
"Or, maybe our dragons could find him." Hicca commented, while smirking under her hood.
"Good job, bud," Hiccup. "We got it from here." Toothless released Dagur and Heather marched up to him.
"All right, out with it." Heather demanded, shaking him. "What are you doing here? Why didn't you come back to the Edge?"
"Help! Robbery!" Dagur yelled. He then looked at him pleadingly. "Please. I have no money. I'm back a poor vagrant, living off the scraps of kind warriors such as yourselves."
Heather turned to Hiccup and Hicca in bewilderment. "Is he serious?" She then glared at Dagur. "Are you serious?" She questioned.
"Maybe he really doesn't know who he is," said Hiccup.
"If he got a serious blow to the head, he could've gotten amnesia," Hicca said, scratching her chin. "I mean we saw what happened down at the shipyard—"
"Come on. It's just a lame trick," Heather said stubbornly. She then glared back at him. "Isn't it brother?"
"Please? Please, please. I have nothing. Let me go," Dagur begged. "Please. Help! Anyone. Anyone."
"Heather, that's enough!" Hicca called out as she grabbed Heather's shoulder. "You promised me."
"Dragon Riders." A voice said behind them. The three of them turned and saw Hunter entering the alleyway. "Grab them and their dragons. Especially the Night fury."
"And you just blew our cover, thanks." Hicca said sarcastically.
"You really wanna do this? Now?" Hiccup asked, narrowing his eyes at them.
"What better time?" said the Hunter as he pulled out his bow and arrow.
"Toothless, if you and Midnight would, plasma blast." Hiccup said.
Toothless and Midnight then fired plasma blasts at a bunch of barrels and they slammed right into the Hunters. Then they saw Hunters charging down the opposite end of the alleyway. However, Windshear took them into the building with her tail.
The three of them looked down at Dagur and found that he had vanished. He then looked at one another and wondered what to do next.
"Well, Heather, you blew our cover." Hicca sarcastically said as she took off her mask. "Seriously, if we wanted to screw up the mission, we should've brought Snotlout and the Thorston twins." She added as she gave Heather a look.
"I know I messed up, okay?" Heather said while feeling guilty. "I just wanted answers."
"Well, can you do it when we're not surrounded by hunters and you're not thinking of tearing Dagur apart?" Hicca rhetorically asked.
"Uh, can we discuss this later and find Dagur before more Hunters show up?" Hiccup asked them as they have a mission and a Berserker to find.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile, at the Defender of the Wing island, Snotlout was about to take part in his second trial.
"This will be your second of the three trials, Snotlout Jorgenson." Throk said, gesturing downwards.
The second trial seems to be some sort of maze filled with shallow water which was filled with eels.
"All you have to do is get to the other side of the maze, while avoiding getting killed by eels." Henry explained.
Seeing these eels, Snotlout starts to get a little nervous."Uh, silly question. But, those wouldn't happen to be friendly eels, would they?" Snotlout asked hopefully. "Like, the kind that make, uh, nice pets?"
"If you enjoy keeping deadly poisonous eels as pets, then yes." Throk said with a small smirk.
"They actually do make an excellent company, Snotlout." Tuffnut said helpfully. "But as infants, they bite hard, but as adults, they bite harder."
"Thanks, Tuffnut. I got it." Snotlout said.
"No worries. I'm just here to help." Tuffnut said.
"If you like, you may take a weapon into the maze." Throk said, gesturing to the weapons rack.
"Awesome," Snotlout said, grabbing a mace. "Will it help my chances?"
Throk laughed. "No."
Slightly disappointed, Snotlout made his way towards the ladder that led him into the maze.
Astrid nodded, "Get ready to get him out over there," Astrid said looking at Fishlegs.
"But only if it looks like it's too much." Raeda added.
"We're on it, girls." Fishlegs said, who had already mounted Meatlug.
Fishlegs and Meatlug then flew up to take up the position above the maze.
Snotlout soon entered into the maze and Throk pulled up the ladder. Almost instantly an eel pounced at him, but he was able to dodge it.
"Okay, eels, just relax." said Snotlout confidently. "This will be over before you can blink."
"Uh, Snotlout, eels don't blink," Tuffnut commented.
"Shut up, Tuffnut," Snotlout yelled.
"I can't-I can't hear you," said Tuffnut. "They don't have eyelids. Figure that might be useful information." And then a smack was heard again. "Ow!" He cried out.
"If you can't hear him, then why did you explain to him that eels can't blink!? So unless you got something that keeps him from getting killed, be quiet!" Raeda yelled out.
"Okay, sheesh!" Tuffnut retorted.
Snotlout rolled his eyes and started to make his way through the maze. As he made his way through the water the eels started to bite on his legs, but thankfully the leather on his boots prevented them from reaching his skin.
"Don't let them bite you." Tuffnut said as Snotlout began dodging eels that jumped out of the water. "That's where the poison is. In their mouths."
"Seriously?! That's the best advice you can give?!" Raeda questioned in annoyance.
"Oh, they're so gross. They're so gross." Snotlout said as he began to panic. "Thor, they're so gross."
Astrid and Raeda were standing with Mala and the three of them looked slightly concerned.
Snotlout turned round the corner and found that the water level had dropped, leaving only small sand dunes.
"All right, this looks easy. Easy peasy." Snotlout said and began to make his way. "Easy peasy lemon squeezy."
Unfortunately, there are holes in the walls and the eels jumped out of and straight at Snotlout. One even managed to bite him on the arm and soon others did the same.
"Come on. What'd I do to you?" Snotlout moaned as more began to bite him on the legs as well. "I love poisonous eels. Ask anyone!"
Snotlout tossed the eels off and ran as quickly as he could as more eels shot out. He then turned round the corner and to his relief he saw the ladder that led out of the maze.
"The exit," he said with relief and pulled the eel off that attached itself to his helmet. "I'm free! I'm free!"
Then he noticed an eel was slithering towards him on the water's edge.
"Do you think Hookfang'll miss him?" Tuffnut asked.
"If you say one more thing, I'll throw you down there myself!" Raeda warned.
"Yeah. Quite, you two." Astrid hissed. She then heard Snotlout screaming. "The mace! Use the mace!"
"You have a weapon, Snotlout! Use it to defend yourself!" Raeda yelled next.
Snotlout pulled out his mace and began shouting and screaming. He ran across the wall knocking eels back as they lunged at him with the mace.
"Snotlout! Oh, yeah!" Snotlout yelled before he slipped into the water.
Astrid facepalmed herself and the Thorston twins looked immensely amused while Raeda gave a worried expression, biting her nails.
Snotlout stood up and began making his way towards the ladder. "I'm gonna make it. I'm gonna make it." He said, swatting more eels aside with his mace until suddenly a giant eel emerged from the water and roared at him. "I'm not gonna make it!" He cried out
Fishlegs then flew down and extended his hand. "Quick. Get on." He said.
"Get out of here, Fishface. I got this." Snotlout said stubbornly.
The eel then roared at Meatlug, who quickly scampered off and Fishlegs fell off his saddle and landed in the water next to Snotlout.
"No. You definitely do not got this." Fishlegs told him.
Snotlout turned and saw two more giant eels emerging out of the water and swimming towards them.
"Oh, Thor!" Fishlegs screamed.
"Okay, that's it." Snotlout said, holding his mace firmly in hand. "I am so sick of these freaking eels in this freaking maze. Snotlout!" He yelled.
The eels then pounced on him and Astrid and the Thorston twins winced as he disappeared below the water surface while Raeda covered her mouth in fear. Mala's mouth fell open, Henry cringed and Throk just stood there smugly as if he didn't expect anything else.
However, a few seconds later Throk's mouth fell open in shock and Mala smiled, because somehow Snotlout defeated the eels and was now climbing a ladder with Fishlegs on his shoulder. The moment he exited from the maze, and dropped Fishlegs as Meatlug came to check on him the entire crowd cheered.
"What just happened?" Tuffnut asked, looking at his sister.
"The impossible." Ruffnut stared in shock.
Henry and Astrid looked completely stunned, "Is that really Snotlout?" Henry asked, pointing to the Jorgensen boy in amazement.
Raeda stared in shock while amazed at Snotlout at the same time. "WHOO! Alright Snotlout!" She suddenly cheered, jumping up and down.
Astrid, Henry and the Thorston twins looked at Raeda in surprise, never expecting Raeda to act that way.
"Why are you cheering for Snotlout all of a sudden, Raeda?" Astrid asked in surprise.
Raeda realizes what she just did as she places her hand behind her back while giving an embarrassed chuckle before giving the Riders a look. "Come on, what do you expect? It's not everyday that we see Snotlout manage to cross a maze of eels with just a mace and rescue his rescuer." She said in defense while acting like she is cheering for the trial since it's amazing while making sure they don't find out about her crush on Snotlout.
The others looked confused, "She's not wrong." Henry commented. "Even I find it amazing that Snotlout did that on his own." He added.
"Yeah, we even find it awesome!" Tuffnut cheered as Ruffnut nodded.
"If you say so." Astrid shrugged, finding it fair.
"Yeah." Raeda said with a forceful smile as she breathed in relief, glad that she covered that up and kept her secret safe. She then noticed Mala looking at her with a raised brow and grin. "We'll talk later." She mouthed as Mala nodded.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile the Northern Markets, it was late in the evening and Dagur was at the porters Dragon Hunter ships were approaching.
"Well, it's about time." Dagur said with a smile.
Up in the cliffs, Hiccup, Hicca and Heather were watching. Heather in particular was looking quite furious and had a murderous look on her face.
"Alright there he is." Hicca said.
"He's alone. This may be my only chance," she said as she drew her ax.
And just like thatshe then jumped up the cliff before either Hiccup or Hicca could stop her.
"Wait, no!" Hiccup yelled.
"Heather!" Hicca yelled as she followed after her.
Heather was charging at the port towards Dagur. "The less you move, Dagur, the less painful this will be."
Dagur turned and screamed and jumped just in time before Heather swung her ax. She then tried to plunge her ax towards him, but he jumped out of the way just in time and landed behind her. She then quickly turned and swung her ax barely missing his gut and swung at his head and would have cut it off if he hadn't ducked in time.
"Come on! Fight back!" Heather yelled before Hicca ran up to her and grabbed her ax.
"Seriously Heather?! Again?!" Hicca demanded.
Dagur then turned and made a run for it, but Windshear flew down and fired a blast at him, Dagur quickly jumped over some barrels which the blast destroyed, he then quickly rolled to avoid another blast and hid behind some crates.
Before Windshear could fire again, Midnight landed onto top of her, 'Enough Windshear!' Midnight roared.
'Get off me, Midnight!' Windshear roared back as she struggled to get Midnight off her.
Dagur then turned and saw Toothless in front of him preparing to fire a plasma blast and quickly ducked in time to avoid it.
"Okay. We'll do it your way," Dagur said simply.
He then stood up and waved at Heather, as Windshear managed to get her head free, prepared to fire another blast and quickly rolled over to the blast, headed towards Toothless. Toothless quickly took off just in time and Dagur used the opportunity to run away.
Toothless was about to find a plasma blast, but Hiccup closed his mouth in time. "Toothless, no! Stop firing, bud." He said.
"Fire!" A voice yelled.
Then suddenly some Dragon Root arrows flew past them. They turned and saw that the Hunters were now in range of them and fired another wave of arrows.
"Start firing, bud. Start firing!" Hiccup yelled.
Toothless fired another plasma blast and destroyed the arrows.
Hicca glared at Heather, "Heather, you blew our cover! AGAIN!" She yelled as Heather winced. "Next time, I'm tying you to Midnight's saddle!" She yelled out.
"Uh, we'll discuss this later!" Heather frantically said as she mounted Windshear and took off and Midnight fired a plasma blast as the Hunters made their way off the gangplank. Hiccup looked up and saw Dagur making his way up the pathway.
"We can't stay here, Hiccup." Hicca said as she mounted Midnight as she fired another plasma blast to halt the Hunters advance.
"Heather, we do get him outta here." Hiccup said, looking up at Heather. "We'll question him back on the Edge."
"Question, not kill!" Hicca stressed to the dark haired girl.
"Okay, okay!" Heather said with her hands raised as she then flew down towards Dagur, who was running as quickly as he could. "Windshear. Tail." She ordered.
Windshear quickly extended her tail and wrapped it around Dagur's foot and knocked him unconscious.
(Linebreak)
When Dagur regained consciousness he found that he was hanging upside down in the air with Windshear's tail around his foot.
Once he realized where he was he panicked, "You have to put me down! Take me back to the island," Dagur pleaded. "Hiccup. Hicca. Heather."
"I thought you didn't know us," Heather glared at her brother. "Weird getting your memory back now."
"I never lost my memory." Dagur admitted. "I had to disguise my identity. It would all be ruined otherwise."
"What? What would be ruined?" Hiccup asked.
"What were you doing undercover, Dagur?" Hicca asked as well. " Were you working with the Dragon Hunters?"
"I'm working for the Hunters, Hicca." Dagur answered.
"I knew it," Heather growled.
"Let him continue, Heather! He said 'for'." Hicca said as she gave a look at Heather that made her flinch. "And don't you jump to conclusions or not listen like last time!" She added.
Heather sighed, "Fine, why were you working for the Hunters, Dagur?" She questioned.
"Because they have Shattermaster!" Dagur told her as the three of them looked at one another in shock. "After Henry and I got separated, Shattermaster got caught and he's with a large shipment of Gronckles that are headed to port. I was just trying to save my dragon, guys." He said sadly.
Hicca was the first to speak. "We interrupted your attempt to rescue your dragon. You were just trying to find him, weren't you?" She asked Dagur in sympathy.
"Yeah. I was pretending to have memory loss so I could get close enough to the Hunters and find out where they took Shattermaster. So I traded in my armor and my weapons to make it look believable." Dagur explained as he gestured to the rags he was wearing. "But then you guys showed up and ruined my only chance of finding my dragon. And now, it's too late, I'll never see Shattermaster again." He said sadly as the three riders looked at him in guilt, having ruined his plan to rescue his dragon while Heather felt worse since this was her fault.
(Linebreak)
Moments later they landed on a sea stack and watched as Dagur stared into the distance. Heather was just watching him suspiciously with her arms folded and narrowing her eyes.
"So, this was all to save his dragon." said Hiccup as he and Hicca approached.
"And we messed it up," Hicca said in sympathy.
Hiccup looked at Heather. "He's not really working for the Hunters. That—there's anything you wanna say to Dagur, or—"
"Like what?" Heather asked, looking at them.
"I don't know, something apologetic followed by something sisterly?" Hiccup suggested.
"For, oh I don't know, trying to kill him and before letting him explain, THREE TIMES STRAIGHT!?" Hicca screamed into Heather's ear as she winced as she held her hand over ear.
"Ouch! Okay! I see your points!" Heather said as her ear was ringing as she rubbed it.
"It's not important, Heather." Dagur said without looking at them. "What's done is done. I wouldn't have trusted me either." He then approached Heather and placed his arms around. "I know the guilt weighs heavy on you. I can see it in your eyes. A brother knows."
Heather then promptly slapped his hand away. "Okay, too much." She said.
"Yeah, yeah. I felt myself pushing a bit, too." Dagur admitted. "Okay, so let's talk about how you three are gonna make this up to me."
Hiccup facepalms himself while Hicca sighs.
"Way to be diplomatic, Dagur." Hicca said, shaking her head.
"Make this up to you? Are you serious?" Heather yelled furiously.
Heather was about to punch a brother in the face, but Hiccup and Hicca quickly grabbed her arms.
"Heather! He makes a good point." Hicca said, "We did mess up his plan, well you did mostly, so we owe it to him to help find Shattermaster." She told her.
Heather sighed in defeat. "You're right." She conceded.
"So, Dagur, we are happy to help you find your dragon," Hiccup said. He then looked at Heather, who had her arms folded. "Aren't we Heather?"
Heather then elbowed him in the chest. "Sure. Right after I get some answers." He said
"My dear, sweet Heather, I promise I'll tell you everything later." Dagur promised. "Shattermaster must take precedence in these dark times." He then turned to Hiccup and Hicca placed his arms around their shoulders and guided them away from Heather. "Now, please tell me you've got one of your 'Hiccuppy and Hiccay' plan to get my dragon back."
"There are a lot of Viggo's ships out there, guys." Hiccup said.
"And not to mention so many ports and outposts to even find which one Shattermaster is on." Hicca added.
"I've been watching them like a hawk." Dagur said. "I know what ships the Gronckles are on. We just have to get aboard without being seen and grab my dragon. They'll never know we were there. Although, he is the most handsome Gronckle of the group. I mean, they might know he's missing—"
"I think the best thing to do is split up," Hiccup said as he mounted Toothless. "We'll meet on the cliff overlooking the docks."
Hicca then mounted Midnight as she turned back to Heather. "And Heather, I don't care what you plan to do, do not kill your brother while we're gone." She scolded.
'And Windshear, don't even think of dropping him.' Midnight warned.
Heather and Windshear both rolled their eyes. "Fine/Fine." Heather said, while Windshear growled.
The Haddock twins then took off. This left Heather and she wasn't exactly pleased to have Dagur as a passenger. Reluctantly, she gestured to him to get on and he climbed on and placed his hand on her shoulders. Then they took off after the Haddock twins.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile, on the Defender of the Wing island, everyone was enjoying the feast the Defenders had provided for Snotlout passing the first two trials and the Thorston twins were stuffing themselves with chicken legs. Snotlout was leaning back in his chair holding a nice tankard of mead to Mala, who returned the gesture.
Throk clearly couldn't believe that Snotlout got this far, but remained quiet. Astrid, Henry Raeda and Fishlegs then approached Snotlout hoping to knock some sense into him.
"Snotlout, you cannot do this." Astrid said. "You've been lucky so far."
"Incredibly lucky." Fishlegs said. "In fact, I've never seen a run of luck like this. Ever. It's inexplicable."
"But you are pretty lucky to pass the first two trials." Henry told him. "But during the third one is when your luck is officially out."
Snotlout narrowed his eyes on them. "Lucky. Really? That's what you non-believers think? You are so not supportive." He said.
Raeda then stepped forward, "Actually Snotlout, I saw that you managed to pass those Trials with actual skill and determination." She told him, "I can't believe I'm saying this but, I think you might actually have a shot." Raeda said as Henry, Astrid and Fishlegs looked at her with shock.
"I do?" Snotlout asked in surprise as he then shook his head. I mean, of course I do! At least one of you supported me." He said with a smile.
"Raeda, what are you doing?!" Astrid demanded through her teeth.
"We're supposed to talk Snotlout out of this!" Fishlegs reminded her.
"Sorry guys, but it had to be said. It's amazing that Snotlout's made it this far without us needing to get him out of there." Raeda told them, "So instead of doubting him we should be encouraging him." She pointed out.
"But he won't be as lucky in the third trial!" Henry called out.
"If that's what you three are gonna think." Snotlout started as he then snapped his fingers and a Defender appeared. "Um, excuse me. Escort the Ambassador and these two back to their tents. They aren't feeling well. But leave Raeda and bring her whatever she wishes." He orders with a grin.
"Snotlout, don't do this!" Astrid warned as the defender pulled both her, Henry and Fishlegs away.
"You have no idea what you're in for!" Henry called out.
Snotlout then sat back in his seat as Raeda watched him enjoy the feast in his honor. "And bring me some more of this yummy meat. I'm not sure what it is, but it's juicy and delicious, and I love it so much."
"More hyena gizzards for our hero," The Defender said.
Snotlout blinked. "Did he just say 'hyena gizzards'?" He repeated.
"Okay, that's just gross." Raeda comments as she cringes in disgust.
"'Tis a delicacy that comes along but once in a lifetime," said Tuffnut as he and his sister were eating the same meat. "Savor it, young Snotlout. Savor it."
Snotlout looked at the hyena gizzards with a look of disgust as he threw them away. Raeda shook her head and then turned to Mala, who gestured with her eyes to the side.
Raeda understood, "If you'll excuse me, Snotlout. Me and Mala need to talk about your last trial." She told him.
"Sure go ahead, meanwhile I find a meat that is a little less gross." Snotlout said, looking through his options.
Raeda and Mala then walked away, until they were out of earshot, "So, have you come to grips with your feelings for Snotlout Jorgenson are Raeda Henderson?" Mala asked her.
Raeda sighs as she needs to tell Mala. "Well, after some time thinking and seeing how Snotlout was doing after the talk we had during our last mission, yes." She said, giving Mala a confident expression.
"Oh, and what would that be?" Mala asked curiously with an interested smile.
"As it turns out, I have a crush on Snotlout." Raeda answered with full confidence.
Mala smiled in response. "That is wonderful to hear, Raeda." She said happily.
Raeda was surprised by Mala's words as she looked at her. "What? You're not shocked or surprised by this?" She asked in surprise.
"I knew from the moment you first told me how you see Snotlout Jorgenson, you and him were destined to be together." Mala said. "And I couldn't be prouder of you for understanding how you feel for him."
"But, wouldn't that be like taking your king, Mala?" Raeda asked in confusion. "I mean, the arrow, the Trials, all of that."
Mala chuckled, "The Trials are simply for me to see if Snotlout Jorgenson is worthy of your affections and he's made it clear that for a woman, he'll do whatever it takes to win her heart." She explained.
Raeda looked at Mala in surprise at this. "So, this whole trial thing isn't about him being king, it's about seeing if he's man enough for me." She said in realization.
"Indeed." Mala nodded as she noticed Raeda's concerned expression, "Don't worry for me Raeda Henderson, my king will come to me, someday. I understand that Snotlout Jorgenson is your destined one."
Raeda blushed and smiled, "Thank you Mala, but we still have a problem." She said with a frown, "How are you gonna break it to Snotlout that he's not the King?" She asked.
"You seem to forget, Snotlout cannot become the King unless he passes the third trial." Mala stated.
"And what is the third trial exactly?" Raeda asked as Mala smirked and whispered into her ear and immediately Raeda's eyes widened, "What?! Okay, that's where I draw the line, there's no way I'm letting Snotlout do that! But he's come this far, there's no way he'll back down!" She panicked.
Mala simply chuckled and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Do not worry, Raeda Henderson. I have a plan to ensure your beloved doesn't pass the Trial without humiliating him." She said with an assuring smile.
Raeda looked at Mala for a moment before she took a deep breath as she let it out as she calmed down. "Okay, what's your plan?" She asked as Mala gave a smirk as she then whispered in her ear again. After explaining the plan, Raeda smirked at Mala. "Oh yeah, that'll work." She said to Mala.
"So can I count on you to play your part?" Mala asked.
"To keep Snotlout from being made for a fool and from getting killed, I'll do it!" Raeda said with determination.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile, Hiccup soon joined Hicca, Heather and Dagur after searching every single ship that was entering the docks.
"All the ships I checked were filled with brand new weapons," Hiccup said, looking at them.
"Like this?" Heather asked, pulling out a mace.
"Like that," Hiccup nodded.
"I have examined them and they seem to be top of the range and made of Gronckle Iron." Hicca said grimly. "If all the ships carried this sort of weapons, we're facing one of the very heavily armed Dragon Hunter armies if they make more of them."
"Where are the Gronckles then?" Dagur asked in worry.
"I have a theory," Hiccup told him. "Follow me."
Hiccup then led them over the open sea.
"Those weapons were all brand new, what if Viggo traded the Gronckles to the iron masons for the weapons?" said Hiccup looking at the others.
"That would explain a large presence of Hunters in the area and why the iron masons gave Mala the cold shoulder." Hicca said.
"But why?" Dagur asked. "Not that Gronckles aren't the coolest, most of them dragon ever, but—"
Heather looked at him in bewilderment. "I never thought I'd hear Dagur sounding exactly like Fishlegs." She commented
"Well, he was trained by Fishlegs on how to ride Shattermaster and some information about Gronckles." Hicca shrugged before smirking at Dagur. "And not so long ago, you said Shattermaster was beneath you."
Dagur gave a chuckle in response. "Well, of course he isn't! He is one of the best Gronckles there is!" He cheered.
"Dagur, what would an iron mason do with a bunch of Gronckles?" Hiccup asked.
Dagur had a thing on that for a bit.
"Come on, brother," Heather encourages as Dagur himself in the head.
"Iron! They're melting it." Dagur said as realization dawned on him.
"And making Gronckle Iron, too," Heather added.
"If we find the masons—" Dagur started.
"We find Shattermaster." Heather finished.
"Aw, Look at you two getting along, so sweet." Hicca noted and Heather immediately blushed.
"The masons' last ship left port headed east." Hiccup told him. "We'll follow it and hope it leads us to their main foundry."
They soon caught up with the iron mason ship and followed it towards their main foundry. They soon hovered over the island and they pulled out their spyglasses. They saw that the hunters were present on the island as they were guiding the Gronckles to their cages and saw the iron masons forging new weapons for them.
Dagur then spotted his dragon. "Shattermaster, there he is!" He said.
"Are you sure?" Heather asked, lowering her spyglass.
"A man knows his dragon." said Dagur and looked at Hiccup. "Am I right, brother and sister?"
Hiccup stroke Toothless. "I have to agree."
"He's right." Hicca said as she rubbed Midnight's head as she purred.
Dagur hopped off Windshear. "I almost feel bad for those Hunters. They have no idea what's coming. Let's show them what four angry Dragon Riders can do." He declared.
"Whoa, whoa," Hiccup said as he slowed Dagur down. "Uh, let's hold on a minute. First of all, Dagur, you're not a…"
"Hold on!" Dagur yelled as Hiccup was cut off by him as he ran towards the foundry. "Daddy's coming for you, Shattermaster!" Dagur yelled.
"… Dragon Rider," Hiccup finished.
Hicca then looked at Heather. "Guess unbound love and determination for dragons runs in the family." She joked as Heather merely shrugged looking slightly embarrassed.
"I guess it does." Heather said sheepishly.
Hiccup then looked at Heather and Hicca. "So, shall we go rescue our brother?" He asked.
"I'm gonna kill him," Heather growled, playfully.
"From that tone, I can tell that you are joking." Hicca said with a smirk as Heather winked at her. "Alright Dragon Riders, let's ride!" she declared as The three of them then took off towards the foundry.
Dagur was running through the foundry and grabbed a mace and sword from a weapons rack. "I'm coming, baby, hold on." He said.
Two Hunters quickly dropped the crates they were carrying into their weapons. "Stand back. I only want my dragon and I'll leave you in peace." Dagur said.
Shattermaster then saw Dagur and growled happily.
"I think you mean 'pieces'." A Hunter smirked.
Two more Hunters were making their way towards him, but they were quickly knocked aside by a plasma blast fired by Toothless. Dagur laughs maniacally in charge of the two Hunters.
Several Hunter arches through their bows and prepared to strike at the dragons overhead, but Toothless, Midnight and Windshear were too maneuverable.
"I'm gonna draw their fire away from Dagur." Heather said.
"I'll cover you." Hicca told her.
"Just be careful." Hiccup said as the three of them broke off formation and fired another plasma blast at the ground.
Dagur was busy engaging the Hunters and not one aside with his mace and spun around to hit the one behind him. A Hunter then came charging towards him, but was quickly blown back by a fire attack from Windshear. A second Hunter was about to take aim at Dagur, but Skull landed on top of him pinning him to the ground.
Dagur smiled at the two of them then charged again laughing maniacally. He blocked the sword of another Hunter, disarmed him and then kicked him back at the same time he blocked the second Hunter's sword with both his weapons. He then used his strength to knock the hunter off balance and kicked him in the chest.
"That feels so good, it reminds me of my youth." Dagur said in a nostalgic tone.
Behind a Hunter with an ax was laughing as he charged towards them, but Shattermaster merely raised his leg and the hunter was caught in his chain and was flung backwards into the water.
"Shattermaster!" Dagur yelled happily, tossing his weapons aside and hugging his dragon. He then bent down to prepare to remove the shackles on his legs.
"You're not going anywhere, with or without that dragon." A voice said behind him.
Dagur turned and saw that it was the Hunter from the Northern Market standing behind him with an ax in hand.
"Then you'll have to kill me." Dagur said, facing him with his fists raised.
"Oh, that's a given." The Hunter said, raising his ax up high.
He then charged at Dagur and slammed his ax down upon him. Dagur was able to roll out of the way, but the Hunter kicked him in the side. Dagur quickly picked up a sword just in time to block the Hunter's ax, but when he tried to get out the Hunter kicked him back down.
The Hunter raised his ax, preparing to deal the final blow, but then Windshear used her tail to pull his ax right out of his hands. Then she swatted him away with her tail and he crashed right into a tree and held in place by some of her barbs.
"Hey, sis." Dagur smiled nervously. "So, how much trouble am I in?"
"What's the most trouble there is?" Heather asked with a grin.
The two of them then laughed.
Dagur eventually Shattermaster but cutting his shackles with a sword. 'Daddy!' Shattermaster growled happily.
"Good to see you, boy," Dagur said as he climbed on. "Let's get out of here."
Hiccup and Hicca then flew overhead and fired plasma blasts at the cage freeing the Gronckles. They soon left the foundry with the Gronckles in tow and made their way towards a sea stack.
Dagur then looked at the Haddock twins. "All right, Hiccup, Hicca, before either of you start yelling—"
"We're not gonna yell,"Hiccup said as he and his sister landed.
"You're not?" Dagur asked, surprised. "I had such a great speech planned."
"You don't need to explain yourself to us. We all know what you are trying to do." Hicca told him with a smile.
"You were trying to save your dragon. We all would have done the same," Heather told him.
"We all have done the same. Many times." Hiccup said, gesturing to Toothless.
"Uh, Guys?" Heather said, pointing.
"We might have a problem, bro." Hicca said as she saw where Heather was pointing.
Hiccup looked up and saw a fleet of ships heading towards the foundry.
"The rest of Viggo's fleet," Hiccup said. "Okay, we need to move. We'll never be able to keep these Gronckles in formation and get them to safety if they spot us."
"They won't spot you." Dagur said, placing a hand on Heather's shoulder. "They'll be too busy chasing me. I'll lead them away, and you guys get the Gronckles out of here."
Heather stared at him. "Dagur. No. I…" She begged, she just finally saw him as her brother, and she couldn't bear to lose him again.
"I promise to return to you, sister." Dagur promised, grasping her hand. "To reveal everything, answer all your questions." He then did some sort of gesture. "This handshake seals the Berserker's promise. A promise that cannot now, or ever, be broken." He vowed.
Heather looked at him in silence, unable to think what to say as she watched Dagur mount onto Shattermaster and made his way towards the Dragon Hunter fleet.
She then felt a hand on her shoulder and saw Hicca looking at her. "He'll be back. He is Dagur the Deranged after all." Hicca assured her with a small smile. "At least we know that he's alive."
(Linebreak)
It was dawn when they started to make their way back to the Defender of the Wing island, but Heather was still silent.
"Are you okay?" Hiccup asked.
"He'll be okay, Heather. He promised that he'll be back." Hicca assured.
Hiccup nodded. "She's right, that berserker's wrist thing, that's serious business." He told her.
Then they heard the volcano shaking.
"Ugh, it's coming from the volcano." Heather said, grateful for the change of subject.
"So that's not good," Hiccup said.
"Who wants to bet that the source has something to do with Snotlout," Hicca asked.
They soon landed in the village and approached Astrid and Henry.
"Guys, thank Thor." Astrid said with relief.
"Please tell me Snotlout is still alive," Hiccup pleaded.
"Oh, he's alive. And, if he passes his next trial, he'll be king." Henry answered.
"I thought you guys were supposed to make sure—" Hicca started but was cut off.
"We were, but Snotlout's ego for the kink in our plans and for one of us to encourage him." Astrid said, staring at Raeda.
Hiccup stared at her. "What does that mean?"
"I know this is hard to believe but, Snotlout managed to pass the first two trials!" Henry told them.
That's when they noticed that the Thorston twins and Fishlegs were pampering Snotlout.
"Chop. Chop it." Ruffnut said as she gave him a massage. "Chop, chop, chop, chop. Come on."
Fishlegs then gave him a drink of water which he spat out and then performed a few exercises.
"All right, Throkie. What do ya got?" Snotlout asked as he stretched and got warmed up. "Man-eating killer Boars? Spiders? Whispering Death? Screaming Death? Whatever it is, I'm ready."
"Nothing so treacherous, Snotlout Jorgenson." Throk said, as he pulled out a bow and then came the arrow at Mala, who was sitting on her throne.
"Uh, you really think it's smart to be pointing that thing at the queen?" Snotlout asked. "I mean, it's gonna look really bad if you slip up and let go of the arrow."
"That's why you'll be taking the arrow for her." Throk said with a smile. "Your final test. Race to Queen Mala and allow this arrow to pierce your flesh instead of hers. If you survive, you will be her king." Then two Defenders pushed him forward. "If not…"
"Thought?" Hiccup asked as he and his sister were looking at the others.
"What do you guys think?" Hicca asked.
"His luck is about to run out?" Astrid guessed.
"Sounds about right to be me." Henry said.
Snotlout was then placed upon the throne next to Mala and he was starting to get very nervous.
"You've come this far. You've got this, Snotlout," Snotulout said to himself as he breathed. "What's one little arrow gonna do? Snotlout, Snotlout. Oi, oi, oi." He slowed down before he noticed Raeda giving him a smile thumbs up as he nervously smiled back with his own thumbs-up.
"Come on. Let's get on with it, please." Tuffnut pleaded with anticipation. "I must say something soon."
Throk pulled back on the bow and ready to fire. Snotlout got ready to jump, placing himself between the arrow and Mala.
"I can't look!" Hicca said, covering her eyes. "Tell me what happens." She said to the others.
Raeda then gave Sparkfire a pinching gesture with her hands behind her back, as Sparkfire launched some spines at the Eruptodon, who was watching, and it roared in surprise.
This throw Throk's aim off as he just released the arrow and it missed Snotlout when he jumped. Fortunately, Mala was able to catch the arrow with her hand as she looked at Raeda and gave her a wink, while Raeda winked back.
Hiccup and the others sighed in relief, "You can look now, sis." Hiccup told Hicca, as she uncovered her eyes.
"Phew. Glad that's over." Hicca sighs in relief.
Snotlout picked himself up and began to feel his body for the arrow. "Wh-what happened?"
"It's over." Mala said to him.
"Did I win?" Snotlout asked.
"No, Snotlout, unfortunately not." Mala answered, holding out the arrow.
"So, am I king? I mean, that wasn't my fault. He's a lousy shot," he said pointing at Throk earning him a glare from him.
"We do not take into the account of the reason of failure, only that it occurred." Mala explained with a smile.
"What? You mean, I walked on lava, fought giant eels and I lost because this guy can't shoot straight?" Snotlout stated furiously gesturing to Throk.
Throk growled at him angrily.
"Yes," Mala answered, approaching him. Snotlout groaned with disappointment and Mala placed a hand on his shoulder. "If it's any consolation, I am as equally as crestfallen."
"I guess that helps a little bit." Snotlout shrugged.
Raeda then approached him with a sympathetic smile, "Don't beat yourself up Snotlout. That fact that you actually took that dive shows how brave you were. I think any girl would be impressed by what you did today." She told him.
Snotlout gave Raeda a smile from that. "Well, at least I showed my skills and bravery to you guys." He said.
"You sure did." Fishlegs said.
"Uh-huh." Ruffnut nodded.
"Totally." Tuffnut agreed.
"I gotta say, I thought for sure you'd chicken out, Snotlout, but you sure proved me wrong." Henry said with an impressed grin.
Everyone looked at Astrid, expecting her to say something to Snotlout as she sighs in defeat. "Ugh. I can't believe I'm saying this but, you did good, Snotlout." She said with a small smile.
Snotlout smiled proudly to his friends. "Thanks, guys. At least something came out from these trials." He said with a smile.
"It sure did. You make for one brave Viking." Raeda said as Mala approached and the two smiled.
"Come, Snotlout. For your bravery and valor, tonight will be my guest of honor." Mala declared.
"Hmm. King for a day. Not bad, Snotlout." Fishlegs commented.
"Off with his head." Snotlout commanded as Fishlegs whimpered. "I'm kidding. Or am I? Who knows? Let's eat!" He declared.
Raeda shook her head amusedly, "Well you heard the man, let's hear it for Snotlout." She declared. "Snotlout! Snotlout! Oi-Oi-Oi!" She chanted.
"Snotlout! Snotlout! Oi-Oi-Oi!" The Defenders and the Dragon Riders chanted as well and with that, they all made their way towards the feast.