Chapter 46: Dire Straits
On an island the Hunters were preparing to transport the dragons they had captured.
A Hunter then slammed his ax against the cage containing a Gronckle. "Get back your filthy lizard!" He then turned to his men. "Hey, you there, keep those cages moving!"
They started to bring the cages onto this ship, but then the Dragon Riders appeared out of the night sky.
"Dragon Riders. Take cover!" a Hunter yelled.
Providers then started to attack the ship and began freeing the dragons the Hunters had captured with their dragon fire. The moment the dragons were fully they flew away from the Hunters and then Hiccup fired a plasma blast onto the ship destroying it.
(Linebreak)
A few hours later, at his base, Viggo was looking over a map which shows the locations of his Dragon Hunter outposts. A majority of them had been crossed indicating the Dragon Riders had destroyed them.
He then heard the flap open and Ryker entered.
"Well don't just stand there gawking. Come in, brother." Viggo ordered.
"News from our partners in the east." Ryker said. "The Haddocks twins, Henry and their Riders have disrupted operations, again."
"How much of a disruption?" Viggo asked. Ryker remained silent, but Viggo knew what it meant as he snapped his pencil out in rage. "These attacks are becoming bad for business." He growled as he then turned to the map.
Ryker approached him. "They won't stop until every dragon we capture is freed and our operations are no more. And it's already bad enough that Henry is giving away the locations of our ports and outposts." He noted as Viggo grabbed another pencil and circled and crossed out another one of his outposts. "The resistance is growing, Viggo."
"Well, then, Ryker, maybe we need to change the method of how we deal with resistance. And something to teach our boy Henry what happens when he earns the ire of his father." Viggo said, grabbing another map. The map showed the general area of Berk. "Perhaps it's time we capture a dragon that not even the Dragon Riders can free." He suggested as he and Ryker then looked down at the map.
The map shows a red symbol of the Tidal Class, which is in the Straits of Baldur.
(Linebreak)
Johann and several merchants were making their way through the Straits of Baldur. The Straits of Baldur was the entryway into the Barbaric Archipelago for ships and it was basically a large underwater mountain with only one now passageway large enough for ships to enter.
"Good day, my fellow seafaring merchant brethren," said Johann looking at them all. "What a pleasant day to ply our trade and hawk our wares." He then turned to one of the merchants. "Ah! Trader Derrick, you are looking well. Love the bead."
Trader Derrick had a Viking with an enormously long blond beard. It was so long that it touched the floor and wrapped around his feet several times. He waved back at Johann.
"Wouldn't be caught dead with that on my face," he said to himself as he noticed some bubbles erupting close by. "What is this?" He wondered
He sniffed the air and smelled a very foul odor and pinched his nose. "Oh, dear! That foul odor, it's one I have not smelt for many a moon. Not since that time I ventured to the Isle of Manos across the Sea of Toglia." He then remembered what created that smell and what came after it, and then looked to the merchants. "My brothers. Reverse your sales! Exit here at once! At once!" He said frantically.
They all screamed when a whirlpool appeared out of nowhere and began to suck the ships in. Johan used all his strength to turn his ship about and managed to escape its current.
He wiped his brow with relief, but then noticed that the other merchants weren't with him. "My brothers?" He asked in shock and grief as his fellow merchants weren't able to make it out alive and were lost to the sea.
(Linebreak)
A few weeks later on the Edge, the Haddock twins were on their dragons as Fishlegs was about to demonstrate a new trick taught to the Night Terrors. He was somehow using a whistle in order to command the Night Terrors.
"Nice work, Fishlegs." Hiccup said in amazement.
"Very trick you taught them." Hicca said in amazement..
"Thank you!" Fishlegs said proudly. "I've discovered that the Night Terrors respond quite nicely to whistle commands."
He then blew the whistle again when the Night Terrors took on a formation.
"Hey! Impressive!" Hiccup said.
"I've gotta say, Fishlegs. You taught them well." Hicca added.
"Oh! That's a new formation." Fishlegs commented in surprise, looking at the Night Terrors. "Nice Rumblehorn, you guys."
"Uh, that's no formation, Fishlegs." Hiccup said as he saw something flying towards the Night Terror.
Hiccup was right, because flying towards them was Stoick on top of Skullcrusher. He flew directly into the Night Terrors and instantly they scattered.
"Ah! Blasted dragons! I'm a chief!" Stoick yelled at them with a scowl.
"Dad? What's he doing here?" Hicca asked in surprise as she, her brother and Fishlegs looked at each other in surprise, wondering why the Haddock twins' father was here.
(Linebreak)
Moments later, they were in Hiccup's hut and he explained why he showed up over a nice stiff drink of mead.
"And no trade ships have come to Berk in weeks?" Hiccup frowned.
"And no sign of Johann, either." Stoick added.
"Well that's strange, Hardly anything stops him from reaching Berk with more of his wild tales." Hicca noted. "You know what's keeping them away, Dad?" She asked.
"We've sent scouting boats to the Straits of Baldur to investigate, but none have returned." Stoick said with concern.
"Well that route has been known to be a hotbed of Scauldrons," Fishlegs said, as they had enough experiences with Scauldrons to know they were dangerous.
"Yeah, maybe they're keeping the ships away." Hicca suggested
"Except that the Auxiliary Riders have scouted the area as well, and say the seas are empty and quiet." Stoick informs with suspicion.
"That's strange. If it's not a Scauldrons, then what is it?" Hicca asked in concern.
"I'm not sure what could be keeping the trade ship away, but something definitely isn't right out there." Hiccup said.
"The Straits of Baldur are the entry point for travelers into the archipelago which means that it won't just be us suffering, but every tribe in the archipelago will as well." Hicca added. "We need to investigate this quickly."
(Linebreak)
The next day, the Haddock Twins and the Riders reached the Straits, but they saw nothing out of the ordinary.
"Uh, I hate to be the one who points out the obvious, but you do realize we're just staring at water, right?" Snotlout rhetorically asked, looking at Hiccup and Hicca, while Hiccup looked through his spyglass.
"No sign of any wild dragons or Hunter ships," Hiccup frowned.
"So what's keeping these merchants away?" Hicca wondered.
"Hiccup, look!" Astrid pointed.
They looked down and saw a Scauldron lifting its head above the water.
"A lone Scauldron." Raeda noted.
"Adolescent male. About two ship lengths." Fishlegs said, making his observation. "Whoo! He's a big boy for sure." He said in impression,
"That could be our culprit," Astrid said.
"Okay, we'll head to Berk and grab some nets. It's just a routine Scauldron extraction and relocation," Hiccup told the riders.
Hicca however frowned in confusion, "Hold on bro, I don't think this Scauldron is the reason those traders haven't been coming through." She told him. "Remember, the Auxiliary team said the Straits were quiet, meaning whatever is keeping the merchants away is also keeping any Tidal Class dragons away from the straits." She pointed out what the Auxiliary Dragon Riders told their father when they scouted the straits.
The Riders then thought of what Hicca said as they realized she was right.
"Hicca's got a good point, guys." Henry said in agreement. "If this Scauldron isn't the problem, then what is it?" He asked as they wondered what is the problem if it's not this Scauldron.
Astrid then looked down, "Wait, looks like our Scauldron might have a friend," she said pointing down as they saw some bubbles erupting on the water surface behind the Scauldron.
They sniffed the air and then discovered a very foul odor.
"What is that stink?" said Ruffnut covering her mouth and trying not to be sick.
"Yeesh!" Tuffnut said, pinching his nose. "Hey, Snotlout, kinda smells like the trail to your hut after last year's Mutton Fest. No bueno."
"Hey, back off." Snotlout glared. "It isn't me. And that was a very trying time by the way." He said.
"Trust me, the village was talking about it for weeks." Raeda commented.
Ruffnut laughed. "Well, remember what wise old Uncle Hagelin used to say. 'Who has hath smelt it, hath dealt it.'"
"'And if it was more than just gas, he will hath felt it in his pants,'" Tuffnut finished.
"Ah, he was a brilliant man." Ruffnut sighed.
"It isn't me!" Snotlout yelled as he still thinks they were blaming him while Hookfang smiled in amusement at his rider from his embarrassment.
Fishlegs looked at the Haddock twins. "Hiccup, Hicca, if it wasn't Snotlout you think that could mean—"
Henry took a whiff of the air, "Strange, the only time I smelt this smell was…" He trailed off as his eyes widened, "Oh Thor, everyone, clearly area! Now!" Henry yelled.
Then they saw a massive whirlpool appearing in the middle of the ocean. The Dragon Riders quickly pulled away from the whirlpool as it was creating a vacuum sucking air in.
"What is that thing?!" Hicca yelled.
"There's only one thing I know who can create whirlpools out of thin air." Henry said with a dreaded expression.
"What's that?" Heather asked.
"No time to explain," Henry told her. "We need to move!"
"Guys, the Scauldron!" Fishlegs yelled.
Hiccup and Hicca turned and saw the Scauldron being sucked into the whirlpool. It was trying to free itself, but the current was far too strong.
"We see it." Hiccup said. "Fishlegs, follow us."
"You too guys!" Hicca ordered,
They flew down towards the Scauldron and Toothless and Midnight fired plasma blasts right into the whirlpool. Unfortunately the Dragon Riders were finding themselves being pulled into the vacuum it was creating.
"Hold on, girl!" Astrid yelled to Stormfly, she then looked at the Haddock Twins. "Hiccup, Hicca, it's pulling us in!"
"Fly against it. Push harder!" Hiccup ordered.
"We need to get higher!" Hicca added.
They began flying as hard as they could out of the vacuum.
"Oh, this keeps getting better by the second!" Snotlout said angrily and then suddenly Hookfang was pulled back.
Unfortunately at that time, Fishlegs was behind him and the sudden jerk caused them to collide. While it stopped, Snotlout and Hookfang descended into the air, Fishlegs and Meatlug were now heading down towards the whirlpool.
"Fishlegs!" Heather yelled in worry.
"Hold on, we're coming!" Raeda yelled.
The two of them flew down towards Fishlegs, who was being sucked in deep into the vacuum of the whirlpool. "Oh, Thor. Oh, Thor," Fishlegs panicked as Meatlug tried desperately to fly out of it, but with a small wingspan that was impossible. "Raeda! Heather!" Fishlegs yelled.
'It's! Too! Strong!' Meatlug roared.
They tried to get in deeper to rescue them, but the vacuum was far too strong and they had to pull out.
"Hiccup, Hicca, we can't get in there." Heather told the Haddock twins.
"Okay, we only have one hope." Hiccup said. "Concentrate our fire."
"Everyone, blast into the mouth. Now!" Hicca ordered.
Every single one of the Riders fired their fire attacks right into the mouth of the whirlpool. The resulting explosion freed both Fishlegs and Scauldron and the whirlpool began to vanish.
"You know, now that I think about it, I would hypothesize that the dragon/man-eating whirlpool is probably what scared those merchants away," Tuffnut said as the others recovered.
"I would concur with such a hypothesis, brother Nut," Ruffnut nodded. "No boat could withstand such a display of natural force."
"Except that there was no natural force." Hicca said. "Something created that whirlpool."
"What could create that? A sea monster?" Astrid asked.
"Not a sea monster." Henry said, shaking his head. "A powerful Tidal Class dragon, the Submaripper."
"What? We only read about them in the Book of Dragons." Hiccup said on behalf of him and his sister.
"Well I've met one, and trust me, it's much scarier in person." Henry told him.
"But why would a Submaripper take hold in a narrow area?" Fishlegs frowned as he recovered from the dizziness. "They prefer deeper, open water. And they're typically very reclusive."
"I don't know." Henry said. "They never travel to such shallow water. Which is very confusing to why it's here." He explained.
"But what we do know is that we have an extremely territorial and dangerous dragon on our hands." Hiccup announced.
"Let's head back to Berk and regroup." Hicca told the Riders as they flew away.
(Linebreak)
At Berk, supplies were running thin, especially food and medicine. Stoick was hovering about town noticing the hungry people of his tribe. The Riders soon returned and approached him.
"Dad, what happened here?" Hiccup asked.
"With the trade routes closed, we've had no way to get provisions. Without any gold, we have no means to purchase them either." Stoick frowned.
They flew past Goth, who was out of medicine, much to the disappointment of the patient she was caring for.
"Oh, this is terrible." Hicca said in concern. "Everyone on Berk is hungry and sick."
"Kids, if the routes aren't open soon, the reserves will run out. And when it does, we won't be able to feed our people." Stoick warned in worry.
"Heather, Ruff, Tuff, help the Auxiliary gather more provisions," Hiccup ordered. Heather and the twins then took off. "Fishlegs and Hicca, help feed the village and take care of the sick and injured." Fishlegs and Hicca nodded as they flew down towards the village. "Astrid, Henry, Raeda and Snotlout, come with me. We're going back to the Straits. We have a Submaripper to remove." He said.
Hiccup then led the remaining Riders towards the Straits of Baldur.
(Linebreak)
A few hours later, they reached the Straits of Baldur.
"Here, take these." Hiccup said, tossing each of them a pair of goggles. "We're gonna need 'em."
"Death Song amber goggles?" Astrid frowned.
"They should help us see underwater." Hiccup said. "Once we dive down, we'll drive the Submaripper out to open water, away from the trade routes."
"Your ingenuity never fails to impress, Hiccup." Raeda commented as she put on her goggles.
"Hiccup, I hate to point out, but battling a Tidal Class dragon in its own territory is going to be risky." Henry said as he placed his goggles on. "Especially a dragon like the Submaripper."
"We don't have any choice," Hiccup said as he placed his goggles on.
"Come on, admit it." Snotlout said, putting the goggles on. "I am totally rocking this look." He moves his arms to show off.
Astrid rolled her eyes behind her goggles as she groaned with disgust as she dived.
"Sorry, Snotlout. But not even that could win a girl's heart." Henry commented as he dived down next.
"What do you think, Hooky?" Snotlout asked, looking down at his dragon. Hookfang answered by whacking him against the head with one of his horns. Snotlout glared at him. "Hookfang!"
Raeda just gave a chuckle from that. "Personally, you're better off without it, since all I can see on your face is an orange circle." She said before diving after the others.
Snotlout looked at her in surprise at her comment. "Uh, thanks Rae." Snotlout said in surprise before he dived down after the four riders.
They then dived into the ocean and held their breath. The goggles might be able to allow them to see underwater, but it didn't help them to breathe underwater. They then began looking around for the Submaripper, but finding it was like finding a needle in a haystack.
Then Hiccup saw it. It was a very large dragon that could be best described as being similar in appearance to an eel with legs. It had various wattles and kelp-like structures that line its back and hang off its legs and sides and its scales were sea green.
He then looked at the others and gestured for them to attack. The dragons unleash their dragon fire, but it was less effective underwater. However, their attack did cause the Submaripper to wake and its eyes turn towards them.
They then flew down towards it, but it quickly turned on them and opened its mouth. 'Leave me ALONE!' The Submaripper roared as it created a massive vortex of water and they scattered quickly. Astrid was the first to recover and then saw the Submaripper try to take a bite out of her.
Fortunately she was able to move Stormfly out of the way just in time. Hiccup then moved in and then noticed an underwater sea stack just above it. He commanded Toothless to fire at it and he fired a plasma blast at the sea stack, causing it to fall on top of the Submaripper.
This gave them an opportunity to escape, but as they left Hiccup noticed that there were green chains attached to its legs and tail. This told him that the Submaripper wasn't in here by choice, someone purposely placed it there.
The fourth of them then emerged out of the water and gasped for fresh air. In the battle somehow Snotlout had fallen off Hookfang, who grabbed him by his claws and lifted him up.
"Well, that was fantastic." Snotlout sarcastically said, looking at Hiccup. "And I'm really glad you gave us these goggles. It really helped me to see how clearly we nearly came to getting killed!" He yelled at him.
Hiccup, Astrid, Henry and Raeda remove their goggles and breathe deeply. Astrid then noticed something was bothering Hiccup.
"What is it, Hiccup?" Astrid asked.
"That dragon didn't wander into the Straits. It was chained there." Hiccup said.
"Chained?" Raeda asked in shock. "Someone brought the Submaripper here?"
"With dragon-proof chains." Hiccup told her.
"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" Henry asked, ass he knew one person in the world would do this.
(Linebreak)
"Viggo?!" Fishlegs exclaimed when the others returned to Berk and informed him and Hicca on what they saw. Henry then told them that his father was the one who placed the Submaripper in the trade routes.
"But, how could Viggo capture a Submaripper?!" Hicca asked in shock.
"I'm not sure how, but this is a message." Hiccup said. He then grabbed the apple Snotlout was about to eat. "He's telling us to back off. Or Berk will face the consequences."
"Not to mention anyone else in the archipelago," Henry said. "They may not suffer the same as we do, but it will harm them in the long run."
Hiccup then gave the apple to a small boy, who smiled at him. "This is my fault." Hiccup sighed.
Fishlegs frowned at him. "Hiccup, I don't—"
"Viggo knows Berk has no more gold and needs trade to survive." Hiccup reminded him.
"Hiccup, he's just bitter that we're damaging my dad's operations and all this cruising that we are succeeding in disrupting them." Henry said. "He's the one at fault here, not you."
"He's right, bro." Hicca said as she placed a hand on Hiccup's shoulder. "Don't beat yourself up." She assured her brother.
Then suddenly two Vikings ran past them as the Thorston twins arrived carrying containers of food. They then handed them a few potatoes and when Snotlout approached them, Tuffnut narrowed his eyes and gave him a potato.
"That's it?" Snotlout frowned. "One lousy potato?"
"Why not pretend it's an apple?" Tuffnut suggested.
Snotlout grumbled as he walked away.
"Thank Thor, they came with food. I was starving." One of the Vikings said as they walked past the Haddock Twins.
"The reserves are wearing thin." Hicca told her brother. "And we're nearly out of medicine for the ill." She added.
Hiccup sighed. "Maybe it's time to call off the strikes on the Hunters."
"Or free the Submaripper." Fishlegs suggested.
"I say that we do try to free the Ripper." Henry said "Besides, even if we stop attacking the Hunters there is no guarantee that my father will release it and allow trade to continue, even if he's not willing to give up this chance."
"We can't stay down there long enough." Hiccup said, looking at the three of them.
"Even if we could, how could we get through those chains since it's dragon proof and underwater?" Hicca questioned. "Even if we could stay underwater long enough, the other dragons aren't like Midnight or Toothless' plasma blast, They'll just extinguish if we're down there." She added, seeing that while Night Fury's plasma blasts can be shot underwater, the rest of their dragons' flames would just go out.
"Let me and Henry worry about getting through those chains." Fishlegs said as he and Henry walked off. "You two worry about getting deeper."
"We'll let you both know what we find." Henry added as he and Fishlegs are out of sight.
The Haddock twins looked at the Riders as they gave the villages more food, they knew that it was only a matter of time before they ran out of provisions.
(Linebreak)
A little bit later, Hiccup was still blaming himself later that day as he, Hicca and Astrid were serving food for the villages.
"Um, Hiccup?" Astrid asked.
"Bro, he's waiting." Hicca called out next.
Hiccup was brought out of his thoughts. "Oh, uh, sorry. Yeah?" He said, giving some soup to a Viking.
"Thank you." The Viking said as he walked off.
"Still blaming yourself for what happened?" Hicca asked.
"Yeah. Still a lot going on in my head." Hiccup honestly said.
"We'll find a way to fix this, somehow." Hicca encouraged.
"Hiccup, Hicca, we have something," Fishlegs said as he and Henry approached them.
"We might be able to free the Submaripper after all." Henry said with a smile.
Hicca then smiled at her brother. "See. There is always a way." She said to him.
(Linebreak)
Moments later, Heny and Fishlegs placed a dragon-proof chain in a bucket of water and held out a jar filled with Changewing acid. Fishlegs poured the acid into the bucket and the moment it touched the chain it dissolved the metal.
"Good old Changewing acid." Fishlegs said, holding out the chains.
"The one thing that can burn through anything, anywhere." Henry added with a smile.
"That's amazing." Hicca cheered with a smile.
"How?" Hiccup asked.
"Simple, really," said Ruffnut.
"Yes. Simple indeed." Tuffnut said. "It's simply a matter of viscosity. Whereas Monstrous Nightmare gel dissolves in water, Changewing acid remains intact." He explained.
"Science!" Ruffnut said with a smile.
"They're actually right," Fishlegs said, slightly surprised by this revelation.
"Of course we are," said Tuffnut. "There was doubt?"
Everyone remained silent.
"The only problem is we only have a limited supply of Changewing acid." Henry said. "We were lucky to even collect enough for one jar from Changewing Island, but it should be enough to free the Ripper."
"Meaning, we'll only get one shot." Hicca said.
"Which reminds me, how goes the free-diving go, guys?" Fishlegs asked the Haddock twins.
"Well, no matter what we do, we just can't hold our breath long enough." Hiccup said.
"Hmm," said Tuffnut. "It would appear that you need a means of submerging yourself without having to hold your breath. Something that would keep the air in."
"But, said water out." Ruffnut said, putting a cauldron over her head.
Tuffnut then grabbed a ladle and began hitting against the cauldron while having his sister in a headlock. "Oh, come and get it!" He called.
"I'm fine." Ruffnut said as her brother continued to hit the cauldron continuously.
"I do love doing that." Tuffnut said as he then continued his sister again and began singing. "Hooligan tribe, Won't you come out tonight. Come out tonight, come out tonight. Hooligan tribe, Won't you come out tonight. Come out tonight, come out tonight."
As Tuffnut knocked seven bells into his sister, Hiccup and Hicca looked at Gobber's old smelting cauldron and got an idea surprisingly from the Thorston twins.
Hicca gave her brother a smirk. "You're thinking what I'm thinking, bro?" She asked.
"Oh I think I am." Hiccup answered with a smirk as well.
(Linebreak)
A few hours later, the Haddock twins had completely modified the smelting cauldron with a window and three legs. They also attached it to a fully and had placed it near the large lake protesting.
"That's Gobber's old smelting cauldron?" Fishlegs asked.
"Essentially." Hiccup answered.
"We've made a few improvements," Hicca added.
"We added Gronckle Iron reinforcement and a window hatch made of Death Song amber to keep the water out and the air in." Hiccup said as he and Hicca showed Fishlegs and Henry their handiwork. "You exit out there when you reach the bottom." He said.
"Remarkable!" said Fishlegs.
"Well, don't compliment us yet, Fishlegs," said Hiccup as he grabbed a pair of goggles. "We still don't know if it works. Which is why I'll test it out first."
"Wait, you?" Hicca asked in surprise. "Shouldn't we both test it out together?" She asked her brother.
"Sorry, sis. But it's my fault that Berk has no gold, so it has to be me who frees the Submaripper." Hiccup said to her.
Hicca rolled her eyes at her brother. "Stubborn as usual." She muttered.
"Hiccup, I don't know how much air there will be inside this cauldron when we lower into the water," Henry pointed out. "Though I imagine that you have enough as long as you take shallow breaths."
"Thanks for the advice, Henry." Hiccup said as he was about to make his way inside, but Toothless stopped him. "Hey, don't worry, bud. I'll be fine." He assured his dragon.
Hiccup then climbed his way into the Diving Bell and placed on the goggles. Toothless stood on his hind legs to look at him through the window.
"One target on the chain means I've reached the bottom," Hiccup said as he pulled the chain and the bell rang. "Two tugs means there's something wrong, bring me up."
"One tug, good. Two, tugs, bad. Got it." Fishlegs confirmed.
"Don't worry we'll be here if anything goes wrong," Henry assured.
"Try not to drown before we bring you up." Hicca sarcastically said.
They then moved the winch so that the Diving Bell was above the lake and then lowered into the water.
As he got deeper Hiccup heard the metal creaking which was a bit unnerving, but it was holding. "Okay, so far, so good." he said.
Then he heard the sound of glass cracking and then the window shattered. Water began to pour into the Diving Bell.
"Okay, not good!" Hiccup yelled. He then began to pull the chain ferociously. "Two tugs, Hicca! Two tugs, Fishlegs! Two tugs, Henry! Two tugs!" He yelled.
On the surface, Hicca, Henry and Fishlegs saw the bell ringing more than just twice and they realized something was wrong.
"Hiccup's in trouble!" Fishlegs panicked.
"Well, let's get him back up here!" Henry yelled.
"Get him out of there!" Hicca ordered in panic.
They quickly grabbed the winch and the winch began to pull the Diving Bell backup. The Diving Bell emerged out of the water and they fell on its side on the platform they made. The moment it was out, Toothless pulled Hiccup out, who spluttered water out of his mouth.
"Guys, it… uh… it needs some tweaking," said Hiccup as he spluttered.
"You don't say." Hicca said sarcastically.
'Great, more drowning.'Toothless grunted with disappointment and walked off.
"Oh, don't be so harsh." Hiccup said to Toothless.
"Brother, you are complicated when it comes to near death." Hicca retorted as she walked off after Toothless.
"Come on, sis. We've done this plenty of times." Hiccup pointed out.
(Linebreak)
Later that night, the Haddock Twins began to improve the Diving Bell. They started to make a new window out of Death Song amber. Henry and Fishlegs watched as they poured out the new mixture and as it cooled down they fitted the window onto the Diving Bell.
"There, triple-reinforced." Hiccup said as he placed his hammer on the table.
"Hopefully that does it." Hicca added.
Astrid then approached them. "Guys, I just sent the Auxiliary to Storehouse Island for the last of the rations," She informed.
"And how long will that last?" Hiccup asked.
"I'm not sure." Astrid said.
"Uh, we still need to take this to Lars Lake for one final test." Hiccup said. He then heard the sounds of covering and sputtering in the distance and watched as the villagers were both sick and hungry.
"Hiccup, I don't think we have enough time for a test." Hicca said, knowing their people needed food and medicine fast.
"You're right, sis. No time for the test." Hiccup said as he gave a determined expression. "Gather the Riders, we leave immediately." He ordered the others.
(Linebreak)
The next morning, the Riders, minus Heather, who went with the Auxiliary team, were carrying a longboat with the Diving Bell and winching towards the Straits of Baldur.
"We have to stay as far away from the Submaripper as possible. It is able to sense movement within the waters." Henry informed them. "One wrong move could wake it up."
"This should be far enough." Hiccup said. He then looked at the Riders as they began to lower the longboat. "Gently. Gently."
Once it was down, the Haddock twins, Toothless, Midnight and the other Riders were on the boat. Hiccup was holding one of Toothless' spare tailfins in his hand and began to go over the plan.
"Okay. We need to act fast." Hiccup said. "I need to get down there and free the Ripper before it notices we're here."
"And how is Toothless' tail supposed to help?" Snotlout asked, gesturing to the tailfin in his hand.
"Well, contrary to popular opinion, I'm not much of a swimmer," said Hiccup.
"Oh, sure, that will work." Snotlout said skeptically. "Nice knowing ya'."
"I still say that I should be the one that swims down there, Hiccup." Hicca said. "You haven't been swimming since you lost your leg and I'm the best swimmer out of all of us."
"No." Hiccup said stubbornly. "I caused this, I need to fix it."
"Oh for the love of Thor. He's being stubborn." Hicca said as Midnight and Toothless growled in agreement. "Yeah, tell me about you two. He really needs to learn to lean on others." She muttered.
He then grabbed the jar of change wing acid and the helmet he designed to help him underwater from Fishlegs. "Okay, don't bring me up unless I tug the chain twice, no matter what."
He then climbed his way into the Diving Bell and once he got his helmet on, which was basically covering his face, had a pair of horns and a window made of Death Song amber, and removed his prosthetic in exchange for Toothless' tailfin to assist swimming underwater.
Once they got the Diving Bell into position they began to lower it into the sea. Hiccup sat on the wooden beam as he slowly began to descend towards the sea floor.
"Come on. Come on, now. Stay together," Hiccup said encouragingly.
He turned his attention onto the window which was still holding and then suddenly there was a massive shake. It only took a few seconds to realize that he had finally reached the sea floor.
He laughed. "It worked!"
Back on the water surface, the Riders had the bell ring.
"Oh, thank Thor." said Fishlegs with relief. "That one tug. He made it to the ocean floor."
"Yeah, but now comes the hard part." Hicca said as she, Midnight and Toothless looked down in worry.
Hiccup dives into the water with the jar strapped to his belt. He then started to swim towards the Submaripper holding his breath. He approached the first chain and was relieved to see that the Submaripper was asleep. He then poured the Changewing acid over the chain and it dissolved upon contact.
He looked at the Submaripper and saw that he had awoken it. He then started to make his way back to the Diving Bell to grab the next jar of Changewing acid and to inform the Riders of his success.
(Linebreak)
On the ocean surface the Riders had the bell ring indicating that Hiccup had removed one of the chains.
"Yes! One chain is done," Fishlegs said.
Astrid then saw something emerging out of the Straits of Baldur which gave her great concern.
"Uh, guys," Astrid said.
They all turned and then saw a Dragon Hunter ship emerging out of the Straits.
"Viggo," Fishlegs gasped in fear.
"He must have been here the entire time, knowing that we would try and free the Submaripper," Henry cursed.
"No, no, no." Fishlegs dreaded as he watched the ship getting closer. "The vibrations from his ship and the Submaripper."
"If the Submaripper finds out Hiccup's down there he's doomed!" Hicca panicked.
"We have to stop Viggo from altering the Submaripper!" Raeda called out.
"We'll take care of Viggo. You stay here and make sure my brother gets out safely." Hicca ordered as Fishlegs saluted
"He won't get into the Straits. Come on!" Astrid yelled.
"Dragon Riders, let's ride!" Hicca yelled out.
Astrid and the other Riders, minus Fishlegs, jumped off the boat and on to their dragons. They then made their way towards the Hunter ship which started the fire boulders from its catapults at them. However, they didn't seem to be aiming at the Riders directly, but at the ocean.
"Ha! Look at those dopes, they can't even shoot straight," Ruffnut mocked. "Their boulders are nowhere near us."
"That's because they're not trying to hit us, Muttonheads!" Henry said, as he, Astrid and Hicca realized what they were attempting to do.
"Well, that seems counter-productive, don't you think?" Tuffnut frowned.
"Not if they're trying to rile up the Submaripper instead." Hicca called out in realization.
"The Submaripper is able to sense vibrations within the water, that's how it hunts," Henry explained.
"We need to get back to Fishlegs and get Hiccup out right now!" Astrid ordered.
"Everyone turn around!" Raeda called out.
They quickly turned around and headed back towards the ship, but the hunters were still firing at the ocean in the attempts to awaken the Submaripper.
(Linebreak)
Down on the ocean floor, Hiccup was making his way to cut the next chain. He was certainly unaware of what was going on above and he didn't notice the boulders landing on the seafloor either.
He was just reaching the Submaripper's left leg when he saw the boulders and a few seconds later the Submaripper awoke. It then noticed Hiccup and growled angrily, Hiccup barely had enough time to avoid getting eaten.
He quickly swam around it onto the other side, but the Submaripper turned its head back towards him. It then roared and began to suck Hiccup in, but dumb luck was in his favor, because a boulder just landed in front of him and he grabbed hold. Unfortunately the vacuum was very strong and Hiccup filled his hand slipping off the boulder.
(Linebreak)
On the surface, Fishlegs and Toothless notice the whirlpool emerging close by. 'It's awake! It's awake!' Toothless roared at Fishlegs, who quickly made his way towards the rudder.
"Oh, no!" Fishlegs yelled as he desperately tried to pull the ship away from the whirlpool.
Unfortunately the covenant of the whirlpool was too strong and they were starting to be pulled in.
(Linebreak)
Underwater things were a lot worse as Hiccup's grip was about to fail him. Dunlop then appeared to be on his side yet again, because he saw the Diving Bell slamming into one sunken ship and headed straight towards him.
He quickly released the boulder and slammed against an underwater rock formation. He ducked in time to avoid the ship which headed straight towards the Submaripper's mouth. The ship wedged itself in its mouth stopping it from creating its vacuum.
Hiccup then took this as an opportunity to make his way towards the second chain. He approached the second chain and poured the Changwing acid on top of it and the metal dissolved. He then quickly swam back towards the Diving Bell to grab the last of the acid.
He took a deep breath and climbed onto the wooden beam. "Okay. Only one more chain."
He pulled the chain to signal the others that he dealt with the second chain. He then took a deep breath and jumped right back into the water.
(Linebreak)
Back on the water surface, Hicca and the others arrived just in time to save Fishlegs and began to pull the ship away from the whirlpool.
Astrid then quickly landed on the deck and Hicca jumped off Midnight and the two of them approached Fishlegs.
"How's he doing down there?" Hicca asked anxiously.
"He's only got one more chain to go." Fishlegs said.
"We can't wait," Astrid told him. "We have to pull him up now."
"But it's too early. What about—" Fishlegs tried to say but was cut off.
"Fishlegs!" Hicca yelled out as Toothless growled angrily at him.
'Pull him out, NOW!' Toothless growled.
"Right, right." Fishlegs frantically agreed with his hands raised as he turned to Meatlug. "Meatlug, winch!" He ordered.
Meatlug approached the winch and pulled on it. Toothless and Hicca made their way towards the side of the ship as they watched the winch pulling the Diving Bell back up while hoping that Hiccup is inside.
(Linebreak)
Unfortunately, Hiccup was no longer in the Diving Bell as he was making his way to the Submaripper to get rid of the last chain. Of course that was easier said than done, due to the fact of the boulders now slamming down onto the seafloor.
Fortunately it caused a nice little distraction for the Submaripper, who didn't know where to turn. Unfortunately, one of the boulders struck its head and it turned and saw Hiccup swimming towards it and began to suck him in again.
Hiccup found himself clutching onto one of the boulders again and held on as tightly as he could. Unfortunately his grip failed him and he found himself being sucked into the Submaripper, but at the last second he was able to break out of its vacuum and swam over its head.
He began to swim over its body towards the tail and the final chain. He quickly opened the jar and poured the last of the Changewing acid on the chain and it dissolved. However, before he could make his getaway the Submaripper slammed its tail and sent Hiccup flying.
Unfortunately he was sent flying towards the Diving Bell and he finally noticed that it was making its way back towards the surface. The Submaripper then slammed its tail onto the seafloor and the shockwave sent him straight up towards the Diving Bell.
He was able to swim inside it and soon climbed onto the beam, but there was very little air left now. Also the Submaripper was now aware of its presence and slammed its tail as it. This caused the metal legs to bend, sealing the Diving Bell and weakening its fortification.
Hiccup removed his helmet. "Just a little more. Just stay together a little longer," he pleaded, hoping and praying that the gods could hear him and let his Bell hold.
(Linebreak)
Back on the surface, the Riders noticed the whirlpool was vanishing and there could only be one explanation.
"Guys, look!" he pointed.
They took a closer look and saw the bubbles vanishing indicating that the Submaripper had left the waters. The Riders cheered as they landed onto the deck of the boat.
"He did it! He did it!" Fishlegs cheered.
"Hiccup's freed the Submaripper!" Raeda cheered.
"That Haddock boy never fails!" Henry complimented.
"Now we just need to get Hiccup back on dry land." Hicca pointed out.
Astrid nodded. "Okay. Everyone, pull!" She ordered.
However, before any of them got a chance to pull on the chains a boulder from the Hunter ship headed straight towards them. It struck the winch and it broke and the chain connecting to the Diving Bell began to skid across the deck towards the ocean. Toothless grabbed the chain, but was quickly pulled in.
"No!" They all yelled.
Toothless did his best to pull the Diving Bell back towards the surface, but it was far too heavy.
"Toothless! Hiccup! No!" Hicca yelled as she was about to follow him, but Midnight held her back, not wanting her to drown like her brother.
Toothless and the Bell then hit the seafloor hard and began to sink through the cracks within the window inside.
Hiccup wasn't even able to escape through the bottom since the metal legs were bent so badly that he was unable to slip through them and even if he could all that was below him was sand. Hiccup looked through the window and saw Toothless looking helplessly.
Toothless fired a plasma blast at the base of the Diving Bell in a desperate attempt to free Hiccup, but no such luck. He then tried to lift the Diving Bell back up, but again it was far too heavy for him. He swam back around firing another plasma blast, but still nothing.
He then looked at Hiccup and growled with a despairing growl. 'Don't worry Hiccup! I'll think of something!'
"Toothless! Go! Save yourself!" Hiccup ordered as he placed a hand on the glass.
Toothless nuzzled his snout against the glass as if he expected to feel Hiccup's palm. He then looked at him with a sad face, 'I'm not leaving you.' He warbled firmly.
"I know, bud." Hiccup said as if he could read his mind. The water level was now rising even faster and soon it reached his neck. "I wouldn't leave you either."
Hiccup then took one last breath as the water filled the entire Diving Bell. He then looked at Toothless knowing that he only had a little time before he would drown and placed his hand against the glass. Toothless placed his snout against the glass affectionately.
Then Hiccup saw the Submaripper approaching from behind him.
"Toothless!" Hiccup yelled, forgetting about the water.
Toothless turned and saw the Submaripper and growled angrily. He then fired a plasma blast at it, but it didn't even phase it. The giant sea dragon then grabbed the Diving Bell and began to swim towards the surface and Hiccup saw everything going dark and floated in the water motionlessly.
The other Riders were looking over the edge trying to think of what they could do when the Submaripper shot out of the water from out of nowhere. "Holy Submaripper!" Henry yelled as they all stared at it with their mouths wide open thinking that it was going to attack them.
However, it nearly dropped the Diving Bell onto the deck. Astrid and Hicca quickly ran towards the window and saw Hiccup lay unconscious.
"We need to get him out of there!" Astrid said.
"How? It's dragon-proof." Fishlegs reminded her.
Toothless then emerged out of the water and jumped on deck and roared. 'Hiccup!'
"We got this!" Tuffnut yelled and stocky metal rod into the bent legs. "Barf! Belch!"
'Got it!'The two-headed dragon said as they twisted their heads together and pressed down the metal rod removing one of the legs.
"Quick, pull him out!" Hicca ordered.
Hicca and Astrid quickly pulled Hiccup out of the Diving Bell and onto the deck.
Hicca then quickly progressed his ear against his chest. "His heart's not beating!" She yelled in panic, as she then started to press down his chest hoping to get his heart pumping again.
"Oh, no, Hiccup!" Astrid cried. "Please, breathe. Please, breathe."
"Come on brother! Don't do this!" Hicca pleaded.
Toothless then knocked Hicca out of the way and began to lick Hiccup's face and somehow that woke him up and he spat water out of his mouth and took a deep breath.
"No, I'm…" Hiccup said, panting as he rubbed Toothless' face. "Okay, bud."
Hicca then hugged her brother in relief. "Thank Odin!" She cried with joy.
Astrid then placed a hand on Hiccup's shoulder and he placed his hand over her, ensuring her that he was all right.
Toothless then roared at the Submaripper. 'Thank you!' He roared.
'No, thank you for freeing me!' The Submaripper roared back at him before it sank back beneath the waves.
"Note for the Book of Dragons, Submarippers are very grateful." Hicca commented, knowing the Submaripper was repaying them for freeing it.
Henry and Fishlegs helped Hiccup back onto his feet, who was still a bit shaky. "What… happened?" Hiccup asked as he rubbed Toothless' head.
"Viggo happened." Snotlout said with a glare.
"This whole thing was a trap." Raeda snarled.
"Viggo," Hiccup said, narrowing his eyes. "No, no, he can't escape." He then attempted to get onto Toothless, but he was still winded after his experience of nearly drowning.
"Easy, Hiccup. I got you," Fishlegs said, holding him steady.
"Don't worry," Astrid said as she and the others mounted their dragons. "He won't get far."
"Let's get after those Hunters guys," Hicca said as she glared ahead, "But remember, Viggo is mine." She growled.
"Save some for me." Henry said, wanting a piece of his father for himself as well.
"Gladly." Hicca said in agreement.
They then took off and made their way towards Viggo's ship.
(Linebreak)
Viggo had been on deck the entire time and was now looking at his men. The plan was so simple: capture the Submaripper, place it in the Straits to prevent any merchants from coming through, cutting off Berk's supplies and once the Riders tried to free it they would have the Submaripper kill them. But by some miracle they managed to survive and free the dragon.
"Reverse the oars. We go back and fight." Viggo ordered. The hunters just stood there whimpering and then he grabbed one by the scruff of his shirt. "I said, reverse the oars!" He repeated.
He was about to draw his blade when Ryker stopped him. "No, we can't," he said.
"Turn this ship around!" Viggo ordered angrily. "Do not retreat! We will finish them!" He said, not letting this chance slip past him.
"Riders advancing from the north." Ryder said, pointing upwards to where the Dragon Riders are coming. Viggo growled with rage. "Here, I have something to show you." He said as Viggo looked at his brother.
(Linebreak)
Hicca and the others were almost in range.
"Okay, let's wrap this up!" Astrid yelled to the others.
"Get ready to fire on my mark!" Hicca ordered.
Then a hatch door opened at the back of the ship and a small boat emerged with both Viggo and Ryker on board.
"What the… dinghy?" Tuffnut asked in bewilderment.
"They abandoned ship?" Raeda asked in surprise.
"Why would they just leave themselves exposed like this?" Astrid frowned.
"Dad is way smarter than that and my uncle wouldn't do something so stupid." Henry agreed.
"No time for questions," Snotlout told them. "Let's hit 'em with everything we got."
The dragons were about to fire down on them, but then they saw Ryker pull on some dragon-proof chains in his hands and emerging out of the water were two Seashockers. He then guided them down towards the Straits and the two-headed dragons guided them away.
"Seashockers?" Astrid said with her eyes widened.
Hicca gasped and then turned to the others. "Hold your fire! We can't risk hitting those dragons." She told them.
"Great, now using dragons as shields," Henry growled as they watched as the two brothers made their escape down the Straits.
Hicca scowled in anger, "We had them. We had them right in our sights!" She said in aggravation before she screamed out in fury. The other Riders and their dragons wince at Hicca's rage as they look at each other in worry, knowing how Hicca is when she's angry.
Henry then came next to her as he spoke. "We'll get 'em next time, Hicca. They can't keep escaping us forever." He assure, knowing that Viggo and Ryker's luck was bound to run out, someday. "What's important is that the Ripper is free and the Straits are safe to pass through again."
"And Berk will still survive." Astrid added as she looked at Hicca with an encouraging smile, "So don't worry, someday we will put an end to this!" She declared as Hicca looked towards the others as they smiled and nodded in agreement.
Hicca took a breath in and then out as she nodded, "Let's go home." She said as they all turned around to get the ship and head back to Berk.
(Linebreak)
Later that evening, the trade ships were finally reaching and dropping off their cargo. Stoick and his kids are overseeing the cargo being offloaded.
"Let's get those ships unloaded now. Quickly." Stoick ordered one of the Vikings who were pushing some supplies.
"This never would have happened if Viggo wasn't trying to get at us." Hiccup frowned, still feeling guilty about this.
"Hiccup, how many times do I have to tell you, this wasn't your fault." Hicca told him. "Viggo's the one who gambled with the lives of Berk just so he could off you."
"Hicca's right, son. And Berk never would've been saved if it wasn't for you two." Stoick added while Hiccup looked at him still feeling slightly guilty. "Hiccup, your foe revealed his true colors. Only a coward endangers innocent women and children as means of intimidation or an excuse for revenge. This is a dangerous game, kids. But I'm confident, bravery will always triumph over cowardice."
"I guess you're right, dad. I just wish Viggo and Ryker didn't get away." Hicca said while looking down.
"I'm sure you'll get your shot someday, Hicca." Stoick told his daughter, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Just remember, Revenge is never a plan." He told her, knowing that if Hicca went after Viggo, thinking only about vengeance it would end badly for her.
Hicca took a breath as she looked at her father. "Okay, Dad. I'll think about it." She said as she wasn't sure if she could promise to let go of her hatred but she would try.
"That's all I can ask, dear." Stoick said with a smile and then made his way to assist the villages offloading the cargo.
Once he was gone, Hicca then turned to Hiccup, "By the way Hiccup, there's something I wanted to give ya." Hicca told her brother.
Hiccup then sighed, knowing what it was, "Yeah, had it coming." He admitted as he stood ready, "Do your worst."
Hicca smirked and gave Hiccup a strong slug to the shoulder, "You have seriously gotta stop giving me heart attacks bro!" She scolded him.
Hiccup rubbed his shoulder, "Trust me, it's better for both of us if I don't." He said with a painful smile.
They then heard Johann's voice and saw that he was talking to the other Riders. "This reminds me of the time I was attacked by a flock of rabid…" He recounted.
"Johann, welcome back," said Hiccup as he approached them.
"It's been a long time." Hicca added.
Johann smiled at him. "Ah! Masters Hiccup and Hicca, I was just telling the young Riders of Berk here my harrowing experience with a ferocious Submaripper." He said as the two smiled, actually missing Johann's stories, "As it were, I was sailing the Straits of Baldur when I smelled the foulest odors. Worse than the time I was trapped in the Dung Pits of Pel."
Hiccup and Hicca smiled as they listened to Johann's story and promised to themselves that they would stop Viggo no matter what he did to get them or Berk.