Chapter 49: Out of the Frying Pan
It was a nice peaceful day on the Edge as The Haddock Twins and Fishlegs were busy thinking up ways to modify Hiccup and Hicca's blades. They had pulled out designs of the prototype adding changes here and there and discussing to one another in what can only be described as another language.
Fishlegs was looking over several designs. "Well, by my calculations, guys, for the Infernos to ignite in those kinds of wind conditions, they would require—"
"An additional half jar of Monstrous Nightmare gel." Hiccup finished.
"Precisely!" Fishlegs nodded.
"We should also think about adding a canister full of Zippleback gas," Hicca suggested as she looked through notes. "It could help with both training dragons and within combat."
"Exactly my thinking." Fishlegs nodded.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking, guys?" Hiccup asked.
"Build a new handle to hold twice as much gel and a gas canister." The three of them said in unison.
"Of course." Fishlegs said, rushing over to the board. "Now, what gauge cylinder will we use? My brain says ten, but my heart says 13…"
Astrid and Raeda landed and saw the Haddock twins and Fishlegs speaking their own language as Raeda sighed, "There they go again." She said with a small smile.
Astrid shook her head. "That's a language we'll never understand, girls." she said looking at Stormfly, Sparkfire and Raeda.
"That's how they are when they think of an idea together." Raeda commented.
"Yeah." Ruffnut said as she and her brother appeared. "You know, we too have a language that you will never understand."
"This is news?" Astrid asked with a raised eyebrow.
"You two are serious?" Raeda asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah, seriously." Tuffnut said. "We created our own secret twin language."
"Yeah, just in case we ever got caught and needed to communicate in code." Ruffnut said.
"Okay, I know I'm gonna regret asking this, but what exactly is the secret language of yours?" Astrid asked.
"It's complex, so try and follow along with their pretty little head of yours. Ello-hay Uffnut-Ray." Tuffnut said, turning towards his sister and snorting after each word like a pig. "
"Ello-hay, Uffny-Tay." Ruffnut ais, doing exactly the same.
"What?" Raeda said with a weirded out expression
"We call it Boar Latin!" Tuffnut aus as he and his sister extended their hands out dramatically.
Astrid just looked unimpressed while Raede rolled her eyes.
"Yeah. Genius, right?" Ruffnut said, snorting. "Oh, wait, uh… En-ius, light-ray?"
"Can you believe it only took us 11 years to come up with that?" Tuffnut asked. "I mean, 15 with research and development."
"What's with all the snorting?" Astrid frowned.
"Yeah, that's a little weird." Raeda asked as well.
"Uh, hello? It's called 'Boar Latin.' Uh, boar," Tuffnut answered and snorted.
"Yeah, heard of it? Can't have the Latin without the boar. Then it'll just be Latin. Ruffnut explained as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Duh. Everyone speaks Latin these days."
"Ummy-day," Tuffnut snorted as they walked away.
"Erk-jay," Ruffnut snorted back.
"Hey, just for the record, I can understand everything you guys are saying." Astrid called out.
"Really? Because I sure didn't." Raeda told her.
Snotlout then landed near the clubhouse and overheard the Haddock twins and Fishlegs talking inside.
"That's ingenious, guys," Fishlegs said.
"It certainly changes the entire design, that's for sure." Hicca agreed.
"We wouldn't have thought of it if you had suggested Changewing acid, Fishlegs" Hiccup said.
"Uh, I came back from patrol for this?" Snotlout groaned. "'Oh, you're so smart, Hiccup and Hicca.'" He said, imitating Fishlegs. "'Oh, no, actually you're the smartest, Fishlegs,'" He said, imitating Hiccup. "'I think when we're together, we're all really smart,'" he said, imitating Hicca. "'Oh, you're so pretty,'" He said, imitating Fishlegs yet again. "Oh, actually you're so pretty,'" he said, imitating Hiccup again. "'I think you're both pretty. Let's hug,'" he said, imitating Hicca again.
"Ah! Ook-lay." Tuffnut snorted.
Snotlout looked at Astrid and Raeda confused. "Uh, what was that?"
"Boar Latin." Raeda answered dully.
"We'll explain later." Astrid added as Henry came rushing to them with a paper in his hand and approached them.
"Guys! Guys!" Henry yelled as he rushed into the clubhouse as Fishlegs and the Haddock Twins turned to him as he panted, "We got a Terror Mail!"
"What is it?" Fishlegs asked.
"An urgent message from the Defenders of the Wing." Henry explained. "Mala needs help."
They didn't waste any time and started to fly towards the Defenders island.
"All right, gang. Fan out and keep your eyes peeled." Hiccup said. "We have no idea what we're flying into."
"So be prepared for anything." Hicca added.
(Linebreak)
They soon flew down towards the village and almost instantly the villages began cheering as they approached. They soon landed in front of Mala and Throk at the base of the statue of the Great Protector.
"Henry, Dragon Riders, thanks the ancients, you received our message," Mala said in relief.
"We came here as fast as we could, Mala." Henry said as he and the Riders came to them.
"Mala. Throk. What happened? Is it Hunters?" Hiccup asked.
"Are you guys under attack?" Hicca asked in concern.
"No. Something much worse." Mala told them.
Henry looked worried, "Is it the Great Protector? Is he hurt?" He asked.
"The Great Protector is involved, but it is not her that is in danger." Throk explained.
Henry then noted the word Throk used, "Wait, 'her'?" He asked.
They then took them to a podium where they saw a dragon egg surrounded by flames. Henry realized what species the egg came from, "Holy Thor." He breathed out.
Tuffnut laughed. "This would appear to be egg-mergency. While some might say 'emergency egg-may.' He snorted.
Mala looked at Astrid and Raeda in confusion. "Has something happened to Tuffnut?"
"Nope. This is pretty much a daily thing." Astrid said.
"Just ignore the Thorston twins, everyone else does." Rada added.
Fishlegs stared at the egg. "Is that—"
"An Eruptodon egg," Hiccup finished.
"That's amazing." Hicca said with an awed smile
"The Great Protector is a 'she'?" Henry asked in surprise.
"Yes, Henry. And trust us, we were surprised as you are when we found the egg." Mala answered with a small chuckle before her face turned serious again. "Unlike other dragons, Eruptodons only produce a single egg in their lifetimes." She explained. "Our tribe has been waiting generations for our Great Protector to have an heir. And now, it has finally happened."
Henry then smiled, "Well then, that's a good thing. It means that soon the Great Protector will get some help." He explained.
"So, this should be time for a celebration, shouldn't it?" Fishlegs asked while feeling excited.
They looked at the Defenders and saw the grim-looking faces on them.
"If it were that simple," Mala sighed.
"An Eruptodon egg can only hatch under very special conditions." Throk explained.
Henry then remembered what they told him about the Eruptodon's birth, "Oh, that's right. This kind of dragon is born in flames and its egg requires a life-giving lava of its ancestral nesting site in a cavern deep inside the Grand Volcano," He said, remembering his history of the Great Protector.
"Wow, that is an amazing way to hatch an Eruptodon egg. And a bit extreme." Hicca commented.
"So, what are you doin' out here?" Hiccup asked in confusion.
Henry then realized something else, "Wait, where is the Great Protector? Shouldn't she be guarding her egg?" He asked.
Mala and Throk gave them very grim expressions.
(Linebreak)
A few moments later they led them to the volcano and saw the Great Protector was very weak. She was lying down on her side and looked as if she was in great pain.
"Easy, girl. It's all right." Throk comforted the giant dragon.
"See if there's anything I can do to help," Hicca asked in concern as she pulled out her medical kit. "How did she get like this?" She asked.
"The birth weakened our already aged Great Protector, so much so that she cannot fly to the sacred site." Mala explained, looking at the Great Protector with concern.
"Oh no, w-will she be okay?" Henry asked in worry.
"She just needs to rest from labor. A dragon like her will not die so easily." Throk assured. "We were able to spare the egg, but without the proper nesting, it will not hatch." He explained, peeling away from the Eruptodon.
Mala then made her way to the edge of the volcano which was starting to overflow and that's when they noticed a small cave inside it.
"Our only option is to transport the egg ourselves before the lava rises and floods the cavern." Mala explained, gesturing to the cave.
"Whoa!" Tuffnut starred transfixed.
Suddenly there was an explosion as lava shot out revealing how treacherous the journey would be. The explosion almost scorched Mala and the Thorston Twins if they had pulled back in time, though Tuffnut's dreadlocks got a bit singed. Ruffnut quickly licked her fingers and placed them over the small flame on his dreadlocks.
"This is a little extreme and a lot more dangerous, Mala." Henry pointed out. "Only an Eruptodon can get through that safely, and unfortunately the only one around here is in no shape to fly." He said, gesturing to the weakened Protector.
"I understand, Henry, but the future of our entire civilization rests on this egg's survival." Mala said. "If it fails to hatch, the Great Protector will not have heir. And if there is no Eruptodon to eat the lava from the volcano, the island and our tribe is doomed."
"Well, I'm not against you, but it's still too dangerous, but we have to at least try." Henry said, seeing Mala's point since the future of the Defenders was on the line.
"Don't worry Mala, we will deliver that egg into the volcano." Hiccup promised the queen.
Snotlout then pushed his way through Hiccup and Fishlegs and looked at him with a nervous laugh. "When you say 'we will,' you actually mean 'you will,' right?" Hiccup and Fishlegs just narrow their eyes at him. "Okay, great. Check you later." He conceded.
Hiccup and Fishlegs looked at one another and nodded.
"By the looks of the lava, we have a small window, but it should be just enough time to get in and get out." Fishlegs said.
"Exactly." Hiccup nodded before turning to Fishlegs. "You thinking what I'm thinking, Fishlegs?" He asked.
Snotlout looked as if he was gonna throw up. "Here it comes. Another Hicclegs lovefest. The only consolation is that Hicca isn't joining in." He said.
"I heard that." Hicca called out as she is tending to the Great Protector to make sure she's okay.
"I'll fly the egg down," They said in unison.
Everyone gasped and stared at the two of them.
"Okay, I did not see that one coming." Hicca said in surprise.
"Uh, Hiccup, I think you mean I should fly the egg down, because Gronckles are accustomed to lava." Fishlegs told the Haddock boy.
"Well, that's true, yeah, but a Night Fury has the distinct speed advantage, don't you think?" Hiccup asked.
Snotlout looked at Hicca. "Aren't you going to join in?" He asked the Haddock girl.
Hicca looked at him with her arms crossed. "My place here is to help the Great Protector, Snotlout. She needs some medical attention." She pointed out. "But I think Midnight will join in if she wants to with the two of them." She added as Midnight warbled in agreement, knowing that it's true.
Hiccup and Fishlegs just stared at one another and Mala stepped forward. "Gentlemen. Time is waning." she reminded them, she then looked at Hiccup. "Hiccup Haddock and the Night Fury will fly the egg to the cavern." She decided.
"Right. Yes. Okay." Hiccup nodded.
Fishlegs didn't seem to like that idea and narrowed his eyes.
Astrid was still bewildered. "What just happened?" She asked.
"They weren't in sync that time." Raeda said in surprise.
"I have no idea, but Hicclegs just got very interesting." Snotlout said.
"And very dangerous." Hicca said. "If those two aren't in sync it could be disastrous. And even I'm surprised by this since I know how synced up Hiccup and Fishlegs are together."
Astrid looked at him. "Is there anything you can do?"
Hicca shook his head. "I'm afraid this is something that they have to sort out for themselves. Let's just hope it doesn't end badly for the egg."
"Cause if it does, we're all gonna be in for a hot mess." Henry said in worried.
(Linebreak)
Moments later, Mala, Henry and Throk were giving Hiccup some Defender of the Wing armor for his descent into the volcano.
"Our armor is coated with a layer of heat-resistant Eruptodon saliva." Mala explained.
"How else do you think the Eruptodon never burns her tongue when she eats?" Henry asked with a slight amusement.
"Ugh." Hiccup groaned, touching the spit on the armor.
"It should help protect against the effects of the volcano." Throk assured.
"And, speaking of heat…" Hiccup commented as he approached Toothless. He then pulled out the tailfin which was black with green flames painted on it. "Gronckle Iron tailfin."
Hiccup then attached it to Toothless and saw that Fishlegs was looking a little left out. He then watched as Fishlegs walked away whistling with his hands behind his back.
Hiccup then approached him. "Uh, Fishlegs, look—" He tried to say.
Throk then appeared in front of him. "The sacred cavern is located on the south side of the volcano's interior. May the spirit of our fallen warriors guide your wings, Hiccup Haddock." He hoped.
Hiccup then mounted Toothless. "Okay, uh, I guess all I need now is the egg." He said.
"The egg is my responsibility. I'm going with you." Mala said as she approached him with the egg in a satchel around her shoulders.
"My queen, let me go instead." Throk offered.
"Mala, it's too dangerous. If something happens, the Defenders won't have a new protector or a queen." Henry told her.
Mala placed a hand on his shoulder. "No, you two. A queen must always be willing to risk her life for her people." She reminded them.
Mala then climbed onto Toothless' back and Throk went down on one knee while Henry watched in concern. Mala nodded and grasped Hiccup's shoulders as they rushed towards the volcano. Toothless then jumped into the air and spun before diving into the volcano.
Throk and the other Riders looked over the edge with great concern. Toothless was making his way down towards the lava and heading towards the cavern, but the heat from the lava was quite strong.
"Come on. Keep going, bud." Hiccup said, groaning at the heat.
Suddenly there was another explosion and lava shot out from the volcano and Toothless had to do some crazy maneuvers to avoid getting hit.
"Down there." Mala pointed.
"I see it." Hiccup said. "Toothless, wing right."
They weren't far from the cavern, but suddenly there was an explosion of lava shooting out right in front of them and Toothless had barely enough time to turn. He managed to avoid Hiccup and Mala getting hit from the lava, but sadly the same cannot be said for his tailfin.
"What is happening, Hiccup?" Mala asked as they were making their way back up.
"If that tail gives out, the three of us and the egg are done for," said Hiccup.
They managed to exit the volcano just before Toothless' tailfin gave out. Unfortunately, the landing was not perfect and Hiccup was thrown off and Toothless and Mala rolled towards where Hicca was treating the Eruptodon.
"Mala!" Henry yelled, rushing towards his sister-figure
"My queen," Throk said with concern.
"You all right, bro?" Hicca asked as she helped her brother up while Henry and Throk helped Mala up.
"Hiccup, what happened?" Astrid asked.
"Quickly. Replace the Night Fury's tail. You must go back." Throk told Hiccup urgently.
"I don't have another one." Hiccup explained. "I guess I could try to make one out of—"
"No. There's no time," Mala said as she then opened up the saddle and saw that there was something wrong with the egg.
"Oh, no," Fishlegs said with worry.
"That burn doesn't look healthy." Hicca said in worried.
"I feared this would happen." Mala worried. "The egg has spent too much time outside the nesting site. It requires the life-giving lava. And if it isn't delivered soon, it will become hard as stone. Then…"
"Then, what?" Hiccup asked.
"It will never hatch. And the baby will die." Throk finished grimly.
"And if it dies, then in the future the Defenders die with it." Henry added in dread.
The Riders looked at one another and realized the situation was far more serious than the originally thought.
(Linebreak)
Back at the village, Mala was trying to reassure her people as they were growing quite concerned. At the same time they were trying to keep the egg warm in order to save it, but it would only delay its demise for so long.
"There is no need for panic. We must stay calm." Mala urged calmly, trying to convince himself more than anyone. She then turned and saw the Eruptodon toppling over looking quite exhausted.
"I've managed to keep her strength up, but it won't last long." Hicca informed, as she patted the old dragon's leg.
"These herbs will help regain her strength, Hicca Haddock," Throk said, handing her the herbs.
"Thanks." Hicca said before walking up to the Great Protector, "Here, eat these, girl." She said to the Eruptodon as the Great Protector opened her mouth, allowing Hicca to put some in her mouth.
"Looks like ol' Throk might be a little 'cray-cray.'" Snotlout said, laughing and snorting.
The Thorston twins then rushed over towards him, much to his surprise.
"Wow! I had no idea you spoke our language." Tuffnut said in amazement.
"Rother-say." Ruffnut snorted.
The two of them then laughed.
Snotlout just stared at the two of them. "What?" He said in confusion
Mala could tell that the Eruptodon was in great pain despite Hicca's best attempts to heal her. The crowd was also growing concerned and were beginning to panic.
"Fear not." Mala told them. "The egg will be delivered into the Great Volcano as promised." She then gestured to the egg which was on the flaming podium again.
Henry came up to her, "Those flames can only keep the egg alive for so long, we have to hurry." He said as Mala nodded in agreement.
Hiccup then looked at Fishlegs. "Hey, uh, Fishlegs, look, about earlier—"
"Yeah, earlier. Right. Weird," Fishlegs nodded.
"So weird." Hiccup added.
The two of them looked at each other awkwardly.
"Well, I thought we could put our heads together again and see if we can come up with a solution for Mala." Hiccup said. "She really needs us."
"Yes. I agree." Fishlegs nodded.
"Great. Great. Yeah, well, I've been giving a lot of thought." Hiccup said, rubbing the back of his head.
"Me, too." Fishlegs agreed.
"Perfect." Hiccup said with a smile. "Then you must be thinking what I'm thinking, right?" He asked
"Scaled down the cliff./Submerged the egg in a lava bath." Fishlegs and Hiccup said at the same time.
Astrid, Raeda and Hicca just sighed in exasperation.
"Here they go again." Raeda sighs.
"Lava bath? Oh, come on." Hiccup said in disbelief. "We can never manufacture its temperature. Lava cools." Pointed out.
"Scaled down the cliff?" Fishlegs shook his head. "Were you being serious about that?
"Well, what do you think I'm—" Hiccup tried to argue.
"Hey, guys, remember earlier when you both agreed Gronckles were good in lava conditions?" Raeda interrupted.
Hicca nodded in agreement. "The fact of the matter is we need to get the egg into its sacred site and the only way to get down there is by dragon."
Astrid looked at Hiccup. "Maybe Fislhegs and Meatlug should give it a try? You know, Eruptodon, Gronckels, both Boulder Class." She said as Fishlegs nodded smugly behind her. "Hey, we tried it your way. Why not just—"
"Excellent idea We leave at once." Mala agreed with a smile.
Throk then guided Fishlegs away from them and Mala made her way towards the egg which was starting to look a lot rockier.
"Come, Hiccup Haddock. We don't know what we'll find and may need your help." Mala said as she looked at the egg in worry.
(Linebreak)
Moments later they were back at the volcano and the three of them were on top of Meatlug. Both Hiccup and Fishlegs were wearing Defender armor.
They slowly began to descend into the volcano and were making their way slowly towards the cavern. Meatlug was able to avoid getting hit by the explosions erupting within the volcano.
"We are nearing the sacred nesting site." Mala said.
"Okay, girl. Take us home." Fishlegs said.
They started to make their way towards the cavern very slowly.
"Can't this Gronckle fly any faster?" Mala questioned.
Meatlug then came to a sudden stop. 'Lava burst coming.' she growled.
"Fishlegs, why are you stopping?" Hiccup asked.
That's when they saw that the explosion erupted right in front of them, Meatlug must somehow sense it and stopped to avoid them getting hit. When it died down they flew back towards the cavern.
"Impressive." Mala said with a smile, looking up at Hiccup.
"Okay, girl, let's go." Fishlegs said as they entered the cavern.
Hiccup then pulled out the lantern to guide their way and they appeared to be flying down a tunnel, but unknown to them something was following them in the dark.
"We must transport the egg to the end of these caverns before the lava floods in." Mala said. "Quickly." She urged.
Fishlegs then got Meatlug to fly as fast as she could and the three of them were aware that they were being followed by a group of small dragons with glowing red eyes.
(Linebreak)
Outside, Astrid and Hicca were starting to grow concerned as the lava was nearly reaching the cavern and there was no sign of them. It also didn't help that the Thorston twins were talking to Snotlout in Boar Latin.
"Rother-bay Notlout-say e-way elocome-way ou-way." Tuffnut snorted.
Snotlout was starting to get very annoyed. "For the millionth time, you two, I don't understand anything you've been saying for the last three hours!" He yelled.
"Shh. It's okay, Boar Brother Snotlout," said Ruffnut calmly.
"Don't." Snotlout said as he clenched his fists.
"No need to hide your proud roots," Ruffnut said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Please stop."
"You're among our Boar Latin family now."
Snotlout screamed as he clutched his head and ran away.
"Or should we say, 'amilay-fay.'" Tuffnut snorted.
"Okay, that lava is getting a little too close to the entrance." Astrid said worriedly as she placed a hand on Toothless for comfort.
"And rising quickly to it as well." Hicca said in worried as she place a hand on Midnight for comfort
"Not to worry, Astrid Hofferson and Hicca Haddock." Throk said as he and Hrny joined her. "Queen Mala knows this volcano better than anyone on the island."
"On the plus side, at least the Great Protector can stand again." Henry said as he watched the Eruptodon licking over a pool of lava. He then looked down into the volcano. "Though I must admit, I'm starting to get worried about them."
"They've been down there for a long time." Astrid noted.
"We get that Meatlug is slow when she tries to fly as fast as she can, but she has never been this slow." Hicca added in worriedly.
Throk looked over the edge and grew concerned well. "Yes. The lava is rising quickly. They should've returned by now." He noted.
"The problem is we don't know how deep these caverns are." Henry pointed out. "They could stretch to the far side of the island for all we know. Not to mention we don't know what else is down there."
"That settles it. We're going in." Astrid said.
Toothless, Midnight, Wildstar and Stormfly gave her concerned growls. 'What?' They all said.
Next second, another explosion erupted from the volcano and they quickly backed away from the edge.
"Whoa, Astrid." Hicca called out. "We can't go down there. The lava is rising and our dragons aren't fast enough to dodge those lava bursts. Not even Toothless or Midnight can dodge those things. And Toothless can't fly without my brother." She pointed out.
"We'll, we can't just sit here and let them get burned alive." Astrid countered.
"I agree." Throk said. "But how? Those explosions are too dangerous and getting worse."
"And like you said, Hicca. None of our dragons will be able to fly down there." Henry said grimly.
"If we just had a way to get down safely without dragons." Astrid said.
"Actually, we might have a 'lan-pay,'" Tuffnut said, snorting and nudging Snotlout with his elbow.
Ruffnut then snorted on his face and Snotlout practically screamed and rubbed his temple.
"Meaning?" Hicca asked with a raised eyebrow as the Thorston twins smirked at each other.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile, Hiccup and the others were making their way down the cavern which appeared to be endless. Mala opened the saddle and saw that the egg was almost rock-hard now.
"We'll make it." Hiccup assured, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Uh, hey, you guys, one of those?" Fishlegs asked.
They soon came to a stop and jumped off Meatlug. They approached the wall and Hiccup shone the land over to reveal cave drawings. Showed the picture of several defenders holding spears which were pointing at an Eruptodon on a podium. Above that there were pictures of a dragon that looked awfully like a Night Terror, but colored in redd.
"Whoa!" Fishlegs starred in awed.
"There was a time when the tribe elders would climb into these caverns and sacrifice themselves for the greater good of the tribe." Mala explained.
"Right, right, right, right. But, what are these figures?" Fishlegs asked point at the dragon images.
"I have never seen those before." Mala frowned.
"Uh, the egg? We should keep moving." Hiccup reminded them.
That's when they heard the sounds of distant roars coming down the tunnel they just came from.
"Um, what was that?" Fishlegs asked nervously.
"Uh, I'm not sure." Hiccup said.
They then heard the sound of wings flapping down the tunnel and Hiccup held up the lamp.
"Please tell me those aren't bats," Fishlegs begged.
"Yeah, they're definitely not bats." Hiccup said, realizing what they were.
Soon flying down the tunnel were a pack of red scaled Night Terrors with glowing red eyes. "Blood-red Night Terrors!" Fishlegs screamed as they flew around them like a flock of giant red bats.
"Guard the egg!" Hiccup yelled.
They also got around one another in order to guard the egg, but then one of them knocked the land right out of Hiccup's hand.
"This must have been what the carvings were trying to warn about," said Hiccup.
"But there's too many of them." Fishlegs said as they swooped down over their heads. "They're as relentless as Speed Stingers so we should probably…" Hiccup then drew Inferno and ignited it. "Not exactly what I had in mind."
"I'll direct them while you and Meatlug get Mala and the egg to safety." Hiccup said.
Hiccup began to wave Inferno in front of the Night Terrors in the hopes to fight them off. Unfortunately, one of the Night Terrors appeared to be absorbing the fire into its mouth until there was no more flame to eat.
"Hiccup, these dragons eat fire." Fishlegs said.
"Fishlegs, that is abundantly clear." Hiccup snapped.
The Night Terrors then began to fire several shots down at them.
"No!" Mala's voice yelled down the tunnel.
"Mala!" Hiccup gasped.
He grabbed the lamp and ran down the tunnel to find that the Night Terrors were trying to take the egg away from Mala.
"Stay away!" Mala warned as she tried to shove them away.
"They outnumber her three to one." Fishlegs said.
"Then we need to even up the odds." Hiccup suggested as they ran towards her when suddenly a group of Night Terror blocked their path.
"Ah, now what?" Hiccup moaned.
"I don't know. I thought you had the idea." Fishlegs said.
Meatlug then appeared out of nowhere, shoved them aside and slammed right into the Night Terrors. She then ran towards Mala as the Night Terrors began to surround her. Unfortunately, before she could assist her a group of the Night Terrors fired several shots at her blocking her path. Two Night Terrors now had a firm hold over Mala's satchel and they were playing tug-of-war with it.
"Hiccup Haddock. No!" Mala yelled as they began to drag her away. "Fishlegs Ingerman."
"We'll never make it to her in time." Fishlegs said, looking at Hiccup.
Then the two of them saw Meatlug and looked at one another with a smile.
"Meatlug, roll!" Fishlegs yelled.
"Meatlug, fly!" Hiccup yelled at the same time.
They then stared at each other and Meatlug looked at them with confusion. 'Um, which is it?' She asked as the Night Terrors then fired several more shots at her and Mala was starting to lose her grip on the satchel.
"Stop!" Mala yelled. Then the Night Terrors took the egg from the statue and began to fly away with it. Mala then began to run after them. "No!" She cried.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile, outside, Hicca and the others watched as the twins returned from Berk with the now repaired Diving Bell that Hiccup used to free the Submaripper.
"The Diving Bell." Snotlout stared at them in disbelief. "That was your big 'Ian-pay'? You flew all the way to Berk for a big hunk of metal to dangle over fire? Why not bring back a frying pan?" He then looked at Astrid and Hicca. "How 'umb-day' are they?" He said as he laughed and snorted.
"It's uncanny," Tuffnut noted in amazement. "There's no trace of an accent."
"He talks so elegantly, he must be at least a quarter boar." Ruffnut said.
"Maybe two-fifths. He is hairy in strange places." Tuffnut commented.
"Hey!" Snotlout glared.
Throk and Hicca were busy examining the Diving Bell. "Actually, I believe this could work." Thork said with a thought.
"He's right, guys." Hicca said as she turned to the others. "If we were to invert the Diving Bell, and then coat it in Eruptodon saliva, it should be able to withstand the lava temperature and heat of the volcano." She said with a small smile.
Henry hummed in thought. "Maybe, it won't last long but should be long enough to reach the cavern, find them and get them out there." He said.
"Then we best get to work." Throk declared.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile, Hiccup and the others riding on top of Meatlug began hunting for the Night Terrors. They soon reached a fork and came to a stop and they began to decide which way to go.
"Oh, great, now what?" Hiccup moaned.
"Which direction?" Mala asked frantically.
"Left/Right." Both Hiccup and Fishlegs said at the same time.
They then stared at one another as they started to realize they were no longer in sync.
"Oh, gods." Hiccup moaned.
"What is going on with us?" Fishlegs asked in disbelief. "I wished Hicca was here, she could at least be a tiebreaker."
"We're just not thinking," Hiccup reasoned. "We need to clear our heads."
"Right, right. Good idea," Fishlegs nodded.
They then took some deep breaths.
"Right/Left?" Hiccup and Fishlegs said at the same time.
The two of them then groaned.
"Oh, maybe we're cursed." Fishlegs moaned in distress.
"No." Hiccup said firmly. "There is a perfectly logical explanation for what's happened. Of course, I can't think of it right now."
"Mala, what direction do you think?" Fishlegs asked, only for him, Hiccup and Meatlug noticed that Mala was no longer with them. No doubt she grew tired of their disagreements and went off on her own. "Hiccup, Where's Mala?" he asked the Haddock Boy.
They then quickly look down the two tunnels.
"Mala!" Hiccup yelled.
"She snuck off down the corridors." Fishlegs said.
The two of them then went down the corridors in different directions and Meatlug too were starting to get annoyed. 'Great, now who am I supposed to follow?' She snarled.
"Mala!" Hiccup and Fishlegs yelled.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile on the surface of the volcano, Hicca and Throk had finished modifying the Diving Bell. They had removed the legs and replaced them with a handle which was attached to a chain held by Barf and Belch and they also coated in Eruptodon saliva.
"That should do it." Hicca said as Astrid and Throk climbed in. "Though I don't know how long it will last." She told them.
"Hopefully long enough." Throk hoped.
"Okay, Barf and Belch, take us in." Astrid ordered.
'Got it./Already on it.' Barf and Belch began to lift the Diving Bell and then started to fly down slowly to the volcano. It takes them long to witness an explosion, but thankfully the Eruptodon protected them.
"Grace of the ancestors. The Eruptodon saliva worked." Throk said in relief.
"Yes. But we need to move faster." Astrid said.
"Guys, let's pick up the 'ac-pay.'" Tuffnut snorted at Barf and Belch.
Unfortunately unknown to any of them the chain that connected the Diving Bell to Barf and Belch was beginning to glow red hot due to the heat of the lava. In their haste to coat the Diving Bell, Hicca and Throk had completely forgotten to do the same to the chain.
Soon they were level with the cavern and they noticed that the lava was almost to its edge.
"They made it." Ruffnut laughed.
"Great. Time for the big swing." Tuffnut said.
They then began to swing the Diving Bell so that it would be close enough for Astrid and Throk to jump to the ledge of the cavern. Unfortunately, just before they were about to jump the chain snapped and they landed in the lava.
Fortunately the Eruptodon saliva was protecting the Diving Bell from melting, but it would be only a matter of time before the saliva evaporated.
"Astrid! Throk! Oh no, we forgot about the chain." Hicca realized and quickly mounted on Midnight. "Let's go, girl."
Henry then looked at Toothless. "Mind if I ride, bud?" He asked as Toothless showed him his back and jerked his head.
'Climb on!' Toothless growled, if it meant saving Hiccup he would allow any of the Dragon Riders to ride him.
Henry placed his leg in the stirrup and activated his tailfin. Toothless and Midnight then jumped down into the volcano with Stormfly close behind them.
"Don't worry, guys, we're coming!" Hicca called out.
"Just hold on-WHOA!" Henry yelped as an explosion of lava appeared right in front of them, making it a lot harder for them to do the rescue. "This isn't good." He said.
"Be careful with the tailfin, Henry! Or you and Toothless are going down to the lava!" Hicca called out.
"I'm not like your brother, Hicca, but I'll try." Henry said as he steered Toothless to avoid the lava bursts.
Suddenly an explosion appeared right in front of them, nearly hitting Stormfly, who had to fly back up to the surface and Henry, Hicca, Midnight and Toothless followed her.
"Great, the rescuers now need rescuing," Henry moaned as he then looked down at Hicca. "I don't suppose you've got any ideas?" He asked.
"Don't have one yet. But I'm thinking." Hicca said as they flew around the mouth of the volcano see no possible means to rescue Astrid and Throk.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile, Hiccup and Fishlegs had finally decided on a route to take, flying down it on top of Meatlug.
"Mala! Mala!" They yelled.
"I must've offended the gods, Hiccup." Fishlegs groaned. "That's why we're being punished. I should never have taken Odin's name in vain. Never!" He cried.
"Oh, come on, Fishlegs. That has nothing to do with this." Hiccup assured before he noticed Mala's silhouette in the distance. "There, you see, our fortunes are finally changing for the better." He said
Mala noticed their approach. "Leave me. This is my duty. My people." She told them.
Hiccup jumped off Meatlug and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Mala, you don't know what they're capable of." Hiccup told them.
Then they heard the sound of distant screeches and saw the Night Terrors blocking their path. They quickly pulled Mala behind cover.
"Unhand me. I command you." Mala said glaring at Hiccup.
"Sacrificing yourself won't do anyone any good." Hiccup said, pulling his hand away.
"Hiccup, look." Fishlegs pointed.
Hiccup looked over from their cover and saw the egg with three Night Terrors surrounding it. They appear to be examining the egg poking and prodding
"Are they frustrated at not being able to crack the shell, or something else?" Fishlegs asked.
"Not sure, but it doesn't seem predatory." Hiccup said, suddenly the entire cavern shook and Hiccup got an idea and looked at Fishlegs. "Wait, Fishlegs, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" He asked.
"You know, I think I actually am!" Fishlegs beamed.
"There is no more time for indecision." Mala said as she stood up.
"Mala…" Mala then ran up towards the Night Terrors and instantly they flew off with the egg. "Oh, for the love of Odi—" He then quickly covered up his mouth.
Hiccup stared at him. "Seriously?" He asked seriously.
"Sorry. I really gotta work on that." Fishlegs said.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile, outside, Astrid and Throk were starting to be cooked inside the Diving Bell before Hicca and the others could think of a way to save them.
"Th…Th… Throk. So tired," Astrid said weakly as she then fainted back to the heat and Throk caught her.
"Don't close your eyes, Astrid." Throk yelled, shaking her awake. "We must stay awake for Hiccup Haddock and Queen Mala."
"Hi… Hi… Hiccup." Astrid moaned weakly, barely able to keep her eyes open. "I, I, I love…" She moaned.
If the heat wasn't bad enough, the Eruptodon saliva was beginning to evaporate. Meaning there was only a matter of time before the Diving Bell melted away.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile in the cavern, Mala was still chasing after the Night Terrors and had finally caught up with them.
"That is the Egg of the Great Protector." Mala told the red dragon, "I command you. Return it."
The Night Terrors then turned around to fly down another tunnel, but Hiccup and Fishlegs appeared blocking them. Mala then grabbed the egg and tore it away from them, but soon she found herself surrounded by angry Night Terrors. To make matters worse the cavern began to shake more violently.
"Mala, give us the egg." Hiccup told her.
"Absolutely not." Mala refused furiously.
"We have a plan," Fishlegs assured.
"Do you?" Mala asked skeptically.
"We do." Hiccup said. "And I think you should hear us out on this one. Those dragons won't let you pass, but we have a way to get the egg through to the nesting place."
"Trust us, Mala." Fishlegs said.
Hiccup then held out his hand just as the cavern shook once again. Mala was rather reluctant, but he finally gave the egg to Hiccup. The Night Terrors then started to make their way towards him and Mala watched wondering what they were going to do. Hiccup then held up the egg into the air and the Night Terrors flew up into the air.
"Hiccup Haddock, what are you doing?!" Mala cried in fear.
"They don't want to harm the egg." Hiccup explained to her. "They're not predators, okay? They're here to help the Eruptodon eggs reach their sacred nesting place." He said.
"Yeah. Those cave drawings weren't a warning from your ancestors." Fishlegs explained. "They were historic records, instructions." He said.
The Night Terrors then took the egg and flew down the cavern and Mala watched speechless.
"Their attacks were to keep us humans from damaging the egg," Hiccup explained. Suddenly the cavern shook even more violently than before. "We have to go. Now." He said.
(Linebreak)
A few moments later they were riding on top of Meatlug heading back towards the entrance and that's when they discovered that lava was flowing into the cavern. As they flew Mala watched as the Night Terrors carried the egg away and hoped Hiccup and Fishlegs were right.
The larva was starting to rise even more quickly than before and the heat was immense.
"Ooh. This is gonna be close." Fishlegs said. "Give us all you got, girl!"
'Maximum Gronckle speed!' Meatlug roared, pumping her little wings as hard as she could.
Hiccup saw that they were almost to the entrance, but the lava had almost completely covered it. "Come on." Hiccup said as they got closer and closer until finally they flew out of the cavern. "Yes!" He cheered.
They then started to head back towards the mouth of the volcano unaware that Astrid and Throk were trapped in the lava itself.
"Hey!" Hicca yelled. "Guys, we have friends in trouble!" She yelled out.
"Throk and Astrid are about to be cooked!" Henry yelled next.
"Down there! Look behind you!" Snotlout yelled, pointing behind them.
They turned around and to their horror they saw Astrid and Throk in the Diving Bell being cooked.
"Hiccup, they're in the lava!" Fishlegs pointed.
"Let's go, Fishlegs." Hiccup told the Ingerman boy.
"Right there with you, Hiccup." Fislhegs agreed as they then flew down towards them and Throk handed them a very dehydrated and exhausted Astrid.
'Oh, so heavy.' Meatlug groaned as she was struggling to hold the weight of the four of them.
"Come on, Throk." Hiccup said, extending his hand as Throk reached out, but then a burst almost burned their hands off.
Fortunately, they were able to back away in time, but Throk could tell that there was no way for them to rescue him. "Go! That Gronckle clearly cannot hold us all." He ordered, knowing that Meatlug couldn't carry all of them to safety, "My mission was to get my queen to safety." He said, accepting his inevitable fate.
Mala looked at Throk speechless as he smiled at her, but then they noted a large shadow appearing over them. "By the ancients." Throk said in awe as something grabbed the Diving Bell and pulled him up.
"By the ancients." Mala repeated.
Flying above them was the now fully healed Great Protector, who was carrying the Diving Bell and Throk to safety. Meatlug then followed her as they entered the mouth of the volcano with everyone alive and well.
(Linebreak)
Once Hicca checked everyone to make sure they were all alright, Hiccup made his way over to Toothless and gave him an affectionate hug. He then joined Mala at the edge of the volcano.
"The egg is in good hands, Mala." Hiccup assured her.
"Exactly what I was going to say." Fishlegs said.
"Glad that the new heir is now safe and properly nested." Hicca added.
The three of them laughed as they walked off.
"Well, the three of them are in sync again." Raeda commented with a smile.
"It's nice to see things are finally back to normal." Astrid said in relief, who was holding a cup of water to rehydrate herself from almost getting cooked in the volcano.
"And glad that they aren't arguing anymore." Henry added with a smile
"Whatevs. I sort of like the new Hicclegs without the Hicca. The other kind is 'otally-tay' oring.'" Snotlout snorting.
"A true master linguist." Tuffnut said with pride.
'Greed-Aay.' Hookfang growled approvingly with a snort too.
"You said it 'Ookfang-Hay.'" Tuffnut snorted.
"He's getting Etter-Bay." Raeda added with a snort as well as the Thorston twins are surprised at her.
"Wow, you are 'Reat-Ay' at it too." Ruffnut said in amazement.
"I took practice from watching all three of 'you-ay'." Raeda said with a small smile as she gave a chuckle.
Soon the Riders were flying back towards the Edge leaving the Defenders island far behind. Unknown to anyone deep within the chambers, lava was flowing into a secret chamber where the Eruptodon sat on a podium and was guarded by the Night Terrors.
Lava flooded into the chamber and began to cover the egg and he was totally submerged in lava and a small heartbeat could be heard from within its shell. With their work now complete the Night Terrors flew towards the hole within the ceiling until the next time they are needed again.