Chapter 55: Sandbusted
Ever since the defeat on Dragon's Edge, the hunters had abandoned all operations at the Northern Markets, meaning it was far much safer for people to trade. One of these traders had just sailed to the beach and grabbed the contents of his boat.
Then he heard a rumbling sound and next thing he knew, he was being pulled down into the sand and vanished without a trace.
(Linebreak)
At the Edge, Hiccup was holding a medallion which had a Viking card on one side and a dragon on the other.
He smiled upon seeing it. "Eh! Just like I remember." He said.
Then Snotlout then came barging in and tried to grab it. "Hey, whatcha got there?"
Hiccup then shoved him away. "Nothing." Hr said.
Snotlout frowned at him. "Uh, if it's nothing, then give me it. Hookfang and I are making a ceremonial burst of yours truly and we need all the junk metal we can melt down." He insisted.
Hiccup immediately turned on him. "What? This isn't junk." Hiccup told him, "It's my betrothal gift to Astrid. It means we'll be together forever." He said, looking at the medal with a smile.
Snotlout then popped his head over his shoulder. "Forever? Well, not if you give that rusty piece of…" Hiccup sighed and walked away with Toothless. "Hey, you know what would be a great idea? A decorative battering ram. Oh! How about a shiny new ball and chain? Wait! A bludgeon with her initials!" He suggested before Hiccup then slammed the door writing his face.
"Ow!" Snotlout groaned.
(Linebreak)
In Hicca's hut, she is busy polishing a sword that Gobber had delivered from Berk to her. It was made from solid Gronckle Iron and the golden rimmed hilt was decorated with sapphire jewels with a piece of Hicca's hair braided on the bottom as a tassel.
"Henry might like certain swords, but he will certainly love this kind of sword for sure." Hicca said with a smile as Midnight came next to her with curiosity. "This has to be Gobber's best work."
'Ooh, shiny.' Midnight warbled.
"Yes, I know it's great, girl. Pure Gronckle Iron and one of Gobber's works." Hicca said with a chuckle.
Just then, Raeda came into Hicca's hut as she saw Hicca working at her table. "Hey, Hicca, wrapping a sword up?" Raeda asked Hicca in interest.
"Hey, Raeda. And Yes, I am. It's my betrothal gift to Henry." Hicca said with a smile as she wrapped her sword up. "It was my mother's betrothal gift father, he gave to me to give to Henry."
"Wow, your mom picked a good sword." Raeda commented.
"Yeah, but when he gave it to me, it was a little bit rusty and bent out of shape." Hicca admitted a bit sheepishly, "So I asked Gobber to fix it up."
"Well, he certainly did a good job." Raeda said before noticing the tassel on the bottom as she recognized what that tassel is made of. "Is that a piece of your hair?" She asked.
Hicca gave a small chuckle. "Yeah. I figured I added a little something of myself in it. To remind Henry of who always be with him in his heart." She said heartfully.
"Well, you certainly know how to win a man's heart, Hicca." Raeda said with a smirk.
Hicca gave a chuckle. "Well, I'm a little better than my brother since it took him this long to ask Astrid out." She said with a smirk.
"True that." Raeda said with a slight chuckle. "So when are you gonna give it to him?" She asked in interest.
"Just before sunset, he's still getting his present from Defenders of the Wing Island." Hicca told her.
"You curious what he's gonna get you?" Raeda asked.
Hicca shook her head, "It doesn't matter what I get, as long as it's from Henry, I'll love it." She said with a small smile.
"You really trust Henry a lot." Raeda said with a smirk.
"Well, he is a great Viking to me." Hicca shrugged playfully as she wrapped her sword and placed it on Midnight's saddle. "For now, I'll go see if my brother got Astrid a betrothal gift." She suggested.
"Sure. And while you are doing that, I'll check on Astrid. Knowing her, she might be overwhelmed to give Hiccup something." Raeda stated, knowing that Astrid might be having trouble getting Hiccup a gift.
(Linebreak)
After leaving Hicca's hut, Raeda walked as she made her way to Astrid's hut as she then Fishlegs came her way.
"Hey Fishlegs." Raeda greeted.
"Hi Raeda." Fishlegs waved.
"Let me guess, going to see Astrid?" Raeda asked.
"Yep." Fishlegs nodded.
"Let's go." Raeda said as the two walked to Astrid's hut.
Raeda and Fishlegs then made their way to Astrid's hut and discovered that she looked like she was doing some sort of spring cleaning.
"Ah, Astrid." Fishlegs began.
Astrid immediately turned on them. "Guys, unless this has something to do with Hiccup's betrothal gift, the one that I haven't gotten him yet, the one I have no clue where to start." She rented.
"I can tell you this, I'm not sure if Hiccup would want a new ax." Raeda commented
Astrid groaned. "Yes. I know, Raeda. Not like Hiccup at all." She said to the Henderson girl.
Fishlegs looked at her. "The ceremonial betrothal gift must be exchanged six moon cycles from the first announcement of a couple's… Well…"
"Betrothal?" Both Astrid and Raeda finished.
"Yes!" Fishlegs looked at her in bewilderment. "Ah, look at me. I'm a wreck. You'd think I was the one 48 hours away from complete disaster, but it's you—"
Astrid then promptly covered his mouth with her hand and then he licked it.
"Ew!" Astrid then promptly grabbed Fishlegs tunic and tossed him over her shoulders, which was quite a feat in itself for Fishlegs' weight, and slammed him into the floor. She then immediately climbed onto his chest and looked down at him with a fixed glare and began to twist his arm. "What is wrong with you?!" She demanded.
Raeda then immediately intervened. "Whoa, whoa, whoa." She said calmly as she placed a hand on Astrid's shoulder.. "Let's all just take it nice and slow, no need to break a bone."
"Especially since we can help you." Fishlegs groaned.
Astrid then promptly released his arm.
"Okay. Who knows Hiccup better than Raeda, Hicca or I?" Fishlegs asked.
"Me," Astrid answered.
"Good point." Raeda said, "Then you know what an amazing gift-giver he is."
Astrid then sighed and sat on Fishlegs' stomach. "Yes. That's the problem. Hiccup is not your ordinary Viking." She then stood up. "He has a Night Fury. He can fly with a suit made of yak hides. He has a sword that ignites on command. And he's going to be the next Chief of Berk." She said while covering her face as Raeda then helped Fishlegs onto his feet.
Fishlegs then could see the problem. "Wow. Well when you put it like that you are really completely—"
Raeda then pushed Fishlegs aside and placed a hand on Astrid's shoulder. "Astrid, I've known both Hicca and Hiccup far as long as you, before any of our dragons, and believe me when I say that he would be happy with anything you give him."
Astrid sighed. "Thanks Raeda, but I-"
The Haddock twins then chose that precise moment to enter the hut. "Hey, guys, I just got a T-mail from Trader Johann and it didn't sound good." Hiccup said.
"I already sent a T-mail to Henry to let him know about this." Hicca added, remembering to keep Henry updated.
(Linebreak)
A few moments later everyone was in the clubhouse as the Haddock twins began to explain to them about the mail that Johann had sent as Henry returned immediately after hearing from Hicca.
"All it says is that he needs our help and to come quickly," Hiccup explained.
Snotlout looked at him with his hand around his hips. "And you two immediately wrote him back a big, old, 'No, thank you,' I assume." He guessed.
"Why would we do that?" Hiccup asked.
"That's not like us Snotlout?" Hicca asked as well.
"That guy is bad luck, guys." Snotlout said strongly. "The last time we got a T-mail from old TJ, we almost got eaten by an island of very angry and very wild dragons." He reminded them.
Hiccup rolled his eyes and approached Snotlout and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Okay. Tell you what, Snotlout, you can stay here."
Snotlout looked at him as he walked away nervously. "By myself? No, thank you. I'm just saying, this sucks."
"Then stop complaining and saddle up." Hicca said as she went to Midnight as she grabbed the wrap up sword from her satchel.
Hiccup began to fumble with his satchel and then looked at Astrid. "Hey, Astrid, can I talk to you for a second?" He asked.
Astrid immediately panicked. "Oh. Uh, better wait on that." She then began to climb onto Stormfly. "Don't wanna leave Trader Johann hanging." She told him.
That was not the response that Hiccup expected and watched as she immediately took off.
Hiccup then looked at Raeda and Fishlegs. "Uh, what-what's happening?" He asked.
"Don't ask us." Fishlegs said quickly. "She's your betrothed."
"She's not in her mind right now." Raeda said as she was rubbing the back of her head.
Hicca looked at Henry as she was holding the wrapped up sword and spoke. "Uh, maybe we should wait and see what Trader Johann wants." She suggested sheepishly.
"Yeah, I wouldn't want Astrid to be left behind." Henry said with a nod as Hicca placed the sword back into her satchel as Henry went off to get his dragon.
Hicca then looks at Raeda and Fishlegs as they come to her. "Astrid doesn't have a betrothal gift for my brother yet and is now stalling?" She asked quietly so Hiccup wouldn't hear as the two nodded their heads in confirmation as Hicca sighs. "Guess this will have to wait." She said with a sigh, seeing that Astrid is delaying time to find the perfect gift for Hiccup.
(Linebreak)
A few moments later all of them were in the air making their way to the Northern Markets and Astrid was spending most of the time getting as far away from Hiccup as possible, much to his confusion.
"Astrid!" Hiccup yelled trying to catch up with her.
Astrid imminently pulled away from him in a manner that looked as if she had lost control over Stormfly. 'Whoa! Astrid!' Stormfly roared.
"Astrid, will you just keep Stormfly steady for a minute?" Hiccup asked.
"Sorry. She's feisty today," Astrid lied as she grunted and pulled on Stormfly's saddle. "Must be the excitement to see Trader Johann. She really likes him." She said.
'No, I don't!' Stormfly squawked and took off.
Hiccup frowned. "She really… What? Since when?" Astrid, however, was now quite a distance away. "Astrid!"
Hiccup looked at Hicca, Raeda and Fishlegs with a bewildered look and they merely shrugged.
"Don't look at us, we're as confused as you are, bro." Hicca said with a small smile, finding it funny when Astrid is nervous.
(Linebreak)
They soon reached the Northern Markets and, while they're dragons, ate all the apples in every cart.
"Hey!" The owner of the apple cart called.
The Dragon Riders walked their way through the market. As they walked they noticed that there weren't as many people as usual.
"Ugh!" Snotlout groaned in disgust. "Didn't this stink hole used to be way more crowded?" He complained.
"Oh, yeah. Definitely," Tuffnut nodded. "I mean we'd have been robbed at least three times by now. I miss that charm." He pointed out.
"With my father and uncle gone, the Hunters have no means to come here anymore after losing leadership." Henry said. "With no purpose for weapons or dragons, things should settle down around here."
"Um, except for the fact that the Hunters seem to have a new leader now." Raeda reminded him as they know that the Hunters have a new leader.
"Well, they aren't around now. So whoever this new leader is, is somehow keeping the Hunters busy that isn't involved with the Northern Market." Hicca pointed out.
"But still, we better keep your guard up. You never know what might happen." Henry suggested as the others nodded in agreement.
They soon meant up to Johann as his stand and he began to explain the reason why he summoned them here.
"Everything from glass trinkets to golden chalices, vanished." Johann said. "And the traders? Gone without a trace."
"You seem to be okay, Johann."Hiccup said, gesturing to his stand which was covered in different items.
"You have many different items so you are very lucky from what you told us." Hicca added. "Has anything of yours been taken?" She asked.
Johann smiled at him. "Master Hiccup and Master Hicca, leave it to you two to find the silver lining in a dark, mysterious cloud."
Snotlout rolled his eyes. "Yeah, maybe they just packed their stuff up and left?" He then raised an eyebrow at Johann. "You didn't tell them any of your boring stories, did you Johann?"
Johann narrowed his eyes at him. "I assure you, my tales of adventures and revelry are the preeminent part of any weary traveler's day."
The Thorston twins just looked at him blankly.
"Uh…" Ruffnut blinked.
"Case solved." Snotlout said, rubbing his hands together. "Anyone wanna race me back to the Edge?"
Fishlegs frowned. "Uh, guys, I don't think this is about Johann."
"Okay, Fishlegs. Then what's it about?" Hiccup asked.
"What's your theory about this?" Hicca asked as well.
Fishlegsthen waved his hands in front of him dramatically. "The Curse of Tears."
Tuffnut then imminently burst into tears much to the bewilderment of everyone.
"Is he okay?" Henry asked in confusion.
"It's that word," Ruffnut explained, resting a hand on her brother's shoulder. "Makes him open up like a water spout. Ever since we were kids."
Snotlout then smiled with a gleeful look. "Oh, what word? 'Tears?'"
Tuffnut then cried once more.
Ruffnut glared at him. "Really?"
"Sorry. Jeez, Louise," Snotlout said, holding his hands up. Then a small smirk appeared on his face. "Tears."
Tuffnut then cried even harder.
Raeda then hit him at the back of Snotlout's head. "Okay, don't toy with him, Snotlout." She said as Snotlout rubbed the back of his head while giving Raeda a growl.
Hiccup sighed and turned to Fishlegs. "Fishlegs, can you explain?"
"As I was saying, if the Curse of T—Oh," he said looking at Ruffnut, who gave him a warning look, and Tuffnut, who had finally calmed down. "If the curse of the you-know-what is real, and I'm not saying it is, many traders and valuables have fallen victim to it and vanished, never to be heard from again."
"I've heard of this." Henry said, folding his arms. "Personally I believe it's pirates or Smothering Smokebreaths who are taking many traders and taking valuables away but I'm not sure."
"Well, I like a good mystery as well as anyone, but I promised Hookfang we could roll in some yak dung back home. So you can keep your curse." Snotlout said, pointing at Fishlegs and Henry. He then pointed at Tuffnut. "And you! Tears."
Tuffnut then broke down into tears.
"That's enough Snotlout!" Hicca yelled.
"Hang on," Hiccup said, holding his hand up. "We at least need to check this out. All right, let's split up and look around. Look for any signs of a struggle."
Fishlegs then looked at Astrid. "Astrid, you can team up with me, Henry and Raeda." He then leaned towards her ear. "What better place to find a gift for the Viking who has everything?"
"Great idea, Fishlegs," Ruffnut's voice said behind him. They turned and found the Thorston twins standing behind them. "Shopping can be so relaxing."
"Therapeutic, so." Tuffnut sobbed.
Raeda looked at Astrid. "Astrid, you really don't have to go to much trouble."
Astrid stared at her. "But I have to get Hiccup something special and one of a kind."
Raeda sighed knowing that nothing she'd say would convince her.
Henry looked at Astrid as he turned to Raeda. "Astrid doesn't have a gift for Hiccup yet and needs to find something that is one of a kind and special to him?" He guessed.
"Yep." Raeda said dully as she turned to Henry. "Anyway, what did you get for Hicca, Henry?" She asked with curiosity.
Henry gave a smirk to Raeda as he secretly brought out a golden circlet with the Symbol of a Night Fury on it. "I got Hicca a circlet. I figure if I'm gonna give Hicca something nice, I might as well give her something that represents our love for dragons, and each other." He said.
Raeda smiled at the circlet as she looked at it without anyone noticing it. "Whoa. It's beautiful. You got her a great gift." She said.
"Yeah, I just hope Hicca likes it, I've never known her to be jewelry girl." Henry worried.
"Oh, I have a feeling that she won't mind." Raeda said with a knowing smirk.
"You really think so?" Henry asked hopefully.
"You're talking to your betrothed's best friend here." Raeda said, with a proud smile and hand to her chest.
Henry then gave Raeda a smile. "Thanks Raeda. I needed it." He said.
"Anytime for the boyfriend of my best friend." Raeda said with a chuckle. "Now come on, let's not get left behind by the others." She added.
"Sure." Henry nodded as they went up to catch up with Fishlegs, Astrid and the Thorston twins.
(Linebreak)
They then made their way to one of the stalls and the merchant imminently showed them a spear.
"This spear is barbed on the head." The merchant explained as he demonstrated. "So while the head will slide into the victim, pulling it out is a different story." He then laughed.
"And a story I, for one, would love to hear." Tuffnut said and leaned on the table. "Chapter and verse, please."
Astrid wasn't so eager. "Hiccup with a spear. Really?" She asked, knowing her boyfriend wasn't really a weapons person.
"How about something portable?" Fishlegs suggested.
"And practical." Raeda added.
"As well as something that is not a weapon." Henry finished.
"Hmm. Maybe this seax?" The merchant suggested as he reached behind his counter. "Made from the bone of a dragon." He then saw the looks that the Dragon Riders were giving.
"We're Dragon Riders, think for a moment." Henry suggested with a raised eyebrow, knowing that Hiccup, even Hicca and the rest of them, do not want something that was from a dead dragon.
"Right. I suppose dragon bone is a no-no." The merchant said, seeing their point.
"Not cool," Tuffnut said, finding that low, even for him and his sister as the group began to walk away.
"Oh. I do now carry a wide array of items," The merchant said desperately. He then pulled out a golden dish. "This decorative dish, for example." He suggested
Astrid folded her arms and shook her head.
"Uh, how about a working ball and chain?" The merchant said pulling up a ball and chain.
Astrid just remained silent.
Tuffnut laughed. "Hiccup can take off his leg. You really think that's gonna hold him?" He asked.
"All right. All right," The merchant said, bending behind his counter. "I was reserving this for my most special customer but…" He then pulled out a map.
Astrid looked at him questionably. Um, a map?" She then looked at the others. "He wants me to get Hiccup a map?" She asked with a sarcastic grin.
"Well he does like exploring And does love an adventure, Astrid." Raeda said, knowing Hiccup, as well as Hicca, very well to find new maps and go on an adventure. "But isn't this map just, well, a bribe?" She questioned.
"Ooh, but it's so much more than just a map." The merchant said. "It is told that whoever can decipher it, can find their way to the Treasure of Tears."
Tuffnut then instantly broke down and began to cry.
"Curse of Tears, Treasure of Tears." Fishlegs said and Tuffnut cried even more heavily.
"I'm sensing a theme here," Raeda said, seeing a pattern with the whole tear thing.
Fishlegs' shrugged. "Makes sense they'd go together." He said.
Ruffnut glared at them as she bent down towards her brother, who was now curled up into a ball. "For the love of Thor, have you no soul?" She then gestured to her brother. "Look at this poor man."
"Okay, Ruff has a point. Let's not say that 'word' in front of Tuffnut unless we want him to cry out a waterfall." Henry advises.
"Noted." Raeda said in agreement.
"No, and no." Astrid said plainly. She then walked off in a huff. "Treasure map."
(Linebreak)
The Haddock twins and Snotlout, along with Toothless and Midnight, were in another part of the market looking for clues that could answer their disappearing traders' mystery.
"The first thing we have to figure out is there really is a curse." Hiccup said. "And, if there is, where did it start? Whose curse is it?" He asked his sister and Snotlout.
"I don't know, bro. But I don't know if it's really a curse or not. Something is not right here." Hicca said as the two twins then looked back at Snotlout.
"Are you even listening to us, Snotlout?" Hiccup asked.
He then saw that Snotlout had his back to him and was holding his medallion.
"Is that Hiccup's betrothal gift to Astrid?!" Hicca asked in shock and a little mad.
"Snotlout where did you get that?!" Hiccup asked in shock.
Snotlout shrugged at him as if it was not a big deal. "Your saddleback." He then smirked at him. "You should be more careful around here."
Hiccup sighed.
"You know what this thing need?" Snotlout asked, looking at the medallion.
"To be out of your grubby hands?" said Hiccup as Snotlout walked past him.
"It needs a chain. Then at least Astrid can wear the stupid thing." Snotlout said as they made their way to a store selling chains. "Otherwise, it's just an anchor for a very tiny toy." He then held it up to a chain. "See? Looks nice, right?"
Hiccup held out his hand and gave him an annoyed look. "Would you give me that?"
"Snotlout, that 'piece of junk' is very precious to our family!" Hicca yelled out. "Give that back!" She added
Snotlout laughed. "Just trying to help your brother, Hicca. At least for something more valuable." He said before someone ran past and took it out of his hand. The Haddock twins glared at Snotlout and then chased after the thief.
"I'm guessing you want that back, Hiccup." Snotlout assumed.
"What do you think?!" Hicca yelled as Snotlout flinched.
Snotlout soon joined the Haddock twins, Midnight and Toothless while running after the thief. The thief made a sharp turn around the corner, but they followed his movements.
"Snotlout!" Snotlout yelled as he made the turn.
Then the thief ran towards another Viking and tossed the medallion to him. "Catch, Amos!"
Hiccup and Hicca recognized both the voice and the name. "Amos?" Hiccup said.
"That guy again?" Hicca asked in surprise since Amos is the same bounty hunter that captured them before Savage when Viggo placed a bounty on the Haddock twins.
Amos ran past a couple of Vikings and then to another Viking running in the opposite direction.
"Look!" Hiccup pointed as Amos looked to be giving the medallion to the Viking.
Then they saw him looking as he was giving something to another Viking and Amos did the same to Berthel. All four of them were laughing as they each ran in different directions.
"Okay, this is getting ridiculous." Hicca groaned in frustration.
"Where'd he go?" Hiccup asked.
"I don't know." Snotlout said, placing his hands on his head. "I lost track of who we were chasing. I hate being confused!"
Hiccup looked at him as he mounted Toothless. "Really? I figured you'd be used to it by now."
"Considering you are always confused, you can manage." Hicca joked as well as she mounted Midnight as the Haddock twins then took off.
Snotlout glared at his cousins. "Heard that." He then looked around for Hookfang. "Hookfang!"
Once Snotlout mounted Hookfang, he joined up with Hiccup and Toothless. Hiccup was looking down at the marketplace for any hint of the thieves.
Snotlout turned to the Haddock Twins, "Look guys, I'm sorry I loss your piece of junk but you can always get another-"
"It's not just a piece of junk Snotlout! When are you even gonna get it!?" Hicca yelled in annoyance. "It was from our mom! So can you just shut up!" She yelled.
"Y-your mom." Snotlout repeated
"Yes. That jewel is one of the very things we have left of our mother, before she disappeared." Hicca pointed out. "It's not a piece of junk to us, it's one of the memories that brings her close to us."
"And dad gave it to me so that I can give it to Astrid for her Betrothal. Like how our father did with mom before." Hiccup added.
"So how about helping us instead of telling us to ditch it. What if it was your mom?" Hicca questioned. "Would you do the same?"
"Hey, you leave mommy out of this!" Snotlout yelled out.
"But would you!?" Hicca repeated while giving Snotlout a glare.
Snotlout flinched before he thought if he was in his cousins' shoes before he sighs. "If it was my mom, yes, I would like her memories." He said in defeat, knowing that he can't argue with that logic.
"Thank you for understanding, Snotlout." Hicca said as she calmed down.
"Now let's find the thief." Hiccup said, reminding them that they need to find Amos and get that jewel back.
Then they saw Berthel handing it to Amos, who ran towards the forest.
"There!" Hiccup pointed.
They then flew down after him and gave chase.
They followed him through the forest, but had to duck in order to avoid getting hit by the low branches. Snotlout, unfortunately failed to do so and got thrown off of Hookfang.
"Help! The Curse of Tears is real!" Snotlout cried.
The Haddock twins ignored him and continued to hunt down Amos and soon found themselves on the beach. Amos, however, was nowhere to be seen, it was as if he had completely vanished.
"Where did he go?" Hicca asked in confusion. "No way he was that quick or sailed away already, boats are too slow in content." She pointed out.
"He gotta be around here somewhere." Hiccup said.
They landed on the ground and saw a set of footprints, that they assumed to be Amos, that stopped a few paces into the beach and where they stopped was a small pile of glass.
"Uh… The footprints just stop," Hiccup said. They then looked around for any trace of him. "I mean, he couldn't have disappeared."
"And I don't see a ship nearby." Hicca added.
"Well, maybe it's the Curse of Tears. Ooh! Scary!" Snotlout joked waving his hands around in a spooky manner.
"Cut it out, Snotlout. There is no curse." Hicca said in annoyance.
Hiccup then examined the glass on the beach. "Hmm, never seen anything like this." He said.
Snotlout looked at the glass fragments in his hand. "Me neither." He agreed
"They looked like glass but they're in a weird shape." Hicca said as she observed them. "But where did they come from?" She questioned.
Snotlout then felt something large and scaly warped around his chest. A split second later, he was screaming as something pulled him into the sand.
"Snotlout!" Hicca yelled as she grabbed him, but was dragged along with him. "Whoa! Hiccup!" She yelled.
Hiccup turned in time to see his sister and cousin vanish. "No!" He yelled.
Hiccup jumped and grabbed his sister's hand only to find himself being pulled into the sand. Toothless, Midnight and Hookfang then rushed over towards them as quickly as they could.
"Toothless!" Hiccup screamed.
Toothless jumped into the sinkhole and grabbed Hiccup's prosthetic leg and pulled.
"Hang on, bud!" Hiccup cried.
Toothless pulled with all his might, but only succeeded in pulling Hiccup's prosthetic leg off. 'Oops.' Toothless warbled.
'Toothless! Again?!' Midnight roared in disbelief.
'Do you want me to bite off Hiccup's only good leg?!' Toothless questioned his mate.
Midnight thought for a moment as she then saw the point. 'Good point.'
He, Midnight and Hookfang looked around for the sinkhole, but saw that it had vanished along with their riders.
'Snotlout!' Hookfang roared as he tried to dig, but his claws weren't suitable for digging. 'What're we gonna do now?!' He asked the two Night Furies.
Toothless and Midnight looked at each other in worry as Toothless spoke. 'Let's get the others and tell them what happened!' He warbled as they nodded and went to get the other Riders.
The Haddock twins and Snotlout found themselves falling through the sand. They saw something that resembled a dragon of some kind before everything went black.
(Linebreak)
When Hiccup regained consciousness, he found they were in some kind of carven with his sister next to him, who had woken up before her brother.
"You okay, Hiccup?" Hicca asked in concern.
"I'm fine, sis. But where are we?" Hiccup asked.
"I think we are in somesorta underground cavern underneath the beach." Hicca guessed as they looked around.
Snotlout, who clearly awoke sooner after Hicca, had a cheerful look on his face. "Who cares where we are? Look around you."
The Haddock twins then noticed for the first time that the craven they were in was filled with treasure. Gold and silver coins and jewels littered the place, along with empty crates and tables. They also noticed that there were a lot of dead bodies around, which was concerning.
Snotlout, however, failed to realize this and imminently leapt into the loot. "Gold, silver, silver, gold." he yelled, tossing the coins into the air. "How I love thee to caress and to hold…"
He then notices that he is holding someone's dead arm and tossed it into the air in surprise. He then jumped back and saw, for the first time, the dead bodies that litter the floor. "Aw, man." Snotlout said as he got up. "What is with these bones? They're ruining my treasure pleasure." He complained.
Hicca carried her brother to keep him balanced since he doesn't have his prosthetic leg as she glared at Snotlout. "Snotlout, it's not your treasure. And from the looks of things from all these bones, having it didn't help these poor people much." She said in worried while feeling sorry for these dead people that got trapped down here.
"Hicca's right. We need to worry less about this useless junk, and figure a way out of here or all the treasure in the world won't help us." Hiccup said as he then looked around for anything he could use as a spare leg. "Okay, first things first. I need something to replace my leg." He said.
"I knew I should've packed you a spare if you ever lose yours and if Toothless isn't around." Hicca said, kicking herself for not packing her brother a spare leg for emergencies.
Snotlout then grinned gleefully. "Ooh, a leg, you say? I have just the thing." He said.
Before Hiccup could say a word, Snotlout pushed him onto the floor and grabbed the bones of a leg, which surprised Hicca.
"Snotlout, what are you…" Hiccup yelled, but stopped when he saw Snotlout tieing the leg to his stump. It says that it was disgusting would have been an understatement and began to groan in disgust while Hicca looked at them strangely.
"Shush, you!" Snotlout snapped. He then finished tying the leg to his stump. "There." he said
Hiccup lifted the leg and couldn't help but think how terribly disturbing it was.
Hicca then turned to Snotlout. "Really, using a dead person's bone leg to replace Hiccup's?" She said as she and her brother then narrowed their eyes at Snotlout, showing their displeasure.
"Trust me. He won't miss it," Snotlout said, gesturing to the body he took the leg from. "Thank you, dead body." He said to it as he gave a chuckle.
Hiccup then picked himself up and discovered, to his surprise, that the leg was actually working. "I guess I can live with that." He conceded.
"You know, if you look at it this way, it's kinda like you got your former leg back. Well, what's left of it, anyway." Hicca said with a chuckle, finding it funny since it was like he got the bone part of his leg back.
"Yeah, yeah, hilarious." Hiccup said sarcastically as he then turned their attention to the other problem. "Now, we need a plan before that sand thing comes back."
"And before it makes us the new additions to its skeleton collection." Hicca added as she and her brother then noticed that the place was covered in glass, but it looked as if someone dumped the melted sand and it hardened instantly.
"Hmm. This stuff is everywhere." Hiccup said while examining the glass.
Snotlout chuckled as he looked up. "No kidding, Look." He said.
The Haddock twins looked up and saw that glass was covering parts of the ceiling. They could see daylight beaming through it, enough to light the carven, but thick enough so they could see a bit of it.
"Even on the top part of the sand on the beach?" Hicca asked in surprise. "Wow, this dragon is clever." She commented.
(Linebreak)
At the Market, the others were unaware that the Haddock twins and Snotlout were in trouble. Tuffnut was currently wearing silk scarves around his shoulders and held a gold bludgeon covered in jewels and in front of him was Fishlegs wearing armor that he and Ruffnut put together.
"And voila!" said Tuffnut. "You, my good fellow, are the model of a modern Viking gentleman." He then tossed the bludgeon to Fishlegs.
Ruffnut then approached him. "Every Viking leader needs a formal attire. Am I right?" She asked. Fishlegs just remained quiet. She then yelled in his ear. "Am I right!"
"Yes!" Fishlegs yelled and accidently hit himself with the gold bludgeon.
"Indubitably." Tuffnut nodded.
They then looked at Astrid, who was standing with Henry and Raeda, and saw her shake her head.
Tuffnut then groaned. "Her fashion sense is dreadful."
"Uh, just dreadful." Ruffnut agreed.
Tuffnut then walked away. "Scarf exit."
"Time is wasting." Ruffut declared.
Raeda shook her head as they walked away. "What made them think Hiccup would wear such outfits?" She asked.
"They are muttonheads. I'm just glad that I got Hicca something." Henry said with a sigh, glad that the Thorston twins aren't helping him with finding Hicca's gift since he already got it.
Astrid sighed and looked at Raeda, Henry and Fishlegs. "Listen, I think we just have to face the facts, guys. There's nothing I can get Hiccup Haddock that he doesn't have, doesn't want, or doesn't need. I'm useless." She declared sadly.
Raeda placed a hand on her shoulder. "Astrid, you've already given Hiccup something. You." Astrid looked at her with a frown. "I'm serious." She said to her with a small smile.
"Raeda's right, Astrid." Henry said in agreement. "You're the greatest gift that Hiccup could ever want, like how Hicca is with me." He added with a smile.
Raeda then smiled, "But if you want to give him something more tangible I may have a thing that—"
She was then interrupted when they heard the sound of Toothless, Midnight and Hookfang's roars. The two dragons then landed next to them looking distressed.
Raeda rushed up to Hookfang. "Hookfang, What's going on, big boy?" He asked as Hookfang roared.
'Snotlout's in trouble!' He roared in panic.
"Midnight, what's wrong?" Henry asked in worried to see the female Night Fury in distress.
"They seem distressed." Fishlegs noted.
The three dragons kept on roaring and Toothless then nudged Astrid and she realized what the problem was. "It's Hiccup. I knew it. Something must have happened to him, Hicca and Snotlout." She said in worried.
Henry's eyes widened, "Take us to where it happened." He told the three dragons.
(Linebreak)
The Haddock twins and Snotlout were still trapped in the cavern and were trying to climb out of it. However, Snotlout lost his footing and knocked into Hiccup and Hicca and they all fell to the floor.
"Ow!" Hiccup said as he hit the floor.
"Oof!" Hicca said as she landed to the right side of her brother.
Snotlout, unfortunately, landed on some glass which shattered and he felt he had hundreds of sharp daggers in his butt. "Ow!" He roared in pain. "If you break this stuff it's really sharp." He then removed the piece that pierced his thumb and began to suck it. "Ow, ow, ow." He whimpered
"Then don't break it," Hiccup said as he and Hicca pulled themselves up.
"A little late for that. But thank you." Snotlout said as he got up slowly.
"They're glass, Snotlout. What do you expect if you break them?" Hicca asked with rolled eyes.
Then they heard thudding close by and Snotlout imminently hid behind his cousins.
"Oh, no." Snotlout quivered. "It's back. It's gonna turn us into old dusty bones."
"Would you stop whining and get ready to shoot," Hiccup said as he grabbed three crossbows and gave one to Snotlout and one to Hicca.
"Are we really going to shoot a dragon with these?" Hicca asked her brother in disbelief.
"What? No!" Hiccup quickly said. "We are just going to scare it away so that we can stay alive and not harm it." He assured his sister.
"Phew. Good." Hicca said in relief.
They slowly made their way to the thudding and Snotlout's knees were shaking. Then jumping at them was Amos holding an ax. The Haddock twins and Snotlout imminently aimed their crossbows at him.
"You." Snotlout glared.
"You!" Amos glared back.
"Put those things down. Now!" Hiccup ordered. "If we have any chance of getting out of this place, we all need to work together."
"So that means, we don't fight each other until we make it out of here alive." Hicca added.
Snotlout grunted, but lowered the crossbow.
"Yeah. Together," Amos grumbled and grudgingly lowered the ax.
Hiccup then saw his medallion sticking out of Amos' belt. "And I'll take that, that you very much." He said, snatching it back.
Hiccup then tucked the medallion into his belt and walked off. "Hey, that's mine!" Amos told him.
"It was never yours!" Hicca yelled, which made Amos flinch. "That belonged to our mother, so back off!" She ordered.
"Okay, okay." Amos said while raising his hands in defeat, never seeing Hicca this angry when he captured them during the bounty thing.
Hicca then humped and followed after her brother. Snotlout then leaned over and spoke to Amos. "When it's something about their mother, better not tempt them on it." He advised as Amos quickly nodded.
(Linebreak)
Aboveground, Astrid and the others had followed Toothless, Midnight and Hookfang to the beach where the Haddock twins and Snotlout had disappeared. Hookfang was digging into the sand desperately and the others looked around the beach.
"Hiccup! Hicca!" Ruffnut called looking under a rock.
Toothless began scratching the sand and Astrid looked at him. "What is it, Toothless?" She then shocked her head in worry. "I don't understand. Where are they?" She asked.
"The tracks just end here?" Raeda shakes her head at the footprints in the sand.
"But where did they go? There's no sign of a struggle." Henry said as he observed the area, seeing no sign of a fight anywhere.
"Guys," Fishlegs said and held out Hiccup's prosthetic leg.
Astrid gasped in horror, "Oh no." Henry gasped.
"Woo-hoo!" Tuffnut cried excitedly and grabbed the leg from Fishlegs. "I'll take that." He then looked at it with curiosity. "Wow!" He then saw Astrid glaring at him. "What? It's mine. Hiccup willed it to me. He said if anything ever happened to him the leg was to be bequeathed to one Tuffnut LaVerne Thorston." He declared.
Astrid then marched up to him angrily and snatched the leg from him. "Oh, you want this? You want it? Oh, I'll give it to you," she said threateningly.
"Uh?" Tuffnut said nervously, not wanting to push Astrid any further.
"Come on. Say it. Say you want it. Say it. Or should I say it?" Astrid asked as she then got close to Tuff's face as she snapped. "Tears!"
Tuffnut gasped and started whimpering as Astrid goes all out on him, "Tears, tears, tears!" She repeats relentlessly.
"Ah, no, no, no!" Tuffnut cried covering his eyes as he fell to his knees and began crying.
Ruffnut rushed up to her brother and glared at Astrid. "What's wrong with you?! It's not his fault Hiccup's gone. Why do you have to be so mean?" She then gestured to her brother, who was sucking his thumb and acting as if he was a baby. "Look at him! He's just a baby."
"I hate to say it, but Ruff's right, Astrid. That was a low blow, even for you." Raeda said while giving a disappointed look at Astrid for being that harsh.
Astrid finally calmed down and bent down to Tuffnut and reached out to touch him. "I'm sorry, Tuff. I-I don't know what came over me. I think I'm just—"
Ruffnut then knocked her hand away. "You leave him be." She told her.
"Ruff, come on. I admit she did go overboard, but she's just worried." Henry told her.
"Well like I said, it's not Tuff's fault that hers and your betrothal are-" Ruff was cut off when Henry grabbed her by the throat.
He then brought her close to his face, giving him a dangerous glare, "Ruff, I'll have known that my patience is not limitless, so if you even think about finishing that sentence." He warned her.
"Okay. Got it. Sorry." Ruffnut managed to say as Henry then let go as she got her breath as she then looked at brother. "Hey, Bro. What do you say we look at our new map, bro? Would that make you feel better?"
Tuffnut looked at her and nodded as he continued to suck his thumb.
Fishlegs looked up. "Wait. What map?"
Ruffnut then pulled out a map, the same one the merchant was trying to sell to Astrid.
"Isn't that the map that leads to the Treasure of you-know-what?" Henry asked.
"Yep. It is." Ruffnut answered.
Astrid looked at her. "You bought that?" She asked.
"It's not like we had a choice," Ruffnut said defensively. "It's got words we love beyond… Well, words."
Raeda frowned. "What words?" She asked.
"'Treasure' and uh, you know…" Ruffnut said, gesturing to Tuffnut.
Toothless and Midnight were still digging the sand, catching the notice of Raeda, Henry, and Fishlegs. They approached them and saw that they had dug up some chucks of glass.
Raeda looked at them. "They're made of glass, but the formation… It was made by man." She said.
Fishlegs grabbed one and held it out. "Astrid, I-I hate to admit it, but these glass fragments look a lot like…"
"Don't say it!" Ruffnut yelled as she and her brother got up.
Fishlegs then ran a finger down his cheek and mouthed the word 'tears'.
Tuffnut then broke down into tears again.
"Oh, come one! I didn't even say it." Fishlegs groaned.
"Okay, can we just give it a rest already!" Henry yelled. "We need to find Hicca, Hiccup and Snotlout before they get hurt, or worse!" He yelled out.
Astrid then took the map from Ruffnut. "Well, I'm out of ideas. Might as well give this thing a shot." She then opened up the map.
(Linebreak)
Down in the craven below, the Haddock twins and the others were still trying to find a way out."
Hiccup sighed. "Nothing but a dead end. I don't think we're getting outta here anytime soon."
"These caverns seem to have been dug from underneath the beach sands." Hicca said.
"Great. I'm finally rich, and I don't even get to enjoy my vast fortune." Snotlout groaned and then glared at Amos. "Thanks to Amos the Lamest over here." He blamed him.
Amos then glared at them. "If you hadn't chased me, we wouldn't be down here in the first place."
Hiccup then glared at him. "What? If you hadn't stolen from me, we wouldn't have to chase you."
"Well, I guess we can call it even." Amos said.
Hiccup stared at him. "No we can't. that's not even kind of even." He shot back.
"Not to mention that this piece was from our mother, which gave you no rights!" Hicca yelled.
Snotlout then saw something in the darkness as the Haddock twins and Amos argued. "Guys, guys. You might wanna save this discussion for later."
The Haddock twinsand Amos turned and saw something moving in the darkness.
It was slightly bigger than Toothless or Midnight, and had a long, snake-like body. It had a large head with relatively small blue eyes. Its neck was long with sharp rows of spikes. It had four legs, each ending with three sharp claws. The back legs were bigger and more muscular than the fore ones. Its wings were big compared to the body. It had two sharp claws on each of them. The tail was very long and had rows of spikes on it.
"That is one big dragon." Hicca muttered.
Hiccup looked at the others calmly. "Okay, nobody…" Amos then ran for it. "Amos, no!"
Too late, the dragon saw him running and roared. It then fired a shot, which bounced off the sand and headed towards Amos.
Hiccup quickly tackled him to the ground and the shot went over their heads. It then bounced off a sand dune and headed for Snotlout and Hicca, Snotlout quickly grabbed a shield and placed it in front of them. Good thing he did, because when it made contact glass covered it from head to toe.
"Nice work Snotlout." Hicca complimented.
"Yeah, thanks." Snotlout said.
Hiccup looked at Amos. "It thinks you're trying to steal its treasure. Don't move."
The dragon then fired another shot, which bounced off the sand once more and headed towards them.
"Okay, now move!" Hiccup yelled as they got out of the way.
The shot stuck the sand dune and was sent upwards, but not before turning a patch of it to glass. It kept on firing at them and they kept on running and screaming as the shot covered anything it touched to glass. It then fired a shot in front of them to block their path and created a pillar of glass.
"Oh." said Hiccup. The dragon's head then appeared around the pillar. "Take cover!"
He and Amos ran for it and it continued to chase them. Then by accident, it struck Snotlout with its tail causing him to lose the shield. He slammed into some carts and a crossbow landed next to him, firing a bolt. The bolt went straight through the glass ceiling and created a hole allowing sunlight in.
The sunlight then stuck the dragon's scales and imminently it burnt them. It hissed in pain and dung into the sand and disappeared.
Snotlout and Hicca then approached Hiccup and Amos with the crossbow in their hands.
"You two okay?" Hicca asked.
"We're fine, sis." Hiccup assured.
"Did you guys see that?" Snotlout asked them.
"It's the light." Hiccup stared. "It can't be in direct sunlight."
"Like how Whispering Deaths and the Night Swarms." Hicca added.
"Maybe that's why he patched up the holes in the roof." Amso guessed.
"Maybe." Hiccup nodded.
"Maybe we can use it." Hicca said with her fingers on her chin.
"No 'Thank you. Nice going, Snotlout?'" Snotlout asked smugly. "Nothing?"
Amos narrowed his eyes on him. "Oh, shut up, Snotlout."
Snotlout glared at him as Hicca looked at him. "Sorry, cous, some people aren't like you." Hicca said with a chuckle.
"Shut up, Hicca." Snotlout grumbled.
(Linebreak)
Above ground, Astrid and the others were following the map to the Treasure of Tears, but so far they found nothing.
"All right, look, Astrid. We'll give up the…" Tuffnut said, but stopped in mid sentence.
"The what?" Astrid snapped.
"You know. The Tear—" He then began to sobbed for a second, "Those, we can live without. But the treasure? That's gotta be ours. We earned that treasure. I earned that treasure."
Astrid rolled her eyes. "If this works, you can have all the treasure you want. But if it doesn't, you know what's coming," She said looking back at the map.
"Uh, what do you say we stay from going down that dark road again, Astrid?" Ruffnut advised.
Tuffnut nodded. "Yeah. I'm not sure I have any… Well, you know, left to cry."
Astrid then frowned as she looked down at the map and saw a large X and looked up. "Hmm. Do you see that?" She zoomed off. "Hiccup."
Toothless, Midnight, Stormfly and Hookfang then quickly followed her.
"Astrid!" Fishlegs yelled running after her.
"Wait for us!" Raeda called running as well.
"We want to find them too!" Henry called out as he ran as well.
The Thorston twins shrugged at one another and followed them.
(Linebreak)
In the carven, Hiccup and Hicca then heard two familiar dragons roar above them.
"We're going to die," Snotlout groaned.
"Shh." Hiccup hissed, looking at him. "Do you hear that? It came from outside."
"We know those roars anyway." Hicca said with a smile forming.
(Linebreak)
Astrid and Henry were running alongside Toothless and Midnight as quickly as they could.
"Come on, guys!" Astrid told the others. "If this map is real, we need to get there soon!"
"So we need to find them quickly." Henry said to them.
(Linebreak)
In the carven, Hiccup and Hicca looked at both Snotlout and Amos.
"Alright, lift us up." Hiccup said. "If someone's out there, we need to make sure they can see us."
"So let's start stacking each other to get closer to the top." Hicca added.
Snotlout and Amos then each took a foot and lifted Hiccup and Hicca closer towards the hole as Hicca got her brother on top of her.
(Linebreak)
Astrid, Henry, Midnight and Toothless had found a hole and looked down it.
"Are they in there?" Fishlegs asked.
Back down below Snotlout looked up at Hiccup and Hicca. "Is anyone out there?" He asked.
"No," said Astrid, Henry and the Haddock twins in unison.
Astrid, Henry and the others were nowhere near the Haddock twins and Snotlout, they were on a ridge which had many holes dug into the surface.
Astrid got up sadly. "Looks like we're not the only ones who got fooled by this map."
"I really hate scam merchants." Henry growled.
(Linebreak)
Hiccup looked down at his sister, Snotlout and Amos. "Looks like we're on our own."
"Great." Hicca sighs grimly.
Once they lowered the Haddock twins back down onto the ground, Snotlout and Amos began looking around for anything that could help them, but with no luck. Hiccup and Hicca, on the other hand, were looking up at the glass roof above them.
Snotlout then looked at them. "You know, staring at that thing isn't gonna suddenly help us get outta here."
Hiccup then turned to him. "Hey, you have a better idea for whenever that sand-busting thing comes back?"
Snotlout smiled. "Sandbuster. That's a good name."
The Haddock twins just gave him a blank expression. "Really? We're naming it now?!" Hicca asked in disbelief.
"I was just trying to help." Snotlout said in defense.
"Oh, you couldn't have gotten sucked down with your dragons, could ya'?" Amos grumbled. "Could've flown right out of here. But no!"
"Why do you even talk?" Snotlout glared.
"It's how I voice my displeasure." Amos grumbled and gestured towards the hole in the roof above them. "And I'm gonna die with freedom just beyond that hole."
An idea then entered into the Haddock twins' heads. "The hole." Hiccup said.
"Of course, that's our way out." Hicca added.
Amos laughed. "Oh. How do you plan on getting to it?" He questions.
"Yeah, I mean the idiot does have a point." Snotlout admitted. "We can't even reach it."
"Then we'll bring it to us by then by climbing up." Hicca and looked at the old crates around them. "You two start stacking this junk. Build a tower as high as it'll go."
"It'll never reach and it'll never hold." Amos said.
Hiccup turned on him. "Oh, just do it." He said.
"It's the only plan we got that could work." Hicca added.
"And what are you two gonna do?" Snotlout asked.
"Build a cage to trap the Sandbuster when he comes back." Hiccup said as he grabbed some wooden beams and a bent nail.
"It will slow it down long enough for us to hopefully get out of here." Hicca added as she grabbed some junk to help out.
Amos looked at Snotlout with a dubious look.
Snotlout sighed. "I don't know. Just do what they say. They're always right, so there's no point."
"What was that, Snotlout?" Hiccup asked.
"Did you say something?" Hicca asked as well.
"You're both like rays of light. Lighting my way. Super-shiny." Snotlout lied as he then saw the confused look on the Haddock twins' faces. "Never mind." He grumbled.
"Yeah, yeah," Hiccup sighed.
"Just get started." Hicca added.
(Linebreak)
On the surface, Astrid and Henry were sitting on the edge of the ridge looking down at the map. Raeda and Fishlegs would tell that they were concerned about Hiccup and Hicca as they approached them.
"Don't worry guys." Raeda said in assurance. "I know them well enough that they're okay." She added.
"Yeah. They're down there." Fishlegs said. "Somewhere. And we're gonna find him."
Raeda then placed a hand on Astrid's shoulder. "We're not going to stop until we find them. Right, guys?" She turned to the other dragons.
The dragons were certainly eager, but Tuffnut was curled up into a ball sobbing while his sister comforted him.
"Bro, it's like a tear. It's spelled the say." Ruffnujt said. "'Tear,' 'tear,' no?" Tuffnut continued to cry. "Okay. All right. Calm down." She
Raeda rolled her eyes and looked at Astrid and Henry. "Guys, it's not the first time Hiccup and Hicca are stuck with Snotlout and more than anyone knows they can look after themselves." She told them.
"Well, that is true. They are a great team when they work together." Henry said while feeling a little better. "Especially since they got Hicca with them to heal them." He added with a small smile.
Astrid was about to respond when she noticed something on the map. "Wait a minute." She then got up and handed the map to Henry, Raeda and Fishlegs. "Guys, what do you see here?"
Fishlegs was looking at the Thorston twins. "A good reason to throw theThorston twins into our volcano?"
"I put that in the list if I ever snapped that bad." Raeda nodded.
"Agreed." Henry added.
"No." Astrid snapped, gesturing to the map. "Look." She then pointed to the helmet on the map and then to the mountain ahead of them. "This helmet in the corner looks just like that mountain peak over there."
The three looked at one another and back to Astrid.
Raeda looked at her. "I can see the simulates, but—"
Henry then looked at her. "There is a clue in this map." He said.
Fishlegs then looked at them. "Astrid, Henry, I know you two want this to—"
Astrid ignored them and pointed to the axes. "And these axes right here?" She then pointed to a pair of trees that formed a cross shape. "They line up, too. These are all landmarks. All around us."
Henry then slammed his head on his forehead. "Of course, the 'X' is just to tell you where you can find the landmarks." He realized.
Astrid nodded. "And when you line up the map here, look what happens." She placed her finger on the tears symbol and removed the map. Her finger pointed towards the beach.
"It's back to the beach where the dragons brought us." Raeda said with wide eyes.
Astrid then looked at the others and rushed off with a new sense of determination. "Come on. We're going to get Hiccup, Hicca and Snotlout."
"Dragon Riders, let's ride!" Henry announced as he gave a smile. "I always wanted to say that." He said with a chuckle.
(Linebreak)
In the carven, Snotlout and Amos had finished staking the crates together so that it almost reached the roof.
Amos looked at Snotlout dubiously. "You don't really think this thing's gonna hold?"
"As long as we get Hiccup and Hicca to climb it. It'll hold their scrawny butt no problem," said Snotlout confidently.
He then turned to witness Hiccup and Hicca pulling a rope and saw no signs of a cage anywhere. "I thought you guys said you were building a cage?" Snotlout asked.
"Yes, Snotlout. We did," Hiccup said as he tied the rope.
"Okay, don't take this the wrong way, but don't cages have, I don't know, locks, bars, walls?" Snotlout asked.
"This is a different kind of trap, Snotlout. This is the best we can do." Hicca said with a sigh as she and her brother backed away slowly from it.
"Trust us. This is going to work." Hiccup said as he and his sister then looked at them. "Now let's get up that tower. Did you make sure it was sturdy?"
Amos looked at Snotlout. "Snotlout said—"
"It's fine, it's fine, it's fine." Snotlout said quickly.
The Haddock twins then began to climb the tower and it began to shake. They looked down at Snotlout, who gave them a thumbs up and chuckled nervously. Then suddenly something exploded behind him, they turned and saw the Sandbuster had shot out of the sand wall.
"Sandbuster, Sandbuster!" Snotlout cried as he hid behind Amos.
"No, don't!" Amos yelled and quickly climbed the tower.
"Hiccup! Hicca!" Snotlout yelled, doing the same.
The Sandbuster too climbed the tower and nearly got Hiccup, if he hadn't gotten out of the way in time. Hicca managed to dodge it a bit as she held on tight as they then jumped and landed on a makeshift catapult he made, which fired a rock at the glass roof creating a hole. The light struck the Sandbuster causing it to hiss and retreat.
"Ha-ha." Hiccup smiled and jumped onto another catapult.
"Time for you to see the light!" Hicca quipped.
Again another rock struck the glass roof and fired another beam of light at the Sandbuster. Hiccup kept on jumping from catapult to catapult, which he made around the carven, and kept on firing rocks at the roof. Soon the Sandbuster was trapped as it was surrounded by beams of daylight from the roof.
Hiccup looked at the others. "See? Cage."
Amos looked at Snotlout. "You weren't lying. He is always right." He said.
"Shut up, Amos," Snotlout glared.
Hiccup then rushed to the tower and began to climb. "Now, for our exit." He said.
"Let's get out of this cavern." Hicca said in agreement.
They began to climb and had just reached the top when the Sandbuster made its move. It began to fire up at the roof sealing the holes Hiccup had made and then slammed into the tower.
"The tower is collapsing!" Hicca yelled.
"Oh, no. No!" Hiccup cried as the tower collapsed.
They landed on the ground and Hiccup's medallion skidded across the floor, underneath the Sandbuster.
Hiccup looked at the Sandbuster. "Hey, don't you touch that. It's a gift." He warned him.
"Oh, yeah, I'm sure he cares about that." Snotlout said, rolling his eyes.
"Will you just let it go, Snotlout?" Hicca groaned in annoyance.
The Sandbuster then roared at them and advanced towards them.
Snotlout then grabbed a large sword from a barrel. "Snotlout!" He yelled before he toppled over due to the sword's weight. He picked himself up and pointed the sword at the Sandbuster. "Gotcha! Ha!"
"Wait, Snotlout, that sword looks like…" Hicca tried to explain but Snotlout ignored her.
Snotlout then toppled over again and looked up to see the Sandbuster directly on top of him. "Hiccup!"
"Brother!" Hicca yelled in worry.
Amos crawled away screaming and Hiccup saw his medallion and then only a beam of sunlight left shining through the last hole in the roof. He then ran towards the Sandbuster and past Snotlout, who was still trying to lift the sword.
Snotlout saw him running past and stared at him. "Hiccup, what are you…"
Hiccup then skidded across the floor and snatched the medallion underneath the Sandbuster. "Yes." he said as he landed in the beam of light.
He then held up the medallion and reflected the sunlight off of it and stuck the Sandbuster. It imminently roared in pain.
"…doing?" Snotlout said, getting to his feet and rested the sword on his shoulder. "Nice job!" He then toppled over due to the sword's weight.
"He's using the medallion to reflect the sunlight to redirect it at the Sandbuster!" Hicca realized.
Hiccup kept the light on the Sandbuster as it moved. "You guys run. I'll keep it busy."
Amos got up. "Right. Sounds good to me." He said and ran off.
Snotlout then grabbed his ear and pulled him back. "Stand down, Amos the Lamest. We're not going anywhere without that guy. Got it?"
"We stay together bro." Hicca said firmly.
"Then we're all gonna die where we stand!" Hiccup said.
Then the glass roof shattered and flying into the cavern was Astrid, who was riding Toothless, and the other Riders. Astrid, Henry, Raeda and Fishlegs then fired upon the Sandbuster pushing it back.
"Henry, guys!" Hicca cheered as Midnight landed next to her as she gave her dragon a hug.
Hiccup joined the others and smiled. "You were saying?" He asked.
Astrid, Henry, Raeda, Fishlegs and Stormfly then fired more breath attacks at the Sandbuster. He clearly had enough, because he jumped into the sand and disappeared. They then flew down to the others to get them out of the cavern.
"Woo-hoo!" Hiccup cried as he took Astrid' hand.
Hookfang grabbed both Snotlout and Amos. "Hookfang!" Snotlout cried as they flew up.
"No, no, no!" Amos screamed.
Soon they flew out of the hole and into daylight.
(Linebreak)
It was late in the evening when they returned to the Northern Markets and the Haddock twins explained everything to Johann.
"I must say, Master Hiccup and Hicca, you two and your team always seem to right the wrongs in this mad, mad world." Johann reconnected. "With the vicious Sandbuster beach closed to incoming traffic, the flow of commerce can, once again, commence." He then noticed the sword Snotlout was holding. "And, speaking of commerce, Master Snotlout, I've been admiring your bejeweled weapon. Simply dazzling." He said with interest.
"Save it Johann. It's not for sale," said Snotlout bluntly.
Meanwhile Tuffnut was still crying his eyes out and Ruffnut was trying to comfort him. "Just start with a 'T' A little t… Just a little…" Ruffnut tried to assure only for Tuffnut to break into tears again, even louder. "O-Okay! Okay!"
Johann then looked at the Haddock twins. "And with that, I did you adieu." He waved, as he left.
"See ya, Johann." Hicca waved at him as she went to Midnight.
Hiccup looked at Astrid. "Astrid…" He started
Astrid, realizing what was about to happen, then looked to make a quick exit. "Um, I need to check on Stormfly." She said to Hiccup.
Hiccup then grabbed her arm. "No, no, you don't." He told her.
Astrid looked at him. "I don't?" She asked, knowing she was slipping out of this, this time.
"No. You need to stand right here and take this in." Hiccup said and reached into his satchel. He then pulled out his medallion which now had a string around it. "This was my father's betrothal gift to my mother." Astrid gasped as Hiccup placed it around her neck. "And he gave it to me, to give to you."
Astrid held the medallion in her hands and Hiccup placed his over hers and looked into her eyes. "Astrid, you're a part of our family. You always have been and I hope you always will be." He said.
Astrid sighed and looked away in shame.
Hiccup imminently believed it was because she didn't like his gift. "Um, okay. If you don't like it—"
Astrid quickly looked at him. "Hiccup, I… It's beautiful. It's perfect. It's just… I didn't get you a gift. I don't know what to get, or…" She explained, looking ashamed.
"But you did." Hiccup said, causing her to look at him. "Astrid, you got me the greatest gift in the world. You." Astrid stared at him as he grasped her hand. "You, just being here with me. It's the only gift I need."
"Then you won't be needing this," Raeda said.
Hiccup and Astrid looked at her and saw that he was holding a shield with a sheet over it.
"What's that?" Astrid frowned.
"It's your betrothal that you had me made." Raeda smiled. "Sorry it took so long, but I can only do so much with a drawing and you can't rush a work of art."
He then removed the sheet and Hiccup and Astrid gasped, because the shield had a beautiful painting of Hiccup holding him around Astrid, who was leaning on his shoulder with her eyes closed.
"It's beautiful." Hiccup said, stunned and looking at Astrid. "And you were so worried about not getting me anything special." He smiled.
Hiccup then pulled her into a hug and she rested her chin on his shoulder as she wrapped her arms around him. She then looked at Raeda and mouthed the words 'Thank you' and Raeda winked.
Hicca then walked up to Midnight's saddle and brought out her betrothal gift as she then went up to Henry. "Hey, Henry. There's something I've been wanting to give you." She said with a small smile.
"Wait, already?" Henry said, realizing it was time to exchange their gifts.
Hicca then unwrapped the cloth from her gift, showing him the sword, "This sword was my mother's gift to my father, so my father thought that you should have it, as a sign that you're a part of our family." She said as she placed the sword in Henry's hands.
Henry held the sword up, and swung it around a few times, "Heh, your mom's got good taste in swords, I love it Hicca." He said with a smile, "And now for my gift." He said, sheathing the sword on his back, and then reached into his satchel, pulling out his Circlet.
Hicca gasped at it in surprise as she placed a hand over her mouth. "H-Henry," She whispered.
"When I asked Mala to make this, she had our best craftsmen make this. It was my idea to add the Night Fury emblem, I just wanted something beautiful worthy of the most beautiful girl I ever met." Henry explained as he saw Hicca's speechless expression and got worried, "Oh, of course you hate it. I know I should've gotten you something that…" He was cut off when Hicca kissed him, holding his hands. Henry was surprised by this as he kissed Hicca back as they broke apart.
Hicca gave a loving smile at Henry as she looked him in the eyes. "Henry, this is the best gift you could have ever given me. It's beautiful." She said as she took the Circlet and put it on her head as Henry smiled at her. "It fits perfectly. I love it." She finished.
"Glad you love it, Hicca. I thought you wouldn't like it since you aren't much of a jewelry person." Henry said with a sheepish smile.
"Oh, Henry. It doesn't matter what you give me, it's you that I care for." Hicca assured as the two shared a hug.
Snotlout then interrupted the pair's moments by playing around with his new sword.
"En garde!" he yelled before he lost his grip and fell into an apple cart.
The sword was sent flying through the air before it headed for the two couples.
"Watch it!" Hiccup yelled, pulling Astrid out of the way.
"Look out!" Hicca yelled as she moved Henry out of the way.
The sword then plunged into the ground and upon closer examination and the Haddock twins, as well as Henry, recognised it.
"Wait a minute," Hiccup said, getting closer to the sword.
"What is it?" Astrid asked.
"Astrid, we thought we recognised that sword." Hicca spoke next.
"That's not just any sword. That's…" Henry said seriously as he got closer to it and picked it up, recognizing the ruby on the guard. "This is my father's sword." He gasped in shock.
Astrid realized she recognised it as well. "Viggo's." She then looked at them confused. "But if his sword is here…"
Hiccup's face became grim. "Who brought it here?"
"And who had it before losing it in the cavern?" Hicca added grimly as well.
Henry looked at his father's sword as he held it tightly in his hand as he sheathed it on him. "Wait, you are keeping the sword, Henry?" Snotlout asked in confusion. "I found it first!" He complained.
"It's still my father's, Snotlout. So back off!" Henry yelled as Snotlout backed away. "But still, who had my father's sword and who brought it here to begin with?" He said firmly while giving some thoughts on who brought his father's sword to the Northern Markets before losing it in the cavern.